Pedal&Root

12/10/2025

Some gifts take a lot of time to create. These vanilla beans have marinated in Rum for almost a year. Give a tasty gift for that discerning baker.

07/08/2025

I have freshly freeze dried eggs that I'm vacuum sealing up for long term storage. They are $1 per egg and can be sealed up by the dozen or up to 5 dozen. I am also doing freeze dried egg whites and egg yolks. The data shows FD eggs can be stored long term (25 years) if kept sealed. If opened, use within a few weeks. These can be used for camping, everyday use in mixes, for long term emergency storage or for preparedness in general. I can seal in heavy plastic as shown in photos or in glass jars.
All freeze dried eggs are less than a week old.

06/28/2025

Don't face this 4th of July in the Ozarks without some protection from biting bugs. I have been working on this formulation for about 6 years and am ready to say "done". It smells amazing, is safe for all ages and works incredibly well. I just mixed up a new batch and if you need some, I can arrange a porch pickup in Pea Ridge. All Natural and organic.

04/17/2025

Who remembers this? Did you ever buy my flowers from the kiosk?

Almost done! Where are we??!

04/02/2025

You can't help but notice, driving anywhere in Northwest Arkansas, the carpet of lavender flowers topping frumpy looking green stalks. I say frumpy because the leaves form a kind of droopy canopy over the stalk. This is Purple Dead Nettle. However, there is a very similar plant doing the same thing at the same time and it's name is Henbit, and it has cute frilly skirts ringing the stalk, like little tutus from the Russian Ballet. It gets its name from the pleasure hens get from eating it...get it...hen-bite?

Both of these wild edibles (some would call them invasive weeds) are nutritive and have medicinal value.

Many of the plants in the nettle family are VERY good for you. I won't go over all of them here, but because of nettle in the name, I paid attention to the Purple Dead Nettle.

Purple dead nettle contains several bioactive compounds that contribute to its potential health benefits. These include flavonoids, tannins, and essential oils. Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help protect the body against oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.

Tannins, on the other hand, have astringent properties that can help tighten and tone the skin. They also have antimicrobial properties, making them useful in preventing and treating skin infections. The essential oils found in purple dead nettle contribute to its pleasant aroma and may have additional therapeutic effects.

When used in the form of a salve, purple dead nettle can provide soothing relief for various skin conditions, insect bites and stings, as well as minor cuts and scrapes. It can also be used as a natural remedy for muscle and joint pain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. (quoted from the web page https://ecocraftyliving.com/purple-dead-nettle-salve/ where there is a recipe for making a salve)

I would think this infused oil would be excellent as a salve base, massage oil, combined with other infusions, a bug bite salve.

If you'd like to try some of your own uses, I have made a large quantity of Purple Dead Nettle Infused into Olive Oil. If you'd like to try some, let me know! It's ready to go now.

02/05/2025

If you or someone in your life struggles with PMS, Holly shares some helpful information.

Guidance for integrating herbal medicine into clinical practice, featuring licorice specifically as an herb for PMS, PMDD, perimenopause symptoms, and mild cyclical depression. Learn the ideal licorice candidate, contraindications, herbal safety, and protocols.

02/03/2025

For anyone that wasn't able to come to the vanilla class, we had a blast. I am creating a learning series of videos, so if you miss a class you can still learn along with us.

Pedal&Root Learning Series Videos: this video provides some background on vanilla and how it is made.

02/02/2025

We had a great time making vanilla today. Here are the resources:

Native Vanilla provides naturally-grown, ethically-sourced, high-quality vanilla. Our vanilla is rich in flavor, and is free from any artificial additives.

01/27/2025

It’s FIRE CIDER time!

01/27/2025

I’m looking forward to helping 10 more friends learn how to stay well, get better and boost their body’s immune system to fight off illness. Tonight is the next Fire Cider Workshop. We will strain and sample a jar from the last class.

01/25/2025

I have been studying Magnesium and why it is important to our bodies. It's actually quite amazing! If you take it internally, it's a laxative and not necessarily what you want for yourself or your family on a regular basis, so how do you get it? Good Food: nuts, greens etc. That's a good place to start, but if you don't have enough magnesium for one of the over 300 processes in the body, it'll get robbed from bones - Not Good! Magnesium is present in every organ of the body and is a companion to calcium for building strong bones.

Many children experience growing pains which are helped by applying a transdermal (skin application) dose of magnesium oil. Now, this is not truly an oil, it's just slippery feeling. The skin absorbs the magnesium very quickly through the skin and can help with those achy legs. The magnesium can aid in sleep for people of any age. I use it as a bath soak, but am looking forward to trying it on my restless legs - a nightly battle for me.

I have made up a batch of magnesium oil and have it in 2 oz sample bottles for $5 each. Bring your bottle back for a refill for $.50 off. These can be picked up at my home, address supplied upon Venmo payment Mechel Wall