New Ache & Pain Cream Class

I introduced a new class yesterday co-taught with Susan Haas and held it at Henschel Haus Publishing. Susan and I have created a nice selection of body care products made with only all natural ingredients and put them up on Etsy under the name Green Goddess Gardens. https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenGoddessGardens

We are passionate about our products and love sharing how to create these simple recipes. Our latest product was designed to relieve aches and pains. It is a wonderful healthy substitute for Tiger Balm. Tiger Balm has a base of Petrolatum. If you are unfamiliar with petrolatum, I have added some information here:

“Petrolatum, which is used as a base for Tiger Balm, commonly known as petroleum jelly, is a byproduct of petroleum. Petrolatum is a soft paraffin or wax mixture sold as a topical skin ointment. It is acknowledged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an approved over-the-counter skin protectant and is used in the manufacturing of cosmetic skin care. However the side effects of petrolatum include finding the petroleum byproduct in breast tumors, suffocation of the skin, premature aging and aggravated acne.

Petrolatum or mineral oil jelly and mineral oils can cause skin photosensitivity or promote sun damage. Petrolatum may interfere with the body's moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping despite its cosmetic use as lip protection. According to the Environmental Working Group, petrolatum may be found in one of every 14 products as well as 15 percent of lipsticks and 40 percent of baby lotions and oils.”  Livestrong.com

Petrolatum will increase the shelf life of a product but in my opinion, it doesn't make up for the damage it does along the way. Our recipe uses only all natural essential oils and beeswax. The added vitamin e is an antioxidant and will help to extend the shelf life. It should last at least 6 months and if stored in a cool area out of the sun, at least a year. I've included the recipe here:

1 tsp. peppermint EO

1 tsp. wintergreen EO

1 ¼ tsp camphor EO

2 tsp. Cajaput EO

¼ tsp. Cassia (cinnamon)

¼ tsp. Clove bud EO

2 TB Beeswax

2 TB Grapeseed oil

¼ tsp. vitamin E

Combine all essential oils into a small glass container.

Heat beeswax and grapeseed oil in a double boiler. Take off heat when beeswax liquefies and add essential oils one teaspoon at a time. Stir continuously until the batch reaches a smooth consistency. Pour into a 2 oz. container.

 

New Etsy Store

After teaching classes on how to make wonderful, organic and natural products using oils, beeswax and herbs, I have partnered with another person to create a line of products to sell under the name Green Goddess Gardens. We now have our products in a store in Milwaukee and available to buy over the internet on Etsy. 

The process of creating Green Goddess Gardens was so much fun! It started with a large garden inspired by permaculture design. We were so lucky to have the Victory Garden Initiative help us out in the design and the hard physical labor of digging out the area.  Through a friend, we connected with an herbalist near Madison who was moving to Vermont. So off I went to see this wonderful garden and see what she had. We were able to purchase some medicinal plants from her that could be transplanted.  I came home with a comfrey plant, st. john's wort, mint, calendula, and mullein.  Shortly after that, some plantain and burdock just showed up one day in another part of the garden. The medicinal herb garden had begun! And as the summer progressed, they flourished! The comfrey plant went from a tiny bug chewed plant to a vigorous giant that stretched itself out over three square feet of space. The thick leaves came up to my waist!

Then the infusions started! We had jars and jars of hot and cold processed herbs, each one allowing healing herbal constituents to merge into the oil preparing to become a variety of salves, body butters, lotions and soaps.

Each batch of product we made was created in small batches for the highest quality.  The soaps were allowed to cure for at least 3 months before packaging. The journey to self-reliance has been such a joy. It all starts with small steps and a shifting of priorities. I love using products that I was a part of creating and which incorporate plants that I cared for throughout the summer. If you have a chance, visit our Etsy shop to see some of the amazing products we've created!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreenGoddessGardens

Girl Scout Badge Programs

It has been great fun being a Community Event Provider for the Girl Scouts! I recently did a Flower Badge for a troop at a school in Milwaukee, WI. The class was a great deal of fun. At the end of the class, the members were able to earn their Flower Badge and add it to their sash or vest. For this class, we first talked about the various parts of a flower and identified the function of each part and then the troop all choose different parts to imitate to recreate a "living" flower in the classroom.

Different girls became parts such as sepals, petals, stamen with pollen and the central stigma. The troop took to the task with great enthusiasm! After that, we discussed what healing properties flowers possess such as the healing qualities of calendula. This lead to the discussion of how to infuse those properties into olive oil which can then be combined with beeswax to make a salve. The girls were really excited when I announced we were going to make our own salve in the classroom and everyone would go home with one!

Everyone was able to pitch in and help make the salve. There were a lot of "oooo's" and "aahhhhh's" when the salve solidified and they were each able to pick up a tin and test it on themselves.

It is a great feeling to be able to pass on the amazing healing capabilities that plants have!

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Trip

I had the most amazing trip to the Boundary Waters this past September. The weather was absolutely perfect and even warm enough to swim in the cold lakes of upper Minnesota. I traveled back to an area that I used to be familiar with nearly twenty years ago when I worked for Gunflint Outfitters. We entered at Bearskin Lake and took a portage to Duncan Lake where we set up our base camp for 3 nights. I took a friend and her 17 year old son who had never been to the Boundary Waters and they loved it! We took day trips to Rose Lake to hike and see the falls which you can hear rushing as you approach them. Water cascades over a fifty foot drop as the elevation plummets between Duncan and Rose Lake. At night we listened to loons calling their eerie song and looked up at a night sky filled with beautiful twinkling stars.

