diy Travel Tissue Pouch: From an Upcycled Sweater

I think all women carry tissue in their purse, right? Why not carry your tissue in style? This travel tissue pouch is so easy and quick to make. What’s even better is that they are so cute made up using an upcycled sweater! I could make different color combinations all day. So fun!

The contrasting fabric lining, which also becomes the trim, looks real unique next to the texture of a felted sweater. You CAN make this with regular fabric if you choose, however, if you have felted sweater pieces kicking around, USE THEM!

This is like a 30 minute project. Oh what fun gifts these would make. (Valentine’s Day is coming right up)!

what you need

PDF pattern (downloaded and printed)
Sewing Machine/Serger Optional
Pins
Scissors
Iron
Lightweight felted sweater (6 1/2″ x 6″) or regular fabric can be used
Cotton/Cotton blend fabric for lining or trim (8 1/2″ x 6″)
Tissue Packet

tissue pouch instructions

Using pattern piece “A” cut out one using felted sweater.
Cut out one, pattern piece “B” using a contrasting fabric.

3. Place pieces right sides together. Pin short ends in place.

4. Pin the other side (There will be some sagging, don’t worry about it). This is what will create the trim.

5. Sew the seams, 1/4 ” seam allowance (Back stitch at the beginning and end of seam)

6. Turn inside out. Flip the seams towards the outside, even the trim allowance and press in place.

7. Fold in half lengthwise and mark the center point with a pin.

8. With the sweater side facing up, fold one side toward the center. (Line up edge with center point).

9. Fold the other side over the top, lining up binding in the center.

10. Allow the BINDING EDGES to extend out past the edge. (This will keep the flaps tight and not floppy). Pin in place.

11. Using a 1/4″ seam, sew the side edges. Do this with both sides.

12. Clip corners, making sure to NOT cut into the seam!

13. Trim edges.

14. Turn inside out and poke out corners using blunt end of scissors or eraser end of a pencil.

Tips for filling your tissue pouch

You can get these cute little tissue packets at most grocery stores or on Amazon.

To make it easier to get the tissue out of your pouch……….

Remove the “lift” tab on the tissue package.
Take a strip of Scotch tape and place it down the middle (taping the flap closed).
Using a pair of scissors, cut down the center of the tape to create a new straight opening.
Insert the tissue packet into the pouch.

BAM! You’re finished. Now wasn’t that easy and fun.

Have fun sewing!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Valentine Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are something that I don’t make too frequently around here. I only make them for special occasions. First, they take some time, and second, they are just too yummy to have only a few so I end up eating way more than my share. These Valentine Sugar Cookies are the best!

I hadn’t even thought about sugar cookies this Valentine’s and my daughter mentioned yesterday that “we need to make sugar cookies”. What a great idea!

This recipe is a long time family favorite recipe from my sister Bonnie. It has sour cream in it, yes sour cream. A yummy moist, flaky sugar cookie.

Bonnie’s Valentine Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup shortening or butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt can be used)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
4 tsp. baking powder
4 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Frosting

1/3 cup salted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
2 1/2 – 3 Tbsp milk
food coloring, optional

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
In a bowl combine the dry ingredients and set aside.
In another mixing bowl add butter, sugar, eggs (mixing after each egg), soda and vanilla.
Cream together until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add sour cream and mix well.
Add the flour mixture slowly.
Blend until all of the flour is incorporated and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be sticky.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or chill in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. (Don’t forget about it in the freezer or you will have dough too stiff to roll out).

Take 1/2 of the dough out of the bowl and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Put the other half back in the fridge.
Lightly flour the surface and roll out the dough to about 1/3 inch in thickness. Of course you can use a regular rolling pin, but this rolling pin is the coolest. It has these rings that you can remove or add to get a set thickness of whatever you are rolling out. Works so well on cookie and pie dough!!!!!

