Fall Flavors

Living in Central Florida, fall comes slowly. We may have a cold snap in September, but it's highly unlikely. There have been many a year that we've made it all the way to Thanksgiving without even bringing out our light jackets. So cool, icy treats are still a thing for us here. But to help make it a little more like fall, I figured I'd share some of my favorite Sorbet and Sherbet recipes using fall flavors.

Sorbet vs. Sherbet

Sorbets are very basic. Mainly they are pureed fruit, sugar, and water. You can make them more interesting by adding fresh or dried herbs, honey, maple, or even alcohol. Alcohol also has an added benefit of helping prevent the sorbet from becoming one large block of frozen fruit, though if you freeze it on a cookie sheet, break it up, and blend it, multiple times, you can get a good consistency as well.

Sherbets are very similar to Sorbets, the main difference is a creamy/dairy element. Adding cream, yogurt, buttermilk, coconut milk, etc to fruit puree, sugar, and water, then freezing will give you a decent Sherbet.

1. Perfect Persimmons

Hachiya Persimmons are a great fall fruit here in the South. Just make sure that you wait until they are fully ripened, almost too ripe, or they'll be to astringent to really eat. Just cut the top off and scoop out the ripe, jelly-like, insides. This makes them super easy to make sorbet with.

Persimmon Lemon Balm

Ingredients List

2 pounds of Persimmons (hachiya persimmons work best, allow to ripen until they are as soft as jelly)

1 cup Honey or Sugar
1 cup Water

1 tablespoon Lemon Balm leaves

1-4 tablespoons Lemon Juice

*optional ingredients

¼ cup Almond Milk or Whole Milk

2 tablespoons Vodka

Instructions:

In a pot, on the stove, combine honey and water. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and add in the lemon balm leaves. Cover and allow to come to room temperature. Once your persimmons are nice and soft, cut the tops off and scoop out the insides, into a blender. Add the lemon juice and strain the lemon balm syrup into the blender as well. Blend well. To make it a Sherbet instead of a Sorbet, here is where you add your milk and keep blending. If you are making this without the aid of an ice cream machine, adding alcohol will help keep it at a nice consistency. You can still make it without alcohol or an ice cream machine by freezing it on a cookie sheet, then breaking it up and blending it again several times (minimum 3 freezes to get the right consistency). If you're using an ice cream machine, just add this mixture to the machine, turn it on, and wait.

2. The Quintessential Fall Flavor

This time of year you can find Pumpkin Spice flavored everything. Why not join in the fun! This makes a delicious, cool treat, for the warm fall seasons we tend to have here in Central Florida.

Pumpkin Spice

Ingredients List

2 pounds Pumpkin Puree (roughly 2 cans)

1 cup Honey or Maple Syrup

1 cup Water

1 tsp ground Cinnamon

1 tsp ground Ginger

½ tsp ground Clove

½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 Vanilla Bean, halved lengthwise, seeds scraped
1-4 tablespoons Orange Juice

*optional ingredients

¼ cup Almond Milk or Whole Milk

2 tablespoons - ¼ cup Bourbon

Instructions:

In a pot, on the stove, combine honey and water. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and add in the spices. Cover and allow to come to room temperature. Put your pumpkin puree in the blender with the orange juice and syrup. Blend well. To make it a Sherbet instead of a Sorbet, here is where you add your milk and keep blending. If you are making this without the aid of an ice cream machine, adding alcohol will help keep it at a nice consistency. You can still make it without alcohol or an ice cream machine by freezing it on a cookie sheet, then breaking it up and blending it again several times (minimum 3 freezes to get the right consistency). If you're using an ice cream machine, just add this mixture to the machine, turn it on, and wait.

3. Figgy Goodness

I love figs! I grew up eating fig preserves with my toast in the mornings, dried figs on hiking trips, and fresh figs every chance I could get. So it's no surprise that this is one of my favorite homemade sorbets.

Elderflower and Fig

Ingredients List

2 pounds ripe Mission Figs, stemmed and quartered

1 cup Honey or Sugar

1 cup Water

2 tablespoons dried Elderflowers

1-4 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

*optional ingredients

¼ cup Almond Milk or Whole Milk

2 tablespoons - ¼ cup St. Germain or other Elderflower Liqueur

Instructions:

Clean and quarter your figs. In a pot, on the stove, combine figs, honey, and water. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and add in the elderflowers. Cover and allow to come to room temperature. Add the apple cider vinegar and strain the mixture into a blender. Blend well. To make it a Sherbet instead of a Sorbet, here is where you add your milk and keep blending. If you are making this without the aid of an ice cream machine, adding alcohol will help keep it at a nice consistency. You can still make it without alcohol or an ice cream machine by freezing it on a cookie sheet, then breaking it up and blending it again several times (minimum 3 freezes to get the right consistency). If you're using an ice cream machine, just add this mixture to the machine, turn it on, and wait.

4. Apples Apples Everywhere!

Another flavor found everywhere this time of year, is apple. Apples go well with so many flavors, mint, cardamom, cinnamon, basil, and sage are just a few. Here I paired the roasted apples with sage, to give it a slightly different, yet still fall-like flavor. Feel free to use any of the herbs I listed, or one (or more) that I didn't.

