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
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm204711.htm
GFN Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix, Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix and Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 2010 - GFN Foods, LLC of Cranford, NJ is voluntarily recalling:
Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix – UPC 187058 000043
Lots 09159 (exp 12/8/2010), 09320 (exp 5/16/12) 09322 (exp 5/18/12)
Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix – UPC 187058 000067
Lots 09083 (exp 9/24/10) and 09322 (exp 5/18/12)
Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour – UPC 187058 000029
Lots 09086 (exp 6/24/10), 09219 (exp 11/7/10) and 10035 (exp 5/4/11)
These products, manufactured by GFN Foods, are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA and Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative of Ubly, MI found traces of salmonella in Thumb Oilseed’s facility. GFN Foods, LLC is voluntarily recalling the products that contain the ingredient supplied by Thumb Oilseed.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and in some cases fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which can be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result into getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
The safety of our products is of paramount importance to GFN Foods. Customers that have purchased the above products should contact GFN Foods at 866-761-6147 for a refund or to arrange for replacement product. You can also email sales@gfnfoods.com or call with any questions.
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Page Last Updated: 03/16/2010
US-CERT Current Activity
Zeus Trojan Campaign Warning
Original release date: March 17, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Last revised: March 17, 2010 at 1:52 pm
US-CERT is aware of public reports of malicious code circulating via
spam email messages impersonating the Department of Homeland Security
(DHS). The attacks arrive via unsolicited email messages that may
contain subject lines related to DHS or other government activity.
These messages may contain a link or attachment. If users click on
this link or open the attachment, they may be infected with malicious
code, including the Zeus Trojan.
US-CERT encourages users and administrators to take the following
measures to protect themselves:
* Do not follow unsolicited web links or attachments in email
messages.
* Maintain up-to-date antivirus software.
* Refer to Cyber Security Tip ST04-014 - Avoiding Social Engineering
and Phishing Attacks
* Refer to the Recognizing and Avoiding Email Scams (pdf) document
for more information on avoiding email scams.
Relevant Url(s):
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST04-014.html
http://www.us-cert.gov/reading_room/emailscams_0905.pdf
Weekly Harvest Newsletter
Sustainable Agriculture News Briefs - March 17, 2010
Weekly sustainable agriculture news and resources gleaned from the Internet by NCAT staff for the ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Web site. The Weekly Harvest Newsletter is also available online (http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html#wh).
Share The Harvest: Please forward this newsletter to friends and colleagues who might be interested in the latest sustainable agriculture news, funding opportunities, and events.
News & Resources
* Livestock Breed Conservation List Released
* Survey Shows US Sheep and Goat Inventories Down
* Ag Law Center Posts New Reading Rooms
* New York Farming Guide Revised
* Montana State Extension Offers New Grain Marketing Publications
* Dairy Decision Support Tool Available
Funding Opportunities
* Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Grant
* University of Minnesota’s Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate
Research Program Award
* Minnesota Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant
Coming Events
* Planning Your Organic Farm for Profit Webinar
* Farm Water Toolbox Forums
* Profitable Meat Goat Conference
News & Resources
Livestock Breed Conservation List Released
http://albc-usa.org/Newsletter/newsletter.html
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) has released its 21st annual Conservation Priority List (http://albc-usa.org/cpl/wtchlist.html). The list is an assessment of endangered breed populations for domestic livestock and poultry breeds throughout the United States. For 2010 there are 186 breeds of livestock and poultry on the Conservation Priority List. Thirty-three mammalian breeds are listed as critically endangered and 30 poultry breeds.
Survey Shows US Sheep and Goat Inventories Down
The Annual Sheep & Goat Inventory (http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/SheeGoat/SheeGoat-01-29-2010.pdf)(PDF/365KB) was recently released by USDA-NASS. National inventories for both species declined over the past year. U.S. sheep and lamb inventory totaled 5.63 million head on January 1, 2010, down 2 percent from 2009. Wool production was 6 percent less than in 2008. The U.S. goat inventory totaled 3.04 million head on January 1st, and was 1 percent lower than in 2009. Non-dairy goats decreased slightly, while milk goats increased 6 percent. Angora goats were down 19 percent.
Ag Law Center Posts New Reading Rooms
The National Agricultural Law Center has posted two new online reading rooms. The new Forestry reading room (http://nationalaglawcenter.org/readingrooms/forestry/) is dedicated to the legal issues confronting the forestry industry. Issues such as carbon sequestration, the Endangered Species Act, global warming, renewable energy, public lands, agri-tourism, and taxation interact in various ways that affect forest owners. The reading room provides information on many legal aspects of the forestry industry including an overview article, major federal and state statutes and regulations, links to important government and private websites, and access to forms and state websites on forestry as well as scholarly works concerning the various forestry topics. The new Agricultural Leases Reading Room (http://nationalaglawcenter.org/readingrooms/agleases/) deals with the issues that face farmers when they lease their lands or are leasing additional farmlands. The room contains a comprehensive case law index on the subject, with cases involving a range of topics from leasing disputes to requirements under federal grazing permits.
New York Farming Guide Revised
http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/news/
The NY Beginning Farmer Project and Cornell Small Farms Program have completed the annual revision of the popular Guide to Farming in NY: What Every Agricultural Entrepreneur Needs to Know. If you work with farmers in any capacity, this guide will prove a useful resource. The Guide consists of 33 fact sheets covering finding land, food processing regulations, farm vehicle safety, financing, farm taxes, and everything in between. As always, the Guide is available for free download, as a complete document or by individual fact sheet, from the Cornell Small Farms website (http://www.smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/resources/businessmanage/guide.cfm).
Montana State Extension Offers New Grain Marketing Publications
http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=8201
Two new publications on grain marketing are now available from Montana State University Extension publications. Both publications are free. “The Futures Hedge (Short Hedge)” (http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/MT200919AG.pdf) publication introduces readers to using futures at national commodity exchanges. Advantages and disadvantages of using futures is discussed in this publication. Readers are also offered scenarios in which this grain marketing option would be a valuable tool. “Grain Contracts with Local Elevators” (http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/MT201001AG.pdf), the second publication, is designed to help Montana grain producers understand the most basic elements of grain marketing.
Dairy Decision Support Tool Available
http://fyi.uwex.edu/news/2010/03/08/a-decision-support-system-for-dairy-production-and-expansion/
Several decisions are made daily on a dairy farm — some involve cow and labor management, others address crop and business concerns, and there are a host of others in between. Unfortunately, dairy producers do not always have enough information to make the best decisions for current circumstances. The Dairy Expansion Decision Support System — a decision support system designed to explore dairy farm production and expansion scenarios and simulate specific metrics of their performance — provides critical information dairy producers need to actively manage risk on their dairies. The versatility of the program’s structure offers potential use in several other areas including providing a tool for risk management in times of great uncertainty, particularly during periods of dairy expansion; accounting for future herd growth when considering livestock housing needs; and matching the proper facility design with specific user-defined goals in mind.
More Breaking News (http://attra.ncat.org/news/)
Funding Opportunities
Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Grant
http://www.hfhl.umn.edu/
The Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute is requesting applications for community engagement grants to fund innovative community-university partnerships related to food, nutrition and health. Projects should include participatory action research, or other creative strategies for addressing community-identified problems by bringing together academic and community partners.
Proposals are due May 3, 2010.
University of Minnesota’s Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate Research Program Award
http://www.misa.umn.edu/Program_Guidelines_and_Application_Procedures.html
The University of Minnesota’s Theodora and Arnold Johnson Undergraduate Research Program is designed to provide students with an internship opportunity to work with a faculty member on a research topic pertaining to sustainable agriculture. A maximum award of $3,000 is available for each research project accepted. At least two awards will be made each year.
Proposals are due April 2, 2010.
Minnesota Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant
http://www.mda.state.mn.us/en/grants/grants/demogrant.aspx
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) 2010 Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant Program – Second Call for Proposals. Competitive grants for up to $25,000 are awarded to individuals or groups for on-farm sustainable agriculture research or demonstration projects in Minnesota. The purpose of the Grant Program is to fund practices that promote environmental stewardship and conservation of resources as well as improve profitability and quality of life on farms and in rural areas.
Proposals are due March 29, 2010.
More Funding Opportunities (http://attra.ncat.org/funding/)
Coming Events
Planning Your Organic Farm for Profit Webinar
http://www.extension.org/events/1575
March 23, 2010
Planning to grow only what you plan to sell eliminates wasted time and effort, and tracking income and expenses will show you your profit centers. In this workshop, Richard Wiswall will provide a step by step guide to achieve a healthy bottom line, assessing markets and developing a production plan, a roadmap of how to grow what you plan to sell.
Farm Water Toolbox Forums
http://agwaterstewards.org/txp/Events/
March 23 & 25, 2010
Winters & Merced, California
These forums will cover:
- State Water Policy: Implications for Sacramento Valley Growers
- Water Supply Outlook and the CA Water Plan, Emerging Water Legislation
- Regional Issues: Groundwater, Irrigated Lands, Regulation
- Beyond Irrigation Tech: Soil and Crop Management for Water Efficiency
- Drought Proofing, Cover Crops, Mulch, Minimum Tillage
- Irrigation Management and Technology
- Water Management Tour
- Funding and Support Resources for Water Management Innovation
Profitable Meat Goat Conference
http://www.profitablemeatgoats.net/
March 26-27, 2010
Indianapolis, Indiana
There is a shortage of goat meat in the U.S. and market prices for slaughter goats are climbing. Why is the average producer struggling to make a profit? Get answers at The Profitable Meat Goats Conference.
More Events (http://attra.ncat.org/calendar)
New & Updated Publications
Organic System Plans: Livestock Production
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2010/03/04/organic_system_plans_livestock_productio_1
Biochar and Sustainable Agriculture
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2010/03/01/biochar_and_sustainable_agriculture
Comparing Energy Use in Conventional and Organic Cropping Systems
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/new_pubs.php/2010/02/24/comparing_energy_use_in_conventional_and_1
Question of the Week
What information can you give me on converting a pasture to organic grain crops without using herbicide or tillage?
http://attra.ncat.org/calendar/question.php/2010/03/15/what_information_can_you_give_me_on_conv
Ask a Sustainable Agriculture Expert
Submit questions to our professional staff online
http://attra.ncat.org/ask.php
ATTRA Spanish Newsletter
Subscribe to Cosecha Mensual (http://attra.ncat.org/espanol/boletin.php)
(Monthly Harvest), ATTRA’s Spanish-language e-newsletter
Subscribe to the Weekly Harvest
(http://visitor.roving.com/optin.jsp?m=1011223551022&ea=)
Comments? Questions? Go to http://www.attra.ncat.org/management/contact.html.
Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews Archives Available Online
(http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/archives.html)
Digital versions of recent Weekly Harvest and ATTRAnews newsletters are available online. ATTRAnews is the newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service.
(http://attra.ncat.org/)
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html). Visit the NCAT Web site (http://www.ncat.org/sarc_current.php) for more information on our sustainable agriculture projects.
