Lavender Lady

04/23/2025

Lavender Granola
From thealmondeater.com

Lavender Granola is the most delicious way to start the day! It's made in under 30 minutes and flavored with lavender and honey. If you're a fan of lavender, this granola recipe is a must-try!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDiet: Gluten Free, VegetarianKeyword: granola, lavender granola Servings: 8 Calories: 313kcal Author: Erin

Ingredients

* 2 ½ cups rolled oats
* ½ cup sliced almonds
* ¼ cup walnuts
* 2 ½ tablespoon culinary lavender
* 2 teaspoon cane sugar optional
* ⅓ cup honey
* ¼ cup coconut oil melted

Instructions

* Preheat oven to 350°. �
* Add oats, almonds, walnuts, lavender, and sugar to a large bowl and stir to combine.�
* Then, pour the melted coconut oil and honey into that same bowl and stir until the oats are completely coated. �
* Grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray (or line with parchment) then pour the oats onto it, making sure they're evenly spread out. �
* Bake granola for 20 minutes. Then, remove it from the oven and wait at least 10 minutes before transferring it to a bowl. �

Notes

Substitutions: Oil - macadamia or grape seed; Honey - maple syrup; Nuts - ANY kind (hazelnuts would be delicious!)

Storage: store in a glass jar at room temperature for up to 2 months, though best if consumed within 14 days

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg

04/21/2025

04/20/2025

The following article uses the mystic method to enhance or direct dreams, but herbs alone can do this as well! Lavender has been used for centuries to aid in sleep and prevent nightmares. Its properties include relaxation and anti anxiety to aid in peaceful sleep. It works!

By posting this article I am in no way endorsing its methods or practice although I do not discount it. There is so much we do not know. Science is forever trying to make sense and catch up with natures wonders. We are forever learning.

How to Make Dream Bags-by Morgan Moss

Dream bags can be made to enhance your dreaming experience, whether it be for deep sleep, anti-nightmare, to induce prophetic dreams and more!

Dream bags are best made during the Full Moon (or New Moon if for getting rid of nightmares) and kept under the pillow or beside the bed. To re-charge your dream bag, set it under the Full Moon for at least a few hours each month. To charge your bag with your energy, place in projecting hand (whichever you write with) and think about what you wish the bag to help you with, adding that energy to the bag. Feel free to write your intentions for the bag (example- ‘I’d like to remember my dreams’ or ‘I’d like to have prophetic dreams’) on a small piece of paper and place inside the bag.

~Herbs

Deep Sleep- Chamomile, Lavender, Calendula, Thyme, Peppermint, Valerian

Anti-Nightmare- Anise Star, Thyme

Induce Dreams- Damiana, Mugwort, White Willow, Peppermint

Prophetic Dreams- Angelica, Jasmine, Mugwort, Peppermint, Thyme, Calendula

~Stones

Amethyst- Anti-nightmare, promotes visionary/ prophetic dreams, deep sleep

Moonstone- Restful sleep, prophetic dreams, attunement with the moon

Unakite- Removing blockages, Clarity

Lepidolite- Restful sleep, prophetic dreams

Dream Bags

04/20/2025

Rejoice! Wishing you and your families a warm and happy Easter season.

04/17/2025

How to make herb infused oil from Mountain Rose Herbs

The world of herbalism is intriguing, vast . . . and sometimes intimidating! Projects like creating tinctures using the percolation method, or making your own mead, can seem daunting for those new to the botanical arts. That's why when we're trying to help a friend get started in herbs without overwhelming them, we often recommend one of our favorite herbalism projects for beginners: making herb-infused oils.

Simply infusing a carrier oil with herbs will transform it into a versatile ingredient. There are several ways to infuse oils, but our favorite is the "folk" or "simplers" method, which relies on the sun to naturally infuse oil with herbal properties. We have also a quick method if you're short on time, as well as an alcohol intermediary method for creating very shelf-stable oil infusions perfect for salves and other body care formulations!
Many different organic carrier oils may be used, however fractionated (MCT) coconut oil and olive oil are popular and wise choices because they have long shelf lives and are suitable for many applications. Herbal oils can be used to create marinades, massage oils, salves, lip balms, facial serums, hair treatments, body creams, soaps, and more!

