Now Selling Three New Types of Kratom!

We have just listed three new types of kratom in our Botanical Bungalow shop: "Premium Scarlet Sumatra" (a red vein kratom), "Royal White Sumatra" (a high-quality white vein kratom), and "Dark Jade Indo" (a green vein kratom from the island of Borneo); all of these kratom varieties come from Indonesia and have very nice aromas! You can check them out in our humble little dwelling at:

http://botanicalbungalow.ecrater.com/

Calming and Comforting Chamomile for your Skin, Senses, and Spirit!

Chamomile is praised as a major analgesic, anti-inflammatory and wound healer, since it works wonders for relieving pain, redness from any cause, and promoting skin repair. Chamomile is good for dry, red, and sensitive skin and a very beneficial, therapeutic ingredient in our Golden Aromatherapy Soap! I use pure Chamomile essential oil in this lovely soap which has antiseptic properties and is therefore a wonderful skin cleanser. Chamomile aids skin problems (such as Eczema and Psoriasis) that have a constituent of irritation, inflammation and/or infection.


Chamomile also has excellent calming properties; it is effective for irritation, impatience and feeling disagreeable, and has great value in treating PMS and other menstrual and menopausal problems. Not only does chamomile sooth and calm, but it is also very effective for skin healing and for tissue regeneration.

Please check out our Golden Aromatherapy Soap Sets Here:

http://botanicalbungalow.ecrater.com/c/1172378/all-natural-hand-made-aromatherapy-soaps

Our First Delicious Homegrown Heirloom Tomato!

This evening Joe and I worked in our inspiring organic, heirloom garden and we picked our first homegrown tomato: a delicious heirloom "Plum Lemon" (pictured above); it was rich, juicy, and had a perfect tomato flavor with a hint of lemon!


Our tee pee style hand-made trellises made out of bamboo tied together with yarn...I think they are fun and kind of asthetically pleasing.


These photos were taken before we did a lot of "de-weeding"...we're getting a new riding lawn mower...yippee! :-D


Our flourishing bean plant growing up some bamboo...


This is our "Roman Candle" heirloom tomato plant...that yellow one is just about ready to pick!


...a cluster of our Heirloom Tommy Tomatoes!


We have a few of these adorable and very fragrant Basil plants.


This is our Heirloom "Black Beauty" eggplant...that pretty flower is going to be a ravishing eggplant soon!


We think these might be "Nebraska Wedding" heirloom tomatoes...but were not sure yet.


This is our WILD heirloom cherry tomato plant...this plant just popped up on its own; it must have grown from a seed from last year's garden.


Our heirloom yellow squash plant...


Working in the garden is so peaceful and fulfilling...it is so much fun spending time in the sunshine with someone you love, connecting with nature, and reaping the benefits with a homegrown harvest!


I think these might be some of our Marglobe Supreme heirloom tomatoes.


Heirloom "Green Zebra" tomatoes!!!




Our little baby heirloom watermelon...


...is just a part of our enormous watermelon vine! :-D

Watermelon: A Natural Viagra!

During this hot summer season, men should try eating watermelon to boost their libido! Check out these articles about Watermelon's Viagra-like effects:

http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20080701/watermelon-a-natural-viagra

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/01/why-watermelon-is-the-new_n_110200.html

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/07/03/watermelon-viagra.html

My husband, Joe, made this delicious watermelon spritzer by fermenting watermelon juice with organic, probiotic water kefir grains (converted from milk kefir grains):

Amazing Garlic and Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing

Isn't she lovely?! Our thriving lemon balm plant is flourishing in our backyard and comes back every year after planting it two years ago...these roots have a strong foundation that are here to stay! Lemon Balm is used for nervous agitation, sleeping problems, functional gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and urinary spasms. It is thought that the volatile oils in lemon balm contain chemicals that relax muscles, particularly in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas, and nausea.

I collected some of my generous plant's crisp and very fragrant leaves, brought them inside and made a refreshing spring salad dressing made with our probiotic kefir! I made this delicious and nutritious kefir from the magnificently organic kefir grains we sell in our Botanical Bungalow shop.


Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing

1 cup kefir
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh lemon balm
1 finely chopped garlic clove
1 teaspoon raw, local honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/8 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill for half an hour until all the flavors have blended. Serve over green salad of your choice!


I poured this wonderful dressing over a bed of spring salad greens, sun-dried tomatoes, pecans, dried currants, and feta cheese...mmm, scrumptious!


If you would like to make your own Amazing Garlic and Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing or other scrumptious kefir recipes you can find the organic, probiotic kefir grain cultures in our shop: Botanical Bungalow...all you need to do is purchase them once and you can make delicious, healthy kefir indefinitely!

http://botanicalbungalow.ecrater.com/p/8234493/kefir-a-cultured-dairy-product-full-of

Flaunt Those Sexy Legs! Neroli Essential Oil Treats Cellulite and Broken Capillaries!

