Gently Georgic

Toothpowder Ideas

2011-06-10T06:10:00.000-07:00

We get a lot of requests at the OraMedia site for formulations for homemade toothpaste and oral rinses - even a few from South America, where, in some countries, baking soda is a controlled substance due to its use in the manufacture of cocaine.

The following formulations are submissions by readers.

#1 (From Dr. Paul Keyes)
Add glycerin to baking soda to form a pasty mixture that can be applied to a toothbrush with a spoon or other instrument.

Put a capful of hydrogen peroxide in a tumbler.
Moisten bristles of toothbrush (mulitufted) by dipping in peroxide
Rub moistened bristles over cake of unscented Neutrogena soap
Cover bristles with soda-glycerin mixture.
While watching in a mirror brush cheek-sides and tongue-sides of teeth
Redip brush in peroxide as needed
Work mixture between teeth with a flat toothpick or Butler stimulator

A few drops of wintergreen oil could be added to the glycerin-soda mixture for flavor

#2
Equal parts Real Salt (Redmond Utah) and baking soda made into a paste using 3% Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide. I have been using this formula for approx. the last three months and it seems to be shrinking the pockets around my teeth. I will know this for sure next month when I allow the dentist to probe depths.

How To Protect Your Children From Tooth and Gum Disease -
From Birth to Early Teens...
A four-part series by Dr. Robert Nara
including 'Saving Orthodontic Dollars'

#3
I have been making my own toothpowder for years:

2tbsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt (sea salt, available in bulk at health food stores)
1 tsp vodka
2 drops each: Oregano oil, wintergreen, peppermint
Shake it all up good and it is wonderful.

I also use 2 drops of Orageno oil in my irrigator.

If someone has bonding on their teeth it is not recommended. Oregano will stain it. That is what my dentist said.

I bought a wide mouth jar at the store, added one cup baking soda and one cup salt, then shook. I wet my brush, shake off the excess water, dip it in the mixture, and brush for two minutes. Then I swish a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide around in my mouth, gargle, and spit. I rinse with water a few times, making sure to gargle. Follow this with dental floss.

I've eliminated bleeding, tender gums using this for a year now. The interesting thing is using the hydrogen peroxide. It sometimes foams like mad and sometimes doesn't foam. I figure it's the variation in germ amounts in my mouth! Probably keeps me from getting colds and sore throats, too.

#5
About 20 years ago, My wife and I were both diagnosed with having periodontal disease --- with deep pockets, over 10. It was suggested by our dentist that we see a periodontist with the idea of having our gums cut, plaque was removed, and the gums stitched after that procedure.

A friend of ours had that done and was not pleased with the pain, suffering and expense.

We then learned about Dr. Nara and his technique. We followed his recommendations. After following his regime for slightly over a month, we went back to our dentist for a review of our condition. He was thoroughly pleased with the results. When we told him we did not get a treatment from the periodontist but, instead, used Dr. Nara's method, he was shocked, and pleasingly surprised.

Last year, after having neglected to continue with this wonderful method of prevention, I was examined once again and informed my gum pockets were as deep as 16. And, again, I was referred to a periodontist that had "the latest technology --- scaling my teeth with a microscope viewing devise. "It may or may not work. And, it is not covered by insurance."

I opted for trying Dr. Nara's method again. After two months, I revisited my dentist. Again, he was impressed with the condition of my gums.

The method I use is an irrigator with the cannulae tip
.
I use a heaping teaspoon of salt, a heaping teaspoon of baking soda (to neutralize the acids) and over an ounce of hydrogen peroxide (which helps to remove the plaque).

I follow that with Rockland's SuperOxy Mouthwash, which contains Aloe Vera (for healing); to which I add about 50% of hydrogen peroxide. It has a mint flavor. I'm inclined to think I can mix my own, experimenting with the same ingredients (H2O2, Mint, Aloe Vera and pure water), suited to my taste.

I hope this information is helpful to stop the "Drill, Fill, Bill" mentality of so many of today's dentists.

#6
Here are my ideas for holistic home-made tooth products!

Healing Clay from the Healing Earth

I like to use Clay - Argiletz clay - either as a dry powder with a damp toothbrush dipped in it. There are different colors with slightly different properties.
Clay is so rich in minerals - it is wonderful for demineralization. It is also highly alkalizing without resorting to using baking soda. I have read some excellent research about the detrimental systemic effects of baking soda if ingested and inadvertently some will be absorbed through oral tissue or swallowed.

