The simple wine that takes us all back to a very specific time in our youth. Just remember the line. "I remember when 30 was old." The recipe is as simple as it gets, no additives, just basic, natural ingredients, and let science do the rest (please see note about Campden tablets and other additives … Continue reading Simple 1 Gallon Strawberry Wine
Don't get me wrong, I do the green smoothie thing most of the week. Yet I'll be the first to admit, as an avid breakfast smoothie maker, it's tough to stick to a strict veggie/fruit smoothie breakfast routine without getting bored. It's crucial to mix it up! I find that peanut butter or chocolate is … Continue reading Chocolate Coffee Banana Peanut Butter Breakfast Smoothie
I guess it's time to admit that while I speak German and lived in Germany, my real beauty obsession comes from the French. I love their natural, effortless femme, I love the Breton stripes and Coco Chanel suits. I love how their hair is tossed up in a carefree knot and their skin always looks … Continue reading Très chic! Why using natural shampoos takes patience
The mighty Prickly Pear holds within it a powerhouse of benefits. It is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, low-calorie and contains antioxidant compounds. My desert tortoise uses the juicy cactus pads as a main source of nutrients, the local birds have figured out how to drill into the fruits and extract the sweet, almost … Continue reading Harnessing the power of the Prickly Pear
My first attempt at goat's milk soap turned out to be a success. Today, after curing for six weeks I took my hard work to the tub for a test run. It creates a rich lather, it's creamy, moisturizing and stays together well in the shower. It is perfect for sensitive skin and eczema! Luckily, … Continue reading Kaysha’s Lavender Goat’s Milk Soap Recipe
Images of Fight Club came to mind at the thought of dealing with lye. Maybe I've seen the movie too many times. I watched all the YouTube videos of ladies talking about how to safely use lye in their soap making and became convinced that it really isn't that big of deal, and I could … Continue reading The dreaded lye
Beginning a garden in Phoenix wasn't just going to be difficult because of the heat, I also don't own the property where I live and thus didn't want to plant anything into the ground. Could I successfully keep garden plants without planting a real garden, in Phoenix? The seasons are different from most other states. … Continue reading My green thumb
The next step I took in my journey to reducing my environmental impact and creating a more sustainable way of living was to begin my worm (vermicompost) bin. It's a tricky endeavor in the desert. I read all the Pinterest posts on starting a worm bin and scoured the online forums and decided I was ready to … Continue reading DIY home worm bin – for beginners!
Poesie Sans, Souci 