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relpostimgcuplik({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$blogger":"http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-06-27T07:04:14.324-07:00"},"category":[{"term":"Health"},{"term":"Recipes"},{"term":"DIY"},{"term":"Gluten Free"},{"term":"Dairy Free"},{"term":"Raw"},{"term":"Urban Farming"},{"term":"Parenting"},{"term":"Paleo"},{"term":"Remedies"},{"term":"Treats"},{"term":"Holiday"},{"term":"Preservation"},{"term":"Cleaning Products"},{"term":"Fermented"},{"term":"Unschooling"},{"term":"Foraging"},{"term":"Crafts"},{"term":"Pressure Cooking"},{"term":"Keto"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Life Unprocessed"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"Living very well on very little."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/-\/Remedies?alt=json-in-script\u0026max-results=50"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/search\/label\/Remedies"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"28"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"50"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-728398092006928504"},"published":{"$t":"2020-03-27T15:02:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-03-29T14:07:27.503-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parenting"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Our Year of Buying Nothing: The Quarantine Edition"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Living just outside Seattle, Washington, our community buckled down early due to the novel Coronavirus. We've now been homebound for several weeks. While others around us were lining up early outside stores to buy all the hand sanitizer and toilet paper, we found our own rhythm at home, relearning ways of using less and still buying nothing. (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2020\/01\/our-year-of-buying-nothing-first-month.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EClick here to read more about our decision to buy nothing for one year\u003C\/a\u003E.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EGroceries\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003EHow are we getting by without going to the store? I wrote an article years ago, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/you-dont-have-to-go-to-store.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EYou Don't Have to go to the Store\u003C\/a\u003E, during a time when we also didn't go grocery shopping at all. In it I describe how we got by without needing to shop. Some things have changed since I wrote the article; most notably we don't have a farm\/garden anymore, so buying fresh veggies is a must. We now have a weekly produce delivery service, Freggies, which delivers a good variety of high quality fresh fruits \u0026amp; veggies. We also have our weekly dairy \u0026amp; egg delivery, using Smith Brothers local dairy delivery service. If you live in their delivery area, here is a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.smithbrothersfarms.com\/Referred?dc=FRIEND\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ereferral code, which will save you $20 off your first order.\u003C\/a\u003E Wherever you live, it's worth looking into your local farmer or producer delivery options. Many businesses that didn't use to deliver are now providing that option, as a means of staying in business during the quarantine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe are also making use of our own food storage, taking stock of our freezer and pantry, and making the best use of the items we've been stocking away. As my son said this morning over canned peaches on our pancakes, you know it's the apocalypse when we start eating canned food. I maintain a food inventory spreadsheet, with different tabs for freezer, fridge, cabinets, and pantry, where I itemize our foods on hand. It's great for meal planning. I normally check it before going shopping, to make sure I don't overbuy something I already have in the pantry or freezer. I try to update it after getting groceries, or when I use something up. It's a good reminder of how much we already (or still) have. As the weeks go by, our diet is getting different from the usual (we are out of meat, for example) but because of my spreadsheet I know we won't go hungry anytime soon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EMeals\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003ESeparate from groceries but along the same lines, I'm preparing all our meals from scratch, using items from our freezer, pantry, and produce delivery. Like you I'm sure, I've been reading a ton about how coronavirus is transmitted, and what activities are safe. Lots of people are ordering from local restaurants, which is a wonderful way of supporting struggling businesses right now. However, every time you bring something into your home that someone else touched or potentially sneezed or coughed on, you have to disinfect it or risk spreading the virus. I just don't think I'm ready to enjoy a meal that comes with that kind of potential. Maybe after a few more weeks, when I'm desperate to eat something other than lentils, we'll re-explore that idea... For now, I'm having fun being creative with what we already have. Make it a game: What can we make today that the kids won't hate?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EToilet Paper\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm not sure there has ever been such a storm on toilet paper. At least in our area, every store that carries TP has had lines outside before they open, and is sold out very soon after the mobs enter. Stores are now setting limits on how much toilet paper each customer can buy, and they are still selling out every day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI normally buy toilet paper at Costco, and one of their giant packs lasts us a good part of the year. However, since we are all home constantly now, I knew we'd be going through it about twice as fast as usual, so I've taken measures to reduce use: I have switched back to using cloth for pee. I keep a wash cloth on the back of each toilet, and refold as necessary before tossing it in the laundry. As the only lady in the house, and one who drinks a lot of tea, this measure is likely to vastly reduce our family's TP use. You can also use smaller cloths, and toss them into a small bucket or bin after each use, for later washing. We did this for years, back when my kids were in cloth diapers, and just washed the wipes along with the diapers. I made them out of small squares of old flannel baby blankets, hand stitched around the edges to prevent fraying. Pee cloths can be thrown right in with the normal laundry.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI may yet have to venture out to a store to get more toilet paper, depending on how long this quarantine lasts, but for now I'm happy to avoid the additional risk of an airborne virus. With online toilet paper costing as much as $2 per roll, I'd also like to avoid getting price-gauged if possible.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESanitizer\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUse soap instead. Soap kills viruses effectively. We wash hands every time we come home from anywhere that we have touched anything others might have touched. I keep lotion at every sink and in my purse, so it's easy to apply after every hand washing. It's important to keep your skin from drying out and cracking, a common affliction during the arid winter months but especially now with all the increased washing. Dry, cracked skin is open to infection and feels yucky besides.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you still need hand sanitizer, you can make your own using alcohol and aloe vera gel. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prepare\/cleaning-disinfection.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe CDC recommends a 70% alcohol solution\u003C\/a\u003E. When we were still coming and going from our house daily, we would wipe down our phones and keys each time we came home with alcohol wipes. You can simply apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth to make your own wipes, but this would be harmful to bare skin if you do it frequently.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow that we are home nearly constantly, there is much less to worry about sanitizing. On our daily walks, we just don't touch anything except occasionally the mail. I process the mail right after bringing it inside, and then wash my hands. You can of course toss most of it in the outdoor recycle bin instead of bringing it inside at all. And then wash your hands.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EEntertainment\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is a very real need, with so many kids suddenly out of school, and adults out of work. Many people resort to buying stuff out of boredom. It's easy to desire the novelty of new items to fill our time and space, but our family is still committed to a year of buying nothing (as I've said, this doesn't include food \u0026amp; TP). So how are we keeping ourselves sane, fulfilled, and busy during the weeks and potentially months stuck at home?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EI make a list of things for us to do each day. This includes all activities we do as a family, chores each kid needs to do, and meals I plan to make. I also write the day of the week at the top of the list, or else I would have no idea.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDaily family activities include card and board games, walks around the neighborhood, exercise time, reading aloud with my younger son, and asking each other trivia questions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHomeschooling, for our kids, includes the above activities, as well as alternating between two hours of online learning (we use Khan Academy) and workbook time, or two hours of video games.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMy older son and his friends have managed to organize online D\u0026amp;D games, as well as other games that can be played via video chat. He does this for two hours at a time, three days a week. It's helped him to feel connected to his peers during this socially isolating time. While he meets with his friends online, my younger son and I often work on an art project together.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENetflix, Hulu, DVDs, etc. Every evening after dinner we've been watching episodes of The Office together, or other funny shows (last night was Netflix's Pandemic, but I personally recommend generally ending the day with something a little more uplifting). I can't bear the idea of \"binge-watching\" anything, so we always limit the amount of episodes to 2-3, depending on length of the episodes. After watching shows, we end screen time and read books until bedtime.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBetween episodes, we always do \"family exercise time\". Using a timer, we take turns choosing an exercise to do for one minute. We do this for two full rounds, then two minutes of stretching, for a total of around 10 minutes. It's quick but challenging, and there's always a nice variety this way.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWellness\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003EWe've found a nice balance of spending time together but also giving each other space. It can be easy to get on each other's nerves when cooped up together endlessly. Be patient, keep it light, see the good in people and be forgiving.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI wake up every morning and meditate for a comfortable 15 minutes. A regular practice keeps me from catastrophizing, or making mountains out of molehills. We also meditate as a family every evening before bed, for just 5 minutes. It's just a nice time to sit together, breath and relax. Here is my article on \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/meditation-how-why.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emeditation basics, the how \u0026amp; why\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGet outside every single day. Don't let a day pass when you have been inside all day, unless you are bedridden. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/02\/how-i-finally-got-to-sleep-ending.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI struggled with insomnia for years\u003C\/a\u003E, and one of the keys to better sleep was a long morning walk; daylight, fresh air, and exercise all help to regulate our circadian rhythms. Also, being cooped up can make you feel crazy. Getting outside will remind you that your world is still all there, you have space, and best of all: it's springtime! Enjoy the animals, the birds singing and the squirrels acting crazy, the flowers starting to cover the trees, and animals generally getting bolder as they meet with less human interference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EKeep your immune system strong by doing the following:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELimit sugar, which has a hazardous effect on immune function.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESupplement with vitamins C \u0026amp; D, and Zinc lozenges, which all help prevent respiratory illness.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGet plenty of sleep. Try to turn the lights out at 10, and allow enough time in a darkened room to wake up naturally in the morning.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMove your body daily. The immune system requires muscular movement for optimal circulation of lymphatic fluids. Sitting around all day is not good for anyone.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFind comfort in your people, pets, or your online community. My cat has been such a blessing through this. He is always there for us, always happy to love and be loved, so soft and warm. He doesn't care that the world as we know it may have ended, as long as we still have some kibble.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yqNuXuXJHNw\/Xn5vaRudyxI\/AAAAAAAAlZQ\/RWJAVCDPSGw9RHYEz7MaLRxrvrmJhp3kgCKgBGAsYHg\/s1600\/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200322175346768_COVER.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yqNuXuXJHNw\/Xn5vaRudyxI\/AAAAAAAAlZQ\/RWJAVCDPSGw9RHYEz7MaLRxrvrmJhp3kgCKgBGAsYHg\/s640\/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200322175346768_COVER.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through these links helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/728398092006928504\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2020\/03\/our-year-of-buying-nothing-quarantine.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/728398092006928504"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/728398092006928504"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2020\/03\/our-year-of-buying-nothing-quarantine.html","title":"Our Year of Buying Nothing: The Quarantine Edition"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yqNuXuXJHNw\/Xn5vaRudyxI\/AAAAAAAAlZQ\/RWJAVCDPSGw9RHYEz7MaLRxrvrmJhp3kgCKgBGAsYHg\/s72-c\/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200322175346768_COVER.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-6433748660441511866"},"published":{"$t":"2018-02-16T17:09:00.001-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-02-16T19:13:32.372-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How I Finally Got to Sleep: Ending Insomnia Naturally"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TjjEmSZIl80\/Wod5ru42U8I\/AAAAAAAAYcA\/Jd9y9aELxVoDnD67B5_c8JzTCzK2J2irwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/pexels-photo-267684.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1060\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TjjEmSZIl80\/Wod5ru42U8I\/AAAAAAAAYcA\/Jd9y9aELxVoDnD67B5_c8JzTCzK2J2irwCLcBGAs\/s640\/pexels-photo-267684.jpeg\" title=\"How I Finally Got to Sleep: Ending Insomnia Naturally\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFor years I struggled with insomnia:\u003C\/b\u003E waking each night around 2 a.m., tossing and turning, and finally just getting up. I learned to nap during the day if I could squeeze one in, but I was sleep deprived in a chronic, dangerous way. Sleep deprivation can lead to all kinds of health problems, and mental \u0026amp; emotional issues as well. I was very aware of these risks, having read nearly every article and book out there on how to sleep. Teaching myself to sleep right became kind of an obsession; I made spreadsheets of all the things I was supposed to do each day in order to sleep better. I kept track of every little thing, so I would know what worked and what made it worse. The only problem was that \u003Cb\u003Enothing ever seemed to work; it only got worse\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter three years of this, I happened upon an article about how\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.theladders.com\/career-advice\/insomnia-sleep-issues\"\u003Epeople who define themselves as having insomnia made their sleep problems worse\u003C\/a\u003E. And not only that, but they felt worse the next day even when they got as much sleep as people who don't think of themselves as having sleep issues. I realized that the problem for a lot of us, for me in particular, could be in my mind. I had so much stress built up around bedtime, that I often felt a little panicked if I wasn't in bed by 10 p.m.- that golden hour for getting perfect sleep. I had tried every natural sleep product my friends recommended over the years, and even a couple of unnatural, over the counter ones recommended by my doctors. I had done a sleep study: hooked up to wires and tubes and stuck all over with goo. It felt like the worst night of sleep in my life, but afterwards I was told that I didn't have sleep apnea. I came very close to getting surgery on my deviated septum, believing at the time that this was what was keeping me up. I canceled that surgery at the last minute, panicked that it would only make things worse.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EInsomnia and sleep problems are incredibly common.\u003C\/b\u003E Once I started posting about my sleep issues on Facebook, I realized how widespread the problem is. I started an insomnia support group, so I could learn from what worked for others. I shared the article linked to above\u0026nbsp;with that group, and one member admitted that it was so important to her not to define herself as an insomniac anymore, that she almost hadn't joined my group. She hadn't had sleep issues in years, ever since she let the label of insomnia go. Another member took issue with the idea that her sleep problems, which she felt had a physical cause, were all in her head. Definitely, there are different causes of sleep issues; for many of us it begins with the birth of our first child. We can start out with one cause, and then the problem becomes chronic along the way, as the original cause is replaced by anxiety around sleep. We need to make sure we change the things we can in our lives to create better sleep hygiene, but we need to also do what we can to give our minds a break from stress around sleep.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESleep is essential. \u003C\/b\u003EAlong with eating right and exercise, sleep is one of the three pillars of health. It should come naturally, it should come easily, and I was so frustrated that it constantly seemed beyond my grasp, no matter how much I tried to do things \"right\". I did learn some little tricks along the way, from all my sleep books \u0026amp; articles. I found that it's important to take the right steps for sleep hygiene, but also to remove the stress around sleep.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EHere's what finally worked:\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBrief Meditation\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E Morning and night, for 5-10 minutes. I find that it's a nice beginning and end to each day, and 5 minutes is much easier to squeeze in than the standard 20 minutes that is usually recommended.\u0026nbsp;Occasionally I can't fit it in during a busy morning, so I'll do my morning meditation in the afternoon. I don't stress about it. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/meditation-how-why.html\"\u003EMeditation has too many proven benefits to ignore\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJournaling\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E In order to reduce nighttime stress levels, it's helpful to write about anything troubling us, before laying down to sleep. Anytime I have something bothering me at bedtime, I write about it, including all my fears and any possible solutions. Getting my worries down on paper lets my mind off the hook, so it can go on to do the important work of sleep. As a nightly habit, I also write down three unique things that I'm thankful for; one thing I'm proud of; and one thing I'm excited about. This is a good habit to help focus on the positive; whether it helps with sleep or not I can't say. Sleep problems are commonly caused by, or exacerbated by, depression, so anything we can do to lighten up should help.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003EEarplugs\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;This was a hard one to get used to at first, as I disliked the feeling of pressure inside my ears. But after a few nights with earplugs, I barely noticed them. And, wonderfully, I no longer woke to every outside noise. Now, when I put my earplugs in, I feel l am in a cozy little cocoon where nothing can bother me. If you are caring for infants, it's probably best to leave out the earplugs for now.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBlackout Blinds\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;It's important to get your bedroom as dark as you can make it when you sleep. Cover or remove anything that has an LED light at night. Remove night lights from bedrooms, and keep them in common areas and bathrooms instead. Our neighbors keep a light shining all night, so we pull our blinds down all the way. The darkness should be so complete that you cannot see your hand in front of your face.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ECaffeine Moratorium\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;Don't worry, it's not off limits. For me, anytime I drink coffee or black tea after noon, I'm risking being wide awake in the middle of the night. So I have the hard stuff in the morning, and stick to green tea or herbal blends later on. I have a nightly cup of herbal tea at bedtime, but I feel it's more a cozy ritual and less about the specific herbs I drink being helpful for sleep. These days I'm drinking catnip tea before bed.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EScreen Ban\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;I cheat on this one, because I do read books on my phone before bed, using the Kindle app. But after tucking in the kids, I no longer scroll through social media. Our only TV is in the den, far away from bedrooms. Blue light from LCD screens has been shown to reduce sleep quality, so we use a free app (\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twilight.urbandroid.org\/\"\u003ETwilight\u003C\/a\u003E for Android, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/justgetflux.com\/\"\u003Ef.lux\u003C\/a\u003E for Apple) that automatically filters out the blue light after the sun goes down. I also turn my phone on airplane mode, to make sure my sleep isn't interrupted at night by little incoming messages. This also to reduces my temptation to check Facebook after hours. With airplane mode on, all I can do is read my book in peace; it's kind of perfect.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDrink in Moderation\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;Or, don't drink at all if you like. Definitely, the more you drink, the more degraded your quality of sleep will be. It's best to have just one or two drinks, and to have them earlier rather than right before bed, so the alcohol gets metabolized before sleep onset. Yes, wine can make you feel sleepy and even help in falling asleep; however quality of sleep can be hindered by alcohol. I find that I can fall asleep easily after a couple of drinks, but then I'll pop awake around 4 a.m., regretting that last glass of wine. Also watch things like sulfites, additives, and weird mixers. We try to enjoy our booze with the least chemicals and sugar possible. My favorite mixed drink is a vodka or tequila with soda water. It's so light and easy to drink, and doesn't leave you feeling sick. I've had good luck with sulfite free red wine as well.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ENo Pets\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;At least, no pets in the bedroom at night. I am too sensitive to every little movement, every meow (even with earplugs) and cats are nocturnal. We set up our attached garage as our cat's nighttime apartment, so we can all get better sleep.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EHere's what might help with sleep; I don't know for sure but I do it anyway:\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EExercise Daily\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;Forget three times a week: exercise every day. Bodies were meant to be used, not to sit. We spend so much of both our work and our leisure sitting; we really need to consciously move when we can. The only people exempt from this are people with very physically demanding jobs, like construction workers or landscapers- but if this describes you, you might find yoga helpful for countering repetitive motions and minimizing work related stresses. For others, start where you can. Commit to a gentle walk and a few stretches every day. Do more if you are able. I like the idea of breaking a sweat every day, though I can't always make that happen. In order to keep our bodies working properly as we age, we must use them all we can.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EEat Well\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;Avoid things you know bother your tummy; don't eat too much; don't eat too close to bedtime (leave at least a 3 hour window between dinner \u0026amp; sleep). Eat nutritious, whole foods, made from scratch with natural ingredients whenever possible. Don't beat yourself up for the occasional junk or treat; what matters is what you do most of the time.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EDaylight\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;At night we want deep darkness for proper melatonin production; in the morning, getting outside for some exposure to natural daylight will help balance waking hormones for a new day. A quick walk around the block is pretty easy to fit into our morning routine, and has the added value of moving the body. You could also have your coffee out on your porch. Getting outside soon after waking up is ideal, but it doesn't have to be a big undertaking. I recently bought our family umbrellas so the interminable Pacific Northwest rain won't keep us from our daily walks. Even on heavily overcast days, the natural light outdoors will trigger hormone production and help regulate sleep cycles.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci style=\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003EBedtime\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;One central tenet of sleep hygiene is going to bed at the same time every night, and getting up 8 hours later every morning (or more, since it can take a bit to fall asleep). Most of us produce sleep initiating hormones at around 10 p.m., so that's the ideal time for lights out. I do pretty much follow this, but I no longer get bent out of shape if we are still tucking the kids in at 10:30. What matters is that we have an enjoyable, relaxing evening.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EFurther Reading \u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: normal;\"\u003E(Affiliate link):\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/1623367395\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;camp=1789\u0026amp;creative=9325\u0026amp;creativeASIN=1623367395\u0026amp;linkCode=as2\u0026amp;tag=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;linkId=350c60948b6d99377c206c67646c4c1a\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESleep Smarter: 21 Essential Strategies to Sleep Your Way to A Better Body, Better Health, and Bigger Success\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"\" border=\"0\" height=\"1\" src=\"\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;l=am2\u0026amp;o=1\u0026amp;a=1623367395\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" width=\"1\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;This book, by Shawn Stevenson of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/theshawnstevensonmodel.com\/podcasts\/\"\u003EThe Model Health Show\u003C\/a\u003E, is laid out clearly with a different section for each strategy to encourage better sleep. Stevenson explains the science behind each idea, with a down to earth, modern voice. I tried nearly all of his suggestions (I skipped the silver sheets and grounded bedding!) and because of these tips I really did start to sleep better. I recommend you check it out to see if he has ideas for things that might work for you that I didn't include here. Not everything felt like it helped me, but it might be just what you need. He really sums up current sleep science in such a thorough way that I found every book I've read on sleep since this one to be redundant.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family, without any additional expense to you. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6433748660441511866\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/02\/how-i-finally-got-to-sleep-ending.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6433748660441511866"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6433748660441511866"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/02\/how-i-finally-got-to-sleep-ending.html","title":"How I Finally Got to Sleep: Ending Insomnia Naturally"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TjjEmSZIl80\/Wod5ru42U8I\/AAAAAAAAYcA\/Jd9y9aELxVoDnD67B5_c8JzTCzK2J2irwCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/pexels-photo-267684.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-2337898423740456368"},"published":{"$t":"2018-01-29T04:00:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-29T13:15:08.731-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"What I Learned About Septum Piercings From Almost Failing At It Twice"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ch3\u003EBefore Piercing\u003C\/h3\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDo your research.