GRANDMA'S Blog

We’re challenging you to make yummy treats and fill your home with fragrant scents inspired by Grandma’s 12 Days of Christmas Herbal Gift Set

 

Inspired by Grandma's Baby Rum Bar.

Ingredients

 2/3 cup golden raisins 3 tablespoons dark rum (such as Myers's)
12 ounces cake flour (about 3 cups) 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar, divided 1 tablespoon grated orange rind
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs 1 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
Baking spray with flour 3 tablespoons light-colored corn syrup
2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon powdered sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine raisins and rum in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH for 30 seconds. Cool to room temperature.

Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt) in a bowl; stir with a whisk. Place butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add oil, 1 cup granulated sugar, rinds, and vanilla; beat at medium speed 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Drain raisins through a sieve over a bowl; reserve liquid. Stir raisins into batter. Pour batter into a 10-cup Bundt pan coated with baking spray. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan; place on serving plate.

Combine remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 2 tablespoons water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; stir in reserved rum. Brush syrup over warm cake. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

 myrecipes.com

Inspired by Grandma's Egyptian Dragon Bar.

Tahiti blend smells like paradise.
Exotic Diffuser Blend
3 Drops Wild Orange
2 Drops Ginger
2 Drops Ylang Ylang

 

Inspired by Grandma's Frankincense & Myrrh Bar.

Frankincense smells like heavy, woody, spicy
Myrrh smells like: warm, spicy, earthy
Relaxing Diffuser Blend
5 Drops Frankincense
5 Drops Myrrh
5 Drops Sweet Orange

Inspired by Grandma's Moroccan Spice Bar.

Ingredients
 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground allspice  
1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened
2 cups white sugar 4 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 apples - peeled, cored and chopped
1/2 cup raisins 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 10 inch tube pan. Cover raisins with warm water, let soak for 10 minutes and then drain. Whisk together flour, spices, and salt. Set aside.

Cream together butter or margarine and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir together soda and 1 tablespoon warm water, and mix into the sugar mixture. Stir in flour mixture, apples, and strained raisins until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake for approximately 1 hour, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in pan. Once cool, shake pan to loosen cake. Turn onto plate, and dust with confectioners' sugar.

allrecipes.com

Inspired by Grandma's White Patchouli Bar.

Patchouli smells like: earthy, herbal and spicy.

Fresh & Woodsy Diffuser Blend

       1/2 cup sweet almond oil 
       8 drops patchouli essential oil 
       8 drops cedarwood essential oil 
       8 drops spearmint essential oil

 

Inspired by Grandma's White Rose Bar.

Gather 30 to 35 rose petals. Be sure to choose a fragrant rose.

Put them in a cup.

Pour water into the cup. Strain it out but leave the rose petals behind.

Place the moist rose petals in a bowl. Mash them a lot; having a mortar and pestle will make this easy.

Return the mashed rose petals in the water and strain out any moisture. Keep repeating this step until the water turns a brownish-pinkish-orangish color.

If you are using dark colored rose petals, such as deep red, then do it until it is brownish-red.

Take the rose petals out and enjoy your rose petal perfume!

wikihow.com

Inspired by Grandma's Honeysuckle Bar.

Ingredients

 3 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans  2 cups all-purpose flour
 2/3 cup powdered sugar  3/4 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar  1/2 cup honey
2/3 cup butter 3 tablespoons whipping cream
      

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides. Lightly grease foil.

Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant, stirring halfway through.

Pulse flour, powdered sugar, and 3/4 cup butter in a food processor 5 to 6 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press mixture on bottom and 3/4 inch up sides of prepared pan.

Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 15 minutes).

Bring brown sugar and next 3 ingredients to a boil in a 3-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in toasted pecans, and spoon hot filling into prepared crust.

Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes). Lift baked bars from pan, using foil sides as handles. Transfer to a cutting board; cut into bars.

 allrecipes.com

Inspired by Grandma's Jasmine Bar.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil 
         2 tablespoons chopped onion 
      
1/4 cup green peas 1 bay leaf 
    
1 1/2 cups dry jasmine rice 3 cups water

 

Directions

In a large saucepan over a medium-low heat, warm the oil. Add onion and saute for 3 to 5 minutes. Mix in green peas, bay leaf, and jasmine rice. Stir to coat the rice.

Pour 3 cups water into the saucepan and add the salt. Increase the heat to medium and let the rice come to a quick simmer. Reduce heat to low and let rice simmer lightly and sit uncovered until all of the liquid is absorbed. Cover the rice and remove from heat, let sit approximately 40 minutes.

allrecipes.com

Inspired by Grandma's Lavender Mint Bar.

