Simple Tricks to get well quickly.

So you have made it through this awful Flu Season without becoming sick? Huzzah for you! Your amazing, you rock and you have a strong immune system! Sadly, for me I didn't make it through this season without catching the flu. Needless to say it was a rough week and a half, and at times I felt very overwhelmed! 

I was reminded of all the home remedies that I grew up using as a child, and they were very effective being put to use while I was sick. Growing up in Ohio, Vernors Pop was a major treat, especially when one was sick. It was sugary, gingery, and had tons of carbonation, the perfect drink while fighting off a vicious sickness. Now in later life, I knew that the high fructose corn syrup would not be good for my immune system, not to mention the preservatives that are in the pop. 

So I created my own sick fighting drink. Perrier or Pellegrino water with a twist of lemon on ice. It was refreshing, vitamin c boosting, with extra benefits from the lemons to help refresh and soothe. Later on I would make ginger tea, cutting up ginger roots and adding it to hot water. (Disclaimer at this time most of the "work" I am writing about such as cutting/slicing/creating were being done by my sweet husband and caring mother.)

Another remedy that always works when I am sick is using essential oils. I rub them on my neck, feet, under my arms and my lymph nodes. Usually using peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, lime, orange. These all uplift the spirits and give my body an extra boost of immunity. Warm baths with dried lavender is  always helpful when sick. It helps with congestion, relaxes your body, smells amazing and help you sleep at night. 

This time I also used a special blend of oils from the company GOODS, I used the So fresh oil which has a unique blend mixture of cedarwood, bergamot , and other oils that took me away to a blissful sleep. 

Finally after about a week of rest I was able to make a homemade soup which really helped throw me over the hurdle towards wellness. I created a wonderful seafood noodle soup, with carrots, mushrooms, onions, garlic, that was refreshing, comforting and filling. 

I have learned that it takes a lot of homeopathic remedies to feel better quickly when you catch a cold/flu. But with quick actions, help and love from friends and family, you can quickly overcome illness and be back to your healthy amazing self! 

I hope you enjoyed this article, and now feel empowered even when you are under the weather! XOXO 

P.S. I was very thankful for all the calls, cards, and love send from families and friends! Thank you! XOXXO 

Simple Ways to Warm up Your House

Being raised in Ohio, I was used to a cold brisk winter. But after moving to sunny South Carolina, I have lost a lot of my Ohio hardiness.  This past week has been a test of my endurance, trying to endure this cold winter snap. I've had to rely on the tips and strategies of my childhood to endure and enjoy this cold winter weather. 

The first thing that I did to evade the cold was to bring out all my heavy wool and cashmere sweaters, and clothing items and to dress in up to four layers of clothing. I added heavy curtains to the windows and laid extra rugs by the doorways. 

In the morning and during the day I try to let in as much sun as possible, to help warm up the house. At night I like to bake using the oven to warm up the house.  Last night I made a hearty roasted vegetable and organic beef chili and a beautiful pear and lavender pie. The meal warmed up our hearts and home and made my husband and I thankful that we could enjoy the cold winter weather together creating great memories of this winter season.

XOXO
Frolicking Americana 

PS click the linked words to get the recipe at my website frolickingamericana for the Pear Lavender Pie- its so simple but oooh sooo good. 

https://wordpress.com/post/frolickingamericana.wordpress.com/112

x

How Clay Can Save The Day

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to cook in clay? In ancient times a lot of cookery was made of clay, but as times have progressed we have moved on to other materials.  My first exposure to clay was when my kind mother bought me a Tagine, they are traditional clay pots from Morocco, with that pot I was able to create some amazing chicken dishes. I found that cooking with clay creates a juicy and tender meat that is hard to recreate with other cooking techniques.  Clay cooking is an easy to cook, every time I've cooked with clay the meal is amazing. 

Clay creates a juicy and flavorful meat that is easy to make and allows others to think your a cooking master. When I'm cooking with clay it reminds me of how women have been cooking since ancient times using the sacred art of cooking with clay. I have two types of clay pots that I use one is a Tagine, and the other is a french clay pot. While cooking with those pots I feel as if I am honoring my heritage of my African and French roots. My best meals have been made using chicken in a clay pot.

Below is a my go to recipe for cooking in clay. 

2-4 Chicken leg quarters

1/2 and onion

4 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons of Marsala spice 

Dash of pepper to season

Dash of salt to season

5 small potatoes

3 oz of water

Place the chicken in a  clay pot

Chop 1/2 of an onion add to the pot

Chop 4 cloves of garlic add to the pot

Chop 5 potatoes into quarters add to the pot

Add seasonings 

Add 3 oz of water 

Cook on 350 for 30-45 minutes. 

