DREAM PILLOWS

Traditional Herbs:

• ROSES - balancing and uplifting
• LAVENDER - relaxing and calming
• CHAMOMILE - creates emotional stability
• ROSEMARY - awakens the heart and lifts exhaustion
• MUGWORT - promotes dreaming and eases tension
• HOPS - lessens anxiety and sedative

To use: A Dream pillow should be small, so you'll need very little of the herbs. Do NOT use mugwort for children under 5 years of age (it may cause nightmares). Also note that hops & mugwort are not pleasant smelling. The dream pillow should be placed under the regular sleep pillow or near the bed.

NATURALLY DYED EASTER EGGS

If you're planning to dye Easter eggs, you should know that there's a better option than those commercial products. Nature has many dyes that are rich with color and character.

The technique is simple:
Place a single layer of uncooked white eggs in a quart pot. Add 2 cups of fresh dye plants (or 1 cup of dried plant or 1/4 cup of ground herbs) and cover with tepid water. Then add 2 Tbs. of white vinegar. Over a medium-low flame, bring water to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Carefully remove eggs from the dye bath, rinse with cold water and air dry.

• BEET ROOT: reddish brown
• BLACK TEA: reddish tan
• BLACKBERRIES: plum
• BLUEBERRIES: deep blue
• CARROT TOPS: soft gold
• CINNAMON POWDER: light mahogany
• CONCORD GRAPE JUICE: lavender gray
• GROUND COFFEE: creamy brown
• PAPRIKA: light orange
• RED CABBAGE: midnight blue/teal
• SPINACH: soft green
• TURMERIC: vivid gold

HOW TO MAKE INCENSE

There is no such thing as a perfect incense recipe. Here is a basic formula to get you started.

• All ingredients should be powdered.
• The volume of aromatic substances & liquid should be about twice the amount of the base.
• Use about 3 parts liquid to 5 parts dry mixture.

1. For each recipe, first dissolve the potassium nitrate in the liquid. Then, starting with 1 teaspoon of tragacanth powder at a time, add enough to make a thick paste.
2. Stir in the blended dry botanical ingredients. If the dough is too wet or soft add more tragacanth powder. If it is too dry, add more liquid. It should be the consistency of soft putty or moist dough.
3. Shape into cones, cylinders, coils, or roll onto sticks. Place them on a wooden board to dry in a sunny warm place. When the incense is thoroughly dry, store in airtight containers.