Strategic Living for a Joyful, Self Reliant and Healthy Life

Homemade CBD Salve that Really Works

For almost six months, I have been trying to formulate a topical version of CBD that can be used to mitigate the toughest forms of pain and inflammation. With my understanding of how the endocannabinoid system works, I was convinced that a topical CBD salve would provide relief from both chronic and incidental muscle and joint pain.

It seemed simple enough since all I thought I needed to do is add some CBD oil to a base carrier, similar to what I do when making an essential oil salve. As it turned out, it was not so simple.

Most of my attempts became expensive and messy failures as batch after batch was either too greasy, too firm, or simply too messy to use. I finally resorted to purchasing a pre-made CBD salve and it was perfect in all ways except for cost.

I did not give up, however. About six weeks ago I went back to the drawing board, this time using a CBD concentrate in powdered form. Within days, my resident tester (husband Shelly) told me that not only was this DIY version better than the purchased salve, but when layered with essential oils, it was “unbelievable”. His words, not mine.

So here you go. I am thrilled to share with you a homemade CBD salve that is perfect for back pain, sore knees, wrenched shoulders, sprains, pinched nerves and more.

Beginners Guide to Budget-Friendly Hot Process Soap from Scratch

By Gaye Levy 3 Comments

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to make soap from scratch. By that, I mean making soap using only the basics of water, fats, and lye. Yes, lye. As much as I had the desire, I was scared of the process and the perceived dangers. I had visions of suiting up in a sick room outfit suitable for treating a patient with Ebola. That said, with some time on my hands, I decided to do some in-depth research, mostly to get up the nerve to try. I read blogs, ordered some books, and watched dozens of YouTube videos. I convinced myself and I could do this and so I did. The rest is history.

Something I learned right away was that making soap can be a useful, budget-friendly hobby or it can be a money pit, especially at first. As a matter of fact, I used over $30 worth of essential oils in my first 3-pound loaf of soap, and that does not include the cost of the various fats I used, all of the highest quality.

My very first batch of soap made with lye turned out fantastic, but clearly, as a hobby, I could not afford to continue to spend that much money when making soap just for the fun of it. So, after a few months of experimenting, I came up with foolproof recipe for making a budget-friendly soap using commonly available, grocery store ingredients. This is a basic soap. It cleans well, is sufficiently moisturizing, and pleasant to use. The use of fragrance is optional and honestly, there is a simplicity in pure, unscented soap that I find attractive.

With that, let me introduce you to crafting homemade soap using the hot process method.

Is American Freedom Under Siege?

By Gaye Levy 6 Comments

As a point of reference, when I first started blogging in 2010, I had a lot of angst over the meltdown of certain financial institutions, unjustified taxpayer-funded government bailouts, the real or perceived violation of our Bill of Rights, and the forward march of socialism in the United States. The antidote for me was to embrace preparedness, learn situational awareness, and to become a voice for others with similar concerns.

Let us fast forward to today. The good news is that I am as prepared as I can be with an abundance of stored food, water, and supplies in two separate locations. After losing a good portion of my retirement funds in the 2009 meltdown, I have learned to live without many of the luxuries I formerly took for granted while still enjoying life. I was finally able to retire and for all intents and purposes, am finding that social security and a modest annual dip into savings is keeping me afloat and then some.

On the other hand, many of the topics I wrote about way back when are again bubbling to the surface. They are fueled by the additional dynamic that the internet has brought into play via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Fake News, and censorship of the free press. Sadly, these influences and influencers are shaping the minds of young people who have grown up with technology and have no clue about the precious freedoms we oldsters have embraced since birth. Those same freedoms are rapidly being eroded and precious few of us seem to care.

The bottom line is that we have become a society where being a victim and/or being entitled is cause for celebration. And that is just plain wrong.

Let me explain.