Calendula Oil & What's Cooking, Oct. 7 - 13

We've got some stormy weather and tornado watch today in the DC area - after a little burst of summer, the weather is about to turn firmly to Autumn, and suddenly the trees are a riot of color.

This is my favorite time of year - the colors, the scents.... everything is earthy and smoky and delicious.  And it is definitely time for me to be planning meals to maike sure we get plenty of this season's bounty while it's here.  I find that when I fail to plan our meals, they become decidedly make-do and uninspired.

Here's what's in the works for this week:

Monday

Leftover Hash (Tri-Tip Beef, Mushrooms, Potatoes, and Veggies)

Tuesday

 (stew a chicken in the crockpot)

Chipotle Pulled Chicken

Paleo Tortillas

Salad

Wednesday

Leftover Chicken and Veggies

Mashed Cauliflower

Thursday

Bacon and Mushroom Quiche

Salad

Friday

Pork and Pumpkin Stew

Grain-Free Bread

Saturday

(Farm & Farmer's Market for meat & produce)

Leftovers

(slow cook a stewing chicken for tomorrow)

Sunday

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Stir-Fried Veggies

Today, I started on a project I'll be working on as a part of my Yule gifting - while I'm sure I'll be doing some purchased items, I really am wanting to try to keep most of our gifting handmade and personal.

So, as a part of that, I want to make up some healing salve that includes calendula as part of its properties.  Calendula is a variety of marigold, and is one of those herbal powerhouses that make a good addition to any all-purpose salve.  It is anti-inflammatory, soothing for burns and irritated or chapped skin and has some bug repellent properties.  It is gentle enough for those with sensitive skin and children to use.

Today's step was easy - I'm infusing some dried calendula petals (I got mine from Mountain Rose Herbs) in olive oil for the next couple weeks.  The ratio is easy - 1 part dried petals to 2 parts olive oil.  I used 1 cup of petals to 2 cups of oil - in a couple weeks, I'll be straining this out and making up some salve with it.  The oil itself could also be used as is, and it will keep for about a year.

The jar I used was a bit larger than necessary, so I used a baggie (weighted with some water) to hold down the petals below the surface of the oil.  After taking the picture, I moved the jar to a dark place until it's ready for the next step.

Before I go for today, I want to point you all over to Samhain's Sirens - today's lovely giveaway is two pairs of October themed earrings - one set is an adorable pair of witchy hats, and  the other a pair of pumpkins - just the thing for the Halloween fashionista!  Both of these were handcrafted and donated by Tess from "A Witch By Any Other Name".  Today's entry also includes a delicious medley of roasted veggies. Go check it out!

~ Lynda

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