Bringing Life

Tag: herbs

  • Homemade Herb Bread

    Homemade Herb Bread

    I love making bread. There’s nothing quite like the look of bread dough rising or the smell of it coming out of the oven or the taste of hot buttered slice fresh off the loaf.

    I’ve experimented with several different varieties of bread. From oat bread to seedy bread to whole wheat bread. I found out I like them all.

    This recipe, however, is one I use when I feel like making some extra special bread. It takes extra time and effort, but it is worth every minute. Believe me!

    This recipe is all my own, so if there is anything wrong with it, I have no one to blame but me. Thankfully, I know of nothing wrong with it. 🙂

    Anyway, on to the details of the bread. There are several things that make this bread unique.

    • Buttermilk. I replaced the typical water with warm buttermilk, and it really takes this loaf up a notch. Super soft and moist.
    • Fresh herbs. You might be able to use dry herbs in place of fresh, but I’ve never tried it and don’t think it would work quite as well. I have used several different blends of herbs and they were all good. Rosemary, thyme, and parsley is a delicious combo. Chop them fairly small and discard the tough stems.
    • Cheddar Cheese. While not an absolute necessity, it does add a nice flavor. It’s also delicious without it, but I’ll give the recipe with cheese included. Other kinds of cheese would probably be good as well.
    a cutting board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme and an onyx mortar and pestle sitting near the cutting board

    Homemade Herb Cheese Bread

    Ingredients

    2 c Warm Buttermilk

    2 T Sugar

    2 t Yeast

    2 t Salt

    1/4 c Oil (or melted butter or lard)

    4.5-5 c Flour

    1/2 c Fresh Herbs, chopped

    1/2 c Cheddar Cheese, grated

    a wooden cutting board with a large knife and chopped fresh parsley leaves

    Instructions

    • Put warm buttermilk, sugar, and yeast in bowl of stand mixer. If you’re using active yeast, let it bloom for 5-10 minutes until foamy. If you’re using instant yeast, blooming is not needed.
    • Stir to make sure sugar and yeast are mixed in and not stuck on the bottom.
    • Add the salt, oil of choice, and flour.
    • Mix until flour is mostly incorporated then add chopped herbs and shredded cheese.
    • Continue to knead until everything is well mixed and the dough is pulling away from the sides of the bowl. Add more flour if needed.
    • Keep mixing for at least 5 minutes. I’ve found that the longer you knead the dough, the softer the bread is. If the dough stays really soft and sticky and you don’t want to add more flour, it should still work. I’ve had it happen to me lots of times, especially in warm or humid weather, and the bread turns out great. You just have to kinda pour the dough into the bowl and then the loaf pans instead of forming it.
    • Transfer the dough into a large, greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled. About 1-1.5 hours.
    • Form dough into a loaf, or two if it rose enough, and place in a greased 9×5 bread pan. Cover and let rise until the center is about 1-2 inches above the edge of the pan. I usually turn the oven on to preheat and let the pans sit on top the stove to cut down the rise time.
    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
    • Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes, then without taking the bread out, turn the oven down to 350 degrees and bake another 20 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
    • Try to let it cool before you blister your fingers to get it out of the pans and sample it. If you’re like me and mine, you’ll endure the pain just to get a fresh, hot slice with butter. 🙂
    • Serve warm with stew or baked chicken or cool as a delicious sandwich base. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy it!
    a loaf of freshly baked herb and cheese bread sitting partially sliced and still steaming

  • The Delights of Echinacea

    The Delights of Echinacea

    purple coneflowers or echinacea growing next to bright yellow flowers

    You’ve probably seen echinacea purpurea before—even if you didn’t realize it. With its drooping purple petals and bristly orange center, it looks like a daisy that tried hairspray. But don’t let the frilly look fool you—this plant has earned its place in herbal medicine cabinets for centuries. And like a lot of herbs, the more I learn about it, the more I find myself marveling at how God packed so much usefulness into a wildflower.

    I’ve been looking into echinacea more lately—what it does, how it works, and why people use it—and I thought I’d share some of what I found in case you’re curious too.

    What Is Echinacea Purpurea?


    Echinacea is a native North American plant, often called “purple coneflower.” The purpurea species is the one most commonly used for medicinal purposes, though there are a few other types as well. It’s been used traditionally by Indigenous peoples and adopted into folk remedies for everything from infections to snake bites.

    echinacea flowers, also known as purple coneflowers, growing in a field

    What Is It Used For?


