<![CDATA[Canary in the Kitchen

<![CDATA[Canary in the Kitchen - Chirps (Blog)]]>Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:45:28 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Defender Blend Spray]]>Tue, 21 Apr 2020 16:55:31 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/defender-blend-spray

Recently I shared a post about protecting yourself from flu viruses. Please be sure to read the information about it and how to apply it to your body for protection. now I would like to share a recipe I found on line for using it in a spray. The small portable spray is ideal for purifying small surfaces when using public places, doorknobs, toilet seats etc. I spray a little on my mask for extra protection and by the way is smell wonderful and the sinuses love it. You can now purchase Thieves oil at Whole Foods market. It is their own product with the same recipe as thieves oil with a different name. They call it Defender Blend and it costs around $12 for a 1 oz bottle.

Defender Blend Spray
1 2 oz. glass, amber spray bottle
15 drops of Defender Oil
1 teasp. Witch Hazel
a little less than 2 oz. distilled water

Add the oil and witch hazel to the bottle, then add the water to fill the bottle nearly to the top, close the bottle and give it a litle shake. Simple, it's ready to use.

]]><![CDATA[Masks]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2020 20:13:51 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/masksMasks are being recommend for everyone so many people out there are getting busy making their own. Here are my masks that I made for fellow employees at Imagine Art.

]]><![CDATA[Kombucha-home brew]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2020 16:02:13 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/kombucha-home-brewJust harvested a new batch of homemade kombucha!

]]><![CDATA[Corona Virus Protection]]>Sat, 04 Apr 2020 01:14:23 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/corona-virus-protectionThere's a lot of scary news around us right now with the spread of corona virus. There are rules and laws being passed to encourage us to practice social distancing and stringent cleanliness practices to prevent the spread and protect ourselves, family and communities. I believe that good health is in our favor and there are a few simple practices that we can use to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
1. Wearing a mask in public is now being recommended since we have to go to grocery stores and other necessary errands.
2. Hydration is very important. Washing those little germs down into our stomachs will certainly kill them.
3. Frequent hand washing to prevent transfer of germs.
4. "Keep your nose clean", in not only a metaphor for keeping out of trouble but a good practice. Simply cupping your hand and snorting a little warm water to rinse out any dust particles that may be carriers.
5. Hydrogen peroxide, water, vapor inhalation. Combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide (preferably food grade) to 2 parts hot water in a small bowl. (1/4 cup HP to 1/2 cup hot water). Inhale the vapor, drape a towel over your head to trap the vapor, inhale vapor for about 5 minutes. The minuscule droplets will destroy bacterial in the nasal passages and lungs.
6. "Thieves oil" A protective oil that grave robbers used for protection, seriously! One drop added to a carrier oil dabbed behind the ears and wrists for protection from flu viruses. A few drops added to a diffuser is a great way to clear the air. Add a few drops to cleaning supplies for extra protecion.
Thieves oil recipe
40 drops of clove essential oil
– 35 drops of lemon essential oil
– 20 drops of cinnamon essential oil
– 15 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
– 10 drops of rosemary essential oil
Blend oils together and store in a dark glass bottle in a cool dark place.

]]><![CDATA[Fruit Flies: Trap and Control]]>Fri, 24 May 2019 16:16:41 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/fruit-flies

Fruit fly temptations

It's heating up in Austin, as spring has inevitably arrived. That means not only are flowers in bloom, trees and vegetation are lush, but the insects have awakened!
The most bothersome for me are the mosquitoes outside and fruit flies inside. I brought home my groceries last week, which includes lots of fresh fruit that I store on my counter on a fruit plate. Then within a few hours, just before my friends arrived for our book club meeting, fruit flies began crowding the airspace in my kitchen.
By the next day I had a full invasion. Time to break out my covers and make some traps. Having experienced these critters before, I was prepared.

Denied

A few years ago I made a draw string cover for my fruit plates so as to avoid putting fruit in the fridge, which depletes some of nutrients. I also have a couple of recipes for potions that lure and catch them. Here are my suggestions. If you have any other recipes for this problem please let me know!

Dish soap makes it slippery to get out!

Trap #1: In a small container, place 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp liquid dish soap gently stir try not to create bubbles. Place on a counter in the kitchen.

Check-in, but can't check-out.

Trap #2: In a small container, place 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar. Cover the jar with foil or plastic and secure with a rubber band. Next, pierce tiny holes in the surface, just large enough for the flies to enter. They can get in, but they can't get out.

]]><![CDATA[Relax, Restore, Rejuvenate]]>Thu, 09 May 2019 16:16:19 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/relax-restore-rejunenate

My aromatic eye pillow is ideal for those times when you just need to stop what you are doing and rest. So much of our energy is used by our eyes. Especially now that we are looking at computers and phones an increasing amount of time.
The weight and fluidity of the flax seeds helps the pillow to conform to the eyes while blocking out light completely. The subtle fragrance of the lavender flowers helps to relax the mind. Currently, I have the dragonfly pattern available while supplies last. I will be making more in a variety of colors and patterns. Retail Price $15

]]><![CDATA[My Own Cure to a Common Disease]]>Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:55:43 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/spring-has-sprung

Soothing diverticulitis with an alo vera cocktail.

The last few months have flown by. I guess that happens when you are busy or preoccupied with life's events. I recently moved into a new home and the pieces are finally falling into place as we establish a new path on our life's journey.
Recently, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. After experiencing extreme lower abdominal pain that continued about a week, I went to the doctor. There were a few medications she could have prescribed for me, but once I discovered what the problem was I decided to work on it myself.
The first thing I needed to do was cut back on foods that could worsen or irritate my condition. That included red meat, nuts and seeds to name a few. Then I remembered the healing properties of alo vera, so I decided to make my own concoction.
I purchased a long stem alo vera leaf from the grocery store for about $1, cut approximately 4 inch piece, pealed off the skin and thorns and scraped off the gel. Then I combined the gel with 16 oz of water and the juice from 1 lemon and blended until the gel had been broken down.
If fresh alo vera is unavailable, it is usually can be found in bottles at health food stores or drug stores. I drank half in the evening then the other half first thing in the morning. My painful symptoms were greatly reduced. I will be making more of this concoction for all the healing benefits that it provides.

]]><![CDATA[Animal Farm Center]]>Sat, 29 Dec 2018 20:45:38 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/animal-farm-center

This is where I buy my mixed baby greens on Saturdays at the downtown Austin Farmer's Market. They are so fresh and delicious I pick up a bag every Saturday. The vendor on the left is here with a friend selling a variety of greens, along with Jerusalem artichokes. I visited their website animalfarmcenter.com and was pleasantly surprised by the scale and community of this farm located midway between Austin and Houston. They operate by the principals of permaculture and host events including farm dinners featuring top Texas chefs, permaculture workshops, Yoga retreats and more.

]]><![CDATA[Holidays]]>Sat, 29 Dec 2018 19:12:32 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/holidays

Christmas Cookie Swap
A great tradition organized by my husbands cousin. Each participant makes a dozen cookies for each member of the group. This time there were 11 participants, so that meant 132 cookies total! Quite intimidating at first but well worth the effort. I made mincemeat cookies, one of my favorite Christmas flavors. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to distribute all these wonderful treats but amazingly they just disappeared quite quickly among teachers, friends, neighbors and finally at my Christmas eve gathering.
So glad I did my 7 day cleanse earlier and lost 4lbs. No doubt I will be regaining that and more.

]]><![CDATA[7 Day cleanse Mind-Body-Spirit]]>Sat, 08 Dec 2018 19:40:51 GMThttp://www.canaryinthekitchen.com/chirps-blog/7-day-cleanse-mind-body-spirit So, as the holidays approach I decided to do a pre feasting cleanse. I also realized that I had to do a mind and spirit cleanse also in order to fully be renewed and appreciate the festivities. The food aspect is outlined in an earlier post which limits my food choices to vegetables, fruit, legumes, nuts and herbal teas. which is quite doable and satisfying for 7 days. Then cleansing the mind is another aspect. With accessibility to endless information coming at us from so many directions, including social, political, environmental or cultural, it is easy to become emotionally challenged or drained. So as part of my mind cleanse I will be monitoring my phone and TV habits and try redirecting my energy to something more calming. Picking up a book will be my new go to habit for 7 days. Spirit is another area I will include in my cleanse. Meditation is the goal for my spiritual cleanse. Escaping the limits of my physical self and surrendering to the infinite, 30 minutes each day for 7 days. I'll let you know how it works out!]]>