Forgotten ways for modern days Kitchen cures and household lore for a natural home and garden

In her spare but helpful book, Blondel (Granny Chic) highlights tips and lore from "homemakers of the past." The book includes a number of suggestions for running a home from what is available in the garden and what comes from nature or is otherwise available in a typical household (such as eggshells). It includes step-by-step help with cleaning, harvesting, preserving, sewing, and even expelling negative energy from dark corners. It also features advice on how to nourish soil naturally (using eggshells, coffee grounds, seaweed, and Epsom salts) and "cures from the kitchen" (using salt for athlete's foot, tonic water for leg cramps, honey for treating cuts, and olive oil for itchy skin). Think of it as a recipe book for pioneer-type living. Its not for the average homemaker but will prove invaluable to those who earnestly want to reduce waste, save money, and live purely. Color photos. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

There is appeal in a simpler lifestyle, one that is organic and free from harsh cleaning products. Blondel (coauthor, Granny Chic) offers a sampling of adapted projects and recipes to make daily tasks more natural. Projects are arranged by section, covering cleaning, gardening, health, and beauty. While a lovely photo -accompanies each project, only sewing and assembly of some arrangements are illustrated. Interesting lists and tips are interspersed among the demonstrations-the wonders of egg shells, uses for honey, and matching stains to types of homemade removers. Careful explanations are provided, and some of the offerings are real winners: DIY pine-scented cleaner, waxed cloth to cover leftovers, herbal hair rinses, and syrups for a sore throat. The range of ideas lends itself to diversity, but some sections lack insight. Pair this with Georgia Pellegrini's Modern Pioneering, which has better coverage of organic gardening. VERDICT Recommended for those who want easy projects for homemade products to use in everyday life. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.