How to Grow Fresh Basil Easily to Enjoy in the Winter!

Having limited space, I love to save some room for herbs in my garden.  The local wildlife usually left herbs I planted alone.  However, this year the beasts included most of my herbs along with the rest of my vegetables as their salad bar.  For some reason, however, our deer, ground hogs, rabbits, and whatever else that dines in my yard didn't care for the basil I had planted.  Then again, maybe they were just full before they were able to find it.  Nonetheless, I did get to harvest a lot of fresh basil.

I didn't realize how much fresh basil I had picked until washing the large assortment that I had cut.  Having too much, I put a few pieces in a jar of water on my kitchen window sill. 
To my amazement, my basil took to the water before I knew it and was rooting like crazy. 

Believe it or not, I could pick basil from this jar if I had wanted to.  However, I am going to plant it and keep it inside for fresh basil in the winter.

If you have a garden, I just wanted to let you know that you can pick some and put in a jar and watch it grow for fresh homegrown basil in the winter. 

Meet a Skin Healing Wonder! NuGlow's Revitaleze Repair Cream Review--I Love Its Awesome Power!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NuGlow's Revitaleze Repair Cream

When I was approached to review one of NuGlow's skin care products, I had a tempting selection to consider.  However, I was immediately intrigued by the description of their Revitaleze Repair Cream.  With a special blend of restorative herbs and mineral ingredients in addition to pure replenishing oils, this formula was made to help problem skin from excess dryness, burns, damage, or irritation and I had the perfect subject for testing this product.

A family member has a circulation problem that involves his lower leg.  Consequently, his calve is dark with rough patches of dry skin in a big spot toward the ankle.  Naturally, he habitually lubes that area with the same heavy duty creams those with diabetes also would be applying.  The products he tried in the past helped moisturize that scaly area so the skin could not break.  However, it never lightened the darkness until he began using NuGlow's Revitaleze Repair Cream nightly after showering.

This product has a slightly medicinal smell, but it is natural considering this is not on the same level as some fragrant body lotion or face cream.  This is serious healing power at work with ingredients backed by science to help with cell regeneration, anti-inflammation, scar reduction with antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties while also delivering maximum hydration as it repairs.  

I watched the condition of his leg change.  The area really responded beautifully to this cream because within a week, the dry patches smoothed into nicer skin considerably instead  of looking scaly and cracked.  

As unbelievable as this may sound, the discoloring in his problem area even lightened slightly after the second week of use.  

This is the best I remember seeing that bad spot on his leg look in a long time.  He is definitely going to keep using this product because it does really work to repair skin like the company claims.  

Those especially with diabetes needing to keep their skin well lubricated to prevent a wound from forming would really see a difference in treating their skin once they tried NuGlow's Revitaleze Repair Cream over their typical pharmacist-recommended cream.
    
It is recommended for dealing with skin suffering from trouble such as hormonal shifts, auto-immune and allergic reactions, psoriasis, eczema, rosaceae, blemishes, anti-aging or pigmentation, etc.  I cannot vouch for all of those only what I told you here and seen with my own eyes.  Nonetheless, if this product worked this well for someone with a serious circulation problem, I can only imagine how well it would do to help other skin irritations, dryness, etc.   

All I can say is this an excellent product to heal skin and thoroughly moisturize it.  Trust me, NuGlow's Revitaleze Repair Cream is what you want  to try for a wonderful improvement without wasting your money on the line of bottles and tubes that fall short of your expectations.

It normally retails for $69.95 but a club price of $34.95 for a 1.7 oz. jar is also an option.  I highly recommend buying this  product and check out the savings advantage if your skin is suffering.  You will see how your skin will thank you by healing.

*Disclaimer:  This is my own honest opinion.  A free product was provided solely to facilitate this review.*

Do You Want a Beautiful Solution to Shed Water Weight?

