Stevia!

You may have heard of Stevia before. It's a sugar substitute extracted from the leaves of a Stevia plant, and is becoming popular again. Companies like Coca-Cola use a Stevia-Sugar mix to sweeten their products. Many people prefer Stevia over other "sugar imposters" such as Splenda or Sweet'N Low. It does not mess with blood glucose, which makes it attractive to people with Diabetes or controlled diets.

Stevia has no calories, but don't let that fool you. Total intake should still be managed; eating too much could make you gain weight as easily as too much sugar. Surprisingly, 1 tsp of Stevia = 1 cup of sugar, so be careful how much you add!

Fun Fact: Packaged Stevia is not necessarily straight Stevia. Many companies mix other compounds to lower the cost.

To avoid eating unknown substances, I make my own! Keeping reading to find out how to plant, harvest, and blend your own substitute!

I bought one Bonnie Stevia plant from Lowe's at the beginning of  Summer. I now have 6 different plants because they multiply themselves.  The plant I had purchased was a little wilted and in desperate need of water. Bonnie's website has a great list of tips for raising each type of plant they sell. (https://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-stevia/) I went to the website and did some research on the plant since I have never raised one before. I did what the website said to do and it only took one night for it to recover after being replanted and watered! Obviously, since it revived so fast, it is super easy to take care of! That's good news for people who have a hard time keeping plants alive, like my mom ( :

After growing all Summer, I decided it was time to harvest the leaves and finally make some sweetener! 

They do taste a tad bit better in cooler weather, but it is also bitterish after the plant blooms flowers, so I am going to get as many batches as I can.

 The leaves should get about 5-8 inches long (some shorter, some longer) before harvesting. The website says to cut the entire stem with the leaves on it, but I simply just detach the leaves and leave the stem. The leaves will regrow in their place. 

For my first batch of powder, I collected around 10 leaves. Of course you can use more, I was just experimenting, so I didn't want to waste any. 

Making your own blend is super easy!

 After you have harvested your leaves, thoroughly wash them. You don't want bugs or dirt in your substitute!

Completely dry them.

The easiest way to dry out the Stevia is to lay them on a dry towel, paper towel, cloth, or screen. Place outside in a place the sun can completely remove all moisture, or in a dry spot in the house.

Once completely dried, use a blender or Ninja to completely break the leaves into tiny grains.
Use to sweeten foods and drinks. Please note that Stevia grains do not fully dissolve, but they make a great sweetener!

You can also make your own Stevia extract by adding a cup of warm water to 1/4 cup of Stevia grains. Let mixture set for 24 hours and then refrigerate. The extract can also be used to sweeten foods and beverages.

There are so many things Stevia is used for. Baking is one of them.
It does sweeten everything without using very much, but keep in mind that it doesn't carmelize.
 See what all the buzz is about! Try it out for yourself!

10+ Ways to Cut Down on Waste

Here at the farm, we used to go through trash bags like CRAZY!
After doing a little thinking, I came up with a list of stuff that would help to cut back on waste.
Not only are we saving money now, but we are also helping to save the Earth.
Many of the things we throw away every day can be reused around the house, or recycled.

Cut back. Period.

This can be hard for people to do, especially if they are as picky as I am.
I could suggest not buying single bottles of water, but I'm not going to because that's all I will drink.
I will suggest buying a reusable water bottle though, because they are becoming a popular thing, and getting a lot cuter!
I really believe we should all be cutting down on the processed foods all together. In that case, we would be cutting down the on packaging we throw away tremendously. We all need sweets and easy-to-make foods sometimes. In this case, we should buy in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging we pitch.
Also, use less napkins and paper products at your house!

These are just a few examples, but there are so many more great ways to cut back.
That's not all though! Put what you do have to buy to good use!

Reusing Around The House

I reuse many things around the house.
There's no need to throw away most of the stuff we tend to pitch!

1. Lunch meat containers can be reused for storing leftovers or other items (also can be recycled.)

2. Plastic water bottles can be re-purposed in many ways.

• Use bottle halves to start seeds in.
• Hang bottles with the ends removed in rabbit cages. Use for holding hay and treats to give them something to do.
• Use for bird feeders. Poke holes big enough for their beaks, but small enough that the feed doesn't all come out. Put bird or chicken feed in and hang! 
• Poke holes in cap and use as waterer.
• Use dry bottles to store seeds for following years. 
• Craft, Craft, Craft! Pintrest has a TON of crafting posts using plastic bottles!
• Recycle them!

