new website

I have brand new website. 

If you're looking for me, go 

HERE

dawnselene.com

finally... it's time to garden!

We're doing raised beds for the first time ever. The raised bed to the left has onions, carrots, spinach and lettuce.

I'm planting all of my herbs and flowers in the garden bed next to the house (not raised). So far, we have 2 kinds of basil, lemon grass, oregano, chives, catnip, two kinds of parsley, lemon balm, sunflowers, 2 kinds of sage, mint, lavender, rosemary, thyme and strawberries.

We still have two raised beds to fill with soil. So we'll be planting a lot more. I know I still want to plant cucumbers, radishes, turnips, beans and, of course, tomatoes! I also want to plant feverfew, which is a great headache preventative.

I'm so excited for this years harvest. Not only am I experimenting with the raised beds, I am using companion planting this year. I know I'm getting ahead of myself, but I can't wait to see what the first harvest looks like!

spring snow blizzard

5 days into spring and we're having a blizzard. It's very pretty, but I'm ready for warmer weather and gardening!

{diy} homemade laundry detergent recipe

1 bar soap (ZOTE, Fels-Naptha, Ivory)
1 cup of washing soda
1 cup of borax

You can use a hand grater for the bar soap, but I feel like I am tasting it when I do that, which is very unpleasant, so I started putting mine in a food processor that is now devoted to these kinds of projects. I usually make big batches so I don't have to make it it very often. I'm always surprised at how far one big batch lasts.

I can find ZOTE, Fels-Naptha and Ivory at the local grocery store. I like to use Ivory and either the ZOTE or the Fels-Naptha because the latter two are specifically intended for laundry use. There are other natural soaps out there, but these are the only ones I've used and can vouch for.

This laundry detergent is septic safe and works for HE washing machine. 

my new etsy shop is open for business!

www.etsy.com/shop/dawnselene

Necklace with peridot, sterling silver and seed beads

So, no, this is not a how to post. 

I'm getting ready to open an etsy store and this will be the first necklace that I will have for sale. It's one of my favorites. I love the spring-time green of the peridot with the contrast of the gunmetal Japanese seed beads. 

{diy} homemade calcium carbonate

In my posts about making tooth powders and toothpaste, I list calcium carbonate as an ingredient. Don't wanna buy it? You can make it yourself!


Directions
I prefer farm-fresh, free-range eggs.

Use your eggs as you normally would. I rinse off the egg white left over first and then store the shell in the carton for later use.

Once you have filled up your carton, rinse really well, removing any egg whites that may have been missed in the first rinse, but try not to remove the membrane, these have additional nutrients.

Boil 6 cups of filtered water in a stock pot
Carefully place them into the water
Boil for 10 minutes
Drain
Spread the shells on a baking sheet or baking pan and let dry overnight.
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
Bake for 10 minutes
Using a coffee mill, powder your baked eggshells
Store in a tightly sealed mason jar and keep them in cool dry environment (basement or pantry is fine)

{diy} homemade tooth powder recipes

I posted a toothpaste recipe back in June. It's my personal favorite, but it's not the only option. Some people use baking soda by itself, but I have concerns about how abrasive that is for my teeth. You can always opt to leave the baking soda out. There are tooth powders you can make which last a lot longer than a paste. Below are some recipes for tooth powders.

Using a spoon, mix your ingredients really well or blend quickly in a blender or vitamix. Anything grainy should get milled into a fine powder so it's not harsh or abrasive on your teeth.

For "fine sea salt", you can use Himalayan salt if that's your preference. Or, if you don't like salty toothpaste/powder, you can leave it out altogether. For the clay, some prefer bentonite and some prefer kaolin. They are both non-toxic, mineral rich, detoxifying and affordable, so it all comes down to preference. I've seen some claims that kaolin clay is whitening, but I've seen more articles about the benefits of bentonite. You can always choose to use both kinds of clay. Arrowroot is much more accessible for some people, so if you can't get the clay and don't want to order it on the internet, replace the clay with arrowroot powder.

For some recipes I've specified certain essential oils, but you can use your preference in it's place. Some essential oils to consider are peppermint, cinnamon, clove, orange, lemon, lavender, and bergamot. Remember to use essential oils sparingly. If you're pregnant, omit them altogether.
When using clove, it's numbing, so use it sparingly. Tea tree oil is good for the anti-bacterial benefit.

