Home Made Lip Balm

Looking for a new project to do or
just simply want to make your own eco-friendly lip balm? Homemade lip
balm is a lot easier than one may think.

I love this recipe so I thought I'd share it here. It's very, very simple. This makes about 3 tubes or pots.

-2 tsp. beeswax (chop or grate it, then measure)
-2 1/4 tsp. jojoba oil (OR coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil, grape seed etc..whatever you like)
-about 6 drops of peppermint essential oil (again, you can use anything you like. Grapefruit would be good!)

Melt wax and jojoba oil together in the top of a double boiler, or you could probably put it in the microwave for a bit. Stir to combine. Then remove it from the heat and add the essential oil. Pour into your containers,( tubes or pots ) but don't fill up completely yet. Wait a minute or two, keeping the reserved mixture melted, then top the containers with the rest of the mixture. This gives you a nice looking top. Let cool for about 20 minutes and enjoy!

I like a bit of a waxier lip balm, so if you want it glossier just add a bit more jojoba oil.. maybe 3 tsp? Experiment to get it how you like it, that's half the fun!

Warm regards and love,
Erin

Chewy Noel Bars:

My mother has been making Chewy Noels for years and it is something that I look forward to at the holidays. They are a chewy bar cookie made with brown sugar and walnuts that just scream Christmas and invoke that warm, fuzzy feeling that we all need this time of year. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Perhaps they can become a tradition in your family as well.

CHEWY NOEL BARS (COOKIES)

4 tbsp. butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 c. nuts, chopped (I like walnuts-but you can use whatever nut you prefer)
2/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. vanilla
Powdered sugar

In a 9 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish, melt butter. Stir together brown sugar, nuts, flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Carefully pour over butter in pan. (Do NOT stir in.) Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Sift powdered sugar over top. Cool; cut into bars.

Warm regards and love,

Erin

Be Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving to All! Please be sure to remember those less fortunate than ourselves this season.

www.salvationarmyusa.org/

www.redcross.org/

www.nokidhungry.org/

feedingamerica.org/

www.cityharvest.org/

    
Warm regards and love,
Erin 

Apple Picking In NY

Ahhh - take a deep breath and smell the crisp fresh air of fall. I absolutely love this time of year and all it brings. The crisp cool days, sunny skies, leaves turning, hiking in my favorite spots with the family and of course apple picking time.



We always try to get out to a local orchard every year and do some apple picking. One of our favorites is in New Paltz, NY and it has corn mazes, horse rides, and lots of fun extra things to do. Well, to be honest that place got a little crowded to say the least, so we ventured to other pick your own locations and had just as great of a time. Some of the places we have gone are Dresell Farms, Fishkill Farms, and Hurd's Family Farm.

All of the farms we have visted are excellent, all have acres and acres of farm land with everything imaginable to pick and buy at their farmers markets. I can't wait to buy some apple cider donuts. Always a special treat while we are out picking apples.


So whereever you venture off to to pick your apples make sure it is local and you have fun doing it.


Happy Fall everyone!

Warm regards and love,
Erin

PS: here are some website to get you started:

www.dresselfarms.com
www.hurdsfamilyfarm.com
www.minardfarms.com
www.maskers.com
www.http://fishkillfarms.com/