Innholdsfortegnelse for WellBeing Home Grown Home Made i WellBeing Home Grown Home Made

No plant has deeper roots in human history than the humble olive. Its oil greased the economic wheels of the Mediterranean in ancient times and is still an important cog in today’s commerce. Indeed, in many languages the very word for oil comes directly from the ancient names for the olive: in Greek, elaía and in Latin, oliva. This so-called “perfect food” is cited in Homer; it’s referenced seven times in the Koran and many more times in the Bible. Noah’s dove brought back an olive leaf as proof that the Flood was receding, while olive trees were silent witnesses to Jesus’ vigil in Gethsemane, itself named from the Hebrew gat shemanim or “olive press”. Its symbolic meanings permeate every culture: the olive branch of peace and abundance; the olive…

Although at our place we try to steer away from eating grains because they are hard to grow at home in sufficient quantities without resorting to monoculture, we do enjoy having some bread. Unfortunately, with grain allergies and gluten sensitivities in the family, we cannot consume wheat, oats, spelt and other glutinous grains. So we make our own gluten-free sourdough. We buy our grains through Demeter as part of a community effort. They arrive in bulk bags, which minimises packaging, and are guaranteed organic or biodynamic. I store the flour and grains in large food-grade buckets with lids to keep them safe from vermin. We used to grind wheat, spelt or rye to make our own breads but now that we’re gluten-free it’s easier to work with already-ground flours. I…

Strictly speaking, this cheese is not proper ricotta cheese made in the traditional Italian way, because it is made with milk. Real Italian ricotta is made with the whey that’s a byproduct of cheesemaking. But, unless you do make other cheeses, or large quantities of whey, it’s easier to make this creamy curd cheese with milk. I use cow’s milk but you can be like the Italians and use sheep’s or goat’s milk instead. Ingredients • 1L (4 cups) whole milk• 2 tbsp cream (optional)• ½ tsp sea salt• 3 tbsp white vinegar (you can also use lemon juice) Equipment • Medium-sized pot• Cheesecloth• Large strainer or colander• Large bowl (needs to fit strainer or colander over the top) Method • Pour the milk into the pot, add the salt…

Here’s a great way to make a drink that’s palatable to most people and has the same health benefits as traditional kefir because it is lacto-fermented. It can even be a fizzy “soft drink”. Some would say it’s not kefir if it’s made with the water grains. Be that as it may, many people, including those who aren’t fond of the taste of milk kefir, make and regularly drink water kefir. Water kefir grains are not white like the milk grains but look more like little quartz crystals, though some sugars can give them a brownish tinge. They grow in a similar way, feeding on sucrose and fructose, which need to be added to the water in the form of sugar and, optionally, dried fruit such as raisins or figs.…

A part from cooking with them, no doubt the best way to use and get the health benefits from the herbs you grow is to make and drink herbal teas. Some teas are instantly palatable while others are acquired tastes. You probably immediately think of steaming hot drinks, too, but some are very pleasant to drink chilled or at room temperature, especially those from lemon-scented herbs (see box). Your own homegrown herbs are always the best basis for your teas because you can rest assured they have been grown organically. What you grow will depend on which flavours and aromas you are drawn to and what health benefits you seek from your herbs. For example, do you want clearer skin? Then consider calendula-based infusions. Do you want anti-inflammatory action? Look…

What is Epsom salt? Magnesium sulphate, or Epsom salt, named for a saline spring at Epsom in England, is a naturally occurring mineral that is highly soluble in water. It is used externally and internally to relax muscles and reduce aches and pains. It’s also said to draw toxins from the body, relax the nervous system, cure skin problems, soothe back pain and aching limbs, ease muscle strain, heal cuts and treat colds and flus. Is the quality of your sleep sometimes not what it should be? A herbal bath bag is like a soothing herbal tea for your whole body. The combination of the warm water, the Epsom salt and the subtle herbal aromas is guaranteed to prepare you for deep, calming sleep. You’ll need a drawstring bag made…