Copyright 2010 NCAT
Gyrus ACMI Micron Bobbin Vent Tube T: Class I Recall
Audience: Hospital Risk Managers, Surgical Service personnel
FDA and Gyrus ACMI notified healthcare professionals of a Class I recall of Gyrus ACMI Micron Bobbin Vent Tube T, 1.27 mm. This device is implanted for ventilation or drainage of the middle ear. Units of the product in lot number MH136952 have been shipped without being sterilized. This product was manufactured only on December 17, 2009 and distributed only on December 22, 2009. Patients should contact their physicians to discuss symptoms that may result from use of the affected products.
Read the complete MedWatch 2010 Safety summary, including a link to the Recall Notice at:
You are encouraged to report all serious adverse events and product quality problems to FDA MedWatch at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm205001.htm
Spice Barn, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Two Lots of Black Pepper
Contact:
Customer Service 866-670-9040
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 17, 2010 – Lewis Center, OH - As a result of a recall of Black Pepper by Mincing Overseas Spice Company, Spice Barn is recalling two lots of Black Pepper due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. While most individuals recover without medical intervention, the infection can be life-threatening in some cases such as young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. There have been no reports of Salmonella-related illness to date in relation to these products.
The Products are:
Malabar Peppercorns Lot MTC-3258 in 1 and 5 Pound Bags
Distributed between: 1/26/10 to 2/8/10.
Ground Black Pepper Lot MO-3258T in 1 and 5 Pound Bags
Distributed between:12/08/09 to 2/8/10.
All items packaged with this lot number are subject to this recall. The items were distributed to a small number of customers in the following states VT, NY, PA, MA, GA, VA, CA, TX, CO, MO, WA, FL, AL, MI, AZ, AR, WA. Spice Barn is contacting each customer directly and offering a replacement or refund. Consumers who have purchased these products are asked not to us them and to destroy the product. Consumers with questions regarding the products listed may call Spice Barn at 1-866-670-9040 8:30AM-2:30PM M-F(EST) and speak with customer service.
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Page Last Updated: 03/17/2010
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm204986.htm
C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. Announces Voluntary Nationwide Recall of several products that contain pepper due to Possible Health Risk
Contact:
Ron Spies
210-351-6203
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESan Antonio, TX - March 17, 2010 – C. H. Guenther & Son, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of products containing a pepper ingredient that may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The products are part of the Sunbird Seasonings, Williams Wings Seasonings and Williams Gumbo Soup lines.
The recalled products contain black pepper distributed by Mincing Overseas Spice Company. The pepper has been recalled by Mincing because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The products involved were sold in grocery, warehouse and other retail outlets throughout the United States.
Brand Product Name Size UPC Code Dates
Sunbird Chow Mein Seasoning Mix 1 oz. 0 74880 07002 6 W9316G, W005G
Sunbird Fried Rice Seasoning Mix 0.75 oz. 0 74880 07003 3 W9317C, W9320G, W9324G, W9327G, W9335G, W0004F, W0018G, W0019G
Sunbird Stir Fry Seasoning Mix 0.75 oz. 0 74880 07004 0 W9315G, W9316G, W9364E, W9365E, W0014C
Sunbird Chop Suey Seasoning Mix 1 oz. 0 74880 07008 8 W9309G, W9310G, W0006G
Sunbird Lemon Chicken Stir Fry Seasoning Mix 0.75 oz. 0 74880 07014 9 W0006G
Sunbird Hot & Spicy Szechwan Seasoning Mix 0.75 oz. 0 74880 07016 3 W9322G
Sunbird Honey Sesame Chicken Seasoning Mix 0.875 oz. 0 74880 07021 7 W0007G
Williams Country Store Home Style Soup Mix
Louisiana Style Gumbo 8 oz. 0 41149 12006 8 W9317M
Williams Spicy Wings Seasoned Coating Mix 5 oz. 0 41149 01182 3 W0004H, W0005H, W0056H
Williams Spicy Wings Caribbean Jerk Seasoning 2.5 oz. 0 41149 13930 5 W9310F
The code dates are printed on the side of master cases and embossed on the side seals of individual pouches.
No illnesses have been associated with these products but proceed to the FDA web-site (www.fda.gov1) for updated information.
Consumers with questions or who would like a refund or replacement product should keep the unopened package and contact C. H Guenther at 1-800-847-5608. Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central time.
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Page Last Updated: 03/17/2010
[Check thread for others that I did not ping]
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm204997.htm
The Medicines Company Expands a Nationwide Recall for Certain Lots of Cleviprex® That May Contain Particulate Matter
FOR U.S. AUDIENCES ONLY
Contact:
1-888-977-6326
cleviprexrecall@themedco.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 17, 2010 - Parsippany, N.J. - The Medicines Company (NASDAQ: MDCO) announced today that it is voluntarily expanding the recall of Cleviprex ® (clevidipine butyrate) injectable emulsion due to the potential presence of visible particulate matter which has been observed in some vials. Four (4) additional lots of Cleviprex are being recalled. The four additional Cleviprex lots are 68-407-DJ, Exp. 08/2010; 68-408-DJ, Exp. 08/2011; 71-101-DJ and 71-106-DJ, Exp. 11/2011. The previously recalled lots were 61-978-DW, 61-979-DW, and 61-980-DW, Exp. 01/2010; 68-404-DJ, 68-405-DJ, and 68-406-DJ, Exp. 08/2010; 69-830-DJ, 63-385-DJ, 63-386-DJ, and 63-266-DJ, Exp 03/2011; and 64-453-DJ, Exp. 04/2011. The Company is cooperating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on this recall.
The visible particulate matter is primarily made up of sub visible inert stainless steel particles of around 2.5 microns in diameter. Experimental animal and human data indicate that these particles are scavenged by macrophages and other cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Particles could theoretically reduce blood flow in capillaries, cause mechanical damage to some tissues, or initiate acute or chronic inflammatory reactions. Reduced blood supply to tissues may lead to ischemia or organ insufficiency in the brain, kidney, liver, heart or lungs.
Anyone with inventory from the affected lots of Cleviprex should arrange for its return through their pharmaceutical wholesaler/distributor.
For medical inquiries, adverse event reporting or quality issues related to Cleviprex, please contact The Medicines Company Medical Information at 1-888-977-6326 Monday to Friday 8:00am-5:30pm EST or cleviprexrecall@themedco.com.
Any adverse reactions associated with the use of Cleviprex may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch1.
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Page Last Updated: 03/17/2010
Basic Best Salmon Loaf
1 can (15 1/2 oz.) Alaska salmon
2 cups soft bread crumbs
1/3 cup finely minced onions
1/4 cup milk
2 eggs
2 Tbs chopped parsley
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/4 tsp dill weed
Dash black pepper
Drain and flake salmon, reserving 2 tablespoons liquid. Combine flaked
salmon and reserved liquid with remaining ingredients. Place in
well-greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan or shape into loaf on
greased baking pan. Bake at 350 F for 45 mins.
Makes 6 servings Nutrients Per Serving Cals 268 Fat Total 8. 12g Protein
21.4g Chol 114 mg Carbs 26.1g Sod 677 mg Dietary Fiber 1.58g
________________________________________________________________________
Salmon Patties
1 can (15 1/2 oz.) Alaska salmon
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tsp dill weed
3 egg whites
2 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs vegetable oil
Hamburger buns, optional
Lettuce leaves, optional
Tomato slices, optional
Drain and flake salmon, reserving 1/3 cup liquid. Mix together flaked
salmon, bread crumbs, green onions, parsley and dill. Mix in egg whites,
lemon juice and reserved salmon liquid. Form mixture into 4 patties.
Heat oil in non-stick frying pan. Saute patties over medium heat until
golden brown on both sides. Place salmon patties on hamburger buns;
garnish with lettuce leaves and tomato slices, if desired.
Makes 4 servings Nutrients Per Serving (not including buns, lettuce and
tomatoes): Cals 276 Fat Total 11g Protein 27.2g Chol 61.4mg Carbs 15.9g
Sod 792mg Dietary Fiber: 1.34 g
________________________________________________________________________
Parsnip and leek soup
2Tbsp butter
1 onion, diced
6C chicken or vegetable broth
2 leeks (White and light green parts only) trimmed, washed and sliced into
1/4 inch pieces
1 pound parsnips, peeled, cored and diced
1 pound potatoes (I prefer yellow!) peeled and cut into dice
2tsp turmeric
Melt the butter in a large, heavy soup kettle. Add the onion with some
salt and cook until the onion is soft. Add the broth, leeks, parsnips and
potatoes and boil briskly for 5 minutes. Add the turmeric. Turn down the heat
and simmer until the vegetables are very soft, about 15-20 minutes longer.
Puree the soup in a blender and strain it through a medium sieve (It is not
strictly necessary to strain it...I almost never do!) Add more broth if the
soup is very thick. I can’t wait to make this soup over the weekend! I
like to drizzle a little buttermilk over the top, just before serving.
Mashed Parsnips!
2 pounds parsnips, peeled, cored and cut into chunks
1/2C evaporated whole milk, or cream or even buttermilk
2Tbsp butter
1Tbsp lemon juice
1Tbsp fresh chives, or dill
Cook the parsnips in boiling water until tender. Drain the parsnips and
let sit for 5 minutes. Return the parsnips to the cooking pot and mash with a
potato masher. Add the lemon juice, milk, cream, or buttermilk and butter
and whip the parsnips with a large wooden spoon. Season to taste with salt
and pepper and sprinkle the herbs over the top. So good.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NDNcookingandhomemaking/
Crockpot Neapolitan Chicken
6 pounds chicken pieces
1 large onion, chopped
6 medium potatoes, 1” cubes
2 medium green peppers, in strips
1/3 cup parsley, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon basil
32 ounces spaghetti sauce, (4 cups)
Combine all ingredients in removable liner. Place liner in base.
Cover and cook on auto 5 hours, low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.
________________________________________________________________________
Traveling Eggs
2 cups bisquick
3/4 cup ham
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves
2/3 cup milk
6 eggs
Add all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and stir together.
Pour into a greased 6 quart crockpot and cook on High for 6 to 8
hours.
________________________________________________________________________
Brunch Casserole
Yield: 7 servings
1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 onion large finely chopped
2 tb olive oil or butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz can mushrooms, drained and sliced
2 ts salt
1/2 ts nutmeg
1/2 ts oregano leaf
1/2 pk spinach chopped frozen, thawed drained
3 tb flour
6 eggs beaten
1/4 c milk scalded
1/2 c cheddar cheese sharp grated
In skillet, lightly brown ground beef and onion in olive oil drain
well. Place in well-greased crock-pot. Stir in remaining ingredients
except eggs, milk and cheese until well blended. Beat eggs and milk
together. Pour over other ingredients, stir well. Dust with
additional nutmeg. Cover and cook on LOW setting for 7 to 10 hours
or until firm. Just before serving, sprinkle with grated cheese.
