Hearthkeeper March, 2012

Celtic Kitchen Magicks

From all that I have read as well as lived,Celtic Magick is more a lifestyle than a religion. Celtic Magick is lived and breathed rather than planned and ritualed. There is constant daily emotional involvement; everything you do in your day has magickal intention.

Numbers are very important as well. 3, 5, 7 and 9 are considered very mystical numbers. That being said, you should do in sets of 3, 5, 7 or 9. This trains the brain by repetition to focus your energy and your intention.

One thing that makes Celtic Magick different is that it does not teach you that doing magick for yourself is selfish. It teaches that if you cannot do for yourself then how could you possibly do for others and that if your physical wellbeing is taken care of( food, home, bills, health) then your Spiritual will be able to focus on its well being. But the “Harm None” rule must apply. “DO WHAT YOU WILL IF YOU HARM NO BEING”

It benefits no one if you intentionally harm another being and the Karma is just NOT worth what little gain you may gain.

But the flip side of that is that Evil exists and should not be allowed to flourish and harm YOU. There are many creative ways to block harmful magicks from your home and life. By no means should you allow people to walk on you. Just make sure that you spend enough time being thoughtful of all your options and that you are sure you will not harm yourself or others.

Celtic Kitchen magicks are a bit different as it is sympathetic, helpful magicks. You bespell food to heal, strengthen and enrich your life, using your everyday utensils as your magickal tools. The wooden spoon as your wand, the pot as your cauldron, your stove as your candle. Many other kitchen tools have purposes that are magickal; you can look on the internet for correspondences’ to your kitchen tools

Every aspect of the meal you prepare is Magickal, from the purchase or picking to the preparation, to how you cook and finally how you serve it and eat it.

You would focus on the ingredients first, infusing them with your intention; remembering that you cannot impose your will on another, but that you wish to make it useful and available by those who eat of it. By using a mortar and pestle to grind your herbs and ingredients before adding then to the pan, will allow you to infuse them with your intention. Then you would stir the ingredients together, creating your spellwork on your meal. Stirring clockwise in repetitions of 3, 5, 7 and 9 will ensure the positive energy in every creation.

The Elements are very important in your Kitchen as well as in your life. Earth, Air, Fire and Water, they represent the 4 directions of the world, the 4 winds and the 4 quarters of the ritual circle. They are the forces and the energy of the universe and all the aspects of our lives. They also have…….

Earth- the food that grew, was nourished and produced from the soil

Air – the steam that rises from the cooking and the scents that are carried through the house.

Fire – the source your cook with, no matter if it is gas, wood oil or electric

Water – The liquid used to cook or what is extracted from the product while cooking.

Finally Spirit – the essence that you add by focusing your energy on the food.

Hearth magick is a process of transformation using all of the Elements.

No matter that much has changed since cook fires and hearths, the kitchen is still an Altar that a Kitchen Witch’s spells are created. When you say” You are what you eat” it could be true. With Hearth Magicks you can be healthier. Your health, wealth and wellbeing can be spelled right into the cooking of the food that you eat

It was once thought that your could protect yourself and your food by covering it, you could keep spells or hexes away from the food.  They used to say that if you salted your food that the cleansing properties would protect you and your foods.

Ultimately the end purpose of hearth magick is eating the food. Sharing your food with others can be a ritual bond, strengthened by love. Prayers of thanks upon eating should be directed to the ability to have the foods available, Some would thank that which gave its life for us to eat it, those of us with children find it easier to thank God/dess for the ability to eat it together and that we can share the food with each other.  Make sure that if you have spelled the food or have created it with a certain intention… that you tell all that will be eating it.

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

The Hearthkeeper

Tags: celtic, kitchen, magic, magick

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Hearthkeeper February, 2010

Kitchen Wicca

I recently received an e-mail from a group I belong to that stated that a Kitchen Wicca was a Witch who practices his/her art mainly thru cooking and common household skills. Or one who uses common everyday items in his/her art, like in times of old, when it was necessary to hide your working tools from those who would persecute you for their possession. While these images are certainly true ones, Kitchen Witchery goes far beyond magical cooking or using ordinary items as magical tools, it is a way of life, one that incorporates every aspect of your life. And because it is utilized mostly at home it is classified as “kitchen” Wicca.  But as it was in the past, the “old ways” or “ ancient ways”  it is a life ritual, one that you start when you wake for the day and you close as you go to bed, often even in your sleep if you astral travel. It is not a thing you do just when you are in the kitchen or at home. It is what you do as you are walking , driving to work, sitting down for a meal, talking to friends online or on the phone. Your energy is always connected to others and the God/dess and your actions always mindful of that connection.  You are ever prepared to help, either others or yourself, and the tools you used are the everyday. The “kitchen witch” is one that does not NEED specialized tools; they will pick up a branch as quickly as a wand, or a bowl as cauldron. They know it is the deed not the items that make the work they are doing. A Kitchen Witch’s sacred space is their home. His/Her magickal tools consist of the flame of the stove, the tap water, the food from the earth, the aroma of the meal. These all come together, representing the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.

Kitchen Witchery is a form of Witchcraft, but by no means a formal one. You won’t find Kitchen Witchcraft Covens, degrees, Priests or Priestesses. A Kitchen Witch may hold ritual, but doesn’t necessarily have to. S/he will do small spells, or may do none at all. Kitchen Witches, Hearth Witches, Cottage Witches run the spectrum of chaos magick to ceremonial magick; but there isn’t a lot of information regarding Kitchen Witches, because this path has been passed down orally from parent to child through the ages. A Kitchen Witch is all about the home, and not just the kitchen. S/he sews, gardens, cares for the family, and is able to do all s/he needs from within herself and her home. The Kitchen Witch draws from the power of the Goddesses of the Ancient World, Hestia, Janus, and Athena, just to name a few.

Now I am not saying that other forms of Wicca or Witchery are bad or wrong, but as this is my affiliation I can only speak for that which I know.  I also am not saying that we do not used specialized tools as well. I have my kitchen ritual space that is ever ready and up and running, but I also have my Altar area that I have my “tools” for those times I wish to do a special ritual, or have a group ritual, one that others may be participating in. Here is where my Wand, Athame, crystals, Statuary, etc live. Now it is also somewhere I visit every day and often incorporate in my everyday as it is situated in my Dining room and has people in it for most every meal.

A Kitchen Witch is skilled many things such as Cooking, Sewing or Weaving, herbalism, Washing and cleansing, Teaching, and Time management, Healing and First Aid, Counseling. Do not let this fool you for a minute.. a Kitchen Witch is much much more than this.

But unfortunately in this day the Kitchen Witch is a dying breed. With everyone racing around with fast food, and everything you could ever grow for sale at the market, wal-mart to the rescue; the Kitchen Witch art is disappearing fast. But we can save this way of life, by teaching our children the ways we live, by working as a family unit to create instead of keeping to ourselves. We much learn to adapt our ways and incorporate the old with the new. If you do not have a garden, grow in pots on the sill. If you cannot be home as much as you wish, at least try to eat dinner as a family, and do something craftwise on the days off.  Be mindful of the Magick when you clean up, infuse your home with your energy even if it is only a few minutes a day.

