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Everything You Need To Know About Calendula

 

Calendula

(Calendula officinalis)

This orange flower is not only beautiful but is also edible. It is used in folk medicine for skin care.

Common NameCalendula, pot marigold, common marigold
Botanical NameCalendula officinalis
FamilyAsteraceae
Plant TypePerennial, annual
Mature Size1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide
Sun ExposureFull, partial
Soil TypeWell-drained
Soil pHNeutral
Bloom TimeSpring, summer, fall
Flower ColorYellow, orange, red, white, pink
Hardiness Zones2a-11b (USDA)
Native AreaMediterranean

Calendula Care:

Calendula is generally an annual plant. The seeds are easy to grow directly into gardens or containers.

Calendula is primarily an annual unless you live in hardiness zones 9 to 11, where it can be grown as a perennial. It is easy to grow from seeds directly sown in the garden or containers.  Planting seeds indoors in early spring and transplanting into a garden that sees full sun after the frost dangers have passed. Surprisingly, Calendula can continue to thrive in poor conditions, however, rich soil is best. Once the plant has been transplanted, it’s doesn’t need much water or fertilizer. Even though this plant is a full sun plant, it doesn’t do well in hot temperatures and will start to wilt in high heat. Try pinching back young plants, this will promote bushy growth. Remove the dead heads, this will help reblooming.

Fun Facts:

  1. These plants are not toxic to dogs or cats.
  2. Calendula is an excellent companion plant for a vegetable garden because it attracts pollinators such as bees and bumblebees, as well as beneficial insects. The bright blooms are a favorite of butterflies.
  3. Ancient Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Indian cultures used calendula as a medicinal herb and as a dye for fabrics, food, and cosmetics. 

Light

Calendula prefers full sun, but it will start to wilt in the summer months. It may need some afternoon shade.

Soil

Calendula needs a well-drained soil. Dense, wet soils can cause the roots to rot. This plant tolerates a wide range of soil pH but prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil (6.0 to 7.0).

Water

Once the plants have been transplanted and well established, the plant will thrive on occasional watering. It’s best to use a watering can so you can control how much water the plant receives. Avoid too much water with these plants.

Temperature and Humidity

Calendula prefers early summer temperatures and may wilt or die by the end of summer and/or very hot climates.

A hard frost could also kill the plants. If frost or freezing temperature are on your forecast, you can protect the plants with a blanket overnight. Several inches of mulch can also protect the plants from old temperatures.

Fertilizer

As long as the plant is planted in fertile garden soil, it doesn’t really require any additional feeding at all.

Calendula Varieties

There are numerous varieties of Calendula officinalis. Popular varieties include:

  • Pink Surprise‘: Gold and yellow flowers, sometimes with pink edges and dark apricot centers
  • Touch of Red‘: Flowers with a mixture of orange and red shades with red-tipped petals
  • Greenheart Orange‘: Flowers with orange petals surrounding lime-green centers; a very unusual looking plant
  • Citrus Cocktail’: A compact, short plant with yellow and orange flowers; works well in containers
  • Dwarf Gem’: A compact variety with double-petal blooms of orange, yellow, and apricot; another good variety for containers
  • Prince‘: A tall variety that is heat-tolerant with orange and yellow blooms.
  • Golden Princess‘: Bright yellow blooms with a contrasting black center.

Harvesting Calendula

The flowers of a Calendula plant can be used as edible flowers in salads and other recipes. Some people describe the taste of the flower petals to be peppery and a little bitter. The petals can also be used to create a rich yellow dye. The flowers will need to be collected in the late morning, after the dew is dried. The flowers will need to be picked when they are fully open. Cut the flower head and spread them out on a screen and lay in a dry, shady spot to fully dry. Turn them occasionally until they are completely dry; then store them in canning jars until ready to use.

You can also read How to Vaccuum Seal Dry Goods to properly seal and store dry goods for long term storage.

