If you are not familiar with hand-blended incense, I wrote a blog post about it here. This form of loose incense is made with aromatic resins and plant materials and is most commonly burned on charcoal discs. Burning incense in this way is very powerful and is wonderful to use for cleansing and ceremonial purposes.

Some people, however, are sensitive to the smoke emitted from the burning incense (eh-hem…like me). Using an oil burner is a perfect solution for this. You can line the bowl of the burner with a layer or two of tin foil and place the incense blend on the foil. The heat from a tea light gently releases the aroma from the fragrant plants and emits a beautiful, natural scent into the room. I love burning incense in this way!

I do have a video on how to burn incense on a charcoal disc as well as on an oil burner. This is the first video I ever made (about 5 years ago), so please forgive the imperfections! It offers great information, however, which is why I’ve kept it. You can check it out here. It is important to know how to do this properly because the charcoal discs are more flammable than incense sticks.

I have also created a video for this tutorial which is at the bottom of the post.

The supplies you will need for this project are:

• 3 parts Frankincense Resin
• 2 parts Sweet Myrrh Resin
• 1 part Copal Resin
  • Here is a sampler with a few different resins including the ones above.
• 2 parts Lavender Flowers
• 1.5 parts Chamomile Flowers
• 1 part Anise Seeds (check your pantry!)
• 1 part Red Sandalwood Powder
• 1/2 to 1 part Liquid Honey (also…check your pantry!)
• Three Kings Charcoal Discs or Bamboo Charcoal
• Morter and Pestle
• Incense Burner
• Oil Burner (these are a perfect size)
• Surgical Gloves (optional)

Some (but perhaps not all) of the links in this blog are affiliate links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains some affiliate links. Please see my policy page for details. I look for the best possible option for your convenience, however, I encourage you to support your local shops!

You can make any quantity you like, as I have given the recipe in ‘parts’. For this demonstration, I am using one teaspoon (5 ml) as one part. I will first give the instructions on how to blend the ingredients together for this meditation blend. I have also written about some of the healing and spiritual properties of all the ingredients for this blend below.

Before I begin, I like to smudge my tools and bowls with sage as a way to energetically cleanse everything. This is totally up to you!

Start by breaking down some of the larger pieces of resin in the mortar and pestle. Be gentle, as the resin can easily turn into power. Perhaps you like this, and that is perfectly fine, but I like to keep some of the resin in small pieces. I find this is very nice when burning incense on the charcoal. A finer consistency is nice when using the oil burner, and you can easily grind the finished incense before using it on a burner.

Once you are happy with the size of the resin pieces, blend all the ingredients (except the honey) into a bowl.

I recommend wearing a surgical glove when blending in the honey. Add about a ‘half part’ of honey and blend it into the dry mixture with your hand. You want to sort of ‘knead’ and roll the mixture between your fingers. Add a little more honey as needed until the red sandalwood powder is nicely blended in. The mixture should be soft but crumbly (the video shows this nicely).

Place the incense blend on a flat surface and leave uncovered to cure for about two weeks. It is nice if you can have it in some direct sunlight for a period of time to infuse the blend with the energy of the sun. Once it has cured, store the incense in an airtight container.

I like to bless my incense after I have blended it all together. This is totally up to you and you can offer any type of blessing you like. I use the following blessing:

“I offer my deepest thanks and gratitude to the Creator and Mother Earth for these beautiful and sacred offerings. May the spiritual and healing properties of these plants support myself and anyone who uses them in deepening the experience in our meditation practice. Thank you, thank you, thank you.“

The spiritual and healing properties of the ingredients used in this blend are:

Frankincense Resin: Increases oxygen to the brain by up to 30 percent, improves concentration, relaxes the mind and stimulates the immune system.

Myrrh Resin: Improves negative states of mind, enhances the feeling of spiritual connection and is very grounding.

Copal Resin: Enhances intuition, receptivity, and inspiration.

Lavender Flowers: Increases a sense of well-being, reduces cortisol levels, is mildly sedating and very relaxing.

Chamomile Flowers: Helps with relaxation and to become more centered in meditation.

Anise Seed: Helps to improve negativity, invokes blessings and deepens your insight and psychic powers.