Though it’s often referred to as “pot marigold”, calendula is not a true marigold. The flowers’ anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic and astringent qualities, which have been confirmed by pharmacological studies, make calendula ideal for topical use, though it can be taken internally as well. In fact, calendula tea taken daily will do wonders for the complexion. Calendula is rich in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals, particularly rutin and quercetin, which is why it turns up as an ingredient in an endless list of skincare and cosmetic products as well as creams and ointments to soothe irritated, inflamed, chapped and burnt skin. It has been widely used for healing wounds and abrasions. Ingredients • 2 cups dried calendula flowers• Olive oil or sweet Almond oil to cover (about 2 cups)•…

It’s not advisable to use any products containing talc. Talc is a mineral that may contain tiny asbestos-like fibres, posing a health risk when the lungs are exposed to it. To avoid such health issues, try my alternative dusting powder using natural non-talc ingredients. Powdered ginger, bicarbonate of soda and cornflour together make an effective deodorant. The odour-preventive properties of this powder mix are effective for all but the hottest and most active days. If you have sensitive skin, you may like to experiment with bentonite clay in place of bicarb soda: it does a similar job but is gentler on skin. Tip Some people may be allergic to ginger. Do a patch test on the inside of your arm and wait half an hour to see if there is…

Bananas contain vitamin C, which assists in deep-cleansing the skin as well as moisturising and nourishing it. It also helps to remove and neutralise the effects of free radicals on the skin, making it feel silky and smooth. I’ve chosen almond as a natural bonding ingredient that is a gentle exfoliator, so it also assists in softening the texture of your skin. Honey helps the skin retain moisture to keep it supple. Ingredients • 1 small ripe banana• 2 tbsp organic raw honey• 20g almonds, finely ground Equipment • 1 medium-sized bowl• 1 fork Method Mash the banana with a fork and stir in the honey and ground almonds. Mix together until silky smooth. Using it Use immediately. Tie your hair back and drape a towel around your neck and…

Green manure is an age-old technique of soil management, a form of crop rotation largely forgotten in the developed world since the invention of fertilisers. Green manure crops are grown not to be harvested but to be returned to the soil. Ancient Greek and Chinese farmers knew the value of ploughing grasses, weeds and legumes such as broad beans, back into the soil to preserve nutrients. Modern agriculture, however, has come to rely on the ease and speed of fertilisers. But, according to OrganicExchange.com.au, “The best that fertilisers can do is improve the chemical fertility of soil in the short term. And fertilisers feed the plant instead of feeding the soil.” Green manures do all that and much more. Usually, a legume combined with a grass (a cereal such as…

Square foot gardening is the practice of creating small, intensively planted, water-efficient garden plots, particularly in situations where space is at a premium and soil is poor. The term, coined by Mel Bartholomew and the title of his 1981 bestseller, literally means what it says. As befits a retired engineer, Bartholomew’s system is about dividing up a limited space — say, an innercity backyard — into a number of smaller square garden beds, separated by aisles. Each bed is then subdivided with slats or twine into a grid of foot-square (30cm2) spaces. These squares should remain visible as the plants grow. Each square is planted with one large plant (tomato or broccoli, say) or four medium-sized (lettuce) up to 16 small (carrots, onions, garlic). Tall or climbing plants should be…

Grow your strawberries • WHEN TO PLANT: Planting time varies, depending on location and variety. • CLIMATE: Suits most Australian zones, but do some research on the variety best suited to your climate. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Likes fertile, sunny well-drained position and slightly acidic soil. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: Prepare the soil with manure and compost before planting your seedlings or runners. Leave room between plants to improve ventilation. Water root zone regularly during fruiting and apply liquid seaweed fertiliser fortnightly. Mulch with pea straw to keep fruit off the ground and snails at bay. Strawberries send out runners. Remove so the plant focuses its energy on growth and fruit production. Strawberries produce well for about three years, but are prone to viral diseases. It’s best to replace them after three seasons…

