January and February Classes are here....

We still have the Bath Crafts, the Intro to Aromatherapy, and Blending Herbal Teas (who knew that one would get so much attention?) to go, but we've put together the classes that will begin after the holidays.

These will all be on Saturday afternoons from 1 until 2:30, and they'll be held here at the N. Strickler Road location. All classes are $30 each, except the soapmaking class and the kitchen cosmetics. They are $35.
Please reserve your space by registering at The Essential Herbal You can pay by cash or check on the day of the class, but if we hold a space for you and you don't show up, we'll have to charge your card.

January 9 - Making Herbal Beads We will use several different fragrant herbs and spices to create beautiful, artistically organic beads that can be combined with other stones and beads to form amazing jewelry that will emit scent as you wear it. You will be making beads and taking them along home.

Soapmaking - This Class is FULL

We've been making soap so long that our kids barely know there are store bought synthetic detergent bars! It is our pleasure to share some of what we've picked up along the way AND what we did wrong so you don't have to. We'll be making cold-process oatmeal and lavender soap. This is a demo-style class, but each participant will leave with some of the soap we've made and the know-how to go home and make it themselves. Materials will be available for purchase on the day of the class should you want to do that and a class hand-out with clear instructions will be provided.

January 23 - Potpourri!

Brilliant colors and delicious scents blend together in feasts for the senses as we talk about all the things that can be used in dry and simmering potpourris. Learn about using fixatives to hold the scent longer, how to incorporate blossoms from the garden and what to look for on woodland hikes. Leave with some of both kinds of potpourri that you've made yourself. Recipes and instructions included.

January 30 - Salt and Sugar Scrubs

You can make these indulgent, luxurious concoctions for yourself with a little instruction on our part. Learn about the different ingredients, and why you'd want to use them. Participants will each make and take a jar of salt scrub along with recipes and instructions to make more at home.

February 6 - Medicinal Vinegars

We'll make Four Thieves vinegar during the class, and talk about the hows and whys of using herbal vinegars as medicine. Each participant will leave with a bottle and lots of recipes and instructions.

February 7 - Super Sunday - Kitchen Cosmetics

Leave the men at home with the 7 layer dip and come join us for a fun workshop where we'll make lots of fun cosmetics right in the kitchen. Note: Not as scary as this picture - lol.Winter Sunshine Moisturizer, a clay mask, Lavender Rose Cream, and a simple pore cleansing lotion will be on the "menu". We'll send some of them along home with you as well as lots of recipes and instructions.

February 13 - Introduction to Medicinal Herbs in the Backyard

Wouldn't it be great to find plants outside that could help pull out that splinter, sooth that sunburn, and clear up that poison ivy? How about something to help relax and sleep, or to tame that tummy ache. There are even anti-viral herbs growing wild outside! Come learn about them with us!

February 20 - Herbal Honeys, Syrups, and Elixirs

Whether the purpose is pleasure or medicine, these preparations are fun to make and a great way to incorporate herbs. We'll make one of each, and everyone takes some herbal honey home along with recipes and instructions.

February 27 - Making Incense

Using exotic resins, herbs, spices, and woods, we'll make delightful cones of incense. Each participant will make their own, choosing from various ingredients. We'll all roll about a dozen or so cones to take along, and have recipes and instructions if you'd like to make more. Hard to find ingredients will be available for purchase on the day of class.

C'mon a My House!

We've put together a bunch of shorter classes that we think will help people make things to stay healthy this winter, get some handmade gifts together for the holidays, AND take a little time out just to enjoy themselves at this busy time of year. Please pass this blog along to anyone you know who might be interested.

Classes will be held in my kitchen at TEH at Frog Hollow between Manheim and Mount Joy in PA. In fact, some of you may want to choose Christmas trees while you're here. We don't need a lot of attendees to make these work (3 0r more) but can't handle more than about 8 - so get signed up over at the website. Click on the "Classes and Learning" button on www.essentialherbal.com Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. Hope to see you there - it is going to be FUN!!!

