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Shower bag - Bath Blend of the Month

I go the idea for this recipe from my friend Tina at The Essential Herbal. She posted a recipe for Bath Scrubby on her herb blog back in 2013 that I have played around with ever since and this is my version of that.

I make shower bags with herbs and soap that can be used to wash with. The key with a shower bag is the herbs must come in contact with the skin to impart their herbal properties. My solution was to put soap in it so that you would put it in contact with the skin. Tina's recipe uses only herbs and you just wipe it over the skin after wetting it. I like the variations that were possible with her recipe and came up with a blend that would soothe my sensitive skin and remove irritation from being outside and sun exposure.

Flower Bath Scrubbie

2 Tbls. calendula petals
2 Tbls rose petals
1 Tbls lavender buds
1 Tbls chamomile flowers
1 Tbls thyme or sage flowers

This makes about 3/8 to 1/3 of a cup of blend that is enough to fill one 3 x 4 inch cotton (or you can place them in the center of a 10x10 inch square of muslin fabric and pull the edges together.) To use in the shower, wet the bag and scrub over your skin. The soothing properties of the flowers is perfect for your skin.

I like the method of brewing the bag in a pan of water and pouring that into the bath water as the best way to get the benefit of the flowers, but if you want to take a shower with this scrubbie, the key is to make sure the bag comes in contact with the skin.

Here is a breakdown of the benefits of the flowers:

Chamomile - reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also possessing anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Calendula - has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, and helps to heal wounds and soothe damaged skin, such as sunburn, cuts and scrapes.

Rose - Antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties in roses make them wonderfully soothing for skin, especially swollen spots and redness.

Sage - the antioxidants in sage reduce fine lines and wrinkles and other signs of aging.

Thyme - is an anti-bacterial herb that can be used on skin bacteria that creates acne, and an antifungal agent that works on eczema.

Lavender - is rich in a compound called linalool that assists with skin healing while also preventing tissue degeneration keeping skin firm and preventing wrinkles.

Body Powder Puff – DIY (for MOM)

Mothers Day is May 14, 2017, so I thought this month I would share a great step-by-step for making a powder puff you can give to mom for Mother’s Day. And if you don’t have a mom to make one for, treat yourself!

Body Powder Puff

10” square of fabric or a cloth hanky (vintage items are perfect for this)

½ cup French white clay

1 Tbls. Powdered rose buds

1 Tbls. Powdered lavender buds

20 drops of lavender essential oil

20 drops of rose geranium essential oil

Cotton batting

Rubber band

12” of decorative ribbon (that compliments the fabric)

If you do not have or cannot find powdered herbs, make them yourself. Using about 4 to 5 Tbls. of dried crumbled rose petals or lavender buds, run them in a blender or food processor or even a clean coffee grinder until you get a fine powder.

Mix powdered herbs with clay and add essential oils. The oils will ball up in the clay so mash them with the back of spoon to get them to granulate and mix evenly into the clay.

Place the clay mixture in the center of the fabric, which you have laid out on a flat surface face down.

Place the batting on top of clay and gather up the 4 corners of fabric and secure with a rubber band.

Tug in all the edges of the fabric to create a tight ball with no gaps.

Cover the rubber band with the decorative ribbon tied in a pretty bow.

To use: Pat the powder puff on skin, then rub the clay in. You can also use this to dust and scent the bed linens. It is fun to find an old tin or cardboard box at a vintage store to put the puff in, or decorate a plain take out box with personalized art.

More Edible Flowers - Herb of the Week

I previously did a blog post on edible flowers in 2013. Since that time I have developed a wonderful slide presentation on Edible Flowers with a chart that details what parts of flowers to use. The program includes herb, vegetable and landscaping flowers all of which are edible in one way or another. As the weather gets warmer and I start to get antsy for gardening season to begin the thought of some edible flowers generally pops into my head.

These days people recognize that many flowers in addition to being decorative are indeed edible which is why we see a salad topped with nasturtiums or cookies with real rose or pansy petals pressed into the frosting or even a bowl of punch with violets or violas floating on top. However I am going to give you a few ways to use flowers in a more savory way in cooking.

Chive Blossoms

We will start with my favorite early herb flower - Chive blossoms. Chives can bloom as early as April in some places but generally show an abundance in early May in my Zone 5 garden. I make chive flowers into vinegar. using the simple microwave technique.