With no technology for distraction, we entertained each other around the camp fire. When darkness and exhaustion announced bedtime we slept on top of  down filled sleeping bags in the near balmy evenings. The mornings brought beautiful sunny skies and the constant chatter of a red squirrel we named Joey.

The went by far too quickly and soon enough it was time to pack up and head back to the portage and call Gunflint for the pickup. The long 10 hour drive was more than worth the experience!

Primitive Skills Gathering

I had the pleasure of being an instructor at the 10th annual Primitive Skills Gathering this past week which was held near Ashland, WI. There were over 200 individuals gathered to learn skills that ranged from basket making to knife making as well herbal medicine, wild edibles and flint knapping. I taught a class on how to make a healing salve using local plants such as plantain and yarrow which help heal cuts, scrapes and abrasions....there was plenty of potential for use considering all the sharp tools were being used!

We camped along the shores of Lake Superior and enjoyed hot, sunny weather throughout most of the week. There was one impressive storm which forced everyone to seek cover but it lasted only a couple hours and was followed by plenty of sunshine. During the evening hours, there were activities such as trade blankets, movies and a pot luck. The land that we used was generously offered by a local Ojibwa named Joe who shared stories of his early life learning how to live off the land.

While I was there I also took advantage of the skills of the other instructors and learned how to do flint knapping, make a knife and how to sharpen my tools with a wet stone. I had an incredible time meeting all of the other instructors and participants. It was truly a unique and wonderful experience. I can't wait for next year! To learn more about the Gathering, go to http://www.traditionalways.org/.

Girlscout Brownie Hiker Badge Program

I had the pleasure of working with a troop of Girlscouts this past weekend while helping them to earn a hiker badge. We met at beautiful Grobschmidt Park in Franklin, WI and talked about what it takes to be prepared for a hike. We then prepared a quick snack on a camp stove of oatmeal, honey, peanut butter, nuts and berries to provide the energy for the hike. A quick review of how to orient with a compass and we took to the trail!

The troop along with a couple parents walked the trail while I pointed out a variety of wild edibles from Bee Balm to Burdock and medicinals such as yarrow and plantain. It was perfect weather for the hike and we enjoyed a quick loop around the lake. The flies and mosquitoes didn't bother us too much as we came prepared with a lotion of citronella with a catnip infusion....an all natural and wonderfully scented bug repellent.

At the end of the hike I presented the girls with their Hiker Badge which they will add to the many that they have already earned.

To find out more about Girlscout Badge Programs through Resiliency Training, go to www.resiliencytraining.net.

Upcoming Classes in Greenfield

HEALING SALVE/MEDICINAL PLANT IDENTIFICATION AND USE

There are many plants that you see every day and may think of them as weeds but they have tremendous healing capabilities if harnessed in the right way and preserved in a salve. You’ll even learn how to make a “drawing” salve or black salve that can be used to draw out toxins or splinters. Participants will create a   healing salve to take home with them.

The cost of the class is $15 per person and includes all materials and a 1 oz tin of healing salve.

Saturday, July 20th or Wednesday

6:30 - 8:30 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield

or

Wednesday, July 31st

6:30 - 8:30 pm

Greenfield Community Center

 

WILD FORAGING

Did you know that there are many wild edibles right in your own neighborhood? During this class, you will take a short walk through a neighborhood and yard to identify a variety of edible plants. We will discuss how you can easily incorporate these plants into a meal to add flavor and nutrients.  Finally, you will enjoy a home cooked meal that will include some of the plants that have been identified.

The cost is $35 and includes all course materials and a small meal.  

Saturday, July 27th

10:00 - 12:00 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield

or

Saturday, August 31

4:00 - 6:00 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield

 

BODY BUTTER

Do you have sensitive skin or just can't find a natural body lotion that you like? We'll be creating a body lotion with only all natural, organic ingredients that is gentle enough to use on even the most sensitive skin. You'll learn how to infuse your favorite herb and use it in a homemade lotion.

The cost is $25 per person and includes all materials and a 4 oz container of body butter.  

Saturday, July 27

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield

or

Saturday, August 31

6:30 - 8:30 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield  

To sign up, go to www.resiliencytraining.net.

Make Your Own Natural Lip Balm 

Do you go through lip balm like crazy and would like to learn how to make your own and have a constant supply? Do you LOVE minty lip balm but feel most brands don't put in enough mint flavor? Do you have a favorite flavor you'd like to try out in a lip balm? In this class we'll make our own batch of lip balm using only all natural organic ingredients and you'll be able to take some home!

The cost is $22 per person and includes a tube of lip balm.

Thursday, August 8

6:30 - 8:30 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield

Or

 

Thursday, 29  

6:30 - 8:30 pm

5858 S 43rd Street, Greenfield 

 

To sign up, go to www.resiliencytraining.net

OR

Call Shannon at 262-515-5331 to schedule your own group training