Cut out desired shapes using a cookie cutter, and carefully place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 2-4 minutes depending on the size. This really helps the cookies keep their shape.
Once they have chilled for a few minutes, pop them in the oven.

Baking the cookies

Baking times really depend on the size of the cookie.

Simply turn your oven light on and start the timer for eight minutes. Check them then and add a minute or two as needed. I like my cookies to be really soft so I pull them about just when I notice the “moist” look of the dough is gone on top or if I notice any bit of golden on the bottom.
After removing them from the oven, let them sit on the warm pan for a minute or two. This gives them a minute to firm up and bakes just a bit more.
Carefully grab the edges of the parchment paper and slide them off, parchment paper and all, onto wire cooling racks. Using a spatula often squishes them, or even breaks them.
Once the cookies are cool, use a spatula and gently stack them.
Mix the frosting and have fun decorating!

TIPS:

The cookies taste better the next day, or even several days later. Store in airtight containers and enjoy!
For a great tip on getting all your cookies a consistent thickness, check out this blog post.

You may be interested in the Italian Dressing Recipe.

Valentine Sugar Cookies

Jan Howell

This recipe is a long time family favorite recipe from my sister Bonnie. It has sour cream in it, yes sour cream. A yummy moist, flaky sugar cookie.

Prep Time15 min
Cook Time23 min
Total Time38 min

Course
- Dessert

INGREDIENTS

- 1 cup shortening or butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt can be used)
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 4 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt

Frosting

- 1/3 cup salted butter, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
- 2 1/2 – 3 Tbsp milk
- food coloring, optional

INSTUCTIONS

1

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2

In a bowl combine the dry ingredients and set aside.

3

In another mixing bowl add butter, sugar, eggs (mixing after each egg), soda and vanilla.

4

Cream together until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add sour cream and mix well.

5

Add the flour mixture slowly.

6

Blend until all of the flour is incorporated and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough will be sticky.

7

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or chill in the freezer for 5-10 minutes. (Don’t forget about it in the freezer or you will have dough too stiff to roll out).

8

Take 1/2 of the dough out of the bowl and place it on a piece of parchment paper. Put the other half back in the fridge.

9

Lightly flour the surface and roll out the dough to about 1/3 inch in thickness. Of course you can use a regular rolling pin, but this rolling pin is the coolest. It has these rings that you can remove or add to get a set thickness of whatever you are rolling out. Works so well on cookie and pie dough!!!!!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

frosted sugar cookies sugar cookies valentine cookies Valentine Ideas Valentine's day

Instant Pot: Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup with Non-Dairy Option

Winter is the time for SOUP! Here is another hearty soup you can whip up in the Instant Pot. This wild rice and mushroom soup is creamy, filling, and very tasty! What I love about this recipe is that you can make it non-dairy if you want without sacrificing the flavor! You can also omit the chicken for a vegetarian option.

Wild rice & Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

1 onion (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 skinless boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, chopped (optional) Still tasty without chicken.
1 cup celery (approximately 3 stalks sliced)
3-4 oz button mushrooms (sliced)
1 cup cubed carrots (approximately 2 medium carrots)
1/2 yellow bell pepper (chopped) *If you don’t care for bell peppers, you can add frozen corn.
1 cup wild rice (must be WILD RICE)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh sage (1/2 Tablespoon dried)
1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves (1 teaspoon dried)
zest of 1 lemon (optional)
1 pinch nutmeg
4 cups chicken broth (vegetable broth can be used it vegetarian option is preferred).
1/4 cup butter (for non-dairy option: use coconut oil, or olive oil)
1/2 cup whipping cream (nondairy option: use coconut cream)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free: use rice, buckwheat, or millet flour)
1/2 cup milk (non-dairy option: use coconut milk, almond, or soy milk)
1 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste

Wild rice & Mushroom Soup Instructions

Peel and chop onion, carrots, bell pepper, and celery

I love this veggie chopper!

Mince the garlic
Slice mushrooms.