To make herb vinegar, wash your fresh herbs thoroughly then allow to air dry. Use any type of vinegar with a 5% acidity. Rice and wine vinegars are very popular, but distilled white works fine too. Place the herbs in a glass heat-resistant jar. Pour vinegar over herbs to cover completely. Using the handle of a wooden or plastic spoon bruise the herbs in the vinegar. Then place jar in microwave for 2 minutes on high. Allow to cool and steep.

In about 2 weeks the vinegar starts to turn a lovely pink and picks up a light onionly flavor akin to chives. It can then be used to make salad dressing and marinades. I do sell the vinegar some years, but it is always gone in a hurry.

Vinegar Slaw

3 1/2 pounds green cabbage, cut into 1-inch chunks

1 very large Vidalia or other sweet onion (1 1/4 pounds), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 pound carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

3 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 cup sugar

1 cup chive blossom vinegar

3/4 cup peanut oil

1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves

Working in batches, pulse the vegetables in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl and toss well. Stir in the sugar.

In a small saucepan, combine the vinegar, oil, dry mustard, celery seeds and salt and bring to a boil. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss well. Refrigerate overnight. Just before serving, drain the slaw and stir in the parsley.

Calendula

Marigolds brighten up the summer months and Pot Marigold, also known as Calendula is a wonderful annual to grow. I plant them as an edging around evergreen beds as well as my rain garden and my vegetable gardens. The flowers are bright, colorful and sunny and cannot help but lift your mood and they are totally edible. You can use calendula petals to make this wonderful vegetable soup.

Marigold Soup

Adapted from Herbs through the Seasons at Caprilands by Adelma Simmons

8 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup brown rice, uncooked

1 cup celery, chopped

2 medium onions, chopped

2 medium potatoes scrubbed and diced

1 Tbls black peppercorns, crushed

2 cups fresh spinach, chopped

½ cup chives, chopped

½ cup chive flowers, torn and chopped

1 cup parsley, chopped
2 cups calendula flowers
1 cup young calendula leaves
1 Tbls lemon juice (or more to taste)
calendula petals or flower heads for garnish

Directions:
Combine chicken stock, rice, celery, onions, potatoes and crushed pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes or until rice is just cooked. Add spinach, chives, parsley and calendula flowers and leaves and cook 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Garnish with fresh calendula. Serve at once with a flower in each bowl.

Lavender

Lavender flowers arrive in late summer and give such great aroma of relaxation they tend to be used for potpourri and scented creams and lotions rather than for the savory qualities they bring to food. They are an important part of a traditional herb blend called Herbs De Provence. Herbs de Provence can be used to marinades, sauces and as a meat rub.

Simplified Herbs De Provence

Thyme
Rosemary
Bay
Fennel
Lavender buds

Combine dried herbs in equal amounts and store in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

Herbs de Provence Encrusted Pork Loin

3 1/2 lb. Center Cut Boneless Pork Loin

2 Tbls Herbs de Provence

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

3 Tbls Olive Oil

1 tsp Kosher Salt

1/2 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper

1 cup Chardonnay Wine (or any other dry white wine)

1 cup Fat Free Chicken Broth

1 Tbls Cornstarch

1 Tbls Cold Water

Directions

Encrusted Pork Loin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Allow meat to come to room temperature for 15 minutes prior to cooking; then trim any visible fat from your roast and place in a roasting pan; leaving any fat facing up. Combine the Herbs de Provence, garlic, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl; then brush it on top of the meat. Add the wine and chicken broth to the bottom of the pan and bake until the minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees (approximately 1 1/2 hours for an internal temperature of 160 degrees; which is how we prefer ours cooked.) Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 15 minutes before slicing.

Chardonnay Pan Gravy

Remove the pan drippings from the bottom of the roasting pan and place in a small saucepan. Bring to a slight boil over high heat; then reduce heat to a simmer. Combine the cornstarch and cold water and whisk the mixture into the pan drippings. Stir constantly until the gravy has thickened; approximately 2-3 minutes. Serve over Pork Loin.

Rose

Roses are also a great savory for cooking. You can extract the essence of the petals by making a rose water that can then be used to make cookies.

