GARDEN OF YOUTH

Natural Herb Scented Candles

Provided

by Mary Jane Lawal

First you will need to gather your supplies. Most of the things you will need you can find at any hobby shop. Heat resistant container – be creative!

Supplies

Wax Wick

Herbs and essential oil for candle making

Double boiler to melt the wax*

Glue

Sticks (I use wooden shish-kabob sticks) steps

1. Use a dab of glue and glue the wick to the center of your candle container.

2. Once the glue sets twist the wick over wooden stick to hold it in the center of the container.

3. Put wax in double boiler on a low heat and when it starts to melt add your dry herbs. The longer they steep the stronger the scent will be.

4. You can add essential oil scent if you prefer or in addition to the natural scent of the herbs.

5. You can strain the herbs from the wax or you can leave them in for some color. Carefully pour the wax in the container.

6. Use another wooden stick to push any herbs away from the wick since you don’t want them to catch fire when you light your candle.

Editor’s note:

I was in grade school all the way through graduation with Mary Jane (“Chicky,”) our talented Haitian candle contributor, and mother of 5 amazing kids including Jacquie, shown here. A busy phlebotomist, Chicky took the time and incredible artistic risk to make this Editor’s dream realized: a hand made candle of fresh herbs. She/they did more than deliver – they created something so gorgeous that Life Recipe Magazine is featuring a complete gallery of the photos, as another way of thanking our Subscribers.

Pat’s Double-Take Garden Salad

Recipe and photo by Pat Friedman

How better to showcase nature’s bounty, then with a standout layered salad? Sky’s the limit for which plants you choose. Just make a bed of shredded/choppedsmall greens (I add a layer of finely sliced green cabbage for super crunch factor.) Layering takes time, a steady hand, but a creative spirit. What’s in the pantry? To this one I add pistachio nuts, dried cherries, and fresh basil as elegant, textural toppers. Make it Mediterranean-diet healthy: quality olive oil, fresh lemon, salt & pepper are all you ever need on a salad. Oh – and a focus on gratitude for the growers and the Earth providing this bounty for us.