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October 15, 2025

Happy Wednesday, Reader!

On our homestead, I garden all year round. This past year, as you know, we moved the old homestead as well as our apothecary and studio which was in a cottage down in our town, to a new place with a great deal more land and infrastructure for the business.

We planted over 100 medicinal trees on the new property. We also got garden beds set up for both food and medicinal plants, and these we'll start in earnest in the spring. I'm so excited about this! We planted some lavender in one of the longer beds already.

We have plans to start growing a good deal of our food and medicinal plants in a Quonset hut we insulated, and Mr. V. has been setting up the racks. We'll get this going within the month, if Mr. V's plans come to fruition. We're excited to get our food and medicine production going again!

At the old homestead, we grew or foraged over 120 medicinal plants, mainly for personal use. And here at the new place, I've counted quite a few but no where near that many. I'm still exploring the forest, though. It's got a different type of ecosystem than we had at the old homestead (tons of Oregon grape root and nettle!), and I find new plants every time I get out there in it.

Next spring we'll add even more medicinals to the garden beds, like the ones I'm missing terribly that we had at the old place (valerian, skullcap, motherwort, more yarrow, peonies, poppies, chamomile, calendula, and a whole lot more). I have beautiful visions of what it will look like!

In the meantime, it's now grown cold here, so the growing indoors begins in earnest.

We have been able to cultivate lovely yerba mansa in large black tubs which we brought along with us in the big move, and they're doing amazingly well. They're about 1 and a half years old, and they need another year or so before we'll begin harvesting the roots. And...they're spreading! We have four "mama's" and lots of babies.

About 30 years ago, Mr. V.'s uncle would wild harvest this plant in the Alamo, Nevada area. You use the roots, so you need to be careful to protect the sustainability of the plant.

His uncle swore he cured himself of cancer using the roots of this plant. So, in his honor, we're cultivating it. It's a unique plant, and the roots are beautifully aromatic (you know me....I love plant smells)!

I've brought in our lemon tree, bay laurel, and my ficus. The thyme will stay outdoors, as will my mints in pots. They'll be fine over the winter. But my rosemary is coming in, too, as soon as the temperatures drop just a little more. Right now, especially with the misty air we're having, it's good for that lovely plant to enjoy a little more outdoor time.

One herb I just love is basil, and I have a big pot of it growing on the window sill in the kitchen now that I hope will last for several months.

I'm also loving the last of the tomatoes from farmer's markets. If you have a plethora of red and green tomatoes, here is a lacto-fermented salsa recipe for you! My stepmom even has a late summer salsa party each year where many gather and make together.

Red and Green Tomato Fermented Salsa

The nice thing about fermenting fresh vegetables is they last a very long time, and they're full of bacteria and other "good" microbes that support gut health.

My fermented salsa has lasted well over six months in the fridge before, and I think the only reason it didn't last longer was because we ate it all up. 😂 (I once watched my dad eat a whole quart of it by himself at once.) Your body knows what it needs.....

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Are You Ready to Make Your Own Handmade Soap?

I love making handmade natural herbal soaps. The creativity you can bring to the process is infinite, and you can feel GREAT about what is going on your skin (and your children's). Our skin absorbs a lot more than we realize.

One of the reasons I started to make my own soap was because it was just so difficult to find handmade soaps to purchase that didn't contain fragrance oils. I do not care how "natural" people claim a fragrance oil is, the fact of the matter is that it is not regulated by any entity in terms of "natural-ness" and especially non-toxicity.

Our sad laws here in America protect "proprietary" information, so manufacturers don't need to disclose toxins that unbelievably are still approved by the FDA, making it impossible for the consumer to know what is "really" in that soap or other product. There are so many loopholes in our cosmetics labeling regulations.

When I make my own soap, I know exactly what's in it, and I only use essential oils for fragrance.

Fall is the perfect time to make some handmade soap!

With the hot process method, it's ready to use right away. With the cold process method, it needs to cure for a few weeks. Either method is wonderful, and handmade soap makes for lovely holiday gifts!

Surprise!

My soap making course is on sale for well over 50% off! You can save a whopping $70 if you want to get started now. The coupon code is valid for a week from today.

Use the coupon code: YAYCLEANSOAP to get this extensive savings. You own the course for life, too, so you can always come back to it later if you like. Click the button below!

***I used to sell these soaps in my shop about 15 years ago, and they were a huge, popular hit! And I'm sharing all with you.