    The most common reason people reach for echinacea is to support the immune system—especially when cold or flu season hits. But its uses go way further than that. Here’s a quick list of what echinacea is said to help with:

    • Immune support: May shorten the duration and lessen the severity of colds.
    • Anti-inflammatory: Can reduce swelling and irritation, helpful for sore throats or skin issues.
    • Wound healing: Used in salves or teas for cuts, burns, or skin infections.
    • Antibacterial/antiviral: Traditionally used for bacterial infections and to support the body during illness. It works better in larger doses, maybe 3x what you would normally use of dried herbs.
    • Venomous Bites: Stops the venom from snake or spider bites and helps the body heal.
    a bee sleeping on top an echinacea flower

    How Is It Taken?


    Echinacea is often taken as a tea, tincture, or capsule. Some folks also use it topically (like in a salve or poultice). Most herbalists recommend using it at the first sign of illness—not as a long-term supplement. That’s because it works best to ‘kick-start’ your immune system when it’s under attack. Long-term use might reduce its effectiveness and may even overstimulate your immune system if taken constantly Think of it like a herbal first responder: ready when needed, but not meant to be on duty 24/7.

    A Few Notes to Keep in Mind

    • Not recommended for people with autoimmune disorders unless you’ve done your research or talked to an herbalist. Echinacea stimulates the immune system which might not be something you want to do in this instance.
    • Some people may be allergic—especially if they’re sensitive to plants in the daisy family.
    • Pregnant or nursing? Best to double-check safety guidelines before using it. Though it is generally considered safe, doing your own research to see if something is right for you is always a good idea.
    a single purple coneflower head with drooping purple petals and a bristly brown and orange center

    Final Thoughts


    Echinacea isn’t magic. But it is a great example of how God designed plants with more than beauty in mind. I like knowing there are things growing in the world—and in some gardens—that can help strengthen the body instead of just masking symptoms. Even if I’m not using echinacea all the time, it’s one of those herbs I like having on hand. Kind of like that friend who shows up with chicken soup when you’re sick—only this one grows from seed and doesn’t need a nap afterward.

  • No Thyme For Bugs?

    No Thyme For Bugs?

    If there is one thing about warm weather that I dislike and makes me start itching for the cold, it’s mosquitoes. With a pond nearby, a stream on the property, and a wetland down the road, we can get more mosquitoes than you can shake a stick at. Or your hand.

    After our flood earlier this year, we had clouds of biting pests so thick that someone actually put their vehicle into the ditch trying to swat them out of their face.

    Needless to say, bug repellent became a top priority. No one enjoyed being a buffet for bugs while feeding the dog or working in the garden or checking the mail.

    So I did what I do. I started researching and experimenting. I found the essential oils that are supposed to repel mosquitoes and went to work. I diluted them with carrier oils and water and added some vanilla to emulsify them or help them all mix together. Then we sprayed it on and ventured into the fray. 

    A vicious fight ensued in which we came out the losers. Maybe even sore losers. We retreated indoors to apply lavender to our wounds and discuss strategies.

    Now, if there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s coming up with ideas. I don’t guarantee them all as good ideas, but they are ideas, nonetheless. So, a few days later, after the itching calmed down some, I tried again. 

    This time I took three of the essential oils most known for repelling mosquitoes, mixed them with non-scented lotion, and applied the concoction liberally. The kids and I noticed a definite difference. We could now boldly leave the house and work outside while the mosquitoes kept a respectful distance of 6 inches or so. This blissful triumph lasted about 15 minutes. Once the lotion was all absorbed, we were right back to square 1. 

    So far, it was Mosquitoes 2; Rachel 0.

    Then, to add insult to insect injury, Tim noticed a definite difference, too. Everywhere he used the anti-bug lotion, he had broken out in a rash. Apparently, he can’t handle essential oils on his skin unless they are extremely diluted. This brought the score to a lovely Mosquitoes 2; Rachel -1.

    That put an effective stop to my experiments with bug repellent for a while. And thankfully, the majority of the flying hordes moved off or disappeared, making life much more manageable. 

    But then, Tim started taking walks almost every morning and night. He’s been given permission to even do some off-road exploring in the wetland, which opened up a slew of new opportunities for him and his camera. This brought insect repellent right back to the forefront though, since he and sometimes the kids were tramping through brush and weeds. So something had to be done for the bugs. 

    I tiptoed back to my research, unsure if I could find anything that would help without causing side effects. Finally, I found a recipe that looked promising. It called for beef tallow as the main part of the base since that stays on the skin longer than lotion or water. It also didn’t rely on just essential oils for its potency.

