True Southern Okry!

Did you know this about this southern favorite?

 The name okra...is an African word that means gumbo. It's a product from the slave trade and the proper way to pronounce it is "Okry" you should hear the 'e' on the end, the original word was "Okri". Most people don't know that red (also called purple or burgandy) is the old original southern okra. It gets twice as long and doesn't get hard unless left to over ripe. All the old timers where I live, grew up on the stuff. Sold here as Burgandy. The green shipped better without willting, so became the most common commerical okra and that's why it became popular, but wasn't until after the 1900's. I too grew up on the green, but after researching and talking to all the old folk, and growing it side by side to green, It's all we grow now. It's getting back to our roots, and 10x better okry! Not to mention the anthocyanins that it contains due to the rich color. These are those cancer fighting agents found in dark purple or blue fruits and veggies. They have been proven effective at fighting cancer in both lab and human studies, with a success rate ranging from 50% to 80%. So next garden season, you may want to include this fabulous item in your garden patch. And when you hear an old timer say "okry", don't laugh, they're saying it right! :)

 

 

Super Yum Salsa!

We have been asked by a couple of folks for our homemade, canned salsa recipe, so here it is. You can adjust ingredients as you wish to your own taste. *We grow very colorful tomatoes in all shapes and sizes as well as use colorful peppers. All this will add a pizazz you won't find in store bought (boring) salsa.

 

 Colorful Homemade/ Home Canned Salsa:
12 to 14 Cups of Diced Tomeatoes, Red are good but add Orange, Yellow, Purple if you can for a real flair of color.
2 Cups of ...Peppers (we like Mild) Also the more color here the better. *If using hot peppers to make a spicier salsa, only use about 1/2 cup seeded hot peppers with the other 1 &1/2 Cups of Sweet.
1 &1/2 Cups Cilantro Diced
2 Tablespoons Diced Canned Garlic
1 Onion Diced
1 Pint of Homecanned Tomato sause for extra liquid
10 Tablespoons of Mrs. Wages Salsa Spices 

 Mix all together and put into pints or quarts. Make sure you fill to 1/2 to 1/4 an inch head space only. Too much room could prevent sealing, or cause a false seal. Cap of with clean lids and rings. I boil mine. This should give 7 Quarts or 14 pints.
Next, I place my cans into my pressure canner with water, screw down top and turn eye on high. Once I am sure the body of water is boiling inside due to sound and steam escaping, I set the timer for 30 minutes. So it is inside canner with lid screwed on, but no pressure weight on for the 3timed 30minutes. When timer goes off, I turn of eye and let canner cool down about 10-15 minutes. Then I open and remove jars to let set up and seal. Viola! It's so nice to have home canned salsa and all those memories with those you love.

I hope if anyone tries it, you'll let me know how it turned out. Melisa

The Best Essential Oil on Bug Bites, Cuts, Scrapes and Other Wounds

  Many times we go outside and forget the fact I make an all natural bug repellent that we sell all over the country and yes, we get bit. Sometimes we get bitten in odd places (you know what I mean) and sometimes there are cuts, scrapes or poison ivy we must deal with. After years and years of trying to find an oil that is both effective at stopping burn, itch, and killing germs to fight infection I have finally found the one I believe to be the best. It is Cedarwood Essential Oil, Organic - Atlas. This one oil will not only calm burning, stinging, itching and clean wounds, but it will also work as a very effective bug repellent. It could also conceal you if you were hunting or in the woods and did not want your person scent to be very detectable. It could be used as a great deodorant for men, without having to use an unnatural synthetic that are known to cause cancer. It is also not an oil that will give away your presence, because Cedarwood will blend right into the surroundings. It is what we use indoors for repelling bugs and IT WORKS.

  While we have many essential oils on hand, this one, Cedarwood (Atlas) Organic, has proven to be worth it's weight in gold, in both summer and winter. It's also highly antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial. We are currently using on a rash for my oldest daughter with wonderful results. After trying other creams, this oil seems to be doing way more to both heal skin and kill whatever is causing the problem.
  Have you ever been covered in chiggers? This oil can be applied in small amounts, straight on the skin and you will feel the calming in seconds. It is much more effective than Lavender, even for delicate areas. Yes, I am speaking from personal experience. Funny how Cedar is still used for a natural repellent when building chests for clothes. I think our ancestors and those who lived before us knew a lot more than we do now, and there must have been something to using Cedarwood when it comes to bugs. If you have ever owned a Cedar chest, you know how amazingly effective it is at repelling bugs.
  I would not recommend any pregnant women use. It can be ingested but not by pregnant women. It also must be an Atlas variety only to be ingested. Others are toxic, and cannot be ingested, so know your oils!  It can also be used for allergies. I combine it with Frankincense and other oils to reduce swelling and calm histamines when I have an allergy flair up, which happens often because I am allergic to a lot of things. For bug bites, cuts, poison ivy and scrapes you can rub right onto skin, but if there is a large open wound dilute it a bit. We used on a wound from a mean rooster, after he scraped my daughter's leg. It took care of the burn for her and seemed to kill the germs that could cause infection. We used after we cleaned the wound, but it is highly anti-septic and will also work to clean a wound if needed because nothing else was available. If you were hunting, cutting wood, or fishing and needed an all purpose oil, this would be it. Pests, wounds, poison ivy and calms stings or bites without a heavy scent. To get rid of lice, and or skin mites, simply dilute slightly into a bit of carrier oil and rub into skin or hair. For repelling bugs, rub (diluted) into skin, on clothes or put onto a cotton ball and place it where ever you want pests and rodents to stay away. Another use for getting rid of winter critters (such as spiders that hide) is to place the oil on the cotton balls and put the cotton balls into jacket pockets and into boots. It works on mice and snakes as well. It is my indoor version of moth balls. I hope if you are looking into keeping a natural pest repellent on hand or prepping your natural medicine cabinet, you will keep this great oil on hand. It's my favorite way to stop those summer itches, stings and bites!

Natrual Homestead Pest Repellent: A Safe Farm Spray!

  Natural pest repellent are very easy to make. They are also very effective *if* you use the right ingredients. I started developing them for our household years ago with my children in mind and haven't repented yet. We now sell them all over the country and I write articles about how to make them for magazines, teach classes and blog here about them. I would like to share a few VERY easy safe and all natural pest repellents here with you.

  Here is my recipe for a our Natural Homestead Pest Repellent! I call it Safe Farm Spray. It is my main go to for all outside dwelling plants and animals, best of all, it works! I use it on everything. It's totally animal, people, and planet friendly...though I keep for outdoor use because the smell of Neem is unpleasant but is very effective. I haven't seen a pest yet that will not be effected. The Neem also helps to control fungus on plants. An added bonus. It is so safe, you can let your children use it, and mine do! They love to help and this is a great way they can.
  *Natrual Homestead Pest Repellent:  A Safe Farm Spray
  Fill sprayer with one to two gallons of warm water (not hot), depending on strength you are looking for, you can adjust here... a little by increasing or decreasing the water amount.
Add 1/4 Cup of natural or organic liquid dish soap (I upped this amount a bit)
.25 oz Lavender 40/42 (more cost effective)
.50 oz Citronella
2oz Neem Oil
*You can spray all plants, the house, the yard and animals (dogs, cats, chickens, cows, goats, horses, ect...). You can use in the chicken coop or in a barn as well. This makes 1 to 2 gallons. Pour into quart size sprayer if needed in smaller amounts. It is totally safe enough to let kids use as well. They love to help and this is totally safe for them to use so they can work with you with no worries! You may need to shake as you go, if you see the oils rising to the top. Usually that is not a big deal.
For all creepy crawlies, including ants, water bugs, roaches, or spiders. Also works on rodents such as mice, rats, snakes, and the like. This is an awesome all natural moth balls alternative! 
 * Indoor Safe Pest Repellent:
Place a few drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil on a cotton ball. Remember how people used Cedar chests to keep pests off of clothing? It works very well. So simply place these cotton balls wherever the pests come in your house or wherever you see them most. Viola, done!
You can also place a few drops of Cedarwood  and Peppermint into a quart sprayer and spray around the house. This is not only a great disinfectant, but will keep pests OUT! Use in water if you do not have witch hazel around, just shake as you go to keep oils incorporated. I have a video to show you how easy these are. Click here to see the video on how to make this all  natural pest repellent using cotton balls and an antibacterial house spray as well.
  To make an all natural pest repellent for people, simply combine any herbal essential oils you like. I like Citronella and Lavender. I say 'herbal' because they are the ones that repel the best. I also say combine because they seem to work better synergistically. When more than one is used, it is more potent. Simply put into a carrier oil such as coconut or safflower and rub on.
  You can find affordable, 100% pure essential oils and a pest repellent for your family (made for my own children) that is all natural, organic, safe for people and planet, from our family web store at Homesteadmoma.com You can also find our Bug Bar pest repellent at Azurestandard.com

