Posted on 07/24/2009 3:37:21 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny
Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition Category: Roundups | Comments(15)
Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.
To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.
The Frugal Roundup
How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)
Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)
Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)
Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)
40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)
Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)
5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)
A Few Others I Enjoyed
* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/tv-organictoolkit.html
Five Must-Have Ingredients for the Organic Gardener’s Toolkit
By: Arzeena Hamir
For any gardener who still hasn’t been convinced about the need to garden organically, here are some statistics that may help change your mind. In March of 2001, the American Cancer Society published a report linking the use of the herbicide glyphosate (commonly sold as Round-up) with a 27% increased likelihood of contracting Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. John Hopkins University also revealed that home gardeners use almost 10 times more pesticide per acre than the average farmer and that diseases caused by environmental illness, exposure to chemicals etc., is now the number one cause of death in the U.S.
With the EPA’s recent phasing out of common pesticides such as Dursban and Diazinon, we are now realizing that many of the chemicals that we thought were “safe” were never actually tested to see what their affect on children, women, and the elderly could be. The time has come to reassess our dependence on pesticides. For anyone contemplating the switch to organic gardening, here are a few ingredients that should be in every gardener’s toolkit:
1. Garlic
Many cultures around the world have used garlic as a natural antibiotic and antifungal remedy. When garlic is combined with mineral oil and soap, it becomes a very effective pest control product. However, when it is sprayed, it is not a selective insecticide. It can be used to control cabbageworm, leafhoppers, squash bugs, whitefly, but will also affect beneficial insects so be careful where and when you apply this product.
Recipe: Allow 3 ounces of finely chopped garlic to soak in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for 24 hours. Add 1 pint of water and ¼ ounce of liquid dish soap. Stir well and strain into a glass jar for storage. This is your concentrate.
To use: Combine 1-2 tablespoons of concentrate in 1 pint of water to make the spray. Do be careful not to make the solution too strong. While garlic is safe for humans, when combined with oil & soap, the mixture can cause leaf injury on sensitive plants. Always test the lower leaves of plants first to make sure they aren’t affected.
2. Milk
Fungal diseases can be a serious problem for gardeners, especially in the heat of the summer. Powdery mildew and black spot seem to be the most common diseases that cause gardeners to reach for the spray bottle. Now, instead of reaching for a chemical fungicide, gardeners can open the fridge for an excellent fungal control - milk!
In 1999, a Brazilian scientist found that milk helped control powdery mildew on cucumbers just as effectively as a synthetic fungicide. Since the study was published, the news has traveled around the world and encouraged gardeners and farmers alike to try milk as a fungal control for a variety of diseases. So far, there has been success reported on the use of milk to control powdery mildew on a variety of different plants. In addition, it has also been found to be an affective control of black spot on roses.
Any type of milk can be used from full milk to skim to powder. However, the low fat milks have less of a chance of giving off any odour. The recipe calls for milk to be mixed with water at a ratio of 1 part milk to 9 parts water and applied every 5-7 days for 3 applications.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/tv-organictoolkit2.html
Five Must-Have Ingredients for the Organic Gardener’s Toolkit - pg2
By Arzeena Hamir
3. Beer
Slugs are attracted to chemicals given off by the fermentation process. The most popular bait has been beer. However, not all beers are created equal. In 1987, a study at Colorado State University Entomology Professor Whitney found that Kingsbury Malt Beverage, Michelob, and Budweiser attracted slugs far better than other brands.
Whatever the type of beer you use, you can create your own slug trap. Use cottage cheese, margarine, or similar size plastic containers. Put between 1/2 and 2 inches of beer in each container and place the containers around your garden, especially around plants prone to slug damage. Never, sink the containers with their rims flush with the soil level or you run the risk of drowning ground beetles, important slug controllers. The rims should be 1” above the soil’s surface. You will probably need to empty the container of drowned slugs every other night. The range of slug traps is only a few feet so you need to supply a few traps throughout your garden.
4. Floating row cover
The easiest method of pest control is to prevent damage in the first place. Using a physical barrier like a floating row cover will prevent insect pests from reaching your plants and chewing them or laying their eggs on them. I find floating row covers a must when growing carrots to prevent carrot rust fly damage and when draped over my broccoli, I prevent imported cabbageworm from defoliating my plants.
Floating row cover is a fabric made of spun polypropelene fibres. The fabric itself is very lightweight and will sit on top of your plants without causing any damage. The fabric allows both light and water to penetrate it but prevents even the smallest insects like flea beetles from getting to your plants.
The fabric is sold at most garden centers under many names like Reemay, Agrofabric and Agribon and comes in a variety of different weights. The lighter weight fabrics are best for use during the summer. The heavier fabrics do hold in some heat and are best used in the early spring or late fall. The added bonus is that they can also help extend the gardening season by a few weeks!
5. Newspaper/Cardboard
Weeds are some of the hardest pests to control organically without resorting to physically pulling each one out. If your weeds are coming up in small clusters, it is easy to deal with them by pouring boiling water over them. However, if you’ve got a large area, the best way to control them is to smother them, also known as sheet mulching.
I prefer to use either newspaper or cardboard to smother my weeds instead of plastic. Both newspaper and cardboard degrade naturally and will, over time, add carbon into my soil, helping provide organic material. In addition, most newspapers are now printed with soy-based inks, which will also degrade in the garden.
If you decide to use newspaper, make sure you place it at least 4-6 sheets thick over your weeds. One layer of cardboard is usually sufficient to get the same effect. It takes at least a month to kill most weeds so I find the best way to use this method is to place the newspaper or cardboard over the weeds in the fall. Come springtime, the weeds are dead, the mulch has degraded, and I’ve got wonderful soil to work with.
For anyone who is concerned about the aesthetics of newspaper or cardboard, you can also cover the mulch with grass clippings, compost or bark mulch for a nicer look. Make sure whatever you use is free of weed seeds.
The Author
Arzeena Hamir is an agronomist and garden writer for Organic Living Newsletter. Subscribe to this free e-newsletter at http://www.tvorganics.com
Posted: 2003
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/kg_strawbale.html
Straw Bale Culture Technique
By Kirk Gordon
Growing plants in straw bales is not a common practice. Straw bale culture is a form of soilless cultivation or hydroponics. The technique is quite effective at growing healthy plants and can grow tomatoes, peppers or even cucumbers to list a few. Root vegetables like turnips or carrots are not ideal for straw culture. Certain herbs like cilantro, basil and parsley should do well when grown this way.
In general, plants grown in straw bales appear to require less water than when grown in soil. Another benefit to using straw bale culture is the garden bed will turn into compost offering some additional nutrients to your vegetables and herbs. The constantly composing environment warms up to provide gentle heat to the roots of plants and for your greenhouse. After some preparation and processing the compost will also begin to generate Co2 which will help to boost your plant’s growth rate.
Instructions:
Wheat straw bales are a good choice for cultivating plants. You should try to remove any weeds that may sprout, then follow the instructions below to get started growing your vegetable crops “Straw Culture” style.
Construct Garden Area
The straws should be tied and in a vertical position. Build a (plastic) barrier/fence around your garden area to hold the bales in place. If you do build a barrier around your garden, make sure the bales are packed in well. The barrier should be made of plastic or other synthetic material and not consist of wood or other biodegradable substance.
Place a sheet of plastic on the bottom of your grow area to help the straw retain moisture. Tightly pack in the tied straw bales until the entire area of your garden is filled in. Soak the entire garden with water and place another sheet of plastic on top. Each bale will require approximately 1-gallon of water daily. For example, if you used 10 bales, you will need 10-gallons of water. Place another sheet of plastic on top of the bales after watering. The plastic should remain on between feedings until the processing period is over.
Preparing Bale (Processing)
The straw bale will require 3-4 weeks of processing before it is ready to grow plants. After the 3-4 weeks processing time, the bale will begin to decompose and form compost. This is when you will add fertilizers and top with a dressing of bagged compost or manure about 4 inches high. Do not use soil.
