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Seniors save 10% every Tuesday ~ Receive a five cent credit for each bottle, jar or bag that you bring in to reuse ~ Join our Bulk Herb Club and save 10% on all bulk purchases, all the time!
Essential Oil Blends and Hydrosols are
20% off for the ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER
! Pair with a diffuser for a holiday gift everyone will love and stock up on your favorite essentials!
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December Special Days
You could win these gifts from Humboldt Herbals in our Annual After-Holiday Raffle!
Gift Certificates
One year membership to our Bulk Herb Club ($40 value)
Humboldt Herbals hoodie
H2EO Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Room Diffuser ($85 value)
Clear Energy Aromavibrational Myst
Wyndmere Essential Oil Blends
Organic Culinary Spice Sampler
Organic Tea Sampler with a Humboldt Herbals Tea Mug
and MORE!
You'll receive one raffle ticket for each $25 that you spend between December 1st and December 24th, and we'll draw the winning tickets on Wednesday December 26th ~ Good luck!
Help Give Voice to Earth! Shop with us December 1st through the 7th and help raise funds to support the Organization of Nature Evolutionaries
We'll be donating 5% of our sales from the first week of December to the
Organization of Nature Evolutionaries (ONE) to support their work as advocates for Earth Rights and Nature Intelligence. ONE provides free monthly teleseminars with leading visionaries, free weekly email affirmations to help people connect with Nature Intelligence, and an inspirational monthly newsletter. When you visit ONE's website, you'll find a guide to help you be a spiritual advocate for the rights of Trees, Rivers and Mountains in your own community, plus ideas for creating ceremonies to honor Life and Earth.
Saturday, December 3rd - Arts Alive! Christmas Party
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Join us from 6 to 9 tonight for our November Arts Alive Party! We're hosting the whimsical impressionism of
Beverly Harper ,
with live jazz and holiday favorites performed by Blue Lotus Jazz.
We'll be serving herbal teas, Spiked Spiced Cider made with our Fireside Mulling Blend, Triple Ginger Thins, organic chocolate truffles, crisp fall apples and our Herb & Sea Veggie
cheese spread with crackers.
While you're enjoying the music and sipping your spiked cider, you can check out the unique gifts and herbal delights that we're offering for the giving season ~ Beautiful and functional tea pots and tea accessories, handcrafted fair trade sculptures and jewelry, decadent body care, inspiring children's books, and our amazing selection of culinary herbs, bulk herbs and teas ~ there's something for everyone!
About our Artist:
The Bright Side
Whimsical Impressions of the North Coast by Beverly Harper
As a Humboldt County native, my paintings often incorporate scenery from my own rural childhood. I paint in two styles as it keeps my creative process more open by moving back and forth between the representational whimsy paintings and my contemporary landscapes.
For this exhibit, I'll be sharing my whimsical style. When I paint my shims, I'm not afraid to cross boundaries with my bold colors and dramatic compositions of the place I call home. They are honest expressions that feel good.
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Sunday December 24th - Christmas Eve
We're here for all your last minute shopping needs, with lots of interesting and unusual gift ideas for every budget.
Come in and let us help you make your holiday health-full and happy!
Monday December 25th - Merry Christmas!
(store is closed today)
Celebrate, Laugh and Be Well!
 Special Events in the Community Classroom
Find the perfect local gift at the Mistletoe & Pine Holiday Market! For one night only in the Humboldt Herbals Community Classroom ~
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Herbal Gift Making Classes!
Handmade Herbal Holiday Gifts: A Workshop for Kids of all Ages
Saturday December 2nd from 10am-12pm
Saturday December 9th from 10am - 12pm
At Humboldt Herbals Community Classroom
Sliding Scale $25 +
(Minimum price includes 3 projects; add $5 for each additional gift)
Bring your children and enhance the senses with this fun and hands-on workshop to make handmade gifts for those on your child's holiday gift list. Make as many gifts as you need and pay a sliding scale to accommodate all budgets.
Labels and ribbon will be provided to decorate for an extra handmade touch. A DIY guide will be included with all the recipes for the workshop plus more to inspire you and the family at home. All ingredients will be high quality, organic, ethically and/or sustainably harvested.
