BONUS CHAPTER: DEEGIE’S RECIPES

 

In this book, the character Deegie Tibbs has an extensive knowledge of herbs and essential oils. This has also been an interest of mine for several years, and I thought it would be fun to share a few of Deegie’s recipes with you. Sorry, I won’t tell you how to turn someone into a frog, though. You’ll have to figure that one out for yourself. Enjoy!

 

Broken Heart Oil

This is the recipe Deegie used after her breakup with Spencer. It has a comforting floral aroma, and the essential oils in it are known for their calming and soothing effects. Use this recipe after a bad breakup, or anytime you want to feel soothed and comforted.

• • 1 oz. almond, jojoba, or sesame oil
• • 6 to 12 drops rose oil blend, or 2 to 3 drops rose otto or rose absolute (see note below)
• • 6 to 12 drops lavender essential oil
• • 2 to 6 drops of clary sage essential oil

Mix together in a small bottle and store away from light. Start with the smaller amount of essential oil and adjust according to your preference. Find a quiet place where you can relax, and rub a few drops onto your wrists and at the base of your throat as needed. Breathe deeply and take in the beautiful scent. Especially good at bedtime as lavender helps promote restful sleep, something that is very important when dealing with wounded feelings.

A few words about essential oils: Essential oils are the liquids distilled from the leaves, flowers, stems, and other parts of plants. They are highly concentrated, and must never be applied to the skin without diluting them. The oils most commonly used for dilution—also known as carrier oils—are almond, jojoba, and coconut oils. I prefer jojoba oil for my essential oil blends because it has a longer shelf life and does not clog pores. Rose oil blend (rose otto, and rose absolute) is sold already diluted, which saves you money due to the high cost of rose oil. I do not recommend synthetic rose oils; the scent is nowhere near as wonderful as the real thing. Essential oils can be purchased at health food stores, online, and in some drugstores. Never take any essential oil internally.

 

Lavender, Chamomile, and Catnip Chill-Out Tea

Did you know that catnip isn’t just for our feline friends? I can imagine Deegie brewing up a nice mug of this herbal tea after a busy day at The Silent Cat, and I’m sure she’d share a bit of the catnip with little Bast!

• • 2 teaspoons chamomile buds or the contents of a chamomile teabag
• • ¼ teaspoon dried lavender buds
• • ½ teaspoon dried catnip

Put the herbs into a mug, or use a metal tea ball. Pour 8 oz. of boiling water over the herbs and let the tea steep, covered, for five minutes. Strain it through cheesecloth—if you haven’t used a tea ball—and sweeten to taste with honey, if desired.

Important: Pregnant women should not use catnip due to its tendency to stimulate menstruation. Fortunately, this tea tastes just as good without it!

 

Honey Mead

(non-alcoholic version)

Deegie prepares this spicy, sweet, delicious drink for Zach and Gilbert when they come to her house for Thanksgiving. It can be served hot or cold, and lemon or orange slices can be added for garnish and extra flavor.

• • 1 quart water
• • 1 cup honey (raw organic honey is best, but any honey will do)
• • ¾ cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• • Pinch of nutmeg
• • Pinch of salt

Boil water, honey, and ½ cup of lemon juice in an enamel or glass pot until it is reduced to 3 cups. Add the rest of the lemon juice, spices, and salt. Shake or stir before serving.

 

Natural Hair Rinses

Deegie discovered a lot of interesting things in the overgrown backyard of her house and among them were blackberry bushes. The leaves of the blackberry bush can be used to make an after-shampoo rinse for dark hair. It will gently enhance your hair color and adds shine and body without damage. Added color is not permanent and will wash out. I have included recipes for blondes and redheads too!

 

Blackberry and Black Tea Hair Rinse

for Dark Hair

• • ½ cup of dried blackberry leaves or 100% blackberry leaf tea
• • 3 tablespoons black tea
• • 3 or 4 whole blackberries (optional, adds additional color)
• • 3½ cups of water

Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients. Turn heat to low, then let simmer for about 15 minutes, then let the mixture cool and strain it. After shampooing and conditioning, pour the mixture through your hair and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse lightly with cool water.

 

Chamomile and Calendula Hair Rinse

for Blonde Hair

• • ½ cup of dried chamomile buds or chamomile tea
• • 3 tablespoons of dried calendula
• • 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (see note)
• • 3 ½ cups water

Bring water to a boil, then add all ingredients. Turn heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, then let cool and strain. Shampoo and condition, then pour the mixture through your hair and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse lightly with cool water.

Note: Although lemon juice can brighten blonde hair, it has a tendency to be drying. If your blonde locks come from a bottle, you might want to omit the lemon juice.

 

Raspberry, Hibiscus, and Rooibos Tea Hair Rinse

for Red and Auburn Hair

• • 3 dried hibiscus flowers
• • ½ cup rooibos tea
• • 4 or 5 whole raspberries (optional, for added color)
• • 3 ½ cups water

Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients. Turn heat to low, then simmer for 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool, then strain. After shampooing and conditioning, pour the mixture through your hair, and leave it in for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse lightly with cool water.

 

Rosemary Hair Tonic

for All Hair Types and Colors

• • 4 tablespoons fresh or dried rosemary
• • 3 cups water
• • 2 drops rosemary essential oil (optional)

Bring water to a boil and add rosemary. If you are using the rosemary essential oil, do not add it at this time. Turn heat to low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Let it cool, then strain it. Add the rosemary essential oil if you’re using it. Shampoo, condition, then pour the mixture through your hair and massage it into your scalp. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. This will stimulate blood flow to the scalp, and that helps to promote hair growth. It also helps improve dandruff and other scalp conditions.

 

Tips for using herbal hair rinses:

• • Use a condiment bottle—those yellow and red ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles—for applying your hair rinse.
• • After it’s cool, you can add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your hair rinse to help remove styling product buildup and clean your scalp.
• • For added fragrance, you can add 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil to your hair rinse. Don’t use the vinegar if you use this option, though. The vinegar smell doesn’t mix well with the essential oils.
• • Keep any leftover hair rinse in the fridge and use within a week.