    No Thyme For Bugs Cream

    2 T Tallow

    1 t Beeswax

    1 T Vinegar (White or ACV)

    1 T Thyme Tea*

    10-15 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

    1/4 t Ground Clove

    Melt the tallow and beeswax in a double boiler or heat-safe bowl over simmering water. Once it is all melted, remove from heat and let cool 2-3 minutes.

    Stir in remaining ingredients and pour into a jar or sealable container. 

    Shelf life at room temperature should be 6-9 months.

    *To make the thyme tea, put 1 t of dried thyme in 1 c of boiling water, and let steep at least 5 minutes. The longer it steeps, the more potent the tea.

    Now, I know I said Tim cannot have essential oils on his skin, but that does not apply to lavender, which is how it made it into this recipe. If you know you’re sensitive to oils, feel free to test this on just a small patch of skin to see if it’s safe for you.

    I’m sure there will be more posts in the future about the efficacy of this anti-bug cream and any tweaks I make. But, I’d love to hear what worked for you and, as always, thanks for stopping by.

  • Decorating With Dreams And Dirt

    Decorating With Dreams And Dirt

    Hi!

    The thing with building a new house from the ground up is that you also have to decorate the entire house. This may seem strange, but up until now, I have never really had a whole house to decorate. As a result, I am still trying to piece together what styles and themes I like.

    Growing up, decorating always followed a theme. A style was chosen and then stuck with throughout the entire room if not the whole house. This technique is fine and I am not criticizing it. The only problem with it, at least in my case, is that I like too many styles. I like feminine and primitive, elegant and rustic, lace and cast iron.

    For a good while, I tried to wrangle my likes into a specific theme so I could be “normal” but finally I gave up and quit fighting myself. After all, normal is overrated. So I am working on a list of everything I like when it comes to decorating. It’s actually longer than I thought it would be and an interesting mixture of styles that may even fall under the definition of eclectic.

    While I won’t tire you out by including the entire list here, I would like to tell you about one specific part of it and especially the reason behind it.

    I have a collection of ceramic planters that I am in the process of painting. They came from a couple of ceramic businesses that Tim and I cleaned out after they closed.

    So far I only have two painted, but I have several more to go. They range from small to large, from simple to more ornate. I even have two that are owl-themed and one that has raccoons on it. They are fairly good-sized and will probably spend most of their time outside.

    Painting always interested me but seemed too daunting and above my skill level. Tim started painting first

    and pushed me to try it and now here we are! I found that not only do I thoroughly enjoy painting, but it is far easier than I expected. You never know until you try, do you?

    Anyway, all of that brings me to the main point. One thing I want in my house, one thing I am very adamant about having in my house, is an herb corner. Well, it doesn’t have to be a corner, but I want fresh herbs growing inside. I want the freedom to pick a few leaves of thyme for a marinade, a mint leaf for nausea, or fresh basil for a cucumber tomato salad. I want the look and smell of rosemary and lavender and sage growing here and there. I want to have bunches of herbs hanging to dry along the walls or in the kitchen.

    While I cannot lay claim to having the best of green thumbs, I am determined to do my best to keep my herb garden flourishing. Both indoors and outdoors.

    To me, herbs are a vital part of a homestead. There is just so much you can do with them! Each one has its own unique spot in cooking and in homemade medicine.

    When I think of what herbs I want to plant, lavender is usually one of the first that comes to mind. While not often used in cooking (although I have had lavender ice cream, yogurt, and coffee), its many medicinal benefits are amazing. Lavender tea is calming and helps with mild insomnia since it promotes relaxation and encourages restful sleep. It also may ease stomach issues. The scent of lavender can help with tension headaches and is a general mood booster. A lavender wash made from steeping the fresh flowers and then letting the water cool is wonderful for bug bites, bee stings, scrapes, minor cuts, bruises, and more as it is anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever. The plants are also supposed to repel mosquitos. Sounds like a winner to me!

    Thyme is pretty high on the list too. Wonderful on baked chicken, I also like to mix it with rosemary and parsley to make a delicious herb bread. Thyme is another powerhouse herb to have on hand in a home apothecary. Excellent for respiratory and digestive health, it can be used to open sinus passages and soothe coughs. It relaxes the GI tract and is known to help with intestinal parasites. But it doesn’t just kill internal bugs. Thyme is a strong antibacterial and antifungal herb making it great to use in homemade cleaners.

    Honestly, my list of “favorite” herbs is probably too long to talk in detail about them all. Others of note are mint for tea and nausea, rosemary for cooking and headaches, oregano for pasta sauce and immune boosts, and the list goes on and on.

    Needless to say, I have great plans for my herb corner, and I can’t wait to see them play out.