Ingredients

2 cups water ¾ cup sugar, or to taste
¼ cup dried culinary lavender (free of sprays and pesticides) ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
6-8 lemons 5 cups of cold water
Ice cubes

 

Directions

Boil the sugar and 2 cups of water for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, stir in the lavender and mint leaves, and let steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strongly flavored you want your lemonade to taste. Let the sugar-water mixture (simple syrup) cool.

Meanwhile, juice your lemons and strain out any seeds or juicy bits. 

Pour the lemon juice into the bottom of a large pitcher, add the simple syrup, and the cold water.

Stir, and taste. Add more sugar, lemon juice, or water as necessary until it tastes like summer! Add ice cubes at the last minute to avoid watering the lemonade down.

darlingmagazine.org

Inspired by Grandma's Lemongrass Bar.

Ingredients

 4 cups water

2 cups roughly chopped lemongrass stalks

1/4 cup sugar

Lime wheels for garnish (optional)

 

Instructions:

Bring the water to a boil over high heat in a medium saucepan. Add the lemongrass and boil rapidly for 5 minutes.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer the tea for an additional 5 minutes. Strain the stalks from the liquid. Stir in the sugar until dissolved.

Serve warm, or chill in the refrigerator and pour over ice.

thewanderlustkitchen.com

Inspired by Grandma's Oatmeal Milk and Honey Bar.

Visit our oatmeal recipe blog post.

 

Inspired by Grandma's Sandalwood/Vanilla Bar.

Ingredients

Organic Beeswax  Sandalwood essential oil
Cotton wicks Clean can to melt oils
Wooden spoon or stick to stir Pot

 

Instructions

Create a double boiler by placing water into a pot and bring to a boil. Place beeswax into can and place into water until it melts.

While your waiting cut wicks to fit clean mason jars, tins, glass votives and tape around pencil.

When wax is melted take out of water and stir in essential oils. The amount of essential oil you use depends on the scent strength of the oil, if you're mixing them, and the amount of wax you use. I like to mix in the essential oil until I can smell it and then add a few more drops.

Pour into prepared containers. Allow to cool.

scratchmommy.com

Grandma's Recipe

Grandma says take time to be thankful and count your Blessings during the holidays.

We all know our world is a busy place. When you throw in technology, with all your smart phones, tablets and devices, it often feels like 24 hours in a day is not enough.

Read More

Thanksgiving Prep

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that means lots of time in the kitchen preparing dinner and lots of side dishes.

Grandma is a practiced hand at preparing things beforehand so that the day of flows smoothly. From preparing treats early to having ingredients organized, Grandma has several tricks to keep the holiday stress at bay. The simple tips below will keep you on track and anxiety free while the family is dreaming of the feast you prepare.

Read More

Thanksgiving Traditions

A large dining room table filled with food and the sounds of family talking is a common sight at Grandma’s house this time of year.

This is in and of itself a tradition. What traditions do you carry into Thanksgiving? Do you write down or say things you are thankful for? Do you have a pre-Thanksgiving meal no-eat rule? Do you encourage everyone to eat as much as possible and watch the football game?

There are a lot of interesting and fun ways to have fun with family, and Grandma has a few you might want to add to your festivities this year!

Read More

Grandma doesn’t wait for the new year, she uses Fall as a catalyst for change. That’s right, there is still time to finish the year off strong.

If you have been neglecting yourself due to work or a full family schedule, it is the perfect time to reevaluate priorities. Before Thanksgiving travel plans creep up and holiday shopping becomes a burden, evaluate life as it is now. Small changes can have a massive impact on your mood and output. This is not only about taking time for your sanity, but your body as well. This will be vitally important during the upcoming stressful holiday season.

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Scents for Fall

October 19, 2017

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When we think of fall we remember the scents of apple pie, cookies and cinnamon.

Naturally, many of us are picking up our favorite fall scented candles to bring the feeling of fall inside our homes. MoodMedia.com says that 75% of our emotions are influenced by what we smell!

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Fall Decoration Tips

October 11, 2017

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Crisp nights are slowly creeping in. Grandma is decorating her home with cozy accents to ring in the season.

There are many ways to decorate your living space in the colors and feeling of Fall, from DIY wall hangings to “Happy Fall Y'all” banners. Today, Grandma is sharing a few classics you can create at home.

 

Photo: The View From Here

DIY Fall Leaf décor

Grandma loves using leaves that are in the color changing phase, as they turn from the bright greens to the browns, yellows and orange. You can create wall hangings, pictures, decorate vases and more. Grandma likes to use the leaves on a canvas, layering the leaves on top of one another to create a “3D” painting that hangs in her living room. Putting dried leaves in a glass vase with scented pinecones is also a beautiful way to spruce up a table or add some scent to a guest room or hallway.

 

Photos from Coffe.net and True Inspiration Daily

Tea Candles

This is a fun way to add a fall scent and ambiance lighting to a room! Coffee beans and vanilla scented tea candles team up for this simple and creative Fall decoration. All you need are tea candles and a container with enough room around the edges for coffee beans. Grandma likes to have about ½ inch of beans depth around the candle. Light the candle, and you have a cute scented candle to add to any room!