Ladies, we all know about bloating and discovering a few extra pounds we're suddenly packing due to water weight.  How about if I told you there's a natural way to quickly get rid of that excess water and get those tight designer jeans to fit more comfortably again?

The next time you are visited by our monthly friend, I suggest going to your health food store and picking up a box of fennel tea and make yourself a cup.  This helpful herb happens to be a natural diuretic, which will help flush toxins and that unwelcome water poundage away. 

Fresh lemons also can help get rid of that sudden gain from water as well.  Try squeezing some into a glass of cold water and drinking several glasses since this is also a natural diuretic besides aiding in appetite suppression.

Do try either solution because you have nothing to loose--except, perhaps, for those few unwanted pounds!

Save Your Winter Wardrobe From Moths With These Homemade Natural Repellants!

You are probably cleaning those winter clothes and ready to store them away until next year.  If you hate using those foul-smelling mothballs or crystals, then you are not alone.  They are disgusting and conjure up memories of the past when a friend used to radiate that strong toxic aroma with every sweater he wore all through college.  Regardless of his cologne, the sickly smell of those mothballs would linger.

However, there are better ways to keep those vulnerable wool items safe from the destruction of moths without offending delicate noses.  Besides cedar or cedar chips, you have some other sweet smelling options.  You could use whole cloves, which is a wonderful deterrent. 

Those that like to garden should think of planting these two perennials: lavender and rosemary to dry.  Though both are fragrant, you get double duty with being able to season your food with the rosemary as well. 

Another interesting aid in the battle against moths comes in the form of saving orange peels and drying them. 

For those handy with thread and needle, you might want to sew pretty sachet packets to hang around the clothes or to leave inside with the items. You could also improvise.  Use a piece of thin material about the size of a hankerchief and tie.  

Whatever option you go with is better than those toxic mothballs and crystals for your lungs, the environment, and those expensive woolens those pesky insects always seem to find!

Let Me Share My Best Brownies Recipe With You!

Sometimes, you need a serious chocolate fix.   Whenever that urge happens that only sinfully rich and full of chocolate decadence can satisfy, I like to make this recipe for my favorite brownies. 

I have been growing more herbs.  One in particular that is wonderful to plant is Chocolate Mint.  I like to dry it and then grind into a fine powder.  For a small amount, I use a little electric coffee bean grinder.  A teaspoon of this chocolate mint powder is a nice optional touch in these brownies.  Peppermint extract also works if you like a bit of mint with your chocolate.

As you can guess, this was my weakness for this weekend.  I baked a batch and plan to indulge.  I do hope when you get suddenly hungry for brownies that you'll try my recipe because it is the best one that I ever made.

My Best Brownies

2 cups of sugar
1 cup of canola oil
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of dried chocolate mint or 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract (optional)
1-3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa
5 eggs
6-ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup of chopped nuts

All you do is put everything in your mixing bowl except for the chips and mix well.  You can use a wooden spoon. 

Pour into a greased 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan. 

Sprinkle the chocolate chips chips on top and bake in 350-degree oven for about 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Try My Zesty Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Recipe!

Save yourself some money and still enjoy the same great taste of bottled Italian Dressing with my recipe that I have for you today.  The herbs in this liven up the flavor perfectly without being overly sweet or sour.

This recipe is easy to prepare ahead of time and store in your refrigerator for later.  I like to whip up a small batch at a time because it's simple enough instead of lingering too long in the refrigerator.

Instead of discarding an empty 48-oz. plastic peanut butter jar, I like to wash them to reuse for assembling the ingredients and later storing the dressing in the refrigerator.  Do let the herbs in this dressing blend together for at least an hour in your refrigerator before serving to really heighten the flavor. When you're ready to serve the salad, all you need to do is to shake that closed filled jar and pour.

Toss your empty clean jar into the recycle bin or put it aside for next time.   Whatever you decide, I do hope you will make this recipe because it is the best Italian salad dressing recipe that I have ever run across.