Essential Oil Survival Kit - The best oils for a worst case scenario!

  I am going to lay out the very best oils in my opinion to have on hand in a 'worst case' scenario or emergency situation. I am an essential oil business owner, and began using them in the cosmetic industry years before they were popular, when only hippies used them. I have personally and professionally worked with essential oils for over 17 yrs now. The wisdom, knowledge and research I share with you now are from almost 2 decades of use and experience. They are apart of my life everyday. Although there is no replacement for a well trained medical professional, I realize sometimes life puts us all into situations where what we need isn't always accessible. So here are my top choices for that time of need that a doctor or vet are not in reach. I will also give why and how you can use. I have put together a kit so as to give a more affordable option to people who do want to have these oils on hand. You may already have these oils, and if so great. If not you can check out the oils I recommend below or the kit to compare for yourself. It is Essential 7, The Essential Oil Survival Kit. 

I am trying to educate, not push a product. I want everyone reading this info to understand that: 1- I am not a doctor and am not advocating that you should not visit the doctor for medical advice, or a vet if it involves your pet; and 2- I am not trying to sell you anything. My information, time, research and willingness to share with you is all free. I am an essential oil business owner, but also an herbalist, wild crafter and most importantly a Mom. I understand everyone has different budgets and different preferences when purchasing essential oils. I am giving you my first hand knowledge along with my time and research because I believe God wants us to share what we know with others freely. So here are my picks for the essential oils for survival and why I chose them. I give links or works cited under a few oils, but most info you can easily research yourself with the internet.
  *To make an essential oil go farther and to use topically or when ingesting, you should always dilute. To do this, use a carrier oil such as hemp, safflower, jojoba, or the like. In  a pinch any liquid cooking oil will do. Also note that if anyone gets the essential oils into the eye or on skin undiluted or is experiencing a severe burning sensation, DO NOT WASH WITH WATER. Simply rub a liquid oil onto the effected area, and this will 'pull out' the essential oil instantly. They are attracted to fatty acids like a magnet so this is the best way to remove quickly. You will see burning gone in seconds. *If you used for wound care and it is diluted but still burns, I would not flush with more oil to remove, because they need to be present in order to be effective. Removing then would also remove their antibacterial numbing and other properties.

  1- First is Clove. This oil is not only highly antiviral, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antibacterial, and pretty much 'anti-everything'; it is a total favorite of the dental and medical community including pharmaceutical companies. It has been the starting component of all the 'caines' such as benzocaine, novacaine, lidocaine, and others in the same family. It is synthesized now into a very powerful pain killer and antiseptic for use in wounds because it has the ability to numb as well as kill germs, including viruses. In a worst case scenario where there could be an out break of flu, Ebola, Avian Flu, or something else on that scale...this is the one essential oil I would reach for. If it is 100% Pure (Food Grade) it should be diluted by placing a few drops into a carrier oil or honey so it can be ingested when symptoms arise. Once diluted, it can be rubbed directly into lymph nodes and on wrists. It is very strong, so dilute well or it will burn. You want to get it into the blood stream so it can be internally effective so that is why I say rub into lymph nodes. It is a stimulating oil and rubbed onto chest or lymph nodes, it can help to 'move' chest congestion and lymph as well as kill bacteria, virus, or fungus that is causing sickness. If someone is having a problem with clogged glands, I would combine with Peppermint (both very productive stimulants) and rub into glands twice a day. It is all I used for my children when teething. I put a few drops into a tablespoon of liquid cooking oil and rubbed directly into gums to numb pain. This would also be my 'go to' oil for wound care. In a worst case scenario where an antibiotic or antiseptic product isn't available, this can be diluted and poured right into a wound. It is the only oil known to be so highly effective at both numbing and fighting germs. It may sting for a second, but will numb pain quickly. This is truly the 1st place winner and many dentists today still use this on oral infections and tooth abscesses for fighting germs and numbing power. It is GOLD.
Most of my info on clove and it's essential oil comes from the book, "Back To Eden" by Jethro Kloss.
  2- Bergamot. An Italian Citrus, this oil has been studied and shown effective at lowering blood sugar, cholesterol, and highly effective on anxiety. I would NOT rely on Lavender as my 'mood calmer' for those who are anxious in an emergency. Lavender is good, but the studies (and my personal experiences) point to the fact that Bergamot is multitalented on the body and mind. In a worst case scenario, many of us could be surrounded with friends and family members who have medical needs for things that need control. These most likely will include anxiety, nervousness, ADHD, diabetes, high blood sugar, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Not only have these studies shown the Bergamot oil to be highly effective at calming nerves and adding balance to a hyper, nervous or upset person, but it is shown to be effective and medically useful at lowering high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar.. One study from the University of Taiwan shows that Bergamot is highly effective at calming the mood and helping to reduce stress of elementary school teachers. I read another that cited it useful at lowering blood pressure. This oil should be diluted and then rubbed into temples, wrists, chest and neck of anyone who is stressed. A few drops into a diffuser will help to disperse the oils effectiveness into an entire room and aid everyone in the area with it's aromatherapy. If there is someone around who needs treatment for high blood pressure, diabetes high blood sugar, or high cholesterol in your care, it would be helpful to research this more as to exact usage that would benefit them. I personally would have them consume it in a natural smoothie, mixed into peanut butter, or placed under the tongue. Only starting with a few drops diluted into the carrier oil to make sure that there aren't any adverse reactions. Use only 100% Pure (Food Grade) when ingesting any essential oils. In a worst case scenario, this oil will be an invaluable oil. In my opinion it has shown to be much more effective at calming nerves than Lavender and with an ability to add balance to the entire body's system I would not forget this oil when making my home emergency and first aid kit.
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/853809/
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20100927006549/en/Clinical-Studies-Show-Bergamonte%E2%84%A2-Exhibits-Breakthrough-Results
http://www.drwhitaker.com/benefits-of-bergamot/
  3- Peppermint. This oil is tops at reducing fever and calming upset stomach. Although Ginger is really good at tummy trouble, this one is much more appetizing and therefore easier to get down. I not only have personally used it to reduce fever, I have also used it to open the airways of an asthmatic (ME!). I have had some bouts with pneumonia and even pleurisy in the past. This oil will certainly open up the airways and has been shown to aid in circulation. If in a time of need someone cannot breathe, isn't getting enough oxygen or isn't responsive I would reach for this to hold under the nose; when diluted it can be rubbed on chest. If breathing is troubled, I would dilute and drop onto back of the tongue or put an undiluted drop into hands and cup over nose and mouth to breathe in. For fever reduction, place a few drops (diluted just a bit) onto spine, temples, soles of feet, and lymph nodes and rubbed in. For upset stomach I would place a few drops into honey to ingest or a drop into warm tea, add honey if you please. Honey will also help calm the stomach upset. Again, combine Peppermint with Clove diluted, for a way to simulate the circulatory system, move lymph and loosen chest congestion. Peppermint alone, or combined with Clove, could possibly aid an elderly person, a diabetic, or someone suffering from hypothermia with circulation. Simply rub diluted mixture right into skin with a good massage. Also these two combined are a powerhouse on someone with the croup or flu with coughing. Diluted you can rub on chest and into lymph nodes to help the cough be more productive and help with fighting the infection from the glands.