Adding Fertilizer:
Once you’ve topped with compost/manure it’s time to add the fertilizer. Spread the dry (soluble) fertilizer over the surface of the bales and then water according to manufacturers directions. After you add fertilizer, the rate of bacterial action in the decomposing straw will increase, raising the bed’s internal heat. Cover with plastic and let it sit for an additional week. After a week, the bales should be cool enough to start planting your seeds - just drop em’ in to sprout.
The Author
Article courtesy of HydroponicSearch.com - The Hydroponics Search Engine.
Posted: August 30, 2005
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/dd_scenttrees.html
Gardening Using Trees and Shrubs with Scent in Mind
Trees and shrubs can have many different forms, for example many conifers are conical, pyramidal, or powerfully vertical. Some are prostrate and spreading. To some degree these are scented and everyone is familiar with the scent of pine, but it is only if you rub or brush against the tree, which can be a prickly experience! Weeping trees have a very attractive romantic form and scented varieties include weeping Cercidiphyllum (Katsura Tree) Pendulum, which is quite spectacular. It has thrilling color in the fall and is scented like caramel. Also the weeping Silver Lime is an attractive choice for scented gardening. A shrub that looks like a small tree is Buddleja Alternifolia, and it has lovely flowers with the scent of honey in early summer.
Trees can affect the character of a garden and all gardens, however small, should have at least one. They make such a strong outline against the background and the sky. A number of conifers have scented needles, such as juniper and cypresses. Some of them have slender columnar forms which are used in gardening to create a formal or contemporary feel. The more spreading, horizontal conifers like Cedar of Lebanon, (scented of blackcurrant in summer weather), Blue Atlas Cedar or Scots Pine, create a less formal look for a gardening design, but still have a distinct aura of grandeur about them.
Primarily we tend to choose trees and shrubs as gardening subjects because they fit architecturally into a given space. Scent is often the last criterion we would use to select a large feature such as this. Trees and shrubs are such significant gardening features that eventual size and the shade cast may be of more importance than scent. Shade is desirable to some degree, but if trees and shrubs are so big and planted on the southern side of a garden they may cast everything into gloom! Scented blossoms may be considered a bonus in gardening terms once the other considerations have been met.
For low, formal hedging you really can’t beat the neatness of Box. It is not as fast growing as privet. If your idea of gardening is about clipped topiary, Box is ideal for designs such as Box Balls or Pyramids on the simpler level up to Elephant, Peacock and Teddy Bear shapes for the more experienced topiarist. Low box hedging can bring a formal look to your gardening, even if other areas are less so: it can bring the garden “into line” so to speak, by creating straight lines of dense green. Of course you can make a curved hedge from it too. One of its less attractive features is its smell, but that is a matter of personal taste. For me it smells too strongly of cat’s urine! I experience this pungent odour every time I walk by it, but many people learn to live with or even love it simply by associating it with happy summer days pottering around gardening. If you really can’t handle the smell then consider using Lonicera Nitida instead. This shrubby honeysuckle has sweet, fruity cream-colored flowers.
Trees and shrubs can of course be used to make a windbreak screen. In order to create the still, sheltered microclimate in which other scented plants can thrive, this may be essential, depending on the situation of your plot. Trees and shrubs can make better windbreaks than walls, as they don’t offer the wind a “full stop” barrier which the wind can then leap over and cause problems due to eddying on the other side. If your region is reasonably mild for gardening, Eucalyptus can grow very fast to create an instant hedge or tree in a selected spot. They have beautifully minty-scented foliage, flowers with the scent of honey, and are fast growers. They can be hard pruned if you don’t mind a modicum of gardening, especially if you don’t want them to grow so big and if you want to keep the prettier, juvenile blue leaves coming back year on year.
A number of gardening writers seem to ignore trees and shrubs when they write about scented gardening; perhaps small and pretty annuals spring to mind or of course roses. In fact a huge amount of scent can be generated from gardening with trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs can give such a variety of powerful scents that it is a shame that most of us don’t have the space to use more of them in our gardens. The architectural effect of trees and shrubs is undeniable.
The Author:
Dianne Davies is a keen gardener who likes to share her knowledge. She runs her own half acre garden in Norfolk as well as websites which include - http://www.gardening-world.com & http://www.gardening-notebook.blogspot.com
Source: ArticleTrader.com
Posted: July 12, 2006
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_grainbread.html
Whole-Wheat Bread with Herbs - Makes one 9-inch loaf, approx. 14 slices.
* Canola oil spray
* 3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, preferably stone-ground
* 1/2 cup unbleached bread flour
* 2 tsp. salt
* 1 Tbsp. unsulphured molasses
* 2 cup lukewarm water (100-115 º F.)
* 2 packages dry active yeast
* 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
* 1 Tbsp. dried basil
* 1 tsp. dried oregano
* 2 tsp. dried thyme
Lightly spray 9 x 5x 3 inch bread pan. Set pan aside. Set a rack in the center of oven.
In large bowl, combine whole wheat and bread flour with salt. Set bowl in warm oven - if a gas stove, use only the warmth of the pilot light. If an electric oven, use lowest possible setting to warm the flour and bowl.
In small bowl, mix molasses into 1/2 cup of the water. Sprinkle yeast over liquid. Set aside until yeast is dissolved and foamy, about 10 minutes.
Remove warmed bowl of flour from oven. Preheat oven to 450 º F.
Stir in walnuts, basil, oregano, and thyme into warm flour. Pour yeast mixture and remaining 1 1/2 cups water into flour. Using wooden spoon, mix until sticky dough forms. Mixture will seem dry at first, but gets wetter as you stir. It will partially pull away from sides of bowl but remain sticky and too soft to knead. Turn dough into prepared pan. Cover pan with a dish towel. Set it in a warm, draft-free place until dough doubles in volume, 10-15 minutes, and is slightly below edge of pan.
Bake 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 425 º F. Bake 20 minutes, until loaf sounds hollow when tapped in center of the top and bottom. Crust will be dark brown and hard. If the loaf is very dark but still moist in center, turn off oven. Remove bread from pan, and let it sit in oven for 5 minutes. Cool bread on a rack. Cool it completely before slicing.
Per serving: 119 calories, <1 g. total fat (<1 g. saturated fat), 26 g. carbohydrate, 5 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 334 mg. sodium.
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/cgi-bin/cookbook.cgi?display:959008273-21383.txt
Creole Tomato Bread
Submit Contents Recipes
oil - 3 Tsp
egg - 1 each
flour - 1 Pint + 3/4 Cup
yeast - 1 PKG
paprika - 1 Tsp
molasses - 2 Tsp
wheat germ - 1 Oz
baking soda - 1/8 Tsp
garlic salt - 1-1/4 Tsp
tomato soup - 1/2 CAN
celery - 2 Oz
chili powder - 1 Tsp
tomato juice - 5 Oz + 2 Tsp
mushroom - 4 Oz
cayenne pepper - 1/8 Tsp
pimientos - 1 Oz
dried onion flakes - 3 Tsp
red bell pepper - 2 Oz
Dissolve 1 PKG yeast in 2/3 CUP warm tomato juice; set aside.
In a bowl, combine 2-3/4 CUPS flour, 2 TBL wheat germ, 1-1/4 TSP garlic salt, 1 TSP chili powder, 1 TSP paprika, 1/8 TSP baking soda, 1/8 TSP cayenne pepper, 1/4 CUP finely chopped celery, 1/4 CUP finely chopped red bell pepper, 2 TBL chopped pimientos, 1 TBL dried onion flakes, 1/2 CAN tomato soup (undiluted), 1 egg, 1 TBL oil, and 2 TSP molasses.
Add the yeast mixture and knead until smooth and satiny, about 10 minutes.
Knead in 1/2 CUP sliced mushrooms. Allow to rise, covered, in a warm place for 2 hours. Punch down, place in a greased loaf pan, and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Serves 1
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_zucbread.html
Zucchini Bread - Makes 12 servings.
Non-stick cooking spray
1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups grated zucchini, squeezed of excess moisture
1/4 cup ground walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch loaf pan with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, applesauce, vanilla, zucchini and walnuts together. Pour over the dry ingredients and stir to combine completely.
Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour or until golden and done when tested with a toothpick. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before turning out onto a rack to continue cooling.