3. Used milk jugs (or any jugs) can be used as watering jugs as well. We fill them with our homemade herbal air freshener so it is ready to go when we need it. 

4. Used toilet paper and paper towel rolls can be used as hanging bird feeders and hanging hay holders for the rabbits.

5. Used K-Cups also have many uses around the house! (SAVE THE COFFEE GROUNDS!)

• Use them as seed starters. They already have a drain hole in the bottom, so just plant and go!
• Use them as bath bomb molds.
• Decorate with them! Poke Christmas lights through the bottom holes, and have instant party lighting.

http://creative.viralnova.com/coffee-pod-crafts/

•  Check Pintrest for additional crafts and DIY K-Cup activities!
• Again, Recycle

6.  Save Coffee and Tea Grounds for your compost bin, garden, and more!

• Using the grounds in your garden adds nitrogen to the soil and greatly helps your plants thrive. It also eliminates snails, slugs, and ants!
• Using them on root plants, such as carrots, makes them grow the most!
• Cleaning with coffee helps get that deeper clean that some places need, not to mention it smells GREAT!
• Make homemade scrubs and soaps with it! Once again, it smells awesome! 
• Ladies - coffee grounds even have a possibility of helping with cellulite. Rubbing grounds on the areas for about 10 minutes a few times per week could help make it disappear.
• Some people even cook with grounds! Meat rubs are the most popular.

7.  Look up DIY activities for other things you throw away. There are tons of things you can do with stuff that will save you money and create fun!

Getting Rid of Food Scraps

There are a lot of food scraps you have to pitch, but there are also many you can put to good use!

1. Replanting

• Replant lettuce and celery bottoms, pineapple tops, mushroom stems, garlic heads, and onions to save you money and cut back.

2. Composting

• Start a compost bin or pile if you don't already have one! You can add vegetable scraps, fruit scraps, eggshells, newpaper, wood scraps, manure, weeds, and grass cuttings. Keep turning it and you will have fresh, healthy soil in no time!

3. Feeding scraps to animals

• Chickens, ducks, and rabbits LOVE getting vegie and fruit scraps!
• Goats like anything really from vegies to old bread.
• Feed meat scrap to your dogs.

I recommend not feeding your animals anything moldy.

Let Others Put it to Good Use

If you don't like that shirt anymore, or got a new TV, don't just throw it away. There's plenty you can do with that stuff!

1. Good Will and Thrift shops
2. Facebook Fleamarkets/Craigslist
3. Yardsale
4. Give to people in need
5. Freecycle
6. BuyNothing

There are always people out there in search of free or cheap stuff. Don't pitch it! Sell it or give it away!
Even things like baby food jars are needed by people.


I like the idea of saving the Earth. Though one person could never do it themselves, they can inspire others to help make a change. Change really does start with you!
Until tomorrow!

Making an Emergency Car Kit

Hey y'all! As soon as I got my first car, my mom had me put a small container of supplies in the trunk that would help me in any situation!
I'm going to help you create your very own emergency car kit, to ensure you that you will be okay under any circumstances!

My mom and I sat down and created a list of items that I could possibly need if I were anywhere away from home.  We were thinking about every possible situation, so we may have gone a little bit overboard, but safety first, I guess.
Here's pictures and descriptions of everything I have included in my own emergency car kit!

Band-Aids of all sizes, Gauze sponges, Antiseptic wash, Antibiotic Ointment, Cleansing wipes, Hair ties, Bobby pins, and Safety Pins. 

Instant hot and cold packs.

Headache medicine for emergencies.

 

More Antibacterial wipes for messes.

 

Plenty of trash bags (if you're like me). I like my car clean(:

 A flash light in case you break down, or just need it at any time.

Of course snacks, bottled water, a plastic cup, and mini spoons and forks..Never know when you're going to get stuck in traffic, brake down, or just be plain out hungry!

 

 Of course you always need your hair brush, lotion, perfume, and hand sanitizer!

 

Along with deodorant and an extra toothbrush (toothpaste and floss, too!)

 

Oh yeah! Once again, PLENTY OF TRASH BAGS

  

A change purse with change.. You never know when you'll have to cross a toll booth or pay to park.

  

Of course, more smell goods! I always have a supply of air fresheners!

  

 An umbrella for the rain.