This mushroom slicer is the BEST. It is great for chopping mushrooms, olives, and boiled eggs!

Cube chicken thighs.

The easiest way to do this is with partially frozen boneless chicken thighs.

Saute onions and garlic

Press “SAUTE” on the Instant Pot and when hot add onions and garlic. Stir until onions are wilted and slightly brown. De-glaze pan by adding a little of the bone broth.

Add chicken, mushrooms, remaining vegetables, and wild rice.
Add broth, sage, thyme, lemon zest, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Place the lid on the pot and turn the valve to the sealing position.

Press “MANUAL” at high pressure. Change time to 30 minutes.

It will take some time for the soup to come to pressure, so the actual cooking time is longer than 30 minutes.

When the buzzer sounds, let the soup “NATURAL RELEASE”

This may take up to 20-25 minutes, so plan accordingly.

While the soup is naturally releasing, prepare the Bechamel sauce.

Bechamel Sauce:

Add 1/4 cup butter or oil of choice to a small saucepan and melt over medium-low heat.
Place 1/4 cup flour into the pan and whisk until well combined.

Add cream and whisk well
Then add 1/2 cup milk and whisk until well combined and heated through.
Remove from heat and continue whisking until it thickens (about 5 minutes).

Add Bechamel sauce to ready cooked soup in Instant Pot and stir.

For a creamier texture, let the soup sit for about 10 minutes longer and stir frequently.

Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro.

Instant Pot: Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup with Non-Dairy Option

This wild rice and mushroom soup is creamy, filling, and very tasty! Easy to make in the Instant Pot! What I love about this recipe is that you can make it non-dairy if you want without sacrificing the flavor!

Prep Time20 min
Cook Time30 min
Total Time50 min
Yield 8 Servings

Course
- Soup
Cooking Method
- Instant Pot

Ingredients

- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 skinless boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast, chopped (optional) Still tasty without chicken.
- 1 cup celery (approximately 3 stalks sliced)
- 3-4 oz button mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 cup cubed carrots (approximately 2 medium carrots)
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper (chopped) *If you don’t care for bell peppers, you can add frozen corn.
- 1 cup wild rice (must be WILD RICE)
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh sage (1/2 Tablespoon dried)
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves (1 teaspoon dried)
- zest of 1 lemon (optional)
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 4 cups chicken broth (Vegetable broth can be used it vegetarian option is preferred).
- 1/4 cup butter (for non-dairy option: use coconut oil, or olive oil)
- 1/2 cup whipping cream (non dairy option: use coconut cream)
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour (gluten free: use rice, buckwheat or millet flour)
- 1/2 cup milk (non-dairy option: use coconut milk, almond or soy milk)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste

INSTUCTIONS

1

PEEL AND CHOP ONION, CARROTS, BELL PEPPER AND CELERY

2

MINCE THE GARLIC

3

SLICE MUSHROOMS.

4

CUBE CHICKEN THIGHS.

The easiest way to do this is with partially frozen boneless chicken thighs.

5

SAUTE ONIONS AND GARLIC

6

Press “SAUTE” on the Instant Pot and when hot add onions and garlic. Stir until onions are wilted and slightly brown. De-glaze pan by adding a little of the bone broth.

7

ADD CHICKEN, MUSHROOMS, REMAINING VEGETABLES AND WILD RICE.

8

ADD BROTH, SAGE, THYME, LEMON ZEST, NUTMEG, SALT AND PEPPER.

9

PLACE THE LID ON THE POT AND TURN THE VALVE TO THE SEALING POSITION.

10

PRESS “MANUAL” AT HIGH PRESSURE. CHANGE TIME TO 30 MINUTES.

It will take some time for the soup to come to pressure, so actual cooking time is longer than 30 minutes.

11

WHEN THE BUZZER SOUNDS, LET THE SOUP “NATURAL RELEASE”

This may take up to 20-25 minutes, so plan accordingly.