Well I will stop as I do not want to lecture or sound like I am up on my soap box..

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

Tags: kitchen, Wicca

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Hearthkeeper November, 2009

Well this month I will be giving you some interesting and helpful uses for some stuff you have at home. Common ingredients you have in your cabinets and pantries…  Things like salt, baking soda, lemon juice.

We use many of these things every day in our cooking and in our rituals… some are even used in medicinal, like baking soda as an anti-acid… There are large lists for each… but I will narrow them down to tried and trues… things I myself have used them for and am willing to pass along to you.

SALT

Not just for ritual any more… here are 10 uses you may not have thought of…

1. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
2. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spilled juice. The mess won’t smell and will bake into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven has cooled
3. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa
4. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.
5. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.
6. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and vinegar, thickened with flour
7. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.
8. Use it to kill slugs and snails in your garden( a tin of beer will work as well)
9. Instead of anti-dandruff shampoo, massage your scalp with a tablespoon of salt before using normal shampoo!
10. Occasionally throw a handful of salt on the flames in your fireplace; it will help loosen soot from the chimney and salt makes a bright yellow flame!
BAKING SODA

Not just for waffles and cakes…. Here are 10 uses that you may not have thought of….

1. Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
2. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
3. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
4. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn… ( better than Tums.. and works on gas(burps) as well)
5. Bee sting and bug bites and bad sunburn: use a combination of baking soda and water. Mix into a thick paste… Place on burn… wait till it dries out… scrape off add more water and reuse…
6. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and raise the produce.
7. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
8. Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
9. Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge – sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc
10. Sprinkle soda in sneakers, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.

VINEGAR

Not just for salad dressings… here are 10 uses that you may not have thought of…

1. Place a cup of white distilled vinegar in the dishwasher upright on the top rack and run a full cycle to freshen and to remove hard water buildup on the heating element. Use at least 2 times a week.
2. Put 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave safe dish. Bring to a rolling boil in microwave. Wipe clean.
3. To keep bunnies and such from eating your plants, put cotton balls soaked in white distilled vinegar in a 35mm film container. Poke a hole in the top and place in the garden.
4. Remove the hazy film that builds up inside windows by spraying them with white distilled vinegar.
5. Cats hate the smell of vinegar. Spray white distilled vinegar on the item that you want to keep your cat away from.
6. Add a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar for every 3 to 4 egg whites used.
7. To make buttermilk… Add two tablespoons of vinegar to a cup of skim or 1 percent milk; let mixture stand five minutes.
8. Use white distilled vinegar in marinades or when slow cooking any tough, inexpensive cuts of meat.
9. To avoid swimmers ear use a solution of half white distilled vinegar and half rubbing alcohol. Drip into ear, alcohol evaporates the water and the vinegar kills the bacteria.
10. Add 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkali’s in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew

USED COFFEE GROUNDS

Wow… the things you can use… 5 uses for coffee grinds you may not have thought of…

1. Fertilize plants. Old coffee grounds are nutrient-rich for plants that thrive in an acidic soil. You can also add used coffee grounds to the pots of indoor plants. Work used coffee grounds into your garden soil before seed planting. After your plants start to emerge, work in coffee grounds near the plants. Used coffee grounds are said to repel snails and slugs as well as adding nutrients to the soil
2. Dye fabric, paper or Easter eggs. Simply add used coffee grounds to warm water and let sit a bit to create a dye. Can also be used to create henna-like tattoos.
3. Grow mushrooms on old coffee grounds
4. Keep cats from using your garden as a kitty box by spreading used coffee grounds and orange peels throughout flower beds.
5. Skin Exfoliant.. Rubbing your skin with coffee ground extract seems silly but it is actually a good idea. The extract removes dead skin cells, which results in better-looking skin. It can save you hundreds of dollars since this simple product. May also color your skin (perma-tan??)

LEMON JUICE
Last but definitely not least lemons… here are 5 uses you may not have thought of…

1. Mix with vinegar and or baking soda to make a cleaning paste. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section, then use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains. Mix 1 cup of olive oil with 1.2 cup of lemon juice and use for furniture polish on hardwood
2. Add a few drops of lemon juice to improve the taste of fruits, this also cuts down on the browning effect they have over time.
3. Squeeze lemons onto vegetables while steaming, to keep the colors bright
4. Use lemon juice to lighten your hair in the summer. Place juice on hair and sit in the sun for a bit.
5. Cough Syrup: mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts honey (Do not give to children under 1 year and test for food allergies) Sore Throat: drink tea with lemon and honey relaxes and soothes the throat, while relieving a cough. The lemons also help us recover from the flue. If you don’t like tea, use hot water, lemon juice and honey

So that is what I have to share with you this month… Look for cookie recipes next month for Yule. Again I ask for you assistance… Please go to thehearthkeeper@gmail.com and leave your ideas for future articles… I love to do the research and look thru my family recipes, rituals, and hints and tips… but you need to tall me what you want…

Until next month
Blessed Hearth and Home

The Hearthkeeper

Tags: alternatives, kitchen

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Hearthkeeper October, 2009

Blessed Samhain all of you and Blessed Beltane for those in the Southern Hemi. Wow has it really been a year… I started writing these article last October.. and how scared I was that they would bomb… but you seem to like them and I enjoy writing them for you..  so here we go..

Here is some basic Samhain correspondences to work with

Oct. 31st – Samhain (All Hallow’s Eve)

Altar Decorations: Pumpkins, gourds, seasonal fruits and flowers, a statue of the Triple Goddess in her Crone phase, broom, acorns.

Herbs:, dittany, flax, heather, mandrake, mullein, oak leaves, sage and straw, mugwort.

Spices: Thyme, rosemary, salt, pepper,  poultry seasoning

Incense: sage, apple, mint, nutmeg

Gods & Goddess’: The Crone, Hecate (fertility, moon-magic, protectress of all Witches), Morrigan (Celtic Goddess of death), Cernunnos (Celtic fertility God) and Osiris (Egyptian God who represents death and rebirth).

Colors: Black, Orange, Red, White

Gemstones: onyx, obsidian, hematite

Food: Apples, Pumpkin pie, nuts, cranberry(scones or muffins), ale, cider, mugwort tea, mead and meat

Tree: Birch, oak, alder and walnut

This Sabbat as well as the whole month of October is a time of change. The veil is thinning and contact with our ancestors is becoming easier and divinations of all kinds seem to work better now. It is customary to set an extra place at your supper table on Samhain Eve in honor of the departed. This is not a scary time, rather a time when the veil is thin and we can spend time with the spirits in warmth and love.

But this is also a time for the living. A time to prepare for the cold season, harvest the last of the summer crops and save them for next year, a time for family and friends to become closer, planning inside activities to enjoy while it snows; a time for cleaning and settling in, for putting away the summer and storing for next year.

So we will start here… contacting the ancestors and go on from there

Samhain Meditation

To prepare for this meditation, have your cauldron or bowl ready.

If you will be outdoors have small sticks that you can light for a fire in the cauldron.

If indoors, a votive, and a fire brick to put under your cauldron.

Place paper and pen near the cauldron.

