EXCITEMENT ON THE FARM

Some of the friends on the farm are quite excited this morning!   

Such curious little creatures calves are.  

The chickens are back. We had given them all away because it looked like a move was ahead of us.  How exciting to have my girls back.  It was quite an adventure catching them all again.  We took the little boys with us and formed an assembly line.  I would catch them inside the coop, dad would carry them to the cage and the boys manned the door.  I can't wait to let these sweet little bug eaters out.  Earwigs....be afraid....very afraid.

We have also added someone new to the flock.....

Hopefully mister turkey is friendly.  I have a few childhood memories that included some not so friendly turkeys.  I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt though.  He seems to be quite nice.  I, however, will not be turning my back on him for a while.  

Official chicken watcher...Roscoe...P...Coltrane on duty!

SPICY TEA POPS

I was browsing through my Republic of Tea catalog and came across this yummy popsicle recipe and just had to share.

Steep your tea in warm coconut mild, add a hint of agave, then freeze in your mold overnight!  Presto, yummy, healthy popsicles!  Enjoy!

SUBSTITUTING ESSENTIAL OILS IN YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES

I have enjoyed using essential oils medicinally now for a while.  I have just recently discovered how wonderful they can be in food.  How exciting to have all the "fresh from the garden" taste of herbs at my fingertips...anytime...without a mad-dash to the store.  

My adventure begins when I decided to substitute lemon in some lemon and blueberry muffins!

I gathered all my ingredients for my whole-wheat lemon and blueberry muffins (Find the Recipe Here.)  Yes, I realize the recipe is for raspberries...but I really wanted blueberries. 

Next I needed to decide how many drops of lemon essential oil to substitute for the lemon zest in the recipe. 

 After a quick internet search I was able to find a good go-to guide for substitutes!

A good rule of thumb is: guide found here

1 tablespoon citrus zest = 8 to 14 drops of essential oil 1 tablespoon dried spice or herb = ½ – 1 drop of essential oil ½ – 1 teaspoon dried spice or herb  =  1 toothpick dip* *Dip a toothpick in the center of the dripper cap and then swirl the toothpick in your recipe or beverage. guide found here

The muffins were delightful!  Each muffin was packed full of incredible lemony goodness!  I wish I had a picture to share of the finished product...but all I have is an empty muffin tin ;)

If your inspired to dive into cooking with essential oils....this video is a must!  I believe it is about 45 minutes....but it will get you cooking with your oils!

Video on Cooking with doTERRA Essential

If you want to share some of your recipes...I would be love to hear what you have created!

FUN IN THE SUN WITHOUT THE ITCH

da nuh.....da nuh.....

da nuh..da nuh..da nuh..da nuh

DON"T go near the water.....Made ya think of JAWS huh!

Ok maybe its not Jaws, but it is an annoying little parasite that affects swimmers during the Summer months.   Swmmers itch, lake itch, cercarial dermatitis....they all refer to an allergic reaction the body has to a microscopic parasite found in shallow water.  

Symptoms include tingling, a burning sensation, itching, small red pimples and small blisters.  It only lasts a few days and is generally harmless.  The only real concern would be an infection resulting from itching.

How to reduce the risk of getting Swimmers Itch:

• Avoid swimming in areas know to have the parasite.
• Avoid areas of stagnant water and shorelines.
• Dry off with a towel or shower immediately upon leaving the water.  

How to treat the "Itch" Naturally:

• A blend of Lavender and Melaleuca applied every 15 minutes for as long as needed will help soothe itching and prevent infection. 
• A bath of baking soda and Lavender is another great option especially for little ones.  Just be sure it is mixed well.  Putting the drops in the baking soda and mixing before adding to the tub helps to blend the oils better.
•  1 cup baking soda/10 drops Lavender
• For children use 5 drops of Lavender in the bath

Disclaimer:

The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA.  Products and techniques mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  That said, when we give our bodies the right tools they are able to heal themselves just as they were created to!