Got GREENS?

Different varieties of Swiss Chard and Greens

It's an amazing opportunity to be able to just step into the garden, snip homegrown greens and prepare a healthy salad, 
Stir Fry, casserole or smoothie.

Do you grow your own greens?

Some of my favorites are:

Extra Dwarf Pak Choy

Vulcan Swiss Chard

Got Greens? Mary's Heirloom Seeds In This Issue GREENS! Tomato Lover's Quick Links Dear Mary, I realize that it's very cold in most parts of the US in December.  However, It's never to early to get a jump on Greens for next year and Heirloom Seeds make great holiday gifts.                                         GREENS Seed Combo Pack Includes 5 varieties of Heirloom Greens seed packs: 5- Color Swiss Chard, Arugula, Little Gem, Dwarf Pak Choy and New Jersey Wakefield Cabbage.   Only $15 Shipping is free on all seed-only orders. Orders placed Monday-Friday ship within 24 hours, except for holidays. **1 FREE pack of Wildflowers if purchased by 12/9/13** Tomato Lover's Seed Combo Pack Includes 5 varieties of Heirloom Tomato seeds: Pink Oxheart, Mortgage Lifter (beefsteak), Emerald Green, Roma and Ace 55.       Only $18  Shipping is free on all seed-only orders. Orders placed Monday-Friday ship within 24 hours, except for holidays. **1 FREE pack of Basil and 1 FREE pack of Wildflowers if purchased by 12/9/13** Baker's Dozen #2 This pack contains a large variety of seeds  for a very low cost.  13 seeds from 13 varieties: Pak Choy Cabbage 5-Color Silverbeet Chard Little Gem Lettuce Royalty Purple Beans Calabrese Broccoli Danver's Carrots Serrano Pepper  Jalapeno Pepper Ace 55 Tomato  Roma Tomato Purple-Top Turnip Yellow Crookneck Squash and  Small Sugar Pumpkin $13.95 FREE Shipping Family Garden Pack A great family or market garden pack. A variety of heavy producing seeds. Includes One packet of each:    Pink Oxheart Tomato    Anaheim Pepper Cal Wonder Bell Pepper    Golden Crookneck Squash    Crenshaw Melon    Calabrese Broccoli    German Giant Radish    Detroit Dark Red Beet    National Pickling Cucumber    New Jersey Wakefield Cabbage    Little Gem Lettuce $32.00 FREE Shipping All-In-One Veggie Pack Great for a beginner or seasoned gardener.   The All-In One is a great community garden or Farm starter kit.  Makes a GREAT gift!  This pack includes one full-sized packet of every veggie seed we carry.  Includes New Arrivals!  Does not include herb seeds, wildflowers or sprout seeds. (Save over $75) $179.00 FREE Shipping Quick Links Growing Cabbage Growing Radish Growing GREENS Growing Wildflowers Growing HERBS KALE is a new variety @ Mary's Heirloom Seeds 55-60 days. Compact plants yield tender, blue-green, crinkled leaves that are quite delicious, very cold hardy, and rich in vitamin A. If you have any questions feel free to ask! -Mary Mary's Heirloom Seeds | mary@marysheirloomseeds.com | http://www.marysheirloomseeds.com 2104 Tyler Street Hollywood, FL 33020

Mary's Tincture Shop: DIY Tincture Kits

It's another beautiful day here.  The air is cool and crisp.  The sun is shining and life is good! 
Today I'm talking Tinctures!  

In our house, we use tinctures first for every-day ailments.  We have had such great success using herbal home remedies instead of OTC "stuff" so let's chat!

What is a Tincture?

from Wikipedia,  A tincture is typically an alcoholic extract of plant or animal material or solution of such or of a low volatility substance (such as iodine and mercurochrome). To qualify as an alcoholic tincture, the extract should have an ethanol percentage of at least 40–60% or 80–120 proof. 

