Sunday, May 27, 2012

HOMEMADE HERBAL SHAMPOO



"Sudsweiser" SHAMPOO
*Reduce 4~12 oz.cans or bottles of beer by heating it. Heat it in a sauce pan over medium heat until it is approximately ¼ the amount, approx.16 oz.






INGREDIENTS

*16 oz. reduced  beer
*4 oz of grated castile soap 
*1/2 ounce of  dried rosemary leaves (stimulates the hair follicles and has been known to prevent premature balding)
*1/2 ounce  dried sage leaves (it keeps things from spoiling and also acts as an antioxidant)
*1/2 ounce nettles (contains nutrients that help the hair grow and is a blood stimulator),
*Few drops of Lavender oil (helps to control itchy scalp)
*1 teaspoon borax

*1 tsp. organic olive oil*1 pint hot water with 3 tablespoons vinegar (white),

Mix the ingredients together in a large kettle, heat on low heat until castile soap is dissolved and then place into a large bottle (like an old shampoo bottle)
Shake well.
All ready to go.
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"Sudsweiser" CONDITIONER

Beer shampoo will add volume and body to your hair. Shampooing with beer daily is a natural way to help hair appear thicker and fuller. Beer is made with Brewer’s Yeast which contains a lot of vitamin B, perhaps that’s why it’s been hailed as a hair growth aid .

*Reduce 4~12 oz.cans or bottles of beer by heating it. Heat it in a sauce pan over medium heat until it is approximately ¼ the amount, approx.16 oz.


Here's what you will need:


*16 oz. reduced  beer
*1 tsp. each sweet almond oil, aloe vera gel and organic honey 
*1 bar castile soap, grated 
*2 ounces glycerin
*the contents of four Vitamin E capsules 

*four to six drops of your favorite essential oil 


Instructions: 
Heat beer in large kettle. 


Add oil, gel, honey,glycerin and  vitamin E to the beer and turn the heat as low as it will go. 



Add grated castile soap .Simmer until all grated castile soap is dissolved.Remove from heat and let cool. 

 Add cooled mixture to a recycled bottle that you'll be using for the finished shampoo, set aside. 

 Shake well and you've got your shampoo! 



Optional added ingredients:

  • for dark hair: sage leaves
  • for greasy hair: yarrow
  • for fair hair: marigold flowers
  • for dandruff: a mixture of nettle leaves and burdock roots

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Wednesday, May 23, 2012

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

"Fill a spray bottle with Listerine (mouth wash) and simply spray it around at the first sight of flys, gnats, or mosquitoes. They will get the heck out of Dodge (your house or yard) because they hate the smell of Listerine!"


"Remove mold and mildew from around bathtub silicone sealer with "Shock It" (Shock It comes in a bag and is a powdered chlorine product that is used to control algae in swimming pools. You can buy it at Wal-Mart). Sprinkle a little on, let set for 15 minutes and rinse off. The black is gone. I tried straight bleach and other cleaners from the grocery on the silicone sealer and nothing worked like this!" 


"Believe it or not, BRASSO (yes, the same Brasso that works so well on brass, copper, etc.) will do a great job on clear plastic items like watch crystals, motorcycle windshields ,clock faces, any clear plastic. You just need a little bit on a soft cloth. Apply like you would to metal, don't rub too hard, let dry and wipe off with a clean soft cloth. The results are amazing!" 


"When that first hard frost is forecast, pick those green tomatoes, bring them in and wrap each one in a page of newspaper. Store in a suitable dark container with lid, at room temperature and check each one every three or four days. They will all eventually ripen with the texture and taste of a vine ripe and fresh picked tomato... I Gar-ron-tee!!" 


Take your dull scissors and cut through three layers of tin foil ten times. Cut some paper to test. Repeat if not sharp enough for you. Or... cut a sheet of medium-grade sand paper into small pieces! Teresa Cribb from Florence, S.C. writes; "A great tip for sharper scissors is to cut a SOS pad or Brillo pad in half with the scissors.


"Eat a serving of Jello once a day. Gelatin contains amino-acids and they help restore cartilage for flexible joints. You can use sugar-free if you are watching your weight. It takes about three months, but you will see a definite improvement in your joint pain.


"For bee stings take a cigarette and break it, take the tobacco and moisten with water and apply to sting with a bandaid, this will take the swelling, soreness and pain from it." 


