UniqueGardenEssences

What's Up Wednesday-Easy Risotto

2012-02-01T02:59:00.002-05:00

This weeks business has really been limited to filling orders, packaging, mailing and label making. And, since that is hardly revolutionary, I thought I'd tell you about a great recipe I came across on Allrecipes. I absolutely LOVE risotto, but the twenty minutes of stirring is for the birds! Although I have done it a few times, since the rest of my family really doesn't care for the taste of risotto, it isn't worth all that effort. Of course I was doubtful when I saw this microwave risotto recipe, but I decided to try it the other night when I was hungry, alone, and had just a smidge of arborio rice left in the jar.

One of the neatest things about the Allrecipes site is that it will re-size any of its recipes for you. So not only did I NOT have to stir forever, I didn't have to do the math to get a serving size of two! Yes, I did it for two, did I mention that I love risotto? Lol Not to mention, this recipe took care of the last of the rice. Anyway, I was rather skeptical, as you probably are if you are familiar with risotto. Everyone always says that you can't reheat risotto, and microwave food is usually rough, so I just assumed that this would be a dud. But I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised! In fact, I was gob smacked! This was a truly good risotto! Although I think it would have been rather bland without the wine, so you may want to consider that and bump up the spices if you choose to use all broth.

I did make a few changes to accommodate my personal preferences. I used chicken broth instead of vegetable broth, a bit more onion and garlic than was called for as well, and Gorgonzola cheese instead of Parmesan cheese, just because it was what I had that was fresh.

In attempting to follow the directions to the letter, I found that I needed to add a tad more liquid than it called for during step four. This may have been because my lid wasn't tight enough (I used a Pyrex dish and its glass lid), but I didn't need that much more, just a jig, at about 7 minutes in. I have to say that it looked and tasted perfect. It was every bit as good as the squash risotto that I stirred for nearly a half an hour at Thanksgiving! I will most certainly be preparing mine this way in the future, and with chicken, pumpkin, squash and whatever else I can think of! But don't take my word for it, try it yourself!

By the way, this recipe received 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars on the sites rating scale, and that was from 169 reviewers. More than 3,763 people have saved this recipe. Of course, you can make that 170 when I add my review!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup uncooked Arborio rice
3/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a 3 quart, microwave safe casserole dish combine butter, garlic and onion. Place dish in microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes.
Place vegetable broth in a microwave safe dish. Heat on microwave until the broth is hot but not boiling (approximately 2 minutes).
Stir the rice and broth into the casserole dish with the onion, butter and garlic mixture. Cover the dish tightly and cook on high for 6 minutes.
Stir wine into the rice. Cook on high for 10 minutes more. Most of the liquid should boil off. Stir the cheese into the rice and serve.

Teaching Tuesday- Under the Radar EO's- Copaiba Balsam

2012-01-31T01:59:00.004-05:00

Continuing on in our series of Essential Oils that may not have

been on your radar, today we will be looking at Copaiba Balsam

Copaiba Balsam Essential Oil (EO), botanically known as Copaifera Officinalis, has a mild, sweet, woody and slightly balsamic fragrance, that provides a base note in formulations
The EO is steam distilled from the crude balsam of the wild-growing, Copaiba tree. Primarily found in the forests of Brazil, Columbia, Peru, and Venezuela, this well branched, tropical tree grows up to 100 feet tall. It has leathery leaves, and the blossoms are small, white, and quite fragrant. It produces a fruit that is leathery and only contains one seed, and is classofoed as a leegume. The part of the copaiba tree that is used to make the EO is the balsam, which is the oleoresin. But, while it is called a balsam, it is really more of a natural oil, not a balsam. It is a thick, rather clear or pale yellow, but deepens to a fairly golden yellow color as it is exposed to air. This resin accumulates in cavities that are in the trunk of the tree. Then incisions are made in teh trunk in order to tap the resin.

This herbal oil is used as an emollient in lacquers and paint, and is used in art restoration to restore coloring to old paintings. But the most important properties of the copaiba tree are due to its oil, and the medicinal properties of that oil. In fact, from 1820 until 1910 copaiba oleoresin was listed as an official drug in the US Pharmacopeia. Copaiba oil has been documented to have antibacterial properties, and additionally is believed to have anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, diuretic, expectorant, and stimulant properties. It especially benefits bronchitis, bruises, burns, chills, colds, coughs, cuts, cystitis, intestinal infections, stress related conditions, and other urinary issues. In skin care, this EO is best used to treat cuts, burns, and bruises, in compresses, balms, or ointments. Considering its properties, and the fact that it is a base note, this EO makes a great fixative for your disinfectant blends, either for surfaces or for diffusers. And, of course, this EO is also great for scenting perfumes, soaps, lotions and other bath and body products. The only safety warning is to avoid this EO during pregnancy.

Make it Yourself Monday- More Facial Masks

2012-01-30T02:24:00.001-05:00

I know that I have posted several masks before, but here are some different ones.

Mint Mask
1/4 cup soy powder
1/4 cup plain yogurt (unflavored)
2 drops peppermint EO

This is a make and use immediately product. Mix the soy powder and the unflavored yogurt together, creating a paste. Then add in the EO and mix well. Put it on your face and neck and allow it to set for 20-30 minutes, then rinse with tepid water and pat the skin dry. After drying, don't forget to moisturize as you normally would. This mask is for all skin types, but especially benefits dry skin, as it won't over-dry the skin. The peppermint EO serves to clarify the skin. You should use this treatment once a week for great skin care.

Mean Green Mask
This next mask is a variation on two others that I have previously posted. This one mixes cucumber and clay, for one refreshing and moisturizing mask. It is another one that needs to be used once it is made. You will need;

1/4 cup French Green Clay
1 large cucumber, peeled and mashed
9 ml sweet almond oil (you may sub apricot kernel oil)
*distilled water may also be needed, depending upon the moisture level in the cucumber

After you have peeled and mashed the cucumber, place it in a bowl with the French Green clay and mix well. If the cucumber doesn't give enough moisture, add in enough distilled water to make the paste easy to apply. You want a soft, but not runny mixture. Once you have the correct consistency, apply it to your face and neck, and allow it to dry thoroughly. Stay still while the liquid evaporates from the recipe, which should take about 15 minutes. It will feel like it is pulling and this is the action that tightens your pores. Once dried, wash it off your skin with tepid water, pat dry, and moisturize as normal.

**I have a correction from last Friday's post as well. The Citrus Lavender soap does not have cocoa powder in it, but instead has vanilla powder. I have added a note to that post to correct the error.

Friday- More Coloring Soaps Naturally

2012-01-27T01:33:00.001-05:00

In reviewing my Wednesday post I realized that I left Safflower off the list. So we will begin with it! Safflower will give you a nice yellow color. Add one to two teaspoons per pound of oils, depending upon the shade of yellow you desire.

Sandalwood Powder will give a purplish red to a maroon color, depending upon the PH level. A lower PH will give a more maroon coloring and a higher PH will give you a purplish coloring. Use at 1/2 teaspoon per pound of oils.

Alkanet Root Powder gives a pinkish red to a bluish purple coloring, also depending upon the PH level. A PH of 6 will have a red color, a PH of 8 will be lavender/purple, and a higher PH will be more blue. For every two ounces of base oil, infuse one tablespoon of alkanet. For your soap, add about four tablespoons per five pound batch of soap.
*of course the amount you use and the types of oils in your formulation also influence the final color.

For a green color in your soaps try some;

Burdock Leaf gives a nice, natural green. This is best when infused in a base oil, either by the hot or cold method.

Comfrey Leaf will also produce a nice, natural green. The leaves can be infused in the base oil, using one part comfrey to two parts oil, or you can add the leaf powder straight into your batch at light trace, one tablespoon per pound of oils. You can also infuse the powder into the base oil, but you will need to use a cheesecloth to strain it prior to using it.

Dandelion Leaf powder is also good for a green. Use one to two tablespoons per pound of oils at light trace, or infuse in your base oil.

Then we come to my personal favorites;

*The above photo is of my Bamboo Soap and is made with cocoa powder and spirulina for coloring.

Nettle Leaf Powder, which gives a green that is pretty close to a lime green. It can be added directly into your soap pot or it can be infused into your base oils, whichever you prefer.

And Spirulina, which gives a nice, rich green. This works best when added straight into the soap pot. Depending upon the shade of green desired, adding 1/2 to one teaspoon in a five pound batch is generally recommended. Although I have seen it as high as one teaspoon per pound of oils.

You can also use; French Green Clay, Alfalfa, Chlorophyll, or Olive Leaf powder for various shades of green.

Cherry Bark Powder makes a nice warm, reddish-brown color. Use two tablespoons in a five pound batch of soap. It is best to take one cup of your batter out and mix the tablespoons in. Once you have it well incorporated, mix that cup back into the whole batch.

Tomato Powder makes a nice tomato red color, but it also has the scent of tomato since it is the actual dehydrated fruit.
This soap is a tomato soap and the green and brown coloring is from Neem powder.

Rattanjot will make a light lavender brown color to a deep purplish brown in your soaps.

