Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Examining the Toolbox or "Junk Drawer" ~ Odds and Ends Series


"Seventh. Have in a box a hammer, tacks, pincers, gimlets, nails, screws, screw-driver, small saw, and two sizes of chisels for emergencies when no regular workman is at hand. Also be prepared to set glass. Every lady should be able in emergency to do such jobs herself."
~ Catharine Beecher & Harriet Stowe, The New Housekeeper's Manual, 1873

Alas, the final installment of steps in our Victorian Era tribute to the "Odds and Ends" Monthly Home Maintenance Series. Today we are examining the homemaker's "toolbox". I do hope the Beecher sisters forgive me as I take some liberties with their idea and also include a look into the modern day  "junk drawer" (which may house similar items)! You see, hubby keeps our garage well stocked with all kinds of tools so a few in our small home is all that is necessary. However, we will delve into this topic and see how it can apply to us today. But before I move on, I will admit that I can not "set glass" though I can set a pretty table!


What the Beecher sisters recommend is basically maintaining a home repair kit. If you do not have a handy husband with a stocked garage, you may consider storing a tool kit of some sort in your home. They even sell pink ones! Such items might include a hammer, screwdriver (Phillips and flathead), adjustable wrench, utility knife, pliers, tape measure, nails, screws, scissors, etc.


For those of you who own a "junk drawer", now would be the time to clean it out. Remove all the items and throw away anything you no longer need (like scraps of paper, weird unidentifiable objects and so forth). Wipe out the draw and apply pretty shelf paper to make it nice and neat. Inserting an organizer tray (like shown in pictures) may also be helpful to maintain order. 


Since drawer space is minimal in our home, we keep a small utensil caddy on a shelf which acts as both mini tool box and "junk drawer". This stores our handy homemaking basics such as a hobby hammer, 7-head screwdriver tool (which I love!), glue to fix minor household items, measuring tape, packing tape, regular tape, pens, markers, highlighters, tape measure, small flashlight and a few other odds and ends. These items keep our home running smoothly for the most part. Repairs which require "more involved" tools are done by my dear husband.


Odds and Ends Challenge: If you have these items spread all over the house, perhaps it would be a good time to corral them into one convenience location. Whether it be a "junk drawer", toolbox or a handy homemaking station like ours, it does help to have everything in its place!

"A housekeeper who will have a regular time for attending to these particulars will find her whole family machinery moving easily and well; but one who does not, will constantly be finding something out of joint, and an unquiet, secret apprehension of duties left undone or forgotten, which no other method will so effectually remove."
~ Catharine Beecher & Harriet Stowe, The New Housekeeper's Manual, 1873


This final installment will be proceeded by a printable of a complete step-by-step instructional checklist to aid you in doing your own "Odds and Ends" Monthly Home Maintenance. Here is what we have accomplished thus far in our Series (note that some steps were placed together and altered to make for modern day needs):


Are you ready to begin your monthly home maintenance?


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Friday, January 29, 2016

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Muffins {Grain Free} ~ Printable Recipe


"With such rivals for the notice of the fair as Mr. Wickham and the officers, Mr. Collins seemed to sink into insignificance... but he had still at intervals a kind listener in Mrs. Phillips, and was by her watchfulness, most abundantly supplied with coffee and muffin."
~ Jane Austen, Pride & Prejudice

I never thought I would ever be sharing a grain-free muffin recipe. But with all these new allergies that are presenting themselves, we have done a lot of experimenting in the kitchen lately! These muffins are a nice, satisfying sweet snack, without giving you that heavy feeling. Perhaps you are searching for new ways to eat and could use a recipe like this also?


They may even be acceptable for breakfast with a large glass of cold, raw milk.  They are quite low in sugar too. Just 1/4 of a cup for 16 muffins! The banana puree helps out with the sweetening.


Ingredients ~
  • 2 cups peanut butter
  • heaping 1 cup mashed bananas (overripe preferred)
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • ½ tsp. sea salt
  • ¼ cup raw sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2/3 cup dark chocolate chunks, plus some extra if you like

To Make ~

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 16 muffin cups with cupcake liners.