Roasted Apple Sage

Ingredients List

2 pounds of Apples (Cortlands of Fujis work well), cored and quartered

1 cup Honey or Sugar

1 cup Water
½ teaspoon Sage

1-4 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

*optional ingredients

¼ cup Almond Milk or Whole Milk

2 tablespoons - ¼ cup Dark Rum

Instructions:

In a pot, on the stove, combine honey and water. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and add in the sage. Cover and allow to come to room temperature. While you're working on your simple syrup, clean and quarter your apples. Place them on a cookie sheet with a little butter or coconut oil and bake, at 450 degrees, for 10 minutes then place them into a blender. Add the apple cider vinegar and strain the syrup into the blender as well. Blend well. To make it a Sherbet instead of a Sorbet, here is where you add your milk and keep blending. If you are making this without the aid of an ice cream machine, adding alcohol will help keep it at a nice consistency. You can still make it without alcohol or an ice cream machine by freezing it on a cookie sheet, then breaking it up and blending it again several times (minimum 3 freezes to get the right consistency). If you're using an ice cream machine, just add this mixture to the machine, turn it on, and wait.

5. Cranberry Bliss

I love how versatile cranberries can be. Even though most people only have them at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas dinner. Cranberries can be used in so many ways and combined with various fruits and herbs, they can be either sweet or savory. Here's one of my favorite ways to use cranberries during the warm winters we tend to get here in the South.

Cranberry Juniper

Ingredients List

24 oz (or 2 bags) of Cranberries (fresh or frozen)

8 oz White Grape Juice (or Apple Juice for added sweetness)

1 cup Honey or Sugar

1 cup Water
1 tablespoon Juniper Berries

1-4 tablespoons Orange Juice

*optional ingredients

¼ cup Plain Greek Yogurt or Dairy-Free Yogurt

2 tablespoons - ¼ cup Red Wine of your choice

Instructions:

Rinse your cranberries, removing any stems, dirt, or rocks that may have gotten into your batch. In a pot, on the stove, combine cranberries, honey, and water. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes while stirring. Remove from the heat and add in the juniper berries. Cover and allow to come to room temperature. Add the orange juice and strain the mixture into a blender. Blend well. To make it a Sherbet instead of a Sorbet, here is where you add your yogurt and keep blending. If you are making this without the aid of an ice cream machine, adding alcohol will help keep it at a nice consistency. You can still make it without alcohol or an ice cream machine by freezing it on a cookie sheet, then breaking it up and blending it again several times (minimum 3 freezes to get the right consistency). If you're using an ice cream machine, just add this mixture to the machine, turn it on, and wait.

I hope you enjoy making these Sorbets and Sherbets! Feel free to play around with these recipes, try different herbs and fruit, make lots of icy desserts! If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below!

Resources:

10 Delicious Ways to Infuse Honey: Ready Nutrition: http://readynutrition.com/resources/infused-honey_13062015/

How to Make Herb Infused Honey: The Kitchn: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-herb-infused-honey-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-180890

How to Make Sorbet with Any Fruit: The Kitchn: https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-sorbet-with-any-fruit-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-205746

How to Make Sorbet without an Ice Cream Machine: Busy in Brookyln: http://www.busyinbrooklyn.com/tag/how-to-make-sorbet-without-an-ice-cream-machine/

Summertime Lemonades

     Summer is in full swing here in Central Florida. The sky is blue, the grass is green, and boy is it hot. This is the time of year for picnics, backyard barbeques, pool parties, and the consumption of large quantities of icy beverages. Most people go for either tea or lemonade in the summer, and I have a tendency to like unusual flavor combinations. So I decided to share with you some of my favorite lemonade recipes for the summer. There is one important thing to note when making lemonade. Adding lemon juice (or really any citrus) to hot water brings out the bitterness, so always add the lemon juice after any warm ingredients have already chilled. Who knows, you might even be able to lessen your honey/sugar by doing this.



1.   My husband loves watermelon in the summer, and what better way to cool down than to have your favorite summertime fruit in your lemonade? Maybe by adding some cucumber. So here is one of my favorite summertime lemonade blends.

Cucumber Watermelon Lemonade

2 medium Cucumbers, diced (with or without the peel)

roughly 2 cups Watermelon, seeded and cubed

the Zest of 1 Lemon

the Juice of 4 Lemons (about ¾ cup) 

½ cup Honey

6 cups Water (1 cup hot, 5 cups chilled)

Instructions:
Combine the first 4 ingredients in a blender and blend well. While blending, heat 1 cup of water in a saucepan on the stove. Add in the honey and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and mix with 5 cups of chilled water to cool. Add the honey and water mixture to your blended ingredients. Mix well. Chill for 1 hour before serving. *Optional, try using Soda Water (or Seltzer Water) instead of the chilled water for a fizzy treat.




2.   Green Tea and Lemonade are a classic mix. Add in a bit of refreshing Mint and you have a great summertime drink!

Matcha Mint Lemonade

4 tsp dried Mint leaves (or 2 tsp fresh)

4 tsp Matcha

the Zest of 1 Lemon

the Juice of 4 Lemons (about ¾ cup)

1 cup Honey

8 cups Water (4 boiling, 4 chilled)

Instructions:
On your stove, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add in honey and stir well to incorporate. Remove from heat and add in the mint leaves, matcha powder, and lemon zest. Whisk to incorporate, cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Once this mixture has chilled, add in remaining ingredients and place back in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.


3.  I love lavender and how it helps all of us to relax. Lavender and lemonade are a summertime no-brainer for relaxation. But how about adding in a fruity punch by way of peaches? Mmm tasty.

Lavender Peach Lemonade

4 tsp Lavender flowers

2 very ripe Peaches, peeled and diced

the Zest of 1 Lemon

the Juice of 4 Lemons (about ¾ cup)

1 cup Honey

8 cups Water (4 boiling, 4 chilled)

Instructions:
On your stove, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add in honey and stir well to incorporate. Remove from heat and add in the lavender flowers. Cover and allow to come to room temperature (about 30 minutes). Strain and pour over the diced peaches and lemon zest. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 more minutes. Add in the lemon juice and remaining water. Mix well and chill for 1 hour before serving. *Optional, for a spicy alternative, use 2 tsp fresh ginger in place of the 4 tsp lavender.



