Step 2: Stir in a ½ tsp or more of unrefined salt and garlic to taste and fresh herbs of your choice (if you have some on hand).
Step 3: Roll into balls and drop into a 500ml jar.
Step 4: Pour olive oil on top.
Step 5: Store in the cupboard or on your countertop.
Enjoy by scooping out balls as a side dish or spread on bread or crackers!
When you are done, strain the olive oil with a coffee filter and use to make salad dressings (no need to let it go to waste)!
The finished product does not need to be refrigerated as the olive oil will act as a preservative. The longer it sits, the more sour it gets, so if you don’t love the sour taste, then make sure to consume it within 3-5 days. Honestly in this house, we never make it to day 3!
This recipe is great to wow a crowd at potlucks or to gift to family and friends for the holidays. 1 quart of yogurt will make two small jars (as shown in the photo).
Omigosh, this was sooooo easy! I remember wanting to buy ‘natural playdough’ online many years ago, but never got around to it!! If only I had known then how easy it was (your kids can help)!
Tonight my daughter complained of being bored and said no to all my suggestions…she wanted to do a craft….I am not crafty so I wondered if there was something that I could whip up in the kitchen…..finally a use for that table salt I share at classes and in private sessions with my clients (as an example of what NOT to bake, cook or season with).
Instead I recommend unrefined salt like Celtic or Himalayan with the synergy of their full compliment of minerals!
Jasmine will tell you all about how we did it (she did most of it)!
Without further adieu……
Homemade Purple Spelt Playdough
1 cup unbleached spelt flour
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup water (add an extra half cup if you are not using wine)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons corn starch
Mix flour, salt, cornstarch, oil, wine and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Turn out onto parchment or wax paper and let cool. Knead with your hands until playdough consistency.
Not being much of a crafty mom, I am always on the look out for something crafty-functional that serves both as play and as something useful again later.
This New Year’s morning, Jasmine and I went out for a girl date and I while we were enjoying our hot chocolate & coffee, I started thinking ahead to what we could do at home to continue our date just a little bit longer.
With Shoppers Drug Mart being the only place open on New Year’s day, it occurred to me that we could prepare some aromatherapy Epsom salts baths by simply stirring in essential oils then storing them in glass canning jars.
This fast, easy craft is sure to tantalize the senses of both moms and kids!
Read on to learn how and why to make your own both nourishing and detoxifying bath salts at home.
Why do it:
1) It is a simple, fast, rewarding, sensory and health enriching activity that your kids will love!
2) It will nourish the whole family (many of us are actually deficient in magnesium, plus magnesium helps us absorb calcium). Magnesium is also way better absorbed through the skin, than through digestion.
3) It is a gentle detoxifier that is safe for the whole family.
4) Reduces inflammation and muscle pain.
5) Helps relieve stress by nourishing the adrenals, as well as sedating and toning the nervous system.
6) It makes bath time luxurious and fun!
7) According to the Epsom Salt Industry Council, it has all the same benefits associated with magnesium supplementation (improves the body’s ability to use insulin, increases heart and circulatory health, reduces irregular heartbeats, prevents hardening of the arteries, reduces blood clots and lowers blood pressure, prevents migraines, improves mood, concentration and digestion all the while helping you sleep better).
8) Sulphate triggers the pancreas to release digestive enzymes, helps form proteins in joints, brain tissue and mucin proteins (the cells that secrete mucous along the digestive tract).
.How to make it:
Step 1: Put 2 cups of magnesium sulphate in a bowl.
Step 4: Put in a half quart canning jar and store in an easily accessible place in the bathroom.
How to use it:
Dissolve 2 cups epsom salts in a bath (only 1 cup or less for children) that is as hot as you can tolerate. Soak for a minimum of 12 minutes.
Do this up to 3 times per week to replenish magnesium or to detoxify.
Since magnesium is so well absorbed through the skin, please do not exceed this amount excess magnesium can be fatal.
Do not let children drink the bathwater as magnesium sulphate is a laxative when taken internally.
Alternatives:
If you prefer not to use the synthesized form of magnesium, you can use the magnesium derived from the sea although it is more costly and less accessible.
What you will need:
This recipe is great to wow a crowd at potlucks or to gift to family and friends for the holidays. 1 quart of yogurt will make two small jars (as shown in the photo).