Another methos I will be using this year, is a method called freeze-drying. You will need to invest in a freeze dry machine. Proper storage (click the above blog click) will allow your foods/herbs to stay shelf stable for up to 25 years. Click this referral link, there is no additonal cost to you if you use my referral program: https://affiliates.harvestright.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=2157

Test

10+ things to make with Calendula Flowers:

1. Calendula Flower Infused Oil

Calendula infused oil can be massaged directly onto dry, irritated skin or used as an ingredient in recipes for salves, diaper balm, lotions, creams, soaps, and lotion bars. Shelf life of strained, infused oil is around 1 year.

You’ll need:

To make it: fill a canning jar about half-way up with dried calendula flowers. Cover with about twice as much as your favorite carrier oil, or to the top of the jar. Cap the jar of calendula flowers and oil and tuck away in a cabinet for around 4 to 6 weeks, shaking occasionally as you remember to. When the infusing time has passed, strain.

2. Calendula Flower Salve

This recipe uses the infused oil we made above. It’s perfect for including in your first aid kit since it helps soothe many minor skin ailments such as scratches, dry spots, diaper rash, razor burn, minor scrapes, insect bites and more. Calendula salve can be used on pets and farm animals too!

To make it, combine 3.5 oz (100 g) of calendula infused oil with 0.5 (15 g) beeswax in a heatproof jar or empty tin can.

Set the jar/can down into a saucepan containing an inch or two of water. Place the pan over a medium-low burner and heat until the wax is fully melted. Pour the melted mixture into tins or jars. Shelf life of calendula salve is around 1 year.

3. Whipped Calendula Coconut Oil

This is a super simple recipe that requires only two ingredients:

  • dried calendula flowers
  • coconut oil

To make:

  1. Infuse calendula flowers in coconut oil, using the quick method (see #1 above.)
  2. Once fully infused and strained, pour the melted calendula-infused coconut oil in a bowl and place it in the refrigerator for about 20 to 30 minutes or until it starts firming up.
  3. Remove from the refrigerator and beat the chilled oil with a handheld mixer until it’s light & fluffy. This may take up to 5 minutes.
  4. Scoop the coconut oil in a jar and store in a cool area that stays under 76°F (24°C), the melting point of coconut oil.

4. Calendula Lotion Bars

Lotion bars are the best thing ever for dry, cracked skin. They’re really easy to throw together and make wonderful gifts too!

Lotion bars are usually made with equal parts (by volume) of infused oil, beeswax and a vegetable butter, such as shea, mango or cocoa. If you make a lotion bar and it feels too soft, just remelt it and add more beeswax. If it feels too hard, remelt it and add more oil. Lotion bars are very forgiving to work with!

To make, combine 1/4 cup (52 g) calendula infused oil, 1/4 cup (28 g) beeswax and 1/4 cup (44 g) shea, mango or cocoa butter in a heatproof canning jar or upcycled tin can. (For a vegan version, use roughly half as much candelilla wax instead of beeswax.) 

Set the jar/can down into a saucepan containing an inch or two of water. Place the pan over a medium-low burner and heat until everything is melted. If you’d like to add a few drops of essential oil for scent, do so at this point. Pour the melted mixture into heatproof silicone candy molds.

To use, rub a lotion bar over your skin wherever it feels dry. They’re especially helpful for spot treating rough feet, knees and elbows. Store your lotion bars in a cool area, out of direct sunlight and they should have a shelf life of around 9 months to a year.

5. Calendula Bar Soap

This is a mild, unscented calendula soap bar that’s very gentle. It’s made with calendula infused oil and calendula tea.

6. Calendula Liquid Soap

This soap is made using a crock pot and potassium hydroxide, to form a soap paste that you can dilute and use as liquid soap.

7. Calendula Oatmeal Soak

This bath soak is specially designed for sensitive or itchy skin types. Ground oats soothe irritated skin while calendula flowers calm inflammation. If desired, you can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a light relaxing scent.

