Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Homemaking Inspiration ~ Gift Giving Ideas ~ Kelsey's Corner


I love to see the variety in ideas and style that blossom from another homemaker's ideas (which in turn creates more inspiration for the original sharer!). Today I wanted to include some homemaking inspiration from Kelsey. She used our tutorials to make some lovely gifts while implementing her own creative twists. The results are quite lovely. Commentary from Kelsey is also included for your viewing pleasure :)


"One picture shows the un-paper towels, which I am going to use for cleaning cloths. I cheated and sewed them wrong sides together and used pinking shears on the edges. Inspired by your latest bathroom post, I also made room spray and toilet cleaning fizzies for the bathroom and decorated them with the labels you provided."


"The other picture is of burp cloths I made for a friend's new baby following your tutorial! I love how they turned out, and with these in mind I stocked up when flannel was on sale so that I can make some to use with my baby :)"


"Here are a couple pictures of the wedding gift I made. I am so pleased with how it turned out and I had so much fun making and smelling everything! The newlywed couple plans on having a lot of blue throughout their home so I went with that. The things wrapped in white paper are the rubber gloves and sponges. I included instructions for using the products as well."


Thank you for sharing with us Kelsey! Your homemaking supplies and gifts are just lovely! Your wrapping is beautiful! You have left me with some great ideas and I think others will appreciate them too!

“Help one another is part of the religion of our sisterhood.”
~ Louisa May Alcott

All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsGood Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Tuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link Up and Create, Bake, Grow & Gather. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).
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Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Zucchini Crazy Cake (No Butter, Eggs, Milk or Mess) ~ Inspired by the Depression Era Recipe (aka Wacky Cake) w/ GF Option


"The trouble is, you cannot grow just one zucchini. Minutes after you plant a single seed, hundreds of zucchini will barge out of the ground and sprawl around the garden, menacing the other vegetables. At night, you will be able to hear the ground quake as more and more zucchinis erupt."
~ David Barry, Comedian

(Note: I am not familiar with this comedian and hope he isn't an offensive one but his analysis of zucchini rings quite true!)

You didn't think I would let the summer go by without another zucchini recipe for your arsenal? I feel it is my divine homemaker's duty to pass one along each season. Ever since the year of the 38 plants, I have felt the need to stay prepared. As you already know the bonuses of the crazy cake by now (i.e., carrot crazy cake, banana crazy cake), I will simply leave you with this recipe entry for July. I suppose I could have named this "kermit" cake or "green" cake for all the environmentalists but being I am a traditionalist, let's just dub it zucchini crazy cake and call it a day! The printable version is found at the bottom of the post.



Dry Ingredients: 
  • 1 1/2 c. + 2 tbsp. flour  (all purpose or gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1 c. white sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. baking soda (use 1 1/2 tsp. is using gluten-free flour blend)
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg 
Wet Ingredients:
  • 5 tbsp. vegetable oil (we use sunflower)
  • 1 tsp. white vinegar (use apple cider vinegar for gluten-free version)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 c. water
  • 1 1/2 c. shredded zucchini

(1 - 2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 by 8 inch square baking pan. Measure out and mix all the dry ingredients together in your prepared baking pan.

(3) Make three wells in the baking pan (making sure one is large enough to contain the oil).

(4) Pour the oil into the largest well and the vinegar and vanilla separately into the other impressions. 

(5) Pour water over all the contents, add the shredded zucchini and carefully mix your ingredients until combined and smooth. 

(6) Bake for 35 - 40 minutes (it is finished when a toothpick inserted inside the center comes out clean). Cool on wire rack. 


Once it is completely cooled, you may frost it. Recipe can be doubled – just use a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. You will find our printable recipe HERE! Happy homemaking!
All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsGood Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Tuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link Up and Create, Bake, Grow & Gather. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).
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Wednesday, July 5, 2017

How to Make Peppermint Medicine ~ Home Apothecary Series


"Peppermint is one of humanity’s favorite and most uplifting flavors. It is carminative and anti-spasmodic, having a relaxing effect on the muscles of the digestive system; it combats flatulence and stimulates bile and the flow of digestive juices. It is carminative, diaphoretic, and anti-emetic. As a mild anesthetic to the stomach lining, it often allays feelings of nausea. It is nervine, and anti-microbial. This plant (combined with Elder and Yarrow) is a traditional treatment for fevers, colds, and influenza and thereby has saved countless lives throughout the ages."


Peppermint, which is a hybrid mint (a cross between watermint and spearmint), is what I would call a "pretty" herb! It is pretty refreshing, pretty tasteful, pretty medicinal and pretty much a plant that you can do many wonderful things with in your home. It is considered a nervine stimulant but in an nourishing way for your body instead of a depleting way like coffee and sugars. According to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, "they activate the nerve endings by increasing circulation, providing nutrients, and increasing vitality and zest. They neither provoke the system nor agitate it".  Though commonly known as a digestion aid, it is also helpful for easing nausea, flatulence, stomach cramps, clearing sinuses, headaches and for freshening breath. Yes, peppermint is a pretty amazing herb! And while peppermint oil can be used to treat these same concerns, this post is focused on sharing recipes which use the actual herb.