Pre-registration required as spaces will be limited. Call Humboldt Herbals to register at 707-442-3541.
A variety of gifts will be available to make:
*Aromatic Spritzer
Who doesn't love to spray relaxing and delicious smelling scents? Choose from 2-3 different essential oil blends and mix with a lavender hydrosol for a gift anyone would love. ($5 per bottle)
*Aromatic Salt Scrub and/or Herbal Bath Salt Blend
Choose one or both nourishing gifts for mom, aunties, grandmas or other women on your kid's list to encourage them to pamper and nourish themselves after the holidays. ($5 for each option)
*Bay Rum & Fir After Shave or a Cedar Beard Oil
Assist your child in making a natural gift for dad (or other men) for the holidays. Mix together ingredients for a refreshing Bay Rum After Shave or a moisturizing Cedar Beard Oil. ($5 for each option)
*Chocolate Orange Lip Balm
Pour a delicious smelling and tasting edible chocolate lip balm into containers and watch them solidify for delicious gifts. ($5 includes 2 containers)
*Aroma Sachet Bags
Choose a simple relaxing lavender sachet or inspire your kids to stimulate their senses by mixing and blending their own. Sachet bags are a simple yet fun aromatic gift for anyone. ($5 includes 2 bags)
*Make your own Herbal Decorated Holiday Cards
Be creative with your child and decorate one of a kind holiday cards with various dried herbs, adding glitter, stickers or drawings. ($5 includes up to 3 cards)
About the Instructor:
Candice Brunlinger has a passion for making herbal remedies and crafts, inspiring both children and adults to enjoy the sensory benefits and fun of making handmade gifts from the heart. Come join her, enhance your senses and make gifts for those on your holiday gift list.
Handmade Herbal Gifts: A Workshop to Inspire Last Minute Gifts for the Holidays
Sunday December 9th from 12:30pm - 2:30pm
At Humboldt Herbals Community Classroom
Sliding Scale Starting $30 +
(Includes 4 projects; add $5 for each additional project)
Are you interested in making your own gifts for the holidays? Join us for this fun and inspiring workshop to enhance your senses and make your own lovely gifts to check off your list. Make as many gifts as you need and pay a sliding scale to accommodate all budgets and interests. There will be a demonstration on how to prep and strain an extract/infusion and we will briefly discuss supplies you may need to make gifts at home.
Labels and ribbon will be available to decorate for an extra handmade touch. A DIY guide will be included with all the recipes for the workshop plus more to inspire you at home. All ingredients will be high quality, organic, ethically and/or sustainably harvested.
Pre-registration required as spaces will be limited. Call Humboldt Herbals to register at 707-442-3541.
A variety of gifts will be available to make:
*Aromatic Spritzer
Who doesn't love to spray relaxing and delicious smelling scents? Choose from 3 different essential oil blends and mix with a lavender hydrosol for a gift anyone would love. ($5 per bottle)
*Aromatic Salt Scrub and/or Herbal Bath Salt Blend
Learn how you can easily make your own bath and beauty products for yourself and for gifts for your family and friends. ($5 for each option)
*Silky Radiant Body Butter
Nourish the skin of your family and friends with this decadent and nourishing body butter to soften the skin, improve elasticity and create a silky radiance. ($5)
*Bay Rum & Fir After Shave or a Cedar Beard/Hair Oil
Either of these options are great for the men on your list. Or give the Cedar Hair Oil to anyone looking to strengthen hair and enhance shine. ($5 for each option)
*Aroma Sachet Bags
Choose a simple relaxing lavender sachet or stimulate your senses by mixing and blending your own. Sachet bags are a simple yet fun aromatic gift for anyone. ($5 includes 2 bags)
*Chocolate Mint Lip Balm
Pour a delicious smelling and tasting edible chocolate lip balm mix into containers and watch them solidify for delicious gifts. ($5 includes 2 containers)
*Fire Cider
Do you know anyone who loves fire cider? It makes a delicious and practical gift for your family, friends and co-workers, especially those who are prone to illness. Show your love by gifting a healthy vinegar tonic and help keep those around you healthy and resilient. This will make a great gift for the cooks in your life as fire cider is a great addition to spiced up meals, marinades and dressings. ($5)
*Make your own Herbal Decorated Holiday Cards
Be creative, enhance your senses and decorate one of a kind holiday cards with various dried herbs. ($5 includes up to 3 cards)
About the Instructor:
Candice Brunlinger has a passion for making herbal remedies and crafts, inspiring both children and adults to enjoy the sensory benefits and fun of making handmade gifts from the heart. Come join her, enhance your senses and make gifts for those on your holiday gift list.