  4- Cedarwood (Organic-Atlas) This is a very useful but tricky oil that I would not recommend any pregnant women use. It can be ingested but needs to be an Atlas variety only. Others are toxic, and cannot be ingested, so know your oils! This one is also an amazing calmer and is much more powerful, in my own experience, at soothing bug bites and stings than Lavender. If you have ever owned a Cedar chest, you know how amazingly effective it is at repelling bugs. It is also not an oil that will give away your presence if needing to hunt. Cedarwood will blend right into the surroundings of nature and not alert anyone to your presence. It is what we use indoors for repelling bugs and IT WORKS. It can also be used for allergies. I combine it with Frankincense and other oils to reduce swelling and calm histamines when we have an allergy flair up, which happens often because I am allergic to a lot of things. For bug bites you can rub right onto skin, but if there is an open wound dilute it a bit. It is highly anti-septic and will also work to clean a wound if needed. If you were hunting and needed an all purpose oil, this would be it. Calms stings, pests, wounds or bites without a heavy scent. To get rid of lice and/or skin mites, simply dilute into carrier oil and rub into skin or hair. For repelling bugs rub (diluted) into skin, on clothes, or put onto a cotton ball and place it where ever you want pests and rodents to stay away. It works on mice and snakes as well. It is my indoor version of moth balls.

  5- Rosemary. This oil is one that many people can tolerate in their food and makes getting an antibacterial down the hatch a bit easier. It has been shown to be an anti-mutagen which could be very helpful to someone who is battling cancer. I would have them ingest this and Frankincense (also an anti-mutagen) if I ever knew anyone who was in that situation and there where no other viable options or they wanted to add a complimentary medicine to their regimen. It is highly antibacterial and should be considered when the common cold is going around or if having a bout of flu. You can add to foods such as spaghetti or soups for an extra bit of help with germ fighting. I ingest oils and have found that the best way to enjoy some of their benefits is to use them as you would an herb in food. So this one, being highly effective at killing germs and aiding in healthy cell reproduction, would be on my plate and in my first aid kit, if I were you. Highly antiviral and antifungal as well, it is a great one to reach for if dealing with an infected sore, toe nail fungus, ring worm, warts (not genital), or other skin infection or fungus. Reports have shown it effective at aiding with things like Alzheimer's, lung infections, hair loss and memory loss. In case of an internal infection since it can safely be ingested when diluted, it can be added right to honey (only like 2 drops) and swallowed.
  6- Litsea Cubeba. This is an oil most people have NEVER heard of. Also called May Chang in China, it is worth it's weight in gold as far as I am concerned. I have used it with my own lung problems and on my animals with MUCH success. One example is when my new chicks came to me with a bout of what certainly appeared to be bird flu, which isn't new to chicken keepers or hatcheries by the way. However, my baby chicks were dying and I had to stop it instantly, and I did with this oil! Avian Flu is viral and so I quickly reached for this oil. I placed a few drops into a quart of water with Vitamin B and gave them only this to drink. All my droopy looking chickens perked right up...and they stopped dying instantly. I also have a video on that, click here  Litsea is an Asian citrus pepper fruit that is used often in other countries as an antiviral. It's so powerful it is used in Asia to treat pneumonia, TB, COPD, Asthma, and Bronchitis and other bronchial issues. This is one oil I will never be without, Lord willin'. It is truly my favorite. I ingested and inhaled it with Peppermint when I was dealing with Pneumonia and nasal polyps. I believe firmly that it aided in the healing process. I blended it with the Peppermint in equal parts, and inhaled it in the cup of my hands. This was my inspiration to produce a blend called Be Open after my experience. These two oils combined could possibly help an Asthmatic in a situation where an inhaler or nebulizer isn't an option. I now use the blend daily in place of my rescue inhaler most of the time and have reduced those medical costs significantly. They can be added to a spoonful of honey (1drop of each), diluted and rubbed onto chest, and inhaled by the hands. I also put the blend onto the back of my tongue to get fast relief. It helped me so much that I was able to decrease my inhaler and nebulizer intake by 3/4 my regular intake. During the worst of it the Litsea/Peppermint combo was very helpful at killing the problem (infection or virus) that was causing my pneumonia. All flu and colds are also viral. We cannot overlook that more anti-viral medication should be available, so here is an option in an emergency or worst case scenario. Here are the other things it has been shown effective at aiding with; athlete's foot, skin tags, stress, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, skin fungus such as ringworm, indigestion, inflammation, and warts. Easy to use on animals as well as humans for all the mentioned above. This is my 'go-to' oil for animals. From skin issues, infections fungus, virus and ringworm to any bronchial issues, this is THE animal oil for most of my natural animal husbandry needs. All my new birds get this in their water with honey and vitamin B daily instead of antibiotics. You must change daily if using honey or it could ferment the water and leave them with nothing. So only add honey to animals water if changing DAILY. I then slowly wean down to weekly use of the Litsea on all birds then to monthly. *At the first signs of Cocci I was able to do this and stop an infestation before it started and only the one sick bird was lost. Highly effective at stopping disease and particularly virus in humans or animals! A total MUST for your emergency/first aid kit.
  7- Frankincense. This oil of oils and worker of good things is my ultimate cream topping on the pie. Frankincense (Carterri) has been shown effective for many uses. I would use for any wounds, diluted and combined with Clove oil. The nick name of Frankincense is "Heal All" because of it's ability to help restore tissue growth and aid in good cell reproduction while also prohibiting tumor growth. Some known and reported uses are for growths, tumors, skin cancers, any topical or internal wounds, allergies, bacterial and viral issues, headaches, supports healthy blood pressure, immune response, warts, bruising, and tissue inflammation of any kind. So if I knew someone with cancer, combined with Rosemary this would be placed directly onto skin or added to honey (2drops each) to ingest. I have, when sick, added it to my fruit smoothies to gain the possible healing effects by getting it into the body. I have seen a difference when I used it and also noticed a bit more energy than before. Sickness time has seemed to be shortened as well. Frankincense is my 'go to' when allergies strike. It has been shown to be a calmer and help to block histamine when taken internally or breathed in. It can be dropped into a diffuser or diluted and rubbed onto nose, placed onto back of tongue, or breathed in from cupped hands. It is a main ingredient in my blend called Allergy Stop. It is one I would definitely keep around for any wound care in a first aid kit.
  Here is the kit I have put together: Essential 7, The Essential Oil Survival Kit
  *Remember no essential oils should be applied to an open wound without being diluted. Also some people are more sensitive to essential oils than others, so be careful and start out with a very small amount. I am not a trained physician and cannot give any medical advice. I am simply sharing what I would do, what has helped me or what I believe to be helpful to you in a 'worst case' emergency type situation and a doctor or vet isn't able to be reached. It is a good idea to have backup plans because you never know what might happen, but please do not deny someone the ability to see a doctor if it is needed and available. I cannot/will not be held liable for anything you try on your own based on this informative and educational blog post. I hope you found this information helpful.

