First Cold of the Season

Friday night we had the first frost of the season, which meant a mad dash out to the garden Friday afternoon, to gather up the last of the veggies! We didn’t quite have time to harvest all our herbs, so those were covered in burlap, and fingers were crossed. Now we just have to figure out what we're going to do with all these green tomatoes! In the coming weeks or so it will be time to finish harvesting everything, and put the garden to bed for the winter. It wasn’t our best season, but it wasn’t our worst. We enjoyed a good amount of produce all summer, and we even have a bit stored for winter. No complaints!

Friday also brought the first cold of the season... boo! I was the “winner” of this dubious honor, and I’m hoping that no one else in the family catches it! But if they do, I will be ready, with some Mama’s Chest Rub. Mama’s Chest Rub is my own petroleum-and-chemical-free version of Vick’s VapoRub. It’s gentler on sensitive skin, smells great, and helps to ease the discomfort of the common cold.

Mama’s Chest Rub

Two Tbsp. Sunflower oil (or any carrier oil)

10 drops of Eucalyptus oil

5 drops of Peppermint Oil

Mix together in a small jar (I use an old baby food jar) Apply liberally to chest, neck and back as often as needed.

Another soothing comfort for colds is eucalyptus in the shower. The combination of steam and eucalyptus helps clear clogged sinuses and snuffly noses. To do this, fold a washcloth into eighths. Drop 20-25 drops of eucalyptus oil onto the cloth, and then place it on the bottom of the tub while you shower. As the hot water from the shower hits the cloth, you will be surrounded in warm, comforting eucalyptus steam. Aaaah.