For Browns try;

Walnut Hull Powder will produce a rich, nutty brown color in your soap. Add 1/4 teaspoon per pound of oils. For a deep, dark brown use up to 1/2 teaspoon per pound of oils. This is a great additive for creating a swirl color or a nice contrast color.

*The picture to the right is of my Kitchen/Gardener Soap. It is colored with coffee and has coffee grounds in it as well. It also has a small amount of cocoa powder sprinkled on the top.

Cocoa powder also makes a natural, deep brown that is great for contrast and swirls. Mix one tablespoon into 1/2 cup of your soap batter at trace, then mix that half cup back into your entire batter.
The middle layer of this Citrused Lavender soap is cocoa powder. The picture isn't nearly as pretty as the soap is in real life. The brown swirly layer really pops! The bluish bottom is a combination of blueberry fibers, indigo, and vanilla powder.
*Correction! The brown in this soap is actually vanilla powder.

Coffee and Coffee Grounds also make a nice brown coloring for soap, not to mention that the grounds make a wonderful scrubbing additive.

Poppy Seeds will be a blue gray to black flecks in your soaps.

Blues are the most difficult colors to achieve naturally, but it can be done! A plant that is high in azulene will give a nice blue, even though it may fade when its left for a long period of time. So (Common) Yarrow, botanically known as Achillea Millefolium, Blue Tansy, and German Chamomile are your flowers of choice for blue.
Then there is also;
Woad Powder is a nice sky blue color in soap and you only need 1/8 to 1/2 of a teaspoon per five pound batch of soap, depending upon how deep a color you want.

And Indigo Powder, which will give you a more denim blue, but still with only 1/8 to 1/2 of a teaspoon for a five pound batch of soap!

Frequently I will mix one or more of the coloring agents to create a deeper shade of a color or even a new one all together. Play with them and find your own color combinations! The picture above is of my Orchid Rain (a proprietary blend), colored with a mixture of cranberry powder and blueberry fibers

In case I forgot to mention, as I think I did, Clays, for coloring, should be added at a rate of one tablespoon per pound of oils, either to the hot oils or at thin trace.

Tripod Thursday-Mystical, Magical, Awe

2012-01-26T01:19:00.000-05:00

These photographs are from the area I live in. I am forever awe struct when I see the beauty of God's creations.

And Since this is what I am looking at.....

This is what I am dreaming of!

What's Up Wednesday-Coloring Soaps Naturally

2012-01-25T02:42:00.002-05:00

One of the aspects of my soaps that I love and am truly proud of, is the fact that all the coloring is accomplished by using natural colorants. That is to say, their coloring is achieved solely by the natural oil color(s) and the addition of various herbs, spices and flora. Since I am preparing to begin this year's 30 soaps in 30 days (as opposed to last year's 100 soaps in 100 days), I thought I would share some of the ways you can accomplish color without using lab colors, micas or the like. Some may even surprise you!

Remember, to understand coloring in your soap pot, nothing works better than trial and error! Some things will morph due to the PH level, and others will just simply not be the color you would expect. For example, hibiscus is a lovely color, but in cp soap it comes out a ruddy, muddy graysh color. Now in melt and pour it is pretty and what you would expect. Same goes with beet root powder, it appears that it should give you a nice reddish/pinkish coloring, but it doesn't. It gives you ugly, muggly beigish to brownish instead. And while we are at it, cranberry fibers don't give you a pretty pink/red either, but rather a tanish color as well. So test them yourself, and don't just trust what the seller says, because I have seen lots of sites say that cranberry powder makes soap a pretty pink!

For yellow and orange coloring, the one I most use is
Annato Seeds. You can get a full range of yellow and orange from this one seed. But, to use these seeds you must soak/steep them in the oil of your choice, then use the oil to color the soap. You cannot grind the seed and add that to the soap pot.You can begin by adding 2 Tablespoons of the seeds to 6 ounces of warmed oil. Steep this for an hour and then strain it. Use the oil as part of your base oil. If you are making a ten pound batch, this will produce a deep orange color. If you want a yellow/orange you can cut the base oil amount in half and use plain oil for the other half. If you don't care to use as the base, you can also just use tablespoons of the oil to color part of the batch for swirls. For deeper coloring you can increase the amount of seed steeping in oil, decrease the amount of oil steeping the seeds, or both. You can also lengthen the time frame of the steep. The longer you steep and/or, the more seeds you use and/or, the less oil you use, the deeper the color. Simply reverse the directions to create a lighter colorant. And, if you don't want to use heat, don't. Just cover your seeds with the oil, shake and let steep for at least 8 hours, but preferably a day. However, you will get a better, faster color saturation if you use the heat. *This picture shows the yellow you can achieve with annato seeds. The orange is very easily conquered, which is why I am showing you the yellow. I usually divide my annato batches by taking some oil out at a low color sat and then steeping more and separating some out and then the final batch is the lengthiest steep with the deepest saturation.

Turmeric, depending on the amount used, will give you a yellow - reddish- to reddish brown coloring, depending upon the amount used. Just make sure that you do not use too much or you may cause the skin some irritation. This soap was made with 1 tablespoon of turmeric in 1/3 of a batch of soap. About 5 pounds of oils, if I recall correctly. But for a nice yellow, use just 1/4 of a teaspoon per pound of oils at trace.

Calendual Petals- Aside from grinding and steeping the petals for yellow coloring, you can also incorporate the petals on to your soap for an interesting, slightly, soft exfoliating agent. *Calendula was not used as a coloring agent here, but infused oil was used for its healing properties, and on the top for decorative purposes, but it will add a light exfoliation. This bar actually has seeds included in the batter for exfoliation.

Saffron and curry will also give you yellows. While carrots (ground/shredded/baby food- the juice will turn black) and pumpkin (ground) will give you oranges.

Maddar root gives a pink to red, depending on amount used. Mix this with something else, or at different saturation rates, and you can get many different shades. These bars are colored completely with maddar root , gaining their contrast with differing saturation levels of the maddar (they are topped with cranberry and poppy seeds). You can begin with one tablespoon per pound of oils at trace, and add more or less depending upon the saturation level desired.

Paprica will give you a rather peachy shade, to a melon orange, but you need to infuse this spice and strain it before using. You can add it at trace, using 1/2 to one tablespoon per pound of oils. If you don't infuse and strain it, you will end up with speckles in your soap and it can also cause dryness and/or scratching.

Cinnamon will give you more of a brownish than a reddish shade. However, you must exercise caution with the amount to keep from irritating the skin.

Cochineal is what is used to color Hawaiian Punch, and will work in your soap pot for a nice pink to red as well.

In the proper amounts, the clays will give you their coloring, except for rhassul clay. Rhassul clay usually produces a speckled gray-brown color in soap. If you want red, use your Morrocan Red Clay. And, if you want a lovely red, try mixing the Morrocan red with some Maddar root! If you want green, use your French Green Clay. And for pink, use the Pink Kaolin Clay.

For more herbal, spice and floral coloring, check back on Friday for some more colors, like the ones that are in these bars!

Teaching Tuesday- Under the Radar EO's- Cistus

2012-01-24T02:04:00.002-05:00

This week we will be continuing the "Under the Radar Essential Oils" by discussing a somewhat pricey (around 40-50$ an ounce) EO that you may not be familiar with. It is Cistus EO, botanically known as Cistus Ladaniferus and/or Cistus Ladanifer. This EO is steam distilled from the leaves of the Cistus plant, which is sometimes known as a Rockrose shrub. The Cistus is a small, sticky shrub, native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. It is a pale yellow-orange, and has a strong, sweet, dry, richly herbaceous aroma. The EO is primarily produced by Spain, France and the Mediterranean. Besides the steam distilled oil, which is made from the leaves of the Cistus plant, you can also find an absolute, meaning a solvent extracted oil, which is made from the crude resin of the plant. It is [usually] identified on the market as Labdanum Absolute.

Cistus is considered one of the ancient spiritual oils, with a history of being used in incense, and as an aid to meditation and centering. Now days it is mainly used in perfumery for its rich aroma and the fact that it makes an excellent fixative. In fact, it is currently used in some expensive brands of perfume! It is also often used in skin care formulations, and is in fact highly recommended in blends for aging skin products. Medicinally it has most often been used for treating digestive and menstrual issues. Aromatherapy wise, Cistus is still used for meditation due to its calming, stress reducing and mood uplifting properties.

Cistus has antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, expectorant, tonic*, and emmenagogue* properties. For this reason, this EO should be avoided during pregnancy. Remedies made with this EO especially benefit bronchitis, colds, coughs, wrinkles, mature skin care, and nervousness. It is also used in a warm compress to treat swollen lymph glands.

As always, internal use of EO's is not recommended unless you are working with an experienced, licensed, professional. Failure to comply with this advice could result in serious consequences, possibly even death.

*A tonic is an agent that restores or increases body tone.
**An emmenagogue is an herb that stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and the uterus, and some also stimulate menstruation.

Make it Yourself Monday- Dandruff

2012-01-23T16:13:00.001-05:00

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that occurs when dead skin is shed, producing white skin flakes. In addition to adding a B complex vitamin to your regimen, using one of the following after shampoo recipes should help keep nasty flakes from adorning your nice winter sweaters, and help to heal your poor scalp! Don't forget to check out last weeks hair care recipes if you missed them!

