Mama B's Apothecary

10/25/2025

Happy Saturday! Hope you're all having a great day! We've been organizing, putting away, de-cluttering the house. I've had a drawer of green peppers in my fridge for a few weeks. Earlier this week, I dehydrated jalapeños to grind into a shaker & thought I'd try dehydrating the green peppers for in soups and stews. Not sure how they'll work out, but figured it was better than them rotting in the fridge (there's only so many peppers my family will eat! 😆)

What's your favorite way to preserve peppers??

10/23/2025

10/18/2025

🌿✨ Did You Know? The Power of Oxytocin Differs Between Men and Women! ✨🌿

This was something I just learned more about the other day... so let’s dive into the science behind oxytocin—the hormone often referred to as the 💗"love hormone."💗

👩‍🦰 **For Women:**
Women have a unique way of processing oxytocin that enhances emotional bonding and trust. Higher densities of oxytocin receptors in areas of the brain related to emotional responses mean they may feel more connected during moments of affection, especially with mothers bonding with their infants. This hormonal spike during breastfeeding, for instance, strengthens those precious early connections.

👨‍🦱 **For Men:**
Men’s brains also respond to oxytocin but slightly differently. While they experience bonding and attachment through oxytocin, the effects may manifest more through shared activities and companionship. Paternal interactions can lead to oxytocin release, enhancing nurturing behaviors with children and deepening emotional ties in romantic relationships.

🌱 Whether you're a mom, a dad, or just curious about how these dynamics play out in your relationships, understanding oxytocin can offer insight into how we connect with one another! 💚

10/16/2025

🍅 Tomatoes 🍅

What is your go-to way to use up the end of the season tomatoes?? Anything super simple is what I'm hoping for. I may can up some more stewed tomatoes. They were pretty easy and SOO good with homemade mac & cheese!
💡 I'm looking for ideas!!! I have a ton of green peppers & jalapeños too. Think I'm going to dehydrate some. I've tried freezing peppers, but they usually ended up tossed.

Who else's garden is hanging on? We've had at least one frost so far, fortunately my garden sirs close enough to the house that it didn't really take too much of a hit...

✨️What's your favorite ways to make your garden goodies last??

10/16/2025

🏫HOMESCHOOLING‍✏️

Where are my homeschoolers

This year we are homeschooling our oldest, so far it seems to be going well. We've been using the Easy Peasy program through allinonehomeschool.com. We chose not to do PA cyber school so he could still participate in band and orchestra at the public school. He's mentioned going back to public school next year (9th grade) so he can work towards college scholarships (anyone out there have experience with homeschooling & scholarships let me know!)

What tips would you give new homeschoolers? What have you found that does or doesn't work for your family?

What has been your biggest challenge homeschooling?

I love talking with other homeschooling families to get their thoughts on all these different things, let's chat!

10/15/2025

AromaSprays

We had fish last night for dinner.... there was definitely a fishy scent lingering afterwards. I always keep 1 or 2 sprays over our kitchen sink, so I spritzed some Purify around the kitchen and freshened up the space.
There are so many "air fresheners" out there that are filled with questionable (to say the least) ingredients. Alot of them can actually have an affect on our hormones, can cause headaches, and all sorts of problems.
Our aromasprays only contain essential oils for scent, meaning you get aromatherapy while freshening up your room, your pillow, your shoes, the garbage can...... you can spray these anywhere and not have to worry about what you're inhaling.

What is your favorite Mama B spray? Are there blends you wish we offered? Let me know!

10/14/2025

🌱SEEDS!🌱

Who's saving them? Thinking there may be another giv3away one day soon and some of these seeds may be included.

Do you recognize these? Some, as you can see, are still drying a bit, and some are poisonous if eaten.

I will admit I have a slight seed hoarding problem, so a few other seeds might be included if we do in fact have a g!

10/13/2025

Make It Monday!! PANCAKES!

🥞It's what we had for breakfast! 🥞

I've been making up this mix for the past few years, it's easy to throw together and you can always throw extras in, bananas, apple slices, cinnamon, vanilla, whatever floats your boat. We also love sourdough pancakes, but that's a whole other post 😘

Bulk Recipe:
10 C flour
2.5 C dry milk
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C baking powder
2 T salt

To Make Pancakes/Waffles:
2 C mix
1 C water
1 egg
2 T oil (3 T for waffles)
Vanilla (optional)
Makes roughly 10-12 pancakes depending on the size you make

What's your go-to for breakfast?

10/13/2025

MY DUCKS ARE LAYING!! I've been waiting for this day! We hatched out 6 ducks this spring, 3 male & 3 female. I have been waiting for the day I found the first egg, and Saturday was that day, just one little lone one, but then today I found 3!

🥚Duck Eggs vs. Chicken Eggs - What’s the Difference? 🍳🐥

Nutritional Comparison (per large egg):
Calories:
*Duck Eggs: 130-150
*Chicken Eggs: 70-80
Protein:
*Duck Eggs: 9-10 g
*Chicken Eggs: 6-7 g
Fat:
*Duck Eggs: 9.5-10 g
*Chicken Eggs: 5 g
Cholesterol:
*Duck Eggs: 619 mg
*Chicken Eggs: 186 mg
Vitamin A:
*Duck Eggs: 500-700 IU
*Chicken Eggs: 270 IU

Duck eggs tend to be richer and creamier, making them a fantastic choice for baking and gourmet dishes. However, they also come with higher calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to chicken eggs.

💚Have you, or would you try duck eggs? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🍽

10/12/2025

I heard this song for the first time this morning at church, and then it popped up on the radio as I was getting home. As a Christian, I definitely don't have it all figured out. I still sin, I mess up, my temper gets the best of me, I yell, I swear...
God is always listening, He knows what's in our hearts, and He's always there for us. The more you talk to him, the more you feel His presence.
We are all works in progress, don't ever count yourself out. He is still waiting for you 💞

Incase the link doesn't work, the song is, "Talking to Jesus" by Brandon Lake & Thomas Rhett

https://open.spotify.com/track/5tSChUjjjk0dQQHSWqAObG?si=3FZAej_fQjKvHvzIwVoS8A

10/10/2025

What's everyone making tonight??? I need ideas!