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 [...]
Self Care
Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others. - Parker Palmer
Maui Nights Enfleurage Extrait
Enfleurage is a centuries-old technique used to capture the aroma of fresh flowers. This perfume is delightful and I hope it conjures thoughts of a faraway land of magical sunsets and warm sand between your toes! Plumeria and night-blooming Jasmine flowers were gently pressed into a vegetarian, odorless fat to [...]
Vitex Berry Distillation
Chaste Tree berries (Vitex agnus castus) in the still this afternoon. Chaste Tree is commonly used for hormone imbalances in women that present as premenstrual syndrome, menopause, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and menstrual disorders. Not recommended for men as it can trigger migraines, decreased sex drive, and repeated usage [...]