 "Egg whites are by far the best method to lower a high temperature within MINUTES!soak 2 cloths or handkerchiefs in egg whites and put on the soles of the feet (cover with socks). The egg whites instantaneously start to draw the temperature DOWN from the brain (where it is dangerous) to the feet (where it can do no damage).


To get rid of the sting and the red of the sunburn, I slather on Noxzema and then leave it on all night. When you get up you are 'all better'!


Soak a wash cloth in vinegar and apply to the burned area. The vinegar is cool and pulls out the heat of a sunburn. It also helps to keep the skin from blistering. The was cloth can be stored in an air tight bowl for several days and be used repeatedly for the burn. It is so much more soothing than aloe, though much more smelly."



To make better French fries just soak fresh-cut potatoes in water for five minutes, drain and pat dry before cooking to remove the excess starch that causes them to clump together (and from keeping them from sticking to the pan while cooking). For extra crispy fries just dust them lightly with flour before you fry. (restaurants use this great tip!)


 for green grass and no bugs, combine: 1 can of coke, 1 cup of ammonia and 1/4 cup of dish soap. Spray on grass once a month."





Mix equal parts of Coca Cola and catsup and pour over your meat in a Crock Pot. Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 8-10 hours. Works well with pork, chicken, beef.




"When preparing a potroast, use Coke instead of water. Tenderizes and imparts unique flavor.













BUCKWHEAT BLACK HONEY

In a study involving 105 children aged 2-18 years with upper respiratory tract infections of 7 days or less and night-time coughing, a single night-time dose of buckwheat honey was an effective alternative treatment for symptomatic relief of nocturnal cough and sleep difficulty, compared to a single dose of dextromethorphan (DM).

Blossom Trail Honey Co. Buckwheat / Pomegranate Blend Honey

Buckwheat honey is a super~honey variety also known as an Artisanal Honey and it's a great healing honey.Because this honey is quite dark in color it is considered to be higher in antioxidants than lighter honey’s .
Eating buckwheat honey, 2 - 5 tsps each day will help to strengthen capillary walls; this is very beneficial to preventing the onset of heart disease and lowering high blood pressure .

*Helps our digestive systems by promoting all the friendly bacteria we need to keep our insides working properly.

*Help those friendly bacteria to keep working but will also kill of the bacteria that can cause us so much damage internally.
*Used in conjunction with cinnamon is fantastic for relieving  problems brought on by the woman’s menopause.

*Help the liver to process hormones keeping our bodies properly balanced, will help to prevent gallstones and even some forms of breast cancer.

*Totally fat free

*Honey contains many essential vitamins, but only in trace amounts. Some of the vitamins contained in buckwheat honey are vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B-5, B-6, B-8, B-9, and B-12. It also has vitamins C, D, E and Folic Acid.

* Calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, sodium, titanium, zinc, iodine, chlorine and boron are all found in buckwheat honey.
* contain essential fatty acids which  aid in proper brain and nervous system development, proper thyroid and adrenal activity, the regulation of blood pressure, liver function, immune and inflammatory responses. Essential fatty acids also regulate blood clotting.

Buckwheat honey contains seven of the eight essential amino acids. Tryptophan helps alleviate insomnia and is a generally soothing amino acid.Lysine is also an essential amino acid found in honey. Studies have shown it may work against herpes. Methionine is one of the essential sulfur amino acids. This amino acid may help prevent disorders dealing with hair, skin and nails. Methionine also helps lower cholesterol levels. Cysteine is an amino acid found in buckwheat honey, and is depleted by smoking. The depletion of cysteine is possibly related to the faster aging of skin in smokers. Cysteine helps with skin health, including wound healing. It also aids in hair growth and aids in the absorption of iron. Histidine is another amino acid and has anti-inflammatory properties. Glutamine is an amino acid that is the primary energy source for the cells that line your intestines. Tyrosine is an amino acid that is a mood enhancer. Benefits of tyrosine include improved motivation and concentration, and maximized athletic performance.
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Salmon Glazed with Black Honey

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil
  • 4 salmon filets, 8-10 oz.
  • 1/3 cup white miso
  • 2 tablespoons Black/Buckwheat Honey
  • 1/4 cup beer
  • 2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 finely sliced scallions

Instructions

  1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil; brush lightly with vegetable oil.
  2. Whisk miso, honey, beer, ginger and sesame oil in a small bowl to blend.
  3. Place salmon fillets in bowl with miso mixture.
  4. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour.
  5. Position an oven rack 6"–8" from broiler and preheat.
  6. Broil salmon, turning once, until golden brown and just opaque in center, 10–12 minutes total.
  7. Transfer salmon steaks to plates and serve with scallions.

