Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Tuesdays with a Twist #236

Good Morning and welcome to another No Rules Party!

Mary's 2017 Planting Guide for the US is now LIVE!

My OCTOBER PLANTING GUIDE is also available


I've been busy learning and sharing about SOIL.  Find out more below!



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The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59am.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 
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Sunday, October 29, 2017

Learn to Make Your Own Herbal Remedies





Mary's Heirloom Seeds
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October 29, 2017

We've been busy in the gardens and creating in the kitchen.  We had a special request made on
our faceook page to bring back a few of our
These make fantastic gifts.
After sharing about the new kits we had a few questions about how to make tinctures.
Below you'll find the basic info as well as links to articles and tutorials we've shared on our website over the years.  Enjoy!!!


There are many ways to use herbs for medicinal purposes and one of the is in a tincture. Other uses include consuming in food, salves, herbal vinegar and herbal oils, teas and even syrup. I thought I would start with Tinctures because it is quite simple and easy to use.
There are 2 important components to your herbal tincture: Herbal material and menstruum
Our DIY Organic Tincture Kits include everything but the liquid!

What is Menstruum?
Definition: a substance that dissolves a solid or holds it in suspension : solvent
Types of Menstruum is general vodka, when making a true herbal tincture. Vinegar can be used, it can be safer than alcohol, but is less effective at leaching out the medicinal components of the plant. When tincturing dried herbs, water is sometimes mixed with the vodka or alcohol. When tincturing fresh herbs, I always use high-proof alcohol.

An herbal tincture is simply an herbal extract. Herbal remedies have been used throughout history to treat illnesses and ailments without "modern medicine" and pharmacueticals. Tinctures are easy to make, home remedies. If properly prepared and stored, your tincture will last indefinitely.  
 
How long will an Herbal Tincture last?
First, if you choose to use Vinegar, Apple Cider vinegar or Vegetable glycerin, your tincture will have a shelf life of approximately 6-8 months.
All tinctures should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. A kitchen cabinet away from the oven or stove works perfect.
According to my research, properly made tinctures with high-proof alcohol do not go bad. Again, if prepared and stored properly.
A few of my favorites: Cayenne, Feverfew, Chamomile and Thai Holy Basil
 
 
Did you enjoy our tutorial on how to make your own Calendula Infused Oil?

Why DIY Tinctures?
If you look at your local "health food store" you will find tinctures.  Most are $10-$40 per ounce.  Online it is the same story plus shipping.  
 
 
Pictured is a special "kit" I put together to get started on your tincture.
Our DIY Tincture Kits include 
1-32 ounce glass jar with lid, 1- 2 ounce Amber bottle with dropper top, 2 customizeable labels, 1 ounce of Organic Herb of your choice (additional herbs available) and Details Instructions

Let's do the math
Tincture Kit from Mary's Shop $15.75
Priority mail shipping $7.99
24 ounces (3 cups) of 100 proof vodka (approx)  $6.91

Total spent for 24 ounces of Tincture  $30.65
Homemade: Total spent for 2 ounces $2.55

Online store selling 1 ounce of Chamomile Tincture  $11.00
Shipping $4
Store-Bought: Total for 2 ounces: $26
HUGE savings!!!  Plus, with the Tincture Kit you have the Jar, Strainer top and detailed Instructions to make more!

If you have additional questions please feel free to ask. 

Happy Planting,

Mary's Heirloom Seeds, P. O. Box 3763, Ramona, CA 92065


Thursday, October 5, 2017

My New Favorite Kitchen Gadget

Eating Keto doesn't have to be boring.  Just because I gave up wheat pasta doesn't mean I gave up noodles all together.  Now, we eat ZOODLES!

If you're like me and you grew a bunch of Zucchini in your garden this year, the
Veggetti Pro Table-Top Spiralizer, is a Kitchen must-have!

This thing makes zoodles in minutes.  You can eat them raw or saute them in Garlic and Olive oil.  Need sauce?  No biggie!  Use any sauce you want.

Check out this one I purchased on Amazon.



The reviews are great.  It's super easy to use and clean.

Do you already have a Veggetti Pro Table-Top Spiralizer?  Want one?  Tell me what you think in the comments!

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