Grow your brassica • WHEN TO PLANT: Sow seed direct, or into seedling trays and transplant. Sow broccoli in late summer to spring in cooler regions; and opt for dryer times in the northern zones. Plant cabbages according to variety, but avoid hottest months in cooler regions; and similar to broccoli in warmer climates. For cauliflower miss the coolest months in cool and temperate regions; but autumn or winter where it’s warmer. • CLIMATE: Grows in most areas of Australia, some varieties all-year-round. Plant according to varieties and regions. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Likes sunny, well-drained soil. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: All brassicas like rich, well-drained, but slightly alkaline soil. Before planting prepare with plenty of well-rotted manure. Water regularly to avoid stress. Fertilise with seaweed based fertiliser. Mulch well with pea straw…

Lettuce first appeared near the Mediterranean basin more than 4,000 years ago. Initially it was probably just regarded as a nuisance weed but it wasn’t long before it was appreciated as a food and a medicine. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, advocated its use. In ancient Rome it was prescribed to relax the bowels and indeed Augustus (first emperor of the Roman Empire from 27 BCE to 14 CE) was so impressed with it that he erected a statue to it. Lettuce’s name comes from the Latin word lactuca, which means milk (because of the white sap of the stem). The name of its major chemical “lactucin” echoes this. In folklore, lettuce is said to have a calming effect on the body, so much so that if you can…

Grow your spinach • WHEN TO PLANT: For better germination soak seeds before sowing from late autumn to spring in cooler areas; and winter in the subtropics. Although seeds will germinate in temperatures from near freezing to 30°C, avoid summer’s long daylight hours and hot weather or plants bolt to flower and seed. • CLIMATE: Grows best in cooler climates; doesn’t suit the tropics. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Full sun or part shade. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: Likes well-drained soil. Prepare ground with compost, well-rotted manure or blood and bone. Apply liquid seaweed fertiliser. Mulch to keep roots cool and retain moisture. Try growing in pots. • COMPANION PLANTING: Strawberries. • HARVESTING: Grow quickly for tender leaves, which should be ready in about 6-8 weeks. Cut the outside leaves as needed or harvest…

Perhaps the first fermented substance that comes to mind is not a food but a beverage. People started making wine as long ago as 8000 years in the Caucasus area between Europe and Asia. The University of Pennsylvania has a display of 7000-year-old jars containing the remains of wine, which were excavated in the Zagros Mountains in Iran. There is also evidence of fermented beverages in Babylon around 3000 BCE, ancient Egypt 3150 BCE, pre-Hispanic Mexico 2000 BCE and Sudan around 1500 BCE. That’s a venerably long tradition. Of course, wine is not the only beverage with a long history. Beer brewing was, like wine, probably a happy accident to begin with, occurring when wild yeasts met up with grains that had been left warm and wet. Some people can’t…

People have been pickling all manner of foods for centuries, originally to preserve them out of season and, later, purely for the taste. The practice is thought to have begun in India 4000 years ago and by the end of the Roman Empire had spread all over Europe. Today, the Italians have their colourful giardiniera of pickled onion, celery, zucchini, carrot and cauliflower, while in northern Europe it’s herring and rollmops. Appropriately, Amerigo Vespucci, the man who gave his name to America — home of the dill pickle — was a pickle merchant in Seville. Before he went from marinades to mariner and set sail for the New World, he provisioned ships with preserved meat and veg. A century and a half later, what we now call Manhattan was home…

Thankfully, the bad image butter has had over the past few decades is slowly starting to disappear as people realise that it is, in fact, very good for us. Butter is a great source of vitamins A, D, E and K, is rich in trace minerals, especially selenium and iodine, and is high in essential fatty acids, particularly when it comes from grass-fed animals. It helps the body to fight infections among many other health benefits. Organic raw cultured butter is as good as butter gets yet it is extremely easy to make. All you need is raw organic cream from your cow (if necessary save it up for a few days to get a decent amount). Of course, most people don’t have a cow but, as it’s not legal…