Put the peanut butter, bananas, eggs, vanilla extract, sea salt, and raw sugar in a food processor. Place the baking soda on the top and pour the apple cider vinegar on top of it to create a chemical fizz reaction. Next, puree until smooth and creamy. Lastly, add the dark chocolate chunks. Using a spoon – not the food processor – mix the chunks into the batter. Fill the cupcake liners up nearly to the brim with mixture; there should be the 16 muffins in total. If desired, add some extra dark chocolate chunks on top of each muffin. Bake for 17 – 20 minutes, until puffy, and until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If the toothpick penetrates chocolate, select a different spot.

Note: These muffins freeze well.


I invite you to a plate and a butter-knife and a large slab of creamy butter! You are also welcome to the printable recipe which is shared here! 
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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Make Your Own Healthy Smoothie Station ~ Printable Labels


"I can recollect nothing more to say at present;
perhaps breakfast may assist my ideas..."
~ Jane Austen {in a Letter}

If you haven't realized this yet, everything becomes a celebration in the home when you enjoy being a keeper of the home. Things like making a simple breakfast is taken to the next level by one simple change. For instance, when my mother gifted us with a wonderful Nutribullet blender, our whole family had a renewed excitement toward our morning smoothies. The next thing you know, our extra jars were brought out, a special area was created and a smoothie station was born! My husband walked by laughing and said he was surprised I didn't label the jars. I just smiled as I was proud that he understood me, but also because he didn't give me enough credit. They were sitting in the printer tray.


The reasons we like smoothies for breakfast is, less mess in the morning, less thinking on what to make (and we are able to begin our homeschool schedule on time), they are a simple way to include all those nutrients (and raw foods) that we may be lacking in our "normal" meals (more on this later) and finally, they are just plain tasty!


Here is a quick summary for those that are new to healthy, morning smoothies:

~ Start with a liquid "base" of choice such as raw milk, coconut milk, coconut water, yogurt or kefir.

~ Add in some frozen fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, raspberries, peaches, bananas, etc. (basically any fruit that your family enjoys). We flash freeze these fruits individually on cookie sheets and dump them into containers when they are in season but you can also purchase them frozen for convenience year round. I would encourage you to make it a point to freeze a tray of banana chunks each week. They are really helpful to improve favor and keep you full. They also give a real creamy consistency to the smoothie.

~ Add in some vegetables if you like! This is a great way to get down those greens such as a collard greens, kale, spinach and swiss chard!

~ Add in a natural sweetener (if you choose to) like raw honey, maple syrup or half of a banana (which is what we do).


~ And lastly, add in some "boosters"! This is the fun (and ultra health punch) part and where our labels come in! I will share some benefits for each of these ingredients and you can use what would be helpful for your family members. We end up putting in approx. 1/4 of a cup worth of "boosters" in one tall 16 oz. glass. Some options are:



  • almonds ~ rich in monounsaturated fats (reduces risk of heart disease), magnesium and potassium.
  • cocoa nibs ~ (this is the raw cocoa bean, unprocessed and without sugar) rich in magnesium, antioxidants, brain stimulating chemicals, helps body absorb calcium, fight disease, stabilize moods. Cacoa is high in magnesium (I once read that 80% of children are magnesium deficient. What is interesting is that a lack of it can hinder concentration and focus (think "ADD" here...). Once I began supplementing magnesium in our diets many moons ago, I noticed the attention span in our homeschool increased!) Also helpful for restless legs, and much, much more!
  • cocoa powder ~ (this is the real cocoa bean powered, unprocessed and without sugar) same as above.
  • cashews ~ rich in monounsaturated fats (reduces risk of heart disease). Contains 31% of the daily recommended value for copper, along with 23% for manganese, 20% for magnesium and 17% for phosphorus, add to that 12% of the daily recommended value for vitamin K (source).
  • chia seeds ~ high in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, good source of iron, calcium, zinc, high fiber content which helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Think of chia and flax as brain food. Many children are not getting these important omega's because of the unhealthy fast food lifestyle and this can affect brain development! Adding a few teaspoons in your children's (and your) smoothies will be such a blessing! 
  • flax seeds ~ omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, lowers cholesterol and strengthens the bones.
  • goji berries ~ contains 21 trace minerals, 18 amino acids and richest known food source of carotenoids, rich source of vitamin C, is said to slow the aging process (not sure how that works though!), boosts brain cell counts, vitamin A which boosts immune response and eye health, prevents heart disease. 
  • green powder ~ (food supplements made from a combination of vegetable "greens") rich in vitamins, high in antioxidants, minerals including potassium, calcium and magnesium and other plant nutrients that can help promote overall good health and prevent cancer (source).
  • maca powder ~ contains 8 of the 9 essential amino acids, fiber, vitamins E and C, calcium, potassium, iron, immune boosting compounds, energy boosting and libido enhancing. Used for “tired blood” (anemia); chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and enhancing energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory, and fertility. Women use maca for female hormone imbalance, menstrual problems, and symptoms of menopause (source).
  • oatmeal ~ high in fiber (makes you feel full so good addition for those who desire weight loss), lowers heart disease risk and LDL cholesterol.
  • pumpkin seeds ~ lowers LDL cholesterol, strengthens bones and immune system, decreases the risk of certain cancers, high zinc content (great for men as it helps prevent prostate cancer), great source of protein and iron.
  • sesame seeds ~ lowers LDL cholesterol,  prevents high blood pressure, protects body from liver damage, good source of calcium, anti-inflammatory properties.
  • sunflower seeds ~ lowers LDL cholesterol, contains vitamin E (which prevents heart disease, relieves arthritis and asthma symptons), selenium which activates the DNA repair in damaged cells, kills cancer cells and detoxifies the liver.

There are so many options with these nutritional ingredients. I encourage you to be creative at your smoothie station! If you are interested in using our "booster" labels, you will find the printable HERE. I have found it helpful to cover the label with a piece of packing tape or clear contact paper to keep them in nice condition. There are also some blank labels for you to fill in your own foods.


"The kitchen (that is, your stomach) being out of order, the garret (the head) cannot be right, and every room in the house becomes affected. Remedy the evil in the kitchen, and all will be right in parlor and chamber. If you put improper food into the stomach, you play the mischief with it, and with the whole machine besides."
~ John Abernethy (1764-1831)

We have attempted to "jump start" the new year with a few health inspired posts this month. I hope they were helpful for those of you whose desire is to apply the golden concept of "prevention" in their lives. 

For Further Reading:

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Roses of Inspiration, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these. Note: Some of the nutritional information was gleaned from the Nutribullet pocket guide.

Disclaimer: 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.

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Thursday, January 21, 2016

How to Make an Herbal Liquid Multi-Vitamin Tincture {DIY}


"And there are cases, when, according to the views of the most distinguished and competent practitioners, physicians themselves are much too free in using medicines, instead of adopting preventive measures."
~ Catharine Esther Beecher, A Treatise on Domestic Economy, 1845

A more healthier, herbalier new year! I am not sure if herbalier is a word but felt it should be. As I had mentioned in earlier writings, I like the idea of herbs and foods being the source of vitamins and minerals for our bodies instead of relying on synthetic pills (isn't this the way God originally intended it?). While I do try and drink my homemaker's tea for the nourishment it provides, sometimes, as a busy homemaker, homeschooler and homesteader, there is just no time for tea! This is when a few dropperfuls of a liquid herbal vitamin would come to the rescue! We will try and simplify the process for you here (and it is simple!).


The first thing you will need to do is choose your herbs. We ended up preparing a women's multi-vitamin blend and a children's blend of herbal multi-vitamins. Each of us have different needs in certain areas and the same needs in others. I am including the recipe I used for the woman's vitamin mix and you can alter it according to your purposes. I am also including a link to the recipe I used for the children's vitamins (which the website has since deleted unfortunately!). These glycerin based tinctures are infused inside a warm crock pot so I encourage you to make as many jars as will fit in order to make it productive. We were able to fit four quart jars in ours so we prepared two jars of each. Make sure to label them so you do not get confused if you do two different kinds at once.


