Have a Handmade Christmas ~ Week 3

 How are your Christmas projects coming along? What have you been making lately? Please link up your ideas!

  We have gotten started working on filling our boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Last year we did this for the first time and it was really fun! I let each of our kids pack a box for a child of their same gender and age range. We buy some things to put in it but we like to make quite a bit too. We have a bunch of ideas but not a lot done yet. Here is most of what we have made so far:

A couple of tie dyed t-shirts that the kids did with their Auntie Keren this summer. We also have a tie dyed hat that I forgot to put in the picture. Today we made a jump rope and a barrette.

The jump ropes are a lot of fun to make. They are quick and easy and then something else I love- I made them from recycled t-shirts and yet it looks nice and works well.

How I make them is to cut 1 inch wide strips from t-shirts (keep going round and round the t-shirt so it is long enough) and then get 3 of the same length and a bit longer than your desired jump rope. You can use all the same color or 3 different colors or any combination.

  Take your 3 strips and sew them together at one end. Then braid them tightly together all the way down to the other end. Then sew the other ends together.

Next I took a square of cloth and wrap it around the ends to make a handle and then sew it on (tucking in all the raw edges).
After that you are done. It really is a quick and easy project.

Next I decided I wanted tags for them. I was afraid that the kids possibly wouldn't know what it was so I wanted a picture too. I looked online but ended up drawing my own. I am not the best artist in the world but I think it gets the point across. I did include the picture in case you would like to print it off and use it for a tag if you make jump ropes. I then let the kids color the picture. I admit that I was tempted to color my own for this picture so that it would look "professional" but since I tend to get irritated at mothers who micro manage their kids craft projects (Sorry if I stepped on any toes, but for some reason it just bugs me when I am teaching a kid's class and we do a craft and the Mother basically does the craft for them so that it will turn out right!) so I used a picture that Aaron had quickly colored.

If you want to use my "lovely" drawing, just click on that picture and print it out. You may need to resize it to get the size you want.

 For making the barrette I used: A metal barrette base, white felt, blue ribbon and a flower that I had made from the lining of a skirt (see my post about it here.)

First I cut the felt to fit across the barrette and hot glued it on. Then I made the blue ribbon into a bow and glued it on. Then I glued the flower on top. So simple but yet pretty!

I plan on sharing more of our ideas to fill shoe boxes in the next week or so. Are you all filling shoe boxes for OCC? Are you putting handmade stuff in? I would love to hear your ideas!

Now it is your turn!

Please link up any ideas that you have for Handmade gifts, decorations, food and anything else that you have made that would work well for Christmas! (Please do not link up giveaways that aren't handmade or anything else that doesn't go along with the theme)

As you link up I would really appreciate it if you would link back to here, and also remember to link up a particular post not just your blog. I would also be very happy if you would be willing to use my Have a Handmade Christmas Logo as well.

Parsley {Herbs for Health and Hunger}

  Parsley is one of those herbs that are always nice to have on hand. I like it in my potato salad, on my seasoned potatoes and oven roasted chicken and much more!

I recently tried a new recipe that we all enjoyed that used Parsley. It was Parsley Fried Onion Rings. This is one of those once and a while treats as you have to deep fat fry it, but it did taste good. :-)

Here is the recipe:
Parsley Fried Onion Rings
3/4 cup Milk
2/3 cup flour
2 T. Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 cup chopped Parsley
3/4 t. salt
1 Large onion (or possibly more)
Oil for frying them in.

In bowl, whisk milk, vinegar, salt and flour together. Whisk in Parsley. Cut onion crosswise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Take apart the rings. Heat oil to 380 degrees. Dip rings in batter and then fry 1 to 2 minutes. Watch them closely, turn if necessary and just let them get nice golden brown. Drain on paper towels and enjoy right away!

Parsley is another one of the herbs that I have found very easy to grow. It does take a while for the seed to germinate (up to 6 weeks) but it grows well. I soak my seeds in some water before planting them to give them a little head start. Parsley grows best in moist, sandy, well drained loam with a neutral pH. The herbs usually survive one or two frosts. If I remember right I have even dug some out from under snow once and it still was good.

