Ramblings of a Happy Homemaker

Rendering Tallow

2012-01-30T10:03:00.006-05:00

Well, I finally got a huge job that had been looming large over my head finished. I got all the fat from the 1/2 side of grass-fed beef that we bought rendered into tallow. It amazes that 1/2 of an entire cow only had six and a half quarts of fat on it.

I basically followed the same procedure as when I rendered lard a couple of months ago, except I did it in a bit lazier way. Instead of chopping all of the fat into 1" pieces, I simply put the slabs of fat into my containers whole. They were pretty large and I just didn't have space to chop it.

Both crock pots and my 9 quart Dutch oven were completely full of beef fat. I set both crock pots and the burner on my stove to low and let them be.

As the fat began to melt, I strained it into quart jars through a cheese cloth. Eventually I was able to add the fat from the red crock pot to the Dutch oven to save counter space.

These pictures show the liquefied fat during the melting process. This is what I pulled out with a ladle and strained into jars. I kept at this until there was no more fat to be rendered.

The fat in the crock pot was finished first. Here you can see the hard bits left over after the fat was completely liquefied. I need to mention that this makes your house smell like heaven while it's cooking. The bits of meat that are left on the slabs of fat when the cow is butchered are irresistible to certain meat-loving husbands, too. :0)

The Dutch oven still had a way to go by the time the crock pot was finished. This could have been because it was so much larger. I actually preferred this pot because the cast iron is wonderful at holding in heat evenly, allowing me to use a lower temperature to render the tallow. This is preferable, in my opinion.

All in all, it took 3 days for all of the fat to be rendered into tallow. There was very little I had to do during that time, besides occasionally ladling the fat into jars. It may have taken less time had I cut the fat into smaller pieces before I started. Since I didn't really have room for that and wouldn't have to touch it much while it was working it's magic anyway, I just didn't see the need for that extra step.

Now I have six and a half beautiful quarts of a traditional, healthy fat to cook with in addition to the lard I have left. Although, this took a long time - it took very little effort. Even the clean-up was a breeze. After I emptied each crock pot and the Dutch oven, I filled them with water and let the water heat in them for a while. This pulled almost all of the fat residue off the sides and bottoms of the pots. I then dumped the water and washed as usual. There was no problem with bits and pieces stubbornly sticking to it.

Traditionally, tallow was used in soap-making and for candles as well as for cooking. I'm glad to know that I could use it for those purposes in case of an emergency, but think I'll stick to cooking with it myself.

So tell me - have you ever bought a share of a cow? And, if you have - did you save the fat for tallow? Do you think it's something you would ever consider doing?

OK...on to something else briefly. I want to give you a sneak peak of what's been keeping me so busy and away from my blog lately. Ready?

I'm linking up at Homestead Barn Hop, Monday Mania and Real Food 101.

AND THE WINNER IS...

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Ok, Folks! We have a winner generated by random.org! Congratulations to Jenny on winning her very own copy of Jacinda Vandenberg's awesome new e-book, "Blog Design on a Dime".

But, don't despair if that's not your name up there in lights...Ok, maybe not lights per se, more like colored fonts...anyway... Don't despair if you weren't the lucky winner. You can have a copy of your very own for the low, low price of $4.99. Yes! You heard that right! Just $4.99 will get you your own copy of "Blog Design on a Dime"! Ok, enough of the Pitch Men razzle dazzle. You get the idea. If you'd like a copy of a very helpful for the technologically challenged blogger much like myself, go pick yourself up a copy. 'Nuff said.

Thanks Jacinda for the wonderful giveaway! Congratulations, Jenny! Peace out!

Last Day to Enter the e-book Giveaway

2012-01-19T11:36:00.004-05:00

I just wanted to give y'all a quick reminder that today is the last day for the "Blog Design on a Dime" giveaway. If you need a little guidance in blog design, then this is the book for you. Go here for more details and to enter.

Good luck!

Gluten Free Pasta with Beans & Greens in a Creamy Lemon Sauce

2012-01-18T08:13:00.000-05:00

Do you ever have days where you're, well, just hungry? You know, when cheese and an apple isn't going to cut it? You feel like you need something with some nourishment? That's how it was for me around lunchtime a couple of days ago. I didn't want to spend a lot of time cooking lunch, though. Quite honestly, I didn't think I really had anything other than a can of soup to even make for lunch. But, I started rummaging through the fridge and cabinets and found a few ingredients that I thought I might be able to turn into a decent meal. Necessity is the mother of invention, right?

Let's do the math...

(*Gluten-free Quinoa pasta, garbanzo beans, kale, lemon, Parmesan cheese and butter)

PLUS+

(half & half, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes)

EQUALS=

YUM!!!

*Let me give you a heads-up on g-free pasta... The rice pasta is not very good. It cooks up all gummy and nasty. This Quinoa pasta is awesome! You'd never know it wasn't regular pasta. It also comes in different shapes like rotini twists and macaroni elbows. I use that to make homemade mac & cheese. Corn pasta is also very good. And, if you live near a Trader Joe's, their corn pasta is only $1.50 a pack. That is awesome pricing for gluten-free pasta. Moving on...

This meal is an excellent example of why it's a good idea to have a decently stocked pantry. Even when you're in a pinch you can come up with something good. :0)

Here's how to make it:

Get water boiling and pasta cooking.

In the meantime, melt about 2 Tbsp. of butter in a skillet and begin cooking kale (or whatever green you have on hand) over med-low heat. This is the last of the kale from my garden and I probably only had about a cup. I would have used more if I'd had it. You use as much as you like.

Once the greens have cooked for about 5 minutes, add your drained and rinsed chickpeas. Once again, this is the only bean I had on hand. Great northern beans would be excellent. But, use what you have. The key is to get some protein in there.

When the past is close to being done, add a few red pepper flakes (or a lot) to the beans and greens and salt and pepper it. If it looks dry, add about another tablespoon of butter. Next add about 3 ounces of half & half, cream or milk and give it a good stir. You want to give it enough of a sauce to coat the pasta without having it swim in it.

Drain the pasta when done. Toss with the beans and greens mixture. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over it and top with some Parmesan cheese. Adjust seasoning if necessary.

Oh. My. Goodness. This was so good! Isaac's kept saying, "Mmmm. Mmmmm. This is so good. Thank you, Mama." the whole time he was eating it. That makes this Mama's heart happy.

So, the next time you need some soul food, take a gander at your pantry. You just might have more to cook than you realized.