White clay is great for general dental use for adults and children
Green clay is slightly more cleansing and toning to the gums
Pink and red clay are soothing
Yellow clay is great for regenerating tissue - it is very high in natural sulfer which has a strengthening effect on gum tissue.

As a powder it can be used straight or mixed into a paste with water, with salt water, with proplolis, with colloidal silver or liquid calcium/magnesium etc.

It can be rinsed out - or left on for a while and rinsed out - there is no danger to swallowing it - actually good for you - many people take up to a tablespoon or more internally for cleansing and as a mineral substance that adjusts homeostasis

A formula that I devised is

LittleTree Toothpowder

2 tablespoons white clay powder
1-2 teaspoons very fine MSM powder
1 teaspoon (or more to taste) very fine Xylitol powder
lemon or peppermint or fennel essential oils to taste (1-5 drops)

Dentie: A traditional Japanese/Macrobiotic Remedy

Also great is dentie powder - a mix of charcolated eggplant and unrefined sea salt.

Some people find it too strong for everyday use but it is excellent treatment to use it 1-3 times a week for gum strengthening and deep teeth cleaning.

It is great to have on hand because it can stop bleeding - not just in the mouth - also traditionally used for nose bleeding and in emergency situations has been taken internally with a bleeding stomach ulcer or cancer (obviously professional care is also required!)

This arresting of bleeding quality obviously makes for a great remedy for any gum bleeding issues if they are caused by over expansion (yin in macrobiotic terms)
In natural food and organic and macrobiotic supply stores and mail/internet order companies dentie can be bought as an inexpensive powder, mixed into a paste in a toothpaste tube. It can also be made at home.
Dentie is made from the calix of eggplants. The calix is the top part, by which the eggplant is attached to its stem.

The original way of preparing it is:
for a long period (weeks, months or even years!) the calixes of the eggplants were stored under pressure (A heavy weight) with 20 percent salt. Then this mixture was dried and carbonized.

The modern way to prepare it is quicker! The top parts of the eggplants are roasted slowly for a long time, until they pulverize. To this 30-50% roasted unrefined sea salt is added.

By subjecting this very yin (expansive) plant to the influences of heat, time, salt and originally also to pressure - all very yang factors), the strong yin substance of the eggplant is neutralized completely and only the deep yang essence of the plants remains! True alchemy.

Dentie has been shown to be effective for dealing with problems fo the teeth and gums especially if these problems have a yin cause.

For example:
Toothache - if caused by yin - over consumption of sugar, alcohol, tropical fruit etc. - rub dentie into the gum around the painful tooth for 5 minutes
pyorrhea - a purulent gum dis-ease caused by yin factors, especially sugar rich foods. Brush teeth and gums carefully. Then rinse mouth and rub dentie on the outside of gums. Allow the dentie to soak into the gums as long as possible. It isn't harmful to swallow but avoid swallowing to much to avoid craving sweets and lots of liquid. It is very salty!

I avoid anything made with glycerine and prefer to use things as a powder or paste made with water just before use. I have read research that the presence of glycerine severely to completely inhibits remineralisation - which is vital. Apparently it takes up to 12 or more vigorous rinses to remove the glycerine after brushing teeth with toothpaste or any formula that contains glycerine. If it is not removed, then the remineralisation which occurs through the minerals that are dissolved in saliva's interaction with the tooth surface, is compromised.

I also like to use just a drop of pure organic peppermint oil especially after the sonicare use.

With my Sonicare or Ionic toothbrush I often use just water and find it clears plaque, tartar and gives a fresh mouth feel!

#7
My submission is my personal variation on a recipe from the book, An A-Z Aromatherapy by Patricia Davis.

The original recipe is this for mouthwash:
250 mls cheap brandy
30 drops Peppermint essential oil
20 drops Thyme eo
10 drops Myrrh eo
10 drops Fennel eo

I really didn't want the alcohol wash, so I mix the essential oils with
about 3/4 cup of baking soda. I run it through a mesh sifter or strainer a couple of times to mix it well and put it in a little plastic container with a lid. I just dip my wet toothbrush in this to brush my teeth with. It gives the soda a better taste and is very good for the gums.

