Organic Lifestyle

Using calendula is very simple and straightforward. This beautiful flowering plant has been widely used throughout history for health, beauty, and as a seasoning or edible decoration in culinary applications. Medicinally, it has been used to aid digestion, calm aching teeth and joints, speed healing of bruises, burns, and wounds, soothe cramps, and reduce fever. …

This skin-protecting salve base recipe can do it all. Need an extra gentle salve for baby? A bug balm for hiking and camping? An “ouchie salve” for scrapes, bumps, rashes, and cuts? A lip balm for chapped winter lips? A fragrant solid perfume?  This one salve base recipe can be fully customizable to make any …

Learn what tools, equipment, and resources I recommend to make the very best sourdough bread and other sourdough goods like pasta, cookies, muffins, tortillas, and more. Whether you are shopping for yourself or as a gift for someone special, you are guaranteed to find the perfect accompaniment to the sourdough baking journey. The Best Tools …

There are a lot of opportunities to go sustainable in the kitchen! This is one place where we can take environmentalism into our own hands by buying sustainable products that will last many years if not many lifetimes. I have spent 10 years slowly transforming my kitchen into a greener, more eco-friendly space. I still …

The holidays are fast approaching and it will soon be the season of giving. Although I support and try to practice a minimalist lifestyle I still need some tools to help me facilitate a slow-food, nourishing kitchen and sustainable home. Here, I have curated a list of my favorite gifts. Some have been given to …

I only recently started to explore the magical world of elderberries, and there is so much to learn. I wasn’t introduced to elderberries as a child and I didn’t even know about them until about 10 years ago. Now that I know how amazing they are, I scan the Oregon roadside and trails for elderberry …

Don’t waste a thing when it comes to fire cider. You went to all that hard work sourcing the best ingredients for your fire cider. Make the most out of it by creating a tangy dry spice blend from the solids that are left behind after straining off the precious liquid. First, Let’s Talk About …

Support your immune system with this all-natural cold and flu buster. We all need a little support during the busy holiday season. This is the first thing I turn to when I feel a little ick coming on. I’m Not a Doctor but I Do Practice What I Preach… Before you read any further please …

Fall is the best time to forage for arts and crafts materials! This is when you can find a plethora of brightly colored leaves, acorns, dried flowers, mossy twigs, seedpods, feathers, and dry grasses. Collecting them brings you and your children closer to nature and teaches them to look for the subtleties of the natural …

Take a look inside the process of constructing a modern underground dwelling (MUD). Learn about the sustainability and efficiency of a MUD. They are able to stay cool in summer and cozy in winter. They have a wonderful grounding feeling when you enter them and the air is still and quiet, making them a perfect …

I had so much fun with this DIY upcycled flower basket project that I decided to share it with the world. Making flower baskets is so easy and doesn’t require many tools. It’s also a great way to reuse some of the things we commonly discard. These Are the Supplies You Will Need To Create Your Own …

If you have a garden you should be growing garlic! Growing garlic is so much easier than it looks and rewards you with four amazing seasonal garlic products: April to May — spring garlic June to July — garlic scapes July to August — fresh garlic bulbs September to next year — dried garlic bulbs …

This quick, fun, winter treat recipe will teach you the best-tasting way to eat snow! Is it snowing yet where you are? We’ve had two small snowstorms this winter in the Willamette Valley. They are not completely abnormal, but they only happen once every year or so. It’s a wonderful place to live for that …

Taking care of your teeth is as important as what you eat! That’s why I want to share this easy recipe for a naturally whitening, remineralizing, and detoxifying toothpaste that you can make anytime in the comfort of your own home. It’s easy, cost-effective, and so beneficial. Please note that I am not a medical doctor …

Increase food security with backyard chickens! Chickens are probably the easiest, most affordable, and most accessible livestock for a small urban farm, homestead, or backyard. They produce eggs and meat with relatively little space, time investment, or cost. Keeping chickens only requires about 10 to 15 minutes of direct attention each day. This is enough …