Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer

It's that time of year. Lazy, hazy, hot, and humid. The roar of the ocean calls offering a chance at a breeze and a cool splash. The woods call (wear bug repellent!), offering shade and an energetic peace. Cats, people, and most assuredly dogs, lounge to conserve energy. Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer.

Today we recognize these hot days at the heart of summer as being about 40 days, starting on July 3rd. We think of the dog days as hot and lazy, but still holding the potential of fun, picnics, pools and summer festivities. That wasn't always the case. 

And they aren't called the Dog Days because of those listless hounds. Dog Days refers to the Dog Star, Sirius. It was at this time that Sirius rose with the sun. The belief was that Sirius added to the heat of the sun, making it the hottest time of the year. It was a time "when the sea boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing man to burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies." (from Brady's Clavis Calendarium. 1813). 

Maybe ll that is still a little true today. After a few hours out in the heat and humidity who doesn't get just a little grumpy?  But we have air conditioning and iced tea! With a little smarts we can not only survive the Dog Days of Summer, but have a good time doing it.

Here are a few tips to remind you of how to beat the sultry heat.

• Hydrate! You've heard it before and you'll hear it throughout this summer. Staying hydrated is essential. Drink plenty of water, enjoy some ice tea, or try this cucumber-lemon drink to keep you in balance.
• Eat light and fresh. It's the perfect time to get fresh produce and fruit from your favorite farm or farmers market. It's healthier in general, but it also keeps you from getting bloated and lethargic. 
• Any outdoor work that needs to get done, do in the morning or late afternoon or early evening. These are the cooler times of day and won't be as taxing on your muscles and metabolism.
• Take a break when you need it. If you start feeling overheated, find some shade or go inside. put a cool wash cloth on your head or your feet and drink something.

Of course you should treat yourself well. Give your tired and aching dogs (feet that is) a treat with our July Summer Soft Feet Special. 

The Dog Days are here, might as well kick back and enjoy the longer light and warmth. Soon enough will be time for the wolves of winter. Me, I like dogs better.



 

Make Your Feet Happy This Summer!

Summer is the time of flip flops, sandals, and being barefoot in the grass or on the beach. It's a time of long walks and outdoor adventures. It's fun and wonderful - and hard on your tootsies. So we've put together a great set that will keep your feet soft, smooth, and rejuvenated.

The Summer Soft Feet Summer Special is perfect for pampering your feet.
You'll receive:   

One 4oz Mintingle Toes Salt Foot Scrub - This is an absolutely refreshing scrub that exfoliates dead skin while getting the blood circulating with invigorating mint. The oils soften while the Epsom salts sooth tired muscles. 


 
One .75 oz Twist Tube of Muscle Rub - Packed with the muscle relieving herb, Arnica,  mints, hot pepper and sage are natures muscle and bruise healers. Jojoba, mango and safflower oil deliver the healers through the skin. It comes in 4 scents: Cerridwen, Green Tea, Strawberry Mint, Magnificent Mango.
 

One .75 Twist Tube of our Lotion Bar - Softening at it's very best! 6 scents available: Peach of a Berry, Lughnasa, Irish Country, Kitchen Herb, Honey Lavender, and Citrus.
 

All for only $15.00!
When you check out, just specify which scents you would like in the comments section.

Suddenly Spring

What a difference a week can make. Last weekend, the east coast (and here in New Jersey) was battered bitterly by wind and rain. Very "March like a lion" type of weather. But the last few days, and into this weekend, Mother Nature gave us the wonderful gift of sunny, warm, bright, soul lifting weather. Thoughts suddenly turn to spring, which officially arrives tomorrow, Saturday, March 20.

This gift puts us in mind of frolicking in the garden, pulling out the tank tops and tees, forgoing jackets and reveling in the spring time. My advice - don't do it! Well, a little but not to the extent that our winter weary spirits are telling us to.

Now is the season of the cold and flu. Our eagerness to banish the winter can make us let our defenses down to soon. Trust me on this one. Even as I write this I'm battling a cold (so far, it's a tie but I think I'll win). So though I may go out in the warmth of the day and do a little yard cleaning, I'll resist the urge to pull out the seeds and full on garden equipment and have at it. I'll still wear long sleeves, though they may be lighter than my winter wool sweaters. And I'll keep my neck covered up, since so many cough and cold seem to emanate from this area. Instead, I'll sip my elderberry syrup and start to bring the spring inside.

This is the perfect type of weather to help air out the house and chase away the trapped in staleness. It may not be the full on spring cleaning attack. Consider it the first foray of the battle.

Just opening the windows and letting the air circulate helps freshen things up. I also like to simmer some mint - either a handful of dried mint on a very low simmer on the stove, or a few drops of essential oil in a diffuser - to brighten the air and chase away any germs that might be looking for a new home. I also spray our Mint Ceo Brionglóid (Dream Mist) on the linens to open up our breathing while we sleep.

The carpets will get a good vacuum too. This is my favorite recipe for a fresh smelling carpet deodorizer (which the carpet really needs after last weekends soppy mess).