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Buckwheat Honey Glazed Butternut Squash


Buckwheat Honey Glazed Butternut Squash

MAKES 2 SERVINGS
This is great with a turkey or salmon dinner.

- Canola oil
- 1 medium butternut squash, cut in half lengthwise,

  strings and seeds scooped out and discarded
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons buckwheat honey
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet will]

 canola oil. Put the squash halves, cut side down to help them 
caramelize, on the sheet. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a
 skewer easily pierces the squash. In the meantime, melt the 
butter and add the honey with some pepper and salt to taste. 
When the squash is cooked, remove it from the oven and turn 
the halves cut side up. Brush them with the honey-butter mixture 
and return them to the oven for about 5 minutes. Cut the squash 
into serving pieces and serve.

Four tablespoons of buckwheat honey contain about 10 milligrams 

of polyphenols. That may not seem like a lot, but a study of 
twenty-five healthy males found a 7 percent increase in their
 serum antioxidant capacity after drinking warm water with 4 
tablespoons of buckwheat honey dissolved in it.



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Buckwheat Honey Glazed Carrots

4 servings
  • 2 tablespoons  butter
  • 1/4 onion, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon buckwheat honey  
  • 3 large carrots, sliced 
  • 1/4 teaspoon  salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme 

Preparation
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onions and saute until translucent. Then cover and caramelize for about 5 minutes. 
  • Add the honey. As soon as it melts, add the carrots and spices. 
  • Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until carrots are al dente (just about to be tender, but still firm).
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Black Honey Braised Ribs

Ingredients

  • ribs, 2 to 3 per person
  • 2 cups celery, diced
  • 1 cup onions, chopped 
  • 5 crushed cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 cup of  Buckwheat black honey
  • 1/4 cup of cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard
  • 2 tablespoons of ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cups of beef stock
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat dry the ribs with a paper towel and salt liberally. 
  2. In a large skillet over high heat, sear the  ribs until well browned on all sides. Reduce flame to low and remove the short ribs to a plate.
  3. Pour out all but two tablespoons of fat remaining in the skillet. Add celery and sweat over medium low heat.
  4. Add onions and garlic when the celery is nearly translucent. Continue cooking over low heat until all the vegetables are nicely translucent and the garlic in has released a cooked perfume (not burnt).
  5. Add all the remaining ingredients except for the beef stock and bring up to a boil.
  6. Place ribs back into the pan along with any juices that have collected. Add enough beef broth to come three quarters of the way up the  ribs. Bring to a boil and then transfer to a preheated 325 degree F oven.
  7. Oven-braise for one and a half to two hours, or until meat is about to fall off the bone.
  8. Serve over mashed potatoes.

Friday, May 18, 2012

GRAY WATER GARDENING

Is gray water good for plants? Well....the older lady next door always watered her flowers with the wash tub after doing dishes. It got me thinking...should I be recycling this water for my flowers and garden? I do use rain barrels for most of my watering, but maybe I should be doing more....
I already make all my own soap, so I know exactly what is in it.
This is a blog post about a little experiment..... 


Two planters with the exact same soil, plants , size, and sun exposure. Planter A will be watered with only tap water ( as the gray water will have the same base) . Planter B will be watered with only gray water from my dishwasher.This experiment is to see whether  the gray water will effect the growth and maturity of annuals as well as tomatoes.


Each pot is planted with a coleus, pink impatient, white impatient, and a beefsteak tomato plant. One every 2 weeks I will take a picture of each planter and post it here on this blog entry as to the progress each planter is making. 







Planter B does have 2 extra plants, a succulent to the left, and a  celery to the right.
STAY TUNED .......


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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

SUDZWEISER BY SUZY HOMEFAKER

                         COMING SOON!!!