Long gone are the days where kombucha was a drink known only to the Hollywood set and health-fanatics, but did you know its history dates back at least 2000 years, originating in the Ural Mountains region in Russia, though some claim China as its birthplace. Whether it did originate in Russia or not, it was certainly embraced by Russians, along with their other favourite fermented drink, kvess, cultured from stale sourdough rye bread. Once, the only way you could get kombucha was to culture it yourself, but these days there are commercially produced bottled and canned kombuchas, often with added flavourings, such as pear and ginger etc. It’s still far more economical to make your own, plus you can be certain that the all-important probiotic and prebiotic organisms are present.…

Angelica Angelica has been used to flavour alcoholic drinks such as Chartreuse, Bénédictine, Vermouth and Dubonnet. The stem and roots are fragrant and also a digestive aid. The bright-green stems are candied for cake decoration. Angelica even has a mystical past: it was used in some pagan religions for purification spells and to remove curses, perhaps even exorcisms. Similarly to Four Thieves Vinegar, myriad recipes have emerged calling themselves Carmelite Water, which was originally formulated by the cloistered Carmelite order of nuns in the 17th century. The ingredients common to all, however, are lemon balm, angelica, lemon peel, nutmeg, alcohol and often coriander seeds. Sometimes the alcohol is vodka, sometimes brandy and less often white wine. The original mixture, which would have been distilled rather than tinctured, as here, was…

Aloe vera is known as the “first-aid plant” because it is a soothing aid for cuts, burns and other wounds. The plant is reported to have antimicrobial, antibiotic, antioxidant, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory actions among a huge range of other beneficial effects. The gel in its leaves has been used for an encyclopaedic list of complaints: as a pain and allergy inhibitor, for inflammation, to close cuts for cell regeneration and healing, to penetrate skin to reach tendons, muscles, joints and the lymph system, for abscesses, abrasions, acne and bed sores; for burns, including sunburn, canker sores, chapped lips, dry skin, dermatitis, herpes, nappy rash, heat rash, insect bites … the list goes on. Researchers have found that aloe vera gel can penetrate seven layers and do it almost four times…

The juice of cucumber accelerates healing in cells and tissues. It alleviates heat and irritation and helps to remove toxins. Cucumber feels fresh, revitalising and cooling on the skin. Cucumber skin contains vitamin A so should not be peeled off. When combined with spearmint and wild orange, cucumber provides relief from fatigue and stress to the skin. Tip Store in the fridge for no more than a week. I keep some in a small dish on my bathroom vanity and top it up when needed. Ingredients • 120ml soymilk• 120mm cucumber• 12 spearmint leaves• 1 drop wild orange essential oil Equipment • Blender• Small non-stick pot• Wooden spoon• Tea strainer• Sterilised glass jar with lid Method • Place the soymilk, diced cucumber and spearmint leaves in a blender. Blend on…

Yoghurt is rich in zinc and when applied to your skin each day may help to shrink pores and clear blemishes. It also contains lactic acid, which naturally smoothes the skin. Combined with oats, it has been clinically proven to heal dry, itchy skin. Yoghurt is mild on sensitive skin and safe on dry, combination, oily and sallow-looking complexions. This refreshing mask is good enough to eat. Ingredients • 10g finely chopped organic oats• 3 tbsp organic yoghurt• 2 tsp organic raw honey• 1 drop peppermint pure essential oil Equipment • Mixing bowl• Fork• Glass storage jar Method • Place all ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly with a fork. Label and date glass jar and transfer the mixture into it. Store in the refrigerator for one week. Using it…