Do you ever find yourself cooking on the fly?

I'm linking this post at These Chicks Cooked.

STUPID EASY GLUTEN-FREE TRAIL MIX

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

Since we've had to go gluten-free, it's been a little difficult to find snacks to keep on hand. This trail mix fits the bill and is stupid easy. A child could do this 'cause there's no cooking what-so-ever. Just open, dump and mix.

1 bag banana chips (Trader Joe's is $.99)

1 bag almonds

1 bag sunflower seeds

1 bag dried cranberries, or fruit of your choice

1/3 - 1/2 box of Chex cereal

medium size bag of plain M&Ms

You could also throw in other nuts or gluten-free pretzels, if you like.

Once you dump everything in a bowl, all you need to do is stir it up and put it into containers like these mason jars, or plastic bags. Stupid easy.

It's great to have on hand for a quick snack or to take with you if you're going to be on the go.

Not only is it easy - it's really good!

So, do you have a quick go-to snack option?

P.S. There's still time to enter to win a free copy of Jacinda Vandenberg's new e-book, "Blog Design on a Dime"!

I'm linking this post up with Teach Me Tuesdays and These Chicks Cooked.

budget decor - wall paper on the cheap

2012-01-16T09:22:00.000-05:00

I'm getting that urge to change around our house again. Do you ever get that way? I know, stupid question. We all get that way at times. I've mentioned before that my house is really small. It's very cute, but small is not without it's challenges. The least little thing can quickly go from charming to clutter. Because of that, I'm really feeling the need to purge and open up spaces right now. It's a little-by-little process. What amazes me, though, is how one little change can make such a huge difference. It doesn't have to cost a lot to make big changes, either.

As I've been contemplating the changes I want to make, I realized that I never shared one of the cheapest things I did to this house when we moved in. It also happens to be my favorite thing in our little love nest.

Just so you'll know what we had to work with...When we moved to Indiana from Florida we rented a house while we were looking for someplace more permanent. After a year and a half of looking at literally several hundred homes that were either completely over-priced or should have been condemned, we decided that we would just stop looking and be content to rent for a while longer. Then, we got a call from the land-lady saying that the place we rented had been sold and we had 30 days to be out. Needless to say, we panicked. We knew what was out there. Nothing.

But, God had a home and a miracle in store for us. He led us to a cute little repo with great bones and all paperwork was expedited, so we would make our deadline. Although the house had great bones, it had been severely neglected. The furnace went out right away, among other things, so everything we did had to be on a shoestring budget. This was bathroom when we bought the house.

Notice the broken mirror, nasty carpet and lots of mildew on the falling down wallpaper.

The first thing we did was clean, disinfect and paint everything white. The bathroom is so tiny that you can close the door while sitting on the toilet at the far end of the room. That's why I wanted to keep it light and clean. But, it needed something to give it personality.

I am a music lover and had several old hymnals with my books. They became my medium.

I ripped the pages out of one of the hymnals and then tore off all of the straight edges to give a more jagged, organic feel. That part cost me nothing but time. I then bought a $5 bucket of wall paper paste and started laying the pages on the walls in a random fashion. I used a straight razor at the ceiling and chair rail to trim off the excess. After the paper had dried, I coated it with polyurethane that we already had to protect it and seal out moisture. That was 4 years ago and it is still going strong. We have had no issues with it. And, when we need to wipe the wall down because of the soot burning candles leave, the PU makes it so easy.

Here are a couple of after shots.

Using an old hymnal to paper my bathroom cost me a $5 bucket of paste, of which I only used half. And, it reflects who I am. That's the best part.

What I love about this idea is that is isn't exclusive to sheet music. It's funny because shortly after I did this it seemed that everywhere I turned I started reading where other people were using the same idea with different mediums. I read about someone even using old newspapers. If you're a book lover you could totally go that route. How cool would pages from an old cookbook be in the kitchen? Or, a beautiful old children's book in a nursery? The pictures would be a sweet addition that could set your color scheme. You could use pages from an atlas in a school room or study. Other books that could be used are; a dictionary, a book of poetry or the Bible. Really, you'd only be limited by your imagination. I even saw bathroom done just the opposite of how I did mine at a quaint little market. Instead of papering the walls, they used book pages and covered all the accessories like light switch covers, mirror frames and the body and arms of a chandelier. It was really cool. You could also cover old or thrifted furniture in book pages.

So, share today...what's the most creative thing you've put on your walls in order to save money?

P.S. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for Jacinda Vandenberg's new e-book, "Blog Design on a Dime".

I'm linking this post to Homestead Barn Hop and Teach Me Tuesday.

Giveaway!!

2012-01-13T08:39:00.001-05:00

I'm excited to have my first giveaway for you today! Whoo Hoo!

I don't know if everyone is as ~~computer illiterate~~ technologically challenged as I am or not, but this brand-spanking new e-book, "Blog Design on a Dime", will be a huge benefit to those of us who need a hand with blog design. It's written by Jacinda Vandenberg, the author of the blog, Growing Home.

Unless you're a professional blogger who sees hiring someone to design and maintain your blog for you a necessity for business, then, you're probably like me and are left to flip and flail around, experimenting with blog templates to create something that says "ME". Unfortunately, this can still leave a blogger disappointed in the results. And, heaven forbid you need to create a button for something. That's when I just throw in the towel.

I think that blog design is a lot like home decorating - most of us can't afford to hire someone to do the decorating, but that doesn't mean that we still don't want our place (home or blog) to be welcoming and lovely. Sometimes all it takes is having someone to hold our hand through the process. That's just what Jacinda does in "Blog Design on a Dime".

Listen to what you can expect to learn from it in Jacinda's own words:

In Blog Design On A Dime, I will walk you through every step it takes to create a blog header, button, and social media icons without the use of expensive photo editing software.

You'll how to create drop shadows, circle buttons, and position elements for maximum impact. You’ll know all about color codes, how to make your own grab box, and link your Facebook page to an icon you make for it. You’ll learn how to create a properly sized header and how to center the elements on your sidebar.

By the end of this book you’ll have learned all the techniques required to make and install stuff that looks like this:

Plus! Enjoy a bonus chapter on how to use these techniques to create a Facebook Welcome Page and profile, eBook covers, and gift certificates!

Best of all, no experience is required!

Jacinda does a fantastic job at breaking each lesson down into a totally attainable goal. So, if you've struggled in this area like I have, this e-book would be a great benefit to you.

