It's Sunday. I am sipping my cup of black and snacking on granola bits. Whenever I crave for something sweet, I am in a pickle. Unless I made it myself, sweet is too sweet lately and I simply can't make myself eat it if my life depends on it.
You see, right about at the time Covid 19 changed our world, my husband got diagnosed with Diabetes. We decided to change things together, as a family, and our diet changed drastically.
It wasn't easy and we struggled but here we are. Cravings remained but the choice weren't there any longer. Everything was just too bloody sweet: ice-cream, cakes, muffins, you name it. So in came a collection of books and recipes with no sugar, carbs or gluten.
I am currently trying some recipes from "The Diabetes Weight Loss Cookbook" by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi. Some work, some I adjust as I go along.
This one is my take on Cinnamon Granola. If you'd like to give it a go, continue reading.
Cinnamon Granola
Makes approx. 450 g
2 dates, stoned and finely chopped
2 Tbsp boiling water
300 g mixed nuts
60 g mixed seeds
2 Tbsp flaxseeds (optional)
25 g unsweetened coconut
2 tsp vanilla extract
50 g unsalted butter/coconut oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp turmeric (optional)
1/2 tsp black pepper
The recipe calls for the oven to be preheated to 200C fan. and bake granola for 10-12 minutes. I found it wasn't enough and had to turn it up and bake granola longer as I like mine crispy.
Instructions:
Put the dates into a large mixing bowl and add the boiling water. Do add more dates. Two wasn't enough for me. I have also tried replacing them with prunes. It also adds some sweetness and is way easier to mash up. Use a fork to mash them to a thick pulp. Add the remaining ingredients and mix.
I didn't follow the recipe to the t and threw everything I had in my pantry on a baking tray quite liberally. I had coconut, prunes, walnuts, sesame seeds, flax seeds and blanched almonds. As I wanted granola to go with yogurt and coffee, I did not add turmeric or pepper.
After I baked everything for a touch longer (till crispy) and had my first taste of it, I decided to add some Erythritol Monk Fruit blend sweetener and threw a handful or two of dried Gogi berries for a good measure. Granola was still quite warm and the sweetener melted right into the mix.
Wait till it cools, it tastes better. If you would like a bit of extra for your coffee, throw in some unsweetened chocolate bits.
Those not on a diabetes diet, can add some cranberries, raisins or whatever else your heart might desire. Don't I sound like Lucifer now? Ha ha. Who else binge watched the series?
Anyhow, it's great sprinkled on top of Greek yogurt, caramelized apples and pears or eaten in clusters as a side to your coffee.
Hope you'll enjoy it.
Svetlana.
]]>We are trying to step our game up by offering you Gift Wrapping options.
If you are shopping for yourself (don't forget that important person) but are also looking to add something for a special someone, you can now add a gift wrapping to your purchase.
Let us know what item/s to include in it. we will pack it in a separate Joseph Henry 1895 branded gift box, nicely cushioned with kraft crinkle paper, moss and petals; tie it with a ribbon of your choice and top it up with a seasonal selection of botanicals from our garden. Some of them can later be used for seeds in yours.
]]>I know the answer to this question would not be polite English "Fine, thanks".
Everyone is trying to cope the best they can, good, bad and the ugly.
- out of work and at home...
- school is out
- kids went through the first week of stir crazy and are now settling into new routine. I am homeschooling most of the days during the week spending way more time doing this than "a couple of hours a day" as per public schools planning. With two kids I pretty much run from one room to another supervising them, helping out with questions, dealing with tantrums and melt downs, encouraging them to do better and trying to keep them on task. And this takes most of the day. I hope as we get used to it and they learn to not get distracted this time will get reduced. Right now it feels like a full-time job so the weekend didn't come soon enough.
On my lap now: "Chicken Poop for the Soul" by K.Dowling. Straight from the first page the book hits the spot.
"One day in January 1997 I found myself standing in a grocery store in Prince George, BC, looking with dismay at the bare produce section. ...
While the shoppers vented their outrage ...
I began to wonder, What will I do if the strike continues for a long time? ...
And there it was: I realized then just how dependent I was (we all are) on the North America's food production and distribution system.
I was also shocked .. by my fellow shoppers' lack of awareness and surprised by their attitudes. ... that made me question the necessity for Canadians to have pineapples in January...."
Scenario of the book may be different... the end result might be the same. Panic, possible scarcity of available produce and worse.
Have we grown too accustomed to "wants" over "needs"? to dependability on other countries, other people in general?
So many things to reconsider...
I know what we are living through now is scary and horrible with so many deaths and permanent health implications ... but I am trying to find positives in what is happening.
A few years ago now, I have learned to make my own natural soap (from scratch) and beeswax candles. I would say I got pretty good at it too and you buying my products made me feel on top of the world. But as it often happens, it took over many other hobbies and interests. The original goal was to become as self-sustainable as possible within urban limits since I do not have the means to own an acreage. Life got busy and I shelved this wish for some time. Being out work and at home now allowed me to revisit past goals and to pick this one up.
