HOMEMADE SOAP Part Two

A separation occured in the soap so it has 2 distinct layers. It looks more like a fancy dessert than a soap but other than that it has a very nice lather and a wonderful smell.

I believe that I used too much liquid and that's the reason why the separation occured.

I will give it another try with my new shredded soap base (this one has coconut milk instead of goat milk), measuring the liquid very carefully. Hopefully the next batch will be better...

Petits Pains au Sarrazin / Buckwheat Bread Rolls

I have a brand new bread machine that I can't use because the supposedly stainless steel baking pan in it has a non-stick coating...I refuse to use non-stick/teflon cookware and bakeware, because no matter how convenient and widely available it is, it's another of these popular things that are dangerous to your health.

Anyway, I'm getting better at making bread by hand (though I ordered an antique bread maker on ebay to help me kneed to dough) and simply baking it in the oven. The rolls are convenient because they seem to bake more homogeneously than a loaf but I will give it another try soon.

For my buckwheat rolls, I used:

• 1 1/2 cup of organic all purpose flour (which happens to be made of wheat and barley)
• 1 cup of buckwheat flour
• 1 cup of lukewarm spring water (tap water is too dangerous to use around here)
• 1/8 cup maple syrup (but 1/4 cup would have been a little bit more noticeable)
• 1 teaspoon of Himalayan sea salt
• 1 little pack of active dry yeast

You knead the dough 3 times. You let if proof 2 times for 30 to 45 minutes. The 3 time is shorter because it takes place while the oven is pre-heating at 450F. Cut the dough in 6 pieces and roll them. Place them on a greased baking sheet or on a piece of parchment paper and once in the oven, lower the temperature to 375F. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes...Et voila!

Buckwheat is gluten free, rich in protein, helps keep glucose levels in check and is good for circulation...Plus it has a pleasant nutty taste. It's a power grain ;)!

Being in Tune with Your Body

I've always been petite and thin and I've always enjoyed eating healthy, natural and nutritious foods...Even as a child.

About 1 year ago, I noticed I started gaining weight. I haven't made drastic changes in my diet so I didn't understand why. Of course there's the stress factor and I could use more exercise, at least to get the chi flowing and the circulation going, plus I enjoy walking in Nature.

So a couple days ago, I really wanted to get to the bottom of the problem and find the root cause of it...And that's when I got a clue. I am intuitive/sensitive in nature and I'm also in tune with my body. I used to buy multigrain bread every week at the farmers market until 1 year ago, when the lady who selled my bread didn't come back again. So I had to buy bread from another man who pretty much only sells white and rye breads...Which was frustrating since I like whole grain breads so much better.

Since these breads are made of refined flours, I figured this had something to due with the gluten which is a starch that later transforms into sugar and fat. I also observed on a few occasions some digestive disorders and bloating.

So in an effort to figure this all out and confirm my suspicions, I grabbed my trusty pendulum and started what I'd call a self dignosis...It was like having a conversation with my body through the pendulum.

As it turned out, I have to stay away from refined grains and flours such as wheat, rye (which is an acidic grain anyway) and triticale (a hybrid between wheat and rye)...I also checked all other grain, nut and legume flours that I know of, and soy flour as well as chickpea flour were added to my black list.

But I can eat whole grains (including whole and ancient wheats) and gluten free grains which are more nutritious, wholesome and rich in protein, plus they keep the glycemia in check. So I'm back to square one with what has always worked fine for me and what I enjoy eating anyway...

Conclusion: your body knows what's right for you, so follow your dietary intuitions ;).

Awakening From Our Dreams...

This shamanic exercise has been kindly shared by Julie Charette Nunn, a fellow Wise Woman and Shamanic Herbalist who runs Crow's Daughter. Her creams and other herbal products are just exquisite, I highly recommend them.

Here blog: Crow's Daughter's Herbal Wisdom is also worth checking.

***A shamanic exercise to initiate awakening from our dreams:***

• Go outside where you live where there is a natural setting, trees, plants and some open space.
  
• Close your eyes and notice your breath. Breathe in and out 3 times.
  
• Now imagine you are just awakening from sleep, eyes closed and you have just dreamed a dream of all that you desire.
  
• Open your eyes and what do you see.
  
• Do this several times. Each time taking note of what you see when you open your eyes.
  
• Give thanks for what you witnessed.
  
• Now speak outloud an intention for all that you desire.
  
• Take time in the next weeks until Spring Equinox to speak this intention to others.

Thanks Julie ;)...

