Soap & Water & Tea!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are enjoying your July!  Our family has been having a great summer and enjoying the great outdoors!  We just went rafting on the Trinity River yesterday with all the kids and 2 grandkids!  Great fun and as a Mom, I love to see my kids getting along and playing in the water together and laughing!  It makes a Mom's heart melt, right?

I also have been busy with prepping for the upcoming fairs and bazaars this fall and holiday season along with working on getting more organized in a small room with all of my soap stock, all the other products and the endless supplies.  There is only so far up that you can go!

So today I wanted to talk about laundry soap!  Of course, I make my own.  Do you?  It is a super easy process and I have been using it for years and using it in my HE machine…no problem and no more specialized expensive soap!  Ya Hoo!  I find my clothes just as clean.  I scent my laundry soap with lavender as well and then hang them out on the line to dry…oh I love this!  And yes, sometime I do dry them in the dryer if I am in a pinch!  So ya wanna know how to make your own liquid laundry soap?

Here is my recipe…just 6 super easy steps!

Step 1: Grate one bar of soap (approximately 2 cups) with cheese grater or food processor.  I use my scraps from The Essential Olive, www.theessentilolive.com.  It is a great soap and not harsh as the suggested bar is when you look up a recipe on the internet.  

Step 2: Put grated soap in a pan with 2 quarts water and gradually heat, stirring constantly until soap is completely dissolved.

Step 3: Put 4.5 gallons of really hot tap water in a 5-gallon bucket and stir in 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of Washing Soda until completely dissolved.

Step 4: Pour soap mixture from pan into 5-gallon bucket. Stir well.

Step 5: Cover and leave overnight.

Step 6: Shake or stir until smooth and pour into gallon jugs or other containers.  Add Essential Oil if preferred.  My favorite is Lavender!

Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load.

This recipe is a great way to save money on laundry soap….are you ready….it costs approximately .05 cents a load and washes about 80 loads at 1/2 cup per load.  Ya, that is what I am talking about!  I love homemade and I love saving $$$.  So where can you get soap scraps from?  Shop no more…just email The Essential Olive at theessentialolive@gmail.com and ask for the 2 cups of grated soap laundry soap for $5.00.   Or if you want to save yourself some time, you can ask for the laundry soap deal which comes with 2 cups of grated soap, 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soap for $8.00.   I can ship it to you for $5.05 USPS, just add heat & water!  (Or if you are local, I will happy to meet you in town.)

I also buy a gallon of vinegar, add 10 drops of any essential oil you like (I like Lavender) and use that as my softener.  Then for my dryer, I made homemade dryer balls!  They work like a charm…again saving me $$ on dryer sheets.  I purchase my Essential Oils from www.essentialthree.com and if you order them through me, you receive a 20% discount.  (I love this company for the fact that I can talk to the owner directly with all questions and she is super friendly, helpful and full of knowledge.  They are not a MLM and they are good, honest people to work with, plus they are located in Medford.)

If you have any questions about ingredients or the laundry soap, I will be happy to answer them…just email Debbie at theessentialolive@gmail.com.



Moving on….. and if you didn't know I not only sell soap and sundries, but tea!  For the rest of July, Provence Tea is on SALE!

Provence Tea is a Rooibus tea made with Lavender, Rosehip, Elderberry, Rose flowers and Blueberries!  It is the absolute best.  I love it hot and cold.  I love my hot with some rich cream and a little sugar (or honey) and cold with milk, ice cubes and a touch of sugar.  So so so so yummy!!!!  I drink a cup almost every night before I go to bed and I feel like I do sleep so much better…even if it is a hot night, I drink my hot tea….so good, so calming and so relaxing!   You can order yours at www.theessentialolive.com

So off I go…have a great rest of July, enjoy those kids and grandkids and life…it is a beautiful life.

Quote for the day…..Every Situation I Encounter gives me the Opportunity to think Brilliantly!

Hello and Welcome to The Essential Olives Blog!

I am excited that you are reading this and my hope is that you will find an experience of freedom here.  A freedom to take what I have researched, learned and applied to my own life and take it for your own. 