Ingredients needed:

  • 2 tbsp dried calendula petals
  • 1/4 cup (26 g) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (144 g) fine sea salt
  • 1/4 cup (63 g) Epsom salt
  • 2 to 3 drops lavender essential oil mixed with 1/4 teaspoon olive or sunflower oil (optional, for scent)

How to Make: Using an electric coffee grinder, blend the oats and calendula together until finely powdered. Stir together the sea salt and Epsom salt. If using, add the diluted lavender essential oil. Add the powdered oats and calendula and stir until all of the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Store the soak in a tightly closed glass jar for three to four months, keeping in mind that the scent may fade over time.

How to Use: To use, dump the entire cup of bath soak into a bathtub as it fills with comfortably warm water.

8. Calendula Tea

Calendula tea can be used for all sorts of things, from a sore throat gargle to a disinfecting wound spray to a hot spot treatment for dogs.

9. Calendula Cupcake Sprinkles

Edible flowers, such as calendula, can be used as all-natural colorants to create cupcake and baking sprinkles that are free from fake colors.

10. Calendula Cream

This lovely calendula cream is thick and rich, almost like a body butter, and can be used like lotion or like a healing salve.

11. Calendula Cocoa Butter Balm

This Calendula Cocoa Butter Balm is filled with nourishing ingredients.  The cocoa butter is deeply moisturizing, and the infused oils are softening and healing as well. The beeswax adds some hardening and further protects the skin.

How to Vaccuum Seal Dry Goods

Do you like canning or the idea of canning? This method of canning is simple and less messy. Read this blog to find out how I take bulk dry foods and vacuum seal them into mason jars.

I recently invested in a vacuum sealer and honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t sooner. I don’t know about you, but new things can be a little intimidating. As usual, I was happy I made the purchase. I have learned that it will come in handy when we harvest turkey and deer this year and make freezer preparation easier. I was extremely thrilled when I realized that I could vacuum seal mason jars.

First, you will need to purchase a vacuum sealer. If your vacuum sealing mason jars you will also need a special attachment. You will also need to purchase mason jars and lids. I like the half gallon jars because they hold a lot. I also like using the quart sized mason jars; but that is also a personal preference.

Steps to Vacuum Sealing:

  • You will need to clean and sterilize your mason jars. I sanitize my jars by boiling them in a big pot of water for 10 mins. Your jars will need to be fully dried before adding food to them. This is an important step. Pack your jar with the food of choice. Leave about a half an inch of headspace.
  • You can always add an oxygen absorber pack to your jar. This is optional. but will help absorb any extra moisture that may be left after the sealing process.
  • Wipe the rim of your mason jar clean but make sure it’s dry before you start the vacuum sealing process.
  • Place the jar lid on your mason jar and make sure it is centered and sitting properly on the jar rim.
  • Place the jar sealer over the mason jar. It will gently “snap” into place and should fit over the jar securely.
  • Plug the accessory cord into the accessory port on your vacuum sealing machine. Plug the other end into the port on the jar sealer.
  • Press the “suction switch” button on your machine. Your machine will turn on and will begin suction.
  • Wait until your machine stops applying suction. You may hear the seal click too. Remove the lid sealer from your jar by gently pulling straight up.
  • The jar lid should be sealed, and you can test the seal by holding the jar by the rim of the lid and making sure that the “button” on the lid is fully depressed. Store mason jar without the ring lid. It could interpret the seal and cause moisture to get inside your jars and that will create bacteria.
  • Date and label your jar.

What Types of Foods Can I Vacuum Seal:

  • Pasta
  • Beans
  • Nuts
  • Coffee
  • Cereal
  • Rice
  • Oats
  • Dehydrated Foods
  • Marshmallows
  • Freeze Dried Foods
  • Grains
  • Milled Products
  • Chips
  • Crackers
  • Chocolate

How Long Do Foods Last in Vacuum Sealed Mason Jars

Foods are shelf stable in vacuum sealed mason jars for 10-13 years. If you add an oxygen absorber to the mason jars, your food is shelf stable for up to 25 years. You will need to store these jars in a cool, dark place.