Jacinda has graciously offered to give one of my readers a copy of her new e-book, "Blog Design on a Dime". That's a $4.99 value. Even if you're not chosen, this is still a great value. I can honestly say that I've only ever bought 2 e-books, even though there are many out there that I think would be an asset. But, I live on a budget and have to decide where to get the most bang for our hard-earned buck. This is one of only two e-books that I've ever let go of the cash to buy.

To enter the giveaway: Leave a comment telling me why you would like to win "Blog Design on a Dime". Please leave an e-mail where you can be reached if you don't have a blog. For a second entry, 'Like' Growing Home on Facebook. Then, leave another comment saying that you did so. I'll announce the winner on Thursday, January 19, 2012.

Good luck!

Get Rid of the Glow

2012-01-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

Hey, Everybody! I have been working my hind-quarters off on something really exciting that I can't wait to share with you. That's why my posting has been a little sporadic lately - and will probably continue to be until I can unzip my lips on the big news. But...I have a cool tip for you today. :0)

Do y'all remember the days when we all carried around Cover Girl compacts and constantly dabbed at the oil-slick on our faces, more commonly known as the T-zone, until we looked like we had fallen into a bowl of pancake batter? I carried around one of those things well past high school. You still might. Don't worry - I won't judge.

Well, several years ago my sister introduced me to her new bestie - oil blotting papers like these:

Just in case you're not familiar with them, they are kick-butt at removing the oil from the T-zone instead of caking on powder to absorb it. This brand runs about $4.50 for 50 sheets. There are several higher end brands of these papers, too.

Being the Frugalista that I am, I've never bought these for myself, though. Here's what I do when I'm out in public and need to get rid of the glow. Ready? Ok. I go to the bathroom. Say whaaa? Yep, I go to the bathroom. Here's why...

Did you know that the paper toilet seat covers so commonly found in the rest room work just like the oil absorbing blotting strips? Sho nuff. Try it next time you visit the little girl's room. You don't need that center portion anyway. :0) You'll be amazed at how much oil one of those seat covers removes from your face.

vegetable beef soup

2012-01-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and cauldron bubble.

Shakespeare ~ from Macbeth

Yesterday I showed you my new cast iron Dutch oven and how to season it. Today I want to share with you an old stand-by recipe that I made in it. When I was growing up, Saturday's were marked by a huge pot of some sort of soup or chili on the stove. As various family members or friends dropped by the house, there was always plenty to share. This is one of those recipes. It's one of those soups that I turn to all the time when the cold weather sets in. Keep in mind that if you don't like an ingredient you can skip it. You can also add more of something that you love - or add another ingredient that you think would be awesome. This is just a guideline.

Vegetable Beef Soup and Gluten-free Cornbread

VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP

2 pounds stew beef
1 medium to large sized onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 potatoes, washed and diced
1 quart green beans, drained
1 cup red wine, optional
1 large can (49.5 oz) beef broth
salt and pepper
thyme

How to:

Heat your pot with some oil on med-high heat. I used lard. Once it's nice and hot, add your stew beef. Brown it on all sides, by stirring occasionally. Next, add your onion and garlic and just a bit of salt and pepper. If you add the salt and pepper in stages, the soup will have a richer flavor because one ingredient won't taste flat.

Once the onion starts to become translucent, add the wine if you're using it. If not, use 1 cup of your broth. Although the wine is optional, I feel it really adds a depth to the flavor that you won't get otherwise. Turn your heat down to medium and let cook for about 5 minutes while you prepare your other vegetables. As they're cleaned and chopped, add the celery, carrots and potatoes in that order. Add the rest of your broth, cover and simmer until the carrots and potatoes are tender.

Once your veggies are done, add the green beans. Taste the broth and add bit more salt and pepper and some thyme. I didn't measure the thyme, but I would start with a couple of teaspoons for this amount of soup. Let the soup simmer for about another half hour to marry the flavors. Just before serving, taste the broth and adjust the seasonings again, if necessary.

Notes:

It's better to add seasonings a bit at a time. You can always add more, but can't take it out if you add too much.

This is a huge batch of soup. I feel it's better to make more and then have extra to freeze for lunches or another dinner because it's no extra work. If that's not your bag, cut the recipe in half.

If you don't have a garden and can your own beans, use two cans of store bought beans instead.

Sometimes I add corn to this. You could also add parsnips, green pepper, mushrooms or any other veggie you love. Also, you could add rice, barley or noodles to the broth at the time you add your green beans.

If you make steak, roasts or ribs - save those bones and make your own beef stock. Not only will it save you $$, it doesn't get any more nutritious than homemade bone broth. We just bought a grass-fed cow and I have a freezer full of bones that I will be using to make lots of broth with with the next week or so. Unfortunately, I didn't have it ready for this pot of soup.

Do you have a favorite soup recipe that you turn to all the time?

I'm linking up with Simple Lives Thursday, These Chicks Cooked, Cast Party Wednesday and Homestead Barn Hop.

How to Season Cast Iron Cookware

2012-01-04T12:52:00.002-05:00

This baby was my (requested) Christmas gift from my parents this year. It's a whoppin' 9 quart cast iron Dutch oven. And, let me just say...LOVE!

When I told my mom that I wanted a cast iron Dutch oven, she asked if I wanted an enameled one. Although cooks the world over sing enameled cast iron's praises - I just wanted a plain ol' basic one. Nothin' fancy, just hard working. I wish I could get back all the money I've wasted through the years on cookware with lifetime warranties that have disappointed. Without fail, I turn to my trusty cast iron skillets for cooking. The only time I find I use one of my other types of cookware is if I don't have it in cast iron. So, when my mom asked me what I wanted, I decided to go with what I know.

Here's what I love about this type of cookware. It heats evenly, eliminating hot spots. When properly seasoned (which we'll get to in a moment), it's non-stick. It is uber-easy to care for. Just as you have to be careful about cooking in aluminum because of the danger of it getting into your food, cooking in cast iron also infuses your food with iron - but in this case it's a good thing. Unlike other cookware's often false claims of lasting a lifetime, I know that this stuff will last for generations. And, the last thing that I love about this cookware is that it is so durable that it can even be used to cook in a fire. Camping anyone? Actually, my family lived in Florida in 2004 when the state was bombarded with hurricanes. We were just fortunate enough to live in a place where the eye wall of 3 of the 4 hurricanes hit our house. :0) The first storm left us without power for several days. I was so thankful for my cast iron skillets during that time because I was even able to cook green beans on the grill. I wouldn't have been as confident doing that with a regular sauce pan.