Visualize yourself walking in a place of nature. This may be a place you already know, or it may be somewhere you create in your mind. Be aware of the crispness of autumn, the chill in the air, the changing colors of the leaves, the seeds that fall from dying flowers, the pine cones and acorns underfoot. As you walk, you come to a stone circle with a low stone altar with a large cauldron sitting on it in the center. On the altar you see articles that you know belonged to, your deceased ancestors, family members, and friends.

Next to the cauldron is a small collection of wood ready to be lit. Light the fire. (Or candle, if indoors).

This is your opportunity to contact anyone from your family, or among your friends, that you wish. Think of why you want to contact them. Is there any unfinished business with anyone that you would like to take care of now? Do you wish to ask forgiveness of anyone? Is there someone you need to forgive? Do you want to tell someone how much you love them and miss them? Do you wish to ask for help or guidance?

Next to the cauldron you see paper and pen. Sit quietly, take your time, and write letter. Allow yourself to experience any emotions that arise as you do this. When you have finished your letter or letters, burn them in the cauldron. As the flame turns them into smoke, know that as the smoke rises it carries your message. (If indoors, be careful).

Take a few more minutes to sit quietly before the cauldron. The cauldron represents the womb of the earth,  to which we return in death to await rebirth. Gaze into it. This is a time to receive messages. Take your time. You may have a thought, or image, come into your mind. You may receive the answer to a question, or be given some wise advice. You may not get your answer right now, it may take a few hours or even days for you to understand.

When you are ready to leave thank your ancestors for the help they have given, tell them you love them and know they will be there for you always.. Leave the circle, returning by the same path you took before. Take the blessings of the cauldron of life and rebirth with you.

Samhain for Family & Friends

This is a non-ritual way to celebrate Samhain, and children can join in.

You will need:

A candle for each individual to be remembered (small birthday candles or tea lights to be very effective)

A cauldron or other fireproof container filled with sand

A photograph or other mementos, or the name of each individual written on

paper

Apples

Food including pumpkin soup, pie, and so on

Tarot cards, scrying tools, and other divination tools.

Push each candle into the sand-filled container ,light a candle for each individual to be remembered. Place the name, photos, a poem, or other memento against the container of candles. When all are done, welcome the family members that have passed to come and share the feast with you.

After, when everyone is full, read poems, play music, sing, or whatever you like to entertain each other. Any children present may want to put on impromptu plays or read their own poems aloud.

Read tarot cards or practice other forms of divination.

Children may want to use an apple cut in half to make pictures, when dried you can place the names of each remembered family member in each apple..

Here is a Blessing for this sabbat.

Samhain Blessing
May the ancestors deliver blessings on you and yours…

May the New Year bear great fruits for you…
May your granted wishes be as many as the seeds falling from the maple…

May the slide into darkness bring you comfort and peace…
May the memories of what has been keep you strong for what is to be…
May this Samhain cleanse your heart, your soul, and your mind!

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

The Hearthkeeper

Tags: kitchen, samhain, witch

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Willow Winterborne September, 2009

*The Hedgewitch lives in the space between the Village and the Forest. Between the mundane and the magical. S/He lives with a foot in both worlds.
This column is dedicated to the Hedgewitches of the planet earth.

September 2009
Harvest Time!!!

It is that profoundly magical season of harvest here in the hedge, and the abundance has amazed me beyond my wildest dreams.
My garden has been a constant source of joy and lessons learned.
The watermelon and cantaloupes, unsown by me, came to life on their own, because we left the seedlings where they sprouted.

It was a teetering balance of my way, and Nature’s way.
In the end, I caved completely and allowed the weeds and plants to grow side by side.
The weeds provided a soft landing spot for the pumpkins and melons, and they had perfect skin as a result.

And as I render these gifts of Nature into usable food products, whole and natural, I am reminded of the lessons of Mabon, and the feasts of Thanksgiving.
My ancestors worked diligently, nearly year round to ensure the food supplies would continue through the long months of winter.
They toiled in their gardens, hung hand-washed clothes on a line, chopped, split and stacked wood for the ever present fires, and canned and dried fresh foods.
As I engage in these activities, even as a modern witch, I am reminded in a deep down cell-remembering way, of these industrious people who came before me. It makes my spirit rejoice to repeat the actions of my foremothers and to feel the satisfaction of having accomplished so vital a task.

In this season of harvest, I am grateful. I am reminded of all I have been blessed with, and all I anticipate to come.
The very act of growing food, harvesting and preserving it is hopeful, and spawns fresh hope when the food is consumed.
It is an opportunity to bless the stores that they might last until the next harvest, and bring needed blessings in the months to come.

Mabon is often referred to as Witch’s Thanksgiving, and for me, that is exactly how I celebrate it. I prepare a feast to celebrate the coming of the dark months of the year, the warmth of our home and the abundance of blessings contained therein.

As well as a time of joy, there is an undeniable sadness associated with this time of year, for me.
When I see a bright yellow school bus, or smell a freshly sharpened number two Ticonderoga pencil I am overcome with a wave of bittersweet nostalgia. A falling leaf; a mud puddle; a ripe orange pumpkin…these things hold a sort of wistful sadness for me.

But again, I am reminded of the time of year. The dying back. Things being cleaned, dismantled, stored for the year. Bright green things turning crisp and brown.
Of course there is sadness. It is Nature at work, and we can feel it stir in us, even before the first leaf falls.

Each year on my path, as I observe and fall into deeper rhythm with the cycles, I have a deeper appreciation for the Natural occurrences that mirror a metaphorical reality. Not a circle, for I never return to the same place again, but a spiral, which allows me to see the places I have visited before, again, with the fresh eyes of new experience.

As we raise our chalices in celebration of the season, and remember the sacrifices which were made in order to bring about not only this harvest, but those to come, may we join together to commit to care for one another. To use our abundance to bless those less fortunate.
To make humanity our business, and to care for those we find along our way.
To simplify our lives so that we have time and energy for the truly important blessings in them; the people we love and who love us.

Happy Witch’s Thanksgiving, and Happy Harvest Season to all!

May your table be heaping;
Your larder quite full;
The blessings you’re reaping,
as Autumn now pulls,
be stacked to your rafters
with plenty to share.
~May the mission we’re after
be one of Care.

Brightest Blessings of the Season

Tags: hedge, home, house, kitchen, nature, witch

• Articles

Hearthkeeper March, 2009

Merry meet all… This month I will be focusing this article on herbalism; recipes for health and healing.

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

medicine is the medicine of the people. It is simple, safe, effective, and free. Our ancestors used plant medicines for healing and health maintenance. It’s easy. You can do it and you don’t need a degree or any special training.

Most of us have the ability to begin the healing process already in our homes. There are some other things we may need to stock up in order to have them when we need them. Much of what we will need can be grown and dried either over the growing season or even in our homes. If you looked at last months herbal list you will have seen that many of the herbs you use for cooking can be used for healing as well as aromatherapy.