Cordials & Herbal Elixirs: A Holiday Gift Making Workshop
Sunday December 10th from 3pm to 5pm
At Humboldt Herbals Community Classroom
Sliding Scale $40 +
(Includes 4 elixirs made in class; add $5 for each additional)
Pre-registration required as spaces will be limited. Call Humboldt Herbals to register at 707-442-3541.
Are you interested in learning more about herbal infused cordials and elixirs while making your gifts for the holidays? Join us at Humboldt Herbals for this fun and hands-on workshop. We will discuss tips and techniques for infusing herbal and fruity elixirs, allowing our senses to guide us while we concoct delicious and healing gifts together by mixing herbal and fruit infused extracts with syrups, natural sweeteners and hydrosols.
Bring your own 8 oz Pyrex measuring glass or mason jar for mixing ingredients (some will be provided, if needed). We will also demonstrate how to prepare and strain an extract, so you can be confident making your own recipes at home. Handouts with instructions and recipes included!
About the Instructor:
Candice Brunlinger has a passion for making herbal remedies and crafts, inspiring both children and adults to enjoy the sensory benefits and fun of making handmade gifts from the heart. Come join her, enhance your senses and make gifts for those on your holiday gift list.
January Learning Opportunities
"A Free Introduction to Tarot as an Evolutionary Path"
with Carolyn Ayres
Wednesday, January 10th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm (FREE!)
In the Humboldt Herbals Community Classroom at 219 D Street in Old Town Eureka (next door to Humboldt Herbals)
Now, more than ever, we must learn to listen more carefully, more compassionately to our inner voice so we might hear the voice of our neighbor. The Tarot is a true and tested path for tuning into the higher consciousness needed to create what we want globally within our own families and most important within ourselves.
Come and journey with the Tarot and discover the infinite possibilities.
Please bring a tarot deck if you have one (a deck will be provided if not), a journal and writing utensils. Carolyn will answer questions about the tarot, introduce her many classes and you will be able to experience several readings.
To reserve your place and for additional information, please call Carolyn at (707) 442-4240, or email her at carolyn@tarotofbecoming.com
A practitioner of Tarot for over 30 years, Carolyn Ayers teaches Tarot as an Evolutionary Path
and Tarot on the Tree of Life
classes at The Garden Studio in Eureka. A regular contributor to Isis Scrolls with her column, Tarot Wise, Carolyn uses the Tarot as a guide for her own and your evolutionary leap.
Food Heals with Marcia Stroud, MA, Biochemist, Herbalist & Nutritionist
Wednesday, January 10th from 6:30 - 8:00pm ($25)
Thinking about changing the way you eat?
Good health depends on good nutrition - learn how you can eat your way to better health!
In this class, we'll discuss five key principles of healthy nutrition.
* How to determine your nutritional type
* Which saturated fats are healthy
* How the glycemic index relates to overall well-being
* How enzymes, pH, and raw foods relate to overall health
* When raw veggies may not be the best choice and which organic foods are not the healthiest
And, because what you don't put into your system is just as important as what you do, we'll examine ways to reduce your intake of toxins. This course also includes a look at some natural allies to support specific areas such as energy and sleep. And, finally, we'll discuss external body and skin health and their relationship to overall well-being.
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Favorite Things:
7 Herbal Gift Recipes for Bath & Body
Each holiday season I embark on making a few new herbal gift creations--or I'll take a classic recipe and give it an upgrade. I
n the spirit of giving, I share with you recipes for some of my "favorite things" that are sure to keep your skin skin glowing and your spirits bright!
Rose Petal Bath Soak
This recipe fills a 1 ounce sized glass corked vial.
