“Moore eats like three men; they are always making sago or tapioca or something good for him.” ~ Charlotte Bronte (Shirley)

To make a delicious sago-cream soak a cupful of sago in two cups of cold water till it takes up all the water. Scald a quart of milk and stir the sago into it. remove from the fire to do it. When almost cold beat it all up from the bottom, stir in two tablespoons of sugar creamed with one of butter and the yolks of five eggs. When well mixed add the whipped whites of the eggs. Pour into small moulds, bake and eat cold with soft custard or wine sauce.

“And Salmon – perhaps salmon is next to the flounder.” ~Thackeray

A salmon loaf is a “dressy” dish to set before a lunch party, and may be made the preceding day. Pick cold salmon into flakes, mix two cupfuls with the yolks of two hard boiled eggs, a tablespoonful of minced parsley, two of lemon-juice, and one of capers. Season highly. Pour a cupful of veal or chicken stock (heated ) over half a box of gelatine; stir in the fish. Decorate a buttered mould with slices of egg and olives, pour in the mixture and let it get perfectly cold. Garnish with lettuce leaves.

“What had ye till you dinner?”
“I forget.”
“A chop likely?”
“I think it was.” ~ Charles Reade (Peg Woffington”

When the broiler is unavailable and the chafing-dish or frying-pan must serve your ned for cooking chops, you will feel no regrets if you heat the pan very hot, then put in a lump of butter, about a tablespoonful for four chops; when the butter is melted add the chops;   nicely trimmed; cover and cook two minutes, turn them, season with salt and butter, and when they are a light golden brown they are done to perfection. This will be four or five minutes.

“Set your mind on curly fat rashers of bacon and sweetly smelling coffee, toast, hot cakes, marmalade and damson jam.” ~George Meredith (“The Egoist” )

Very good and quickly made hot cakes are prepared by beating one egg very light, stirring in a cupful of flour, half a cupful of milk and two tablespoonfuls of sugar, beating them briskly till light and then stirring in quickly a good teaspoonful of baking powder. Bake in muffin tins for twenty minutes in a quick oven. This will be enough for half a dozen muffins.

“The venosta ran on in praise of Paris and the Parisians, of Louirer and his soiree and the pistachio ice.” ~ Lord Lytton (“Parisians”.

A simple ice-cream is made of one quart of cream, half a pint (or more) of milk, one cup of sugar, and a tablespoonful of vanilla extract. Scald the cream and milk, add the sugar and when cold, the flavoring, one-half cup of pistachio nuts and a quarter of a cup of almonds, blanched, chopped and pounded to a paste. Freeze.

Herbal Shampoo 1

• 4 oz of dried herbs (choose from below)
• 1 1/4 cup boiling water
• 2 1/2 T of liquid castile soap
• 1 t jojoba or virgin coconut oil
• 2 drops geranium and 2 drops carrot seed essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit seed extract

Steep the herbs in the boiling water for 20 minutes and then strain. Add the jojoba or virgin coconut oil and the castile to the tea and stir well. Once cool, add the essential oils and bottle. Add 10 drops grapefruit seed extract.

Little known facts about coconut oil: Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is a unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.

Coconut oil has been described as “the healthiest oil on earth.” That’s quite a remarkable statement. What makes coconut oil so good? What makes it different from all other oils, especially other saturated fats?
learn more at the coconut research center

Herbal Shampoo 2

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1 tablespoon calendula (pot marigold)
• 2 teaspoons rosemary
• 1 tablespoon nettle
• 2 teaspoons orange peel
• 2 teaspoons comfrey
• 2 tablespoons chamomile
• 1/2 teaspoon lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon jojoba oil (omit if hair is oily)
• 1/2 cup all-natural, gentle baby shampoo

Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Add the herbs, cover, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture into a medium-sized bowl, add the oils and stir vigorously. Add the shampoo and gently stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour into a labeled bottle and keep refrigerated to preserve the freshness. You may keep a small bottle in the shower with enough shampoo for about one week, if you wish. Use approximately 1 tablespoon per application. This shampoo will not produce mountains of billowy suds as it does not contain strong foaming agents. Before use, lightly shake shampoo to mix the oil that may separate from the rest of the ingredients.

Note: If you are looking for high-quality therapeutic grade essential oils, I highly recommend Young Living. I am simply in love with their products, they are a part of nearly every facet of my life.