That is the basics. You can substitue Tea Tree oil for the Thyme and this is very anti-septic. You can also substitute Mandarin for Fennel if you prefer that taste (Fennel tastes like black licorice for those who don't know). Myrrh is essential to this mixture for its healing and tonic properties.I made this for my mom who has yellowed teeth and receding gums from smoking cigarettes. She wet her toothbrush with Hydrogen Peroxide and then dipped
it in the powder. Within a week we noticed a difference, within two weeks her teeth were whiter and her gums were pinker with no brown spots. She certainly has a prettier smile now!

I hope this can help some people out there like it helped us!

#8
Tooth Powder

3 parts baking soda
1 part sea salt
3 parts calcium-magnesium-vit c powder*
3 parts finely ground prickly ash bark
1 part echinacea powder
1/2 part goldenseal powder
Optional: peppermint essential oil to taste

Combine the ingredients and shake well. Use about 1/4 tsp on a wet toothbrush.

*I use Wachter's Cal-Mag-Vit C Powder which adds a nice flavor. All ingredients are available at a health food store.
*******************************
Personal note:
Due to extenuating circumstances I hadn't used my toothpowder for about 9 months and was using a powder from the health food store. I had a few teeth "pinging" occassionally and was unable to chew on one side due to sensivity. This motivated me to make a batch. After two days all was well and the sensivity was gone. I never have a problem with bleeding gums or plaque. Recently had a check up with a new dentist. He said my gums were in great shape and asked what I used. I shared the formula to which he replied, "That's why! Keep up the good work."

Make Your Own Vitamin C

Learn the truth about gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, gingivitis, plaque, tarter, dentists, preventive dentistry, in-home dental care
and oral hygiene.
START SAVING DENTAL DOLLARS NOW !

Tom,

...I really feel like I hit "pay-dirt" when I found out about OraMedia. I downloaded a lot of your information and am pouring over it with great delight. I am very focused on discovering every natural means for staying healthy and have supported my health and that of friends and family with natural means for many years. I am also a compounder of natural health products and have made many beneficial remedies by gleaning the wisdom of learned people. The information on your site has helped me greatly in understanding what one can best do to keep teeth and gums healthy.

I plan to have one or more natural health-oriented websites up and running within a month or so, and as a service to my readers I would like to include a link to OraMedia ( Mizar5.com ). Without a doubt, yours is the best dental information I have encountered on the Internet! I wish you the best success for your site, for you are providing a valuable resource for those, like me, who want to steer clear of medical/dental intervention.

Thanks again.
John Barilla, Brother John Enterprises, Inc. 1/25/06

Canning Beans Today.....like Cafe Rio's (hopefully?)

2011-05-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

I've got my big bowl of pinto beans soaking and they are ready to be put into jars. I love the flavor of Cafe Rio's black beans, so I am going to add these ingredients to the bottle before pressure canning them for 90 minutes. Hopefully they turn out yummy. (Recipe found at Pinchingyourpennies.com)

2 Tbl finely minced onion

2 cloves minced garlic

1 tsp ground cumin

1 cup tomato juice (might use chunked tomatoes instead, I have those)

3 Tbl chopped Fresh Cilantro

1 tsp salt

Blackberry Cobbler

2011-05-23T14:43:00.000-07:00

We bought the motherload of blackberries from Bountiful Baskets. Now this is our plan.

Sift:
2 cups Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon salt

Mix In:

1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 1/2 sticks melted Butter
2 cups Milk
1 tablespoon Vanilla

Pour the batter into a large buttered baking dish.
Sprinkle 4 cups Blackberries over the top of the batter; distributing evenly.
Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar over the top.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until golden and bubbly.
Sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup of sugar over the cobbler 10 minutes before it’s done.

Will serve about 10.

This is not overbearingly sweet. Feel free to add more sugar to both the batter and or the fruit if you like a really sweet taste.

This is so pretty and so good. I love how the sugar over the top at the last makes it sparkly and crispy.
This is definately a prize recipe.

(I got the basic recipe outline and picture from Pioneer Woman, and then of course changed it up a little.)

2010-11-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

Ingredients

3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups sugar (1 br, 1 white)
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup butter or margarine melted
1/2 cup oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour (1/2 whole wheat if preferred)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 3/4 cup shredded zucchini (less moisture)
1 cup chopped walnuts or dried cranberries or raisins or chocolate chips (optional)

Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, and Sugar mixture if desired for top.

