Pot Roastalishish

Well things have been going pretty good around here, and while not my normal fare this time of year the MIL requested so what was a domestic goddess to do? Why cook it up of course! :P

Pot Roast

Ingredients :

Carrots (7-8 stalks, rough cut)
Onions (2-3, cut in half)
potatoes ( however many you want, mashed)
celery ( 2 stalks rough cut)
chuck roast
peas
Salt and Pepper
Beef Stock ( 2 -3 cups)
Olive Oil


Directions, hmm
well this was a throw it in the pot kinda meal

first I rough cut all the veggies

and threw them 1 by 1 into my trusty cast iron pot with a little bit of EVOO..

get a nice good glaze on them babies, not trying to cook them just get them pretty!

now don't that look delish?

a little celery never hurt..

Now here is where there was a little snafu in the kitchen, I like my pot roast over mashed taters, the hubz likes them with roasted taters. so what is a girl to do? Well this girl, she did both :=)

Salt and Pepper that bad boy up. I used kosher salt, I like the way it adheres to the meat.


Then..

give it a good sear, go on you know ya want to ;)

little bit of beef stock, making sure to scrape up all the good bits!

Put all the veggies back in the pan with the roast, add 2 cupsish of beef broth and slow cook that baby in the oven..

while cooking mash you up some taters and cook a side of peas..

then plate it all up!!

and even though this is a meal I usually make in the middle of winter, it made for one very happy hubz after a long day at work..

Lavender Goodness

Well things have been a bit hectic around KyndValley. The Hubz has been working his butt off and then coming home and working it off some more. He got the temporary coop/run set up so we finally have some happy girls and an even happier wife. Can you say madness? no? Well let me tell ya it is easy just say 2 humans, 1 feline, 2 canines, and 6 chicks in a motor home. :P See? There didn't that just scream madness?

So in the interest of calming down and soothing I am bringing you some lavender goodness.

See how pretty and calming that looks?

So what all can lavender do? Well for starters it works wonders as a dandruff eliminator.

Lavender Dandruff Remedy :

15 drops Lavender EO
2 TBSP Olive or Almond Oil

microwave in small mug 10 seconds or so.
( first wet hair with warm water and towel dry)

Massage the oil into your scalp, pop on a shower cap, let sit for an hourish.
( note it may take several treatments to see benefits)

Boat Bluster :
Now if you anything like me, sometimes eating the so not good for ya foods results in a big ol' bloated tummy. No worries just sprinkle some culinary lavender in greek yogurt and you have a double combo to boot that tummy bloat bye!

Catch some Zzz's :

Make a nice little lavender sachet and stick under pillow.. Or stick a handful of dried lavender into a vase next to bed. Sniff, enjoy repeat...

Calm Itchy Skin :
Lavender is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps reduce itching, swelling and redness. Dab a drop or two on the area and wait a few minutes for it to seep in. Bye bye mosquito itching!!

What a fabulous little multi-tasking Herb!! and so pleasing to the senses....


and what herbal remedies would be complete without a tea?

Lavender Herbal Tea Blend
1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lemon balm leaves
2 cups boiling water
1 tea bag (optional)
honey, for serving


Directions:
1. Rinse the inside of the teapot with hot water.
2. Place the loose herbs into the teapot, or into a tea ball. Add boiling water to the pot and steep for 5 minutes; strain.
3. Serve in warmed china cups, with honey to taste. Makes two cups of tea.
4. Note: If you would like a stronger tea, add a black tea bag or loose tea of your choice and you can add another cup of water to make 3 cups of tea.



And with that I am going to brew me up a cup and break out the pointy sticks, nothing fancy *sigh* but we are in need of some washcloths so duty calls :P..



*
This post is linked to The Homestead Barn Hop.

Good Ol' Coconut Oil..