My Zesty Italian Salad Dressing

1 cup of olive oil or canola oil
1 cup of wine vinegar or white vinegar (both taste delicious)
4 large cloves of garlic, minced fine
1 tablespoon of salt
1/2  tablespoon of sugar
1/2  tablespoon of finely ground black pepper
1/2  tablespoon of oregano leaves
1/2  tablespoon of basil
1/2  tablespoon of dry mustard

Clean and mince your garlic.  Mix everything together and store in the refrigerator covered at least one hour to blend the flavors together. 

Make Your Own Herbal Sleep Potion Potpourri!

We all have restless nights and end up staring at the bedroom ceiling instead of getting sleep.  However, I have discovered a wonderful natural aid to help you drift off with a peaceful state of mind with this wonderful homemade recipe.

What I found especially helpful is making a sleep potion potpourri sachet bag to keep near your pillow.  This beneficial aroma has the power to soothe you when stressed, somehow, as you breathe it in.

This is a wonderful potpourri to make and save for those awful nights when sleep seems impossible. 


Herbal Sleep Potion Potpourri

3 cups of spearmint
3 cups of rose leaves
1 cup of whole cloves
1 ounce of orris root (fixative)

Dry the mint (leaves and also stems) and the rose leaves on a screen in a warm place so the air can circulate properly.  You can also resort to drying them on a sheet of newspaper in a warm spot.

When this is dry, mix with cloves and the orris root.  Put in a glass jar and cover tightly with a lid for a few weeks, stirring occasionally. 

You can just open when needed or make some sachet bags to keep handy.

This is a wonderful potpourri to make and save for those awful nights.

Keep Summer Alive: Make Your Own Homemade Rose Potpourri!

The beautiful flowers and plants will soon wither away with the cold weather.  However, I know a way for you to bring some of that summer fragrance into your home to enjoy the entire year.  You can make your own homemade potpourri like the rose-lavender one I have for you today!

Lavender is great for drying to also repel moths.  Add some lavender to mix in the potpourri for your sachet bags to hang in your closets is a healthier option than foul-smelling moth balls. 

Another wonderful combination is when you dry lilacs in the spring and save.  You can substitute the two cups of lavender with the same amount of lilac for a pleasant change of pace in this rose formula.  

Rose-Lavender Potpourri

3 cups of rose petals
2 cups of lavender or lilac (dried from spring)
2 cups of marjoram
1 oz. of orris root

Gather your rose petals and herbs and dry them on a screen in a warm, dry place.  If you don't have a screen, you can spread them out on a sheet of newspaper, which is another option and dry the same way.  The screen, however, is preferred because the air circulates better.

When the petals and herbs are dry, mix ingredients in a glass jar and cover with a lid.  Keep all the ingredients locked inside for a few weeks, stirring occasionally during that period.  This rest period is important so the mixture has a chance to bond together into a lovely fragrance.

Grow Your Own Herbs and Make Herbal Tea

Every year I plant a garden, I find the wildlife in my neighborhood get more of my crops than our family.  Fortunately, the deer and ground hogs do not care for herbs for some strange reason.  In fact, I planted more herbs this year than last since I do not have an electric fence or fierce dog that can scare those beasts. 

The herbs that I grew to make my herbal teas are lemon balm and a variety of mints.   I do grow sage, which some use for herbal teas, however, I never tried this in tea, only in cooking.

All you need is to clean your fresh herbs thoroughly first before putting on some water to boil.  Do not add these herbs directly to the pot.  I just pour boiling water over about one heaping teaspoon of the fresh herb.  However, you can use more or less of your herb to suit your taste. 

Let this herb steep for about fifteen minutes in your cup that you cover with a saucer.  This amount of time is ideal for the flavor to properly bloom in your cup.

If you use dried herbs for your tea, then you used only one-fourth of the amount as you want with fresh.  Again, the amount you use will depend on your own tastebuds.