Another way we used Parsley this year was to make "Winter Pesto". I told a friend how I was enjoying Pesto but that I had run out of Basil and she said she had a recipe for "Winter Pesto" where instead of fresh basil you use fresh parsley as well as a tablespoon of dried Basil. I tried it. I didn't like it as well as the Basil pesto (and the fault may have been that my dried basil was old and not very strong) but it was still good.

Basil has quite a few uses for healing too. Here is what I have found:

• Parsley's diuretic action can help control high blood pressure. In Germany they often prescribe Parsley seed tea for high blood pressure. The seed has a higher concentration of oil than the leaves and root.
• Breath freshener. Parsley contains one of the highest levels of chlorophyll of herbs. Chlorophyll is an active ingredient in breath freshener. Eat a sprig or two after your meal. That is why nice restaurants garnish with parsley.
• Parsley can be helpful to ease bloating during PMS, bring on a period or stimulate contractions during labor.It can also help tone uterine muscles after birth. For these reasons pregnant women should stick to only culinary amounts of parsley.
• Parsley may help those with hay fever or hives.
• Parsley contains psoralen which shows promise in the treatment of T-cell lymphoma. Obviously you shouldn't expect Parsley to cure the cancer but it would hurt to add it to what you are already doing. This is especially interesting to me as my Dad had Lymphoma years ago. (Though I don't know that it was T-cell)
• Parsley is said to relieve rheumatism.
• Parsley aids digestion.
• Leaf infusions are a tonic for hair, skin and eyes. (I think they mean for you to drink the infusion but I wonder if making a hair rinse with parsley would be helpful.)
• Leaf poultices soothe sprains and cuts.

Words of caution:

• This is a diuretic so if you are using it a lot be sure to eat foods high in potassium such as bananas and fresh veggies.
• Pregnant and nursing women should only use this in culinary amounts.
• Medicinal doses of parsley should not be given to those under 2 years old.
• Remember I am only sharing what I have read or used I am not a health care professional so use at your own discretion.

I didn't get as many posts put up on herbs as I had hoped. There are so many neat herbs! I hope to have another herb week sometime in the not to distant future so if you are interested in herbs stay tuned.

What are your experiences with Parsley? Do you have a favorite way to use it?

This post is part of the Home Remedies Carnival at Keeper of the Home.

Coriander/Cilantro {Herbs for health and hunger}

 There has often been some confusion with this herb because it is called Cilantro when you use the leaves and Coriander when you use the seeds. This herb is used all the time and well loved in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries but I have found a lot of people here don't care a lot for the smell or taste.

  I have grown to really like it as long as I don't use to much! This summer when my cilantro was growing wildly out in the garden I do remember making one rice dish with a bit to much cilantro! However it adds a wonderful flavor to Indian Curries. We really, really enjoyed the last Chicken Curry I made with a nice touch of Cilantro.

 If you would like to make Chicken Curry I will share with you the "recipe" that I wrote down while Mr. and Mrs. Mathew (Some friends from India) were teaching us how to make it. I put recipe in quotation marks because I don't have exact measurements mostly just estimates. I don't personally mind that however as I have trouble following a recipe exactly anyway.

  Chicken Curry
Saute in oil:

• a few mustard seeds
• Lots of curry powder
• Lots of sliced garlic
• Lots of sliced ginger  (I told you the amounts weren't very scientific!!)

Then add:

• Some chopped tomatoes (4 or 5 or more) When I don't have fresh tomatoes I use canned ones.
• Lots of chopped onion.
• A couple of stems of chopped cilantro leaves (or if you don't have fresh you can put in the coriander seeds.)
• 2 T. Garam Masala
• 1t. black pepper
• 2 1/2 t. salt

Stir in small pieces of Chicken and potatoes and cook until tender.

Serve over rice and enjoy!

All parts of this plant can be used: leaves, flowers, roots and seeds. You don't want to let it go to waste!

