GRANDMA'S Blog

Grandma knows we all forget to water the plants from time to time. There are countless trashcans filled with the corpses of a beautiful houseplant left to fend for itself for too long!

Ours days have become busier and our schedules jam packed, it’s no wonder that we forget something like watering plants. Grandma has compiled a list of 5 plants that are beautiful accents to your home or office space, but require little care. Some plants can be left alone for months without repercussion!

Not only are these plants resilient, many of them have other attributes that make them a practical and beneficial addition to your home!

Snake Plant

The snake plant is popular for many because it is hardy and doesn’t need much water. It even can grow happily in a room without windows! Sporting deep green lines and long sprouts, this plant is not out of place in most homes. The snake plant also cleans the air at night, making it a perfect addition to your bedroom!

Spider Plant

The Spider Plant is another animal named plant, but not because it attracts spiders thankfully. This hearty plant grows long leaves that are light green in color. Low light, no problem! The spider plant’s only real concern is watering it with distilled water, as the roots don’t do well with fluoride found in most water sources in the US.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ is the uncrowned king of the forget-about-it houseplants. It shows its resilience by having leaves many have thought to be plastic! Needing light water and moderate light, this plant can be left at home while you’re on vacation and does just fine without attention.

Crown of Thorns

This plant is a break from what we have told you thus far. The Crown of Thorns plant has red flowers that look beautiful and have a vibrant color. Crown of Thorns only needs a misting of water every few days to stay optimally healthy and happy. If only low maintenance beauty was this easy for the rest of us.

Philodendron

The Philodendron has big flat green leaves that are a great accent! Needing only light watering weekly, the Philo is a beautiful addition to your home that won’t cause you stress if you are too busy to water it daily.

Prayer Plant

This unique plant gets its name from a fun thing it does at night, where it will fold the leaves together like hands in prayer! Praying aside, this plant is very tough and resilient! Indirect sunlight is best. Simply keep the soil moist but not soaked and you’re set. Follow these steps for a happy and beautiful Prayer Plant!

Grandma is an experienced gardener, but knows not everyone has a green thumb. She hopes you love these new additions to your home. They will fill your home with natural air cleaners and help you relax throughout the day. Grandma suggests trying her herbal bars to keep yourself in a green mood all the time! You can also purchase her Grime Away Bar that was inspired by getting her hands dirty in the garden.

Labor Day weekend is great time to show off your grilling skills!

There is nothing wrong with a classic burger, but Grandma would like to challenge you to try something different! Whether you go healthy and green or meaty and lean, these recipes are sure to have your guests coming back for seconds.

Try Grandma’s #LBBurgerChallenge this weekend. Simply try your hand at one of the recipes below and use hashtag #LBBurgerChallenge to show off your masterpiece!

Black Bean Burger Recipe courtesy of FreePeople.com

This vegan and gluten free burger is healthy and easy to make, on top of being delicious!

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Tex-Mex Burger with Cajun Mayo Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com

INGREDIENTS

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat grill for medium-high heat. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and 1 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the ground sirloin, jalapeño pepper, onion, garlic, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce using your hands. Divide into 4 balls, and flatten into patties. Lightly oil the grilling surface, and place the patties on the grill. Cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until well done. During the last 2 minutes, lay a slice of cheese on top of each patty. Spread the seasoned mayonnaise onto the insides of the buns. Put burgers in the buns, and top with lettuce and tomato to serve.

Chicken Avocado Burger Courtesy of Delish.com

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

 

We hope you enjoy a well deserved day off! If you are going to be outdoors, don’t forget to use Grandma’s Don’t Bug Me Bar to keep the mosquitoes from biting.

Grandma knows that when you tend a garden, it will yield bountiful vegetation.

This lesson has taught her giving back to our environment can be an accumulation of small actions.

“While it may seem small, the ripple effects of small things is extraordinary.” Matt Bevin

 

We as humans impact the planet in big ways. The five “R’s” help us remember how to positively impact our environment with simple choices. These are all things you can start doing right away that greatly help Earth thrive.

R – Recycle: This is a great way you can help save energy and emissions! Items made from recycled goods need less energy to be created and wasted. Our garbage filling landfills is a terrible sight, and recycling saves on waste and helps many companies create goods from things we use every day. Note: read the recycling rules in your area, many of us accidentally throw things in the recycling bin that can’t be recycled.

