Lemon Balm Berry Ice Cream

So yummy!

Lemon Balm Berry Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups cashews
1 cup water
1 cup packed lemon balm leaves (we used lemon verbena leaves instead)
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1/2 cup agave (any sweetener of choice will work)
1/3 cup lemon juice (we used Meyer lemons with the peelings left on)
2-3 drops lemon essential oil* - (we used lemon zest instead)

If you'd like little green specs, blend all but the lemon balm until smooth and creamy.
Add the balm and blend briefly.  Chill and process through an ice cream machine.

*Substitute lemon zest to taste.

The Herbs of Autumn

Bee Balm

The first October freeze looms near. The air was chilly this morning, reminding me that it won't be long before a killing frost hits the garden and changes my world!

Grape Leaves

By now you probably realize that I love spring and summer because of flowers and the wonderful gifts that nature provides. When October arrives I start taking jaunts through my yard, simply to appreciate the late season blossoms and greenery.

Bay Laurel

Unlike spring, the foliage this time of year is worn and weary. You have to look for the beauty and appreciate what each water spot or tattered leaf represents.

Sage

It's time to harvest and dry the herbs for winter use. Meadow tea is my favorite way to use homegrown herbs. The dried herbs look so pretty mixed together in a gallon jar, just waiting for infusion in a hot cup of water or a seasonal teapot.

Rosemary

More Rosemary

The rosemary did extremely well this year. I also dried a lot of homegrown lavender. It's time to make my own version of "Rosemary Hill" tea. The recipe will be simple: rosemary leaves, lavender buds, and a great quality black tea.

Stevia

The sweet leaf, stevia, makes a delightful addition to meadow tea as well. Just dry, crumble, and add to the other dried herbs in the jar. The sweetness of the leaf enhances any tisane.

Mint

And of course, one cannot forget the mint. It's been plucked, picked, and appreciated all summer long. The last of the leaves are small and not very prolific this time of year, but the flavor they add to anything on a chilly day cannot be beat!

Have you walked through your yard today to check things out? What's growing in your autumn garden?

Minty Body Scrub

Winter weather can give you alligator skin! Well, not really, but it really can dry things out. Here's a recipe you can make in your kitchen that will help to moisturize and refresh your body.

Minty Body Scrub

1/2 cup fine sea salt
2 Tbsp. Epson salts
3 Tbsp. olive oil
6 - 8 drops peppermint oil
1 Tbsp. mint, fresh, finely chopped (or 2 Tbsp. dried)*

Place all the ingredients in a quart jar. Place a lid on the top and then shake until all ingredients are well blended. When ready to use, apply a small amount to moist skin. Scrub and rinse. Enjoy the tingly, minty feeling on your skin! Smile!

*If you don't have a good source of dried mint, try loose-leaf mint "tea" from the health food store.

Lavender 'n' Lemon Tisane

With winter fast approaching, efforts are being made by those who enjoy and grow herbs to harvest and preserve them before cold weather arrives. Naturally dried herbs from a home garden make a great addition to recipes like tomato sauce, soup, breads, and cookies. And they also make delightful tisanes. 

Here's a recipe for Lavender 'n' Lemon Tisane that is sure to bring comfort and joy during the coldest months of winter.

1 cup lemon verbena, dried and crumbled
1 cup lemon balm, dried
1/3 cup lavender bud, dried
1/2 cup chamomile, dried

Blend ingredients together in a small bowl. When well mixed, transfer to a pint jar and seal with a lid. Tie jar with a raffia or satin bow. Include a handmade gift tag that has these instructions:

To brew tisane:  Use 1 1/2 tsp. per 8 ounces of boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes. Then strain. Sweeten with honey or stevia. Enjoy!

If you prefer a more full-bodied tea, you can add loose leaf black tea to the ingredient mix. You may want to steep less time with this addition. Or instead, replace the chamomile with your favorite green tea. The possibilities are endless!