• Sprinkle plain baking soda on rugs or upholstery. Let sit for 10 to 30 minutes, then vacuum. To add some extra punch, take a large jar and fill with baking soda. Add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil, then cover and shake. Let sit for at least 24 hours before using. If you don't have essential oil, you can add dried lemon rind or dried orange rind and let sit for at least a week or grind it up and add it. The baking soda will then be infused with the citrus scent and add an extra uplifting note when sprinkled and vacuumed.

Do take some time to revel in natures glorious weather, but don't get carried away. That will be coming soon enough!

Count Down to Herb Day - Herbal Sugars for Sweet Success

Saturday, October 11 is Herb Day! The herbs around us are intricately woven parts of everyday life, whether you realize it or not. From cooking to medicine, beauty care to cleaning, herbs serve purposes besides beauty in your garden.

The first Herb Day was celebrated only a few years ago, in October of 2006. It was the inspiration of 5 herbal organizations: American Botanical Council, United Plant Savers, the American Herbal Products Association, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, and the American Herbalists Guild. It's a day to learn and celebrate herbs of all kinds.

As an herb enthusiast and student, I thought I'd share an herbal idea everyday to get you thinking about all the great uses for herbs of all kinds.

Today: herbal sugars.

Making flavored herbal sugars is easy and fun. A great family project, too, because children can help create these multi-use treats.

You'll need:

• 1 large, well cleaned dry glass jar with a lid. Quart mason jars work well or cleaned out spaghetti jars (Well cleaned out!)
• 1/2 to 1 cup (loosely packed) of your herb of choice - see some suggestions below.
• Sugar to fill your jar.

1. Rinse your herbs and make sure the are thoroughly dried off.
2. Lightly crush the herbs to help release some of the oils.
3. Put about 1/2 inch worth of sugar in the jar.
4. Place a layer of herb on top of the sugar.
5. Place a layer of sugar, followed by a layer of herbs.
6. Continue layering until you reach within 1/2 of the top of the jar.
7. Seal the jar tightly.
8. Let this sit for at least two weeks, but the longer you let it sit, the stronger the flavor.

Yes - it's that easy. Some wonderful herbs to use in your sugar: lemon verbena or lemon balm (my favorites), rose petal, lavender, rose geranium leaves - or any of the edible geraniums, mint, sage, marjoram, calendula petals - what ever grows in your garden! You can also do this with spices like vanilla beans, allspice, nutmeg, or coriander. Or try adding the dried rinds of oranges, lemons or limes.

Now what to do with this abundance of sweet flavors? Use them in hot or cold teas or punch. Sprinkly them on French Toast. Use when making a glaze for meat or chicken. They are terrific when baking, adding a wonderful depth and mystery to your usual cake or cookies. Whatever you would use sugar for - make it more flavorful with an herbal sugar.

If you have ideas for using your herbal sugars - feel free to share!

Jelly from the Garden

Those who have visited the Celtic Chairde Creations booth at craft fairs know we also carry an eclectic mix of jams and jellies. We love making jellies, but strangely enough - neither Cindy nor I really eat jelly. At least not in the traditional Peanut Butter and sandwich style. We make herb jellies, wine jellies, and tea jellies. Instead, jellies are treats that you add to cookies, cakes, on to cheeses, into salad dressings, as glazes, and other culinary treats. Yep, some interesting jellies are essential to any pantry.

And here's the kicker - they're actually pretty easy to make. The Ball Fresh Preserving Site can give you all the basics. What better way to use up your abundance of mint, lemon balm, fennel, chives, or other herbs than to make it into a jelly at it's peak of flavor.

This easy recipe serves well as a basic herb jelly recipe. I don't add food coloring because - well, I don't like it. True mint jelly is a golden - amber color. You can read the directions in the pectin package for more details on preparing jars.

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups packed fresh mint leaves and stems
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 1/4 cups boiling water
* 3 1/2 cups white sugar
* 1/2 (6 fluid ounce) container liquid pectin

DIRECTIONS

1. Rinse off the mint leaves. Crush or dice the mint.
2. Put the water into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, add mint and cover. Let stand for 10 minutes. Strain thoroughly, and measure out 1 2/3 cups of the mint juice.
3. Place the mint juice back into a saucepan and turn heat on low. Stir in the lemon juice. Mix in the sugar, and turn the heat up to high. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture is boiling and can’t be stirred down, stir in the pectin. Boil the mixture for a full minute while stirring constantly.
4. Turn off the heat and remove from the stove. Skim any foam off the top using a large metal spoon or skimmer.
5. Ladle mixture to hot sterile jars, and seal. Process jars in a water bath for 10 minutes.
6. Carefully remove jars from water bath and place on a towel to cool. Listen for the pop of the tops to show the seals have been made. Let cool completely and then store in a cool, dry place. Will last up to a year unopened.

Makes 4 half pints.

Now think of the possibilities - mint jelly with lamb, or add a spoon full to a vinaigrette salad dressing, toss a few spoons in with some mixed fruit, add a spoon to a cup of tea - hot or cold! The possibilities are endless!

Let your imagination run wild! Rosemary jelly, garlic jelly, chamomile jelly. Have some fun coming up with your own creations and recipes and enjoy your gardens bounty well into winter the winter months!