Homemade holiday wreaths are beautiful and inexpensive to make. They're a great excuse to get outside with the family and everyone can help in their creation. Here are some step-by-step directions on how you can make your own homemade holiday wreaths. WHAT YOU WILL NEED A wreath frame (available at most craft stores) Floral wire Pruning shears Scissors Wire … [Read more...] about Homemade Holiday Wreaths
Food/DIY
How to Make Prayer Flags
The traditional Tibetan prayer flag is a colorful panel or rectangle of thin cloth in many colors and strung together. Traditionally they are woodblock printed with prayers in the form of text and images. They are often found strung along mountain ridges in the Himalayas to bless the surrounding countryside. The belief is that, as the breeze blows through and around the flags, … [Read more...] about How to Make Prayer Flags
DIY Clay and Egg White Facial
A facial is a great way to relax and feel energized at the same time. Give yourself this homemade treat one lazy weekend afternoon, or anytime you can find some free time. FIRST WASH YOUR FACE The fist thing to do in preparation for your facial is to wash your face really well. Use whatever you usually use to clean your face. Although soap is not usually recommended for the … [Read more...] about DIY Clay and Egg White Facial
Tips for Easy School Lunches
We all know that the middle meal of the day is important. In my mother’s family it was the most important meal of the day, called dinner not lunch, a common practice among midwestern farmers. Supper was the evening meal. We all want to make sure that our children have a healthy lunch when they're away from home so here are some ideas to make this easier to figure out. Make a … [Read more...] about Tips for Easy School Lunches
End of Summer Salad
I'm always looking for ways to eat more greens. When I couldn't find a salad mix at my local co-op, I made my own using beet greens, arugula and leaf lettuce I had on hand. I didn't think I liked raw beet greens until I created this salad. Try them when they are young and fresh. I tore the beet greens and arugula off their stems, and washed them with the lettuce. I left this … [Read more...] about End of Summer Salad
Quick Easy Cucumber Gazpacho
It's hot outside. This is the time of the year for cold soups and my favorite is Cucumber Gazpacho. Here are two easy recipes. QUICK EASY GAZPACHO 3 peeled cucumbers 3 pickled jalapeño slices. 3 Tablespoons sour cream or yogurt Big handful of cilantro Fresh mint (optional) Blend first 4 ingredients in a blender or Vitamix. Don't blend too much: keep the … [Read more...] about Quick Easy Cucumber Gazpacho
Frugal Family Food
When it comes to groceries, there are ways to save money without sacrificing quality. Food is one of the top items in our budgets and it’s easy to spend too much. One of the ways to save money is to shop less frequently, like once a week. This involves some planning, but will definitely help stretch your food budget. Here are some other ideas. MAKE A LIST Prepare for shopping … [Read more...] about Frugal Family Food
DIY Natural Kitchen Cleanser
How about making your own natural cleanser from the ingredients you have in your kitchen? I've used this for years for my kitchen and bathroom sinks and the bathtub. It works well, smells great and is completely natural and non-toxic. Here are the three simple ingredients: 2 Cups Baking Soda 2/3 Cup Dried, Crushed Lemon Peel 15 drops Lemon Essential Oil Here's … [Read more...] about DIY Natural Kitchen Cleanser
Salmon with Red Chili Jelly
Here's a recipe for something different for your Memorial Day barbecue. It's grilled salmon basted with red chili jelly and lime. I live in Santa Fe where red and green chili are plentiful so I've learned to use red chili jelly as a flavorful marinate for and accompaniment to salmon, chicken or pork. THE INGREDIENTS 3 to 4 Tablespoons Red Chili Jelly 3 cloves garlic, … [Read more...] about Salmon with Red Chili Jelly
Celery is a Medicine
Did you know that celery is not only a food, but also an important medicinal herb? In Eastern medicine, celery’s bittersweet nature is used to balance hot and spicy dishes. It is a gentle stimulant that nourishes and restores weak conditions. Celery detoxifies the system and is a cleansing tonic. According to master herbalist, Nicholas Culpepper (1653), “The plant is one of the … [Read more...] about Celery is a Medicine