6 to 8 servings (About 2-1/2 quarts)
________________________________________________________________________
North-Of-The-Border Pozole
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into strips
4 pork steaks, cut into strips
15 oz can hominy, drained
1 small onion, chopped
4 oz can diced green chiles, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
Sliced radishes
Chopped cilantro
Combine chicken, pork, hominy, onions, chiles, salt, pepper, and
chili powder in slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low about 4 hours.
Spoon into a serving bowl; sprinkle with sliced radishes and chopped
cilantro.
________________________________________________________________________
Spinach, Cheese, & Bacon Strata
4 cups sliced & buttered French bread, cubed
1 bag frozen spinach (16 oz)
6 to 8 ounces diced, cooked bacon, ham, or turkey ham
1 1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
1 can (10oz) cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup evaporated milk
5 eggs
1 tablespoon minced dried onion (optional)
Lightly butter a 3 1/2-quart crockpot. Layer with half of the
buttered bread cubes, spinach, bacon, and cheese; salt and pepper
to taste. Repeat layers ending with cheese. Whisk together the
soup, milk, eggs, and dried onion. Pour over crockpot mixture.
Chill for 1 hour or overnight. Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 to
4 1/2 hours. Serves 4 to 6.
To subscribe, send a message to slowcooker-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
T
To view the archives, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/messages/slowcooker
Sunshine Cottage Pudding Recipe
Ingredients:1/2 c. sugar
1 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
1 tbsp. butter (melted)
1 (16 oz.) can pineapple tidbits and juice
1/2 c. frozen orange juice (undiluted)
1/3 c. sugar
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 c. flaked coconut
Cooking Directions:Sift dry ingredients into mixer bowl. Add milk and butter. Mix on medium speed until smooth. Lightly grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish. Set aside.
Combine and bring to boil all sauce ingredients except coconut. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Add coconut. Pour batter in prepared pan. Ladle sauce over batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve with vanilla ice cream. Serves 6.
Snow Pudding Recipe
Ingredients:1 (10 oz.) pkg. marshmallows
1 c. milk
1/2 pt. heavy cream
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Cooking Directions:Combine marshmallows and milk in a heavy saucepan. Cook until marshmallows are melted, stirring constantly. Cool. Whip cream and fold in along with remaining ingredients. Pour into a buttered 8 inch square pan. Chill until firm. Cut into squares and top with sliced fruit if desired.
Quick And Easy Brownies
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa; (heaping)
1/2 cup shortening
2 unbeaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
Sift first 5 ingredients together. Then add remaining ingredients. Bake
at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 5 minutes then
sprinkle with sifted confectioners’ sugar. Cut into squares and serve.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 734 Calories; 46g Fat (54.7%
calories from fat); 9g Protein; 77g Carbohydrate; 5g Dietary Fiber; 0mg
Cholesterol; 333mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 8
1/2 Fat; 3 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Yield: 4 servings
Quick And Easy Cheese Spread
1 package cream cheese; (8 oz.)
1 package
1 “ Budding” beef meat
1 bunch green onions
1 tablespoon M.S.G.
Combine cream cheese (room temperature) and chopped “Budding” meat, M.S.G.
and diced green onions together. May be served on celery sticks, crackers,
etc.
Substitutions: Crab meat may be used instead of “Budding” meat.
Recipe may be doubled.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 204 Calories; 20g Fat (87.9%
calories from fat); 4g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 64mg
Cholesterol; 172mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 3 1/2
Fat.
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0
Yield: 4 servings
Chicken Lickin’
8 chicken pieces
1/2 tsp ginger, ground
1/2 tsp chili powder
3 Tbls butter
16 oz can whole tomatoes
1 Large onion, chopped
4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup heavy Cream
2 tsp paprika
Rinse the chicken parts and pat dry. Melt the butter in a skillet.
Brown the chicken on all sides in the butter. Place the chicken
in the slow cooker. Combine all the other ingredients except the
cream together. Mix well. Pour over the chicken. Cook on LOW
for 8 to 10 hours. Stir in the heavy cream just before serving.
Serve over hot spaghetti.
Barbecue Chicken Burritos Recipe
Taste Of Home Magazine
Ingredients
* 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
* 1-1/2 cups julienned green peppers
* 1 cup chopped onion
* 4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
* 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
* 1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
* 4 flour tortillas (10 inches), warmed
* Lime wedges, sour cream, shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, optional
Directions
* In a large skillet, cook the chicken, green peppers and onion in 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Stir in barbecue sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
* Sprinkle cheese down the center of each tortilla; top with chicken mixture. Fold sides and ends over filling and roll up.
* In a large skillet, brown burritos in remaining oil on all sides over medium heat. Serve with lime wedges, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes if desired. Yield: 4 servings
Buttermilk Biscuit Sausage Pinwheels Recipe
Country Magazine
* 9 Servings
* Prep: 15 min. + chilling Bake: 25 min.
Ingredients
* 1/4 cup shortening
* 2 cups unsifted self-rising flour
* 1 cup buttermilk
* 1 pound raw bulk pork sausage, room temperature
Directions
* With a pastry blender, cut shortening into flour. Add buttermilk; mix. On a lightly floured surface, knead for a few seconds, adding additional flour if necessary. Roll out onto a lightly floured surface into a 12-in. x 9-in. rectangle. Spread sausage over dough. Roll up, jelly roll-style, starting from the short side Chill. Cut into 1/2-in. slices. Place, cut side down, on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: about 9 servings
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/all-simple-recipes/
http://www.naturalnews.com/z028384_deodorants_essential_oils.html
Make Natural, Harmless Deodorants with Essential Oils
by Fleur Hupston, citizen journalist
See all articles by this author
Email this author
(NaturalNews) Using deodorants and antiperspirants are considered by many to be essential in order to prevent body odor. Finding a good deodorant that does not contain aluminum oxide, aluminum compounds, synthetic fragrances and stabilizers makes for a tough search. Brands advertised as organic, all natural or herbal often contain the same chemicals, either with lesser quantities or with certain additives removed but others added. Alternative, natural deodorants can be home-made, are cost effective and very simple to make. Best of all, they are not damaging to health.
Natural Alternatives to Chemical Laden Deodorants
- By mixing corn starch and baking soda with a few drops of essential oil, an effective and natural dry deodorant can be created.
- A wet deodorant can be created by mixing witch hazel and glycerin combined with essential oil of choice.
- Blending pure essential oils with a base oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil or blending a few drops of essential oil to use directly on the skin can make a delightfully scented, natural deodorant.
- Crystals or salt rocks that leave an almost unnoticeable residue when applied can take care of underarm odor. Salt rock crystal deodorants are safe, even for people with allergies and skin sensitivity, and they do not leave behind any noticeable residue on skin or clothing. Though there are several brands available, the only thing to really watch for is that a pure salt crystal is chosen and does not have additives or artificial fragrances added.
Essential Oil Blends - What to Consider
For body odor, use essential oils that will limit the bacterial growth that causes odor. Be careful of oils that may irritate the skin, however, especially the sensitive skin under the arms. Try lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and patchouli, cinnamon and clove essential oils.
Be sure to use very good quality essential oil, since some oils are poorly processed or contain additives that may irritate the skin. Look for organically sourced oil, pressed at low temperatures and safe to use topically.
Recipe for Deodorant Powder Using Essential Oils
Deodorant powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup bicarbonate of soda
3/4 teaspoon pulverized lavender flowers
15 drops pure lavender essential oil
Mix lavender oil with the pulverized lavender flowers
Mix with the other ingredients and allow it to sit in an airtight glass container away from any light for a day or two.
To use, lightly dust the underarms using a shaving brush or blush brush and/or apply to any other area of your body you wish to feel fresh.
Recipe for Natural Spray Deodorant Using Tea Tree Oil
Pour 2 ounces of clean water
4 drops of tea tree essential oil
Mix together, shake up and spray whenever necessary for a natural deodorant that can even double up as a mosquito repellent.
Sources:
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articl...
http://www.desertessence.com/skin-c...
http://www.natural-homeremedies.org...
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/holistic-beauty/358-homemade-deodorants
Homemade Deodorants PDF Print E-mail
Eco News
face-cream-110px.jpgEasy holistic deodorant recipes which can be made in your own home, with ingredients found in your kitchen and garden. To help save you money, your health of your skin, body and the environment! Not forgetting to keep body and foot odour away!
Cream Deodorant
1/2 ounce cocoa butter
1/2 ounce beeswax
1 tablespoon glycerine
1 tablespoon rosewater
Melt cocoa butter and beeswax slowly in the top of a double boiler. Remove from heat, add glycerine and rosewater. Add several drops of one or more of the following deodorizing esssential oils: calendula, coriander, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, rosemary, sage, or thyme. Stir before use if cream seperates.
Stick Deodorant
4 ounces cornstarch
2 ounces baking soda
1 ounces liquid chorophyll
2 ounces vodka
2 ounces distilled water
8 ounces beeswax
10-15 drops of honeysuckle, rose, coriander or essential oil of your choice.
Mix all ingredients except wax and chorophyll in a bowl, stir thoroughly. Melt wax in top of a double boiler over very low heat, remove from heat. Add the other ingredients and blend well. If the wax thickens too much to be workable, heat again. As the mixture begins to cool, but before it hardens, add the liquid clorophyll and essential oils. Pour into molds. Let harden. Remove from molds. Store in a tightly closed container away from heat to avoid shrinkage.
Herbal Deodorant Powder
2 parts powdered sandalwood (for fragrance and anti-microbal properties)
1 part powdered white oak bark (an astringent)
1 part powdered lovage root (for fragrance)
face_cream_320px.jpgPulverize herbs in a blender or food processor until they become a very fine powder. Transfer powder into a clean, dry iron skillet and very lightly pan-roast to set resins and scents. Fill muslin draw-string bags with the powdered herbs, or use handerchiefs tied with a string or ribbon. Pat bags under your arms or on feet.
Homemade Deodorant Cream
1/2 oz. cocoa butter
1/2 oz. beeswax
1 tablespoon glycerine
1 tablespoon rosewater
Melt the cocoa butter and beeswax slowly in a double boiler.
Remove from heat and add the glycerine and rosewater slowly, drop by drop, stirring all the time until the mix reaches room temperature and is the consistency of cream.
Now add several drops (let your nose be your guide) of one or more of the following essential oils with deodorising action: calendula, sage, rosemary, coriander, eucalyptus, lavender, thyme, lemon.
Store in a clean jar and use as a deodorant or a solid fragrance for our pulse points.
Deodorant powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup bicarbonate of soda
3/4 teaspoon finely pulverised lavender buds
15 drops pure lavender essential oil
Mix lavender with the pulverized lavender buds first.
Then add this mix to the other ingredients and allow it to sit in an airtight glass container away from any light for a day or two.
To use, lightly dust the underarms or apply to any other area of your body you wish to feel fresh.
An easy effective and very inexpensive deodorant
Place bicarbonate of soda in a container, use a shaving brush / powder or blush brush and lightly brush underarm area, very sparingly.
Citrus and spice deodorant
6 tablespoons witch hazel
2 teaspoons vegetable glycerine
2 drops clove essential oil
2 drops coriander essential oil
5 drops grapefruit essential oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon essential oil
5 drops lime essential oil
5 drops palmarosa essential oil
Mix together the witch hazel and vegetable glycerine.