1/2 ounce of Himalayan Pink Salt
1 teaspoon of Jojoba oil
First take the salts and grind them down to a finer consistency in a coffee grinder, or magic bullet. Then mix the jojoba oil and essential oil into the salt, mix well and then add in the rose petals, again mixing everything all together. Finally fill your vial and include a gift tag with instructions and ingredients. This is the perfect amount for one luxurious soak!
Rosemary Foot Soak
This recipe fills a 1 ounce sized glass corked vial
1 teaspoon of Jojoba oil
8 drops of Lavender essential oil
First take the salts and grind them down to a finer consistency in a coffee grinder, or magic bullet. Then mix the jojoba oil and essential oil into the salt, mix well and then add in the rosemary, again mixing everything all together. Finally fill your vial and include a gift tag with instructions and ingredients. This is the perfect amount for one rejuvenating foot soak!
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You can gift them individually--or you can gift all three together as a lovely "salt soak assortment" in a decorative gift bag!
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Calendula & Lavender Bath Salt
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This recipe fills a 1 ounce sized glass corked vial:
1 TBSP. of dried Calendula petals (finely ground)
1 teaspoon of Jojoba oil
3 drops of Clary Sage essential oil
First take the salt and grind it down to a fine consistency in a coffee grinder, or magic bullet. Then mix in the jojoba oil and the essential oils into the salt, mix together well and then add in the ground herbs, again mixing everything all together. Finally fill your vial and include a gift tag with instructions and ingredients.
Makes t
he perfect amount for one relaxing soak!
Honey and Hemp Lemon Lip Balm
I have made many lip balms and this one is extra special!
This recipe will fill approx. 8--.25 ounce sized lip balm tubes or glass jars.
3 teaspoons of Coconut oil
2 teaspoons of Hemp oil
2 teaspoons of honey
12 drops of Lemon essential oil
Melt the beeswax, cocoa butter, coconut and hemp oil in a double boiler (or in a pyrex measuring cup submerged half way in a saucepan of simmering water).
Remove from heat once everything has melted together and pour the mixture into another pyrex measuring cup--this helps cool it down and makes adding the honey in very easy--submerge that pyrex in a small bowl of cold water, and then stir in the the honey, keep stirring constantly to incorporate the honey into the mixture almost until it cools.
You will notice the mixture getting thicker as the honey starts to blend in.
Once it is a thick but still pourable consistency pour into your lip balm tubes or jars to set--if it gets too cool making it too thick to pour simply submerge the pyrex back in hot water and stir constantly until it warms just enough to make it pourable.
*remember you can always do a "spoon test" before pouring the lip balm into tubes/jars by spooning up a tiny bit of the lip balm mixture and then set that spoon in the freezer for a few minutes--then check it to see your lip balm consistency and yoiu can make any adjustments to the lip balm mixture like adding in more hemp oil if it seems too solid, or by adding in more cooca butter if it seems to soft.
Rose Body Polish
This body polish is semi-solid at room temperatures, but the moment it hits the skin it melts and glides right on--moisturizing the skin while the salt gently exfoliates and removes impurities.
1/4 cup of Coconut oil (melted)
11/2 - 2 TBSP of Rose petals--ground fine, you can use powdered also
10 drops of Rose Geranium essential oil
2 teaspoons of shredded coconut (optional)
After grinding the salt to a very fine consistency, mix it together with the melted coconut oil, and rose petals--stir together well then add in your drops of essential oils and shredded coconut (if using), then stir everything well. You can mix this recipe right in the mason jar or if you are making bigger batches in a large bowl, then simply spoon ithe polish into your desired size jar, seal it and label it with a decorative gift tag.
This foot polish feels oh, so good on tired feet--it is also a wonderful scrub for hands after a long day in the garden!
This recipe fills one 1/2 pint sized mason jar or two 2 ounce sized salve jars.
1
/2-3/4 cup of Dead Sea Salt--ground fine
2 TBSP Peppermint leaf--ground fine
1 TBSP. of Spearmint leaf--ground fine
8 drops of Peppermint essential oil
6 drops of Lavender essential oil
1/4 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
After grinding the salt to a very fine consistency, mix it together with the melted coconut oil, and ground mint's--stir together well then add in your drops of essential oils and vanilla extract then stir again to mix well. You can mix this recipe right in the mason jar or if you are making bigger batches in a large bowl, then simply spoon ithe polish into your
desired sized jar, seal it and label it with a decorative gift tag.
