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Protect Yourself from Salmonella and E Coli Naturally

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sitting processed chicken

Are you wondering when the next massive round of food-borne illness will occur?

It seems like every time you turn on the news there's another food recall. If you check the FDA food recall list, there are literally dozens of products listed at any given time. Big gatherings where food sits out for hours – for instance, potlucks – often end up with people ill from some degree of food poisoning. There are ways you can help protect yourself from salmonella and e coli naturally.

Note: This article contains advice on general food safety and boosting your immune system. It is for general information purposes only.If you are experiencing severe pain, vomiting, diarrhea or other complications, please consult your healthcare practitioner immediately! I am not a doctor, I am only sharing what works for me and my family.

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Dandelion Wine Recipe – And the Mistake You Don’t Want to Make

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Bottle of homemade dandelion wine sitting next to a bowl of dandelion flowers
Wine out of dandelions? You bet! Making homemade dandelion wine is a longstanding family tradition. We don't make it every year, but I do like to keep a few bottles on hand for company. You can use the dandelions from your yard, provided they are free of pesticides, herbicides and other things you don't want to eat. The taste of this dandelion wine is rich, golden and warming – more like a good brandy than a wine. I've had friends who don't normally like wine comment that they do enjoy this “spring tonic”.  [Read more…]

How to Infuse Herbs in Oil, Water, Vinegar, Alcohol or Honey

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Red clover infusion

Looking for creative, easy ways to use homegrown herbs, or maybe you've tried some herb flavored oils or herbal vinegars and wondered about making your own? In this post we'll cover how to infuse herbs in oils, vinegars, alcohols and honey. With just a few simple steps, you can make your own delicious flavored cooking oils, such as garlic olive oil, quickly and inexpensively. [Read more…]

Getting Started Herb Gardening

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Herb garden bed

Wondering how to get started herb gardening and what herbs to grow? Unsure about soil preferences of herbs or their growth habits? Interested in growing your own herbs for herbal healing?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, there are a couple of books I'd like to recommend to you – The Practical Herb Garden and The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal. (There may be others that are just as good, but I have these, and I like them, and they are CHEAP because they are no longer brand spanking new. 🙂  If you have a favorite you'd like to recommend, please leave a comment below.)

In my garden, I'm prone to try new plants on a whim for a season or two, just to get a feeling for their growth habits in different conditions (our temperatures and moisture levels have fluctuated pretty wildly the last few years). Usually, this works just fine, as most fruits and vegetables are annuals that don't self-seed easily. Herbs can be a little trickier. [Read more…]

9 Home Remedies for Congestion – Natural Decongestants That Work

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Try these natural decongestant options and home remedies for congestion to relieve your stuffy nose and sinus pressure so you can breathe.

Less daylight, cold weather and busy schedules often lead to colds and flu making the rounds. The discomfort (and even pain) associated with nasal congestion is one of the most common symptoms. (Not to mention that the inability to breath is just plain annoying.)  I've gathered together several home remedies for congestion to relieve your stuffy nose and sinus pressure so you can breathe easy. I don't like the side effects of over the counter decongestants (they either make me jittery, knock me out or make my head feel like it's going to shrivel up like a raisin), so natural decongestants are my option of choice. [Read more…]

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