Lovin' the Lemon Balm

It is time to harvest the lemon balm and dry it for "meadow tea". It has grown prolifically this year. It seems that it loves receiving daily watering and is getting just the right amount of sun and shade. The lemon balm was planted about five years ago, and the established root structure appears to really be paying off. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and has a lovely lemon scent. The heart-shaped leaves of this plant are shiny and wrinkled with scalloped edges. It's easy to grow, preferring a shady spot, although it will grow in full sun. This herb has tiny flowers of light blue or white during the late spring through midsummer. These blossoms are well loved by bees who seem to send out the word that this fragrant herb is in full bloom and there's enough fragrant nectar for all! I'll be laying the leaves of this herb on a paper-towel lined tray. Once dried, the leaves will crumble easily and will be useful for tea or potpourris. If drying a quantity of this herb, bundling and hanging is another useful method of dehydration. According to herbalists, lemon balm is a medicinal herb that has a variety of properties. It has mild sedative properties and is known to relieve gas, reduce fever, ad increase perspiration. Extracts of the lemon balm leaves have also been shown to have strong antibacterial and antiviral qualities. And, it is always excellent as an ingredient in herbal teas!

A Tea Party for Your Feet

Have you ever had a tea party for your feet? It might sound silly, but there really is nothing nicer! My mother started the tradition of foot baths in our family when I was a young girl. They were considered a soothing treat and were often followed by a nice foot massage. It was something our family enjoyed on Friday nights after a long, busy week. A hot foot bath, a foot massage, and cups of warm tisane were a great way to unwind and relax. Mother also used foot baths therapeutically when someone in the family was sick. Hot and cold foot baths were alternated to relieve head and chest congestion. It was thought that the additional circulation sped up the healing process. A hot and cold foot bath involved a large basin or bucket that was placed on a towel on the floor. The water level started low in the bucket with comfortably warm water.  A tea kettle simmered on the stove top and as the water in the bucket cooled, hot water from the kettle replenished the water supply in the bucket. Over time, as the feet adjusted to the hot water, more tolerance could be endured and the water in the bucket went from warm to hot. Sometimes Epsom salts or essential oils were added to the hot water to enhance the experience. More often dried herbs, dried petals, powdered milk, or baking soda was added in a little muslin bag, creating a foot bath tea that was milky and soothing. The longer the soak, the greater the benefit. River rocks or marbles added to the bottom of the bucket added texture and an easy massage as the feet were rubbed back and forth against them. After 20 or 30 minutes, mother would insist that it was healthiest if we cooled our feet down quickly by a brisk, cold dash in another basin of water. Often it contained ice! Sister and I thought it was torture, but it did feel wonderful afterwards. Once done, a dry, fluffy towel was used to dry the entire foot, including spaces between the toes. Then, a fragrant, botanical lotion massaged on the feet created a little bit of heaven! There's nothing like a foot bath tea party for your feet!

Nowadays the foot bath is a rare occurrence. Maybe life is too busy? Or maybe it's that I've discovered how easy and pleasant it is to get a pedicure in town, complete with jets, hot water, and gentle massage. The principle is the same.

Would you like a recipe for a stimulating foot bath tea? Here's one that I enjoy that I call Minty Foot Soak.

A basin or bucket of very warm water

12 drops of peppermint pure essential oils

1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves from the garden (or 1/8 cup dried peppermint tea, bulk)

1/4 cup Epsom salts

1 cup brewed green tea

The mint leaves can be placed in a tea sac or muslin bag if you wish, although I don't mind if they float around in the bath. The peppermint is stimulating and aids the circulation. And the menthol in the mint reduces muscle pain. Green tea has antioxidant qualities that absorb through the skin.

Soak for 20 - 30 minutes, adding hot water as needed.

Follow with a quick dash of ice cold water and dry feet well.

Tea Herbs for Relaxation

Tea Herbs for Relaxation

1 pint water
1 tsp. chamomile leaves
1 tsp. peppermint leaves
1 tsp. honey

Bring purified water to a boil and remove from heat. Place herbs in water and stir gently. Steep for 15 minutes. Strain and enjoy with honey.

Peppermint and chamomile do wonders for your body by relaxing muscles and calming mood. This tea hits the spot after a long and stressful day!

Herb Swap Packages Arrive!

A few days ago I posted pictures and a list of items I shared with participants in my TEH Swap Group. All my packages to them were mailed last week and should have arrived by now. My packages went to Pennsylvania and New York. I've eagerly been checking my mailbox for packages sent. All three have arrived and I have really enjoyed viewing the contents and seeing what my swap partners decided to send to me. Each partner sent something different and unique to them and their interest in herbs. I especially appreciate that the things they sent were homemade by them. Here's what I received:

From M ~

Amazing Herbs Cookbook

Lotion Bar

Natural Laundry Soap

Italian Dressing and Marinade

Dill Dip Mix

Garlic and Herb Combination

Lemon Grass Dust Cloth

From B ~

Feverfew Extract

St. John's Wort Salve

Tension Headache Formula

Right on the Kisser Lip Balm

Catnip Muslin Bag

Lovage Seeds

Chive Seeds

Dill Seeds

From T ~

Happy Heart Elixir

Bar of Confetti Soap

Edible Flower Garden Seeds and Garden Stakes 

Herb Notepad

Thank you, swap partners! I enjoyed swapping with you and love the things you sent!

