Keepers Coop

Last week, we attended Keepers Coop again! We had lots of fun, and this time I remembered to take more pictures. So here are some photos from our most recent time at Keepers:

We arrived nearly ½ an hour early for class, so the younger kids played Rummy up in the loft while the Moms chatted.

Once the other families arrived, we sat in the living room to discuss the research/homework we had done at home. Everyone had some neat findings! After our discussion, we watched segments of “Making Herbs Simple: Volume 2” with Shoshanna (Pearl) Easling and Debi Pearl. The movies are a lot of fun to watch!

We got a little distracted during the movie because it started snowing outside! We’ve been tormented with flurries for weeks now, but nothing sticks. But we know we’ll be singing a different tune come March when there is still snow on the ground! J

After we finished the video, we went into the kitchen. That’s when the fun really began!

We started off doing herbal steams (so any of you who guessed that in the comments of yesterday’s post, you were correct!) We boiled pots of water and to one pot we added dried mullein, and to the other German chamomile flowers. Then we sat with towels draped over our heads and breathed the steam into our lungs. These particular herbs and the steam treatments aid in respiratory problems. I struggle with constant sinus issues, so these steams were really soothing!

After the steams, we turned our attention to making salves. Earlier in the week our teacher, Mrs. L, had started the salve-making process by mixing the dried herbs with oil and heating it in a crockpot for 3 days. What we did was to reheat the oils and strain out the herbs. Then we added beeswax to help in the hardening process.

Next we added lavender essential oil to the salve designed for cuts and burns, and peppermint essential oil to the salve designed for arthritis. Then it was time to pour them into the molds! The tins went outdoors to cool while the rest of us enjoyed a snack indoors.

The boys went outside while most of the girls played a board game called “Wildcraft.” It’s a fun game that teaches different types of herbs and their uses.

Meanwhile the Moms went through the dried herbs that had been ordered in bulk. We each took some home to experiment with and research.

And that was our time at Keepers! We look forward to next time!