If you find cast iron cookware at a yard sale or thrift store it can be brought back to life even if it is completely covered in rust. All you have to do is remove the rust with steel wool and then re-season it several times. The only time you want to stay away from second-hand cast iron is if the metal is cracked.

Unless it comes pre-seasoned, new cast iron is grey in color. It will turn black with seasoning. So, just how do we go about seasoning cast iron? Very simply.

Rub the entire piece of cookware with oil. I did both the pot and the lid on mine. I used lard from the pastured pig we recently bought because A) I had it on hand, and B) it has a higher smoke point than many other oils. I would stay away from olive oil, but coconut oil or tallow would be great. And, honestly, though I don't use it anymore, for years I used plain old canola oil.

Put the oiled cookware in a 300 degree oven for an hour or two.

When it's done, rub it down with coarse salt. That's it. Honestly, sometimes I do the salt step and sometimes I just wipe off the excess oil with a paper towel.

The more you use cast iron the better it performs. Since iron is a porous material every time you use it, more of the oil will saturate the pores creating a better non-stick surface. It's like a fine wine - it just gets better with age. :0)

So, are you a fan of cast iron? Have any pieces that hold a special history or story for you? Do tell.

Tomorrow I'll share the recipe that I tried out my new Dutch oven for the first time with. See you then!

I'm linking this post to Healthy 2day Wednesdays, Simple Lives Thursday, Homestead Barn Hop and Your Green Resource.

Kickin' Crab Dip

2012-01-03T09:23:00.003-05:00

I'm baa-aack! I feel like I've been gone for stinkin' ever! I had a wonderful extended stay with my family in Michigan over Christmas and the New Year. My entire family spends Christmas Eve together and then Christmas Day is a little more intimate at my sister's house with both of our families, our parents and her in-laws. I was able to get in some quality 'cousin' time during the week. Then, New Year's Eve is always a big bash with the entire family and friends that also qualify as family. It was really nice. I haven't been able to be a part of the New Year's Eve shin-dig since I was a teenager. Isaac was overjoyed to be saturated with cousins for a week and a half. And, he still wasn't really anxious to get home. :0) My hubby had to come home to his J.O.B. during the week, but still had two long weekends up there. Though I missed him during that time, it was still nice to log some family time. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year as well!

I'm ready to get back into the swing of things here on the blog. I have a couple of exciting things in the works that I'll share as the time comes. But, I'm going to be working my buttocks off on one of them in particular over the course of the next 4 to 6 weeks to get it going. I'm really stoked about it and can't wait to share it with you! But, enough about that. Today I want to share a recipe with you.

This is a crab dip that is so creamy and yummy. It's really easy, especially if you have a small crock pot. Although, it would be perfect for gatherings like Christmas and New Year's Eve, eh-hem (slightly late for that), it would still be great for something like a game night. I've even made it as a snacky lunch.

KICKIN' CRAB DIP

2, 8 oz. blocks cream cheese
2 sticks of butter
1/4 c. chopped green onion
6 oz. can of mushrooms, drained and chopped
1 pound of crab meat, finely chopped (can be imitation)
Tony Chacheres Original Creole Seasoning, to taste

My original recipe says to melt the cream cheese and butter on low in a small sauce pan, then to add the rest of the ingredients and allow to meld together for 15 minutes. That is certainly fine. But...I find it much easier to just throw them all together in a small crock pot and let it do it's thang. :0)

Once it's all nice and melty (some of the butter will float on the top), stir it and serve it up with French bread, toast points or your choice of crackers. This stuff is so good it would be awesome served over top of pasta for a hearty meal as well.

NOTES:

This recipe can easily be halved for a smaller amount.

Although I left a link for the Tony Chachere's seasoning, it is usually carried in the spice isle at the grocery store.

Since my family has had to go gluten-free, I was thrilled to come across these crackers. I first spotted them at Whole Foods, but have even seen them at Meijers. I think any store that has a semi-decent selection of gluten-free products would carry them. And, they also come in several different flavors.

Happy 2012, y'all!

I'm linking this post with Teach Me Tuesdays and These Chicks Cooked.

Christmas Story

2011-12-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

I read a blog post yesterday that really touched me. One mother shares a beautiful story that happened during her kindergartner's Christmas play. If you have just 2 or 3 extra minutes during this very busy time - read this. It truly puts this wonderful season in perspective.

Merry Christmas!
Pam

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

This week has been busy. My goal was to get some sewing done for me and the family. To get my feet wet and the tension set on my machine, I started with a holiday cuff for my dog, Layla's, neck. The only red fabric I had in my stash was this plaid. After I finished the cuff and put it on her, my son jokingly said that I ought to make her a kilt to go with it. Well, by golly, I had just about enough material left to whip up a matching skirt for her cuff. My family thinks I'm half nuts, but I think it's stinkin' hysterical. LOL Anyway, Layla will be sporting her feminine side this year for Christmas. Can anyone play Silent Night on the bag pipes? :0)

We're leaving tonight to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays out of state with family. It will be good for Isaac to have so much time with all those cousins he doesn't get to see but a couple times a year. I won't be around as often the rest of this year as I'll be enjoying my family, too. I'll pop in as I can.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, if that's what you celebrate. And, have a Happy New Year! Enjoy this time with your family and friends. And, most importantly, take time to remember Jesus, the reason we celebrate.

XO,

Pam

...And A Partridge In A Pear Tree!

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

I think that just about everyone is familiar with the Christmas Carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I grew up singing it, but never really understood it's meaning. I thought it was just about some old Victorian custom of gift giving for the holidays. Then, a few days ago I received an e-mail from my mom that explained this song. I'd like to share it with you because I figure that if I grew up clueless to the meaning behind this beloved carol, maybe you're clueless, too. :0)

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning - the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

Here is what each day stood for...

1 - partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ
2 - turtle doves = the Old and New Testaments
3 - french hens = faith, hope and love
4 - calling birds = the four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke & John
5 - golden rings = the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament;
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
6 - geese a-laying = the six days of creation
7 - swans a-swimming = the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit; prophecy,
serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership and mercy
8 - maids a-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 - ladies dancing = the nine fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control
10 - lords a-leaping = the ten commandments
11 - pipers piping = the eleven faithful disciples
12 - drummers drumming = the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed

You can click here for printable coloring pages that go with "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I think they would be a great tool for teaching your kiddos the meaning behind the song and ~~keep them out of your hair~~ give them something to do while you finish up the last of your Christmas preparations. :0)

So, tell me - did you know the story behind the carol, or were you clueless like me?

