If you are anywhere near the Northeast, you've probably (hopefully!) heard of the impending Super Snowstorm.  They've even given it a name.  Nemo.  Somehow that name just doesn't conjure up images of driving snow that could bring down power and bury us all in 2 feet of snow. 


So while you are out there stocking up on the necessities, and the not-so-necessities, consider adding some of the ingredients for these yummy natural marshmallows to your list.  Snow days in my house = lots of snow play, lots of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and lots of board games.  Usually in that order, and usually repeated throughout the day. 

So in honor of dear Nemo, I've dug up this old post on how to make your own delicious, natural marshmallows.  Enjoy!

Originally from Snow Day!

We like to put our own herbal spin on things around here, so I thought I'd share a fun recipe to making real marshmallows.  Those air puffed, spongy white things don't contain any marshmallow at all, which is actually a very healing herb.  Marshmallow root is renowned for its abilities to sooth skin and heal inflammations in the body.  It's one of my go-to herbs for sore throats. 

Go on, I dare you try making these.  Super easy and SO delicious.

This recipe is adapted from Lesley Tierra's (2000): A Kid's Herb Book. 

Ingredients:
-2 eggs
-1/2 tsp Vanilla
-1/2 cup sugar
-2 tablespoons marshmallow root powder


-Preheat oven to 275 degrees F
-Separate 2 eggs, keeping the whites.  Beat whites until foamy and not quite stiff.
-Add in 1/2 tsp. Vanilla or other delicious flavoring
-Slowly beat in up to 1/2 cup (it's okay to use less!) sugar, 1 tsp at a time
-Beat in 2 tablespoons marshmallow root powder
-Drop mixture using teaspoonful at a time on a lined cookie sheet.
-Bake 1 hour
-Remove from sheet and let cool.  Yum!

*Refrigerate extras (if there is any) for several days

Be Well,
Kristin

 

Need an easy homemade gift idea? 

It doesn't get any easier than infused honey.  Delicious, creative, and powerful medicine.  Here's what we've been doing this week:

1. Start by filling a clean mason jar about 1/3 full of herbs of choice.  Be creative!
Here we chose a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, orange peel, cardamon, clove, allspice, and black pepper.
Mmmmm....warming digestive herbs.

We made another batch with lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm.  I feel more relaxed just thinking about a cup of tea with this to sweeten it.

2. Get a nice big jar of local honey.  Our 5 lb. jar here filled about 2 mason jars.

Still following me?  I know, it's complicated.

3. Pour honey over herbs until the jar is full.  Place in a sunny windowsill for about 2 weeks.  Strain and pour into pretty bottles. 

Be sure to save some for yourself. :)

Your sweet gift is sure to be a big hit.






Be Well!
Kristin

I'm so in love with the Rosemary growing in my yard right now, I decided to pull this post out of the archives.  This is one plant you NEED to know.  It's easygoing, always around when you need it, and willing to listen to all of your rantings and ravings.  Just like a good friend. :)

Whether you choose to put it in a pot or in the ground, it is almost guaranteed to get tall, bushy, and permeate your yard with its amazing scent.  Its scent is also great for keeping herb loving insects at bay, so may want to consider planting it around your garden as a natural insecticide.

Personally I use Rosemary almost every day in the kitchen, and also use it to make an herbal shampoo that smells divine!  Check out the stats of this old friend below and the recipe for the shampoo that follows.
 

Rosemary (Rosmarius officinalis)

Description:

Rosemary belongs to the Lamiaceae, or mint family, and have square stems, purple two-lipped flowers and abundant fragrance-bearing oil glands typical of many members of the mint family (HerbSociety of America, 2010).

Growing Tips:

Set out plants in the spring when the weather has warmed.
 
Plant in full sun, but in the warmer climates they will accept some light shade. They thrive in a light, well-drained, soil.  During the growing season, pinch back growth tips two or three inches to promote bushy plants; cut back hard only in early spring to allow the new growth time to mature (NGA, 2010).

Most rosemary varieties are reliably hardy to only 20°F; however, gardeners in cold-winter areas can successfully grow rosemary indoors in a container with a fast-draining potting soil. Bring the plants indoors at least several weeks before your area's first frost date. Feed the potted rosemary regularly with fish emulsion and provide good air circulation to ward off harmful mildew (NGA, 2010).