Cocoa Bath Melt-Aways
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When wrapped individually in waxed paper these Cocoa Bath Melt-Aways make great gifts--or stack three to give as a gift set!
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T
hese smell so incredibly
delicious--you will have a euphoric bathing experience and afterwards your skin will feel as smooth as butta'!
This recipe yields 8 cocoa melt-aways, I used a mold that made 1.5" x 1.5" x 0.75" size squares.
You will need:
3 Tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of Jojoba oil (I used vanilla bean infused jojoba oil for this)
20 drops of Grapefruit essential oil
Choose a silicone mold of your choice--the smaller the better as your aiming to make these be the perfect size for one bath soak--small baking molds or small ice cube molds work really well. Place the mold on a cookie sheet for stability when pouring.
Submerge a puyrex measuring half way in a saucepan of simmering water, then add to the pyrex the cocoa butter and the jojoba oil--stir occasionally until melted.
Carefully remove the pyrex from the saucepan and let the mixture cool just for a few minutes, then stir in the organic Cocoa Perfume and Grapefruit essential oil--stir well, then begin to pour the blend into your molds--be sure to stir the mixture a bit each time in between pouring into the mold to help evenly disperse the scents. Keeping the mold on the cookie sheet transfer it to the refrigerator to cool and set the melt-aways. If you used the Cocoa Perfume it may leave a little chocolate colored "film" on top of the melt-away--this is totally fine and it looks pretty too.
The melt-aways will leave behind a slick film on your tub so be careful getting out--and don't worry the cocoa butter film is very easy to clean off of the tub.
Wrap each melt-away in waxed paper and tie with a decorative gift ribbon--if you make a large batch of these you can layer them on waxed paper and keep refrigerated in tupperware until you want to gift them as it will keep them nice and fresh.
These cocoa bath melt-aways will store fine at room temperature and do not require refrigeration.
*these smell heavenly of chocolate and citrus--very tempting to think they may be edible, so I suggest keeping these away from small children and pets!
Season's Greetings!
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You can make wonderful gifts without making anything at all!
~ Fill a pretty mug with sampler packages of your favorite herbal teas
~ Fill a mason jar with layers of chamomile, lavender, and roses ~ tie a muslin bag around the lid ~ and you have a lovely bathtub tea that's relaxing and healing
~ Fill a pretty bottle with rose or lavender hydrosol for use as a facial toner, linen spray or room freshener.
~ Fill little jars with honey and a drop or two of cinnamon and orange essential oils, with instructions to stir a spoonful into a cup of hot water for an "instant" spiced tea
Let your imagination inspire you!
You'll find most of the ingredients you need for the following recipes, plus lots of decorative jars, bottles and tins at Humboldt Herbals.
Please call ahead to order large quantities.
 Nectar Perfume
This fresh and lively fragrance is appropriate for both men and women
6 drops orange essential oil
8 drops lemon
8 drops tangerine
6 drops frankincense
4 drops neroli
For Perfume: Fill a sterilized 1/2-ounce glass bottle with 3/4 teaspoon vodka and add the scented oils in the order given.
For Perfume Oil: Fill a sterilized 1/2-ounce glass bottle with 3/4 teaspoon jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, or sweet almond oil. Add the scented oils in the order given.
 Redwood Forest Detox Bath
1 cup sea salt
1 handful redwood needles (fresh or dried ~ pine and cedar are lovely, too)
5 drops fir essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. To use: tie a generous handful of this mixture into a muslin bag, cheesecloth, or an old thin washcloth. Draw a warm bath and add the herbal mixture. Soak for at least 20 minutes.
 Oatmeal Cookie Bath
We like to pair this gift with actual cookies!
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until they become powdery, and pour into a jar with a tight fitting lid. To use, pour all the mixture into a warm bath while the water is running. Soak and relax! (Note: if you're worried about the tub mess, you can put your Cookie Bath in a drawstring muslin bag and let it soak with you in the tub, squeezing it over you while you enjoy your bath.)