Skin Care Series ~ Lavender & Chamomile Salve

2011-12-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Do you remember the hard lotion bars that I recently whipped up and put in the teacher gifts I made for Christmas? Well, my family LOVES them. My husband, who doesn't like any type of lotion uses the hard lotion on a daily basis and even puts it on his face. Y'all, that is truly amazing. Take my word for it. Anyhoo, I'm just about out of the hard lotion bar and don't have some key ingredients to make any more. We're getting ready to go out of state for Christmas and I don't want to be without some good, nourishing moisturizer. So, I browsed through some recipes on the internet, tweaked them and came up with this healing salve which utilizes lavender and chamomile.

LAVENDER & CHAMOMILE SALVE

1/4 c. lavender buds
3 chamomile tea bags
1/4 c. grapeseed oil
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 Tbsp. jojoba oil
1 1/2 Tbsp. beeswax
8 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops chamomile essential oil

Here's How...

Put lavender buds and contents of chamomile tea bags into a small saucepan.

Add oils and gently warm them. Once the oils are warm, turn off heat and allow to infuse for 20 minutes.

In the meantime, begin melting beeswax in a double boiler. I don't technically have a double boiler, so here's what I do. I place a folded wash cloth in the bottom of a large sauce pan filled with a little bit of water. I then place my glass or ceramic bowl on the wash cloth. It has worked remarkably well for me.

Once your oils have infused with the herbs for a sufficient amount of time, pour the mixture through a piece of cheese cloth to separate the herbs from the oil. Make sure to squeeze every last drop of that precious oil out. :0)

After the beeswax is melted, pour your herb infused oil into the beeswax and stir. The beeswax will harden slightly when you do this. Just give it another minute or so to remelt.

After all the oils and wax are together in a liquid state, remove from the double boiler and stir in the essential oils. Pour into containers. After a little trial and error (AKA spilling some) I realized that the best way to do this was to use a deep-sided tablespoon to put the liquid into the jars.

Let cool completely before adding a lid or moving them. This makes 4 ounces. I used two 2 ounce containers, which is a pretty nice size for this.

Here is the finished salve. It has a really nice, light fragrance. I put a tub in my purse and one by the kitchen sink. I really like it. It's soothing and not greasy at all. It isn't quite as hardy as the hard lotion bars, but seems to be great for applying after washing my hands or dishes. It would also be good to put on scrapes, burns or bites as the lavender and chamomile are wonderful for those things. Not to mention that the oils themselves are very healing. All in all, I'm very pleased with how this salve turned out and will definitely be making it again when this batch runs out.

NOTE:
If you aren't completely happy with the consistency of your salve once it sets up, all you have to do is remelt it and add 1/2 Tbsp. more beeswax to make it firmer or a bit more oil to make it softer. I like it using 1 1/2 Tbsp. of beeswax, personally.

Here's why the ingredients are so good...

These facts are taken from Natural Remedies for Life.com.

grapeseed oil ~ Rich in vitamin E, C, D and Beta-carotene. Also contains all kinds of skin healthy essential fatty acids. These help repair damaged skin, wrinkles around the eyes, stretch marks, varicose veins and spider veins by penetrating the skin with their moisturizing properties. Also ideal for moisturizing oily skin. Keeps skin supple and healthy.

coconut oil ~ Super moisturizing oil, a solid at room temperature but melts easily on the skin. Its consistency makes it very easy to mix and very useful in facial masks. Protects skin from the elements by forming a thin film which is not absorbed. Also useful as an after sun oil. Good cleansing properties and very mild.

jojoba oil ~ An extraordinary balancing oil, helps to regulate under-active and overactive oil glands. Natural humectants, that attracts and keeps moisture under your skin; absorbs quickly into the skin to moisturize. Very mild.

lavender ~ Soothes and calmes your skin, has antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Can relieve muscle tension, speeds healing and reduces scarring. Also works as anti depressant, stimulates circulation, is a mild sedative and reduces nervous tension.

chamomile ~ There are Roman and German chamomile. They are rejuvenating and relaxing and have soothing effect on burns and irritations. Are also slightly sedative.

lavender essential oil ~ Has sedative and antiseptic properties. Relieves and heals skin irritations like, acne, abscess, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis. Also very effective against burns, sunburns, wounds and insect bites. Calming; antidepressant, promotes clarity, enhances intuition, soothing, balancing. Helps normalize all skin conditions. Good for headaches and sinuses and is an effective insect repellent. Suitable for oily & combo skin.

chamomile essential oil ~ Can be used as a softening agent for rough or irritated skin. Has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Good against: allergies, acne, burns, cuts, dermatitis, eczema, inflammations, insect bites, rashes, sensitive skin & wounds. Also have a calming effect on the mind and nervous system, are slightly sedative and have emollient properties. German chamomile has higher anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile oil has very low toxicity so it is good for children.

beeswax ~ Beeswax locks in moisture, fosters cells and protects skin from damaging environmental factors. Honeygirlorganic.com reports beeswax effectively "softens your skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. It also is a naturally nourishing moisturizer as well as being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergenic and a germicidal antioxidant." According to Botanical.com, "Even after processing, beeswax still remains a biologically active product, retaining some anti-bacterial properties and also contains some vitamin A, which is necessary for normal cell development." The Mayo Clinic recommends lip balm made from beeswax for chapped lip care and prevention.

Since beeswax does not clog pores, Dermaxime.com states, "When it is properly used, (beeswax) will not promote the formation of acne or pimples."

Read more: Skin Benefits of Beeswax | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5705546_skin-benefits-beeswax.html#ixzz1h7L3w7xn

These are but some of the benefits of the ingredients in this salve. They are so wonderful that I could do an entire blog post on each one. But, this is a very good overview.

UPDATE: My family has been using this salve for about 3 weeks now and have been very impressed with not only it's moisturizing ability, but it's skin healing ability as well. I took it to MI with us over Christmas because my son's hands tend to break out when we're away from home. This salve got his hands back to normal more quickly than anything we've ever used.

Have you ever made your own salve? Do you rely on commercial lotions to get you through those dry winter months?