What you can do is create your own herbal medicine cabinet, either in you ritual space or better yet in your kitchen.  It’s easy to make your own

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Medicine Cabinet. You can customize it to fit your needs and those of your family. Ideally you should make it your own, by putting magickal symbols on it, put pictures of herbs on the door, runes, Egyptian symbols, whatever…you can decorate it any way you like. But in reality we know that having that in our kitchen could be a problem…so what you can do is use a white birthday type candle to draw any symbols you may want on the cabinet door…so that you have magickally charges and protected it but it is not visible to the mundane eye.

You don’t need a huge assortment of herbs…only the ones that you will use most often.
Keep herbs in your medicine cabinet that your family will need.

There are a few basic items that all

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Medicine Cabinet’s need:

Standard ingredients for making your herbal remedies:

Oil (extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or safflower oil) for herbal
infusions and salves.
Beeswax (a good quality beeswax) for making salves
Honey or sugar to sweeten bitter herbs and syrups
Vodka or alcohol for tinctures

Petroleum jelly or a good quality skin lotion for making ointments
Essential oils

Gauze pads
Bandages
Cotton balls

Bandage tape
Scissors

The above is just a very basic list, you can add or subtract to fit your needs.

The following are some herbal remedies and how to make them, please consult your Doctor before you use these, unless you know your families allergies and herbal reactions.

WARNING: PREGNANCY (all herbs and their essential oils should be avoided unless under the supervision of a medical professional): the list is not all inclusive, but some specific herbs to avoid are: Balsam pear, barberry root bark, black cohosh, cascara sagrada, chervil, Chinese angelica, coltsfoot, comfrey, dong quai,feverfew, ginseng, goldenseal, juniper berries, ma huang , may apple , mountain mint, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue, senna , southernwood, tansy, wormwood, yarrow.

Ointments/Salves can be made quickly and easily if you first prepare an oil of the herb while it is in season and keep it on the shelf for later use as an ointment. Simply strain and store the oil. Besides simple oils which employ only one herb, a combination of herbs can be used to make a compound oil of your favorite ointment recipe and used later to make the ointment itself

How to Make It

Decoction:

(Used when volatile oils are not required from the plant material as these are boiled away in the process).

GENERAL:

1 oz of herb to 1 pint water; bring water to a rolling boil, then add herbs and cover; reduce heat; let mixture simmer for 20 to 30 min over low heat.

DOUBLE DECOCTION:

1. (Based on 3 cups of water reduced to 2 cups). After making the first decoction using 3 cups water reduced to 2 cups, drain off the liquid and reserve; add two more cups of water to the original herbs and simmer down to 1 cup; add the 1 cup to the first 2 cups for a total of 3 cups.

2. 1 oz plant material to 2-1/2 cups water (makes 1 pint); soak herbs in water for 10 min then boil and simmer 10 to 15 min; leave to soak another 10 min; keep covered throughout the process; strain, cool and use.

Extract, Fresh:

First find the water content of your fresh plant specimen. Weigh 2 oz of the fresh herb and then dry it using the microwave or a dehydrator. Weigh the now dried specimen. Figure the percentage of weight lost in the drying to find the percentage of water contained in the fresh herb. Count this percentage as water when figuring the water/alcohol solvent ratio in the first oz of finished product. All remaining ounces can be figured at the usual 50/50 water/alcohol rate

Infusion:

The same as making a tea, but steeped longer. Usually 10 minutes.

Juice, Herb:

When attempting to obtain juice from dry herbs, soak in twice their weight of water for 24 hours and then press out the fluid.

Lotion:

The same as making a cream only use more water.

Lotion, Quick:

Mix 2 parts herb water with one part vegetable glycerin or combine herbal infusion with glycerin.

Do NOT store any plant material in oil since botulism can occur under these conditions.

Oil, Herb:

Infuse powdered herbs in warm olive oil in double boiler for several hours. Strain through muslin and keep straining till all bits of plant material are strained out of the oil.

Oils, Medicated: Ayurvededic method:

1 part herb to 16 parts water and 4 parts of oil (ie. 1 oz herb, 2 cups water, 1/2 cup oil); decoct until all the water is evaporated then strain OR decoct the herb in water alone, then strain and add the oil and continue with the decoction until only the oil remains..

FRESH oils: Crush and mash the whole herb (ie. grated ginger, garlic, onions, etc)

and allow to stand overnight in oil; squeeze through muslin to strain.

Ointment, Quick: Add 1/2 to 1 tsp of tincture to each ounce of commercial skin lotion.

Fresh herbs: Grind and mash.

DRY herbs: Add a little water and work into a paste; may be taken as is or mixed with honey or oil. If using oil, keep refrigerated; if honey, will keep without refrigeration.

Non-petroleum Jelly: 1 oz beeswax, 1/2 cup baby or mineral oil or sweet almond or olive oil; melt together in the top of a double boiler. Pour out into suitable container and allow to set up.

Powders:

Herbs can be powdered in a coffee mill. If you’ll be be doing much work with herbs, you should have one especially for powdering herbs.

Preserving Flowers: If you are unable to process your flowers (ie. elder, rose) immediately, you can either pack them (don’t crush) into wide-mouthed canning jars and then pour glycerine over the flowers until they’re covered. Cap the jar. Or you can pack them in 1/3 of their weight of salt. This method is usually employed when preserving flowers to use in fresh sachets or potpourris.

Salves & Ointments

1. Place about 1/2″ of water in the bottom of an electric skillet to protect its finish. Add herbs and oil to a pyrex bowl or top of double boiler and place in center of skillet. Fiddle with control of skillet until oil measures a steady 95º F on a cooking thermometer. Allow to simmer gently at this heat for about 12 hours or until the herbs look “used up”. Strain herbs out of the oil and return oil to a clean bowl or double boiler pan and set back in the skillet; raise heat to 150° F and add grated beeswax. Allow beeswax to melt, stirring well. Test by dropping a small amount on a saucer and when desired texture is reached pour into wide-mouth jar suitable for ointment/salve.

2. Boil herbs in water until sufficiently extracted; strain; add oil to the decoction and continue to simmer till all the water evaporates; add sufficient beeswax until desired consistency is reached (melt about 2 oz of wax to 5 oz of oil); to preserve you can add 1 drop tincture of benzoin per each ounce of mixture or 1 drop grapefruit seed extract per ounce of mixture.

3. Beeswax, oil, fats; Vaseline can be combined with herbs or tinctures.

Place 2 oz of dried herbs into a pint of oil then heat gently for 1 hour; strain and cool for an ointment. For a salve add 1 oz beeswax or Vaseline then stir well as it thickens and store in a jar. Store in refrigerator or preserve with tincture of benzoin or grapefruit seed extract (1 drop per oz of mixture for both)

4. Grind dried herbs to powder and cover with olive oil; steep for 2 weeks shaking gently daily; strain through muslin (at this stage it is a liniment/ointment); add beeswax to thicken (now it’s a salve). Store in refrigerator

Syrup:

1. 2 lbs sugar, 1 pint water. Dissolve sugar in water over low heat. Raise the temp to the boiling point and strain the solution while it is hot. Add enough extra water through the strainer to make the syrup measure 2-1/2 pints.

2. Dissolve 3 lbs of brown sugar in a pint of boiling water and boil until thick. Add any herbs you wish to this to make a herbal syrup.