Her name means, “the beautiful one is coming” and she appears in major monuments beside her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten. Her daily bathing routine included milk, honey and flaxseed oil. Honey attracts liquid, which makes it a wonderful moisturiser. Milk contains lactic acid that assists in exfoliating dead skin, leaving it looking and feeling younger. Flaxseed oil, often referred to as linseed oil, can be applied directly to the skin to assist in nourishing, healing and softening it. It can help to reduce the signs of ageing. Try this bath treatment to pamper yourself like a goddess. Ingredients • 5 cups full-cream powdered milk• 8 tbsp organic pure honey• 8 flaxseed oil capsules (1000mg each) Equipment • Medium-sized bowl• Knife• Cutting board• Wooden spoon Method Place powdered milk and organic honey…

Consider the fruit and vegies at the supermarket, in their neat ranks of uniform colour and unblemished texture, sprayed with atomised water to look garden fresh. You can bet that out the back of the store — or at some distant distribution point — there is a skip bin full of the produce that didn’t make the grade: the wonky ones, the ones with holes in their leaves, the ones past shelf date. Whatever they were coated with somewhere between farm and fruitshop wasn’t enough to prevent the ravages of nature. Despite recent moves from supermarkets and greengrocers to sell “less than perfect” or “ugly” fruit, behind the perfect produce displayed on most shelves, there is still a vast amount of waste. What’s more, it’s all just a beautiful lie,…

Once you’ve made the big decision to go the next step with growing food and bring chickens into your haven, there are many decisions to make, so you’ll need to do your homework. How do you decide which are the best hens to keep or do you just settle on the first fowls you come across? With 40-plus breeds to choose from, why accept second best? There may be a fun fowl or two that are perfect for your needs and set-up. When considering introducing poultry into your garden system, there are a number of issues to think about. First in foremost what is the your plan for incorporating the birds into the garden or backyard? Will they be primarily for companionship & waste management, or are you hoping to…

The waxes applied to commercially grown apples may not have been proven to be harmful but they can certainly hold onto pesticides and chemicals that you don’t want to be eating. The apple tree (species Malus domestica and belonging to the rose family) is one of the most widely grown domesticated trees. It is believed to have originated in Western Asia but there are now more than 7500 cultivars of this deciduous tree grown around the world and more than 69 million tonnes of apples are produced every year. The most common varieties in Australia are Granny Smiths, Red Delicious, Pink Ladies and Jonathans. Since being immortalised in the biblical story of Adam and Eve the apple has enjoyed a notoriety that in latter times has been mostly for its…

Grow your citrus • WHEN TO PLANT: Available all-year-round as potted plants, but best planted in-ground from spring to the end of autumn. Avoid winter. • CLIMATE: Citrus love the heat and tolerate humidity. Protect from frosts. For cool climate dwellers choose a warm, sunny spot. Tahitian limes adapt and grow well in cooler climates, but like lemons are frost sensitive. Lemons otherwise are fairly tolerant of heat and cold; oranges are usually frost hardy. Choose the variety and root stock to suit your climate and soil conditions. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Likes a sunny, sheltered spot. Specific needs: Likes well drained soil. Heavy feeders so be sure to provide plenty of animal manure – chicken, horseand cow are all good, although use less of the chook poo. Apply in autumn. Mulch with…

Grow your artichokes • WHEN TO PLANT: Globe artichokes are best planted as a seedling or grown from a sucker taken from an established plant in autumn or winter. Seeds take at least two seasons to grow. Plant Jerusalem tubers in early winter in warm regions and spring in cooler regions. • CLIMATE: Cool to warm regions suit Globe artichokes, but not the tropics. Jerusalem artichokes grow in a range of regions from cool-temperate to subtropical areas, watch the roots don’t rot in the tropics. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Both like full sun. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: Prepare your soil with well-rotted manure and organic matter before planting your artichokes. Keep water up to them, but be sure the soil is well-drained — they don’t like wet feet. Mulch with hay or pea…

