Saturday, February 27, 2010

MARCH goody bag Contest

This month's goody bag consists of goodies from Terra Firma Botanicals.

The goodies being offered this month are;

*1 tube of Love Oil lip balm
*1 jar of Green Star Salve
*1oz. bottle of "Bliss" tincture

(You can read more about each individual product via the website linked above.)

One lucky winner wins all 3! All you have to do is leave a comment w/ your email address under this post for a chance to win! The deadline to enter is midnight of March 15th! The winner will be announced on the blog March 16th.

Good luck! :)

~April



Friday, February 26, 2010

Your chance to win a ONE YEAR subscription to Herbal Roots!

Check out the details here for this *amazing* contest!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Tub Tea Instructions



I love making these relaxing bath teas for the tub. They are so simple and very soothing to the spirit.

What you will need;

*Tea bags (these can be purchased through MRH's and they are seal-able with a hot iron- they generally come in two sizes, large and small)

*Loose herbs of your choice (about 2 cups will yield you 2 dozen or so large tub tea bags)

Herbs I like to use are lavender, chamomile, rose and rosemary but you can use whatever you like!

Mix the herbs together well in a glass bowl. Fill up each tea bag and seal shut with a hot iron.

To use you will use 1 large bag or 2 small bags.

Boil 2 cups of water and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Discard bags (composting them is good!)

Let the bath tea cool slightly and then pour this mixture into your hot bath. You could also add some essential oils or powdered oats for maximizing your relaxation experience!

I love the fact that you can personalize your bath teas and make them exactly how you love them. These also make great gifts!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Introducing.....The Monthly "Herbal Goody Bag" Giveaway!

So, I've got a little surprise in store for my blog readers! I've decided to spice this blog up a bit and start a contest for every month! Because, now really, who doesn't like to win free stuff? Especially when it's herbal themed goodies?!?

Anyway, I have some really great prizes in mind and I plan to give away 3 herbal items per month to one extra special lucky reader! (These items may be made by me or others!)

I just want to say thanks for reading and also promote herbal healing in a fun way!

Also, unlike some blogs, this contest won't require you to *do* anything like promote my site or things like that. I may ask you to leave a comment but beyond that we're good to go here. This contest is only open to those within North America. (Sorry it just gets too complicated for me otherwise!)

Anyway these contests are just for fun and because I want to spread around the herbal love!

Stay tuned for more details!

~April

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Herbal Storage Solutions









I am always fascinated by other herbalists herbal storage areas and home apothecaries. Since I have gone through 2 huge moves this past year (once from AZ to MA and then again to VT in less than 12 months) my herb cupboard is needing restocking in a big way. I have been basically just been buying whatever we need ready made due to lack of space! Which is not as satisfying as making my own medicine!

But it's now time to get organized as we are moved and settled it's time to get back to medicine making again! (yay!) So, I have been thinking about how I want to store my herbs here at this house. Especially in anticipation of what we will grow this summer!

I also have 2 kids, 3 cats and a puppy so I need to keep them in mind (and OUT!) when coming up with solutions. I am stumped as to what to do!!!!!! I need storage solutions though as I am getting a large-ish herb order ready and need to get the space ready for storage.

So to Google images I turn!!!!!!! I have listed a few images above to get inspiration from. Now if I can somehow combine them ALL in one giant organized center I'll be set!

I have previously used a whole hall closet and also a jelly cupboard. The closet was too large and eventually took a life of it's own. The jelly cupboard too small and overstuffed that it actually split the sides!! I left my jelly cupboard behind as it was falling apart but bought a larger new one last spring with the intention of storing herbs in it. (instead it's full of yarn!) Ahhh well!

Anyway so far my solutions are to use a couple of pantry shelves or use one of the bedroom closets. Neither which appeal to me. We also have a small laundry room with some cupboards. Nothing is inspiring me here though at all! ackkk!

For the time being I think we have decided to use some built in shelving in my partners office. (away from pets and kids). Maybe it will be a good long term solution but I'd rather have a piece of furniture or a cabinet. Or maybe even in the kitchen pantry instead as it's more readily accessible.

hmmm...

Where do you store your herbs? Link a picture in the comments if you are so inclined! (or just tell me about it!)

Monday, February 8, 2010

I know I have not been very consistent keeping up with my blog! I am really going to try to post more regularly!

Especially as now I am back doing more herb courses! I just started a couple of new classes this week and am so excited! Right now I am taking the distance learning courses through the late Michael Moore's school in AZ. Something I have wanted to do for at least 10 years! (and all the while I lived in AZ and hour from Bisbee). I also studied with a student of his for 5 months in 2001.

Otherwise, it will take me about 10 months to complete the 2 courses. One is a Materia Medica course and the other one is Clinical Constitutional Herbalism. There is a ton of info. to absorb and I am pretty happy about it!

I also am thinking about starting the 3 year community herbalist training through BLESSED MAINE HERBS in May. It seems like a great opportunity in any case and I am really excited about it!

Anyway I hope to be posting more regularly, especially about things I will be studying and other projects I am working on! Hope all is well with everyone else in blog land!