Hippie Bait

~ Homemade Hydrosol ~

Equipment:
- crockpot or large pot with a curved lid
- glass bowl that fits nicely in the pot with the lid on upside-down, with some room to spare
- hot mitts
- spoon
- mason jar and lid (wide mouthed, no neck, round if you plan to freeze your hydrosol)
- funnel (optional)
- bottle with a spritz nozzle

Supplies/Materials:
- plenty of aromatic plant material (fresh blossoms or leaf or dried)
- water
- 'preservative' (optional and can be vodka or vegetable glycerin. Isopropyl alcohol isn't recommended because it dries skin)

Put a bunch of plant material (the ammount changes and I 'just do', eyeballing it so have no measurements to share) into your crockpot or pot

Push it to the sides so there is space for your collection bowl and place the collection bowl in the midst of the plant matter

If the plant matter is above the rim of the bowl, take some out, we don't want any falling in to our distilled waters

Pour cool/cold water into the crockpot or pot until the bowl acts like it is about to float.

If using dry plant matter, use warm water, put the lid on UPRIGHT, let it steep and begin to reconstitute, stir.

Put your lid on UPSIDE DOWN

Turn crockpot on 'low' then walk away and let it do it's thing, checking the water levels and stirring every so often.

At this time you can empty your collection bowl, stir and ensure the 'tea' doesn't dry out and scortch.

If you are using a pot and stovetop, set the heat to low and gently begin to simmer. The lower the heat, the better. You'll need to keep a closer eye on it than using a crockpot so do not leave it unattended long.

There is a knack to removing the lid when you check it.

When you open it, be sure it is opened AWAY from your face and exposed skin. This isn't super hot steam but is hot and is steam so please use caution.

Too, there is a knack to tipping and lifting the lid so the distilled water goes into the collection bowl and not back into the tea. Not sure how to describe it, but watch and you'll see but if it goes into the tea, no worries (but it does have that 'awwww, man, darnit!' feeling for me).

The cleaner your equipment, the longer lasting the waters.

If plant matter falls into the distilled water, dump everything in the bowl back in the 'tea', clean the bowl and start distilling a fresh bowlful.

If your distilled water is cloudy, it got contaminated - It's not wasted, just use it more quickly or defrost less at a time for use, or dump into the tea and, once again, start again.

Do not cook until dry. There should be mushy material and tea left over.

How long it takes depends on many factors too.

DO NOT run your crockpot and go to bed. Turn it off then continue after you wake up.

Storage:

In my opinion, the best way to store your hydrosol is to freeze it, then defrost as you need it.

Use a wide mouthed, round, neckless mason jar.

Leave at least an inch and a half (4ish cm) of 'breathing room' from the rim of the jar for freezing expansion.

Cover jar with lid and don't screw the lid on.

Put in the fridge and chill well

Transfer to your freezer.

AFTER it has frozen, tighten the lid.

Remove from freezer and defrost as needed.

When it's in the spritz bottle, store it in the fridge.

If it clouds or changes in appearance, dispose of it.

You can add a bit of vegetable glycerin or 1/2 tsp vodka to the spritz bottle waters to extend life.

How long it lasts depends on so many factors so I can't say for sure, but keep an eye for clouding and anything odd developing that indicates spoilage.

Happy hydrosol-ing!

Photos are of using fresh lilac blossoms and then rose petal powder.

Blossoms and waters, oh my!

Dandelion blossom season is the 'go' off the starting line for this endurance race.

The finish line is some time in Autumn

Keeping up with what nature provides and my garden is the 'win'

~ Hydrosols vs Teas ~

Teas are plant material steeped in water, then filtered.

Hydrosols are distilled teas.

Some will say you need a special distillation machine to make hydrosols but I'll show you how to make it with things you likely already have in a different post.

Both can be used as a refreshing, moisturizing mist, part of a daily routine and for cooling relief on a hot day.

Photos: lilac hydrosol waiting for the freezer (clear) and rose petal powder sun tea steeping (brown cloudy)

~ Mother's Day gifts ~

Chocolate
- dark, quality (low/no sugar) chocolate lowers stress levels, helps prevent cognitive decline and boosts mood. (Yes mine has caramel because 'caramel')

Roses
- petals in teas or tinctures, essential oils and 'the rose as it is' (simply smelling it, seeing it) help to balance hormones, calm the nervous system and elevate mood.

All traditional and perfect for a stressed out Mom (unless she's allergic, of course)

A rose petal bath with a cuppa warm milk and chocolate.
.. or even a hot chocolate bath with a rose petal tea.

Hot chocolate bath?

Yes.

It's divine.

1-2 cups of milk powder
1/8 - 1/4 cup cocoa

Add to bath.

Soak.

Rinse after. (I find the cocoa can clog pores)

The soak isn't just divine to be in, it also makes your skin smooth and moisturized.

~~

For us 'more mature' moms and nanas and grammas and..

Rose essential oil (absolute or otto), one drop on the bottom of each foot can help regulate hormones and keep 'power surges'/hot flashes at bay.

Clary sage essential oil is excellent to start with for power surges and such, then maintenance with the rose.

Of course, like anything, if there are allergies or sensitivities, please do not use and use essential oils with caution.

Love, appreciation to all the moms,

Hippie Bait

Lemon Saffron Water

Aka: 'Happy Water'

There is something about it.

The saffron gives the water its' cheerful colour and elevates the taste of the lemon.

Saffron also has compounds proven to help improve mood and ease anxiety (crocin and safranal)

You don't need much for Happy Water. Six to 12 strands per large jug is great.