The Dirty Secrets of the Food Processing Industry

An enlightening article written by the Weston Price Foundation.
Everything the Food Industry doesn't want you to know... A must read!

http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/dirty-secrets.html

HOMEMADE SOAP Part One

I just made a new batch of soap using a different method that the one I used before. Well...Less ingedients involved and the result already seems better but the real test will be once the soap is completely dry ;)...Can't wait to try it: orange blossom & goat milk. I will turn to a real bath tub goddess ;).

I have offered a few natural soaps on Etsy but for some reason they are just not popular. I'm sure it's because I don't use artifical bubblegummy scents and colorings. Sorry! My soap are ALL natural. No artifical smell and no artificial anything for that matter...

I admit that I don't make soap the old-fashioned way with lye...I don't have the will nor the space to do that, and quite frankly I'm trying to minimalize exposure to chemicals. We are already exposed to so many dangerous substances (most of them unknowingly) on a daily basis.

But I used quality shredded soap for rebatching. I like Chelsea's Soap Garden, they have a good choice, whether you want plain soap, with added milk or shea butter, I'm sure you can find something to your likings. I just finished the goat milk soap (that I recommend) and I'm waiting to get the coconut milk one delivered, I read that it gives a good lather.

Anyway, I basically only make soap for my own use. But I will still mention it in my next newsletter, just in case somebody is interested in giving it a try. The shredded soap I used is made of saponified oils with goat milk to which I added food grade orange blossom water, homemade fresh calendula oil, orange blossom honey and a touch of benzoin tincture (besides its healing properties, it has a nice vanilla-like scent).

I just have to wait a few weeks for it to dry. Hopefully the weather will become dryer soon (this is really helpful when you make soap or incense).

Celebrate the Goddess through Creativity

"The spark of creativity dwells within your spirit, awaiting only your encouraging breath to ripen it into flame. Each of us is blessed with the gift of creative inspiration, and the Goddess always wants you to use your gifts!

As the Wheel of the Year turns toward the light, stretch your imagination toward all the ways in which you can express yourself. Writing, artwork, cooking, music-making, home decoration, crafte work of all kinds - each is an expression of divine creativity if you do it with that intention."

From SageWoman 2008 Calendar

Homestyle Tincture

I'm fairly new into the art of tincturing but I find tinctures quite fun to prepare. My main & favorite herbal remedies are and will remain teas though, but tinctures are a useful and practical way to have some medicine handy especially when you need it fast.

I make tinctures "folk medicine style" following a basic ratio. I don't like complex things so this method suits me just fine. The tincture may not come out as potent this way but it's enough to get some help and relief, especially if I combine the use of tinctures along with teas/infusions and/or herbal capsules (that are also fun to make).

Since I don't need a big quantity of tincture, I just calculated the right amount of herbs for 2 oz (approximately 60 ml) of liquid. I made an elder tincture: I chose to combine both the berries and the blossoms because I have observed that different parts of a same plant seem to have similar yet complementary properties (my future experiments with include dandelion leaves & roots as well as hawthorn blossoms & berries).

So to my little 2 oz glass jar, I added 1/4 tbsp organic dried elder blossoms and 1/4 tbsp organic dried elderberries (sambucus nigra or canadensis) that I covered with 100 proof vodka (I tried 80 proof vodka before but I wasn't really impressed with the result). I will let everything infuse in a semi-dark place for 4 to 6 weeks...After just a few minutes, my tincture already turned to a purplish-rosy color.

When it comes to extracting nourishment from herbs (vitamins and minerals), then I use organic apple cider vinegar. I recently made a dandelion leaf ACV tincture with fresh dandy leaves from the farmers market...OK, it's not the wild stuff but even farmed dandelion is pretty bitter. It came out quite nice. I like its "bouquet" (scent) and its flavor is more than tolerable. This method works well with "weeds" such as nettle, plantain, chickweed...etc. I recomment reading Susun Weed's article about herbal vinegars (their benefits, how to prepare them & how to use them): http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Apr-02.htm#article

Note that it's usually better to use fresh (homegrown or ethically wildcrafted herbs) following the rythm of the season...But right now it's too late for harvesting berries (which are more blue than black around here) and too early for the blossoms.

I shall talk soon more in depth about the wonderful natural gifts provided by our herbal allies...

Alchemille's Garden Review by Valorie of Battlemaiden Studio

http://etsyreviews.blogspot.com/2008/02/alchemilles-garden.html

Celebrate the Goddess through Wonder

"Who has not gazed up into the vastness of the heavens and filled with wonder? The moonlight illuminates your soul, and you are connected to all ages past, all your foremothers who gazed in similar wonder.

