Local Food in the winter

Local greens, root vegetables and garlic, etc., are still abundant during winter months in upstate New York through local CSA's.  CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  When you purchase a winter membership in a CSA, you'll receive local, fresh produce all winter long.

Here are some examples:

Blue Heron Farm in Lodi, NY
http://blueheronorganic.com/wintercsa.htm 

Genesee Valley CSA in Rochester, NY
http://www.gvocsa.org/About-GVOCSA.aspx  

Good Food Collective in Rochester, NY
http://thegoodfoodcollective.com/winter-share/membership/

Full Plate Farm Collective in Ithaca, NY
http://fullplatefarms.webs.com/ithacawintercsa.htm 

Sweet Land Farm in Trumansburg, NY
www.sweetlandfarm.org

Recipes: Essential Oil Blending Holiday Open House

Creating Essential Oil gifts for family and friends is a very special process because it involves the heart AND our sense of smell - a sense that is unique to each of us.

The gifts that that were created today were magical, personal - and smelled just amazing! Here is just a small sample of the amazing gifts that were created today.LAURA'S BLENDSBody Scrub 8 oz glass jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
5 drops of Grapefruit
5 drops of Lavender
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Lemongrass

Blend for a friend with Restless Leg2 oz jar filled with Unscented Aromalotion
10 drops of Lavender
10 drops of Cypress
7 drops of Cedarwood
5 drops of Marjoram
5 drops of Tangerine

ANNE'S BLENDS
Hand Sanitizer for Natural Protection from Cooties2 oz snap top filled with pure aloe vera gel
4 drops of Cinnamon
4 drops of Orange
4 drops of Clove

Salve for Cold, Flu, Congestion, Winter Blues2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
6 drops of Balsam Fir
5 drops of Thyme ct thymol
9 drops of Grapefruit
7 drops of Peppermint
8 drops of Eucalyptus radiata

CATHY'S BLENDSBody Scrub
8 oz jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
6 drops of Grapefruit
6 drops of Tangerine
6 drops of Ginger

Salve for Cold, Flu, Congestion, Winter Blues2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
7 drops of Lemon
7 drops of Orange
6 drops of Peppermint
4 drops of Melaleuca alternifolia
7 drops of Eucalyptus globulus

HANNAH & ELLIOT'S BLEND
Morning Shower Gel for Dad
2 oz Dr. Bronner's castile soap baby mild
3 drops of Peppermint
8 drops of Siberian Fir
5 drops of Lemon

ANN'S BLENDSSalve2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
4 drops of Lavender
3 drops of Jasmine
3 drops of Cinnamon
2 drops of Clove

Salve2 oz natural salve made with local beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter and jojoba
5 drops of Ginger
5 drops of Lemon
5 drops of Vanilla absolute

Body Massage Oil / Natural Perfume 2 oz glass dropper jar filled with jojoba 5 drops of Bergamot
6 drops of Frankincense
3 drops of Lavender
3 drops of Vintage Patchouli
4 drops of Sandalwood

PATTY'S BLENDBody Scrub
8 oz jar filled with sea and epsom salts, raw, organic sugar, jojoba
10 drops of Vanilla absolute
5 drops of Orange

Easy, Healthy Morning Smoothie

Blending up a healthy smoothie takes less than 5 minutes.

Drinking smoothies in the morning fill me up and inspire healthy choices the rest of the day.

Here are some healthy ingredients to have on hand. Take a few extra minutes one day a week to cut fruit so you're ready to go in the morning.

• Almond Butter
• Almond Milk or Rice Milk
• Bananas (organic)
• Blueberries (fresh or frozen organic)
• Cocoa Powder (pure, organic)
• Ground Flax Seed
• Kiwi
• Mango
• NingXia Red (or Chinese wolfberries) (Young Living)
• Pineapple
• Raspberries (fresh or frozen organic)
• Strawberries (fresh or frozen organic)
• Water (purified)
• Yogurt (plain, organic)

What's in your morning smoothie? I'd love to read your recipe. Comment and share your recipe here.

Gifts that Go Away

This time of year, it's easy to get caught up in the excessive and wasteful consumerism that takes place.

More than likely, items purchased from big box stores eventually go out of style, take up space collecting dust, end up in a landfill, garage or estate sale.

We can make conscious and smart choices when buying holiday gifts.  As much as possible, give "Gifts that Go Away", support local service providers, farmers and artisans, purchase "Made in the USA", shop local, buy handmade, or make your own.

• Jam
• Beer
• Wine
• Soap
• Salsa
• Bread
• Honey
• Facials
• Knitwear
• Car Wash
• Massages
• Chocolate
• Pedicures
• Manicures
• Apple Cider
• Raw Honey
• Herbal Teas
• Maple Syrup
• Yoga classes
• Movie Tickets
• Beeswax Candles
• Infused Herbal Oils
• Essential Oils (these are all grown and distilled in the USA by Young Living: Clary Sage, Juniper, Idaho Tansy, Idaho Balsam Fir, Lavender, Western Red Cedar, German Chamomile, Hyssop, Oregano, and Lavender)

photo source: flickr.com