R – Re-purpose: Give that old glass container new life, with a new purpose! We can save a lot of carbon dioxide from being produced by re-using glass products at home. Making a vase, using it as kitchen storage and change storage, the possibilities are endless! This doesn’t only apply to glass, we can re-purpose many things in our home instead of throwing it away.

R – Reuse: Every year, we lose 20 million trees to make paper cups. That is a lot of trees! Grandma suggests using reusable mugs and thermos’ to lower this number, which reduces carbon emissions and saves trees, which lots of species use for homes. Grandma keeps a mug at her work desk, and in the car.

R – Reduce: Hang drying your laundry can lessen your carbon footprint by upwards of 2,400 pounds a year! The smell of hang dried laundry reminds Grandma of the good ol’ days. A “carbon footprint” is the measure of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere via our daily activities. Buying locally sourced food also helps reduce your carbon footprint, and a very simple change is to replace incandescent light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent or LED bulbs.

R – Refuse: This is the last R, and a fun one! Refuse plastic bags at the grocery store. Did you know it takes at least 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade? Next time at the grocery store, take a reusable tote! Refusing to use paper products you don’t need can also help, such as plastic straws, flyers handed out in public (if you aren’t planning on reading it) and paper cups. Refusing unnecessary paper products can lead to less manufacturing and a healthier Earth!

 

Shop Grandma’s Lye Soap

The school year is upon us! Crazy mornings and schedules will start to weigh on parents quickly.

As your calendar starts brimming at the seams, be sure to take time to relax. How you choose to recharge your batteries is personal. You know what renews your spirit. Why not put those activities on your calendar?

Planning out how to relax gives you time to schedule a sitter, make a reservation, pre-order what you need or ask someone to carpool.

You don’t have to know exactly what you’re going to do in advance. Instead, Grandma recommends putting place holders and reminders into your calendar. These five simple calendar reminders can keep you from burning out.

 

Get Enough Sleep | Daily Reminder

Set a daily alarm that lets you know when it’s time for bed. Give yourself enough time to put the kids to bed. This is some of the easiest advice to give, but following it can be a different story. From work schedules to life stresses, getting enough sleep isn’t always as simple as turning off the lights. Grandma recommends doing some light stretching before bed to help your muscles relax.

Eat Well | Weekly Grocery Shopping Trip

Stopping for fast food is too easy. Try adding a recurring calendar reminder to stop by the store to pick up groceries. Grandma knows a healthy, balanced diet can help you manage your stress and give you plenty of energy to last throughout the day. Healthier diets also help you fight off illnesses. Let’s face it, there are no sick days for Mom.

Be Good to Your Skin | Daily Regiment

Try setting a calendar reminder that reminds you to take care of you. It could be scheduling a facial each month or a simple reminder to re-order your favorite products. From keeping your skin moisturized and clean to using proper sun protection, taking care of your skin now can save you from facing problems later in life.

Let Loose | Monthly Activity

The best way to thank yourself is to do something you love without feeling guilty. Place some time in your calendar to let loose how ever you choose once a month. Getting to do something you really want to do can help your stress levels drop and put your mind in a mood of enjoyment.

Be Good to Your Body | Weekly Routine

Light exercise and stretching can do a lot for your body, from keeping your muscles active and strong to joint health! You don’t have to overthink working out. It could be as simple as setting a reminder to go on a walk as a family a few times a week.

Making time for yourself to relax keeps your ready for life’s challenges. When you take the time to take care of your body and mind, they will take care of you.

Be good to you! Try Grandma’s Beauty Set as part of your weekly skincare regiment.

 

 

What is it?

Lavender or lavandula is a genus of 47 known species of flowering plants in the mint family. Lavender originated from the Latin word “lavare”, which means “to wash”. Today, Lavender continues to be cultivated across many countries worldwide.

 

What are its benefits?

Lavender has been used for thousands of years! The Romans used Lavender to scent their baths, beds, clothes and hair and discovered its medicinal properties. The flowers can even be placed in cabinets and closets to deter moths.

How is it typically used?

Lavender has many uses. The infusion of its oil is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites, sunburns, small cuts, burns, inflammatory conditions and acne. The oil can also be applied to the forehead/temple region to calm headaches, migraines and motion sickness.
The dried leaves and stalks of the lavender plants are often used around homes and business’ for their long-lasting scent. They also often mixed with other plants and oils to create freshening room sprays.

