All Purpose Salve

In the beginning of November I started infusing some herbs in olive oil.  I went to Noah's Natural Foods and picked up some calendula, comfrey, lavender and red clover.  All of these herbs are therapeutic to the skin and make a great all-purpose salve.  I would use this on any skin irritation, dry skin and hands, baby's bottoms, growing mama's bellies and eczema.  I mixed them all up and stuffed them into mason jars and then topped until completely covered with olive oil.

here are the herbs all mixed up

and here they are being topped with a high quality olive oil

Fast forward 6 weeks later......I dumped the 2 mason jars full of soaked herbs into a bodum and pressed as much of the olive oil out as I could.  I then scooped a few tbsp. of herb into some cheescloth and rang out the remainder of the oil.

 

Lastly, I bought 2 tubs of pure cocoa butter and melted them down on the lowest simmer and mixed in about 1.5 cups of the oil mixture.  I also squeezed in 2 vitamin E capsules which acts as a natural perservative.  Gave it a quick stir and poured the liquid into small pots.  Here they are!

A few other great ideas is buying some empty lip balm tubes and filling those up or simply pouring the purely infused oil into little bottles without the cocoa butter and using the oil as is! Simple and thoughtful gifts....

From Our Family to Yours....

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season with all the best health for 2012!  Here are a few pictures of what we have been busy in the kitchen with....

Busy in the Kitchen

Aidan had a PA day today and played lego with a friend all morning.  They were so involved in their Star Wars world, I don't even think they knew I was downstairs!  I had a few quiet hours to myself in the kitchen and got so much done!  Maybe this is an early nesting period..... Here is what I made.....

1. Vegan Macaroons  These were super easy to make and delicious!  I got the recipe from http://www.selfishvegan.com/2010/07/macaroons/
I think they might just end up being holiday gifts to a few lucky people. Give them a try!

1/2 cup organic cane sugar
1/4 cup almond milk (can use soy or rice if a nut allergy)
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp salt
I mixed the above together and then added

1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut
6 tbsp flour (your choice, next time i am going to try Bob's gluten free blend)
Make into small round balls and bake at 350F for 15minutes.

2. Banana Bread Revisited.  
When I first stared blogging (nearly 2 years ago!), I posted a vegan banana bread http://forhealthyroots.blogspot.com/2010/03/banana-bread.html that I love making.  I have since altered it slightly by decreasing the oil and omitting the sugar!  Here is the new recipe.....

3 ripe banana, mashed
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup oil (I used grapeseed)
1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups spelt flour (you want the mixture not too runny and not too dry)
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking salt
I then add some vegan chocolate chip, about 1/4 cup

Bake for 350F for about 40-50 minutes in a loaf pan or until golden brown on top. The loaf was gone within the hour!

3. I made the Lentil Soup with Root Vegetables again....it really is a big hit!
http://forhealthyroots.blogspot.com/2011/10/spiced-carrot-and-lentil-soup.html

4. Lastly, I got a few more stitches completed on these sweet leg warmers I am making for Bella with a few more pairs as holiday gifts for some of my favourite little girls!  I've said it before, we all have enough so I like to include homemade gifts!  My friend Jill (sayyippe.blogspot.com) posted this pattern and since I am a crocheter, they were pretty easy to make. http://www.coatsandclark.com/NR/rdonlyres/24C37DAB-05B6-4B4A-AA20-191B1BD2E627/161610/LT2346.pdf

Now I think I need a nap......

Zucchini Bread

I woke up this morning, somehow full of energy and while the kids were still in their slumber (they do sleep til' 8!) I whipped up this delicious zucchini loaf in less than 10 minutes.  This would be a great addition to a holiday brunch or as a dessert.  Enjoy!

 

Zucchini Loaf 

1 medium zucchini, grated

1 egg

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

• mix all these ingredients together in a big bowl and then add

1 1/4 cup flour (I used spelt but you could use wheat or a gluten free variety)
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional; I used dairy free chips).

Bake in a loaf pan for about 50 mintues at 350F (will be golden on top)

Enjoy!