• Friday, June 15, 2007 - Rosewater, attempt # 1...
I have a paper bag full of rose petals, and what to do with them?? I already did the rose petal bath thing - nice, although not as much scent as I would have liked (not much at all, really). So now, it's rosewater!! I'm using a narrower stock pot and a brick, and... well, I guess we'll see how it turns out! I'll let you know.....
*intermission while rose petals are diffusing*
Alright... Well, it turned out okay! Although I see now why rose otto is so expensive... :P Lots of lower-quality "rosewater" (the water the petals are boiled in), and a little bit of distilled rosewater! It smells heavenly, and it makes my hands instantly soft. Nice! I can't wait to try some facial masks and creams now... |
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• Thursday, May 17, 2007 - And the family grows...
Oh, wow. We've added three turkey hens to our little family! The roommate, with her two children, 5 cats, dog, and beetle (!) will arrive shortly, bringing the grand total to 23!! Hey, that's my number... A good sign. :)
Besides all that, IT'S SPRING! Feels like summer, lately... The plants are all growing like crazy, and I haven't had to buy any vegetables for quite some time now... The nettle is out of season, but we're eating fresh asparagus, burdock root, chickweed and miner's lettuce salad, and whatever else we can find. The burdock was surprisingly good! Here's the "recipe" I followed:
Clean your burdock roots and strip them of their outer bark (easiest if you make a slit down the side and loosen it from the inner root gently). Boil in a small pot of water for 20-30 minutes, or until soft. KEEP THE WATER!! Slice the roots, saute in a little butter, and voila!! You have a lovely, nutritious veggie that tastes kind of like artichoke. Be careful when you dig the roots, though - roots of second year plants (burdock is a biennial) will be a bit stringy and tough.
THE WATER - this is of great value! It's actually, at this point, considered a decoction. It is wonderful as a nutritive, blood-cleansing tea, a face wash (great for acne), or to add to products like, oh, soap!! I use it in my "Astringent Facial Bar", which several of my friends and family swear by (including myself).
Another good general recommendation is to do a yearly spring cleanse with herbs like burdock, dandelion, cleavers, and nettle... Make teas, eat them as veggies, juice them, whatever makes you happy! Avoid heavy foods - fried, high in refined sugar and flour, fatty foods, etc... Your body will thank you! |
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• Friday, May 4, 2007 - An introduction
Where to start?? How about "hello"!
My name is Briana, and I am a single mother of two beautiful girls - Caitlyn, 4 1/2, and Celina, 15 months. I live on 80 acres of rented land, with a couple acres and some outbuildings to myself, and am finally beginning to live my dream of relative self-sufficiency!
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted a "Commune". Well, over the years, that desire has evolved a little bit - now I call it an Ecovillage, but I think the basic principle is the same! Sharing land, companionship and labor, and reaping the rewards of a close-knit community. Like a small town, only better! I'm frequently accused of being overly idealistic, with my visions of Utopia, but I say why not? Anything we can dream up can become reality...
So, I'm in the process of creating my reality. I have 3 cats, a dog, 2 goldfish, 3 goats, and a head full of dreams and ideas (and some skills to see them come true)! I stay at home with my girls, make soaps and body care products, study herbalism (and several other things), and am slowly but surely making it all happen.
It is my hope that this blog will help me to connect with like-minded folks and maybe learn a bit as I share my trials and successes with you!! Assistance and company are always welcome here. *smile*
In love and light,
~ briana (aka "Mama B") |
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