ANTI-DANDRUFF RINSE #1

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

4 cups water

1 cup thyme infusion
*to make an infusion; Take 1 teaspoon of thyme and place it in 8 ounces of almost boiling water. Cover it, set aside, and allow to steep for at least 5 minutes before straining and using.*

Mix all ingredients together and use it as a rinse after shampooing. You will probably use about 1/2 of this recipe, depending upon your hair length. You can store any left-overs in a bottle, jut make sure that you keep it in a dark, cool place. It will only last for about 1 week, so make it when you expect to use it.

ANTI-DANDRUFF RINSE #2

1/4 cup tea tree extract

1/4 cup witch hazel

4 cups water

Mix all the ingredients together and use as a rinse after shampooing. You will use about 1/2 of this recipe, depending upon the length of your hair. Store the left-overs in a bottle. It should keep for about 2 weeks.

Frankly Speaking Friday-SOAP Panel

2012-01-20T03:47:00.001-05:00

As many of you already know, I am a huge Bramble Berry fan (soap making supplies). Not only do I love the quality of their merchandise and their superb customer service, but I am hugely impressed by the owner/founder, Ann-Marie Faiola. Her work ethic and business model is truly something to be emulated, she has even been named as her states' (Washington) small business of the year (2010). I love the way that She has grown her small company into what I consider to be a very large, small business!

Several times a year Bramble Berry introduces some new, seasonal fragrances. In order to decide which fragrances will make it through their selection process, and end up on the sales shelves, Bramble Berry has a panel of fans/customers to test their top picks. These people, nicknamed the S.O.A.P. panel (of whichever season it is for), test each of the fragrances delivered to them in a recipe of their choice (soap, lotion, scrubs ect.), and then send a detailed report back for Bramble Berry's consideration. Once all the notes are read and compared, Bramble Berry then decides on which fragrance(s) will be introduced that particular season.

Why am I discussing Bramble Berry and their method for adding new fragrances? Because I really, really WANT to be part of the next S.O.A.P. PANEL, that's why!
Before I found Bramble Berry, I had only ever used organic and natural ingredients in my products (soaps and bath and body). If it wasn't an essential oil, a herb, or a flower, it didn't go into any Unique Garden Essences formula. But then I ordered some essential oil and hard products from Bramble Berry, and received a free sample of a fragrance oil. Not one to waste anything, I mixed that fragrance oil with an essential oil and fell in love! The scent was truly divine, and remains one of my personal favorites to this day! It was Champagne fragrance oil and I mixed it with a white grapefruit EO. Then, last year I decided to reformulate my cp soap and created 60 new recipes to test. Since I had so many to test, and since I was really intrigued by all the fragrance names on Bramble Berry, not to mention the cost factor involved with EO's, I decided to treat myself to fragrance oils. Of course the first name on my purchase list was that fantastic Champagne fo. I have to tell you that I have mixed this fragrance oil with many EO's and even some FO's, and it is great! It is very versatile and it truly sparkles like its name sake! Of course I liked all of the fragrance oils I purchased, but some I really LOVED, like the Berrywine and the Kumquat. Both of these were unique, crisp, and just plain wonderful scents. There are so many others that I could gush about, honesty there wasn't one that I tried that I didn't like, but I decided that these were my top three favorites.

Even though the majority of my products continue to be made with EO's, I have to tell you that there are a few FO's that are now part of my line. Some are seasonal and some are permanent, but all are top quality and smell divine! I thank Bramble Berry for opening my mind to this possibility in the first place, for making such quality products, and for being the trust worthy and professional business that they are. Were any one of these aspects missing from the Bramble Berry formula, I would never have even tried one FO, much less the many that I have. And I certainly never would have added any to my product line. So, Thank You Bramble Berry!

Tripod Thursday- Sky and Water

2012-01-20T01:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I just realized that my post for yesterday was never posted. Unfortunately I left it for someone else to do for me and, they either thought they did it but did it improperly, or they forgot to do it. Whichever the case may be, I had it ready so here it is, even if it is a day late!

Water and Sky, the two most calming, frightening, gorgeous and scary views, in my humble opinion, of course!

What's Happening Wednesday- Hair Care Products and Recipes

2012-01-20T01:18:00.000-05:00

As some of you may recall, I am currently working on liquid soap formulations, which include regular soap, shower gel and shampoos. When creating the shampoo recipes to test I began looking back over my previous hair care posts and essential oils and herbs that would benefit the hair. Of course yucca came right to mind, but what else? And what about the problems with hair? Just like the skin, many people have hair issues that need addressed. So....as I continue to work on great formulations, I thought I'd share some of my ideas and findings for this "What's Up Wednesday" post.

Rather than write a whole Teaching Tuesday post, here are some tips and information that I have found helpful to me. Hopefully some will benefit you too!

First and foremost, great hair comes from the inside out. So, for the basics of great hair care, you may want to visit/revisit this previous post.

Hair grows about one half of an inch a month.
Scientific studies show that hair grows faster in warm weather.

Clay is both a deep cleanser and a great hair conditioner. It will remove dirt and hair care product residue from the hair shaft while it nourishes the scalp. You need to use a white clay, such as kaolin because other types and colors may be too harsh.

Coconut oil preserves the hair (as it does the skin), by covering it with a thin, sealing layer, one that holds, seals, in the moisture that is present.

If hair has been over-exposed to the sun and/or wind, use a deep conditioning treatment once a week, preferably one with lavender and olive oil. Lavender has many nourishing and healing properties, and when its combined with olive oil, which improves the elasticity of the hair shaft, you get nice, soft, and less likely to break hair. Plus, the lavender will also help decrease tension and alleviate headaches.

Don't have a desire to buy chemical products? Simple, just make yourself a mayo and avocado hair pack to deeply condition dry hair. The eggs and the oil in the mayo, as well as the avocado are highly conditioning and make this a very simple, yet highly effective hair treatment. For a recipe, look here!

For gray hair, split ends, and/or thinning hair, use sage leaves. Just crush 8 sage leaves and place in a small jar. Add 1/2 cup of boiling water and leave it sit for 30 minutes. Once time is up, strain it and reserve the liquid. Add 1 tablespoon of wheat germ and grapeseed oils to the liquid and mix well. Pour this into a dark colored bottle (to prevent light from reaching it and breaking it down). Rub a small amount into your hair and scalp, or onto split ends, then wrap in a towel and leave on hair for an hour, then shampoo as normal. It is preferable to apply the treatment to damp hair.

Light colored hair benefits from a mild shampoo. Calendula, Lemon peel, or Roman Chamomile are wonderful additives to castile soap for the perfect light colored hair shampoo.

Rosemary is a good additive for a shampoo intended for Dark hair.

Tea Tree is of benefit to those with dry and/or flaky scalps.

Dandruff is a common scalp condition that occurs when dead skin is shed, producing white skin flakes. It is frequently recommended to add a B-complex vitamin to your health care regimen. You can also use specially formulated shampoos or after shampoo rinses to help condition and heal the scalp. Visit or revisit this post for a recipe from guest author, Alyssa, and check back next Make it Yourself Monday, when I will be offering a few more!

For shampoo and conditioning recipes, look here.
For a detangler and a rinse recipe check out this post.

Teaching Tuesday-Under the Radar Essential Oils-Cajeput

2012-01-17T00:31:00.000-05:00

In creating my shopping list for Unique Garden Essences, I realized that there are several essential oils that many people may not be familiar with. While most everyone has heard of lavender and basil, how many have heard of copaiba balsam and cajeput? So I am starting a new series to describe EO's that may not have ever been on your radar, but should be! While you will get an overview of these EO's, rest assured that there will be a few more secrets revealed about them in my book!

So let's get started with Cajeput. Botanically known as Melaleuca Cajuputi, Melaleuca Minor, and Melaleuca Leucadendra, Cajeput essential oil is made from a tree that originated from the Malaya coastal plains. Nicknamed Swamp Tea Tree, Punk Tree, White Tea Tree, White wood, and Paperbark Tree, this vigorous tree grows to a height of about 45 feet, as it crowds out most other trees in its area. Cultivation of this tree is minimal since it is known to spontaneously regrow once it is destroyed.

Largely produced in Napal, Australia and Indonesia, the essential oil of Cajeput is clear to slightly yellow, with a sweet, woodsy, slightly camphoraceous, medicinal odor. It is classified as a top note, but has a sweet, fruity middle note that dries out softly. It possesses antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antineuralgic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant, febrifuge, insecticide, sudorific, tonic, vulnerary, and some say analgesic (pain relief) properties.