Add the essential oils and mix well.
Store in a glass bottle with a spray top.
Lavender and Rosewood Deodorant
80ml purified water
30ml apple cider vinegar
10ml benzoin tincture / a few drops of grapefruit seed extract
5ml myrrh tincture
25 drops lavender essential oil
20 drops rosewood essential oil
15 drops ylang ylang essential oil
Mix all ingredients thoroughly into a spray bottle.
Shake before use.
“No-Sweat” Tea
The following herbs, when brewed and drunk as a tea are reported to reduce perspiration within 2 hours of use with its effects lasting several days:
4 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon dried hops
1 teaspoon stinging nettle
1 teaspoon fresh cut rose petals
1 teaspoon fresh or dried strawberry leaves
1 teaspoon fresh walnut leaves
3 tablespoons of dried sage leaves
Combine all ingredients, cover and steep for an hour. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired.
Radish Deodorant
Extract the juice from about 2 dozen radishes, add 1/4 teaspoon of glycerine. Pour into a squirt bottle and keep refrigerated. Squirt under arms after a bath or pour some into the palm of your hand and rub under the arms.
Turnip Deodorant
Apply the juice of fresh raw turnips under the arms.
Deodorant foot bath for smelly feet
Soak the feet in the following solution:
1/2 cup white vinegar
5-6 tablespoons Epson salts
1 gallon warm water
Sage Deodorizing Foot Powder
1 tablespoon of baking powder
2 drops of Sage essential oil
Mix baking powder and oil in a plastic bag, shake well. Allow to dry. Break up any clumps that may have formed. Dust feet regularly with the powder and add a teaspoon in the shoes overnight.
Sage Foot Deodorant
Pulverize some dried or fresh sage, sprinkle the powder into shoes before wearing.
Do not use lavender oil during pregnancy.
http://ecobites.com/hot-topics/super-recipes/1908-easter-organic-carrot-cake
[For your son’s graduation day, bake it, freeze it, wrap well and send by UPS and it will be fine, my sister does that for me, and sends her pineapple cake a couple times a year.
She talked to them and has the pickup and delivery times down to a ‘t’ so it does not sit in a warehouse...
My mother sent caked to my brother in Alaska, LOL, she knew someone, who knew someone and it went right on the Air Force plane for special delivery to Ray in Alaska. [50 years ago]
granny]
Easter Organic Carrot Cake PDF Print E-mail
Hot News - Recipe of Week
carrot-cake-organic-283pxUsing vegetables in baking may seem odd, Alan Davidson in ‘The Oxford Companion to Food’ tells us that carrots were used in European sweet cakes since the Middle Ages when other sweeteners were hard to find or just too expensive. In fact, carrots, along with beets, contain more sugar than most other vegetables which might explain their use in desserts.
Because carrots provided an inexpensive and easily available alternative to other sweeteners, their use was encouraged during the Second World War, at the time of rationing.
There are probably as many recipes for carrot cake as there are people who make it. Personally, I never follow a cake recipe, however, here is an easy carrot cake recipe that can easily be adapted. Experiment for an Easter Organic celebration cake ...
Makes 1 double-layer 9-inch round cake
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups grated organic carrots Find the easiest way you can to grate them! A food processor makes for a fast and safe job - no grating of fingers!
2 1/2 cups organic apple juice
1 1/2 cup organic raisins or other dried vine fruit
2 cups Organic flour of choice - whole wheat (or use combination of flours eg buckwheat, millet and brown rice) spelt or a portion of organic coconut flour
1/2 cup organic coconut oil
2 Organic eggs
4 Organic egg whites
1 tablespoon natural vanilla extract / sprinkle of organic vanilla powder
3/4 cup organic unsweetened applesauce / organic crushed pineapple
1/2 cup organic rolled grain (quinoa flakes / rolled oats - put through food processor)
2 tablespoons Baking powder (Aluminum Free Baking Powder). Baking Powder is a leavening agent that is, it makes your carrot cake rise. I make my carrot cake without adding baking powder and still get a good size cake
1 tablespoon organic ground cinnamon
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Bring the carrots + 2 tablespoons apple juice slowly to boil in a medium saucepan.
Lower heat and simmer until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Puree in a food processor until smooth.
Add raisins and pulse until finely chopped. Let mixture cool.
Combine flour, rolled grain, baking powder, + cinnamon and vanilla if using powder in a large mixing bowl.
Add 1 1/4 cups apple juice, coconut oil, eggs, egg whites, and vanilla extract, and beat until mixed.
Fold in the carrot puree and applesauce / crushed pineapple.
Put the cake mixture into two lined, greased round cake tins.
Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes in the pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
When cool, frost with Organic Cream Cheese Frosting if desired.
Optional: The zest and juice of citrus - lime, lemon or orange add their own distinctive zing to the cake. Ground organic almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds or pepitas may be added to mixture with the carrots.
You can use the same nuts to decorate the topping. Organic desiccated coconut adds a distinctive taste and texture to the cake.
This cake works well with beetroot, or a combination of beetroot and carrot. Another option is to add grated zucchini / courgette.
Grated courgette works well with grated beet - add organic carob or cocoa powder with the flour or organic chocolate chips to the final mixture.
The cake is delish and sweet enough without a topping or just a smear of organic honey whilst still warm from the oven, however, most recipes agree on the topping: a mixture of cream cheese and icing sugar, sometimes with a little unsalted butter.
Include a flavour of your choice (citrus juice and rind), beat it all together, adding a little organic milk if it’s too stiff and you’ve got a topping ready to spread on the cooled cake. Decorate with nuts, zest or leave simple.
To assemble the Celebration Cake: place one cake layer, top side down, onto your serving plate. Spread with about one third of the frosting. Gently place the other cake, top of cake facing down, onto the frosting, and spread the rest of the frosting over the top and sides of the cake. If desired, press toasted and finely chopped nuts on the sides of the cake
Here are several Organic Cream Cheese Frosting options:
Cream Cheese Frosting
Combine all ingredients and mix well with an electric mixer:
1 1/2 cups organic softened cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons maple syrup
Cream Cheese Frosting
175gm organic cream cheese
450gm organic powdered confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar)
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz Organic Cream Cheese
5 Tablespoons organic unsalted butter
1 Tablespoons organic sour cream
1 Teaspoon organic Vanilla Extract / sprinkle of organic vanilla powder
1 1/2 Cups organic powdered confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar)
Using an electric mixer - blend cream cheese, add butter, sour cream,vanilla and mix well, slowly add icing sugar,mixer stopped). Then start the mixer to blending in. Do this 1/2 cup at a time until all the Powdered Sugar is blended in.
More Frosting Options:
Process 8oz organic cream cheese + 1 cup organic butter + honey to taste + lemon juice (1 or 2 lemons) + lemon peel.
60gms unsalted organic butter, softened + 1 teaspoon lemon rind + 1 teaspoon vanilla + 1 tablespoon organic icing sugar or honey…cream butter, lemon rind, vanilla and lemon juice, gradually beat in icing sugar until thick and smooth.
Cream 310 gms organic butter + 2 1/4 cups organic icing sugar & beat 4 egg yolks (one at a time) & beat ½ cup mashed strawberries, add ¼ cup strawberries. Refrigerate until firm to spread.
Celebration Frosting
Cream 125 gms organic butter cubed and softened + 125 gms melted organic chocolate, Beat over ice until thick.
DIY Baking Powder
1/2 cup cream of tartar
4 tablespoons baking soda
Sift through a fine strainer three or four times and store in an airtight container.
Homemade baking powder can be stored for up to four weeks (make a half batch or smaller if you don’t use it much).
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/holistic-beauty/806-diy-home-remedies—beauty-treatments
DIY Home Remedies + Beauty Treatments
Eco News
female-honey-facial-100px.jpgFor natural home remedies and beauty treatments, the kitchen and garden is a great place to start. Home remedies, created at home for the smallest of problems from ingredients such as...
...organic - fruits, vegetables, herbs and oils are gaining attention due to its very nature - no negligible cost, purity, without side effects, dollops of TLC, simple and no side effects. Tips for preserving for the homecrafter, that do not cost the earth. Plus an assortment of natural home beauty recipes you can make with everyday organic food ingredients. Recipes similar to these have been used for hundreds of years to help stimulate inner energy and outer beauty.
Preserving for the homecrafter, that do not cost the earth.
For home remedies and homemade beauty products, keep them sealed in air-tight jars. Anything which is perishable should by kept in the refrigerator. All other items should be stored in a cool, dark place. The biggest problem faced in making cosmetic products at home is shelf life. They do have to be made more often as they tend to spoil after a certain amount of time, but the quality of the product and the knowledge you are using only the best ingredients far outweighs the small inconvenience.
For items such as masks, creams, etc. consider making only small amounts on a weekly or bi-weekly basis in order to be sure that they don’t spoil. Another simple point to remember is - do not use your fingers! Without the harsh chemical preservatives, you can easily introduce bacteria. Use a small spatula or similar sterile utensil to lift out small amount at a time when using the product.
To ensure freshness, add a teaspoon of sea salt to the mix of body scrubs, as a natural preservative. With your face_cream_320px.jpgoils, a natural preservative is vitamin E oil. You can puncture a vitamin E capsule and squirt the liquid into your blend. Vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopherol) is a powerful antioxidant used in preserving oils and keeping them from going rancid. Beware that there is a synthetic on the market called Tocopherol, Alpha Tocopherol and/or Tocopherol Acetate.
Just a few drops of grapefruit seed extract is a great preservative, in products that contain water.
The addition of as little as one drop of sweet orange oil to two ounces of cream will kill all bacteria and fungi in the preparation. Essential oils have also been shown to be effective in killing the virus that causes Herpes and assist in healing the affected skin. Most of the synthetic preservatives used today are carcinogenic and are thought to cause possible reactions. Some of this has been proven by the scientific community and much is still in debate. There are ways to preserve a product without having to add synthetics. Essential oils - neem oil, rosemary extract, vitamin E, honey, bee propolis, lemon, sugar and salt to name a few. Sometimes essential oils which are used as preservatives can evaporate from the preparation when left uncovered.
When a recipe calls for glycerin - it always means food grade vegetable glycerin. One other ingredient is beeswax. It melts at 148F, but the process goes more quickly if you first grate it. A hand held rotary grater with the large holes for grating makes short work of this.
For beauty product formulations and experimentation, try the following websites:
AromaWeb is an indispensable resource if you are using essential oils.While their benefits and intense aromas make them very desirable ingredients, they can be dangerous if they are not used properly. AromaWeb offers profiles for individual oils which include possible uses and safety information, part of over 250 pages of information on essential oils!
http://www.aromaweb.com/
For many people one of the most confusing aspects of creating new recipes is dealing with percentages and conversions.This online conversion calculator makes the conversion aspect a little bit easier. Once a recipe is converted to metric terms, determining a percentage a cinch!
http://www.onlineconversion.com/
From Nature With Love - Library for help with a wide variety of questions and products to purchase. A wholesale supplier of 1,750+ natural and complementary ingredients used in skin care, hair care, aromatherapy, massage, spa products, herbal preparations, soap making, potpourri and candle making. Also offer a large selection of packaging supplies, bath accessories, natural body scrubs and equipment. The articles here have been compiled over the years in an effort to help FromNatureWithLove.com customers with common questions and challenges.
http://fromnaturewithlove.com/library/default.asp
The following beauty products are straight from the kitchen and garden and worth discovering...