Parts Used: Leaves

Uses:

Rosemary is a great treatment for headaches.  It is also useful for indigestion, colic, nausea, gas, and fevers (Tierra, 1998).  It is also high in calcium and thus is a benefit to the entire nervous system, as well as having antibiotic properties.  Rosemary can also be used for the hair and scalp; use as a cooled strong tea as a rinse after shampoo (Tierra, 1998).   This herb is used in just about every type of culinary dish with fruit, eggs, salads, sauces and meat.

Rosemary Herbal Shampoo

8 oz water
3 oz Liquid Castille Soap
4 TBSP Rosemary Leaf
20-60 drops essential oil (optional)
1/4 tsp organic Jojoba or Olive oil (adjust as needed – use more for dry hair or may omit for oily hair)

Make an herbal infusion, or strong tea, by pouring boiling water over the herbs.  Cover, and allow them to steep for at least 4 hours. Strain the herbs out and pour the remaining liquid into a bottle, then adding the Castille soap and oils. Rosemary is good for any hair type.  It is also effective treatment for dry scalp, dandruff, dermatitis, and hair loss.

*This recipe is adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs (2011).

References:

Herb Society of America.org (2010) Herb Society of America Fact Sheet. Retrieved May 31, 2010 from www.herbsociety.org.

Mountain Rose Herbs (2011).  Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www.mountainroseherbs.com.

National Gardening Association.org (2010) Retrieved May 31, 2010 from http://www.garden.org

Tierra, M. (1998).  The Way of Herbs. New York, NY: Pocket Books.

If you live in the U.S., you know that this summer has been HOT!  The Northeast and the Midwest seem to have been especially hard hit the past month or so.  Typical forecast:  Hot. Humid. And no rain.  Can you hear my dog panting?

Since most of us in the Northeast don't have central air (or in my case, a window unit or A/C in the car), we have to use other strategies to cool down.  Yes, fans are my best friend right now and we have been practically living in the various swimming holes in the area.  Here's some other ways we have been keeping cool and keeping sane.

1. Peppermint Mist:
   Take a spray bottle and fill with water and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Shake vigorously, spray, and feel  
    refreshed!

2. Smoothies:
    If you read this blog regularly, you know just how much my family LOVES smoothies.  Any kind will do.  Feel free to  
    look up some of my past recipes.  Blend yogurt, frozen or fresh fruit, ice (optional), and any other herb or other
    flavoring you like.  Note:  These are heaven when eaten after harvesting large amounts of peas and strawberries.

3. Frozen Tea Pops
    One of my friends passed on the idea of freezing peppermint tea into Popsicles.  Genius!  I have since been
    experimenting with a wide variety of cooling herbs.  Lemon Balm, Chamomile, and Lavender have been my favorites
    so far.  You can mix in a little honey before pouring into Popsicle molds if you like.  Added bonus: Lemon balm helps
    hot grumpy kids turn into little angels again!

4. Eat Cooling Foods
    Cucumbers and Watermelon cool me all the way down to my toes.  I can literally feel the sensation.  Find those foods
    that do that for you.  Yogurt? Melons? Citrus?  Try them all.  And under no circumstances are you allowed to turn on
    the oven.

5. Siesta!
      That's right.  Take a nap.  And that's an order.  During the hottest part of the day, put a peppermint or lavender tea
      soaked frozen washcloth on your forehead and lay down.  I know it's not always practical (I do have 2 little ones),
      but even if it is for 2 minutes, it gives your body a chance to recharge and cool down.

Rain is on the way for us.  Hooray!  Look for me, dancing around in it.

~Kristin

The kids have Spring Break this week, and the beautiful weather has had us out and about quite a bit.  Muddy hikes, blowing bubbles in the grass with the neighbors, and even sandy beach fun at the ocean have kept us busy.  Technically it's only the second day!  All this gallivanting around has given me a rude awakening one byproduct of such fun.  Disgusting floors!  Yup, it's time to hit the wood and tile.  Here's some recipes to make the job a little easier.

Lemon-Scented Wood Floor Cleaner and Polish


1 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tsp lemon essential oil

Mix ingredients together well, and apply with mop or sponge.  This combination even makes small scratches seem to disappear.  It's magic!


Cedar-Scented Kitchen Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 tsp cedar essential oil (Pine also smells great and acts as a disinfectant)

Mix ingredients well, and apply with mop or sponge.  For tough stains, try mixing a few tablespoons of  washing soda into the mix and apply.  Voila!  Floors you can eat off. And believe me, my children will.