 Sweet Spice Milk Bath
Milk baths in the winter are soothing and moisturizing to dry, winter skin, and don't have the mess or slipperiness of a bath oil. This recipe works best when it relies heavily on cinnamon, with smaller amounts of the other herbs.
¼ cup dried spices such as cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and clove
2 cups dried milk powder
Combine all ingredients; stir well. Store in an airtight container. To use: Add ½ cup to tub full of warm water and soak.
Save Your Skin Salve
½ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons dried comfrey root, chopped
2 tablespoons dried calendula flowers
2 tablespoons chamomile
1 tablespoon hemp oil
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
3 tablespoons grated beeswax
Place olive oil and comfrey root in a double boiler on the stovetop and heat gently for one hour. Make sure the oil completely covers the comfrey. After an hour, add the calendula and chamomile. Cook for another hour, checking periodically to make sure that the oil covers all of the herbs and doesn't boil. Turn off the heat, let cool slightly, and strain the oil through cheesecloth.
Measure 1/3 cup of the infused oil (if you don't have enough, add a little olive oil), and put in the double boiler with the hemp oil, cocoa butter and beeswax. Heat until the wax melts, stirring thoroughly. Pour into jar(s), allow to cool completely, seal and date. Use as needed for bruises, scrapes, rashes and bug bites.
Spiced Stovetop Simmer
Make your whole home smell fresh and inviting with this recipe. Or, put a few scoops of the mixture in a Mason jar, tie with raffia, and include a card with directions for a gift.
1 large Mason jar for storing dry mix
2 cups dried orange peel
4 tablespoons whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
6 allspice berries
1 cup dried lemon peel
1 whole nutmeg, cracked
Mix together all ingredients and place in a Mason jar. To use: Place 2 tablespoons of the mix in a large pot and cover with 2 or 3 inches of water. Simmer the mix over low heat and the smell will permeate the house. Just keep adding water as it reduces.
 Lavender Vinegar
1 bottle rice wine vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons dried lavender flowers (depending on the bottle size of the rice wine vinegar)
small glass bottles
thin lavender ribbon
Divide the lavender flowers evenly between jars and then fill the bottle with rice wine vinegar. After a few days, the vinegar will take on a pretty lavender hue. Tie lavender ribbon around the bottle. Use over salad or vegetables.
Herb & Spice Vinegar
2 whole nutmeg
7 juniper berries
1 tablespoon celery seed
1 tablespoon caraway seed
6 cardamom pods
1 tablespoon coriander seed
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 jalapeno pepper, washed and halved
fresh sprigs of dill, tarragon, rosemary, savory and parsley
lemon peel
1 bottle rice wine vinegar
1 bottle cider vinegar
In a large, decorative jar, layer juniper berries, nutmeg, celery seed, caraway seed, cardamom pods, coriander seed, garlic, jalapeno pepper, sprigs of fresh herbs, and lemon peel. Cover with a combination of rice wine and cider vinegar.
Herbal Rice Trio
Bag up this trio for the cooks in your life in small sealable bags with a decorative label. Cook on the stovetop or in the rice cooker.
2 cups brown rice
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Herbes de Provence
1 veggie bouillon cube
2 cups wild rice mixture
1 tablespoon dried orange peel
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon dried lycii berries or cranberries
1 veggie cube
2 cups white rice
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried wild mushrooms, finely chopped
1 veggie cube
 Vanilla Sugar
Simply place a split vanilla bean in 2 cups of sugar. Cap well, shake often, and put in a pretty bottle.
Homemade Anisette
This licorice flavored liqueur hails from France and was traditionally used as a nightcap to ease digestion. (The Greeks call it Ouzo and the Italians, Sambuca). The name "Anisette" refers to its popular ingredient, anise seed, which also flavors cakes, cookies and coffee. You can use this elixir to do the same.
1 cup distilled water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons anise seeds
1 tablespoon dried chopped licorice root
1 750ml bottle of vodka
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and gently bring to a boil until sugar dissolves. Toss in anise seeds and licorice root and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Allow to cool and strain. Blend syrup and vodka in a clean bottle, cap, and shake. Allow flavors to fuse for a few days.