Red Sandalwood: Also known as ‘false sandalwood’, this variety is more sustainable than white sandalwood, which has become endangered. Red sandalwood is not quite as potent as the white, however, it still has many of the same properties. Red sandalwood stimulates the seventh chakra, removes negative energy and relaxes the mind.

I hope this post inspires you to make your own hand-blended incense. This really is a beautiful art, and there are countless blends that you can create! If you want to learn more about this, I recommend these following books:

I also have a few other blog posts that may be of interest:

• Why it Can be a Challenge to Meditate, Especially for Women
• Relaxing Bedtime Herbal Tea Recipe
• DIY Bath Salts

The post Hand-Blended Incense-Meditation Recipe appeared first on Create and Crochet.

The recipe contains a lot of legumes, onions, and garlic as well. Overall, this is a very nourishing soup, and as a result, supports the body in the healing process.

My husband was recovering from gall bladder surgery when we first experienced this soup. His colleague dropped by with a pot full of Ash Reshteh, and it was garnished with a whole bulb of garlic cloves, saffron yogurt, and mint oil. We had never tasted such a wonderful soup and we believe it did indeed help in his recovery process!

Healing and celebration properties aside, this soup is simply wonderful to have any time! It does contain a lot of ingredients and takes some time to make, but the quantities I give here will yield about 12 to 14 servings of soup. It freezes very well and is nice to have on hand for a quick lunch or dinner.

The traditional way to make Persian Noodle Soup is to use chickpeas, navy beans, and red kidney beans, but I’ve adjusted my recipe to include different legumes (to agree with my digestive system). You can use whatever combination of beans and legumes you like.

The ingredients you will need for the soup are written below, but you can make some substitutes. You can use canned beans instead of dried and you can use chard instead of spinach. You can also get frozen chopped spinach to save time. Persian grocery stores sell blends of frozen chopped greens for convenience. It can be hard to find fresh dill at times, so you can substitute 1/4 cup dried dill if necessary.

For the soup

• 1/3 cup dried adzuki beans
• 1/3 cup dried mung beans
• 1/2 cup dried split peas
• 1/3 cup dried brown lentils
  • (or 1 ½ cups of assorted legumes)
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp coriander
• 2 tsp cumin
• ¾ tsp turmeric
• 2 tsp salt
• ¾ tsp pepper
• 1 bouillon cube (or more to taste)
• 12 to 15 cups of water
• 6 oz Kamut or whole-grain spaghetti
• 1 cup leek, chopped
• 1 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 2 cups fresh parsley, chopped
• 10 cups fresh spinach or chard, chopped

Start by soaking the beans and split peas in cold water for at least two hours (adjust the soaking time if using different beans). Drain and rinse the beans when done. Slice the onions and saute in olive oil until soft. Add diced garlic, spices, salt and pepper and saute for another two to three minutes.

Add water, beans, split peas, and bouillon cube and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Meanwhile, chop all the greens and set aside.

After 45 minutes, add the lentils and simmer another 20 minutes. Then add the noodles (I break them up into smaller pieces) and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Then, add the chopped greens and more water if needed. It may seem as though the greens will flow over the top of the pot, but they will cook into the soup very nicely. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally for another 30 minutes or until the beans are done.

For the garnish

• 1 bulb of garlic, divided into cloves (cut cloves in half if needed)
• 3-4 tbsp olive oil
• 1/8 tsp saffron threads
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp dried peppermint leaves

Saute the garlic cloves in 1 to 2 tbsps of olive oil until they are golden brown. Set aside.

Grind the saffron threads in the sugar until you have a fine consistency. Add the yogurt and blend together well. Set aside.

Warm 2 tbsps of olive oil in a small pan or in the microwave. Do not overheat…just warm up! Crush 2 tbsps dried peppermint into the oil and gently heat a little bit more. Serve the soup and garnish it with a drizzle of the saffron yogurt, peppermint oil, and add some sauteed garlic cloves. Enjoy, or as they say in Farsi… Nush-e-jan!

I can honestly say, this soup is so nurturing and will make you feel good whether you need it or not!

If you liked this recipe, you may also like:

• Light Cream of Broccoli and Cheese Soup
• Low Carb Keto Pizza

The post Persian Noodle Soup appeared first on Create and Crochet.

The pizza ‘dough’ is made with 3 simple ingredients and is based on this recipe from Dr. Eric Berg.