Bake at 350
Large loaves will need about 45 mins. Small loaves will need around 30. Check for doneness.
Can be made into muffins also (bake about 20 mins)

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine eggs and sugar. Add pumpkin, butter and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Stir in zucchini and nuts. Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until breads test done. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack. Wrap with plastic wrap to cool, eat the next day for best texture, or gobble up right now....we probably will.

More Food Storage Ideas

2010-11-19T12:08:00.003-08:00

Food Storage Ideas

Family Size: 1

Time frame 1 year

Wheat...................175 lbs

Flour...................20 lbs

Quinoa..................30 lbs

Rolled Oats.............50 lbs

White Rice..............80 lbs

Pearled Barley..........5 lbs

Spaghetti Or Macaroni...40 lbs

Dry Beans...............45 lbs

Dry Soy Beans...........2 lbs

Dry Split Peas..........2 lbs

Dry Lentils.............2 lbs

Dry Soup Mix............7 lbs

Peanut Butter...........1 qt

Almont Butter...........1 qt

Nonfat Dry Milk.........14 lbs

Granulated Sugar........40 lbs

Molasses................1 lb

Honey...................3 lbs

Beef Gelatin............1 lb

Salt....................8 lbs

Dry Yeast...............0.5 lbs

Water...................28 gal.

Multiply items 1x per additional family size

_______________________

Found the list on a web site, here's the list for posterity

100 Items to Disappear First

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy...target of thieves; maintenance etc.)

2. Water Filters/Purifiers

3. Portable Toilets

4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 - 12 months to become dried, for home uses.

5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)

6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.

7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.

8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.

9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar

10. Rice - Beans - Wheat

11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)

12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)

13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY - note - food grade if for drinking.

16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.

17. Survival Guide Book.

18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)

19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.

20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)

21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)

22. Vitamins

23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)

24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.

25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)

26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)

27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)

28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)

29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).

30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels

31. Milk - Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)

32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)

33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)

34. Coleman's Pump Repair Kit

35. Tuna Fish (in oil)

36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)

37. First aid kits

38. Batteries (all sizes...buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)

39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies

40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)

41. Flour, yeast & salt

42. Matches. {"Strike Anywhere" preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first

43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators

44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)

45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts

46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, "No. 76 Dietz" Lanterns

47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)

48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting - if with wheels)

49. Men's Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc

50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)

51. Fishing supplies/tools

52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams

53. Duct Tape

54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes

55. Candles

56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)

57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags

58. Garden tools & supplies

59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies

60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.

61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)

62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)

63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel

64. Bicycles...Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc

65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats

66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)

67. Board Games, Cards, Dice

68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer

69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets

70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)

71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)

72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.

73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)

74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)

75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase

76. Reading glasses

77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)

78. "Survival-in-a-Can"

79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens

80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog

81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)

82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky

83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts

84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)

85. Lumber (all types)

86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)

87. Cots & Inflatable mattress's

88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.

89. Lantern Hangers

90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts

91. Teas

92. Coffee

93. Cigarettes

94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)

95. Paraffin wax

96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

97. Chewing gum/candies

98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)

99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs

100. Goats/chickens

From a Sarajevo War Survivor:

Experiencing horrible things that can happen in a war - death of parents and

friends, hunger and malnutrition, endless freezing cold, fear, sniper attacks.

1. Stockpiling helps. but you never no how long trouble will last, so locate near renewable food sources.

2. Living near a well with a manual pump is like being in Eden.

3. After awhile, even gold can lose its luster. But there is no luxury in war quite like toilet paper. Its surplus value is greater than gold's.

4. If you had to go without one utility, lose electricity - it's the easiest to do without (unless you're in a very nice climate with no need for heat.)

5. Canned foods are awesome, especially if their contents are tasty without heating. One of the best things to stockpile is canned gravy - it makes a lot of the dry unappetizing things you find to eat in war somewhat edible. Only needs enough heat to "warm", not to cook. It's cheap too, especially if you buy it in bulk.

6. Bring some books - escapist ones like romance or mysteries become more valuable as the war continues. Sure, it's great to have a lot of survival guides, but you'll figure most of that out on your own anyway - trust me, you'll have a lot of time on your hands.

7. The feeling that you're human can fade pretty fast. I can't tell you how many people I knew who would have traded a much needed meal for just a little bit of toothpaste, rouge, soap or cologne. Not much point in fighting if you have to lose your humanity. These things are morale-builders like nothing else.