If you want to make any of these into a paste, it's easy enough. There are three options. Using either water, virgin coconut oil or vegetable glycerin, add tiny amounts until you reach the desired consistency. Coconut oil is solid at lower temps, so warm it either in a pan or the microwave for just a second, you don't want to cook the oil, just melt it.

recipe 1:
baking soda all by its lonesome

recipe 2:
4 Tbsp baking soda
2 tsp fine sea salt (you can use a coffee mill if necessary)

recipe 3:
4 Tbsp baking soda
2 tsp fine sea salt
1 Tbsp of powdered orange or lemon zest
1/4 tsp of peppermint or vanilla extract

recipe 4:
2/3 cup baking soda
4 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 tsp peppermint extract (optional)
10 - 15 drops peppermint essential oil

recipe 5:
1/2 cup clay (bentonite or/and kaolin)
2 Tbsp baking soda
6-10 drops peppermint essential oil

recipe 6:
2 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp sea salt
3 Tbsp arrowroot
5 drops essential oil (whatever your preference)
1 tsp of powdered orange zest or lemon zest

recipe 6:
1 Tbsp baking soda
3 Tbsp arrowroot
1/4 tsp peppermint extract (optional)
10 - 15 drops peppermint essential oil

recipe 7:
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1/4 cup baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
5-10 drops peppermint essential oil

recipe 8:
4 Tbsp (bentonite or/and kaolin)
3 Tbsp calcium carbonate
1 Tbsp baking soda
2 Tbsp dried peppermint leaves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 Tbsp xylitol powder
10 - 15 drops essential oils

recipe 9:
4 Tbsp clay (bentonite or/and kaolin)
2 Tbsp powdered stevia herb
2 Tbsp dried peppermint leaves
2 Tbsp of dried sage leaves
1 Tbsp of neem powder

recipe 11:
4 Tbsp clay (bentonite or/and kaolin)
1 Tbsp baking soda
1/4 tsp myrrh gum powder
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 part powdered stevia herb
4 drops clove essential oil
4 drops cinnamon essential oil

recipe 10:
4 Tbsp baking soda
4 Tbsp arrowroot powder
2 Tbsp fine sea salt
2 Tbsp fine powdered myrrh, if available (optional)
2 Tbsp xylitol
4 to 6 drops tea tree or lemon essential oil
2 to 4 drops peppermint or lavender essential oil

{diy} make your own wool dryer balls - take two

OK, so these are the same instructions as my previous post, but this time I've added images for all stages except for #6
I have to say, I was really surprised at how well these worked, I don't think I really expected it to. There was less static and my laundry was really fluffy. And these are so easy to make. It's better for you, your family and it can extend the life of your dryer. Apparently, the chemicals on dryer sheets clog up the filter which can cause the machine to burn out and even scarier, can cause fires.
	Start by wrapping the yarn loosely around two fingers aproximately 10-15 times Pull off your fingers and begin wrapping, shaping into a ball Wrap until it's about the size of a tennis ball
Once you've reached your desired size, using plastic yarn needles, weave one last strand (I usually cut the yarn so that there's about a foot left to work with) of yarn back and forth through the length of the ball. After doing this a few time or until you feel certain that it's secure, just snip off the end, being careful not cut the yarn that you've so carefully wound.
	Place in an old sock or stocking, you can tie it closed or tie a piece of string so it's nice and snug I just throw it in with my wash a few times until it felts. You'll be able to tell that this is happening because the strands will begin sticking together.
Some options: When it's about half the size you want (or half the size of a tennis ball), you can add a few drops of essential oils. My favorite is lavender, but you can use the essential oil of your choice. Some nice ones are sweet orange, vanilla, or ylang ylang. Keep in mind, the scent doesn't last, but it's nice while it does.
	Another option is to make a core. I uses Fisherman's Wool for the whole thing, but you could start with the cheaper wool to make a core and then finish with something fancier.

my "just in case" box

OK, so this is a little off my typical topic/post, but not really if you think about it. It's part of the self-sufficiency that I so strongly believe in. Now, I'd like to preface this with: I am not a prepper! But, I do think it's a good idea to have, what I like to call, an oh sh*t box. That's what this is. It just contains enough food and first aid for an emergency. We've had two hurricanes in two years and we are less then an hour from where Storm Sandy caused major damage.

here's a list of some of the things I have in here:

{diy} make your own wool dryer balls

Go here for pictures detailing these steps...
make your own wool dryer balls - take two

I have to say, I was really surprised at how well these worked, I don't think I really expected it to. There was less static and my laundry was really fluffy. And these are so easy to make. It's better for you, your family and it can extend the life of your dryer. Apparently, the chemicals on dryer sheets clog up the filter which can cause the machine to burn out and even scarier, can cause fires.

They make great gifts too.

1. Start by wrapping the yarn loosely around two fingers aproximately 10-15 times
2. Pull off your fingers and begin wrapping, shaping into a ball
3. Wrap until it's about the size of a tennis ball
4. Once you've reached your desired size, using plastic yarn needles, weave one last strand (I usually cut the yarn so that there's about a foot left to work with) of yarn back and forth through the length of the ball. After doing this a few time or until you feel certain that it's secure, just snip off the end, being careful not cut the yarn that you've so carefully wound.
5. Place in an old sock or stocking, you can tie it closed or tie a piece of string so it's nice and snug
6. I just throw it in with my wash a few times until it felts. You'll be able to tell that this is happening because the strands will begin sticking together.