Cajeput is especially beneficial for arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, colds, coughs, cystitis, flu, insect bites, muscular aches and pains, oily skin, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections, pms and menopause symptoms, and viral infections. During cold season you can use cajeput much as you would eucalyptus, add it to a diffuser to disinfect the air and to clear congestion. It is also a great addition to your bug repellent formulations, but it may cause skin irritation so keep this in mind as you formulate.Additionally, it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Cajeput is considered stimulating and penetrating. It stimulates and promotes clear thinking. You can put 10 drops into one ounce of a carrier oil, use 4 drops in two cups of hot water for a steam, use in lotion formulations, or even in the bath. You should always perform a patch test though, especially since this EO can be a membrane irritant. This EO's use dates back hundreds, if not thousands of years. It has been revered primarily for its antiseptic properties. In fcat, it has long been a popular household medication in countries such as China, India, and Malaya, where it has predominantly been prescribed for stomach issues, rheumatism, cholera, and various skin diseases. It also has been widely used as a room spray to fend off insects and bed bugs.

Make it Yourself Monday-Winter Ailment Remedies

2012-01-16T01:43:00.000-05:00

For many of us it is now Winter time, which frequently means an increase in coughs, colds and flu symptoms. Here are some recipes to address common Winter woes.

COUGH and SORE THROAT TEA

Thyme is an effective expectorant and antispetic, as it is rich in germ-killing compounds. For a cough remedy, add one teaspoon dried thyme to one cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes, strain, and drink. For sore throats; brew two teaspoons of thyme in one cup of boiling water for ten minutes. Gargle with the brew, then spit it out.

NIGHT-TIME COLD FORMULA

2 Tbs. lemon

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/4 cup hot water

2 Tbs. 90 proof vodka

Mix everything all together and drink it slowly, then go nightie night! *This recipe is NOT intended for children!

In the following recipe, the onion and the garlic are tough on colds and fevers. The honey and the glycerin help to sooth throats, the vodka helps to quiet a cough, and horehound has been used for almost 2000 years for respiratory relief. If you can find the flower tops and the leaves of the horehound herb, you can make your own extract, OR you can simply use a purchased extract. In fact, horehound is not necessary for this recipe to be effective, but it does make the recipe better, so it is worth the effort to find it. If you want to make this for a child, just leave out the vodka.

EXPECTORANT COUGH SYRUP

1 tbs. chopped red onion

1/4 cup honey

1 Tbs fresh lemon juice

1 Tbs. glycerin

2 Tbs. glycerin

2 Tbs 90 proof vodka

1 tsp. horehound extract

Scratchy or sore throats result from an irritation of the mucus membranes in the throat. To sooth and help settle the irritation, the throat needs to be coated in a pleasant way. The following recipe can be made ahead of time so that you will be ready for your family's needs. It can be adjusted to incorporate your favorite herbs, vitamins, and or flavors! See the notes after the basic recipe for some suggestions.

LEMON THROAT DROPS

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1/2 cup water

Line a baking pan (9x9) with foil, making sure that the foil goes all the way up the sides of the pan, or you will be sorry! Then, butter the sides of a 2 quart saucepan. Combine the corn syrup, sugar, honey, and water in the pan. Cook over a medium-high heat until the mixture boils. Make sure that you stir constantly, in order to dissolve the sugar and keep it from burning. This usually takes about five minutes, give or take a few minutes. Once the sugar is dissolved, turn the heat down to medium and continue cooking at a light boil. Stir occasionally. Once it reaches the soft crack stage (which is 290 degrees F. on a candy thermometer), keep cooking for 20 more minutes, still stirring occasionally.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Stir it occasionally, as it cools, for the next 2-3 minutes, then add the lemon. **If you are going to add any other vitamins or herbs, add them at this point** Then pour the mixture into the foil-lined pan to finish cooling. As it cools (another 3-10 minutes), it is a good idea to use a spatula and mark some "break" lines into the drops. Make squares in the size you want, remembering that they are for individual-size portions. These marks will stay when the mixture is completely set up, making it easier to portion correctly and consistently. If your marks do not stay, it means that the mixture is still too hot and needs more cooling time, just wait a while and try it again. Once properly marked, let the pan sit overnight then use the foil to lift it out of the pan. Break the pieces apart along your marks then package them in individual candy wrappers or wax paper. Make sure to twist each end tightly, then put all of the wrapped pieces into a large baggie or a paper bag. This recipe will make from 100-200 pieces, depending upon the size that you mark and break. They will last from 6-8 months, when properly wrapped and stored.

**To make this recipe more holistic and herbal you can add one each of the

following; zinc, vitamin C, echinacea, and goldenseal. If these are in tablet form, finely crush them before adding, if in capsules, just pull apart and drop the inner content into your mixture.

Of course you could also change up this recipe by either substituting (for the lemon), or just by adding an herb or two (some essential oils are ok too) to the lemon.

*when using fresh herbs, it is probably best to infuse them into the liquid portion of the recipe, but you can also finely chop them.

*You may also substitute a food-safe flavoring oil, however you will NOT receive any of the benefits listed for that flavor. The way in which they are created destroys their natural benefits.

*If you plan to use essential oils, you MUST be aware of, and familiar with, the warnings, as well as the necessary dilution rate (which are not provided for you here).

*If you are not familiar with the proper use of essential oils in edible products, you should NOTattempt to use them in this recipe.

If you want, you may add another herb/spice (in addition) to the lemon. Basil, bay, bergamot, black pepper, clary sage, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lime, orange, rosemary, vanilla, all blend well with lemon. If you would like to substitute another herb/spice for the lemon, you may want to consider one of the following;

-Basil has a beneficial action on the respiratory tract, and is often used for asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs and sinus infections. It blends well with; black pepper, ginger, geranium, grapefruit, lavender and lemon.

-Black Pepper has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, and is good for coughs, colds and flus. It blends well with bergamot, clary sage, coriander, fennel, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, orange, nutmeg, and rosemary.

-Ginger is good for colds and flu, congestion, coughs, sinusitis, sore throats, fever and chills. It does have a slight warming affect, so be extra cautious in the amount that you add. It blends well with; basil, black pepper, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, lemon, lime, orange, rose, rosemary, spearmint, and vanilla.

-Geranium is good for sore throats and tonsillitis, and blends well with; basil, grapefruit, lavender, lime, orange, and rosemary.

-Grapefruit is good for colds, flu, and headaches and blends well with; basil, black pepper, geranium, lavender, lime, and lemon.

-Lavender is good for bronchitis, asthma, colds, laryngitis, and throat infections. It will blends well with everything, so use your imagination.

-Lemongrass is good for sore throats, laryngitis, and fever as well as indigestion and gastroenteritis. It blends well with; basil, bergamot, black Pepper, clary Sage, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, rose, and vanilla.

-Lime is good fevers, colds, sore throats, flu, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis and asthma. It blends well with; basil, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, orange, peppermint, rose, rosemary, and spearmint.

-Margoram, an antiseptic and calming agent

-Eucalyptus, an antiseptic and calming agent, good for bronchitis, colds, flu, headaches, sinusitis sore throats, and throat infections. The antiseptic properties in the essential oil increase with age.

-Orange (Sweet) is good for colds, flu, and fever, blending well with; basil, black Pepper, cinnamon, ginger, clary Sage, lavender, lime, peppermint, and spearmint.

-Peppermint, an antiseptic, expectorant and a muscle relaxant, so it is good for

dry coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia, as well as bad breath (in case you want to make breath drops along with the throat drops). Peppermint blends well with; basil, black pepper, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, lime, orange, and rosemary.

-Rose (use pure essential oil or untreated rose petals to infuse the water) posses anti-infectious, antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal properties that help with asthma, headaches, and coughs. It blends well with; bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, lavender, lemon, and madarin.

-Rosemary is an antiseptic and works well for respiratory track issues, including asthma and bronchitis. It blends well with; basil, bay, black pepper, chamomile, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lime, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, rose and spearmint.

-Spearmint. While spearmint has properties of a local anesthetic, an antiseptic, a decongestant and an expectorant which can benefit fevers, headaches, asthma, bronchitis and colds, its effects are less powerful than those of peppermint. For this reason, spearmint may be better in children's products. It blends well with; basil, lavender, peppermint and rosemary.

-Thyme is frequently used in commercial applications of mouthwash, gargles, toothpastes and cough drops because of its analgesic, antifungal, anti-infectious, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, and antiseptic properties. It is good for bronchitis, chills, colds, coughs, sinusitis, sore throats, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. It blends well with; bergamot, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, marjoram, and rosemary.

I am sure there are other additive that would also be helpful, but these are what came to mind.

BATH FIZZY for COLDS

This recipe will help with the symptoms of a cold as you soak in a nice warm bath.

You will need;

1/4 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of powdered citric acid

a few drops of sweet almond oil or your choice of a similar oil

4 drops of an Essential Oil or EO blend

To make, simply mix the baking soda with the essential oil(s), and work it through until there are no clumps. You can use the back of a spoon to mash them out, or you can use a sifter to sift them out, or you can used a gloved hand, whichever way you prefer. Then add in the citric acid and begin squeezing it through your hands, working it like dough. You need to be gloved when doing this. Add oil by the drops as you work the ingredients together. When you have a consistency that holds together when its squished into a ball, you have it right. If the mix looks very dry, is crumbly, or falls apart, just add a bit more oil. Use caution though, you don't want to over-use oil, or you will cause the fizzy to not set up properly. If you start on the low end of oil addition, adding it by drops, you can always add more if/when you need it. While you can always add more, you can never take it back out!