You can make your own quick rose water. It has not long term shelf life, so use it up in 6 months and keep refrigerated. But you can use as a bath splash and in these savory cookies while you have it on hand.

Quick Rose Water
from the Program Body Beautiful by Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh

1 cup firmly packed rose petals, washed

2 cups boiling water

Place rose petals in a ceramic or glass bowl. Use only fresh petals (no leaves or stems). Pour boiling water over petals, and allow to steep until cool. Strain off the petals and pour the scented liquid into a clean bottle.

Directions for use: Splash on after bath or shower or use in any number of beauty recipes. Will keep refrigerated for 6 months.

Rose Cookies
Adapted from Herbs through the Seasons at Caprilands by Adelma Simmons

1 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flower
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
2 Tbls rose water or 1 tsp rose syrup
2 Tbls caraway seeds
raisins for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream together butter and honey. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flours with baking soda and cream of tartar. Add to the creamed mixture. Stir in rose water or rose syrup and caraway seeds. Drop mixture by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly with a moistened finger and put a raisin in the center of each cookie. Bake at 375 degrees until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets and cool on a wire rack. Make 8 dozen.

Immunity Boosting Herb Garden

Come winter time I begin thinking of what to plant next year. I have discussed theme gardens before, but this time I thought I would focus on medicinal herbs. Recent illnesses among my friends and family have made me more aware of the need to incorporate medicinal herbs into our daily life. I admit that although I understand the medicinal properties of many plants. I grow herbs because I enjoy the scents and flavors more than any other aspect.

So this year I decided to focus on the easiest ways to begin incorporating those medicinal properties. Boosting or strengthening the immune system would help most people avoid chronic illness, so I decided to start there.

scale is 4 squares to 1 foot

I designed this garden based on an idea I found in the Herb Companion Magazine back in 2012 and sketched into my notes. The Garden is round and about 4 and ½ feet in diameter with a raised center section about 2 feet in diameter located in the center. Raising the herbs up in the center allows them to get more sunlight and to spread without crowding the plants that encircle them.

At the bottom is a diagram
of the raised center

It created a nice compact immunity boosting herb garden that you can try too!

I suggest one each of the plants listed except Echinacea which should number 3 and thyme which can number 3 to 5.

The Plants are:

E Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia or Echinacea purpurea) - This strong hardy perennial is easy to grow from seed and looks lovely when it flowers in the fall. You can use the root to make tea or just the flowering tops both will boost natural immunity.

G Ginger (Zingiber officinale) The root is used in tea as it is both warming and anti-inflammatory and has been used effectively to help fight the flu and common cold. Not hardy in the Midwest this plant should be grown in a pot.

L Lavender – (Lavendula) - Studies have demonstrated lavender’s inherent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal disinfecting properties. It is a low growing shrub that makes a striking plant with it silver gray leaves and purple flowers.

M Mint (Mentha) - with many different species to choose from, almost all assist with illness symptoms like nausea, headaches and fever. Bushy shapes like apple mint and spearmint will look the best in this small garden, but a container may be needed to keep the mint under control.

Me Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) - The leaves and flowers have a pleasant wintergreen aroma and flavor, and are used internally for inflammation, fevers, heartburn, and peptic ulcers. Meadowsweet is a wonderful tonic for arthritis with its anti-inflammatory salicylates. A hardy perennial, it grows to 4’ tall, and 2.5’ wide. Plant in full sun or part shade.

Mo Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)- is a short-lived herbaceous perennial, plant in full sun to part shade. Hardy to Zone 4. Plant 18-24 inches apart; grows 3 to 5’ tall. In cooler climates, it can take over and become quite weedy, so you may want to plant it where it can do its thing without stepping on anyone’s toes.

O Oregano (Origamnum vulgare) - Most known for its culinary properties, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which make it perfect for immune system support. It is believed to have enough antibacterial effect to kill MRSA.

R Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - A culinary wonder, this herb provides anti-inflammation, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. And research provides ample evidence that rosemary not only improves memory, but helps fight cancer. Not hardy below 10 degrees, this plant should be grown in a pat to bring in for the winter.

S Sage (Salvia officinalis) - An anti-fungal herb you can add this to tea and use to make sore throat treatments. A hardy perennial it can get larger over time so as a background plant is great.

