I don't know about you, but it just seems like some years I'm out in my garden really harvesting and using EVERYTHING...and then every once in a while I end up not picking herbs quickly enough and the plant goes haywire and I lose it.
I've tried freezing my herbs - I actually bought the cutest little hexagonal trays to freeze small "blocks" of herbs, and then I end up just not really using them as much as I thought I would.
At some point it occurred to me that I own a dehydrator. My husband has been using it for jerky for years, and for whatever reason it's taken me this long to think to use it to dry my herbs, LOL. Well, at least I finally thought about it!! It's a NESCO Food Dehydrator with 4 trays. It's pretty basic, I guess, and works great!
So, without any more delay...let me show you how I dried my basil. It was getting really "leggy" so I went and trimmed it WAY down, pulling off all of the usable leaves for my harvest. I made sure to check around and underneath all the leaves so there were no bugs or pests.
After I made sure all the leaves were good, I loaded them into 2 of the trays. I didn't have a whole lot and made sure that there was plenty of space to help them dry more quickly. I like to use a temp that is just a little above the "herb" setting (which is the lowest temp).
Depending on how much plant material you are drying, it's probably going to take a few days to get it all completely dried. I just make sure there is pretty much zero moisture so when I store it - it does not mold. Here's what it looks like once it's all dried:
You can see the tray wasn't very full this time - I'm really trying to just not waste anything I'm growing this year!
Once it's fully dried, I load the leaves into a coffee/spice grinder.
Again, you don't need anything fancy, just any basic coffee/spice grinder. Pulverize it until it's all uniformly powder, it should look something like this:
After that, you're done! I like to use these little small jelly jars since they don't take up much space and I have them. You can go buy any glass spice jar you can find - it's totally your preference!
I've done quite a few sets this summer and even made a blend with a lot of dried dill that I labeled as my "ranch" mix. I also dried some of my green onion tops and ground that to use. It's been fun! I hope you try drying some of your own herbs. Let me know if you do and how it turns out!!
Discover the joy of elevating your everyday meals with a simple, homemade twist that adds a burst of flavor and crunch. Imagine topping your favorite salads with something tangy and irresistible, made right in your own kitchen. This easy recipe is all about quick preparation and endless customization to suit your taste. You'll learn how to create this versatile condiment with just a few everyday ingredients, turning ordinary dishes into something special. Dive in to uncover the full details and start experimenting today!
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Did you know that washing your hair too often can leave hair prone to dryness and breakage? It’s easy to keep your locks looking lustrous and lifted and extend time between washes by applying a dry shampoo! Using ingredients you already have in your cupboards such as corn starch and baking soda, this DIY Dry Shampoo is free of harsh parabens, dyes, and perfumes that can damage hair and cause breakage. Cornstarch absorbs excess oil, while baking soda and Cedarwood, Rosemary, and Tea Tree essential oils make hair smell fresh and support the qualities of a healthy scalp.
You can experiment with your own blend of essential oils to find a scent that works best for you! We love Lavender, Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, and Peppermint for their wonderful aromas and various skin-care benefits. If you decide to add cocoa for dark hair, try using oils that complement the scent of chocolate like Orange, Peppermint, or Cinnamon.
DIY Essential Oil-Infused Dry Shampoo
Ingredients
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 drops Cedarwood essential oil
- 2 drops Rosemary essential oil
- 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, for dark hair only
Directions
- Combine all ingredients.
- Put in a container of your choice, such as an empty salt shaker or baby powder bottle.
- Sprinkle on roots of hair and massage into scalp.
- Leave for 2–3 minutes to absorb hair’s natural oils.
- Brush through hair.
It's that time of year! Here in Texas we are definitely coming out of the cold and the tree in my front yard is starting to bud out nicely - even after the historic ice and snow storm we endured last month.
That always puts me in the mood to clean up and clear out. And many people even take the 40 days of Lent to do a "40 days of cleanout" and get their houses back in order.
And while this all makes us feel better - using traditional, off the shelf cleaning products can actually be making you sick. A 10-country study of more than 3,500 individuals who were initially free of asthma found that nine years later, those who used spray cleaners at least once a week to clean their homes had a 30-to-50 percent increased risk of developing asthma during the study period (Zock 2007). Household cleaners can also increase your risk of cancers, hormone/reproductive toxicity and poisonings.
White vinegar makes a great natural cleaner, but let's be honest - it doesn't smell that great!
Thankfully, there's Thieves Household Cleaner from Young Living. It's a powerful, super-concentrated plant-based cleaner infused with essential oils. It doesn't contain harsh chemicals and is safe to use all around the house, it's even safe for your children and pets. And if you're a mom like me who wanted to teach their kids early on to do chores - that's super important to know they can grab a bottle and there's no concern about them getting it on their skin while they clean.
Thieves Household Cleaner is so concentrated, you can use it at ratios as little as 60:1, but you may prefer a stronger mix depending on the use. It's generally safe for most surfaces, even fabrics, but always do a spot test in an inconspicuous area before using. I personally generally use 2 capfuls to 2 cups distilled water in a spray bottle for most of my household cleaning.
And it's great for DIY cleaners like a baking soda based scrub for bathtubs and other areas that need scoured:
Mix the following in a small glass container:
- ½ cup baking soda
- 5 tablespoons liquid castile soap
- ½ capful Thieves Household Cleaner
- 3 drops Lemon essential oil
- Apply the mixture with a damp cloth or brush and scrub away.
Glass Cleaner
In a spray bottle, mix the following:
- 3 cups water
- 5 drops Citrus Fresh™ essential oil blend
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
- Spray onto glass and wipe away streaks with a soft cloth.
Wood Floor Cleaner
In a bucket, mix the following:
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons grape seed oil
- 1 capful Thieves Household Cleaner
- 5 drops Orange essential oil
- Mop your wood floors
These are just a few of the ways to use your Thieves Household cleaner. I hope you'll give it a try - your house will have a fresh, clean smell that won't harm your lungs.
If you aren't a Young Living member yet, I'd love to help you! It's easy to set up your shopping account, then you'll be able to simply log on and order what you need and have it delivered conveniently to your doorstep! Simply email me at sarah@escentiallivingtx.com or text me at 682-400-4555 and let me know you are ready to set up your shopping account!
Health and blessings!
Sarah
Sarah
Ingredients
1 cup organic coconut oil
1 cup organic solid cocoa butter (do not use lotion)
15 drops of your favorite topical/aromatic essential oil (we love Cedarwood, Lavender, and Frankincense essential oils)
Directions
- Warm a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, then add coconut oil and cocoa butter. Melt until completely liquefied, about 4–5 minutes.
- Pour into a glass mixing bowl and place in refrigerator for 30–45 minutes to cool and just set but not harden.
- Stir in essential oils.
- Using an electric hand mixer, whip until firm peaks form, about 10 minutes.
- Gently transfer to a seal-able jar or container. Store at room temperature to avoid melting or solidifying.
- Massage into dry skin!
