Holistic seasonal wellness starts in the garden, CSA pick up, local farm stand, farmers market, community garden plot/allotment and kitchen. Beyond delicious nutrient dense seasonal meals there is so much more to be made from garden harvests and farm goods for holistic seasonal wellness! I hope these ideas spark your creativity and inspire you to have some fun in the kitchen.  I am sharing some crafts, projects and ideas to help you on your wellness journey focused around the seasons.

• Fermented Drinks – Imbibing on fermented drinks can do wonders for you gut microbiome. Kombucha is one way to have fermented drinks. You can also add in water kefir, both can easily be made at home. Both can go through second ferments to add flavor in with fruit/fruit juices, as well as medicinal herbs.
• Fermented & Dehydrated Foods – There are so many options to ferment or dehydrate your harvests and farm goods. I recommend getting a few good books on each topic  and diving in. My favorite dehydrator is made by Excalibur, I recommend getting one with a timer.
• Herbal Infusions & Products – Herbal teas are a great way to add to your daily hydration needs throughout the day. Your choice of herbs are many! Always consult with a qualified professional to make sure any herbs you do choose for consumption are suitable for you and your specific needs. You can also make tinctures, oxymels, herbal vinegars, infused honeys, etc. Choose which methods work for you and your family and fill your apothecary!
• Adding Herbs to Food – Just about any meal, snack or recipe can be made better with herbs, both culinary and medicinal.  Some ideas include adding your favorite herbs to soups, salads, pestos, roasted vegetables, protein balls, elixirs, etc.
• Skincare Products – There are many things you can make for your skin using plants! I love a good salve for my hands after a day in the garden. Calendula is a favorite of mine. You can make it as simple as beeswax and olive oil or another skin loving oil for a good base. I prefer doing a long infusion of the herb(s) with my oil then doing an additional method using heat to make sure I am getting the most out of my herbs.  You can also make butters, creams, soaps, and plain herbal infused oils for massage, etc. Using clean and holistic skincare products are so much more beneficial for your wellness than something filled with synthetic chemicals.
• Home Decorations & Crafts – There are many crafty items that you can make from garden harvests and farm goods. A lot of these are very family friendly and make great opportunities to do with children. Some ideas include: Wreaths, Sun catchers, Baskets, etc. A quick Pinterest search will turn up more ideas than you could ever need! These can uplift your space and mood which adds to your overall wellness.

Think beyond just meals for your garden harvests and farm goods, there are so many wonderful things you can make from the plants you grow or the ones you purchase. You definitely do not have to do all of these suggestions all at once, I suggest incorporating those that stand out to you first. Once they become habit, add in others. This is my suggestion for anything related to homesteading, homemaking and overall nourishing and caring for your family, start small and add in as you can. Within each category listed above there are many, many options available. You can do single focused recipes or recipes that focus on multiple plants based on your needs and tastes. Holistic seasonal wellness can be simple, fun and easy when you work with plants you either grow or purchase locally.