Unboxing Beauty

The Herbal Bliss box this month has some foodie items, as well as some wonderful scented skin and body care products. Herbal Bliss is one of the best indie eco-friendly lifestyle sub boxes out there.  Herbal Bliss is a unique eco-friendly subscription service, as their whole theme is around providing herbal products ~ samples, full sized ~  from artisan crafted companies around the USA.   Their monthly lifestyle box will contain 5 items that could be culinary, health, beauty, aromatherapy and more.

What is Herbal Bliss Co?

Herbal Bliss enjoys reaching out to the diverse herbal suppliers throughout the USA to bring you five unique samples each month. Our sample categories are Aromatherapy, Blissful Body, Culinary, Well Being and a Spotlight product. Each of our suppliers thoughtfully grows, harvest, and packages to bring you delightful experiences into your home. Herbal Bliss is thrilled to introduce you to a multi-faceted experience each month. (source)

Herbal Bliss offers (per box) a month-to-month sub at $25.00, 3 month sub at $22.00, 6 month sub at $20.00 and a yearly sub at $18.00 per box.

Contents Revealed!

Wimberley Valley Gourmet Cinnamon Spice Avocado Oil Soap My only complaint is that I wish it was a full sized bar!

This is a fresh, hand made bar of soap that smells wonderful ~ very spicy with the cinnamon and cloves.  A lot of cinnamon soaps have apple scents in it (nothing wrong with that), so it is unusual to get one that is spices only.  This is made with avocado oil, are full of antioxidant carotenoids, such as alpha and beta caroten ~ and these antioxidants combat free radical and environmental damage and protect your skin from premature aging. It also has an omega-9 fat, high oleic acid, which helps create a moisture barrier, making skin soft and moisturized, while regenerating damaged skin cells and reducing facial irritation and redness.  Another key ingredient is goat’s milk, whose pH level is close the pH level of human skin ~  it contains the good fats ~ capric, caprylic and capronic acids and triglycerides.  These will help moisturize and keep your skin’s oils balanced.  This soap can be used as a shampoo as well, so it is great for traveling. 

Wimberley Valley Gourmet also sells organic oils, vinegars, spice blends, honey and more!  This looks to be a very interesting store, located in the Texas Hill Country.  Sample Size 1.6 oz RV $2.56

Ingredients: Saponified (Water/Sodium Hydroxide) Oils (Avocado, Olive, Coconut, Vegetable), Goats Milk, Vitamin E, Fragrance Oil, Color

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Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Refining Cleanser  My very first box with Herbal Bliss had a sampler of Neal’s Yard Remedies products!  This time, I received 2 foils of their refining cleanser, which is a cream cleanser ~  made with frankincense, which is an anti-inflammatory and moisturizing oils, such as castor, coconut, sunflower and baobab, along with turmeric, which helps to brighten skin and help reduce and heal blemishes.   I really liked the Frankincense items I got over a year ago, so I am pleased to try out their refining cleanser.  2 foils (.07 oz?) RV $ 1.40

Description: Our luxurious two-step cleanser leaves skin feeling beautifully soft, smooth and rejuvenated. Step one gently cleanses. Step two delicately smooths and refines. Enriched with firming and toning frankincense, antioxidant essential fatty acid-rich organic baobab and intensely moisturizing organic cocoa butter.

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Ricinus communis (Castor) seed oil*, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) oil*, glycerin, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) seed butter*, Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl olivate, Sucrose cocoate, Sorbitan olivate, Cetearyl glucoside, Sorbitan stearate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5, Caprylic/Capric triglyceride, Adansonia digitata (Baobab) seed oil*, Alaria esculenta (Algae) extract, Boswellia carterii (Frankincense) oil, Citrus nobilis (Mandarin) peel oil expressed*, Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) peel oil expressed*, Aloe barbadensis (Aloe vera) leaf juice powder*, Tocopherol, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) root extract, Sclerotium gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium dehydroacetate, Potassium sorbate, Levulinic acid, Sodium levulinate, Citral, Citronellol, Limonene, Linalool cosDNA analysis

* Organically produced ingredient  + Nut-based ingredient  Natural constituent of essential oils listed

 

Raven’s Original Mulling Spices    This is great!  This 6 oz bag contains a blend cloves, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, lemon, orange and annetto and it can not only be used to make mulled cider or wine, but in baked goods and a glaze for meats, like pork and ham.  I think I will use this to make a bundt cake as that sounds amazing.   You can also use for individual drinks ~ just add a teaspoon to juice, coffee, tea or red wine (hot or cold) and it will instantly dissolve.  This is all natural, fat and gluten free, with no cholesterol, caffeine or sodium. This has a 3 year shelf life.  Full Size 6 oz RV $3.95

Ingredients: sugar, dextrose, caramel coloring, extractives of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, annatto and natural flavors of lemon and orange

Sprinkling Spice Ideas

• Sprinkle on hot cereals, pancakes, waffles.
• Add Spice to apple sauce or banana fritters.
• French Toast – beat a little in your egg mixture.
• Toast – Add some spice to your buttered toast.
• Bagel Spread – Blend into cream cheese for a great spread.

For more recipes, such as pumpkin bread, deep dish apple cobbler, sweet potato pie and cinnamon mut cookies, check out Raven’s Recipe Page.  I’ve posted the recipes on the bag of the bag for easier reading as these are not on their web page.

