A natural living site where you'll learn about organic gardening, foraging, home medicine and more.
Walking in an evergreen forest has a way of taking me to a place of calm. Does it do that for you? The thick layer of needles under foot makes everything quiet, and breathing in the amazing aroma makes me slow down, and just enjoy the here and now.
There are days when I’m frazzled and hurried and anything but calm. I may not be able to get myself out into the woods, but I can bathe with pine bath salts, and they help to lift my mood, and dispel my fatigue.Continue Reading
I love this beautiful soap with a candy-cane swirl. Scented with peppermint essential oil, it is perfect for Christmas gift-giving. The instructions for making this natural, homemade candy cane soap come from Kelly Cable’s new book, The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners (and is used with the author’s permission).
I’ve been making soap for many years, but I’ve rarely gone beyond the basics. Kelly’s new book inspires me to be more experimental and artistic in my soap making. This candy cane soap was the first I’ve tried using color in my soap, and I love it!Continue Reading
It’s not often that I accept guest posts, but today I’m super delighted to welcome Jan Berry of The Nerdy Farm Wife. Jan is sharing her recipe for Homemade Lavender Soap Bars.
This summer I’ve been indulging a bit in some fiction set in late 1800’s England. And all the girls were perfumed with lavender. It’s an old-fashioned scent that is calming and relaxing. This soap will soothe after a long, stressful day and is perfect for gift giving. Continue Reading
You’ve worked in the garden all day; you’re hot and tired. You need pampering and you need to relax.
You spent an amazing day hiking in the woods, but you realize that the rock on which you rested was surrounded by poison ivy.
Or maybe your little one’s skin is dry and irritated. Herb-infused homemade soap is just the help you need.
Continue Reading
I haven’t used a lot of perfume, although there was a time when I frequently used patchouli essential oil as perfume. Then in the 80’s, I discovered Estée Lauder™ Private Collection Perfume. It was love at first smell.
That perfume was pricey, so I used it for special occasions only. But as time when on, I noticed that it was causing allergy symptoms every time I used it. Runny nose, itchy eyes, and sinus congestion. So, reluctantly I had to say good-bye.Continue Reading
One of the first things a girl needs to know (ok, boys, too) when learning about herbal medicine is to make an herbal infusion. And if the girl has time on her hands, time is all she needs.
But sometimes mullein needs to be quickly infused for an earache. Or plantain for a healing balm. If you don’t have time, you need heat. Not just any heat – gentle heat. The kind of heat you get from a double boiler.Continue Reading