Small pumpkins can also serve as decorative tea light holders. Simply cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin for enough space to hold a tea light. Next, remove the pumpkin filling and seeds. Lastly, dry out the interior of the pumpkin with a napkin. Add your tea light to your mini pumpkin and you are done!

 

Pumpkin Vase

The pumpkin has long been a staple of fall décor. Who new making it into a vase would be the perfect pumpkin craft! To make a pumpkin into a beautiful vase, first cut a large hole in the top, and scoop out all the seeds. Now, dry out the interior using paper towels or a blow dryer and voila, you have a beautiful vase that doubles as a centerpiece of the Fall season!

Don’t forget that Grandma’s Grime Away is great for clean-up after a crafting! Grandma’s Grime Away Bar was inspired by hardworking crafting hands. Simple clean-up that doesn’t dry out skin keeps you ready for a day a crafting.

There are many ways to decorate your home for Autumn. Grandma would like to encourage you to create holiday traditions that will make your home beautiful and your hearts full!

Tea Recipes for Fall

September 27, 2017

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fall tea recipes

Fall is here and the crisp nights are slowly creeping in.

There is no better way to enjoy the changing of the leaves and cool breeze than to cozy up with a nice hot cup of tea. There are many varieties of tea to enjoy, but with fall in mind Grandma has a few flavors that truly bring the spirit of the season to your home.

Apple Cranberry Tea

This tea recipe from socialmoms.com has classic fall flavors such as apple and pumpkin pie spice. It is the perfect tea for a crisp fall morning.
  • 6 tea bags (preferably black tea)
  • 5 cups of apple juice
  • 2-3 cups of cranberry juice (to taste)
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • ¼ cup of lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
  • 5 cups of boiling water
    Add tea bags to the boiling water and allow to steep for 7-10 minutes (depending on the strength you desire).  Remove tea bags from water and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir and serve. This tea will be warm, not hot since the cranberry and apple juice are added to the hot water.

    Spiced Tea

    Many of us think of Pumpkin Spiced Latte’s when Fall rolls around, but Grandma remembers a holiday classic. Spiced tea fills the house with a holiday aroma. Chai tea is a type of spiced tea, but it shouldn’t be confused with a Chai Tea Latte which has espresso. We have a great recipe from the Food Network, below.

    • 4 cloves
    • 2 sticks cinnamon
    • Peels from half an orange (long strips of peel made from a vegetable peeler)
    • Juice from half an orange
    • 4 tea bags (black tea)
    • 1/4 cup honey

    In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add 4 cups water, the cloves and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil, and then remove from the heat. Add the orange peels, orange juice, and tea bags, and cover. Allow steeping for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the honey. Pour into mugs and serve.

    Apple Tea

    The season is ruled by the pumpkin, but apples hold a dominant position in the fall lineup. This tea blends fragrant spices and tart apple to bring out a holiday drink that is sure to be popular with everyone. Honey adds a little kick of sweetness in this aromatic tea.
    • 4 sliced apples
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • 4 clove sticks
    • 6.5 oz. water
    Place ingredients into a pan and bring water to boil. Let the tea simmer for 15-20 minutes then strain into mugs. Use a spoon or other tool to gently push on the apple slices to bring out their full flavor, and enjoy!

    Fall invites warm and cozy feelings, and the perfect tea is a great start to finding enjoyment right at home! Grandma likes to spend her fall crocheting sweaters and hats for her grandkids for winter while sipping on her favorite tea. She uses her Grandma’s Knitters and Crocheter’s Hand Soother Lotion she can stay moisturized without the greasy feeling most lotions leave. No one likes greasy fingers while trying to knit or enjoying hot tea!

    WHY LYE SOAP

    September 20, 2017

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    WHY LYE SOAP

    Explore the benefits and restorative properties of lye soap. Our mission is to provide a natural product that nurtures skin rather than strip it of natural oils. Our top ten frequently asked questions address the ingredients, soap making process, and benefits of GRANDMA’S Lye Soap.

    ONE: Does GRANDMA’S Lye Soap have any additives?

    GRANDMA’S Lye Soap is made with only three ingredients: food grade lard, lye and water. There are no detergents, fragrances, dyes or other additives to irritate sensitive skin, and it retains 100% of the natural glycerin created during the soap making process.

    TWO: Why are additives in other soaps harmful to skin?

    Chemicals to enhance fragrance are a large part of what makes other soaps potentially harmful. Harmful chemicals that are meant to produce pleasant scents can cause skin rashes or migraine headaches. Triclosan has been banned and sodium lauryl sulfate and other surfactants are common soap ingredients, which create a stronger lather and help the soap rid your hands and body of bacteria. These ingredients can irritate skin and disrupt the endocrine system. 