From squidoo:  What is Menstruum?
Menstruum is general vodka, when making a true herbal tincture. Vinegar can be used, it is safer than alcohol, but is less effective at leaching out the medicinal components of the plant. When tincturing dried herbs, water is mixed with the vodka or alcohol. The ratio of vodka or vinegar to water depends on the plant material being used. For that reason, I always recommend consulting a recipe specifically for the herb being tinctured.  

Why DIY Tinctures? 

Chamomile Tincture Kit

Now for the bottom line...saving money!  If you look at your local "health food store" you will find tinctures.  Most are $10-$40 per ounce.  Online it is the same story plus shipping.  Pictured is a special "kit" I put together to get started on your tincture.  
It includes a jar, herb (you choose), a filter to strain out the herbs, labels for your jars AND a 2 ounce dropper bottle with label.
Add your "base" of alcohol or glycerin and you've got 5-24 ounces of homemade tincture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Earlier this month I purchased a large bottle of 100 proof vodka for $17.  I then made 6 tinctures using 
1-2 ounces of herbs and 12-16 ounces of vodka and I still have more vodka left (maybe for 2 more).

Let's do the math
Tincture Kit (1 oz of herb) from Mary's Shop $15.75
Priority mail shipping $6.25
16 ounces of 100 proof vodka (approx)  $2.14
Total spent for 16 ounces of Tincture  $24.39
Homemade: Total spent for 2 ounces $3.02

Online store selling 2 ounces of Rosemary Tincture  $15.39
Shipping $6
Store-Bought: Total for 2 ounces: $21.39

HUGE savings!!!  Plus, with the Tincture Kit you have the Jar, Strainer top and  detailed Instructions to make more! Kits ship within 24 hours (except weekends and holidays) via Priority Mail.

Not sure about the alcohol content?  The alcohol in a tincture can be evaporated out by adding the drops to almost boiling water and swirling until cool. Although a glycerin base tincture has a short shelf life, it can be used instead of alcohol for those who prefer an alternative.

Purchase a DIY Tincture Kit @ Mary's Tincture Shop

DIY ORGANIC CAYENNE TINCTURE KIT

Tincture kits include:

1 - 32 ounce Glass Jar with lid, 1 - 2 ounce Amber Bottle with dropper top, 1 Re-Useable Strainer, 2 customizable labels (1 large, 1 small), 1 ounce of Organic Herbs (additional herbs available) and Detailed Instructions. 

Organic Chamomile Tincture Kit

Tincture kits include:

1 - 32 ounce Glass Jar with lid, 1 - 2 ounce Amber Bottle with dropper top, 1 Re-Useable Strainer, 2 customizable labels (1 large, 1 small), 1 ounce of Organic Herbs (additional herbs available) and Detailed Instructions.  

 

ORGANIC ECHINACEA TINCTURE KIT

An excellent immune booster!

MUGWORT TINCTURE KIT

Mugwort can be used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, haemostatic and to promote healthy digestion.
Mugwort can also work to relax and sooth anxiety and stress.  Additional benefits include relief of exhaustion, nervousness, and mild depression.
For women, Mugwort can help stimulate or regulate menstruation and can be used for painful menstrual cramps.

"Allergy" Tincture Kit

Consider taking ahead of allergy discomfort.  This is and Herb Combo and contains: organic Nettle leaf, organic Fennel seed, organic Lemongrass, organic Spearmint leaf, organic Eyebright, organic Calendula flowers, organic Peppermint leaf, organic Red Clover herb and blossoms, organic Lavender flowers, organic Blue Vervain, and organic Stevia leaf. 

Feverfew Tincture Kit

Tincture kits include: 1 - 32 ounce Glass Jar with lid, 1 - 2 ounce Amber Bottle with dropper top, 1 Re-Useable Strainer, 2 customizable labels (1 large, 1 small), 1 ounce of Organic Herbs (additional herbs available) and Detailed Instructions.  More about Feverfew

Tincture kits include: 1 - 32 ounce Glass Jar with lid, 1 - 2 ounce Amber Bottle with dropper top,  1 Re-Useable Strainer, 2 customizable labels (1 large, 1 small),  1 ounce of Organic Herbs (additional herbs available) and Detailed Instructions.  