Per serving: 177 calories, 9 g. total fat (1 g. saturated fat), 23 g. carbohydrate, 3 g. protein, less than 2 g. dietary fiber, 254 mg. sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_gf_walnutfig.html
Walnut and Fig Zucchini Bread - Makes 12 servings.
* 1 tsp. baking powder
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* 1/4 tsp. salt
* 1/4 cup plain low fat yogurt, divided
* 2/3 cup dried figs, coarsely chopped
* 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
* Nonstick cooking spray
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup orange juice
* 2 cups zucchini, grated
* 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
* 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
* 1/8 tsp ground cloves
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Coat 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside. Combine sugar and orange juice. Stir in zucchini. Set aside.
Combine flours, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium mixing bowl.
Stir half of flour mixture into zucchini mixture and stir in half of yogurt. Repeat with remaining flour and yogurt. Stir until blended. Fold in figs and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. For maximum flavor, wrap bread in plastic and store overnight before serving.
Per serving: 210 calories, 3.5 g total fat (0 g saturated fat), 44 g carbohydrate, 5 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 55 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_cranberrybread.html
Cranberry Sweet Potato Bread - Makes 16 servings.
Canola oil spray
2 large eggs
3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes, fresh baked or canned without syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. orange extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice or mace (optional)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped dried unsweetened cranberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a standard loaf pan (8x4 or 9x5-inch) with canola spray and set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, oil, sweet potatoes and extracts until well combined.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, spices, salt and baking soda. Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and add the wet sweet potato mixture. Mix until just moistened; do not over-mix or beat batter until smooth. Gently stir in cranberries.
Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Remove bread from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes on rack. Remove from pan and set back on rack to completely cool. Seal bread tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Tightly wrapped in both, it can be refrigerated up to one week or frozen up to one month.
Per serving: 160 calories, 5 g total fat (<1 g saturated fat), 26 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 1 g dietary fiber, 130 mg sodium.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ak_oldfashbread.html
Old Fashioned Bread
This is a bread for bread lovers, it’s a bread similar to what people had made in the old fashion brick oven that was found in most peoples back yard many years ago.
It is a firm bread but with great taste and texture, it is especially good when served hot right from the oven with butter and jam. This recipe makes six loaves but you can break it down to two loaves just by dividing by three.
4 ½ pounds all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup oil
½ pound sugar
1 ounce dry yeast
6 cups warm water
In a stainless steel bowl place your yeast and 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 cup warm water and let the yeast work, when the yeast starts to rise you know that it is ok to use and that your bread is going to rise properly.
In a 10 quart mixing bowl place your flour, salt, sugar, oil, yeast you had started and 5 cups warm water. Mix on low speed using a dough hook on your mixer until well blended, then mix on second speed for about four minutes, at this time you should have a nice well textured dough, if the dough seems too dry to you just add a little more water and mix for about one more minute.
Remove dough from mixer and divide into 24 ounce balls well rounded and tight, let them stand for 5 minutes on table covered with a towel, at this time grease your bread pans, take a ball of dough and flatten it removing any air in the dough (don’t get too rough with it) flap the bottom part of the dough up to the middle and the top of the dough in to the middle and press it down then fold it in half again and with the heal of your hand seal the seam of the dough, (it should look like a six inch hoagie bun) now place it in a well greased bread pan with the seam on the bottom and let it rise under a towel until it is double in size.
In a preheated 350 degree oven place all your loaves of bread and let it bake for 20 minutes then rotate it and let it bake for another 20 minutes, remove from oven and remove from pan, let it cool on a wire rack, even a refrigerator rack is good.
When it is cool enough to cut “enjoy it”.
The Author:
Andrew Krause is a Chef and Pastry Chef for over 30 years, at persent I own a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese Confectioner. You can visit my site at http://www.andies.cashhosters2.com
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_buttermilkbread.html
Quick Buttermilk Bread - Makes one loaf of about 12 slices.
* Canola oil spray
* 1 cup whole wheat flour, sifted
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
* 1/2 cup cornmeal
* 2 tsp. baking powder
* 1/2 tsp. baking soda
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1 Tbsp. finely minced fresh oregano, basil or thyme leaves
* 1 1/4 cups fat-free buttermilk
* 1 egg, slightly beaten
* 2 Tbsp. honey
* 2 Tbsp. canola oil
* 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray the interior of an 8-x4-inch loaf pan with the oil spray.
In a bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and fresh herbs, but save the sesame seeds for later.
In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, egg, honey and oil. Stir into flour mixture just until blended. Spoon batter into the baking pan. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool slightly on a rack. Turn out the bread and cool completely on a wire rack. Serve immediately or store wrapped in plastic wrap or foil.
Per slice: 129 calories, 3 g. total fat (<1 g. saturated fat), 21 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber, 250 mg. sodium.
For Breadmaking machines:
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/lb_breadmaker.html
Basic White Bread
1 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons powdered milk
2 TBSP oil (l usually use canola)
1 tsp salt
3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp yeast
Just use the standard wet on the bottom dry on top mixing process. This is delicious with butter and honey while it is still hot.
Grain & Honey Bread
3/4 cup warm water
2 TBSP honey (liquid or melted)
2 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 TBSP lemon juice
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (mixed grain flower is OK too)
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 tsps granulated yeast
Put the salt in the breadmaker first, then add all other ingredients except the yeast, oats and flour. Add the oats and flour. Make a small hole at the top of the dry ingredients for the yeast. Bake as usual.
Cheesy Buttermilk Bread
This yields a moist and tasty loaf. It also stores very well, but you’ll probably finish it before that even matters!
1 and 1/8 cups buttermilk
1 tsp salt
2 TBSP sugar
.75 cup extra sharp chedder (grated)
3 cups bread flour
1.5 tsps bread machine yeast
Prepare as usual. All wet ingredients first, then the cheese, then dry ingredients, and the yeast on top.
Oat Bread
Use natural rolled oats. Just put them in a pot with boiling water, and then let them soak until they cool off. Then add the other ingredients and proceed as usual.
1 cup rolled oats
11 fl.oz. water
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cups flour
1 tsp yeast
Baking bread is a wonderfully delicious way to add great nutrition to you family’s diet. Give the recipes a try and add some flavour to your meals.
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ps_bread.html
Home Baked Bread & Rolls - Made Simple!
BY PAM SEVERANCE
My Mother, upon watching me mix up a batch of home made Orange Rolls, made the comment that I was the last of a dying breed. In a way she was right! It seems that in our society of simple to prepare foods, we have lost the art of bread baking. My generation, commonly called “Generation-X” has never been called upon to bake bread for necessity, we can just go to the store and buy it! I believe, however, that we should not let this tradition fade away! Baking bread and rolls at home is not as difficult as you think-with today’s modern tools we have in our kitchens, plus a really good recipe, baking bread at home is a lot easier than you think!
Here are a few tips:
The first tool you need for baking bread at home is a good quality mixer. KitchenAid makes a high quality stand mixer that is powerful enough to easily mix your doughs and pastries. The mixers are available in 3 different models- Classic, Heavy Duty and Professional. I prefer the Heavy Duty model as it has a larger bowl capacity and a bit more power than the classic model.
The recipe you choose to use will greatly influence the type and texture of your bread. Yesterday’s bread recipes required rising for several hours- not so today! There are many great recipes that are quick and easy, and produce a wonderful quality of bread. My personal favorite follows:
60 Minute Rolls **
* 1 cup milk
* 1 cup water
* 1/4 cup margarine
* 4-5 cups all purpose flour
* 3 tablespoons sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 pkgs active dry yeast
Combine milk, water and butter in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until liquids are very warm to the touch, about 120 degrees, butter does not need to melt completely. In mixer bowl, place 3 cups of the flour, along with the remaining dry ingredients. Mix on low speed until well blended. Gradually add the warm milk mixture. Mix until well blended.
Gradually begin adding the remaining 1 to 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is firm, clings to the hook, and cleans the sides of the bowl. Turn out onto counter top and knead a few times.
Place in a large greased bowl and allow to rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. Turn out, and divide into rolls or loaves, whichever you choose. Place bread in a warm place and allow to rise for another 20-30 minutes. Bake in a 425 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with butter while still warm to produce a nice soft crust.