\u003C\/b\u003E When I pierced my septum the fist time, I had wanted to have it pierced for a very long time, but I decided to do it on a whim, with a \"now or never\" attitude. Unfortunately, I happened to be passing a piercing shop at the mall when I decided this. So, instead of going with a recommended piercer with a good reputation, I went with whoever was on shift at the mall shop. I tried to ask questions of the girl working the front counter, but she was very unhelpful and assured me the piercer would tell me everything. I was nervous and excited.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe piercing itself was quick and painful, but then it was done. The piercer gave me a photocopy of instructions for care, and told me I could switch out the jewelry in 4 weeks. The paper said 4-8 weeks, so I conservatively waited 5 weeks to switch from the rather large ring he used to a smaller one that I felt fitted my face more.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI couldn't get it in. Even though the new jewelry was smaller, and I had waited even longer than he had told me, my piercing was effectively gone. I cried. I went into the shop later that day; the same piercer was working. He couldn't get it in either, and assured me that it was my fault. I cried again. The crying didn't help, but I had loved finally having my septum pierced, even with the too-large jewelry. Just like that, and after all my weeks of careful care, I had no more lovely septum ring.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhen I decided to get it repierced, a long year and a half later, \u003Cb\u003EI asked friends for recommendations\u003C\/b\u003E. I had gone into two local tattoo shops, but wasn't sure how to judge about the quality of care and the pride in their work, based on their art portfolios. When several friends recommended a piercer at a tattoo shop a few miles down the road, I sent the shop a facebook message. I explained that I had scar tissue from a previous septum piercing, and was nervous about the whole thing. We messaged back and forth a bit. She assured me that she could definitely help me out. She was very knowledgeable, and easily answered my questions, providing all kinds of information about jewelry types, problems and issues during healing, and told me to wait a full 8 weeks before switching out the ring.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe second time piercing the same spot was a lot more painful. It seemed like the scar tissue got in the way. But after a brief struggle and a few screams from what almost felt like birth pains, it was done. I had my new baby nose ring. To be safe, I waited 4 months before changing it out for a smaller ring. No need to rush.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EAfter Piercing\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECotton swabs\u003C\/b\u003E are your friend. You will use them to clean around the piercing, to get crust off the ring, and even to wipe your nose since you cannot use anything else. My nose was very sensitive, and took a long time to heal, especially the second time. I cleaned it and applied virgin coconut oil three times a day, making sure the ring could spin freely each time. \u003Cb\u003ECoconut oil\u003C\/b\u003E was my idea, and I chose it because it has antibacterial properties. My second piercer had recommended against using petroleum products like Vaseline.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy first peircer had just tried to sell me a packaged After Care solution (salt water). Instead of buying a bottle of salt water, I made my own saline solution fresh each time, with a bit of warm water and salt in my \u003Cb\u003Eneti pot\u003C\/b\u003E. Using a neti pot with a septum ring is a bit more challenging than I was used to, especially during the first couple months of acute healing. The spout will basically not form a tight seal inside the nostril since there's jewelry through it, but it still works. During the first weeks after piercing, I did not even touch it to my nose, but just used to pot to pour warm salt water around both sides of my piercing. Then I'd clean it with my cotton swab dipped in salt water, and rinse my septum with the neti pot again. Three times a day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ch4\u003EMaintain a Relationship With Your Piercer\u003C\/h4\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EA good piercer, like a good tattoo artist, cares about the work they're doing and wants it to be something you're happy with and that looks good in the long run. I have gone back to my piercer (Mary, from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/\"\u003E\u003Cspan id=\"goog_714486880\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EMosely's Tattoo\u003C\/a\u003E) with questions that came up during healing. I never once felt like my questions were dumb, or my problems a nuissance to her. That relationship ended up being extremely important when, nearly a year after my re-piercing, I tried to switch from a silver hinged ring to a gold hinged ring. They were both the exact same size, just different colors. I've been into gold lately, and was excited about trying something different than my standard silver jewelry. That's when I almost lost my piercing for the second time.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMy nose had originally been pierced with a circular barbell, a massive thing that didn't fit my face. Mary had preferred to use a captive bead ring, which was a little more slender and easier to wear. \u003Cb\u003EBoth rings had some weight to them because of attached beads\u003C\/b\u003E, and would swing around as I did yoga or leaned over. This turns out to be important in maintaining a kind of open piercing hole. When I switched my second piercing to a little \"seamless septum clicker\" ring, it was so small and light that the only movement it ever got was when I spun it during cleanings. This made the hole become very small and tight, and to my dismay, very nearly lost me my nose ring.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SPz1d4bIQi4\/Wm4CBYX5sXI\/AAAAAAAAX8k\/maJ0fKjzxXodXLY581dmBNPKXH1fsz-dQCKgBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_20180126_150543.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1200\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SPz1d4bIQi4\/Wm4CBYX5sXI\/AAAAAAAAX8k\/maJ0fKjzxXodXLY581dmBNPKXH1fsz-dQCKgBGAs\/s640\/IMG_20180126_150543.jpg\" title=\"What I Learned About Septum Piercings From Almost Failing At It Twice\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI'd been wanting to change my ring out for a while, and had just been pragmatically giving my nose lots of time to fully heal before messing with it again. It had been almost a year since my second piercing. I had read that it can take a year and a half to fully heal a septum piercing, although obviously the jewelry can be switched out before that time. So one morning I was feeling like a go-getter, and I got ready. Getting ready involved me washing my hands and opening the new ring. I did not even \u003Cb\u003Eclean my septum before changing the ring\u003C\/b\u003E, which would probably have been a good idea. That ended up not being the problem, however. The hole seemed to just be gone. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EI bravely slid the silver ring out, and tried to follow it with the little gold ring. I could get it in a millimeter or two, but after that it stopped dead. I tried from the other direction; same thing. Hands shaking, I took the ring to my boyfriend and he gave it his best. After making it bleed a little, he apologetically gave up too. Before even bringing the ring to him, I had messaged Mary in a panic. She got back to me and assured me it would be fine. Enough time had gone by that the piercing would certainly still be there. I iced my nose, took slow calming breaths, and prepared to go into the shop once they opened. While I waited I practiced some meditation, trying to keep my mind and body from going into stress mode. I don't love pain, and could not bear the thought of going through getting my septum pierced a third time, and the months of tender care that involves.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EBecause my hole had become so small, it was hard even for a professional to get a ring through. Gamely, she tried to insert my preferred gold ring, multiple times, multiple ways. Eventually, she grabbed a new ring, this one a hinged ring with a straight bar that goes through the septum. She got it in easily. My relief was palpable.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ENow my job is to \u003Cb\u003Egently wiggle\u003C\/b\u003E my nose ring frequently, to work the hole a little larger so that it will accept rounded rings and be easier to change out. And I think when I do change it again, I'll go back to the heavier, captive bead ring for a while, to make sure the piercing stays a decent size. Mary says the more often I change it, the easier it will get. For now, I'll go back to her for ring changes, until I'm confident that my piercing is here to stay.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family, without any additional expense to you. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2337898423740456368\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/what-i-learned-about-septum-piercings.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2337898423740456368"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2337898423740456368"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/what-i-learned-about-septum-piercings.html","title":"What I Learned About Septum Piercings From Almost Failing At It Twice"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-SPz1d4bIQi4\/Wm4CBYX5sXI\/AAAAAAAAX8k\/maJ0fKjzxXodXLY581dmBNPKXH1fsz-dQCKgBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_20180126_150543.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-2392128450009123623"},"published":{"$t":"2018-01-17T05:08:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-17T05:14:46.779-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Using Conditioner for Shaving Cream"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Have you ever had conditioner that didn't work on your hair, or that you just didn't like for whatever reason? What did you end up doing with it?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGenerally, the options would be to either throw it away, give it away, or (especially if you paid good money for it) use it anyway. Well, here is another option: Use your conditioner for shaving cream. No, you don't need shaving cream or gel from a can to get a good shave. Try this; it works!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wIhuEgqoOTs\/Wl9MFFm_2vI\/AAAAAAAAXvo\/_KxFRZ62s9ANZRnTnwSMwIoTYigePWviQCKgBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_20180117_045516.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1268\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wIhuEgqoOTs\/Wl9MFFm_2vI\/AAAAAAAAXvo\/_KxFRZ62s9ANZRnTnwSMwIoTYigePWviQCKgBGAs\/s640\/IMG_20180117_045516.jpg\" title=\"Using Conditioner for Shaving Cream\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI've been shaving with conditioner that I was given, and it works perfectly. It provides a creaminess, rinses easily away, and moisturizes. I keep the conditioner in a small tub that I can easily scoop what I need from while shaving, and refill as needed. It's as simple as that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also discovered I can easily shave at the sink, rather than in the shower, which saves water. I just use a washcloth to wet the area before shaving and wipe away the conditioner after.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0mX0YSSAyX4\/Wl9JTaVQapI\/AAAAAAAAXvQ\/g4aaDG-wK288LnUBZG2BL70qinO78InMgCKgBGAs\/s1600\/IMG_20180115_095153.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"1357\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"542\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-0mX0YSSAyX4\/Wl9JTaVQapI\/AAAAAAAAXvQ\/g4aaDG-wK288LnUBZG2BL70qinO78InMgCKgBGAs\/s640\/IMG_20180115_095153.jpg\" title=\"Using Conditioner for Shaving Cream\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EShaving with your conditioner provides an elegant solution for conditioners that don't work great for your hair, and might be a better option for your skin than whatever you've been using to shave with. Conventional cans of chemical shaving creams and gels create endless waste, but the bottles conditioners come in can generally be recycled. It takes just a small scoop to provide coverage, so one bottle lasts a long time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you're interested in going shampoo and conditioner free, check out my articles on using simple household staples to get super clean hair: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-my-family-went-shampoo-free.html\"\u003EHow My Family Went Shampoo Free\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/still-shampoo-free-magic-of-baking-soda.html\"\u003EStill Shampoo Free\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family, without any additional expense to you. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2392128450009123623\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/using-conditioner-for-shaving-cream.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2392128450009123623"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2392128450009123623"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2018\/01\/using-conditioner-for-shaving-cream.html","title":"Using Conditioner for Shaving Cream"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-wIhuEgqoOTs\/Wl9MFFm_2vI\/AAAAAAAAXvo\/_KxFRZ62s9ANZRnTnwSMwIoTYigePWviQCKgBGAs\/s72-c\/IMG_20180117_045516.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-2039502095699387313"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-05T07:30:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-04T13:26:29.502-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Preservation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hhval_UAnZA\/V6OfWAzRJdI\/AAAAAAAAMEo\/O-xdQSDQhIgouMkE-z37CxAyUF-b6njaACKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160722_175106.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Elderberries - A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hhval_UAnZA\/V6OfWAzRJdI\/AAAAAAAAMEo\/O-xdQSDQhIgouMkE-z37CxAyUF-b6njaACKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160722_175106.jpg\" title=\"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EElderberries are my favorite wild plant. They require so little work to produce so many easy to eat, nutritious berries, and the bush itself is lovely to look at. It has large, beautiful leaves and pretty clusters of edible white flowers in Spring.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGsaSLILHDU\/V6O_SJLZbSI\/AAAAAAAAMFo\/OfiTv7Fzc4wDByyDqdJqCnxZcKJOWXyDwCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160729_114159.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Elderberries - A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGsaSLILHDU\/V6O_SJLZbSI\/AAAAAAAAMFo\/OfiTv7Fzc4wDByyDqdJqCnxZcKJOWXyDwCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160729_114159.jpg\" title=\"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile I was teaching myself permaculture a few years ago, I learned about how beneficial elderberries are, both for people and for native animal populations. I ordered two blue elderberry bushes (Sambucus Cerulea)\u0026nbsp;from a local\u0026nbsp;nursery, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.burntridgenursery.com\/\"\u003EBurnt Ridge\u003C\/a\u003E. I quickly grew to love them. Not only are they native, supporting wild bird populations, but they effortlessly produce MASSES of gorgeous, rich berry clusters that are medicinal, nutritious, and super easy to harvest and use. And they don't take ages before producing food, like most fruit trees.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lrzm8lOitH8\/V6OeKdq0Z2I\/AAAAAAAAMEg\/a9FXXvsWuQk8aaKuMCYnXBXfZGpx80nTQCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160729_114209.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Elderberries - A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lrzm8lOitH8\/V6OeKdq0Z2I\/AAAAAAAAMEg\/a9FXXvsWuQk8aaKuMCYnXBXfZGpx80nTQCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160729_114209.jpg\" title=\"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGrowing:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOne of our elderberry plants is sandwiched between the shadows of two giant cedar trees and our house, and this bush is finally producing berries, after slowly growing for the past four years or so. We planted the other bush in a spot where it gets full eastern and southern exposure, and it's doing amazing and has been producing as many berries as we could want, for a few years now. I harvest huge bowls of berries every week for most of the summer, from this one plant. Its roots are also along the drainage ditch for our street, so it gets plenty of water without me lifting a finger.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhen in bloom, the flowering umbels face the sun, but they become so heavy with ripening berries that the branches sag towards the ground. It feels like harvesting the fruit is really helping the plant out, since the enlightened branches will spring back to an upright position.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yq9q1szfouY\/V6Oi-iRSFmI\/AAAAAAAAME8\/xKB1-syhUS4uIZyijH1H3kPw1d4uf5gxQCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160729_114144.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Elderberries - A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-yq9q1szfouY\/V6Oi-iRSFmI\/AAAAAAAAME8\/xKB1-syhUS4uIZyijH1H3kPw1d4uf5gxQCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160729_114144.jpg\" title=\"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESafety:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003EThis is a wonderful food producing native garden plant that you should know about! It's something you can harvest in the wild if you find it, or grow in your own yard if you have the space. It's important to note the difference between red and blue elderberries. Red elderberries can still be used in certain applications, but they are mostly toxic and should generally be avoided. It's easy to tell the difference between red and blue elderberry plants when they're flowering or fruiting, since blue elderberries have flat umbels, or clusters of flowers and berries. Red elderberries have more rounded umbels. And of course the berries are a completely different color. While the unripe berries, stems, and leaves of the blue elderberry do contain a toxin, the flowers and ripe berries can be liberally enjoyed. There is a chemical in the seeds that can cause nausea if eaten in large amounts, but it is rendered harmless when the berries are cooked.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs with all wild foraging, it's important to be absolutely sure of what you are eating. Use multiple sources for identifying anything new to you.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzYoZR04CWM\/V6NzvvNP2yI\/AAAAAAAAL0Y\/c8sXzk3j9EQpGzsQg-Kl_CDew5dG7LUVQCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160722_175525.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Elderberries - A Life Unprocessed\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-KzYoZR04CWM\/V6NzvvNP2yI\/AAAAAAAAL0Y\/c8sXzk3j9EQpGzsQg-Kl_CDew5dG7LUVQCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160722_175525.jpg\" title=\"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHarvesting:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe harvesting process is simple. When a berry cluster is very dark purple, use clippers to snip the whole thing off at the base of the stem. (If clusters still have green or pinkish berries towards the center, give them more time to ripen.) Gather these cut clusters together in a big bowl, and then bring them inside to remove the stems before cooking or freezing. Tiny pieces of stem are no big deal, just get all the woody bits out. While removing the stems, I like to wear nitrile medical gloves just to prevent the dark juice from getting under my nails and staining up my hands. It's temporary, and nothing worse than blackberries would do, but the juice is pretty red.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ebflJ2p6G8\/V6Ofmu2pd1I\/AAAAAAAAMEs\/1OJnNqVI3bo8jdEnDt5pAkwxLuMZPYKtwCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160729_142520.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Elderberries - A Life Unprocesed\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5ebflJ2p6G8\/V6Ofmu2pd1I\/AAAAAAAAMEs\/1OJnNqVI3bo8jdEnDt5pAkwxLuMZPYKtwCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160729_142520.jpg\" title=\"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUses:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EElderberry syrup is made by boiling the berries with water, and then straining out the skins and seeds. Honey can be added to the strained liquid. This syrup is not only great on pancakes, but it can be used medicinally to help the body fight off the flu or colds. It supports the immune system, and is great to take for nausea or diarrhea. Elderberry jam can be made as you would make any other berry jam, but you will need less sugar since the berries are not tart. Elderberry wine is a classic, which I have enjoyed but never made. The flowers can be harvested and used to make fritters or elderberry champagne. My favorite easy way to use elderberries is just to throw them in a batch of pancakes instead of blueberries. I make large batches of pancake batter, and stir in a couple cups of frozen berries just before cooking. I make pancakes like this every week, pretty much all year long.\u0026nbsp;I harvest the ripe berries throughout the summer, and freeze a supply that lasts us all year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFor more on the use and history of elderberries, \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/plants.usda.gov\/plantguide\/pdf\/cs_sanic5.pdf\"\u003Echeck out this page\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;from the USDA. Additional information is \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.pnwplants.wsu.edu\/PlantDisplay.aspx?PlantID=455\"\u003Eavailable here\u003C\/a\u003E, on the WSU website.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003EPlease check out the following links if you're interested- any purchases made through my link help support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B002RZRJHI\u0026amp;asins=B002RZRJHI\u0026amp;linkId=UL2YOELARG5IUHAY\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B00BWIX1EQ\u0026amp;asins=B00BWIX1EQ\u0026amp;linkId=NGSBDXHFYOGAO4U2\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2039502095699387313\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/08\/how-to-harvest-and-use-blue-elderberries.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2039502095699387313"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2039502095699387313"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/08\/how-to-harvest-and-use-blue-elderberries.html","title":"How To Harvest and Use Blue Elderberries"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-hhval_UAnZA\/V6OfWAzRJdI\/AAAAAAAAMEo\/O-xdQSDQhIgouMkE-z37CxAyUF-b6njaACKgB\/s72-c\/IMG_20160722_175106.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-1848306523053072000"},"published":{"$t":"2016-06-03T06:49:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T17:11:13.319-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"A Wonderful Low-Cost Water Filter"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"We live in a region known for abundant, fresh, and clear water, the Pacific Northwest. However, more and more tests are showing that tap water in some cities in the Pacific Northwest, as well as many other regions, have dangerously high lead levels. Many of us feel, have felt for years, that we cannot rely on the cleaning methods of the municipal water system. Having a home water purification system just makes sense in this world where more junk is being dumped into our shared water supply all the time. Factory farms, modern industry, petroleum based global transportation, and the pharmaceutical industry all contribute to the problem of dirty, unsafe drinking water- even in places where we expect the water to be so clean.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESeveral months ago, I was searching online for a water purification system that would work in our new house. We had installed an under-sink water filter at our old place. At our new house, there is no place at the sink for the spout of that style of water filter to come up through. I considered buying the type of water filter that attaches to the main faucet, but they seem bulky and cumbersome. I did not want a bunch of plastic. I did not want something with expensive filters that would need to be replaced frequently. I really thought I might not find anything that worked for us, and I was tired of drinking water that tasted of chlorine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zez3Vqi3T80\/V1CurSa7GOI\/AAAAAAAAK80\/_1-M4oQd-b0V_LaXZFIi0Q6dUac9ICURQCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160602_145201.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"A Wonderful Low-Cost Water Filter - LifeUnprocessed.com\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zez3Vqi3T80\/V1CurSa7GOI\/AAAAAAAAK80\/_1-M4oQd-b0V_LaXZFIi0Q6dUac9ICURQCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160602_145201.jpg\" title=\"Gravity Fed Water Purifier - LifeUnprocessed.com\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt was actually thrilling when I found this water filter. I never knew this design existed. The gravity fed, stainless steel countertop water filter was exactly what I was looking for:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's very low tech- it requires no plumbing or batteries.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIt's low maintenance- the ceramic filters do not need to be replaced. When the water filtration rate starts to get too slow, you simply remove the filters and give them a good scrub, and they will filter again like new.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe unit is made of high grade stainless steel and ceramic, with very little plastic (the base of the filters and the spigot that comes with it, which is replaceable, are plastic).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFrom what I can tell, this type of filter removes virtually everything you want removed, while leaving the important trace minerals. It renders unsafe water safe, whether that water came from a well, a stream, or your urban tap.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAnd finally, it's an amazing price, considering many water filters cost thousands of dollars.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-0RFYT5Rs4zM\/V1C0hXwjmPI\/AAAAAAAAK9I\/E7XkCL1TCE00aOnVNAJJ7wru1uZ31U0zgCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160602_145221.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"A Wonderful Low-Cost Water Filter - LifeUnprocessed.com\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-0RFYT5Rs4zM\/V1C0hXwjmPI\/AAAAAAAAK9I\/E7XkCL1TCE00aOnVNAJJ7wru1uZ31U0zgCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160602_145221.jpg\" title=\"Gravity Fed Water Purifier - LifeUnprocessed.com\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybe most importantly, the water that comes from this water purifier tastes GREAT. I have started actually enjoying drinking plain water, something I had not really been in the habit of lately. It's satisfying, smooth, and pure. I didn't even know what I was missing before!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are different brands to choose from, that all do basically the same thing. The two main brands are British Berkefeld, and Berkey. They both make more expensive black carbon filters, which you can pay extra for, and which need to be replaced at some point. I just went with the standard ceramic filters that come with the unit. Both these brands had great reviews; I\u0026nbsp;opted for\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;the British Berkefeld based on price, and because they\u0026nbsp;had the mid-range size that I wanted. I've recommended the same type to friends and family, people who were still buying water in plastic bottles, and who were contemplating spending several thousand dollars on a high tech water purifier. Seriously, everyone loves it as much as I do. I'm posting an ad for it below, as well as to the other leading brand for comparison. Please check it out if you're interested- any purchases made through my link help support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B002RZRJHI\u0026amp;asins=B002RZRJHI\u0026amp;linkId=UL2YOELARG5IUHAY\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B00BWIX1EQ\u0026amp;asins=B00BWIX1EQ\u0026amp;linkId=NGSBDXHFYOGAO4U2\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1848306523053072000\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/a-wonderful-low-cost-water-filter.html#comment-form","title":"31 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1848306523053072000"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1848306523053072000"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/a-wonderful-low-cost-water-filter.html","title":"A Wonderful Low-Cost Water Filter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-zez3Vqi3T80\/V1CurSa7GOI\/AAAAAAAAK80\/_1-M4oQd-b0V_LaXZFIi0Q6dUac9ICURQCKgB\/s72-c\/IMG_20160602_145201.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"31"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-6726635112264699945"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-30T16:47:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-21T17:13:14.061-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Why I Quit Wearing A Bra "},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nYkE8KoooJI\/V0zPyIQmPeI\/AAAAAAAAK3A\/gjSvVqQOa18vyeyskxU54f3sfWukO6mJwCLcB\/s1600\/IMG_4752%2B-%2BEdited.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Why I Quit Wearing A Bra \" border=\"0\" height=\"436\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nYkE8KoooJI\/V0zPyIQmPeI\/AAAAAAAAK3A\/gjSvVqQOa18vyeyskxU54f3sfWukO6mJwCLcB\/s640\/IMG_4752%2B-%2BEdited.jpg\" title=\"Bra free\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI had read about this before, and ignored it, partly because I have no history of breast cancer in my family, and partly because when we are young we tend to believe we are to some degree invincible. But there is nothing like a lecture from your doctor to drive a point home, to make the risk seem personal and real, and to make a superficial and potentially risky behavior seem really unnecessary.