Lavender also has many uses in the culinary world. The buds and greens are used in many recipes throughout history. They are still used today in honeys, teas and lots of baked goods.
Grandma’s has taken this herbal plant and made one of her most popular herbal soap, Lavender-Mint! We love this combination so much, we have put together a few home-made recipes for this powerful plant!

Lavender Perfume
Before outlining the recipe, keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated. Small percentage of people with sensitive skin could experience irritation from essential oils. Before making this perfume, perform a small spot test somewhere on your skin.
 
First, you’ll want to have a carrier on hand. A carrier oil is used to dilute strong essential oils to make them safe to apply to the body. Something like coconut oil or jojoba oil would work fine. Be sure that it has a neutral smell, as you don’t want it to clash harshly or go bad in a few weeks.
 
The oils, and their quantities, are:

• 4 drops of lavender
• 2 drops of orange
• 2 drops of lemon

 
This recipe offers a combination of floral and citrusy notes. Mix the oils with 0.5 oz of your carrier oil and store in a glass bottle or roller ball applicator. Roll it up in a nice bottle and cute bag, and you have an excellent gift for your friends and family for any occasion!

Lavender 3-Ingredient Lotion
This DIY lotion is easy to make and uses common ingredients so you will spend less time looking around for them. In just 10-15 you will have your own lavender lotion that you are sure to love.

• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1 tbsp beeswax
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

 
Mix the coconut oil and beeswax together, and boil in a double boiler on your stove. Once melted, add the lavender and let cool, then whip the mixture well, this gives the lotion a nice strong mix and a better consistency.
You can see how lavender is a useful and versatile herb! Grandma loves her herbs, and her Lavender-Mint herbal can be a calming relaxing addition to your soap-use!

Hiding your scent is a very crucial detail in hunting, as nearly every animal we hunt has a vastly superior sense of smell!

Grandma’s BIG BUCK kit is helping hunters prepare for the season.  Deer can smell up to six different scents at once and learn to associate the human smells with danger! The new BIG BUCK kit has soap and non-detergent laundry soap that will clean your skin and clothing to ensure no scents stand out.

The food you’ve eaten and the places you’ve been in the past 48 hours can leave scents that you will not notice but will scare deer away! Grandma’s BIG BUCK kit ensures your skin and clothing are naturally treated to mask your scent. If you can mask your scent by 50%, you have given the deer the illusion that you are 50% farther away than you actually are! Give yourself and advantage by distorting the deer’s sense of distance.

In order to achieve these type of results it is important to wash your hunting clothes the night before you go on a hunt. Grandma’s BIG BUCK non-detergent laundry soap removes scents from clothing in a single wash cycle. Hunters save time with BIG BUCK as other traditional scent hiding wash methods take hours of soaking. Those seeking to go above and beyond can place their freshly washed clothes into a bag with grass/sticks from the area where they will be hunting. This goes one step further to decrease your chances of being noticed by your prey. Grandma’s BIG BUCK kit is safe for even sensitive skin types.
Fun Fact: While Grandma’s BIG BUCK kit is natural and powerful, it cannot mask your most powerful scent – your breath. For a natural approach take a bite out of nature’s bad breath killer, an apple!

Grandma also recommends carrying her DON’T BUG ME BAR and POISON IVY BAR in your hunter’s first aid kit. The Don’t Bug Me Bar has no DEET! That’s right, it is an effective and natural alternative to DEET products.  This means no unusual smells to make your scent profile smell unusual to animals.

The Don’t Bug Me Bar will keep mosquitoes and other bugs away from you so can focus entirely on the hunt! Grandma also has a Poison Ivy Bar to help fight the pain from poison ivy and poison oak plants. There is nothing worse than brushing up against poison ivy. The subsequent rash and itch are a nightmare for everyone. Grandma’s Poison Ivy Bar helps soothe the pain of the rash so you can enjoy the hunt.

Taking care of your skin is especially important in the summer months.

As you take vacations and spend more time outdoors, you put yourself at risk for sunburns. It is important to remember that our skin needs protection even on cloudy days!

There are many different skin types, and not all of them take a one-size-fits-all approach to sunscreen. Sun Protection Factor (or SPF) is a measure of how long you can stay in the sun without getting burned. For example, if your skin would normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, applying an SPF 15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes (15 times longer). This is a rough figure that depends on your skin type, how bright the sun is and how much sunscreen is applied.