Here are some hints for successful bread baking:
Do not use liquids that are too warm, using liquids that are above 130 degrees will kill the yeast in your dough. Liquid should feel very warm to the touch - not burning hot!
Yeast that is old will not rise, but yeast can be stored indefinitely in the freezer! When you buy it at the store, simply pop it in your freezer until you need it!
If you want a shiny, brown crust simply brush the crust of your dough with beaten egg whites before baking. Coating the crust with butter after baking produces a nice, soft, buttery flavored crust.
Not sure if your bread is done? Tap the crust-if it sounds hollow, it’s done!
And last but not least, be sure that your pans are well greased to avoid sticking to the sides. Using a cooking spray such as Pam or Crisco spray works just fine!
There you go! Following the tips given, you should have a wonderful tray of home baked bread in less than 2 hours! I baked this bread recipe into rolls and entered them in our local county fair- won a blue ribbon! And if this member of the “X-Generation” can bake bread, you can too!
_________________________________
Author:
Pam is the publisher of the online home cooking magazine and cookbook, Cooking with The Country Sunshine. She is a full time farm wife, webmaster, and an editor for the Open Directory Project’s Personal Recipe Collections site.
The Country Sunshine - http://www.thecountrysunshine.com/ _________________________________
RECIPE POSTED APRIL 25, 2004
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/jc_bread.html
Bread Baking Basics
by Jill Cooper
We get so many questions about how to make homemade bread, so I thought I would try to answer just a few of them today. Don’t let all this information make it seem too involved and scare you away from making bread. Once you get used to it, it really isn’t a whole lot harder than baking a cake. Just read the information and then follow the recipe step by step.
I once read a book by an older woman on how to bake a pie. She said bake one everyday for 2 weeks and at the end of that time you will know how to bake a pie. That rule applies for many things, including bread baking. Things may seem a little awkward or difficult at first, but after you have made it 14 times you will have learned what not to do and will get comfortable with it. There really was a lot of wisdom in what that older woman said.
We didn’t put my favorite recipe for homemade bread in Dining on a Dime because it isn’t quite as frugal as others, but I thought some of you might like it now. Also, I will give you my grandmother-in-law’s very frugal recipe.
Before I share the recipe, here are some useful tips on baking bread:
Unless the recipe states otherwise in the recipe, heat about 1/4-1/2 cup of the water to 120-130° or until it is hot when you put your finger in it. It can’t be too hot or too cold. This is one of the most important parts of making the bread. With practice and time, you will start being able to tell when you have the correct temperature.
When the water is hot enough, add part of the sugar (about 2 Tbsp.) to the water and then the yeast. You add sugar because yeast feeds on sugar. This process is called proofing. The yeast should start foaming, which tells you it’s good and also that you haven’t gotten the water too hot. If nothing happens, your yeast is dead for one reason or another so you need to get some new yeast or try it again with a different water temperature.
It is also good to do this because proofing the yeast gives the bread a better start. So you don’t get confused, there are some recipes where you add the yeast with the flour and other ingredients and can’t proof. That’s OK because those recipes make up for it by calling for you to mix the ingredients with a mixer.
When you can, add a 1/2-1 cup of mashed potatoes to your bread recipe or, in place of regular water, use water you have used to cook your potatoes. Yeast loves potatoes and the more it eats, the bigger it grows, making the bread lighter and fluffier.
Never add salt with your yeast and water because the salt will kill it.
Have all ingredients at room temperature. Don’t forget to take the eggs out and let them warm up.
If the recipe says to add enough flour to make a stiff dough, just add the flour until it is slightly sticky, taking that last 1/2 cup or so of flour and putting it on your kneading surface. Then knead the last of the flour into the bread. If you get to much flour in the recipe, it makes the bread tough. Beginners sometimes put in all the flour that the recipe calls for and then add more flour on the board to knead, it causing the dough to get too stiff.
You can’t knead bread too much. Knead until it is very smooth and elastic, usually about 10-15 minutes. I know that is a long time. That is why I don’t make bread as often since I have had CFS. I made my best bread on the days my husband would come into the kitchen, spy my dough and start pounding on it. He had more strength than I and always did a better job of kneading.
I always roll my dough into a 14x9 rectangle then roll it jelly roll style and put it in the pan. This helps to get rid of any large air bubbles you might have in the dough that can leave large pockets and holes in your bread.
I have tried many methods to raise bread, from putting it in a covered bowl on the stove to putting it in the car on a warm day. What I found works best for me is to heat my oven on the lowest temperature while I am mixing my dough. After about 5 minutes of heating, I turn the oven off, turn my oven light on and place the dough in my oven (not covering). It works great every time. The heat from the light seems to give it the right amount of warmth.
I also do this when I put the bread in the pans to rise. I place the dough in the oven to rise using the method I described above (reheating the oven and turning it off). Then, when it is almost double in size, I leave it where it is and turn the oven on to the temperature that the bread is supposed to bake and bake it.
Most recipes say to let bread double in size and, to see if it is ready, press your finger into it. If the dent stays, it is ready. After you have made several loaves, you can pretty much tell when it is ready. When I use the method for raising dough I describe above, I skip this test because my bread finishes rising the last little bit while the oven is preheating.
Most bread doughs can be frozen. Mix and knead. Shape into loaves, mini loaves or rolls, not letting it rise. Wrap very well and freeze. When you want to use it, thaw and let it rise. It will keep in the freezer about 4 weeks, but after that the yeast starts going bad.
When you freeze or in store home baked breads, be sure to wrap them well. Bread can lose its moisture. If you don’t think you will use it quickly, freeze part of the already baked bread, because it can dry out and get moldy faster than store bought bread. This is the reason our great-grandmothers came up with recipes like bread pudding and French toast.
If your bread isn’t quite done but is getting too brown, you can tent with foil. To test whether or not it is done, thump it with your fingers and it should sound hollow.
Here’s my favorite bread recipe. It is a cinnamon bread but when I want to make regular bread, I just make it into loaves without spreading the cinnamon and sugar on it. This makes 2 loaves of bread.
Jill’s Favorite (Cinnamon) Bread
6 1/2 - 7 cups unsifted flour
6 Tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg. yeast
1 cup milk
3/4 cup water
1/3 cup margarine
3 eggs (room temp.)
Filling:
Margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
Mix 2 cups flour with sugar, salt and yeast. Put the milk, water and margarine in a large mixing cup and heat in the microwave to 120° or until it feels really hot when you put your finger in it. (The margarine doesn’t need to be melted.) Gradually add to the dry ingredients. Add the eggs and 1/2 cup more of flour. Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough. Turn on to a lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic (or you can knead it in the bowl). Place in a greased bowl (It sounds strange, but I use bacon grease), turning to grease the top. Put in warm place (like I mentioned above) and let rise until double; about 35 minutes.
Punch down and divide into 2 halves. Roll into a 14x9 rectangle. If you are making regular bread then, beginning at the 9 inch end, roll as you would a jelly roll, gently making it into a loaf. Divide and place in 2 greased 9x5 bread pans. Let rise again for about 35 minutes until double. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. To see if it’s done, thump with your fingers. If it sounds hollow, it is done.
For Cinnamon Bread:
After you have rolled the dough out, spread it with a thick layer of margarine. Then sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and roll as above. Be sure to tuck the ends under so the goodies won’t ooze out.
Grandma Suhler’s White Bread
This is a great frugal recipe or one to use when you are short on ingredients because it doesn’t call for things like milk or eggs.
This recipe was written the way we did it years ago, with just the ingredients and minimal instructions, so I hope you can figure it out OK. As you will see this, recipe breaks most of the rules I explained above, but her bread was always great.
You might also notice she did most of her kneading and working the bread in her bowl instead of dirtying a counter. One of our readers mentioned doing the same thing on the blog a few days ago.
1 pkg. yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. shortening or margarine
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups water, very warm
Flour (about 6-7 cups)
Shift flour into the above mixture, stirring until it is too thick to stir. Then work with hands, adding flour as needed until it becomes a very stiff dough and won’t stick to your hands. Place in a greased bowl, turning to coat top and set in a warm, draft free place about 1 1/2 hours. (This is why I like my oven method for rising.)