Grow your cucumber • WHEN TO PLANT: Available as seedlings or sow direct into the ground. A tip is to press four to five seeds in a mound — to help with drainage — and later thin to the two strongest plants. Seeds germinate best at 20°C. Avoid frosts in cool climates so plant during warmer months, and in tropical and subtropical regions much of the year.. • CLIMATE: Frost sensitive, subtropical species. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Sunny, protected spot. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: Likes well-drained, fertile soil so prepare with well-rotted manure. To avoid bitter fruit water regularly at plant base while growing and producing. It is a ground covering or climbing vine, so try planting vines among larger crops such as corn or train on a trellis to save space. If…

Grapevines are perhaps the most attractive of plants to grow along a trellis, wall or fence. Trained over a pergola, a grapevine (Vitis vinifera) will provide shade in summer and lose its leaves to allow sunshine through in winter. A beautiful, healthy grapevine overhead or on a wall cries out for an outdoor table setting filled with people enjoying good food and wine. As one of the classic plants of the Mediterranean, grapes love those climatic conditions — cool winter, wet spring and long, dry summer — and well-drained, fertile soil. Too much humidity, as in the tropics, makes them vulnerable to fungal disease. The best planting times are autumn or spring. A well-looked-after vine can live and produce luscious fruit for 60 years and more, so make sure the…

Following the conquest of the Inca civilisation in 1532, the Spanish conquistadors not only took back to Spain all the precious metal they could find but also the more humble potato. Sir Walter Raleigh is credited with introducing the potato to the British Isles. Its use has since spread around the world, to the point where there are, on average, more than 190,000 square kilometres of potatoes under crop every year producing more than 323 million tonnes. Potatoes came to Australia with the early European settlers but, it seems, may not have figured in the first attempt at agriculture. In his despatch of 15 May 1788, Governor Phillip does not mention potatoes as one of the crops proposed for sowing. However, in 1797 Governor Hunter was able to report that…

The Reuben sandwich According to one story, the Reuben sandwich was invented in 1914 at Arnold Reuben’s eponymous delicatessen in New York as a hot sandwich of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Russian (or Thousand Island) dressing, grilled between slices of rye bread. There are other stories as well as many, many variations — including the Rachel, which has pastrami or turkey instead of corned beef and coleslaw standing in for sauerkraut. Imposter! Like kindergarten, sauerkraut is a German word we all know. Its literal meaning is “sour cabbage” and the lacto-fermented vegetable dish came to us from eastern European cuisines. But even the French enjoy their version of sauerkraut, choucroute, which probably dates from when France annexed Alsace and Lorraine in the 17th century. In the 1960s, the…

When I eat too much cheese made from dairy, I notice changes in my weight and suffer from digestive complaints. For those reasons and others, I’ve slowly replaced dairy products with more vegetables and nuts in my diet. A while ago I came across a wonderful cashew cheese recipe using great ingredients that give it a good texture and a full-bodied flavour. I’ve adapted it and made it my own by adding curry powder, garlic powder and almond milk to give it a bit more oomph. There are other styles of cashew cheese made by culturing the ground cashews with probiotic powder, but this way of making it is quick and easy and ready in a flash. It’s a vegan recipe but my non-vegan friends enjoy it, too. You can…

Kefir is a lacto-fermentation usually cultured from milk, though it can be made dairy-free using nut or coconut milk. It’s similar to yoghurt in many ways, though yoghurt is a bacterial culture while kefir is a joint venture by bacteria and yeast working in co-operation. The kefir mother culture is referred to as grains as it forms soft, white little clumps resembling cauliflower florets. It contains a lot more beneficial organisms than yoghurt but as it is thinner and may be slightly effervescent, it is taken as a drink. It also has a more sour taste than yoghurt. Health benefits include: • Improved digestion and absorption of essential vitamins and minerals • Assists digestive conditions such as constipation, diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers • Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar…