More Healing Wounds Naturally On The Homestead..

  The other day our pony, Bella, decided to tangle herself up in her rope and cut a pretty bad rope burn on her hock. When she is not in the pasture, she is our 'sustainable' zero turn, lawn mower. We let her graze in other places not fenced by keeping her on a 100ft rope, so she can get around as she pleases. Well, somehow she got tangled and had a pretty bad wound that needed attention. We've always been able to treat our animals wounds, so this wasn't new, but the main concern I had was infection. Also in light of the new Veterinary Feed Directive, I am thinking more about sharing our natural remedies for animals and people. I would like to share what we do to help you when antibiotics are not required or even accessible.

  Here, in the picture my daughter is pouring an herbal oil infused with Comfrey, Plantain, Ginger, Cloves, Tumeric, and Jewelweed. *It is very important to have the children involved and to teach them as you go, so they too will be qualified to handle any situation that could arise. They may need it one day. We applied this oil to the wound, after cleaning with peroxide and iodine. The open wound is healing after only two weeks because of this herbal infusion. Comfrey is the prime source for healing tissue, the others work at keeping it clean, drawing out impurities, and are highly antibacterial. I am now applying our Happy Hocks. An essential oils remedy I first created to help wounds and foundering in horses and ponies. You should NEVER put essential oils on an open wound, it will burn like h*ll. Your patient will also not be able to trust your skills after that. So wait until the skin or a scab has formed to create a buffer to the wound. It consists of Litsea Cubeba, Fir Needle, Bergamot, Lavender, and Tea Tree essential oils. Any time there is an issue with hooves, or hocks, this is our natural go-to remedy and has proven effective numerous times. I'll address each herb and why I choose it later in this article. I'll do another on essential oils for wounds care and emergency situations. *We use peroxide while the wound is still open or fresh, and then iodine to follow. I know a new school of thought has risen about using peroxide, but it is a must when cleaning homestead wounds. Also at pulling out any objects that are stuck in the body. My daughter cut her foot and got an infection, after treating it naturally we were seeing that it was very serious, and had to take her to the doctor. Who of course told us not to use peroxide. After the week of antibiotics, she still had an infection. This was a clear sign that something was IN the foot. My Mom, a nurse, said "You need to be using peroxide and that foot would have been healed by now. Something is in it and only peroxide will pull it out." So I did, and within 30 of applying it, the stick that was jammed up her heel, came oozing out! I grew up using it, and all the medical persons I know still use it, against the modern "Don't Use Peroxide" shouts of our days. So in light of that I am going to share with you a breakdown of what we normally use and why. I give a lectures around the southeast, and if you can, try to make one. I love explaining God's design for nature and how it was created to be useful to us. I spoke at the Memphis Botanical Gardens just a few weeks back on wild and domestic herbs and how to use them for health and happiness on the homestead. These herbs mentioned are a main stay on our farm, I enjoy teaching about how to use them, so if you are able to attend a speaking even I give, please comment below or find my facebook page, Homestead Moma and let me know if you tried my methods or suggestions and how they worked for you.

  To make your herbal infused oil (I make a lot and keep it on hand), you will need all the herbs mentioned above. Gather them WITHOUT washing because you do not want to introduce water. It will cause mold and bacteria growth in the oil mixture. Tear and bruise into pieces and cram your jar full. Then cover to the rim with Organic Olive Oil. Set into the crock pot of water, to keep on very low about 48-72 hours. Only let the water be half way up the jar, so it doesn't get into the jar of oil.

  After 48 to 72 hrs. your oil has been infused with all those herbal properties you need. Just remove jar, wipe clean and strain through a sheet, pillow case or cheese clothe.

  Now you're ready to deal with any wound that arises, be it animal or people. This is especially designed for open wounds so do not add any essential oils to this. Here is the list of herbs and oils I use and why I choose them.
Comfrey: It is stiches in bottle. Proven to regrow skin cells and add in repairing damage to skin, this is something I grow LOTS of. Keep on hand and you'll not regret it. Even a wound that has been stitched up or glued back together can benefit. It will aid in the quick regrowth of tissue of any kind and even promote hair regrowth and lessens scaring. (I know personally)
Plantain: It is nature's drawer. Like magic, it will help to draw out infection, poison, stinging, pain, and objects. Not quite as potent as peroxide for initial cleaning, but very effective to keep on wound.
Tumeric: The best inflammation reducer on earth, as far as I know of anyway. :)
Ginger: The ultimate in pain reduction. If you can, keep this in the house or grow it to have at a moments notice. Highly anti-bacterial, anti-septic, and anti-viral. This herb/spice is not only effective at helping stomach upset, it is the best pain reducer I have EVER used. (Used after birthing)
Cloves: The highest ORAC carrying food on earth. ORAC is the ability to fight damaging free radicals. These free radicals are what damages tissue and causes aging. It is the highest in anti-septic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties of an known herb. It has the greatest ability to numb pain of any herb. It is also why the benzocaine/novacaine family of medications was made originally from this herb. Highly used still today for tooth and mouth infections. Greatest germ killer around!
Jewelweed: Another good one for soothing pain, irritation, sting, and burn. This is an awesome remedy for bug bites, stings, and poison ivy. It is often found in the same area as poison ivy. *Again proof of doctrine of signatures. I'll touch on that later.
  Healing wounds in a situation where antibiotics are unavailable, or you cannot reach a doctor is a must for basic survival skills. In summary, our pony never had to cost us a huge vet bill, because we were able to (had the knowledge and skills) remedy the situation ourselves. In our society we have become too dependent on others for our basic needs and if we do not try to learn and pass the knowledge other generations have had, we will regret it. Other cultures, other generations, and other countries still hold natural healing in high esteem, because it works! Americans disregard for knowledge and skills may prove costly. I hope we never have to be faced with a day that we cannot access modern medicine, but the truth is I have many times been able to keep our family out of an ER, or keep down the costs of healthcare for us and our animals, just because of having 1- knowledge and 2- skills. If that day does ever happen to you...are you capable of caring for yourself or those you love? I hope you find my articles helpful and encouraging. Don't forget to like our facebook page as well. This is where I post a lot of helpful tips for the homestead as well.
Much love and blessings, Melisa

You're staring famine in the face!

  *Update, I have been reinstated to FB, but because of this article I was blocked from FB for two weeks, had many other problems and have had my ad account over charged by both FB and Google by a total of almost $600. I was able to recover only $150. So, I am no longer on that very biased and often censored social media money trap. I removed myself. :) I also have had the scroll down removed from this blog's admin page so I cannot get to edit this article without majorly doing some work!!! My two videos talking about this on Youtube are also blocked from being monetized. Someone doesn't like this info getting out or this article! Read on to find out what it's about. Funny thing is, I think I'm the only person on the web so concerned about it. I have heard no one else touch on the subject that could leave America starving. How did we get to a point that only .70% (not even 1%) of our WORKING POPULATION is in farming?!?! Remember those tricky numbers played with unemployment? Well, it's also going on with the amount of farmers too. Just keep reading, your food depends on it.
 
I am an avid gardener, animal lover, homesteader, and wild herbalist. I rarely get on the 'you should be freaked out' ban wagon. However, I have just caught wind of a very dangerous regulation, called a directive, that is going to: 1- raise food prices, 2- decrease animal health, and 3- will possibly put the few American farmers that are left out of business. Click here to read the bill for yourself; then I will explain why this is soooo scary.