Punch down and let rise 1/2 hour more. Make into loaves or rolls. Makes 2 loaves. Bake at 325° for 1 hour for loaves and 35 minutes for rolls. (I found 375° for 25 minutes also works for the rolls.)
Last Note:
You don’t always have to use as much yeast as the recipe calls for. For example, my original bread recipe called for 2 packages of yeast and it made 2 loaves. I have used just one package for years and it works fine. Grandma’s original recipe was doubled and made 4 loaves but still only used 1 package of yeast.
If a recipe calls for 2 packages of yeast and it makes 2 loaves of regular bread, you can usually just use 1 package to save a little. If you plan on making bread on a regular basis, you might want to buy yeast in bulk or in the jars because it is much less expensive. You can find bulk yeast in warehouse stores or larger grocery stores. Just take some out and freeze the rest. The yeast will stay fresh for up to 3 years this way
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/readershealthtips12.html
READERS
Health Tips & Remedies
www.pioneerthinking.com
13
Fighting Colds - BY SUE-ANNE M. H., AUSTRALIA
My health tip is one I use myself when I feel a cold coming on. I have aloe vera growing in my garden, I pick one large leaf removing the thorns and skin, scrape the gel from inside and place in a blender with your favourite fruit or vegetable juice and blend at high speed, then drink and enjoy. Have this once daily until cold is nearing the end.
Heart Burn and Acid Reflux - BY KAREN R.
The best I have found for heart burn and acid reflux is
papaya enzyme, found at the health food store. It comes in capsule or chewable form. Take two capsules before
bed time and I get a good nights sleep instead of suffer.
Also easier on the stomach.
Itch Relief - BY BEV Y., SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
I happen to get poison oak and poison ivy. I went to the Dr. She gave me perscriptions and nothing helped the itch and it wasnt going away. I finally went online searching for something to stop the itch and heal the rash. I came across Fels-Naptha soap and bought it. within days I had no itch and the rash went away. This is an old soap that works for almost
everything from making clothes whiter to itching.
Diaper Rash - BY SANDRA
Hello, maybe something less messier than oatmeal and that worked great for my own kids and for all the other mothers that I told them about is “Desitin”. It is a cream that stays on, and works wonders. It can be applied anytime and anywhere.
Eczema Tip - BY TERI
High doses of Evening Primrose Oil, taken with Fish Oil (six capsules of each per day) will all but cure difficult eczema.
Thanks For Contributing
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/naturalsleep.html
Dreaming The Night Away
By: Priscilla C. Bone
Naturally & Drug Free
BEDTIME, the time for winding down after a long day and yet you find yourself tossing and turning or watching the time slowly click by. There is a method to sleeping through the night without having to rely on heavy medication. Natural sleep remedies have been around many generations. They are not miracle cures, some may take several weeks to make a noticeable difference. When deciding to take the herbal path, talk with your physician to make sure that its best for you.
Sleepy Tea Time - (for all ages)
An old fashioned remedy for a sound sleep is to drink a cup of Chamomile tea just before bedtime, add a teaspoon of honey to sweeten. Do not take if you suffer from allergies.
Valerian tea: pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of valerian root, infuse for 15 minutes, drink before bedtime. Not the best tasting tea but is highly recommended for calming the nerves and promoting sleep.
Hops tea: 1 oz hops to 1 pint boiling water drink 3 times a day.
Catnip tea: a common garden plant with a mint taste can be used to have a sound and restful sleep. add 1 teaspoon of dried catnip in 1 cup boiling water, infuse, strain and drink before bedtime.
What you eat or drink can have an impact on your sleep pattern.
* One old time cure for insomnia is milk. Drink a warm glass of milk.
* Eat light at night.
* Avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco before sleep.
Another effective cure for insomnia is to take some Siberian Ginseng daily (can be easily found at any health food store or drug store), take 1 capsule up to 3 times a day.
“SET THE MOOD” for a good nights sleep
Your bedroom should be made as comfortable as possible. After all this is where you rejuvenate your entire being. Some suggestions to ensure the Sandman will be visiting you tonight....
Invest in good pillows, sheets and a firm, comfortable mattress.
Make bedtime as routine as possible. Do not oversleep in the morning.
Make sure your room is quiet, dark and has a comfortable temperature neither too hot nor too cold.
Listen to poetry or soft music (Why not throw on some Mozart, and enhance your intelligence while you sleep. Did you know that Albert Einstein listened to Mozart...Its no coincidence that he was a genius!...more)
Your bedroom should only be used for sleep and sex. Don’t watch t.v, work, read or talk on the phone.
Bathe Your Insomnia Away
Take an aromatherapy bath before retiring and literally send all your tension and worries down the drain.
Make sure the bathroom door is closed to keep the room warm and the scents in. Fill the tub with warm water, enough to completely cover your body. Once the tub is filled, add the essential oil drop by drop into the water. Do not stir. Emerge yourself into the water and soak for 20 minutes. This bedtime therapy is enhanced with soft music and a few candles glistening nearby.
Try massaging your neck and shoulders with any one of these calming, soothing essential oils....
* 5 drops Chamomile
* 5 drops Lavender
* 5 drops Neroli
* 3 drops Sandalwood
* 5 drops Rose
* 5 drops Ylang-Ylang
More Cozy Twilight Traditions
Using a plain massage oil or even vegetable oil, gently rub your neck and shoulders in small circular motions using your fingertips, if possible have someone to do it for you.
Take an evening walk. Fresh air helps you feel refreshed and calm. The quiet may also give you time to sort through your days events.
Sew easy to sleep the night away! Make a dream pillow using dried hops flowers (a natural sedative, its odor is strong and fragrant) as the filler, place in a muslin bag. See directions for making a dream pillow.
Lastly, Sleep On It!
The number one cause for not getting enough sleep is *stress and worrying. Leave your work at work and sleep on your problems. When your mind and body is well rested it is easier to deal with things. And when you completely release all of the days tensions it allows your mind to seek solutions effortlessly throughout the night. The old adage “Things always look better in the morning” becomes true after some much needed Zzzzzz’s.
Sweet Dreams!
The Author
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/th_teagarden.html
Herbs For A Tea Garden
By Tim Henry
Is there anything more refreshing on a hot summer day than a tall glass of iced tea with a sprig of fresh mint? Or a more calming end to a long day than a steaming infusion with chamomile or mint? A tea garden can ensure that you have a steady supply of your favorite herbs – and it’s surprisingly easy to grow.
Most tea herbs grow quite happily in moderate sun, so choose a spot that gets about 6 hours of full sun a day. If you choose to grow your tea herbs directly in the ground, be aware that many of them will spread voraciously, choking out any other plants nearby. To prevent that, sink bottomless buckets or baskets into the ground and plant the herb plant inside it to help control the roots. Of course, if you choose to garden in containers, that won’t be a problem at all.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a very pretty, lacy annual (though there is one variety that is a perennial) that grows about 2 feet high. It likes partial shade to full sun, and sandy, dry soil. The tea is made from chamomile flowers rather than leaves. Harvest regularly once the plants start to flower. To dry chamomile, cut stems back to new leaf growth and tie in loose bunches. Hang upside down in a dry, dark place till the leaves are crumbly. Or: dry just the flower heads on drying screens in the oven or in the sun.
Catnip
Catnip has been used for medicinal teas for colds and stomach upsets since ancient times. Its most often combined with other herbs – lemon balm and lemon grass are particular favorites. The plant is a perennial that grows readily in dry, sandy conditions, but can be coaxed along in nearly any sort of soil or light conditions. Added bonus: catnip is a natural pest repellant, both in the garden and dried. To take advantage of its pest repellant properties, dry and place in cloth pouches and tuck under baseboards or closets. Tea is made from dry or fresh leaves, combined with chamomile, comfrey or lemon balm.
Lemon Balm
A hardy, drought-resistant perennial, lemon balm grows so readily that it is actually considered a pest plant in some parts of the United States. The plant looks a lot like mint – to which it’s related – and has a hint of minty flavor to it. Like most other tea herbs, it can be used either dried or fresh, though the dried leaves have a more intense flavor. The plant grows about 24 inches tall, and must be pinched back and pruned often to keep it under control.
