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DIY Hibiscus Mint Lip Balm

DIY Hibiscus Mint Lip Balm

by | Mar 25, 2022 | DIY, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Sustainable Living

If you are anything like me #1 you just love to make things and #2 you are tired of chemical laden products. Make this DIY Hibiscus Mint Lip balm and have a little extra homemade goodness to add to your gift baskets.

I will often make an entire spa basket with lip balms, homemade bath bombs, Handcrafted candles an something else that has been made by me.

 

DISCLAIMER: This site utilizes affiliate links. All this means is that if you click through and make a purchase with one of my links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How To Make Lip Balm

This lip balm is super moisturizing and is so simple to make!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1/4 CUP SHEA BUTTER OR COCOA BUTTER
  • 1/4 CUP COCONUT OIL
  • 1/4 CUP BEESWAX
  • 2 TSP JOJOBA, ALMOND OR VITAMIN E OIL
  • 30 DROPS PEPPERMINT OIL
  • DRIED HIBISCUS 

I had purchased this portable electric element / stove /hot plate …  because I thought it would be extremely handy during canning season and for my diy projects like this one, along with  candle making. I then take a stainless steel pouring pot and add a few inches of water in it to act like a double boiler. 

I filled a mason jar with everything but the peppermint essential oil  ( I recommend you always use a Good Quality essential oil … My 4 favorite essential oil companies are Young Living, Revive, Simply Earth and Fabulous Frannies)

I let this simmer on very low for a few hours to steep the hibiscus in to the oil. 

USE CODE JENNIFER DAWN AT REVIVE TO RECEIVE A DISCOUNT ON YOUR ORDER!

This high mucilage content of Hibiscus enhances the skin’s ability to retain moisture and makes for a great addition to this DIY Lip Balm Recipe. Once the oils were completely melted and had been steeping for a few hours, I grabbed another clean glass container and strained the oil to remove the hibiscus. You may find  it easier to strain in to a small glass measuring cup if you do not have any pipettes on hand. Pipettes allow for more accuracy and less mess.

Fill each lip balm container to the top and allow to cool. Once cooled you will likely notice that there are holes in the middle, if you still have room at the top, you can take any left over balm and top it off , or simply use a heat tool on low to level out the tops. 

If you plan on giving these for gifts or selling, I recommend adding a nice label and some shrink wrap. 

If you are not very good with design, you can buy some editable templates on Etsy , like the one I purchased to make these.

There are so many different variations that you can make with this recipe. Instead of the hibiscus you can infuse other herbs, such as chamomile , butterfly pea flower or rose. 

Try a different flavor combo, like Sweet orange and vanilla for a tasty natural orange creamsicle flavor, or iced coffee  and Pumpkin Pie for a Natural Pumpkin Spice Latte ( Or make life even simpler by buying it pre -blended! . Blending Winter Cocoa and Roasted Coconut will give you a lovely Chocolate Macaroon Flavor. 

These oils are also great options on their own :

@jenniferdawnweltz It is my goal to become as toxin free as possible and show others how they can start ditching the chemical overload! #toxinfree #essentialoils #diyproject #holistichealing #urbanhomestead @jenniferdawnweltz ♬ Dance Monkey - Tones And I

I would love to hear of any flavor combinations you have come up with or tried! Tag me on TIKTOK. 

How To Can Your Own Sugar Free Jam – Urban Homesteading

How To Can Your Own Sugar Free Jam – Urban Homesteading

by | Mar 23, 2022 | Preserving Food, SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE, Sustainable Living

Preserving food has become an important part of our life. In this Blog post I am going to share with you how to can your own sugar free jam and share with you why we started urban homesteading.

I spent over 10 years of my life chronically ill and relying on other people to cure my chronic illness and ease my anxiety. At one point, I spent over 8.5 months bed ridden going through withdrawals from all of the medications I had been on for years. I felt defeated , unsupported and spent most of my days in pain, suffering from wave after wave of panic attacks…

So what changed? I took 100% responsibility for my health , both physical and mental , along with my financial health.

I became very conscious of what I was putting in my body , my mind and allowing to enter my space energetically.

I began to ditch all of the chemical laden products I had been using for years. My home is now stocked with chemical free , plant based alternatives and products I have made myself and food I have preserved myself.

