We have been quite busy lately with many different projects. But the project I am most excited about is that of recently having established our own apiary yard. I have always been intrigued by the amazing honey bee, but because we lived in suburbia, I never considered beekeeping a possibility. That all changed once we moved out here.
Not too long ago our awesome neighbor offered to give my daughter and I a live tutorial on beekeeping. How often does an opportunity like that present itself? The morning of our date with Ali and her bees my daughter and I were SO excited.   We both suited up and were able to get up close and personal with the sweetest insect known to man. We were able to see how honey bees function and what their unified mission is - to work themselves to death (literally) in caring for their queen bee. There was no fear (especially on my daughter's part), only awe and marvel at how gentle these productive and organized little creatures are. It was fascinating to learn that every action taken by the honey bee is with the sole purpose of ensuring the survival of its colony. There is no ME or I... only WE and US. I think humans can learn a lot from the honey bee. We are grateful to Ali (and to her bees) for her generosity in facilitating that magical experience. And now that we have our own bee colonies, we are actively expanding on our knowledge of organic and natural ways to care for them, without the use of toxic pesticides and chemicals. We are 'newbeeks' as they say; with so much to learn. But every seasoned beekeeper I have spoken to has expressed that whether you've been keeping bees for 1 year or 20 years, you never stop learning. These marvelous little creatures are always teaching us something new - about them, about ourselves or about our place in the circle of life. It is all very humbling indeed.
I am tempted to use this opportunity to share with you important facts about the honey bees as well as the critical role they play in our food supply. But alas, this is not that kind of post, so you will be spared... for now. I will just share with you some photos of our bees, which have settled in beautifully and are thriving on our homestead.
As a family we have a new found love and respect for the honey bee and we are pretty certain that our relationship will be a long lasting one. We are excited to experience the benefits and value that having them around will bring to our lives.
We are honored to be their stewards. And maybe... just maybe, if we take good care of them, every now and then they will graciously reward us with a bit of their glorious honey. Now wouldn't that be sweet?!
Thank you for reading and many blessings to you and yours in all of your endeavors.
I am now convinced more than ever that Pintrest is a very dangerous place. Like most, I have a great collection of photos that serve as inspiration for many things.
Before we moved into our farm house, I expressed to my husband how nice it would be for me to have a space just for my soap making and crafting... you know, like a "soaping studio". Sounds nice doesn't it? I could see it clearly with my mind's eye, and Pintrest was going to help me him make it happen: a modest and simple soaping shed with electricity and running water, just feet away from our home, where I could escape to and spend hours upon hours lost in my creative flow.
I now present to you "Exhibit A"!... my Pintrest inspiration:
Isn't it adorable? Can you blame me for wanting THAT... or something similar?
It just so happens that there are two decent-sized outbuildings on our farm that could lend themselves to such an endeavor. Well, so I thought. It has only been a week, and while I do have complete trust in my husband's abilities, from the look of things, I might end up with something shall we say completely different a bit less ambitious. To my husband's credit, he has tackled this project with the utmost enthusiasm (even working late nights to get it done). Yet, it has turned out to be a bit more involved than we had hoped for. By day 2, I think he began to grasp just what I had gotten him into: the poor man had to dismantle all floor (and wall) boards in order to straighten the structure out because it was caving in so badly. I felt SO guilty that I was almost tempted to suggest that we call it a day and go to the local Amish store to order one of their amazing pre-built sheds. But aside from the cost, doing that would totally betray our purpose to live a more sustainable life-style... right? Right.
In retrospect, from where I was standing it sure did look simple enough; clean out the shed, spruce it up with paint, add shelving and make a few other adjustments. The most significant adjustments being the adding of electricity and a re-purposed outdoor sink like this one (yep... you guessed it... Pintrest again!):
He is working really hard to make an old dilapidated structure functional. If you think I am exaggerating, take a look at what I am he is working with. Enter "Exhibit B"... the dilapidated shed:
 So, am I exaggerating? Am I really?