• 2 cups grated cheese (I used marble cheddar)
• 2 cups grated cauliflower
• 2 eggs

Mix all the ingredients together and spread the mixture as thinly as possible on a baking tray. Make sure to line the tray with parchment paper…this is very important!

Bake on the middle rack in a 425 to 450-degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes (until golden brown).

Now for the fun part…adding your toppings! This is totally personal. We all have our favorite toppings, but I think there is a specific way of layering the toppings that make all the flavors blend together beautifully! Ideally, layer the tomatoes and/or zucchini just before the cheese. This will allow the juice to flow through all the other ingredients, creating a flavorful blend.

Here are the toppings I used (and in the order I put them on).

• Pizza sauce (sugar-free)
• Caramelized onions (eliminate if strictly Keto)
• Genoa salami
• Sliced mushrooms
• Sliced peppers
• Sliced zucchini
• Sliced tomatoes (eliminate if strictly Keto)
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• salt and pepper if desired
• 1 cup grated soft cheese of your choice (I used marble cheddar)
• 1/4 cup grated hard cheese (I used Romano)

I usually add broccoli as well, but I didn’t have any when I made this. Again, just add your favorite toppings…be playful and creative!

Place the pizza back in a 425 to 450-degree oven and bake for another 15 to 18 minutes. You can raise the pizza to the top rack for the last minute or so to have a more golden crust. This style of pizza can sometimes be a bit ‘wet’ depending on how big your eggs are and how much moisture is in the vegetables you used for your toppings.

The added moisture doesn’t take away from the flavor in any way, but you can try using smaller eggs, or perhaps just one and a half eggs. You can also towel dry the peppers, zucchini, and tomatoes. In any event, a moist pizza is not a tragic event…it actually just adds more flavor!

This recipe will make 2 to 4 servings, depending on your appetite and what toppings you choose. I usually cut the recipe in half for my hubby and myself, and we find it quite filling. If we are really hungry, I will add a salad.

So, that’s it! What’s for dinner tonight??

PS…if you are looking for more low carb or Keto recipes, you can check out my Light Cream of Broccoli and Cheese Soup recipe.

The post Low Carb ‘Keto’ Pizza appeared first on Create and Crochet.

Some (but perhaps not all) of the links in this blog are affiliate links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains some affiliate links. Please see my policy page for details. I look for the best possible option for your convenience, however, I encourage you to support your local shops!

In the first century AD, Arabia exported between 2500 and 3000 tons of frankincense per year. In the mid-1970s however, the numbers had reduced to about 300 tons per year. Considering the increase in population in our modern times, it is clear to see that the use of these fragrant resins has dropped considerably. Much of the frankincense used today is made into frankincense oil or ground down and blended into a paste with other aromatic substances and made into incense sticks.

In ancient times, however, the extraction of essential oils had not been discovered, so the most common method used to release the fragrant gifts held within these plant’s substances was to burn them. Loose incense or hand-blended incense was the most common form of incense used in the distant past. Some parts of Asia eventually developed incense sticks which have become popular today, for the most part, because they are easy to use.

Hand blended incense offers a more intimate experience of burning incense. A ‘fire’, so to speak, needs to be prepared. A charcoal disk made from potassium nitrate or bamboo is easily lit with a candle or match and is set in an incense burner on a bed of sand, salt or stones. (I don’t recommend using charcoal disks that have an accelerant added because they are very toxic, the links I provided are good to use)

It takes a few minutes for the charcoal to ignite completely before it is ready to use. Incense granules are then placed on the heated disk and beautiful plumes of smoke rise to the heavens laced with the sensuous fragrance of nature’s gifts. You can check out this video on Youtube to see how it works.

Resins such as frankincense, myrrh, copal, and dragons blood release their sweet scents. Sage, aniseed, cinnamon, lavender and juniper berries are a few of the many fragrant plants that are used in hand-blended incense. Our ancestors believed that prayers sent upon these fragrant plumes of smoke would be answered by the gods as they would be so pleased by such a beautiful offering. 

Another method to release the fragrant aroma from hand-blended incense is to use an essential oil burner. Simply place one or two layers of tin foil in the bowl of the burner, add a small amount of incense, and set a tea light below the bowl. The heat of the flame will gently release the aroma into the room in the same way essential oils do. I demonstrate this in the video as well.