I'm linking this post to Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways, Homestead Barn Hop, Healthy 2day Wednesdays, Simple Lives Thursday, Living Well Blog Hop, Wildcrafting Wednesdays and Your Green Resource.

2011-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

OK, y'all. Today I need your help. This past week I bought a new quilt and shams for our bed. Both me and my husband loved the old coverlet. It was very "us". But, it was 6 or 7 years old and getting some discolorations on it that just wouldn't come out in the wash. We knew it was time to move on.

old coverlet

I had to run into Kmart this past week and noticed that the quilt by Country Living that I've had my eye on every since they started carrying that line was on sale. I was able to snag a king size quilt with matching pillow shams for $49.99. Yes!

Although you can't see it in this picture, it's really soft and textural and has a beautiful design stitched into it.

The reverse side has this light print with embroidery like the pillow shams in this picture. It will be perfect for spring and summer.

Here's a close up. Ignore the dark spot that my camera loves to imprint into every picture. :0)

We are really happy with the new quilt. As a matter of fact, I seem to be drawn to just about everything in Country Living's new home line. It's also my favorite magazine. I so look forward to every issue that comes. Not that you care. I'm just sayin'... :0)

Anyways, not one to waste - I now have a fabric from a king size coverlet, 2 king size shams and 2 valances. Anybody have any ideas as to what I can transform all that material into? I was kicking around the idea of cutting down the coverlet into a smaller throw. Also, I switch all the red accessories from fall and winter out of my living and dining rooms every spring for light blues. I could also go something along the lines of a table cloth. But, being a novice sewer, I'm really open to ideas and suggestions at this point. Any ideas for me? Please? :0)

Skin Care Series ~ Egg Mask

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

For today's contribution to the skin care series, I wanted to share a face mask. I got this out of the book "French Women for All Seasons: A Year of Secrets, Recipes and Pleasure" by Mireille Guilano.

This book along with it's sister, "French Women Don't Get Fat", are both well worth the read if you're looking for some practical, natural advise and luxuriously delicious recipes. But, I digress...

This face mask uses only two ingredients and is good for all skin types. It is especially useful this time of year with many holiday gatherings and parties upon us.

Simply mix an egg yolk with a few drops of olive oil and leave on the face for 15 minutes. Remove with a warm wash cloth. You can also add 1 tsp. of honey to this mask for extra benefits.

Why this works...
Egg yolks are mostly water and fats, making them very emollient. This means that egg yolks actually bring moisture to your skin and lock it in leaving you with smooth, supple and soft skin. They are also very healing for blemishes.

Olive oil is an excellent moisturizer, helps to shrink pores and to lessen acne. Some evidence also suggests that it can aid in repairing sun-damaged skin.

Honey is naturally antioxidant and antimicrobial. This means it helps to protect the skin from sun-damage as well as to replenish and rejuvenate the skin. It absorbs and retains moisture, leaving skin refreshed and preventing dryness. Honey is also used in treating acne, especially relating to changes in hormones.

I have done this and been very happy with the results. There are many other natural face masks, some of which I'll attempt to touch upon in the future.

This link to Home Remedies for Life has several more variations on egg yolk masks.

A note...
Because you're only using the yolk for this mask, you can freeze the whites in a baggie and use them for merengue, or anything else you only need egg whites for. That means there is no waste. :0)

Have you ever tried this remedy or do you have another favorite you always pull out when your skin needs a little extra attention?

I'm sharing this post with Monday Mania, Homestead Barn Hop, Healthy 2day Wednesdays and Your Green Resource.

En Lieu of a Card

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'd like to share something with you today that goes hand in hand with the post I did a couple of days ago about frugal gift wrapping. This time we're talking about cards, though. I actually got this idea from a blog post that I read about someone throwing a baby shower and asking that everyone bring a favorite, used child's book inscribed with who it was from instead of a card. This would help build a library as well as be a lasting memento from friends and loved ones. I can't remember which blog I saw this on, but if you recognize this, please let me know and I'll give due credit.

As it just so happens, I have a friend who is due with her first baby any time. With this idea in mind, I set out for Goodwill since my "baby" is long past the days of these sorts of books. I didn't find any small books that jumped out at me, but found this gem.

For less than the price of a card I found this large storybook that was in beautiful condition.

This friend is pretty well set on baby items, so opted to get her a gift card which she could use for any odds and ends she needs for the baby, or to get something for herself once the little bundle gets here.

I taped the gift card to the inside and inscribed it. I will end up wrapping this or putting it in a recycled gift bag since I ended up doing things a little backwards. But, I love the idea of giving (or getting) two gifts in one.

This got me thinking... You could actually apply this principle to any gift. Christmas books for Christmas presents. Any favorite book for birthday presents. You could even do this for weddings or anniversaries with an appropriate marriage building or devotional book for couples.

If you've looked at the price of cards lately, well, you know they ain't cheap. Books on the other hand can be found for a dime a dozen at yard sales, thrift stores and Goodwill. And, if you're anything like me, you have hoards of them in your own stash to choose from.

So, tell me - have you ever inscribed a book en lieu of a card? Do you have any other brilliant ideas along these gifting lines just waiting to be recognized?

I'm linking this post to Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways and Your Green Resource.

Skin and Body Care ~ Two More Toners

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I want to share two more things that make wonderful skin toners with you.

The first is chamomile. Chamomile is beneficial as a natural skin care treatment because of it's anti-inflammatory properties and it's ability to promote cell regeneration. It is also helpful for problem skin affected by rashes, acne, eczema, psoriasis, scars, spider veins, age spots, discoloration and allergic conditions.

The way that I use this is to simply brew a cup of chamomile tea from a bag and let it cool. You're certainly welcome to dry your own flowers and brew the tea that way.

Dab a cotton ball in the tea, gently apply it to your face and let it dry. Store this in the refrigerator in a covered container. I notice that my skin is very soft after I use chamomile as a toner.

Incidentally, chamomile is a home remedy for pink eye and is also said to be useful for reducing swelling from bites or stings as well.

The next item I want to share with you is apple cider vinegar. According to ehow.com, apple cider vinegar is packed with alpha-hydroxy and amino acids that help to dissolve dead skin cells, balance the pH level of skin and stimulate blood circulation. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar stimulates the capillaries under the skin, leaving you with a soft glow.

To use, mix equal parts ACV and distilled or spring water in a small (preferably glass) spray bottle and spritz on face after washing, but before moisturizing. The smell will dissipate once it dries. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of an essential oil to not only mask the odor, but to add more rejuvenating benefits to your toner. Below, you'll find listed some good choices with their known contributions to skin care. There is no need to refrigerate this version.

