Got flu? Thyme Spray Cleaner is great for disinfecting the kitchen and bathroom

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I love learning about the way our elders used herbs around the house- especially if it helps keep the chemicals away! Thyme has a reputation as a natural disinfectant. This solution is great for wiping down rooms when family members are sick:

Thyme Spray Cleaner:

About 2 cups fresh thyme (From Clerici Ranch, of course!)
4 cups water (if you have water without chlorine, use that- if not, tap water is fine)

Boil the water then take the pan off the heat.
Add the thyme (no need to chop) and steep until cool.
Remove the thyme from the water.
Add 1/2 teaspoon non-detergent soap like Dr. Bronners Peppermint Soap and stir gently until mixed.

Pour the mixture into a good quality spray bottle (we get ours in the gardening section of home depot).
Spray on surfaces to clean- rinse off with a wet sponge.

Related Articles

• Method ANTIBAC Cleaning Products (thegreenists.com)
• Thyme (herbal-properties.suite101.com)
• How to Disinfect Your Kitchen Naturally (brighthub.com)
• Anti-flu soup (thefrugalcook.blogspot.com)

Add a little elegance to your meal with herb butter (Use for our herbs #2)

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I love to serve hot, fresh from the oven rolls with our holiday meals. One way to make them even more special is to prepare an herb butter to slather on top.

Another use for the leftover herb butter is to top the breakfast muffins right out of the oven to go with a cup o’earl (earl grey tea that is!).

One of my favorite recipes uses lemon balm and thyme:

Relax-after-a-hard-day Herb Butter

2 tablespoons lemon balm (or basil), chopped fine
2 tablespoons thyme, chopped fine
1 cup room temperature butter

In a small mixing bowl,cream the butter and stir in herbs.
Chill for at least 3 hours to allow flavors to blend.
Also great served on seafood or in vegetable dishes.

Related Articles

• From the Chronicle Kitchen Fast, Fresh & Green (chroniclebooks.com)
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• Demetrios the Traveller: Caramelized Pear Upside-Down Cake – Fine #Cooking #Recipes, Techniques and Tips (finecooking.com)

Uses for our herbs: #1. Citrus Sage Tea

Image by jspatchwork via Flickr

I have grown sage for many years mostly because it is such a beautiful plant once established. I admit that I usually only cut into it for foliage in my herbal bouquets or for cooking chicken or turkey.

AARP magazine had an article a couple of months ago that talked about the herbs anti bacterial properties and recommend using it for sore throat pain.

I have also heard that it is great for upset stomachs so I am going to keep it on hand in case I get a cold or  flu this year- it couldn’t hurt, right?

This tea recipe combines sage with fresh lemon so you can get some extra vitamin C in as well.

Citrus Sage Tea

Boil 4 cups of water, turn down the heat to low and add:

• 1/2 oz fresh Chicken Ranch Organic sage leaves
• 1 oz fine sugar
• 1/4 oz grated lemon rind
• Juice from one Chicken Ranch Organic lemon

Keep water at a simmer, and add the rest of the ingredients.
Steep for 30 minutes.
Strain out the herbs and serve hot or iced.