We discuss the amazing powers of comfrey as a fertiliser and compost activator o n page 87, but here we are interested in its healing abilities. It’s not called “knitbone” or “the bone-knitting plant” for nothing. Science supports its positive impact on bone ailments and it is also a time-honoured remedy for sprains, bruises, pulled ligaments, arthritis, burns, acne and other skin conditions. Even so, comfrey has suffered from a bad rap in recent times because it contains dangerous substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver. For that reason, it has been banned for oral use by the health authorities in Australia, the US and the UK. We therefore list the contraindications along with this traditional recipe for comfrey ointment, but used sensibly it is a powerful…

Body care has come a long way throughout human history, focussing at different times on vastly varied socially-accepted norms and ideals. Products used to clean, preserve and beautify have evolved time and time again, often swinging in long arcing cycles. The use of khol to outline eyes was seen in ancient Egyptian times, and hennah has been used as hair & beard dye, nail-polish and skin adornment throughout India for centuries, and they’re widely recognised as the precursors to modern makeup and hair treatments. The use of honey, milk & oils to keep skin healthy and nourished has been going on for millennia, with very little change. Fortunately, one thing that has changed over time is that humans are more aware of harmful side-effects from the application of dangerous substances.…

Conventional soaps are made with lye, a caustic substance that can irritate the skin and cause it to redden. This easy-to-make cleansing soap bar contains pure ingredients. Natural honey adds smoothness and a delicate aroma when applied to the skin. Combined with milk, it has anti-ageing powers and leaves skin feeling light, fresh and smooth. It’s friendlier on the environment, too. Ingredients • 4 tsp sesame seed oil• 2 tbsp rainwater• 6 tbsp milk powder• 2 tsp pure honey• 1 drop pure essential oil (eg wild orange, ylang ylang)• 250g grated castile soap Equipment • Plastic bowl• 2 wooden spoons• Medium-sized non-stick pot• Silicone soap moulds• Wire rack Method • In a plastic bowl, add sesame seed oil, water, milk powder, honey and essential oil. Use a wooden spoon to…

Tip When you just want colour, add a drop of water to freeze-dried powdered beetroot juice and apply directly to lips. Betacyanin is the deep red pigment found in beetroot. It’s a natural and safe alternative to synthetic red colourings. Also of importance is silica, found in beetroot juice, which helps to utilise the calcium in the body and strengthens skin and hair. Beetroot juice on lips restores dry, chapped lips while providing colour and skin rejuvenation. Wild orange oil fragrance brings happy thoughts to mind. With this sweet-smelling lip balm your mood will be uplifted and this will give you a relaxed feeling. Natural lip balms soften and smooth in minutes. Ingredients • 2 drops beetroot juice (optional)• 2 drops sweet almond oil• 1 drop pure honey• 4 tbsp…

Chemicals, toxins and radiation exposure are all part of everyday life in the modern world, but increasingly it’s becoming apparent that they are very bad for our health. Many people these days have switched to organic food where possible, evident from the ever-increasing number of organic products available in regular supermarkets It’s not just what goes into our mouths that exposes us to harmful carcinogens, though. Chemicals in the home, such as pesticides and cleaners, are a major source of harm, as are VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and EMR (electromagnetic radiation). Here are some facts about these health hazards and tips for reducing your exposure to them. Cleaning products Many regular cleaning products contain harmful chemicals. Somehow, we have become so obsessed with killing germs (many of which are actually…

When we make the decision to start growing our own food, often we are impatient to get plants in immediately so we can see results as soon as possible. This can be the novice gardener’s first big mistake. Before planting anything, it’s crucial to create the right environment for it to flourish — and that means getting the soil right. In fact, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of healthy, balanced, mineralised, living soil. The nutrients in our food come directly from the soil. The mantra of organic gardening is compost, compost, compost, but it’s only part of the story. Added organic matter is great, but if the compost comes from plants (and weeds) that have been grown in mineral-depleted soil, it may do little to remineralise soil that has…

