Honey Lemon Ginger Syrup - for colds, flu and just pure deliciousness!

My dear, dear friend introduced me to this stuff. My husband and I just love it!!! Use it sooth throats, clam the stomach, uplift the mood and get a spoonful of honey. It is very easy to make only requiring three ingredients. 

Honey, we use honey from our parents beehives

Lemons 

Fresh Ginger

Step 1:
I don't measure the ingredients there is no need. You will need any size mason jar (we use a Quart size jar, but if this is your first time use a Pint).

Step 2:
Cut up the lemons either sliced or cut into chunks (I prefer sliced to get more surface area of the lemon).

Step 3:
Skin ginger and microplane (basically it grates it very finely). I like a bit of a kick of ginger so I add about 2-4 tablespoons of grated ginger to a Quart.

Step 4:
Layer the lemons and ginger till they almost reach the top of jar (they will condense as the sit in the honey over night).

Step 5:
Pour in honey using a knife to get it to fill all the spaces in the jar. Fill till it covers the lemons.

Step 6:
Put on lid and let it sit for 6-10 hours. Use to make ice or hot tea (simple spoon into cup for in hot water or ice water and add more honey lemon ginger mixture to your liking) or my favorite by the spoonfuls. YUM!!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread - Super Seed Bread

This is my best copycat of Great Harvest Seed Bread. I combined a honey whole-wheat recipe with a seed bread recipe. I normally would tell you my sources but it has been years. My mother asks for this bread instead of birthday cake! We LOVE it!

Honey Whole Wheat Bread –Super Seed Bread

The recipe makes 3 loaves

3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

2/3 cup honey (I use honey from my parents beehives, YUM!)

4-5 cups bread flour or all purpose

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon salt

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons butter, melted for tops of loaves

or one egg white whisked to brush tops of loaves before they are baked

You can play with the flour ratios. Depending if you want more wheat.

Seed Mixture Ratio

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

1 tablespoon sesame seeds

1 tablespoon flax seeds

1 tablespoon millet

1 tablespoon quinoa

1 tablespoon of poppy seeds

1 tablespoon chia seeds

I mix up about a quart Mason jar amount at a time, so I always have it on hand. 

Directions

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and 1/3 cup honey. Add 2 cups white bread flour or all-purpose and 3 cups whole wheat flour, and stir to combine. Let set for 30 minutes covered with towel, or until big and bubbly.

Mix in flour

Till well combined but not over mixed

Cover and let set for about 30 min

Step 2: After 30 min, mix in 3 tablespoons melted butter, 1/3 cup honey, salt and ¼ to ¾ cup SEEDS (depending on how much you want).

After 30 minutes it should look like this; about doubled in size and bubbly

Add salt, butter, honey and seeds

Stir until combined

Step 3: Stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour (or use kitchenaid).

Stirring by hand might take a bit of time, but great arm workout. Mix till well combined.

Step 4: Flour a flat surface and knead until not real sticky - just pulling away from the counter, but still sticky to touch. This may take an additional 2 cups of flour.

Place on floured surface and flour on top

Press into dough

Turn

Fold in half and press in again

Turn

Fold

Press and repeat till dough is elastic and easy to handle. You still want it a little sticky to the touch

Step 5: Place in a floured bowl. Cover with a dishtowel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about a hour.

After rising you want it to look like this doubled in size.

Step 6: Punch down, and divide into 3 loaves. Place in greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans, brush tops with egg white mixed with a little water and top with additional seeds. Allow dough to rise until it has topped the pans by one inch.

Grease three loaf pans with shortening

Divide dough in thirds

Mix egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and brush tops of loafs 

Pat additional seeds on top of loafs

Allow to rise for 15-30 min till dough pass tops of pans about and inch (I had different size loaf pans).

Step 7: Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes depending on size, you want it ever golden brown on top; do not over bake. OPTIONAL- Lightly brush the tops of loaves with 2 tablespoons melted butter or margarine when done to prevent crust from getting hard. Cool completely

Great for toast, sandwich, etc... ENJOY

Additional Options-

I make rolls with this bread as well by greasing a muffin tin, placing small amount of seeds on bottom of each tin and placing a roll size amount of dough on top (still topping with egg whites and seeds as well). Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Shape into loaf rounds if no loaf pans are available.

DIY Non-Toxic Household Cleaners (All-Purpose, Window, Dusting, Air Freshener)

I love having a clean house. Here are the Recipes that I use to keep and get my house clean. Using only the ingredients you see below.

"There is no need to pull out your rubber gloves and surgical masks when you clean your home. It might surprise you to know that you can concoct simple and inexpensive non-toxic cleaners from ingredients already lying around your house. Using essential oils to create  your own cleaning spray is not only safe on the environment,  but is safe for your family as well." Doterra Blog

Cleaning Benefits Links:
Borax
White vinegar
Dawn dish soap
Lemon Essential oil
Lime Essential oil
Wild Orange Essential oil
Peppermint Essential oil
On Guard Essential oil
Grapefruit Essential oil
Lavender Essential oil
Eucalyptus Essential oil

I still encourage others to do their own research to make sure that this is the right change for your family.

If you wish to purchase and/or learn more about Doterra essential oils visit my site.  http://www.mydoterra.com/rachellewman/ 

All Purpose Disinfecting Spray

What You Need:

16 oz. glass spray bottle

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 3/4 cups water

30 drops dōTERRA essential oil

1 teaspoon borax

1 tsp dawn dish soap

Essential Oils to try:

15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon

10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange

30 drops On Guard blend

15 drops each of Grapefruit and On Guard

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly. The essential oils that I used were peppermint and wild orange, I love the smell of the two. Recipe used was based off site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, etc.

Window Cleaner

What You Need:

16 oz. Spray Bottle

1 1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup distilled water

1 tsp dawn dish soap

8 drops of any citrus oil of your choice (could use Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Wild Orange, or a combination)

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly.The essential oils that I used was Lime. Recipe used was based off this site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for cleaning mirrors, windows, sinks, and faucets. To achieve a streak free surface either use old newspapers or paper towels.

Spray Air/Linen Freshener

What You Need:

8-ounce glass spray bottle

1/2 cup distilled water

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol, vodka, or witch hazel

20 drops essential oil

Essential Oils to try:

15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon

10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange

30 drops On Guard blend

15 drops each of Grapefruit and On Guard

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly.The essential oils that I used was Peppermint and Wild Orange, I love the smell of the two. Recipe used was based off this site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for freshening up linen, trash pails, bathrooms, or any room in the house. 

Dusting/Surface Cleaner

What You Need:

16-ounce glass spray bottle

2 cup distilled water

1/2 cup white vinegar 

2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp dawn dish soap

15 drops essential oil

Essential Oils to try:

15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon

10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange

30 drops On Guard blend

15 drops each of Grapefruit and On Guard

Directions:

Add all ingredients to spray bottle. Shake thoroughly.The essential oils that I used was Lemon. Recipe used was based off this site.

Uses:

This spray is perfect for dusting and cleaning wood surfaces, blinds, window seals, stainless steel appliances, stoves, etc. Use cotton or fleece rag.