 

An ice scraper for the snow and ice (so cute!)

 A cute neck pillow for your passengers on long rides, or even you if you are sitting in your car for a long while. (Mine massages!)

 

WD-40 (I just love the tiny can!)

 

 Extra Oil, Antifreeze, Windshield Wiper Fluid, Brake Fluid, and Starting Fluid in case you run out unexpectedly or brake down.

 All of my supplies fit nicely in one small, convenient container.

It all fits nicely inside my dirty trunk next to my emergency fishing pole(:

Of course there are other items you should keep in your car that I did not list, such as:

• Blanket (Mine matches my puppy neck pillow)
• Sweatshirt
• Socks (I keep regular and fuzzy socks just in case I break down in the Winter, or simply just need socks)
• Change of clothes
• Gloves, scarf, and hat (Winter)
• Extra shoes
• Other medications that may be important to you
• Emergency money
• Jumper cables
• Tools to change tires, fix whatever, etc...
• Phone Charger
• Pen and Paper
• Multi-tool or a knife
•  Paper Map (just in case)

All of these items can easily fit in your car. Using a small container has helped me to fit supplies in my car, along with the console, glove box, and a bag that goes under your seats.
It is always better to be prepared because you never know what is going to happen. Safety first!

Citronella, Citronella, and More Citronella!

After being asked "what is that plant?" by many people, I've realized that a great number of people don't know what Citronella is.

Have you ever bought the outdoor citronella candles that repel mosquitoes? Many will be surprised to hear that those are made out of Citronella plants (Hints: the name)!

I bought my Citronella plants back in June, and they are probably one of my most favorite plants. They are super easy to take care of, they smell wonderful, and they keep all bugs off my porch! Can't get any better than that!
All I did was plant them in bigger pots and set them on each side of the porch. Mosquitoes HATE the smell, so they don't come around!
But it gets so much better than that..
There are tons of uses for Citronella, and it comes back every year!
Keep reading to find out all the amazing uses for this plant, as well as how to preserve it over the Winter months.

Harvesting Citronella 

Harvesting the leaves off the plant is not a hard job at all. Simply just pull the leaves off the stocks and they will regrow themselves. They respond well to pruning, so you don't have to worry about hurting the plant.

Preserving Harvested Leaves

Boiling Method- Bug Spray
Boil the leaves until scent is strong enough. Strain mixture. Use liquid as a bug spray to repel insects.

Slow Cooker Method- Citronella Oil
Blend Citronella leaves into a paste. Add Olive Oil and blend into a slow cooker and simmer for 5-8 hours. Strain and store in a easy-to-pour bottle or container.

Uses for Citronella Oil

You are going to be amazed at what Citronella can do around the house and for your body, beyond repelling pests!

Insect Repellent
As I mentioned before, Citronella is one of the most effective mosquito repellents you can find, but there is more! It can also prevent body lice, head lice, and flies.
Just apply every 30-60 minutes when outdoors.

Pet Control
This miracle plant can:

• Calm barking dogs

Just wave a leaf by their nose so that they can pick up the smell. (It actually works for Brodie and Cooper!)
You could also use the spray or oil for this.

• Keep dogs off the furniture
• Keep bacteria, pests, and odor off the furniture and blankets.

Just spray down the areas in which you prefer!

Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Reducer
Citronella reduces swelling and increases blood flow, which helps with pain. It can also help with joint pain and arthritis!

Digestive Aid
Using the Citronella oil in your diet could do the following:

• Detox body - increases sweating and urination to cleanse body from toxins
• Prevent bacteria growth in digestive tract
• Speeds up healing process
• Can kill parasites and worms in the body
• Protects against a number of diseases and infections

 Natural Skin Care
Applying a small amount of Citronella to your daily cleansing routine could help you:

• Get rid of acne and dark spots
• Fade sun spots
• Fight warts, boils, and age spots
• Heal dermatitis, eczema, and bug bite scars
• Makes skin look more youthful

That sounds great to me!

Muscle Relaxant
This one's pretty self explanatory.
Rubbing the Citronella oil on painful areas can help to relieve cramps, swelling, and pain.

Natural Hair Care
Add the oil to your regular routine to get rid of dandruff and oils, and add volume!







 The great thing is, all of these requires little to no effort after the oil and spray are made! How convenient!
I have added Citronella to my daily life, and it has helped out so much! It is well worth your money!
Consider trying it!

 Until tomorrow!