Mint
Ah, mint! There are so many varieties of mint that you could easily plant a mint garden with no other plants at all. At last count, there were an estimated 6,000 varieties – and growing, since the plant cross-pollinates so easily. It’s also the most pernicious spreader of all the herbs. One plant will take over an entire garden within two seasons if it’s not contained. Mint likes rich soil and light shade, but will grow in almost any conditions. It also makes a great, easy to maintain house plant.
Some favorite mint varieties for tea are:
Peppermint – of course! Peppermint is the most popular of all the mints, with its sharp, spicy, cooling tastes.
Spearmint – the mint of mint juleps. Spearmint grows readily in any climate.
Apple mint – a hint of fruity flavor underlying the cool, fresh taste of mint
Chocolate mint – yes, chocolate! This one is far better with dessert than as a tea. Crush the leaves and whirl in a blender with vanilla ice cream for an incredible treat.
The Author
This article courtesy of http://www.florists-guide.org
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Posted: June 14, 2006
The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/db_bathtime.html
The Science of Beauty in the Bath - Special Bath-Time Treatments
by Dee Braun
Bath time can be the perfect time to address problems and issues the skin of your body is experiencing. Goosebumps, cellulite, dry/flaky skin, rough knees and elbows and even detoxification can be helped by adding a few ingredients to your bathing. Learn how to improve the appearance and texture of your skin - safely, effectively and, most importantly - simply.
1. Goosebumps
Goosebumps usually occur on the thighs, the buttocks and/or the upper arms. You can stimulate the circulation by scrubbing regularly with a bath mitt or loofah in the bath. It is also beneficial to scrub with sea salt once in a while, or with sugar, or with a bag filled with oatmeal or bran. The `follow-up` should be a massage thoroughly given with hand cream or body lotion.
2. Bulge-reduction
One treatment that combines friction with a weight-reducing treatment is to use a friction glove. Even if weight loss is not your concern, the glove is an excellent way of eliminating goosebumps and achieving a healthy pink glow.
Alternately, you can use a soft-bristled (natural bristles!) brush to dry brush your skin. I use a cheap one from WalMart which is made by Goody, although there are fancy/expensive ones available. Dry brush your skin, starting at the extremities (feet and hands) and using long strokes always towards your heart. Do this before a bath or shower - it is great for exfoliation, detoxification, circulation and cellulite.
3. Discolored and horny knees and elbows
Regular attention is required to these areas to eradicate the problem, but a `blitz` treatment can be commenced right now.
a. First the elbows and knees should be massaged with cleansing cream and then tissued off. These should then be worked with a pumice stone and water whilst you are in the bath and then rubbed with sea salt or an oatmeal and bran, or with sugar mixed with a little vegetable oil. You should then rinse well.
b. Following the bath, a cut lemon should be rubbed over the elbows and knees and the juice allowed to dry.
c. The areas should then be massaged well using body lotion or hand cream.
You can do this treatment once a week or once a month, but in between times you should ensure to pumice and massage with hand cream or body lotion.
4. Very Dry Skin
Skin Conditioning and Rejuvenation
* * 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil
* * 2 drops Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
* * 1 drop Palmarosa Essential Oil
* * 1 drop Geranium Essential Oil
Blend and add 3-5 drops to 1/4 cup baking soda or epsom salts. Add to warm bath with water running and soak 10-20 minutes.
Herbal Waters Bath Oil
This sensuous oil turns any bath into a pampering spa treatment full of moisturizing plant oils and skin-friendly herbal Essential Oils.
* * 1 cup Almond oil
* * 2 cups Avocado oil
* * 2 Green Tea bags
* * 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
* * 8 drops Chamomile Essential Oil
* * 4 drops Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil
* * 2 drops Rose Geranium Essential Oil
Warm Almond and Avocado oils in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, add tea bags and let steep until cool. Remove Herbs and combine tea-infused oil with remaining ingredients in a 12-ounce glass bottle with a lid or a stopper. Close tightly and shake well to mix the oils. Store mixture in a cool, dark place for 24 hours to allow the oils to blend.
To use, add 2 ounces to your bath water and soak 10-20 minutes.
Marigold and Fennel Milk Bath
Fennel acts as a stimulant, while marigold offers healing qualities. Milk is an excellent skin softener and conditioner.
* * Muslin material
* * 8 T. Milk powder
* * 4 Oz. Dried Fennel seeds
* * 2 Oz. Dried marigold flowers
* * Ribbon
Cut out a 10 inch diameter circle of muslin. In a bowl, mix together the seeds, milk powder, and marigold flowers. Place a large handful of the mixture into the center of the muslin circle. Gather up the edges to form a pouch and tie tightly with ribbon. Toss into hot bath and allow to steep about 10 minutes before entering.
Honey and Oatmeal Milk Bath
* * 1 cup powdered milk
* * 1 cup finely ground oats
* * 1/2 cup honey powder
* * 2 tsp fragrant oil of choice
Place all ingredients into a glass or stainless steel bowl, mix well. Add approx 1/2 cup to warm bath, relax and enjoy.
5. Cellulite
Cellulite Blend
These mixtures stimulate circulation.
* * Eucalyptus Citriodora 2 ml
* * Lemon 2 ml
* * Cedarwood 2ml
* * Sage 2ml
* * Cypress 2 ml
* * Niaouli 2ml
* * in 100 ml Hazelnut oil
or
* * 2 d. Bay oil
* * 2 d. Lemon oil
* * 4 d. Lavender oil in 20 ml Sesame oil
Directions:
Combine ingredients and add 5-7 drops in a warm (not hot) bath. Soak for 10-15 minutes. Additionally, you can apply this blend to problem areas 2-3 times per day after bath or shower for 30 days.
6. Detoxification and Deodorization
Deodorizing Herbal Bath
All of the Herbs in this recipe contain ingredients that will deodorize your body. It is a wonderful herbal mixture to enjoy after a hot day of working in the garden.
* * 1/4 cup fresh or 2 tablespoons dried Thyme
* * 1/4 cup fresh or 2 tablespoons dried Lavender buds
* * 1/4 cup fresh or 2 tablespoons dried Rosemary
* * 1 muslin bath bag
* * 1 quart boiling water
Add the fresh or dried Herbs to the bag and close snugly. Add the bag to the water and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Remove the infusion from the heat and cool to lukewarm. Add the infusion and bag to your bathwater, using the bag of herbs as a washcloth.
Skin-Softening and Detox Bath
Adapted from 365 Simple Pleasures, collected by Susannah Seton (Conari Press, 2001).
The bath has the added benefit of helping to remove Toxins, and being very calming and relaxing, too.
Ingredients
* * 1 cup buttermilk
* * 3 tablespoons Epsom salts
* * 1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil or Canola oil
* * 3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Combine ingredients and pour into the stream of warm water as your tub fills. Immerse yourself and soak for 15 minutes or so.
The Author:
Dee Braun, a single mom of 6 kids, is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Dr. of Reflexology and a natural health practitioner. Click now to visit NaturallyBeautiful.Me at http://www.naturallybeautiful.me/ - where you can find helpful information on natural and effective skincare treatments (including recipes!) to help battle the ravages of time, toxins and stress as well as address many common skincare problems.
Article Source: Sustainable Living Articles
http://www.pioneerthinking.com/cgi-bin/mb/YaBB.pl?num=1120344628/25
HOMEMADE PERFUME
There are more expensive supplies you can get online. The is a type of ethynol you can buy with an additive so that it isn’t drinkable.
If you’r looking for cheap, you ca make a body spray by soaking spices and citrus peel in rubbing alcohol, and shaking daily. This takes quite a while to get rid of the alcohol smell, so don’t expect instant gratification.
jojoba oil can be used as an alternative to other bases for perfumes and its nondrying skin care oil that allows the fragrance to linger longer....
u can start by combing just a few oils and test mixture during two week ripening process to find the scent u like. if fragrance is too strong add more jojo oil to it to dilute.
fill a small bottle nearly to top w/jojo and add 15-20 drops of desired essential oils
ex.
white rose (flowery and warm)-patchouli oil 10 drops, geranium 10 drops, bergamot 10 drops, mix in 2tsps of jojo w/grain alcohol (pure alcohol in pharmacysection), or omit alcohol to recipe.