Neroli essential oil has cell stimulating properties and helps with broken capillaries (small veins); Neroli also has antiseptic, bactericidal, cicatrisant, cytophylactic and stimulant therapeutic properties and is one of the very medicinally fragrant ingredients in our All-Natural Golden Aromatherapy Soaps. So no more hiding those sexy legs!

Neroli has a strong, yet delicate bitter-sweet fragrance; the antiseptic and bactericidal properties help keep skin problems at bay and the cytophylactic properties help to keep the skin elastic and in good shape. Neroli is often used for combating stretch marks, as well as scarring, since the cicatrisant properties will assist with both these problems.

Although popular for use on all skin types, as it is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing, the greatest benefits are derived on more mature skin, as it helps to re-hydrate, soften and boost rejuvenation.



Please check out our Golden Aromatherapy Soap Sets Here:

http://botanicalbungalow.ecrater.com/c/1172378/all-natural-hand-made-aromatherapy-soaps

Kefir Currant Cheesecake!

This decadent, smooth, and delightfully rich cheesecake is absolutely delicious and healthy for you too! Made with a homemade kefir pie crust, this completely "from scratch" kefir cheesecake will blow away everyone's expectations and taste buds!

Kefir and Currant Cheesecake

8 oz (1 cup) fresh kefir cheese (labne)

2 Tablespoons fresh milk kefir-grains

4 oz (1/2 cup) Sugar

2 oz (1/4 cup) Currants

1 large (or 2 small) Eggs, preferably organic and free-range

1 oz butter, melted

A pinch of nutmeg

A pinch of cinnamon

Finely chop kefir grains with sharp knife on cutting board. Mix the chopped kefir grains with the kefir cheese (labne), currants, and spices. Beat the egg and stir in with the sugar and butter. Line the dish with the homemade kefir pie crust pastry (recipe listed below) and put in the kefir cheese (labne) mixture. Bake in a moderate oven (350°F) for 20 minutes or until set. Delicious hot or cold; serves approximately six people.


Homemade Kefir Pie Crust Pastry

2 cups flour (preferably organic spelt and organic pastry flour; I used organic whole wheat flour)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup kefir
2/3 cup oil (I used peanut oil)

Combine the flour, salt, kefir, and oil. Stir only until the dry ingredients are blended in. Roll the dough between two pieces of wax paper. Remove the top layer of the was paper and transfer crust into desired pie plate with the bottom wax pap still intact and on top. Remove the wax paper from crust and shape the edges as desired...simple and delicious!

You can chill your completed pie shell in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours before baking for extra crispness.



If you would like to make your own Kefir Currant Cheesecake or other scrumptious kefir recipes you can find the organic, probiotic kefir grain cultures in our shop: Botanical Bungalow...all you need to do is purchase them once and you can make delicious, healthy kefir indefinitely!

http://botanicalbungalow.ecrater.com/p/8234493/kefir-a-cultured-dairy-product-full-of

Pictures of Our New Baby Miniature Colt!

Aww, our new little baby boy...isn't he cute?!


He is going to grow up and look just like his momma; they have the same colors and markings.





Nursing on his momma, Sweet Cake. This miniature filly colt hasn't been named yet...I will let you all know what his name is as soon as I find out! :-D

Have No Fear...Safe, All-Natural Deodorant Is Here!

Recently, there have been news reports of parabens (a type of chemical preservative commonly found in many beauty preparations) showing up in the tumors of breast cancer patients. These parabens are speculated to be linked to the common underarm deodorants that most people use daily. Aluminum is another common ingredient found in most deodorants that has also been linked to contributing to breast cancer.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/01/28/deodorant-cancer.aspx

http://www.naturalnews.com/009969.html



However, have no fear there are natural deodorant alternatives! Many safe, natural deodorant solutions (that are aluminum and paraben free) are available, yet here is an easy recipe that you may find pleasingly helpful.



"An infusion of White Willow bark mixed with borax acts as a deodorant wash for offensive-smelling perspiration. Mix a few drops of oil of Patchouli with the infusion." - Herbs & Things by Jeanne Rose (1972)



"A deodorizing washing liquid can be made from a solution of willow bark mixed with borax." – The Herb Book by John Lust (1974)



In our Botanical Bungalow shop, we are currently carrying white willow bark so you can create this simple and effective natural deodorant. Also, keep in mind that wearing cotton garments is helpful as well as a diet as natural as possible. Please check out our online store to view our white willow bark in stock:

http://botanicalbungalow.ecrater.com/p/8235554/white-willow-bark-medicinal-herb-for

Our Organic Heirloom Garden Pictures!

Our first little heirloom tomato baby! Isn't he cute?!


A few of our many organic heirloom tomato plants.


Here is one of our big beauties...can't wait to see the luscious tomatoes that come from this lovely lady!


This is our flourishing yellow squash plant...


...and here are some of the little baby yellow squash!


Here is our beautiful bean plant that we have growing up and around some bamboo...


...we think that this one is a scarlet emperor bean plant.


This is a picture of the bamboo we have drying out that we plan on using as garden trellises!


Yum...Heirloom Watermelon!