The Goddess is present in the silver moon, the sparkling planets, the cold night air against your cheek. She is the unfathomable mystery of eternity.

The Goddess is in every stone, every star, and in every cell of your being."

From SageWoman 2008 Calendar

Knit Rosette Belt

I just made this belt for myself with a "mossy" yarn that I bought about 10 years ago in France...And I'm so pleased with the result!

So I should soon be offering some knit jewelry (earrings & necklaces) and belts.

If I'm feeling a little bit more ambitious: some scarves, shawls, capelets and shoulder wraps.

And if I'm feeling super ambitious: maybe ponchos and sweaters.

We'll see...;)

For now, you can find my Moss Fairy Belt in my Etsy Shoppe...Thanks for browsing.

GREEN WOMAN BODY SCRUB

I've recently been visited by a Spirit who wanted to be noticed. It moved things around and even hummed a child-like song with a voice similar to mine (according to my husband who witnessed it).

I had to find out who that Spirit was but I knew from its behavior that it was a Nature Spirit or a Fae. So I grabbed my Fairy Oracle deck and one card popped out of it: the Green Woman. I was really delighted ;).

She is the wild woman, the caretaker of the Earth and the Natural Realm. She is the inner child who wants to play, she is all about creativity and spontaneity...and she doesn't care what people think about her! She does what she wants. I thought of her popping into my life as a blessing because I can relay to that playful wilderness ;).

So I decided to create a Green Woman Body Scrub in honor of my new friend, with fine sea salt and herbally infused oil...I think she appreciates.

Fairy Elixirs for Your Face...

The New Year Muse has been whispering new ideas in my ears...And here they are now, crystallized into 3 new products: 3 new facial elixirs ;).

First there's the Woodland Fairy Elixir with camellia oil, organic rosehip seed oil, cranberry seed oil and raspberry seed oil...Sounds good?! It works like (fairy) magic ;D.

Then comes the Cottage Fairy Elixir with sunflower oil, organic rosehip seed oil, melon seed oil and raspberry seed oil...This one has a sweet fruity smell and is also wonderful ;).

At last, there's the more exotic Sand Dune Fairy Elixir with sunflower oil, melon seed oil, virgin argan oil or shea oil and baobab oil...This one is nourishing, moisturizing and smells fruity too ;).

January = Novelty

First of all, I'd like to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year! It's been 2 years since I started Alchemille's Garden and thanks to my wonderful customers, what was once a dream has been allowed to grow so....the adventure continues ;).

I constantly have new ideas of products (I even have a pile of them) but unfortunately I can't make them all and surely can't share them all at once but I think I chose a few good ones for January ;).

What should we first start with?

I recently made a batch of Hibiscus & Rose Soap with some hibiscus and rosehip infusion, a little bit of organic rose hydrosol, some camellia oil, a touch of rhassoul...I could keep on going but I'll just say that it's a nice natural soap with a slight rose scent.

Then I blended a new incense that I called Evening Star...It's what I would call a therapeutic incense since it's made with herbs that have soothing, relaxing and even sleep inducing properties. It contains sweet marjoram, lavender, rose and chamomile with a touch of orange blossom water. Just perfect for any overly stressed people, insomniacs and workaholics.

For energy and shamanic healings, I still have some Good Vibrations Incense which matches my Good Vibrations tea ;). White sage, rose and lavender...A healing blend with a wonderful scent!

And last but not least, my incredible Woodland Fairy Facial Elixir : pure natural goodness for your skin! I'm really enchanted with this product. It's a blend of 4 oils: organic rosehip seed oil, camellia oil, raspberry seed oil and cranberry seed oil. The result is a nourishing and moisturing oil rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, yet not greasy.

Simply Natural Homemade Granola

All natural, quick & easy to prepare...And good for you!

All you need is:
-1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats
-1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil or almond oil
-2 tbsp maple syrup, raw honey or agave syrup (whatever your preferences are, you might also want to consider and herb infused honey)

Remember that for optimum nutrition & health benefits, it's important to choose ingredients that are either organic, ethically wildcrafted, grown without pesticide or fair trade (they're usually natural).

Preheat your oven at 375F.
In a bowl, mix the oats with the oil and the natural sweetener.
Pour the mixture in a greased baking pan (I usually choose the same oil than the one I use in the recipe) and press it down with a fork.
Place the pan in the oven for about 20 minutes.
Once ready, let it cool down before breaking the granola into chunks (with a fork).
Enjoy!

Most commercial brands use canola oil in the making of their granolas.
I recommend you stay away from canola oil:
A/Canola oil is made with GMOs
B/Canola oil goes rancid quickly
C/Canola is a refined oil that has a tendency to clog arteries

I really like La Tourangelle Artisan Oils. They're a little more pricey than other brands but the quality & variety of their oils make them worth having.