Herbs for Hair

Catnip Traditionally believed to promote hair growth
Chamomile Can help to keep the scalp and hair follicles healthy so that new hair grows well
Comfrey Can soothe and heal scalp irritations
Elderberries Have traditionally been used to add color tones to graying hair
Lemon Balm Leaves a fresh citrus fragrance on the hair
Lemongrass Has astringent properties and can be effective in toning the scalp
Lemon Verbena Leaves a fresh citrus fragrance on the hair
Nettle An astringent herb that is beneficial in the treatment of skin irritations and itching
Parsley This common plant can be helpful in relieving skin irritations
Rosemary Is said to enhance the color of dark hair and to help control dandruff
Sage An astringent for oily hair. Can also be beneficial for damaged or fragile hair
Thyme Has antiseptic, tonic and astringent properties
Yarrow Acts as a tonic for the hair

Healthy Hair Gift Basket Idea
dandruff shampoo ,dandruff treatment ,contented cologne , Citrus Shine, ,deep conditioner, herbal shampoo

Need some dry hair repair? Avoid using hot curling irons or blow dryers, bleaches, perms, and hair dyes….use safe alternatives instead such as natural dyes like hennas. Brushing nightly, having occasional pre-shampoo oil treatments, and shampooing no more often than twice a week usually corrects this type of dryness.

Aloe Dry Hair Repair Recipe

1/4 cup liquid Castile Soap
1/4 cup Aloe Vera gel
1 teaspoon glycerin
1/4 teaspoon avocado oil or other light vegetable oil

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle and always shake well before using. Massage homemade dry hair repair treatment into scalp and hair and allow to sit for 5 to 15 minutes. Rinse well with cool water.

Rosemary Dry Hair Repair Recipe

2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon castor oil
2 teaspoons rosemary tea, brewed from fresh rosemary leaves
2 eggs

Mix together all the ingredients. Store in a bottle and always shake well before using. Massage homemade dry hair repair treatment into damp hair and allow to sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Then shampoo and rinse.

What Causes Dry Hair?

There are many causes for dry hair. Suddenly dry, lifeless, brittle hair can occur during periods of stress, pregnancy, or illness; or can be brought about by over processing or overexposure to extreme temperatures.  To revitalize your forlorn tresses, pamper them with natural nurturing.

Healing Treatments and Remedies for Dry Hair Repair

Brushing
Brush your hair gently to avoid breakage while distributing the natural oils

Vitamins for Dry Hair Repair

Vitamin-C deficiency inhibits the oil-producing glands and may cause hair to split or break.

It’s been shown that too little biotin and pantothenic acid (both B-complex vitamins) can lead to dry hair

Vitamin A is essential for healthy hair and eyes.

B vitamins are vital for clear, luminous skin, youthful looks and for delaying graying of hair. They are essential for healthy skin, hair, and eyes.

Vitamin E helps form muscles and tissues to prevent wrinkles and premature aging of the skin. It helps prevent dry, dull skin, age spots, falling hair and dandruff.

Hot Oil Treatments for Dry Hair Repair

Regular hot oil treatments with the right kind of oil is crucial in the prevention of dry, brittle hair. The massaging of your hair and scalp stimulates blood circulation and the natural oils protect your hair from UV damage. Applying a heated mixture to the hair helps the strands better absorb moisture and assists in smoothing damaged hair.

For beautiful and strong hair, massage your scalp with a homemade hot oil treatment like ourhoney treatment.  Put you hair in a bun, then cover your hair with plastic wrap. Use a hot steamed towel to cover your plastic wrapped head (funny looking but effective) and leave it on at least 30 minutes or as long as overnight. Then shampoo as normal, you may have to shampoo twice to get all the oil out. This gives your hair a shiny and lustrous look. I used to do this to my daughters hair once a week to keep her hair healthy during the summer.

Some of the most popular and very beneficial oils which are being used for beautiful long hair with indefinite good qualities are

Jojoba Oil – can be used for dry hair as it helps to moisturize your hair properly. It helps to soften your hair and can be used to detangle your hair before shampooing.

Olive Oil – strengthens your hair and nourishes it due to inherent qualities it has. It helps to reduce stress and promotes the idea of healthy hair by providing elasticity to your hair.

Coconut Oil – is one of the oil which helps in the lubrication of the hair. The content in coconut oil like magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron happens to provide the best for your hair. It is very useful for damaged hair due to its ability to strengthen it.

Rosemary Herbal Oil - is very useful for the unwanted and flaky dandruff problems. Warm the oil slightly and apply it with the help of your fingers or cotton. Rub it well on the scalp and wrap with a hot towel.

Citrus Shine – try our homemade version of this amazing blend of healthy hair oils

Healthy Hair Gift Basket Idea

dandruff shampoo ,honey treatment ,contented cologne , Citrus Shine ,deep conditioner,herbal shampoo, dry hair repair

Deep conditioning helps to repair damage from perms, coloring, or using a hair dryer. And you probably already have these ingredients in your home. So why go out and spend loads of money on expensive conditioners when this will work just as well, but without all the chemicals and preservatives?

Basic Deep Conditioner

small jar of mayonnaise
half an avocado.

Mash both ingredients into a minty-green paste and then smooth into your hair. Cover your head with plastic wrap and a hot towel. Leave on for 20 minutes.

Tropical Deep Conditioner

1 peeled and mashed Avocado

1 cup Coconut milk

Combine mashed avocado with some coconut milk in a small bowl. Heat in microwave for approx. 45 seconds. Mix together until smooth and thick as shampoo. Test temperature. Massage mixture into hair. Wrap hair in a hot towel or cover with shower cap for 15 minutes. Shampoo & rinse out.