Another method for making tea with your herbs is to pour one pint of boiling water over approximately one ounce of the fresh leaves.  When making a brew this way, I let this mixture seep for about ten minutes.  

Lemon balm is excellent to drink when suffering from colds.  I love growing mints for the different things they can help relieve as well.  Peppermint tea is a wonderful aid for when you feel nauseated or heat exhaustion.  Other varieties are spearmint grow abundantly in my garden and produces a nice flavor tea.

You also use an earthenware teapot.  I usually throw a handful of mint in before adding the boiling water and covering.  Again, let your tea seep for ten but preferably fifteen minutes.  You'll love the beautiful fragrance that is released once this brew seeps. 

Want a Natural Homemade Remedy for Dandruff?

Thyme has always been known as adding flavor to your food.  However, this herb also has mild antiseptic properties you may or may not be aware of.  What I'm sharing with you is a very old French herbal recipe for getting rid of that dandruff with a pleasant spa-like scent that you can make at home in this Thyme Dandruff Hair Rinse.


You take four heaping tablespoons of thyme (about one-half cup of fresh if you have it) and two cups of water and put them in a pot to boil.  Strain and cool.  After you shampoo your hair and rinse, you pour one cup of the thyme liquid into your hair and massage the solution into your scalp.  Do not rinse until your next shampoo.

Some Helpful Tips for Herb Harvesting and Drying

Since nothing tastes better than fresh herbs when cooking, I make sure to plant a variety in my garden.   Harvesting your herbs should be done regularly to make sure those plants keep producing.  In fact, most herbs produce between two and three crops once you start to lose the fear of cutting the leaves too often. 

Did you know that the best time to cut plants for seasoning is before noon?  This is the best time because the dew has dried out, but before the sun had a chance to steal some of the plant's essential oils.

Soon, however, it will be time to start drying those herbs for use later on in the year.  You can use a dehydrator or simply follow this other easy method.  All I do is to wash my herbs first in cold water, then soak them for 20 minutes in a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to kill anything such as bugs that might cling to those leaves.  I rinse again with plain, cool water and drain through a colander. 

If I had something baking in the oven, I liked to insert a cookie sheet lined with those fresh herbs in afterwards to dry.  The fragrance of those herbs will permeate through your rooms in the process.

Fresh herbs will dry out even at ordinary room temperature on a plate or a cookie sheet, etc.

Herb gardening is fun and can save you money for already prepared varieties.  Another incentive to growing herbs is deer and other typical garden raiders do not pick on herbs when they come calling!

My Mother's Day Gift to All--Delicious Herbal Salt-Free Seasoning Blends!

You can mix up your own special salt-free herb blend.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you, dear readers!  As promised, I wanted to share a few more delicious ways to cut back on your salt intake while cooking.  Here are two more wonderful recipes for herbal salt-free seasoning blends you should try. 

Whether you chose to experiment in your recipes or sprinkling in place of salt on your cooked foods, these two blends  go nicely on pretty much everything.  The important part is they're less expensive than the commercial brands and can be altered according to the spices and herbs you're particularly fond of.  These will provide a starting point.  Feel free to make any adjustments and enjoy this bounty of new colorful flavors.

The first blend is perfect for boosting the flavor of soups, stocks, meats,  and cheese and bean spreads.

The #2 blend is slightly nipper that you can add to practically everything to perk up flavor--especially chicken and ground beef or turkey casseroles.  If you prefer to reduce the heat, then add only 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. 



Herbal Salt-Free Blend #1

3 tablespoons dried leaf thyme
3 tablespoons dried marjoram
3 tablespoon dried summer savory
1 tablespoon dried sweet basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 teaspoon crushed, dried sage
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)

Crush the dried herbs and blend well.  If you want a finer powder, then you need to process these ingredients in your food processor.  Spoon into a shaker-top container.

