Argan Oil from Morocco

Recently, we've had several requests for Argan Oil.  So, we went searching.  And we found it.  You can find it in our shop in downtown Lancaster, or on our web site. Argan Oil

This is pure, organic Argan oil, sourced from a fair-trade women's collective in Morocco, employing 80 women. Sometimes known as Moroccan Oil, Argan oil is traditionally used for skin care and hair care.  

Argan trees are so important to the dry eco-system in Morocco that they are officially protected by the government.  They have a very deep, penetrating root system and help to stabilize the soil structure, as well as having the ability to draw moisture and nutrients from deep below the surface.

All parts of the fruit are used.  The outer fruit peels are food for livestock animals, the inner shells are used for fuel in homes and community bath houses.  The seeds are then roasted and ground, releasing the oil. 

Making Dragon's Breath or What Is That Stuff??

All through the Autumn and Winter, I keep huge jars of Dragon's Breath brewing in the back room.  I bottle it as we need to for the shop & start another batch.  We go through many gallons each year.  Whenever we allow someone to peer into the workroom, they immediately espy this jar & can't imagine what outrageous brew we might be working on.  Some of the reactions are really quite funny.

Dragon's Breath is a tonic vinegar, most often used as a cold remedy, but I've known several people who used it in cooking - for spicy salad dressing and for a marinade.  It's a very healthy brew, fighting colds and infections, opening up clogged breathing passages, and warming you on a cold night.

Mix a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar in  a mug of hot water, perhaps sweeten with a bit of honey, and sip.  Mmmmmm.  Cold night are coming soon, so it's time to stock up!  http://www.herbsfromthelabyrinth.com/item/Dragons-Breath-Cold-Remedy-14

And here's a sneak peek at some of what actually goes into the brew with raw apple cider vinegar... nothing to be scared of...

A Wonderful Weekend at the New England Women's Herb Conference

 photo by Susan Leiken

I've just gotten home from a wonderful weekend at the New England Women's Herb Conference.  This was the 24th annual conference, organized by Rosemary Gladstar and an amazing group of women.  I've been 6 or 8 times, and it's always fabulous.  More than 500 women gathered at a camp outside of Hebron, NH.  I tended my booth (shown here), took several classes, and had too many stimulating conversations to count.  I even managed to take a nap in the grass.  And, my Raspberry Beret cordial won an award!  You can see that the tester bottle for that one has been dipped into quite a few times... it's the third bottle from the right, on the table in front of me.  This photo was taken on Sunday morning - I was already sold out of quite a few things, and by the end of the morning I had none of the beautiful sundresses (which I dyed with Lac resin) either.  And I forgot to save one for myself, so I'll be setting up another dye pot soon...

Moonlight from the Dye Pot

For the past couple of weeks, I've been dyeing silks.  Last week the colour was from Brazilwood, and I got a range of beautiful corals and pinks.  This week, I'm working with Logwood.  The first pieces out of the dye pot were a gorgeous purple with gray undertones.  The next group?  One of the most magical colours I've ever coaxed onto fiber.  It's soft plum with a silver shimmer.  It looks like moonlight.  One of our massage therapists started to weep when she saw it.  This photo can't really convey it fully, but you get the idea.  There are camisoles, chemises and scarves...

Luscious Night Serum

I'm working this afternoon, making a batch of Luscious Night Serum.  It's a gorgeous, breezy day, and somehow quiet, so my mind began to wander as I made the delectable concoction...

Several years ago, a longtime faithful user of my Luscious Face Cream came into the shop with a nearly-empty bottle and asked if I could re-create the contents.  A friend of hers had given her a nighttime moisturizing oil from an exclusive New York salon.  She had loved using it, but discovered the prohibitive cost (nearly $100!) when she called the salon to order another bottle.  So, she came to me.  And I thought I could develop something comparable for much less.  So, as you've probably guessed, Luscious Night Serum was born. 

Thanks, Jacqueline!

Really, Spring is Coming...

This morning I heard songbirds.  Really.  And a huge flock of robins covered the ground in front of my little house.  Listening for worms.  Which means, of course, that worms must be moving around in the soil.  And, when I walked out to explore a bit in the rain, I saw that the young Willow has put on her chartreuse.  New color!  And look, buds are forming on her branches.

While I was admiring the Willow, I noticed that something tall has been breaking and eating some branches nearby.  I'm guessing deer, but am not sure.  They aren't eating the Willow, though. 

I once learned that young Willow trees emit a substance that tastes offensive to deer, in order to protect themselves.  Once the trees are older and better established, they only produce the substance if they are under stress, which often is from overfeeding by deer...  They're willing to be food/medicine unless their own health or survival is threatened.  Then, the trees change the boundaries. 

Relationship is fascinating!

And, Spring is coming!  Really!

The Power of a Seed

Here it is, mid-February, and even those of us who treasure living by the seasons are starting to daydream about Spring.  So, here in the throes of Winter,we've just scheduled a seed-starting workshop.  The timing is calculated so that you will have seedlings ready to go into the ground as early as we can safely do that here, without danger of frost...

The Power of a Seed:


Starting Your Vegetable and Herb Garden from Scratch

Saturday, March 26, 2-6pm

Want to grow your plants from seed but don't know how to begin? Join Natasha Herr, co-owner of Homegrown Edible Landscaping Co., for this hands-on workshop. Topics will include starting seeds indoors using a grow-light, in an outdoor cold-frame, or in a greenhouse, preparation of seeds and soil, care of seedlings and transplanting. Discover how easy it is to start your plants from seed! Go home from this class with your own egg carton flat of starts!

Saturday, March 26, 2011, 2-6pm. $35 includes all materials and seeds.

Class will be held at Radiance, 9 W Grant St, in downtown Lancaster, PA, across the cobblestones from Central Market. To register, stop in or call 717-290-1517.

Natasha Herr is co-owner of Homegrown Edible Landscaping Co., a company dedicated to helping people learn to grow their own food.