Yet there is so much to write and learn about.  One of my goals in life is to never stop learning about new things and having a wealth of knowledge.  So first, I will tell you my why so you can learn about me.

My Why….

#1  Why:  Why am I doing this blog?  Well, I want to give you knowledge and I want it to be fun, not boring.  Learning should never be boring! 

#2 Why:  To make you aware of The Essential Olive’s products and how they are beneficial for your skin.

#3 Why:  To build community and connection with like-minded people.  To share ideas, thoughts and experiences.

#4 Why:  To get back to the basics of life being simple.

#5 Why:  So you can have great products to have healthy skin. 

Somehow I am sure this Why list is not exhaustive and I am sure that it will grow.  

So #1 Why will cover a wide variety of subjects like soap being biodegradable, different essential oils and their uses, recipes for homemade cleaners (maybe even some yummy, easy & nutritious ones too!), life lessons, gardening tips and the list goes on & on.  This then leads us to #2 Why which is what this blog will be about.

I’ll begin by saying that I love making homemade anything.  I make homemade breads & jams, homemade laundry soap and window cleaner and of course homemade soap.  I have also made quilts and rugs and wooden shelves and a rocking horse for my daughter.  I also garden, can my foods, home schooled my children and have made my husband many homemade shirts.  The gals where I work PT now call me Pioneer Woman or Susie Homemaker.  Either title, I am proud to have.  I love being home and tending to the basics of life. 

The Essential Olive was started for this love of homemade…with soap.  My neighbor taught me how to make soap using tallow, water and lye…just three simple ingredients.  (Which btw, real soap is made with lye!)  So there I was….rendering down the tallow, heating up the lye and water and then mixing them all together to make…SOAP!  I loved it and was hooked.  I kept making soap and more soap and then added lip balm, body butter, massage oil and more.  Currently, I am learning about the benefits of essential oils.  Oh…..the knowledge and things to create are endless.

In a nutshell there it is and before I close I want to make a few confessions…the first being, I know this is short…but I want to keep it simple.  We are so busy with life that I want it to be a quick & easy reader.   Second…I am not very "computer savvy" so bear with me!  Lastly, if you have any questions or thoughts, I would love to hear from you.  You can email me at theessentialolive@gmail.com or check out my website at www.theessentialolive.com.

Thanks again and we will see you next time!  P.S.  Don't forget to like me on The Essential Olive's Facebook page!

Debbie

The Essential Olive

Back from Africa!

Hey Everyone!

Hope this post finds you well and you are enjoying your summer.  The McHugh tribe is good although with only Jacob left at home we are a small tribe!  This mamma misses her kids being at home but is more than proud of them and that they are off living life as they should be!

So Tom and I made it back from our adventure in Africa.  We had a great time and enjoyed ourselves immensely.  Africa…..such a different world.  Tom had been to Kenya and Mozambique before, but for me, it was my first time.  Thus, it was a bit of a culture shock for me and especially with being so tired when we arrived…48 hours of straight traveling with about 22 of that being on a plane.   There were people everywhere…walking all about going someplace.  Many of them were also grouped together along side of the road selling oranges, avocados, bananas, charcoal, wood or sugar came.  As we traveled closer to the coast, boys were out on the side of the road selling shrimp and then more inland in the small village, boys ran along side of the slow moving cars when and were selling nuts.  You would see many women walking along the roadside with bushel baskets of their goods and a baby strapped to their back.  The children too and many would also have a baby strapped to their back.   Some men had bicycles and they were loaded down with charcoal or large logs as well.  It was incredible what loads these men would have on their bikes.  So many people all living outside and only sleeping in their dark little mud huts.  Yet, they all live in community.   A different way of live than what I know.

