As a little new year gift, I put together a link guide of all of my favorite new things from the year. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to try something new, too!
RECIPES
HEALTHY SNACKS:
Pumpkin chia seed pudding: http://greatist.com/health/recipe-pumpkin-chia-seed-pudding
Kale Chips:http://www.kalechips.com/baked-oven-kale-chips-recipe.html
Raw Vegan Herbed Cheese (made from nuts) http://sacredsourcenutrition.com/raw-vegan-herbed-cheese/#
CANNING:
Lacto-fermented veggies: http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2012/02/how-to-make-lacto-fermented-vegetables.html
Pickled Rainbow Chard Stems: http://www.cookistry.com/2012/07/pickled-chard-stems.html
Rose jam: 4 cups water, 2 cups sugar, 2 lemons to boil. Add 4 cups rose petals. I added ¼ vanilla bean seeds, 1 apple and approximately 2 cups sliced strawberries. Best jam I ever made! (recipe by me!) *This jam is great in the thumbprint cookies below
SWEETS:
Homemade Hershey’s syrup: http://www.diynatural.com/homemade-chocolate-syrup-recipe/
Coconut oil shortbread: http://easilygoodeats.blogspot.com/2011/07/coconut-oil-shortbread-cookie-recipe.html
Oatmeal Shortbread: http://www.marthastewart.com/319288/oatmeal-shortbread
Chili-lime watermelon popsicles: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2013/eatsy-chili-lime-watermelon-popsicles/
Thumbprint Cookies: http://www.joyofbaking.com/ThumbprintCookies.html
Very Vanilla cupcakes: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/04/20/very-vanilla-cupcakes/
Tate’s Bakeshop Chocolate Chip Cookies: http://www.food.com/recipe/tates-bake-shop-chocolate-chip-cookies-147910
Coconut Oil Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/index.cfm/2012/6/1/coconut-oil-chocolate-covered-strawberries
Apple Spice Bars: http://3boysandadog.com/2013/10/autumn-apple-spice-bars-recipe/
Coconut Oil Pie Crust: http://bakingbites.com/2012/11/coconut-oil-pie-crust/
COCKTAILS:
Hot Buttered Rum: http://cocktails.about.com/od/atozcocktailrecipes/r/ht_btrd_rum_ckt.htm
Hot Spiced Wine: http://www.innatthecrossroads.com/2011/04/12/the-old-bears-hot-spiced-wine/
HOMEMADE ORGANIC BODY CARE PRODUCTS (at about 1/10th of the price!)
SKINCARE:
Homemade organic lotion: http://amy-newnostalgia.blogspot.com/2012/06/homemade-face-moisturizer.html
Whipped Lotion: 2 TBSP shea butter, 4 TBSP cocnut oil, 1 tsp aloe, 1 tsp jojoba, scented oils
Cocoa Butter Lotion: http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/simple-guide-ra
Homemade Seabreeze (I used peppermint oil, very refreshing!) http://hiveofthehoneybee.blogspot.com/2012/11/homemade-facial-astringent.html
Homemade Neosporin http://www.farmchickchitchat.blogspot.com/2012/08/homemade-antiseptic-ointment.html
Made lip balm using this recipe: http://hiphome.blogspot.com/2012/01/all-natural-lip-balm.html
Spray for cyst prevention: Rubbing alcohol, apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil
Mint pick-yourself-up facial: Hot cloth with a drop of mint oil rubbed vigorously on the face and neck.
MASSAGE:
Homemade Tiger Balm http://www.ehow.com/how_6876986_do-homemade-hot-tiger-balm_.html
Dandelion Massage Salve for Achy Muscles: http://thenerdyfarmwife.com/dandelion-salve-recipe/
TOOTHPASTE:
I now make my own homemade organic toothpaste! (When I learned that conventional toothpaste contains pesticide!)
-1 Tbsp coconut oil
-1 Tbsp baking soda
-15 drops peppermint essential oil
-1 tsp vegetable glycerin (optional)
-2 crushed calcium pills
HOMEMADE SLEEP AID:
Sleepy dust: http://butterbeliever.com/how-to-fall-back-asleep/
HOMEMADE HEALTHY LIVING:
Homemade flower preservative: 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar ,1/2 teaspoon household chlorine bleach ,1 quart warm water
Grow your own celery from the stalk: http://www.17apart.com/2012/02/growing-celery-indoors-never-buy-celery.html
Homemade rooting compound for transplants: http://livingthefrugallife.blogspot.com/2010/04/natural-and-homemade-rooting-hormone.html
Homemade Citrus Enzymatic Cleaner: http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/03/make-your-own-citrus-enzyme-cleaner.html
Rose Beads (the old-fashioned craft of making beads from rose petals): http://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/make-rose-beads-zmaz83jazshe.aspx#axzz2Uw4xFtaI