3. : Pour 1-1/4 cups of boiling water onto 3 oz of crushed herbs and leave to get cold. Strain the infusion and then heat until it is warm and then add 1/2 cup of sugar.

When the sugar has dissolved, bring the mixture to a boil and gently simmer until it is a syrup consistency. Allow to cool a bit before bottling.

A rule of thumb for making tinctures using dried herbs is a 1 to 8 ratio (ie. 1 oz powdered herbs to 8 oz of 100% proof vodka)

Tincture: Combine 1 to 4 oz of powdered or crushed herb with 8 to 12 oz of 100 proof alcohol (vodka can be obtained cheaply and works well); shake thoroughly and allow to stand in a warm place for 2 weeks; shake daily; strain and bottle in a dark container such as a dark brown dropper bottle. Take 1 to 30 drops according to the herb used.

BASIC OINTMENT

Crush fresh or dried herbs and simmer with fat of your choice (i.e. lard, olive oil, safflower oil, etc). Simmer on top of stove in top of double boiler for several hours. Or, they may be baked in the oven for several hours in the fat using a low heat. Strain and place back on heat, then melt beeswax in it. Pour into jar.

SKIN LOTION

This lotion is useful for skin inflammations and for those with possible bacterial complications.

Combine 1 tbsp each of Chamomile, Comfrey, Chickweed, and Calendula in a mason jar. Over this pour 2 cups boiling hot water; cover and let steep for 20 minutes. Strain and place in a spritzer bottle. Add 1 dropper full of Echinacea extract. Spritz as needed.

Or Comfrey, chickweed, and Calendula add   8 to 9 oz of sweet almond oil (or olive oil or combo of the two)

¼ oz (approx) of grated beeswax

800 IU vitamin E to it and make it a thick lotion.

Place all in a double boiler and melt together, pour into lotion bottle or screw top container.

CHICKWEED SALVE

Good first aid for cuts, nicks, bites and scratches, itches and rashes.

2 oz fresh chickweed

1 pint olive or sweet almond oil

½ oz beeswax

in ovenproof container combine Chickweed and oil.

Place in 150°F oven for 3 hours; strain and add ½ oz melted beeswax to oil

(Always melt waxes in top of double boiler to avoid fire); stir as mixture thickens.

COCOA BUTTER SALVE

4 oz. herbs of choice

6 oz. cocoa butter (vegetable oil can be substituted)

1 oz. beeswax

Melt cocoa butter in top of double boiler with beeswax.

Add herbs and allow to heat through in double boiler over very low heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. Strain out herbs.

EMERGENCY OINTMENT

Combine some wheat germ oil and honey and apply to sore, bruise or wound.

Tinctures of Comfrey, Calendula, St. Johnswort or Mullein can be added (between 5 and 15 drops) to the oil and honey.

EUCALYPTUS OINTMENT

Contains antiseptic and healing properties good for chapped hands, chafes, dandruff, tender feet, spots on the chest, arms, back and legs and pains in the joints and muscles, Apply a piece of clean cotton or gauzy type material to wounds after all dirt is washed away. For aches and pains rub the affected part well and then cover with cloth; repeat 2 or 3 times.

12 oz elder oil

2 oz beeswax

2 tsps eucalyptus oil

20 drops wintergreen oil

Combine elder oil and wax in top of double boiler over low heat until wax melts; remove from heat and stir in remaining 2 oils. Pour into appropriate containers.

LAVENDER OINTMENT

RECIPE #1

25 drops essential oil of lavender

10 drops essential oil of lemon

5 drops essential oil of thyme

2 tbsp oil of lavender (which is prepared by infusing flowers in olive oil)

60 g beeswax

Melt beeswax in top of double boiler, then beat in oil of lavender.

As ointment begins to cool, add the essential oils and continue to beat till cool.

Store in covered jar in refrigerator.

RECIPE #2

Good for chapped lips, skin and cold sores.

4 tbsp olive or almond oil

3 to 4 tbsp beeswax

3 tsp cocoa butter

10 drops vitamin E oil

15 drops lavender oil

15 drops sandalwood oil

Combine olive or almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter and lanolin and heat in top of double boiler.

Remove from heat and add vitamin E (a 400 IU capsule can be opened and contents squeezed out), lavender and sandalwood oils and beat well. Pour into little jars and allow to cool before putting on lids.

.

LAVENDER-TEA TREE OINTMENT

Good antiseptic properties and soothing to skin problems.

2 oz oil

½ oz beeswax

5 drops lavender oil

3 drops tea tree oil

400 IU vitamin E

Combine oil and beeswax in top of double boiler over low heat till wax melts.

Remove from heat and add lavender and tea tree oils.

Snip vitamin E capsule open and squeeze contents into oils.

Place in ointment jar and allow to setup before capping.

SAGE and SWEET VIOLET OINTMENT

Good for chapped lips, cold sores and chapped skin.

2 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage leaves

2 tbsp sweet violets

4 tbsp sweet almond oil

Combine ingredients in a small stoppered bottle.

Leave in a warm place for 1 month, shaking daily.

Strain into a bowl and add 4 tbsp each of almond oil and melted beeswax which

have been melted together in the top of a double boiler.

Beat until cold.

Store in an airtight jar in a cool place.

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Healing Salve 1

Recipe by Mountain Rose Herbs

This all-purpose salve recipe is perfect for minor scrapes, cuts, bug bites, or other skin irritations.  The herbs may be adapted for different skin conditions and ailments as desired, and the amount of beeswax can be easily altered.  Use less beeswax if you desire a softer balm or live in a cold climate, and use more beeswax if you prefer a harder salve or reside in a warm climate.

Herbal

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Healing Salve 2

Yield 4 oz

1 oz Calendula infused oil
1 oz Comfrey infused oil
1 oz St. John’s Wort infused oil
1 oz Plantain infused oil
10 drops Vitamin E Oil
20 drops Lavender Essential Oil
½ oz Beeswax (Carnauba or Candelilla Wax may be used for a Vegan salve)
Glass Jars or Tin Containers

Place

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Infused Oils and Beeswax over a double boiler, and gently heat until the Beeswax melts.  Remove from heat and add Lavender Essential Oil and Vitamin E Oil.  Quickly pour into prepared tins or glass jars and allow to cool completely.  The salve will last for at least a year, and is best if kept in a cool and dark area such as a cupboard or cabinet.

HEALING HERB SALVE 3
1 oz dried comfrey leaves
1 oz dried calendula flowers
2 cups olive oil
1 oz pure beeswax
4 drops tea tree
4 drops lavender essential oils
1 400 vitamin E
Heat herbs in olive oil over low heat for about 5 hours. Do not let the oil boil or bubble. A Crock-Pot or the lowest temperature setting on a range should be suitable for heating this mixture. (If the lowest setting is too hot, turn off the heat once it has warmed the oil…it should keep warm for at least and hour….then repeat the process twice.)
After cooking, strain out the herbs while oil is still warm.
Place 1 1/4 cups of the herb oil in a pan, add beeswax and heat just enough to melt the wax.
Add essential oil and stir.
Finally, pour the salve into wide mouthed jars.
Store at room temperature.
Use for minor scrapes and cuts, to protect and promote healing.