4.   Coconut is the flavor of the tropics. And what better way to spend our summers than at the beach? This lemonade is refreshing and helps us to imagine our toes in the sand, and the sound of the waves.

Coconut Kiwi Lemonade

4 Kiwis, peeled and diced

½ can Organic Coconut Cream (8oz)

the Zest of 1 Lemon 

the Juice of 4 Lemons (about ¾ cup)

1 cup Honey

6 cups Water (1 cup boiling, 5 chilled)

Instructions:
Combine first 4 ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. On your stove, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add in the honey and stir to well to incorporate. Remove from heat and combine with 55 cups of chilled water to cool. Add the honey mixture to the blender and incorporate. Chill for 1 hour before serving. *Optional, use pineapple instead of kiwi for a Pina Colada Lemonade.


5.     I am not a big fan of grapefruit. That being said, there are some flavor combinations that I love that just happen to star this bitter citrus fruit. Grapefruit and Rose are one of those combinations. I can't seem to get enough of it. So I turned it into a summertime lemonade. Why not?

Grapefruit Rose Lemonade

2-3 teaspoons Rose Water (start small and add more if you feel the need)

2 cups Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice (about 3 large grapefruit)

the Zest of 1 Lemon

the Juice of 4 Lemons (about ¾ cup)

1 cup Honey

6 cups Water (1 boiling, 5 chilled)

Instructions:
Combine first four ingredients and mix well. honey. Stir to incorporate. Remove from heat and add to 5 cups of chilled water. Once cool, combine with other ingredients and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving. *Optional, throw in a few teaspoons of dried rose petals just before serving.







     In any of these recipes, feel free to change the ingredients around. Play with different herbs and fruits. Try using pineapple juice, lemongrass tea, or hibiscus tea instead of lemon juice. Throw in a handful of fresh berries, or pomegranate seeds, to any of these recipes and see what happens. Have fun, play around, and let me know what you think below!

5 Herbs to Grow Inside

     There are many wonders that modern technology has given us. We have the world at our fingertips, and an easy way to travel. But in the South, and especially here in Florida, there's one modern miracle that makes life so much easier this time of year, air conditioning. A/C makes summertime in Florida livable. Unfortunately the air quality inside most of our homes is pretty horrible. We use chemicals in everything, and all of those chemicals effect our air quality. Since we are spending so much more time inside to beat the heat, what can we do to clean our air and make life a little more pleasant? Plants! Bring the herb garden inside! That way you have easy access to herbs you love to use, and they help to filter your air. Here's a list of 5 of my favorite herbs to grow inside and why they're so awesome!

1. Aloe Aloe Vera

Aloe is a plant that I use almost every day. I make quite a few hair and skin products using aloe gel, I use the whole leaf to reduce inflammation, and I even drink aloe water. It has a number of amazing health properties and I could go on and on and on. In fact, one of my first posts on this page was all about aloe. It's easy to take care of as long as you keep it well drained and it helps to filter out formaldehyde, which is commonly found in carpets, rugs, and furniture.

2. Rosemary Rosmarinus officialis

Rosemary might be a little tricky to grow inside, especially if you're new to gardening (this page has some great tips). However, it's well worth the effort. Not only does it help to purify the air, but it releases essential oils from it's leaves. These oils actually improve cognitive function. They help improve memory, protect the brain from free radicals, and they help keep your house smelling great. Plus, whenever you need some rosemary for that special recipe, it's just a few feet away!

3. Mint Mentha spp.

Mint is another herb I tend to use a lot. It helps improve the flavor of quite a few teas, tastes great in salad, improves digestion, and smells great. However, when you plant it, it will take over EVERYTHING. So I always make sure it's in a container, inside or outside, and I never plant it with other plants. I used to have a decent sized container that had 7 different varieties of mint, from pineapple mint to chocolate mint. However, the chocolate mint slowly took over and now I just have a large container of that. Lessons learned. But it's still a great plant to grow inside. It works well to filter air, but it also makes the air easier to breathe for those with weak lungs.

4. Lavender Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender is one of my favorite plants to grow indoors. It keeps the house smelling fresh and clean, repels insects, helps reduce anxiety, improves sleep, and is one of my favorite scents. However there are a few people who are allergic, and if you have cats make sure to keep it in a place your kitty won't get to. Cat's livers cannot process the lavender very well and may not cause immediate reactions, but over time the build up can cause liver damage. However, keep in mind that lavender LOVES sunlight and well drained, not very rich, soil. Windowsills are a great place for lavender to go.

5. Rose Geranium Pelargonium graveolens

There are over 200 different species of geranium, and they are all great air purifiers and easy to care for. I prefer to grow Rose Geranium, however, because it's also a great tea for diabetics, it lowers blood glucose levels fairly quickly. All geraniums also repel insects and can survive without water for up to 2 weeks. Rose Geranium also smells very similar to roses, so it's a great way to get a beautiful, floral scent in your home without having to resort to chemical heavy scents. The more sunlight it has, the more it blooms, the more fragrance you'll notice. It also helps filter out, not just chemicals, but also bacteria from the air. So if your family is prone to infections, invest in some Rose Geranium plants.

Echinacea

     There are a handful of herbs that have gained almost a cult following in recent years. St. Johns wort, ginko biloba, and echinacea all come to mind. All three are even listed in the top most popular herbalsupplements, a list published by Johns Hopkins health library not to long ago.

     There are several different species of echinacea, but the two most commonly used medicinally are Echinacea purpurea and E. angustifolia. The common name, here in America, is Purple Coneflower. Echinacea grows well in disturbed soil, preferably rocky, in prairies, open fields, or by railroad tracks.  The most commonly used parts of this plant are the roots and leaves, but the whole plant can be used medicinally. If you are specifically trying to use echinacea for it's Immunostimulant properties, it's best to make or find a double extraction tincture as the necessary constituents (natural chemicals) are extracted by both water and alcohol. Most online tutorials for double extraction tinctures involve mushrooms, but you can use echinacea in the recipes, instead of the mushrooms, and have no problems.