  To begin with this bill advocates an 'oversight' concerning antibiotics that before farmers never had. It dresses up the regulation as a good thing, because it will regulate antibiotic use in feed for food producing animals. However, it will also regulate ALL other antibiotics (except a few) deemed "Medically Important". This means, that in order for a homesteader or farmer to treat an animal for a disease, infection, or injury...they MUST now call a vet. Whereas before, all "Medically Important" antibiotics have been kept on the feed store shelves and the farmer could treat sick animals without a large vet bill. This will all change now. Can you imagine what it is going to cost now to treat 40 to 100 cows with a runny eye? Often this is a beginning sign of RBI, a pneumonia-like condition, that if not caught early can destroy a herd. So calling a vet, will take time and money that most farmers DO NOT HAVE. Calling a vet to treat several animals would raise the bill by thousands. So, your food prices will go up! It's called the Veterinary Feed Directive, but this name is very misleading. It does make a new regulation to remove antibiotics from feed, unless you have a prescription.  It also removed life saving antibiotics from public use for animals, unless you also have a prescription. Not many vets are large animal vets anymore, and those that are, charge a hefty fee to drive out on a farm call. Our vet charges $150 to $200 just to come out before any treatment is given. If you still don not think it is targeting the medically needed antibiotics, here is a quote from the website, " Now, the agency is moving to eliminate the use of such drugs for production purposes (i.e., growth promotion and feed efficiency) and bring their remaining therapeutic uses in feed and water under the supervision of licensed veterinarians." This last part is crucial...THEIR REMAINING THERAPEUTIC USES IN FEED AND WATER. That covers all life saving antibiotics as well as ones used for growth. Have you ever thought about how you might track down and inject a pasture of cows on a daily bases? It is impossible! Factory farms can do that, because the cows never see the light of day and are standing in their own sh** in very small quarters. But the real farmer with cows or animals in a pasture, cannot do it and someone is trying very hard to put the VERY FEW that are left out of business. And for those of you who say go natural, hmmm that isn't possible at this point. Farmers (the majority) do not have the skills, knowledge or time being so under paid, over regulated and over worked to figure out natural medicine at this point. It's just like you driving 30miles a day to work, then someone comes along and takes your car and your told just walk to work. You cannot even understand how upsurd this is. I know a lot of these farmers and they are so mild mannered and easy going, but this is going to cost the last of them all they have. Many have expressed to me how they will go under. Farming is the hardest job on earth. It's unaffordable and just plain destructive to pull the rug out from under them this way. Oh, and yes, you will go hungry when all this comes back around. Yes. those regulations WILL come back around to the people and food that was there last year, will NOT be there. *My vet says even injectables are included, although they will transition over later. 
  Many farmers who treat several animals must use powder put into food or water, because to inject several on a daily bases is a lot of work. IT's impossible for animals on 100acres of pasture! Not all animals will be happy to be shot with a needle continuously either. It would be dangerous to deny small farmers the easier way of using a water soluble powder to treat a large number of animals at once. By putting into feed or water, the sick animals are treated without trouble or a large charge. This is going to cost everyone. Farmers must pass on their costs to consumers, and when food prices go up, the farmer (who cannot compete with big corporations) will go out of business. The fewer farmers, the less amount of food is being put into circulation. Then because of supply and demand, the bigger corporations can raise prices and no one is left to compete. Here is another quote, from the FDA, questions page.."What will this mean in practice? Answer: Once these changes are fully implemented, it will be illegal to use these medically important antibiotics for production purposes, period. Instead of having unrestricted over-the-counter access, animal producers will need to obtain authorization from a licensed veterinarian to use these medications for therapeutic uses — for prevention, control or treatment of a specifically identified disease." Notice that word "fully"...that means even shots or any "medically important antibiotic will go out of reach for farmers and homesteaders!!! So affordable and safe access to antibiotics will be no longer available to the homesteaders and small farmers and this is good?!? Just so long as it seems to have a good sounding cause, like antibiotic resistance or adding oversight to unrestricted use. Try adding cost and regulation as well as a national registry of animals to over worked and underpaid farmers and killing the self sufficient homestead movement at the same time.
  Again, from their own mouths, it is clear...you will need a prescription to treat your animal for disease, (therapeutic uses)! So basically all antibiotics are going to be off the shelf and given only under very strict guidelines and costly measures. *That means more sick animals, less food in circulation and many farmers/homesteaders will give up or go under. See the list that even includes injectables that will go into transition from OTC to needing a VDF (prescription). All the "medically important" antibiotics will be unreachable by the common farmer! Wake up folks.
  Let's look at this in a very real way. I and many other people I know, have had to treat an emergency on the homestead, and haven't had the money to call a vet on the spot. My animals do not eat antibiotic-laced feed, but have had to receive a life saving antibiotic only a handful of times. Calling a vet 45 minutes away, and costing as much as the animal is worth, is not exactly affordable or promoting good animal husbandry. In fact, it's promoting sickness and possible death among those animals in the food supply when the farmer cannot afford a vet. Many sick animals are still processed into food although they aren't well or have died of sickness. This will only increase. Sounds yummy, huh? No! While the factory farms will still have the ability to lace their food with the antibiotics that are indeed causing antibiotic resistance, because their vet is on payroll. No need to worry, you'll still be getting the antibiotics from the animals coming from the factory farms.
  So how is this absurd bill getting passed? It is claiming to add oversight (the vet) to all animal care. It also claims to remove the antibiotics for safety because of the antibiotic resistance that is becoming a problem. Well, couldn't they just remove the antibiotics in feed? Yes, they could, but they are putting ALL antibiotics under "judicious oversight". As well as leaving the door open to factory farms to still use antibiotics in the feed, by simply saying they will need a prescription. All factory farms have vets on their payroll. So do you really think that the vet is going to turn down the factory that pays his steady income from the prescription it wants ? See, the antibiotics in feed help to add weight to the animals. It is used like a steroid. It fattens up the animals quick. So the factory farms will still be able to put antibiotics into the feed because they have vets on call. However, small farmers and homesteaders will lose the ability to treat and care for a sick or injured animal cheaply and quick. So masked under the "removal from feed" please read the bill and pay close attention to words like "Judicious Oversight", "Medically Important", "need a prescription to treat, prevent or use therapeutically for any sickness or disease". Again, this is no joke, and cause and effect will raise the costs of food to a level that you cannot imagine. If the cost of caring for an animal doubles, so will your food prices. You should contact your representatives now to find out why this thing got shoved into law, without even the consent or knowledge of most farmers. The costs of vet oversight to give life saving care to an animal will put most into a position to loose everything they have. And could cause our delicate food supply to take such a hit, most small farmers will have to give up and quit. Famine anyone? But I think that is exactly the reason this was pushed through without anyone knowing until months before becoming effective. Most of us cannot even imagine how few farmers there are left in America. It is a very scary number! America only has .25% of it's populace in farming. Oh, yes. NOT EVEN 1%! While Russia has a robust 10%, and China 33%, we here in America are staring famine in the face, by regulating our farmers to death and out of work. Not even 1% of our population is farming, while at the turn of the previous century (in the early 1900's) 90% of America was farming. Click on the link below, to see the 'tricky' numbers. *Notice that the US numbers are tricky, it combines farming, fishery, and forestry to get it's already low number. It also uses only the 'working population', while other countries includes the entire population! Below link is the comparison of the three major  world 'Super Powers'. Russia, China, and the US. It is a joke how few farmers we have left. The accurate number without tricks, is about .25%. And if you look at the link, you will see the US ranks third to the bottom, in the entire world for farming. We are only beat by two countries (the smallest countries in the world) for last place. Vatican city and another small island are the only two that have fewer people in farming than the US. Yes, we have the fewest people in the entire world in farming for a country over a few miles wide. *Also note most farmers here in the US grow crops that you cannot eat such as GMO corn, cotton and soy. You're staring famine in the face! Check it for yourself.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2048.html
United States: farming, forestry, and fishing: 0.7%
manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts: 20.3%
managerial, professional, and technical: 37.3%
sales and office: 24.2%
other services: 17.6%
*note: figures exclude the unemployed (elderly, children, and unemployed are not counted) roughly 1/2 of the population.
 (2009)
China agriculture: 33.6%
industry: 30.3%
services: 36.1%
 (2012 est.)
Russia agriculture: 9.7%
industry: 27.8%
services: 62.5% (2012)
They listed .7% as the amount of farmers, in the US but only included 'the working population' to manipulate that high figure. Again that is more accurately .25%, NOT EVEN 1%! As they say, "No Farmers, No Food"! The hammer is about to fall and your still worried about the joke of an election..