Storage time is the same as food. Be careful with ingredients such as eggs and milk. Not only can they spoil, they are allergens, and can cause a bad skin reaction. Rule of thumb - if it smells bad, don’t use it!
honey_bath.jpgCucumber is cooling for your skin. Parsley acts as an antiseptic. Avocado is a moisturizer. Tomatoes are acidic and very helpful in your natural beauty recipes.
Lavender calms and soothes your skin. Use the freshest organic ingredients only, experiment and enjoy knowing what ingredients you are feeding your skin!
Masks
Two ingredients serve as a base for masks: powdered oatmeal and powdered almond. Both can be produced at home by powdering oatmeal or almonds in a coffee grinder. One other choice that bears mention is plain yogurt. It makes a refreshing mask when combined with oatmeal and a little lemon juice. Brewer’s yeast can also be used.
To make a mask, add distilled water, a few drops at a time, to a tablespoon or two of the oatmeal or almond powder until you have a paste. Spread on your face, avoiding the eye area, then sit back and rest until the mask dries. When ready, wet and wring a washcloth in water that is as comfortably warm as you can tolerate and place the cloth over your face for a few minutes to soften the mask. Then rinse your face clean with warm water and follow with a cool splash.
You can also purchase floral waters such as Lavender, Rose, or Orange to make the paste, or you could also use honey. Honey and oatmeal masks are often mentioned in very old herbal manuscripts. Whichever choice you make, a mask should be applied once a week to revive the skin by getting rid of the dead skin cells which tend to give one that chalky, just embalmed appearance.
A great facial mask is honey. Place a cloth in warm water and apply to face. Smear on honey, and leave for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, then use cool water. Use once per week.
For a creamy facial mask that leaves your skin soft and refreshed. 1 tablespoon organic plain yogurt 1 tablespoon cucumber 1 tablespoon parsley.
Puree the cucumber and parsley finely and mix with the yogurt until smooth. Clean your face with a gentle Cleanser. Cover your face with this creamy mask.
This will rejuvenate your skin as it moistens. Leave the mask on for approximately 15-20 minutes for best results. Rinse with water. Follow with your favourite Moisturizer.
Mix oats with honey, yogurt and ground almonds. Apply to face, leave for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Mix a slice of pumpkin with egg yolk and milk. Let this mask set on the face for 30 minutes for a glowing complexion.
Mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt. Honey stimulates and smoothes, egg and almond oil penetrate and moisturize, and yogurt refines and helps tighten pores. Apply to face, leave for five minutes and wash with lukewarm water.
Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water, followed by a dash of cool. Gently pat dry. Can use daily.
A chocolate mask to make for normal to dry skin. Take 1/3 cup organic cocoa, 3 teaspoons of thick organic cream, 1/3 cup ripe papaya, ¼ cup honey and 3 teaspoons of oatmeal powder. Mix together in a blender. Smooth on face. After 10 minutes, wash your face with warm water, for a smooth complexion.
Oily Skin Mask. Mix 1 teaspoon brewer’s yeast with enough natural yogurt to make a thin mixture. Pat this thoroughly into all the oily areas and allow to dry on the skin. After 15 - 20 minutes, rinse off with warm water, then cool water and blot dry.
Clay is available in powder form at any health food store. Mix 1 tablespoon dry clay with 1 egg yolk, 1/4 of a mashed avocado and enough witch hazel to create a smooth mixture. Mud dries excess sebum while the egg yolk and avocado replenish lost moisture. Witch hazel tones.
Avocado is a naturally rich moisturizer. Mash the meat of the avocado into a creamy texture. Massage into the face and neck . Leave on for 15 minutes and gently rinse off.
For oily skin, apply a mixture of grapes (softens your skin), lemon (natural cleanser) and egg white (tightens the skin). Leave for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Grape juice makes an excellent cleanser for any skin type. Simply split one or two large grapes, remove pips and rub the flesh over face and neck. Rinse off with cool water.
Facial Exfoliater 2 heaped teaspoons fine oatmeal 1 teaspoon baking soda. Combine ingredients, and add enough water to make a paste. Apply to skin and rub gently. Rinse and gently pat dry.
Sea salt removes dry, flaky, dead skin. Wet face (or anywhere on the body), apply a couple of tablespoons of sea salt, then GENTLY massage with a wet washcloth or fingers. Focus on the T-zone and cheeks, but avoid the eye area.Maximum once per week.
Tone and refresh your skin by rubbing the wedge of a cut lemon all over your face. Leave for about 20 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.
Buttermilk dabbed on for 15 minutes will soak up oil from your skin without drying the skin.
Thin apple slices rubbed onto oily skin will help in controlling the oily shine.
Mix honey, lemon and organic coconut oil for a great home made moisturiser for your dry skin. Apply this concoction for 10 minutes.
Massage your body with a mixture of coconut oil and some of your favourite essential oils like lavender or rosemary. Your skin, besides smelling heavenly, will acquire a silky and supple quality.
Mix ½ cup honey to your bath water for soft and smooth skin.
For silky smooth skin, in the shower pour corn meal on a wet washcloth and after you have taken your shower as a finish, rub the corn meal all over your body.
Organic Coconut Oil - eat it or put it on your skin. The benefits of this natural ingredient are visible, great for preggie mums - no stretch marks! Coconut oil is great as a moisturizer for face, hair and body.
Simply use chickpea flour mixed with a little coconut or olive oil and use in place of soap on the body. Alternatively, grind 1/2 cup organic short grain brown rice in blender with 1/2 cup of water and use as a body scrub - it is effective at smoothing away dead skin cells, but gentle enough for daily use instead of soap. If you require extra moisturising, add a few drops of almond, coconut or olive oil to the scrub. To preserve, add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract and store in an airtight container in the ‘fridge.
Another alternative for soap - 2 tablepsoons vegetable glycerine, 2 tablespoons cornflour,1 teaspoon chamomile infusion, 2 teaspoons each finely ground oats and rice.
Heat the glycerine over a bowl of hot water
Slowly add the cornflour, stirring constantly to make a paste.
Remove from heat and slowly add the chamomile infusion, stirring all the time.
Stir in the oats and rice.
Store in a jar and use in the same way as liquid soap.
Stores for 2 months
For thin hair ... Heat coconut oil, give yourself a hot oil head massage every night. When you are done massaging wrap a hot towel on your head. Leave for an hour and wash with gentle shampoo. No need for conditioner. Let your hair air dry and you will be able to tell the difference.
Unwanted Grey hair - Make a strong ‘tea’ of Sage and a bit of Rosemary, strain it and refrigerate, before washing hair, spray on the base of the grey patches of hair, can also massage in. Leave for 5 - ten minutes and then wash as usual.
To make a strong rosemary & sage tea use equal amounts of rosemary & sage to 1 cup of water, combine ingredients and steep for 10 minutes, strain and use liquid for the colourant. Must be repeated daily for a few weeks before you notice any changes.
A few teaspoonfuls of baking soda added to your shampoo once per week will remove any styling products that have built up in your hair.
Mayonnaise is a great conditioner that will leave your have soft and shiny. Apply the mayonnaise to dry hair and leave on at least 20 minutes or overnight. Shampoo and rinse well.
Use lemon juice to create natural highlights in your hair. Apply lemon juice to select strands of hair and go out and do some gardening.
Mix raw organic eggs and apply to damp hair as a conditioner. Leave for 5 - 10 minutes and rinse well.
If you have thinning hair, soak your hair each day in burdock tea. Will help slow or completely stop hair loss.
Remove Hair Product Build-up 1/4 cup vinegar + 1 cup water. After conditioning the hair use this as a final rinse. Leaves your hair soft and shiny.
Baking soda removes conditioner build-up from your hair. Rub in and rinse thoroughly, then shampoo with your regular shampoo.
Shampoo Recipe - In a blender, combine 1 ounce organic coconut / olive oil, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Use as regular shampoo.
Hair Conditioner - Combine mashed avocado with some coconut milk. Comb it through the hair and let sit for 10 -15 minutes, rinse out.
Mix two whole eggs with four tablespoons of organic coconut / olive oil. Smooth through hair. Wrap head with plastic wrap,or warm towels, and leave on hair for 10 minutes. Rinse well.
Fruit Smoothie Hair Mask. Blend 1/2 a banana, 1/4 avocado, 1/4 cantaloupe, 1 tablespoon wheat germ oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt. For extra conditioning, squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave on hair for 15 minutes.
Beautiful Feet
Soften your feet by soaking them in a bathtub, bucket or basin with warm water and Epsom Salt for at least 10 to 15 minutes. The salt will help to smooth your feet, giving them a relaxed and refreshed feel.
Cinnamon Foot Bath 1 cup Lemon Juice, Cinnamon (for smell), 2 tablespoons organic coconut or olive oil, 1/4 cup milk, and water you can make a wash that leaves skin refreshed and fragrant (the amount of water does not matter). If you do not like the cinnamon fragrance, replace with another spice, essential oil, or flower petals such as roses.
After you make it, you can put it in a tub were you can soak your feet or body.
feet_with_pedicure_xs.jpgLavender Foot Bath 5 fragrant fresh roses, 10 fresh rosemary sprigs,10 fresh lavender sprigs, 10 drops lavender oil,2 lbs Epsom salt.
Remove petals from fresh roses, rosemary leaves & lavender blossoms from sprigs.
Place epsom salts in nonmetallic bowl, and stir in lavender oil.
Top with rose petals, rosemary, and lavender. Mix gently and pour into a jar.
Add a few teaspoons to warm water for a fragrant foot bath.
Warming Footbath
This slowly increases circulation to cold feet
1 tablespoon rosehips (substitute a rosehip teabag if necessary),
1 tablespoon dried hibiscus (substitute a hibiscus teabag if necessary),
1 teaspoon cloves,1 teaspoon juniper berries, 3 crushed bay leaves, 1 tablespoon orange peel
3 drops ginger essential oil
Place all the ingredients into a muslin bag and gently stir into a bowl of boiling water.
When the liquid has cooled to the right temperature, soak your feet for at least ten minutes.
Foot Scrub
1/4 cup ground oatmeal, 1/4 cup cornmeal, 1 tablespoon celtic sea salt,
2 drops peppermint or lemon essential oil. Pure water to mix.
Combine dry ingredients with enough water to make a creamy gritty consistency.
Stir in the essential oils.
Spend a few minutes massaging the scrub into feet, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Foot powder
Mix 1 Cup Cornstarch, 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda in a jar with a tight fitting lid.
