rose infused honey

Note: This post was previously published as a part of my freelance work here.

Rose, it has captured the hearts of humans throughout history, and has come to be known as the global symbol for romance. When combined with honey, another substance so renowned it was buried with ancient pharaohs, many amazing things can happen. Before I delve into how to make this magical elixir and what it can be used for, let me tell you the basic benefits to both of its ingredients.

Rose: Rose is packed with vitamin-C, it contains even more than oranges. This means that it is great for the immune system as well as combating toxins. It is also considered to be a cooling herb, which gives it the natural powers to relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Honey: Consuming local honey is thought to help allergy symptoms by building up your natural tolerance to pollens in your area. Studies have been done showing its ability to kill bacteria and heal wounds, and it is great at soothing a sore throat or bad cough.

Now, let me teach you how to combine the two.

You’ll Need:

-          1.5 Lbs. Honey – preferably local

-          ¾ Cup Rose Petals – loosely packed (you can experiment with the quantity to play around with flavor)

-          1 Large Jar

-          Long Spoon for Mixing

-          Dark Cupboard or Space to Store

Directions:

1.       You’ll first need to pull the petals off of your flower buds.

2.       Once you have enough, toss them into a jar with your honey, and stir up well.

3.       Store in a dark cupboard for about two weeks, stirring it up every few days.

4.       Strain the petals out through a colander, and pour the honey into a new jar. It’s now ready to use.

3 Ideas Of How to Use Your Honey:

1.       Pour it over yogurt to make an allergy fighting & immune strengthening parfait (with amazing flavor).

2.       Make your own cough drops to soothe a sore throat or cough (try this recipe)

3.       Mix together a facemask to combat free radicals and inject your face with vitamin-C (try this recipe)

weekly scenes

Life has taken a turn for the busier. You'll have to forgive me for the silence that has ensued because of it. I know I've barely shared a peep, but I must admit, I don't feel entirely horrible about it. It's important to get out and experience life that is not set behind a computer screen. With the recent shift in weather, I've been making it a point to do so. I've been chasing dreams, laying in the grass, cooking up a storm, biking EVERYWHERE just because I can, and trying to make it to as many yoga classes as possible.

I do want to call out a few special moments that have happened recently though....

1. Adam's band had their first show! It was such a fun night of free beer, free souls, and free rock n' roll.

2. We finally bought a vine! Now I just want more. :)

3. This little one is back in my life and we've been having a ball. This shot was taken while enjoying the weather at Penn Treaty park on a Saturday afternoon.

4. My new favorite thing is to pick up fresh fish from Ipolito's Seafood. They got what's good.

5. Check out this post I did on cream vs. oil moisturizer! I'm a total convert.

6. Yes, succulent vines do exist. And yes, I will own one someday.

7. God I love this girl. She is one of the best, kindest, funniest, good-to-be-around people you'll ever come across. Anyone who gets to meet her in their life is damn lucky. I'm so happy to have been one of those people!

8. I almost started a chicken farm in our way-too-small of a backyard when I met these babes (or should I say chicks) at Greensgrow. 

9. Adam & I started a food blog! Go check it out!

Oh, and I'm heading to San Diego next month! Anyone with suggestions of where I should go, visit, stay, eat, etc. please drop me a line in the comments! I hope everyone's spring is off to as glorious a start as my own. Much love. xx

diy succulent mobile

Note: This post was previously published as a part of my freelance work here

Obsession confession: house plants. You can never have enough. They are the silent companions, the life teachers, and the friends who will always put a smile on your face.

Double obsession confession: succulents. They will never get mad at you for forgetting to water them, and they look like Mother Nature’s coolest alien.

Now here’s a fun new DIY to celebrate the obsession and fill your house with hanging succulents.

You’ll Need:

-          Sculpt It (air hardening sculpting material)

-          5 Old Jars (I used a mixture of jars from spices and preserves that varied in size)

-          5 Inches of stiff wire

-          String

-          Pointed clay tool or safety pin to poke holes

-          Paint color of your choice

-          Paint Brush

-          Cup & Water for painting

-          Painter’s tape

-          5 Small succulents & soil

Directions:

1.       Taking a small piece of sculpt it and roll it into a ball.

2.       Being flattening the ball into a round sheet with your fingers

3.       Mold the flattened piece around the bottom of a jar.

4.       Polk two holes on opposites sides of the clay where you will feed your strings through.

5.       Poke another hole in the center bottom for string as well.

6.       Let your sculpt it dry completely. Part way through, pull it off the jars and let it sit to continue drying. The whole drying process takes about one day or two. Be patient.

7.       Once your clay is dry, tape off the top half with painters tape.

8.       Thoroughly paint the bottom half and let dry.

9.       String two strings through the holes on either side of each planter, and knot them the inside to secure. Leave the strings on the smallest and second to biggest planters fairly long so that you can choose how low they will hang.

10.       To begin putting everything together, figure out which succulent you want to put in which container, and line them up smallest to biggest.

11.       Plant the biggest container first. Then, pick up the strings so you can find where it hangs centered. Once you’ve found the spot, tie a knot and feed the strandsthrough the bottom hole of the next planter, tying another knot to secure.

12.       Plant your second to largest pot next and set the two to the side.

13.       Plant the next three planters on their own using the same method. So you will have one strand of two planters, and another of three.

14.       Hang both strands from the ceiling so that the hole of one hangs next to the knot above the other. Stick a piece of wire in the hole and wrap it around the knot of the other to keep them separated like a mobile.

15.       And you’re done!