Medicinal Uses:

Summary of actions- Immunostimulant, depurative, vulnerary, lymphatic, sialagogue, antiseptic, mildly antibiotic, bacteriostatic, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-tumor.

Traditional Chinese Medicine- Known in Chinese Medicine as Zi Zhu Hua, echinacea is seen as a blood cleanser that also stimulates, restores, and dissolves. It works on both the lung and spleen meridians. It's used to activate immunity, restrain infection, clear toxins, reduce inflammation, resolve tumors, relieve pain, promote tissue repair, cause sweating, release the exterior, scatter wind heat, dredge the kidneys, enliven the lymph, and restore the stomach.

Immunostimulant- Echinacea has a great, and well earned, reputation as a preventative herb. Most of it's use as a supplement is for the prevention of colds and flu. Part of this is due to it's anti-viral and antibacterial properties, but mainly this is due to how well it stimulates the immune system. In fact, the University of Connecticut performed a study that determined that echinacea reduces chances of catching a cold or flu by over half. This same study also concluded that echinacea reduces the duration of the same infection by at least one full day. Echinacea does this, not by attacking the bacteria/viruses directly, but by enhancing our own immunity so that our immune system is better able to kill off bacteria, viruses, or even abnormal cells like cancer.

Cancer- Not only does echinacea help our immune system fight off infections, it also stimulates our body's tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, which is important to fighting off cancer. Recent studies have stated that echinacea shows promise, along with several other natural remedies, in the fight against cancer. So much so that it is becoming fairly common for medical professionals to recommend echinacea alongside of conventional therapy.

Painkiller- The Great Plains Indians of North America witnessed ill animals consistently searching out and eating the roots of echinacea plants. This lead to the use of echinacea in their native practices. Mainly, it was used as a painkiller for pain in the bowels, headaches, snake bites, sore throat, measles, toothache, tonsillitis, and stomach ache. It's also effective as a painkiller for herpes and gonorrhea. You can either drink a tea made from the plant, or rub the crushed and moistened plant onto the area where you are experiencing the pain.

ADD/ADHD- Children and adults that suffer from ADD/ADHD are more prone to anxiety, depression, and social phobias. Echinacea has been shown to help relieve those symptoms. However dosage is key. If you take too strong of a dose, it could actually worsen those same symptoms, so use echinacea for your anxiety only under the supervision of a trusted doctor and/or herbalist.

Cautions and Warnings- Since this herb is so stimulating to your immune system, if you take it consistently for a week you should take a break from it for the next week. If not, you could overwork your immune system and put yourself at risk for a more severe infection. If you have pollen allergies to any of the plants in the Asteraceae family, you may have allergic reactions to echinacea. Also, if you have an autoimmune condition, this herb could overstimulate your immune system and cause a flare-up. Please use only if absolutely necessary. The Mayo Clinic states that echinacea is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, however most herbalists will not attest to this, use this herb with the utmost caution.

     I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have ever used echinacea or have any questions, please feel free to comment below.

Refrences:

Dr Axe: 9 Echinacea Benefits: https://draxe.com/echinacea-benefits/

East West Healing Academy: Echinacea: https://www.eastwesthealingacademy.com/herbs/echinacea/

Herb Wisdom: Echinacea purpurea benefits: http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-echinacea.html

Johns Hopkins Medical Library: Herbal Medicine: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/complementary_and_alternative_medicine/herbal_medicine_85,P00181/

Medicine Net: Tumor Necrosis Factor: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=25458

Mountain Rose Herbs: DIY Double Extraction: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/mushroom-double-extraction

Mountain Rose Herbs: Echinacea purpurea root: https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/echinacea-purpurea-root/profile

Mr. Ginseng: Echinacea: http://en.mr-ginseng.com/echinacea/

Wellness Mama: Echinacea: https://wellnessmama.com/25999/echinacea-benefits-uses/

Herbal Home Fresheners for Spring

     Spring is just a month away, but here in Florida it feels almost like Summer.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hit pretty hard with the “spring cleaning” bug, wanting to organize my storage, clear out things I don’t need, etc.  I figured that if I’d been feeling this burst of clean energy (sorry for the pun), you might be feeling it too.  So here are a few recipes I turn to when I want to freshen up my home. 

A Quick Word on Ingredients

Lavender is one of my favorite herbs to use around my home because it helps to repel bugs.  Mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, just about anything.  Lavender is also very calming, stress reliving, promote healthy and restful sleep, and its antiseptic, so it literally cleans the air while deodorizing!  I am very cautious about it, however, because I have a cat.  Cats do not process lavender well and over time a harmful build-up can occur in their livers.  So I do my best to keep my cat out of direct contact with lavender as much as possible.   

Lemon Balm also helps repel bugs and helps to clean the air.  The scent uplifts the mood, and to harmonize the body and mind.  It has been known to help those who feel pressure easily and have a tendency to emotionally shut down. 

Hops is not the most pleasant of scents, but for people who have problems getting to sleep (and staying asleep), hops can be invaluable.  Hops is an amazing sedative that also works to duce anxiety, relieve pain, reduce respiratory distress, relieve headaches, soothe menstrual pains, and many other things.  This is a great herb to include in a sleep sachet to help with sleep apnea.  I do have one major caution when looking at this herb.  If you are prone to depression, please do not use hops.  Its sedative effects can also increase symptoms of depression. 