12

WHILE THE SOUP IS NATURAL RELEASING, PREPARE THE BECHAMEL SAUCE.

Béchamel Sauce:

13

Add 1/4 cup butter or oil of choice to a small saucepan and melt over medium-low heat.

14

Place 1/4 cup flour into pan and whisk until well combined.

15

Add cream and whisk well

16

Then add 1/2 cup milk and whisk until well combined and heated through.

17

Remove from heat and continue whisking until it thickens (about 5 minutes).

18

ADD BECHAMEL SAUCE TO READY COOKED SOUP IN INSTANT POT AND STIR.

For a creamier texture, let the soup sit for about 10 minutes longer and stir frequently.

19

Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro.

Yummy, yum!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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Instant Pot mushrooms soup wild rice

Foot Myofascial Release: Use a Tennis Ball to Relieve and Prevent Pain

Are you experiencing knee, foot, hip or back pain? The problem may be in your FEET! In this post I am going to show you how you can use a simple tennis ball to relieve tight, dehydrated connective tissue in your feet. This foot myofascial release exercise will help PREVENT and RELIEVE bunions, plantar fasciitis, weak arches, and even knee, hip and back pain.

Our feet are the furthest body part from our brain and therefore, they often get neglected and forgotten about. Are you neglecting your feet?

We shove them in shoes all day.
They take on our whole body weight
We rarely touch and massage them
Our feet are often judged and criticized.
We seldom exercise or stretch our feet.

It’s time to start giving your feet some lovin!

I recently started up a new YOUTUBE channel called “Gentle Yoga with Jan”. The focus of the channel is to share a more gentle approach to yoga. After all, not everyone has the stamina to do a “power yoga” practice or the flexibility to get into most traditional yoga poses.

I love yoga and have been teaching it now for almost 20 years. Having some health challenges of my own, I can relate to those with chronic pain, inflammation and fatigue. Yoga CAN be everyone and there ARE ways to modify the traditional poses for even those with limitations. Practicing yoga can be a life saver and I hope you won’t be afraid to give it a try!

Back to our FEET! I just completed filming a series of videos that focus on the FEET. In the first video I show how you can use a simple tennis ball to release tight, dehydrated fascia in the feet. This foot myofascial Release exercise is simple, doesn’t take a lot of time, and all you need is a tennis ball.

What are the benefits of foot myofascial release work?

mobilizes toe joints
hydrates connective tissue
stimulates nerve endings
foot mobility and stability (which will help with balance)
overall sense of well-being
stimulates lymphatic system
improves circulation
relieves common foot pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis, weak arches, and even knee, hip and back pain
stimulates reflexology points in feet

How often should I do this?

Daily if you can. I recommend placing your tennis ball somewhere that you will see if frequently to help remind you to use it!

Are there any restrictions?

If you have a diagnosed injury or condition, take care to modify where needed. If you are currently under a doctor’s care, talk to them to make sure this is suitable for you.

Keep in mind that while doing myofascial release work, you may feel some mild or severe tenderness. Start off slow. You don’t need to feel pain for it to be effective!!!!! You are in charge of how much pressure you are applying. If you haven’t done this work before, you may be quite tender.

Drink plenty of water before and after working your feet!

Take off your shoes and socks and give this a whirl.

Foot Myofascial Release Instructions

Grab a chair to hold on to. That way you won’t be wobbling around trying to keep your balance. This will also help take some pressure off your hips.

If you are unable to stand, you can do this seated as well.

Begin by placing the ball underneath one of your feet. Gently roll the ball around to get a feel of what your feet feel like.

Foot Myofascial Release Instructions

Grab a chair to hold on to. That way you won’t be wobbling around trying to keep your balance. This will also help take some pressure off your hips.

If you are unable to stand, you can do this seated as well.

Begin by placing the ball underneath one of your feet. Gently roll the ball around to get a feel of what your feet feel like.

Bring the ball to the center of your foot in zone 1 and start applying pressure on and off.