HerbLIST Swap

Last week I enjoyed a quiet day creating recipes and product for an "herb swap" with some of the members of TEH online chat group. Although I did a lot of measuring and packaging, it was a soothing and relaxing process. The fragrance of fresh herbs is such a delight! My packages have been sent off and several of those sent to me in exchange have arrived (I will share a picture when they are all here). I made enough of everything so that I could have some for home use as well. It's been much fun to use the bath tea, to make seed crackers, and to use my seasoning packets when I make dinner. It's amazing how flavorful fresh, dried herbs are as compared to ones that have been sitting in a jar for awhile. Like black tea, fresh herbs that haven't been pulverized seem to retain their full flavor better than powered herbs that sprinkle out of a bottle. Here's a sample of some of the recipes and products I made last week:


* Lavender Relaxation Foot Soak
* Lavender Oatmeal Tranquility Foot Bath


* Rosemary Chamomile Bath Tea
* Golden Meadow Tisane


* Herbal Splendor Bath Tea
* Lavender Sugar


* Rosy Meadow Tisane
* Mary's Lavender Black Tea


* Rosemary Sea Salt
* Lavender Sea Salt


* Herb d' Provence
* Italian Seasoning


* Seed Cracker Recipes and packets of seeds
* Walla Walla Sweet Onion Jelly


I hope the recipients of my packages enjoy the contents they contain. They were packed with love and well wishes!

Crunchy Brown Rice and Garbanzo Salad

Winter months call for hearty salads. I love rice salads that contain legumes, something crunchy like nuts and seeds, and fresh, flavorful herbs. Flavor, crunch, and color work together in this salad to make a delicious dish for the holiday season.

1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
3 cups cooked brown rice
15 oz. can garbanzos, with broth
1/4 cup chopped parsley, fresh 

1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 1/2 tsp. all-purpose seasoning
1/4 tsp. sweet basil
1/4 tsp. oregano

Simmer celery and onion in garbanzo broth, until tender. Combine with remaining ingredients and mix together well. Press into prepared, two quart casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 35 - 45 minutes, uncovered.

Serves: 5

Bath Salts

Salts added to baths have therapeutic benefits.  Salts help to mineralize the water and to add buoyancy.   Recently Kelly Rippa shared her simple recipe for a therapeutic bath that she claims helps eliminate symptoms of a cold.  She fills a tub with hot water and adds 2 cups of Epsom salts and 1 bottle of hydrogen peroxide. Although she didn't mention it, adding 8 - 10 drops of eucalyptus oil would make it even better! Having a cupboard filled with these raw ingredients makes taking a mineral salt bath simple, but sometimes it's nice to have a pre-measured container of salts in a pretty container nearby. Here's a simple recipe for homemade bath salts:


4 cups of sea salt
2 tsp. vegetable oil
10 - 14 drops of essential oil of your choice
food coloring (I prefer to use dry, powdered food coloring because it doesn't add moisture)


Place all the ingredients in a gallon zip-lock bag and shake well. Then pour into a pretty glass jar and lid. Add a scoop and enjoy in a hot bath!

Selecting Herbs for Tea

Herbs for bath TEA can be found in many places. Check your kitchen cupboard, your garden, or the shelf at your local health food store. Here are some examples of herbs that can be added to your bath TEA.

Basil, Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, Strawberry Leaves, Sage, Catnip, Comfrey, Spearmint, Chervil, Rose, Rosemary, Calendula, Savory, Horsetail, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Parsley, Marjoram, Jasmine, Orange Peel, Lemon Verbena, Eucalyptus, Violets, Bay Leaf, Hops, Valerian Root


If you don't have time to make an infusion or decoction, simple place your choice of herbs into a heat-sealable tea bag or a draw-string muslin bag and float in a tub of hot water.

Bath Tea

With cooler temperatures, soaking in a hot bath can be warming and relaxing. Make it into a bath TEA and the essence of luxury is achieved! Not only are they therapeutic for the skin, but they are soothing for the soul. Add a pot filled with hot tea beside your favorite teacup at tubs edge, and you'll feel like you are living in the lap of luxury!