Oil Infusing Basics:

* While most herbs can be infused either dried or fresh (with proper preparation), some lend themselves better to one form than the other. A famous example is St. John's wort, which is widely believed to require fresh material to create an effective herbal oil.
* Herbal oils can turn rancid or grow mold, especially if the carrier oil used is not very shelf stable (such as rosehip seed oil) or if fresh herbs are used. Infused oils that exhibit any change in color, scent, clarity, or taste should be discarded for safety. Using the alcohol intermediary infusion method or adding a preservative like vitamin E can help keep oils stable longer, but it will also make them unsuitable for eating.
* Herbs with natural dyes may be infused in oil for use in adding color to soaps and other body care formulations.
* You may want to wear gloves when it comes time to strain a finished herbal oil through a cheesecloth-lined strainer and to squeeze out any oil remaining in the herbs. While you can use your bare hands, working with oils is a messy process, and certain herbs, like turmeric, may temporarily stain your hands and jewelry.
* Often, the oil will not wash out of cheesecloth or muslin, so make sure you strain with something you’re not going to reuse.
* Even after straining, fine herb sediment can make oil a bit gritty—if this bothers you, strain again through a coffee filter. This is a slow-drip process and may require more than one coffee filter to strain all the oil.
* You can blend herbs together for synergistic infusions. For example, hops flowers, lavender flowers, and chamomile flowers infused together in jojoba oil make a wonderful relaxing blend for use with massage. Mix and match to suit your needs!

How to Infuse Oil with Herbs (3 Methods)

Folk (Simplers) Method for Solar-Infused Oils
Use the sun to naturally infuse oil with the goodness of your organic herbs! Herbal oils made using this method can be used for both culinary and body care recipes. For example, rosemary-infused olive oil makes for an excellent hydrating hair mask—or a flavorful salad dressing base! For food purposes, just be sure that the oil and the herb(s) you choose are both tasty and safe to eat.

Directions

1. Place herbs in a clean, dry quart jar. Leave at least 1 to 3 inches of open space above your herbs to cover with oil.
2. Fill remaining space in jar with oil of choice, making sure to cover herbs by at least 1 inch or more. If the herbs emerge above the surface of the oil at any point while infusing, pour more oil on top to ensure the herbs remain covered.
3. Cap the jar tightly and shake well.
4. Place jar in a sunny, warm windowsill and shake once or more per day.
5. After 2 to 3 weeks, strain the herbs out of the oil using cheesecloth or a mesh strainer. Make sure to squeeze out as much of the precious oil as possible!
6. Pour into clean glass bottles.
7. Label your jars with the date, type of oil, and herbs used.
8. Store in a cool, dark place. The oil may keep for up to a year. Vitamin E oil at a concentration of up to 1% may also be added to prolong shelf life for oils to be used topically.

Pro Tips

* While infusing with the slow folk method, you can cover the jar with a brown paper bag if you prefer to keep it away from direct sunlight. According to Rosemary Gladstar, using the sun to infuse herbs in oil is a very old folk practice that has worked for our ancestors for centuries!
* The amount of herbs used will depend on the size of the jar, as you want to leave at least a couple inches of space for oil coverage or any swelling that may occur as the herbs soak up oil.
* It is fairly common to have some pieces of your herbs that will float in the oil after saturation. If these float to the top and start to mold or decay, simply skim them off and discard.

Quick Method for Heat-Infused Oils

The quick method utilizing heat is sometimes necessary when herbal oils need to be created in a pinch. Much care needs to be taken when crafting herbal oils this way because you don't want to deep-fry your herbs! As with the folk method above, heat-infused oils can be used in both culinary and apothecary preparations, as long as both the oil and the herb(s) you choose are suitable to ingest.

Directions

1. Place herbs in crock-pot, double boiler, or electric yogurt maker, and cover with organic extra virgin olive oil (or other carrier oil of choice), leaving at least an inch or two of oil above the herbs.
2. Gently heat the herbs over very low heat (preferably between 100° and 140° F for 1 to 5 hours, until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb. Some texts recommend heating the oil 48 to 72 hours at a controlled temperature of 100° F. Turn off heat and allow to cool.
3. Once oil is cooled, strain using cheesecloth.
4. Bottle in dry, sterilized glass bottles. Be sure to label your bottles with the date and contents before storing them.
5. Store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to six months. Vitamin E oil at a concentration of up to 1% may also be added to prolong shelf life for oils to be used topically.

Pro Tips:

* As with the folk method, the amount of herbs used will depend on the size of the jar, as you want to leave at least a couple inches of space for oil coverage or any swelling that may occur as the herbs soak up oil.

