Healing Meadows Farm

01/08/2026

Love how God does things!

Plants defend themselves when grown in the right company! 🛡️
These plant pairings create natural pest barriers without sprays!

• Marigolds & Tomatoes: Marigold roots release compounds that repel nematodes.
• Rosemary & Beans: Rosemary oils deter bean beetles and aphids.
• Dill & Cabbage: Dill attracts wasps that prey on cabbage worms.
• Sage & Carrots: Sage confuses carrot flies with strong scent.
• Thyme & Eggplant: Thyme repels flea beetles that damage eggplant leaves.
• Oregano & Peppers: Oregano masks pepper scent from aphids.
• Chamomile & Onions: Chamomile strengthens onion resistance to fungal disease.
• Lavender & Lettuce: Lavender deters slugs and rabbits from lettuce beds.
• Calendula & Squash: Calendula draws aphids away from squash vines.

01/08/2026

I’ve never made my tofu like this, and it has always been good, so I’m hoping that this might expand my experience on how good we can make tofu! Remember, tofu takes on any flavoring and marinade that you put with it

01/06/2026

Good info for which onion is best to use

The Allium Family: Same “family,” totally different results in the pan

Onion, garlic, leek, chives… they’re all alliums. That means they share that signature smell and flavor—but each one behaves differently in cooking. Knowing which to grab is one of the fastest ways to level up your meals.

Bulb onions (your flavor foundation)

Red / Spanish onion

Sharp + slightly sweet

Best for: salads, sandwiches, pickles, quick salsas

Kitchen tip: a 10-minute cold-water soak mellows the bite

White onion

Clean, strong, “classic onion” punch

Best for: tacos, stir-fries, fresh salsas

When you want onion to be noticeable

Brown / Yellow onion

Balanced; turns sweet when cooked

Best for: soups, stews, tajines, caramelizing

The most versatile everyday option

Garlic (small but powerful)

Garlic bulb

Best for: sauces, marinades, roasted vegetables, meats

Tip: crush/mince and let it sit 5–10 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor

Local garlic

Often more aromatic and stronger

Best for: chermoula, grilled meats, hearty dishes

Tip: start with less, add more if needed

The “green” alliums (lighter, fresher)

Leek

Mild, slightly sweet

Best for: soups, creamy sauces, sautés

Tip: wash well—dirt hides between layers

Salad onion

Mild + crisp, great raw

Best for: salads, quick garnish, light meals

Chives

Delicate onion-herb flavor

Best for: finishing eggs, potatoes, dips

Tip: add at the end (heat kills the freshness)

Spring onion

Fresh with more bite than chives

Best for: grilling, stir-fries, soups

Tip: cook the white parts, sprinkle the green tops last

Quick rule to remember

Raw / fresh: red, salad onion, chives

Slow-cooked: yellow/brown, leeks

Bold flavor: garlic (especially local)

Bonus fun fact: Allium is said to come from a Greek word meaning “to avoid.” (Maybe because once you eat garlic… people avoid you 😄)

01/06/2026

With all the sinus issues colds and flu, here are some mucus killer tips ☕️ 🍋 🫚 🧄

01/05/2026

Happy New Year, Y'all! PLEASE READ! ⏰📰
🌅As of January 2026 Healing Meadows Natural Products will no longer be in the business of making our products. 🚫
I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU🥰 to ALL who have purchased and appreciated our items. 🧴🧼
We started this journey May 2018 and I feel it is completed at 7+ years. I have enjoyed it, and this is bittersweet, but it's time to move on. 🚶‍♀️
I will be placing the last of our stock of Cherry and Vanilla Lip Balms, Perfumes, etc., at Lavern's Country Market this week.
When the items are gone, that is it. 😔
As hard as it is to say this after all the efforts put into the research, recipes, production, design, etc., I'm excited to see what God has instore.
👉This page will continue, but it will be focused on:
*Growing our own Food 🌱🍅🌽
*Planting and Smelling the Flowers 👩‍🌾🌺
*Natural Remedy tips 🌾
*Healthy Living Recipes & Ideas 🥗🥙🍜
*DIY ⛏️🔨 & Helpful Hacks
*Country Off-Grid Living 🪴🌳☀️
I want it to be a place where Faith 🙏and Country Living🏡 are our focus!
Blessings to all of you! I look forward to your continued support of this page.❤️

12/31/2025

Making pizza 🍕 dough first time!!