8. Slow burning candles and matches, matches, matches

____________________

For more references on survival, google "emergency survival" & "emergency food" for the myriad of links to relevant sites. Even reading the how-to survival books might help (check out the list at Amazon by inputting "survival" in Books section and search around for particular books).

Of course, if one can afford and get over the 'irrational fear' of firearms (unless the city, state or national law where you live expressly forbid the ownership of certain firearm with the threat of jail and penalties, like New York state and Australia), the ownership of firearms will be essential to survival. A bow, set of arrows and field dressing kit & manual might help in hunting wild game for roasting & consumption. Just my idea.

Food Storage Suggestions

2010-11-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

Food Storage your family will need:

Grains

Wheat lbs

Flour lbs

Corn Meal lbs

Oats lbs

Rice lbs

Pasta lbs

Total Grains lbs

Fats and Oils

Shortening lbs

Vegetable Oil gal

Mayonnaise qts

Salad Dressing qts

Peanut Butter lbs

Total Fats lbs

Legumes

Beans, dry lbs

Lima Beans lbs

Soy Beans lbs

Split Peas lbs

Lentils lbs

Dry Soup Mix lbs

Total Legumes lbs

Sugars

Honey lbs

Sugar lbs

Brown Sugar lbs

Molasses lbs

Corn Syrup lbs

Jams lbs

Fruit drink powdered lbs

Flavored Gelatin lbs

Total Sugars lbs

Milk

Dry Milk lbs

Evaporated Milk can

Other lbs

Total Dairy lbs

Cooking Essentials

Baking Powder lbs

Baking Soda lbs

Yeast lbs

Salt lbs

Vinegar gal

Water

Water gal

Bleach gal

Pear and Cranberry Preserves and Buttermilk Syrup

2010-10-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

All this is copy and pasted recipes from momzoo.blogspot.com (she has pretty pictures.) But I am heading out to pick a pear tree, and thought this would be great to try. It looked amazing in the jars.

Pear and Cranberry Preserves
Here is the recipe from the "Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving"

3 cups crushed cored peeled pears

2/3 cup coarsely chopped dried cranberries

1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice

1/4 cup lemon juice

5 1/2 cup sugar (wowza!)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 pouch liquid pectin

In a large stainless steel pot combine all ingredients except the pectin. Over high heat, stirring constantly, bring to a full rolling boil, one that cannot be stirred down. Stir in pectin. Boil hard, stirring constantly for 1 minute.

Remove from heat, process 10 minutes (depending on elevation).

Buttermilk Syrup recipe

This syrup is super sweet, super buttery and down right yummy! It is very simple to make and usually I whip it up while frying pancakes in the morning, however it can be made ahead and kept in the refrigerator.

Here are the ingredients:

1 cup Butter

1 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp baking soda

First, melt the butter.

Then add sugar and milk, whisk together and bring to a boil.

It will be creamy and frothy

Once the butter mixture is boiling, take it off the heat and add vanilla and baking soda.

The baking soda will make the mixture very foamy and big (for lack of a better word), so make sure you watch it so it won't bubble over the sides of the pan (using a big pan helps)

Serve nice and hot

What to do with all those now frozen green tomatoes...

2010-10-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

1 onion

3 cloves garlic shopping list

8 green tomatoes shopping list

2 jalapenos shopping list

juice of 1 lime shopping list

salt shopping list

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put a little olive oil in two baking dishes. Leave the skin of the onion on. Slice it in half and put the onion in the baking dish, cut side down. LEave the peels on the garlic. Slice the tops quarter-inch off the cloves of garlic off. Put the garlic in sliver foil, pour a little oil over the cloves, and close the silver foil. Put it in the baking dish. Place the jalapenos and green tomatoes in the second baking dish. Bake for an hour, until the cut edges of the onion are brown and carmelized, and the garlic is squishy and golden. Bake the jalapenos and tomatoes for twenty minutes, until slightly softened.

When cool enough to handle, remove the skins from the onions and garlic. Mince the onion into a mushy paste. Chop the tomatoes to small, quarter-inch pieces. (Note: if you are using a blender or a food processor instead of a mortar and pestle, you can chop the onion and tomatoes very coarsely.) Remove the stems from the jalapenos, slice them lengthwise, and remove the gills and most of the seeds. (Leaving more seeds will make the salsa hotter).

