Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Adopted Motto

"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Rainy Days ~ Herbal Winter Illness Prep

I got the joy of filling out the large stack of papers the school sends home the first day.  Hubby was too tired after work, so I got the glorious job.  At least it was only for two kids this time, and not six.  The school however, has been sending me emails, containing a PDF files (letters on every subject you can imagine) and they kept coming throughout the day yesterday.

It's been continuing to rain off and on, so I have not yet been able to check the tomato situation.  It's kind of a relief not be out in the heat this month (or canning).  It's actually not even comfortable to sit on the porch (too humid).  However, the weather man says it will cool down this weekend.

I'm still taking advantage of, not only having the extra time, but a reason to be working indoors.  I found more scraps of yarn hiding in different places, but still have not found my #3 crochet hook, ha ha!

 

I found this again.  I had it buried in a box I had never opened from a move years ago.  At one time I used this on my desk.  I don't have space for it in my "office" area any longer.  I even tried to get my college bound daughter to use it in her dorm.  She likes it, but refuses to take it, ha ha!  I'm still undecided on it yet.  

I do have a "family history" binder I started a few years ago, for photos of family heirlooms, memorabilia, etc.  Even if it's something I use, I try to take a photo, add a description of where and when it came from, etc.  


As for my mini-skirts.....in the thrift box they went.  Those were in the "Halloween" box for years, but off they went.  Let some youngin' wear them now. 

My next job, is to figure out a good way, and a location to store my bulk tea leaves.  Hm.  That will be on the to-do list for now. I had boxes of them in my closet too.   At least now, with my organization, I can reach the jars of vanilla in there, and give them a shake more often.

And speaking of tea....

I'm stocking up on may herbs this winter - mullein, spearmint, peppermint, and now bay leaves.  Territorial sold out of their bay laurel plants for 2015, so I purchased dry, organic from Mountain Rose Herbs.   

I not only use it for many recipes (medicinal as well as for flavoring meals), but this fall/winter and spring, it can be used to make "Bay Leaf Tea."

It is said to (I have yet to try it), help with sore throats, stomach aches, and flu.   Simply steep two bay leaves in a boiling water (or use a tea infuser like I have), strain, and add honey or sugar.  Sip the tea slowly.   Has anyone tried this tea yet?

Kids at school are already getting sick.  I had to de-germ my girls the other day with "anti-ill" spray (made with essential oils).  I saw on the news last night that now schools are dealing with a type of lice that is not responsive to over-the-counter drugs, and you have to get a prescription for stronger stuff now.  Imagine that.  Now doctors found another way to make more money.  I wonder what chemicals are in it.

I wonder what treasures I'll find in my closet today?  Hopefully, I can finish up today or tomorrow.  

8 comments:

Sam I Am...... said...

I spent yesterday trying to catch up with your posts but still haven't! LOL! When you read then in order though it is great reading! You're a good writer and I'm sure you could take your posts and put them into a book. A little editing and voila...you're on the bestseller list!
I remember those little wire dogs for mail...where have they all gone? We know you have one but I haven't seen them for years and it seems like everyone had one back in the day.
It rained yesterday and the cool front came through and it was 54 this morning! I'm sure it's coming to a neighborhood near you! LOL!
Have a great day and BTW...I couldn't find my G crochet hook for a project I had started a while back but I finally found it yesterday so I can move forward on a WIP that is almost done. TTYL!

Susan said...

I would not be a candidate for bay leaf tea, as I have a hard time using it even as a seasoning - many years ago, I got a massive dose of food poisoning from eating a seafood dish that was heavily flavored with bay. I store my bulk teas in pint Ball jars. I was going to get all fancy and do the labels in blackboard paint but have not had the time to get fancy. Enjoy your rain! We could use some.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Sam I am, we too just got a cool front (today). I told my girls I was "freezing" ha ha! Maybe I'll find that hook yet.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Susan, I saw pint jars with the chalkboard paint already on them, but couldn't get myself to agree to buy them. Ha ha! I think I'll just keep using the jars I have for now too. I can't remember the price, but they sure were cute. One winter I made "sage tea" for a sore throat.

Mama Pea said...

Sage tea has always been our go-to herbal tea when one is coming down with a cold or sometimes just feeling flu-ish. I'll have to remember the bay leaf tea idea though, too.

I just this morning finally (after needing them for y-e-a-r-s) bought a dozen more of the little 4 oz. canning jars. I keep my backup supply of herbs and spices in them in my pantry, but I've only had 2 dozen jars which are not enough for everything I keep on hand. I feel with the canning lids, they should stay pretty air tight . . . and maybe last longer?

Now, I'd like to talk to you about the energy pills you take every day that keep you going like the Energizer Bunny. Where can I get them? After lunch today, I so felt like lying down for a little rest, but kept pushing on. Not wise as I put some milk on the stove to heat up for cottage cheese making and completely forgot about it. What. A. Mess. About those pills again . . . ?

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Ha ha ha! Mama Pea! Actually, I have been making herbal teas, cooling them, and drinking them first thing in the morning, cold. I brew the day before, cool and put it in the fridge. Then I have coffee while I'm buzzing around the house.

RB said...

Been under the weather with some kind of a mild virus for about 3 weeks; Bro Tom has had it for 4. Very strange, leaves teeth and fingers aching like crazy, and leaves you very very weary every second or third day. Keep taking Mucinex DM to keep my lungs clear (I have asthma so lungs are a weak spot for me). Not sure what else to do. My teeth are so sore, I'm on mainly soft foods.
Was thinking maybe Tea Tree Oil for those new lice. Not sure if that would work, but it's not overly expensive, so it might be worth a try.
Gonna run on for now.
Nice to stop in for a little visit between work days and naps.
God bless.
RB
<><

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

RB, so sorry to hear you are sick. Hope you and your brother are better soon. Our school, which is pre-K to grade 12 all in one building, has not gotten the lice. I heard using olive oil (covering their head with a bag) also works.