Comments for Vintage Savoir Faire

Comment on Wisdom to live by. by Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:49:25 +0000

It’s like you’re reading my mind! :] Our generation will hopefully lead the way back to living healthy, balanced, full and happy lives. It’s up to us to perpetuate new generations of people eating real food, spending time meaningfully and living healthfully rather than poisoning our bodies, homes, and spirits.

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Steffie

Steffie — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:53:59 +0000

Yes, and I am terribly impatient with them! If I don’t label the day they’re ready to be strained and used, I’ll end up going after them early and they aren’t quite as good. Some are dried and some are fresh. The fresh herbs are faster, since I use a slow, lower than pond scum heat infusion. Dried herbs sit in the honey in a jar, taunting me every day when I turn them over, for three weeks. Equal parts herbs and honey for the jars, 1/2 cup herbs to 1 1/2 cups honey for stove top, and about 30-45 minutes, until the leaves look “dried.” They’re good for teas, salad dressings, drizzled over fresh cut fruit, that kind of thing.

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Maya

Maya — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:22 +0000

Hi Amanda, thanks for the post! Finally I’ve found the cool inspiring definition of my daily morning actions no routines any more. only RITUALS !!! Each morning just after getting up I go out outside for some seconds .Absolutely barefoot.In any weather. Especially now on winter time ( even at minus 30 ) -it’s so amazing to feel the pure snow underneath!! A glass of fresh- squizzed VEGETABLE juice, cold shower also add to my daily morning rituals. Does all that sound funny in a way? But it really works ! And helps to stay active and energetic for the rest of the day.

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Anne Ollamha

Anne Ollamha — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:30:03 +0000

The drinking of coffee is never just a prosaic act of slurping. Start with the brown sugar or maple syrup and the cinnamon. Add just the right amount of cream. Swish to encourage melding. Add the coffee to the cup. Swish (no stirring allowsed). Wait… wait… Inhale! Ah, inhale once more. Then that first tentative sip. Mmmm! Another larger sip. Ahhhh! Close your eyes and savor the flavor.

Because the ritual of the bean is so important, never never go to an establishment that insists on mixing it for you.

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:40:57 +0000

Hi Steffie, I love that you have a range of honeys to choose from!! Do you infuse them yourself with fresh herbs?

Thanks for the link to the microwaved water … scary.

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:36:13 +0000

Hi Thursday, good for you for taking time for breakfast! So many people don’t, but I know for me personally it makes such a big difference in my day.

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Steffie

Steffie — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:19:15 +0000

Morning tea. Even with a (very) active toddler underfoot, I take the time to put the kettle on, to set the timer on the steeping, which is important since the teas I use in the morning are medicinal supplements. I usually set out the container of tea I’ll be using the night before, and a cup and spoon. Covering the top of the cup while the tea steeps is important, to catch all the best benefits of the herbs, and it keeps breakfast from tainting it, since I cook during steeping. Once the tea is the right strength, an ice cube made of elderberry syrup is added. Then I choose a honey! I have rose, sage (for sore throats), and mint, all made from local raw honey. There is lavender infusing in my cabinet now, and I can’t wait. Once the honey stirs in, and everything is just right… I enjoy my tea.

And then I do the dishes. A note on boiling water. Water boiled in a kettle or pot on the stove is highly preferable to water boiled in the microwave. http://www.execonn.com/sf/

Comment on Hot Cloth Cleanser (or the portable Oil Cleansing Method) by Erin

Erin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:15:39 +0000

I use cold-pressed coconut oil and it works great, but I have every intention of trying this yummy-looking recipe. Amazing how my skin cleared up when I stopped using [expensive, organic] cleansers, and switched to coconut oil!

Comment on The importance of rituals vs. routines by Thursday

Thursday — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:58:38 +0000

For a start, the morning ritual involves showering and dressing BEFORE I come to the breakfast table. There seems something wrong about having the first meal of the day before I am physically, and therefore, mentally, prepared and groomed for the occasion. In days gone past, because I felt I had not the time to have breakfast at home before I had to be at work, I made toast, let it cool before buttering and Marmiting it, then took it to work in a paper bag where I ate it at work.

Comment on Nourishment by Jen

Jen — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:51:24 +0000

Wow. My great-grandmother had that exact same silverware. What a warm and fuzzy feeling your picture gave me, even before I read the post! Completely agree with your mother’s analysis of the word nourish, it’s a great one. Very whole in the mouth and comforting.

Comment on Customize your face & body cream! by Timita

Timita — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:37:27 +0000

Hello, Amanda! Great stuff!
I made this and it lasted for a month. I kept it on my bathroom, away from direct heat and light, in a glass container with a regular lid, not even airtight. It didn’t go bad and it was enough for a month of daily use.
I did squeeze a couple of vitamin E capsules into it, along with the essential oils. My combination of oils is grapeseed and avocado. They work great on my dry/flaky and not-in-my-twenties-anymore skin. Rosehip essential oil is great for wrinkles, and has a lovely scent

Comment on Homemade mocha body scrub recipe by Timita

Timita — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:08:24 +0000

I make a paste with coffee and yoghurt and use it as a scrub from neck to toe. My skin feels so smooth afterwards I can’t stop touching it!
Plain low-fat or whole-milk yoghurt contains lactic acid, which softens the skin, reduces wrinkles and hydrates dry areas. I would recommend this to anyone who is not sensitive/allergic to yoghurt – but I will definitely try this oily mocha variation

Thank you, Amanda, for all the great tips and inspiration!

Comment on Nourishment by Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:22:33 +0000

Alissa, I totally agree – when I describe something as ‘healthy’ so many people are turned off – so maybe we need to change our language!

Comment on Nourishment by Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:21:06 +0000

Thanks Thursday, it’s great that you’re in tune with what your body wants, I think that’s such an important part of feeling nourished! So many people are just on auto-pilot…

Comment on Nourishment by Alissa

Alissa — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:49:00 +0000

I love this post, and the distinction between “nourishing” and “healthy”…somehow “healthy” has a connotation that it must also be unenjoyable, whereas nourish is such a positive word! I like the idea that a salad and a delicious dessert can both be nourishing, since I fully believe that they both have important roles in our lives. Thanks for writing this – it’s good food for thought