DISCLAIMER: This website utilizes affiliate links. All this means is that if you click though and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Urban Homesteading - Canning Your Own Food

@jenniferdawnweltz Who else think it’s important to preserve your own food? Comment your favourite thing to preserve. #urbanhomestead #canningtiktok #preservingfood #fibromyalgia #chronicillness #sustainability @jenniferdawnweltz ♬ she's all i wanna be - Tate McRae

We had visited the local market and got some great deals on some produce, fresh strawberries were one of the things we scored, so I decided to take the day and do some canning. This sugar free strawberry jam turned out AMAZING ! It is so rewarding to preserve your own food and I feel good knowing exactly what is in my food!

Sugar Free Strawberry Jam Recipe

This jam is sooo easy to make and takes very little effort.

INGREDIENTS:

4 CUPS STRAWBERRIES

2 CUPS PINEAPPLE JUICE

2 PACKAGES SUGAR FREE PECTIN

3 CUPS SPLENDA

Tyent USA - Water For Wellness

Preserving Food

I started by putting my jars in the dishwasher to make sure they were clean and sanitized . I then  washed and hulled the strawberries ( I clean mine in Kangen water first to ensure I am removing any potential chemicals or bugs) . I then put a layer of strawberries in a glass casserole dish and smashed them with a potato masher. ( it is easier if you cut them up). Once of all of the strawberries were mashed, I measured to make sure I had 8 cups and dumped into a stainless steel pot and set it to medium heat.  I then added the no sugar needed pectin and whisked it until dissolved. Turn your heat up and bring to a boil , add your Splenda and boil for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and skim the foam from the top.

I laid out all my jars on towels on my counter and then filled , leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. I then wiped down my jar jars with vinegar and topped with my sanitized lids. I put on the rings and tightened finger tight. 

I then placed the jars into the water bath canner with the lid on, making sure they were covered by an inch of water and when it came to a rolling boil, started a timer for 10 minutes ( based on my altitude).

I then turned off the heat and removed the lid, let them sit for 5 minutes and then transferred to the counter to cool and left undisturbed for 24 hours.

I used the Bernardin Recipe here.

How long will home canned sugar free jam last?

For sugar free jam , it typically will last for approximately a year. Jams made with real sugar do have a bit of a longer shelf life and people have claimed that their canned goods are still good several years later. As with anything , use your own discernment and make sure there is nothing visibly wrong with it or that it does not smell off.  And ALWAYS check your seals! 

Where can I buy Canning Supplies?

I purchase a lot of my supplies locally from hardware or farm supply stores but I also purchase supplies from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca , Cabela’s and other online stores that cater to homesteaders. 

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The Medicinal Benefits Of Fire Cider – Herbal Remedies , Tonics & Tinctures

The Medicinal Benefits Of Fire Cider – Herbal Remedies , Tonics & Tinctures

by | Dec 2, 2021 | HERBAL APOTHECARY, Natural Health Solutions, Recipes, SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE, Sustainable Living

Fire cider is a time-honored herbal remedy tonic that has people talking. It’s easy to make and you can use it as a preventative measure against colds, or as an immunity-boosting tonic when you feel one coming on. But what herbs should I add? We break down the list of ingredients for fire cider, so you know exactly which ones are worth adding – and why!

What Is In Fire Cider That Makes It So Healthy?

– horseradish root – is a great way to get nutrients from horseradish. It’s known as having anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, so it helps boost the immune system and can help fight off colds!

– garlic cloves – Garlic also has lots of vitamins that your immune system needs, making it great for fire cider. It’s also antimicrobial and antifungal

– onion – Garlic is good, but onions are even better! Onion has lots of nutrients that fight colds

– ginger root – fire cider with fresh ginger gives your body a boost in vitamins C and B12 as well as magnesium

– tumeric -gives your immune system a boost in its antioxidant levels, and also has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help fight off colds as well as other types of infections!

– rosemary leaves – Rosemary is another herb that’s great for fire cider because it protects against free radical damage from the cold and flu virus.

– thyme leaves – is great for keeping your immune system healthy, but it’s also good at fighting bacterial infections like strep throat or staphylococcus aureus!

DISCLAIMER: This site utilizes affiliate links. What this means is that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. ( it allows me to keep creating content) Additionally, none of this susbstitutes as medical advice, I am sharing the things that have personally helped me improve my overall wellness, mindset and finances. It is up to you to do your own research. 