"The popularity of peppermint is based on its volatile oil, which contains an abundance of menthol, a time-honored and clinically proven aid to digestion. Menthol is also a mild antispasmodic which makes it useful for relieving menstrual cramps and nausea. It is also a mild vasodilator, creating a warm or flushed feeling by stimulating circulation."
~ Mark Pedersen, Nutritional Herbology



DIY Peppermint Extract (aka Tincture)

This tincture can be used as a culinary mint extract in the kitchen, to aid digestion, relieve gas and heartburn, reduce colic and cramps, relieve nausea and vomiting and help to calm upset stomachs. The average recommendation for adults is 10 - 15 drops (or 1 - 2 dropperfuls) of peppermint tincture to water or warm tea and to drink the dosage 3 - 4 times per day (as needed). You will find the easy recipe here!



DIY "Pick Me Up" Tincture

With this trio of herbs and honey, your body will receive many of the vitamin and minerals that have been zapped from stress and will revitalize and refresh you! Another bonus is that peppermint is a digestive aid and will help with any sluggishness you suffer because of poor digestion (thus providing you with more energy!). You will find our recipe here!



DIY Peppermint Infused Muscle Strain Medicinal Massage Oil

When those muscles start to ache and tense up, massage in this medicinal oil for some therapeutic relaxation and herbal relief. You will find the simple recipe here!


DIY Breathe Better Vapor Rub

You can prepare a vapor rub with peppermint leaves and a few other useful herbs that aid in congestion. Our frugal recipe for the pictured "Breathe Better Vapor Rub" is found in our Ebook here. For the version which utilizes peppermint essential oil, visit here


DIY Peppermint Herbal Honey

For a fun and medicinal food to add to your pantry, infuse raw honey with peppermint and use like you would any "normal" honey (while gleaning the herbal benefits described in this article!). This honey can also be used to sooth burns (honey acts as a healer and protective guard while the peppermint will cool and relieve the pain). To prepare it, simply use dried peppermint in place of the herb found in this recipe.



Peppermint Tea/Tisane

Peppermint makes a tasty and nourishing daily tea which provides an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium and much more! It can also be used to heal your body from cold and flus. Drink the tea before and after meals to help prevent heartburn and aid in digestion. It can be used to treat IBS symptoms as well. In addition, the flavor of peppermint will also enhance other undesirable tea blends so feel free to add this herb for its culinary abilities.

Tea/Tisane Blend Ideas:
  • Headache Tea: equals parts of chamomile and peppermint
  • Wake Me Up Tea: equal parts of green tea and peppermint
  • Tummy Tea: equal parts of chamomile, dill leaf/seed and peppermint


Nourishing Female Tea Blend

Tea blends are a soothing way to feed your body the vitamins and minerals it needs. The peppermint in this blend acts as a stimulant; increases circulation, provide nutrients and increases vitality -- something many of us ladies desire! You will find the recipe here! You will also find more tea blend ideas with peppermint here.



Peppermint Tub Tea

Prepare a tub of peppermint tea and soak in the stimulating bath blend! You can hang a bath bag filled with the leaves under the running hot water to infuse the tub water. You can add a handful of peppermint into the tub and soak directly. You can also heat up a kettle of water, pour the herb in a large heatproof bowl, let steep for 30 minutes, and then strain the “tea” into the prepared tub. For an invigorating blend to boost circulation and ease sore muscles, consider mixing peppermint together with lemon peel, rosemary and/or ground ginger. 

Herbal Steam Nasal Congestion Treatment

Place approximately 3 tbsp. of fresh mint leaves (or 2 tbsp. dried) in a bowl filled with boiling hot water. Let cool slightly and place a towel over your head and the bowl and inhale for a few minutes to relieve nasal congestion. Be careful not to scald yourself in the process.


Peppermint Link Up ~ Care to Share?

Do you have any recipes or information on peppermint usage? We would love for you to share with us! Please join our all about peppermint link up which will be coming soon! It will be open until the end of this summer (September 2016) in order to give you the opportunity to share all you have on this amazing herb! Stay tuned!

This article is a part of our Create Your Own Home Pharmacy Series.



Disclaimer: I am not a certified herbalist but a homemaker interested in the arts of natural healing. The information I have learned has been gleaned through study of some of the following favorite books; Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's GuideGrow Your Own Drugs by James Wong, and The Complete Illustrated Book of Herbs by Reader's Digest and websites of herbalists (such as the Bulk Herb Store Blog).

I am not a doctor. While I do seek scientific confirmation of the safety and effectiveness of the herbs and remedies I use, remember that using remedies is a personal decision. Nothing I say on this blog is approved by the FDA or intended to diagnose, treat or prevent disease. All things on this blog are my opinion or the opinion of others. Also, if you have a medical condition, are taking pharmaceutical drugs, or are pregnant, please consult your physician prior to taking herbs.

All the fine print. This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making MondaysModest Mom Monday'sMonday's MusingsGood Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Tuesdays with a TwistRaising HomemakersWise Woman Link UpHomestead Blog Hop Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and ConversationHomemaking ThursdaysHome Sweet HomeOur Simple HomesteadAwesome Life Friday Link Up and Create, Bake, Grow & Gather. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. This post may contain affiliate links (which are merchant links that help to support this site at no additional cost to you if you purchase an item through them).