Your children need to be exposed to germs!

Yes, you read that right and this is one of the many reasons I raise my children on a farm. They need germs! Your children should be getting a decent amount of germ exposure. If not, your child's immune system cannot function properly. Immunizations are in fact the man made imitation of God's way of subtle exposure to germs to strengthen the immune system. So if doctors apply this thinking, why shouldn't you? However, in God's way of immune building, there are no needles involved. It's as simple as cleaning a chicken coop or climbing a tree. The facts speak for themselves here. As our society has become obsessed with cleanliness, our sickness has increased. I am speaking for the state of most of America; we are able to clearly obtain scientific data to back this up. Here (click here to read for your self) is one of many articles quoting the results of the study group, who published their findings in Science Magazine. It clearly shows the correlation of increased allergies and asthma to be directly linked to lack of exposure to germs such as you would find on a farm. The original article sites specifically the exposure to dust from cow manure. It produces a protein called A20 that prevents allergies! We as Americans have moved away from farming and living in agricultural settings. In turn, we are reducing our ability to strengthen our immune systems and are suffering for it. You should make it a point to let your children get outside and play. We purposely do not entertain our children with electronic babysitters so they will do what comes naturally to them, and that is to go outside and explore the creation around them.

  We know that when a child is exposing themselves to sunlight, they are getting vitamin D, a much needed nutrient. We also know that skin absorbs 70% of whatever is comes onto contact with. So are your children coming into contact with nature? Or are the lathered in plastic containing lotions, synthetically processed clothing, toxic soaps and shampoos, and constantly touching plastic and EMF carrying electronics? Do they go barefooted and play outside? Do you criticize them for getting dirty? Think about all the daily opportunities to encourage healthy living in your children. Do you do that? Or are you always worried about cleanliness and have sick children? Let them go play and have fun in nature, they way God designed them to learn and play. Do you have animals around? If not take them to a farm as often as possible and let them get dirty. Have them collect eggs and clean a chicken coop. God originally designed man to do these types of activities, and as the children are exposed to hard work, animals, and nature, they become healthier and happier people. Don't stop them from getting a little dirty; get outside with them to bond with them! Work in the dirt, milk a cow or goat, chase some chickens, grow a garden and do what God intended us to do and our families health will be better for it.
 God Bless
 Melisa

Using Essential Oils in Your Organic Garden, and How To Create A Sustainable Micro Eco-System (Homestead)

 I recently wrote an article for the Union Co. Mississippi Green Magazine and wanted to share it with those of you who are interested in natural homesteading.

  Have you decided that now is the time to start avoiding chemicals in your lawn and garden? Have you discovered the power of nature in essential oils? Do you want to kick the chems, but not sure what could be used as a substitute for things like fertilizer, pest control, and disease control? I garden with 6 children in tow, and my first reason for gardening is their health. The foods offered in most stores are of course heavily sprayed with chemicals for pests, fertilized with chemicals, and even planted in the ground where pre-emergence herbicide granules are tilled into the soil. Some plants are even being genetically modified or injected to carry the pesticide in the plant, so they can say it isn't sprayed. Hmmm. Do you really want to consume that? At some point you should begin to wonder exactly how far this can go, before we, like the honey bees, get close to extinction. Did you know that in China, because the almond trees are injected with such potent pesticides and chemicals, the honey bee is almost extinct and people are now hired (or made) to hand pollenate the almond and fruit trees using q-tips and tooth brushes? Just how far can a society go before the damage is irreversable? As a child my father always told me, "The elevator goes all the way to the bottom floor, but it's up to you when you get off." I've decided to do just that. There is an awakening taking place. Millions of people are choosing to stop the madness and embrace the ideas of using the God-given natural forces in creation to better our lives. These organic and natural items are often at our fingertips, and usually very inexpensive. From composting to using essential oils there are so many options now available. I suggest you start now, doing simple things that will wean your home off the chemicals for a healthier lawn, garden, and family. I like to think of it as creating a micro-ecosystem of health in my own yard, a place of life and vitality!  It is more cost effective to begin looking at the home as an entire cycle rather than compartmentalize each aspect, such as gardening, animal care, ect…. Living green is done best when we can embrace the idea of all these aspects and make each work to support the other. It is what most are calling modern day homesteading. Creating your's can be done in small steps. When God made man, he put him right in the garden he created and there was not a chemical one for Adam to use, so he had to rely on natural and organic means of survival. My thoughts are this: if he can do it, we can too! It takes a little work to get started, but you will be greatly blessed by your efforts with loads of fresh, healthy fruits and veggies for you, your family, and your friends. The vitamin D you will be absorbing has now been shown to be a beneficial nutrient in the fight against cancer. Also consider this, your skin absorbs 70% of what ever it comes in contact with. This includes minerals and nutrients in the soil. Yes, you are actually soaking in vitamins and minerals when working outside in the dirt and sun through your skin. So, get outside and let those young'ins run barefooted; it's really good for them! Maybe the exact placement of mankind in a garden setting had a healthful purpose after all!
  Here are some things my family and I have put into action that work, save us tons of money, and are healthier options to typical store bought plants, fertilizers, and other chemicals. I hope you will be able to use these 'hands on' techniques to your benefit. Gardening was created by God to be done within a family/friend setting and really many hands make light work. If you can, get those you love on board to a healthier home life. 
 1- Start your own plants from seed or buy locally produced plants. They will be better acclimated to grow in the weather they are started in. Also many companies are spraying the tiny plants with chemicals known as  Neonicotinoids, that are outlawed in many countries. These chemicals are used to control aphids and other seedling killers, but are known to kill honey bees. My personal thoughts are if it 'kills' anything, I really don't want it around my family. Last I checked, Bonnie Plants inc. did not spray theirs with any insecticide. They are also semi-local, coming from Arkansas. They are an awesome southern plant company. You can call and ask them questions anytime, as I often do. Many New Albany and Oxford greenhouses and nurseries are the best growers as they are producing those things best suited to our region. We also need to support those local businesses first. Here are some other places and their web addresses where you can find awesome heirloom and hybrid seeds that I have always had good success with. I grow heirloom mostly, as I have seen the hybrids to be much weaker.
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds: rareseeds.com
Seed Savers Exchange: SeedSavers.org
Territorial Seed Co: Territorialseed.com
Totally Tomatoes: Totallytomato.com
For Fruit:
Arkansas Berry: arkansasberryandplantfarm.com
and for best prices on bulk supplies checkout greenhousemegastore.com
Angel Wings Nursery in Byhalia, MS not on the web but located off Hwy 178 near the Victoria Exit. I know they start many of their own plants and do not have them shipped in.