– lemon – gives you the vitamin C that keeps colds away, and when combined with apple cider vinegar, fire cider is even better!

– apple cider vinegar – gives you a boost in vitamins K and C, but when combined with lemon it’s even more potent. It also helps break up mucous so your body can fight off infection.

Рjalape̱o pepper Рis great for fire cider because it contains capsaicin, which helps decrease inflammation and makes it easier to breathe.

– honey – fire cider gives you some antimicrobial benefits with honey.

– cayenne pepper – lowers your blood pressure and helps break up mucous! Cayenne is great for fire cider because it can help lower cholesterol levels in those with diabetes or high blood sugar too.

Fire cider gives you a boost in vitamins C and B12 as well as magnesium.

This natural tonic is great for keeping your immune system healthy, but it’s also good at fighting bacterial infections like strep throat or staphylococcus aureus!

FIRE CIDER IS A NATURAL PROBIOTIC

How Often Do I Take Fire Cider?

Rosemary Gladstar recommends taking 1 to 2 tablespoons at the first sign of a cold, and then repeating every 3 to 4 hours until symptoms subside.

How Long Should I Infuse My Fire Cider?

Your Fire Cider is ready to use after infusing for 4 weeks. 

Strain off all of the solids mix in honey to taste and store in fridge for up to 6 months.

You can buy premade Fire Cider from health food stores and even off of Amazon if you do not want to make it yourself. You can buy large bottles, daily 1 oz shots or variety packs.

How Do I Make Fire Cider?

Really there is not right or wrong answer here. Fire Cider is potent with any combination of the listed ingredients. It is all a matter of personal flavor preference and ingredient availability. 

  • ROSEMARY
  • THYME
  • HORSERADISH
  • GARLIC
  • GINGER
  • ONION
  • CITRUS
  • JALAPENO
  • CINNAMON
  • CLOVE
  • HIBISCUS

After the fire cider has brewed for a minimum of 4 weeks. Strain solids, bottle and store in a cool , dark place or refrigerator for 6 months.

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Sustainable Living For Beginners – How To Make Money Selling Plants At Home

Sustainable Living For Beginners – How To Make Money Selling Plants At Home

by | Jun 26, 2021 | DIY, HOME LIFE, Sustainable Living

One of the biggest challenges people are facing right are creating sustainable sources of food and income. We have made it our mission to teach others how to do both with our sustainable living tips for beginners.  Learn how we are making money selling plants right on our in town property. Hint: We created a DIY Roadside Produce Stand / Seedling Sale area.

DISCLAIMER: A big Thank you to Banner Buzz for Sponsoring this content. Click here to visit the Canadian site

Before the world began to face all of these challenges, we were already on the path to living a more sustainable lifestyle. Living with chronic illness has been a challenge of it’s own but I can tell you wholeheartedly that ditching chemical-laden food and products was a key component in turning it all around. The freedom that was created with our sustainable living business allowed me to work around my challenges and allowed us to create our little urban homestead.

Sustainable Living Business

We started our sustainable living home by building raised garden beds and this year decided to add an income source by starting extra plants and selling those on our little property. One of the initial issues we faced was where we were going to sell them that kept them separated from the rest of our gardens and property. We wanted to maintain social distancing due to my weakened immune system and also wanted to ensure some level of privacy.

BannerBuzz.com- The Only Display Solution You Need!

DIY Roadside Produce Stand

One of the things we really needed was something that would be versatile. Starting with a seedling and plant sale stand and later becoming our easy DIY produce stand to sell any extra produce we harvested. We decided that for this particular project an open-style canopy tent would be the best because it would not block the view for any traffic as we live on a corner.

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The tent was super easy to set up and literally was installed within minutes!  

SAVE 20% ON YOUR FIRST ORDER

Selling Plants At Markets

This has already got me thinking to the future on Branded Tents with Walls and other outdoor signage we can use. Banner Buzz has so many options available when it comes to branding your business. Right now they are offering 20% off of your first order! 

Whether you are selling plants at farmers markets, in your own yard, or selling at tradeshows , branding makes you stand out , get noticed and remembered. 

What I absolutely love is that this tent is durable and will provide a sheltered space for any other sales we hold. As creators, there are many things that we make and sell  throughout the year. At any given point we can use this canopy to sell candles, chakra sets, dried herbs, or wood products. Everything that is created is made with nature and a ton of intention on our little urban homestead.