Vapor Rub

¼ teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil

1/8 teaspoon each peppermint and thyme essential oils

¼ cup olive oil (or Vaseline at which opoint you would spoon blend instead of shake together)

Combine ingredients in a glass bottle. Shake well.

Gently massage onto chest and throat.

MAKE HERBAL COUGH DROPS

You must make a syrup with sugar, not honey to make cough drops, but you can use raw sugar or brown sugar instead of white sugar and it will work just as well.

Instead of pouring your boiling hot syrup into a bottle, keep boiling it. Every minute or so, drop a bit into cold water, when it forms a hard ball in the cold water, immediately turn off the fire. Pour your very thick syrup into a buttered flat dish. Cool, and then cut into small squares.
A dusting of powdered sugar will keep them from sticking.
Store airtight in a cool place.

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Cough Syrup

Cover the bottom of a Crockpot with either Wild Cherry Bark or Violet leaves and flowers|
Cover entirely with honey.
Set on low heat for two days and stir occasionally.

Hyssop Cough Syrup

Licorice flavored, soothes sore throats.
2 tbsp dried hyssop (flower tops) or 1/3 cup fresh hyssop (chopped flowers)
1/4 cup water
1 cup honey
1 tsp aniseed

In a saucepan combine honey and water. Stir until the mixture is consistency
of pancake syrup. Bring slowly to a boil (over a medium heat). Skim off any
scum that rises to the surface.

Use 1-2 tbsp water to moisten the dried hyssop. Crush the aniseed. Stir both
into the honey. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Remove from
heat, uncover, and allow to cool. While the mixture is still a little warm,
strain into a jar. When completely cooled, screw on the lid. Should keep for
1 week.

Wild Cherry Cough Syrup

2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tartar (scant)
1 tsp wild cherry bark
1 1/2 to 2 1/2 tsp chopped dried marshmallow root

Make a decoction of the cherry bark and marshmallow root. (Boil in water for
about 4 minutes. Steep the mixture with the cover on the pot for a few
minutes.) Slowly stir in the sugar and cream of tartar, simmer until the
mixture becomes thick and sugar granules completely dissolve. Transfer to a
container and allow to cool before covering tightly.

Herbal

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-C Syrup

6 cups water

3 tablespoons elderberries

2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds or cranberries

2 tablespoons rose hips

1 tablespoon pine or cedar tree needles

1 tablespoon lemongrass

Cook this down to three cups and add:

One half cup molasses

One half cup honey

One half cup fruit concentrate

This is wonderful tasting syrup to take as a tonic during cold and flu season.

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Pain Killers:
Caution: As with all herbal remedies, check to make sure they will not interfere with doctor prescribed medications. This information is to be used wisely. Do not take any herb you are allergic to, and see your doctor if problem persists.

Pain killer-
Soak 1/2 teaspoon of dried willow bark in 2 cups cold water overnight,Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Strain, cool, and bottle.
The dosage is 1/4 cup, to be sipped slowly as needed for pain. It can be added to juices or teas if you wish.

Good Sedative –
Mix together 1 tablespoon each of bee balm, hops, peppermint, chamomile, and crushed fennel seed.
Add 1 tablespoon of the mixture to 1 cup boiling water.
Steep 10 minutes and strain. Sweeten with honey.
Drink 1/2 hour before bedtime.

Mild Sedative –
Pour 1 pint of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of dried catnip.
Cover and steep until cool. Flavor if desired. Strain and sweeten.
For children, give 1 tablespoon; adults get 2 tablespoons.

For trouble getting to sleep –
Pour 1 pint of boiling water over 1 ounce of feverfew flowers.
Cover and steep until cool.
Strain and sweeten with honey.
Drink cool.

To induce sleep –
Mix 2 tablespoons dried peppermint with 1 tablespoon each of rosemary and sage.
This really soothes the nerves and allows you to relax enough to go to sleep

Sprain and Aching Muscles Treatment -
Mix together 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup of linseed oil, and 4 tablespoons witch hazel.
Use as a massage oil.

Sedative Tincture –
Place 1-1/2 ounces of chamomile and 1-1/2 teaspoons of powdered peppermint into 1/2 quart of vodka. Allow to steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily.  Strain and bottle. Use as a sedative for adults. Dosage is 1/2 dropper full under the tongue as needed..

Well I have to say that the research for this article was amazing.. as well as adding to my recipe book of food and medications.. I certainly hope that you find it fun, usefully and tasty. Please be aware that I have shared both my own recipes and recipes borrowed from books and web pages..
Enjoy until next month.

Merry Cooking and Blessed Eating

Tags: firstaide, healing, kitchen, lotions, natural remedy, tinctures, witch

• Recipes

Hearthkeeper March, 2009

This month I wanted to focus of Deity. Since this is such a touchy subject for many of us as well as a subject that will start flaming wars, I will be looking at different kitchen/hearth Gods and goddesses. For no other reason than there have been so many different ones throughout history. I do not wish to annoy, anger or irritate anyone… so please read this for only the informational purposes that it was intended for.

I do not mean to seem like I am attacking before I am attacked. But recently I have been getting involved, without meaning to or having the desire to, in arguments about God, Goddess, and Deity. I personally have fairly simple views of Deity and why it is seen so many differing ways.

I see Deity as a jewel/gem. A beautiful and many faceted Jewel. If you look at this graphic you will be able to see the many different ways a stone can be faceted…

BUT no matter how you facet it, it will always be a gem. If I see the top of the gem… and someone else sees the side of that same gem it may look like a completely different stone. If you take 1 large stone and divide it into many different many faceted stones… it will ultimately remain 1 large stone in many pieces.

THAT is how I see deity.  It may have broken itself down into male and female faceted gems. Then broken itself even further into smaller versions so that you and I may find the stone we need for that moment in our lives…or the face of Deity that someone needed to cope with whatever was in their life. BUT in the end…Deity is Deity and no matter how many times we break it down to be more manageable and easier to understand or what faceted face we see… it remains the one being in many parts.

The problems start when the human element is brought into play. When My God/dess becomes bigger, better, more, than your God/dess… once we start doing that … we draw the lines in the sand that make other want to prove to you that Their God/dess is better than Yours…so many issues could be and would be avoided if people just saw that the face (facet ) of God/dess they see is the perfect one for THEM…and no one else but them. My God/dess is awesome and amazing and all I need…but I do not want to impose my Deity on anyone else…and I try really hard not to get into a situation that others try to impose THEIR God/dess on me.