Coffee Anyone?

There is nothing like the smell of fresh roasted coffee in the morning. But what if you don't drink coffee? Did you know there is a fresh, and easy substitute for coffee? Hello..... barley, its an underused crop, that can be roasted to create a rich, dense coffee substitute. When I am looking for a chocolaty deluxe flavor without the buzz I turn to barley coffee. 

Recently, on a shopping trip  I found roasted barley grains, which was like finding a treasure. I promptly bought several bags and went home to create my dream cup of cafe. After grinding the beans in my coffee grinder, I put the grounds into my Italian espresso maker from Italy a gift from my wonderful mother. 

And in minutes I had a rich, dark bubbling cup of barley coffee. The flavor was nutty and luscious. It was such an exquisite delight, that was sustainable, easy and healthy. 

What are your coffee substitutes that you enjoy? 

                 Top Health Benefits of Barley

               

                   High in minerals and vitamins

                     Helps control blood sugar

                     Oldest grain in the world

Knitting up style

With the weather becoming cold, now is the perfect time to knit yourself something beautiful. Do you think that knitting is really hard? It's really something simple that takes a bit of time to develop, but when you have practiced you can make the most beautiful things!

I learned knitting at a very young age at Spring Garden Waldorf School, in Akron Ohio. It is based on the Waldorf curriculum which is very holistic. From this beginning, I learned a lot of the homesteading skills that I know use in later life.

While walking up and down at the Soda City Market, on a Saturday I found the most amazing vendor. She had row upon rows of beautiful hand spun yard, in vibrant, warming colors. I fell in love right then and there, and decided I must support this unique vendor. While chatting her up I found out that she had whole reams of wool that I could personally spin! So I bought two reams of soft and fluffy wool and went to work to spin my very own yarn to knit. 

Thankfully, I had already bought a wooden spindle during the time that I had Angora  Rabbits. I thought that I would be able to use the rabbit wool to spin, but alas it takes a lot of time to collect rabbit fur! 

With the wool and spindle in hand, I've been able to spin the wool into yarn and then have started the process of knitting it into a beautiful scarf. Buying straight from the source allows you to buy high quality for a lower price. I was able to buy my two reams of wool for $2.00, and will be able to create a warm and thoughtful gift I can give at Christmas. 

The more I homestead the more I learn to get things from the source, whether is a local farmer, local store, local restaurant, or staying at an Airbnb instead of a hotel. When you buy local you build relationships, and grow your own community.  

What's your favorite local thing in your town?

Oils are Essential

Recently, I have been cooking with a lot of olive oil. It makes a such difference in taste, and it does a great job of oiling the my cast iron pans and creating a beautiful crust when I am cooking meat. Oils are a part of everyday living, we use them to oil our pans, to bake cakes, to moisturize our skin and hair, and also to clean our houses.

While cleaning on a Saturday Morning I decided to try to clean using essential oils. I had grown weary of cleaning with harsh chemicals that I had to wear dish gloves to clean, and the caustic chemicals that would bother my throat and nose.  So I put some peppermint oil and water in a bottle sprayer and started to clean the house. I was surprised that the oil was so effective in cleaning my windows, picking up dirt and for mopping up the floor. Soon my whole house smelled like a peppermint dream, and was sparkling  clean. And I felt  boost of endorphin's, maybe from the exercise of cleaning but also from the wonderful and invigorating smell of peppermint.

I am totally sold on using essential oils for cleaning, and am looking forward to trying other oils to clean as well. It is so easy to be organic and sustainable at home, it just takes small adjustments to be successful.
What is your favorite green way to clean?


Peppermint Cleaning solution5-10 drops of Peppermint Oil into a spray water bottle
Add water about half way full

Adding Style to Everyday Life

Sometimes life can become mundane, and the simple patterns of life repeat and repeat. An easy way to break the pattern of monotony is to add fabric accents to your home.

I could be adding new curtains, a rug, window treatments, table centerpieces or, a new outfit to wear out on the town. My favorite designer Yetunde Sarumi often gives me inspiration on how to add elegance to my home. Her company YS (Yetunde Sarumi) uses unique fabrics from West Africa to create stunning clothes that stand out and make an impact.

Drawing inspiration from her amazing collection, I used a piece of long fabric to create a curtain between the washroom and the mudroom. Every time I look at this personally curated curtain I am inspired to look for other ways to add simple elegance to my home.

Who knew, how easy it could be to create a warm and welcoming home.

                                       Picture of the curated curtain