They also live without much and are happy.  The live simply.  They don't have to concern themselves with insurance, changing the oil in the car, charging the computer or even what the latest iPhone is.  I feel no need to feel sorry for them or indulge them with things from my world.   They have their own culture, their own customs and their own way of living.  As any race or nation though, we can learn from one another.  Thus, this country of Mozambique is learning from people like Tracy Evans, Nate & Julie Miller, Heide, Natalie, Sarah and the Fitzsimons as well as the others on base that are called to live and work there.  They are learning about trust and Jesus.   They are learning about casting vision for the future for their children and their land from Nate & Julie.  They are receiving an education from the Frtzsimons.  The Beechers are teaching them wood crafting skills so that they can make a living and support their families.  Sarah keeps the base in tack while Heide and Natalie can share the gospel and help them care for the babies who have lost their mothers.   It is a beautiful base with a beautiful mission that help support many local Mozambiqan livelihoods.

So we arrived safely and got right to work.  Tom was put on task of building a 4 sided sea saw.  This will teach the kids balance.  I can see it now…all the kids, about 60 of them, will try to all balance on the beams at once.  He also worked on Natalie's ceiling fan, some shelves in Sarah's room, the new fencing for the Creche school and some chalking in Nate & Julie's room.  I helped Julie write out thank you postcards for the financial gifts that were received.  I also mended many little green uniforms mixed with the scent of the earth and sweat from their little bodies.

 I spent some time in the school and enjoyed watching the daily tasks of the children while they recited things they learned and traced the letters of their names.  One of my favorite things was watching them line up to get their toothbrushes and then go over to Mumba and get a dab of toothpaste squeezed onto their toothbrush.  After that they all sat down on their grass mat and Mumba directed them in brushing as he counted to 10.  When they covered their entire mouth, they all filed out the door over to the fence with a glass of water to swish and spit.  They then rinsed out their mouth with water, came back in and returned their toothbrushes to the toothbrush holder.  A sight to see in for this American girl.

My other favorite moment was when the children were asking me questions….how old was I, how many children did I have, did I have a goat and did I have chickens.  They then proceeded to tell me what their morning looked like before they came to school.  Most mornings consisted of them watching the siblings while their mother carried oil or long sticks of wood on her head back to thee home to cook with.  When asked if I carried wood on my head to made breakfast, I explained to them that I do not carry wood on my head, but that I have a stove and I push a button and it makes fire.  I am not sure if they understood this concept or not.

Another highlight of the trip was going out into the village and seeing the homes of the children.  Quite different than our home.  When we arrived, the children would run into the house and get their best chairs for us to sit on.  These chairs might be kitchen chairs if you had money.  If not, then you would probably get a little bench.  At one home we visited, we were given an old tire for a seat.  My most memorable home was that of 3 women and one nursing a baby, sitting on the red hard ground pulling all the corn off of the cob so it could dry it and then be preserved for the hunger season.  There were a few children there but once our voices were heard, other children came running towards us from the path.  Soon there were about a dozen little African children dressed in their stained and torn clothing ready to visit with play and laugh.  Julie gathered them and we sang and then played a game….sort of like tag.  It was so fun and the children squealed and giggled when trying to tag one another.

My stories could go on and on.  I miss the children and their smiling faces.  I learned so much and my eyes saw so much.  I ate sudza and beans and fried cavassa which tasted like a homemade french fry….one of my favorite foods.  I walked through the village that was tall with grass and shrubs and happy not to run into any snakes.   I did like wearing my sneakers though…that way the ants did not crawl all over my toes and up my legs.   I also like buying bananas and avocados along the side of the road.  It was fun to bless them with more money than they wanted for their produce.  Then of course, being in their generous culture, they insisted we take a few more bananas.  Mozambique was beautiful and the view out the front porch was stunning.

After two weeks in the village of ___, we then headed to Johannesburg, South Africa, were we rented a little car…this was our Safari vehicle for Kruger National Park where we saw elephants, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, guinna hens and lots of fun birds, a turtle, wart hogs, giraffes, kudus, impalas and zebras.  So fun.  We did not see any lions or leopards.  Next time.  To see they wild animals in the wild was stunning and incredible.

