Coffee has to be one of the most amazing things on the planet. Seriously. I have never been a morning person, and so I'm not really sure what I would do without coffee to help give be a bit of a boost. But beyond that, the flavor is just outstanding (provided you add in a bit of cream and sugar!) with sweet desserts in the afternoon. So, obviously, coffee frosting is one of the best things ever invented. I mean, you really can't go wrong with coffee and cake. I actually came up with this ... [ Read More ]
10 Natural Benefits of Using Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is often called a "super food" and is considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet with over 1,500 studies to back it up. Coconut oil is made up of healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which include caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid. More than 60% of of coconut oil is composed of those three healthy fatty acids, and more than 90% of coconut oil is healthy saturated fat. The issue with consuming a lot of fatty foods is most fats go through a 26 ... [ Read More ]
8 Questions to Decide What Animals to Raise
Starting your own homestead can be both rewarding and extremely daunting. There is so much to learn, and while a lot of it really is going to be a live-and-learn opportunity, there some things that can be researched ahead of time. Without a doubt the two primary questions that I see new homesteaders asking revolve around what plants to have in a garden, and what animals to raise on your homestead. Today I want to focus on the animal question, and we'll get into the gardening question in ... [ Read More ]
5 Natural Ways to Kill Weeds
There is a reason for the phrase "grows like weeds", and it can get quite annoying when those weeds start invading our planting zones! Rather than spraying a poison, something that can harm you and your family not to mention the Earth, you should try natural weed control. There are quite a few methods to get rid of weeds without having to resort to poison, and some should actually save you money! 1) Smother Them You can use newspaper or cardboard to kill weeds simply by covering the area ... [ Read More ]
Using Canned Goods for Pies
Fall is finally here, and with Thanksgiving only a week away, most people are brushing off their baking skills in preparation of the big day. From stuffing to turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, and rolls, our tables will soon be full of delicious fall foods. But, of course, it simply wouldn't be fall without some freshly baked pies! And, while you can easily purchase pie filling, everyone knows that homemade tastes a million times better. But, did you know that you can actually use your canned ... [ Read More ]
10 Natural Antibiotics and How to Use Them
Don't get me wrong, modern medicine has discovered many amazing things that help us out, but it seems like we are all starting to forget that most of the ingredients that go into creating things like antibiotics actually come from the Earth! Recently, there has even been some evidence sprouting up about negative effects of pharmaceutical antibiotics, such as bacterial residence in the stomach. There are tons of illnesses and even diseases that still respond to natural antibiotics, so before you ... [ Read More ]
Tips for Doubling a Recipe
Doubling a recipe is a great way to make things go a little further, prepare for a larger-than-normal crowd during the holidays, or simply have leftovers to reuse later. But, while you can just double everything, there are a few tips that will ensure that your recipe is a success! Check it out below: 1. Not all recipes should be doubled Generally speaking, the more complex the recipe, the harder it will be to double. With some things, you're going to be better off to simply do two batches ... [ Read More ]
A Fall Guide for Essential Oil Blends
Fall is in full swing here. Leaves have already turned colors and fallen to the ground, mornings are cool and frosty, and Thanksgiving is days away! Call me crazy, but one of my favorite things about the holiday season is the smells! Rather than overspending on candles and scentsy's like I have in years past, now my essential oil diffusers help keep my house smelling great and like fall! I know it sounds weird, but you know what I'm talking about— pumpkin, apple pie, cinnamon, etc! So, I ... [ Read More ]
For Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey and Tater Casserole
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's safe to say most of us are going to be seeing more turkey than we've seen in.... well, since last Thanksgiving. Somehow, every year, my family and I find ourselves in the kitchen with dinner almost done wondering "How in the world did we get this much food?!" and "What are we going to do with all of it?!" and I am sure we aren't the only ones! When I was growing up it was usually turkey sandwiches with mayo for a while, but I'm here to offer a ... [ Read More ]
5 Old-Fashioned Tips for Beating the Winter Blues
Winter is finally here and as the days get shorter and the darkness and cold arrive, it's easy to start to feel a bit of the winter blues setting in. If you're anything like me, it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated during the winter months, and towards the end I start feeling a bit of the winter blues. But don't worry--not only is it natural, but there are some great ways to combat the seasonal blues. Here are five of my top ways for coping with being cooped up all winter long: Go ... [ Read More ]