26th March 2026

Nettle Oil

This homemade nettle oil is our secret ingredient to battle hay fever for both me and the dog! Nettles reduce our histamine levels, so our body doesn't start to panic when hit with pollen; meaning no runny nose or dry eyes. The same works for our canine friends 🫶🏻

Not only is nettle good for seasonal allergies, its an incredible anti inflammatory and can be taken either by adding to a salad or boiling in a tea. I try and keep some dried nettle in the house for this reason, I can then add some to a teabag or sprinkle on food.

Our dog is affected by grass pollen, and it was quite gnarly for the poor lad in the first year or so. He would have gunky eyes, red feet and belly and would just be uncomfortable in his skin during the Spring and Summer months. I'm not a huge fan of the anti-itch pharmaceuticals for dogs (although I understand sometimes they are very necessary) so I spent a while researching how to cure him, rather than just mask the symptoms. 2 things came up in my search; local honey (as local as you can get) and stinging nettle. So, starting in mid Jan of each year, our lucky boy has a spoonful of honey and a spoonful of nettle every day. This is year 2 of this and so far, so good! I give it a break between October-Jan/Feb to give his system a break and allow any tolerances to reduce. He can have both the oil (as long as it's an oil ok for a dog, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut etc) or dried

The reason I make the oil is it is also wonderful for your scalp! Coming out of winter, I can get quite dry skin so I like to do a little nettle hair and scalp mask before I wash my hair, just to calm down any inflammation and add some moisture.

Now, as this oil has a turnaround time of about 6 weeks, I recommend starting to harvest as soon as you can see nettles. Young nettles that haven't flowered yet are best. If you grab nettles firmly by the stalk you are also less likely to be stung! (I do prefer to wear gloves). Feel free to pull from the ground rather than cut as well, the roots are packed with nutrients.

Ingredients:

1. Young, fresh nettles - as many to fill a jar
2. Olive Oil - I use an edible carrier oil so that we have the option to add to food. If you are just using on scalp, you could use Argan/Almond etc

Method:

1. Forage your nettles, as many as you would like to fill your jar. If you harvest too many, you can dry those too, blend up and us as a nettle sprinkle for things too
2. Wash and pat dry the nettles. You want them as clean as possible, especially any roots. I use quite hot water here which helps eliminate any further stings
3. Bunch the nettles up, hang upside down and leave to dry for 2 weeks
4. Once your 2 weeks is up and your nettles are super dry, blend them up, or use a pestle and mortar.
5. Sterilise your chosen infusion jar
6. Add nettles to jar and cover in oil. Close lid
7. Store in a cool, dark, dry place - add a label with the date on it.
8. Give the jar a shake every few days, I also like to open the jar and add some oxygen.
9. After 4 weeks, your nettle oil is ready! Strain through a cheesecloth and pour into a sterilised jar.
10. Keep your oil in a cool, dark place and use within 6 weeks

12th March 2026

Foaming Hand Soap

This foaming hand soap is super simple to make and doesn't dry my hands out like some other soap brands. I use old Bath & Body Works bottles, you can also buy them brand new, just search for 'foaming pump bottle'.

You don't need to use a foaming pump bottle at all if you don't want the foam! That old Baylis and Harding will do too.

Ingredients:

1. 60g Castille Soap (I get mine from Supplies for Candles/The Soap Kitchen)
2. Distilled Water - This is to stop the soap from going cloudy. If you're not bothered about this, or are using a coloured bottle, you can use boiled & cooled water
3. 30 drops Essential/Fragrance Oil

Method:

1. Pour the soap into the bottle
2. Fill the rest with distilled/boiled water
3. Add essential or fragrance oils
4. Pop lid on and give a shake
5. You're ready to go! Give your bottle a cute little label and try out your new soap

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2nd March 2026

Whipped Body Butter

A dreamy whipped body butter, customisable with any scent you fancy! This butter makes the ideal self-care gift, with a lovely handmade twist. If you really wanted to jazz it up, add some white/light pink mica for a shimmer ✨

Ingredients:

1. 100g Shea Butter (refined or unrefined)
2. 100g Coconut Oil
3. 1-2 Tablespoons Vegetable Glycerine
4. 30 drops Essential/Fragrance Oil

Method:

1. Heat shea butter and coconut oil in heat-proof bowl (big enough to whisk in) over bain-marie (a very low heat as shea can burn)
2. Once melted, remove bowl from heat
3. Whisk in vegetable glycerine & essential/fragrance oil. I used vanilla fragrance oil from Nikura. Whisk really well to help everything emulsify.
4. Pop bowl in the fridge for an hour
5. Using an electric whisk on a low setting, whip the body butter until you've got really stiff peaks and it looks like meringue
6. Spoon into a jar
7. Use it when you're out the bath or shower, a little goes a long way!

Keep out of sunlight, away from animals (cocoa/shea) & patch test before use

31st Jan 2026

Elderberry Syrup

This elderberry syrup is a jar of soothing comfort for chilly days and sore throats. Made with either dried or fresh elderberries and warming ginger, it’s traditionally loved for its immune-boosting properties and gentle support during our everlasting cold and flu season. Stir it into tea or sparkling water, drizzle it over pancakes or porridge, or take it by the spoonful as a simple, wholesome way to care for yourself. I like more lemon as a zing in mine, so I use the juice of 1 lemon. You can adjust the ratios of the ginger, lemon and honey as you please 🧣☕️

Ingredients:

1. 75g dried or fresh elderberries (organic are recommended)
2. 1 tablespoon fresh, peeled, sliced ginger - or 1 tsp of dried ginger
3. Juice of half a lemon
4. 80g honey - if set honey, heat it a little first, as it's easier to stir
5. 250ml water

Method:

1. Bring the water to a boil
2. Add elderberries & ginger
3. Lower the heat to a very gentle simmer; simmer for 30 minutes - add more water if needed
4. Let the mixture cool and strain through a muslin into a jug or bowl
5. Stir in the honey & lemon until mixed in
6. Pour into a jar or bottle, pop in fridge; I take a spoonful in the morning throughout winter as a boost, and a few spoonfuls a day if I'm feeling like I need a boost or I'm coming down with something

15th Jan 2026

Bird Fat Balls

When winter turns the garden into an actual ice rink, these little fat and seed filled treats are perfect for your birds. Packed with energy, they help our wee feathered friends keep warm and fueled when the ground is frozen and food can be scarce. Once the frost melts, it’s best to let birds get back to their natural foraging ways; a helping hand in hard times, and a step back when Spring returns 🐦‍⬛🌸

Ingredients:

1. 500g dry bird food - I used a mixed bird food for song birds, mealworms and breadcrumbs. You can also have a quick internet search to see what your birds favourite foods are! If using breadcrumbs, make these around 15-20% of the mixture, the seeds and worms are more nutritious.
2. 250g Lard (salt free!)

Method:

1. Melt lard down over a low heat
2. Mix dry ingredients together
3. Mix melted lard into dry ingredients, coating everything
4. Allow to cool for a while, whilst the fat sets a little
5. Once cool, pack the mixture into balls, or containers for bird food! I just refill old ones I've bought
6. Let set in the fridge overnight and hang out in your garden on a dry day
7. Welcome your new friends! 🐦‍⬛🦉