The first ingredient for a bath TEA is water. Just as water for tea (the beverage) is to be treated just so (pure and heated to exactly 212 degrees F), water for a bath TEA is just as particular. It should be at 97 - 98 degrees F., a temperature that closely matches that of the human body. This allows for a bath that promotes circulation and healthy detoxification.


Once the water has been drawn and is at the proper temperature, it is time to add the TEA herbs. There are two methods by which to do this. They are infusion and decoction.


To make an infusion bath TEA:  boil a teakettle of water, then pour over selected herbs.  Steep for 10 - 15 minutes, then strain through a cheesecloth. Gently pour the infused tea into hot bath water. Infusions work very well for herbal leaves, flowers, and buds.


To make a decoction bath TEA:  fill a saucepan with water and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Add herbs and simmer for 30 minutes. Then, strain thorugh a cheesecloth. Gently pour the infused tea into hot bath water.  Decoctions work especially well for roots and bark.

All parts of herbal plants can be used to create a bath TEA. Try making a decoction of roots and bark, then pour the decoction over a selection of fragrant leaves and flowers. Let this steep for 15 minutes and then pour into a hot bath. 


Immerse yourself in luxury! Allow the herbal essences to ease away aches and pains, to moisturize your skin, aid your circulation, and renew your spirit.

Spices and Herbs

Spices and herbs add wonderful flavor to the food we eat.  Have you ever wondered what the difference is between the two? How would you describe the difference between an herb and a spice?  It's really quite simple once you figure it out. Herbs are the leaf of a plant that is used in cooking. Cooks refer to them as culinary herbs. Spice also comes from plants, but they come from other the other parts of the plant. A spice can come from the plant buds (cloves), bark (as in cinnamon), roots (like ginger), berries (as in peppercorns), aromatic seeds (cumin) or a flower stigma (saffron). Holiday cooking and baking nears with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up in the next few weeks. How many of these different plant parts will you use in your holiday meal preparation? A bit of trivia, perhaps, but interesting, don't you think?

Herbs in a Teacup

As autumn makes its presence known, the outside garden is changing its colors. Golds, reds, and oranges are starting to rim leaves on trees. A few brave roses, thankful for the cooler weather, are blooming with renewed energy. And the lawn is lush and green after hot summer days. Our first 'killing frost' usually arrives in mid-October. It's always a day of mourning for me, as I grieve the loss of roses, herbs, and green. This year I decided to extend the season as long as possible, and brought some of nature's herbs indoors!


A local plant nursery has all their plants on sale for half price. They are lush, full-grown, abundant, and fragrant! I bought a tray of fresh herbs and filled a giant teacup with sage, black pearl pepper, lemon thyme, stevia rebaudiana, and sweet basil. They grace my coffee table with beauty and energy. Their fragrance fills the air! When I want a bit more, a gentle rub between thumb and fore-finger enhances their smell and it's more delightful than any perfume. It is aromatherapy at its best! When dinner comes, a snip or two here and there add sweet or savory flavors to mealtime. Visual beauty, fragrant essence, and flavorful delight!

Better a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Proverbs 15:17

To the Garden

 

Karleen and I have been at it again; plant shopping.  We never go shopping for clothes or shoes or kitchen gadgets together.  But when it comes to plants, the fun begins!  Yesterday Karleen called to see if I wanted to go find sweet potato vine plants with her.  "Of course," I said.  And off we went.  Our sweet potatoes vines, in vibrant green and sangria were easy to find at our favorite nursery.  But, if you like plants and gardens, you will understand how many other green treasures are dropped onto the shopping wagon before the shopping is done.  Tiny daisies, ginger and chocolate mints, orange geraniums, lemon grass, lemon verbena, and more filled the car with enticing fragrances as we wove our way home.  What a delightful afternoon!  More soon, but right now, I'm off to the garden!