Lavender ~ known to restore skin elasticity and retard wrinkles

Frankincense ~ a strong revitalizing EO that is good for lightening age spots

Spikenard ~ retards wrinkles, revitalizes skin

Myrrh ~ retards wrinkles

Carrot seed oil ~ one of the strongest revitalizing EOs for the skin

Ylang Ylang & Rosewood ~ restores elasticity

Geranium & Helichrysum ~ regenerates skin

Sandalwood, Patchouli & Neroli ~ revitalizes skin

Definitions from the New Oxford American Dictionary:

restore = return to a former condition; repair or renovate so as to return it to its original condition

revitalize = imbue (something) with new life and vitality

regenerate = regrow (new tissue) to replace lost or injured tissue; regrow; bring into renewed existence, generate again

Some variations on the ACV toner would be...

Mix in thirds - ACV, distilled water and green tea which is full of anti-oxidants that are known to prevent wrinkling and dark circles under the eyes.

Other additions include chamomile, rose water and aloe vera.

Store any of these variations in the refrigerator for up to a month.

For more posts in this series click here.

I'm sharing this post at Simple Lives Thursdays and Your Green Resource.

Wrapping Paper Money Saving Tip

2011-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Take a look under my Christmas tree. What do you notice?

I kept trying to get a closer shot for you, but kept getting pics like this...

and this...

Apparently my dog felt that it was her duty to climb right underneath me the moment I laid on the floor to try and take a photo. She has no consideration for the artistic. :0) But, shoot, look how happy she is! LOL

Anyway, I did manage to snap a close up that didn't include my pooch. Check out all the packages. Ignore the light cords. :0)

What I wanted you to notice is that all the packages are wrapped in the same paper. There's a reason for this. I'm ~~cheap~~ frugal. :0)

A few years ago I was at Hobby Lobby after Christmas when all of their holiday merchandise was 80 or 90 percent off. I saw this huge roll of wrapping paper for a little bit of nothing and the wheels started churning. I realized that this wrapping paper really acted as a neutral backdrop and that by adding different ribbons, doodads and bobbles it could be used for any gift, not just Christmas. This was great for me not only because it was on sale - this meant that I wouldn't have to buy separate paper for birthdays, weddings and baby showers. Also, it's much easier to store one roll of wrapping paper than it is to store five. This is really heavy paper that has a grid on the back for cutting straight lines so it doesn't look like you were in a drunken stupor when you wrapped presents.

Pastel ribbons work well for baby gifts. Silver or white lends itself to weddings or wedding showers. And, bright ribbons work well for birthdays. I have also used raffia as the ribbon for this paper. You could also get creative and add doodads like a silver spoon or rattle to the outside of the package for a baby gift.

My money saving point is this... Instead of buying several different papers to wrap many different occasions, buy one versatile roll and use it for everything. Or, re-purpose brown paper bags and stamp them yourself to match different occasions. Better yet, hand the kiddies a box of crayons or some paint and let them go to town creating a one of a kind wrapping paper.

Right now, Hobby Lobby usually runs their wrapping supplies at 50% off. But, after Christmas the discounts will get deeper. I know that Hob Lob will take the discounts all the way to 80% or 90%. Most stores operate this way. I've had this paper for about 3 years now and still have quite a bit left. But, I'm planning on hitting up Hob Lob when they deeply discount the Christmas stuff again and pick up another versatile roll as well as different colors of curling ribbons. That way I'll be prepared for whatever parties come our way this year for just a bit of change. :0)

One more tip on these lines. When the discounts hit 80% - 90%, I often use that time to buy really beautiful ornaments and store them away for the next year. These are great to add to gift baskets or to use as part of the wrapping by attaching with the ribbon. They would also make lovely teacher gifts without breaking the bank.

What do you use for wrapping paper? Are you a one paper for all purposes person, like me? Or, do you have many beautiful papers for each occasion? Do you have any wrapping tips or money saving ideas? Please, feel free to share them in the comments. People helping people and all... :0)

I'm sharing this post at Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways, Your Green Resource, Homestead Barn Hop and Simple Lives Thursdays.

Soft Ginger Cookies

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was our last day of homeschool group for the year and we had a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Although I am not supposed to eat gluten, I participated anyway. I've always thought it would be fun to do a cookie exchange and thought at the very least I could freeze the ones I bring home and serve to company.

I am a lover of all things spicy, ginger, etc. So, on that note, I made Soft Ginger Cookies. Here's the recipe.

SOFT GINGER COOKIES

2 1/4 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
2 Tbsp. sugar

Here's How...

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat butter for 30 seconds. Add 1 c. sugar. Beat until fluffy.

2. Add egg and molasses - beat well. Add half the flour mixture at a time and beat until just combined.

3. Shape into 1" balls. Roll in 2 Tbsp. sugar. Place on un-greased cookie sheets or baking stone 2" apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until light brown and puffed. Let cool for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks or plate to finish cooling.

Makes about 36 cookies.

I'm linking this to Teach Me Tuesdays and These Chicks Cooked.

Gluten Free Buckwheat Pancakes

2011-12-12T08:03:00.001-05:00

Breakfast has been my greatest challenge as we've embarked upon this gluten free journey. We've never been big cereal eaters. My son doesn't care for oatmeal. And, you can only eat eggs so many times a week. Sometimes I just miss bread-based foods. Can I get a witness? :0)

I recently came across a cookbook at the library that has some really great recipes that I've been trying, "Gluten-Free Made Simple; Easy Everyday Meals That Everyone Can Enjoy".

There is a very good recipe for buckwheat pancakes in this cookbook. My version is an adaptation of that. These pancakes are a huge hit with the guys in my house. Everyone appreciates a little variety on the breakfast (or dinner) table.

Gluten Free Buckwheat Pancakes:

3/4 c. buckwheat flour
3/4 c. gluten-free all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. sugar (preferably organic or Sucanat)
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
1/4 c. butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine both flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Slowly add milk, eggs and melted butter. Stir together until smooth.

2. Lightly butter a skillet or griddle and heat over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup of batter onto the griddle once it's hot. I've found an ice cream scoop works great for this. Cook until brown and done in center, turning halfway through.

Notes:

These are wonderfully delicious and amazingly filling.

Spices such as cinnamon, fruit or chocolate chips added to the batter could very easily change these pancakes up to suit anyone's preferences.