“In late spring, we plant the corn and beans and squash. They’re not just plants. We call them the Three Sisters. We plant them together, three kinds of seeds in one hole. They want to be together with each other, just as we Indians want to be together with each other. So long as the Three Sisters are with us, we know we will never starve. The Creator sends them to us each year. We celebrate them now. We thank Him for the gift He gives us today and every day.” ~ Chief Louis Farmer (Onondaga, Iroquois League) The first European colonists in the New World noticed that many different Native American tribes grew three vegetables close together: corn, beans and squash. The Indigenous folk called them various names that…

After all of your decision-making, preparation and thought, the ultimate aim of your organic garden is to grow things, so here we provide a guide to 36 popular plants that you might want to grow in your garden. Deciding which plants to include in this list of course meant that some plants had to be left out. We could not include every possible plant, but what we do have here is a holistic and organic guide to the growing and use of plants that you can grow to feed your family, at the same time as maintaining wellbeing. For each plant we have answered the key questions that you need to know in order to incorporate it into your garden. Add all of this information to the basics about companion…

Grow your blueberries • WHEN TO PLANT: Best planted in autumn or winter. • CLIMATE: Best suited to cooler climates. In warmer zones gardeners should seek out low-chill cultivars as described above. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Likes full sun and protection from strong winds. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: Can be fussy but needs a light, friable acidic soil with plenty of added organic matter and manure. Blueberries are unlikely to thrive in heavy clay but do well in pots. Fertilise after harvest and again in spring before flowering. Use decomposed poultry manure. Mulch well to protect shallow roots and retain moisture. Blueberries don’t like drying out or having wet feet. Avoid overhead sprinklers; ground-level watering systems will help prevent fungal rot. • HARVESTING: Blueberries start flowering in early spring. Depending on the variety…

Chillies are also known as “cayenne peppers” and are a variety of the same species that produces capsicums, they have the same species name even though the resulting food has quite different qualities. The difference of course is a matter of degree, at least it feels like a matter of many degrees when a good hot chilli pepper hits the taste buds of your tongue or even anywhere on your skin. Although the species name “annuum” means annual, in the absence of frosts the plants can survive several seasons and grow into a perennial shrub. Your healing chilli Much of the healing capacity of chilli comes down to a component called capsaicin. This has been used for a long while in pain relief creams as it depletes something called substance…

Grow your eggplant • WHEN TO PLANT: Plant seedlings — a good way to get your crop going quickly — or sow seeds directly into ground in spring. Space about 60cm apart. Eggplants need a long and hot growing season with ideal temperatures ranging from 21°C-30°C. • CLIMATE: Grows all year in the tropics and warmer climates where plants remain productive over more than one season. In cooler climates it is treated as an annual that usually survives in the warmer months. Frost sensitive. • ASPECT/PLACEMENT: Likes full sun, but on very hot days protect fruit from scorching. • SPECIFIC NEEDS: Likes well-drained organic soil, prepare with well-rotted manure before planting. In cooler climates select fast-maturing varieties. Plants reach about one metre and might need staking. Mulch with pea straw, leaving…

It makes sense to group these three plants together since they all belong to same family, the Curcubitaceae family, and they are able to cross-fertilise. It can all get a bit confusing when it comes to naming but we’ll have a go. What we call pumpkin, the Americans call winter squash. The small yellow- and green-coloured squash called “sunburst squash” or “white squash” in Australia are called “scallop squash” in America and are grouped with zucchini as “summer squash”. Both zucchini and yellow (scallop) squash belong to the species Curcubita pepo. Then there are the myriad of other “squashes” available that are too numerous to account for here. Pumpkins also have many varieties and can belong to the species C. pepo or C. moschate or C. maxima. Butternut (C. moschata)…