Swine Flu Article

Here is an interesting article from Shonda Parker's Blog on the H1N1 virus:

http://www.naturallyhealthy.org/blog/

Let me know what you think.

Being Self Sufficient Regarding Your Health

I have always been interested in self sufficiency. I am striving to get adequate food storage as well as assembling a Home Health Chest. Where did I get this idea? Shonda Parker , Professional Family Herbalist and a Certified Childbirth Educator. She has written several books and offers a home study course for individuals seeking to better serve their families in regards to nutrition and the use of herbs. I ordered the home study course a year ago and slowly I am chipping aways at the wealth of information that is available. Right now I am reading her second book, Mommy Diagnostics. This is where I got excited about the Home Health Chest. Just as a side note, Shonda Parker presents her information from a Christian perspective. In my opinion, that is the only way to present it. Many books published today about herbs and nutritional healing take God completely out and present an alternative form of spirituality. I don't agree with that approach. Anyway, back to the Health Chest. Mommy Diagnostics suggests a method of accumulating herbal tinctures, equipment, education, and basic herbal ingredients to have on hand. In addition a wheat grinder, juicer, and water purification system are encouraged. Right now we are fighting cold/flu season at my house. I really want to be better prepared for the next time around. If this is interesting to you, here are some websites mentioned in Mommy Diagnostics that you might enjoy.

www.realfoodliving.com

www.naturalmeals.com

www.herbs.org

www.healthy.net

http://www.medical-library.org/mddx_index.htm

www.swsbm.com

Here are some sites that I am interested in:

www.mountainroseherb.com

www.frontiercoopo.com

www.greenpharmacy.com

Soap Box and Disclaimer:

Many individuals that are interested in herbs and alternative health care are also liberal politically. I would like to clarify that while I am interested in this arena, I do not believe in Global Warming and I am skeptical of the whole organic movement. I think a lot of companies are slapping an organic label on things and charging more when it may not be more nutritious. I also feel that the Global Warming scare is an attempt to take away our inalienable rights.

Waiting.....For Something Spectacular to Write About

This summer has flown by and I keep nagging myself that I need write a post for the blog. I argue internally that I must have some really dreamy skin care treat to write about. In fact I have been
horribly negligent in creating this summer. Actually, that isn't true. I have been creating a lot in the upstairs kitchen (we eat the stuff that comes out of that one). The downstairs kitchen (or soap kitchen) was used more as a hallway than anything else. Upstairs I have created luscious cupcakes with buttercream frosting for Sophie's birthday party. I made overnight waffles (to die for)! I've also been attempting various sumptuous variations of gourmet popcorn. I don't think I've mastered that one yet. Downstairs....I made a pretty darn good scrub with lovely cranberry seeds in it. I added the cranberry fig fragrance from Brambleberry. I also have been tweaking my standard basic five oil soap recipe. I've been experimenting with increasing the superfat ratio and trying to keep the cost down. The holidays are approaching and I would like to make a few soap loaves and some other skin treats to give away and/or sell. In a few weeks I am teaching a class on soap making and natural cleaning products. I will post my handout when I finish it. So I guess I have done some creating. I love this clip by Elder Uchtdorf:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k&feature=PlayList&p=4723DE1AF2FE66A0&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=16

I think about this a lot. That is what draws me to both my kitchens. I desire to create something that wasn't there before. By using my imagination and hands I can create something of beauty. Something to gladden the heart.

Lavender

There's a few things I've learned in life: always throw salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for good luck, and fall in love whenever you can.

-Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic

Who doesn't love lavender? There is something so serene and happy about lavender. I love to rub the buds between my hands and inhale the sweet scent of these beautiful flowers.

Profile (www.mountainroseherbs.com)
Lavender is aromatic perennial evergreen shrub. Its woody stems bear lavender or purple flowers from late spring to early autumn, although there are varieties with blossoms of white or pink. Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, but now cultivated in cool-winter, dry-summer areas in Europe and the Western United States. Lavender was used as an after-bath perfume by the Romans, who gave the herb its name from the Latin lavare, to wash.

Here is how I like to use it at home. Sometimes I use the actual lavender buds and sometimes the essential oil.

1.Scenting Soap (Bulgarian, Hungarian, and 40/42 blend)
2. A few drops in the bath or foot soak, I also put some buds in a muslin bag for a bath tea
3. Cleaning: I put a drop or two in a baking soda and soap paste to clean my sinks and tub
4. Scenting unscented facial lotion: lavender is terrific for all skin types
5. Salves: Lavender is great for burns and dry irritated skin
6. Facial Steams
7. Lavender tea and Lavender lemonade (delicious)

Lavender blends well with so many other essential oils. My favorite blend is Lavender and Sweet Orange essential oil.

Lavender Lemonade
1-2 Tablespoons dried lavender buds
Four cups of water
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar

Pour 1 cup of boiling water of 1-2 tablespoons of dried lavender. Let is steep for at least 15 minutes. Blend the granulated sugar in the food processor or use superfine sugar. Mix the sugar, lemon juice, water, and one cup of lavender water all together. Add lemon slices or sprigs of lavender for garnish. It is especially good when it is icy cold.

Variation: Add a few raspberries and a little bit of lime juice

Soap and Other Obsessions -A Review

I have never done a formal book review. I did a few book reports in high school though. And I have read every soap making book in print...I think. Anyway, my most recent soap frenzy book purchase was Soap and Other Obsessions, by Zonella Gould and Sally Trew. You can view the table of contents on their website: www.soapandotherobsessions.com.

All the aspects of the book I liked:

1. The author wrote a little note inside to me personally.
2. It is written with a very casual and down to earth tone. In other words it isn't intimidating like The Soapmakers Companion is.
3. It has a great explanation of Soap Calc....an excellent tool for soapmaking.
4. I loved the chapter on Infused Herbal Oils by Diane White
5. The explanation on liquid soap feels very doable (I haven't attempted it yet)
6. Lots of information and recipes on the "other obsessions" i.e. shower gel, mineral make-up, shampoo, and lotion.

Some things that I wish were different:

1. I wish there was more on lotion, not just a couple of recipes. I wanted more of an explanation and the hows and whys of lotion making.
2. There were quite a few errors, however little pages were inserted correcting the errors and my assumption is that future printings will address those issues.

All and all an excellent book and one of my favorites. The book can be purchased on Amazaon (of course) and directly from the authors on their website.

By the Way....

Sweet Ambrosia is no longer officially a business. I tried a short stint as a business owner and decided that I am not much of a salesman. Now I can make lotion, soap, bath salts, lip balm, ... without the stress of labeling, taxes, and worry of whether people will like it. I am broadening the focus of my blog to include all of my interests and hobbies.

New Mommy Soak

I've been invited to my cousin's baby shower this Saturday. When I give gifts at baby showers I like to give something just to the mommy. This begins a stage in her life where her needs now take second or third place. Self-care is soooo important, especially right after a new baby. Here is the recipe for my New Mommy Soak.

2 cups Dead Sea Salt (coarse and fine grain)
3 Tablespoons ground dried lemon peel
3 Tablespoons coconut milk powder
2 Tablespoons dried spearmint leaf
30 drops lemon essential oil*

variations: Lime essential oil instead of lemon, buttermilk powder instead of coconut

*Especially during pregnancy and even post-partum it is wise to research the essential oils used and the appropriate dosages.