You could also get creative and make mason jar salads and vacuum seal them, so they stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week. This is a great inexpensive lunch option for a working adult.

Make sure you store your dressing in a separate container, so the salad doesn’t become soggy. Below are so ideas of make ahead salads.

I hope you enjoyed this blog post. Remember, I’m not an expert so please research and watch videos on experiment and/or food recipes. My purpose on my website is to share my canning journey with everyone.

I do get a commission on links found in this post but at no cost to you.

Canned Blackberry Jam

This canned blackberry jam recipe is so easy. If you love canning, you’ll enjoy this jam!

This past summer (summer of 2022), my family picked gallons of blackberries. We had so many that we made blackberry wine with some and froze the rest. I just ran out of time, or I would have canned them fresh. These blackberries were the juiciest berries I’ve ever tasted. I don’t remember eating a lot of blackberries when I was a kid, but my daughters love to eat them off the vine. I love to see them running to the blackberry bushes with their baskets in hand.

You do not need to be an expert to make this recipe. I’m still learning with every recipe I make too (therefore I’m not an expert either). Please refer to other recipes and/or other professionals for more information. I’m just posting recipes and experiences that for my family. Thank you for reading my blog and if you would like the recipe, please keep following along.

What you’ll need:

Step 1:

Bring a boiling water canner, 3/4 full of water, to a simmer. Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Drain well before filling.

Step 2:

Using a sieve, crush the blackberries, remove about half of the seeds and measure 4 cups prepared fruit into saucepan. Add pectin and stir. Removing the seeds is an important step. You don’t have to remove them all but at least half. Most people don’t like a mouthful of seeds.

Step 3:

Combine with blackberries, pectin and lemon juice and bring to a full rolling boil, reduce heat and stir in sugar. Return to a full rolling boil and boil for 4 mins, stirring constantly. to avoid boiling over or burning your mixture. Remove from heat and skim off foam with a metal spoon.

Step 4:

Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filing to within 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads with white vinegar. I use white vinegar to make sure the lids properly seal. Cover with two-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Water must be at least 2 inches above jar lids.

Step 5:

Cover; bring water to a gentle boil. Process 10 mins. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middles of lids with finger.

Yields 10 half pint jars.

Enjoy on toast!!

What activities do you lose yourself in?

What activities do you find yourself losing track of time in? I find that a lot of the things I do, I could do them for hours and not even realize it. I may be different than most people but check out the following things that I love to do.

  1. Canning: I love canning and it’s so interesting to me. I recently canned farm fresh blackberry jam and grape jelly. When I was a little girl, I remember helping my mom can. She canned lots of salsa, tomatoes, ketchup, bread and butter pickles and much more. She had a room in her basement that housed all of her cans. Even though she’s not here anymore, she inspires me every day. I recently discovered vacuum sealing canning. I canned 5 half gallon jars of dry rice. This method keeps dry goods fresh for 25 years. I plan of vacuum sealing pasta, flour, popcorn kennels, cereal, beans, candy, chips and so much more.

2. Browsing Pinterest: I feel like I could browse and save pins all day long and never get tired of it. My Pinterest boards on my personal page are full. However, I usually do a lot of the recipes I save and crafts with the kids. Pinterest is full of so much talent and small businesses like myself.

3. Hunting: I never thought I would be a hunter, but I married a hunter, and he has taught me to love it. Spring turkey season is probably our favorite. This past year we took our 3 daughters out hunting and my husband even harvested a doe. It was difficult and I still can’t believe we did it. It was cold and wet. I was in a ground blind with our 3-year-old and our 2-year-old, and my husband was in a tree stand with our 5-year-old. We had layers of clothes on. The girls were noisy and move around a lot. Even with all the challenges, my husband still harvested a doe. We even made the girls track the deer and help drag it out of the woods. My husband did most of the work while I carried our youngest daughters out of the woods.