Then apply pressure and hold. Take a few deep breaths. (Remember this doesn’t have to be painful).

Move the ball to zone 2 just under the bottom joint of the BIG TOE.

Apply pressure on and off and hold. Take a few breaths.

Do this for each toe. (You won’t be putting the ball under the toe itself, it’s the bottom joint).

Once you’ve done this for each toe, move the ball back to the big toe joint.

Apply pressure again, but now keep the pressure while gliding the ball outward toward the baby toe. Zone 3

(Try to roll underneath the bottom joint of each toe). Do this 3-4 times.

Now move the ball back to the big toe joint again for zone 4.

Starting at the big toe joint, apply pressure and roll towards the heel.

Bring it back to the next toe and roll towards the heel. Proceed in this same way for each toe.

Bring the ball just in front of the heel bone. (This place can be very tender for some).

Apply pressure on and off and then hold. Breathe.

Now while applying pressure, pivot the heel and roll the ball side to side.

Be gentle!

Move the ball to the place just under the upper pad of foot and to the left.

Apply pressure on and off and hold for a few breaths.

Move the ball over to the other side, just below the baby toe and under the pad of the upper foot.

Apply pressure on and off and hold for a few breaths.

No move the ball over to the middle of the upper foot.

Scrunch your toes over the ball as if you were trying to pick up the ball.

Release that and now flex your toes back. Repeat that sequence a few times.

Finish by rolling the ball over your foot.

Now here is where you get to see the magic!

It is VERY important at this point to assess your body and take note of what has just occurred.

Body awareness

Stand in a neutral position with your arms hanging relaxed at your side.
Feel your body.
Does the left side of your body feel any different than the right?

Upper Body assessment

Fold forward with your arms hanging freely.
Relax
Notice if one arm is hanging lower than the other. (If so, is it the same side as the foot you just worked)?

If you noticed a difference, this shows how just working your feet can affect the rest of your body. This is because we are dealing with connective tissue here. The fascia (connective tissue) is connected to and affects all parts of our body. So by working the fascia in our feet; it also affected the knee, hip back, and even shoulders. COOL STUFF HUGH?

NOW repeat the same sequence on the other foot

(Unless you want to be lopsided)

After completing the other side, retest. See if things have evened out.

Get this Free printable download above by signing up for the Gentle Yoga with Jan email list.

Want to learn some exercises you can do right in the comfort of your own bed? Check it out HERE.

Enjoy!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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footwork healthy habits Myofascial Release Self Care Yoga

Upcycled Sweater Hearts

Download your sweater hearts FREE pattern here!

I love Valentine’s Day!

Here is another idea for you to use up some of your old sweaters, and better yet, the scraps from your other upcycled projects.

These sweater hearts are way easy to make, you’ll have a bunch made up in no time.

The pattern comes with directions and a pattern for both the regular heart and patchwork heart.

Cut out fabric pieces using sweaters of your choice.

With Right Sides Together (RST) sew piece 1 to piece 2. Open that up and place pattern piece 3 (RST) and sew together.

If you want to hang your sweater hearts, baste a ribbon, jute, or thick string on the right side of the heart back piece.

Gather the string or ribbon up and pin it in the center of the heart, so it won’t get caught in the seam.

Place the pieced heart top to the bottom piece (RST) and pin in place. Sew all the way around leaving about a 2″ opening to stuff the heart.

Turn inside out and stuff firmly.

With a needle and thread, slip stitch opening closed.

Ta Dah!

Sew a bunch up for all your Valentine’s, or just fill a basket full of hearts for a fun holiday decoration!

Here are some other fun DIY Valentine gift ideas.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

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How to Make Healing Bone Broth in the Instant Pot

What a great time of the year to be sipping on a hot cup of healing bone broth.

Why is bone broth so healing?