Homemade Muesli with Berries

Muesli is a natural and nutritious alternative to the overly popular granola, which is packed with lots of sugar and oil (not the best quality ones either).
You can enjoy muesli any time of the day: breakfast, afternoon or even late night snack. And it's very easy to blend. Some purist like it plain with just a few nuts, other people enjoy it with exotic fruits...I like mine with berries.
Dried fruits and berries are convenient and easy to find all year long but if you can use fresh and seasonal fruits in your muesli, it's even better.
I got the following ingredients from Bob's Red Mill, Whole Foods and/or Sprouts.
Remember that it's better to use organic and/or pesticide free ingredients.

You'll need:
-1 cup of rolled oats
-1 cup of rolled barley flakes (but you can also use wheat, spelt or rye flakes)
-1/4 cup dried diced apples
-1/4 cup sliced almonds
-1/8 cup shelled raw sunflower seeds (you can slightly toast seeds and nuts if you prefer)
-1/8 cup raisins
-1/8 cup dried currants
-1/8 cup dried cranberries
-1/8 cup dried blueberries

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a jar, sealable container or a ziploc bag.
You can enjoy your muesli with milk, yogurt (plain or with fruits) or fruit juice (my favorites being apple and pear juices...mango works too. I suppose peach and apricot might also work).
If you don't use juice, you may need to sweeten your muesli a little. Besides sugar, try a drizzle of honey, agave syrup, maple syrup...Or any natural/fruity syrup.

Enjoy and Be Well ;)!

P-S: If you do no wish to make your own muesli but still would like to try some, I can recommend the following ones...Most of them are organic:
http://www.germandeli.com/kocege.html

A Pagan Roman Prayer to the Earth Goddess

"Hear, I beseech thee, and be favourable to my prayer.
Whatsoever herb thy power dost produce, give, I pray, with goodwill to all nations to save them and grant me this my medicine. Come to me with thy powers, and howsoever I may use them may they have good success and to whomsoever I may give them.
Whatever thou dost grant it may prosper. To thee all things return.
Those who rightly receive these herbs from me, do thou make whole.
Goddess, I beseech thee; I pray thee as a suppliant that by thy majesty thou grant this to me.
Now I make intercession to you all ye powers and herbs and to your majesty, ye whom Earth parent of all hath produced and given as a medicine of health to all nations and hath put majesty upon you, be, I pray you, the greatest help to the human race."

From a 12th century herbal.

Paper Incense

As you all know, I love herbs...And I love using them in new and various ways. My latest interest is natural incense making so besides botanical cones, I now also make paper incense!

If you're familiar with armenian paper, this is pretty similar.

Basically I soak parchment-like paper in a strongly scented tincture (homemade) which imparts some scent to the paper so when you burn it, you get some of that subtile scent.

I currently have some White Sage Paper Incense available and I'm preparing a tincture of frankincense & myrrh which should be ready in about 2 weeks or so.

Thanks for browsing ;): http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=36753&section_id=5180295

Smells like Tree Spirit...

I am proud to share with you the beginning of a new line of herbal products: "Scented Trails Botanical Incense".

These are hand crafted incense cones made with:

-Organic, wildrafted and/or pesticide free herbs (including flowers, leaves, seeds, roots & barks), spices and/or resins

-Benzoin gum, guar gum or makko powder

-Spring water, tea/herbal infusions or floral waters/hydrosols

-May contain some herbal tincture(s).

Homemade Lavender Cologne

It's very easy to prepare, all you need is:
1 glass jar that can hold 1 cup of liquid (I use a recycled honey jar)
1/2 cup 80 proof vodka
1/4 cup rosewater (food grade, nothing fancy)
1/4 cup orange blossom water (food grade)
3 tbsp organic dried lavender
1 tbsp pesticide-free dried rose petals
1 tsp organic cinnamon chips
1/2 tsp organic cloves

Make sure your jar is clean and dry. Add all the herbs & spices. Cover with the vodka and the floral waters. Close the jar and give it a good shake (make sure it doesn't leak).
Then leave it to macerate for 10 to 15 days in a dark place (closet, bookshelf...) while shaking from time to time. When you feel it's ready, just strain and bottle.
You can even pour some in a spray bottle. Just use as perfume, hair & body spray. I wouldn't recommend using this one as skin toner because of the warming spices.
This cologne has a warm, sweet fragrance (and a nice amber color) yet the scent is stronger in the bottle than on the skin.