Freeze any extras in individual size portions for a quick and healthy gluten-free breakfast later. Or, better, make a double batch to do this on purpose! Heat in the toaster just like you would the frozen boxes of pancakes that are sold in the stores.

I'm linking this to Monday Mania, Traditional Tuesdays, Hearth and Soul Blog Hop, Fat Tuesday, Teach Me Tuesdays, Healthy2Day Wednesdays, Simple Lives Thursday and These Chicks Cook.

Teacher Gifts

2011-12-11T16:23:00.001-05:00

It's been a while since I've had the pleasure of giving teacher gifts at Christmas. Finding and becoming part of our wonderful homeschool group this year changed that. Tomorrow is our last homeschool group session this semester and we are having a special lunch, party, and gift exchange.

I made it my mission to see what handmade, yet useful gift I could come up with. And, let me just say for the record that I had fun with this. :0)

I had several of these plastic containers in my stash and thought that they would work wonderfully to put the goodies in - no wrapping necessary. I made some hard lotion bars and lip balm (recipes coming in the not-too-distant future). I also wrapped some rosemary-lemongrass soap from my most recent batch in a strip of Christmas-y scrapbook paper.

I filled the bottom of the container with some red and green filler and added the goodies. I used a paper luggage-style tag and stamped "Merry Christmas" on one side. Then, I drew a simple little holly berry and leaves and added that it was from Isaac. On the back side I labeled it with the items inside. Lastly, I attached it with some matching curling ribbon. Et voila!

I hope that Isaac's teachers enjoy using their gifts as much as I enjoyed making them. :)

What are you doing for teacher gifts this year?

I'm linking up with the Homestead Barn Hop.

Hot Oil Treatment

2011-12-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

I should have labeled the series that I've been doing "Skin and Body Care" instead of just "Skin Care" because I'm including a variety of tips for naturally frugal alternatives, not just for the skin. Today, I want to focus on hair.

Back in my teen years and early twenties I used to buy those pre-packaged tubes for hot oil treatments on a regular basis. You remember the ones - drop them in a cup of hot water, break the tube open and apply to hair? Well, there's a reason they sell. They work.

Allow me share a story with you, if you will. Several years ago we went to Daytona for Christmas and I was shocked to find that the pool was filled with sea water. The salt in the water really did a number on my mop and by the time we made it home I could have passed for the Scarecrow's sister in The Wizard of Oz. I desperately needed a hot oil treatment, but didn't have any on hand. They say that necessity is the mother of invention and believe there's a lot of truth in that statement. My need led me to a solution.

I had olive oil in the cupboard, so I poured a little in a bowl and put it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute until it was nice and hot. Then I began applying it to my hair, concentrating on the driest ends. I proceeded to wrap my hair in plastic (grocery bag, cling wrap or a towel) and waited about 30 minutes before showering and shampooing as usual. The results were nothing short of amazing. As a matter of fact, I had an appointment to get my hair cut a few days after and my stylist commented on how wonderfully soft my hair was. Imagine that!

I never have bought another one of those pre-packaged hot oil treatments since. Their packaging and marketing makes for a higher price. A box with 2 treatments will run you about $4.00. That's pretty salty considering you can buy an entire bottle of olive oil for about the same price many times. Using oil from my pantry also means that there's one less thing that I have to find a place for. That always makes me happy.

Ever wonder why hot oil treatments work so well? The heat from the oil opens up the hair shaft allowing the oil to penetrate and moisturize the hair and add shine. Since heat opens up the hair shaft, cold closes it. This is why it's important to do your final rinse with lukewarm to cool water. It will close the hair shaft, leaving you with shine instead of frizz.

Olive oil isn't the only oil that works for restoring moisture to dry hair. You can also use jojoba or coconut oil as well. Though I've never tried it, I would venture to say that grapeseed oil would also work. You can also mix a bit of honey in with your oil for added benefit. Coconut oil is also great for the scalp - especially if you deal with dryness or dandruff.

Sometimes if I'm in a hurry and don't have time to do a full hot-oil treatment, I'll just slather a bit of olive or coconut oil on the ends of my hair while I'm getting my shower ready. The heat from the water still allows the oil to penetrate the hair shaft, giving a deep conditioning benefit. This doesn't give quite the dramatic results of a full-on hot oil treatment, but in real life we take what we can get sometimes, right?

Click here to view more posts in this series.

So, tell me, have you ever used hot oil treatments on your hair?

I'm sharing this with Your Green Resource, Hearth and Soul Blog Hop, Teach Me Tuesdays, Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways, Living Well blog hop and Healthy2Day Wednesdays.

Coconut Oil Chocolate

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've mentioned before that I have some health issues that I'm working on at the moment. One of them happens to be a low functioning thyroid. My doctor is a medical doctor who happens to like to fix the root of the issue, naturally if possible, rather than throwing pills at symptoms. At my last doctor's visit we were talking about it and I told my doctor that I had begun adding coconut oil to my diet because I had read that it helps to correct a low functioning thyroid. She said, "It does. Good! Keep doing that!"

I add a spoonful of coconut oil to my coffee or hot tea every morning, but some days that's all of the oil I manage to get in. I know that I need more than this, so here's my very yummy solution to get more coconut oil into my diet.

This recipe originally comes from Natural Health Strategies.

COCONUT OIL CHOCOLATE

1/2 c. + 2 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil
1/2 c. + 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c. + 2 Tbsp. finely grated coconut
1/2 c. + 2 Tbsp. ground almonds or almond meal
2 Tbsp. - 1/4 c. sucanat or other natural sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
large pinch of salt

In a microwave safe bowl or on the stove top, melt the coconut oil with the sugar. Add the cocoa powder, followed by the coconut and almond meal. Once that is incorporated, add the salt and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

Pour into a clean ice cube tray. Refrigerate until firm.

Notes:
-Keep these in the refrigerator, as coconut oil melts at 76 degrees F.
-The coconut and almond meal are not necessary, but add wonderful flavor and body.
-You could also add other chopped nuts or dried fruit, if that pleases your fancy.
-I eat two of these chocolate cubes a day for my purposes, but you eat what you like. :0)

I'm sharing this post at Healthy 2day Wednesdays, These Chicks Cooked Linky Party, Frugal Days - Sustainable Ways, Simple Lives Thursday, Real Food 101, Monday Mania, Traditional Tuesdays and Your Green Resource.