The peppery flavor of arugula is mellowed with sweet mandarin segments and the slightly bitter, nutty crunch of toasted almonds, topped with a sweet and tangy dressing. Ingredients For the Salad: 4 cups arugula 1 small red onion, sliced thin 15-ounce can mandarin orange segments, drained ½ cup sliced almonds For the Dressing: 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons orange juice 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds to the pan and toast, stirring often, just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; set aside. Assemble the salad ingredients in a large bowl, starting with the arugula. Layer the s
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiac), also known as lion’s ear, lion’s tail and throw-wort, is a perennial plant that is native to Europe, Central Asia, Russia and Scandinavia. With hairy, palm-shaped, toothed leaves and tall, reddish stems that support clusters of delicate, lipped, pink-to-purple blossoms, it is an attractive plant grown in ornamental gardens as well as in medicinal herb gardens. Of course, as a member of the mint family, the herb can easily escape cultivation. In fact, after its introduction in the 19th century, motherwort is now naturalized in North America, where it is commonly found in wayside places. The genus name for motherwort, Leonuris, means “lion heart” in Latin and is
This tangy vinaigrette is the perfect finish for a salad of greens or to splash over grilled asparagus or other veggies. It can also be used as a marinade. Ingredients ¼ cup balsamic vinegar ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons raw, local honey 1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped) 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon fine sea salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with a shaker top lid and store in the refrigerator. Shake before each use.
The scent of this summery lip balm will remind you of the creamy orange-flavored pops you enjoyed as a kid. But try not to eat it! Ingredients ¼ cup organic sweet almond oil 4 teaspoons beeswax pastilles (or grated beeswax) 15 drops organic sweet orange essential oil ½ teaspoon organic vanilla extract Directions Combine the almond oil and beeswax in the top of a double boiler. Gently heat the mixture until the beeswax is completely melted. Turn off the heat and stir in the essential oil and vanilla extract. Immediately pour into clean tins. Let cool for several hours or overnight. Cap and label and store in a cool place. Get the ingredients and containers to make this ...
Making your own ketchup is very satisfying, not only because the flavor is fresher and deeper but also because it gets that way with far less sugar and salt and no preservatives or artificial flavors. If using homegrown tomatoes instead of canned crushed tomatoes, core and quarter them and then simmer them in a heavy saucepan until thickened (about 30 to 45 minutes). Put through a strainer and then proceed with the following recipe. Ingredients 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (or 12-15 medium tomatoes) 1 small yellow onion, chopped ½ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup light agave syrup 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped 1 teaspoon celery salt 1 clove garlic ½ teaspoon freshly gro
Smudging is a traditional Native American practice that is used to create sacred space and to spiritually cleanse objects, people and places. It involves directing the smoke of a burning smudge stick, which is constructed of one or more herbs, while invoking a blessing or a purification. The traditional method also calls upon the four cardinal directions to assist, starting in the East where new life emerges, proceeding South and West where spiritual and emotional growth take place, and ending in the North, where ancestral wisdom and the afterlife reside. The Sacred Hoop, later dubbed “Medicine Wheel” by 19th century European settlers, depicts a circle with spokes, like a wheel. Because it h
Basil is one of the best loved and most commonly cultivated herbs of summer. She lends sweet, spicy aroma and flavor to marinades, vinegars, herbal butters, teas, cocktails and even ice cream. And when a sun-kissed tomato meets up with a few sprigs of fresh basil – magic! But there’s more than one way to harvest basil and a myriad of ways to preserve it. No Pruning, No Gain Basil, like most herbs, loves the sun. Without regular pruning, however, the herb can get lanky and end up looking more like barren trees and bushy plants. Whether you start from seed or purchase nursery plants, the time to start pinching new growth is when the seedling reaches about six inches in height. The correct way
Eyebright is so-named because it has been used to address eye problems -- from sties to conjunctivitis and blepharitis – since the 14th century. In addition to astringent tannins, the herb’s effectiveness is due to the presence of aucubin, an iridoid glycoside that defends the plant from predators and also demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory properties. In this formula, eyebright combines with the antiviral and antibacterial effects of Oregon grape root and lemon balm to help reduce inflammation and ease irritation associated with the conditions mentioned above as well as from allergies and eye strain. If your condition doesn’t improve, however, within a few days of using this formula, mak
In one the of the largest echinacea clinical trials published to date, scientists have found that a proprietary formula containing 95% echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) herb and 5% root is as effective in addressing early flu symptoms as oseltamivar (Tamiflu®). The results of this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, which involved 473 people who experienced flu symptoms for 48 hours or less, were published in the open-access journal Current Therapeutic Research in April 2015. Symptom improvement between the echinacea formula treated group and the oseltamivir group in the first day of the trial was 1.5% compared to 4.1%. Five days later, 50.2% of the echinacea group experienced further r