Herbal Salt-Free Blend #2

2 tablespoons dried sweet basil
2 tablespoons dried paprika (all varieties work)
2 tablespoons dried leaf thyme
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon dried crushed sage
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind (optional, if you have it)

Mix up the same way above by hand or in the food processor and then store in a shaker-top container also. 

ENJOY!

How to Take Charge of Your Blood Pressure

Keeping a check on your blood pressure can save your life.

Women are developing more cases of hypertension these days.  Stress, diet, and our own heredity has a lot to do with the problem.  However, there are some unexpected ways to control your blood pressure.  Whether you currently take medication or not,  you can help yourself even further. 

Lower Sodium Intake or Turn to Spices and Herbs to Season

Try cutting back on sodium when possible.  Reduce or cut out the salt in some of your recipes.  Experiment with substituting different herbs and spices when cooking instead.  Herbal salt-free blends like the one I posted a while is back help bring out the flavor of foods.  I will share other delicious blends tomorrow!

The recommended allowance for salt for each of us is one teaspoon a day.  And yet, we are addicted to salt.  I know I consume way too much.  Gradually, I am weaning myself away, working with herbs and spices in my recipes, and learning to read food labels more carefully also.  Taking precautions now can only be beneficial in the future for any of us.

Make Sure to Get Enough Magnesium and Potassium 

Something you may not realize is the importance of magnesium and potassium in your diet.  In one study, the recommended amount of magnesium is between 350-400 mg and 4,700 mg of potassium.  In simple terms, you need to eat about 2-1/2 cups of fruits and vegetables a day with those two minerals.  The best sources are soybeans, spinach, potatoes, kidney beans, and bananas.

Avoid Cured or Luncheon Meats and Other Foods That Contain Tyramine

Other foods you try to limit are any aged cheeses, fermented, pickled or cured foods like sausages, bacon and luncheon meats.  Besides the sodium, these particular foods contain tyramine, an amino acid-based compound that can increase blood pressure when on certain medications.

Taking a nap can also be help.  The best way is to stick to a time for your nap break and fit it into your day, if you can squeeze this routine into your schedule.   

One last thing to try is taking up yoga and meditation.  These are proven to calm and help lower your blood pressure.  If those are not for you, try to set ten minutes aside in your day to stretch,  close your eyes, and clear your mind while you breathe deeply even can help.



  

Ferry-Morse Seed Company Review & Giveaway!--Ends April 9, 2011

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Ferry-Morse Seed Company indoor tote

Ferry-Morse Seed

Now is the time to think about planting a garden!  With the rising costs of food and not to mention the dangers that constantly plague us with salmonella outbreaks to a bombardment of chemicals, eating these days has become challenging.  Naturally, you can buy a safer choice of organic fruits and vegetables, but they are quite a bit more expensive, which I'm not nuts about.  To save money and your health, I always like to grow  vegetables and herbs in every available space in my yard.

Two years ago was my first experience using Ferry-Morse seeds, which I am reviewing now with a variety of their other herbs and vegetables from my wonderful butternut squash and tomato experience.  I have tried the cheap dime seeds to the other name brands and never had as beautiful and healthy plants than with my Ferry-Morse. 

That beautiful butternut squash in my picture is my last one of my last Ferry-Morse crop. This tells you how hearty those seeds are!  As you guess, I'm already nuts about their quality seeds!

Ferry-Morse Seed Company outdoor tote

This year, I'm going to tackle beets, spinach, corn, tomato, squash, basil, and sage, and even if I resort to moving my herbs to the front yard.  I'm also going to try growing a tomatillo, which is good for making salsa, and by now everyone knows my fondness for hot, spicy food.  Beet tops are great greens to cook up like spinach in addition to eating the beets themselves.  Squash of any kind can keep long into the winter as long as you don't damage the stem when cutting it off. 