With these factors in mind, staying above 15 SPF is a good rule of thumb! Grandma’s Lip Soother lip balm has an SPF of 15, and has the added benefit of being made of carefully selected ingredients that do not irritate sensitive skin. In the list below, Grandma lets you know what sunscreens generally work best for dry skin, oily skin and sensitive skin.

• Dry Skin

  • For dry skin, Grandma recommends a sunscreen with lots of moisturizer such as a coconut or almond to keep your skin soothed in the sun. Multiple applications may be needed if you are continuously getting in and out of water. How much your sweat and the heat index may also influence the number of times you need to reapply.

• Oily Skin

  • Oily skin doesn’t usually welcome more greasy sunscreen on top. Grandma recommends light, oil-free sunscreens that won’t make skin feel greasy and more importantly, it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. Proper sunscreen usage will not only protect your skin from damage but prevent wrinkles! Oily skin needs lotion too.

• Sensitive Skin

  • Sensitive skin sufferers can have a challenging time choosing sunscreens, as there may be certain ingredients in lotions that cause reactions. There is not a one stop shop for sensitive skin sunscreen. However, natural products and those without added chemicals or scents can be easier to test. Grandma recommends that sensitive skin types test sunscreen on the back of their hand a few days before being in heavy sun. Give yourself ample time to ensure you have something that will protect your skin from damage without causing irritation.

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right sunscreen lotion for your skin type. While it may seem easier to simply pick something off the shelf, choosing carefully can ensure you prevent serious damage, skin cancer and even heat stroke.

 

Practice sun safety which includes: using sunscreen, wearing lose fitting clothing that covers large areas of skin, wearing a hat, drinking plenty of electrolytes and ensuring you spend time in the shade.

Camping has been a cornerstone of the family vacation for decades.

Summer time camping normally combines the joy of being outdoors with water activities such as swimming and fishing. Grandma knows how critical it can be to spend time with you loved ones and connect. Camping for a weekend is a surefire way to be free of distraction.

Before you pack everyone into the car and head out of town, make sure you didn’t leave any essentials behind! We have all started a road trip and realized we forgot something important when we are half way there.

It is for that exact reason that Grandma decided to put together a list of the essential items you and your family will need for a fun filled camping adventure:

• Tent
• Sleeping Bags
• Sleeping Pads
• Cookware
• Water Purifying Tabs
• Camp Chairs
• Sunscreen
• First Aid Kit
• Fire Tools
• Lighting (Flashlight/etc)

These are just the basics to ensure that you have what you need. We also recommend taking some other goodies to make your camping trip fun and comfortable! Below are item’s Grandma keeps in her camping first aid kit.

1. Poison Ivy Bar
2. Don’t Bug Me Bar
3. Shampoo Shave Bar
4. Lip Soother with SPF

Grandma also makes a Poison Ivy Bar that will fight the itch and remove the oils from your skin! This helpful bar is easy to use and will stop your skin from itching if you have come into contact with either poison ivy or poison oak.

Sunscreen is a vital and necessary item! Overcast days can be deceptive as the UV rays still penetrate the cloud cover and can burn those who neglect to protect their skin. Simple spray sunscreen makes application easy. Don’t forget your lips either! Grandma’s Lip Soother has an SPF of 15, so it keeps your lips smooth and protects them from getting burned.

To protect your skin from the bugs, Grandma’s Don’t Bug Me Bar is a perfect solution that will keep the critters from biting! This is a safe alternative to sprays that can irritate your skin and disrupt the environment!

All of Grandma’s products are safe for sensitive skin and children. Each product was made with family and real life in mind. Before you head out the door on  your next camping adventure, don’t forget Grandma’s list of first aid skincare.

We hope you enjoy your camping experience, and don’t forget the Grandma’s Summer Survival Kit to get some of the most basic of skincare covered while you are out in the sun!

The beach is calling and the sun is out.

Summertime brings back memories of childhood adventures with friends, vacations with family, special times with loved ones and getaways to far off places. No matter if you are at a beach or in your backyard, there are lots of fun ways to stay cool! Grandma has years of experience making sweet treats for her children and grandchildren. Her time experimenting in the kitchen has paid off! Fun fact: it is also what lead her to create her grime away bar.
Here are a few of Grandma’s favorite recipes for staying cool.

 

• Frozen Grapes

  • This is a very easy and delicious treat! You simply need to get some grapes, make sure you clean them off and them place them in the freezer for a night!