Once everything is mixed, you can use it as is, or you can press it into a soap or candy mold to get a stylish shape. If you use a mold, you will want to overfill the mold cavity with your mix, then press it down hard, very hard. Once all the cavities are over-full, place a clean dishcloth over the entire mold, and place a book or two on top to apply pressure and to help it finish compressing into the mold. Leave it set up over night.

After they are set, hold the mold with both hands, and gently turn it upside down, close to the table top. With your thumbs, gently push the back of the filled cavity to release it. Don't let it hit the table hard, as it will break. These will last 3-6 months, but you don't want to mix up a large batch at any one given time, because the mix can react to moisture and get hard. To help avoid this possibility, store these in an airtight container.

Now, you probably thought that I forgot to give you the details of exactly which essential oils to use, but I didn't! I am going to list all of the ones that you could use, the ones that are [reported to be] beneficial for cold symptoms. then, you can choose which one or more that you want to add, depending upon what you have available, and what you like. If you are familiar with them, you can choose which ones work better for you and your current symptoms.

Please note that using essential oils for an ailment, or symptoms of ailments, is not approved by the FDA. This blog and its information is not intended to treat, prescribe, or in any way, replace the advice of your physician. The information provided in purely educational, and may be inaccurate and/or incomplete. Please see the disclaimer page tab at the top of this post for more detailed information on this matter.

This essential oil list is pretty lengthy. While they all have properties that are said to benefit stuffy heads and the various symptoms of a cold, I have keyed the oils, with letters, to identify oils that also have properties said to benefit particular symptoms associated with the issues referred to. A= asthma, B= bronchitis, CC= cough and cold, F= flu, and S= sinusitis

Clove-A

cedarwood-B

angelica root- B,CC

all spice- B,CC

cajeput-S

black pepper-cough

camphor-S

basil

bay
clary sage- whooping cough

citronella-F

cypress-A,B,cold
eucalyptus-A B C F (not for kids)

fennel- A B

Frankincense-A B CC F
ginger- cold, congestion, F

myrtle- A F

patchouli- congestion
myrrh- A B CC

grapefruit- cold and congestion
hyssop A B CC & whooping cough

jasmine- cough

lavender A F cold
lemon B F fever

lime A B F cold fever

marjoram head cold, congestion
peppermint F

pine A F cold

orange B cold
rose A

rosemary B CC

rosewood CC respiratory infection
sandalwood B cough

tea tree A CC S

red thyme A CC S

Certainly this list may not be all inclusive, it is just the culmination of years of my note taking....so it could also contain a mistake or two as well, but this is it to the best of my recollection! I hope you find it informative. There are certainly enough oils that you should be able to come up with a combination or two that you enjoy the scent of , and that may help relieve some of your cold symptoms.

Of course you should seek medical attention for any severe or lasting symptoms.

Franley Speaking Friday- It's all about Womanly Issues

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Both blessed and cursed, women must deal with hormonal issues all throughout their lives. Many experience moodiness and may even have pain during their monthly cycle. From swelling and bloating to cramping and crying, woman suffer as their hormones fluctuate. Then, right when endure must cope with the uncomfortable cycle of life. Those they are rejoicing about no more monthly menses, the hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings kick into full swing. BTW, are you catching a commonality here? Menstration, Men opause, lol. Anyway, many women just suffer in silence....well maybe not so much silence, if you ask their family, but they endure without medical intervention. Others seek medical consultation, but find no answers from the (male) doctors. Just the other day in a chat room for a game I play, I noticed that several women were discussing the woes of menopause, and how they have been unable to get any relief. In fact, a several said that they had approached a physician and "he" heard their age and told them that there was nothing to do but suffer. Well I don't agree with that at all! There is, of course, hormone replacement therapy. Of course this is not appropriate for everyone and must be prescribed. Then there are some alternative treatments. One relatively new product is called "progesta care". This comes in a cream and a spray, is supposedly "natural", and is to work like a prescription hormone without the negative effects. One of the woman in the discussion I mentioned suggested it, and stated that it works for her. I am not sure how I feel about it yet, but I have begun some research on it. I can tell you that this company was cited in the past for making medical claims and also was advised that one of their ingredients was soon to be considered a controlled substance. They have since removed that ingredient, however they have gone back to the same terminology that got them cited where the claims are concerned. At any rate, I am having a difficult time finding research to back up their claims, but since one woman swears by it, I am going to keep digging.

Of course there are also several essential oils that have properties to soothe many physical and mood issues. I know it's not a Monday, but here are some recipes that may come in handy for you!

Premenstrual Mist Spray

35 drops Indian Sandalwood EO
35 drops Ylang Ylan EO
35 drops Lime EO
35 drops Bergamot EO
30 drops Palmarosa EO
30 drops (French) Lavender EO
120 ml Orange Hydrosol

Mix the essential oils into the orange hydrosol (flower water). Place in a spray bottle, shake well and spray into the air. If you cannot get the orange flower water, you may add 15 drops of orange EO to 120 ml of distilled water and use this instead. This mist is intended to remedy your mood and make PMS symptoms more bearable.

Massage Oil for Premenstrual Symptoms

7 drops Bergamot EO
20 drops Indian Sandalwood EO
8 drops Ylang Ylang EO
5 drops Geranium Bourbon EO
10 drops Neroli EO
30 ml Sweet Almond Oil

Blend the essential oils with the carrier oil. Mix well, then use to massage into the lower back. Use a firm, circular motion for best results. This massage remedy is meant to help alleviate PMS ailments.

Moody Blues and PMS

3 drops Petitgrain EO
3 drops (Red) Mandarin EO
2 drops Geranium EO
2 drops (Bulgarian) Lavender
10 drops Apricot Kernel Oil (you may use Sweet Almond Oil instead if you wish)

Blend the essential oils into the carrier oil. Mix well. Massage this ointment into the neck and the shoulders, or the full body. You may also delete the Apricot KernalOil from the recipe and then use the remaining ingredients as a bath blitzer, in a vaporizer or in an oil burner to help uplift your spirits and reduce or alleviatethe symptoms of PMS.

Uplifting and Refreshing for Menopause

1 drop Jasmine EO
2 drops Clary Sage EO
1 drop Rose Morocco Absolute
1 drop Ylang Ylang EO

This mixture will uplift spirits and refresh you, and is especially beneficial for those going through menopause. This mixture is best utilized in an Aromatherapy lamp, an electric diffuser, an oil burner or a light bulb ring. You can also just add a few drops of the oil mixture to boiling water, stand close and breathe in. This is a quick and easy way to diffuse throughout a room, and basically get a steam inhalation in the process.

Jittery Legs, Cramps & Spasms

6 drops (French) Lavender EO
2 drops Black Pepper EO
6 drops Margoram EO

25ml Sweet Almond Oil

Mix all the ingredients together, then gently massage into the whole leg twice daily.

Menstrual Cramps Aromatherapy Blend

10 drops Cypress EO
15 drops Peppermint EO
5 drops (French) Lavender EO
1 ounce Apricot Kernel Oil

Mix the oils together and place in a dark-colored glass container. Store out of the sunlight. Use a small amount of this mixture to gently message into the abdominal area. You may eliminate the carrier oil and use the essential oils for a bath blitzer or in a diffuser for aromatherapy.

Hormone Balancer Aromatherapy

2 drops Sage EO
1 drop Sweet Fennel EO
1 drop Myrtle EO
1 drop Peppermint EO- use the triple distilled
1 drop Clary Sage EO
2 drops (Russian) Lavender EO
2 oz Sweet Almond (carrier) Oil

Mix all the oils together and place in a dark-colored, glass bottle. Store out of sunlight. Use a small amount to gently massage into the abdominal area for relief of symptoms.
This mixture is intended to balance male energy and prostate function for men, balance female energy andalleviate hot flashes for women.

Tripod Thursday-Soaps

2012-01-12T03:54:00.000-05:00

What's Happening Wednesday-New Projects

2012-01-11T14:08:00.000-05:00

This past year I introduced several new Essential oil (EO) blends into the Unique Garden Essences line. Coming up with names and informative descriptions for these new blends is really a daunting task, but one came pretty easily because it seemed to yell it. I am talking about the Embrace blend. I feel like grabbing the wearer and just.....well, embracing them! Lol. In fact, the Embrace label is a photograph of my Daughter-in-Law and Son, standing on the beach, sun setting behind them, right after they got married, and guess what they are doing. Yep, you have it, they are embracing! It's a gorgeous label for a gorgeous fragrance. Anyway, it was the Embrace that really got me back into a creation groove, and truly motivated me. I dug out some old recipes, create some new ones, and expanded the product line!

I developed a (new) Solid Lotion Bar recipe, and packaged it both naturally, and in a twist up (deodorant) type container. But I still wanted more products to highlight this new Embrace, so, as the twist up and bars of Solid Lotion hit the shelves, I began thinking about how else I could highlight this fragrance. Since I already make several personal, oil based fragrances, a solid one seemed like a natural progression. Although they really don't fit the definition of "perfume", that is still what most people would call them. So I now have all of my personal fragrances available in oil based and solid bases. The solid ones come in a blue, twist up tube so that you won't accidentally grab it when reaching for your lip balm. And those are delivered in colorful boxes.

