• Calendula: Herb of Sunshine
• Anniversary Sale
• How to use Flower Essences
• Meadowsweet Flower Essence Blending Bar: A Unique Service
• Buying Local at the Western Montana Fair

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Calendula: Herb of Sunshine

There is something about Calendula flowers that make me happy. Just looking at a jar of the vibrant yellow and orange buds lifts my spirits and reminds me of summer.

Calendula officinalis, the botanical name for calendula, is in the composite, or sunflower family. It is an annual, growing up to two feet tall.  It will bloom the entire season, especially if the flowers are harvested at regular intervals.  It is native to South Central Europe and North Africa.  The leaves are oblong, and three to six inches in length.  The flowers are yellow or orange in color and 1-1/2 to 3 inches in diameter.

Sow calendula seeds early in the spring, as soon as the ground can be worked.  They will self-sow easily when allowed to go to seed.  This is a wonderfully easy way to have Calendula in your garden year after year. Calendula likes moderately rich, well-drained soil, with a pH of 5 to 8.  Plant seedlings one foot apart, in full sun to partial shade. The blooms are the part of the plant that is used medicinally and should be harvested regularly. Calendula can be used fresh or dry.

Calendula can be drunk as a tea or used as a skin wash by steeping one ounce of dried flowers per pint of water. Drink up to three cups per day. A dosage for the liquid extract would be 10-30 drops tincture three times a day. The tincture can also be used topically as a liniment.

Calendula is a wonderful herb to eat.  Sprinkle fresh flowers in salads.  It can be cooked in soups, chowders, rice, and adds a nice color to many dishes.  It was the original coloring for cheese.  Calendula is antibacterial, antifungal and encourages healing.      Read More

Anniversary Sale

Help us celebrate 13 wonderful years in Missoula

Monday August 17 -- Saturday August 22

• 20% All Purchases*
• Free Product Giveaways
• Teas and Treats
• A fabulous 50% Sale Table
• Live Music by Cottonwood Draw (John Smith, Eric Bostrom, Scott Howard, Kevin Bordchart and Clyde Netzley) Happening Thursday August 20 at 4:30 pm

Thank you, Missoula, and all of our fabulous customers for making our business such a wonderful success! It is our honor and pleasure to be a part of this amazing community.
*Excluding Dr. Hauschka and sale items

How to use Flower Essences, by Jane Bell

Essences can be used in wildly creative ways. Here are some suggestions to encourage you to experiment:

Internally:

• Add to herbal tinctures to augment the benefits. Ex: if you are taking a tincture to help you sleep, add Dandelion to help your muscles relax or Aquamarine to calm your mind.
 • Combination formulas such as Soul Support or Guardian can be put in your water bottle daily for protection and support. This will not conflict with your personal formula that you take regularly during the day.

Externally:

• Baths, hot tubs and footbaths are blank canvases for infinite creativity. Ex: to feel deeply nourished try Emerald, Grove Sandwort and Chalice Well. An energizing bath might be Fireweed, Fire Opal, Opal and Solstice Sun.
• Massage oils, lotions, body creams, shampoo and facial products become enlivened when you add essences. Many ultra sensitive clients use Guardian in their shampoo and body lotions to add an extra layer of protection before starting their day. Fluorite, Dandelion and Smoky Quartz in massage oils help break up constrictions and release toxins.
• Columbine and Gold are wonderful in face creams to enhance self-appreciation and self-radiance, which allows our natural beauty to shine.
• Essences on bandages and compresses can speed wound healing. Try Self Heal, Rhodolite Garnet, and Soul Support after surgery.
• SPRAYS!!! Enliven your environment and everything in it! Especially good in treatment rooms, hotels, rental cars, hospitals, and when traveling.
• Use Purification in your wash water for your laundry, car or home.    Read More

Jane Bell is a Flower Essence practitioner, teacher and researcher with over 25 years of experience, and is co-producer of the Alaskan Essences. She has a highly developed capacity for seeing into the heart of nature and teaching others to open to the love, support and healing wisdom of the natural world. Jane is also a pioneer is the field of Energetic Architecture and has recently prepared essences in Bali and Hawaii. www.janebellessences.com

Meadowsweet Flower Essence Blending Bar: A Unique Service

Flower essences are subtle yet powerful liquid extracts, taken orally or applied externally, which are used to address profound issues of emotional well being, spiritual development, and mind-body health. You can even use Flower Essences on children and animals. Did you know that Meadowsweet Herbs offers you the ability to mix up a flower essence formula without buying a whole bottle for each essence? Select from any of Dr. Bach's original 38 flower essences or his original Rescue Remedy blend.

Buying Local at the Western Montana Fair

The Western Montana Fair (WMF) is proud to announce the inaugural West Lawn Market debut on Tuesday August 11, 2009 during the Western Montana Fair.  Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.

The WMF is excited to offer this new feature and to work with the Missoulian, the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and the Montana Cattle Company in brining back the authenticity of what the Fair means to the history of Montana.

Events include: Celebrity Localvore Grilling Competition and Public Grill Master Challenge.

Along with fresh food market vendors, locally owned and sustainable businesses will be tabling to showcase their wares and services throughout the day, while educational demonstrations, acoustic music and grilling competitions will take the stage.  There is something for everyone including the Public Grill Master Challenge and special children activities planned.  The community can gather near the stage and hay bale seating to learn new techniques on local food production, composting, 4 seasons gardening, food preservation, sustainability and more.  The excitement will build in anticipation for the grilling competitions.

The Celebrity Localvore Grilling Competition begins at 2 p.m.  6 local chefs will be paired with a celebrity sous-chef and will compete against each other for the Cast Iron Chef title.  Each team will be given a box including a cut of beef, mystery ingredients and $25 cash.  Building from the Iron Chef series, the Localvore chefs will create excitement as they dash through the West Lawn Market purchasing produce for their side dishes.  The food will be judged on appearance, taste and originality. Winning Chef and their restaurant will be the subject of a feature article in Edible Missoula Magazine.

The Public Grill Master Challenge runs from 4-6 p.m.  This event will pit the backyard griller against his neighbor as each competes for the trophy, bragging rights, cash and prizes totaling $1,000.

Since 1879 the WMF has been a grand tradition offering the best of our region in agriculture, education, history and family entertainment and showcasing sustainability, technology and science.  The West Lawn Market "Keep Your Roots Authentic" is a new event promoting seed to table and all the side dishes that build on the Western Montana Fair's heritage.

For continuing updates on this historical event, and to vote for the pairing of your favorite celebrity sous chef with a master local chef, please visit www.sustainablebusinesscouncil.org
For complete fair details visit www.westernmontanafair.com

What is Buy Local?

Think Local, Buy Local is a grassroots campaign dedicated to preserving the unique character of the Missoula community through the promotion of locally-owned businesses.  By supporting independent, one-of-a-kind businesses you help maintain the special history and culture of Missoula while investing in our neighborhoods and local economy.