T Thyme (Thymus) - Thyme has many medicinal properties it is anti-bacterial and can be used in all of its scents including lemon. Hardy, they are a low grower and can fill in around the base of the Echinacea.

Natural Cleaning with Herbs

In a quest for a life with less chemicals and more natural scents and ingredients around me, I started growing herbs to cook with. I made teas and cooking blends and introduced my family to the joy of herbs in the diet. My favorite scent is lemon. I grow lemon verbena, lemon balm, lemon grass, lemon scented geraniums, lemon thyme and lemon basil. I found in researching these wonderfully scented plants, that not only were they tasty in cooking and tea, but that they enjoy many germ fighting properties as well. And when I combined them with other natural disinfectants like vinegar, herbal essential oils and lemon juice I could create cleaning solutions for my household that were effective and non-toxic.

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant because of its acid content. Plain white vinegar is 99% effective against most bacteria. Lemon Juice, which is basically citric acid, breaks down the cell membranes of bacteria much like sterilization by heat does. The pleasant scent can also cut the harshness of straight vinegar. Add to that the natural disinfecting power of herbs and herbal essentials oils and you have a perfect combination for cleaning and disinfecting without harsh chemicals.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Herbs:

Thyme -The essential oil of thyme contains thymol, a natural phenol with powerful and proven antibiotic and disinfectant properties that kill common household germs. Thymol is at least 18 times as effective as phenol (used in commercial germicides), but much less toxic. Tests have shown its effective against Salmonella, Staphylococcus and Ecoli.

Sage, like thyme, contains natural phenol so is effective on germs and has many anti-fungal properties making it a perfect partner in the bathroom.

Rosemary contains camphor, a powerful anti-microbial.

Lavender – often seen only as a pleasing scent is a perfect partner for cleaning as it has a gentle germ-fighting power. It can also be used as a disinfectant and insect repellent and Lavender is an antiseptic, natural antibiotic, sedative, detoxifier.

Lemon Grass - with a very long history of use in traditional Indian medicine to help reduce fevers and fight infectious illness. Lemongrass essential oil is an antimicrobial and it resists contagion. It is a good sanitary disinfectant as well.

Lemongrass Cleaning Cloths

You can use micro fiber cloths, old cloth diapers or torn-up t-shirts. These do-it-yourself duster cloths offer convenience of disposable furniture wipes without the guilt of contributing to the landfill. Make several at one time. I use cloths about 10 to 12-inches square which fit well in the hand. This recipe will make about 40 cloths this size. I find 10 to 12 cloths fit nicely in a 1 pint wide mouth mason jar.

3/4 cup water

1 cup white vinegar or lemon thyme herbal vinegar

¼ cup lemon juice

¼ teaspoon lemon grass essential oil

10 to 12 drops of lemon essential oil

Dust cloths or rags

1 or 2 wide mouth pint-size mason jars and lids

Combine water, vinegar, lemon juice and essential oils in large bowl. Soak dust cloths in the solution for 30 minutes. Squeeze out cloths, leaving them slightly damp. Lay the cloths out flat, then fold each cloth in half or thirds and roll up. Place rolled cloths in a glass jar. Cap tightly with a screw lid. To use, unfold the cloth and wipe down surfaces as usual. Launder dust cloths when dirty and infuse again with the mixture. Because of the lemon grass oil and vinegar these will not get moldy even though you keep them damp and they smell terrific, giving your home a fresh clean scent.

These wonderful smelling cloths can dust woodwork, scrub shower walls and doors, disinfect sinks, tubs and tile and are even good on porcelain toilets and toilet seats. And if you do not want to make your own we do have these wonderful cleaning cloths for sale.

Herbal Vinegar Spray

The spray is perfectly safe and very effective to use at full strength, but can be diluted 50/50 for lighter jobs.

Fresh or dried herbs

Distilled white vinegar

Roughly chop 1 to 2 large handfuls of fresh or dried herbs and place in a glass jar with a wide mouth and a plastic lid (good choices are lemon verbena, peppermint, rosemary, lemon balm or lavender.) Add vinegar to fill the jar. Replace the lid and leave for a few days or weeks (I generally like to wait 2 weeks) to infuse, then strain out the herbs. Pour into a plastic stray bottle.