I also changed up my soap presentation. Although the show soaps are still sold naked, ordered soaps are boxed and come with a plantable (both herbs and wild flowers) strip of hand made paper. The label in the picture is NOT the label I am using, this picture was of a mock up, when I was deciding on the presentation. The new label has a blue and brown theme, with a pop of flowers (check out the boxes, the flowers are like those). And I was so excited when I found some cool boxes that have an almost identical pattern. Since these changes all happened during the holidays, they are still new and haven't been formally rolled out, just kind of casually added!

So now I am working on liquid soap (from scratch), shower gel and shampoo. I am close to finalizing the liquid soap and gel recipe, but am still formulating the shampoos. Naturally they will be packaged in the cobalt blue, just as everything else is. I believe they will all be consumer ready in February! I am really excited by these new products, and it has been so much fun trying something brand new. All the other products have properties that I have worked with for so many years, it seems less of a challenge to create with them. But liquid soap is an entirely different beast I assure you! There isn't a lot written about formulating your own, and what there is can be confusing and contradictory. So making my own recipes has been very challenging, and very rewarding as well! These recipes represent the first time in my career that I ever walked away from a project to collect myself after I pulled some hair out! Lol You may be thinking this was terrible, but actually, this was great! I love a challenge and I really needed it. I believe that these products will show all my effort in the end, and be worth every strand of hair pulled! Lol

Teaching Tuesday- Himalayan Salt Lamps

2012-01-10T04:16:00.001-05:00

A few years ago I came across an interesting light. It was actually a carved salt block with a light socket inserted into its base. It became even more interesting when the company asserted that these lights provided healthful healing as they released negative ions into the air, and some of the carved shapes also had the added benefit of being feng shui. For those not wanting an electric light, there was also a nice assortment of (salt) carved candle holders. And now they have even added some oil burners for the aromatherapy enthusiasts. Being heavily into herbs and natural remedies, I admit that I was rather intrigued, however, the nurse in me was also rather skeptical of the health claims. They certainly seem like a natural addition to my product line, but if nothing else, these products are rather unique, and quite lovely in their own right. So at worst, the Himalayan salt products would be great conversation starters, artful, and the lights are even practical. Certainly the oil burners and the candle holders are quite artsy and practical. All in all, a bit of research seemed in order!

While Himalayan salt is a marketing term for Halite, which is rock salt, from Pakistan. It began being sold by various European, North American and Australian companies in the early 21st century. It is mined in the second largest salt mine in the world, in the foothills of the Himalayas. Explosives are strictly prohibited in the mining of the salt, in order to preserve the crystal structure. The crystals are all hand carved and there are truly some beautiful colors to be found. They can appear transparent, off-white, pink or even reddish in color. Composition wise, I have read some conflicting reports. So my best offering is that they are from 95 to 98% sodium chloride, with the remaining percentages consisting of 10 other minerals. Realize though that, one study stated that this salt was contaminated with 2-3% of gypsum, making the 10 other minerals present, present at very minimal amounts. While another study reported a full 5% of the 10 other minerals. So, as with most things, it seems that we need more studies in order to be more definitive.

This salt can be used just like a table salt for cooking, as brine, or in bath products. You may have seen the Iron Chef show where the Master chef used a block of Himalayan salt to cook and serve his fish dish. This, as well as curing meats, is also a common use for salt blocks. Then, more recently, the larger crystal rocks have also been carved out to house light bulbs or candles, to be sold as night lights, mood lighting and candle holders.

So what about the supposed health benefits? They say that research bears out that the salt crystal lamps exhibit biophysical characteristics, which demonstrate a positive effect on our well-being. There are three natural action principles to look at; ionization, the electromagnetic oscillation and the transparent-crystalline structure developing the light waves. Additionally, salt is a primal element just like water and air, and its natural minerals and trace element have unique biophysical and biochemical characteristics in and of themselves.

Salt is neutral chemically and physically, without its own polarity, so it is balancing and neutralizing. Both the Earth and human beings consist of about 70% water, salt/brine water to be more specific. This brine solution transmits oscillation (vibration) energy, not only evenly over the planet, but also in our bodily nerves and cells. Chemically speaking the body needs salt in order to maintain all of our bodily functions, but from a biophysical view, salt is needed to bring the body back and keep the body in its natural vibration rhythm.

Research and laboratory tests seem to bear proof that lighted salt crystal lamps deliver ions to the environment, and they show that there is primarily an increase in the number of the negative ions. The emission of ions is (mainly) caused by the salt's ability to first absorb water, then to evaporate it. The heated salt crystal attracts water molecules from ambient air to its' surface. The salt then goes into a solution as it mixes with the water molecules. Sodium is the positively charged ion, and chloride is the negatively charged ion, together they become neutral, and are emitted back into the environment. This ion emission is quite unique and is only possible with the mineral salt because of its electrically neutral atomic structure. Over the past decade or so, scientific studies seem to show that having an environment with a small surplus of negative ions can positively impact our physical health.

Although the heated salt crystal lamps are natural ion generators, this is not their primary characteristic, because from a scientific standpoint, the surplus of negative ions is negligible. So the more important aspect of the lamp is its' ability to clean the ambient air. The ability and effectiveness of each lamp will depend upon its size and the surface area of the salt crystal that is used for the lamp. But the ambient air that surrounds the lamp is measurably cleaned by the transformation cycle of the hydrogen and oxygen, as well as sodium and chloride ions, as described above. Supposedly, this characteristic is especially important for relieving symptoms associated with allergies and asthma. This research of the characteristic of purified air through the action of the salt crystal lamps is based on a medical therapy called Spelaeotherapy. Spelaeotherapy uses a treatment where the patient goes into an underground salt mine and is exposed to the concentrated atmosphere of negative ions. Certainly, additional scientific research, along with medical guidance, needs to take place. But since scientific investigations are still in the beginning stages, we can only infer. While the therapeutic effect of a singular salt crystal lamp don't exactly compare to the effects found in a salt mine, under medical prescription/guidelines, the principles would seem to be on the same wave length. Besides, there are a great many people that report positive health impact. Yes, these are completely subjective, yet they should be considered.

Lastly, let's look at salt crystal lamps and electromagnetic oscillation. An electromagnetic belt surrounds the Earth. Every form of life on our planet depends on the power of this electromagnetic field of vibration, which is known as the Schuman resonance frequency. The frequency of this electromagnetic field is at 7.83 Hz (cycles) per second, which is known to be the resonant frequency of the Earth. Due to our industrialized/technical way of life, our bodies are constantly being bombarded by artificial electromagnetic wavelengths, ones with diverse frequency values, which are caused by the various electronics devices we are surround by. As we are constantly exposed to the varying frequencies, our own electromagnetic energy field becomes imprinted by the frequencies that are forced upon it. These odd frequencies have been proven to promote illness, as they disrupt our normal bodily systems. Supposedly, with the use of a salt crystal lamp, we can adjust and neutralize the electromagnetic wavelengths caused by various electronic devices. Because of the atomic structure of the salt, which is neutral, it is surmised that the artificial frequencies in our environment can be harmonized, or brought into balance by a lit salt lamp.The lamp works as a natural amplifier for the resonant frequency of 8-10 cycles per second, which is necessary for our life, thereby naturally correcting the frequency.

So, my take? I am not really sure if I am a true believer in the benefits of the Himalayan Salt lamps or not. But, worst case scenario, You get a lovely, discussion provoking, unique lamp.

They certainly can't hurt anything even IF they are nothing besides a night light or mood lamp. Not to mention, some of them are very artistic, making them more than a light or candle holder. Since they usually sell by the pound, if you aren't sure about a large one, you can always start off with a small one. They come in many shapes as well. One of the coolest ones, in my opinion, is a carved bowl that holds many small blocks/rocks, or now days you can even order (carved) heart shapes for your bowl (also comes in a metal basket if you prefer). The base of the bowl lights up, illuminating the bowl and many of the blocks.

I do have to tell you though, a LOT of people support the health claims attributed to the Himalayan Salt Lamps. Every one of the lamp users that I have spoken with LOVE their lamps, and they are convinced that they help with breathing issues and pain levels. So in the Best case scenario, you get a health aide that will last you a lifetime, while simultaneously providing you with an extra lamp, and a discussion provoking piece of artwork. As far as I can tell, owning one really is a no loose situation.....except, of course, for the cost of the lamp. According to what I have read, the average size bedroom needs at least a medium sized lamp (to be effective), and those lamps run upwards of $45. While not exactly a piece of chump change, considering that

BTW, they now carry oil burners. So if you are not into getting just a light, you can always try burning your favorite aromatherapy EO blend in one of their burner lamps. I plan on placing an order for a few of these for my Spring show. Using an electric bulb to heat the EO is better than using a candle anyway, as it warms slower and more even. Besides that, I am always about the Unique!

Make it Yourself Monday-Food Recipes

2012-01-09T06:27:00.003-05:00

I belong to a gaming site with a forum and recently someone asked people to share their favorite recipes. Here are a few that I thought I would like to try. If you have made one of these, or if you try one out, please let us know what you think about it!

