How to Create a Beautiful Succulent Bowl
How to Create a Beautiful Succulent Bowl

OK--It's winter, and there is not much happening in the garden right now.  I'm REALLY missing getting out there in the garden and playing in the dirt!  What can I say?  So I decided to make a succulent bowl for my Mom-in-Law, who loves succulents!  I had some older ones hanging on in my house, and I went out and bought a few more plugs, a cute bowl, and a decoration....  See how easy it is to make a succulent bowl--and what a great gift too! :-)  

I kind of have a rule around this house that everything needs a purpose.  Therefore, I don't have a lot of kitschy things hanging around.  This is actually a gift I'd like to have!  :-)  Its purpose is to make a person happy looking at it! 

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GardeningHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistwhat is a succulent, how to make a succulent bowl, how to make a succulent terrarium, how to make a desert terrarium, how to care for succulents, what do you need to make a succulent bowlComment
How to Get a Small Homestead Ready for Winter Freezes...Are You Ever REALLY Ready?
How to Get a Small Homestead Ready for Winter Freezes...Are You Ever REALLY Ready?

I love that saying "Winter is coming," from the show, Game of Thrones.  It sounds foreboding, doesn't it?  Well, when you have animals to care for, and it's your job to protect them from the elements, it sure can be a foreboding and stressful feeling.  You need to be sure shelter, water, and predator control is in place.  Although we are new homesteaders, just under four years, we have learned to start thinking about the upcoming winter in June or July! And still----we are never really ready, it seems.

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PreparednessHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistgetting ready for winter, animal shelter in winter, homesteading in winter, how to keep your home safe in winter, animal shelters, horse shelter, dog house in winter, how to keep chickens warm in winter Comments
Basics About TEA, Otherwise Known as Camellia sinensis
Basics About TEA, Otherwise Known as Camellia sinensis

There is absolutely nothing better than a cup of tea...in the morning, in the afternoon, or in the evening!  What is regular old tea?  Otherwise known as Camellia sinensis, there are all kinds of varieties---but only FOUR main types!  I love to blend "regular" tea with medicinal and/or nutritive herbs.  I love the way you can blend and combine them for an amazing taste experience while helping your body self-heal.  Lately I have been making quite a bit of refreshing probiotic Kombucha (a fermented drink that requires a base of white, green, oolong, or black tea---what I call "regular" tea) and mixing that with medicinal and/or nutritive herbs.  Here is some basic information about Camellia sinensis teas (what I call "regular" tea).  

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Herbs & Essential OilsHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisttea, camellia sinensis, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, green tea, kombucha, health teaComment
How to Make Natural Pine Soap...Favorite Christmas Recipe #2
How to Make Natural Pine Soap...Favorite Christmas Recipe #2

Don't you just love the scent of pine trees?  Especially now, during the holidays, Pine is "the" scent!  Pine is uplifting, calming, and mentally clarifying too.  When I use my Pine Soap in the shower, it just starts the day off right!  Here is a recipe for Pine Essential Oil Soap that can be used with either the Cold Process or the Hot Process methods.  I will link to my Hot Process Soap photo tutorials for clear, step by step directions on how to make hot process soap!  ---If you choose the hot process route, you can use the soap right away!  Bonus! :-)  

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Natural Body & Home, Herbs & Essential Oils, Soap MakingHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisthandmade soap, how to make soap, how to make hot process soap, pine essential oil soap, how to make pine essential oil soap, directions to make soap, soap making, how to make natural soap, how to color soap green naturally, natural green soap color Comments
Seven Lessons We Learned about Raising Turkeys in the Last Eight Months
Seven Lessons We Learned about Raising Turkeys in the Last Eight Months

Are you thinking about raising turkeys?  Are you wondering what kind to get? We kind of accidentally jumped into raising turkeys without even knowing what kind we were raising.  Here are some things we found out, our experiences, and what we plan to do differently next year.  Find out about raising turkeys!  

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PreparednessHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistheritage turkeys vs broad breasted turkeys, things to know about turkeys before you raise them, what you need to know about turkeys, what do turkeys eat, can turkeys live with chickens, what is the difference between a broad breasted turkey and a heritage turkey, what is a broad breasted turkey, is it worth it to raise turkeys Comments
How to Make Incredibly Healthy Turkey Bone Broth!
How to Make Incredibly Healthy Turkey Bone Broth!

Ever wanted to make your own bone broth?  There are so many health benefits to bone broth, and when you can make your own from clean meat...isn't that even better?  Here is a Turkey Bone Broth recipe for you, as well as reasons why you should drink some every day!

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RecipesHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistbone broth, how to make bone broth, how to make turkey bone broth, how to make turkey broth, turkey bone broth, turkey broth, why you should drink bone broth, benefits of bone broth, easy bone brothComment
The BEST Handmade Deodorizing Spray & Cleaner...Amazing!
The BEST Handmade Deodorizing Spray & Cleaner...Amazing!

Want to make your own air freshener and disinfectant that really work?  You will be amazed at the effectiveness of these chemical-free recipes! You'll never buy commercial cleaners again!

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Natural Body & Home, Herbs & Essential OilsHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisthandmade cleaner, handmade air freshener, how to make your own cleaner, how to make air freshener, DIY cleaning spray, DIY air freshener, essential oil air freshener, essential oil cleaning sprayComment
Handmade Skin Tightening Face Mask...From Eggshells! DIY!!!
Handmade Skin Tightening Face Mask...From Eggshells! DIY!!!

Here is a super easy recipe for a mask that works wonders to tighten your skin!  It's gentle and effective, with ingredients that are actually GOOD for you.  There are only three ingredients! 

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Natural Body & HomeHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistskin tightening mask, diy facial mask, eggshell powder skin mask, egg white face mask, tightening mask, diy skin tightening mask, how to make a skin tightening mask, mature skin mask, detoxifying face mask Comment
How to Make an Herbal Tincture (or Tea) for Eye Health!
How to Make an Herbal Tincture (or Tea) for Eye Health!

There are not many things more important than your vision and eye health! Here is an herbal formula for eye health, night vision, macular degeneration and more.  This tonic is also good for your body in general. DIY Herbal Tincture or Tea Recipe.

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Herbs & Essential OilsHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisteye health, vision, herbs for vision, herbs for eyes, herbal tea for eyes, herbal tincture for eyes, night vision, macular degeneration, herbal remedy, herbalist