Jars on jars on jars...

Of tinctured wellness!

I'm so thankful to live in the Pacific North West where it rains every season. So much relies on our heavy rain spouts and overcast skies.

Back home in California, my family is in a drought. My mom kavelts relentlessly because she can't even water her own pants. (Though she sneaks plenty of water buckets)...

And then here we are in Portland with our "water boil" incident. Shitting in our reservoirs and flushing it out like a fucking toilet... then refilling it with the Crystal of all cool mountain water within 48 hours....

...Thank you, geography.

Though there are many things I miss (family, friends, the beach...etc) nothing beats our highest temperature being a 94 degree day followed by a luscious, cumulus cloud-filled sky and thunderstorms on a comfortably warm July night.

Also, the fact that I can still pick a yeild to tincture that isn't scorn by the scalding hot sun... that's pretty nice too...

Starting a new potion today in a Sailor Jerry's menstruum.

Equal parts:

- Hawthorn berry
- Dandelion leaves
- Lemon balm
- Chicory root
- Raspberry leaves

Taste-wise, we shall see.... but this little 

cocktail is definately one for the books!

Weed eater?

Who needs one when "You can tincture that!"

DANDELION!

Lightly cook or process them with garlic and ginger for a pungent internal cleanse/detox, admix with herbs and steep for a liver tonic, you can even tincture them with a strong mentruum for a menstrual aid or hormonal stabilizer!

But do not dismay jealous boyfriend or spouse!

Here's one of our personal favorites:

1 part nettles
2 parts red raspberry leaves
1/2 Dandelion leaves and root
1 part Lady's mantle 

*Lemon balm and stevia to taste*

Tonic or tincture with and 80 proof spirit and enjoy the bounty of your yard surpluses!

You can tincture that!

I've been so wrapped up in work, visits, studies and being a mom, that I scarcely have time for myself these past few summers.

Yet, I bide my time for a moments peace to brush up on my yoga and jar my tinctures.

These past few months I've collected a variance of potion concocting ingredients and supplies in preparation for the summer's moons.

The buzzing bees collect the most honey...

Been busy getting down and dirty in garden the few weeks.

 I'm glad to say most of my seeds are sewn and the pots have been built and set.

We spent the past two weekends out taking apart pallets from my work, cutting them down to size with a hand saw, and learning to pre-drill and drill them into sturdy raised garden beds.

Then we spent hours weeding, sifting through dirt, and mixing compost for our new seedlings to settle in.

I have to say, this has been one hell of a lot more fun and productive (not to mention cheaper) than I'd expect any of my weekends to be!

Oregon-Ohhh!

Today, I am starting on a new herbal project. I shall be concocting... wait for it.... Oregano essential oil!

This will be by far, one of the most useful things I do thus far. Why? One might ask. The reasoning:

Oregano, aside from being an excellent culinary ingredient has (wouldn't you know it) several medicinal uses!

- fungacidal /astringent mouthwash
- antimircrobial (treatment of mild cases of staphylococcus, e.coli, salmonella, listeria, yeast etc.)
- naringin (bitter taste that inhibits carcinogenic cell growth)
- anti-rheumatoid
- and the list goes on!

Here's the scoop:
1.) Pluck oregano leaves from stems (or include stems for a more potent oil)
2.) Place in an unsealed (thick) bag
3.) Pound or roll with meat mallet or rolling pin to release oils
4.) Heat skillet with coconut/ grapeseed/ olive oil (DO NOT BOIL)
5.) Let cool slightly and add oil to bag
6.) Gently squeeze mixture in bag
7.) Pour in glass jar, seal, and store in cool spot for 2 weeks
8.) Strain leaves, et voila!

- Dilute a few drops in tea for bronchial maintenance.

- Use a a supplemental immunity booster

- Dab a few drops onto a tooth ache as a local analgesic.

Countless possibilities! Enjoy.

Sources and recipes cited from:
Krissa of MorethanMundane.com and
Barbara of TheNaturalNews.com

"Self-grooming"

Wasn't exactly a skill set I'd have wanted Zoe to have at age 4... Even though all of those I know (myself included) have made some bad hair decisions in the past. I can't help but feel mortified and guilty... Only because, I can't stop laughing my goddamn ass off!... My own little Yolandi Visser.

Before:
















After:

Obsession

There's just something about these flower designs... I'm obsessed... Can you tell?

Ultimate comf.

Sweaters on sweaters on sweaters! So... I sewed some new buttons on an old dorky sleeveless cardigan. This is my Friday night. Grandma lyfe!