I was born in the countryside with grandpa running a Soviet collective farm but then we moved, and moved some more, and in the midst of it all I became a city girl. Nevertheless, somewhere on the subconscious level the countryside hay bales hold a magnetic attraction for me. Nothing seems better than the smell of soil and forest underfloor. And as my husband jokes nowadays, if you ask my wife about what she would like for a gift, one might answer red-soled Louboutins, but her answer would be "sheep manure and chickens".
So, I am continuing this journey towards self-sufficiency, getting busy doing what I already know and learning new skills.
I am building a bigger garden this spring (the kitchen counter is full of sprouting plants) and was recently approved by the city to have backyard chickens. I am allowed 4 hens. I also need to build a chicken coop soon before getting my new feathered friends. More cooking and baking, as well as better pantry building is also in my plans.
If this sounds like something you would like to be part of, join me in recipe and skills exchange whether you are a farmer, a city dweller or a wanna-be-urban-homesteader like me. on Instagram @josephhenry1895 and @josephhenry1895_etc.
Let's create a mutually supportive community.
Humbly your,
Svetlana
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#slowliving #homegoods #homestead #homesteading #urbanhomestead #handmade #seekthesimplicity #slowdown #selfsufficiency #selfsufficient #selfsustainable #josephhenry1895_etc #naturalhome #naturalliving #naturalsoap #aconsideredhome #fewerbetterthings #ecoliving #canadianliving #centralalberta
We worked hard to bring you an improved seasonal beeswax candle collection this year. You will find some familiar favorites presented in new colors. However, the highlight of this collection is the addition of new Teardrop Candles.Biodegradable toothbrush.
If you are in, head to our INSTAGRAM and follow the rules of the GIVE AWAY.
]]>This is a story of our family's heritage that served as an inspiration for our rebranding from Medicine River Soap Co.
So the story really started in 1895 when having sold his few worldly possessions, Joseph (our great grandfather) traveled across the ocean from the Baltics to the shores of South Africa. He journeyed on covering over 1000 miles of rugged terrain with a friend, horse, compass, pistol and dreams of a better life in a new land to later set up an outpost supplying nomads and adventurers.
Joseph and his son Henry – a boxer, a mining engineer and a Hurricane fighter pilot during WW2 are the original adventurers behind the brand "Joseph Henry 1895".
]]>We got our hands on some beautiful charcoal filtered beeswax and are now busy hand dipping and pouring.
The outside temperature has dropped to -29 C, but with windshield it feels way worse. Keep that coffee coming and light me a candle!
What's the weather like i your neck of the woods?
]]>North Wind is back in stock. We just had a photo shoot with this beautiful soap and wanted to share some highlights and announce our North Wind GIVEAWAY. Please follow us on Instagram @josephhenry1895 for further details.
North Wind
They say north wind makes a man. This brisk peppermint wash with nourishing tallow will help even the most hardened souls brave the elements and stand their ground. Packed with nourishing beef tallow. Crafted to cleanse thoroughly without drying or irritating skin. Scented with Peppermint essential oil.
]]>We hope you can all come celebrate 'Motherhood' on this beautiful day of shopping at this unique venue! Whether it is finding that perfect 'one of a kind' piece for your home with one of our shops like Vintage I HH Society Co., Praire Wood Design, Cedar and Sage Farm and the stunning Honey B's at Home or shopping for your next fav outfit at Buttercream Clothing and Quint Essential Clothing.
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To craft our bags we use premium field tan waxed canvas fabric in its traditional natural earth-toned color and vegetable tanned leather. These are tough and durable materials that will change over time, developing its own personality and patina while accompanying you in all your adventures. The bags are then finished with solid brass and iron hardware, and heavy duty YKK zippers. Our leather finishes are natural and carefully selected for both our health and the beautiful look they create.
We strive to use best quality materials available to us to create vintage inspired goods for you and your families. We are makers. We are forever in love with things that breath heritage, community and sense of adventure. By buying our products you are not only supporting us but many other family businesses, who either sell our creations or supply us with materials.
Joseph Henry 1895 - handcrafted in Canada.
]]>Let us take you back to Lacombe, Alberta and introduce you to yet another great spot to stay in. We are heading to Sweet Capone's Italian Bakery & Cannoli Shop.
Fueled by family's dreams and traditional recipes handed down from generation to generation it opened its door in July of 2016.
We immediately got taken by its décor, dark haired Carmen fixing us with a cup of dark and Panzarotti followed by Toasted Cannoli.
Listening to gregarious manager Molly fondly sharing the coffee shop's story we couldn't but smile at the thought of Sweet Capone's being to Italian heritage what Tom Shelby is to Peaky Blinders. And though Capone's was full: friends catching up during lunch time, mamas getting a much needed coffee break while their kids loosened up on a long wooden bench, dapper looking guys getting coffees to go; we were still waiting for something more to complete the character of the place.
Maybe a familiar rustic voice from a tucked away corner quietly uttering: "La famiglia e tutto".
]]>As many other busy parents and makers we depend on coffee to bring some sanity to our hectic existence.