Southwestern Sausage Pasta
You will need;
1 pound sausage
1 Box pasta (elbow, rotinin, bowtie)
1 large jar queso salsa
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can whole kernel fiesta corn
1 package shredded mexican cheese blend

Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Drain. Meanwhile cook sausage until done. Mix pasta, sausage, queso salsa, beans, tomatoes and corn together. Place into a oven proof baking dish. Top with shredded cheese and bake in 350 degree oven until cheese is melted.
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Easy Microwave Peanut Brittle1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
Dash of salt
... 1 to 1 1/2 cups shelled peanuts
1 Tablespoon margarine or butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Makes about a pound
1. Grease baking sheet heavily. Combine sugar,
corn syrup and salt in 3-quart (microwave dish).
Stir in peanuts. Microwave at HIGH (100%) until
light brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice.

2.Stir in remaining ingredients until light and foamy.
Quickly spread on grease baking sheet. Spread as thin
as possible for brittle candy. Cool, then break into pieces.
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Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups half & half)
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar (light or dark, depending on taste preference)
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Directions:
1. In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk (or half & half) just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.
2. Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.
3. Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.
4. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set. Serve warm.
If you make the sauce to put on top of your bread pudding, adjust the brown sugar in the bread pudding recipe. Reduce the amount in the recipe to 1/3 cups dark or light brown sugar (the sauce has the other 1/3 cup in it, in the form of white or light brown sugar).
Bread Pudding Sauce
Ingredients:
1 cup whole milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1/3 cup granulated white sugar (light brown sugar can be substituted)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon flour
dash of salt
Directions:
Mix everything together and bring to a boil for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Set aside for 5 minutes, then pour on warm bread pudding.
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Crock Pot Baked Beans
2 large cans baked beans
1 lb bacon cooked and broken into pieces
1 bell pepper chopped
1 onion chopped
2 c ketchup (I use Heinz, I've been told it makes a difference)
2 T mustard
1/4 c worchestire sauce
1 c brown sugar
Add all to crock pot, saving half the bacon for later. Just before serving, add the remaining bacon. I always get asked for this recipe.
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Delicious Ham and Potato Soup
You will need;
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
Directions

Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.
In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.
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Ingredients (serves 10)
60g (1/3 cup) blanched almonds, toasted
Melted butter, to grease
55g (1/3 cup) dry-roasted hazelnuts
40g (1/4 cup) walnut crumbs
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 x 250g pkts cream cheese, at room temperature
300g ctn sour cream
155g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla essence
10 sheets filo pastry
110g butter, melted honey syrup
100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
160ml (2/3 cup) water
125ml (1/2 cup) honey
1 cinnamon stick

Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Bake almonds on a baking tray for 5-8 minutes or until toasted.

Meanwhile, to make the honey syrup, stir the sugar, water, honey and cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer. Cook, without stirring, for 15 minutes or until syrup thickens slightly. Discard cinnamon. Set aside to cool.

Reduce oven temperature to 160°C. Release the base from a 22cm (base measurement) springform pan and invert. Brush with melted butter. Line the base with non-stick baking paper, allowing the edge to overhang. Secure the base back into the pan.

Process the almonds and hazelnuts in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the walnut and cinnamon. Add 60ml (1/4 cup) honey syrup to the nut mixture and stir to combine.

Process cream cheese, sour cream and sugar in the clean bowl of a food processor until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla, and process until combined.

Place the filo dough onto a clean work surface. Cover it with a dry [tea] towel, then a damp [tea] towel. Brush 1 filo sheet with some melted butter. Fold in half crossways. Place in the pan, allowing it to overhang slightly. Repeat with the remaining filo and melted butter, turning and overlapping each sheet slightly to line the pan completely.
Pour half the cream cheese mixture over filo. Top with half the nut mixture. Repeat with the remaining cream cheese mixture and nut mixture (see note). Fold the overhanging filo over the filling to partially enclose (see note). Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until just set in centre. Turn oven off. Leave cheesecake in oven, with door slightly ajar, until cooled completely. Place in the fridge for 6 hours to chill. Drizzle over remaining syrup to serve.

Free Friday! Contest @ Mountain Rose Herbs

2012-01-06T03:02:00.000-05:00

As I wrote the other day, Mountain Rose Herbs has posted another great give-away. This week it is all the ingredients needed for their Home Cleaning recipes. Such a wonderful list of items, I am *almost* happy that I didn't win this past weeks give away, for the Hemp Cacao Milk! Now, of coarse this means that I absolutely NEED to win this week! Lol Want to see why I am soooo excited? Check it out for yourself! Not only will you find all the great ingredients up for the winning, but you will find a plethora of recipes for home cleaning solutions, ones that you can easily whip up at home. Not only will you save yourself money by making these cleaners at home, but more importantly, you will know what ingredients are in them and they will be less toxic than the chemical alternatives at the big box store!
And, just in case you want some more recipes, take a peek at these older posts of mine! Between these and the ones on MRH's site, surely your household will pass the white glove test!

Have a great weekend and don't forget to come back on Monday for a new installment of Make it Yourself Monday!

Tripod Thursday- Scenery; Water and Sky

2012-01-05T01:09:00.000-05:00

I hope you enjoy these photographs from Ohio, Florida, and Indiana.

What's Happening Wednesday-New Projects

2012-01-04T01:16:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine sent me their recipe for a pain balm a while back. I decided to make it for a Christmas gift, but when I got out all the supplies I realized that I had misread an ingredient and didn't have another that I thought I had. Then I began thinking that this may work better, and that might be a good addition, and oh, that would soooo work. Lol I ended up reworking that recipe until it barely even resembled the one I was sent. But then I needed to know if I worked it right out of being the helpful balm that I wanted/needed. So, off for family trials! While my friend's balm was really an oil rub, I made mine stiffer and that was a plus for my tester. I also added an essential oil blend of pain management and anti-inflammatory oils, where my friend left hers unscented (except for the coffee smell of coffee butter). All in all, only two ingredients were the same and they were not used in the proportions of the original recipe, so I was greatly concerned that the integrity of the recipe may be missing. It seems though, at least according to my family test subjects, that the balm works well. In fact, I have already been requested to make more. I still want to send my blend off to m friend so that she can tell me if mine works as well as hers, but for now I am into stage two of my testing, the friend phase. then I will send samples with surveys to customers and, based on all of that, decide if I want to introduce this balm into my line. I have to say though, early guestimates would bet on this being added in the next few months!

Aside from the usual cp soap that I spend most of the Winter and early Spring making, another project currently in the works is liquid soap making. I made some shower gel for a Christmas gift and have now set my mind to making shampoo, liquid soap and shower gels for a regular product line. I even got a nice 7 quart crock pot for Christmas, from my wish list, just for liquid soap making. Currently I have some paste saved from my last batch and am getting ready to make another. I think I am moving out of dabbling and into the realm of a substantial line. I am already considering the various types of additives good for various hair types. So look for these items to be added in the coming months as well!

Another new soap project is whipped soap. This soap has to set, in the business this is called "rotting" terrible wording I think, but anyway, it needs to set for about 6 months. So what I am making now will be ready this summer. The great thing about whipped soap is that it can be colored and fragranced in small batches as you need/want it. So you make a large batch and then color and scent as you get orders. And, of course the whipped soap is so pretty! I think of it as cool whip for the body! Lol

And finally, the last "What's Happening" thing is another give away from Mountain Rose Herbs! If you can't wait for my post on Friday, go ahead and take a peek now. I don't blame you! But I will be posting all about their cleaning supply ingredients give away this Friday. And hopefully, I will be winning those supplies for myself! I am so excited by this one, that I just may want to loose the hemp milk ingredient give away! Lol

Teaching Tuesday- Forgotten Herbs; Agrimony

2012-01-03T05:14:00.002-05:00

I hope that your New Year celebration was safe and enjoyable! While I may have ushered in the new year rather unceremoniously, it was quite enjoyable, none the less. A great meal, a wonderful glass of wine, a good book and some game playing....Oh what fun! But now that the celebration is over, the work continues on.
Every year at this time I pull out ALL my supplier records and compare them with the current prices being offered at all the various suppliers. In researching though, I often get distracted by the suppliers website, looking through all of their products, not just what I need and usually things that I don't currently use. While I have always maintained a wish list right along side of my shopping list (and my shopping list is a real doosie. It is divided into "must have asap", "need soon but at good price", "need soon, any price" and "can wait for sale") whenever I begin looking at suppliers, I inevitably find more things to add to both lists! And occasionally I will find something that I have either, not seen for a long time, or, albeit rarely, something that I have not seen or heard of before. Whenever this happens I like to spend time researching, formulating recipe ideas, and making price comparisons. Sometimes these new ingredients end up being part of a new product, sometimes they are incorporated into my personal life, and sometimes they remain of the wish list for a year or more.

Why am I admitting all this to you? Well, as I was going through this process this weekend, I found some older herbs that I had not thought about for many years. They are good herbs, with great qualities, and ones that our Grandmas knew well. So this week we are beginning a new series on Herbs, concentrating on ones that not everyone is familiar with these days.