If available, place all in the ingredients in a matate, a stone mortar and pestle. Or use a blender or food processor. Grind or chop until pureed, though still chunky. Add lime juice and salt to taste.

For My Scouts

2010-05-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

Scout Vespers (sing to tune of “Oh Christmas Tree”)

Softly falls the light of day,

As our campfire fades away.

Silently each Scout should ask,

“Have I done my daily task?

Have I kept my honor bright?

Can I guiltless sleep tonight?

Have I done and have I dared,

Everything to be Prepared?”

thanks to http://danandsherree.com/2006/03/05/outline_running_a_court_of_honor.php

2010-03-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

When thoughts of spring are squelched with this view from the front door.....

The promise of spring is patiently sprouting on the kitchen windowsill - thanks to a recycled egg carton, some starting mix, a heating pad, lots of sunlight, and Roma Tomato seeds. I can just taste the summer salsa.

Biology 332: Trapping

2010-02-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

The boys have been setting traps all winter, and they finally snared a coyote. After, about six hours of skinning and fleshing they now have a second hide to match the one they got last year. They have had a few good mentors around our area that have helped them to learn trapping technique. It actually takes quite a bit of thought and skill to be successful in obtaining the desired prize.

From the book, A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver Demille:

"The professor or expert tells the students what they need to know, invites or compels them to conform to certain ideas and standards, and grades or otherwise rewards or punishes them for their various levels of conformity. In contrast, the *mentor *finds out the student's goals,

interests, talents, weaknesses, strengths, and purpose, and then helps
him develop his genius and prepare him for his unique mission."

Do you think somehow all this outdoor and trapping experience is part of their "unique genius"?

Hearthside

2010-02-04T21:50:00.000-08:00

Being Gently Georgic means: Even though I fortunately do not HAVE TO at this time, I am prepared, with the tools I own, the knowledge I have acquired, and the Grace of the Lord to care for my family in any circumstance. I can heat my home, prepare my meals, and dry wet laundry without reliance on a large complicated system outside of my control (electrical service). And fortunatly, I can mostly just enjoy the beauty and charm and warmth of my home's stove.

Would a wood burning stove be the best investment your family could make. There are so many options. A modern free standing stove can supply heat and a cooked meal even in times that the power is out. And a couple cords of wood is easier to store than the fuel it takes to run a generator for the same amount of time. It takes a little more effort, but it is a real effort, with tangible benefits. It's Georgic.

(We are looking to update the current stove we have. My desire is to build an open fire place like the one shown above (picture from Mt. Vernon), and then to insert a soapstone stove like the one's featured at Lehmans.com.)

Let these beautiful pictures inspire you to become a little more Georgic.

2010-01-16T20:59:00.000-08:00

In Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Brink, the Woodland family is faced with a dilemna. They can choose to stay in wild Wisconsin as pioneering homesteaders, or return to an unexpected large inheritance as Lords and Ladies of an English manor. The children are allowed to discuss before voting in the matter:
"Father's the kind of man that likes to do things for himself and be at the front of things," said Caddie. "He likes to be free and help build new places. I think he'd rather go on West than go back to an old country where everything is finished."
"I would, too," said Tom. "I'd rather build a new mill in America than live in a castle in England that somebody who'd died hundreds of years ago had had the fun of building."

A great testament to the American spirit their father infused into their lives is shared in this dialogue. This is a glimpse into what it meant to be an American, and still should. What are you doing to build the American Spirit in your family? Is your face turned to the "west?" Are you building and striving and living like freemen....Americans?

2010-01-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

- Cicero - 55 BC

Interesting how the same follies have affected men throughout all times. What are you doing to be a producer, what are you doing to understand how to be free?

Homegrown PE and Sports Entertainment

2010-01-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know if we consciously chose to simplify our reaction to the

sporting extravaganza guilt trip available to every parent in America

(after all, if those darling kiddo athlete aren't in every possible activity available, well I don't know, but something bad has gotta happen...,)

But, we are totally loving the time spent in our own backyard "stadium" antics...

Hockey, anyone?

Oh, the joys of a frozen pond, and a stick, and brothers...

Fortunately, I don't think he looks too deprived.

You might not have a frozen pond available to you, but snow is great for circle tag games, fort building and snowball wars, building snowmen, sledding, and snow angels.

Don't forget the hot chocolate.