Forgotten Ways for Modern Days: Kitchen cures and household lore for a natural home and garden Foreword by Dottie Angel

by Rachelle Blondel

Forgotten Ways for Modern Days draws on the wisdom of the homemakers, gardeners, crafters and kitchen alchemists of the past who kept homes clean, gardens in order and hands busy using natural products and items found close to hand, either around the house or in the garden. Ingredients from kitchen cupboards, picked from the veg patch or foraged from hedgerows were used to clean clothes, cure a chesty cough and freshen the skin, whilst scraps of fabric were recycled in endless useful ways. With sections on Cleaning, Laundry, The Kitchen, In the Garden, Natural Health, and Beauty, Forgotten Ways for Modern Days brings this knowledge up to date and shares with the reader clever tips that make as much sense today, such as how to brighten your whites by putting eggshells in your wash. as well as an array of handy projects, including how to make Re-usable Beeswax Food Wrap, a Honey and Lemon Throat Soother and a Bits and Bobs Eiderdown.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Crafts, Gardening, Lifestyle, Home Economics, Cookbooks

114 pages, Hardcover

Published June 4, 2015

Reviews

[Juli Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one only gets two stars because it's so pretty. Besides the eye-candy factor, this book is pretty useless. There are ostensibly useful recipes for household cleaners and body products, as well as a few craft projects, but none of them are original in the least and some of them are downright wrong (any cleaner that calls for both vinegar and soap is totally useless--chemically, the acid will de-saponify the fats in the soap and render the whole thing a useless, globby mess that has no cleaning power). This book's real purpose is as lifestyle porn, a role it fill flawlessly.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tips I'll take with me:

For a DIY indoor plant food, soak egg shells in water for a few days, then water your plants with the mixture.

For whiter whites, add lemon juice, white vinegar, a couple of tablespoons of borax or a mesh bag of egg shells to your load.

[Damona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good, very accurate book. I'm familiar with many of these herbs and oils, and I like the simple directions for most of the recipes. I'll definitely be keeping this on my reference shelf!

I received an uncorrected proof of this book.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars for aesthetics and sparking a few ideas, but this book is all over the map. It is marketed as a natural leaning book encouraging homemaking built in ancesteral roots, but then complains about ridding your closets of chemicals ("all the chemicals, throw them out!") and suggests burning smudge sticks to rid your dark corners of bad energy. Many of the recipes I doubt after an early cleaning recipe suggests mixing dish soap and vinegar (alkali and acid) which would make the ingredients less effective, not more. There is also a lot of touting about essential oils without cautions regarding pets or children. Overall it seems like the author took a lot of time with aesthetics and very little with research. If you want to browse a pretty look book, this could be what you want. If you are looking for a natural homemaking book to simplify your home, I recommend a book like The Hands-On Home by Erica Strauss.

[Suzanne Kramb · Rating 4 out of 5]

By far one of my favorite recipe books! Whether you are just starting out in your research or you're a couple of years in, this book is perfect! Just like with any book, you'll have to piece together what works best for you. There are some recipes that are conflicting when it comes to the ingredients, but trial and error is one of the most important factors when you're learning something new.
I have read many books about cleaning, natural health, and natural beauty, but I was absolutely thrilled Rachelle Blondel included a section on home gardens: herbs, animals, bees, what's in season, and of course, recipes to help support the soil and growth of your plants.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas, some average or silly (for instance, the Spring Clean bucket is cute but, yk, a little silly), like most books of this kind. I am not into smudging and things like that so that threw me off a little. It is very pretty though, and if I was the type to collect cookbooks and homemaking books (I collect too many other books, I can't add those to my list), it'd be nice on the shelf. Most of this information, however, can be found online which is simply more convenient for me these days! I can't say I wouldn't purchase it for home reference if I found it at a thrift store, though.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it! Homely cures and cleaners, like what Mom and Grandma used to do. (except the smudge sticks--the women in my family certainly never used them!!)

I had an issue with some of the formatting. Some of the section header pages were in all caps, in green ink? Hard to read, and I like reading! All caps doesn't necessarily make it easier and bolder to read, when the ENTIRE PAGE is in all caps.

[Brittany Lubinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some practical recipes and information to pull out. I was looking for healthier alternatives for products we are already using (cleaning, hygeine, medicine). While I found a lot of helpful things, most of the recipes and information were unnessacery for our very simplified lifestyle and consumption. We don't use face masks and candles and such. If you are reliant on those types of products, then this book is great to get started in living more holistically.

[Kelly Prososki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a keeper and a true gem in my opinion.
I love the simplicity of it, how basic ingredients can help create a more natural approach to living a certain lifestyle. The older I am getting the more intrigued I am about cutting out toxins and bad things in my everyday enviorment and utilizing what I have right in front of me. The pictures were beautiful, as well as the simple sketched illustrations. I adored it, it will go on my bookcase.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of natural recipes I've seen so far (that's why it gets a relative 5). I became less interested in the recipes as the book wore on, otherwise I probably would have bought this. To explain, I found the recipes for cleaners useful, but I don't see the need to make my own facial masks.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was alright, but would be more helpful and interesting if I had an interest in making my own paint, blankets, and candles (which I don’t). It was not what I expected it to be, but was cute in a ‘homestead-y’ way.