Aside from what the photos reveal, it is a real solid structure I want to convince myself that it is a solid structure. Really, it is. And I have witnessed some miracles in construction work and home improvement projects. I know that where there are "good bones" there is potential. In fact, our farm house is a classic example of that.
At this point, I really wish I had amazing "after" photos to share with you (like those perfect ones from my Pintrest inspiration board), but I don't. It is still very much a work in progress, so you will just have to wait in suspense along with me for the finished product. And even though these photos may not be as inspiring, I do have faith that it will turn out just perfect... for us. And the truth is that even if I don't end up with a shed REMOTELY similar to the one on my Pintrest inspiration board, I am so grateful for his efforts in wanting to give me my very own sanctuary - a space where I can work undisturbed. The fact that we have a VERY long to do list around here, yet he has put everything else aside to do this, means the world to me. He's definitely a keeper. :-)
There are many things that I can do around the house without the help of my husband but I am realizing how much more I need to step my game up in order to assist him in accomplishing the things we want to accomplish together. I can use a power drill and a few other tools just fine but when it comes to measuring and cutting, I am really challenged. I will be the first to confess that in my next life I want to be a carpentress (yes I just made that word up). I really, really do! It is my humble opinion that carpenters rule!
I would love to hear what skills you have developed out of your desire to be more self-sufficient!Please do share!
Before pharmacies and drug stores were created, there were apothecaries. Aphotecaries dispensed medicines, including herbal remedies and often functioned as pharmacists and doctors. Their skills with herbs made them reliable resources for people seeking healing from any ailment. Apothecary gardens provided herbs to aid healing. The art of apothecary continues in this modern era. Herbalists today grow their own herbs and treat ailments just as their foremothers-and fathers.
In anticipation of how busy our family will be in the coming weeks and months, and in between packing, I have been working on adding to our family's herbal apothecary. In fact, I spent this past weekend making a few items and thought it would be a good idea to share my progress with you in the hopes that it encourages you to want do the same for your family.
One only needs to look at the most recent "news" headlines to be reminded of the fact that things are changing very quickly. Now more than ever families are realizing the need to take concrete steps towards becoming MORE self-sufficient in all areas of life, but especially where our health and wellness is concerned. And that basically means that we must take responsibility for ourselves and our families because the harsh reality is that no one is coming to save us... no one! So as we continue see the theater show play itself out, we should not be distracted but rather be focused on what steps we need to take towards self-preservation. Ask yourself "how prepared is my family, not IF but WHEN we have little (to no) access to supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.?" Your family's future well-being will depend on your response.
One aspect of self-preservation and self-sufficiency involves taking responsibility for our health NOW. And one of the ways we can be prepared is by gathering herbal remedies that we can rely on for maintaining wellness now and have them available for when minor illnesses strike. This is again only one of the many steps towards being self-sufficient, but it is one that is certainly worth taking seriously as so many questionable laws are being implemented at record speed.
I encourage you to become familiar and gain basic knowledge in the preparation and usage of herbs. Having a collection and knowledge of herbs and essential oils will allow you to create everything from remedies for headaches to homemade face moisturizers that not only saves money in the long run but ensures your long term health as you are not assaulting your body with toxic chemicals and hormone disruptors. You can create herbal teas, salves, tinctures, syrups, liniments, poultices and more. Some of these herbal remedies can be stored for months and even years, depending on the carrier used.
Basic Herbs and Their Uses
You likely have some of these growing on your yard or land and don't even know it. If you do not, you can find these herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs or online. You can use them fresh instead of dried, but you will want to double the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh.
- Lavender- anti-inflammatory, soothing, insect repellent, soothes headaches, aids sleep and relaxation.
- Peppermint- fever reducer, good for digestion, invigorating.
- Spearmint- aids digestion, reduces bloating, antioxidant, invigorating.
- Milk Thistle- promotes liver function, gallbladder, detox, lowers cholesterol, antioxidant.
- Elderberries- treats flu.