Ways to Use your Vinegar Spray:

Clean your coffee maker. Fill the reservoir with a full strength, undiluted thyme vinegar. Run the vinegar through one cycle. Run two cycles of water to rinse.
Remove pesticides from fruits and vegetables. Wash them in a mixture of 2 or 3 tablespoons of sage and/or thyme vinegar per quart of water. The antifungal qualities of sage will also help with natural borne fungus and the antiviral qualities of thyme will help against bacteria.
To cut grease and absorb odors on your wood cutting board, wipe down with a lemon, thyme or basil vinegar.
Clean and freshen the microwave mix ¼ cup herb-based vinegar and 1 cup water in a small bowl and heat for 5 minutes. This will remove lingering odors and soften baked-on food spills.
Mildew removal. Full strength vinegar, especially thyme vinegar will remove mildew from a shower curtain. You can add a couple drops of lemon essential oil for a sweeter smell.
Floor cleaner. To clean floors and kill germs try this recipe: 1/8 cup liquid soap, ½ cup thyme vinegar, ½ cup herbal tea (peppermint smells great, lemon cuts grease, thyme and sage will kill germs.)
Keep your dishwasher clean and fresh. Add ½ cup herb vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Finally here is something simple and quick you can make to use all around the house for general cleaning. Washing soda, also known as Soda Ash is sodium carbonate. I obtain mine (made by Arm & Hammer) at the WalMart, but many grocery stores and health related stores also stock it.

I have heard that some people have trouble getting washing soda so I found this post that explains how to turn baking soda into washing soda

All-purpose Cleaner and Disinfectant

2 cups hot water

¼ cup white vinegar

½ tsp. washing soda

15 drops tea tree essential oil

15 drops lavender essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a reusable spray bottle and shake well. To use, spray on surfaces, especially cutting boards, counter tops and toilets. Wipe with dry cloth.

Variation: add ½ teaspoon of liquid castile soap to 2 cups of this cleaner for a great all-purpose cleaner.

Enjoy the scents of Spring and Spring cleaning without masking them with chemicals and have a wonderful March!

Valentine's Day: It's Not Just Chocolate and Roses

I have to admit that my two favorite Valentine herbs are chocolate (oh, yes, it's really an herb) and roses. In fact I make a great black tea blend using both crushed chocolate and rose petals that I call “Valentine Lover's Tea.” But there are actually many herbs that can help you celebrate the season of love.

Herb Lore

Periwinkle (also called Vinca minor). It was believed that people who ate periwinkle leaves together would fall in love.

Honeysuckle. The scent of honeysuckle was thought to induce erotic dreams; hence, many parents forbade their daughters to bring it into the house.

Bay laurel. If you want to dream of your future lover, pin five bay leaves to the four corners and the center of your pillow, before you go to bed tonight. Be sure to repeat the traditional charm (it won't work if you don't) St. Valentine, be kind to me, in dreams let me my true love see.

Yarrow. A lady hoping to attract a reluctant lover was advised to walk through a patch of yarrow, barefoot at midnightunder a full moon. In the Language of Herbs, Yarrow means EVERLASTING LOVE, so giving it in a blend for bath may make the perfect Valentine gift.

Modern Love Herbs

Herbs have romantic meanings, and can bring a romantic touch to your Valentine's Day. Combine any of these special Love Herbs to tell the story of your love and devotion and enjoy an Herbal Valentine!

1. Basil

Basil, with it's spicy scent, has meaning in the language of love. It's very meaning is LOVE. Try this spicy sweet cocktail made with Lemon Basil:

Lemon Basil

Lemon Basil Tequila Cocktail
1 serving

2 parts Tequila
1 part premium Triple Sec
1/2 lemon
6 lemon basil leaves
1/2 part simple syrup
Club soda

Muddle lemon, basil and simple syrup in a chilled glass. Add ice, triple sec and tequila. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Basic Simple Syrup Recipe
makes approximately 1 1/2 cups

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow mixture to cool, then decant into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. Keeps in the refrigerator for several weeks.

2. Calendula

According to the language of herbs, Calendula means JOY. What a lovely thing to say to your beloved. Add calendula to your teas of course, but how about a soothing treatment to make your skin shiny and soft for you special someone?

Special Calendula Facial

Petals of 2 calendula flowers (about 2 Tbls.)