Having noticed lately our increasing tendency to too many coffee breaks, fallen productivity and infectious cabin fever, we decided it was time to get out of the house and finally tick those new coffee shops off our bucket list.
First we headed to Lacombe.
Good Neighbour Coffee greeted us with a combination of casual charm and irresistible smiles of Dave and Shannon.
As we chatted away it became clear how much they pride themselves with ability to provide personalized coffee experience, "according to your taste buds", as Rick Abma, the founder of Good Neighbour Coffee put it. But even more so, they are proud of this coffee house directly supporting Honduras coffee farmers and the community of more than 250 people by paying them a fair price for coffee beans that are later locally roasted here, in Lacombe.
Coffee was great, Pumpkin Cake - scrumptious and our belief in supporting communities stronger than ever.
Good Neighbour is a quintessential example of a Coffee House bringing together folks from the neighbourhood and beyond.
Support communities by sharing a cup of coffee "with a taste of justice".
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We are starting a small series of journal posts to encourage people to step outside of the fence to explore and support their local community, to build experiences and create new stories for generations to come.
Sign up to our newsletter, tag local businesses and spread the love!
We knew than that we will work with waxed canvas and leather to create vintage inspired items that, may be, one day become such heirlooms of the future.
Handcrafting with simple beauty and longevity in mind, we use best possible waxed canvas, vegetable-tanned leather, solid brass hardware and copper rivets.
We hope that you will love our creations and the way they acquire character and evolve collecting stories of the person who owns it and the roads they travel.
With this introduction, we are happy to add to our growing selection of canvas goods and introduce you to Mountain Jumper Backpack.
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The essential choices of our holiday editors
]]>LOCAL HEALTH & BEAUTY
We love finding local businesses that use natural ingredients for the products.
]]>Oct 01, 2015
LOCAL HEALTH & BEAUTY
We love finding local businesses that use natural ingredients for the products.
]]>Kait wrote a beautiful feature on West Elm Local. Check out the full article and her blog HERE!
One of my favourite parts of visiting different West Elm stores across Canada and the US, is checking out the LOCAL collections which features local artists and makers right in store. It is so special for these artists to be able to get this kind of attention and exposure. So far the Calgary artists that are featured in store are Big City Designs, The Paper Lover Co., Rural Creative, BrownEyedSuzy, Medicine River Soap Co. and MTHARU (who I recently interviewed for Swerve magazine!).
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Our natural skin care products have been featured by New Westminster Record!
Ladies, don’t let the rugged vibe exuded by Medicine River Soap Co.’s all-natural bath products fool you; you’ll love 'em as much as your dude does.
Not only is everything from this Red Deer-based soap-maker hand-crafted with Mother Earth-friendly ingredients like French pink clay, shea butter and lemongrass, its balms, which we love, aren’t overly masculine or feminine (translation: they can be easily shared by couples, saving on precious cupboard space, can be used as a moisturizer and slathered just about anywhere—cuticles, elbows, hands, feet and even as an aftershave. Our current fave balm flavour: Spring Bloom (pictured, $25).
Sharing is caring. —Sara Samson
Heads up, Canadians! We’re pleased to announce that the west elm LOCAL assortment will be available in our new Calgary store, opening on August 20th.
]]>west elm is bringing more local makers + handcrafted goods to our customers!
Heads up, Canadians! We’re pleased to announce that the west elm LOCAL assortment will be available in our new Calgary store, opening on August 20th. This collection is a curated selection of handcrafted home goods and gifts from local and regional artisans. Take a peek at some of the makers below!
MEDICINE RIVER SOAP CO.
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Photography is king! Shop photos are your number one tool for attracting and engaging buyers.
]]>Getting Started on Etsy: Part 3 – Photography
Photography is king! Shop photos are your number one tool for attracting and engaging buyers. With roughly 32 million items for sale on Etsy your photos have to stand out. They have to attract the attention of your buyers and then hold them. In todays post we’re going to go over some helpful tips for getting the most out of your photos.
Packaging – fill one of your 5 photo spots with a shot of what your product will look like when it arrives to the customer. This is a great way to brand your shop and lets be honest, we all love pretty packaging.
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How to fight back against stress this winter.
The science is clear: stress can kill, but it doesn't have to. Plus, seven ways to find your thrills outdoors this winter
]]>How to fight back against stress this winter.
The science is clear: stress can kill, but it doesn't have to. Plus, seven ways to find your thrills outdoors this winter
Nov 6, 2013
by Robin Schroffel
Ruggedly Clean
Some things are just better when they’re kept simple. Red Deer’s Medicine River Soap Company fits this mould, offering a line of handcrafted, all-natural soaps infused with a nostalgic feel. The Man Package includes a tin of Grand Central Shave, a moisturizing shaving soap made with lemongrass and bentonite clay, along with four pleasantly rustic bars, each between five and six ounces: gritty tombstone-esque exfoliator the Rugged Man; spicy Danny Boy, made with goat’s milk; earthy Patchouli; and Gunpowder, an antiseptic and deodorant bar made with tea tree oil, coffee and peppermint.
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