The fragrance released by incense, especially natural incense, has a powerful effect on emotions and the mind. One whiff of a scent can evoke a memory from the past; rose oil of your grandmother, the sage of Christmas dinner, or the scent of cedar as you walk through the forest; any number of scents will bring you back in time.

A little known fact is that incense was used for medicinal purposes. The healing properties of herbs and resins were thought to be released when burned. Respiratory illnesses, infection, pain, inflammation, and insomnia were a few of the ailments treated with incense. Special blends would also be used during childbirth to ease pain, promote relaxation and help the placenta come out. 

Incense burners used in churches were used not only for their fragrant offerings but as a disinfectant as well. Santiago de Compostela in Spain houses the world’s largest incense ball. It takes eight men to prepare and suspend the ball filled with frankincense and myrrh in this ancient cathedral. It has been used for thousands of years, not as an offering to God, but as a disinfectant for the pilgrims who had traveled the hundreds of miles by foot from areas throughout Europe.

Below you will find a recipe for the most famous hand-blended incense in the world…Frankincense and Myrrh! This is truly one of the most beautiful blends of resin incense ever made.

Simply blend together 2 parts frankincense with 1 part myrrh. If you choose to use the oil burner method, you can grind these resins in a mortar and pestle to help release more aroma more effectively.

If you are wanting to try making your own incense, you can check out Mountain Rose Herbs as they have a great selection of ingredients. Again, I recommend the ‘Three Kings’ brand of charcoal or bamboo charcoal, as they do not have an added accelerant (which is very toxic).

I’d be super grateful if you ‘like’ this video and subscribe to my channel! This helps to support my new business. Thank you!

The post Hand-Blended Incense: An Ancient Art appeared first on Create and Crochet.

Some (but perhaps not all) of the links in this blog are affiliate links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains some affiliate links. Please see my policy page for details. I look for the best possible option for your convenience, however, I encourage you to support your local shops!

Making the choice to use more eco-friendly laundry products is to be celebrated! And I am assuming that because you are interested in this topic, you have already made this conscious choice. However, you may be interested in a blog post I wrote called “Are Commercial Laundry Products Making You Sick?” It is an informative read.

To make these dryer sheets, all you need is a glass jar with a tight lid, some cotton cloths (I used 12), vinegar, and your favorite essential oils. I don’t recommend using a plastic container as the essential oils can absorb into the plastic and make the container go sort of cloudy. (Note: don’t store the glass jar on top of your washer or dryer)

If you don’t have ready-made cloths, you can cut your own from cotton fabric. You can just use pinking shears, or finish the edges with a zig-zag or serged hem. I cut mine 10″ x 10″ (or 25cm x 25cm) with pinking shears. Fold the cloths in half and then roll them up as shown below. You can re-use these same cloths over and over.

Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the glass jar and 20 drops of essential oil. I used 15 drops of lavender, 3 drops of cedarwood and 2 drops of vetiver. I like to use base notes such as cedarwood and vetiver because their fragrance has more staying power. Other base notes are patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and frankincense. Lavender is a middle note, so it’s scent is pretty stable.

Next, just swirl the vinegar around to blend in the oil and then add your rolled up cloths with the cut edge down into the jar. Put on the lid and you are done!

The vinegar will absorb into the cloths and they will be ready to use within an hour or so. Use one sheet with each dryer load and then just fold it up and set it aside when the load is done. Once you’ve used up all your sheets, simply make a new batch of vinegar and essential oil and roll up the cloths again and put them in the jar. They do not need to be washed in between batches.

Drying your cotton and natural fibers separate from any synthetic items will help to reduce static in your clothes. It is the synthetic fibers that cause the most issues with static electricity.

You may also want to use wool dryer balls as they help to reduce static and increase the drying time. I love, love, love these dryer balls from Splat & Co. I am not affiliated with them, I just love what they do! In addition to solid and variegated color balls, they also make these wonderful patterns of animals. They are so much fun!

I don’t have any children, but my husband and I still have so much fun with these guys. We have the fat little chicken, the bad dog, and the silly cow. They are always getting into trouble and often play hide and seek.

I also made a video tutorial to go along with this blog post, you can check it out below. Enjoy this recipe and I am so grateful you are interested in using more natural alternatives in your home!