Boosts the immune system
Can heal a leaky gut
Repair damaged joints
Create glowing skin
Boosts metabolism
Builds lean muscle

This golden liquid is well known for its ability to heal the digestive system, particularly leaky gut syndrome. Three of the primary amino acids found in bone broth are glycine, proline and l-glutamine. Bone broth also contains plenty of healthy fat and important nutrients like:

Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium

How do you make healing bone broth?

Slow cooking or pressure cooking the bones with a bit of acid (in this case, apple cider vinegar) releases the calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, glutamine, proline and glycine into the liquid along with a slew of other amino acids.

The process is VERY EASY and can be made VERY QUICKLY using, my favorite, the INSTANT POT. It doesn’t cost much at all to make. You can also make it by simmering it on the stovetop for 24 hours. (But who has time for that)?

Bone broth can be made from just about any leftover bones you have. I roast a whole chicken in the Instant Pot quite frequently and save the bones in a zip bag in the freezer. When I have a few chicken carcasses I make bone broth. Beef bones can also be used, but need to be roasted first. (I prefer chicken bones) Different kinds of bones will produce different flavors, so use what you like.

Use organically-raised beef or chicken and organic vegetables if you can.

Ingredients

2 chicken frames, without meat, about 3 pounds of chicken bones (or 1 turkey frame)
2-3 stalks of celery, washed and cut into large chunks
2 small onions, peeled and cut into quarters
4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
2 medium carrots, peeled or scrubbed and cut into large chunks
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
6-10 peppercorns (red or pink optional)
1 bay leaf
4 quarts of filtered water, more or less, to cover bones and to fill the inner pot just below the fill line
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
A few sprigs of fresh thyme, ½ teaspoon of dried
1 tablespoon salt

Instructions

Wash and cut vegetables
Place bones, vegetables, herbs, and vinegar into the inner pot.
Add enough water to cover the bones and vegetables in the pot. ( Do not go past the fill line )
Place lid on Instant Pot and lock into place.
Flip the vent valve to ‘Sealing’.
Select the ‘Manual’ setting and adjust the time to 120 minutes.
When cooking is done, allow pressure to release naturally (10-20 minutes).
Release any residual pressure using the vent valve before removing the lid.
Allow the liquid to cool slightly before straining.
Using a fine-mesh steel strainer, strain the liquid and discard cooked vegetables.

***If bones are not to brittle, you can run another batch using the bones, and adding fresh vegetables. I do this.

Broth may be stored in Mason jars with lids in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen indefinitely. I like to fill pint-size jars for my single daily dose of broth.

Instructions without an Instant Pot

Place all ingredients in a big saucepan or slow cooker
Bring all ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 24 hours.

How to use the broth

Besides sipping and drinking bone broth, bone broth can be used to make healing soups, or used wherever broth is called for in a recipe.

Bone broth is also really good for your dog. It is recommended not to give dogs onions, so you can make a small batch for dogs without the onion. I occasionally pour a bit of bone broth over my dog’s food, especially when I can tell he is achy or sore from overworking.

(Those obsessive border collies)

Enoy!

How to Make Healing Bone Broth in the Instant Pot

Jan Howell

Delicious, nutritious and easy to make bone broth using the Instant Pot.

Prep Time5 min
Cook Time2 hr
Total Time2 hr 5 min
Yield4 quarts

Course
- Soup
Cooking Method
- Instant Pot

INGREDIENTS

- 2 chicken frames, without meat, about 3 pounds of chicken bones (or 1 turkey frame)
- 2-3 stalks celery, washed and cut into large chunks
- 2 small onions, peeled and cut into quarters
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 medium carrots, peeled or scrubbed and cut into large chunks
- 1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
- 6-10 peppercorns (red or pink optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 quarts filtered water, more or less, to cover bones and to fill the inner pot just below fill line
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- Few sprigs of fresh thyme, ½ teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon salt

INSTUCTIONS

1

Wash and cut vegetables

2

Place bones, vegetables, herbs, and vinegar into the inner pot.

