Elderberry gummies are a great way to get the health benefits of elderberries but disguised as a treat. In the past, I have made elderberry gummies from my homemade elderberry syrup recipe (just add a little extra water and a few tablespoons of gelatin). They tasted great, but I thought it would be fun to give them a little twist and make them more like the sweetly flavored berry gummies my kids already know and love. Plus, I discovered that some folks don't like the flavor of elderberry syrup, which the original elderberry gummies taste like. So I thought it was time to experiment...
Homemade body care products are quick and easy to make. They are often quite frugal too. Giving DIY body care gifts is a great way to introduce your friends and family to the world of non-toxic beauty products. Plus, it's kind of fun to impress them with your DIY skills. Most people are super impressed when you tell them you made lip balm yourself! There are a ton of DIY recipes and tutorials on this website, but I'm going to share the fastest ones with you today. If you have some time to spare, watch the video below for a...
HOW TO MAKE A LAYERED CANDY CANE SUGAR SCRUB This homemade body scrub is quick and easy to make, but looks festive and unique. . Scented with vanilla and peppermint essential oil, it's the perfect winter pick-me-up. . Here's the recipe: – 1 cup white sugar – 2 Tablespoons coconut oil, melted -1/4 cup sweet almond oil – 15 drops vanilla oleoresin or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract – 3-4 drops peppermint essential oil – 1/2-1 teaspoon cranberry powder or beet powder for color (can also use a few drops of red food coloring) Method: Mix all ingredients except the cranberry powder (beet powder...
There's nothing quite like the warm and comforting spices of autumn. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove just seem to bring about happy feelings and make you want to sigh with contentment. Why not bring that happiness to a morning bowl of granola? Or afternoon yogurt parfait topped with crunchy goodness? This pumpkin spice granola recipe actually came about by accident. You see, I usually make the following granola recipe with cinnamon alone, but this time I only grabbed the pumpkin pie spice by mistake. Thankfully it was a happy accident, with tasty results. Besides eating as simple granola or using in a parfait, this...
Plantain is excellent for treating all manner of wounds and skin irritations. Bug bites, cuts and scrapes are some of the most common issues treated with plantain. While it would be beneficial to treat such conditions with fresh plantain, it may not be available when you need it. Thus, the plantain salve is born. This plantain salve is good to have on hand when you are out and about. Apply to cuts, scrapes, and bites to reduce inflammation and promote healing. This salve is prepared using dried plantain since some may not have access to fresh. However, this could be...
Pumpkin pie spice is something that appears frequently in recipes during the fall (and also the Christmas season). It's good to have some on hand so dishes can be prepared at any time. It's always so frustrating to find a recipe and not have the spices to make it!). If you find yourself in a pinch, with no pumpkin pie spice on hand, or you'd just like to make your own, the following recipe will do the trick. It's quick and easy (and smells great!). This would make a lovely gift too. Just put it in a jar and add...
If you're looking for safer skincare and cosmetics, Beautycounter has you covered. Beautycounter has really impressed me and I am now using a ton of their products. I started out rather skeptically, but am now using Beautycounter hair care, skin care, and make-up! Honestly, I thought I would just use them for makeup, but I love their skincare too. I just started using their Overnight Resurfacing Facial Peel and it has done wonders for my skin. I'm not easily impressed when it comes to this type of thing. So, this is a big deal! What is Beautycounter? Beautycounter is a safe skincare and...
Elderberry syrup is a staple in most natural medicine cabinets. It's wonderful because it tastes good and helps boost the immune system. Elderberries are high in vitamin C and boast a generous amount of antioxidants and beta-carotene. Fresh elderberries contain a toxic compound that can cause some gastrointestinal distress. This compound is inactivated by cooking. So, if you ever decide to make a tincture with elderberries, be sure to cook them for 30 minutes. This recipe uses dried elderberries, but fresh ones could be used instead (since we are cooking them for 30 minutes), If you choose to use fresh elderberries, you...
How many salt lamps is too many salt lamps? I'm asking for a friend 🙂 I recently received a Grey Salt Lamp from So Well and it is one of my favorite things! Now I want one for every corner of the house! I've had salt lamps for many years and long been fascinated with the benefits associated with them. But none of the salt lamps I've owned previously can compare to this one from So Well. I've already written about the benefits of salt lamps, but want to reiterate just how lovely they are. Not only do salt lamps help neutralize...