Alcohol Intermediary Method for TOPICAL Herbal Oils

The alcohol intermediary method requires 24 hours to complete and should only be used for dried herbs, but it makes for herbal oils that are much less prone to contamination than those infused using the other two methods described above. Plus, the chemical and physical release processes facilitated by the alcohol and the grinding help to extract the maximum amount of goodness from your botanicals, yielding oils of exceptional color and potency.

Note that these oils are NOT suitable for eating—even though most of the alcohol will evaporate off during the process, a detectable and unpleasant taste will remain.

Posted by Irene

Directions

1. Weigh out approximately 1 oz. dried organic herb(s).
2. Using a blender, coffee grinder, or bullet grinder, grind into coarse powder (don’t grind too fine, or it will be difficult to strain later).
3. Transfer ground herbs into clean jar with tight fitting lid.
4. Measure out 1/2 oz. whole grain alcohol (like Everclear) or vodka.
5. Pour alcohol into jar with ground herbs.
6. Use a fork to work together, or put lid on and shake to disperse the alcohol through herb material—it should be the consistency of nice soil or damp beach sand.
7. Set aside for at least 24 hours to allow the herbs to macerate in alcohol.
8. Put damp herb material into a standing blender.
9. Add approximately 8 oz. of carrier oil, measured by volume or weight. Add more as necessary to cover well and ensure herbs are moving around in blender.
10. Blend until blender jar is warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.
11. Place a good-sized mesh strainer over heat-safe glass bowl. Line strainer with cheesecloth or fine muslin.
12. Pour herb-infused oil through lined strainer and use the cheesecloth or muslin to squeeze out as much of the oil as possible from herbs.
13. Oil should keep a year or more when stored in cool, dark, dry place.

Pro Tips

* A measuring shot glass works great for getting accurate measurements of small quantities of alcohol.
* If you don’t need to use your standing blender for other things in the next 24 hours, and if it has an airtight lid, you can skip the step of putting the ground herbs and alcohol into a separate jar. Instead, grind the herbs in the blender, then add the alcohol to the blender container, mix as directed above, put the lid on tightly, and let sit for 24 hours right in the container.
* Some “fluffy” herbs like calendula won’t grind well in one fell swoop, so grind these in smaller quantities to get a good consistency.

Herbs to Infuse in Oil

There are a countless number of herbs (and even resins!) that can be infused into oil, depending on your needs. We always suggest using organic herbs whenever possible to ensure you are not adding synthetic chemicals to your creations. We also generally recommend using dried herbs. If you want to use fresh herbs, wilt them first for 12 hours to remove the moisture (too much water will cause your oil to go rancid), cut into small pieces, and crush with a mortar and pestle before adding to your infusion container.

Here are some of the most commonly used herbs:

* Arnica flowers (external use only)
* Calendula flowers
* Chili flakes
* Chamomile flowers
* Comfrey root and/or leaf
* Lavender or lavandin flowers
* Lemon balm
* Mullein leaf
* Myrrh gum resin
* Oregon grape root
* Peppermint leaf
* Plantain leaf
* Poke root
* Rosemary leaf
* Thyme leaf
* Yarrow leaf and flower

04/16/2025

Too late for holiday gift giving this year but a wonderful recipe to add to your collection for other gift giving opportunities, sales or personal use! This uses the Simplers method of infusing oil. Tomorrow I will post a blog article from Mountain Rose Herbs which explains this method more thoroughly and offers other methods.

Camomile Lavender Lotion

Begin with an Infused Oil
The first step with this lotion begins with infusing oil. This is the longest step, taking about a month, in this lotion process but is very hands-off. In a clean glass jar, place 3 Tablespoons dried chamomile flowers and 1 Tablespoon dried lavender blossoms. Cover the flowers with 1 inch of oil (any will work, I used olive oil but almond, grapeseed, etc. will be great too). Put a lid on the jar and place in a sunny window for a month. At the end of the month, strain the flowers from the oil. You’re now ready to make the rest of the lotion.

Make a Strong Lavender Tea
Bring 1/2 Cup of water to a boil. Remove from heat, add 2 Tablespoons dried lavender blossoms and cover the pot. Let steep for 20 minutes. Strain the blossoms from the water.

Heat the Ingredients
In a double boiler, add 1/2 Cup of the infused oil and 2 Tablespoons of grated beeswax. Heat just until the beeswax melts.
In a small pot bring the strained lavender tea to a boil.
In a heatproof bowl, sprinkle 1/8 of a teaspoon of borax. Pour the boiling lavender tea over the borax and stir until dissolved.