Add 15 drops of your favourite essential oils.
Shake well and use as required
Spa Treatment
After showering, the Epsom Salt Council recommends massaging handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin to exfoliate the body. “It’s the same treatment many upscale spas use, without the upscale price!”
For a tranquil soak:
Honey has a calming effect and combined with pure essential oil of Lavender it’s a wonderfully soothing bath treatment.
2oz. Honey and 5 drops Lavender oil. Combine in a jar. Use 1 -2 Tablespoons per bath.
Fill your bathtub with water at a comfortable temperature that you enjoy. As you’re filling the tub, add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water (if it is a standard-sized bathtub – make adjustments for larger tubs). Soak for at least 12 minutes, three times a week for best results. As an extra treat, the Epsom Salt Council recommends adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil for an invigorating aroma. http://ecobites.com/holistic-beauty/beauty-enhancing-epsom-salt.html
All too often, we neglect our hands as part of our skin care regime. The hands, just like the face, age with lines, wrinkles, and brown spots. Additionally, as we age the skin on the back of your hands looses elasticity and the skin becomes thinner. Furthermore, the hands can be a real distraction when neglected, (dirty fingernails, coarse cuticles, calluses, etc.). Your hands are part of your first impression when meeting new people. Are you ever taken aback by someone’s hand when they shake yours?
As with the face, your hands and nails need exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation.
Lemons have been used for hand and nail care for centuries. Lemon Juice and the essential oil of Lemon whitens nails while stimulating healthy growth.
8 oz. spring water
1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
10 drops Lemon essential oil
Mix together and soak the fingertips in it for 10 minutes.
Rapadura is an unrefined sugar prized for its unique caramel flavour and fine grain texture. This deliciously pure sugar retains a beautiful golden colour and offers unmatched nutritional value because-unlike other sugars-it is not separated from the molasses stream during squeeze-dried processing. You can truly taste the difference of Rapadura whole organic sugar.
Rapadura Hand exfoliant
2 tablespoons organic coconut oil
3 tablespoons organic rapadura sugar
Mix into a paste
Rub gently into hands
Rinse well with warm water
Pat dry
Molasses Nail Soak (softens cuticles and strengthens and conditions nails) 1/4 cup warm water 2 tablespoons molasses Mix the water and molasses together, stirring well. Soak your nails for 15 to minutes and then rinse. For extra conditioning, apply the solution to clean nails with a cotton swab at bedtime, and rinse in the morning. Don’t worry. This mixture rinses easily and won’t leave your hands sticky.
Milk Hand Mask (can be used on face and body as well) 1/4 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup powdered organic milk or powdered buttermilk Mix the buttermilk and powdered milk to form a smooth paste. Using a small paintbrush or pastry brush, spread an even layer of this mixture over your hands. Leave the mask on until it dries, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water and pat dry. Because milk is high in protein and vitamins, this mask really nourishes the skin, giving it a healthy glow.
Natural Nail Luster (to promote nail growth) 1 tablespoon pure olive oil / organic coconut oil 1/2 tablespoon powdered white clay (also called kaolin, found in health food stores) Mix the olive / coconut oil and clay into a smooth cream. Massage a small amount into your nails and cuticles. Buff gently with a cotton buffing pad.
Home Remedies
Dandruff - Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds overnight. Grind into a paste. Apply on hair for an hour and wash off using gram flour paste. Or try using a homemade tonic rinse at the end of your shower (apple cider vinegar, rosemary sprig, green tea, lemon juice). Beets have been found useful in dandruff. Both tops and roots should be boiled in water and this water should be massaged into the scalp with the finger tips every night. White beet is better for this purpose.
Even before there was a hole in the ozone layer, going to the seashore could leave you sea-sore, so if you forgot to slip, slop and slap.
Sun Burn ... peel, grate and squeeze the juice of a cucumber. Mix it with ½ teaspoon each of glycerine and rose water.
Boil some lettuce in water, then strain, let the liquid cool for a few hours in the refrigerator before applying to your skin with cotton balls.
Thinly sliced pieces of raw cucumber, potato or apple can be placed on sunburned areas such as the forearm. The coolness from the vegetables is soothing and might help reduce inflammation.
Brew enough tea bags to cover a considerable area of the sunburn and ice down to get the tea really cold. Place the cold, wet tea bags and/or a cloth drenched in the tea over the affected area, keeping the bags and cloths cold. If you can submurge the burned part of the body, do so into the tea. Do this for at least one hour as often as you can (3 or so times per day) until it fades. This works for second and third degree burns as well and will prohibit scarring! The tea works as an antioxidant and pulls the heat out of your body. It stops the pain temporarily also.
Vinegar, apply in spray bottle to sunburnt area and let air dry.
Blemishes - Carrot juice applied daily helps fade blemishes.
A mix of crushed mint leaves and oats applied for 20 minutes and washed off with warm water will reduce pimples.
A facemask of egg white and honey gently removes the tan from your face.
Wrinkles - Apply coconut oil on the portions of skin and face where wrinkles set in and gently massage every night at bedtime.
Green thompson seedless grapes - cut a grape in half and gently crush on your face and neck. Make sure that you get the “crows-feet” and the lines around your mouth. Leave for twenty minutes or so and rinse with tepid water and pat dry.
Banana is wonderful as an anti-wrinkle treatment. Mash 1/4 banana until very creamy. Spread all over face and leave for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with warm water followed by a dash of cool. Gently pat dry.
Squeeze half a lemon and mix the juice with one beaten egg white. Leave on your face overnight or, for a quick pick-me-up, just 15 minutes. Splash warm water on your face to rinse.It helps to removes blotches, because the lemon works as a bleaching agent.
To lighten dark circles under your eyes, wrap a grated raw potato in cheesecloth and apply to eyelids for 15-20 minutes. Wipe off residue.
To delay age spots on your hands, use a piece of lemon and rub all over your hand, before washing. This will delay onset of age-spots.
Sliced cucumber or raw potatoes work wonders on puffy eyes and dark circles, particularly in the morning. Dip cotton wool pads in chilled mixture of cucumber and potato juice. Keep this on your eyelids for 15 to 20 minutes and gently wash it off.
Lavender oil offers gentle relief for tired and strained eyes. Add a drop of organic lavender oil to 500 ml (2 ½ cups) of water and shake the solution well. Dip two cotton wool pads in the liquid, squeeze out the excess water and place one pad over each eye.
Paste of mint leaves and almonds, mixed with warm water and applied all over body. Until it dries and rinsed off with warm water makes a soothing body pack.
For dark underarms and neck - apply lemon juice mixed with cucumber juice and a pinch of turmeric daily. Leave this on for 20 minutes.
To prevent lips from drying you can use a ground mixture or rose petals and milk butter.
Facial Hair - apply a sticky paste of egg white blended with sugar and corn flour. Allow to dry, gently peel off. Repeat three to four times per week.
Whiten nails - Soak your nails in water with lemon juice or lemon slices. The lemon acts as an astringent and will strip away stains.
Baby - Organic Olive oil can be used on baby’s dry skin. It’s been known to help diaper rash as well.
Disclaimer:
The information contained on Ecobites is of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. No claims whatsoever can be made as to the specific benefits accruing from the use of any food, herb or nutrients. Avoid using if you are allergic to any known ingredient. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and we have no way to test or verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician or health practitioner.
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/holistic-beauty/213-bath-oils-perfumed-skin-oils
Bath Oils + Perfumed Skin Oils
Eco News
For centuries women have been using oils in the bath to soften and scent their skin. Produce your very own Bath and Perfumed Skin Oils to make an eco friendly and economical beauty treatment. Great for gift giving. It’s fun, easy and inexpensive.
1 bottle of organic olive oil + 1 tablespoon castille soap + fragrant essential oil of your choice. Combine all together, except essential oil. Place into bottle or jars and add oil drop by drop. Shake to combine.
honey_bath_1Nice accompanied by a drawstring bag filled with dried herbs. The bag can be hung around the tap while the bath is filling or just thrown into the bath.
Bath Soak. In the centre of a hemmed calico square place 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup almond meal and 1/2 cup cornmeal. Tie up into a ball with a length of lace. The mixture will diffuse into the bath water.
Fragrant Bath Oils
1 cup epsom salts
1 cup sea salt
1 cup baking soda
8-16 drops of your preferred essential oil (Peppermint makes you feel warm and is helpful for relief from a cold or tension headache, lavender induces sleep and relaxation, and rosemary provides an emotional pickup.
Attractive glass or plastic containers with tight lids (e.g., apothecary or honey jars)
Mix the salts and baking soda. Blend ingredients with a wooden spoon or in the blender (for a finer texture). Add essential oils drop by drop, until you like the scent’s intensity.
Scoop the bath salts into containers.
Use 4-6 tablespoons per bath or 8-10 tablespoons for a whirlpool tub.
Save water by bathing with your partner.
Save baths for special occasions or after stressful days.
Put the plug in from the beginning to save water (the hot water should warm up the initial cold water).
Fill up a couple inches below full.
Perfumed Skin Oil
1 ounce almond or jojoba oil
10-15 drops of essential oil of your choice
A small bottle with a tight fitting lid (e.g., a used medicine or perfume bottle)
Small funnel
Mix ingredients well and, using the funnel, pour into bottle. May be used as perfume, a face moisturizer or massage oil. Makes a special gift.
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/holistic-beauty/1096-home-grown-hair-care
Home Grown Hair Care
Eco News
girl_wild_flowers_283pxLooking for another way to go green in your home? Here we have a wonderful range of homemade natural hair care possibilities, most from readily available garden offerings.With just a little work in the kitchen you can reap the many benefits of elegant hair in a gentle way without all the unnatural additives you will find in store-brand products.
The easiest alternative shampoo is mud! (how inexpensive is that?).
Don’t laugh, it takes the grease out. (Notice how silty water lathers into foam in a flood?). Package mud up in flowered plastic bottles and the supermarkets would be full of it.
Actually urine is supposed to be excellent too - a couple of days old and ammoniacal. It does take the grease out of sheep’s wool wonderfully, but we have never tried it. I am sure it would give my hair all the blonde lights of an advertiser’s dream. But with so many alternatives to try....Shampoo can be made from mixtures of water and herbs, vinegar, lemon juice (as conditioner and lightener), egg yolks (for dry hair) or beer (for body). Organic egg yolks are best as a conditioner - rub in after shampooing, leave for a few minutes and wash off (cool water or you will have scrambled eggs) - but they clean hair as well.Or try an infusion of soapwort. Pick a handful of leaves, bung them in the blender or a moulie, cover with water, shake, strain and use the liquid in your hair. Ivy leaves are great too, or blackwood leaves.
Dry Shampoo
Take orris root, ground rosemary or arrowroot or a combination of any of them. Dry thoroughly in the oven, grind to a powder and brush though hair. The powder should take both grease and dirt with it.
Chamomile Shampoo
Make a cup of hot chamomile tea by pouring boiling water over a dessertspoon of dried flowers and leaving it to steep for five minutes. Drain the tea off the flowers, add a teaspoon of grated soap (castille or vegetable soap) and an optional teaspoon of borax. Mix well. Use the whole cupful to wash your hair. Chamomile tea is a brightening rinse for fair hair.