    THREE: Can lye soap burn or harm skin?

    GRANDMA’S Lye Soap is NOT harmful to skin. Soap making involves a chemical process where lye and oils are combined in exact amounts to form soap. This process is called saponification. Once curing is complete, the soap will have no traces of lye.

    FOUR: Is GRANDMA’S Lye Soap a vegan product?

    No, GRANDMA’S Lye Soap is not a vegan product. Our soap is made with lard. Vegan soaps are made from fats or oils of vegetable origin.

    FIVE: Why does GRANDMA’S use lard (pig fat) when most soap is made with tallow (beef fat)?

    Pig and human DNA are very similar. For years physicians have used pig heart valves for human heart valve replacement. Pig skin bandages have saved may burn victims’ lives and help to relieve pain. Lard is more conditioning and has restorative properties than tallow.

    SIX: Does GRANDMA’S Lye Soap relieve symptoms of dry, itchy skin?

    GRANDMA’S Lye Soap has no detergents, dyes, fragrance or other additives. Unlike ordinary soaps that contain detergents and other additives, GRANDMA’S Lye Soap won’t strip precious natural oils from your skin.

    SEVEN: Is GRANDMA’S Lye Soap safe to use for children?

    GRANDMA’S Lye Soap is safe for babies and children’s tender skin. Our mild, rich lathering bar contains no detergents, dyes or fragrance to irritate tender skin. Our GRANDMA’S Baby Bar, fortified with Calendula Oil, is another alternative for use on smaller children. 

    EIGHT: Why is GRANDMA’S Non-Detergent Laundry Soap better than regular detergent?

    Detergents remove oils from clothes, including the natural oils produced by your own skin. Surfactants in detergent are the main agents that strip away oils, an action that can seriously irritate the skin. GRANDMA’S Non-Detergent Laundry Soap contains no detergents, dyes or fragrance to irritate sensitive skin.

    NINE: Why should I buy GRANDMA’S Non-Detergent Laundry Soap over earth friendly laundry soaps?

    There's no federal standard and no required verification for terms such as "earth friendly". This means there is no guarantee the product is less harmful, better for skin or even better for the environment.

    TEN: Why does my dog want to eat GRANDMA’S Lye Soap? Is it harmful?

    Many dogs seem to be attracted to all natural soaps, whether it is because of the oils or fragrances that are used. Typically, diarrhea is the only result from the pet eating the soap. However, if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to consult with your doctor.

    Is Jasmine Your Herbal Bar?

    Did you know that certain scents trigger different feelings in humans?

    Our noses may not be as sensitive as most animals, as we only have around five million five million receptor cells in our nose compared to 200 million in dogs. However, our noses trigger memories and emotions.

    Did you know that spraying certain scents in your room before you fall asleep can help you have better dreams or that putting scents in your office can help with focus? Scents are a powerful yet easy way we can aid our daily lives! Relaxation, focus, and mental clarity are just a few of the ways certain scents can help you. There are many combinations of scents that work in harmony to bring together many effects at once!

    GRANDMA'S JASMINE HERBAL SOAP

    September HERBAL OF THE MONTH: JASMINE

    This herbal bar was inspired by luxury and relaxation. The Jasmine Herbal Bar feels like summer nights, a cool breeze and falling asleep under the stars.

    Scent Profile: Strong bodied, floral and sweet.
    You’ll Like This If: You enjoy fresh scents and freshly picked flowers.
    You Should Also Try: Natural Beauty Gift Set 

    Jasmine is a widely used scent across the globe, and it has been described in many ways such as warm with oily leafy-green, fruity undertones, elusive, sweet and warm and many more! Jasmine is a popular scent choice for perfumes and oils as it is both delicate and sweet while packing a robust punch. Lighter scents like rose wish they had the undertones of Jasmine. Loved by many, jasmine invokes memories of summer evenings and cool breezes.

    Scents have the power to transport us and change our moods! With such a wide variety of herbal scents, Grandma chose 12 of her favorite, and offers 1 each month at a special price! Grandma’s Herbal of the month club is a way for you to try a new herbal bar every month at a discounted price. There are many scents to try, and each of them specializes in something different from the last. 

    Grandma’s soaps are made with the best quality and care in mind, so you always get great quality products that are safe to use and gentle on skin! Grandma uses natural ingredients and oils in her soaps for a pure, clean feeling each time. Grandma’s Herbal Sampler is a great way to try all of her herbal soaps in one package! Each bar of herbal soap in the sampler is a sample size, enough for a few uses to determine your favorite! Order one today if you are unsure that that Jasmine is your herbal soap. Try Grandma’s Beauty Set as well, which comes with two different herbal soaps (of your choosing) as well as her Goat’s Milk Beauty Bar!