4. Gardening: This year our gardening game is stepping up a notch and we couldn’t be happier. Chris has spend lots of time preparing for this year’s garden. We expanded our garden from last year, added a garden and prepared the soil around our pond to plant sunflowers. We recently started some many seeds in our cellar, which is currently our “greenhouse”. We’re hoping by this time next year, we will have an actual greenhouse to start plants. Depending how well our produce does this year, we will sell extra or can them. Along with gardening, we are going to be starting lots of new herbs and I plan on freeze drying them and vacuum sealing them in mason jars for long term storage. I think I’m most excited about this.


5. Creating merchandise and products: One of my most favorite things I love to do is to create merchandise and products for my small business. You can visit my shop here or Etsy shop here.

I make the following homemade balms:

  • Lavender Balm
  • Dandelion Balm
  • Healing Balm
  • Breathe Rub
  • Sore Muscles Balm
  • Ashwagandha Balm

I design and make products like the following on my Etsy shop.

We will have chicken eggs for sale this summer! Our family has really enjoyed raising baby chicks. We have 6 eleven-week-old chickens that are now in their big girl chicken coop. My husband turned an existing building on our property into a chicken coop. He added a secure covered run. I will make a separate blog post about the chicken coop because it’s pretty impressive.

How To Make Dutch Oven Homemade Bread

This homemade bread recipe is so easy. Even with just a couple ingredients, this bread is very delicious.

As a child, I remember my Italian grandparents on my dad’s side always having bread and butter at the dinner table. For holidays, I remember the warm, fluffy bread rolls in a basket as all my family passed it around the table. My grandma, Stella would be in the kitchen for hours making homemade pasta and bread. Unfortunately, my grandma died when I was 23 so some of these details of the story could be incorrect. I regret not standing beside her learning every move she made. But I also remember her kicking everyone but my Aunt Dede out of the kitchen. She made Italian cookies and desserts beforehand and those were always set out on a separate buffet table. I didn’t appreciate those cookies then, but I would give anything to have those desserts again. My grandparent’s house was beautiful. I learned later that my grandma was an interior designer. The smell of fresh baked Italian food and bread will be smell that I’ll never forget.

You do not need to be an expert to make this bread. I’m still learning with every recipe I make too (therefore I’m not an expert either). Please refer to other recipes and/or other professionals for more information. I’m just posting recipes and experiences that for my family. Thank you for reading my blog and if you would like the recipe, please keep following along.

What you’ll need:

  • 3 cups of flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons yeast
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • Dutch oven
  • butcher paper

Step 1:

Mix together 3 cups of all purpose flour, 2 tsp salt and 2 tsp instant yeast. Add 1 1/2 cups of warm water and mix together.

Step 2:

Cover and let it rise for 2-3 hours.

Step 3:

Sprinkle a little bit of flour onto a clean counter top and put the ball of dough right on top. You will noticed that the ball of dough has risen and may be sticky to the touch.

Step 4:

Shape dough roughly into a ball, coating each side of the ball of dough with flour (lightly).

Step 5:

Place ball of dough onto butcher paper and place that into a Dutch oven. Cover Dutch cover and place into oven.

Step 6:

Bake in the oven for 30 mins at 445 degree Fahenheit. It’s better to have the Dutch oven pre heated.

Step 7:

After the 30 mintues are up, bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Your oven may differ from mine so keep a close eye on it.

Enjoy warm with some butter!!

How to make Peppermint Eucalyptus Foot Scrub

Are you looking for an all-natural foot scrub recipe? This recipe has all the essentials to bring a spa-like scrub home. It’s also the perfect recipe for men and women.

