Lazy Days…Almost

Weather is fine, gardens are growing, businesses are slowly reopening. Putting out to the world that ‘All Is Good!’, keep up the positivity!

Lately I’ve been puttering about in the garden, which is looking fab this year due to all the time off, soaking in the sun (don’t forget the sunscreen) and really taking a look at life. So much we have all been through, and a lot of people came to the conclusion that we need to love what we do in life, not just go through the motions of working to just pay bills and buying things that don’t really matter. Doing things we love and being with people we love seem to matter more these days. Do we really need all the nonsense that we bought, used it for a bit, now it sits in our basements and closets and drawers? Maybe we should make do with what we have (like our parents/grandparents did way back when). I’ve really found that I don’t need half the stuff that has collected over the years. So slowly I’ve been decluttering, getting rid of things that I thought held memories (sure, keep 3 or 4 really special things that you just can’t part with). Books are one thing, so because you will probably never get the amount you paid for it, a good thing is to donate them to the local library. This way at least other people can enjoy them as much as you did. Same with novels, I have found a few ‘Little Libraries’ around town that I frequent. Give and take and you don’t have clutter. Another idea is give away at least 2 things (or more) if there is something you really need. If you have any other ideas for decluttering/organizing please let me know, I’m always looking for new ways of doing things.

Make It Fresh, Make It Local

Berry season is upon us, and they are growing like gangbusters this year! It’s good to know when the picking time is, if you go to the http://www.foodlandontario.ca site there is a rough schedule of when fruit is ready. You will also need to check out any websites for local farms picking times. One of the first fruit that is ready is haskaps (or huckleberries), a taste between a blueberry and raspberry. Next is strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries and blueberries. Don’t forget the plums, cherries, peaches and whatever else is out there, so many to name!

Please make a choice to get your produce from a local farm or farm market if possible (always be wary of what is in season; educate yourself or keep a list, this is a good thing to keep in mind)

Small Batch Berry with Honey Jam

This recipe works for haskaps, strawberries, mulberries or raspberries. We found that we enjoy it more than the traditional jam recipe as it has no refined sugar in it. All natural baby!

Make sure all jars, rings, and utensils are sterilized. Don’t forget a canning pot, jar lifter and a magnetic lid lifter. Note **If you have never canned anything, I strongly suggest that you research canning methods before you even begin as there are nasty bacteria out there that can make you very ill. It is too lengthy to write out here, so please look it up. The ‘Joy of Cooking’ book is very thorough in the canning methods.

Alternately if you are going to be using them up within a month or giving them to friends and family (or ‘to go’) who will use them within a month, no need for the canning stage. Just make sure they are put in the fridge.

You will probably need about 5 jars, rings and seals (it usually makes 4 jars total, but I put in an extra one for the little bit of leftover in the pot, that way you can use some on some fresh bread for a little snack once the hard work is done).

5 cups berries (remove stems, leaves, etc. and rinse well with cold water)

2 cups 100% natural liquid honey (local is preferred, please don’t use the one from the grocery store) I know it’s expensive, but trust me, it is well worth the money.

zest and juice of 2 lemons (don’t forget to wash them good!)

1/2 cup water (this helps it to not stick to the pot once it starts boiling)

Put berries, honey, lemon and water in a heavy pot, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-medium hi (be careful because they will boil over and make a mess if you don’t watch them). Give them a mash with a potato masher to break them down. Stir frequently, don’t let them stick to the bottom. There will be a foam that starts and you can skim this off with a slotted spoon. Mixture will need to boil down about 1/4 or 1/2 way, or until it thickens up a bit so that it doesn’t run off a spoon.

If you have prepped your jars, seals, and rings for canning go ahead and process them approximately 20 minutes in a hot water bath. If you are making them ‘to go’, then funnel them into jars and put a lid on them. Careful, as the jars will get hot! (yes, I forgot this one time and nearly dropped the jar). Place jars on a clean dishtowel where it won’t be disturbed for 24 hours. After 24 hours make sure rings are tightened and that the seals have all depressed. If they haven’t depressed, again read about re-canning. Label and date the jars. They are good to put them away in the basement or pantry.

Hiking in the Heat…Only if you have to

If you do decide to go hiking on a hot day, do so in the morning when it is a bit cooler out. I find July and August are a bit of a no go as the lovely mosquitos are out full force…and they are hungry beasts! Take a bottle of water as well.

A bit of advice is to wear a bug jacket or hat with a mesh covering to protect you from the little pests. Wear loose clothing and socks so they don’t get your ankles. And bug spray, don’t forget the spray. I found a recipe that is all natural that works pretty well and smells great too.

Natural Bug Repellent

*All essential oils used are 100% pure

2 Tbsp Witch Hazel

2 Tbsp carrier oil (coconut, jojoba, avacado, etc.)

3 Tbsp Aloe Vera Gel

10 drops Neem Oil

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

5 drops Geranium Essential Oil

5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

5 drops Cedarwood Essential oil

10 drops Lemongrass Essential Oil

Put all ingredients together and mix well. Use a spatula to put mixture into a small dark container with a snug lid. To use, spread on exposed areas, avoiding eye, mouth and nose area. You shouldn’t need to reapply during your hike.

You can experiment with the amounts of each essential oil if you like except for the Neem oil, it is the natural bug repellent. If you want the mixture to put in a spray bottle, add more witch hazel to make it more liquid, less aloe vera gel or omit it altogether. This mixture should keep approximately 6 months. Happy hiking!

Until next time, stay healthy, stay happy! Sandra