Naturally, the rose hip (our current highlighted herb), full of vitamin-C is one of the base ingredients in both of these herbal vitamins. To make it easy, I used the nutritive blend of herbs from our homemaker's tea as the base for this recipe and then added additional herbs that I felt would be personally useful for the properties they contain. However, I encourage you to do your own research and add your own customized herbs to the "base" (homemaker's tea recipe) that will be beneficial to your health.


Women's Herbal Nourishing Multi-Vitamin Blend
  • 1 c. homemaker's helper herbal tea blend (the nutritive blend shared here) *
  • 2. tbsp. rose hips (for the vitamin C, etc.)
  • 2 tbsp. alfalfa leaf (for the iron, 8 essential amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamin A and K, etc.)
  • 2. tbsp. ginkgo biloba (for the memory help, anti-aging benefits, etc.)
  • 2 tbsp. dandelion (leaf and root) (for the blood purifying benefits, liver cleansing, calcium, etc.)
Children's Herbal Multi-Vitamin Blend
  • The herb combination I used for the children's vitamin blend is no longer on the website I used (but shares some of the same herbs I listed for us women). You can prepare this tincture the same way we do with the women's blend but use a different dosage for the administration.
* Note: If you already have the ingredients for the homemaker's tea blend and can't afford additional herbs right now, you can always use 1 1/2 cups of the blend for a wonderful women's nutritive vitamin. Or, if you have everything but a few herbs, just skip them this time if your budget prohibits it, something is better than nothing!


To begin, add chosen herbs to your clean quart jars. Do not pack down the herbs and do not exceed the half-way point on the jar. We need to make sure there is plenty of room for the right proportion of glycerin to "preserve" the tincture with a 2 year shelf life. Pour hot water over herbs until just damp (and trying again to not exceed the half-way point on the jar). Let this mixture sit for 30 minutes to break down the herbs.


When time has elapsed, fill up the remaining of each jar with food-grade glycerin (leaving 1 inch head space from the top). Cap jars and shake until well blended.


Place an old wash-cloth or rag at the bottom of your slow cooker to line it so the jars do not break. Place jars inside and add just enough water to cover the jars about ¾ of the way up (making sure the water does not cover the lids). Place cover on your slow cooker and put it on the warmest setting for 3 days. I have a "warm setting" on my crock pot that I used.  Also, our lid did not fit completely over the jars, there was a little gap as the jars were a bit tall for the crock pot but it didn't hinder the process at all. One last thing is to keep an eye on the water level in the next 3 days in the slow cooker to see if it requires a bit of a refill to maintain the proper level.


When the 3 days are complete and the liquid has cooled, simply strain your tinctures through a sieve/strainer lined with a clean lightweight dish towel or cloth. You will want to squeeze out every last nourishing drop! Make sure you label your multi-vitamin tincture with the contents and date. It should last for 2-3 years in your pantry. The suggested dose for the women's multi-vitamin would be approx. 1 tbsp., 1-3 times a day while the author of the children's tincture shares the dosage on her tutorial.



Lastly, please understand, I am not saying that all your vitamin and mineral needs are met for the day when using this herbal liquid. It is simply an all natural supplement to the vitamin-filled food we should already be eating. And it is a less expensive way to nourish your family as quality herbal whole-foods vitamins come with a large price tag! Although the initial investment of the herbs may be a bit pricey, they will make many tinctures and teas. To make it more affordable, the Bulk Herb Store sells in 1/2 lb. bags.

{For more make-your-own herbal recipes, please visit our Home Apothecary Series.}
For further reading and some of my sources of information, visit:
Herbal Vitamin and Mineral Tincture by Keepers of the Home
Liquid Multi-Vitamin Tincture by Wellness Mama
Children's Multi-Vitamin Tincture by Bulk Herb Store (NO LONGER ON WEBSITE)

Disclaimer #1: 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 Guide, Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, Grow 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).

Disclaimer #2: 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.


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