Lightly lemoned water (no more than one tsp of lemon juice per liter of water) helps support the liver, making for a happy liver; and helps balance body pH for a happier body system.

I like using fresh lemons.

Slice them up.

Give each slice a twist to release inner juices and healthy oils from the peels (like limonene and y-terpinene which are antimicrobials)

Experiment with amounts.

Drink it cold, warm or hot (hot releases more from the lemon).

Make it as a sun tea to release EXTRA flavours and goodness.

This article has some really excellent information.

I'd like to add that turmeric can cause digestive upset and headaches in those who are sensitive.

Guess who's sensitive? Yup, me.

Which is super unfortunate since it works EXCELLENT for sleep and inflammation management.

Spices for Sleep: Natural Remedies to Improve Your Nightly Rest Most people raiding their medicine cabinet for sleep would never think to check the spice rack. But several common spices contain bioactive compounds that

~ Dandelion Blossom Oil ~

How to:

Pick dandelion blossoms when it is dry out, but not too hot. This will reduce the chances of the blossoms going to seed.

Do not wash. Do not rinse.

Dandelion blossom pollens have helpful properties and so does the natural yeast living on the petals. Rinse your blossoms, you rinse their helpful properties away, making for an inferior oil.

Air dry the whole blossom heads for two days. (Some stem is okay; good even, in my opinion).

If some go to seed, still use them.

For fastest finished product, do your second picking the day after your first or pick enough for two batches your first day (but if you do same day, your infusion making day will be LONG).

Stuff a jar 2/3 full of two day aired blossoms. Press them down gently, then fill with your chosen oil, leaving a bit of stirring room.

I use grapeseed because of its absorbency, vitamin content and cost.

If you have more than 2/3 of a jar of blossoms, consider separating them into two jars.

If you have less than 2/3, just eyeball it up when you pour in the oil. Pour in enough so the oil seeps in between the blossoms, plus 1/3 more.

Via double boiler-type method (put jar with the oil and blossoms into a pot with water, then heat) or in a dehydrator (if your jar fits), warm the oil on low-medium, stirring occasionally.

We are using heat method since, at this point, the blossoms still have a bit of moisture in them and a cold infusion would increase chances of spoilage.

Do not bring the water to a boil, only to 'steaming' (we're not aiming for deep fried blossoms, but a gently infused oil).

Keep warm (and occasionally stir) for a few hours - I like a minimum of 4.

Remove from heat. Let cool a bit.

Using cheesecloth or coffee filters, filter blossoms from the oil.

If the oil is still a bit warm, it strains more nicely but it can be cooled completely first too (but filtering may take longer)

I like to put weight on top of the blossoms to squeeze out as much oil as possible.

~ Second infusion

Repeat instructions except when you fill the jar with oil, first pour in your already infused oil, then top up with some fresh, uninfused oil (if needed).

Filter final infusion TWICE.

This will remove as much plant material as possible, creating a longer lasting oil.

Store in a glass container, away from direct sunlight.

Can easily be made into a salve or balm by adding 'thickeners' - I have a dandelion blossom oil/tallow blend that is quite lovely.

Dandelion blossom oil WILL develop thicker 'oil goop' along edges and ridges of the container after time because dandelions contain natural latex.

The white sticky stuff that weeps out the stem? That.

So if more stem is used, the more quickly this goop can develop - the oil is still good.

Note: my son is allergic to latex gloves, etc but can use the blossom oil.

If you can get that sticky stuff on you without a reaction, you're good. You can always do a small patch test to be sure.

Uses: Arthritis, muscle aches, bug bites, minor skin scrapes/abrasions, eczema, dry skin, cold sores, shingles.

A dear lady and regular customer uses the blossom oil for drastically redcucing eczema and easing the pain of it - eczema that was not responding to any other treatments.

Hippie Bait skin products are, basically, food for your face. If you get amazing results or a negative reaction, please look to how the ingredients play a role in your diet.

All hail the mighty dandelion blossom.

"Hippie Bait" ~ Get hooked

Ever think you're ready, but apparently you're not?

Or life suddenly has other plans?

Or the hurdles and red tape trip you and tie you up?

And you wonder if it's worth it or if it will ever get anywhere?

Welcome to my life and the building of 'Hippie Bait'.

I've been working on this for over a decade.

It started with a simple granola.

Sent some with my kids uncle to snack on for his trip home on the ferry.

He texts me:

"Lisa! This stuff is amazing! I opened it up (the container of granola) and the hippies started lining up! It's hippie bait!"

Now, too, please understand: Ray knows food. He is a self trained chef and worked some high end jobs. So him saying this was, for me, the ultimate in complements.

Then, after a bit, I gained confidence and started sharing the granola with people we know, friends, family.

And the feedback was always positive. Actually, the feedback was beyond positive - everyone loving it. Not one person said "Meh, it's okay"

A self-proclaimed granola lover said "This is the best I've ever had and I've had A LOT. I'd definitely buy this."

And the name stuck.

Unfortunately I don't have a commercial kitchen to make the granola to sell to the public. BUT I can make and sell skin and bath products and my teas.

Everything is made by me, by hand, and in small batches.

All products have been tested by human volunteers and myself.

Any claims made about products are based on direct feedback from people who've used them.

Everything I make you can make too and I'll tell/show you how so you can make it yourself (except the granola, that's 'top secret') but if you don't have the mind or time to make it, you can order it from me.

PS
I suck at sales so it's super good amazing that "Hippie Bait" products are so awesome that they sell themselves.

"Hippie Bait" ~ Get Hooked