Coconut Oil has so many uses, in the kitchen, for your health not sure what you can do with it? Check out the recipes and home remedies below. Enjoy!!! :)

Coconut Toothpaste

Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Baking soda
Essential oils such as spearmint or peppermint
Directions:
Mix a 50/50 blend of coconut oil and baking soda. How much you make depends entirely on how much you want to use.
Add a few drops of essential oil.
Store in a small glass jar with a tight lid.
This mixture keeps forever, because of the anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties of coconut oil. Your homemade coconut toothpaste kills bacteria in your mouth and even helps to heal bleeding gums. Some people think that coconut oil even stops or reverses tooth decay. I have even been trying the Oil Pulling, no clue yet if it is really working but I like it so far. 
I use coconut oil all the time in my home. I use coconut oil for cooking, skin lotion, and hair conditioner; coconut oil really controls frizzy hair. I love it on days my dreads feel really dry!

***Chocolate ‘bark’ with Virgin coconut oil***
4 T. (1/4 cup) Virgin Coconut Oil
1-T. Cocoa Powder
1/4 t. lowcarb sweetener, such as stevia
2 oz sliced almonds optional
2 oz coconut flakes optional
Melt the coconut oil to a liquid LOW heat, add in cocoa powder and sweetener. Stir to combine and blend well. Blend nuts and flakes into chocolate mixture (Optional). Pour onto a plate with wax paper on it put in refrigerator or freezer on LEVEL shelf and let set 10 minutes or so. It will harden quickly and breaks up easy, put in a plastic bag and keep in refrigerator or freezer.
* Coconut oil is a solid until it reaches 76 degrees, at which point it turns into a liquid. The oil tastes amazing, and has a number of health benefits, making it an excellent choice for cooking.*


***Sore Throat Remedy: If you feel a sore throat coming on, let a spoonful of coconut oil dissolve on your tongue and coat your throat. Sore throat should be gone by the next day!***

***Sunscreen : Spoon 3 tbsp. of shea butter into a medium bowl. Add 6 tbsp. of coconut oil to the shea butter. Whip the two ingredients together using a wire whisk.Add 2 tbsp. of zinc oxide to the mixture and blend with the wire whisk***

***Moisturizing Shower Scrub: 1 cup coconut oil; 1/2 cup aloe vera gel; 1/4 cup baking soda***

***Frizzy Hair Remedy : After washing and conditioning, rub a small amount between palms and smooth over wet hair, style as usual***

***Hair Mask: 2 Tbs olive oil, 2 Tbs coconut oil, 2 Tbs almond oil, however many punctured vitamin E tablets as you want, and some lemon juice***

***Strengthening Nails: Add a drop of lavender to a little dish of coconut oil and rub it into your nails and they will be strong and lovely***

***Homemade VapoRub: 3 Tbs. Coconut Oil – melted; 3-5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil; 6-10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil. Place oil into a small container and add in essential oils. Then just rub on chest, under nose or on to feet***

***Insect Repellent: Mix with peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, or tea tree oil***

***Ear infections: Tilt your head to the side and put a few drops in (or a small chunk if you don’t want to melt it… your body heat will soon melt it)***

***Use to help reduce visibility of stretch marks or to prevent stretch marks***

***For nursing mothers, use coconut oil on your nipples to prevent cracking and irritation***

***If you are prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils with coconut oil regularly***

***Mix with baking soda for a non-toxic “Goo Gone”***

***Got gum stuck in your hair. Try using coconut oil to remove without cutting your hair***

***Mix with butter and toss your popcorn in it***

*** Spread on bread instead of butter,yum! Think cinnamon toast***

***Condition your wooden cutting boards***

***Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer***

***Add a spoonful to your dog or cat’s food***

***Mix garlic with coconut oil and it makes whatever you’re cooking taste buttered!***

***Rub it on fresh tattoos. Helps with the healing process***

***Use coconut oil mixed with baking soda for a moisturizing and brightening facial scrub***

***Use it on cold sores!***

***Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer***