The foraging has begun, and instead of completely missing and forgetting about the flowers and gathering berries, this year, I noticed. And now have some homemade elderflower cordial, which is delicious.
(c) MKW Publishing
I finally nailed using the moulds, very happy with the latest results of making my own bath bombs.
Homemade bath bomb recipe – in case you might like to try making your own too.
(c) MKW Publishing
Having had a very good spread of Nigella flowers this year, thought I’d try making cold pressed black seed oil. Crushed the seeds, put them in coconut oil and let it sit for a few weeks, stirring every day or so. Then strained and put in tincture bottles. I have another lot of seeds to do and have to try it out still, but it’s a start.
(c) K Wicks
Homechurned butter, with some homegrown lemon balm. And a pinch of paprika because why not?
(c) K Wicks
With the strawberry plants now spreading and back in force, thought I would try a strawberry leaf tea. And since the lemon balm has survived and needs trimming, added some of that too, and a few blueberries for colour.
(c) K Wicks
As well as trying to get better and more proficient in baking and making healthier food, I decided along the way to try and use other homemade things. It’s not just food and drink that goes into our systems, it’s what we also put on our skin. So, thought it might be useful to have alongside my MKW Recipes for food, that I should have a handy post for the cosmetics, as well as the one I already have for dandelion infused ones. As with the food one, i’ll add to this as I find new combos or ideas.
Handy Dandelion – for dandelion salve and moisturiser recipes
Mango Butter Moisturiser Recipe
(c) K Wicks
A bit more sparkle, this one reminding me of the potion in the film Death Becomes Her.
(c) K Wicks
Something a bit sparkly.
(c) K Wicks
I’ve been making a few moisturisers here and there, and as they last a while, takes some time to get around to needing a new one. But that time came, so I decided to make a predominantly mango butter one. For one pot like the one in the photo (around 2oz), the amounts are –
25g Mango Butter
8g Shea Butter
1 tbsp geranium infused coconut oil
1 tbsp calendula infused olive oil
10 drops jasmine essential oil
10 drops sweet orange essential oil
The method can be viewed in my Dandelion Moisturiser recipe.
(c) K Wicks
A creamy lemony treat. Makes 2 ramekins.
185ml Double cream
54g cast sugar
1 small lemon – rind and juice
Method – melt the cream and sugar together on a low heat and slowly bring to the boil, stiring with a whisk and add some rind (peeled and grated in this case), then simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Take off the heat and strain out the rind, then slowly add the lemon juice and keep whisking until smooth. It will starrt to thick fairly quickly, so you may not need all the lemon juice if it’s starting to feel too thick.
Then pour into chilled ramiken dishes (this recipe makes 2) – and let them set for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Then enjoy the lemony goodness.
Above is just made, below is after setting overnight.
(c) K Wicks
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