Some options: When it's about half the size you want (or half the size of a tennis ball), you can add a few drops of essential oils. My favorite is lavender, but you can use the essential oil of your choice. Some nice ones are sweet orange, vanilla, or ylang ylang. Keep in mind, the scent doesn't last, but it's nice while it does.
Another option is to make a core. I uses Fisherman's Wool for the whole thing, but you could start with the cheaper wool to make a core and then finish with something fancier. 

yearning...

I don't know about you, but I'm really ready for spring! I want to plant my garden and sit outside and listen the crickets and the birds!

slow cooker 3 bean turkey chili with bread machine corn bread

Chili

• 1.3 lb ground turkey (or you can use tofu)
• 2 can chili beans, rinsed
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• 1 small can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1/2 small onion, diced
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt

You have two options here. You can be lazy, like me, and just throw everything in there and let it simmer on high for 6-8 hours, or you can brown the turkey and sauté the onions first... and then simmer on high for 6-8 hours.

Cornbread

• 3 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar (I always use organic evaporated cane juice)
• 3 Tbsp butter (or margarine)
• 1 cup milk (or milk alternative)
• 1/8 cup water
• 1 egg (or egg replacement)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Place the ingredients in the bread machine pan in the order suggested by your bread machine manual.
Select the basic bread setting, and start the machine.
Once done, transfer the bread from the pan onto a rack to cool.
Enjoy!

Gluten-free chocolate mug cake

3 Tbsp gluten-free all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp almond flour
3 Tbsp of cocoa powder (I use raw cacao, but that's what I keep stocked.)
1 Tbsp coconut oil
2 Tbsp organic evaporated cane juice
1 tsp vanilla extract (homemade)
1 egg (I tried using apple sauce, but it the consistency wasn't right, I'll play with this later and post once I've done this successfully)
2 Tbsp milk (I used cashew milk, but you can use whatever milk you fancy - cow, goat, almond, etc.)

Place all of your ingredients in a mug, stir well and microwave for 2 1/2 - 3 minutes. 

my very own homemade garlic supplements...

Garlic has so many wonderful health benefits that we've been taking it in supplement form. So, I bought organic garlic, dehydrated it, milled it and then put it into capsules myself.

diy cracked wheat cat litter

I've seen so many things about how bad clay litter is, but the price tag of the wheat litter has deterred me, and I really like the clumping litters, so I didn't want to switch to pellet or recycled news litter.

I started doing a little research. The wheat litter you buy at the store is basically just cracked wheat, and those who were making their own, really like it. So, Chris and I went to the feed store yesterday and bought 25 lbs for $6.45. I used my dry blade vitamix container and followed the directions for  cracked wheat and voila, I filled a 35 lb litter pail with cracked wheat in 1/2 an hour.  

Apparently, 2 cup batches are the best to work in for the vitamix blender, you get the most consistent results. Starting at variable 1, increase to variable 7, blend for 10-15 seconds. That's it. It's that easy!

gluten free artisan bread

1 cup brown rice flour
2 1/4 cups GF all purpose four
1 tbsp granulated active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp xanthan gum
1 1/3 cups lukewarm water (heated to 110°F)
2 large room temperature eggs (whisked)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey

In a separate container, mix warm water and yeast and set aside to soften. (about 5 minutes)


In a large mixing bowl, mix together dry ingredients. Pour in water/yeast, honey and oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a ball forms. Shape the dough into a squat oval shape, small ball or long tube. Let the dough rise 1-3 hours.

Heat oven to  and bake for 30 minutes.

Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees, until you hear a hollow sound when you tap the bottom.

vegan carrot ginger soup recipe

Ingredients

4 medium carrots, peeled, halved

1/4 small onion

1 small garlic cloves, peeled

2 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

pinch of pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

1/2 cup soaked cashews

2 cups vegetable broth

Directions

Place ingredients into the Vitamix and secure lid.

Starting at variable 1, turn machine on and increase speed to 10, then  to high

Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

Blend for 5 minutes or until you see heavy steam in the lid.

Optionally, and suggested on the vitamix site for the carrot ginger tofu soup, you can sauté the chopped carrots and onion.

vegan chocolate avocado "pudding"

1. 2 ripe medium avocados, peeled
2. 1/3 cup raw cacao
3. 1/4 cup raw agave nectar - I've seen recipes calling for honey, but I never have very good results using honey for anything cold or room temp.
4. 1/2 cup almond milk ( or preferred milk... rice, coconut, etc.)
5. 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

I toss it all in my vitamix, but I'm sure a processor or regular blender would do the trick. If you're using a regular blender, I'd mush the avocado a bit.

basil lemon-limeade recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 3/4 lemons - peeled, sliced and seeded
• 1 lime sliced
• stevia to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• about 1 cup ice, cubed or crushed

Directions

1. Place all of your ingredients into the Vitamix
2. Beginning at speed 1 turn machine on and slowly increase to 10, then to High.
3. Blend for 1 minute or until desired consistency is reached.

I started with the recipe I found on the vitamix site and made it my own. :)