Whip the Lotion
Using a food processor, whip the oil and beeswax mixture. In a steady stream add the lavender tea, borax mixture. Scrape down the sides occasionally and keep mixing until the lotion is completely emulsified. It is possible to do this with a wire whisk, it’ll just take longer but move as fast as possible. If desired, add 10 drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil and mix completely.

A note here – if you’re new to making body products, it’s very difficult to get beeswax completely off of everything. I highly recommend finding something at the thrift store that is only used for body products – a cheap food processor, a few bowls, whisks, etc. so that you’re not using the same things you cook with and trying to get to perfectly clean.

Store & Use
Pour the whipped lotion into containers and allow to cool completely. To use, simply rub into skin until absorbed. Use up within 1 year.

This chamomile lavender lotion is quite easy to make once the oil is infused. Make a big batch and use it for some pretty amazing homemade gifts.

homespunseasonalliving.com

04/16/2025

This Honey Lavender Cheesecake is a delightful twist on the classic dessert. The subtle floral notes of lavender paired with the natural sweetness of honey create a luxurious, creamy treat. Whether you’re looking for a dessert to wow your guests or simply want to try something unique, this cheesecake will leave everyone enchanted.

INGREDIENTS

For the Crust:

* 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
* ¼ cup granulated sugar
* 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling:

* 3 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
* ¾ cup honey
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 3 large eggs
* 1 tsp vanilla extract
* 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender
* 2 tbsp cornstarch

For the Honey Lavender Syrup (Optional Topping):

* ½ cup honey
* 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender
* ¼ cup water

EQUIPMENT
* Springform pan (9-inch)
* Mixing bowls
* Electric mixer
* Saucepan
* Fine mesh sieve
* Parchment paper

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat the Oven:�Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom of the springform pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
2. Make the Crust:�In a mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Set aside.
3. Infuse the Lavender:�In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over low heat until warm (not boiling). Add the dried lavender and let it steep for 15 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve and set aside to cool.
4. Prepare the Filling:�Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add the honey, infused heavy cream, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Gradually beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the cornstarch. Be careful not to overmix to avoid cracks in the cheesecake.
5. Assemble and Bake:�Pour the filling over the prepared crust. Place the springform pan in a larger baking dish and fill the dish with hot water halfway up the sides of the springform pan (creating a water bath). Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until the center is slightly jiggly but set.
6. Cool the Cheesecake:�Remove the cheesecake from the oven and water bath. Run a knife around the edges to loosen it from the pan and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Make the Honey Lavender Syrup (Optional):�In a small saucepan, combine honey, dried lavender, and water. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain to remove the lavender pieces and let the syrup cool.
8. Serve:�Remove the cheesecake from the springform pan and drizzle with the honey lavender syrup before serving. Garnish with fresh lavender sprigs if desired.
TIPS
* Use only culinary-grade lavender to avoid bitterness.
* For a firmer crust, bake it for 8–10 minutes before adding the filling.
* To prevent cracks, don’t skip the water bath and avoid overbaking.

Yummlyeasy.com

04/14/2025

04/13/2025

04/10/2025

Part two!

04/09/2025

Still too cold to plant in Michigan but plugs are on the way so about six weeks. Here’s a great article for planting in cold weather regions.

04/08/2025

Hydrosols are the byproduct of essential oils obtained through steam distillation. They share the same therapeutic properties as essential oils but are gentler and less volatile. Unlike essential oils, hydrosols do not require dilution for topical application.

Steelhead Lavender Farm produces hydrosol and it can be purchased in small or large quantities.

[email protected]

Lavender hydrosol has these properties:
Moisturizing, Anti-acne, Anti-aging
Anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties
Lavender hydrosol pH mimics your skin’s pH which makes it a perfect addition to your skin care routine for all types of skin

Possible Applications:
Facial toner
Chill your hydrosol for sun burn / bug bite relief
Can be used in a clay/activated charcoal facial mask
Can be added to your shampoos/conditioners or other products that may not mimic the pH of your scalp
Hair detangler – spritz liberally, wrap and leave for 5 min
Natural sleep sedative – spritz on pillow and bedding, it will not stain
Spritz directly on skin, hair clothing
Spritz curtains, towels – use an air spray
Can be used in a diffuser at bedtime
Monster spray – perfect in a small spritzer to keep at a child’s nightstand

When used in larger quantities, lavender hydrosol can:
Be used for various aspects of your laundry routine
Laundry rinse with vinegar
Sprayed on your wool dryer balls
Refresh laundry when it comes out of the dryer, closet or drawer
While ironing or steaming (do not put in iron or steamer-just spritz)
Be used to make natural cleaners because it has natural antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties:
Dishwashing liquid
Window / glass cleaner
Yoga mat refresher

04/08/2025

Thanks for being a top engager and making it on to my weekly engagement list!