3

Add enough water to cover the bones and vegetables in the pot. ( Do not go past fill line )

Place lid on Instant Pot and lock into place.

4

Flip vent valve to ‘Sealing’.

Select ‘Manual’ setting and adjust the time to 120 minutes.

5

When cooking is done, allow pressure to release naturally (10-20 minutes).

6

Release any residual pressure using the vent valve before removing the lid.

7

Allow the liquid to cool slightly before straining.

8

Using fine mesh steel strainer, strain the liquid and discard cooked vegetables.

***If bones are not to brittle, you can run another batch using the bones, and adding fresh vegetables. I do this.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

what you need

tissue pouch instructions

Using pattern piece “A” cut out one using felted sweater.

Cut out one, pattern piece “B” using a contrasting fabric.

3. Place pieces right sides together. Pin short ends in place.

4. Pin the other side (There will be some sagging, don’t worry about it). This is what will create the trim.

5. Sew the seams, 1/4 ” seam allowance (Back stitch at the beginning and end of seam)

6. Turn inside out. Flip the seams towards the outside, even the trim allowance and press in place.

7. Fold in half lengthwise and mark the center point with a pin.

8. With the sweater side facing up, fold one side toward the center. (Line up edge with center point).

9. Fold the other side over the top, lining up binding in the center.

10. Allow the BINDING EDGES to extend out past the edge. (This will keep the flaps tight and not floppy). Pin in place.

11. Using a 1/4″ seam, sew the side edges. Do this with both sides.

12. Clip corners, making sure to NOT cut into the seam!

13. Trim edges.

14. Turn inside out and poke out corners using blunt end of scissors or eraser end of a pencil.

Tips for filling your tissue pouch

To make it easier to get the tissue out of your pouch……….

Jan Howell

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Ingredients

Frosting

Instructions

Baking the cookies

Valentine Sugar Cookies

This recipe is a long time family favorite recipe from my sister Bonnie. It has sour cream in it, yes sour cream. A yummy moist, flaky sugar cookie.

INGREDIENTS

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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Wild rice & Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

Wild rice & Mushroom Soup Instructions

Peel and chop onion, carrots, bell pepper, and celery

Mince the garlic

Slice mushrooms.

Cube chicken thighs.

Saute onions and garlic

Add chicken, mushrooms, remaining vegetables, and wild rice.

Add broth, sage, thyme, lemon zest, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Place the lid on the pot and turn the valve to the sealing position.

Press “MANUAL” at high pressure. Change time to 30 minutes.

When the buzzer sounds, let the soup “NATURAL RELEASE”

While the soup is naturally releasing, prepare the Bechamel sauce.

Bechamel Sauce:

Add Bechamel sauce to ready cooked soup in Instant Pot and stir.

Instant Pot: Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup with Non-Dairy Option

Ingredients

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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It’s time to start giving your feet some lovin!

What are the benefits of foot myofascial release work?

How often should I do this?

Are there any restrictions?

Foot Myofascial Release Instructions

Begin by placing the ball underneath one of your feet. Gently roll the ball around to get a feel of what your feet feel like.

Foot Myofascial Release Instructions

Begin by placing the ball underneath one of your feet. Gently roll the ball around to get a feel of what your feet feel like.

Bring the ball to the center of your foot in zone 1 and start applying pressure on and off.

Then apply pressure and hold. Take a few deep breaths. (Remember this doesn’t have to be painful).

Move the ball to zone 2 just under the bottom joint of the BIG TOE.

Apply pressure on and off and hold. Take a few breaths.

Do this for each toe. (You won’t be putting the ball under the toe itself, it’s the bottom joint).

Once you’ve done this for each toe, move the ball back to the big toe joint.

Apply pressure again, but now keep the pressure while gliding the ball outward toward the baby toe. Zone 3

(Try to roll underneath the bottom joint of each toe). Do this 3-4 times.

Now move the ball back to the big toe joint again for zone 4.

Starting at the big toe joint, apply pressure and roll towards the heel.