- Fennel- good for digestion and bloating, diuretic, flea repellent, soothes coughs.
- Rosemary- memory, circulation, anti-carcinogenic.
- Chamomile- Soothing, good for digestion, colds, aids sleep.
- Nettle- high in protein, iron and vitamins.
- Ginger- nausea, diarrhea, digestion, arthritis, soothing, treats inflammation.
- Calendula -internally for digestive disorders like gastritis, esophagitis or colitis, rheumatic disorders, gynecological problems, externally for skin disorders like eczema, acne, minor burns, sunburn, fungal infections, thrush .
- Hyssop -for bronchitis, coughs, fevers, flu, chesty colds, antiviral.
- Cayenne -circulatory stimulant, tonic for the heart, digestive aid, endorphins releasor, rich in Vit A and C, supports immune system, topical pain reliever for arthritis, bursitis, muscle and joint aches.
My Favorite Essential Oils
I will be the first to admit that high quality essential oils are not cheap. But I consider them an investment in my family's long-term health and over the years I have accumulated a diverse selection that I have come to rely on for our family's wellness. I personally prefer to use Young Living essential oils especially when the essential oil will be used internally. However a great source for essential oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. Whatever your choice, just be certain that the essential oils you purchase are of superior quality and that they are therapeutic grade and do not include fragrance oils.
- Grapefruit- energizing, brightens dull skin and harm dilutes toxic build up, helps with water retention
- Lemon- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, astringent, detoxifying, energizing, brightens dull skin
- Orange- antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, aphrodisiac, detoxifies, boosts immunity
- Clary Sage- mild antidepressant, astringent, aphrodisiac, digestive, sedative
- Rosemary- antibacterial, hair growth, mental activity, respiratory problems, pain reducer
- Lavender- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, calms anxiety, blood circulation and respiration,
- Peppermint- indigestion, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea
- Spearmint- antibacterial, anti fungal, insect repellent, restorative, stimulant
- Eucalyptus- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, stimulating
- Tea Tree- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, insecticide, stimulant, helps with wounds healing, detox, relieves pain
Carriers
The carriers noted below are relatively inexpensive and easy to find and with the exception of the Vodka, can be found here.
- Vodka (80% to 100% proof)- for tinctures and aromatherapy mists
- Coconut, Almond or Olive Oil- for salves and balms
- Vegetable glycerin - for tinctures
- Raw apple cider vinegar - for tinctures
- Raw Honey- for syrups and oxymels
- Beeswax- for salves and balms
Recommended Books To Get You Started
I strongly recommend that you acquire at least one good reference book for learning how to brew and blend your herbs. There are many available online and at your local library. I have also found quite a few excellent herbal books at our local thrift store for practically nothing. Some of my personal favorites that I refer to often are listed below.
I accomplished much this weekend, but I still have a few to add to my ever growing list. I plan to get these done within the next two weeks. Here is a quick list of the ones I still have to complete:
Chickweed tincture - for cysts (esp. ovarian cysts), infections, dissolves and consumes bacteria.
Stinging Nettle tincture - for adrenals and kidneys.
Oat straw tincture - for the endocrine system.
Burdock root tincture - blood purifier, tonic for liver, lungs, stomach, uterus, joints, kidneys.
Prostate Tonic tincture - I will be using a combination of herbs that nourish and protect the prostate gland
Deep Sleep tincture - This will be formulated using herbs that help relieve insomnia.
Children's Stress tincture - I will use a combination of herbs that are safe for children to produce a gentle calming remedy for stressful or challenging times.
All of this information may seem overwhelming at first, but the intention is to at the very least get you thinking about it. Start thinking about the positive effects that doing this can have on your family. To get started all you really need are some basic herbs, essential oils and various carriers that will allow you to take advantage of their healing and soothing uses. Getting started is usually the most challenging part, but I promise you that once you do, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
NOTE: This information is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep all herbs out of reach of children and pets. Special care should be taken by pregnant and/or lactating women when handling herbs.
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