We can also use this as a gazebo. Just add some outdoor furniture and we have a nice sheltered space to sit and enjoy our gardens. 

If you have a need for something to use for your farmers market stand or for trade shows, I highly recommend the quality products from Banner Buzz.

111 Herbal Gifts You Can Make For Gift Giving

111 Herbal Gifts You Can Make For Gift Giving

by | Apr 1, 2021 | Cannabis / Plant Medicine, DIY, Health & Wellness, Natural Health Solutions, Plant Medicine, Recipes, Sustainable Living

Natural options for products that are used every day can often be hard to find or out of your current budget, especially if you are needing several gifts at one time.

Make beautiful handcrafted Herbal Gifts and have gifts ready for gift giving on the fly! 

DIY Herbal Soap Recipes

PURCHASE HIGH QUALITY ESSESTIAL OILS FOR YOUR HERBAL GIFTS

Easy Herbal Gifts For Men

Easy Diy Herbal Christmas Gifts

One of the best gifts you can give at Christmas is immune-boosting elderberry syrup. Check out this video from Melissa K Norris to get full instructions on how to make your own DIY Elderberry Syrup!

GRAB YOUR STARTER KIT & JOIN JACK CANFIELD AND JENNIFER DAWN FOR A COMPLETELY LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE!

DIY Herbal Bath Bombs

Make Your Own 7 Chakra Essential Oil Roller Bottles

Each herb has it’s own medicinal purpose and therapeutic use. Do you know what the herbs you are using are good for?

JOIN THE HERBAL ACADEMY

Handmade Edible Herbal Gifts

8 Mistakes Gardeners Make And How To Fix Them!

8 Mistakes Gardeners Make And How To Fix Them!

by | May 12, 2020 | Cannabis / Plant Medicine, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Sustainable Living

If you’ve faced empty shelves at the grocery store during the pandemic, you might be wondering how secure your food supply actually is. Or even if things aren’t that bad where you live, you might be stressed out by all the bad news and looking for a hobby to take your mind off things.

In either case, this is a great opportunity to spend more time gardening and growing more of your own food.

With gardening, each season is different, but each season also has common themes. So you don’t want to make the same mistakes over and over.

How would you like to learn about some of these topics?

    • Soil health
    • Watering best practices
    • How to deal with pests
    • How to buy the best foods for your body
    • How to prioritize your planting schedule
    • And more!
Please be aware that this site utilizes affiliate links. All this means is that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
REGISTER FOR THE GARDENING & SUSTAINABILITY WEBINAR

Gardening For Sustainable Living

Before the pandemic hit, my family and I were heading to a more simple way of living. As someone who had lived with chronic illness for over a decade, we realized that the stress and chemicals present in our lives was toxic to our health and mental well being.

I gave up medication and started treating myself with natural therapies. I first turned to garden projects to help alleviate anxiety and get me out in in the sun.  Part of my issues I believe are due to the fact I was vitamin d deficient and needed to be putting more natural foods in to my body instead of chemically processed garbage.

Last year we really started getting into sustainable living and created several gardens on our small town property.

We had actually planned on moving this summer , however, with current world events, we have had to delay those plans so we are focusing on creating a food forest on our existing property. 

The value in this bundle is immeasurable! Especially if you are a beginner gardener …

You may be facing gardening challenges like we are like gardening in small spaces and not having acres of land to grow your food. 

Get creative! If you have space, build a raised enclosed garden . This is actually one of immediate projects.

Container gardens can also be utilized to grow many things like an herb garden, tomatoes , peppers, potatoes  and so much more. 

So many things can be grown in containers and there are many ways you can start living a more sustainable life.

You can learn about:

Gardening Tips & Sustaible Living For Beginners

Angi and her family have been turning their 1.5 acres into something that can supply many of their needs for years to come (that includes gardens, fruit trees, chickens and bees).

Join in on the webinar to see what 8 Mistakes Gardeners Make And How To Fix Them

Grow Your Own Healthy Food To Preserve

If you are anything like me then you LOVE variety! We also started a seed bank last year and continue to add to it.

I love being able to walk out my front door and pick a big , juicy heirloom tomato , grab herbs to season my dishes or dry and just be able to pick fresh, organic food for meals and canning recipes.

Have you started planning your garden or is there something about sustainable living that you would like to know more about? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

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