Fruit Salad Deep Conditioner

1/2 a banana

1/4 avocado

1/4 cantaloupe

tablespoon wheat germ oil

1 tablespoon yogurt

Blend all ingredients. Apply to hair. For extra conditioning, squeeze in the contents of a vitamin E capsule. Leave in hair for 15 minutes. Then rinse.

Note: For best hair conditioning purposes, use immediately after making without refrigerating first. The reason is, the fats and oil will penetrate your hair follicles better if it is not cold. Tip to remember for all hair care: Warm/Hot opens the hair follicles so that conditioner can penetrate deeper. And cold water closes the hair follicles. So after you shower your hair, after you rinse every thing out, rinse again with a blast of very cold water. The coldest you can possibly stand. This cold water blast will also make your hair super shiny!

Healthy Hair Gift Basket Idea
dandruff shampoo ,dandruff treatment ,contented cologne , Citrus Shine ,deep conditioner

Good diet and regular exercise are the first defense against cellulite, but an effective cellulite massage oil may be beneficial. Regular massage with this oil may help increase circulation and break down fatty deposits.

Cellulite Massage Oil

2 tablespoons almond oil
1/2 teaspoon jojoba oil
1/2 teaspoon carrot oil
14 drops geranium essential oil
6 drops lemongrass essential oil
4 drops cypress essential oil

You will need a sterilized 1 ounce glass jar with a tight fitting cover.
Put all the ingredients in the jar and shake vigorously to combine.
After a bath or shower, pat the ski dry and massage a small amount of the oil on cellulite affected areas, using circular movements. Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, depending on the size of the area you are treating.

Note: If you are looking for high-quality therapeutic grade essential oils, I highly recommend Young Living. I am simply in love with their products, they are a part of nearly every facet of my life.

Massage Gift Basket Idea
Bath mitt, Himalayan bath salt, rose and honey body lotion, Lemon Hand Cream, massage tool, cellulite massage oil, Eucalyptus Foot Lotion scented candle

The scent of homemade Christmas potpourri may be just what the doctor ordered to help calm the unsettled nerves after returning from a day of shopping

Victorian Christmas Potpourri
A spicy holiday blend that is the perfect compliment to a crackling fire and a mug of mulled cider.

3 cups pine needles
2 cups curly pods – painted gold
2 cups pine birch cones – painted gold
2 cups hemlock pine cones
2 cups whole rose hips
1 cup star anise
1 cup casuarinas pods – painted gold
1 cup cinnamon sticks 1″
1 cup red whole juniper berries
1 cup noble fir cone scales
1 cup orange peel – large cut
1 cup tilia flowers
1/2 cup whole allspice
1/2 cup calamus root
1/2 cup cedar roses – painted gold
1/2 cup whole cloves
1/2 cup uva ursi leaves
3/4 ounce essential oil – Christmas, cinnamon, orange or clove

Mix all dry ingredients, then add essential oils. Store in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. Age a few weeks, gently shaking every day.

Christmas Simmer Aroma

1 quart pineapple juice
1 quart apple cider
1 quart water
1 teaspoon allspice
3 cinnamon sticks
16 whole cloves
1 – 2 teaspoons pickling spice

Combine all ingredients in saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer as long as desired. Be sure to check often and add water as needed. Mixture may be stored in refrigerator several days and reused. Makes your house smell great.

Christmas Scent

1/2 pound rosebuds
1/4 pound thyme
2 ounces French lavender
2 ounces lemon verbena
2 ounces spearmint
2 ounces marjoram
2 ounces whole cloves
2 ounces calamus root

Christmas Potpourri
3 cups fresh juniper sprigs with berries
2 cups rosebuds
1 cup bay leaves
1/4 cup cinnamon chips
2 tablespoons cloves
1 tablespoon orrisroot chips
5 whole dried rose blossoms
3 cinnamon sticks – 3″
20 assorted pinecones – gilded
10 drops rose oil
3 drops pine oil
6 drops cinnamon oil

Combine the juniper, rosebuds, bay leaves, cinnamon chips, cloves, and cones in a big ceramic bowl. In a separate dish, mix the oils with the orrisroot. Stir this mixture into the first one and put into a closed container to mellow for a few weeks, stirring occasionally. Place the potpourri in a dish and scatter the roses blossoms and cinnamon sticks on top.

Christmas Sachets
Sachets are the perfect solution for when you’re looking to add a little scent to cupboards, chests, drawers… wherever!

1 quart fir needles
1 cup dried mixed fruit – thinly shredded
1 cup rosemary
1/2 cup basil
2 – 4 bay leaves crumbled
2 cups coarse salt

Mix well and add to little calico bags. Tie with satin ribbon.

Christmas Gift Basket Idea
Fill a decorative Christmas box or tin with: scented candles, nativity set, decorative lights, assorted Christmas ornaments (store bought or hand-made by you),Christmas potpourri, pre-recorded Christmas music, assorted home-baked cookies