Natural Valentine

Valentine's Day is a bright spot in an otherwise dreary month. What's not to love about extra hugs, romantic evenings and of course, chocolate? Well, if you're looking to spice up your Valentine's Day this year, here are  few recipes and suggestions for doing it Salvage Earth style!


Before you go spend money on the traditional fare such as teddy bears and flowers, try something natural or homemade instead. Tea bouquets are super easy to make and if your loved one likes tea, will come as a welcome treat! Simply wrap a pipe cleaner around one side of the end of a clothespin and insert a wrapped tea bag into the opening end. Make several of these and bunch together with some pretty ribbon. That's it! If your loved one is a coffee fan, you can substitute the tea bags for single-serve coffee packets instead.

Another fun gift is a batch of home-made chocolate fudge. Quick and easy to make, this recipe is sure to please any chocolate lover!

Ingredients:

3 cups semi-sweet  mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (14 oz) can sweetened, condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)

(for a decadent peanut-butter swirl mix, substitute the butter for 1/4 cup peanut butter.)

Directions:

Combine ingredients in a double boiler and slowly heat until melted, stirring constantly. (or you can place it in a microwaveable bowl and cook on high 2-3 minutes depending on your microwave). Pour into a well-greased 8x8" square pan and refrigerate. If using the peanut butter, hold off on adding it until the chocolate is just starting to melt, then swirl in the peanut butter with a greased spoon for a pretty, marbled effect.

Note: Glass pans work best, but you can use anything.

Now if you're planning a more romantic evening, nothing is more enticing than a sensual massage. The best part is, you can make your own massage oil for a fraction of what you would buy it for in a store and use scents that you love besides.

What you need:

-A clean jar with a lid that seals tight enough to hold liquid.
-1/2 cup Almond oil or extra virgin olive oil.
- A few drops of your favorite essential oil or perfume.

Simply combine the ingredients in the jar and swirl until you get the scent you like.

Herbal bath bouquets are becoming popular once again. A few simple ingredients and you'll have enough to make half a dozen!

Here's what you'll need:

6, (4") squares of pretty fabric or muslin tea bags
2 yards of ribbon (if using fabric)
1/2 cup dried rose petals'
4 tablespoons dried lemon verbena
4 tablespoons dried Rosemary
2 cups lavender blossoms
a few drops of lavender essential oil

Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Blend well with your hands. Place 1/4 cup of the mixture in the center of the fabric square or fill the tea bag.  Gather the ends of the fabric up around the mixture and tie off with the ribbon to form a sachet. Place the sachet into a tub of warm water and enjoy! The rest of the mixture can be stored in an airtight jar for up to a year.

Don't forget to add the sachet to your compost heap when you're done with it!

Until next time,
Be well!