After South Africa, we then got on our flight to London where we enjoyed time with Russell and Liz Challis.  We visited Windsor Palace and other homes with beautiful gardens.  Tom got to enjoy a fast car ride in Russels sports car, we ate in a pub that was over 600 years old and also drove around the countryside and toured old churches and villages.  Our last stop was to have tea, of course!  The next day we walked along the Thames River and got a tour in a long boat.   It belonged to a couple that was on their way through the channels to London.    Ahhh, England….I love those old homes and small quaint villages.

After 3 days in London, we then headed back home…Redding, California!  It felt good to be home and back on track again of planting the summers garden, making soap, hosting guests from around the world, gathering eggs and being with my kids once again.

So thank you everyone for all your financial support and purchases from The Essential Olive that helped us visit Mozambique.  We were truly blessed as well as Nate and Julie and the people of Mozambique!  

Bon Dia!  (That is Good Day in Portuguese)

Tom & Debbie

Time for Adventure!!!

Hello Everyone!

Hope this blog finds you well and enjoying the rains of northern California if you are in this area!  I am loving the rain, the hail, the little bit of thunder and lightening!

Blogging is great, but I wish I would blog more!  It is a great way to keep in touch and express who we are.  So me, what have I been up to this past month…well, mostly preparing for our trip to Africa!  Tom and I are headed out shortly and I have been making all of the last minute preparations….which seem endless when you live the life of Debbie!  From having Jacob taking care of the worm farm, Granny selling the eggs, sending out those "I'm out of the office" emails, and training Jacob and Granny to run the business while I am gone!  Whew!

So what will we do in Africa?  Our plan is to go over and assist Nate and Julie with numerous tasks. Some planned activities for Tom will be planting trees and handy-man projects, but the main goal for Tom will to be in finalizing plans and helping with the construction of the new Creche school.
He will also be running electricity and water down to the school property.  Debbie will be assisting with house visits and Friday Outreach as well as preparing meals for the team. She will also assist Julie in setting up the new Creche School.

How can you help?  You can stock up on soaps, lip balms and all the other goodies you will find at The Essential Olive!  All proceeds from the month of April will go towards helping Julie & Nate with their Creche Program and also to Tom and myself's trip over there!  

So put on your shopping shoes and head towards www.theessentialolive.com.  Or if you live in Redding area and want to stop by the house, feel free!

Olive You....for Valentines Day

It's almost February.....and welcome to my blog.  I hope that this new year of 2014 has started off fantastic and brings with it health, happiness and that you find the simple things in life that bring you true peace and joy.  There is nothing better than having a pure peace within you so that as you on this journey of life, you are stable and can ride the waves in a forward motion.  

I am at home today and have my list of "to dos".  I love my lists.  I love organization.  I love time and so wish I could multiply myself to develop my entrepreneur skills and have time to create, learn and do it all.  The website Pinterst has created in a me too many "want to dos".  So much fun and so much creativity to explore....does anyone else have this problem? 

I just popped out from its mold a batch of Lemon & Clove with Poppyseed for exfoliation and a batch of Ocean Rain for a fresh & clean scent.  These are some of my best sellers and I needed to stock up after Christmas.  Today I am making Patchoulli and Sandlewood Vanilla.  Oh, I love these smells and the benefits of essential oils are so healthy of us.   Patchouli is used for an anti depressant that can help people get over the feeling of being depressed and fills them with new hopes.   Patchouli also promotes growth by helping to generate the production of new body cells such as skin cells to keep the body looking vibrant and young.  Patchouli also generates red blood cells as well.  Sandlewood, another favorite, is used as an anti spasmodic which is a relaxant and sedative in nature.  Sandlewood relaxes nerves, muscles and blood vessels so that it ends spasms or contractions. This is helpful when treating coughs, cramps and aches, etc.  Lastly, Sandlewood can be used as a memory booster.  I know for myself over the years, too many things need to be stored in my mind and I cannot seem to remember them all.  Sandlewood improves memory and induces concentration to keep the brain relaxed.  It also saves us from undue stress and anxiety.  

And with Valentines Day coming up, Olive You or better known as (I love you) is celebrating your Valentine and how beautiful she is with their Valentine's Day Gift Set.  This set includes a Sea Salt Scrub, an Organic Soap, a Massage Oil and a Lip Balm.  Check out the website in the store under Valentines Day at  www.theessentialolive.com.
                                            

Christmas is coming....

