Rompope: Ecuadorian Eggnog
Rompope is a traditional Ecuadorian beverage that is enjoyed during the Christmas season. It combines milk, egg yolks, & warming spices, and is usually spiked with rum or aguardiente (liquor made from sugar cane).
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Pine Snickerdoodles
These pine infused snickerdoodles are a festive, foraged spin on the classic cookie. Pine needles impart herbal, citrusy notes that pair wonderfully with spicy, warming cinnamon.
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Goldenrod Salve
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) salve is an effective multipurpose balm that is great to have in your medicine cabinet. In Latin it’s name, solidago, means “to make whole” which alludes to it’s numerous healing properties. Goldenrod has anti-inflammatory effects and is utilized topically on sore muscles, achy joints, and injuries to help reduce pain & swelling. It’s also wonderfully healing and soothing to the skin, and has long been used for…
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Raspberry Leaf & Rose Vaginal Steam
Vaginal steaming, also commonly called yoni steaming, is a self-care practice that has its roots in many different cultures worldwide. It involves squatting or sitting on a steam chair over a bowl of hot water and herbs. Steaming is said to have a number of benefits for pelvic health. It can be helpful for easing PMS and menopause symptoms. Women also report its usefulness for various conditions, including pelvic organ…
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30+ Lilac Recipes
Delicate and aromatic lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. For the first two and a half decades of my life, their sweet blooms were a yearly herald of warm weather, longer days, and an abundance of fresh fruits & veggies. While I’m not living where lilacs grow anymore, my love for this plant has only deepened. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder— in this case anyway. Lilacs (Syringa…
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Lilac Syrup
May has always been my favorite month. In the Midwest, it’s when the fields & forests begin to burst with life, offering lots of fungi & flora to forage. It’s also when the lilacs bloom. Such a magical, yet fleeting time that urges us to slow down and be present — to stop and smell the lilacs. Lilac syrup is a lovely way to enjoy this gorgeous flower. It’s a…
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Springtime Infused Witch Hazel
Witch hazel extract infused with spring plants makes for a lovely skin tonic. Crafted with herbs that are wonderfully nourishing and soothing to the skin, it can be used as a daily facial toner or utilized to ease a number of skin woes. Dab on to spot treat acne or pour into a spray bottle and spritz on insect bites & stings, sun burns, rashes, and other inflamed, itchy skin…
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Dandelion Vinaigrette
This tasty dressing is incredibly nutrient dense. Dandelion provides a number of vitamins and minerals, which are readily extracted into the vinegar. It also promotes healthy digestion. Olive oil adds a boost of antioxidants and rich flavor.
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TMJ Relief Roller
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ for short, causes pain in the jaw, face, & ears and can make chewing and opening your mouth painful, or even difficult. A study published in the British Journal of General Practice states, “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are responsible for 30% of hospital admissions for [adverse drug reactions], mainly due to bleeding, heart attack, stroke, and renal damage” (Davis & Robson, 2016). I could dive…
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Oregano Tea Tree Vinegar Hair Rinse
These days I have a super simple hair care regimen that I’m really happy with. First, I give my hair a light wash (not using much soap) with my friend, Ali’s, gorgeous goat milk soap or one of my own botanical infused soaps. Then I pour a bit of herbal hair vinegar over my scalp and rinse with cool water. This simple method leaves my hair feeling great.