Rosemary is another herb that is amazing to include in just about everything.  It helps to uplift the mood and energize your mind, it improves memory, relieves stress, lowers anxiety, improves concentration, and is such a powerful antibiotic that it can help purify the air and prevent the spread of bacterial infections.  There is a major caution to think about with this herb, however.  If you or someone in your home is prone to seizures, rosemary essential oil (as well as eucalyptus and camphor) is so stimulating to the brain that it may bring about a seizure.  I have actually witnessed this first hand.  So please use caution if you know someone who is prone to seizures.  However the herb itself is typically safe to use as long as you do not use too much of it at once (it takes 70 lbs of rosemary leaves to make 5 oz of essential oil).

Pine is a great, fresh smelling scent.  It’s also very cleansing!  It has amazing antiseptic properties and helps to promote improved circulation as well as immune function.  Pine helps to boost mental energy and reduce the symptoms of stress.  It also removes anxiety and tension while refreshing the spirit which makes it an excellent mood enhancer.  It can also help to improve memory and concentration.

Citrus of all kinds are great at keeping your home smelling fresh.  Citrus is also an excellent mood booster and energizer.  It helps to improve focus and alertness while calming and relaxing.  Citrus, in general, helps to open up creativity, calm the occasional restlessness, and increase joy. 

Other Herbs to consider using for these recipes include basil, thyme, anise, cinnamon, clove, or really any culinary herb you can think of.  You can also consider using rose petals, jasmine flowers, chamomile flowers, lemongrass, and sprigs from aromatic trees (spruce, juniper, etc).

Baking Soda is a deodorizer, not a cleaning agent.  It will help remove ugly scents from your carpet and furniture, but it will not remove stains.

High Proof Alcohol of any kind can be used in the room sprays, but I prefer vodka as it is virtually scentless.  It also helps to preserve your spray and it evaporates quickly preventing residue from forming when it lands on surfaces.  You can also use a good quality vanilla extract in place of the vodka.  This will sweeten the scent and mellow out harsher/stronger smells.

Essential Oils not only make your home smell great, but they can also help balance your emotions and improve your mood.  I’ve included a few good mixes at the bottom but feel free to experiment and try your own!

Carpet and Furniture Freshener

Ingredients:

½ cup Baking Soda

1-2 tsp ground, Dried Herbs (I prefer to use Lavender, but there will be some good mixes below)

10-15 drops essential oils of your choice (I’ve listed some good blends below)

Instructions:

Combine ingredients and sprinkle the powder directly onto your carpet 5 minutes before vacuuming.  You can also sprinkle the powder after vacuuming as well, or even on your furniture.  It works particularly well to help get the musty smell out of your mattress.  Just sprinkle the powder directly onto your mattress and cover with a fresh, fitted sheet.  You’ll experience the fresh and wonderful scent every time you get into your bed.  Depending on the herbs you use, you can even use this powder for your pet bed.  Cats do not respond well to lavender, so for this use, I would recommend leaving lavender out.  Lemon Balm or Mint might be a good substitution.

Storage:

This powder is good as long as you can smell the herbs well.  As far as containers go, some people use recycled parmesan cheese containers, some people use salt and/or pepper shakers, some people use mason jars with holes punched in the top.  I almost always prefer glass storage containers, but for this I just use a stainless steel spice shaker that you can find just about anywhere, and it’s pretty darn cheap.

  Fresh Scented Room Spray

Ingredients:

¾ cup Water

2 tablespoons High Proof Alcohol or Vanilla Extract (for a sweeter scent)

20-30 drops essential oils of your choice (I’ve listed some good blends below)

Instructions:

Combine ingredients in an 8 oz spray bottle.  Shake well and spray away!

Storage:

These sprays should last for several years as long as the water is pure (distilled is the best, but if you have access to good quality tap water, feel free to use it) and the oils are good quality.  This is not an internal use product, so feel free to store/use in a plastic bottle.

Herbal Sachets

What you need:

Muslin or Cotton Bag (you can make your own, or buy them)

Dried Herbs of Your Choice (whole herbs, not ground)

10-15 drops essential oils of your choice (I’ve listed some good blends below)

Instructions:

Combine herbs and oils in a bowl.  Carefully pour them into a bag.  Secure the bag well (sewing works best, but you can buy a strip of iron-on tape if you are not interested in sewing).  Place your sachets in a sealed container in a warm, dry, dark place for a few weeks to cure.  You can put the sachet in your pillow case to help you sleep, in your linen drawer to help keep your linens smelling fresh, in the pocket of a winter coat during the long summer, you can even put them in your bath to help relax you after a particularly stressful day.  There are so many possibilities for these little bags.  You can also use the herb and essential oil mixture as decorative potpourri.  

Essential Oil Blends to Start With:

1.Invigorating Citrus                                             2.Simply Clean

    10 drops Mandarin Essential Oil                           5 drops Lavender Essential Oil

    5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil                          5 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil 

                                                                                         5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

   

3.Essentially Citrus                                              4.Lavender Citrus

    5 drops Mandarin Essential Oil                             10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

    5 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil                             5 drops Lime Essential Oil

    5 drops Lemon Essential Oil                                   5 drops Lemon Essential Oil

    5 drops Lime Essential Oil   

    

5.Spring Flowers                                                 6.Focus and Clarity

    10 drops Jasmine Essential Oil                             10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

    5 drops Geranium Essential Oil                             5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

    5 drops Lavender Essential Oil                              5 drops Pine Essential Oil

       

7.Woodland Mist                                                8.Cheerful Chai

    10 drops White Fir Essential Oil                            5 drops Cardamom Essential Oil

    5 drops Juniper Essential Oil                                  3 drops Cinnamon Essential Oil

    5 drops Pine Essential Oil                                       3 drops Clove Essential Oil