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMy doctor saw my bra during a recent visit, and was like, \"Is that underwire? Have I given you my lecture on underwire bras yet?\" She proceeded to briefly describe the multiple studies, both in the US and abroad, that show a strong connection between breast cancer rates and women wearing bras with underwire.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI used to never wear underwire bras. They are, after all, quite uncomfortable. But years after having kids, and nursing them for a total of six years, I disliked my breasts, which now seemed to hang limp like empty sacks. When I wanted to feel sexy again, I took the plunge and bought my first shaping, lifting, world-changing underwire bra. Finally, I had some lift! Some shape to my sad flat breasts. This magical bra even gave me a hint of cleavage. I was hooked, and started wearing underwire bras daily, enjoying my new shape and silhouette. Without a bra, my breasts seemed lifeless and tiny. With the bra, my boobs seemed to join the world of the living again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGetting in the car after that doctor's visit, I promptly removed my bra and felt immediate relief. I was so much more comfortable without it! I could definitely get used to this unrestrained free and easy comfort. But would I still be beautiful? Would my boyfriend find me sexy at all anymore?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI sadly informed him over dinner that I would no longer be wearing bras, on my doctor's recommendation. I described why this decision was necessary, while he nodded and listened delightedly the whole time. \"Yes! I fully support this decision!\" he said enthusiastically. And I realized that my boyfriend-- perhaps straight men in general-- prefer a woman's natural form and movement and shape, to some idealized, rigid structure. Bras hide our natural form and beauty, while giving us the shape that we think we're supposed to have. My going braless would actually bring my boyfriend joy. This made me feel better about it. But would I still feel sexy and beautiful? I doubted it. I had so loved the shape that special bra gave me.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe next day I tried on several outfits, and was surprised to discover that they looked better, that I felt sexier, without the bra. I was like, Yes, this is actually me! Not some artificial version of the me that I think I'm supposed to look like. I decided to keep an assortment of comfortable, wire free bras to wear with more see-through clothes that need a bra for modesty. I'm not trying to show everyone my nipples. And I did save that one magic bra, in case I ever want to wear it for special occasions, but I stuck it way in the back of a drawer. It will get worn rarely, if ever, now that I have discovered that I LIKE my body. I feel more comfortable and more sexy without a bra.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOf course, this is the decision of a small breasted woman. If I had large breasts, I have a feeling I would want the support of a comfortable wire free bra on most days. I will continue to wear a sports bra during athletic pursuits like running, to minimize the stress of bouncing. But for most of my day-to-day life these girls don't need any actual support. My doctor also assured me that Victoria's Secret, the source of my magical underwire bra, also makes wire free bras that give the same lift and shape. But personally, I am feeling more sexy and beautiful, more myself, just going bare.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECheck out this article\u0026nbsp;for a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/goop.com\/could-there-possibly-be-a-link-between-underwire-bras-and-breast-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emore thorough discussion of the evidence concerning the link between bras and breast cancer\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUpdate: A couple of my readers suggested Coobie bras, as a comfortable alternative to standard bras, but with more support than going bare. I had never heard of them, but was surprised to learn, when I googled Coobie bra, that I am actually wearing one right now. I was gifted it from my Buy Nothing group. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/03\/how-to-score-new-wardrobe-without.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EClick here to read my article about how that gifting group works.\u003C\/a\u003E Let me just say that this bra is very comfy. I *generally* never wear bras anymore, but this outfit needed one since my top is a bit translucent. My Coobie feels like a gentle hug. There are various styles, but all basically designed with comfort in mind. I'm posting an ad for the Coobie bra on Amazon below. If you decide to purchase through my link, Amazon kicks me back a wee little commission, and I appreciate it!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B00FFJWLI0\u0026amp;asins=B00FFJWLI0\u0026amp;linkId=YCECXKFOPRE6XMRI\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cscript src=\"\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6726635112264699945\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/why-i-quit-wearing-bra.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6726635112264699945"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6726635112264699945"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/why-i-quit-wearing-bra.html","title":"Why I Quit Wearing A Bra "}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-nYkE8KoooJI\/V0zPyIQmPeI\/AAAAAAAAK3A\/gjSvVqQOa18vyeyskxU54f3sfWukO6mJwCLcB\/s72-c\/IMG_4752%2B-%2BEdited.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-4057489319301517203"},"published":{"$t":"2016-05-27T16:35:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-11T11:54:47.046-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Crafts"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap With Three Simple Ingredients"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I know a lot of people are going to wonder why they would ever make laundry soap when they can just buy laundry detergent at the grocery store. First of all, it's super easy. Once you do it, you will probably be like, why have I not done this before? But since being easy is not reason enough, for most of us, there are a few more reasons. In addition to containing chemicals that are hazardous to the environment, the most common laundry detergents also contains known carcinogens and many other irritating ingredients. Many people give every load they wash an extra rinse, because their skin is sensitive to harmful detergents and they need to make sure it's all removed before wearing their clean clothes. You will not have to do that with this soap. Also, with anything you make yourself there is far less packaging waste, and whenever you need to make another batch you can simply reuse the same containers, instead of creating more garbage.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd yes, this works in an HE washer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kmTaXbfsz7g\/V0jLfVjnoqI\/AAAAAAAAK0U\/VjSr3dYxQ202xh74x3kt3Q4WcO4flDprwCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160516_134849.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap, With These Three Simple Ingredients\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kmTaXbfsz7g\/V0jLfVjnoqI\/AAAAAAAAK0U\/VjSr3dYxQ202xh74x3kt3Q4WcO4flDprwCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160516_134849.jpg\" title=\"Borax, concentrated liquid soap, and super washing soda\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis makes a lot of laundry soap, from a very small volume of ingredients, so it's incredibly economical. I purchase my ingredients in bulk from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.azurestandard.com\/?a_aid=z10mym6FoA\"\u003EAzure Standard\u003C\/a\u003E, a natural foods distributor. I make a two gallon batch and it lasts me over a year. This recipe is easily halved, if you have a smaller container or want to test the recipe before making a ton. Unlike a lot of homemade laundry soap recipes, there's no cooking or grating required. Simply mix together, dissolve in hot water, and then add a large amount of tap water and it's ready to go.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI keep mine in glass pitcher with a leakproof lid, and give it a gentle shake before each use, since the ingredients can settle over time. I mix my soap up in a 5 gallon bucket, and then use this to refill the pitcher as needed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-W12up1D9J5s\/V0jNM-6M8HI\/AAAAAAAAK0g\/_D0fYrMI-NkXFIN1nBpO5cORXgJ7GuUpgCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160516_135853.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap, With These Three Simple Ingredients\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-W12up1D9J5s\/V0jNM-6M8HI\/AAAAAAAAK0g\/_D0fYrMI-NkXFIN1nBpO5cORXgJ7GuUpgCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160516_135853.jpg\" title=\"Jug of homemade laundry soap\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn to the recipe!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIngredients:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E6 Tbsp Castile soap or other concentrated liquid soap\u003Cbr \/\u003E6 Tbsp Borax (available in the cleaning aisle of department and grocery stores)\u003Cbr \/\u003E6 Tbsp Super Washing Soda (don't be discouraged- I had no idea where to buy this when I first started making laundry soap, so I found out how to make my own from Baking Soda. See instructions at bottom.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E1 quart hot water plus 7 quarts cool water\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPlace your ingredients in a clean bucket and add about a quart of very hot water to dissolve everything. I use an old 5 gallon bucket, but you could also use an upcycled bottle from a storebought liquid laundry detergent - just adjust the amounts of ingredients accordingly if it's a smaller container, and use a funnel as needed to fill the container you choose.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fGBbMaD8Srw\/V0jPUj6gQpI\/AAAAAAAAK0s\/6nxO-UPJeF09cHVq45BeNqcgXwSPrXGpgCKgB\/s1600\/IMG_20160516_135713.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap, With These Three Simple Ingredients\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-fGBbMaD8Srw\/V0jPUj6gQpI\/AAAAAAAAK0s\/6nxO-UPJeF09cHVq45BeNqcgXwSPrXGpgCKgB\/s640\/IMG_20160516_135713.jpg\" title=\"Making liquid laundry soap at home\" width=\"478\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStir up the ingredients with the hot water until well-mixed, and then add in enough water to equal two gallons overall. (So, if you've already added a quart of water, add 7 more quarts, bringing it to two gallons total.) Stir well and ladle or pour into your pitcher, bottle, or jar for easy use.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow you have two gallons of wonderful, natural, easy laundry soap. How do you use it? Probably exactly how you have always used liquid laundry soap. Open the soap compartment, pour in what you need, and you're golden. I use maybe 1\/2 cup per load. I just pour it into the soap tray to the Max Fill line (assuming I'm washing a full load). Less for smaller loads.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESuper Washing Soda:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMaybe you already found it in the same aisle as the Borax. I had a harder time finding any, but fortunately it's even easier to make than laundry soap. Plus, making your own ensures you know exactly what's in it. Conveniently, it's made from a single ingredient that nearly everyone has: Baking Soda.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPour a couple cups of baking soda in a large baking dish, and bake for 1 hour at 425 degrees. Give it a bit of a stir once or twice, to ensure even baking. This long bake changes it chemically so it is no longer baking soda, and it will have a different consistency when it's done. Less sticky and clumpy, more dry and smooth. 1 1\/3 cups of baking soda will reduce down to 1 cup of washing soda, when it's done. Save any excess washing soda in an airtight jar for your next batch of laundry soap. For more info on super washing soda, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mommypotamus.com\/how-to-make-washing-soda\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Echeck out this article\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you prefer, Amazon sells a handy two pack of Borax and Super Washing Soda, perfect for this kind of endeavor.\u003Cbr \/\u003EPurchasing them through my ad below provides a small boon for our family; thank you in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B00AZ6IH68\u0026amp;asins=B00AZ6IH68\u0026amp;linkId=YV5VBMH2ANZ4XCQX\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4057489319301517203\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/how-to-make-liquid-laundry-soap-with.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4057489319301517203"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4057489319301517203"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/05\/how-to-make-liquid-laundry-soap-with.html","title":"How to Make Liquid Laundry Soap With Three Simple Ingredients"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-kmTaXbfsz7g\/V0jLfVjnoqI\/AAAAAAAAK0U\/VjSr3dYxQ202xh74x3kt3Q4WcO4flDprwCKgB\/s72-c\/IMG_20160516_134849.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-8292665270876527373"},"published":{"$t":"2015-10-13T16:57:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T07:14:38.714-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Oil Pulling: How to Save Your Teeth and Gums with this Simple Trick"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-J3njRnZAQLA\/Vh2UAOELeSI\/AAAAAAAAG_o\/8u1AYrMCsng\/s1600\/IMG_20151011_165120295_HDR.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"oil pulling coconut oil tea tree oil\" border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-J3njRnZAQLA\/Vh2UAOELeSI\/AAAAAAAAG_o\/8u1AYrMCsng\/s640\/IMG_20151011_165120295_HDR.jpg\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHave you ever heard of oil pulling? A few years ago, after reading all kinds of articles about how this traditional oral hygiene technique would prevent cavities and improve health, I tried doing it every morning. I would wake up and swish coconut oil in my mouth for several minutes as my tea brewed. Not the hardest thing to do, but I never really noticed any effect, so I eventually let it go. I asked my dentist about it, and he knew really nothing about it either way. So I was pretty uninspired to continue, until recent developments.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA few months ago, I suddenly found myself plagued with sensitive gums. They felt a little puffy, and would bleed a tiny bit every time I brushed. This continued for a few weeks. It was minor, but it was persistant. I was worried the dentist would tell me I had gingivitis, or some type of mouth plague. So I resolved I'd do what I could on my own for a few weeks, and then get to a professional if I couldn't clear it up.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI came up with this recipe because I know a lot of natural oral care products contain tea tree oil, which has very effective antimicrobial properties. Tea tree oil is extremely strong, and best used at a very low concentration, so I just needed something to mix it with. I knew from all my reading about oil pulling that coconut oil, which is antiviral, antibacterial, and even antifungal, would be the best base for a mouthwash.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-P0uQaa__P4U\/Vh2Xfugiq5I\/AAAAAAAAG_0\/eBrow3-i2JY\/s1600\/IMG_20151011_165232798_HDR.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"coconut and tea tree oil\" border=\"0\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-P0uQaa__P4U\/Vh2Xfugiq5I\/AAAAAAAAG_0\/eBrow3-i2JY\/s640\/IMG_20151011_165232798_HDR.jpg\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, simply, I made a mouthwash by mixing coconut oil with several drops of tea tree oil. I swished this combination around in my mouth every day for a few minutes, and my gums were completely better within a day or two. I did finally go to the dentist for my annual cleaning and checkup, and the dental assistant who cleaned my teeth and checked my gums said she couldn't believe I was recently having problems, since my gums looked extremely healthy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EInspired to try it yourself?\u003Cbr \/\u003EMix together in a little jar about 1 cup of virgin coconut oil and ten drops of tea tree oil. Stir it very well, and swish a small spoonful around in your mouth once a day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBonus! It freshens your breath while it kills all the junk in your mouth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETea tree oil is safe for oral use, however it should not be swallowed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8292665270876527373\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2015\/10\/oil-pulling-how-to-save-your-teeth-and.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/8292665270876527373"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/8292665270876527373"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2015\/10\/oil-pulling-how-to-save-your-teeth-and.html","title":"Oil Pulling: How to Save Your Teeth and Gums with this Simple Trick"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-J3njRnZAQLA\/Vh2UAOELeSI\/AAAAAAAAG_o\/8u1AYrMCsng\/s72-c\/IMG_20151011_165120295_HDR.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-532238475439588331"},"published":{"$t":"2015-01-04T11:44:00.002-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T18:08:31.899-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parenting"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Meditation: The How \u0026 Why"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rKUa2HDjNX0\/VKoV4bcvIFI\/AAAAAAAAFAQ\/QZdyBHk5NhE\/s1600\/05-19-2012-131130.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"lavender flowers\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rKUa2HDjNX0\/VKoV4bcvIFI\/AAAAAAAAFAQ\/QZdyBHk5NhE\/s1600\/05-19-2012-131130.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAs the new year begins, many of us find this a good time to let\u0026nbsp;go of old habits and\u0026nbsp;start healthier ones.\u0026nbsp;Will you make 2015 the year you start meditating regularly?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI'm a pretty typical Type A personality: driven, busy, and often multitasking, while still making an effort to slow down and enjoy life. For years I considered meditation a luxury of those with much simpler lives, something that\u0026nbsp;I couldn't possibly justify making the time for on a regular basis.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9XTrJRsp9LM\/VKoWHFBcv7I\/AAAAAAAAFAY\/59t_Z-t8w60\/s1600\/P1014880.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"meditation\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9XTrJRsp9LM\/VKoWHFBcv7I\/AAAAAAAAFAY\/59t_Z-t8w60\/s1600\/P1014880.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI eventually read this book though, that completely changed my view, and suddenly meditation became positively worthwhile for me- \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sharonsalzberg.com\/real-happiness-book\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EReal Happiness: The Power of Meditation, by Sharon Salzberg\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E. I recommend it to anyone curious about meditation, especially for those like me who had tried it at various times in their lives and felt like a failure at it for one reason or another. I'm not going to do the book justice here, but I'm going to try to sum up what changed for me, and what I learned from reading Real Happiness.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rx9Y9KyIWF8\/VKoWXqDLP0I\/AAAAAAAAFAg\/8NBlMYyO51w\/s1600\/10-05-2008-162320.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"forest columns\" border=\"0\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-rx9Y9KyIWF8\/VKoWXqDLP0I\/AAAAAAAAFAg\/8NBlMYyO51w\/s1600\/10-05-2008-162320.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHere are some of the reasons I've had difficulty maintaining a meditation practice over the years:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMy mind would wander. I felt incapable of clearing my mind for 20 minutes. I figured there were people who could do this, and people who could not, and I just couldn't.\u0026nbsp;I felt convinced there were more important things I needed my time for. Life was passing me by, while I sat! Meditation seemed like a waste of this limited resource. Sitting still? What was the point, really? Enlightenment? Did I even want to be enlightened? I was pretty sure meditation was something that might be a huge benefit for certain types of people, but for me, not so much. I'm more of a doer, not a sitter. Keeping myself busy seemed more rewarding.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hUC-XaimMt4\/VKoWk7pb-FI\/AAAAAAAAFAo\/rty332z7XvQ\/s1600\/P6304369.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"beautiful view\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hUC-XaimMt4\/VKoWk7pb-FI\/AAAAAAAAFAo\/rty332z7XvQ\/s1600\/P6304369.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EOK, so here is what I've learned about How to Meditate:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThere are so many ways to meditate successfully, but in order to clear your mind of\u0026nbsp;wandering thoughts, it helps to maintain some kind of focal point. Some practitioners use a mantra, a series of words or sounds mentally repeated. These can have meaning to you or not; the point is to have something to come back to when your mind wants to jump around. Another focal point could be your breath, just focusing on the rise and fall of your chest. Or the subtle\u0026nbsp;feel of the air as it softly passes in and out of your nose. Some use a mental image. Whatever you can gently focus on, and come back to as often as needed, will work.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-05k2OSZZx1E\/VKoWu5EXsMI\/AAAAAAAAFAw\/MifrtmAFEVo\/s1600\/P5030096.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"purple flower\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-05k2OSZZx1E\/VKoWu5EXsMI\/AAAAAAAAFAw\/MifrtmAFEVo\/s1600\/P5030096.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EChoose your focus. Let the rest go.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI prefer to keep my eyes closed during meditation, but some find it easier to keep their thoughts from wandering if they have a visual focal point, such as a candle on a table in front of you, a flower in a vase, or even a spot on the wall. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor everyone, no matter how experienced, thoughts will come during meditation. It's not a sign of failure or an innate shortcoming. It's human.\u0026nbsp;It's what you do with those thoughts, how you respond, that makes a difference. Do you follow them wherever they lead? It's easy to do, but bringing yourself back to your focal point, gently and consistently, and being prepared to do this over and over again, will help your practice. Successful meditation involves consistently making the choice to gently guide your mind home, to your chosen focal point.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MgMKj3brM5o\/VKoXBxAtOWI\/AAAAAAAAFA4\/JAUIDqhikKQ\/s1600\/09-11%7C10%3A19%3A25.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"natural waterway\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MgMKj3brM5o\/VKoXBxAtOWI\/AAAAAAAAFA4\/JAUIDqhikKQ\/s1600\/09-11%7C10%3A19%3A25.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI use a free meditation timer app on my phone so that I can simply set it and meditate for a decent amount of time without checking a clock.\u0026nbsp;The app I use is called Insight Timer, but I'm sure there are others out there that would be\u0026nbsp;just as useful. Even a small kitchen timer or something could work. I like the freedom of being able to sit without thinking about how much time has passed, and at the end of my chosen time, a lovely chime sound\u0026nbsp;signals that I'm ready to begin the rest of my day.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAnother aspect of meditating is simply to sit, and be still as much as possible. Adjust your body during meditation only if you must. Moving doesn't mean you failed.\u0026nbsp;I might switch positions if my foot is falling asleep or something. But those small itches and tingles, sensations of \"needing\" to move, it's best to just breathe them away. It helps me to remind myself, \"This too shall pass.\" And it will. Sensations come and go. Chances are, that tickling you feel is not anything that needs your attention. Learning to notice these sensations without reacting to them is part of the practice. Notice, and let it go.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xetbe9fDIiI\/VKoXOVsI8bI\/AAAAAAAAFBA\/bv-YUey5lS4\/s1600\/01-19-2012-141937.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"icy plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Xetbe9fDIiI\/VKoXOVsI8bI\/AAAAAAAAFBA\/bv-YUey5lS4\/s1600\/01-19-2012-141937.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis too shall pass.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELast but not least, find a time that really works for you. Or, perhaps, create a time that really works for you. Yes, our lives are busy. We all have to choose how we spend each moment. For me, I try to rise before my kids each day. Instead of going straight\u0026nbsp;for a cup of tea, I sit, right in bed, and meditate. It really helps me to\u0026nbsp;fit in my practice if I do it before getting busy with life.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf first thing in the morning doesn't work for you, perhaps it's something you could do on your lunch break, or right before bed. I think it helps to have a daily practice if the time you meditate each day is pretty consistent. When I\u0026nbsp;couldn't manage to\u0026nbsp;wake up before my early-rising youngest child, I'd try to show up\u0026nbsp;a little early for yoga class and just sit in meditation on my mat before class.\u0026nbsp;In general though, I know if I skip my morning practice, I'm unlikely to make time for it later that day. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-k6iwpU7gPME\/VKoXfMKJ64I\/AAAAAAAAFBI\/oSFxAymkyGg\/s1600\/09-04%7C10%3A37%3A04.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"footbridge\" border=\"0\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-k6iwpU7gPME\/VKoXfMKJ64I\/AAAAAAAAFBI\/oSFxAymkyGg\/s1600\/09-04%7C10%3A37%3A04.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThere is discipline in maintaining a meditation practice, and part of the benefit of meditation comes from consistently making time for yourself this way. Once you decide the benefits are worth it (I'll get to that part soon!) create or find a time that works for you and stick to it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESo, that's How, but the question remains, Why?? Why take the time each day to sit, when we have so much else to do? What is the point of meditation? The answer lies in the title of Salzberg's book: Real Happiness. For most of us, our goals in life, at their most basic, are just about being happy. We want to be happier, we want our kids to grow up to be happy, we want to make others happy. Maybe I'm just a Polyanna, but I think we simply all desire happiness, and pretty much all our other goals are just paths to happiness.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lA87P7u-LVk\/VKoXvOXRrOI\/AAAAAAAAFBQ\/t1w_H4_jRPc\/s1600\/10-05-2008-162236.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"forest columns\" border=\"0\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-lA87P7u-LVk\/VKoXvOXRrOI\/AAAAAAAAFBQ\/t1w_H4_jRPc\/s1600\/10-05-2008-162236.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhat gets in the way of happiness? Annoyances, sadness, anger, hurt. Big things and little things that cause problems for us of one form or another. Meditation practice helps us maintain an even keel when the world is whipping around us. As it will. We can't protect ourselves from all the storms, but we can train our brains to respond to stress in more helpful, less reactive ways.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EConsider it exercise for your mind. My friend calls meditation \"mind yoga\". When we train our minds to stay focused during meditation, to return to the task at hand (just sitting), it helps us in real life to function in confusing and stressful situations. Life gets hectic and we can remain calm. Our minds don't get carried away with worry and stress in difficult situations. Remember, this too shall pass. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Wu_FYumAuGQ\/VKoX_S50EYI\/AAAAAAAAFBY\/ojSx3XXm2ro\/s1600\/10-05-2008-162420.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"forest sculpture\" border=\"0\" height=\"476\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Wu_FYumAuGQ\/VKoX_S50EYI\/AAAAAAAAFBY\/ojSx3XXm2ro\/s1600\/10-05-2008-162420.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMeditation gives us\u0026nbsp;a calm base for the rest of our life. It doesn't mean we won't get irate when the situation calls for it, but perhaps we won't overreact as often as we used to. This is a change that was really clear in my own life. I used to get quite upset about small things, and I absolutely notice that a regular practice gives me a better perspective on life's little annoyances. For example, things like\u0026nbsp;breaking a favorite dish or being late for an appointment\u0026nbsp;no longer feel like the end of the world. This too shall pass.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EEven- especially- when\u0026nbsp;big, big problems arise, meditation is there for us. When my last relationship ended a year ago, I was pretty sure my life was over, worried that my kids would grow up emotionally disfigured from the break of their nuclear family, and convinced that I'd never love again. Fortunately, I was in the habit of meditating every morning, and I maintained it throughout my grief. Some days I was so distraught I could only sit for two minutes, but I still made an effort every morning, through a sense of habit, resolve, and self preservation. I do believe this continued practice, feeble though it might have been\u0026nbsp;on some days,\u0026nbsp;is one of the things that kept me grounded in a reality of calmness, and a sense of the bigger picture,\u0026nbsp;during what was definitely the hardest transition of my life. Read about \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2014\/08\/frugally-uncoupling-how-to-break-up.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehow my family survived, and thrived, after this change, in my article here.\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9F_uHRCr--o\/VKoYPpxskCI\/AAAAAAAAFBg\/UE3bw64j9Io\/s1600\/05-26-2012-123912.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"red alder\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9F_uHRCr--o\/VKoYPpxskCI\/AAAAAAAAFBg\/UE3bw64j9Io\/s1600\/05-26-2012-123912.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ERemember the instruction to gently guide your mind back to your focal point? This is something we learn to do repeatedly, patiently, and kindly.\u0026nbsp;We learn\u0026nbsp;through meditation\u0026nbsp;practice to be patient and kind with our own perceived shortcomings and flaws. We are none of us perfect, ever. We can focus on the ways we screw up, criticize ourselves, and hope to change through self shame. Or, we can embrace, and love, and gently guide ourselves back onto our path, wherever that might be, again and again. Life, like our meditation practice, is kind of a series of stumbles as we move towards our focus, and choosing to return to the practice with a sense of lightness and good humor makes the whole thing much more enjoyable and effective. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ETo paraphrase Salzberg, it's not about how frequently your thoughts wander during meditation - for they will wander -\u0026nbsp;but how you treat yourself when your thoughts wander. Learning to do this with kindness and patience positively carries over into real life. We get in the habit of being more forgiving with ourselves, and that carries over into being more patient and forgiving with others. As a parent, I see my meditation practice as a real benefit to my children. In times of turbulence, I manage to maintain a little more grace than I used to. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MonIrmAc6FE\/VKoYvTZgXHI\/AAAAAAAAFBw\/MoFIaTeIScw\/s1600\/08-13-2012-101315.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"chive flower\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MonIrmAc6FE\/VKoYvTZgXHI\/AAAAAAAAFBw\/MoFIaTeIScw\/s1600\/08-13-2012-101315.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhen looked at in this light, I think it's easy to see why even the busiest among us can benefit from a regular meditation practice.\u0026nbsp;Meditation\u0026nbsp;prepares us to keep\u0026nbsp;a calm and balanced mind through life's small annoyances as well as life's huge curveballs.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBelow, I've added an ad link to Sharon Salzberg's book, Real Happiness. I do so recommend it, for anyone who wants more info on the practical life benefits of daily meditation. Any purchases made through my link are highly appreciated, as Amazon gives us a tiny boon in exchange for hosting their ad. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=0761159258\u0026amp;asins=0761159258\u0026amp;linkId=UQXDOHQW3ULOO5RJ\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/532238475439588331\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/meditation-how-why.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/532238475439588331"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/532238475439588331"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2015\/01\/meditation-how-why.html","title":"Meditation: The How \u0026 Why"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rKUa2HDjNX0\/VKoV4bcvIFI\/AAAAAAAAFAQ\/QZdyBHk5NhE\/s72-c\/05-19-2012-131130.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-7212593814106370057"},"published":{"$t":"2013-12-06T20:52:00.003-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-04T18:09:35.827-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Holiday"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Preservation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Treats"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How To Make Delicious Water Kefir"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6-R2YSDuV-g\/UqKgg_0y3hI\/AAAAAAAACcQ\/t7Pa7YbGmOE\/s1600\/PC190056.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6-R2YSDuV-g\/UqKgg_0y3hI\/AAAAAAAACcQ\/t7Pa7YbGmOE\/s640\/PC190056.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Water kefir is my new favorite thing to drink. It's so light and naturally bubbly, and can be made into any flavor with the addition of fruit juices. Plus it has the health benefits of living cultured foods. In less than a week and with minimal effort, your kefir grains will transform a small amount of juice and sugar into an amazingly tasty, versatile, and healthful beverage.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E There are two stages of fermentation for your kefir, the first ferment and the second ferment. I will describe them both here. When you are given water kefir grains, they will look like this: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-0tw4cWBeI-4\/Up3rkmxCygI\/AAAAAAAACb0\/-9OM-N9wAnE\/s1600\/PC140035.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-0tw4cWBeI-4\/Up3rkmxCygI\/AAAAAAAACb0\/-9OM-N9wAnE\/s640\/PC140035.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI scrawled a line on my jar to mark the optimal level of kefir grains. When they multiply and go over the line, it's time for me to share them with someone! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Here is how to feed and care for your kefir grains, and produce a delicious tonic in the process:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E First of all, they need sugar. Simply mix sugar into warm water until it dissolves. I heat about two cups of water in a pan on the stovetop, just until it's steamy, and then stir in the sugar. There's no need to boil it. More cool water will be added, to bring the total liquid up to about a quart. I loosely measure 1\/4 cup of rapidura or sucanat sugar, and stir it to dissolve. This is then poured into a large glass jar with about 1\/4 c of water kefir grains. That's it. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9V8KtCq6DCI\/Up3sRKlKWtI\/AAAAAAAACb8\/sGRV18_UIaM\/s1600\/PC140041.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9V8KtCq6DCI\/Up3sRKlKWtI\/AAAAAAAACb8\/sGRV18_UIaM\/s640\/PC140041.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E1\/4 cup Rapidura sugar, loosely measured. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EChoose the least processed sugar you can find, since the kefir grains benefit from the minerals. If you only have processed sugar, add a dollop of molasses to give back some of the minerals that the kefir needs to thrive. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Nwt77IG7YFc\/UqKhum3jXgI\/AAAAAAAACcc\/QWQCMmcLMxc\/s1600\/PC140003.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Nwt77IG7YFc\/UqKhum3jXgI\/AAAAAAAACcc\/QWQCMmcLMxc\/s640\/PC140003.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis jar contains 1\/4 cup sugar dissolved in about a quart of liquid, along with the kefir grains. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce the grains \u0026amp; sugar water are combined, cap tightly. To be sure fruit flies can't get into it (and they would really like to) I cover the lidded jar with a cloth, rubber banded in place: \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wcyxRCh5hfM\/UqKiVLy7IaI\/AAAAAAAACco\/zyglY2Z6dQI\/s1600\/PC140005.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wcyxRCh5hfM\/UqKiVLy7IaI\/AAAAAAAACco\/zyglY2Z6dQI\/s640\/PC140005.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Let this ferment, undisturbed and at room temperature, for 24-48 hours. Cooler temperatures will slow down fermentation. You don't want the kefir grains to run out of sugar or they will die, so don't let it go too long.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CdHk49OQRVo\/UqKiUFXjb-I\/AAAAAAAACck\/SXKZ3TkAzq0\/s1600\/P1010005.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-CdHk49OQRVo\/UqKiUFXjb-I\/AAAAAAAACck\/SXKZ3TkAzq0\/s640\/P1010005.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E After two days, it's time to strain out the liquid into a bottle or jar, and add some fruit juice. Use whatever flavor you fancy; we've tried fresh apple, grape, elderberry, and orange, and they've all been really good. For the elderberry, I used a small amount of homemade elderberry syrup in place of juice, and it worked great. I tend to use about 1\/4 to 1\/3 for my ratio of juice to kefir liquid. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lovRRaZ46hM\/UqKj28528kI\/AAAAAAAACc4\/JH3JSD8ptH8\/s1600\/PC140033.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-lovRRaZ46hM\/UqKj28528kI\/AAAAAAAACc4\/JH3JSD8ptH8\/s640\/PC140033.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile you can use a tightly capped mason jar for the second ferment, I prefer the spring loaded bottles shown above. They have a firm seal and are easy to use, as well as a pretty nice presentation. These two bottles of orange kefir are in their second ferment, alongside the \"mother\" jar of kefir doing its first ferment. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-t_LIH7V-W08\/UqKknPTKPuI\/AAAAAAAACdA\/EGACdDSsxyk\/s1600\/PC140036.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-t_LIH7V-W08\/UqKknPTKPuI\/AAAAAAAACdA\/EGACdDSsxyk\/s640\/PC140036.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThese upcycled bottles of storebought kombucha that a friend saves for me also work great for doing the second ferment. They have very tight fitting lids, which is important for building up carbonation in the water kefir. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gocy7F3bKuk\/UqKlRzaO1FI\/AAAAAAAACdM\/QJRdUCjm124\/s1600\/PC190025.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-Gocy7F3bKuk\/UqKlRzaO1FI\/AAAAAAAACdM\/QJRdUCjm124\/s640\/PC190025.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOrange water kefir, nicely bubbly! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOnce your juice and kefir blend has fermented for 2 or 3 days, place bottles in the refrigerator. They'll last a long time in the fridge, but they're ready to drink as soon as they're cold! Open with caution. Sometimes a lot of pressure can build up, particularly if they've fermented for too long or been kept in the fridge for too many weeks (where they slowly continue to build up pressure). If this happens, drink your water kefir sooner!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDo you have a favorite flavor of water kefir, or a different way to make it? I'd love to hear ideas and feedback from you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E For more on traditional sourdough, as well as a whole world of fermentation ideas, check out the original source of my inspiration, two books by Sandor Katz. Both probably available from your local library, but also definitely worth owning. If you buy either through my ad links below, Amazon gives me a tiny bit of cash. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7212593814106370057\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/12\/how-to-make-delicious-water-kefir.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/7212593814106370057"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/7212593814106370057"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/12\/how-to-make-delicious-water-kefir.html","title":"How To Make Delicious Water Kefir"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-6-R2YSDuV-g\/UqKgg_0y3hI\/AAAAAAAACcQ\/t7Pa7YbGmOE\/s72-c\/PC190056.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-7608213984736442470"},"published":{"$t":"2013-10-20T06:25:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-06-22T07:21:45.177-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Garlic Honey, An Effective Cold Remedy"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VsY3qRIK1wg\/UmPWQe0vAWI\/AAAAAAAACZc\/7LVEeSCAXlk\/s1600\/P1014789.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"garlic cloves\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VsY3qRIK1wg\/UmPWQe0vAWI\/AAAAAAAACZc\/7LVEeSCAXlk\/s640\/P1014789.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAn excellent remedy for the cold season, this simple blend of raw garlic and raw honey is quick to make and surprisingly tasty. While I love garlic, the idea of eating even one clove of raw garlic straight does not appeal to me, no matter how good for you it is. However, this simple combination makes huge amounts of raw garlic very palatable.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI first made this when I had been sick for a few days and none of my normal remedies (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/we-drink-nettle-tea.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enettle tea\u003C\/a\u003E, rest, neti pot, gargling with salt water, avoiding sugar) were doing the trick. I was just not getting better, until the morning I made this. I ended up eating an entire head of raw garlic that morning, and immediately felt so much better that I made and ate a second head of garlic honey that afternoon.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pqV9CujclJE\/UmPW6X1OWXI\/AAAAAAAACZk\/IF4aY81jyTA\/s1600\/P1014781.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"make garlic honey\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pqV9CujclJE\/UmPW6X1OWXI\/AAAAAAAACZk\/IF4aY81jyTA\/s640\/P1014781.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMy illness was gone, and I just felt good. I continue making garlic honey regularly now, even when healthy, just because I like it! Here is the recipe:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hufxon3HCgc\/UmPXYpjQPqI\/AAAAAAAACZs\/bEZ28onA4hs\/s1600\/P1014791.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"make garlic honey\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Hufxon3HCgc\/UmPXYpjQPqI\/AAAAAAAACZs\/bEZ28onA4hs\/s640\/P1014791.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPeel and mash one head of garlic. You can mince it finely if you don't have a garlic press. Stir together with about half the volume of raw honey, until it forms a thick paste. I use about one teaspoon of honey for maybe 7 cloves of garlic, but you can use as much as equal parts garlic and honey if you are worried about the taste. Let this mixture sit for several minutes, give another quick stir, and then eat in tiny spoonfuls whenever you want, as often as you like.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TRQLY2i29-M\/UmPYHtCPw8I\/AAAAAAAACZ8\/Eha74Oy7AZE\/s1600\/P1014786.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"make garlic honey\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TRQLY2i29-M\/UmPYHtCPw8I\/AAAAAAAACZ8\/Eha74Oy7AZE\/s640\/P1014786.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis will keep safely on the counter for a couple of days, or in the fridge for longer.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_itGGF352HM\/UmPX9qY2htI\/AAAAAAAACZ0\/wmr_4Ud1bMs\/s1600\/P1014784.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"garlic honey\" border=\"0\" height=\"478\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_itGGF352HM\/UmPX9qY2htI\/AAAAAAAACZ0\/wmr_4Ud1bMs\/s640\/P1014784.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7608213984736442470\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/10\/garlic-honey-effective-cold-remedy.html#comment-form","title":"51 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/7608213984736442470"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/7608213984736442470"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/10\/garlic-honey-effective-cold-remedy.html","title":"Garlic Honey, An Effective Cold Remedy"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VsY3qRIK1wg\/UmPWQe0vAWI\/AAAAAAAACZc\/7LVEeSCAXlk\/s72-c\/P1014789.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"51"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-5710553947003871325"},"published":{"$t":"2013-07-18T23:07:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T10:47:09.949-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"For The Ladies: How To Never Buy Another Menstrual Product"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EReusable menstrual product?? Do tell!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-S9_ua6iWvAc\/UejU1d0_88I\/AAAAAAAACVs\/rUKhr5ImASU\/s1600\/P7084403.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-S9_ua6iWvAc\/UejU1d0_88I\/AAAAAAAACVs\/rUKhr5ImASU\/s640\/P7084403.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI bought this Keeper 13 years ago, and have been using it happily ever since.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBefore discovering that these existed, I had tried all manner of other menstrual products. I hated the disposable-diaper feeling of typical maxi-pads. Cloth pads were a pain to wash and deal with when I was out of the house, plus they felt bulky. Most tampons created so much garbage with their box, wrappers, and disposable applicators. For years, I used applicator-free tampons, but even these created some garbage, and required buying a new box each month. I've always hated anything disposable, really.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EOn the beach in Yucatan, a fellow traveler gave me a sea sponge, which was inserted like a tampon (after being disinfected with boiling water). I loved the idea of a natural sea sponge tampon, but unfortunately, I always knew when it was saturated because blood would leak out when I laughed or sneezed. It didn't exactly meet my needs, and it didn't last forever. When it started to wear out, I went back to disposable tampons.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhen I got fitted with a diaphragm, the nurse informed me that the diaphragm could also be used as a menstrual product! This worked for me to some degree. I loved that you just had to rinse and reinsert it, and there was nothing to throw away, but emptying it was kind of a mess. I had trouble getting it out and to the sink without drips dropping where I didn't want them. Tampons were mess free, so I went back, but I was dissatisfied.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hBGbSrcbD5c\/UejWA88xVtI\/AAAAAAAACV8\/TsqDPzrWTLk\/s1600\/P7084406.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-hBGbSrcbD5c\/UejWA88xVtI\/AAAAAAAACV8\/TsqDPzrWTLk\/s640\/P7084406.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFinally, when I was in college I discovered \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.keeper.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EThe Keeper\u003C\/a\u003E at my local health food co-op. It seemed a bit expensive, but I quickly calculated that it would be paid off after just a few months of not having to buy tampons, plus I got a volunteer discount at the co-op. I've saved an absolute fortune in the decade-plus that I've had The Keeper in use.\u0026nbsp; It works every bit as well as the day I bought it. (See the end of the article for a much less expensive version.)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vdFmgP0ZPVA\/UejWRcopCvI\/AAAAAAAACWE\/_niEXJFN-Ho\/s1600\/P7084405.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"menstrual cup keeper\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-vdFmgP0ZPVA\/UejWRcopCvI\/AAAAAAAACWE\/_niEXJFN-Ho\/s640\/P7084405.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThere are other brands, by the way, of very similar products, and I don't necessarily think this is better than any of the others. It's just the one I've had experience with. Mine is rubber; there are silicone models for people with latex issues.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EDirections come in the package, and are on the product  website as well, but basically you simply fold the cup up and insert it  into the vaginal canal. This can be easier if you wet it first. Every 3  to 8 hours, depending on how heavy your period is, simply grasp it by  the handy tail while pushing in on one side of the cup to release the  air seal, and pull it out. Dump the contents down the drain, wash in hot  water, and it's ready to insert again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-V1muphIszYM\/UejWfP5byHI\/AAAAAAAACWM\/Nvi87AHxzhc\/s1600\/P7084410.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"menstrual cup keeper diva cup\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-V1muphIszYM\/UejWfP5byHI\/AAAAAAAACWM\/Nvi87AHxzhc\/s640\/P7084410.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI've used the Keeper during all kinds of exercise and activities, without incident. I regularly do Bikram yoga, and never miss a class because of my period. I go dancing, ride a bicycle, go swimming, and have literally never had the Keeper leak on me.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI find it very liberating to be independent this way, to be able to take care of my periods without having to rely on tampon manufacturers every month.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EUpdate: My original Keeper is still going strong, but if I ever have to replace it, it's heartening to know that there are now much less expensive, silicone models available. The ad link below is the one I would buy if I ever need a replacement. Click on the link to check it out. Every purchase through this affiliate link provides a little income for our family. Thank you in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B00QULC2QI\u0026amp;asins=B00QULC2QI\u0026amp;linkId=W65LPHLCXEJF3XYQ\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5710553947003871325\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/07\/for-ladies-how-to-never-buy-another.html#comment-form","title":"41 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/5710553947003871325"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/5710553947003871325"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/07\/for-ladies-how-to-never-buy-another.html","title":"For The Ladies: How To Never Buy Another Menstrual Product"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-S9_ua6iWvAc\/UejU1d0_88I\/AAAAAAAACVs\/rUKhr5ImASU\/s72-c\/P7084403.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"41"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-1333160521460079558"},"published":{"$t":"2012-07-02T07:58:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-04T18:43:50.979-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Using A Natural Salt Crystal Deodorant"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMost people think they have to choose between a conventional chemical deodorant, and smelling like a hippie (no offense, hippies). There is, however, a third option: a natural deodorant that really works: \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-gZejI2ztysE\/T_GxKU7B1gI\/AAAAAAAABwY\/ThLriRV8FWM\/s1600\/06-17-2012-143510.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"salt crystal natural deodorant\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-gZejI2ztysE\/T_GxKU7B1gI\/AAAAAAAABwY\/ThLriRV8FWM\/s640\/06-17-2012-143510.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor over a decade I've been using a salt crystal after every shower. When you first start using it, it feels like a kind of superstition, like knocking on wood or crossing yourself to ward off evil. How could rubbing salt under your arms help to ward off the stink of sweat?\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe magic is in the science of salt. Salt kills bacteria. It's the same reason we use salt water in our neti pots, or a saline solution to flush a wound. In the case of underarm odor, sweat itself has no smell. The stink is caused by bacteria that have proliferated and left their earthly bodies, leaving only their essence behind. Salting right after you shower halts the growth of this bacteria before it can begin.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-isur2muEZJY\/T_GxpCufr4I\/AAAAAAAABwo\/rkZKyA0u6OY\/s1600\/06-17-2012-143424.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"natural deodorants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-isur2muEZJY\/T_GxpCufr4I\/AAAAAAAABwo\/rkZKyA0u6OY\/s640\/06-17-2012-143424.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhich brings me to the limitations of this deodorant: It will do nothing to mask already stinky pits. If you try using it once you already stink, you will come to the conclusion that it doesn't work. It cannot cover up any smell, it is a preventative! Nik and I have other natural deodorant sticks that have a nice smell, which we use on our off days... when maybe we really should have gotten a shower in but it just didn't happen, or once in\u0026nbsp;a while I'll forget to use the salt crystal after my shower, and then use the scented one as a last resort. These ones don't work as well to \u003Ci\u003Eprevent\u003C\/i\u003E body odor, but they do hide it with their own scents. But really, I rarely use this type because the salt crystal works \u003Ci\u003Ethat\u003C\/i\u003E well. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rz0wqhE_iQQ\/T_GxZNc7iXI\/AAAAAAAABwg\/vmwvwoSkpeE\/s1600\/06-17-2012-143540.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"salt crystal deodorant\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-rz0wqhE_iQQ\/T_GxZNc7iXI\/AAAAAAAABwg\/vmwvwoSkpeE\/s640\/06-17-2012-143540.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAnother near magical property of the salt crystal deodorant is that it never gets used up. I'm pretty sure one tube, or whatever form you buy it in, would literally last a lifetime-- as long as you never dropped it. They shatter like glass when they get dropped. I have only ever bought two, which have served me well over the past 15 years. The more recent purchase remains in one piece, like new. The top photo in this article is the one we've been using for 8 years straight. Two shards are all that remain of the original crystal I had... a reminder to be more careful. They do get slippery when wet! The shards are great, however, for travel-sized deodorant. I keep one in my bag for showering at the yoga studio, and we have one in our overnight kit.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI am not advertising this thing, and in fact if anything ever happened to my current salt crystal, I would look into how to make my own. Is that possible? I haven't checked... They only cost a few dollars, and they last for decades, so it's probably a worthy investment to buy a packaged one. I just like to DIY everything I can. ;)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1333160521460079558\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/07\/using-natural-salt-crystal-deodorant.html#comment-form","title":"81 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1333160521460079558"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1333160521460079558"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/07\/using-natural-salt-crystal-deodorant.html","title":"Using A Natural Salt Crystal Deodorant"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-gZejI2ztysE\/T_GxKU7B1gI\/AAAAAAAABwY\/ThLriRV8FWM\/s72-c\/06-17-2012-143510.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"81"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-1552853435045235432"},"published":{"$t":"2012-06-22T19:11:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-04T18:45:47.709-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unschooling"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Identifying And Harvesting Edible Weeds In The Garden"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ELately, whenever we want some greens-- at least once every day-- I take a big bowl out to the garden and snip leaves off any weeds that look tasty. The best ones come right out of my raised beds: they grow in great soil, they're clean, and snipping them makes room for my more intentional and delicate plants. These same weeds go for a few dollars a bunch from my CSA. Be resourceful: harvest your own weeds!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XJcD8_UkDMI\/T-P6BXRyIAI\/AAAAAAAABv4\/qszL-_xMM90\/s1600\/05-06-2012-161206.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"dead nettle edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XJcD8_UkDMI\/T-P6BXRyIAI\/AAAAAAAABv4\/qszL-_xMM90\/s640\/05-06-2012-161206.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EDead nettle: The name, while ominous sounding, is meant to be reassuring. The leaves are nettle-shaped but don't have a sting. Edible leaves \u0026amp; flowers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMost of the time,\u0026nbsp;I don't pull out the roots unless the weed is in a spot where it will disadvantage a more needy plant. Most weeds are so hearty that you can clip all or most of the leaves and they will come back nice \u0026amp; full in a few days. Why pull up the roots, when these weeds provide a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants? Weeds are free, abundant, and best of all, they want to grow everywhere!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-b5ucP2Enug8\/T-Ppa1C-Y0I\/AAAAAAAABug\/jeaezZZ5zEU\/s1600\/05-06-2012-162801.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"plantain edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-b5ucP2Enug8\/T-Ppa1C-Y0I\/AAAAAAAABug\/jeaezZZ5zEU\/s640\/05-06-2012-162801.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA poultice of plantain will help draw out infection from a wound, and it also makes a great green vegetable! Its tough leaves can be cooked or blended raw in a smoothie.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIn one sample harvest I gathered a large bowl of the following weeds, from a small section of a raised bed: Chickweed, borage, nipplewort, plantain, fireweed, dock, and dandelion. I deveined the dandelion and dock leaves and removed the larger stems from the fireweed. While the stem and midrib sections are edible, they're much pithier and sometimes more bitter than the tender leaves. I also\u0026nbsp;made sure all the leaves were clean and free of slugs and grit (usually only a problem with leaves that were resting on the ground), and they're ready to use!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-A9QAwwYyTSM\/T-PrQL7RvjI\/AAAAAAAABuo\/IM6-kCd0gUc\/s1600\/05-06-2012-161807.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"fireweed edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-A9QAwwYyTSM\/T-PrQL7RvjI\/AAAAAAAABuo\/IM6-kCd0gUc\/s640\/05-06-2012-161807.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFireweed has a sharper taste than most of my garden weeds, so I use it in smaller quantities.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis combination would be great for a garden salad, but I generally prefer to toss everything in the blender, along with a couple of bananas, some chia or flax seeds, some kombucha and water for an easy, amazingly healthy and surprisingly delicious green smoothie. All of these weeds have a very mild flavor except the dandelion and fireweed. I made a smoothie once with a ton of dandelion greens and quickly learned it's better to mix them with other, milder, greens. For more smoothie ideas, check out my posts \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/wild-harvested-nettles-smoothie.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWild Harvested Nettles Smoothie\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/drink-your-veggies.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDrink Your Veggies\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZTurabY1ZEw\/T-PrsYINDjI\/AAAAAAAABuw\/UiKVO0ds6QU\/s1600\/05-06-2012-162116.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"ox eye daisies edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZTurabY1ZEw\/T-PrsYINDjI\/AAAAAAAABuw\/UiKVO0ds6QU\/s640\/05-06-2012-162116.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EOx Eye Daisies: The leaves \u0026amp; flowers are edible. I personally think the flowers reek, but the petals are alright, and the leaves are tender and taste very interesting- my kids love them!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EOther weedy greens I commonly use from my garden in smoothies include raspberry leaves, daisy leaves,\u0026nbsp;and\u0026nbsp;bedstraw.\u0026nbsp;Bedstraw should\u0026nbsp;only be used when young and tender,\u0026nbsp;because\u0026nbsp;older leaves produce high levels of silica.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--3QSBgwtaXQ\/T-PsbfylSGI\/AAAAAAAABu4\/kvSY2byasyk\/s1600\/05-06-2012-160916.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"bedstraw edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/--3QSBgwtaXQ\/T-PsbfylSGI\/AAAAAAAABu4\/kvSY2byasyk\/s640\/05-06-2012-160916.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBedstraw: the mature plant contains too much silica to be  palatable, but young plants and leaves are tender and mild. We call  it \"cat tongue\" because of its raspy texture.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI've been very happy to discover that, after getting a load of free compost from another local urban farmer, I have tons of nutritious lambsquarters growing. Would anyone else be so happy to receive a load of surprise weeds? Lambsquarters is supposed to be one of the most nutrient dense greens you can eat, and I'd been eagerly awaiting the day when I had a free and abundant source of them. I haven't got a picture of it yet, but they're widely available online if you want to know what it looks like.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-g4HxTmko7vo\/T-P2uu1R32I\/AAAAAAAABvk\/HHOrI_Y_LSE\/s1600\/05-06-2012-164253.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"raspberry leaves edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-g4HxTmko7vo\/T-P2uu1R32I\/AAAAAAAABvk\/HHOrI_Y_LSE\/s640\/05-06-2012-164253.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAnyone else have a raspberry jungle in their garden? Thin out the volunteers occasionally, and use them in smoothies or cook them up like spinach.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBefore I knew anything about edible weeds I eradicated all my purslane. It turns out purslane is an absolute delicacy, and all too easy to eradicate. Someday I hope to see some of this succulent green spreading over my garden beds again. Again, I don't have a photo of purslane, unfortunately. It's beautiful too! It really grows in a neat pattern.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZXzUlQJoRqk\/T-P3I_6f2II\/AAAAAAAABvs\/tSZskxbNJk0\/s1600\/05-06-2012-162329.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"deadly nightshade poisonous plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ZXzUlQJoRqk\/T-P3I_6f2II\/AAAAAAAABvs\/tSZskxbNJk0\/s640\/05-06-2012-162329.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENightshade: not for human or animal. I try to pull it when I see it, but maybe some birds eat it and spread the seeds... more are always popping up here and there.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWeeds I would never consume, or give to my livestock, include foxglove, nightshade, buttercup, laurel, Spanish bluebells, and columbine. This, obviously, is not an extensive list;\u0026nbsp;these are\u0026nbsp;simply the most common poisonous plants in my Pacific Northwest yard. While I am working to eradicate the deadly nightshade, bluebells, and buttercups, I do allow the foxglove \u0026amp; columbine to thrive because the hummingbirds adore these flowers. We try to remember what other creatures besides ourselves need in a garden.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Im3qUEfHN24\/T-PvrLG8F1I\/AAAAAAAABvI\/pTmIvgP1Noc\/s1600\/05-06-2012-162140.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"foxglove poisonous plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Im3qUEfHN24\/T-PvrLG8F1I\/AAAAAAAABvI\/pTmIvgP1Noc\/s640\/05-06-2012-162140.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFoxglove before flowering. This is probably the number one garden plant that everyone recognizes as poisonous. Don't eat. Same with the Spanish Bluebells scattered throughout the photo (and my yard). These are two prolific weeds best left untasted.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThen there are the plants I won't feed our family but that the rabbits \u0026amp; chickens can eat, including morning glory (or, more aptly, bindweed) most grasses, rose, and blackberry. We also get a lot of random mustard-family weeds, which I'm sure would be safe for our family to eat but I generally, not knowing exactly what they are, toss them to the bunnies. The rabbits also get any mint that I find growing in random places, although if it's clean I'll harvest it for tea. I also give the rabbits many chive blossoms, on their long tough stems. We occasionally eat them in salads, but, like weeds, we get so many more than we can use.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FvQqsM82-mw\/T-Pwu4WrqkI\/AAAAAAAABvQ\/sfTCjCoIbkA\/s1600\/05-06-2012-162351.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"geums edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FvQqsM82-mw\/T-Pwu4WrqkI\/AAAAAAAABvQ\/sfTCjCoIbkA\/s640\/05-06-2012-162351.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EGeums, supposedly edible... if you like eating paper. Perfect for the rabbits \u0026amp; chickens ;)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt's worth learning about the volunteers \u0026amp; weeds in your garden. We've gone from spending about $15\/week on greens to freely harvesting all we need right outside, absolutely fresh and organic, and often so much more nutritious than anything you can buy. Plus, they don't take up any valuable fridge space! Here's one more way you can use weeds: \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/lacto-fermented-dandelion-soda.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELacto-Fermented Dandelion Soda\u003C\/a\u003E, this time using the flowers.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-J9kbT-cYYLs\/T-PufoO27LI\/AAAAAAAABvA\/-xzSilnhb_U\/s1600\/05-06-2012-161647.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"sorrel edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-J9kbT-cYYLs\/T-PufoO27LI\/AAAAAAAABvA\/-xzSilnhb_U\/s640\/05-06-2012-161647.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThese fish shaped leaves belong to Sorrel. The leaves are absolutely tender and easy to nibble. Add to salads, soups, sandwiches, or smoothies.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor more info on identifying and harvesting edible plants, check out my earlier posts \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/wild-foraging-in-april.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWild Foraging In April\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-find-edible-weeds.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEdible Weeds\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_aGwjCtsLWQ\/T-PxG5DxBII\/AAAAAAAABvY\/qZU4T_8ESUQ\/s1600\/05-06-2012-162809.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"clover edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-_aGwjCtsLWQ\/T-PxG5DxBII\/AAAAAAAABvY\/qZU4T_8ESUQ\/s640\/05-06-2012-162809.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EClover, in addition to being a beneficial nitrogen-fixing plant, has edible leaves \u0026amp; flowers, and they're super nutritious. We're pulling out all the grass and letting the clover take over!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003EI'm posting an ad link below to my friend's book on eating weeds. Using my link to buy her book will help support our family as well as the author. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=1594857474\u0026amp;asins=1594857474\u0026amp;linkId=2Z37ZB43YF3YETKY\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1552853435045235432\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/06\/identifying-and-harvesting-edible-weeds.html#comment-form","title":"39 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1552853435045235432"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1552853435045235432"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/06\/identifying-and-harvesting-edible-weeds.html","title":"Identifying And Harvesting Edible Weeds In The Garden"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-XJcD8_UkDMI\/T-P6BXRyIAI\/AAAAAAAABv4\/qszL-_xMM90\/s72-c\/05-06-2012-161206.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"39"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-647921130096446415"},"published":{"$t":"2012-05-21T07:51:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-04T18:54:35.856-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Preservation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unschooling"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lacto-Fermented Dandelion Soda"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ehQIGPA8X4k\/T7pSl9wKYqI\/AAAAAAAABo0\/VFm-GAvoRxo\/s1600\/05-19-2012-125202.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ehQIGPA8X4k\/T7pSl9wKYqI\/AAAAAAAABo0\/VFm-GAvoRxo\/s640\/05-19-2012-125202.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Dandelions are probably the most well-known of the edible weeds, probably because they're the most ubiquitous, but they are also one of the most bitter of the bitter greens. They, in a way, give edible weeds a bad name. However, they're extremely nutritious, much more so than any storebought greens, and there are many ways to get past the bitterness, including using the right dressings if they're in a salad, blending them with banana in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/drink-your-veggies.html\"\u003Ethis green smoothie\u003C\/a\u003E, or you can use the blossoms, as I will show you here, making an awesome naturally carbonated soda.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E When you are ready to try it, first make up a batch of this \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-make-ginger-bug-natural-soda.html\"\u003Eall-purpose soda starter\u003C\/a\u003E. It takes three days to make it, but once you have it you can use it for nearly any fermentation and it stores indefinitely in the fridge. What it does is jump start the process, sending your fermentations in the right direction from the beginning. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFermentation is the process of converting sugar to carbon dioxide (bubbles!), lactic acid, and sometimes alcohol. Fermented foods and drinks are part of virtually every traditional diet, and have so many health benefits. For another fermented beverage that's super easy to make, try \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/make-your-own-kombucha.html\"\u003Ehomebrewed kombucha\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, once your soda starter is bubbly and ready to use, it's harvest time. Send your kids out to the yard with a big bowl and have them fill it with every dandelion flower they can find. Children love meaningful work, and this is a fun job for them! The ideal flowers to use are fully open, large and clean, but don't worry about using half open blooms; they will still work. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-1uaEeix7rxA\/T6xiLcsOCGI\/AAAAAAAABm8\/0jH8wD8l-BI\/s1600\/05-01-2012-144952.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-1uaEeix7rxA\/T6xiLcsOCGI\/AAAAAAAABm8\/0jH8wD8l-BI\/s640\/05-01-2012-144952.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E For a one-quart jar I filled this bowl with probably 5 cups of flowers, easily obtainable every few days in the weed-party that is my yard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E The next step is to separate the petals from the stem and as much of the green part as you'd like. Before making this, I had heard that you could only use the petals, none of the green sepals, and fully separating them sounded so tedious. When I recently read that it's just a matter of taste, that the green sepals impart a more bitter flavor, I readily jumped into the project. I don't mind a bit of  bitter, especially when I know the source is so nutrient rich. This is how I easily separate the flowers for my soda:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ysk7xNK4uyg\/T6xjQcKbbuI\/AAAAAAAABnE\/J89ooJwNddE\/s1600\/05-01-2012-145052.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ysk7xNK4uyg\/T6xjQcKbbuI\/AAAAAAAABnE\/J89ooJwNddE\/s640\/05-01-2012-145052.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E It's repetitive, but virtually tedium-free. I hold the petal section with my left hand and snip the butt-end off with kitchen shears or a knife. I am totally ok with the little bit of green that remains on the flowers, but if you want an extra step, and possibly a way better flavor, it would be easy to peel the remaining sepals off after making this snip.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-NJ-dOy-tRGo\/T6xkElOWlHI\/AAAAAAAABnM\/f5Eo0CRqvRE\/s1600\/05-01-2012-150356.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-NJ-dOy-tRGo\/T6xkElOWlHI\/AAAAAAAABnM\/f5Eo0CRqvRE\/s640\/05-01-2012-150356.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the end, you should end up with about a quart of flowers, and some junk ends to toss to the chickens. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe next step is to pour in boiling water. I have lost a favorite jar doing this, so now I, possibly superstitiously, place a metal utensil in any jar before I pour boiling water in it. Apparently, a spoon or whatever in the jar helps to distribute the heat so it's not such a shock to the glass. To play it even safer, I pour in a little water, let it warm the jar, and then fill it the rest of the way. It sucks to lose a good jar!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tdVYKx3gx0A\/T6xk7lCUEjI\/AAAAAAAABnU\/qYSVbGxdAMQ\/s1600\/05-01-2012-151638.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-tdVYKx3gx0A\/T6xk7lCUEjI\/AAAAAAAABnU\/qYSVbGxdAMQ\/s640\/05-01-2012-151638.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFilled and hot, cap the jar and set it aside for about 24 hours to make a strong infusion. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe next step is to strain out the flowers. Just pour through a strainer into a clean quart jar. Squeeze the flowers out, as they hold a lot of liquid. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Now it's time to sweeten it. If you want to use a dry sweetener, like sucanat or sugar, you will need to heat the liquid and stir in the sugar to fully incorporate it. Because I have it on hand, I use agave since it can be added without the extra step of reheating the infusion. Stir in 1\/4 c of agave, or 1\/3 c sugar.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-u4p5g-vgmyo\/T6xpgIx7_BI\/AAAAAAAABng\/EF4NvqStL_A\/s1600\/05-03-2012-143640.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-u4p5g-vgmyo\/T6xpgIx7_BI\/AAAAAAAABng\/EF4NvqStL_A\/s640\/05-03-2012-143640.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA few days after starting one jar, I found enough dandelions in my yard for a second batch! \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter sweetening, let the infusion return to room temperature if it was heated, and then add about 1\/4 c \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-make-ginger-bug-natural-soda.html\"\u003Enatural soda starter\u003C\/a\u003E for each quart of liquid. Don't add the ginger bug to hot liquid because heat will destroy the starter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Let this set, covered with a cloth napkin or dishtowel, for 3 days. Stir every 12 hours. Every time I stir a soda, I taste it. It should always taste a little sweet, although this dandelion soda does have a bitter taste as well. If you really think it's turning out horribly, you can always sweeten it more at any point. Fermentation uses up sugar, so it gets less sweet over time. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E After 3 days of this, it should be bubbly and ready to bottle. Cap tightly and store another 24 hours at room temperature, in German beer bottles or mason jars. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E This last step builds up carbonation so you have a nice, bubbly soda. It's important not to let them go too long or they could explode if enough internal pressure builds up in the bottles. 24 hours will be fine! After this, store them in the fridge, and drink at your leisure. Nik \u0026amp; I hesitantly tried a small amount when we had our first taste... and then we both had a big glass. It's very good, nothing to be scared of, though it does have a mild, bitter flavor and kind of smells like dandelions, for some reason ;)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f69fPwkyu1Y\/T7pTNA5LlvI\/AAAAAAAABo8\/FCPYiy791Ks\/s1600\/05-19-2012-125215.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-f69fPwkyu1Y\/T7pTNA5LlvI\/AAAAAAAABo8\/FCPYiy791Ks\/s640\/05-19-2012-125215.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E If you want to try more of a crowd-pleasing soda, check out \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/lacto-fermented-ginger-ale.html\"\u003Emy recipe for ginger ale\u003C\/a\u003E. It's easy and unquestionably tasty, whereas the dandelion soda is perhaps more for the connoisseurs and dandelion lovers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor more info on traditionally fermented sodas, as well as a whole world of other fermentation ideas, check out the original source of my inspiration, two books by Sandor Katz. Both probably available from your local library, but also definitely worth owning. If you buy either through my ad links below, Amazon gives me a tiny bit of cash. Thanks in advance! \u003Cbr \/\u003E \u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thank you!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/647921130096446415\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/lacto-fermented-dandelion-soda.html#comment-form","title":"50 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/647921130096446415"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/647921130096446415"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/lacto-fermented-dandelion-soda.html","title":"Lacto-Fermented Dandelion Soda"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-ehQIGPA8X4k\/T7pSl9wKYqI\/AAAAAAAABo0\/VFm-GAvoRxo\/s72-c\/05-19-2012-125202.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"50"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-7146135001206438531"},"published":{"$t":"2012-05-08T15:53:00.001-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T08:20:01.493-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Preservation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Making Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Abb5MqyxYtk\/T6mcwt1nk2I\/AAAAAAAABl8\/vpHZwgZTZ4c\/s1600\/avosauerkraut.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Abb5MqyxYtk\/T6mcwt1nk2I\/AAAAAAAABl8\/vpHZwgZTZ4c\/s640\/avosauerkraut.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHomemade, lacto-fermented sauerkraut is vastly, wonderfully different than storebought. I have always been a fan of sauerkraut, but now that I make it myself I absolutely love it and it's become a regular part of my diet, no longer just some novelty to eat with the occasional bratwurst. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERaw, naturally fermented foods are great for digestion, and this homemade sauerkraut makes a great snack when you crave something crisp and salty. In a few weeks you will have about a half gallon of sauerkraut for the cost of two heads of cabbage.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jAyRF2qR0fA\/T6mdIHvbhMI\/AAAAAAAABmE\/g6XijcfpAv8\/s1600\/03-11-2012-181707.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jAyRF2qR0fA\/T6mdIHvbhMI\/AAAAAAAABmE\/g6XijcfpAv8\/s640\/03-11-2012-181707.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPurple cabbage stays firmer during fermentation; green cabbage become softer, more like the texture of storebought, cooked sauerkraut. Because I love the color, and the nutritional profile, of purple cabbage, I like to use one head of each type in my batches of sauerkraut, for a gorgeous shade of bright pink.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Start with about 5 lbs of cabbage, or 2 medium-sized heads. Remove or wash outer leaves, and chop cabbage into shreddable chunks, discarding the core. Shred however you prefer; I use a food processor with a slicer blade.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMix all the shredded cabbage in a large crock with 3 Tb sea salt. This is where it gets messy! If you're using purple cabbage, your hands may get a bit stained, but you'll survive. I use one hand to mix, keeping the other clean, but use both if you want to really get in there. The cabbage needs to be squeezed and mashed and pressed, together with the salt, until it releases enough of its own juices to fully immerse itself.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0e66wKm4lV0\/T6mfGzSXqbI\/AAAAAAAABmU\/wTq-Jd_hB-k\/s1600\/04-23-2012-202513.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-0e66wKm4lV0\/T6mfGzSXqbI\/AAAAAAAABmU\/wTq-Jd_hB-k\/s640\/04-23-2012-202513.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETwo heads of freshly shredded cabbage, plus 3 Tb salt. You can see how my 4 qt crock is full to the brim; after kneading it well, the crock will only be about half full. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERecently I've learned to first knead it a bit with the salt, and then let it sit for several minutes to allow the salt to do some of the hard work for me, drawing out the water from the leaves. Then, after a relaxing break to check my email or whatever, I get back in there, pressing and squeezing until I can punch the cabbage down below the level of the liquid.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf enough liquid cannot be obtained this way, like if the cabbage is a bit old and dehydrated, you can mix up some brine by dissolving a teaspoon of sea salt in a cup of water. Pour this over your cabbage in the crock. Don't give up too easy, though. Most of the time, you will not need any added brine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile it's possible to make salt-free sauerkraut, the added salt helps to ensure that only our desired bacteria grows, resulting in a beneficial lacto-fermentation rather than an icky putrefaction. If the fermentation goes \"off\" for some reason, it will smell bad and taste worse; you will know it. However, I often don't much like the smell of sauerkraut right when I take it out of the crock; it often seems to need a week or two in the fridge to mature. At that point, it's always delicious! So, don't despair if your kraut smells not-quite-right when you take it out of the crock, some time in the fridge will fix it up.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUsing a clean crock, clean utensils, and clean hands will go a long way toward ensuring a clean ferment. Also, I always use dechlorinated water (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-remove-chlorine-from-tap-water.html\"\u003Esee here\u003C\/a\u003E for my easy how-to if you don't have a water filter) for fermentation, since the intention of chlorine in tapwater is to kill organisms, and when we ferment we are trying to actively culture healthy organisms.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis next part is why I avoided trying to make my own for a long time: The cabbage must be weighted down in a sort of elaborate way, so air can't get to it. I simply use an old, round crock pot and a small plate that fits right inside. If your crock pot is the oval variety, you will need to find a different container. It should be something cylindrical and ceramic or glass. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JdrTxNAI7pc\/T6mf1YaixwI\/AAAAAAAABmc\/yJ6yS5oeOaE\/s1600\/04-26-2012-144002.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JdrTxNAI7pc\/T6mf1YaixwI\/AAAAAAAABmc\/yJ6yS5oeOaE\/s640\/04-26-2012-144002.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECrock with small plate covering kraut, with a large jar weighing down plate so the liquid is always above the level of the cabbage. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, the plate goes on top of the cabbage, and is weighted down with a full gallon jar. You could probably get away with a smaller jar, filled with water. It just has to be heavy. Try using a large boiled rock instead, if you want to be rustic.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThen, over top of all that, goes a dust cloth. My friend uses a pillowcase, which I think is a good idea, but I can never be sure that there's no lint in the corners of my pillowcases, so I just stick with a tea towel, wrapped and pinned like a little nappy. The cover is important in keeping the fermentation clean and allowing it to breathe. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-a8Z3XoCsYlQ\/T6mggf1tr0I\/AAAAAAAABmk\/Uf_lgrsFi-4\/s1600\/04-26-2012-143922.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-a8Z3XoCsYlQ\/T6mggf1tr0I\/AAAAAAAABmk\/Uf_lgrsFi-4\/s640\/04-26-2012-143922.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E Fermentation in the crock takes 3 weeks; I always mark my calendar. You don't have to do much during this time except check under the cloth occasionally, weekly really, for any escaped bits of cabbage or spots of mold. Using a butterknife, collect any debris or foam forming on the surface of the brine. The first time I made sauerkraut I totally skipped this step and it worked out fine, but I like to do this little maintenance; it allows me to check how it's doing and feel maternal ;) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fpOzV0y5lro\/T6mg16PAcLI\/AAAAAAAABms\/XgWZlWrZmGA\/s1600\/04-26-2012-144136.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-fpOzV0y5lro\/T6mg16PAcLI\/AAAAAAAABms\/XgWZlWrZmGA\/s640\/04-26-2012-144136.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis foam is a harmless byproduct of fermentation. I scrape it off after about the first week. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFloating mold is NOT a sign of anything wrong with your sauerkraut; it just means there was a bit of debris that escaped the plate. Anything under the brine will be fine.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter 3 weeks, I scoop the kraut into jars, packing it down to minimize air. I then place it in the back of my fridge, or in my cool, dark pantry, for a week or two, and then give it a try. I've stored sauerkraut like this, raw and alive but dark and cool, for many months in my pantry and fridge. While I think it lasts longer in the relative cold of the refrigerator, it seems to do fine in my pantry (which is just a dark cabinet in the always-cold garage.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9vWpMbQQWAo\/T6mbaZcwXtI\/AAAAAAAABls\/5pMrcrrhV3g\/s1600\/03-23-2012-115920.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-9vWpMbQQWAo\/T6mbaZcwXtI\/AAAAAAAABls\/5pMrcrrhV3g\/s640\/03-23-2012-115920.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E It should taste salty and sour when you give it a try. The broth is very healthy and can be added to dressings or consumed alone. Try a cup of sauerkraut with a diced avocado for a super healthy, satisfying lunch. Add it to salads, or use as a side dish with really any fare. Eating sauerkraut with cooked meals helps them break down easier.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf it seems like there really ought to be a less fussy way to make sauerkraut, that's because there is! \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2014\/03\/easily-make-sauerkraut-right-in-jar.html\"\u003EMy preferred method is linked here\u003C\/a\u003E, in a more recent article.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor more on the benefits and history of lacto-fermented vegetables, as well as a whole world of other fermentation ideas, check out the original source of my inspiration, two books by Sandor Katz. Both probably available from your local library, but also definitely worth owning. If you buy either through my ad links below, Amazon gives me a tiny bit of cash. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: x-small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=1931498237\u0026amp;asins=1931498237\u0026amp;linkId=GUQNXQ2DQBF3XDWI\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=160358286X\u0026amp;asins=160358286X\u0026amp;linkId=I72SRFDXUTZ5I4TL\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/7146135001206438531\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/making-lacto-fermented-sauerkraut.html#comment-form","title":"53 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/7146135001206438531"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/7146135001206438531"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/making-lacto-fermented-sauerkraut.html","title":"Making Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-Abb5MqyxYtk\/T6mcwt1nk2I\/AAAAAAAABl8\/vpHZwgZTZ4c\/s72-c\/avosauerkraut.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"53"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-4275277656665526328"},"published":{"$t":"2012-04-28T11:47:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T09:30:15.702-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Cleaning Products"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sustainable Shaving Options"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-f3vrHz1RFcI\/T5wzxGfIlnI\/AAAAAAAABjg\/jTz4osB-2TA\/s1600\/03-05-2012-163710.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"shaving soap and brush\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-f3vrHz1RFcI\/T5wzxGfIlnI\/AAAAAAAABjg\/jTz4osB-2TA\/s640\/03-05-2012-163710.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhen I was first pregnant I had to nix my partner's use of canned shaving creams- the perfumes they contained made me ill, so we bought him a nice bar of unscented shaving soap and a lather brush. The shaving soap has been great. We love that it lasts forever and has no can to throw away. Another natural option would be to make our own shaving soap, which is definitely on the horizon. However, he continued to use disposable razors for several years until recently, when he researched non-disposable options. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7xqrE-vU2VU\/T5w0XOJ2YoI\/AAAAAAAABjo\/AIqjGvVO9bo\/s1600\/03-05-2012-163901.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"straight razor shaving\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-7xqrE-vU2VU\/T5w0XOJ2YoI\/AAAAAAAABjo\/AIqjGvVO9bo\/s640\/03-05-2012-163901.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA few months ago he switched to using straight razors. I think they take a bit of time to maintain, including being honed on a leather strop before each use, but he only shaves every two or three days, so it's not too big of a deal. They also require occasional sharpening with a whetstone.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI love that\u0026nbsp; the sustainable solutions for the future are often to be found in how we used to do things. This is definitely the low-tech shaving option!\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xGE9Oonkp4E\/T5w4mou8KVI\/AAAAAAAABj8\/aOB7WmHojxk\/s1600\/07-02%7C16:04:59.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"at the lake\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xGE9Oonkp4E\/T5w4mou8KVI\/AAAAAAAABj8\/aOB7WmHojxk\/s640\/07-02%7C16:04:59.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"468\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI don't think this was too much of a learning curve to get started. There is definitely a skill to any blade sharpening, and a razor has to be much more finely honed than a kitchen knife. Razors can be taken in to a knife sharpening service, where they will be professionally sharpened for a small fee. When we first bought Nik's razors, we did have them professionally sharpened.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe shaving itself is pretty straightforward. If I shaved my legs, I would certainly give the straight razor a try. I don't think it would work very well for armpits though, so I'm sticking with disposables for now.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-NNGXFa_FGHw\/T5w0oap2nFI\/AAAAAAAABjw\/h5gjakugwzM\/s1600\/9153.0.8003-02-27-2012-090453.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"straight razor shaving\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-NNGXFa_FGHw\/T5w0oap2nFI\/AAAAAAAABjw\/h5gjakugwzM\/s640\/9153.0.8003-02-27-2012-090453.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENik's shaving kit includes two razors, a leather strop, and a sharpening stone, as well as the cup with soap \u0026amp; shaving brush, pictured above. The small green dish contains coconut oil, which he used to soften the leather strop when he first bought it. He was able to find both \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003Ethe strop and razors used on ebay.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4275277656665526328\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/sustainable-shaving-options.html#comment-form","title":"27 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4275277656665526328"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4275277656665526328"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/sustainable-shaving-options.html","title":"Sustainable Shaving Options"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-f3vrHz1RFcI\/T5wzxGfIlnI\/AAAAAAAABjg\/jTz4osB-2TA\/s72-c\/03-05-2012-163710.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"27"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-5880244882727700735"},"published":{"$t":"2012-04-26T16:08:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T09:28:52.889-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unschooling"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Wild Foraging in April"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI just did my third Edible Weeds class with Melany Vorass\u0026nbsp;through \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sustainableburien.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESustainable Burien\u003C\/a\u003E. There are still lots of greens to be foraged, though as many of them start to flower the leaves become a bit less palatable. While April is too early for berries around here, there were a surprising amount of edible plants that we found on our short walk at this urban park.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESome of my photos didn't turn out so great, so please use this information in combination with Google or Wikipedia to find out how to more thoroughly identify these plants. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/pfaf.org\/\"\u003EPfaf.org\u003C\/a\u003E is another website where you can obtain info on plant edibility. Also, check out my previous post on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-find-edible-weeds.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eedible foraging in February\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pttpfSy9kSY\/T5C1MPZUfHI\/AAAAAAAABgo\/II3ObdSDonA\/s1600\/04-15-2012-144335.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"wild foraging edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pttpfSy9kSY\/T5C1MPZUfHI\/AAAAAAAABgo\/II3ObdSDonA\/s640\/04-15-2012-144335.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMelany demonstrates how to remove the \"hula skirts\" from horsetail stems. This papery layer must be removed from the stalks before they are safe to eat. Younger plants, before they branch out, contain less silica and are safer.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H1psbTMDWgg\/T5m_e88HM5I\/AAAAAAAABhI\/JCZ54QwI7jc\/s1600\/04-15-2012-144551.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"horsetail edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-H1psbTMDWgg\/T5m_e88HM5I\/AAAAAAAABhI\/JCZ54QwI7jc\/s400\/04-15-2012-144551.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA stalk of horsetail with a few \"skirts\" removed.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VMreR7K5tV8\/T5C1YNWcV_I\/AAAAAAAABgw\/6-lIGyCDtXE\/s1600\/04-15-2012-144353.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"horsetail edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VMreR7K5tV8\/T5C1YNWcV_I\/AAAAAAAABgw\/6-lIGyCDtXE\/s640\/04-15-2012-144353.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHorsetail (\u003Ci\u003EEquisetum\u003C\/i\u003E) also called \"scourbrush\", can be used to scrub dishes as well as burnish wood and polish metal. These plants are just a bit too mature to eat. The leaves around it are salmonberry, which can be eaten like spinach.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-N2SeRs8Ah-s\/T5nAMH1u4rI\/AAAAAAAABhQ\/hracv56U770\/s1600\/04-15-2012-145329.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"salmonberry wild foraging\" border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-N2SeRs8Ah-s\/T5nAMH1u4rI\/AAAAAAAABhQ\/hracv56U770\/s400\/04-15-2012-145329.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESalmonberry (\u003Ci\u003ERubus spectabilis\u003C\/i\u003E) flowers, leaves, and berries are all delicious.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uTBYGqD-eC4\/T5nBIt8CxpI\/AAAAAAAABhY\/y0EBDZyVfYI\/s1600\/04-15-2012-145824.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"dandelion edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-uTBYGqD-eC4\/T5nBIt8CxpI\/AAAAAAAABhY\/y0EBDZyVfYI\/s640\/04-15-2012-145824.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EDandelions (\u003Ci\u003ETaraxacum\u003C\/i\u003E) are edible in their entirety. The midrib of the leaves is a bit bitter and can be easily removed. Use the leaves in salads or smoothies, toss the flowers in salads or fritters, or make a batch of dandelion wine! The roots can be roasted and brewed like coffee.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fXl4hz5yXY0\/T5nCAh8r7-I\/AAAAAAAABhg\/vAXX0dXoWOo\/s1600\/04-15-2012-150229.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"bedstraw edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-fXl4hz5yXY0\/T5nCAh8r7-I\/AAAAAAAABhg\/vAXX0dXoWOo\/s640\/04-15-2012-150229.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBedstraw (\u003Ci\u003EGalium\u003C\/i\u003E) is a bit bristly, but somehow succulent and tender at the same time. My kids call it \"cat tongue\" because of its scratchy surface, and they eat it straight out of the garden. I've used it in salads and smoothies.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhen it matures, you will find horrible bristly seeds stuck to your pants, socks, shoelaces, and to your cat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z1GznmYoRLs\/T5nEEoSUVPI\/AAAAAAAABho\/b1G-xYyI-nA\/s1600\/04-15-2012-150257.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"shotweed edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-z1GznmYoRLs\/T5nEEoSUVPI\/AAAAAAAABho\/b1G-xYyI-nA\/s640\/04-15-2012-150257.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThis is shotweed (\u003Ci\u003ECardamine hirsuta\u003C\/i\u003E). This is not a great photo of it, but most people would recognize it as the weed that shoots its seeds everywhere when you barely brush it with your hand. The leaves taste like watercress, but they diminish in size as the plant flowers and diverts its energy to making seeds.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wECeLOXkni4\/T5nE2sHMrMI\/AAAAAAAABhw\/A8MvqpydPX4\/s1600\/04-15-2012-151014.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"maple leaves wild foraging\" border=\"0\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wECeLOXkni4\/T5nE2sHMrMI\/AAAAAAAABhw\/A8MvqpydPX4\/s640\/04-15-2012-151014.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThe young leaves of a maple tree (\u003Ci\u003EAcer\u003C\/i\u003E) are such a treat! Just pick and eat, they are so good.\u003C\/span\u003E \u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAlso, I recently read that any type of maple can be tapped for syrup.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bfPXhyi5pF8\/T5nFNPTyLvI\/AAAAAAAABh4\/2z9lvAlqMPA\/s1600\/04-15-2012-151039.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"buttercup poisonous plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-bfPXhyi5pF8\/T5nFNPTyLvI\/AAAAAAAABh4\/2z9lvAlqMPA\/s640\/04-15-2012-151039.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPoisonous: Buttercup (\u003Ci\u003ERanunculus\u003C\/i\u003E)... nothing about this plant is edible. I am in the process of removing it from the shady parts of my yard, where it has been taking over.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-l-4tHZmvGv8\/T5nFxLbBzaI\/AAAAAAAABiA\/rETPU4_eGVs\/s1600\/04-15-2012-152208.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"catsear edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-l-4tHZmvGv8\/T5nFxLbBzaI\/AAAAAAAABiA\/rETPU4_eGVs\/s640\/04-15-2012-152208.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECatsear (\u003Ci\u003EHypochaeris radicata)\u003C\/i\u003E flowers are similar to dandelion, but the stalk is solid, while the dandelion flower has a hollow stem, and of course the leaves are covered in fuzz, while dandelions have smooth leaves. They are also slower to to to seed than a dandelion.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-iaJZSlfc1Hw\/T5nGbQFgm8I\/AAAAAAAABiI\/GCRkqU7dDuA\/s1600\/04-15-2012-152649.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"nipplewort edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-iaJZSlfc1Hw\/T5nGbQFgm8I\/AAAAAAAABiI\/GCRkqU7dDuA\/s640\/04-15-2012-152649.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENipplewort (\u003Ci\u003ELapsana\u003C\/i\u003E) has edible leaves. The leaves change shape dramatically as the plant forms its \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Eflower, going from this rounded heart shape to pointed spear shaped leaves on the flower stalk.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WRaUate30dI\/T5nHYCEArkI\/AAAAAAAABiQ\/yznmIMjxiIo\/s1600\/04-15-2012-153527.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"sow thistle edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-WRaUate30dI\/T5nHYCEArkI\/AAAAAAAABiQ\/yznmIMjxiIo\/s640\/04-15-2012-153527.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ESow thistle (\u003Ci\u003ESonchus\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Ci\u003E)\u003C\/i\u003E is a bit rough around the edges, but no real thorns. It has thick succulent, edible leaves.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rJObci_EacA\/T5nH9XKhICI\/AAAAAAAABig\/fDpsAI0PQFE\/s1600\/04-15-2012-153626.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"sow thistle edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-rJObci_EacA\/T5nH9XKhICI\/AAAAAAAABig\/fDpsAI0PQFE\/s640\/04-15-2012-153626.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFull frontal shot of sow thistle. You can see some nearly mature shotweed seeds on the left, and some glossy beach strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) leaves on the lower right.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-13XxkXBP4fk\/T5nIuehLVzI\/AAAAAAAABio\/AGcSBP7L8X4\/s1600\/04-15-2012-155204.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"rosehips wild foraging\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-13XxkXBP4fk\/T5nIuehLVzI\/AAAAAAAABio\/AGcSBP7L8X4\/s640\/04-15-2012-155204.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EApril is a bit late for harvesting rosehips (\u003Ci\u003ERosa\u003C\/i\u003E)... and this is a pretty lousy picture of them ;) Collect anytime after the first frost, and store in freezer for later use. Remove seeds through a strainer before using the fruit. Rosehips are super high in vitamin C.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-UuYv0JYwXUg\/T5nJ5Sty-vI\/AAAAAAAABiw\/jHTSd1SO2Mw\/s1600\/04-15-2012-160442.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"clover edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-UuYv0JYwXUg\/T5nJ5Sty-vI\/AAAAAAAABiw\/jHTSd1SO2Mw\/s640\/04-15-2012-160442.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EPink and white clovers (\u003Ci\u003ETrifolium\u003C\/i\u003E) are edible, both the flowers and leaves, raw or cooked.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2QV4nT9CL4Y\/T5nKVzymhuI\/AAAAAAAABi4\/5KVl2lWphU8\/s1600\/04-15-2012-160456.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"fireweed edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-2QV4nT9CL4Y\/T5nKVzymhuI\/AAAAAAAABi4\/5KVl2lWphU8\/s640\/04-15-2012-160456.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFireweed (\u003Ci\u003EEpilobium angustifolium\u003C\/i\u003E) makes a delicious, tender salad green.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MyPyIpN6vYI\/T5nKxgH41VI\/AAAAAAAABjA\/0WkkDFlFmOk\/s1600\/04-15-2012-160516.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"dock edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-MyPyIpN6vYI\/T5nKxgH41VI\/AAAAAAAABjA\/0WkkDFlFmOk\/s640\/04-15-2012-160516.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EDock (\u003Ci\u003ERumex crispus\u003C\/i\u003E) leaves, and their seeds later in summer, are edible. The seeds can be used in baking to replace up to 1\/4 of whatever grains you're using. The have a husk which is a bit tough and impossible to remove, but it incorporates fine into bread or crackers. New leaves, still tightly curled inside a sheath, can be used like asparagus after removing their sheath. My rabbits devour this nutritious plant.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-S7aynTnEJIc\/T5nL01fWAGI\/AAAAAAAABjI\/CSelUC0MdDk\/s1600\/04-15-2012-161036.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"common groundsel poisonous plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-S7aynTnEJIc\/T5nL01fWAGI\/AAAAAAAABjI\/CSelUC0MdDk\/s640\/04-15-2012-161036.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EDon't eat this plant. Common Groundsel (\u003Ci\u003ESenecio vulgaris\u003C\/i\u003E) is reported to be both toxic and medicinal.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FEA7n56GKUI\/T5nNMThrsII\/AAAAAAAABjQ\/XwgvvuWFcxM\/s1600\/04-15-2012-162741.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"nettles wild foraging edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-FEA7n56GKUI\/T5nNMThrsII\/AAAAAAAABjQ\/XwgvvuWFcxM\/s640\/04-15-2012-162741.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAnd of course, our favorite this year, stinging nettles (\u003Ci\u003EUrtica dioica\u003C\/i\u003E). We've been living off these lovely leaves for months, in our green smoothies, and in the winter we enjoy them in an infusion. They are delicious and tender, once you get past that pesky sting (click \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/wild-harvested-nettles-smoothie.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere for my smoothie recipe\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/we-drink-nettle-tea.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ehere for the nettle tea\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI'm linking an Amazon ad below to Melany's book on eating weeds. If you use my ad link to make a purchase, it benefits our family as well as the author. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=1594857474\u0026amp;asins=1594857474\u0026amp;linkId=2Z37ZB43YF3YETKY\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/5880244882727700735\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/wild-foraging-in-april.html#comment-form","title":"42 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/5880244882727700735"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/5880244882727700735"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/wild-foraging-in-april.html","title":"Wild Foraging in April"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-pttpfSy9kSY\/T5C1MPZUfHI\/AAAAAAAABgo\/II3ObdSDonA\/s72-c\/04-15-2012-144335.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"42"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-8897527723163364426"},"published":{"$t":"2012-03-12T07:42:00.000-07:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T09:19:45.860-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Wild Harvested Nettles Smoothie"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFor the past few weeks we've been using fresh, locally harvested raw nettles in our green smoothies almost daily. They are delicious, so nutritious, and easy to harvest and prepare, as long as you wear the right kind of gloves! Also, you can definitely eat raw nettle leaves without stinging your mouth or throat. I was worried about that, but emboldened while at an \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-find-edible-weeds.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Eedible weeds\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E class with \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.weedcuisine.co\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMelany Vorass\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E, I pinched a single leaf off a young plant, folded it carefully (touching only the top of the leaf protects against stings, as the barbs cover the underside of the leaves \u0026amp;\u0026nbsp;stems) and chewed it up. The leaves\u0026nbsp;are tasty and surprisingly easy to eat.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KtT0eEWBj4E\/T14Fgb9tLfI\/AAAAAAAABcE\/mh7OBcmPsos\/s1600\/02-23-2012-160716.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"fresh harvested nettles edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KtT0eEWBj4E\/T14Fgb9tLfI\/AAAAAAAABcE\/mh7OBcmPsos\/s640\/02-23-2012-160716.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI wear a double layer of latex or nitrile gloves when I harvest the plants for smoothies. The first time I did this, I wore gardening gloves and got stung a few times through the fabric on the back of my hands; I've had much better luck with latex or nitrile, which cover my hands more uniformly. Using a pair of garden clippers or scissors, I clip the young plants about 3 inches above the ground, just above the lowest leaves so it will grow new shoots and I can continue to harvest in the future from the same plant.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI take them home and store them\u0026nbsp;in the fridge, in a large plastic bag with a damp washcloth; this keeps them fresh for at least a week. When I want to make a smoothie, I soak a handful or two of the plants in water. Soak for 10 minutes to an hour, just to remove debris or who-knows-what. If your nettles are dusty or near a popular dog-walking trail, you could give them a second quick soak in fresh water. I try to harvest off the trail a ways for the cleanest plants.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-v2qM8ovIE20\/T14GaoJHWxI\/AAAAAAAABcM\/49Od2GmTtJA\/s1600\/02-23-2012-161510.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"fresh harvested nettles edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-v2qM8ovIE20\/T14GaoJHWxI\/AAAAAAAABcM\/49Od2GmTtJA\/s640\/02-23-2012-161510.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAfter the soaking, I use scissors to clip all the leaves into my blender, reserving the stems for \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/how-to-make-most-of-veggie-scraps-for.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Eblending into chicken food\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E, and then add the rest of \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/drink-your-veggies.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Emy green smoothie ingredients\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E. I use a high speed blender, which easily blends greens into a smooth drink, but if you've got a standard blender, just give it a bit longer on high and it will become pretty smooth.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGCjFw_6IRA\/T14HUjAs4wI\/AAAAAAAABck\/91nocbqHnYc\/s1600\/02-23-2012-162700.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"raw nettles green smoothie\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-nGCjFw_6IRA\/T14HUjAs4wI\/AAAAAAAABck\/91nocbqHnYc\/s640\/02-23-2012-162700.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThese smoothies taste fabulous, and are undoubtedly very nutritious. Nettles are high in protein, iron, and many other minerals and micronutrients. Check\u0026nbsp;out this page on \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.livestrong.com\/article\/350785-stinging-nettles-nutrition\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Estinging nettles nutrition\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;for further info on their nutritional value. They are also wonderfully anti-inflammatory. We regularly drink nettle tea (\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/we-drink-nettle-tea.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003Eclick here to see how we make it\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E) throughout the year, but I'm sure having this source of fresh, raw nettles is even better. And what's more, I have one less thing to buy every week for making smoothies.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VoeSMGtbnw0\/T14G_BTP7hI\/AAAAAAAABcU\/gRbG04pHh74\/s1600\/02-23-2012-184127.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"raw nettles green smoothie\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-VoeSMGtbnw0\/T14G_BTP7hI\/AAAAAAAABcU\/gRbG04pHh74\/s640\/02-23-2012-184127.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EInterested in upgrading to a high speed blender? Your smoothies will be amazingly creamy. I don't go a day without using my Blendtec, often twice. Once you try a truly powerful blender, you will never go back! I'm posting the ad link below to my beloved Blendtec, as well as the other leading brand, Vitamix, for comparison. Please check it out if you're interested. Every purchase through my ad link helps provide us with a little bit of income.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B000GIGZXM\u0026amp;asins=B000GIGZXM\u0026amp;linkId=VDFCU37GVLF6PKRV\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B008H4SLV6\u0026amp;asins=B008H4SLV6\u0026amp;linkId=BK33F3QDCKXVCLZ5\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/8897527723163364426\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/wild-harvested-nettles-smoothie.html#comment-form","title":"34 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/8897527723163364426"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/8897527723163364426"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/wild-harvested-nettles-smoothie.html","title":"Wild Harvested Nettles Smoothie"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KtT0eEWBj4E\/T14Fgb9tLfI\/AAAAAAAABcE\/mh7OBcmPsos\/s72-c\/02-23-2012-160716.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"34"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-2595370388050256893"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-22T09:44:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-07-21T09:02:58.025-07:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unschooling"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Lacto-Fermented Ginger Ale"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KNbrWwNfRQw\/T0M13BTa-WI\/AAAAAAAABZc\/gXPmq-hBfjE\/s1600\/sodaglasss.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"lacto-fermented ginger ale\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KNbrWwNfRQw\/T0M13BTa-WI\/AAAAAAAABZc\/gXPmq-hBfjE\/s640\/sodaglasss.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMaking lacto-fermented sodas is addictive. It's fun to make things bubbly! Basically, you can turn any sweet tea or juice into a naturally carbonated, healthful soda. We ferment everything we drink these days. It's fun and tasty, as well as healthy! When a friend of mine started making sodas, I was initially like, why would you want to do that? Why replicate something so unhealthy? Little did I know, lacto-fermented sodas are good for you! For more info and inspiration, check out \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.google.com\/products\/catalog?hl=en\u0026amp;rlz=\u0026amp;q=wild+fermentation\u0026amp;gs_sm=3\u0026amp;gs_upl=2359064l2363333l0l2366162l10l10l1l0l0l0l199l1175l1.8l9l0\u0026amp;um=1\u0026amp;ie=UTF-8\u0026amp;tbm=shop\u0026amp;cid=8036272288549633152\u0026amp;sa=X\u0026amp;ei=rrJDT62HKOniiAKryfzOAQ\u0026amp;ved=0CGAQ8wIwBw\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWild Fermentation!\u003C\/a\u003E by Sandor Katz.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI am not a fan of store bought sodas, but I do have fond memories of drinking grape soda and rootbeer as a kid. I love that I can make the healthy versions of these kid-friendly drinks! Lacto-fermentation converts sugars to carbon gas (bubbles) and lactic acid, which aids digestion and has other health properties. When old-timers suggest drinking a soda to settle an upset stomach, this is the soda they mean. Plus, yum!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VWXA_XEygPY\/T0M7HvTTA0I\/AAAAAAAABZk\/iA8GY5PRt_8\/s1600\/gignerr.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lacto-fermented ginger ale\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-VWXA_XEygPY\/T0M7HvTTA0I\/AAAAAAAABZk\/iA8GY5PRt_8\/s640\/gignerr.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHow to:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EFirst, make a Ginger Bug (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-make-ginger-bug-natural-soda.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclick here for instructions on making your own Ginger Bug\u003C\/a\u003E, which will assist nearly any fermentation). This is easy, but requires 3 days advance planning. The soda itself will take another 4 days... but don't worry, you don't have to do more than stir it twice a day for 3 days, and then twiddle your thumbs for the final 24 hours while it produces some nice bubbles for you. If you already have a ginger bug in the fridge, wake it up by removing it from the fridge and feeding it some sugar, plus a bit more minced ginger.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWhen your starter is bubbly, commence soda making:\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EBoil \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E1\/3 c sliced ginger for \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E20 minutes in 2 quarts of water.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EThen add 1 1\/2 c sucanat or rapidura (aka: sugar)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EStir to dissolve, then let cool to just warm.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EWhen cool, strain into a one-gallon glass jar. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EAdd 1 c soda starter\/ginger bug and enough dechlorinated water (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-remove-chlorine-from-tap-water.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclick here to see how I easily dechlorinate water\u003C\/a\u003E) to bring the level to about 1\" below the shoulder of the jar. If you don't have dechlorinated water, don't fret. The chlorine will naturally evaporate each time you stir your soda, but I still prefer to start with chlorine free water if possible.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-C1HTGjMH2oA\/T0M71zDaPlI\/AAAAAAAABZs\/gdi54YOXgZA\/s1600\/fermentations.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"lacto-fermented honey wine, kombucha, and rootbeer\" border=\"0\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-C1HTGjMH2oA\/T0M71zDaPlI\/AAAAAAAABZs\/gdi54YOXgZA\/s640\/fermentations.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/making-honey-wine.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EHoney Wine\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/make-your-own-kombucha.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EKombucha\u003C\/a\u003E, and Soda fermenting on my washing machine\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECover jar with a cloth to keep dust out while it ferments. Stir twice a day for 3 days. On the third day you should be able to hear it bubble vigorously when stirring, and a bit even before you stir. When bubbly, bottle and cap tightly. You can use spring loaded glass bottles, beer bottles with a capper, or simply mason jars, as long as they make a good seal. This is when carbonation builds up. Leave the bottles at room temperature for 24 hours, and then refrigerate. Now it's ready to drink!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIf you leave them at room temperature for longer than 24 hours, pressure can build to excessive levels. One batch of soda I made fountained soda out every time we opened a bottle. It was a mess unless we opened them with excruciating care. This isn't something you have to worry about unless you forget and leave your bottles carbonating for too long. Remember- when it's hot out, fermentation speeds up, and your soda may need less overall time before it's ready to refrigerate.