So what is Cilantro/Coriander good for as far as Healing goes? (Remember however I am not a medical authority, I am simply sharing what I have tried or read concerning this herb)

• It is antiviral.
• The seed aids digestion.
• It reduces flactuance (seed).
• It eases Migraine headaches. (seed)
• Sprinkle some Coriander on cuts and scrapes after washing to prevent infection.
• It may relieve Arthritis with anti-inflammatory action.
• Weak coriander infusions may be given cautiously to children under age 2 for colic.

To Grow:
It grows quite easily from seeds sown 1/2 inch deep in early Spring. Germination can take up to 3 weeks. It grows best in moist, well drained, moderately rich soil under full sun, but it tolerates some shade.

What do you like Cilantro/Coriander for?

This post is linked to the Home Remedies Carnival at Keeper of the Home.

Basil {Herbs for Hunger and Health}

Today's herbal post is about Basil. (We are talking about herbs this week, check out harvesting and using, making gifts from them and The One who gave them to us.) Not to long ago I didn't think I liked Basil all that much, I still used it in Italian foods but I didn't want to taste the flavor very strongly.

  My dislike for it happened I believe when I was pregnant with Megan and I had a bunch of basil and I decided to try to use some up in some tortilla roll-ups. I put way to much in and with my stomach feeling pretty queasy I decided I really didn't care much for basil. :-)

  This summer however my ideas changed. I still planted basil because I wanted a little but it has always grown pretty prolifically for me so I again was faced with the question: "How do I use all this up?" (Because if you know me, you know I hate to waste!) I shared some of my basil with others but still had quite a bit and then I happened to run across this post. In it she shares a recipe for frugal pesto. I have long been curious about pesto but I had never tasted it much less made it. However I had all the ingredients on hand and so I decided to give it a whirl.

 

I love it! On fresh bread it was oh so yummy! I also enjoyed in on pasta and in tomato soup. I made enough to freeze for later, eat a bunch and share with my parents who also really liked it. I was wishing that I would have planted more basil! By the way her "secret" ingredient was to use sunflower seeds instead of pine nuts. I haven't tried the pine nut type of pesto but I do know that this one was good. Other ingredients are Basil (of course!), Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic and a bit of salt.

  Other than pesto I basically use basil in Italian foods (spaghetti sauce, pizza, etc.). Where do you like to use basil?

And now for the really fun part! (at least I think so.) How can Basil contribute to good health? (As with most herbal remedies, these may or may not have had much testing. I am just sharing what I have read or tried, I cannot promise you that it will work in your situation.)

• Getting rid of intestinal parasites. When I did some reading on these, it is thought that 80% of people have parasites, I would really prefer not to be one of that number so if eating some basil will help, I will be glad to do that..
• Treat Acne. Basil oil applied to skin is supposed to help. You can make an infusion or tincture and apply it with a cotton ball to freshly washed skin.
• Immune stimulant. Basil is supposed to stimulate the immune system by increasing production of disease fighting antibodies by up to 20%.
• In Malaysia basil is also used to Promote menstruation.
• Basil is thought to help with milk promotion in nursing mothers.
• Mosquito repellent. The basil leaves should help with this, they also help when you have already been bitten.
• Aids digestion and is antibacterial. Take an infusion.
• Basil is a nerve tonic and eases overworked muscles when you use it as a massage oil.
• Inhaling the essential oil refreshes the mind and stimulates a sense of smell dulled by viral infection.
• Basil tea is said to help with nausea, gas pains and dysentery.

How to grow Basil:
Basil is an annual that grows easily from seeds. Sow it indoors in early spring or outdoors after danger of frost has passed and days are warm. Set plants 12 inches apart. Basil needs medium rich, well drained soil and full sun. Pinch off tips to promote bushiness and flower buds to maintain growth.

I am hoping to actually start some plants soon so that I can use it all winter long as I ended up not having enough to dry after my pesto making stint. :-)

   Basil works for me! What are your thoughts on Basil?

Have a Handmade Christmas ~ Week 2

 Welcome to week 2 of Have a Handmade Christmas Carnival! I hope you are willing to join me in making this a Handmade Holiday!