  Always check your local farmers market, nurseries, and green houses for plants as we should support our local community growers! Plants started and sold by local folks should also have become acclimated to the current weather, humidity, and so on and have the potential to do better than any grown in a huge greenhouse in other climates. Coming from other places can also bring diseases into your yard and garden that you didn't have before. For this reason I avoid buying plants, trees, and bushes from big corporate stores except for Bonnie Plants. If you cannot find a certain plant locally, try ordering from a nusery online that is near enough to you that the climate is similar. On ocassion I have bought a plant at a big store, but only if I can evaluate it very closely.
  After the season has begun producing it's fruit, don't forget to save your own seeds. Saving seeds from your own garden is very beneficial to stopping disease, because the more acclimated your seeds/plants become to your soil, the more disease resistant they naturally become to that enviroment. This is why disease resistant strains are becoming harder to find without hybridization. I recommend trying to start your own heirlooms and regrowing those from your own seed to produce a sturdy for your own garden. We as a people have culled the garden seed and plants to mainly store bought hybid varities that may introduce disease rather than adapting to become resistant to it in our own areas. It's much like the over-use of antibiotics. There needs to be bio-diversity in the garden to continue to allow nature to carry out it's designed ability to survive. Adapting to it's surrondings are important to how plants continue to live and evolve in an ever changing world. Too much domestication actually can produce weaker plants and could possibly contribute to the spread of disease because most of the plants are shipped in and not grown in the local area. A plant's DNA has the ability to unlock disease resistance, like 'turning on' a light switch. However, if not allowed to be used it will fade out to a degree. Much like the blind fish who live in deep sea caves. The information not being using on the DNA sequence is turned off, and then may become altogether unusable in the next generations.
  Simply put, the varities that are culled cannot be diverse enough to cover every disease, they also must be babied in order to live and produce food. This can also be very dangerous. When farmers and gardeners only plant a few varieties, certain diseases they are not resistant to can come through an area and easily wipe out a major portion of plants. All those that are not naturally resistant will die and could produce a famine. Think about the Irish potato famine. It does happen! We save and replant some of our own seeds every year to strengthen our own varieties. Some of these plants thrive, while others die. This is how certain varities grow even better, stronger, and learn to resist disease. It will become an asset to your garden to produce a seed/plant varity that will thrive in your own unique soil and weather conditions. You'll also save money this way. However, the only way this can be done is with heirloom types. Hybrids usually revert back to one parent type. So although we have grown both, I only save the heirloom seeds for next years replanting. Hybrids must be bought again each year for purity.
  2- Organic fertilizer is a lot cheaper and easier than you think. You can make your own organic soil if you are planning a  small garden, using raised beds, or container gardening. Mix 1/4 sand, 1/4 peat moss, 1/4 yard dirt, and 1/4 manure. You may want to add compost and lime to this to make it more nutritious. Work in supplements from the kitchen, such as powdered egg shells, milk, and coffee grinds, as you are able. You want to create that eco-system that is sustainable (mostly self supporting) by using what you have. Organic fertilizer is right at your finger tips. For instance, way before spring and summer I save every eggshell from every egg I crack. The shells either go crumbled to the chickens for the calcium and grit they need in their gizzard, or get dried out for plant fertilizer. This is a simple way to use what is right at my finger tips (free) without paying the high price of organic fertilizer. I set the eggshells outside to dry and then powder in the blender to add to my 'breakfast for the plants' recipe. It adds much needed calcium to the tomato, pepper and eggplants. I also use up the coffee grounds this way. Veggie scraps feed the chickens while the chickens feed us. By feeding them scraps and letting them free range, you can also drastically cut back a feed bill. I buy feed but only use it sparingly. If you have any animals, use them to turn up the dirt and poop right where your going to be planting. In the off season, plant something to draw them to the garden. This last fall, we fenced in our garden area, planted Winter Rye Grass, and turned the cows into our garden yard to "fertilize" the garden organically. Chickens can be used the same way. They love the cheap green things, so for them, we planted Lettuce, Turnip Greens, and Rye Grass. You can use Mustard Greens or Kale also. They are let out into the smaller unfenced garden planted with these greens, to "have at it". They have had a blast out there scratching and adding manure for us to till into the soil come spring. If you know of someone nearby who has animals you can always offer to clean out a barn or carry off a load of manure. We have made this a family project to do on weekends. Cow manure is best, because their complex stomach system breaks down the grass seed. Horses have a simple stomach and cannot breakdown the grass seed so make sure you use cow manure. Other wise you will be planting grass seed into your garden. These are a few very inexpensive ways to organically fertilize and begin your own organic eco-system.
  Lime is another all natural "must" in southern gardens. The soil in the Mississippi is usually very acidic, so you should consider adding some lime every year. It's natural (comes from mined lime stone) and very inexpensive. Another way to increase your crop production rate is to add bees to your yard. In many cases you can even have bees in a city or suburb. Check with your local extension office for any guidelines. I do know Mississippi offers a program to pay you back half of your investment if you set up a honey bee operation in the state. This is because our population of bees is extremly low. Their presence benefits the entire community and state by aiding crop production and farming. Interested in bees? Ask somone currently selling honey at the New Albany Farmers Market or contact the Mississippi Bees Keepers Association for more info at mshoneybee.org

*Here is the my recipe for 'Breakfast for the Plants' using all natural ingredients:
4 Cups Dried Oats (just what you eat for breakfast) put into blender to powder
1 Cup Epsom Salt
2 Cups Organic Sugar
12 to 18 dried Egg Shells, powdered
1/2 Cup dried and powdered used Coffee grinds
Mix into a gallon Jug and add 2 Tablespoons to soil at plant roots once a week. Mix into soil so roots arent directly touched and possibly burned by salts. If using on potted plants, use only 1 Tablespoon per weekly dose.
  3-Pest Control. Here are the things we have found very helpful at controling pests. For most garden plants such as tomatoes, we place a few marigold seeds betweeen each plant and that controls all tomato worms period. This works for peppers and eggplant pests as well. For ground and root problems, we have released beneficial nemetodes bought from Garden's Alive. These will actually help rid the soild of the root destroying nematodes. Chickens are one of the best pest control items you can use. They will scratch and search them out. Be it worms or creepy crawly bugs, they are not picky eaters! The best and most powerful pest control spray I have ever used is this one I make using essential oils and neem oil. I make it in the gallon spray jug and shake very well as I spray. It is as natural as you can get and safe for the children to use. This is a big deal because all my children like to learn to operate the sprayer. I want to know they are safe and allow them to feel welcomed to help me in the garden. Children need to feel loved and not shooed away, so using a natural spray is one way I can get their involvement and bond with them in the garden. This spray also seems to greatly help with blight and other diseases. I have no scientific study or evidence to back this up, but I have noticed to does seem to slow the progression of fungi on the tomato plants. Most all essential oils are naturally anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-viral. I am quite sure this is why using an essential oil formula is not only beneficial for repelling pests, but alsocontrolling diseases naturally. I swear by it! Spray at evening (after dinner) so the bees are not affected. At that time they have already returned to the hive for the night. Also spray the under side of leaves, as the bugs will 'hide' under there.