Eucalyptus and peppermint help improve circulation. These essential oils are known to be antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and reviving too. Peppermint is ideal to soothe painful, tired and aching feet and revive them, leaving them feeling refreshed. The aroma from this scrub is amazing too and will surely make your feel like you’re at the spa.

I really enjoy making homemade products. A big goal of mine for the near future is to make a lot of hygiene products, along with balms, candles and much more. The past 4 years I’ve grown as a small business owner and now I want to share my favorite recipes with you.

As a wife and a stay-at-home mom of three daughters. It’s hard to plan for date nights. My husband and I enjoy “at home date nights.” You and your spouse could even make this scrub together. Include the kids if you need to. Either way, enjoy the how-to-steps below:

Step 1: Gather all your ingredients (see below):

Step 2: You will need to melt the coconut oil in the microwave. I recommend doing 10 second intervals. Do not mix if it’s too hot, it will melt the sugar. Mix all the ingredients together well and fill jars. It’s really that easy!! If your scrub looks or feels like it needs more oil, add more oil. If it’s too wet, add more sugar or Epsom salts. You want a good scrub consistency. You can also add other essential oils like sweet orange or lavender if you want other aromas instead of the ones in this recipe.


Visit my Shop here and Etsy, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! I enjoy making and sharing my recipes with you, just as much as I love being a small business owner!

Chia Seed Pudding

These seeds may be small, but they are packed with a ton of nutrients. It is known that the antioxidants, fiber and omega 3’s found in them help promote heart health, strong bones and improve blood sugars. The recipes below are easy and quick and perfect for the on to go!

Benefits of chia seeds:

  • Stimulates weight loss- chia seeds are high in fiber which can make you feel fuller quicker. Fiber helps the digestion system say healthy and regular. Chia seeds also are high in protein which helps with appetite control.
  • Promotes healthy digestion– Fiber stimulates digestion. A high fiber diet can slow down digestion, leading to improved blood sugar levels.
  • Manage blood sugars levels– Chia seeds are a rich source of protein and omega 3’s, the combination of which can help improve metabolic health and stabilize blood sugar levels.
  • Maintain cardiovascular health– a diet in omega 3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and developing a cardiovascular disease. Chia seeds are known to improve and regulate cholesterol, improve brain and cognitive function.
  • Increases your energy levels– Chia seeds fuel the body and slow down digestion which makes nutrients available for a longer period.
  • Enhance workouts– Chia seeds give the body a natural boost that will enhance workout performance.
  • Rich in protein– Chia seeds help with muscle repair and growth.
  • Boost mood– Amino acids can help people feel calmer and helps with brain production.
  • Excellent source of antioxidants
  • Builds strong bones

Recipes:

Chia Seed Pudding with berries or fruit

  1. Add the milk, chia seeds and sweetener of your choice to a blender and mix for 20 seconds.
  2. Let sit for about 5 minutes and blend again for 20 seconds.
  3. Pour into small glass jars and add berries or any type of fruit of your choice.
  4. Seal with a lid and keep in the fridge until ready to eat (up to 5 days).

Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1-2 tsp sweetener of choice like sugar, coconut sugar, agave nectar or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp homemade vanilla extract.
  1. Add the milk, chia seeds, sweetener of your choice and vanilla extract to a blender and mix for 20 seconds.
  2. Let sit for about 5 minutes and blend again for 20 seconds.
  3. Pour into small glass jars and seal with a lid and keep in the fridge until ready to eat (up to 5 days).