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHave fun with it. This is exciting stuff!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/2595370388050256893\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/lacto-fermented-ginger-ale.html#comment-form","title":"146 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2595370388050256893"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/2595370388050256893"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/lacto-fermented-ginger-ale.html","title":"Lacto-Fermented Ginger Ale"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-KNbrWwNfRQw\/T0M13BTa-WI\/AAAAAAAABZc\/gXPmq-hBfjE\/s72-c\/sodaglasss.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"146"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-1699031454702731578"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-20T17:30:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T09:19:41.753-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Drink Your Veggies"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dM5RhWOWI_A\/T0LpQFKz9SI\/AAAAAAAABYE\/AvSK9HB6DOY\/s1600\/smoothie.JPG\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dM5RhWOWI_A\/T0LpQFKz9SI\/AAAAAAAABYE\/AvSK9HB6DOY\/s640\/smoothie.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EDrink Me\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003EMost people cringe when they imagine putting all this in a smoothie. I will say, it helps to have a high speed blender if you're going to blend vegetables. For years we drank a somewhat chunky green smoothie, which our kids especially found unpalatable, but we finally invested in a 3 horsepower Blendtec blender, which can blend anything to a smooth cream. Way worth the investment. However, if you're using a standard blender, just give your vegetables extra time in there before adding softer fruits. I personally don't think it's the end of the world if my smoothie has to be chewed a little, but I completely understand it's not for everyone. The flax seeds and ginger blend up quite nicely as well, though I don't think I would use them in a standard blender.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo yes, a high speed blender will make your vegetables into a smooth drink, but what about taste? I'm not going to drink something every day that tastes nasty and I don't think you would want to either. While carrots have a natural sweetness that goes down easy, the huge amount of greens I add to smoothies would be pretty bitter without some fruit. The sweetness of a couple of ripe bananas really helps, especially in a kale smoothie, which can have a very strong taste. Mango is another great one to blend with greens and other vegetables. Pineapple orange banana is a good combination with greens. When I want to make something really sweet, or if I find myself out of fresh fruit, I'll soak a few pitted dates in some water, then add the dates and their soak water to the smoothie.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bPjSy7lKBVo\/T0LuFQXBUAI\/AAAAAAAABYM\/zr141Sb6R_s\/s1600\/smoo.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bPjSy7lKBVo\/T0LuFQXBUAI\/AAAAAAAABYM\/zr141Sb6R_s\/s640\/smoo.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E Making the smoothie...\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAdd the following to a large blender, in approximately this order:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E1 cm fresh ginger, sliced (leave the peel on if organic)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMost of a \"bunch\" of chard or kale, or 2\/3 bag of spinach, or 2-3 heads baby bok choy (remove tough stems from chard \u0026amp; kale, feed to bunnies \u0026amp; chickens or compost. Gently pack the greens in there, because they are why this smoothie exists.)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E1 Tb whole flax seeds\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E1 stalk celery, cut into 2\" lengths\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E1 carrot, cut into 1\" lengths\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E2 bananas\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAdd water to about 1\/2 full (I fill the Blendtec to the 28 oz line, use more or less depending on your preference)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EI also add about a cup of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/make-your-own-kombucha.html\"\u003Ehomemade kombucha\u003C\/a\u003E to each smoothie, but this is not necessary.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBlend on low to get started, then on high for 30 seconds in a high speed blender, or about a minute in a standard blender, until smooth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDrink immediately, or within 24 hours for maximum flavor and nutrition\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-16kBmKmNCjY\/T0LuPztWCiI\/AAAAAAAABYU\/AhHSxhpLfdc\/s1600\/smoot.JPG\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-16kBmKmNCjY\/T0LuPztWCiI\/AAAAAAAABYU\/AhHSxhpLfdc\/s640\/smoot.JPG\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe enjoy this every day. Sometimes twice. I often take a quart jar of smoothie with me when I go someplace that I know I'll get hungry. There are a million recipes online for other varieties of green smoothies. I never really follow the recipes for them, but I love to see other ideas of things people have used and enjoy in their smoothies. I encourage you to try this recipe, and then branch out to other vegetable and fruit combinations. If you're squeamish about too many greens, try just adding two large leaves or a handful of baby spinach to a fruit smoothie at first. You'll see it's pretty innocuous; spinach especially blends up smooth and tasty. I think it's really delicious!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EInterested in upgrading to a high speed blender? Your smoothies will be amazingly creamy. I don't go a day without using my Blendtec, often twice. Once you try a truly powerful blender, you will never go back! I'm posting the ad link below to my beloved Blendtec, as well as the other leading brand, Vitamix, for comparison. Please check it out if you're interested. Every purchase through my ad link helps provide us with a little bit of income.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B000GIGZXM\u0026amp;asins=B000GIGZXM\u0026amp;linkId=VDFCU37GVLF6PKRV\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B008H4SLV6\u0026amp;asins=B008H4SLV6\u0026amp;linkId=BK33F3QDCKXVCLZ5\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/1699031454702731578\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/drink-your-veggies.html#comment-form","title":"47 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1699031454702731578"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/1699031454702731578"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/drink-your-veggies.html","title":"Drink Your Veggies"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dM5RhWOWI_A\/T0LpQFKz9SI\/AAAAAAAABYE\/AvSK9HB6DOY\/s72-c\/smoothie.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"47"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-4300617342390063262"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-14T06:20:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T09:51:57.866-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How to Make a Ginger Bug Natural Soda Starter"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EA ginger bug, which is a natural carbonated soda starter, helps to give lacto-fermented foods an inoculation of the right type of microorganisms to get a proper fermentation going. I started using one when \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/lacto-fermented-ginger-ale.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EI began making lacto-fermented sodas\u003C\/a\u003E a year ago, but have also found it handy for \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/making-honey-wine.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emaking honey wine\u003C\/a\u003E, beet kvass, and anything else that needs a bit of \"culture\".\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-F0YdwcqfgLw\/TxgyyffRkuI\/AAAAAAAABS0\/O9hNaghTaO4\/s1600\/gingerbug.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"ginger bug lacto-fermented soda starter\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-F0YdwcqfgLw\/TxgyyffRkuI\/AAAAAAAABS0\/O9hNaghTaO4\/s640\/gingerbug.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EIt's simple to make, and requires only two ingredients: Fresh, organic fresh ginger with the peel intact, and sugar (see note below). To begin, mince or grate about \u003Cb\u003Ean inch of ginger\u003C\/b\u003E and add it to a \u003Cb\u003Etablespoon of sugar\u003C\/b\u003E in a quart jar. Stir together with 2 cups of dechlorinated water (read here about how to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-remove-chlorine-from-tap-water.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edechlorinate your own water\u003C\/a\u003E). Chlorine can inhibit the kind of growth we're aiming for, and it's easy to remove if you plan ahead. In this article, I discuss the merits of an \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/a-wonderful-low-cost-water-filter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eawesome, low tech water purifier\u003C\/a\u003E that removes chlorine and renders any water safe to drink, or ferment with.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EA note on sugar: The natural fermentation that occurs in the formation of the ginger bug will be more successful if it's fed the trace minerals, particularly iron, that naturally occur in unprocessed sugars like sucanat and rapidura. There are lots of variations on these \"evaporated cane juice\" type sweeteners. If you are using plain white sugar, you should add a dollop of blackstrap molasses once in a while to beef up the nutrients in order to help the ginger bug grow.\u003C\/i\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ECover your jar with a cloth and rubber band, so it can breathe but stays free of dust and fruit flies. Give the starter a stir twice a day, and once a day add a teaspoon each of sugar and minced or grated ginger. In a couple days it will start bubbling when you stir it, but it's really ready when you can hear it bubbling \u003Ci\u003Ebefore\u003C\/i\u003E you stir it. It takes about 3 days to mature, or longer in a cold room.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EI use about a cup of starter liquid for each gallon-size batch of soda I make, or 1\/4 cup of starter per quart for smaller batches. Just pour your ginger bug through a strainer into a measuring cup and it's ready to use. Heat will destroy the enzymes, so make sure whatever you're adding it to has cooled to just warm.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-r6o6f3HF_G4\/Txg0_qtCRDI\/AAAAAAAABS8\/eSvpg9L0a2Q\/s1600\/fermentations.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"Lacto-fermented honey wine, kombucha, and rootbeer\" border=\"0\" height=\"468\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-r6o6f3HF_G4\/Txg0_qtCRDI\/AAAAAAAABS8\/eSvpg9L0a2Q\/s640\/fermentations.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EFrom Left:\u003C\/i\u003E \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/making-honey-wine.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EHoney Wine\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E, \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/make-your-own-kombucha.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EKombucha\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E, and Rootbeer. The wine \u0026amp; rootbeer were both started using a ginger bug.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EReplace the water in your starter jar, add some more sugar and ginger, and the ginger bug will be ready to use again in a day or two. If you don't need it that soon, just cap it tightly and stick it in the fridge. Remove it from the fridge and revive it with some more sugar \u0026amp; ginger a couple days before you need it again. It will keep indefinitely if fed and stored properly. When mine eventually got about 1\/3 full of minced ginger I found I didn't need to add fresh ginger as often. As long as it's bubbly you know it's active. It should smell gingery; if it ever develops a foul smell, compost it and try again.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003ENow that you have a lovely, bubbling ginger bug going, Try out my recipe for delicious \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/lacto-fermented-ginger-ale.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Enatural ginger ale\u003C\/a\u003E. The ginger bug can be used for many other natural fermentation projects, so don't limit yourself to ginger ale. But it's a great place to start!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003EMy friend tried making this from frozen ginger and got no action, so the natural enzymes present in fresh ginger might be deactivated by freezing. Also, I've read that the required enzymes are concentrated in the skin, so I would avoid using peeled ginger, and always buy organic if you can find it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFor more on ginger bugs, as well as a whole world of fermentation ideas, check out the original source of my inspiration, two books by Sandor Katz. Both probably available from your local library, but also definitely worth owning. If you buy either through my ad links below, Amazon gives me a tiny bit of cash. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=1931498237\u0026amp;asins=1931498237\u0026amp;linkId=GUQNXQ2DQBF3XDWI\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=160358286X\u0026amp;asins=160358286X\u0026amp;linkId=I72SRFDXUTZ5I4TL\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4300617342390063262\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-make-ginger-bug-natural-soda.html#comment-form","title":"203 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4300617342390063262"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4300617342390063262"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-make-ginger-bug-natural-soda.html","title":"How to Make a Ginger Bug Natural Soda Starter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-F0YdwcqfgLw\/TxgyyffRkuI\/AAAAAAAABS0\/O9hNaghTaO4\/s72-c\/gingerbug.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"203"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-6063246150565774106"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-13T11:28:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T15:22:08.486-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How To Remove The Chlorine From Tap Water"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EFor years I've noticed people dechlorinating tap water for their plants. My question as a kid was, why are \u003Ci\u003Ewe\u003C\/i\u003E drinking chlorinated water if it's so bad for the plants? I was always told that plants have more sensitive systems than we do. I'm not convinced that this is true; plants are just more obvious about their ailments than we tend to be. To be sure, chlorine provides no benefit to our bodies, and people are becoming savvy to its dangers. In any case, dechlorinated water is helpful for any sprouting or fermenting project; I use it exclusively, since chlorine would kill the very life that I'm trying to promote. While it's certainly possible to grow sprouts and ferments successfully with normal chlorinated tap water, I think your results will improve with dechlorinated water.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EWhat first got me dechlorinating my water was growing sprouts. I was experiencing what I considered to be a low rate of germination; a lot of unsprouted alfalfa seeds remained at the bottom of the jars. Considering that my seeds were fresh and organic, I had to consider that the problem was in the water. Switching to dechlorinated water made the difference. While there will always be a few unsprouted seeds, most of them should grow when treated properly because that's what seeds do best. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EDechlorination is as simple as leaving a jug or jar or water open to the air, where the chlorine will transform into a gaseous state and float away. It may take a day or two for \u003Ci\u003Eall\u003C\/i\u003E the chlorine to escape, but even leaving the water out overnight will remove most of the chlorine. If dechlorinating water for an aquarium, leave it out for two days to be sure none is left to hurt your fish. The water can be left outdoors to dechlorinate, so chlorine gas isn't floating around your house, but I think in a ventilated house, with a few jars of water, it's not a problem to do it indoors.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EMy simple method for our kitchen water involves two glass jugs, which I rotate. When one is empty, I fill it with tap water, cover with a cloth to keep it free of dust, and leave it all day or overnight, or until my other jug is empty. This is the water I use for drinking, making smoothies, growing sprouts and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/you-can-ferment-anything.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Emaking fermentations\u003C\/a\u003E. Boiling is another way to remove chlorine, so I don't use dechlorinated water for cooking. Fancy pitchers are not required; any glass jars work fine.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-GnNdXsLagKc\/Tzldn4r9ryI\/AAAAAAAABX0\/hw1laxQX6qk\/s1600\/wate.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"dechlorinating tap water\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-GnNdXsLagKc\/Tzldn4r9ryI\/AAAAAAAABX0\/hw1laxQX6qk\/s640\/wate.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECheck out what kind of cool things you can do with dechlorinated tap water:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/lacto-fermented-dandelion-soda.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ELacto-Fermented Dandelion Soda\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/lacto-fermented-ginger-ale.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ELacto-Fermented Ginger Ale\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/05\/how-to-turn-any-juice-into-lacto.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ETurn Any Juice Into Natural Soda\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/making-honey-wine.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ELacto-Fermented Honey Wine\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-make-ginger-bug-natural-soda.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EGinger Bug Natural Soda Starter\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/making-sourdough-starter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ESourdough Starter\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/how-to-make-soaked-grains-breakfast-cake.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ESoaked Whole Grain Breakfast Cake\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2013\/12\/how-to-make-delicious-water-kefir.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EWater Kefir\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EUpdate: I now use this awesome gravity fed stainless steel water filter, which removes the chlorine along with all kinds of other junk. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2016\/06\/a-wonderful-low-cost-water-filter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERead about it here.\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;If you're interested in buying it, I'd love if you use my ad link below, since Amazon gives a tiny kickback for a referral bonus. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B002RZRJHI\u0026amp;asins=B002RZRJHI\u0026amp;linkId=UL2YOELARG5IUHAY\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6063246150565774106\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-remove-chlorine-from-tap-water.html#comment-form","title":"87 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6063246150565774106"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6063246150565774106"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-remove-chlorine-from-tap-water.html","title":"How To Remove The Chlorine From Tap Water"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-GnNdXsLagKc\/Tzldn4r9ryI\/AAAAAAAABX0\/hw1laxQX6qk\/s72-c\/wate.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"87"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-4594232541867029052"},"published":{"$t":"2012-02-11T20:53:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T15:27:05.941-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Unschooling"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How To Find Edible Weeds"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI've been very inspired by a friend of mine who teaches classes on wild foraging. I learned that so many of the common plants growing freely in my own yard are not only edible, but delicious, and there is a whole world of edible plants available for free at our local parks and beaches. Melany's classes focus on the edibility of invasive plants. Although many native plants are also edible, it actually benefits our local ecosystem to harvest invasives.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EPersonally, her classes have given me a new perspective on my own yard. Weeds become a different entity when you consider how nutritious they are! Check out \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.weedcuisine.co\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eher blog\u003C\/a\u003E for more info. Here's what we saw today:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Zj7_VGw9bw\/TzcmOBQqHZI\/AAAAAAAABVk\/ZlbBsNGtg0A\/s1600\/bedstraw.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"bedstraw cleaver edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Zj7_VGw9bw\/TzcmOBQqHZI\/AAAAAAAABVk\/ZlbBsNGtg0A\/s640\/bedstraw.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EBedstraw or Cleaver (\u003Ci\u003EGalleum\u003C\/i\u003E). While it has velcro-like leaves and stems that stick to each other and to clothing, the young leaves \u0026amp; stems are surprisingly tender and can be eaten fresh or used in salads.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-sOCNmEp8Oqk\/Tzcm2KuX_zI\/AAAAAAAABVs\/R8WpVILRpzw\/s1600\/catsear.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"catsear edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-sOCNmEp8Oqk\/Tzcm2KuX_zI\/AAAAAAAABVs\/R8WpVILRpzw\/s640\/catsear.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECatsear (\u003Ci\u003EHypochaeris radicata\u003C\/i\u003E). This is a particularly ugly example. You wouldn't want to harvest it, as it's obviously been stepped on. Better examples are most likely\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003Eall around you!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;They are similar looking to dandelion greens, only very fuzzy and less bitter. Add young leaves to salads, or roast \u0026amp; brew the root for a coffee-like drink.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EN2Ddb53R6E\/TzcnofDgF0I\/AAAAAAAABV8\/zzsDouD4_cE\/s1600\/chickweed.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"chickweed edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-EN2Ddb53R6E\/TzcnofDgF0I\/AAAAAAAABV8\/zzsDouD4_cE\/s640\/chickweed.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EChickweed (\u003Ci\u003EStellaria\u003C\/i\u003E). Entire plant is edible raw in early spring. Very tender and mild.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v0nKflMuUc0\/Tzco0jfmrdI\/AAAAAAAABWE\/cTXNyMCN5xk\/s1600\/floweringnipplewort.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"nipplewort edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-v0nKflMuUc0\/Tzco0jfmrdI\/AAAAAAAABWE\/cTXNyMCN5xk\/s640\/floweringnipplewort.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ENipplewort (\u003Ci\u003ELapsana communis)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot;; font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E.\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EEdible flowers and young leaves. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jX-EZHSktDc\/Tzcp4vCPMxI\/AAAAAAAABWM\/jSsvhxztumg\/s1600\/horsetails.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"horsetail edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-jX-EZHSktDc\/Tzcp4vCPMxI\/AAAAAAAABWM\/jSsvhxztumg\/s640\/horsetails.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EHorsetail (\u003Ci\u003EEquisetum\u003C\/i\u003E). This time of year the inedible dead stalks are still standing from last year. Soon though, new asparagus-like shoots will grow in this marshy woodland, and can be eaten raw or sauteed. Peel off outer layer of young shoots to expose the tender middle.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ckY9MVFNd60\/TzcrN4T_U4I\/AAAAAAAABWU\/EQK20Vvjmz4\/s1600\/minerslettuce.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"miners lettuce edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ckY9MVFNd60\/TzcrN4T_U4I\/AAAAAAAABWU\/EQK20Vvjmz4\/s640\/minerslettuce.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EMiner's Lettuce (\u003Ci\u003EClaytonia perfoliata\u003C\/i\u003E). Tender and delicious; leaves, stems, and the tiny white flowers that will soon bloom are edible.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wPBhfhCPlpU\/Tzcr3ZAp_TI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/adhXeDF8mz0\/s1600\/nettles.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"nettles edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-wPBhfhCPlpU\/Tzcr3ZAp_TI\/AAAAAAAABWc\/adhXeDF8mz0\/s640\/nettles.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ENettles (\u003Ci\u003EUrtica dioica\u003C\/i\u003E). While this is a great time of year to harvest tender, nutritious young nettles, this particular area had kind of shoddy looking plants. To me the leaves look like serrated hearts. The underside and the stems are covered with stingers, but you can pick a leaf with bare hands, fold it carefully, and chew it up. Fresh nettles taste really good! They can also be blended thoroughly in green smoothies, or cooked in any way you might cook spinach.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DkXEOSj-bm4\/TzctQfI23vI\/AAAAAAAABWk\/T8DyedEfkH8\/s1600\/oregongrape.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"oregon grape wild edible plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-DkXEOSj-bm4\/TzctQfI23vI\/AAAAAAAABWk\/T8DyedEfkH8\/s640\/oregongrape.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EOregon Grape (\u003Ci\u003EMahonia aquifolium\u003C\/i\u003E). New leaves in spring, which are a lighter green, are tender enough for salads. Dark blue berries can be used for jams or wines at the end of summer. This plant is native to the Pacific Northwest, so is not really a weed.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-eRxN67v8sA4\/TzcumHpBmOI\/AAAAAAAABWs\/2KSMzVm7L0Q\/s1600\/salal.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"salal wild edible plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-eRxN67v8sA4\/TzcumHpBmOI\/AAAAAAAABWs\/2KSMzVm7L0Q\/s640\/salal.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ESalal (\u003Ci\u003EGualtheria shallon).\u003C\/i\u003E Another PNW native shrub, but a useful plant to know about. The dark blue berries were described as \"better than blackberries,\" so I can't wait to try them! Fruits in late summer. Tender young spring leaves are edible as well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xtM2EP9mAG4\/Tzcvp72XtPI\/AAAAAAAABW8\/Yymangyibv8\/s1600\/shotweeds.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"shotweed edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-xtM2EP9mAG4\/Tzcvp72XtPI\/AAAAAAAABW8\/Yymangyibv8\/s640\/shotweeds.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EShotweed (\u003Ci\u003ECardamine hirsuta\u003C\/i\u003E). So-called because the seeds shoot off of it all over your garden when you come near it. However, the leaves are very tasty, with a slight peppery tinge. Similar in taste to nasturtium leaves, but milder. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TBfIxGEBROc\/Tzcw7UPKHmI\/AAAAAAAABXE\/EAYic9Kg_mo\/s1600\/swordfern.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"sword fern\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-TBfIxGEBROc\/Tzcw7UPKHmI\/AAAAAAAABXE\/EAYic9Kg_mo\/s640\/swordfern.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003ESword Fern (\u003Ci\u003EPolystichum munitum\u003C\/i\u003E). It was determined that ferns should be avoided since the young shoots are carcinogenic. I had heard that fiddlehead ferns are quite tasty sauteed, but they should be considered a novelty food. I included it here just so I can remember what this type of fern is called ;)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-JNSvp5wrKHI\/TzcyRDqGvOI\/AAAAAAAABXU\/yuuTF3INMh4\/s1600\/walllettuces.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"wall lettuce edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-JNSvp5wrKHI\/TzcyRDqGvOI\/AAAAAAAABXU\/yuuTF3INMh4\/s640\/walllettuces.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EWall Lettuce (\u003Ci\u003EMycelis muralis\u003C\/i\u003E). A bitter green, but that's what salad dressings are for!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lFtHN_XrlPw\/TzczohC1v_I\/AAAAAAAABXc\/tKuFpKaoL1w\/s1600\/waterhemlock.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"water hemlock poisonous plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-lFtHN_XrlPw\/TzczohC1v_I\/AAAAAAAABXc\/tKuFpKaoL1w\/s640\/waterhemlock.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EWater Hemlock (\u003Ci\u003ECicuta\u003C\/i\u003E). Poisonous, absolutely deadly. This plant has similar characteristics to the wild carrot, so both should be avoided until you learn to distinguish them carefully. Don't even touch it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dkJKJx_DAP0\/Tzc0qT0qPWI\/AAAAAAAABXk\/BOiXPzeiwbo\/s1600\/wildhuckleberry.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"wild huckleberry edible wild plants\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-dkJKJx_DAP0\/Tzc0qT0qPWI\/AAAAAAAABXk\/BOiXPzeiwbo\/s640\/wildhuckleberry.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EWild Huckleberry (\u003Ci\u003EEricaceae\u003C\/i\u003E). Another native that we should be very careful with, an important plant for native wildlife.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bUbEGACIRIU\/Tzc2xmosJkI\/AAAAAAAABXs\/sc4b-cKInO4\/s1600\/yellowdock\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"yellow dock edible weeds\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-bUbEGACIRIU\/Tzc2xmosJkI\/AAAAAAAABXs\/sc4b-cKInO4\/s640\/yellowdock\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003EYellow Dock (\u003Ci\u003ERumex crispus\u003C\/i\u003E). Use leaves, after removing the tough midrib, for dolmas or green smoothies. Tiny seeds are edible but hard to remove from their sheathes. Chew up a leaf and apply leaf paste to sooth a nettle sting.