Raven’s Spiced Apple Bundt Cake

• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 pkg (minus 1 tsp for glaze) Raven’s Spice
• 1 1/2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples

Mix together and pour into a greased and floured Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for  45 minutes (or until golden brown). Cool 10-145 minutes. Drizzle with glaze: mix 1 tsp of Raven’s spice with 2 tablespoons half & half, then slowly add 1 cup of powdered sugar. Optional: Top with 1/2 cup toasted, chopped pecans and a sprinkling of sea salt

Baste Ham or Pork

Make a baste (consistency of heavy syrup) by mixing Raven’s Spice with pineapple or apple juice. Use as glaze on ham, pork tenderloin or pork chops

Mulled Wine

• 4 1/2 cups apple or cranapple juice
• 3 cups dry red wine
• 1 pkg Raven’s Spice

Heat on low until Raven’s Spices are dissolved.

Spiced Apple Cider

• 1 pkg Raven’s Spice
• 1 gallon (128 oz) apple, cranapple juice, tea or cider

Mix thoroughly (serve hot or cold)

Individual Serving

1 – 2 tsp Raven’s Spice in 8 oz apple, cranapple juice, tea or cider

Fredericksburg Farms Mariposa Dill Dip  This was a variation ~ you could either get the dill dip or a roasted garlic and chive dip.  I am glad I got the dill dip as I do love dill weed and it is such a pleasant herb.  I think this is a great dip to use with raw veggies and that dilly beer bread sounds interesting!  This is gluten free and all herbs are direct from Fredericksburg Farm in Texas.  1 oz RV $3.99

Description: Mariposa Dill Dip Mix: Mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly. Texas is blessed with more butterfly species than any other state—approximately 430. We have a large monarch migration that comes through the Texas Hill Country in late September and October. The Fredericksburg Farms Mariposa Dill Dip has the spirit of the butterfly and the great taste of dill to make a great Texas combination. Knowing where you are going, how to prepare for the journey and the determination to reach your destination epitomizes the “Texas state of mind”.

Ingredients: dehydrated onion, dill weed, sugar, salt, dehydrated garlic and spices

For ease of reading, I am posting the recipes on the back of the bag here.

Mariposa Dill Dip

• Dip: Add contents to 16 oz sour cream and 1/4 cup mayonnaise. Put in frig for at least 3 hours.
• Spread: Mix with 12 oz cream cheese, add 4 tablespoons of milk. Put in frig for at least 1 hour
• Low Fat: Add contents to 16 oz lite sour cream and 1/4 cup lite mayonnaise. Put in frig for at least 3 hours. For a healthy option, you can substitute low fat Greek yogurt for sour cream
• Serving Suggestions: Tastes great on crackers, chips, pretzels, bagels. Add prepared dip to pasta for a creamy vegetable pasta dish. Sprinkle over steamed veggies

Texas Confetti Crackers

In a 1 gallon zip lock bag, mix 1 cup of canola oil with 1 seasoning packet. Add 2 sleeves of saltine crackers or 1 bag of oyster crackers and mix gently until evenly covered. Spread crackers on paper towel or cookie rack until dry ~ about 1 hour

More recipes from Fredericksburg Farms 

WiseWays Herbals Lemon Balm Salve  I love salves ~ gimmie all of the different healing salves!  I love healing salves as I feel it is important to use natural products first for wounds and healing and save the heavy duty antibiotics for when you really need them. There is a difference between a scrape and a hole in your body and personally, I feel you should not use the same treatment for different types of wounds. In fact, it is true that bacteria is becoming resistant and immune to our synthetic antibiotics due to overuse.  This salve is made with some great ingredients to help soothe, speed up wound healing and prevent infections.

• Lemon Balm soothes your skin and it is full of antioxidants which help protect your skin from free radical damage.
  
• Plantain is skin healing herb that soothes and reduces inflammation. It also has antioxidants and can help with reducing blemishes.
• Calendula (marigold) is an anti-inflammatory and helps with wound healing, as well as soothing and softening skin.
• Echinacea has many properties ~ it soothes the skin, reducing swelling, is an anti-bacterial. It also is a disinfectant and will speed up the healing process.
  
• Black Walnut Hull contain a compound called juglone, which is a anti-bacterial, antiviral and fungicide, so it will help clean and prevent infections.
  
• Slippery Elm Bark reduces inflammation and can heal your skin
  
• Licorice Root is normally known as a skin brightener, so it will help fade scars from cuts. It also is a soothing ingredient.
  
• St John’s Wort is also an anti-inflammatory and contains flavonoids to help soothe, heal and protect your skin as well helping fight off blemishes and healing them as it has antibacterial and anti fungal properties.
  

This has a solid texture in the jar, but once I apply it to my skin, this oily balm just melts into my skin.  It also smells like lemon balm ~ just lovely!  2 oz RV $13.00

Ingredients: Olive Oil Extracts of Organic Lemon Balm & Plantain Leaf, Echinacea & Calendula Flower, Black Walnut Hull, Slippery Elm Bark, Licorice Root, St. Johnswort Flower, Beeswax, Essential Oils and Flower & Gem Essences. 

I love that there were 2 spice packages this month, as the holidays are upon us now and making easy but tasty treats can be a challenge.  This allows me to make some new recipes.  The salve is always welcomed, as I love healing salves and I love the cinnamon spice soap.  I think I have enough for 2 uses on the refining cleanser and am pretty happy to try out another item in that line.  I paid $17.00  for my box, as I am on a 6 month subscription with one of their promo codes  (you should follow me on IG, as I will post any code when I see them) and received almost a $25.00 value.

Do you subscribe to Herbal Bliss?  Are you interested in this subscription and what products do you want to try out?

 

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