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2-3 tsp sweetener of choice like sugar, coconut sugar, agave nectar or maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp cocoa powder
  1. Add the milk, chia seeds, sweetener of your choice and cocoa powder into a blender and mix for 20 seconds.
  2. Let sit for about 5 minutes and blend again for 20 seconds.
  3. Pour into small glass jars and seal with a lid and keep in the fridge until ready to eat (up to 5 days)

Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding

  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2-3 tsp sweetener of choice like sugar, coconut sugar, agave nectar or maple syrup
  • 1-2 tbsp peanut butter
  1. Add the milk, chia seeds, sweetener of your choice and peanut butter into a blender and mix for 20 seconds.
  2. Let sit for about 5 minutes and blend again for 20 seconds.
  3. Pour into small glass jars and seal with a lid and keep in the fridge until ready to eat (up to 5 days

Check out some of our other blogs:

Everything You Need To Know About Calendula

  Calendula (Calendula officinalis) This orange flower is not only beautiful but is also edible. It is used in folk medicine for skin care. Common NameCalendula, pot marigold, common marigoldBotanical NameCalendula officinalisFamilyAsteraceaePlant TypePerennial, annualMature Size1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wideSun ExposureFull, partialSoil TypeWell-drainedSoil pHNeutralBloom TimeSpring, summer, fallFlower ColorYellow, orange, red, white, pinkHardiness Zones2a-11b (USDA)Native AreaMediterranean…

How to Vaccuum Seal Dry Goods

Do you like canning or the idea of canning? This method of canning is simple and less messy. Read this blog to find out how I take bulk dry foods and vacuum seal them into mason jars. I recently invested in a vacuum sealer and honestly, I don’t know why I didn’t sooner. I don’t…

Canned Blackberry Jam

This canned blackberry jam recipe is so easy. If you love canning, you’ll enjoy this jam! This past summer (summer of 2022), my family picked gallons of blackberries. We had so many that we made blackberry wine with some and froze the rest. I just ran out of time, or I would have canned them…

** This page and this website does contain affiliate links**

Spring Turkey Season

As spring turkey season approaches, the excitement in my husband’s smile gets wider and wider. When I first met him, he told me that spring turkey season is his favorite, he loves turkeys. Somehow, I acquired the same love but with babies at home, life is a little different for me temporarily. Nothing makes him happier than opening our hunting totes and pulling out the gear. He is one of the most detailed and observant people I know. He gets so much joy in putting different calls in different parts in the vest. Shells go in another pocket. If it’s cold, he brings along some hot hands or even the buddy heater. He knows where everything is at all times. He studies weather and different cold or warm fronts that might be coming in. He enjoys checking the grounds before the big hunt to see where their tracks are and if he’s able he likes to put the birds to bed the night before. Some people think hunting is just grabbing a gun and heading to the woods but it requirements much more than that. It always makes me laugh, when my husband says he has to grab something from the garage and when he doesn’t come back for a while, I go check on him, to find him in the middle of hunting stuff. The smile gets me everytime…Carry On!

Weight Loss Journey

As a mom of three daughters under 4, my body has been through a lot in a short amount of time. I don’t hate my body, but I know that I’ll feel better if I lost some weight and lightly worked out. Diet and exercise are different for everyone, you have to find a plan that fits your lifestyle.


I weighed myself on Feb 27th, 2022 and I wasn’t shocked at the number. I’m 5ft 6 inches and weight 193 pounds. Most people think that’s not overweight but technically it is. I recently went to the doctor because I was having a hard time sleeping. I couldn’t fall asleep and if and when I did fall asleep, I couldn’t stay asleep. My 15-month-old baby was still getting up several times a night so that didn’t help. At this point, I’m exhausted and scheduled an appointment to discuss this issue with my doctor. I explained to him my problem and asked for some blood work, he agreed. He mentioned that he was sure my labs would come back normal and that I just needed to lose some weight. I wasn’t mad at him, he was right, but it did catch me off guard because never in my life have, I had a weight problem until now. He told me to workout at naptime or at night or early in the morning. That is easier said than done, especially with little kids in the house and a husband that was working out town at the time. There are never enough hours in the day to get everything done. And by the end of the day, I’m overstimulated and exhausted. I few days after I got blood work done, the doctor called me and said everything was normal. So, I woke up on a Monday morning determined I was going to try to eat better and workout.