 This week at Proverbs 31 Living I have been talking about herbs, so today I decided to share some homemade herbal gift ideas. I think herbs are a lot of fun and I enjoy growing them and they are also fun to share with others.

Here are some ways: (and even if you don't grow herbs yourself, you could make some of these gifts by buying bulk herbs at a health food store.)

Idea #1 ~ Pot some herbs and give them for people that enjoy fresh and natural cooking. One of the pots in the picture actually shows a Rosemary plant that a friend of mine gave me last year. I have really enjoyed using it. They other one is Oregano that I potted this fall from out of my garden. Another option is to start brand new plants right now to have them ready for Christmas. Or even simpler, you could give a gift of the pot, soil and seeds.

Speaking of seeds.....

Idea #2 ~ If you have herbs or flowers that are producing seeds, save them! I made little envelopes for these and now they will make a perfect little gift. I know many a gardener would appreciate organic seeds. (And by the way, these two packets, one of Calendula and one of Echinacia are for one of you! See below...)

 To save the seeds you simply find the old flower heads and basically tear them apart. The seeds are usually quite easy to find. Make sure to get them from nice specimens of flowers.

 Idea #3 ~ Bath Bags. Make little cloth bags filled with either 1/2 cup oatmeal or dry milk as well as some (one kind or a mixture) of herbs. Both oatmeal and milk are good for the skin and the herbs can create a very soothing and healing aroma. I used Oatmeal with mint in one and catnip in the other. Lavender and chamomile are some other good options.

To use simply tie under the flow of water while the water flows in or even let it sit in the bath water like a tea bag.

 Idea # 4~ Dried herbs. If you have an abundance of herbs why not make them into welcome gifts for your cooking friends? I dried mine in my dehydrator, but them in sandwich bags and then I made little tags for them as well. I had fun used recycled brown card stock, magazine pictures, white card stock and a marker to make labels.

Idea #5 ~ Make up some herbal teas along with a tea ball and other fun tea things.

Idea # 6 ~If you want a gift for a feline receiver, use some catnip and make a little stuffed toy- I hear they love them!

Idea #7 ~ If you want to give a gift with a Victorian touch, make (or buy) some stationary and in the box put a little bag of yummy smelling herbs. Then they can send out scented stationary.

Idea #8 ~ Give Pesto, mint jelly or other edible treats.

How about a giveaway?

 Since I do have an abundance of herbs I thought it might be fun to share some of them with you! I am going to give away the items pictured as Item # 2 (Seeds) and Item # 4 (dried herbs). If you would like to win please leaving a comment below letting me know which one you would like if you win.

Additional chances to win will be given to those that link up a project of their own (please leave another comment too) and those that are followers through google connect, e-mail subscription or RSS feed of my blog (please leave another comment telling me how you subscribe.)

This giveaway is open to anyone and will be open until October 31.

Now it is your turn!!
Please link up your handmade Christmas projects. You can link up gift ideas, foods, decorations, basically anything handmade. I do ask that you please link back to A Handmade Christmas here at Proverbs 31 Living in your post. If you would add the logo to your post as well that would be appreciated too. Also please link to your specific post not just your blog. Thank you!

Herbs for Hunger and Health

Something that I have really been having a lot of fun using this year is herbs. I have long been interested in herbs and have grown them since I was a child. I even had my very own herb garden when I was growing up.

Though I have long like herbs I will admit I haven't always done a very good job of using them. I plant them and enjoy pinching off a leaf now and then to smell them and then I often let them go to waste for the most part.

This year I really worked at changing that and I have had a lot of fun. I still have a ways to go at using them to their full potential but I am learning! :-)

So I thought it would be fun to share some of the things I am learning with you. Some of it is my research and I am partially writing it all down so that I can find it again and some of the things I have tried and really like. I hope you are interested in learning more about herbs too. Also please share whatever expertise you have on herbs already in the comments!

  Today I am going to focus on harvesting and some basics on using them and then throughout this week I will have posts on individual herbs with favorite ways to use them and healing that they are supposed to be good for. Please come and join me!

  When do we harvest herbs?