To all my followers: I appreciate your support and hope you enjoy my posts. I’ve slowed a bit lately but I hope to come back up to speed soon. Life happens to all of us. No excuses. I love you all!

Vikki-lee Cooper, David Bartlette, Sharon Pickerd

04/05/2025

Facial Cleansing Grain
One of the first things I think of when using dried lavender is to turn it into a cleansing grain! These can be used as a foot scrub too.
All you need for the ingredients are:
* 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
* 1/4 cup oats (rolled oats or oat flour)
* 2 tablespoons almond meal or finely ground almonds
* 1-2 tablespoons white or pink kaolin clay (adjust for desired consistency)
* 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil (optional for added fragrance)

To make lavender cleansing grain, here are the steps:
1. Dry the lavender flowers in a food processor or blender.
2. Process until a coarse powder is formed. Add the oats and kaolin clay to the blender and blend for a few seconds.
3. Add the powdered milk and blend for another few seconds.
4. Optional: Lavender essential oil can be added to the mix and blended again.
5. Store in a refrigerator or airtight container. Store in a cool and dry place.
To use it:
1. To begin, take a portion of the mixture (approximately one-tenth of a teaspoon) and place it in the palm of the hand.
2. Gently moisten the mixture with several drops of water until a smooth paste forms.
3. Gently rub the paste onto the damp skin in circular motions for approximately one minute.
4. Afterward, rinse thoroughly with warm water and pat the skin dry. Follow up with a moisturizer of your choice.

Picture from livesimply.me

04/02/2025

This lavender labyrinth is so massive, you can see it on Google Earth.

04/02/2025

How to Make Lavender Simple Syrup | 2 Ways (With & Without Sugar)
Difficulty: Easy
Prep time
30minutes
This simple syrup is an easy way to add a lovely touch of lavender to so many things! Stir this versatile herbal syrup in your coffee and tea. Drizzle it on your oatmeal and waffles. Or jazz up your cocktails, mocktails, and more.
Ingredients
Lavender Simple Syrup *WITH SUGAR*
* 1 cup water
* 2 tablespoons lavender flowers, fresh or dried
* 1 cup granulated cane sugar, organic if possible
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional

Lavender Simple Syrup *WITH HONEY*
* 1 cup water
* 2 tablespoons lavender flowers, fresh or dried
* 1 cup honey, raw and local if possible
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Directions
* Lavender Simple Syrup *WITH SUGAR*
* Add all ingredients to a small saucepan. Add water, lavender flowers, and granulated sugar to a small sauce pan. Stir to dissolve sugar.
* Heat to just a boil. Over medium heat, bring to just a boil. As soon as water starts to boil, cover, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
* Strain. Once the simple syrup has cooled to room temperature, pour through a fine mesh strainer to remove the lavender flowers. Then stir in the vanilla extract if using.
* Use it, store it, love it! Store your lavender simple syrup in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. Use within 1 month.
* Lavender Simple Syrup *WITH HONEY*
* Make a strong lavender tea. Add lavender flowers and water to a small saucepan and bring to just a boil. Then remove from heat and cover with a lid.
* Allow lavender tea to cool to warm. Allow the lavender tea to cool down from hot to warm (about 30-40 minutes). You want it still warm enough that stirring in honey will be easy, but not so hot that the beneficial nutrients in the honey are destroyed.
* Add the honey. Stir until honey is completely dissolved.
* Strain. Use a fine mesh strainer to strain out the lavender flowers, pouring the syrup into a glass jar or other storage container. Then stir in the vanilla extract if using.
* Use it, store it, love it! Store your lavender simple syrup in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid in the refrigerator. Use within 1 month.

Fruit Salad with Lavender Honey

No recipe needed for this simple, nourishing breakfast. Make yourself a bowl of fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and plums and drizzle the whole thing with a little bit of lavender honey. Try this lavender honey simple syrup.

04/02/2025