Here is how I lost 7 lbs in 5 days:

I started my diet with intermittent fasting and lazy keto. I had two cups coffee with sugar free creamer and waited to eat until about 11am. I wanted to wait until noon, but I was getting hungry. I did a light workout that I found on YouTube. I’m not going to lie, it was rough. This former cheerleader was out of shape. I continued the day not having soda, sugar, sweets, alcohol and very minimal carbs. Throughout next days I included the following food:

  • Hardboiled eggs
  • Pickle juice (it’s very hydrating)
  • Egg salad
  • Fresh fruit (like strawberries and blueberries)
  • Cheese
  • Chicken
  • Peppers with cream cheese
  • Salads
  • Overnight oats
  • Chia seed pudding
  • Vegetables
  • Cucumbers
  • Protein shake
  • Lots of water!!!

I wanted the first week to be somewhat strick because I wanted to prove to myself that I could lose the weight. I been 2 workouts a day and if I couldn’t finish the workout, that was okay. Before my workout I used my favorite prework. Those links for the prework powder and protein shakes are not commission links, I truly love their products and they seem to be helping me with my weight loss journey. I also had some leftover Keto powder for energy that I got from Amazon that I used a couple times. This is probably the fourth time since my last baby that I’ve tried working out and losing weight. The times before, it didn’t work, I got bored and gave in. This time I’m determined to stick with it. I reached a point in my terrible sleeping habit that I can’t continue having lack of sleep every day. Sleep deprivation really can take a toll on your mental and physical health.

I’ve learned in the last 5 days that I can go without my Pepsi and sweets. I can squeeze in workouts twice a day. The past 5 days I’ve also made a promise to myself to shower and do my makeup every day. I don’t need makeup to make me feel pretty but mentally sticking to my promise makes me happy. I hung up a swimming suit that still has tags on them so I can be motivated every day. Summer is right around the corner, and I want to feel confident in taking my daughters to the pool. Even though the sleeping hasn’t improved, I physically feel amazing.

Homemade Body Wash

Making homemade body wash is not only cost efficient but also great for the environment with less plastic and less chemicals. You can make three quarts for around $5 and just refill your bottles when you need it. This is a very easy recipe and only has a few ingredients.

On March 1, 2021, I made a batch of homemade body wash. This is the recipe I use. Bring 12 cups of water to a soft simmer, add the soap and stir until completely melted. I use this soap. I used the lavender scented bar soap for this batch. Turn off heat and add glycerin. Cover and allow to set for 24 hours. After allowing the mixture to set, transfer the soap to mason jars. You can also add the soap mixture to a dispenser.

Homemade Body Wash Recipe

Pure Castile Soap Bar, grated

12 cups water

2 tbsp glycerin

Bring water to a soft simmer and add the soap. Stir until completely melted.

Turn off heat and add glycerin.

Cover and allow to set for 24 hours

After allowing to set, transfer mixture into the bottle of your choice. I used these mason jars and plastic lids.

On the morning of March 2nd, the mixture thickened, and I bottled up my body wash (see picture below). I started a second batch using the second bar of soap that came in the 2 pack (listed above), the scent is rose. Both smell very good and at around $10 to make 6 quarts of body wash, i should be stocked for a while.

Benefits of using homemade body wash:

  • Hydrated your skin
  • It’s gentle enough to use on your face
  • No harsh chemicals
  • The recipe is simple and it’s easy to make
  • Long shelf life
  • Cost efficient
  • Easily add essential oils for different scent options
  • Gentle cleanse without the toxins
  • Safe for sensitive skin
  • It can help oily, acne prone skin
  • Soothes dry, irritated skin
  • Doesn’t clog pores
  • Can ease eczema outbreaks

Check out some homemade items I make too:

Lemon Sugar Scrubs
Beard Balms
Stickers

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