Basil and sage are my two favorite spices.  You can have fresh dried spices all year even without a dehydrator.  All you do is clean the herbs and place on a cookie sheet in a 150-degree oven for a few hours until they dry out.

my butternut squash

If you never planted anything, you can rest easy with Ferry-Morse, a shovel, water can, and pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands.  Any package will explain the time, location, and depth to plant each according to your location in the country. 

Connect with Ferry-Morse on Facebook and also on Twitter!

Thanks to Ferry-Morse, three lucky Nuts 4 Stuff readers win both indoor and outdoor totes shown plus an assortment of seeds ($100 value for each winner)!

Both Are Mandatory To Enter:

1. You must follow me on Google Friends Connect before any of your entries will count.  If you already follow, then tell me so in a comment.

2. Go to the Ferry-Morse website and tell me the what you would love to plant from their site in another comment.

Extra Entries:

Add @Nuts4Stuff to Your Twitter and tell me so in your comment with your Twitter id--1 extra entry

Tweet Ferry-Morse Gardening Totes and Seed Assortment #Giveaway @Nuts4Stuff http://tiny.cc/i36bm (can be done daily)--1 extra entry per day in another comment

Add @Ferry-Morse to your Twitter and tell me so in your comment--1 extra entry

Like Ferry-Morse on Facebook and tell me in a comment--1 extra entry

Subscribe to the Nuts 4 Stuff blog by email--1 extra entry (must confirm)

Subscribe to Nuts 4 Stuff in a reader--1 extra entry (Orange button in my sidebar)

List this giveaway on any giveaway site just leave a link to this post wherever you share it--2 extra entries (leave 2 separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Blog about this giveaway and and comment with a link to the post--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where in each comment)

Grab my Nuts 4 Stuff button and paste it in your sidebar--3 extra entries (leave three separate comments and tell me where you left it in each comment)

Add Nuts 4 Stuff to your blogroll  (using my URL) with a link back to me (comment where you left it for 1 more extra entry)

Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure you include your email address inside your comment so I can contact you if you win.   This giveaway is only open to residents of the United States.  Do follow the rules because I check entries.

This giveaway ends April 9, 2011 at 12 PM Eastern Standard Time.  The winner will need to respond to my email with name and shipping address within 48-hours or another winner will be picked.  

Cut Back on Salt, But Keep the Flavor With My Herb Substitute Mix

All of us hear how important it is to cut down on our salt intake.  Still, it's hard to do when forced to eat something that tastes bland.  However, I found a great mix of herbs can help add the necessary flavor without making any sacrifices in the taste department. 

This blend is good on practically everything from chicken, fish, meat, bean dishes, and vegetables. 

Start gradually cutting back on that salt.  If you gradually ease into using a herb substitute on your food, you will be doing your body a world of good.  Your blood pressure for one will improve.  So shake my herb mixture and still enjoy your food and health!

My Herb Substitute for Salt

1 tablespoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon mace
1 teaspoon of onion powder (not onion salt)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sage

Mix everything and store in your empty spice bottle with the shaker or empty salt shaker.

How to Fight Mildew Naturally

Growing thyme is useful in the fight against mildew!

Mildew is a frustrating problem for practically everyone.  Doesn't it seem like no matter how often you clean or what product you use those ugly mildew spores keep making us constantly work?   However, I found a natural homemade solution you may want to consider trying.

Place some sprigs of fresh thyme inside a plastic spray bottle and cover with white vinegar.  Allow the herb and vinegar to blend inside for two weeks so the herb's essential oil can be activated.

What you'll get is a healthier, green living type cleaner that will cut grease and grime while helping to kill future mold spores.

Another plus to using this cleaner is knowing the stimulating effect of thyme on the nervous system in the way it increases the information flow to your brain and muscles.  As a result, you'll feel an increase in pep from the scent of this herb's essential oil in the cleaner so you'll clean even faster!  Now you can understand why I'm nuts about this easy remedy.