Egg + Other Shampoos
Take the yolks of two organic eggs, add the juice of two lemons, mix, and use instead of shampoo.
Oregano Shampoo
Make an infusion by pouring 2 cups boiling water over 1 tablespoon dried oregano. When cool strain and add 2 tablespoons liquid castille soap. Massage enough of the liquid into the scalp and hair and rinse. Follow with a conditioner. Fresh oregano can be used in place of the dried herb but double the quantity.
Hair Rinse for Shining Hair
Add a teacupful of rosemary tea to hair rinse for shiny, fragrant hair. It is also supposed to prevent early baldness.
Hair Conditioners
Oily Hair
Use any astringent herb like rosemary, lavender or mint. An astringent herb will increase the tone of your hair.
Dry hair
Use a demulcent herb like comfrey, slippery elm sage, and parsley. Demulcent herbs are rich in mucilage, which puts up a protective barrier and coats the hair.
Dandruff
Combined with vinegar, herbs like rosemary, parsley, chamomile or sage will reportedly help control dandruff. Good general conditioners and dandruff preventers are elderberry, southernwood, nettles, lime or quince peel.
Oregano is also good for treating dandruff. 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, 2 cups boiling water, 1/4 teaspoon borax. Infuse the oregano by pouring the boiling water over and allow the mixture to cool. Strain, dissolve the borax in. Massage into scalp twice weekly.
Body and Shine
In addition to helping hair types, many herbs also provide body and shine to serve double duty on your locks. Some of the easiest to grow are rosemary, parsley and nasturtiums. Remember, if you have dry hair, stick with ones that would help you, like parsley, sage or comfrey. Oily hair requires herbs like rosemary or mint.
A simple recipe to make rinses will work for any of the above hair issues....
Take 1 cup of coarsely chopped, fresh herbs and 1 quart of distilled water. Simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let infuse (soak) for 1 hour. Strain, then add 1 quart of cider vinegar to the liquid. Store in plastic containers and keep in a cool, dark place. (You may be worried about adding the vinegar, but it acts as a preservative. You can make your rinses without it, but then they must be stored in the refrigerator and used within two days.)
Use about 1 cup after shampooing, pouring it over your hair several times. (You can catch the rinse water in a basin to use repeatedly). Do the final rinse with cool water to make the outer cells of your strands lie flat, providing a smooth finish.
If you want a little extra hair care, consider concocting an herbal conditioner for greater control of your tresses. Herbs make gentle conditioners. To prepare one, be sure to mince the herbs first – it’s important that they be a fine texture because they won’t be strained out.
To make conditioner, add 1 cup of minced herbs to 2 cups of distilled water and simmer for 15-20 minutes. (If using roots or bark, double the cooking time.) Remove from heat and let infuse for an hour. Then add 1 tablespoon of vegetable glycerin – just 1 drop at a time – and stir vigorously. Store in a tightly sealed, plastic container and keep in a cool, dark place. Add a small amount to wet hair, finger-comb, then style as usual.
Hair Conditioner Treatment for Dry hair
Fill a glass jar half full of fennel, camomile, rosemary or nettles. Top with sunflower oil, let it steep in the sunlight for at least a week, and shake regularly. Rub through hair ten minutes before washing.
For dry and brittle hair, any of the vegetable oils can act as a marvellous conditioner. Slowly heat the oil in a double saucepan - when warm, massage into the scalp and hair. Cover the head with plastic then wrap in warmed towels. When towel cools repeat once; then shampoo, making sure you remove all excess oil. Follow with a herbal rinse. Make an infusion and either use as rinse or mix with the final rinsing water to leave hair sweet smelling and shiny.
To enhance color and add shine, use sage and horsetail. To promote growth and add shine, parsley and catmint. Rosemary and lemon verbena make a lovely rinse for dark hair and camomile and yarrow for fair. Columbine for the sweet smell of hay.
To promote growth, rub into the scalp several times a week either an infusion of yarrow or a mixture of two tablespoons of extract of nasturtium mixed with a few drops of rosemay oil; brush hair thoroughly afterwards.Oregano has stimulating qualitites and encourages hair growth.
Now you are all shiny and conditioned. If there are a few more hours to spare try a little color.
Henna would be one of the oldest and best known coloring agents, and is readily available from health shops, complete with instructions.
For those with fair har, it can be lightened quite considerably with special lightening pastes.
To Lighten Hair
Take a ¼ cup of lemon juice (fresh lemons are best) and mix with your conditioner. Apply to hair and leave your hat off when gardening in the sun. Soon thereafter you will see a beautiful summer shimmer in your hair. For more summer highlights ... Try rosemary for brunettes and camomile for blondes. Steep a cup of camomile flowers in three cups of boiling water. Use the liquid as a final rinse. This will add bright golden lights, and gradually lighten hair with continued use. Camomile Paste; make a strong infusion of flowers and mix in enough kaolin powder to make a thick paste. Apply to hair along the full length of the strands and leave for approximately one hour.Rinse well with warm water. Your initial application may not produce highly noticeably results but persevere as successive applications will produce noticeable lightening.
Rhubarb can be applied also as a lightener. To make the paste; stew two sticks of rhubarb in two cups of white wine for about twenty minutes. Steep for a further couple of hours, then mix to a thick paste with kaolin powder. repeat process as for camomile.
Dyeing Hair
To make a blue rinse, take a cup of elerberries, add a pinch of salt and alum (these add brighteness but aren’t absolutely necessary) and cover with boiling water. Leave this until it is cool and use as a final rinse. If the color is not deep enough rub a more concentrated solution into hair and leave for ten minutes before rinsing off.
Henna Hair Dye
Henna 200 gm
1 teaspoon organic coffee powder
1 organic egg yolk
1 teapoon Rum/Brandy
Mix coffee powder in water and make a paste of henna with the water. Beat the egg yolk and mix this into henna. Also add brandy to it. Apply the paste and leave on for 3-4 hours before washing with lukewarm water.
Saffron Hair Dye
Saffron 1 pinch
Boiling water 500 ml
Soak saffron in water for 10 minutes. Strain and use it on the hair. Grey hair will acquire a rich golden tint.
Walnut Hair Dye
Walnut husk 500 gm
Water 500 ml
Boil husk (dry outer covering) in the water for 15 minutes. Then strain and use this liquid to dye your hair. It will colour brown hair to a darker rich shade.
Brunette Rinses
Rinse your hair with the cooled water left after boiling unpeeled potatoes.
Rinse with teas made from Rosemary, Sage, Raspberry leaves, Parsley, or Catnip
Rinse with black Coffee or black Tea.
Rinse with an infusion of Tea, Walnuts and Coffee.
Rinse with and infustion of Apple Cider Vinegar, Rosemary and Coffee.
A paste for brown hair can be made by mixing six tablespoons of green walnut skins with two tablespoons of alum powder and half a cup of orange flower paste. Chop the walnut skins finely and mix into a paste with the other ingredients, then apply as above.
To Lighten Hair
Steep a cup of chamomile flowers in three cups of boiling water. Use the liquid as a final rinse. This will add bright golden lights to brown hair, and gradually lighten hair with continued use. Lemon juice added to rinsing water is good for fair hair.
To Add Golden Lights to Brown Hair
Dig up some rhubarb root, scrub it clean of grit, dry in the oven then pulverize in a blender.
Add just enough hot water to make a pulp and rub into hair.
Leave for half an hour then rinse off thoroughly.
This preparation may leave your hair dry, so use a conditioner afterwards.
Steep an organic chamomile tea bag in 7 oz. of warm filtered water with a tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar. Apply tea mixture to hair and let sit for 3 minutes. Chamomile renders a golden tone to hair, whilst the vinegar gives hair a shine.
Rinse hair again with water.
Blonde Rinses
Rinse with infusions or teas made from Saffron, Turmeric, Calendula (marigold), Mullein.
Rinse with an infusion of Avena Sativa (oat straw), Licorice Root and Saffron.
Rinse with Chamomile tea.
Take a cup of marigold petals, pour over a cup of boiling water, leave until cool and use as a final rinse for your hair. Better results come with repeated applications.
Boil chopped rhubarb in water then cool, strain and rinse hair with water.
Red Hair Rinses
Rinse hair with cool, strong black organic Coffee.
Rinse with teas made from Rosehips, Red Hibiscus, Calendula or Saffron.
To Mask Grey Hair
Make a strong sage tea by pouring a cup of boiling water onto a cup of chopped sage leaves. Leave it until it is cool, and use as a final rinse. This will have to be repeated for several weeks. Make a paste with kaolin powder. Sage can assist in restoring original color.
Grey Hair Rinse
Use a Hollyhock infusion or Betony rinse to remove the yellow from grey hair.
To Colour Grey Hair Brown
Soak a handful of walnut leaves or husks in water overnight. Use this as a final rinse when washing your hair
Enjoy!
http://ecobites.com/hot-topics/super-recipes/1740-festive-mincemeat
Festive Mincemeat
Hot News - Recipe of Week
xmas-mince-pies-273x168.jpg
Make the mince for mince pies in advance. The longer it macerates, the better. Here are two variations of festive fruit mince + pastry. Wherever possible use organic and local ingredients.
Festive Fruit Mince
1lb/450g cooking organic apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
8oz/225g cubed organic butter
12 oz/350g organic sultanas
16 oz/450g dried organic apricots
12oz/350g organic rapadura sugar
grated rind and juice of 2 organic oranges
grated rind and juice of 2 organic lemons
2oz/60g whole organic almonds, slivered
4 teaspoons mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon
half an organic nutmeg, grated
6 tablespoons vegan brandy
Mix all ingredients ,except the brandy, then cover and leave for 12 hours.
To prevent fermentation place the mincemeat in a 120C/ 225F oven for 3 hours. Then allow to cool, stir in brandy and put in clean jars and seal.
You can keep it, in a cool, dark place, for up to 3 months. This recipe makes about 1 1/4 cups. Can also keep it in the fridge and stir every few days.
Festive Fruit Mince
Use organic and local ingredients wherever possible
1/3 Cup Raisins
1/4 Cup Sultanas
1/4 Cup Mixed Peel
1 Tablespoon Currants
1 Tablespoon Chopped Almonds
1 Small Apple, grated
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
1/2 Teaspoon finely grated Orange Rind
1/2 Teaspoon finely grated Lemon Rind
1/2 Teaspoon Mixed Spice
Pinch Nutmeg
1/2 Cup Rapadura Sugar
25 g Melted Butter
1 Tablespoon Brandy
Combine all ingredients in bowl. Spoon into sterilised jar. You can use the fruit mince straight away but the flavours develop if kept for a while.
Pastry
2 Cups Plain Flour
2/3 Cup Icing Sugar
150 g Butter
2-3 Tablespoons Iced Water (chilled water with icecubes in it for 15-30 mins)
icing sugar, for dusting
Preheat oven to 180C. Brush 2 12-cup shallow patty tins lightly with melted butter.