Carpet Freshener

5-10 drops of essential oil of choice (Lavender, Rose, Peppermint are all yummy)
5 cups baking soda

Mix well.  Sprinkle on freshly vacuumed carpet and let sit overnight.  Avoid stepping on mixture during treatment.  Vacuum up and inhale deeply!

So don't be scared of the spring and summer fun! You are now armed with all you need to know on how to do damage control after a few days of outdoor adventure.  

Get Messy!

~Kristin Henningsen M.S., R.Y.T.

The beautiful sunshine today (and large cup of dark coffee) has inspired me to do some major washing.  The best part of washing all those blankets, rugs, and even curtains is being able to hang them up on the line.  There are few things in this world that beat the smell of line-dried sheets, especially when washed with chemical free detergent.  Unfortunately natural laundry detergents can be pricey!  Here's a few recipes for easy to make, affordable laundry detergent that will leave your wallet and your skin feeling happy.


Lemon Scented Laundry Powder

1/2-4 tablespoons essential oil (Rosemary, Lavender, Orange, and Tea Tree also work great)
1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar soap

1. Mix oil and borax thoroughly by hand.  A blender also works great, but the oil will
     leave a residue that is hard to clean.
2. Use a grater and shave the bar of soap (I like Dr. Bronners) into fine pieces.
3. Mix above two ingredients with washing soda (available in grocery stores) Note:   
    This is different from Baking Soda!
4. Store in air-tight containers, and use 1-2 tablespoons per load.


Rosemary Stain Pretreatment

1/2-4 tablespoons Rosemary Essential Oil
1 cup dishwashing liquid

1. Combine essential oil with dishwashing liquid in spray bottle
2. Apply to stains on damp fabric and scrub gently.  Allow to set for 20 minutes, then  
    wash in cold water.

*This works great on a number of different stains.  Be sure to use cold water, as hot water sets stains.


Happy washing!

~Kristin Henningsen, M.S., R.Y.T.

*This 3 part series was originally published with the Center for Health and Wellness.  Find them here  http://www.kaplanhealthwellness.blogspot.com/


It's started.  My usual spring-cleaning assault on all the dirt, grime, and germs that always seem to take over my house in the winter time.  I'm coming for YOU dirty floors!  Perhaps it's the sunshine (and subsequent Vitamin D) that gives us the energy to freshen up our homes in the Spring.  Maybe it's that awakening we tend to feel as we come out of hibernation, and we finally see some of the dirt and clutter we've been overlooking for months.  It doesn't matter.  If you are feeling the urge to open the windows and put the sheets on the line, then go for it!  Because the temporary inspiration for spring freshness tends to wither with the daffodils.

This week I will be sharing with you some of my favorite natural cleansers out there.  They are inexpensive, easy to make, and actually work.  And you get to have some creative license in your formulas.

 Let's start in my least favorite place to clean. The bathroom.   I do have a 4 year old!  Here it is crucial to have some antibacterial and deep cleaning formulas.

Gentle Scouring Powder

1.5 Cups Baking Soda
4.5 tsp's  Essential Oil Lavender & Rosemary
*Other EO's to try are peppermint, tea tree, or eucalyptus.  Experiment!

Combine essential oil and baking soda and apply with sponge or scrubber pad. 


Herbal Window/Mirror Wash

3 cups water
1/3 cup Herbal Vinegar (see Below for Recipe)

Mix herbal vinegar and water and pour into spray bottle.  Shake well, spray, and polish with clean, dry cloth.

Herbal Vinegar

2 cups dried herb
3.5 cups vinegar

1.Place herbs (Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, or Yarrow are good for cleansers) in clean jar
2.Fill the jar with vinegar, making sure all the herbs are covered.
3.Tighten lid and shake the jar
4.Store in cool, dark, place for at least 2 weeks, shaking occasionally
5.Strain and label.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1/2 cup Gentle Scouring Powder
Herbal Vinegar

Sprinkle powder into toilet.
Spray with vinegar to make a bubbling paste, and use brush to scour.
You can also leave the scouring powder in overnight for deep cleaning.

Whew!  Tired yet?  Clean bathroom today, clean ---- tomorrow?  We'll see what kind of inspiration strikes!