So I wanted to show that there are many different facets of Deity that many races needed for their hearths and homes…I hope that you get as much out of this as I did researching and writing it…

TSAO WANG: God of the hearth. Every household has its own Tsao Wang. Every year the hearth god reports on the family to the Jade Emperor, and the family has good or bad luck during the coming year according to his report. The hearth god’s wife records every word spoken by every member of the family. A paper image represents the hearth god and his wife, and incense is burned to them daily. When the time came to make his report to the Jade Emperor, sweetmeats were placed in his mouth, the paper was burned, and firecrackers were lit to speed him on his way. (Chinese)

GENIUS: A guardian who protects both individuals and homes. (Roman)

LAR: God of the house, a cheerful and beautiful youth.(Roman)

HESTIA: Every home had a hearth that was dedicated to the goddess, and each day began and ended with a ritual requesting that she protect and nurture the family within.
As the Goddess of Architecture, Hestia intended that homes should be built from the center out, with the center being a hearth that contained her sacred flame.  As part of the naming ritual, all infants were carried in a circle around the altar of Hestia to secure her blessings. There was an altar to Hestia in the center of every home…it was the fireplace, the hearth, where the family gathered.  Hestia’s vision of a house was that it should truly be a home, a place where one’s body, spirit, and relationships would be nurtured and replenished… a place to “come home to” after exposure to the cold and chaos of the external world.  Hestia is associated with the warmth and comfort of the welcoming fireplace. Just as the flames glowing from the hearth soothe us with their warmth and glowing light, the goddess Hestia gives us security, peace, and comfort and helps us accept the truth of our lives with inner grace (greek)

BOKAM: is the feminized hearth-flame worshipped by the shamanic Ket tribe of Siberia; they dominate the lower basin of the holy Yenisei River in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Krai district (Siberia)

FUCHI or HUCHI: (Huchi-Fuchi (Unchi-Ahchi): (“Grandmother Hearth”) I apologies if my spelling is wrong. Japanese Goddess of the stove and thus the Goddess that heats the tea. The intricate Japanese Tea Ceremony is in part to honor her. Another one of her jobs is to intercede with the Gods on behalf of mortals. The hearth is considered the heart of a home, the vital element that keeps life flowing probably means “Fire”.
She is also a kamui [goddess] of the hearth worshipped by the Ainu aborigines of Japan; and according to one account of her mythic origins she was borne from the spark kindled by a fire drill.(Japanese)

FUJI / FUJIYAMA / SENGN-SAMA: The Japanese hearth-goddess of the native Ainu people, and personification of Mt. Fuji (an extinct volcano), the apex on which her sanctuary was constructed. Due to the predisposition of the Ainu people towards an indigenous form of shamanism, this mountain may have been regarded as an axis mundi serving to unite the “heavenly” world of the gods with the “Underworld” presided over by one’s ancestors.[Japanese)

GHOLUMTA EKE ["Hearth-Mother"]: is another identity of the Mongolian hearth-goddess.

HINUKAN: is a hearth-goddess worshipped throughout Okinawa, Japan; she ensures the safety of each household. Her rites are conducted by the eldest female residing in the home. However, it is not deemed customary for men to pray at her hearth, probably because males have never been associated with religious authority in this region of Japan. Hinukan is esteemed as the mediator between the gods and mankind. (Japanese)

HWEI-LU or WEI: was originally a Chinese fire-goddess, but gradually came to be recognized as the spirit of the hearth (or Tsao shin) during the end of the seventh-century BCE. The caretaker of an ancestral temple at Lu is thought to have first worshipped her in this guise, sacrificing to the goddess with firewood that he had set ablaze. Her cult assumed a role of only marginal importance within native folk-religion for the next five-hundred years, until the early second-century, when an Emperor from the Han dynasty officially adopted Hwei-lu as a member of the imperial-cult; hitherto the late nineteenth-century CE, however, the presiding spirit of the hearth has come to be regarded as one of the most preeminent deities of China.( Chinese)

Bes: God of Domestic Protection, Childbirth and Family; Protection for Children, Pregnant Women and Families

Beset: Goddess of Domestic Protection and Home Security (Egyptian)

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

Tags: god, goddess, hearth, home, kitchen, magic, magick, witch

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Hearthkeeper November, 2008

Sharing for the Upcoming Holidays

Merry Meet and Blessed Autumn to you all… As there are no major Sabbats or other holidays this month I am just going to send out some recipes for general interests…

With Yule right around the corner you may want to start thinking of some healthy more natural gifts to give the ones you love… so look at some of these recipes and see if you would like to make them for your friends and Families…

Charming Lavender Tea Gift
You will need:
1/3 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
4 teaspoons orange pekoe tea
New or vintage tea cup and saucer
small plastic bag, or plastic wrap
Tea Ball
Ribbon

Mix the herbs and tea then place in a piece of plastic wrap or a small bag and tie tightly with a ribbon. Place in the clean dry tea cup, with the tea ball (they are very inexpensive and can be found in most store kitchen sections) Include a note that this should steep for five minutes in boiled water. Wrap in tissue paper and place in a gift bag for a great gift for teachers and co-workers.

Here are some Bath Tea’s… not to drink but to soak in… Such a relaxing way to pass some time…

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

Tea Baths

You can make a variety of the herbal tea bath bags, all you need are:

Thread & Needle

Coffee Filters

Herbs of choice

Mix the herbs as according to your preference, place a handful in the center of a coffee filter, carefully flatten and fold the edges of the coffee filter over so that it is rectangular shaped, now fold the top down and the bottom up and sew the flaps shut so that the herbs wont fall out when placed in the bath.

Calming Tea Bath

Equal parts of

Chamomile

Hops

Passion Flower

Stimulating Tea Bath

Equal parts of

Peppermint

Eucalyptus

Lavender

Stress-Relief Bath Tea

1.5 cup Epsom salt

1cup sea SALT

1cup lavender

1cup camomila

30 drops lavender EO

(Or you can add chamomile EO as well if you wish)

Mix in large bowl. Makes about 14 ¼ cup baths- you can put them in jars with small muslin bags (look in the dollar store or big lots, etc.  Or, several toiletries suppliers carry large iron-close tea bags- those are nice when you don’t want to dump out a muslin bag after every bath…

Stress-Relief Bath Tea 2

Spearmint

Peppermint

Rosemary

Sage

Lemon Verbena

Thyme

Lavender Buds

Calendula Petals

Lavender

Crushed & mixed all in plastic bag then added stress relief EO to boost scent (let sit overnight) WOW they looked and smelled GREAT! Packaged in small cello bags .5 oz per bag rolled top and taped it closed to keep freshness in…Then put an oval take on bag with small piece of tape saying Stress Relief Bath Tea….folded over muslin bag with GG ribbon tied into loose knot and small tag tucked under ribbon…..tag said

To Use Bath Tea Bag

For a relaxing bath fill bag half full with herbal mix. Let bag hang under hot running water, soak and enjoy your herbal bath. Simply throw herbs away after use and rinse bag and reuse.

Then put this in back of the herbal tea bag hiding folded taped end…the oval label was on other side…slid into another bag of same size tied with gold twist tie….

And here are a few Bath Salts…

Bath Salts

Granny’s Cold Oil Bath Salts

Combine equal parts Lavender, Wintergreen, and Rosemary oils to make about a quarter of an ounce. Stir this into a handful of kosher salt and add to a bath that is as warm as you can take it.  Be sure there is no draft in the room.  If there is a shower curtain you can draw around the tub, and then pull it tight shut to keep the scent and heat in.  Immerse yourself in the water up to your chin and just relax and breathe.  In about 10 minutes you will suddenly feel quite warm.  At this point, hop out, dry off, bundle up so you don’t get chilled and pack yourself off to bed.

HOMEMADE BATH SALTS

Bath salts are so easy to make and there are SO many variations once you start making them yourself.