Re: HOMEMADE PERFUME
Reply #5 - Aug 11th, 2005, 5:13am
I’ve got afew recipies.
Basic Perfum
2 cups of anything that smells strong and good, (e.g fresh or dried rose petals, lavender flowers and jasmine flowers or dried lemon/orange rind
1/2 cup vodka
1/2 cup sparkling mineral water (optional)
Pour the vodka over the scented ingredients in a screw top jar (make sure the jar doesn’t smell like pickles). Leave in a warm dark place for 2 weeks or longer (some scents get better with age). Strain in to another jar, and sniff. If the perfume isn’t strong enough- and unless you’ve used strong scented blooms such as lavender or jasmine, it won’t be- add more petals/leaves, and repeat 3-10 times until you have a truly fragrant brew.
Add the mineral water for a less concentrated perfume. If you don’t add the mineral water, use the concentrated scent less liberally.
Lemon Fresh Spritzer
1/2 cup vodka
2 cups fresh fragrant rose petals
2 cups fresh lavender flowers
6 cups fresh lemon grass
1 cup mineral water
Pour vodka over petals, flowers, and lemon grass, in a screw top jar. Leave in a dark place for 3 weeks, shaking every day. Strain into another jar, pressing down as much of the liquid as you can. Add the mineral water.
Store this perfume in a cool place for up to 6 months. Discard if it changes colour or turns cloudy.
A Scent Too Keep You Young Forever
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup fresh culinary sage
1/2 cup sun dried orange rind, no pith
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaves
2 cups fresh lavender flowers
1 cups fresh jasmine flowers
Pour the vodka over the other ingredients in a large screw top jar. Leave in a dark place for a week, shaking every day. Strain the mixture into another jar, pressing out the liquid and discard the leaves, and flowers. Repeat with more flowers and leaves if you want a stronger perfume. Store in a cool place.
Effleurage
1 small glass jar
1-2 cups (enough to full your glass jar several times) fresh flower petals (rose, lavender, lilac, & gardenia is a good combination)
1 cup light vegetable oil, sunflower/almon/ect.
Fill a glass jar with the flower petals. Cover the petals with oil (it’s alright if you do not use all the oil). Place the jar in a sunny spot. Let it sit for 24 hours.
Strain off the oil and discard the flower petals. Add fresh flower petals and let sit for another 24 hours. Continue straining off oil and adding fresh flower petals for 3-4 days or until the oil has the scent you are pleased with. You may stabilize your fragrance (Keep it from changing) after the scent has developed to your liking (4-5 days) by using 1 or 2 drops of glycerine, castor oil, or a pinch or oorisroot powder.
Store in a cool place in a clean, airtight container.
To use: Apply a small amount to your skin with a clean finger or cotton ball.
Hungry Water
1/8 tsp oil of orange/lemon
1/2 tsp bergamot oil
1/4 tsp lavender oil
1/2 cup vodka
1/8 tsp glycerine or castor oil or orrisroot powder
Mix together all ingredients in a glass or ceramic container and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Place in a cool, dark place and let sit for 1 week before using.
Mona Lisa Voile
1/4 cup distilled water
1/8 tsp castor oil
6-8 drops essenital oil of your choice
Mix together all ingredients and shake well. Pour into a clean spray container with a tight fitting lid.
Always shake well before using.
Solid Perfume
1 tablespoon grated beeswax
1 tablespoon almond oil
8 drops cologne or essential oil blend (see below)
FRUITY
3 drops peach oil, 3 drops sweet orange oil, 2 drops chamomile oil
SPICY
3 drops clove oil, 3 drops sandalwood oil, 2 drops cinnamon oil
EXOTIC
5 drops vanilla, 3 drops ylang-ylang oil
In a heat resistant container or small saucepan, gently heat the beeswax and oil untill the wax is melted. Stir in the scented oil or cologne and pour into a clean container with a lid. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
Witch Hazel is a common and good alternative to using vodka or alcohol. It does smell like alcohol for a couple minutes and then fades leaving just the scent. It’s also dirt cheap and can be found in grocery stores, health food stores and stores like Wal-Mart. Then there are various oils you can use as well instead of any of the above.
Olive oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil and sweet almond oil are all good for making your own perfumes and oils. It just depends on what exactly you want to make.
If you want a body spray, use the witch hazel and a favorite scent or scent blend. You can get skin safe fragrance oils pretty cheaply. I find them at Michael’s all the time. You can get the soap fragrance oils. These will work fine.
One of my favorite sprays is homemade. I take some witch hazel and fill a spray bottle (usually the one ounce ones as I like to carry with me) and add several drops of sandalwood FO and several drops of lavender FO. All together the supplies cost me $6 and I’ve made 5 bottles and have a ton left still. It’s about the same cost of the Healing Garden sprays and since it last so long I think it’s a better buy.
And yes, homemade products generally smell better, last longer, and the scent is generally stronger. I prefer making my own for these reasons.
If you’re a bit hard core about putting alcohol in your perfume they do make a perfumer’s alcohol. It’s not to expensive and it gets rid of the legal issues surrounding Vodka-plus Vodka is expensive. I believe they sell the perfumer’s alcohol at http://saveonscents.com They also have an amazing variety of fragrances at excellent prices. I use alot of their products.
Sorry about that. Wrong site,lol.
http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/perfume.html
http://www.lemelange.com/oil_liquid_cream_wax_g_-_p.htm
(Isopropyl Palmitate)
But better for U and ur skin would be to just purchase Turkey Red Oil- it’s water dispersable. You can use it to add with your fragrance oil before putting the fragrance oil in water. You wont have to worry about seperation or shaking constantly. FYI 8)
*** Granny notes, this is a fantastic site for supplies and instructions and formulas for skin care and soap making...
I found this recipe on this site, but I wonder if it even works because it’s so simple.. Is this even perfume?
Ingredients: 2 cup water, 1 cup fresh chopped flower blossoms
Direction: In a bowl place a cheesecloth where the edges are hanging over the bowl. Fill with 1 cup of flower blossoms of your choice. Pour water over the flowers until they are completely covered.
Cover and let sit overnight. The next day using the edges of cheesecloth pull it out of the bowl and gently squeeze the scented water into a small pot. Simmer the water until about 1 teaspoon is left. Cool and place into a small bottle. Making perfume this way has a shelf life of about 1 month.
Other suggestions for flowers: Lavender, Lilac, Orangeblossoms or even Honesuckle. Anything that is highly fragrant works best.
i tried the simple 2-ingredient recipe 4 homemade perfume and it worked great. im even trying a different scent now after i found huge success w/ rose petals. it’s simple, fun, and worked as well as the others w/ five or six ingredients. absolutely ne1 can make this. in fact, i’m selling each perfume bottle 4 6 bucks. i think ppl can make business out of this whole homemade-beauty-products thing!!!
Ping to post 270
Those are some great posts. I’ll check out the site too!
280 yeas - 150 nays Failed to meet required votes. <<<
Well my “bluedawg whip critter” voted no but I do not have any confidence in his staying power..
he will fumble the ball.. again
On a happier note I'm Impressed that thread 3 is taking off at a rapid pace, already started the archive of the first 250 posts...
the next 90 days are crucial, as the impact of the double dip economy is slated to show it's true colors by the predictions of several economic think-tanks..
remember make hay while the sun shines.. unfortunately we may look back on today (and current days), as the “good times”
(As sick and twisted a logic as that may sound.)
make every day count..and give thanks ..
the Feast of The Trumpet draws near..
Apple Pudding Pie
Posted by: “Donna”
1 unbaked 9-inch pastry shell
3 eggs
1 cup applesauce
1/2 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 slices bread, cut up (about 3 cups)
2 medium cooking apples, such as Jonathan, Rome Beauty, or Winesap
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds
For crust, line the unbaked pastry shell with a double thickness of foil.
Bake in a 450° F. oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 4 minutes more.
Remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
For filling, peel, core, and slice apples. In a medium mixing bowl stir
together eggs, applesauce, yogurt, granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar,
oats, and cinnamon. Stir in bread and apples. Set aside.