    I may not have it all figured out yet, but piece by piece—style by style and herb by herb—this house is becoming home.

  • “Spring Cleaning” Tea

    “Spring Cleaning” Tea

    Happy Spring!

    When flowers start blooming, and trees start budding, I start looking for the ingredients to make one of my favorite wildcrafted spring teas. There is something so rewarding about heading outside with a basket and a pair of scissors to harvest the different herbs to wildcraft some tea.

    Wildcrafting is the practice of responsibly harvesting wild plants for food, medicine, or other uses. It encourages sustainability, deepens your understanding of local plant life, and results in fresh, chemical-free ingredients that store-bought teas simply can’t match. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about brewing a cup of tea from herbs you’ve gathered yourself!

    I use this tea early in the spring to naturally clean out all the accumulated junk that tends to build up internally over the winter. These herbs are created to have the vitamins and minerals needed to do a gentle but deep spring cleaning on our bodies. It helps that they taste great, too! The ingredients in this recipe are simple but may not be naturally available everywhere. 

    1. Dandelions. These bright yellow flowers are among the first to pop up in spring and may bring dismay to some. But to wildcrafters, they are a treasure trove! Not only do they amend the soil wherever they grow, but the flowers are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They work to regulate blood sugar, detox the liver, and in general clean you out after a long winter. The leaves can act as a diuretic, lowering blood pressure and aiding in digestion. So the next time a dandelion shows its golden face, don’t try to dig it up (it’ll just come back anyway), instead look for a way to incorporate it into a tea, salad, or bread recipe.
    1. Cleavers. This sticky plant may not grow everywhere, but if it grows near you consider yourself blessed. Even if it does seem to be trying to take over the whole yard. Cleavers are one of the strongest lymphatic system cleansers in nature. While more potent than over-the-counter medicine, this herb is very gentle with no bad side effects, unless you are a rare creature with an allergy to cleavers. An immune system booster, this funny-looking “weed” is also anti-inflammatory and there is even research to explore its use as a cancer treatment.
    1. Purple Dead Nettle. How often have you driven past an empty field and seen a thick carpet of light purple flowers? Those were likely Purple Dead Nettle, which tends to grow in dense clumps and patches. This edible green belongs to the mint family, contains more nutrients than spinach, and is justly considered a superfood. Amazing! Packed full of Vitamins A, C, K, iron, and fiber, this little plant also holds antioxidants that support a healthy gut and heart. It boosts the immune system and reduces allergy symptoms. I could go on and on, but I think it’s easy to see how this herb earned its place in my recipe.
    2. Organic Orange Peel. I include orange peel in this recipe for an added dose of Vitamin C and flavor. 
    3. Organic Pure Unfiltered Honey. This tea does not have to be sweetened, but I prefer it with a swirl of honey. It brings out the other flavors, tones down the “green” taste, and comes with its own impressive array of benefits.

    When you go to harvest your herbs, be sure to verify what you are picking before you put it in a tea. All of these plants are easy to identify with a little looking online or in an herb book. You also want to pay attention to where you harvest from. You don’t want to use anything that has been sprayed with pesticides, or herbicides or is growing near a busy road or pet areas. No dog tea for me, please!

    Once you have successfully identified your plants the best time to pick them is in the morning before the sun gets hot. This is when they are the most potent. You can dry them if desired by hanging little bunches of them upside down somewhere dark, dry, and well-ventilated or you can use a drying rack or dehydrator for faster drying. Store the dried herbs in airtight glass containers, like a quart jar, away from direct sunlight and label them to avoid later confusion. Whenever possible, I prefer using fresh herbs, as drying reduces their potency.

    Brewing The Tea

    I do not have amounts for this recipe as I always go by what feels/looks right. Something around equal parts of each herb. I do use significantly more dandelion flowers than leaves as the leaves can get bitter quickly. But some might like more and some less, so feel free to adjust. Experiment and find your favorite blend! 

    Brewing the tea is very easy. If you are using fresh ingredients, put water in a saucepan, add the orange peel, anywhere from a few strips up to the whole peel, and bring to a boil. Once it boils, remove from heat, add the herbs, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. You can let it go longer if you like it stronger, but the longer it sits the more the bitter green taste comes out. Once it reaches the desired strength, strain it into your mug, stir in some honey, and enjoy a mug of delicious wildcrafted tea!

    Wildcrafted tea is a simple yet meaningful way to bring nature into your daily routine. Not only does it offer delicious flavors and health benefits, but it also fosters a deeper appreciation for the plants growing around you. Try this blend or experiment with your own combinations, and let me know what you discover!

    Happy foraging and sipping!