*Natrual Homemade Pest Repellent For Plants:
Fill jug with one gallon of warm water (not hot)
Add 1/2 teaspoon of dish washing liquid
.25 oz Lavender
.50 oz Citronella
2oz Neem Oil
Shake well as it needs to stay suspended during your spraying. Because oil and water do not mix, you have to shake it often in order to keep it suspended. Most suspension ingredients are chemicals and cannot be added without adding some amount of risk, so I find it no biggie to just shake it as I spray. If you find yourself wanting a purely organic bought item, you should give DE (Diatomeceous Earth) a try. It comes in powder form, like many other pesticides and must be sprinkled on. Diatomaceous Earth is an off white talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton it compromises their waxy coating so that their innards turn into teeny tiny bug jerky. But it doesn't hurt mammals. We can eat it. It's in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain. It must be ordered online, because I have not seen it any stores in Mississippi. Another wonderful product for bugs with an exoskeleton such as aphids, squash bugs, and beetles, there is an awesome product called Kleen Green Naturally Enzymes. Only availible online, it can also can used at a very diluted ratio of 1.5oz per 32oz (1 quart) of water. It should only be used on mature plants,
not newly sprouted seedlings as it could burn the young plant. It's like manure, an awesome natural product, but too much or used on tender plants could be harmful. I use it with our Lavender, Orange, or Fir Essential Oils as a household cleaner as well. It can also be used on animals for fleas, ticks, and mites. The website is Naturalgenesis.com For worms, catapillar and the like: I have only one word, Marigolds. We plant them all around and they have kept our garden FREE of bad worms on most all plants in the garden. I have a Youtube on this. Check out the channel Homestead Moma for exactly how we do this.
  You will also be needing to invest in a good natural/organic pest repellent for those people and animals you love. Here is a recipe you can use to make your own. Increase or decrease amount as you see fit.
*Natural Pest Repellent For People and Animals:
Using a dropper place the following essential oils into a roll on, small 2oz spray bottle, or dropper vial:
5 drops Lemon Grass, Lemon Eucalyptus, or Peppermint ( Your choice )
15 drops Citronella
5 drops Lavender
All Food Grade, 100 % Pure Essential Oils are found by clicking here.
Mix all the essential oils with 1.75 oz of a liquid (organic is best) cooking oil and put into a small container to use while outside with the kiddos, grandkids, and other friends and family.   We also make and sell natural/organic pest repellents safe for people, planet, and animals. I designed them for my own children's use while working with me in the garden. We also use on them on our family and animals. You can purchse our natural pest repellents and/or these and other Food Grade essential oils from our webstore at Homesteadmoma.com They are certified pure and lab tested for top quality. I use what I sell, so I only sell the best for an affordable price! When using essential oils, be sure they are pure, or they will not be as effective as they should be. All companies promise purity, however lab work is the only way to be absolutely sure of what you're getting. Do be careful when using pure essential oils, and if you ever get them into the eye area, wipe with a food grade cooking oil to remove. Essential oils gravitate to fatty acids and therefore will be plunged deeper into the body if you wash with water. However, they will come out of the flesh or tissue if you use an oil to remove.
4- Disease Control. This is a tricky one for everyone in the gardening community. We have had great success with double planting. This was accidental one year, but as it turned out the fall crop seemed to be pretty large and the plants had much less disease (fungus) than the spring plants. They kept producing until frost killed them. Because the south is nothing more than a humid sweat box in spring and summer, we cannot expect anything less than some disease issues. So if succession planting (plant some now, then some later) is not a workable thing for you, try the organically approved spray Actinovate. This was recommended to us from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds as the very best. This will be our first year to use it but have heard nothing but great reviews. I do use sulfur (lightly) as a dust and use wood ashes (also lightly) from the wood burning stove when seedlings are still in my greenhouse as they are both natural bug repellents and help to control diseases as well. These two items are both full of micro-nutrients the plants can use. There are also a few natural copper sprays that come highly recommeded offered by Gardens Alive or found in you local garden section at the store. For an all natural recipe that cost little to nothin' and is a good preventative and moderate at deisease control try this.
*Baking Soda For Blight and other Diseases:
3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
1 Gallon Water
1 Tablespoon Liquid Cooking Oil
1/4 Teaspoon of Liquid Dish Soap
Mix all in a gallon sprayer shake well. You need to shake as you go to keep emulsified. Spray tops and undersides of leaves and until dripping. I find it best to spray for disease at night for best results, as that's when the humidity really works on the plants. Never spray in the heat of the day as the sun and chemical mix could scorch the plants.
5- Weed Control. Last but not least, weed control will also be a very important part of gardening. You can use an easy, cheap, and organic way to control your weeds by covering your garden (after plants are about 1 to 1&1/2 ft tall) with straw. The plants need the micronutrients in the dirt, so I do not advise straw bale gardening, but a thick 6 inch covering with straw will strangle out most weeds just as well as using a weed killer or plastic covering. Make sure to use straw and not hay as you will be planting grass seed into your garden. Mulch or compost around each plant or worked into the bed's top layer will also keep the weeds from choking out the plants and help hold water. If needing to control weeds in a very big area you can fill your gallon sprayer with vinegar and spray away, just as you would use a chemical spray. Vinegar is totally natural, very inexpensive, and effective at killing all plants. Just be careful not to get it on those plants you wish to keep. Another great form of weed control is good ole fashion work. Yes, you and those you love should get out and grow together, pull weeds together and make memories sweating together. You cannot buy that, and it's organic!
  If you would like to ask me any questions about gardening, homesteading, or using essential oils, you can contact me by going to our website, homesteadmoma.com and using the 'Contact Us'
form. Follow our family's homesteading adventures and glean more organic gardeing tips by liking our FaceBook page, Homestead Moma. Signup for our email newsletter at Homesteadmoma.com. or check out the You Tube channel for more tips, Homestead Moma  I hope your garden season is fabulous, fun, healthy, and blessed!

Healing Wounds Naturally On The Homestead

I always keep a jar of Comfrey oil on hand in our house, for wounds. It is one of the most powerful herbal remedies I have ever used/made. Comfrey is also called "Knit Flesh". Get it? It helps skin and other tissue including muscle, to grow back together quickly. I have been using in my home on little issues we humans have like cuts or something you didn't need to go to a Dr. for. Then we got a puppy. The dog being a playful puppy, got ahold of a loose chicken one day and gave her a slice down the back (all skin was off and muscle tissue was all that you could see). I was sure it would kill her. I didn't want to loose her, so I decided to try the comfrey oil and lay the skin in place where I could tell it went. Some muscle was still exposed under her wings and on her lower back. I soaked the girl completely and we made her a nesting box with food and water in our little brooding cage. I said to the children we should say a prayer for her and hope for the best. I really didn't expect her to make it. So we left her alone, you could tell she was in shock, and just daily brought her food and water. It was earlier in spring do new green grasses were coming up, so we gave her those as well. I checked on her in a week and the skin had grown back almost completely with very little muscle still showing. I poured the rest of the oil on her and checked back in another week. Viola! She was healed and only missing a few feathers after the second week check. We went ahead and left her in the brooder cage another week so she would be as good as new when we reintroduced her to the flock. I was so shocked I snapped a picture at the second week check so you can see for yourself exactly how good she looked, only missing a few feathers. She had almost no skin on her back at all! The kids were even very shocked. Of course the praying was just as important. I hope you may be able to plant and keep Comfrey on your homestead. It really helps for wounds when you don't have a vet around.

To make Comfrey Oil, simply gather from your plant or used dried herb. Fill a pint jar full of fresh herb or half full of dried herb. *Do not wash herb before using in oil, because you will introduce bacteria into the oil. You may want to add some Ginger for pain and Tumeric for calming immflamation. Cover completely with Organic Olive Oil and let sit in a crock pot with water half way up the jar. Simmer on low or keep warm for 48hrs. The oil needs to sit for about 48hrs to absorb all the healing properties from the Comfrey and any other herbs you added. *NO WATER can get into this oil or it will mold. It must remain oil only.  So when you pull out of the crock pot wipe jar completely. After that just strain out with a pillow case, sheet, or cheese clothe. Your oil can also be then turned into salves or used straight. This is an awesome skin oil that can be used for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. Hope you found this helpful.