For topping, in another mixing bowl stir together 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
and flour. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in nuts
Pour filling into the prepared pie crust. Sprinkle topping over filling.
Cover edge of crust with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake 30
minutes more or until top is golden and fruit is tender.
Makes 8 servings.
Struggling2Survive@yahoogroups.com
You can rub the fresh leaves or essential oil directly on the skin for bee stings.
Fresh Spearmint Lip Gloss
Makes ½ ounce
Fresh spearmint or peppermint work well, but you could use pineapple, cinnamon or chocolate mint for a different flavor.
1 teaspoon fresh spearmint leaves
2 teaspoons light oil, such as almond or walnut
1 teaspoon grated beeswax
Place leaves in a glass container. With the back of a spoon, gently crush to release natural oils.
Pour oil over leaves and allow mixture to sit several days. (For a stronger scent or taste, replace leaves each day with fresh ones.)
Remove mint leaves from oil. Mix mint oil and beeswax; heat gently until wax melts.
Pour mixture into a clean tube or container; cool completely.
To use, apply to lips.
Some more Recipes
Herbal Pet Pillow
Crush Equal Parts in a Morter :
Spearmint, Peppermint, Lavender, Cedarwood and Rosemary.
Put in a muslin bag, store bought sachet, or make your own. Tuck in your pet’s bedding area or favorite napping spot.
Mint Tea For Nausea
Steep 1 teaspoon dried Spearmint leaves in 8 -12 oz hot water. Drink after dinner or at first sign of nausea. Also good for PMS symptoms and gas.
Nausea Spray
20 drops Spearmint
15 drops Lemon Essential oil
5 drops Sweet Orange Essential oil
Add to four ounces of distilled water in a spray bottle.
Shake well and mist air when feeling nauseated.
Breath Freshener
1 part Distilled Water
1 part 100 proof Vodka
1 drop Spearmint essential oil per teaspoon of liquid
Place ingredients in a small bottle or atomizer. Shake well.
Use one drop on your tongue.
Spearmint Cookies
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon Spearmint essential oil
2 tablespoons crushed dried Spearmint leaves
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream butter and sugar; add extract, mint leaves, flour, and salt. Mix
thoroughly. Chill dough. Form 1” balls and roll in sugar. Press with your thumb. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen large, or 6 dozen small cookies.
Peppermint Tea
True peppermint, Mentha piperita, has the highest number of active agents, including the essential oil menthol, which gives the herb its healing powers. Tea preparations made from the jagged green leaves of true peppermint are highly prized for their ability to help prevent convulsions and flatulence. Peppermint tea is also a useful remedy for irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, it can alleviate the symptoms of headaches (including migraines) and stimulate liver and gallbladder functions. The fresh, spicy aroma of peppermint tea can also counteract motion sickness, and sipping a cup of the tea helps to freshen breath.
To calm the nerves
1 ½ oz. peppermint leaves
1 ½ oz. lemon-balm leaves
Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of boiling water;
Steep for 10 minutes, then strain.
To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NativeAmericanVoiceForHealth/
Those are some great posts. I’ll check out the site too!<<<
LOL, it is a “pack a lunch” site, too much there to ever see it all.
remember make hay while the sun shines.. unfortunately we may look back on today (and current days), as the “good times”
(As sick and twisted a logic as that may sound.)
make every day count..and give thanks ..
the Feast of The Trumpet draws near..<<<
I expect any and everything to start happening.
Folks are scared and the fight back urge is in the air.
It will not be a fun future we are facing.
>>>Whole-Wheat Bread with Herbs -<<<
The Whole-Wheat with powdered veggies was fabulous too.
I am going to have to make lots and lots of powder.
Abbott Issues Voluntary Recall of POWERSAIL® Coronary Dilatation Catheters
Media:
Jonathon Hamilton
(408) 845-3491
Financial:
Tina Ventura
(847) 935-9390
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - ABBOTT PARK, Ill. - July 28, 2009 - Abbott has conducted a voluntary recall of three lots of POWERSAIL® Coronary Dilatation Catheters from United States distribution and one lot from international distribution as a result of four complaints (one from each lot) that the distal shaft of the catheter exhibited damage. While the issue could be detected and avoided during the preparation for use of the product, it may cause a leak of contrast material during use, which could lead to catheter functional failures and clinical consequences, including air embolism and myocardial infarction, which has the potential to lead to death.
Abbott Vascular’s sales representatives contacted all customers affected by this action and instructed them to cease use of any units from the part numbers and lot numbers listed below. All outstanding units are in the company’s possession or are in transit. Patients who have already been treated are not affected by this action.
Product Designation Product Number Lot
Number Expiration Date
POWERSAIL® 3.25x18mm (U.S.)
1005524-18
7101051
09-2009
POWERSAIL® 4.0x8mm (CE)
1005726-08
7112051
10-2009
POWERSAIL® 2.75x18mm (U.S.)
1005522-18
8012151
12-2009
POWERSAIL® 3.25x8mm (U.S.)
1005524-08
8053061
04-2010
Three out of the four complaints of distal shaft damage resulted in no adverse patient effects. One complaint reported that the patient had evidence of a post-procedural myocardial infarction. Subsequently, the patient was reported to be doing well.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been apprised of this action, and it has classified this action as a Class I recall.
The POWERSAIL Coronary Dilatation Catheter is distributed for prescription use only to approved U.S. and international health care organizations. Affected devices can be identified by the part number and lot number combinations shown above.
Customers with questions or concerns should contact their Abbott Vascular Representative or call the company at 1-800-227-9902.
Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by Fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm174429.htm
Indian Groceries & Spices, Inc. Issues Allergy Alert On Undeclared Sulfites In Nirav Golden Raisins
Contact:
Shirish N. Sanghavi
(847) 674-2480
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 24, 2009 - As the follow up for June 10th, 2009 press release, expanding the recall by Indian Groceries & Spices, Inc. of Skokie, IL is recalling Nirav Golden Raisins because it may contain undeclared sulfites. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sulfites run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
The Nirav Golden Raisins were distributed between November, 2008 and July 24, 2009 to retail stores in Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Iowa and Tennessee. All products purchased from November, 2008 through July 24, 2009 are affected by this recall. The firm sold less then 6000 lbs. of the raisins.
The raisins were sold in 7 oz. and 14 oz. plastic bags under the Nirav brand. There are no lot numbers on the packages. The 14 oz. bags have UPC 0 24433 01025 2 and the 7 oz bags have UPC 0 24433 01027 6. Also Raisins were packed in 2 lbs,5lbs,10lbs and 20 lbs. There is no upc code on these bags.
Indian Groceries & Spices has received no reports of illnesses related to this product to date.
The recall was initiated after the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services notified Indian Groceries & Spices that their analysis of the golden raisins indicated that it contained sulfites and was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sulfites.
Consumers who have purchased Nirav Golden Raisins are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company’s consumer affairs at 1-847-674-2480.
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm174430.htm
Page Last Updated: 07/30/2009
Whole-Wheat Bread with Herbs - Makes one 9-inch loaf, approx. 14 slices.<<<
I thought it would be good, let me know if you like it.
Update on Kittens:
It is true, cats are born with people for servants, they are born with this in their knowledge base.
These wild, hiding animals, got tired of waiting for me to refill their canned food dish, and came after me, all the way across the room and all of a sudden I hear one cuss and look down and there they are, so very thin, bones only for legs.
LOL, one paid for the food, he had to endure being picked up and getting a good rub down, he almost let it be known that maybe head rubs felt good.
To be sure that I know the food is gone, they turn over the bowl when it is empty.
It is so hot[ more extreme heat today, per radio], that I only put out a little canned food at a time, so it will not spoil.
So far, so good, all is working well enough and of course I was born, knowing that I was little other than a servant to a cat.
The Whole-Wheat with powdered veggies was fabulous too.
I am going to have to make lots and lots of powder.<<<
Good, wonderful!!!
I knew it had to work, for I was buying spinach noodles, about 40 years ago.
It is good to be able to use so much of your produce and the little fact that it is good for you, is gold plating.
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