    5 drops Frankincense Essential Oil                       2 drops Ginger Essential Oil

    

9.Stimulating Living                                         10.Romance

    10 drops Grapefruit Essential Oil                           10 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil

    5 drops Lavender Essential Oil                                5 drops Jasmine Essential Oil

    5 drops Basil Essential Oil                                       5 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

    2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil                            2 drops Patchouli Essential Oil

    

    Dried Herb Mixes to Start With:

1.Simply Citrus                                                        2.Spring Flower Garden

    ½ oz Grapefruit Peel                                                 ½ oz Rose Petals

    ½ oz Lemon Balm                                                     ½ oz Jasmine Flowers

    ¼ oz Lemongrass                                                       ¼ oz Lavender

    ¼ oz Lime Peel                                                           ¼ oz Hops

    ¼ oz Orange Peel

3.Soothing Sleep                                                       4.Spice It Up

    ½ oz Lavender                                                           ½ oz Cardamom

    ½ oz Hops or Lemon Balm                                       ¼ oz Cinnamon

                                                                                           ¼ oz Clove

                                                                                           ¼ oz Ginger

5.Eastern Influences                                                 6.Lavender Citrus

    ½ oz Jasmine Flowers                                                 ½ oz Lavender

    ¼ oz Anise                                                                    ¼ oz Lime Peel

    ¼ oz Cardamom                                                           ¼ oz Grapefruit Peel

                                                                                             ¼ oz Lemon Balm

    

7.Bug Away                                                             8.Fresh Linen

    ½ oz Lavender                                                            ½ oz Juniper Berries

    ¼ oz Lemongrass                                                        ¼ oz Lemongrass

    ¼ oz Lemon Balm                                                      ¼ oz Lemon Balm

    ¼ oz Basil                                                                    ¼ oz Mint

    ¼ oz Thyme

   

9.Creative Inspirations                                             10.Simply Relaxation

    ½ oz Orange Peel                                                          ¼ oz Lavender

    ¼ oz Lime Peel                                                              ¼ oz Rose Petals

    ¼ oz Rosemary                                                              ¼ oz Cinnamon

    ¼ oz Pine                                                                        ¼ oz Lemon Balm

    ¼ oz Mint

         I hope you enjoy making your home smell fresh and inviting!  Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Resources:

Experience Essential Oils: Citrus Fresh Essential Oil: http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/citrus-fresh-essential-oil.html

Experience Essential Oils: Lemon Balm or Melissa Uses: http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/lemon-balm-uses.html

Mother Nature Network: 8 Health Benefits of Rosemary: http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/8-health-benefits-rosemary

Organic Facts: 7 Proven Benefits of Lavender: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/lavender.html

Organic Facts: Health Benefits of Hops Essential Oil: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/hops-essential-oil.html

Organic Facts: Health Benefits of Pine Essential Oil: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/pine-essential-oil.html

   

   

   

    

Migraines

     Sometimes I notice trends in what people ask me. This week I noticed a certain trend that was associated with migraines. I have had a good handful of my friends and associates asking my advice on how to deal with their migraines. So I figured that I would put a good portion of the general parts of my advice here, where everyone can find it.

     So what is a migraine? According to Medical News Today a migraine is “a severe, painful headache that can be preceded or accompanied by sensory warning signs such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light and sound.” You can probably tell by this, simplified, definition that migraines are not your typical headache. The scientific community, and western medicine, do not know what causes migraines, but they do identify that migraines are an imbalance of the chemicals in your brain most likely brought on by abnormal brain activity. Some people blame hormones, others stress, but either way they are painful and can last a number of days.

     The triggers to migraines are as widely varied as the people who experience them, some people can't even pinpoint their triggers. However, there are a few that I can list here:

• Dehydration
• Allergies including seasonal allergies, food allergies, and food sensitivities
• Bright or flickering lights, loud or unexpected noises, smokey rooms, temperature or pressure changes, and strong smells including certain perfumes
• Physical and emotional stress, including tension, anxiety, excitement, and depression
• Physical states such as jet lag, exhaustion, or exercise
• Smoking, or exposure to smoke
• Alcohol
• Skipping meals or fasting
• Hormonal triggers such as birth control, PMS, or other menstrual cycle fluctuations
• Tension headaches
• Certain medications such as birth control, hormone replacement, and some sleeping medications
• Lack of sleep

     Though the symptoms are varied as well, but there are some more common symptoms that typically indicate migraine. Some of these even occur hours, or days, before the migraine starts. Some of these can even occur after the migraine is over. Most of these symptoms are unique to migraines and not experienced through the course of a normal, tension headache. Also, many of the symptoms of migraine can be confused with minor stroke, so if you are a sufferer of chronic migraine and experience a stroke-like symptom that is unusual for your migraines, please get to an emergency room and get checked out. The list of common migraine symptoms follows:

• Moderate to severe pain, most often throbbing, usually confined to one side or the other
• Increased pain during physical activity or when exposed to bright light, flickering light, loud noise or any of the previously mentioned triggers
• Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
• Feeling sick or being physically sick
• Increased sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
• Some people experience sweating, temperature changes, stomach ache, or diarrhea
• Soreness and/or tingling in one side
• Vertigo or double vision
• Auras (perceptual disturbances) are common

     A word on auras. Auras are disturbances in your sensory perception. Many of the more common ones include visual changes such as loss of vision on one side, zigzags in objects, or a lost of contrast in structures. Auras can also be confusing thoughts or experiences, the perception of strange lights, pins and needles in the extremities, difficulty speaking, unpleasant smells, or muscle stiffness.