 Mulled Vanilla Spiced Wine
1/2 cup cinnamon pieces
1/4 cup ginger
2 tablespoons cloves
1/4 cup dried orange peel
2 tablespoons allspice berries
1/4 cup vanilla extract
2 tablespoons star anise
2 tablespoons powdered ginseng
Add the above ingredients to 1 liter wine or juice and warm gently for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain before serving. This will warm the coldest of toes and other places.
Simple Rose Hips Conserve
Loaded with vitamin C and bioflavoniods, which aid in structural integrity and healing.
2 cups hot water
1 cup dried rose hips (seedless)
½ cup Honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
Pour the hot water over the rose hips in a bowl. Stir well, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Scoop the rose hips into a blender, using about half of the soaking water. Reserve the rest of the soaking water separately. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender, and blend well until thick and pudding like, adding more of the soaking water as needed. Strain by stirring a little at a time through a large strainer. Scrape the conserve off the bottom outside surface of the strainer as needed. (straining the conserve with catch any stray seeds - there always seem to be a few lurking in the dried rosehips, and are hard enough to break a tooth!). Refrigerate and use within one week, or can for later use. A delicious treat for the holiday table, and good by the spoonful for coughs, colds and sore throats.
 Kava Kava Truffles
We get rave reviews about this recipe year after year. Kava is a "peaceful euphoriant" that reduces anxiety and helps you relax. These make wonderful holiday treats for your stressed-out friends!
½ cup butter
½ ounce kava kava root
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons whipping cream
7 tablespoons confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (optional)
cheesecloth
Melt butter and pour into a glass baking dish. Stir in kava. Allow the kava and butter to slowly infuse by placing the baking dish in the oven on the lowest possible heat for 12 to 24 hours (for gas stoves, the pilot light is sufficient). Strain the kava from the butter with cheesecloth. Pour the strained butter into a saucepan and add the chocolate. Melt together. Remove from heat. Add the cream, sugar, and nuts, and blend together well. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. Remove from fridge, shape into balls, and roll in sweetened cocoa, cinnamon, cardamom, or whatever you like. Store in fridge. Remove from fridge 2 hours before serving
Ginger Syrup
recipe by Kate Maxey
(makes approximately 16 ounces)
1 quart water
2 ounces dried ginger
4 ounces fresh ginger
1/2 cup honey or more if desired
First, make a very strong ginger tea by gently simmering 2 ounces dried ginger with one quart of water. You want to keep it at a gentle simmer, uncovered, for 60 -90 minutes, depending on the desired strength.
While the tea is brewing, juice 4 ounces of fresh ginger ~ you'll need an actual juicer to extract the fresh juice.
When the tea liquid has reduced by half (approximately 2 cups instead of 4 cups), remove from heat and strain out the ginger pieces, reserving the liquid. I use a stainless steel strainer, but muslin cloth or a good ole fashion kitchen towel will work too (just be wary of how hot the tea will be).
Then, pour the strained tea back into the sauce pan and put the fire back on low. Add the 1/2 cup of honey (or more if you want a sweeter, thicker syrup) and stir until well blended. Take the mixture off the heat, pour into a large measuring cup, and add the fresh ginger juice. Voila! Allow to cool completely, and pour the syrup into the containers of your choice. I usually use two eight ounce amber bottles, but you can definitely get fancy with your glassware, especially if they will be gifts.
Enjoy drizzled over spiced breads and cakes, fruit, bitter greens, and any other dishes that could benefit from the sweet spicy zing of this syrup. To make your own fresh ginger ale, simply mix a few tablespoons of syrup with club soda or sparkling water, add a squeeze of fresh lime, and enjoy!
*Note: You can use this method of syrup making for virtually any herb or herbal combination.
Chocolate Honey Body Scrub
recipe by Kate Maxey
1 1/4 cup Sugar
3 oz. almond oil
2 Tbsp. Cocoa Butter
2 Tbsp. Honey or herbal infused honey of your choice
2 tsp. Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
5 drops Balsam Peru Essential oil (opt.)
5 drops Ylang Ylang (opt.)
Melt down the Cocoa Butter and blend with honey, oil, sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla. Stir well. Makes three 4 oz. jars.
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