Today we will kick of this Herbal Series with the herb, Agrimony. Agrimony is botanically known as Agrimonia eupatoria and/or agrimonia procera, and is a perennial herb. Also called/known as church steeples, cocklebur, sticklewort, and philantopos, this flowering herb is in the rose family. It bears yellow flowers with egg shaped petal on spikes, extending from hairy stems. They have a pleasant and distinctive scent, often compared to apricots, but said to be not as sweet.
Agrimony dates back thousands of years. Anglo-Saxon's used it for charm making and to induce deep sleep, while witches proclaimed it a cure for bad energy. During the Elizabethan period, these flowers, found near fences and hedges throughout England, began being called philanthropos due to all its beneficial medicinal properties. Its use in Chinese medicine (they call it Xian He Cao), dates back extensively, yet remains currently prevalent. They primarily taught it as an ingredient to stop unwanted bleeding, and as a blood purifying agent.

History shows that agrimony has been, and still can be, used as a remedy for a broad spectrum of health issues. While agrimony teas are a traditional diuretic, they are also a traditional treatment for diarrhea. The oil in agrimony has antibacterial and antiviral properties. When an agrimony tea is sipped slowly, the tannins in the agrimony cross link with proteins in the throat to form a barrier against irritation and more importantly, infection. This explains why this herb is reported to be used as an immunity booster, especially for bolstering the body in fighting off colds and the flu, and (as a tonic) for aiding in recovery from winter colds and fevers. It is also reported to be a great mouthwash, and is used as a gargle to treat sore throats and to heal mouth sores. It cleans wounds and fights bacteria and viruses, as well as relieving the pain caused by such infections.

In skin care, it is an excellent astringent. As a decoction (made with a strong concentration of agrimony), it is a wonderful acne treatment, or it can be applied directly to irritated skin. Its bactericidal properties protect against infection and make this herb a great ingredient for lotions and balms intended to treat sores, ulcers and other skin irritations. Generally speaking, the use of agrimony in these types of preparations, will help to speed up the healing process.

Typically, when you get agrimony the herb will be powdered in a slurry or decoction, made into an essential oil, or used as an herbal tea. As for contraindications, many sites said that there really weren't any for anyone using under 3 grams per day. They report that using more than this amount [for treating sore throats] aggravates/increases constipation when the condition is already present. However, some more current research suggests that this herb can cause photo dermatitis (a type of skin rash aggravated by sun exposure) in susceptible people. Additionally, these studies also report that remedies made with agrimony can lower blood pressure. Therefore, anyone undergoing anticoagulant therapy, or taking medication for, either high or low blood pressure, should not use remedies made from this herb. Pregnant or nursing mothers should also avoid the use of remedies made with this herb until more is known about its affects on the menstrual cycle. Additionally, tea consumption should be in moderation, as it is very high in tannin. Adding milk to the tea will help to blunt the ingested tannins though, and moderate amounts are not deemed harmful. These reccomendations are fairly new, and not all sites are reporting these warnings.

Now for the positives that current research is showing. It appears that agrimony extracts protect against viral infections in general, and hepatitis B in particular, but only when the tea is made with boiling water, rather than hot water. Research also shows that agrimony, prepared at any temperature, supports liver functions. It would seem that, whether used as a tea, a decoction for topical skin applications, or as an ingredient in a lotions and balms, this old fashioned herb still has many modern day applications!

Creamy Cacao Hemp Milk Ingredient Contest

2012-01-01T21:23:00.000-05:00

I know I said that I wouldn't be posting today, however I have entered a contest that you may wish to enter as well, so I wanted to share! Not to mention that it give me an additional entry as well! So what am I talking about? Mountain Rose Herbs has long been a favorite supplier of mine, and is always a wealth of information. Even after all these years, I still enjoy just going to their site and reading about various products, and do that every so often just for fun. When I visited today I found a note about a contest to win some supplies. Who would't LOVE that? To read more about it, get a recipe, and to enter the contest, begin by visiting their blog . When you do, you will find the recipe for this Creamy Cacao Hemp Milk. Doesn't it look great? (Of course this is their picture, I don't have all the ingredients because I haven't won yet!)

This weeks recipe is a wonderful

Food Friday

2011-12-30T02:16:00.002-05:00

Today's post is all about the day after the New Year celebration. I don't know about your household, but in mine, we watch the parades, watch football and eat.......all day long! We also take down the Christmas decorations during half time and time outs, but I don't want to think about that, lol ! So here are some tasty and easy treats for your new year's day menu.

To start off, here is a recipe for a Breakfast Casserole. You need to make this one up at least a day in advance, so it is perfect for a morning where time or a headache may be an issue! In fact, this is my Christmas day tradition, so you may have seen it before. If you haven't tried it though, you are really missing out!

You will need;
6 slices of stale bread
8 eggs
2 cups of milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp mustard (I use 1/8 tsp spicy brown and 1/8 tsp yellow) *the original recipe calls for dry mustard but I like the prepared mustard better!
1 1/2 pounds cooked and drained sausage
10 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese. If you like, you can use 8 oz cheddar and 2 oz of jack instead.

Dry your bread out ahead of time, or place in low oven until dried. Spray a 9x13 casserole pan, and lay the bread in the bottom of the pan. Then layer in the cheeses and the sausage.
In a bowl, mix together the eggs, mustard, salt and milk. When mixed well, pour over the sausage and bread. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, cook covered at 325 for an hour, or until slightly brown on the top. You may need to remove the covering and cook an additional 5 minutes to brown the top.

If you add a fruit salad, which you can purchase already prepared in the frozen section, you have a perfect and well balanced breakfast, sure to get any day off to a great start.

Of course, snack type foods are great for game time. We like to fix chicken wings, meatballs, and a tray of fresh vegetables and dips for all day snacking. You can purchase frozen chicken wings, already in the sauce and bake in the oven to save yourself time and effort. The vegetables can all be cleaned and cut and placed in baggies a day or two before the first. And dips can also be purchased already prepared to save yourself time. But here are a few to make from scratch if you are up to it!

Buffalo Chicken Dip tastes like buffalo wings, so it's not for those who don't like a little heat. Serve it with some celery and/or some chicken flavored crackers for a delicious pairing. We actually had this Christmas eve and it was soo worth the effort!
You will need;
2 (10 ounce) cans of chunk chicken, drained
2 (8 ounce) packages of softened cream cheese
1 cup of ranch dressing
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup hot sauce (such as Franks Red Hot or the like)

Heat the chicken and the hot sauce in a skillet, over a medium heat until it is heated throughout. Then stir in the cream cheese and the ranch dressing. Continue cooking and stirring until it's well blended and warm. Mix half of the shredded cheese into the pan, then transfer the mix to a slow cooker. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, cover, and cook on the low setting until it is hot and bubbly.

One of my most favorite dips is Spinach Dip that is served in a carved out bread bowl. And my favorite bread for this dip is Hawaiian bread, but you can use a sour dough or your favorite. You will need;

1 cup of mayonnaise or miracle whip, whichever you prefer

16 ounces of sour cream

1 (1.8 ounce) package of dry leek soup mix

4 ounces of water chestnuts, drained and chopped

10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed, chopped and drained

a 1 pound loaf of round bread, your choice of rye, sour dough or Hawaiian

In a medium bowl, mix the mayo, sour cream, dry soup mix, water chestnuts and chopped spinach together. Chill this mixture for at least 6 hours, or over night. Prior to serving, remove the top of the bread and hollow out the center, and fill it with the mix. Then tear the removed bread into bite sized chunks and place around the bread bowl on the serving tray for dipping!

After you have had the wonderful breakfast casserole and snacked well all day, you will need an easy, yet complete dinner. So there is nothing better than a Crock Pot Casserole. You will need;

1 16 ounce bag of frozen broccoli cuts, thawed and drained

3 cups of cooked and cubed ham

1 can (10.75 ounce) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 8 ounce jar of process cheese sauce

1 cup milk

1 cup uncooked instant rice

1 celery stalk, chopped small

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

To cook, just toss the the broccoli, rice, celery, onion and ham into the crock pot. In a bowl, combine the cheese sauce, soup, and milk. Stir until it is well mixed, then pour into the crock pot and stir again. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the rice is tender. Make sure to leave the lid on at all times (otherwise you loose too much heat and affect the cooking time).

There you have it, a full day of good eats, without a full day of work! However you spend your New Year's day, I hope that you enjoy it and I wish you and yours health, peace, love and happiness for this new year and always! Please be safe and if you drink, don't drive!

There will not be a Monday post, so please come back and visit January 2, 2012!

Tripod Thursday-Scenery, Country Structures

2011-12-29T03:34:00.001-05:00

Today's Tripod Tour will take you across Southern Ohio and parts of Indiana too. Heartland photographs of a diminishing countryside. A simple beauty that many have never seen, but this is where I live. I hope that you enjoy the tour!

**Please remember that all photographs and written work on this blog are the intellectual property of Unique Garden Essences llc. and/or uniqueXpression llc. Reprints or derivative works are not permitted in any form without the express and written permission of the author!