     Is there a natural way to combat these horrible headaches? Yes, there is, but which one works is all dependent on what causes the particular migraine. The first option is to identify your triggers and do your best to avoid them. As an example, if you get a hangover headache after just one drink, you might be experiencing a migraine. The best way to deal with this particular migraine is to avoid alcohol. Not all triggers are that easy to avoid or even that easy to identify. So what can be done about other migraines?

Hydrate! The number one cause of almost all headaches is dehydration. Even if your migraine is not directly triggered by dehydration, your migraine can be worsened by it. Make sure you drink plenty of water. This goes double for those of us in warmer climates who may sweat out more water than they think.

B Vitamins! B vitamins are linked to reduced stress, loss of weight and even a reduction of headaches. Many people have reported a reduction in frequency of migraines after supplementing with either B12 or B2 (riboflaven).

Relaxation! A lot of headaches and migraines are caused by stress. Using relaxation techniques can help prevent them. Try getting regular massages, meditation, prayer, weekend trips to the forest or beach, etc.

Acupuncture! Acupuncture is amazing at all kinds of pain management. Migraines respond well to acupuncture treatments, but make sure to follow all of the dietary rules that may come with it, or your migraines may come back.

Herbs! There are a good number of herbs that may prove beneficial for migraine sufferers.

• Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium has traditionally been used for headaches, including migraines, fevers, colds, and a number of other ailments. There are a few contraindications, so check with your local herbalist and/or doctor before adding this herb to your daily regimen.
• Butterbur Petasites hybridus got it's common name because it was once used to preserve butter during the warmer months. However, it has also been used for a number of physical ailments including headaches and migraines.
• Peppermint Mentha balsamea essential oil is a fairly effective oil for most pain, including that of headaches and migraines. A tea of the leaves can also be mildly effective in certain situations.
• Willow Salix spp. is one of the plants that contains the active ingredient used to make aspirin. It has been used for headaches and migraines in many cultures for hundreds of years. It's also great for muscle ache, arthritis, and a number of other painful ailments.

     There are a number of herbs and solutions out there for quite a few migraine sufferers. I hope this helps you start down to road to health and relief.

Resources:

Healthline: Migraine Herbal Home Remedies from Around the World: http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine-herbal-home-remedies-from-around-the-world#Overview1

Migraine Trust: Acupuncture: https://www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/treatments/acupuncture/

Medical News Today: Migraines-Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148373.php

Prevention: 16 Highly Effective Migraine Solutions: http://www.prevention.com/mind-body/natural-remedies/migraine-causes-and-cures

Herbal Christmas Cookies

     I love being in the kitchen.  Baking, cooking, mixing flavors together in a way that makes me and my family both happy and healthy.  I could spend all day in my kitchen and be perfectly happy.  This time of year, most of that kitchen time is usually spent baking.  My family lives on a pretty good budget and one of the most budget-friendly gifts to give is baked goods.  Most people will enjoy them as well, especially since I am super allergy conscious and go out of my way to make even the most decadent of treats healthier. 

     As an herbalist, I am always looking for ways to sneak healthy herbs into my family’s daily routine.  One of these is to add herbs in all of my food.  I make herbal-infused snacks, drink herbal lemonades, add healthy herbs to every meal, and I even put delicious herbs into desserts.  Since Christmas is the season of the Christmas Cookies, I figured that I would share a few of my herbal cookie recipes with you for a happy and healthful holiday season. 

     I grew up with the Betty Crocker cook book, and it’s my typical starter for all of my recipes.  So these sugar cookies all started out with Betty’s vegan sugar cookie recipe.  After that, I added my own flare and you can feel free to do the same.

Peppermint Carob Cookies

A Gluten Free, Vegan Recipe

Cookies:

1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar or you can powder your own (read about the process here)

1 cup organic coconut oil, softened

¼ cup organic vanilla cashew milk

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

1 ½ teaspoon fresh, chopped mint

3 tablespoons carob powder 

2 ½ cups of gluten free flour

2 tablespoons tapioca powder (or arrowroot)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pinch of sea salt

Glaze:

½ cup organic powdered sugar

3 teaspoons mint milk (you can make it with your favorite vegan milk alternative if you want)

*optional organic green or red food coloring

Cookies:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, mix powdered sugar, coconut oil, cashew milk, vanilla extract, mint, and carob powder.  Slowly stir in flour, tapioca, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Blend well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is fine).  Heat oven to 375 F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet (I use an organic olive oil spray, but coconut oil would work as well).  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half into ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place cutouts onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake 7-8 minutes, be careful not to let the edges get overly browned.  Remove from cookie sheet, place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before glazing. 

Glaze:

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix.  If you want your glaze to be thicker, add more sugar.  If you want it to be thinner, add more liquid.

Mojito Sugar Cookies

A Gluten Free, Vegan Recipe

Cookies:

1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar or you can powder your own (read about the process here)

1 cup organic coconut oil, softened

¼ cup organic vanilla cashew milk

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

1 teaspoon natural rum extract or your light rum of choice

1 ½ teaspoon fresh, chopped mint

Zest of 1 lime

2 ½ cups of gluten free flour

2 tablespoons tapioca powder (or arrowroot)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pinch of sea salt

Glaze:

½ cup organic powdered sugar

2 teaspoons light rum, or natural rum extract

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Cookies:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, mix powdered sugar, coconut oil, cashew milk, vanilla extract, rum extract, mint, and lime zest.  Slowly stir in flour, tapioca, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Blend well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is fine).  Heat oven to 375 F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet (I use an organic olive oil spray, but coconut oil would work as well).  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half into ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place cutouts onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake 7-8 minutes, be careful not to let the edges get overly browned.  Remove from cookie sheet, place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before glazing.  *optional: sprinkle sugar crystals over cookies before baking.

Glaze:

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix.  If you want your glaze to be thicker, add more sugar.  If you want it to be thinner, add more liquid (lime or rum, whichever you want to be stronger).  When you have mixed your glaze, spoon or drizzle it over your cookies. 

