Blackberries are a sweet summer berry and endlessly versatile. Learning to enjoy seasonal foods, we have found freezing fresh blackberries to be a wonderful way to preserve the freshness of summer to enjoy all year long. Freezing fresh seasonal blackberries is really very simple, and I ...
Healing With Comfrey and How to Use Comfrey
Comfrey, also known by the descriptive name “knit bone”, is an excellent plant with a long history of use in treating cuts, abrasions, bruises, torn ligaments, tendons, and broken bones. Comfrey has so many practical uses and benefits, I want everyone to know how to use comfrey! Studying herbal medicine, it is one ...
7 Things to Do With Basil Beyond Pesto
Every year I tell myself - plant less basil. But then spring rolls around and I think I can’t possibly have too much fresh basil, can I? And so the seeds get planted and my excitement rises as I pinch my first fresh leaves. Oh, the aroma of fresh basil! The plants start slow, but by July I just can’t keep up. ...
Make Your Own Rose and Aloe Cooling Lotion and Spray
All-Natural Rose and Aloe Cooling Lotion and Spray Roses are alluring and beautiful, and despite their delicate appearance, they offer some pretty amazing health benefits. Combining the anti-inflammatory and cooling property of rose petals with soothing aloe, we can create a simple, all-natural rose and aloe ...
DIY Summer Skin Salve – All Natural Relief for Summer Skin
Warm breezes and sunny days, summer is the time for outdoor activities. But along with the summer fun comes summer skin irritations like sunburn, blisters, insect bites, and the dreaded poison ivy. You can buy over-the-counter products to treat all of these, but you will also be getting the added chemicals and ...
Feeling Anxious, Wired, and Tired? Benefits of Passionflower – Reduce Anxiety and Sleep Better Naturally
If you find yourself anxious, edgy, and you can't stop thinking about your worries, the beautiful passionflower herb can bring you back to feeling centered and calm. Let me share the benefits of passionflower and how to use passionflower to soothe your frazzled nerves. “Anxious and shaky, it seems any little thing ...
Best Foods to Grow to Save Money When You Don’t Have a lot of Time
Many of us want to grow our own food because we enjoy eating homegrown and we want to reduce our food budget. But we also don't have a lot of time or energy for keeping up with a large garden, plus the harvesting, canning, and preserving. This is a simple list of the best foods to grow to save money when you ...
5 Mouthwatering Morel Mushroom Recipes
This is a guest post presented by Craig Scott at Everything Backyard If you enjoy gardening and mushrooms, Everything Backyard has a Complete Guide on How to Grow Morel Mushrooms. You can read it HERE. And growing your own mushrooms is a great addition to your garden, especially if you don't have a lot of time. ...
Strawberry and Rhubarb Recipe – Strawberry Rhubarb with Mint
Strawberry and rhubarb recipe - what a lovely combination - red, ripe strawberries, tart rhubarb, and mint. This makes a great topping for oatmeal, yogurt, ice-cream, cake, or as part of a strawberry-rhubarb cobbler or crisp. Strawberries and rhubarb signal the start of summer season, and using strawberry ...
Using Mindfulness Meditation to Improve Sleep
This is a guest post from Jane Collins, the founder of g9sleeptight.com where you can find great information to help you enjoy more restful sleep. You can follow Jane on twitter. Using Mindfulness Meditation to Improve Sleep There is always a lot to deal with from tight deadlines to other work-related pressures like ...
Nettle Recipe – Nettle Quiche
Nettle has been used as food, medicine, and fiber for hundreds of years, and this humble weed is incredibly nutrient-dense with a lot to offer. The flavor of nettle is similar to spinach, making it wonderfully versatile. Nettle quiche is a great way to enjoy the flavor and nutrients of nettle. Wild Nettle I first ...
Chickweed Recipe – Chickweed Pesto
Chickweed is a great-tasting weed that offers plenty of flavor and nutrition. Making chickweed pesto is a great way to enjoy this early spring weed. Chickweed - A Simple Nourishing Weed Traditional cultures looked forward to taking in the fresh green plants erupting in the early ...
Seeking Joyful Simplicity is about living your best life after 40. I write about using a holistic approach combining herbal remedies, nourishing foods, and self-care to reduce overwhelm, manage our weight, and enjoy more vibrant health in our 40's, 50's, and beyond.