Click here to see what you'll learn in this course, and apply the coupon (YAYCLEANSOAP) for incredible savings!

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More Tips from the Blog & Channel

Here are some new (and newly updated!) goodies for you this week—grab a cozy drink, take a peek, and enjoy!

1️⃣ Be Ready for Anything: 140+ Emergency Supplies

This classic article has been polished up and is still one of my most-loved preparedness guides. You’ll find over 140 items to consider adding to your emergency stash—and there’s a printable checklist, too!

The state of the world has always been a great reason to have a practical stash of items. In this article you'll get a great list you can check off so you can feel more ready.

It's perfect for sharing with a friend who wants to be ready for emergencies.

👉 140+ Emergency Supplies for the Prepared

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2️⃣ Octoberfest Beer Soap Recipe 🍺

Are you ready to make the most fabulous fall soap ever? Well, my pumpkin spice soap recipe is pretty great, but this formulation is made with dark beer which is so good for skin and hair!

Beer soap makes a creamy, nourishing bar that’s surprisingly great for both skin and hair. The essential oil blend I formulated for it is cozy, woodsy, and just right for fall.

In fact, you could just make up the essential oil blend I use to scent it to use in a diffuser.

You’ve got to try this one!

👉 Octoberfest Beer Fall Soap Recipe

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3️⃣ Pumpkin Sugar Scrub for Exfoliation 🎃

If you have a little leftover pumpkin puree from your fall baking, this is your sign to make something fabulous to pamper your face.

This scrub not only smells divine, it also leaves your skin feeling fresh and bright—thanks to natural pumpkin enzymes and fine sugar that both gently exfoliate. It’s a fall favorite around here!

👉 Pumpkin Sugar Scrub Recipe

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4️⃣ YouTube Live Herb Talks 🌱

No new video this week—but I did host a couple of really fun live Q&A chats a couple of weeks ago!

If you enjoy hanging out with other plant lovers, grab your tea and come join the replay. We covered tons of herbal questions and shared lots of laughs. Be sure to subscribe so you're notified of upcoming Herb Talks!

💬 Live Herb Talk #1

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💚 Inspiration and Encouragement

Have you noticed more and more people getting offended these days? Believe me, I’ve received my share of “interesting” comments over the years. But right now, things are feeling even stranger.

I have realized something powerful, and I encourage you to explore this thought:

Choosing not to be offended is one of the most freeing decisions you can make.

When I see negativity now, I pause and ask myself,
​“What can I do right now to add something different and lovely to the world?”

If I find myself experiencing ANY negative emotions of irritation, fear, frustration, etc., I try to quickly adjust my thinking patterns (renewing my mind). No thought that causes you to be in a state of negativity is worth it, and we can shift our thoughts and thinking by reframing. The sooner we do this the better for our mind, body, and spirit.

Let's consider the "offended" person. Maybe that person is hurting. Maybe they don’t understand. Or maybe they just need someone to show them a little grace. Maybe they don't have the skills to control their anger. Perhaps, even, it's just the way they've chosen to move through the world.

We get to decide how we react.

It doesn’t mean you agree with them—it just means you’re protecting your peace.

Let’s stay focused on the good, the beautiful, and the up-lifting, as God's word tells us to do--- to Dwell on Lovely Things. It’s amazing how much lighter your spirit feels when you do. 🌸

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🎁 A Free Gift for You!

Because who doesn’t love free things that smell amazing and make you feel good?

🌿 Herbal Steams for Beauty & Health

If you haven’t tried an herbal steam yet, this free guide walks you through everything. Steams are wonderful for your respiratory system and your skin—simple, soothing, and deeply nurturing.

Should you get a bad cold or flu, being ready to do an herbal steam can be so very helpful in speeding recovery and also just making you feel better.

👉 Get Your Free Guide to Herbal Steams

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Now, I'm off to go make some lemonade with a lemon from that lemon tree I just brought indoors for winter!

Have the most beautiful, peaceful week, and

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,
​Heidi

P.S. If something in this letter made you smile or helped you today, please share it with a friend—it really helps our community grow. 🌿 Just hit the "forward" button and send it along.

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This note is proudly sponsored by the School of Botanical Arts & Sciences

If you're ready to dive into learning herbalism and aromatherapy from a Christian world view, our school offers traditional use and evidence- and experience-based herbal education for your journey into family herbalism, aromatherapy, and beyond.

Join us in a class today!

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