Make your own Tincture using Mary's Organic DIY Tincture Kits.

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Another Tuesdays with a Twist Link-Up with a New Co-Host

Good Morning!  How was your Weekend?  Mine was Fabulous!

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I decided to Extend my CYBER MONDAY Heirloom Seed Sale through the end of the day TODAY!  You have until 9pm EST 12/3/13 to get up to 50% Off select varieties AND a free seed pack on ALL orders!

Welcome to another No Rules Party!

We're your hosts 

Joyce @ It's Your Life! 

and me...Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
And your Co-Hosts
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
And please Welcome Jenn @  Endlessly Inspired

Features!  
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured!
  My Features this Week are:

How to start a Veggie Garden from Homestead Mania

Saving Money on Spice from Hill House Homestead

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!

Cyber Monday Deals

	CYBER MONDAY SALE @ Mary's Heirloom Seeds » FREE Seed Pack with Every Purchase
	Up to 50% OFF Select Heirloom Varieties Now is a great time to get a jump-start for next year and get great deals for friends and family! Calabrese Broccoli  Danver's Half-Long Carrots  Snowball Self-Blanching Cauliflower Black Beauty Eggplant Purple Plum Radish French Breakfast Radish Laurentian Rutebaga Pink Oxheart Tomato Roma Tomato **Ends 12/3/13**   Get This Deal Seeds of the Month Club 4 Fantastic Options All of our seed varieties are open-pollinated, Non-GMO and un-treated Heirloom Seeds.  Gift Sets Available for a limited time and while supplies last.  December 15th is the last day to placed an online order for delivery on or before Dec 24th Don't forget the Peat Pellets! Stay Connected

Co-Hosting The Creative Home & Garden Hop #20

Good Morning and Happy Sunday!

Another early morning walk @ the beach

Today is a BIG day for us.  I decided to take a break from the Farmer's Market for the month of December.  It doesn't mean I'm sleeping in...Just that I don't have to be out in my booth all day Saturday and Sunday.  This means I'll have a little more "me time" and time for the blog.  
It also means my first REAL day off in almost 4 months.

Did you know we've created a Seeds of the Month Club?

I sent out a bunch of new orders yesterday of Heirloom Seeds.  I am thrilled that more and more people are learning about the dangers of GMOs.

And now for the Party? 

Welcome to the New and Improved Blog Hop!

The Creative Home & Garden Hop hosts:

Alison from Mumtopia
Mary from Back to the Basics and Mary’s Kitchen
and Lisa from Little Homestead on the Hill and The Self Sufficient HomeAcre

Featured Posts

Each host will share her own features each week. This means you have an even better chance of being picked! Be sure to visit all of our hosts to see if your post was featured!
My Features this week are: 

I love when people try new things!

Healthier Holiday Fudge from My Sister's Pantry (cuz I LOVE chocolate!)

25 Health Benefits of Cinnamon from My Lamp is Full

If you were featured, feel free to grab the button and share it on your blog!

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Now, on to your latest creations!

• Share up to 3 of your Creative Home and Garden posts. Etsy sellers are welcome to share here too.
• Please link back to the hop in your post. If you don’t take a couple of seconds to do this, you won’t be featured. You can grab our cute button or use a text link in your post. Thanks for sharing the hop with others!
• Pretty please, with cherries on top, go visit as many of the other bloggers posting as you can! The whole point of a hop is to build a community of like minded bloggers who share and support each other. We all love to hear from our visitors, so please leave thoughtful and kind comments when you visit!
• Link your posts once. Please do not link the same post you linked last week! Let’s keep it fresh and fun!
• By linking your posts here you are assuring us that all images and contents are your own, or you have permission to share them. You are also agreeing to let us share your post and images on social media and our blogs.
• Happy hopping!

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