I LOVE HERBS!!!!!

I have been studying herbs for a while now. I first started thinking about herbs when our family went to a homeschool convention in Memphis, TN this past March. I had the pleasure of sitting in on a workshop that was to teach us about herbs and ways to use them in our home. A lady by the name of Jessie Hawkins conducted the workshop. She is the founder of Vintage Remedies, http://www.vintageremedies.com/home/, a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to learn a little about herbs or to become a  full blown herbalist. In the near future, my plans are to start taking her Family Herbalist course. When we were at the convention, I purchased one of her books entitled "Vintage Remedies for Kids". It is by far one of my favorite books.

It has so many resources in it. I have thoroughly enjoyed every little bit of it. It is written to be able to teach children about healthy and natural living. I am planning on doing a unit study with all my bugs in the spring of 2012. We have already done a few things out of this book. From making our first cheese to making tinctures and Calendula Balm. I will list the recipe for the cheese and the directions on how to make the Calendula balm at the end of this post. I would highly recommend everyone to get this book. Go to her website and look around.

               

My First Cheese

You'll need:

1 quart organic yogurt

Assorted flavorings (cinnamon and honey / herbs / other small foods or spices)

Cheesecloth

Large strainer

Large bowl

Place the strainer into the bowl. Line with the cheesecloth. Stir the flavorings into the yogurt and pour it into the lined strainer. Leave in the fridge overnight while liquid drips. Remove in the morning, scoop out into a bowl and keep covered in the fridge up to a week.

This cheese is great for morning treats as it is creamy, like cream cheese. It is also made from active cultures in real yogurt, and since it hasn't been heated, they remain in the finished product.

Calendula Balm

Calendula (calendula officinalis) is a bright yellow flowering herb that is also known as marigold. As a medicinal plant, it is prized for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to stimulate wound healing.

Calendula is a herb to have in your home at all times, as its uses are practically endless. We use it in our home for any kind of bug bite or sting to the treatment of minor scrapes and injuries.

You'll need:

2 ounces of calendula

1 teaspoon beeswax

1/2 cup olive oil

Metal tins

Break apart the herb into small bits. Toss then in the oil in an oven proof bowl and place in a warm oven. Infuse for 2 hours. Remove from the heat and let cool. Once cool, strain the herbs out with cheesecloth. Return to the clean bowl and add the beeswax. Heat until the beeswax is just melted, then pour into clean tins. Label with the ingredients, uses and date of production.

We are planning on making alot of these and giving them as Christmas gifts to our friends and family.

Sorry this post is so long, I get carried away talking about HERBS!

Dana