A Spa for Your Feet

A Spa for Your Feet

A soothing food bath enhances body circulation and boosts drainage of the lymphatic system. This benefits overall health and is helpful in the treatment and prevention of colds, flu, and headaches. Although alternating the treatment of feet by soaking first in hot and then cold tubs of water, the addition of warming and cooling oil blends augment the experience. Recipes using pure essential oils may vary, but two that are especially soothing are:

The Warming Blend

1 drop ginger essential oil
2 drops clove essential oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
1 Tbsp. almond or olive oil

The Cooling Blend

1 drop Mandarin essential oil
1 drop lemon grass essential oil
1 Tbsp. almond or olive oil

Instructions for foot bath:

Gather two large basins. Fill one with hot water and another with cold water. Ice cubes can be added to the cold water if desired. Add the warming oil blend to the hot water and the cooling blend to the cold water. Sit comfortably and submerge your feet in the hot tub for one minute. Then plunge your feet quickly into the cool basin and hold there for one minute. Repeat this process at least 2 to 3 more times. Remove your feet from the cool basin last and pat try with a dry towel. Moisturize feet with lotion and put on warm socks to keep feet warm. Relax and enjoy the benefits of the spa treatment. Repeat the process several times; morning and night if necessary.

Helpful Herbs

Spring is a time for planting, and some of my favorite things to plant are herbs. I especially enjoy mints like chocolate, English, lemon, pineapple, and more. But stevia, sweet basil, sage, rosemary, bee balm, and tarragon and others are planted alongside and appreciated all summer long. Autumn is the time for harvesting herbs, drying them, and putting them into fragrant and helpful use. Most of mine are dried and stored for culinary use. Sometimes I make potpourri, herbal teas, and sugar scrub. And recently I have been learning how to make salves, balms, and lip protector. It's been fun and amazing to see how simple it is!

This autumn I joined in a project with a lovely group of women who grow and create with herbs. I've learned so much about using the natural remedies of the Creator from this group! They conducted a swap where items created from their herbs grown were shared. My box arrived in the mail yesterday and its fragrance exuded from every corner and crack! Upon opening, I was delighted to discover so many wonderful things! I'm amazed at the talent of my swap partners!

Elderberry Elixir to be used at the first sign of a cold or flu. Wild Cherry Syrup for coughs. Cucumber-Mint Toner for skin care. Herbal Healing Balm. Comfrey Salve. Cucumber and Aloe Cream Soap. Luscious Lemon Sugar Scrub. Cool CukeAloeMint Soap. Mango Peach Soap. Melissa Aloe Soap. Propolis and Myrrh Lip Balm. Lavender Sugar with a recipe for Lavender Lemon Sugar Cookies. Sweet Dreams Tincture of Hops, Valerian, Chamomile, and Passionflower. Lavender-Calendula-Chamomile Bath Tea and Soap. Herbal teas of herbs like holy basil, rose petals, lemon verbena, and elderberries.

Such fragrant treasures! Such helpful tools for a healthy winter. Thank you for the wonderful herbal gifts!

Bucky Loves Catnip

Summer herbs have grown proficiently and any gathering and harvesting needs to be completed soon. I've brought some of my favorites into the house so I can have fresh basil, sage, thyme, rosemary, and stevia for a few of the winter months. And some I am gathering and cutting to dry and store. Bucky also loves herbs! He can be a pretty independent kitty until the catnip comes out! After I sprinkle some on a heart-shaped rug on the porch, he immediately looses focus, forgetting the world and becomes the most tranquil kitty ever. He becomes lost in its hypnotic effect. After ten minutes or so of pure enjoyment, Bucky wanders off to sleep. Catnip is a member of the mint family. To learn more, go to the Cat World website. Interesting stuff!

In humans, catnip (which is safe to ingest) acts as a mild sedative and is usually taken as herbal tea. It's used in cooking and to treat symptoms like headaches, coughs, and insomnia. Catnip is also a powerful defense against mosquitoes, being ten times more potent than popular commercial mosquito repellents. Just some trivia for the day!

Be blessed and enjoy life today!

Sisterhood of Herbs

Herbs, seeds, and flowers all reach their peak at summer's end. Gathered and dried, they make lovely teas or flavoring for foods prepared during the winter months. Those not gathered are left in the garden to feed the birds. With cooler days, the craft box attracts attention, and pretty papers, ribbons, buttons, and glitter all work together to make something fun! Recently I created little paper boxes and filled them with harvested and dried chamomile and calendula blossoms. Inside each box, a shiny surprise was placed, just like in a Cracker Jack box! Ribbons, glittered tags, fancy buttons, and a message tag were glued to each one. Bundled together, they were mailed off to a group of friends participating in an herb swap. In a week or two, a package will be arriving in my mailbox, filled with sixteen different herbal gifts made by my herbal friends. What a fun way to celebrate harvest, to hone creative skills, and to nurture friendships!