The basic recipe is as follows:

You will need:

1 cup Epsom salts

5 or more drops of essential oil

Mix together and keep in a covered jar. Allow the salts to sit for a few hours or overnight. Add about 1/2 cup to running bath water.

VARIATIONS:

Add 1 cup baking soda which is a skin soother. Add 2-3 Tsp. honey for a moisturizing. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of a

Healing salt such as Dead Sea salts Squeeze in 3-4 caplets of Vitamin E oil to moisturize. Add 2 cups of baking soda, and 1 cup of citric acid for fizzies.

You can use any type of essential oil that is soothing. Nice choices are lavender, rose, and calendula or patchouli oils

Now I cannot end this without some great recipes for food.. and with it being Thanksgiving time in North America I will include something for this great holiday..

Thanksgiving Turkey

20 lb Young Turkey

Sausage Stuffing (recipe to follow)

Bread Stuffing (recipe to follow)

¼ stick softened butter

Poultry seasoning

Rinse Turkey inside and out with cold water.. pulling off any pin feathers or yucky bits.

Mix Poultry seasoning and Butter and place under the skin of the turkey breast

Stuff inside with stuffing of your choice (I use sausage stuffing inside the large cavity)

Stuff neck skin with bread stuffing (if desired)

Cook 20-25 minutes a pound or until the Turkey leg moves without resistance (or pulls out of the cooked meat)

Sausage Stuffing

1 lb Jones (or other) breakfast sausage roll

2 large loaves white bread broken into small pieces

3 large pinches dried Thyme

1/2 to 1 cup water

salt and pepper to taste

Cook sausage in large skillet … Browning and breaking into small bits

Add thyme and finish browning

When browned drain off 1/2 the oil (all if you wish)

Add 1/2 cup water simmer gently 2 minutes

Pour over broken bread

Mix thoroughly

Add more water if stuffing seems too dry( want a very sticky stuffing)

Place into Turkey cavity and cook until turkey is done(4-5 hours )

Bread Stuffing

1 large onion cut in half and sliced very thin

2 stalks of celery washed and sliced very thin

1 stick of butter or margarine ( I use butter)

3 large pinched of poultry seasoning

1 cup chicken stock

2 bags of white bread broken into small bits

Sautee onion and celery in butter until translucent

Add poultry seasoning and water and soft simmer for 5 minutes

Pour over broken bread (adding more chicken stock if too dry… more bread if too wet)

Place into turkey cavity and cook 4-5 hours

Place extra stuffing in a baking dish with chicken neck and butt flap( tail piece) and cook separately for additional stuffing (or eat as you go along with your day..LOL)

Acorn squash

2 medium acorn squash

½ tsp cinnamon

½ stick butter

2-4 tbs   brown sugar

Cut squash in half

Place cut side down in a microwaveable dish with ¼ cup water

Microwave 20 minutes or until fork tender

Place cut side up in baking dish place ¼ of the butter into each half

Place 1 tbs brown sugar in each half

Sprinkle with cinnamon

Bake in a 350 degree oven until everything is melty and bubbly

Serve as a half or scoop out and place all the “meat” into a bowl

Yukon Gold & Sweet Potato Mash

1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks
1/2 cup low-fat milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Steps:

1: Place potatoes and sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and add
enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until
very tender when pierced with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes.

2: Drain the potatoes, and then mash them in the pot to the desired
consistency. Place milk and butter in a small bowl and microwave on
High until the butter is mostly melted and the milk is warm, 30 to 40
seconds. (Alternatively, place in a small saucepan and heat over
medium until the milk is warm.) Stir the milk mixture, sugar, salt and
pepper into the mashed potatoes until combined.

Apple Crisp

5 medium tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup melted butter
1/3 cup water
whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Arrange sliced apples in a buttered 8-inch square baking dish. In a bowl, combine the sugars, flour, and oats; stir in melted butter. Spread mixture over the apples. Pour water evenly over top. Bake in a 375° oven for 30 minutes, until apples are tender and top is nicely browned. Serve warm or cooled with ice cream or whipped cream.

So here I end this, I could go on and on.. as I love to share recipes almost as much as I love to make then and eat them(or use them) So until Yule….

Merry Cooking and Blessed Eating

The Hearthkeeper

Tags: cookiing, Crafts, hearth, home, house, kitchen, Recipes

• Recipes

Hearthkeeper November, 2008

Tags: correspondence, green cleaning, hearth, herbs, kitchen

• Articles

Dea November, 2008

The Great Pumpkin…Seed

Pumpkins are one of Mother Nature’s many gifts.  It is easy to take this gift for granted especially, when we see them adorning walkways and porches in honor of Halloween.   In fact many of us throw out the most important part of the pumpkin, the seed.  Pumpkin seeds are one of nature’s perfect foods.  The nutritional value of pumpkinseeds makes them a powerhouse of nutrients packed with most of the B vitamins, as well as C, D, E, and K. They contain essential minerals including magnesium, calcium, potassium, niacin, zinc and phosphorous.  Holistic practitioners have used Pumpkin seeds for centuries to eliminate various types of intestinal parasites, support male reproductive health, and aid in digestion.  In recent years many herbal or “folk” remedies have come under the scrutiny of modern western medicine.  I am please to report that Pumpkin seeds continue to withstand the tests of clinical trial.  Studies have found that Pumpkinseeds can assist in treating enlarged prostates, reduce the occurrence of kidney stones, has anti-inflammatory properties, and improve bladder & urethra function.  Some even say it can help lower cholesterol.

How to eat them? Well you put them in your mouth of course.   But, they really should be consumed whole, shells and all. You did read that right, whole, shells and all.  I have tried to do this a few times (ok twice to be exact) and let’s just say it was not exactly a pleasant dining experience.  I wanted to reap the benefits of pumpkin seeds and I have found that there is pumpkin seed oil (which should be refrigerated) or pumpkin seed supplements that are pills which you can find at your local health food store or online.  Pumpkin seeds and their supplements have been known to motivate the digestive system if you catch my drift.  You may want to limit the amount you ingest the first time.

How to make your own pumpkin seeds. If you find yourself hollowing out a pumpkin and think better of wasting those little gems you can simply wash them and place them on a cookie sheet and lightly roast them at 160-170ºF for 15-20 minutes. Roasting them for a short time at a lower temperature can preserve their healthy oils.   I would recommend that you store them in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Roasted or toasted pumpkins seeds are a nutritional powerhouse and no matter how you sneak them into you diet your body will thank you.

I am a Certified

Herbal

• WiseWoman Traditions

ist, Aroma therapist, and Qi Gong Practitioner.  I was diagnosed with a rare form of Lymphoma and felt that the treatment options prescribed by my Oncologist really did not resonate with me.  In fact the thought of pursuing treatment frightened me.  Thus began my study of “alternative” treatments and I have not looked back.  I have not had a re-occurrence of my lymphoma since being diagnosed 9 years ago.  My decision to decline treatment was the best decision for me and may not be the best decision for everyone.  The information that I provide is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or health care provider.  I still visit with my oncologist annually.  You should not use the information I provide as a means of diagnosing a health problem or as a means of determining treatment.

Tags: health, herbs, kitchen, pumpkin seeds

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