2 Tbls. instant non-fat dry milk

1/3 c. boiling water

Combine the milk and flowers in the water and allow to steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove herbs and use the mixture to wipe face or soak a cloth in the liquid and lay over face and relax for 5 minutes to let the calendula soften the skin and bring back a rosey complexion.

3. Thyme

According to the language of herbs, Thyme brings with it the meaning of AFFECTION. Perfect for young love or deep friendship. What better way to express your devotion to someone, than to include a sprig of thyme in their Valentine?

Or you can try this thyme seasoned Red Soup –

Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

2 ¼ pounds tomatoes, halved lengthwise

2 large red bell peppers, seeded and quartered

1 onion, cut into thick slices

4 large garlic cloves, peeled

2 Tbls. olive oil

1 tsp. fresh, ½ tsp. dried thyme

water

Preheat over to 450 degrees. Arrange tomatoes (cut side up) bell peppers, onion, and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet. Drizzle oil over, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until brown and tender, turning peppers and onion occasionally about 40 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool.

Transfer vegetables and accumulated juices to food processor and all thyme. Puree soup, gradually adding about 2 cups of water to thin soup to desired consistency. Chill until cold, about 3 hours. Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated. If soup becomes too thick, thin with water to desired consistency. Serves 4.

4. Patchouli

The heady scent of Patchouli is not surprisingly included in a list of romance herbs. According to the Language of Herbs, Patchouli means PASSION. Associated with love, wealth, and sexual power, patchouli can be used in incense blends, potpourri, and ritual workings. To use patchouli to it's fullest extent, tuck some dried into small sleep pillows, or sachets. The rich, lusty scent, will entice your love to feel romantic.

Blessing Oil

Use 1/8 Cup base oil (like almond oil, walnut oil or even canola oil),

then add the following:

5 drops Sandalwood

2 drops Camphor

1 drop Orange

1 drop Patchouli

5. Lavender (lavender sachet photo)

In the Language of Love, Lavender means DEVOTION and UNDYING LOVE. It is no surprise that lavender has always been considered the herb of love. It's delicious and romantic scent is loved by most of us. Make a sachet and place it in the dryer with your bed sheets to infuse them in wonderful scent.

Or try one of these wonderful lavender creations:

Lavender Aioli

1 cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, unpeeled and crushed

2 fresh sprigs lavender (leaves and flowers), bruised

3 eggs

1 Tbls. lemon juice

In a small saucepan, gently heat the oil with the garlic and lavender over low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat just before it starts to bubble. Allow to cool to room temperature. With a sieve over a small bowl, strain the lavender oil, pressing with a spoon to extract soft solids from the garlic and lavender. Discard herbs.

In a food processor or blender, process the eggs and lemon juice until well blended. With the motor running, add the lavender oil a few drops at a time, then in a thin, steady stream until all the oil is absorbed and the mixture is thickened. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or use immediately. Aioli thickens on chilling.

Great on sandwiches, as a spread on toast and stirred into steamed vegetables.

Soothing Oat Bath

2 cups rolled oats, ground to a fine powder in the blender

1 cup baking soda

1 Tbls. dried Lavender buds

10 drops lavender essential oil

Grind 2 cups rolled oats to a fine powder in a blender then add baking soda, lavender flowers and lavender oil. Add 1 to 2 Tbls. to a muslin bag and place in the bathtub while it is filling. Squeeze the bag and relax into the water with your sweetie!

Chamomile Stew - Bath Blend of the Month

This milky stew of salts and herbs is soothing to the skin, relaxing to the body and mind and generally a great way to wind down and revitalize in the middle of Winter.

1 1/2 cup powdered milk

1/2 cup Epsom salt
1/8 cup baking soda
2 Tbls cornstarch

1/2 cup lavender

1/2 cup chamomile

Blend ingredients together, and store in an air-tight jar.

To Use: Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of blend to a muslin bag and suspend in the tub as it is filling. Soak and enjoy!

Bath Blend of the Month - Healing Salt Blend

This recipe contains baking soda which is used to cleanse and detoxify the body, and a blend of essential oils that are known for their cold-symptom-helping qualities. Since January is the height of flu season I thought this blend might be just what you need, especially after a stressful holiday season.