Christmas will be shortly upon us again and each year it is my goal to be prepared and to be able to bless my friends and family with a little something that they will enjoy.  This year I found what I wanted to get each of them at a craft fair.  I think each of them will love it in an individual way.  Yes, they are all getting the same thing in a sense....but in a variety of ways we will say.  My choice allows me the freedom of not having to answer the question of "what should I get them?" and not just getting them anything for the sake of it.  It also solves the last minute shopping problem and busy stores.  Doesn't that sound nice?  Well let the Essential Olive help you this year.  Shop the website at www.TheEssentialOlive.com or come and visit me at local craft fair.  (See the schedule on the past post.)  You can, like me, get them all the same thing in a different sort of way.  For instance, you can get them a bar of sweet smelling Coconut Organic Soap or a bar of Relaxation for the gals....who wouldn't love that?  The guys will enjoy a masque line scent of Autumn Afternoon or Jacob.  I recently made a Fishermens Body Butter too.  It is made with Anise Oil which removes the human scent so our men can catch more fish.  Thinking about stocking stuffers....   well then think no more and pick up some Lip Balms, Sea Salt Scrubs and Body Sprays.  O.K., now check the list below and make sure you got everyone.    

Christmas List.....
Mom
Dad
Grandma
Grandpa
Best Friends
Neighbors
School Teachers
Boss/Manager/Supervisor
Husband
Wife
Daughters
Sons
Daughter-in-Laws
Son-In-Laws
Aunts
Uncles
Sister-In-Laws
Brother-In-Laws
Mother-In-Law
Father-In-Law
Cousins
Extra-Curricular Activity Teachers
Coaches

Done!  Great, now your Christmas list should look a little bit fuller now.  Now wasn't that easy?  

Blessings, Debbie

P.S.  I always have specials at the craft fairs....so see you at the Simpson Craft Fair and the Bethel Craft Fair to get special discounts.  

LIVING IN THE FALL

Are we not so blessed to be able to enjoy life and live as we do?  It has been absolutely beautiful here in Redding California and our family is well.  I have been busy with craft fairs and making lots of soap and other sundries for Christmas sales.  Tom just got back from Alturas on his hunting trip with his brother-in-law that shot a 4-point buck.  He was able to bring some of the venison home and so tonight we cut up and wrapped the meat.  Our freezer is overflowing with abundance this year not only with venison, but pork and chicken that we raised as well as some grass-fed beef that we purchased.  On top of that I have lots of frozen vegetables from my garden and frozen fruit that my mother-in-law picked, froze and brought down to us.  Yes, we are enjoying the most delicious meals and desserts.  If you pop in around dinner time, we will be sure to set an extra table setting for you too.  The kids are well.  Jess continues to work at the dentist office and enjoys it. Nate is in his first year of college and Jacob is at U-Prep. Soccer season has quickly ended once again and well here we are....beautiful October.  I love this time of year.  The weather is perfect, the leaves are turning colors of brilliant red, a creamy yellow and a tangy orange.  Walking through the leaves and listening to them crackle under my feet bring fond memories of growing up in Michigan where fall is truly amazing with color and crisp air.  

Autumn time brings Organic Apple Jack Soap....an all-time fall favorite of The Essential Olive.  It carries the scent of the fresh Apple Pie and Apple Crisp.  Yum...who says no to that!  Well shower with Apple Jack and let it take you there.  Ahhhhh.  Are you there?  Yes?  Great!  Now mark your calendars for November 17th and join me at the Simpson University Craft Fair and grab your bar of Apple Jack.

Don't forget to check out the website for other great Soaps, Lip Balms, Body Butters and Sea Salt Scrubs!

Well I have enjoyed this time with you and I hope you have too.  Take today and really live, really enjoy life, really treasure and be thankful for the things that you do have.  Be positive and focus on what God has done.  Life can be hard, but we are more than conquerers.  

Till next time......

Enjoy, Debbie