Your carpet gets a lot of traffic. Bare feet, muddy sneakers and four-legged fur friends traverse across your carpeted floors on a daily basis, leaving a trail of -- let’s face it – foul-smelling funk behind. While vacuuming lifts the fuzz and grit, this pre-treatment will keep your carpet smelling fresh and clean. Ingredients 1 cup whole lavender buds 2 cups baking soda 15 drops lavender essential oil Directions Mix the lavender flowers and baking soda together in a bowl. Add the essential oil and stir to combine. Transfer into a container with a shaker top (save those parmesan cheese containers!). To use, shake over carpet area in an evenly manner. Wait 20 to 30 minutes before vacuuming. N
Roasted garlic is an incredible culinary experience. The pungent, garlicky flavor is tempered with heat and replaced with a sweet, nutty goodness. It’s delicious to eat as is (the cloves slip right out!), or the cloves can be mashed and combined with butter and herbs for a bread spread or pasta dressing. Add some to your favorite tomato sauce recipe, or use in soups, hummus, dips and sauces. The whole roasted heads or paste made from the cloves can also be frozen for later use. To make: Slice off the very top of each head of garlic you’re going to roast. Place each head on a baking sheet lined with foil. Lay a spring of fresh thyme or rosemary atop each head, if you wish (recommended!). Driz
Rosehips, also called “haws,” are the fruits that emerge in the fall after summer roses have faded. These little berry-like chewy morsels contain more antioxidants than green tea and more vitamin C than citrus fruits. They also provide vitamins B, E and K, as well as the carotene lycopene and gut-loving pectin. You can snag and snack on rosehips straight off the vine, but the seeds are often too bitter to enjoy due to a high tannin content. Using the dried, cut and sifted hips is a great alternative. Believe it when I tell you that removing the seeds from each rosehip manually is a long and tedious task! Rosehips are used to make all sorts of culinary delights, from jam and syrup to ketchup
Skin looks and feels best when regularly but gently exfoliated. Not only does this improve dryness, but it also stimulates new cell turnover. The result is a fresh complexion that glows. This formula is perfect for summer skin care. Ingredients ½ cup ground almonds ½ cup dried, ground orange peel 1 cup ground oats 4 drops sweet orange essential oil (optional) Tip: Use a spice or coffee grinder to grind the almonds, orange peel and oats. Directions Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl; stir to mix. Add the essential oil and stir well to incorporate. Store in a clean glass jar with a lid. To use, mix a small amount in the palm of your hand with warm water to make a paste. Massage onto skin us
Perfumed powder is a light and breezy warm weather alternative to solid or liquid perfumes. This blend has a romantic, floral scent. Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried organic roses, red or pink 1 tablespoon non-GMO cornstarch 1 tablespoon dried organic lavender buds 2 drops pettigrain essential oil 2 drops lavender essential oil Directions Measure all ingredients into a small bowl or measuring cup. Process the mixture in a spice or coffee grinder until reduced to a fine powder. Store in a clean tin with a lid. To use, massage a small amount of powder on wrists and neck as you would perfume. Get the ingredients and tins to make this ...
Bentonite clay draws toxins out of the skin as the mask dries, helping to shrink pores at the same time. The addition of chamomile and lavender helps to stimulate cell renewal and tissue repair. This recipe makes enough for one use. Ingredients 2 tablespoons bentonite clay 2 tablespoons strong chamomile tea ½ teaspoon sweet almond oil 3 drops lavender essential oil Directions Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. If the mixture seems to thin, add a tiny bit more clay to thicken. If it seems too thick, add a few drops more of tea or oil to thin. To apply, use fingertips or a clean brush to smooth the mixture over the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin. (Avoid the eye area.
Get ready for pickle season! This blend isn’t just for pickles, though. Use it for pickling your favorite summer fruits and vegetables too. This recipe is given in “parts” which simply describes proportions. In other words, if you use a cup to represent a “part,” then two cups would be two parts. Ingredients 2 parts organic brown mustard seed 2 parts organic yellow mustard seed 2 parts organic celery seed 2 parts organic chili flakes 1 part organic caraway seed 1/2 part organic rainbow peppercorns Directions Combine all ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use. Additions Depending on the fruit or vegetable, you might want to modify th
This aromatic oil increases focus and concentration when inhaled. To intensify this effect, apply acupressure to the ear lobe at the same time. Ingredients ½ teaspoon rosemary essential oil ½ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil ¼ teaspoon basil essential oil ¼ teaspoon grapefruit essential oil ¼ teaspoon bitter orange essential oil To use, place a drop or two of oil on your middle and index finger and massage into your ear lobe for one minute. Now go get ‘em, tiger! Updated 7/1/19
This DIY herbal tea blend is laced with the colors, flavors and aromas of a day spent in the garden. With a base of alfalfa and meadowsweet, it also delivers a load of nutrients and anti-inflammatory agents. This recipe yields a by-the-cup portion, but you can adjust the ingredients accordingly to make a large batch. Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon organic alfalfa leaf 1/2 teaspoon organic meadowsweet 1/2 teaspoon organic calendula 1/2 teaspoon organic lavender buds 1/2 teaspoon organic rose petals 1/2 teaspoon organic rose hips Directions Combine all herbs in an infuser, tea filter or tea bag and pour 1 cup of boiling water over all. Cover and let steep 5 minutes. Serve with honey and a slice of l
Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare), also known as knotweed, is an annual summer herb and type of buckwheat that is native to Europe and Asia and naturalized just about everywhere else, including most of the U.S. This weedy plant thrives in disturbed fields, gravelly patches along the roadside and other wayside places, as long as there is plenty of sun. It may seem delicate because of its small stature and low-growing habit, but it is remarkable resilient and aggressive. In fact, a single plant can sprawl more than three feet across the ground. Another reason for the plant’s success is that its seeds, transported by wind and birds, can lie dormant in the ground for years, if necessary, until co