Healing Salt Bath Blend

1 cup Epsom salts

1 cup sea salt

1 cup baking soda

25 drops eucalyptus essential oil

17 drops lavender essential oil

10 drops tea tree essential oil

10 drops pine or cedar essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

Directions:Measure out the salts and mix them together well, making sure to break up any clumps. I find that a large, wide, stainless steel bowl works best for blending the salts. Add the essential oils. Mix everything together well. Scoop the salts into jars or other air-tight containers.

Note: The essential oil blend is pretty flexible. If you don't have one of the oils, you can leave them out, or sometimes even substitute. The eucalyptus is the main part of the blend. The lavender is there to round it out a bit and give a bit of "relaxing" quality. Tea tree is a great anti-bacterial and anti-viral. Pine and peppermint are used for loosening up your nasal passages.

Bath Blend of the Month

Fall is almost here, school has started and I am exhausted from harvesting herbs day and night. it is time for some rejuvenation! So here is an herb combo designed to give you just what is needed to make you fresh and new again!

Rejuvenation Bath Blend

1/2 Cup Lavender
1/2 Cup Rose Petals
1/2 Cup Sage
1/2 Cup Rosemary

Mix the herbs as dry ingredients and store in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Stuff a metal tea ball or muslin bag with the blend (lace or cotton fabric will also work). As you run your bath, place the tea ball or bag in the tub, under the running water. Then, relax and enjoy!

Grilled Salmon with Lavender - Weekend Recipe

A friend asked me today if you can cook with lavender. I said absolutely, as lavender is an ingredient in the seasoning Herbs de Provence. She wanted something to try it out with and I suggested this salmon recipe you can make on the grill. The best way to make it is to smoke the salmon with lavender as you grill it. To do that you just cut a bunch of flowering lavender and put the stalks in a glass of water for 45 minutes to 2

hours. The soaked herbs can be strewn on the coals of the grill as the salmon cooks and the resulting

smoke lends a faint camphor and pine flavor to the cooking salmon.

Grilled Lavender and Salmon

Serves 4

• 2 to 4 large cloves garlic, minced

• 2 teaspoons fresh lavender buds

• 1/4 cup lite soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/3 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

• 4 fresh salmon fillets

In a large bowl, mash the garlic and lavender buds together. Stir in the soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, and oils, whisking to blend together. Add the salmon fillets to the bowl, cover, and marinate for 30 minutes or longer. At serving time, fire a barbecue grill and place salmon fillets-skin side down-on the grill. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes, basting frequently with the marinade, then turn fillets once and cook another minute or more until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Serve with a fresh vegetable salad or coleslaw.

Lavender Oat Sachets - Bath Blend of the Month

Lavender Oatmeal Sachet

2 cups plain old fashioned oats
1 tablespoon dried lavender buds
2 tsp. chamomile flowers
1/2 cup baking soda
small muslin bags

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or a food processor and pulse until the mixture looks like flour.

Fill each muslin bag with the mixture and tie shut. If you don’t have muslin bags, you can simply add about 1/3 cup to a hot bath, under running water. I prefer using a muslin bag to hold homemade bath soaks because it cuts down on clean up time.

This blend can be stored in a glass jar and just fill the muslin bag as needed. When done, just dump out the contents and rinse the bag out to dry for next time.

We currently make these as a product of Backyard Patch Herbs, so you can get 5 draw-string tea bags of this mixture in a colored canning jar.

Muscle Saver Bath - Bath Blend of the Month

Much garden work is being done at my house as I put in gardens where none were before. The shoveling, the raking, the building of raised beds, it is all good for me, but my muscles sometimes scream in protest. This aromatic bath is good for relaxing muscles and relieving stress. It is also valuable to those with arthritis. I find this is very helpful when my hands start aching. Juniper berry’s essential oil breaks down the surface tension of the epidermis helping the skin absorb the beneficial aspects of the remaining herbs.

Muscle-Saver Bath

1 tsp. juniper berries

2 Tbls. dried peppermint

2 Tbls. dried spearmint

2 Tbls lavender flowers and leaves

Place all the ingredients in a square of muslin or a handkerchief, tie up with string. Or place in an unbleached muslin bag or coffee filter. Place the bag in the tub while it fills with water. The bag acts like a giant tea bag, turning your bath into a therapeutic herbal tea. Use the soaked bag to scrub your skin. If you prefer a shower, soak the bag of herbs in the shower and then use it like a washcloth.

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