The post DIY Natural Dryer Sheets appeared first on Create and Crochet.

Creating your own relaxing herbal tea to enjoy at bedtime is so easy! In doing so, you can customize your blends to suit your own needs. I have a lovely recipe here and give a snippet of the medicinal properties of each herb I’ve used. You can follow this blend or make it your own!

Some (but perhaps not all) of the links in this blog are affiliate links to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This page contains some affiliate links. Please see my policy page for details. I look for the best possible option for your convenience, however, I encourage you to support your local shops!

All of the herbs recommended here can be found at your local health food store or even in your own garden! However, I have provided some sources below.

The recipe for this Relaxing Bedtime Herbal Tea is as follows:

• 1 part lavender flower
• 1 part passionflower
• 1 part hibiscus flower
• 1 part lemon balm
• 1 part peppermint leaf
• 1 part licorice root
• 2 parts rose petal
• 4 parts chamomile

Blend all the ingredients together and store in a glass jar or container. It’s that easy! Use one heaping teaspoon of your blend to 1 cup (250 ml) boiling water. Let steep for 3 to 5 minutes and enjoy!

Below are some of the medicinal properties of the ingredients listed in this tea blend. Please check out my disclaimer here.

Lavender flower: This herb enhances a calm and peaceful state of mind and can help reduce feelings of depression, anxiety, and restlessness. It is known to help with insomnia, headache, and digestive issues. Lavender also has anti-inflammatory properties, but more than anything…it just has such a lovely fragrance!

Passionflower: Known to reduce anxiety and calm the mind, passionflower is a wonderful herb to use at bedtime.

Hibiscus flower: This herb is rich in Vitamin C, so it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce blood pressure and blood sugar levels and is known to calm down the nervous system. In addition to having a lovely flavor, hibiscus flower can also help with depression and anxiety.

Lemon Balm: Used for centuries, lemon balm has many healing properties. While it can improve focus and memory, it is also known to calm the mind. Its soothing properties can also help with insomnia and anxiety.

Peppermint: Known for its benefits for settling an upset stomach, peppermint can also have an overall calming effect. It is also helpful for soothing headaches and migraines. The sweet, minty flavor of this herb makes it a great addition to any tea blend.

Licorice Root: This herb is known for its benefits for digestive issues but is believed to be helpful for adrenal fatigue as well as for reducing stress. Licorice adds a lovely flavor to this recipe.

Rose Petals: Aside from the beautiful appearance and fragrance of this ingredient, rose petals can help calm and soothe the nervous system. They are known to have mild sedating and anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Chamomile: This is one of the most common herbs used in relaxing tea blends today. Its calming and relaxing effects are the main reason, but studies show that chamomile may work in a similar way to benzodiazepines. These are a class of prescription drugs that can reduce anxiety and induce sleep. Chamomile is also believed to help reduce inflammation.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and become inspired to play with other ingredients to make your own herbal tea blends. Please share this post with family and friends who may enjoy making their own teas as well!

The post Relaxing Bedtime Herbal Tea appeared first on Create and Crochet.

The ingredients are (in imperial measurements):

• 12 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups half and half cream (10% MF)
• 4 cups grated cheddar cheese
• 2 cups chopped chicken (optional)
• 2 medium-sized heads broccoli
• olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 6 to 8 white mushrooms
• 1 stalk of celery
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp cooking sherry
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried tarragon
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash and chop broccoli into bite-size pieces. Toss lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and spread on a cooking tray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

While the broccoli is roasting, you can chop the onion, celery, and mushrooms. Saute in a large soup pot with a little bit of olive oil over medium-low heat. Dice the garlic and add to the onion mixture. Cook until soft and lightly browned, then add herbs, cooking sherry, and salt and pepper to taste. When the sherry has evaporated, add the chicken broth.

When the broccoli is finished roasting, add it to the soup mixture and simmer on low for at least 30 minutes to blend all the flavors. Then puree the soup with a hand mixer and add the cheese, cream, and chopped chicken. Heat until the cheese is melted and enjoy!

Yields 8 to 10 servings…depending on how hungry you are!

You may also like:

• Persian Noodle Soup
• Low Carb Keto Pizza
• Relaxing Herbal Bedtime Tea

The post Light Cream of Broccoli and Cheese Soup appeared first on Create and Crochet.