Place flour, icing sugar and butter in food processor. Process until mixture is fine and crumbly. Add almost all the water and process until the mixture comes together (be careful to not add too much water, you can always put in more but you can’t take it out again).
Turn pastry out onto lightly floured surface, press together until smooth. Roll out two-thirds of pastry and use a biscuit cutter to cut out 24 circles.
Divide fruit mince between pastry cases. Roll out the remaining pastry, cut out 12 circles with the same cutter. Using a smaller, fluted cutter (flower shape, or stars, hearts whatever - 1.5cm diameter aprox), cut a shape from the centre of each circle. Place large circles on tops of pies, press edges to seal. Place smaller circles on remainder. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden.
Leave in tins for 5 minutes and then carefully lift out with a knife and allow to cool on wire racks. Dust tops lightly with icing sugar.
Source Family Circle Mini Cookbook - Classic Essential Pies
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http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/
Blender-Batter Muffins
Blueberry Spelt Muffins
This is the base recipe I use for my muffins, adding in berries, or nuts, or choc chips, or spices, or crumble topping, or whatever I feel like. It’s a very versatile and healthy recipe - you start with the whole grains (spelt, brown rice, barley, kamut, or a mixture of these...), grind the grains with the liquids, leave to soak overnight (or at least a few hours), then add the remaining ingredients. (Check out the variations below for ideas.) I like to start it at night so we can have muffins for breakfast (...and morning tea - it makes a lot!!).
The original recipe is from Sue Gregg’s ‘Breakfasts’ cookbook, and I’ve changed it to make it dairy free. (I love Sue’s cookbooks - this one has nearly 300 pages of healthy, delicious breakfast recipes!!) I used to use my homemade rice-almond milk with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to substitute for the buttermilk in her recipe, but I decided to cut out a step and make the milk at the same time as I made the muffins... so instead of buttermilk, I add a handful of raw almonds, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, and water. It all gets ground up and soaked with the grains, and works just fine!
I make this recipe with my Thermomix as it grinds everything up so well, but if you don’t have a Thermomix you’ll need a very powerful blender that can crush ice, and you’ll need to grind it for a bit longer to make it smooth.
Soaking the grains in the liquids overnight improves digestibility and vitamin absorption. You can either leave the batter to soak overnight in the Thermomix, or remove it to a glass bowl, which is what I prefer to do.
1. Place in Thermomix and blend on speed 9 for 3 minutes, scraping down half way through:
- 40g raw almonds (or cashews)
- 160g water
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 290g whole spelt grain (or kamut, or a little less of barley grain, or a little more of brown rice)
- 20g macadamia oil (or light olive oil)
- 210g raw honey
(You may have to play around with the amounts of grain if not using spelt - if it seems way too thick and there is no ‘vortex’ while you’re blending, add a little more water.)
2. Leave batter to soak overnight, or for about 7 hours.
3. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 175 degrees C (350 F), and grease muffin trays (or you can use ramekins for extra large muffins).
4. Add eggs to batter and mix for 2 minutes at speed 9:
- 2 eggs
5. Mix in briefly, for 3 seconds on speed 5:
- 2 tsps baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
6. Fill greased muffin trays (or ramekins) almost full with batter. Sprinkle the top of muffins with Rapadura and cinnamon (optional), and place in oven for about 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from tins.
Variations:
- Berry muffins: add berries by sprinkling them on top of batter in tins and pressing in slightly - they will sink in a little while cooking. You can also sprinkle with Rapadura & cinnamon if you wish.
- Chocolate chip muffins: replace cinnamon with 1 tsp vanilla extract; stir in 1 cup of Rapadura sweetened choc chips with baking powder. (Berries AND choc chips is nice too!)
- Nut muffins: add chopped nuts with the baking powder, etc, but only mix in briefly.
- Apple muffins: increase the cinnamon to 1 1/2 tsp, add 1/4 tsp nutmeg; add 1 peeled and diced apple to batter with baking powder; sprinkle with cinnamon & Rapadura before baking.
- Banana muffins: add another 20g oil, 1 1/2 very ripe bananas, 1/2 tsp nutmeg and blend, then soak overnight. Only needs 1 egg. Optional: add a handful of chopped walnuts/pecans and/or dark choc chips with baking powder.
- Orange date muffins: replace cinnamon with 1 tsp vanilla extract; fold in 1 peeled, diced orange and a handful diced dates with baking powder.
- Orange nut muffins: peel orange skin into Thermomix, add a little Rapadura and cinnamon, grind speed 9 until finely grated. Use 170g orange juice instead of almonds, water & vinegar in batter. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract to batter. Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans and a handful of sultanas with the baking powder. Can also add a handful of grated carrot. Before baking, sprinkle with the orange zest, Rapadura & cinnamon.
Posted by Jo Whitton at 3:50 PM
Like it?
Labels: baking, berries, breakfast, dairy free, honey, naturally sweetened, snacks, spelt, Thermomix, wheat free
4 comments:
Cat J B said...
Ooh, yum yum yum! I like that you’re soaking things, I do with bread things but have not so far with cakes, cookies or muffins. Now I will, thanks!
March 14, 2010 6:43 PM
Jenny said...
Visiting you back from MPM! Thanks for coming to my site. I am going to continue to look around yours some...your pictures of food look so yummy!
March 16, 2010 10:06 AM
Rachel said...
When you say ‘leave them to soak’ you mean just in the honey and apple cider vinegar right? You don’t add any whey, yoghurt or lemon to help it ferment at all?
They sound really good. An all ‘round muffin recipe is just what I’m looking for!
March 16, 2010 3:00 PM
Jo Whitton said...
Yes Rachel, it doesn’t have to have whey or anything, the vinegar is enough acid, so just leave it to soak like that. I haven’t tried all these variations - so if any need tweaking, let me know!! :)
http://quirkycooking.blogspot.com/2009/07/blender-batter-berry-cake-gf-df.html
‘Blender Batter’ Berry Cake (GF & DF)
You would never guess that this scrumptious cake is made completely from brown rice, would you! It is the most moist and delicious gluten-free cake ever... and it is completely dairy-free and refined-sugar-free too! To make this cake you will need a powerful blender, or of course a Thermomix, which is what I use. It is not made with flour, but with the whole, raw grains, blended together with the liquids, then left to soak for a few hours before the other ingredients are added. You could use other grains besides brown rice - see variations at the end of the recipe. I use raw honey for the sweetener, which I buy bulk to save money.
I’ve adapted this recipe from one in Sue Gregg’s “Breakfasts” cookbook (originally ‘Almond Coffee Cake’).
1. Place in Thermomix and blend on speed 9 for 2 minutes (or in blender on high speed for 3 minutes) :
- 350g (1 1/2 cups) raw brown rice
- 260g (1 cup) rice/almond milk (made in Thermomix)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 50g (1/4 cup) olive oil
- 280g (3/4 cup) raw honey
2. Scrape down lid and sides of bowl, and leave batter to soak for a few hours, or overnight, at room temperature. If you’re in a hurry it can be made without soaking - may need an extra minute of blending though.)
3. Oil a large rectangular baking dish. Preheat oven to 170 degrees C (325 degrees F).
4. Add, and reblend for 2 more ninutes on high speed:
- 2 eggs
5. Add to batter, and blend briefly but don’t overmix (5 seconds speed 5):
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger
6. Pour batter into baking pan, and sprinkle over the top:
- 1 cup of frozen mixed berries/blueberries
7. Don’t rinse out Thermomix/blender; just place into bowl and chop on speed 5 for 3-5 seconds:
- 1 good handful raw almonds
8. Add, and mix on speed 3 for 3 seconds:
- 1 good handful of raw rolled oats (or if gluten free, use 1/4 cup gf flour instead)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tblspns Rapadura
- 2 Tblspns macadamia oil (or other mild tasting oil, or butter)
9. Sprinkle over cake, and place in oven. Cook for about 45 minutes, or until knife or toothpick comes out clean when poked into centre of cake. Enjoy!
Variations:
- Other grains you can use: 1 1/3 cups wheat or 1 1/2 cups spelt/kamut or 1 1/4 cups barley grain.
- Apple cake: Cook 2 cups thinly sliced apples with 1/4 cup water and 1 tsp cinnamon; place on top of batter in pan, then sprinkle topping over (use walnuts or pecans instead of almonds in topping).
- Dried fruit: Soak 1 cup dried apricots or other dried fruit in hot water for 1-2 hrs, until soft; use in place of apple as above.
- Date & walnut cake: Mix together 3/4 cup of diced dates and 3/4 cup chopped walnuts; fold half into batter, and sprinkle rest on top with topping. (Omit almonds in topping.)
- Pineapple cake: Use juice from tin of crushed pineapple instead of rice milk in cake; add crushed pineapple to topping and omit almonds.
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articles/organic-gardening/597-grow-organic-tips
Organic Growing Tips
Eco News
boy-young-plant-285px.jpgForget the chemical approach to those pesky bugs in your garden. Not only are pesticides a health hazard, they may not even work. According to David Pimentel, entomologist at Cornell University, over the past 50 years pesticide use has increased 30 times (and toxicity of pesticides more than a hundredfold), yet twice as much of the harvest is lost to insects today. A better way for happy gardening and healthy living:
By Adam Penenberg
COMPOST: Healthy soil helps minimize pests. Build yours up with compost to add nutrients, promote microbial activity, and attract earthworms. Use clover as undersowing: it curtails weeds and actually helps certain plants, such as corn, cabbage, and cauliflower, flourish; plus, after harvest, you have a ready-made cover crop that can be used as mulch.
ROTATE: Bugs are like the American electorate: confuse them and they’ll do whatever you want. “You don’t want bugs saying to each other, ‘Hey, look, the carrots are in the same place they were last year,’” says organic farmer Scott Chaskey of Quail Hill Community Farm in New York. “Certain pests like certain conditions; if you’re creating the same conditions year after year you’re also going to have the same pest problems.”
DISGUISE: Bugs use sophisticated cues to find the plants they want, so keep ‘em off guard by surrounding your veggies with flowers. In particular, marigolds and calendula mask the odor of food crops and attract beneficial insects. Or protect by planting in combinations: Plant dill and chamomile around cabbage, leeks or onions with carrots, lettuce with strawberries or radishes, tomatoes with basil or parsley. “Plants that taste good together often grow well together,” says Chaskey.
ATTRACT: After harvest, plant buckwheat; its white flowers attract “good” bugs like ladybugs, butterflies, bees, and wasps, which devour aphids and other pests. Raspberry bushes host the cocoon of the praying mantis, an all-purpose pest fighter.
GET HAIRY: When growing season is over, build up soil by layering a cover crop like oats or rye to add organic matter and prevent erosion. (Oats may die during winter; you must cut and till the rye.) Add “hairy vetch,” a legume that twines up the rye, flowers, pulls nitrogen out of the air, and replaces organic matter. Put in a little nitrogen fixation bacteria to let “hairy” ensure that the nitro stays in (plants love nitrogen; it gives them their green color).
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