Invincible Summer, a Tea for Winter Nights
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” ― Albert Camus Stress comes in many [...]
An aromatherapist’s alternative to the e-cigarette
My grandmother's cancer diagnosis came too late for her, by the time they figured out her chronic cough was a tumor it was already the size of a tennis ball. This woman who was a brilliant quilter, an expert in Spanish colonial art, and my introduction to the margarita, was [...]
Problems with selling essential oils like drugs
In my earlier article I outline some key problems with using essential oils like drugs. This article is focusing on the problems with selling essential oils like drugs. Some of the key problems are: Essential oils aren't approved as drugs in the United States. A prescription is required by [...]
Cinnamon Maple Sunflower Butter
Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, is easily recognized by its large heads, heavy and drooping with kernels near harvest. This beautiful flower gives us a delicious and nutritious snack packed with vitamins E and B1. I've been making sunflower butter every autumn for a few years now. It is quite [...]
The Tree of Happiness, Albizia julibrissin
Fresh Picked Mimosa Flowers Our friend here goes by a few names, you may know her as the Silk Tree, the Mimosa Tree, Huan Hua, or The Tree of Happiness. Her botanical name, or binomial, is Albizia julibrissin. Originally from China, Persia, Korea and Japan, she's rather fond [...]
Vinegar Hydrosol Vegetable Wash
Vinegar seller in Bucharest, 1865, The Illustrated London News How do you clean your fresh fruits and veggies from the farmer's market, supermarket, or your own garden? Every summer Austinites get a nasty case of cyclospora or other parasite that contaminates produce and leaves folks with some unpleasant [...]