[A. Reiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

So-so. A nice little collection, certainly most things by now are pretty mainstream. But good to have it all in one place, I suppose. Some design choices are not the most legible. And some suggestions are rather fanciful. Plant seeds in eggshell cups? I think not.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely little book of handy hints and tips for living more naturally in the home. Although a lot of the things shared here are quite well known now, I did learn quite a few new things, especially about eggshells! And the photos are very pretty.

If I could give it 3.75 I would be happier.

[Laurla2 · Rating 2 out of 5]

-2-3 stars. meh. only found a couple interesting things.
-a tsp of raw honey eases acid reflux
-tsp baking soda in a glass of water for heartburn.
-caraway seed tea for upset stomach, gas, bloating.

[Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many useful tips and tricks! I need to buy a copy to keep around the house. Almost everything in here is doable which is where a lot of other books of this type fall short.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some pretty good stuff, nothing too earthshattering. Lovely photography.

[empressofeverything · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty, lovely pictures. Some of the tips are a little eh but it’s pretty generic homemaker stuff.

[Diane G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many homemade recipes

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

not very helpful and mostly already well-known information

[Abby Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice cozy book to read on an afternoon. The recipes probably need more research, but you can't fault the general vibe of quite home tending.

[Eleni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas but some seemed too much effort for the result. The beauty products seemed like good ideas because those are very unhealthy.

[Fionnaigh Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

full of useful tips and ideas from everyday stuff

[Mandyhello · Rating 4 out of 5]

several good ideas, very pretty layout

[Silence · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find this and other reviews at: owlsandvowels.org

Sometimes the old ways really are better. Especially if you are looking for a gentler, greener way to be. Blondel has pulled together tips and tricks that cover everything from tackling stains to upcycling old fabrics into shabby chic quilts. The book is broken down into seven parts and I have listed the highlights I enjoyed under them:

• Cleaning
- All-Purpose Orange Cleaner – this two ingredient, all natural cleaner is easy and effective. She also adds some variations to the base to make things like Kitchen Cleaner or Furniture Wipes.
- The Wonders of Lemons – I had no clue these little guys were so useful, but I’m into her tips for whitening your nails, writing secret messages, and removing limescale.

• Laundry
- Stains – if even half of these tactics work, I’m all in. As a Youth Services Librarian I am usually a walking disaster. I’ll take all the help I can get.
- DIY Wool Dryer Balls – Adorable and ecofriendly!

• Kitchen
- Reusable Beewax Food Wrap – Think plastic wrap, but organic cotton and delightful.
- Jar and Bottle Care – She gives some tips and tricks on how to clean the inside and outs of bottles. You know all those cool upcycled projects you need jars for? Yeahhhhh.

• Around the House
- Odds and Ends Comforter – Shows how to hand sew or machine sew a twin comforter using scraps.
- Top Tips for Saving Energy – While a lot of these felt obvious to me, it never hurts to have a reminder.
- The wonder of Eggshells – Everything from candle making to calcium supplements.

• In the Garden
- Herbs and Gardening – Tips and tricks for how to grow herbs, what they are good for, and general gardening knowhow.
- Bees and Chickens – tips and tricks on how to support wild bees and raise your own chickens.

• Natural Health
- Honey & Lemon Soother – Packed with vitamin C and yummy to boot, this home remedy is great. She also includes some other helpful / natural choices for common ailments.
- Lemon Balm Ointment – While I’m not sure this balm will do everything she claims, it smells really nice and is moisturizing.
- Fragrant Bath Teas – I like anything that’s for the bath, and all of these sound like they smell like heaven. Perfect for gifts too.

• Natural Beauty
- Solid Beeswax Perfume – Perfect DIY gift.
- Care When Using Essential Oils – This is really a PSA that Blondel gives about essential oils and their potency. No one wants to waft lavender for miles.

As you can see there are a lot of goodies in this book! All of the projects have limited / easy access material lists, which is nice. They also seem easy enough for all skill levels. The only drawback for this book is that I wish there were more pictures, but it does include images of the items you really need one for. Overall, I feel this is a really nice addition to any housekeeping book collection.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Who should snag it: Anyone looking to go green will want to give this book a try.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My favorite thing about this book is that it inspired me to continue my quest of eliminating chemicals and toxins from my life and get back in touch with old fashioned ways and sensibilities. However, I just didn't find that many awesome takeaways from this book. Any easy and quick browse.

[Julie Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well organized and full of great recipes and ideas for the home and garden. Includes sections for cleaning, laundry, kitchen, around the house, in the garden, natural health and beauty. Lots of little anecdotal information that really flesh out this book. Take the plunge and switch to natural, you can do it. It's normal and, until recently, what everyone did as part of life. Great message and confidence inducing for anyone apprehensive.

Worth owning.

Happy Reading :)

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very knowledgeable author with lots of old-fashioned recipes and projects for around the household. Included are how to make your own cleaning products, health items and even blankets and food items. It is a good book for people who want to step away to a less caustic alternative to harsh chemicals. I found a few items I would consider trying myself.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kitchen cures and household lore for a natural home and garden" define this book. The natural ingredients needed to make up cleaning products for the home and laundry, for garden maintenance, for health and natural beauty lotions are simple and easily available. I found practical information to use in both my home and gardens.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book today and I immediately began reading what it had to offer. This is full of great alternatives to modern cleaning and ailments. This will be used this summer to help change our wasteful ways.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is nice collection of old fashioned recipes, projects and alternative cleaning ideas. If you're looking for diy and more natural ways to do things around the house this is a good book to pick up.

I received my copy through Goodreads First Reads giveaway program.