• Fruit Kebabs

  • Another easy to make favorite, all you need is a few different types of fruit and some kebab spears. Cut the fruit up into tiny cubes or slices, and stack and mix to your hearts delight.
  • Ingredients:
    • Grapes
    • Pineapple
    • Watermelon
    • Any melon types
    • Strawberries
    • Shish kabob sticks
  • Directions:
  • • Add fruit to shish kabob sticks
    • Lay on wax paper in freezer overnight

• Frozen Yogurt Dots

  • Simplicity is the name of the game for fun summer treats, and these little cuties don’t change that trend.
  • Ingredients:
    • Your favorite yogurt
    • Wax paper
    • Baking sheet
  • Directions:
  • • Simply take your favorite yogurt flavor, place it in a sandwich bag.
    • Cut a hole in the corner and squeeze out little dots on a baking sheet with wax paper.
    • Place in the freezer overnight. You’ll have cute little treats in the morning!

• Watermelon Popsicles

  • This may be an obvious one! Watermelon is a great way to stay hydrated on hot days. It also makes a delicious treat.
  • Ingredients:
    • Watermelon slices
    • Lime juice
    • Honey
    • Popsicle molds
  • Directions:
  • • Blend the watermelon, lime juice and honey in the blender.
    • Pour mixture and chunks of watermelon into Popsicle mold.
    • Freeze overnight.

• Root Beer Float

  • A timeless classic! The sweetness of the ice cream mixed with the fizziness from the root beer always brings back memories
  • Ingredients:
    • Vanilla Ice cream
    • Root bear
    • Chocolate chunks if you’re feeling wild
  • Directions:
  • • Take your favorite root beer and some vanilla ice cream and combine them to make a delicious treat.
    • The mixture should be ¼ ice cream, ¾ root beer.
    • Grandma loves to add chocolate chunks as a topping.

These simple treats will help keep you and your family cool and hydrated this summer!

From the beach to the mountains, summer skincare is vital for enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

 

It is important to note than even with cloud cover, you can still get a sunburn! There is no bigger organ on your body than your skin. If you take care of it, you can be sure it will take care of you in return. Without proper sun safety you risk premature aging and even life threatening conditions. Simple steps to protect your skin from sun exposure can prevent sunburns and serious headaches.

 

Here are 5 summer skincare tips from Grandma to enjoy the sun safely:

1.)    Wash Your Face

This is important all year, but during the summer months it demands more care. Wash your face multiple times a day with soap, especially if you sweat, and stay moisturized with a gentle lotion.

Don't use just any soap. Many soaps leach away your skin's natural oils, making your skin even drier after lots of sunshine. Lye soap keeps your skin natural balanced.

2.)    Don't Forget Sunscreen

Sunscreen is another obvious yet often overlooked part of summer skin care. 30 SPF sunscreen is the minimum for proper UV protection. Do not forget to check expiration dates. That's right, sunscreen has an expiration. Do not risk excessive sun exposure due to in effective sunscreen.

Keeping your skin protected from the sun goes a long way to preventing early wrinkles and lines. Sunburns can cause sun sickness, fever, heat stroke and eventual skin cancer. It is important to reapply sunscreen when under the sun for long periods of time.

3.)    Don't Forget Your Lips

Keeping your skin protected seems easy enough to remember, but many times lip balm with SPF is forgotten. Cracked and chapped lips are a burden you don't want!

Reapplying lip balm is important after eating, drinking and swimming. Like regular sunscreen, a single application wears down over time. Grandma's Lip Soother is a perfect compliment to summer skincare! 

4.)    Eat & Drink The Right Foods

Many fruits and vegetables contain high percentages of water. Eating fruits and veggies while enjoying sunshine can keep your skin hydrated and body temperature regulated.

In addition, drinking plenty of water will keep your body from overheating. When we sweat, it is important to replenish the water that is lost to prevent serious life threatening risks.

5.)    Wear The Right Clothing

When you are in the sun for long periods of time, it is important to cover up with proper clothing. Light weight clothing items can be crucial for preventing heat stroke and sunburn. Hats, sunglasses, cover-ups and shade go a long way toward preventing sunburn when out in the sun for hours at a time.

 

With these tips, you can safely enjoy the serotonin boost you receive from sunlight. Have a great summer and do not forget sun safety! If you are hiking a trail or enjoying the sun on the beach, always keep your skin moisturized and protected.

Grandma offers lip balms and lotions for all seasons, as well as lye soaps to keep your skin from drying out.