Soapmaking Saturday, Oct 31, 1:00 to 2:30 $35
We'll be making a batch of lavender/oatmeal cold process soap from start to finish, while discussing how soap is made, what the ingredients are, where to get them, and all the stuff you'll need to know to go home and make it yourself! Everyone will leave with some of the soap we make, a copy of our book "Herbal Soaps from Scratch", and lots of know-how. We'll also have ingredients handy (at the shop at Frog Hollow) for those wishing to purchase them after the class. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Making and Using Herbal Tinctures - Saturday November 7, 1:00 to 2:30 $30
Learn how to make safe, effective herbal medicine for your family and how/when to use it. You'll leave with a jar of tincture that will be ready to use in a few weeks, and we bet that you'll make more within days! Handouts also included. The shop at Frog Hollow will be open after class for supplies. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Balms and Salves - Saturday Nov 14, 1:00 to 2:30 $30
You can make soothing, healing balms and salves, and you can learn to do it right here! You may just be shocked to find out how much fun it is to do, and how empowering it is to have them handy when you need them. Once you've mastered it, you'll come up with all sorts of preparations to make. Handouts and recipes are included. The shop at Frog Hollow will be open after class for supplies. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Soapmaking - Sunday November 15 1:00 to 2:30 $35
We'll be making a batch of rosemary cold process soap from start to finish, while discussing how soap is made, what the ingredients are, where to get them, and all the stuff you'll need to know to go home and make it yourself! Everyone will leave with some of the soap we make, a copy of our book "Herbal Soaps from Scratch", and lots of know-how. We'll also have ingredients handy (at the shop at Frog Hollow) for those wishing to purchase them after the class. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Syrups and Elixirs - Saturday November 21, 1:00 to 2:30 $30
We'll make a cough syrup and an anti-viral elixir, with each participant taking along some of each of the finished preparations. Knowing how to make these delicious, effective medicines and having them on hand when needed is very empowering! Handouts and recipes included. The shop at Frog Hollow will be open after class for supplies. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Bath Crafts - Saturday November 28, 1:00 to 2:30 $30
Learn to make bath salts, bathing herbs, and scrubs in this fun class. You'll be able to make these items for gift giving and take some of each along with you to try yourself. Our book, "Crafting the Bath" is also included. The shop at Frog Hollow will be open after class for supplies. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Introduction to Aromatherapy - Saturday December 5, 1:00 to 2:30 $30
What is the difference between "essential" and "fragrance" oils? How does aromatherapy work, and how can you use it in your home and workplace?
We'll be running the still and discuss what makes essential oils so special. Each participant will create an essential oil blend and use it to make a 2 oz bottle of massage oil. They will also leave with a purse sized spray of the hydrosol we distill that day during the class. Hand out and recipes included. The shop at Frog Hollow will be open after class for supplies. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Blending Herbal Teas - Saturday, December 12, 1:00 to 2:30 $30
This will be a great opportunity to learn (and sample) about a dozen herbs that are commonly used in blends and then put together your very own tea blend to take home. We'll talk about the medicinal properties of each herb and the fee includes a copy of our book, "Blending Herbal Teas:" The shop at Frog Hollow will be open after class for supplies. Other sources will be discussed as well.

Don't delay. You can sign up for one or all, but be sure to sign up.

2nd Sunday Classes - September

We've got another incredible day of herbal goodness planned on September 13th.

We will begin with a short weed walk and discuss different methods of preserving herbs over tea and a snack. After discussing various herbs that are traditionally used for unwinding and relaxation, we will be blending a relaxing tea. Each participant will make their own blend and take it along. Next, the bounty of elderberries in the backyard beckons, and we'll be making elderberry syrup to help ward off colds and flu this coming winter. We will also mix up eye pillows, and a lotion, the details of which we will probably come up with during the class - depending on what you all want to make. We'll end the day with an herbal supper.
Supper will come from the garden, and will most certainly include the scrumptious tomatoes and basil that are growing so well there. Maybe some wild roots? We'll see :-).
Participants will leave with some of the tea blend, the syrup, an eye pillow, and a bottle of lotion, as well as a booklet that will include instructions and recipes from everything we've done that day. 11:30 to 6:30.

The whole day is only $75!

Come sign up today - space is limited.

Second Sundays - Herbal Adventures with the Twisted Sisters

We've been talking about it for a long time, and now we're ready to do it... classes here on the farm, Frog Hollow Evergreens, in Manheim, PA.




Second Sundays with The Twisted Sisters

Each Herbal Adventure day will begin at 11:30 AM and will include:

~ A short weed walk where we will identify the plants of the season.
~ An herbal craft or two
~ A culinary creation
~ A medicinal preparation
~ A talk/discussion of a pertinent herbal subject
~ A light herbal supper
We will finish up around 6:30 PM and participants will leave with samples of everything we've made and a booklet put together specifically for that day with recipes and instructions to make it easier to continue at home.

Beginning with the August 9, 2009 Adventure:
Limit 8 fellow adventurers.
Cost $75
pre-registration and payment required. Click here to register and pay.

We'll start the day around 11:30 AM, with a short weed walk,
and then return to discuss what we found and talk about foraging while having a snack and tea (most likely the tea will be from the walk).

We will be making herbal vinegars,
distill some mint,
create some neck coolers, and then finally make up some passionflower tincture
before sitting and relaxing together over a light herbal supper. Tomatoes and basil are expected to star in that menu!

Around 6:30 PM, you will leave with a bottle of herb vinegar, some passion flower tincture, a neck cooler and a booklet with instructions and recipes for everything we did today.

After the winter holidays here at Frog Hollow Christmas Tree Farm we'll switch to Second Saturdays, but until then it is Second Sundays. Join us!