Lavender and Lemon Sugar Cookies

A Gluten Free, Vegan Recipe

Cookies:

1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar or you can powder your own (read about the process here)

1 cup organic coconut oil, softened

¼ cup organic vanilla cashew milk

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

2 tablespoons dried lavender

Zest of 1 lemon

2 ½ cups of gluten free flour

2 tablespoons tapioca powder (or arrowroot)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pinch of sea salt

Glaze:

½ cup organic powdered sugar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoon cooled lavender earl gray tea 

Cookies:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, mix powdered sugar, coconut oil, cashew milk, vanilla extract, lavender, and lemon zest.  Slowly stir in flour, tapioca, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Blend well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is fine).  Heat oven to 375 F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet (I use an organic olive oil spray, but coconut oil would work as well).  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half into ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place cutouts onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake 7-8 minutes, be careful not to let the edges get overly browned.  Remove from cookie sheet, place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before glazing. 

Glaze:

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix.  If you want your glaze to be thicker, add more sugar.  If you want it to be thinner, add more liquid (lemon or tea, whichever you want to be stronger).  When you have mixed your glaze, spoon or drizzle it over your cookies.

Spiced Orange Cookies

A Gluten Free, Vegan Recipe

Cookies:

1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar or you can powder your own (read about the process here)

1 cup organic coconut oil, softened

¼ cup organic vanilla cashew milk

1 teaspoon organic orange extract

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 

Zest of 1 orange

2 ½ cups of gluten free flour

2 tablespoons tapioca powder (or arrowroot)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pinch of sea salt

Glaze:

½ cup organic powdered sugar

3 teaspoons orange juice

Cookies:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, mix powdered sugar, coconut oil, cashew milk, orange extract, spices, and orange zest.  Slowly stir in flour, tapioca, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Blend well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is fine).  Heat oven to 375 F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet (I use an organic olive oil spray, but coconut oil would work as well).  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half into ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place cutouts onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake 7-8 minutes, be careful not to let the edges get overly browned.  Remove from cookie sheet, place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before glazing. 

Glaze:

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix.  If you want your glaze to be thicker, add more sugar.  If you want it to be thinner, add more liquid.  When you have mixed your glaze, spoon or drizzle it over your cookies.  *optional: sprinkle pumpkin pie spice over cookies right after glazing.

Hibiscus Spice Cookies

A Gluten Free, Vegan Recipe

Cookies:

1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar or you can powder your own (read about the process here)

1 cup organic coconut oil, softened

¼ cup organic vanilla cashew milk

1 teaspoon organic vanilla extract

3 tablespoons powdered hibiscus flowers 

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

2 ½ cups of gluten free flour

2 tablespoons tapioca powder (or arrowroot)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pinch of sea salt

Glaze:

½ cup organic powdered sugar

½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons cooled hibiscus tea 

1 teaspoon organic cranberry juice

Cookies:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, mix powdered sugar, coconut oil, cashew milk, vanilla extract, spices, and hibiscus.  Slowly stir in flour, tapioca, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Blend well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is fine).  Heat oven to 375 F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet (I use an organic olive oil spray, but coconut oil would work as well).  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half into ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place cutouts onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake 7-8 minutes, be careful not to let the edges get overly browned.  Remove from cookie sheet, place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before glazing. 

Glaze:

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix.  If you want your glaze to be thicker, add more sugar.  If you want it to be thinner, add more liquid.  When you have mixed your glaze, spoon or drizzle it over your cookies. 

*optional, instead of using the glaze, get a good quality white or green frosting and use that for pretty and Christmas-y cookies.

Vanilla Rose Cookies

A Gluten Free, Vegan Recipe

Cookies:

1 ½ cups organic powdered sugar or you can powder your own (read about the process here)

1 cup organic coconut oil, softened

¼ cup organic vanilla cashew milk

2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract

2 tablespoons rose powder 

1 tablespoon red rose petals 

2 ½ cups of gluten free flour

2 tablespoons tapioca powder (or arrowroot)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 pinch of sea salt

Glaze:

½ cup organic powdered sugar

2 teaspoons cooled vanilla rooibos tea 

1 teaspoon rosewater

*optional organic red food coloring 

Cookies:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed, mix powdered sugar, coconut oil, cashew milk, vanilla extract, spices, rose powder, and rose petals zest.  Slowly stir in flour, tapioca, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.  Blend well, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is fine).  Heat oven to 375 F.  Lightly grease cookie sheet (I use an organic olive oil spray, but coconut oil would work as well).  Divide dough in half.  Roll each half into ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes and place cutouts onto cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart.  Bake 7-8 minutes, be careful not to let the edges get overly browned.  Remove from cookie sheet, place on a cooling rack and allow to cool before glazing. 

Glaze:

In a small bowl, combine ingredients and mix.  If you want your glaze to be thicker, add more sugar.  If you want it to be thinner, add more liquid.  When you have mixed your glaze, spoon or drizzle it over your cookies.  *optional: sprinkle sugar crystals and pose petals over cookies before baking instead of glazing

I hope you all enjoy these recipes.  If you didn’t notice, there is a basic cookie recipe for all of them, so feel free to change the spices and glazes around to make your own!  Good flavor combinations to try include rosemary and lemon, basil and lime, or elderberry and carob.  Have fun and feel free to let me know how your experiments go!

Resources:

Betty Crocker – Vegan Sugar Cookies: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/vegan-sugar-cookies/45ab6889-511a-4345-9391-9ea5c00c8d4a

Cookie and Kate – How to make your own powdered sugar: http://cookieandkate.com/2014/how-to-make-powdered-sugar/