12/31/2025

Smells like a pizzeria! 🍕
Such an easy process now! So much better than going out to eat! Cheaper and healthier bc I know what’s in it!!

12/31/2025

Have a wood 🪵 stove has so many benefits! Not to mention the heat that seems to seep into your bones because we came from the ground and so did the trees. But this is also another reminder of what that potash is good for.

🔥 Wood Ash: "THAT GREY DUST ISN'T WASTE. IT’S PURE MINERAL GOLD."
YOU CALL IT SOOT. FARMERS CALL IT "POTASH."

"All winter, you haul that heavy bucket to the trash can, thinking you're cleaning up. You aren't just throwing away dust; you're throwing away history's original fertilizer and nature's best traction agent. Wood ash is packed with calcium and potassium that your garden is begging for. And on the driveway? It bites into the ice without rusting your car like rock salt. Stop wasting the minerals you worked so hard to harvest."

📰 FIELD REPORT: The Chemistry of the Hearth
Angle: The original soil amendment.

[CHEMICAL EVALUATION] Wood ash is essentially a mineral concentrate. When wood burns, the nitrogen and sulfur burn off as gas, but the calcium, potassium, magnesium, and trace elements remain in the ash.

The "Potash" Origin: The word "Potassium" literally comes from "Pot Ash"—the practice of soaking wood ash in a pot to extract fertilizer.

The Liming Effect: Wood ash is about 20% calcium carbonate. It acts exactly like agricultural lime, raising the pH of acidic soils to make them sweeter and more fertile for vegetables.

THE UNSHOWN SIDES OF THE "FIREPLACE RESIDUE"
1. The Mechanics of Traction (The "Anti-Salt")
Grit vs. Melt: Rock salt melts ice but destroys concrete and rusts the undercarriage of your truck. Wood ash works differently. It provides traction (grit) immediately.

The Albedo Effect: Because ash is dark grey/black, it lowers the "albedo" (reflectivity) of the snow. It absorbs sunlight during the day, heating up and melting the ice beneath it naturally, without chemical runoff.

2. The "Acid" Warning (Credibility Check)
The Rookie Mistake: The only danger with ash is ignorance. Because it raises pH (makes soil alkaline), you must never put it on acid-loving plants.

The "No-Go" List: Do not put ash on Blueberries, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, or Potatoes (it causes potato scab). Put it on the lawn, the tomato patch, or the asparagus bed.

3. The Pest Deterrent
The Physical Barrier: A circle of dry wood ash around a plant stem is a nightmare for slugs and snails. The salts in the ash draw moisture out of their slimy bodies, acting as a natural, non-toxic deterrent.

THE MANIFESTO: "CLOSE THE LOOP"
"The tree feeds you twice."
The Cycle: The tree pulled minerals from the soil for 50 years. When you burn the wood for heat, you release those minerals. Returning them to the soil isn't just gardening; it's returning the loan.

The Economy: Bagged lime and potassium fertilizer cost money. Your woodstove produces it for free.

🤝 Our Duty: The "Cool and Scatter" Protocol
Ash is powerful, but it must be handled with respect.

The Action: Safety First.

The Cool Down (Critical): Never bucket hot ash. Coals can stay live for days buried in ash. Store ash in a covered metal bucket (never plastic) on a non-combustible surface (concrete) for at least 48 hours before using.

The "Dusting" Rule: Use it sparingly. For the garden, a "light dusting" (like sugar on a funnel cake) is enough. Do not pile it.

The Driveway Mix: For the best eco-friendly ice melt, mix your wood ash 50/50 with sand. The sand gives grip; the ash melts the ice.

Your fireplace isn't just a heater; it's a fertilizer factory. Treat that grey dust with the respect it deserves, and your garden will thank you in July.

12/31/2025

12/30/2025

Good to know!

Did you know there are freezer safe canning jars? With Canuary approaching quickly I want to share some basic “Did you know” tips!