Tools for Natural Living

Lemon Balm & Orange Body Oil Lemon Balm imparts a refreshing scent that boosts mood and energy, qualities that are enhanced with the addition of citrus. Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried organic lemon balm 1 tablespoon dried orange peel 1/2 cup sweet almond oil 6-8 drops sweet orange essential oil Directions Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and carefully warm over low heat, taking care not to allow the mixture to reach a boil. When heated through, remove pa

DIY Lavender Dryer Sheets This alternative to chemical-laden, store-bought dryer sheets that end up at the landfill couldn't be easier to make or use -- and reuse! Making these also presents an opportunity to finally give new life and purpose to that basket or box of fabric scraps that have been hanging around for some time. Tip: The best fabric choice for dryer sheets is flannel. You'll also need a suitable container with a tight-fitting lid to store the moist "sheets" in.

So-called because the chia seed does most of the “cooking” for you in the refrigerator while you repose overnight (or for a few hours, at least). You can use (chopped) strawberries, blueberries or another berry to make this jam but keep in mind that different fruits will release varying amount of juice, so you may have to increase the amount of chia a bit to get the perfect “jammy” consistency. No worries; this is pretty much a no-fail thing, no matter what. Ingredients 1 pou

Chia seed is harvested from Salvia hispanica, a variety of sage in the mint family that’s native to Mexico and South America.

Serve a plate of these old-fashioned treats with tall glasses of iced herbal tea at your next garden party. 3 sticks unsalted butter 2/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons organic dried lavender flowers 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup cornstarch ¼ teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 325’ F. 1. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl. 2. Stir in the lavender, flour, cornstarch and salt. 3. Divide dough in half. With palms, press each half into a square. Wrap each in p

Honey & Ginger Scrub Honey is not only a perfect food that never goes rancid, but it's also nature's best moisturizer. When applied to the skin, honey acts like a humectant to attract and retain moisture and improve elasticity. The liquid gold also exerts antimicrobial properties to promote the healing of damaged skin and is a natural sunscreen that helps to prevent premature aging, which is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. These benefits are due to the mann

Olive (Olea europaea) is a small, evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean, where the fruit and leaf have been used as food and medicine for centuries. While the fruit yields a culinary oil that is rich in monounsaturated fats, olive leaf has demonstrated antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and may offer protection against cardiovascular and neurological diseases. One of the primary constituents in olive leaf is oleuropein, a phenolic compound that

Green Tea Ice Cream This recipe calls for Matcha (maccha), a high-quality grade of green tea with a long history of use as a ceremonial tea in China. In the late 12th century, Zen Buddhists introduced the tea to Japan, where it remains central to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony today. Matcha is obtained by depriving tea plants (Camellia sinensis) of sunlight a few weeks before harvesting, which stimulates an increased production of L-theanine, a water-soluble amino a

Mango butter is obtained by pressing the seed kernels of the tropical mango tree. Because this substance is high in stearic acid and other fatty acids, it has excellent moisturizing properties and is used to make soap and other cosmetics. Combined here with sweet orange essential oil and whipped into a luxurious, creamy consistency, this body butter is refreshing to the senses and soothing to skin. Ingredients 1/2 cup organic mango butter 1/2 cup of organic cocoa butter

Curried Brown Rice & Lentils The warm fragrance of this dish will have noses wiggling and tongues wagging when everyone asks "what's cooking?" You'll be relaxing with a glass of wine on the deck or your family room couch because this meal takes just minutes to put together and it finishes itself in the oven. Serve as a meatless meal over a bed of spinach or mixed greens, or serve as a side with grilled meat or fish. Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup brown basmati ri