If you have never tried handmade, natural  dishwasher soap before, be prepared to fall in love. 
You will never go back to the harsh chemicals in commercial soaps again.
No it won't leave your dishes stinking like a drunk. A little honey, almond, and vanilla give it a lovely balance The scent is warm, sweet, and will remind you more of sweet bread than beer!
Also there is no added colorant. The color of the soap is it's natural color. 
Each bottle will clean 12  large loads of dishes.
 You only have to use half as much as Cascade plus there is rinse aid already in the product. 
I have used this with success for several years now. I have read to use vinegar in the rinse for sparkling dishes. But be aware! If you have a polished stainless steel dishwasher-the vinegar will etch the surface! 
My recipe above is as safe as it can get without sacrificing the needed cleaning power. Let me know what you think! I have been very happy with it.


Beer is a well-know fizzy drink we can enjoy at any time of the day. 
Beer can neutralize smells.
Beer reacts with odour causing bacteria and due to its fizzles lifts the dirt up.




*Effective Grease-Cutting Formula
*Scented with 100% whole essential oils & botanical extracts
*Contains no phosphates, bleach, synthetic dyes or perfumes.
*Works great even in the hardest water.
*Cruelty Free: Never animal tested and contains no animal products.
* It's All-in-1 to give you: Pre-Treating Power, Food Dissolving Power, Stain   fighting Power, Shine Shield Formula and Rinse Aid Power



A superior dishwashing performer containing ingredients to soften water, prevent spotting and cut grease. A concentrated formula allows you to use less than the leading brands.The bottle is an actual recycled beer bottle, and is recyclable where facilities exist .
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SOAP STUMBLE!!

  As most of you can tell by my recent posts, I'm a novice soap maker with a new addiction. I have made 4 bar soap batches so far, and was loving it before the batch from hell. You see I hate coloring inside the lines, following recipes,driving the speed limit  etc. etc. etc. So I thought I would try my own made up recipe (no measurements I might add).....


  Well, that's where things went horribly wrong.The batch separated, and turned into a goo like substance that never set up.O.k I thought , I'll just rebatch it! ......ya, that didn't work either.Now I had big nasty brown spots running through it. O.k, now there's one last ditch effort left.  I'll just make it into liquid soap , and use it around the house.

  That's where I was last night... in the kitchen like some sort of mad scientist with a big witches cauldron , melting bad soap.After slowly melting and mixing , I needed to put it into containers, which left me scrambling around the house for any thing useable with a lid. I made quite the mess. I had soap all over the stove, floor, counter,sink,utensils, towels, etc. This is where miracles happened.


  I started cleaning up the disaster area by loading the dishwasher with every thing I could fit and find,started it up, and proceeded to start wiping things down.Amazingly everything was coming out sparkling clean with little to no effort, and no added cleaner of any kind. Hmmm this was kinda fun. After wiping , and rinsing repeatedly, the dishwasher was done. I opened it up to sparkling crystal clear glassware, not to menion the dishwasher itself was like a mirror!. AMAZING!, because after Cascade changed their formula, I seriously considered not getting another dishwasher in the future, as all my dishes had a gray, white gritty film all over them that was getting progressively worse.I tried making my own dishwasher detergent, but to no avail.


  I thought to myself what soap did I use for this load....oh, no I didn't add any!!! I had forgotten all about it. Could my home made soap residue on the dishes I loaded be the miracle ? Now I was on a mission to run another load , with some more dirty soap dishes , and no detergent.....Same thing again!!! 
I have to tell ya I don't get  this excited about much, but when my life is easier and sparkly.....I am over the moon !!!
  All night I kept thinking, what could be in that soap, and why didn't I write down the recipe!




  Today I woke up so excited to clean my kitchen floor. I swept it, and got out the sponge mop. No cleaner, just the soap I spilled the night before. Every inch of dirt came up with one swipe!! But that's not the best part. I always wear my crocks washing the floor, so I don't slip. They started squeaking like fresh cheese!!! I had never had that happen before! And to think I was going to sell this soap, and after flopping thought I might as well pitch it!, now I wish I had made a bigger batch!



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Sunday, May 13, 2012

NATURAL DEODORANT


HOW IT WORKS

 This deodorant addresses the cause of the odor rather than
just covering it up with synthetic fragrances. 
 Natural deodorant  feeds your body the essential minerals potassium and magnesium, taking deodorant a step further and actually providing health benefits.