Usually it is just as they begin to flower. The essence in them is the strongest in them at this time. However individual herbs can be different. Here is a chart that I found that lists many of the herbs and their own special time for harvest.

 Collect the leaves in the mid morning. After the dew has dried off of them but before the day gets too hot.

 You may like to water them the evening before to try to rinse them off so they are dust free. Or you can gently rinse them after you cut them.

  Roots are best harvested in the Fall after 1 or 2 frosts. They can be harvested at anytime however.

 How to harvest:

 Cut about 50 percent off of the plant, still leaving 4 inches or so. For slow growing herbs only cut around 1/3 off. I will admit I will cut more than this at times, especially if fall is approaching and they are annual plants. Then just cut away!

For seed heads (such as dill and coriander) cut the whole plant off with the seed on it and put it in a paper bag to dry. Then shake it and collect the seeds inside.

Ways to preserve herbs for winter:

• Dry them. You can use the old fashioned method of making small bundles and hanging them upside down until they are dry and crumble easily (probably a couple of weeks) or you can do this but with a paper bag around them to prevent dust from getting on them or you can dry them using a dehydrator, microwave or oven (at around 100 degrees) to dry them.
• Pot them and bring them in like that to use fresh all winter long!
• Freeze them. Wash the herbs off before freezing. (I also read that basil, thyme and dill will have better color if they are blanched before freezing.) You can just put them in plastic bags and freeze or lay them out on a cookie sheet and flash freeze them before putting them in bags so they don't stick together. Another way to freeze herbs is to cut them up and freeze them in ice cube trays along with a little water.  After the cubes freeze but them in labeled bags in the freezer.
• Put them in oil. Basil, tarragon, rosemary and sorrel can be stored in oil (vegetable or olive). Place leaves in a glass jar, alternating layers of leaves and oil. Store in the fridge. When you use the leaves scrape the oil back in the jar. They oil can be used for marinating, sauteing and dressings.

How do we use herbs?

• Herbs are great for making teas out of. Use an herb by itself or combine it with another. To make a tea a general rule of thumb is to use 2 teaspoons of dried herb (in a tea ball or use a strainer) or 2-3 sprigs of fresh leaves for each cup of water. Poor boiling water over the herbs, cover and let sit for a minimum of 5 minutes. (Though I will admit, I am not this scientific with my tea making! ) Test your tea and allow more time if desired. Sweeten if you desire with maple syrup, honey, sugar, molasses or stevia. Hot herbal tea on a cold day is so very nice!
• Cook with your herbs. Check out those more "complicated" recipes that use lots of herbs or just have fun experimenting with herbs in different recipes. Sometimes your family will say "What did you put in this!?" and sometimes they will say "This is really, really good!" Here is a little list that gives some suggestions on using herbs and spices.
• Make an infusion. This is like herbal tea but stronger. You can drink it and also inhale the warm vapors from it for health benefits. To make an infusion steep 1/2 to 1 ounce of dried herb in 1 pint of boiling water for 10-20 minutes. (To use fresh herbs, double the amount.)  When you inhale the warm vapors while it steeps it may help relieve the discomforts of colds, flu, cough, bronchitis and allergies.
• Make a tincture. I have never done this but I would like to try it. Tinctures make the herbs last longer than other methods of preservation. To make a tincture use 100 proof vodka or brandy or apple cider vinegar. Use 1 ounce of dried herbs for 5 ounces liquid. Put in a sealed container and let steep for 6 weeks. Label and date them well. Shake every few days. Keep out of direct sunlight.  Brown glass works well. It is up to you whether you strain out the plant material at the end of the 6 weeks. Tinctures are very potent so keep out of reach of small children.
• Make an ointment. You can do this by adding 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of tincture to every ounce of commercial skin lotion. This can be used for burns, cuts and other skin problems.
• Take an herbal bath. Fill a cloth bag with herbs and run your bathwater over it. You can also leave it in the water as you bathe.

I would love to hear any suggestions you have on using herbs too! Be sure to come back the rest of this week and I discuss specific herbs, herbal gifts and more!