How to Make Delicious Lemon Curd
How to Make Delicious Lemon Curd

I was gifted recently with LOTS of lemons!  The real ones, by the way---not the metaphorical lemons, thank goodness!  Bags of them!  Fresh, beautiful, sweet-smelling lemons! When I received all these lemons, I immediately began thinking about what to do with them! I have always wanted to try making lemon curd, and I found one of my mom's old recipes.  I adapted it quite a bit because I didn't have all the right ingredients (like caster sugar?).  The ingredients I used are those that most everyone has on hand, and it turned out SO delicious anyway!  Here is how I made lemon curd---which is kind of like a buttery lemon pudding! 

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RecipesHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisthow to make lemon curd, what is lemon curd, what do you do with lemon curd, how to use up lemons, lemon curd Comments
How to Make Herbal Beer (Ale), Part One
How to Make Herbal Beer (Ale), Part One

My husband (Mr. HHH) and I started our home brewing journey a few years ago using the pre-made kits from the local home brew store because we didn't know what we were doing, quite frankly.  Then I read Stephen Harrod Buhner's book, Sacred & Herbal Healing Beers, and became entranced with making herbal beers.  So, when the "Craft of Herbal Fermentation" course over at the New England Academy of Herbal Medicine opened up, I applied as a blogger for the course and I was SO thankful to be accepted!  Today, I just finished Unit One of the course, and guess what?!  It's all about using herbs to brew ales and beer.  What a delight!

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Herbs & Essential Oils, FermentationHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisthow to make your own herbal home brew, how to make beer, how to make herbal beer, how to make herbal ale Comments
How to Make Your Own Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (Delicious & Healthy!) from Scraps!
How to Make Your Own Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (Delicious & Healthy!) from Scraps!

Who knew?  I found out quite accidentally that I could make raw apple cider vinegar that is just as good if not better, than the Bragg's I've been purchasing for years!???  WHAT?  After doing some research, I've learned that making raw ACV is super easy.  PLUS, it tastes a LOT better.  

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FermentationHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistwhy use apple cider vinegar, how to use apple cider vinegar, is raw better than pasteurized, how to make raw apple cider vinegar, make your own apple cider vinegar, is homemade raw ACV better than Braggs, why should a person use apple cider vinegar Comments
Throat Soothing Tea: Here is a Simple, Effective Recipe for a Sore Throat Herbal Tea
Throat Soothing Tea: Here is a Simple, Effective Recipe for a Sore Throat Herbal Tea

This herbal tea recipe will help that sore, scratchy throat go away FAST! It's soothing, healing, and anti-inflammatory, and your throat will feel some relief quickly. Find out how to make this herbal tea for sore throats! It's better than Throat Coat! 

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Herbs & Essential OilsHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisthow to make herbal tea, how to make tea for the throat, sore throat tea, soothing throat tea Comments
How to Make EASY Unpaper Towels---Reusable Cloth "Paper" Towels
How to Make EASY Unpaper Towels---Reusable Cloth "Paper" Towels

I admit.  I am a tad lazy when it comes to making some things....like those ultra cute items that only crafty people can make.  I am just not crafty.  I would rather be outside getting dirty than be inside making "cute."  Don't get me wrong! I love, love, love cute things!  But I just don't like to make them.  So, when I ran across the idea of "unpaper" towels, I was intrigued!  These are basically towels that you can wash and reuse instead of wasting paper towels like crazy.  (Like we have been guilty of doing for years!)  I can't stand wasting things, and the way we go through paper towels has seriously bothered me for a long time.  Plus, they are expensive, and I figured this would just be one more way to save some coin! Here is my experience making Unpaper Towels!

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Natural Body & Home, Health RebelHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalisthow to save money on paper towels, how to save money, how to make unpaper towels, how to make easy reusable paper towels, how to go green diy paper towels, green paper towels, use less paper towels Comments
How to Stay Warm in Winter: Clothes You MUST Have for Winter on the Homestead
How to Stay Warm in Winter: Clothes You MUST Have for Winter on the Homestead

 

How this cold person learned how to stay warm in winter, even on the coldest days! Find out the tips and tricks for staying toasty warm on an icy cold day. What clothes you should wear to stay warm, how to wear your clothes, and what are the best boots, gloves, and hats! 

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PreparednessHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistclothes for winter, winter clothes, clothes to keep you warm, warm work clothes, warm outdoor work clothes, clothes you need in the snow, insulated clothes for cold, insulated clothes, winter gloves, winter hat for extreme coldComment
How to Make Perfect Pickled Eggs!
How to Make Perfect Pickled Eggs!

Sometimes you just have too many eggs, or you can't use them before they get too old, right?  Once of my solutions to that dilemma is to make a bunch of pickled eggs! They are delicious, last a super long time in the 'fridge, retain all the health benefits, and best of all---they won't go to waste!  Here are my strategies for making perfect pickled eggs! 

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RecipesHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistpickled eggs, how to make pickled eggs, making pickled eggs Comments
Easy Seeded Whole Wheat Bread
Easy Seeded Whole Wheat Bread

Here's how to make the best, easiest bread you will love!  I've been struggling with baking bread for a long time.  I actually just gave up for about 30 years! No kidding!  When my kids were young, I tried...but it was just too much work.  And frankly, to have bread not turn out after all that time is disheartening to say the least.  BUT!  I happened upon a great recipe from the Minimalist Baker and it inspired me to create a recipe that works for us!  I tell you, I love this recipe and I am so grateful to Minimalist Baker--all her recipes look fabulous!  Here is my take on her recipe:

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RecipesHeidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalistbread recipe, easy bread recipe, how to bake bread, how to make easy bread, whole wheat bread, bread with seeds, healthy bread Comments
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