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EOther plants we discussed include the Chinese Coin plant (\u003Ci\u003ELunaria annua\u003C\/i\u003E) also called Annual Honesty plants because of the translucent seed pods that hide nothing. These weedy plants have gorgeous purple flowers and striking purple seed pods that turn papery when mature. The seed pods are edible when immature, leaves and roots may be edible as well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EBlackberry (\u003Ci\u003ERubus\u003C\/i\u003E) obviously has edible berries, but the young leaves can also be eaten. I know raspberry leaves make a tasty, nourishing tea and now I want to try making tea with blackberry leaves. Any plant in the rose family has edible leaves, flowers, and fruit.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EIndian plum (\u003Ci\u003EOemleria cerasiformis\u003C\/i\u003E) is another PNW native, and the \"harbinger of spring\" as its leaves are a sign that spring is here. The white flower cluster looks like a face with two leaves that stick up like floppy rabbit ears. The young leaves are tasty, and the plums are somewhat edible. They have a large pit and are mealy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ELarge Leaf Maple (\u003Ci\u003EAcer macrophyllum\u003C\/i\u003E) has edible young flower clusters. They can be stir fried in butter in early spring. It's native also.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ERose (\u003Ci\u003ERosaceae rosa\u003C\/i\u003E) has edible young leaves, petals, and rosehips. Gather rosehips in fall and press through a sieve with the back of a spoon to remove seeds. Mix with honey for a simple, tasty syrup rich in vitamin C.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EMountain Ash Berry (\u003Ci\u003ERosaceae sorbus\u003C\/i\u003E) also called the Rowan tree, produces large clusters of bright orange\/red berries that can be used for jam or wine.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EHawthorne (\u003Ci\u003ECrataegus monogyna\u003C\/i\u003E) has edible leaves but the pomes, like tiny apples, are mealy.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ESkunk Cabbage (\u003Ci\u003ELysichiton americanus\u003C\/i\u003E) has been used for food in times of starvation, but has very unpleasant, possibly dangerous effects, when consumed due to the formation of oxalic crystals that cut the mouth. Bears use the roots for food in winter, and the plant has medicinal uses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ESnow Berries (\u003Ci\u003ESymphoricarpos\u003C\/i\u003E) have edible, though not sweet, white berries in winter.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EJapanese Knotweed (\u003Ci\u003EFallopia japonica\u003C\/i\u003E) is highly invasive and damaging to salmon habitat. Young asparagus-like reddish shoots can be eaten in spring. Peel outside layer to expose tender middle. Look for shoots near mature knotweed, also called false bamboo because it looks similar to bamboo but is weak and breaks easily.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EDouglas Fir (\u003Ci\u003EPseudotsuga menziesii\u003C\/i\u003E) has soft green tips that can be eaten in June, along with hemlock, pine, and spruce. A delicious tea can be made from the tips of most evergreen trees, but it sounds like Doug Fir is particularly delicious. Someone mentioned making ice cream from it. It has a sweet, lemony flavor. Also the cones from any trees have edible seeds inside, but most are so small they aren't worth harvesting unless you're a squirrel. However, Monkey Tail Trees (\u003Ci\u003EAraucaria araucana\u003C\/i\u003E) have incredibly huge nuts that are similar to pine nuts, though more fibrous and the size of almonds. \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ERed Flowering Currant (\u003Ci\u003ERibes sanguineum\u003C\/i\u003E) has edible everything (of course, since it's in the rose family)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThis is just the beginning! If you're interested in learning more about this, please also check out my post \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/04\/wild-foraging-in-april.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EWild Foraging in April\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EBelow are Amazon Affiliate Ads. Any purchase made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/4594232541867029052\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-find-edible-weeds.html#comment-form","title":"47 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4594232541867029052"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/4594232541867029052"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-find-edible-weeds.html","title":"How To Find Edible Weeds"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4Zj7_VGw9bw\/TzcmOBQqHZI\/AAAAAAAABVk\/ZlbBsNGtg0A\/s72-c\/bedstraw.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"47"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-6905573545301129469"},"published":{"$t":"2012-01-19T18:32:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T15:58:30.983-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Parenting"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"How To Make Raw Kale Chips"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThere's something so lovely about watching my kids scarf down a whole bunch of kale. When it's in the form of raw, dehydrated kale chips, they do this with gusto.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jlINd3AEjp4\/TxjKRPR6PMI\/AAAAAAAABTM\/5USEekwH6a4\/s1600\/chips.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jlINd3AEjp4\/TxjKRPR6PMI\/AAAAAAAABTM\/5USEekwH6a4\/s640\/chips.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECrispy and full of flavor, these make such a great snack!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI have seen the prices that these things sell for if you were to buy them, it's crazy. It probably works out to about three chips for a dollar. You can make a whole batch yourself for a little more than the price of a bunch of kale.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EMaking these \u003Ci\u003Eis\u003C\/i\u003E a little bit of a production, but it's worth every minute. Really it's only 3 steps:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPrep the greens\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBlend the sauce\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMix well and load into dehydrator\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI love a recipe that accommodates improvisation well, and this one really does. If a recipe is too picky, I have a hard time because I really like to use what I have on hand. I have made dozens of batches of these chips, with all varieties of sauce, and they always turn out so good.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4pqkcrMxY28\/TxjPlM3yQOI\/AAAAAAAABTc\/4UuFe2oAmfs\/s1600\/kaleleaves.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-4pqkcrMxY28\/TxjPlM3yQOI\/AAAAAAAABTc\/4UuFe2oAmfs\/s640\/kaleleaves.JPG\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThe Kale:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EUsing a whole bunch of clean, dry kale, remove stems (which are too tough and fibrous for dehydrating nicely) and cut or tear into chip size pieces. My kids enjoy the long skinny pieces; make them whatever shape works for you. I like to use dinosaur kale, also called Lacinato, but red kale and curly kale work fine. In my experience, the red Russian kale is too tender for dehydrating, it becomes very brittle. I have tried other greens, such as collards, and they just don't hold up in the dehydrator as well.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EPlace prepped kale in a large bowl.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xqIm_Zs01SE\/TxjPP58JXII\/AAAAAAAABTU\/-IbrrgjWoWY\/s1600\/chipsauce.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-xqIm_Zs01SE\/TxjPP58JXII\/AAAAAAAABTU\/-IbrrgjWoWY\/s640\/chipsauce.JPG\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EThe Sauce:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E1 cubed sweet potato\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E1\/4 c agave or honey (optional)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E2 Tb raw coconut oil\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E1\/4 c apple cider vinegar\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E2 t sea salt\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E3 cloves garlic\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E1\/2-1 onion\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E1\/4 c nutritional yeast\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E1\/2 c water (more if needed to blend to creamy sauce)\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EA high speed blender is perfect for making this creamy sauce, but a having some chunks in there is totally fine, they will become very small in the dehydrator, so a standard blender will work as well. Blend all ingredients until creamy; pour over kale.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-NkvaWFp3VEY\/TxjQF2x0hWI\/AAAAAAAABTk\/zXKxy14XhI4\/s1600\/kalechips.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"kale chips before dehydrating\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-NkvaWFp3VEY\/TxjQF2x0hWI\/AAAAAAAABTk\/zXKxy14XhI4\/s640\/kalechips.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003ECoat \u0026amp; Dehydrate:\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EWith a clean hand, mix the kale with the sauce until both sides of every piece are fairly well coated, then lay them in a single layer on mesh dehydrator trays. I dehydrate them overnight at 105°. They can be done in as little as six hours. They are done when completely crisp, and will keep in a sealed container for a few weeks as long as they stay dry. If they become a bit soft or stale, they can be crisped up again with a short stint back in the dehydrator.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tSU3l-Psgag\/TxjQZkBudXI\/AAAAAAAABTs\/eQYVJ1QcUxI\/s1600\/eatingkale.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"kids eating kale chips\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-tSU3l-Psgag\/TxjQZkBudXI\/AAAAAAAABTs\/eQYVJ1QcUxI\/s640\/eatingkale.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EMy kids enjoying kale chips fresh off the dehydrator tray!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: start;\"\u003EInterested in upgrading to a high speed blender? I don't go a day without using my Blendtec, often twice. Once you try a truly powerful blender, you will never go back! I'm posting the ad link below to my beloved Blendtec, as well as the other leading brand, Vitamix, for comparison. Please check it out if you're interested. Every purchase through my ad link helps provide us with a little bit of income.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B000GIGZXM\u0026amp;asins=B000GIGZXM\u0026amp;linkId=VDFCU37GVLF6PKRV\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=tf_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=B008H4SLV6\u0026amp;asins=B008H4SLV6\u0026amp;linkId=BK33F3QDCKXVCLZ5\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6905573545301129469\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/how-to-make-raw-kale-chips.html#comment-form","title":"55 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6905573545301129469"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6905573545301129469"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/how-to-make-raw-kale-chips.html","title":"How To Make Raw Kale Chips"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-jlINd3AEjp4\/TxjKRPR6PMI\/AAAAAAAABTM\/5USEekwH6a4\/s72-c\/chips.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"55"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-6492795239003905750"},"published":{"$t":"2012-01-09T13:52:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2018-01-05T16:34:19.988-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"DIY"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Fermented"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Raw"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Treats"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Urban Farming"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Make Your Own Kombucha"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oDRZcyjMM8Q\/TwsNXtedZoI\/AAAAAAAABQA\/6Rwu7acU99o\/s1600\/bottles.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"fresh bottled kombucha\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oDRZcyjMM8Q\/TwsNXtedZoI\/AAAAAAAABQA\/6Rwu7acU99o\/s640\/bottles.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThere are many tutorials out there on how to make kombucha, but I have had enough people ask me for instructions that I decided it would be helpful to post how I do it. If you regularly buy kombucha, making it yourself will save you a fortune.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EWhen I started growing the kombucha culture (often called the \"mother\" or \"scoby\") for the first time, I was very careful to have everything sterilized by immersion in boiling water. This may be a good idea until your kombucha is established, but I can say for sure that by the second week I was much more relaxed about sterility, and the kombucha has done just fine ever since. I also used to keep two gallon jars of kombucha going, not because I needed that much kombucha, but because if something were to happen to one jar, I would still have the other one. Well, my confidence in the ability of kombucha to thrive, or my ability to take good care of it, has grown- so I've gone to just keeping one gallon jar going.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThings you do want to be careful of: Always have clean hands, jars, bowls, and instruments when handling kombucha. It's a powerful culture, and once it's established it doesn't let much else grow, but it's always \u003Ci\u003Epossible\u003C\/i\u003E for it to get infected with something foreign. Pay attention to the smell, which should be clean and a bit vinegary, not rotten or foul in any way. The scoby itself can look very different and still be healthy, but if you have actual mold growing on it, it would be prudent to throw it away and start over. I have never had this happen though.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-M6VNVUfIwAo\/TwsOHxRNd9I\/AAAAAAAABQI\/-vjIQ84yzos\/s1600\/bestscoby.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"healthy kombucha scoby\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-M6VNVUfIwAo\/TwsOHxRNd9I\/AAAAAAAABQI\/-vjIQ84yzos\/s640\/bestscoby.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EA healthy scoby\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI like to grow mine in a one gallon glass jar; you can use a repurposed pickle jar or an iced tea dispenser so you have a handy nozzle on the bottom when it's time to bottle it. It's best to keep the kombucha away from plastic or metal for storage, though it's fine to use a stainless steel pot to make the tea in, and a plastic funnel when bottling. The kombucha is so acidic that it will oxidize metal with prolonged contact, and leech nasty stuff out of plastic containers. A nice ceramic crock would also be great if you have one.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KwZ-3eJKzak\/TwsQ_c5ddYI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/y-d-TGMY_l8\/s1600\/kombucha.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"kombucha brewing\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-KwZ-3eJKzak\/TwsQ_c5ddYI\/AAAAAAAABQg\/y-d-TGMY_l8\/s640\/kombucha.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThe process is simple:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EMake a big pot of sweet tea using 3 quarts of water, roughly 2 tablespoons of loose tea (probably the equivalent of 5 teabags) and 1 cup of sugar (in these pictures I had used sucanat, which gives it a darker color and stronger flavor than plain sugar- but I've found I prefer to make it with a lighter colored sugar). You can also make a sweet ginger tea if you like ginger kombucha. I have read that kombucha needs to be made from black teas, but I've had great success using all kinds of herbal teas, and have come to the conclusion that any kind of sweetened infusion will work. Bulk organic teas are available at great prices from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mountainroseherbs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMountain Rose Herbs\u003C\/a\u003E or your local health food store.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gpoH1ZF7p6Y\/TwsP-VrtvAI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/_lR1G_mEfBY\/s1600\/kombuchapot.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"kombucha tea, cooling\" border=\"0\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-gpoH1ZF7p6Y\/TwsP-VrtvAI\/AAAAAAAABQQ\/_lR1G_mEfBY\/s400\/kombuchapot.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"400\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThe sweet tea needs to cool down until it's just warm to the touch, and then you can combine it with your starter scoby and a cup or two of the mature kombucha in a nice big jar or crock. A good rule of thumb is to retain about 10 percent of your mature kombucha liquid to help inoculate the next batch. If you are adding water to top the jar off, I recommend \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/how-to-remove-chlorine-from-tap-water.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eusing dechlorinated water\u003C\/a\u003E, which you can easily make yourself. Just follow the link for instructions.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThe scoby will float to the top of the jar, and over the course of the next week it will probably double in thickness. You can let it get pretty thick; I take mine apart about once a month, either sharing the extra scoby with friends or chopping it up for my chickens. One woman dehydrates her extra large scobies and forms them into clothing. I am not kidding. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/suzanne_lee_grow_your_own_clothes.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EClick here\u003C\/a\u003E to see the Ted Talk about it.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EKeep your jar covered using a dish cloth and a large rubber band to prevent flies from accessing it. Fruit flies will hover around it during their season, don't let them in. Store the jar out of direct light. The warmer the room is kept, the faster it will\u0026nbsp; mature. We keep our kitchen fairly cool and make a new batch of kombucha every week, just because that's an easy schedule to remember. You might try your kombucha sooner than that to see if you like the flavor earlier. Too early and it will\u0026nbsp; be too sweet, but if you let it go too long it will be very strong and vinegary.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-M5OUIc4PFk8\/TwsQaVLYNzI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/X9a_HUeIMrI\/s1600\/kombuchab.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"bottled homemade kombucha\" border=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-M5OUIc4PFk8\/TwsQaVLYNzI\/AAAAAAAABQY\/X9a_HUeIMrI\/s400\/kombuchab.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"300\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI bottle our kombucha in German beer bottles, the ones with wire bound stoppers. Ours were purchased from a local brewery supply store. They form a nice strong seal, which helps the kombucha in it's final stage of fermentation: carbonation. Some people like to bottle their kombucha, store it at room temperature for 24 hours until it's fizzy, and then store it in the fridge so they can drink it cool. Storing it in the fridge keeps it from fermenting any further. I don't have a lot of fridge space, and find it easier to simply bottle it and stick it in a lower, dark and cool kitchen cabinet. I do store a bottle or two in the fridge so we can drink it chilled, but the rest keeps in a cupboard just fine for many weeks. In the fridge it might last indefinitely. If you don't have German bottles, screw top jars also work, though they'll only carbonate if you can get a very tight seal.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThere are many things kombucha can be used for besides just a refreshing beverage. Kombucha works as a starter culture for many other fermentation projects. A bit of kombucha in some flour will kick-start a sourdough starter, for example (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/making-sourdough-starter.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eclick here to see how\u003C\/a\u003E). Kombucha can also be mixed with flour into a dough, and left for 12-24 hours to help the grains become more digestible. This can then be mixed up into pancake or muffin batter, or cooked as a hot cereal. Check out my recipe for a delicious, easy \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/how-to-make-soaked-grains-breakfast-cake.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Esoaked grains breakfast cake\u003C\/a\u003E, made with kombucha-soaked flour. I put about 2 cups of kombucha in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/02\/drink-your-veggies.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eour green smoothies\u003C\/a\u003E as well.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EThe health properties of kombucha are beyond the scope of this article, but the information is widely available. To put it briefly, kombucha is one of many fermented drinks traditionally made all over the world to aid digestion, increase energy, and reduce sickness. You may prefer yours diluted with some water, since it can be pretty strong full strength. However, if you make it with a tea that you like, and find the right balance of sugar and fermentation time, you will end up with a drink that is not only good for you, but light and bubbly, and a pleasure to drink!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: xx-small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EFor more information on the benefits and history of kombucha, as well as a whole world of fermentation ideas, check out the original source of my inspiration, two books by Sandor Katz. Both probably available from your local library, but also definitely worth owning. If you buy either through my ad links below, Amazon gives me a tiny bit of cash. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=1931498237\u0026amp;asins=1931498237\u0026amp;linkId=GUQNXQ2DQBF3XDWI\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E \u003Ciframe frameborder=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822\u0026amp;OneJS=1\u0026amp;Operation=GetAdHtml\u0026amp;MarketPlace=US\u0026amp;source=ac\u0026amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til\u0026amp;ad_type=product_link\u0026amp;tracking_id=lifeunpro-20\u0026amp;marketplace=amazon\u0026amp;region=US\u0026amp;placement=160358286X\u0026amp;asins=160358286X\u0026amp;linkId=I72SRFDXUTZ5I4TL\u0026amp;show_border=true\u0026amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true\" style=\"height: 240px; width: 120px;\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/6492795239003905750\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/make-your-own-kombucha.html#comment-form","title":"74 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6492795239003905750"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/6492795239003905750"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/01\/make-your-own-kombucha.html","title":"Make Your Own Kombucha"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-oDRZcyjMM8Q\/TwsNXtedZoI\/AAAAAAAABQA\/6Rwu7acU99o\/s72-c\/bottles.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"74"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3846822951017254806.post-3872761950295521796"},"published":{"$t":"2011-12-24T19:48:00.000-08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2020-01-28T12:20:02.539-08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dairy Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Foraging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gluten Free"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Health"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Paleo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Recipes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Remedies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"We Drink Nettle Tea"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ENettles have so many health benefits, they should be one of our most valued plants. They are a powerful anti-inflammatory, high in Omega 3's, and great for cleansing and detoxing. We're lucky they grow like weeds in the semi-wild places around our town. Nettles can be used in so many beneficial ways it's totally worth it to learn about this plant, and find ways to use it on a regular basis. Here is one of our favorite uses.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E  \u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1aJQVMOjElg\/TvaZX8qu2mI\/AAAAAAAABOM\/zGUCVxjBaLU\/s1600\/nettlesdry.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"dried nettles for tea\" border=\"0\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1aJQVMOjElg\/TvaZX8qu2mI\/AAAAAAAABOM\/zGUCVxjBaLU\/s640\/nettlesdry.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"480\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EWhen they're in season, in very early spring, nettles can be harvested in semi-urban wilderness areas.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ECheck your local parks and forests for this plant, and w\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003Eear gloves! The dried herbs are safe to touch, but fresh nettles will leave you with a painful, temporary rash.\u0026nbsp; If not available in the wild, you can buy dry nettles by the pound from \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.mountainroseherbs.com\/\" style=\"font-size: large;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EMountain Rose Herbs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI drink an infusion of the leaves every day, and have felt the health effects since we started drinking them. As an anti-inflammatory, nettles encourage the immune system to not overreact to every little thing. I used to easily get rashes from the slightest scratch; I just thought I had \"sensitive skin\", but it seems like my inflammatory response was a little off-kilter. Nettles have definitely helped.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EInstructions\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E:\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EAdd boiling water to 1\/2 c dried nettles (or a big handful of dried leaves) in a 4c French press or mason jar for 4-8 hours.\u003Cbr \/\u003EAfter steeping for a few hours, it's dark green and lovely. You can steep it for less time if you're in a hurry, but it gets stronger with time.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI like it hot, some like it cold, and my 6 year old likes it warm with honey.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-urXyyvnZFXI\/TvaZvQeo5CI\/AAAAAAAABOY\/tw3yM9RRyxw\/s1600\/nettles.JPG\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\"nettle tea\" border=\"0\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-urXyyvnZFXI\/TvaZvQeo5CI\/AAAAAAAABOY\/tw3yM9RRyxw\/s640\/nettles.JPG\" title=\"\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EI recently gave some to Loki for the first time when he was getting an earache. He had never really given it a chance before, thinking that teas are for grown-ups or something, but he will do anything to avoid getting an earache. So, he drank it, and liked it enough to continue drinking it every day since then (as long as I put honey in it...) That earache went away quickly without any other treatment.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EI find that I can use the same nettles for two batches of tea, as long as the second batch steeps overnight or all day. Then, after straining out the infusion, the old tea leaves can be fed to the chickens! I usually mix them with whatever bowl of scraps I've got for them that day. I love that nothing is wasted. If you don't have chickens, you could put them in the garden as a nutritious mulch, or just add them to the compost.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EFor info on using fresh, wild harvested nettles, check out my article on \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2012\/03\/wild-harvested-nettles-smoothie.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eraw nettle smoothies\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: small;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003EBelow I'm linking to some relevant Amazon ads. Any purchases made through them helps support our family. Thanks in advance!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003Eamzn_assoc_placement = \"adunit0\"; amzn_assoc_enable_interest_ads = \"true\"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = \"lifeunpro-20\"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = \"auto\"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = \"smart\"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = \"amazon\"; amzn_assoc_region = \"US\"; amzn_assoc_emphasize_categories = \"51569011,2617941011,3760911,1000,172282,2238192011,16310101,3760901,1055398,133140011,284507,10272111,2972638011,2619533011,3375251\"; amzn_assoc_linkid = \"4c83c3c0de7a6fe51a218834f6977e15\"; amzn_assoc_fallback_mode = {\"type\":\"search\",\"value\":\"Organic\"}; amzn_assoc_default_category = \"All\"; amzn_assoc_rows = \"1\"; \u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cscript src=\"https:\/\/z-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/onejs?MarketPlace=US\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/feeds\/3872761950295521796\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/we-drink-nettle-tea.html#comment-form","title":"45 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/3872761950295521796"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/3846822951017254806\/posts\/default\/3872761950295521796"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/alifeunprocessed.blogspot.com\/2011\/12\/we-drink-nettle-tea.html","title":"We Drink Nettle Tea"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Mellow"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/11320881197482295606"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-1aJQVMOjElg\/TvaZX8qu2mI\/AAAAAAAABOM\/zGUCVxjBaLU\/s72-c\/nettlesdry.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"45"}}]}});