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10.30.2013

when pets are sick...

So the other day beloved and I noticed that one of our dogs wasn't acting quite right.  We couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but he just acted and looked different.  We did a 'once over' and didn't see anything that stood out nor that explained his odd behavior. 

This morning I noticed him licking the same spot on his paw, over and over.  I took my recently made salve outside, thinking he might need some.  After examining his paw and seeing nothing, I was about to head back inside when low and behold...I noticed his ear hanging 'funny.'  I reached over and pulled it up...OH MY GOODNESS.  he had a huge wound in his ear, but it was so covered with pus and hair, I couldn't figure out EXACTLY what caused the wound. 

after putting on some latex gloves, grabbing my trusty essential oils and a few other natural/holistic remedies I headed back outside. 



I tried my best to clean it, but between the pain it was causing him and all the other animals wanting to 'see' what was going on, I had no choice but to bring him inside.  After some coaxing with some homemade chicken broth (yes I spoil my kids, especially when they are sick) and then 'helping' him inside, I was finally able to get a good look at it.



I will refrain from posting the picture that I took because it is gory gross.  Bleh! 

The keiki insisted on being right in the mix of it all, as you can tell...


but before she headed up for her afternoon nap she made sure he had someone to watch over him.


I think she might be a vet in training don't you?  :)

The rest of the *gang* couldn't quite figure out what was going on, but they sure were curious!



After a few more 'cleanings' of the yucky ear and multiple applications of oils and what-not, he went out for a little bit, but that didn't last long.  His pathetically sad face and droopy eyes stung his mama's heart and I let him back in. 


After some more chicken broth and some much needed water, mama cleaned him up a little more and here he sits, napping and healing...hopefully.

I will keep you all updated.

peace and love to you all...

10.28.2013

yumm-O!


just looking at this pictures makes my mouth water...I just love me some raw, organic honey.  not only does it taste great, but it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.  I have even heard of people putting it on cuts and scrapes.  I have yet to do that but I do enjoy a big heaping spoonful now and again.

what natural sweeteners do you feed your family? 

10.23.2013

battle wounds, bucks and eSSential oiLs

so it wasn't long before someone got hurt...



at some point in time the boys were rough housing and I *think* that Milo's horn got Sax during one of their many pushing/butting matches.  beloved called me over to their pen yesterday to show me and at the time I tried to get a picture, but getting a picture that of a goat that IS NOT blurry is like trying to get a picture of my daughter sitting still...it just doesn't happen.
 
fortunately for me, when I went out this afternoon to check their water and the rest of the critters on the farm, I was able to reapply my own blend of essential oils and get a picture. 
 
the blend itself isn't much...just a few drops of lavender and frankincense mixed with a carrier oil...
 
(obviously this label was from an earlier batch, I did not use olive oil this time around but grapeseed oil)
 
but believe me when I tell you...it works!  I had to use it on one of my hens a few months back because she was being 'pecked on' by the others.  after a few applications, some time to heal, and plenty of TLC...she was back with the rest of the hens and doing fine. 

so for those that want to know I think the recipe is something like this...

2-3 drops of lavender
2-3 drops of frankincense
2 T grapeseed oil (though any carrier oil would work I assume, even olive oil, which I have used before with great results)
1oz glass amber bottle with dropper

I measured the carrier oil in first and then added the essential oils.  I am not real big on exact measurements, especially when I am just throwing things together, so if you put in an extra drop or leave an extra drop out, no biggie.

I put a drop on my finger and apply it that way since he like to move so much.  I apply it at least once a day. 

I got the bottles/droppers here and my carrier and essential oils here.  I have used YL essential oils also with great results. 

oh I almost forgot...this picture is of Sax after his second application (day two).  I know you can't tell, but his battle wound already looks better as compared to yesterday.

anyhow, I will keep you updated on Sax's progress but until then...

peace and love to you all!

this blog post is linked with

Homestead Barn Hop
The Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Teach Me Tuesdays





10.21.2013

mEET the boyS!

when I told beloved that I wanted goats, this is NOT what I had in mind...


meet Sacks.  a 7 month old pygmy goat who felt the need to yell at his mama (moi) because she wouldn't let him and his brother, Milo, out of their pen.  remember kids, this is what happens when you yell at your mother...you get your head stuck!

both of the boys were bottle babies which usually means that wherever you go...they go...so THEY think.  they are typical brothers.  fighting, butting and yelling.  though you can not see it, BOTH are missing their left horn, well it isn't missing per se but whomever tried to disbud them when they were kids...failed...miserably!  so not only do I have two rowdy, unruly bucks...but they are in rut!  PERFECT!!! 

even though I tried to convince beloved that this was not a good idea...I was overruled.  between their living conditions, the owners inability to care for them properly and beloved's connection with animals...I never stood a chance. 

so off we head down the freeway with these two STINKY bucks in our car.  though they were in a big crate, it did nothing to mask their smell.  ugh!

we get them home and that is when the fun begins.  the escaping, the jumping of fences, the running from the donkey and my personal favorite...the jumping on the hood of my car.  it didn't take beloved long to realize that his idea of keeping them in with a hot wire was NOT going to work!!!

after a trip (or two) to menards, a few late nights and some very early mornings...their pen was finished...well finished enough for them to live in.  we still have some finishing touches to do, like a door, but other then that we should be good.

next project...find them some does!

 

 


10.16.2013

farmkeiki


trying to keep this child away from the animals on the farm is virtually impossible.  believe it or not, I don't think the kitten is as miserable as she appears in this pic...at least I hope not!

peace and love to you all

10.14.2013

*calendula* infusion

Over the weekend I started my first infusion.  A calendula infusion to be exact!


Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold or garden marigold, has been used for centuries to heal wounds and skin irritations. Calendula has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, antiviral, and immunostimulant properties making it useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed  skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin. Plus, it stimulates the production of collagen at wound sites to help minimize scarring and assist with stretch marks. This versatile botanical can be incorporated into baths, creams, compresses, washes, salves, ointments, massage oils, baths, facial steams, tinctures, and teas. It is also gentle enough to use for babies, children, or animals. Internally, gargling with Calendula infused water may ease a sore throat, sores in the mouth, and inflammations in the mouth and throat.
                                                                                                               The Mountain Rose Blog
                                                                                                                ~daily herbal musings~

It wasn't until I started to learn about herbs, tinctures, salves, infusions and poultices that I realized they were pretty simple to put together. 

Take this infusion for example.  All I did was fill a pint size jar 3/4 full of calendula flowers, then pour olive oil (the preferred oil when making infusions) over the flowers and voila!  Give it a few good shakes and then set it in the sun.  This infusion will have to sit for approximately 2-4 weeks, during that time give it a good shake at least once a day if you remember, if not, no worries.  By all means, let it infuse longer for more potency.  My plan is to let it infuse for a minimum of 4 weeks, but I will most likely let it go for 6! 

I have already made a salve, which I love, and next I plan to make a tincture and even a cough syrup, especially since cold and flu season is right around the corner. 

What herbal remedies have you made lately?

This post is linked with...
The Clever Chicks Blog Hop
Homestead Barn Hop 
Reinventing The Herbal
Natural Living Link Up
Encourage One Another Link Up

10.09.2013

LeArN the HERB!

(just a few of my herb books.  most, if not all of them I ordered from amazon.)



Since living on one income can sometimes be very 'trying' I think it is important as wife and mother to find ways to be frugal, but yet still effective.  When building up a farm/homestead like we are, money has a tendency to just VaNish!  I don't really know where it goes, I think it is a magical farm FaiRy that makes constant withdrawals from our very limited funds.  :)

Okay, enough joking around.  Let's get serious with this HerB stuff.

Plants have been around since God created the earth.  It hasn't been until recently that I have truly begun to appreciate their beauty and their purpose.  Herbs/medicinal herbs are all around us, and it is awesome!

Before we had these big pharmaceutical companies pushing every OTC medication at us that they can, how did people treat illnesses or injuries?  Very simply put...herbs, tinctures, poultices and salves.  In biblical times oils and spices were used, as they still are today.

I am a HUGE believer in natural and holistic healing.  I can't say that there isn't a place for Western medicine in our world today, as it has saved many lives, I just think that the more natural/holistic approach is best and should be used first, if possible. 

With that said I wanted to urge you to start learning.  Pick up a book at your local library or your local book store and just start slow.  Pick something you or a loved one might suffer from and research it. 

For example...headaches.  I like to use peppermint essential oil for my headaches.  I drop a few drops in the palm of my hand, rub it in and then cup my hands over my mouth and nose.  I take a few deep breaths through my nose and within seconds my headache is usually gone.  I can't say that it works EVERY SINGLE time, but I would say 98% of the time it does.  Also, it does depend on what your headache is from.  If it is due to lack of water, then drink water.  If it is due to lack of eating...then eat.  I know I am making lite of it, but I have experienced first hand the benefits of a more natural approach and I love it!  I also know that some people swear that by drinking peppermint tea helps with headaches...I have not tried this, but I plan to next time I feel a headache coming on. 

So I encourage you to learn, educate and apply your knowledge.  The more we learn to rely on our natural surrounds for health and better living, the less reliant we are on others.  Not only that, but I can not even begin to explain the sense of accomplishment and freedom one experiences when self-healing is obtained. 

Be warned though...once you begin to educate and apply all this herbal knowledge???  You can't help but tell everyone about it.  It is very addicting!!!  To know that you can heal an aliment with what you have growing in your garden or what you have in your spice cabinet is very empowering...so you have been warned!  :)

By taking back our health, we take back our life, and that to me is what learning is all about!

Peace and love to you all~

~things i love~

 
 my dirty farm clothes...
 
 


cloth diapers...




this precious face...
 
 


the roosting bar in the chicken coop...
 

 
 
these big kids...
 

 

this super hot farmer...
 

 
 
 

her love for the outdoors...
 
 
 

his love and protection for her...







peace and love to you all!