The Hippie Blog
Turn Everyday Chores into Long Term Wellness
We all know that exercise is imperative to our long-term wellness. So many of us (myself included) spend countless hours working in front of a computer, with no real physical activity during the day. With a busy life it is easy to find excuses not to exercise. How can I take time out of my day to go to the gym when there is a house to clean, clothes to fold, and dinner to make? But what if we took those excuses and turned them into the wellness plan?
Hot Water - The simple switch for better health.
When I first heard of this concept, I was quite sure I wasn't going to like it. Most of us, when thirsty, crave a cool glass of ice water so the thought of a steaming glass of hot water seems just wrong. But to be honest, it's not bad at all. I have been experimenting with ginger and lemon infusions but just plain is okay too.
Essential Oil of the Month: Pine Needle
Just as you would imagine, pine essential oil carries the scent of the towering trees, making you feel like you are walking through a winter forest. Steam distilled from the needles, twigs, and even bark, the oil offers a multitude of uses and benefits.
Essential Oil of the Month: Frankincense
Most of us recognize frankincense as one of the gifts brought by the three wise men in the original Christmas story. This resin has been prized for thousands of years and is still used in religious ceremonies today.
Essential Oil of the Month: Lavender
One of the most popular essential oils on the market is the sweet and floral lavender. Everyone recognizes lavender as a calming, sleep inducing scent, but these tiny purple flowers provide so much more!
Why The Hippie Homesteader just says NO to MLM Oils
I get this question all of the time - "Are your products made with Young Living oils?". My answer, "No" and most of the time that is the end of the conversation as the customer walks away with no further questions. While I can appreciate brand loyalty it leaves me a little bewildered.
French Apple Cake...with Rum!
I love making apple pies. Every year for my birthday I spend a day finding orchards to visit and picking up apples for my yearly pie making day. I like to make up several, baking some and freezing others raw to bake later in the year. But sometimes it's nice to try something new with an old favorite.
Essential Oil of the Month: Clove
As the days grow shorter and cooler, everything seems to turn up apple cider and pumpkin spice. Typically taking a back seat to the much more popular cinnamon, the strong and spicy clove has a few months to shine.
Fall Isn't Just for Harvesting...
During the fall season most of our gardening thoughts revolve around bringing in the harvest (at least here in the upper midwest). While there is much of that to be done, there is one very important crop that enjoys the cold winter months to do its best work.
Saving the monarchs, one caterpillar at a time!
For the past three years we have been allowing native milkweed to take over our front yard. When I purchased this property, I bought milkweed seeds and scattered them in the areas I wanted to designate for wildflowers, however nature had other ideas.
Essential Oil of the Month: Rosemary
One of my favorite culinary herbs is the woodsy, pungent rosemary. Being more adapted to live in a Mediterranean climate, rosemary doesn't fare well in our Wisconsin winters. I have yet to successfully over winter any plants indoors, as they are not ones to enjoy the potted lifestyle. However, planting in the spring has given me plenty to harvest in the fall before they are overcome by the cold.
We have pumpkins! And more pumpkins, and even more pumpkins...
I decided to try a new variety of squash this year and the Jarrahdale Pumpkin seemed like the perfect one to test out. I like unique produce so with its slate blue color and its squished heirloom shape I was sold.