**Note: Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s and brain disorders, and is a possible risk factor in breast cancer.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon organic dead sea salts-or  regular sea salt
1 teaspoon Castor Oil
1 tablespoon Soy wax or bees wax
8 tablespoons Coconut Oil
1 teaspoon Essential oil...Use oils with high anti-bacterial properties, such as:Bergamot, Litsea Cubeba, and Lemon Grass orLemon, Tea Tree and Peppermint 
 2 tablespoons Everclear - A natural alcohol derived from grain, and distilled .When combined with Boric Acid it creates a catalyst that speeds up the reaction between the odor causing organic acids and the mineral salts to eliminate odor immediately.
1/ 2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup arrow root powder or corn starch
3 tablespoons Borax (Boric Acid) – Naturally mined Boron salt (a mineral).

NOTHING ELSE ADDED.
Everclear Grain Alcohol

Directions for making homemade deodorant:
1. Combine baking soda and arrow root powder in a bowl and mix with a fork.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the baking soda mixture, working into a paste.
The deodorant will have somewhat of a play-dough consistency, and will be softer or harder depending on its temperature. You can put the deodorant into a small container with a lid, or into an empty stick deodorant dispenser if you have one. My deodorant hardened somewhat after I put it into a container.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay healthy! 
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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Soy Candles Artisan


These eco-friendly aromatherapy candles consist of all-natural, dye-free soy wax infused with therapeutic grade essential oils.



The 16oz jar will give you hours of enjoyment!   Be sure to trim the wick in between uses. It's the best way to give your candle a long life!

My highly scented, strong candles will fill your room with fabulous fragrance! These cute 16 oz. mason jar candles feature my highly scented soy wax  for maximum scent throw and safe, non-lead all natural DOUBLE wood wicks. No one else offers this. They will envelop your room with the cozy crackle sounds, and fresh scents that make a house YOUR home! My Soy Candles help you create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion. Average burn time is a long-lasting upto 100 hours. As with all my candles, you'll smell these from several feet away when burning;  people often tell me these candles are strong enough to fill at least one room (if not MORE!) with wonderful aroma.

The benefits of soy wax candles are simply amazing...  Soy candles last three times longer than petroleum-based candles, incredible scent throw, virtually no black soot (which means no black walls!) Supports American farmers by using the soybean.  Soybeans are a renewable and sustainable resource grown right here in the USA!  SCS Soy Wax is 100% soy!  Each and every soy candle is different and can have different qualities.  Remember each field of soybeans is different and so each soy candle may be somewhat unique. 


SCENTS
Black Cherry

Green Tea

Lavender ~Wild Violet

L de Lolita

Lavender

Peppermint ~Eucalyptus Headache Relief
+Each time before you light your soy candle, trim the wick down to 1/4". 
+Do not allow wick trimmings to fall into your wax melt pool.
+Burn the soy candles in areas free from drafts.



the facts
100% vegetable, made with Pure Soybean oil, GUARANTEED!
All NATURAL and biodegradable.

Pure natural infused essential oils safe for consumption (although I don't recommend it)
Manufactured meeting FDA and Kosher standards.
Contain NO petroleum, paraffin or beeswax products.
Contain NO pesticides and NO herbicides.
Contain NO toxic materials.
Contain NO Genetically Modified Material.
No Animal Testing.

NO artificial coloring 

Please read carefully. Do not burn the candle if you do not have enough time to have the candle burn from wick to edge of glass. This may take between 3 to 4 hours. It's critical that this happens every time you use the candle! 

 Place on protected heat resistant dry surface. Allow candle to cool completely before relighting or handling. Trim wick when wax is firm and cool. Keep wick trimmed to 1/8" - avoid drafts. Keep wax free of all loose wick trimmings. Discontinue use when 1/2" of wax remains. Never leave a burning candle unattended.




SOY TARTS / MELTS Pair - Highly Scented - Vanilla, Apple, Cinnamon, Fresh, Clean, Citrus, Lemon, Lilac, Floral, Fruit, Spice, Herbal
These super-scented pure soy wax melts for your tarts warmer will fill the room with fragrance! Each "shooter" souffle cup holds about 1 oz. of Suzy's highly-scented soy wax. Just invert the package and push the wax out into your tart warmer. Out will pop a one-ounce chunk of fragrant delight! Use one or two melts to fragrance your room. Mix and match scents to create your own custom fragrances such as lavender-lilac. One tart scents about half my home for several days. ♥ Even if you don't own a tart warmer, this is a great way to get sample "sniffers" of my soy candles since I use the same scents for both!