Living Naturally
June 8, 2021
Often thought of as just a weed, the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a wild plant that has hundreds of uses from culinary to medicinal. Discover the many ways that you can benefit from nettles in the kitchen and in the garden.
One of the first wild plants to thrive early in the year is the nettle. They’re pretty easy to find and, believe me, you will know if you accidentally run into a wild patch of stinging nettles (which I found in my raspberry patch). When you brush against them with... more
June 2, 2021
Aloe vera is truly amazing. Since ancient times, the gel from the leaves of aloe plants has been used for healing skin and also been a folk remedy for many skin problems. See how to use this houseplant which does double duty as a self-regenerating first-aid kit.
Among the easiest-to-grow houseplants, aloe vera will decorate a kitchen shelf with quiet grace while also providing healing compounds. It’s fleshy leaves contain numerous plant compounds with antimicrobial, pain-reducing, anti-oxidant... more
June 1, 2021
I have five pieces of cast-iron cookware: two frying pans, a flat skillet, a biscuit pan, and a popover pan. I love looking at them and cooking with them. What’s not to love? But for all the newbies, here are some benefits of cast iron cooking.
Cast-iron bears the heft and weight of history (and feels like it, too). The Chinese developed cast-iron foundries 2500 years ago, and probably the first iron cooking utensils. The cast-iron kettles, cauldrons, spiders, and Dutch ovens of my Colonial... more
May 21, 2021
As anyone who reads this blog must know, I’m a big fan of home remedies and homemade housecleaning products made from readily available natural materials. However, “natural” remedies don’t always work and can even be harmful. Here are seven popular remedies that are not a good idea!
I enjoy researching the old ways of using what’s at hand for healing minor ills and meeting the needs of everyday life. But I’m also a fan of science and hard evidence, and sometimes science reveals that a tried-and... more
May 13, 2021
Shortly after returning from a long hike in the woods near my house, an online news headline caught my attention: “Noise Is No. 1 Quality-of-Life Complaint in NYC.” Your body needs it peace and quiet time for good health. Learn more about the physical and emotional benefits of turning down the noise.
The caption under the newpaper headline about noise complaints said, “The city’s 311 hotline got more than 260,000 calls about excessive noise, up 30 percent in 2 years.”
I flashed back 20 years... more
April 27, 2021
Most of us know folks who intentionally and constantly crack their knuckles (necks, backs, wrists, etc.). Ever wondered some folks crack their joints more than others, if it’s helpful or harmful, and how to avoid popping those joints? Let’s get cracking on some answers …
Is Cracking Your Joints Bad For You?
Let’s get the main question out of the way. Luckily, the consensus among the medical community is: normal joint-cracking does NOT cause arthritis nor harm, no matter how often or for how... more
April 21, 2021
Yes, there are many flowers that you can eat! Edible flowers—such as nasturtiums, viola, clover, and calendula—are not only beautiful but also can be cultivated for food and healing. While there are hundreds of choices, here’s a list of 15 edible flowers that are also easy to grow.
For centuries, humans have foraged or cultivated flowers and flower buds for food, drink, and medicine. Think of squash blossoms in Italian food, chamomile or jasmine tea, and rose petals in Indian food. Some are... more
April 20, 2021
Chamomile tea is so good for many ailments! Remember The Tale of Peter Rabbit? After eating everything in Mr. McGregor’s garden, Peter got sick to his tummy and his mother dosed him with chamomile and put him to bed. Mother Rabbit was definitely on to something.
Dating back at least 2000 years to the ancient Egyptians, people have used dried chamomile flowers for medicine, cosmetics, and perfumes. The herb derives its name from a Greek word meaning “earth apple,” for the sweet, apple-like aroma... more
April 16, 2021
Giant pumpkins are in the news at harvesttime. Wondering how to grow a huge pumpkin? Start early! See our tips and tricks on how to grow a big(ger) pumpkin at home.
The Mythical Giant Pumpkin
New England state fairs are famous for their pumpkin competitions. Year after year, we see champion pumpkin records smashed. In 2018, a New Hampshire man named Steve Geddes grew a pumpkin that weighed 2,528 pounds and won the top prize at the Deerfield, NH, fair. It still holds the title as the largest... more
April 12, 2021
I’ll admit to a lifelong coffee addiction. Fortunately, coffee grounds and leftover coffee have so many household uses—plus, why waste daily grounds? From the garden to house to health, discover the great uses around the house and garden. Here are 15 uses for coffee to get you started.
I love my coffee strong and black. The beans come from our local food co-op—fair-trade, organic French Roast—and we grind it fresh for every pot. That leaves a lot of coffee ground.
Sometimes I feel coffee... more
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"Living Naturally" is all about living a naturally healthy lifestyle. Margaret Boyles covers health tips, ways to avoid illness, natural remedies, food that's good for body and soul, recipes for homemade beauty products, ideas to make your home a healthy and safe haven, and the latest news on health. Our goal is also to encourage self-sufficiency, whether it's relearning some age-old skills or getting informed on modern improvements that help us live better, healthier lives.
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