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This is the last month to save 15% on the year-long sale for Dot's Wonder Pet Products  ~ Seniors save 10% every Tuesday ~ Receive a five cent credit for each bottle, jar or bag that you bring in to reuse ~ Join our Bulk Herb Club and save 10% on all bulk purchases, all the time!

December Special Sales Days

You could win these gifts from Humboldt Herbals in our Annual After-Holiday Raffle!

$25 gift certificate
One year membership to our Bulk Herb Club ($40 value)
Humboldt Herbals hoodies, long sleeve t-shirts or totes
Herbal Spa Gift Basket 
Wyndmere Essential Oil Blend (lots to choose from)
and MORE! 

You'll receive one raffle ticket for each $25 that you spend between December 1st and December 24th, and we'll draw the winning tickets on Monday December 26th ~ Good luck!


Ladies of Second Street Holiday Fundraiser for Local NonProfits
As a new member of the Ladies of Second Street in Old Town Eureka, we're happy to invite you to shop at Humboldt Herbals, Going Places, Yarn, The Linen Closet, Booklegger, Ciara's Irish Shop & Holly Go Lightly from December 1st through the 7th, when 5% of all our sales during this week will be donated to local non-profits like Food for People, The Raven Project, Senior Resource Center, Domestic Violence Services, Hospice of Humboldt and Betty's Blue Angel. You get to select the organization that will receive your donation when you check out.  Thanks in advance for your participation in helping us make this the biggest Ladies community fundraiser ever!  

Saturday, December 3rd - Arts Alive! Christmas Party
Join us from 6 to 9pm for the amazing wire art of world-renowned multiple award-winning artist Elizabeth Berrien, with beautiful live harp music performed by Howard Emerson. We'll be serving herbal teas, spiced cider with our Fireside Mulling Blend a little brandy, triple ginger snaps, chocolate truffles, and our Savory Seasoning herb spread with crackers. Save 15% on all Humboldt Herbals logo wear: hoodies, long-sleeved tees, and organic short-sleeved tees - they make great gifts!  

Saturday, December 10th - Full Moon Weekend Glass Sale 
A great time to get together with friends and make those last minute herbal holiday treats! Save 15% on all decorative and amber glassware, tins, and plastic bottles ~ today and tomorrow! 

Wednesday December 21st - Winter Solstice
We're celebrating the return of longer days today with a very special sale ~ all tea pots and tea accessories, incense, candles, aromatherapy diffusers, massage oils, bath salts & assorted hemp body scrubbers are 20% off!  Happy Solstice!

Saturday December 24th - New Moon & Christmas Eve
We're here for all your last minute shopping needs, with lots of interesting and unusual gift ideas for every budget.  Mention that you read about our Special Sale in our newsletter, and receive a 15% discount on your ENTIRE PURCHASE! 

Sunday, December 25th - Merry Christmas! (store is closed today)
Celebrate, laugh and Be Well!

Saturday, December 31st - New Year's Eve
2011 calendars and datebooks are 25% off, plus save 10% on all smudge sticks and smudging accessories to start the New Year clean & clear!

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classesDecember Classes at Humboldt Herbals

Enjoy fun, interactive learning opportunities at Humboldt Herbals. Seating is limited and pre-registration is recommended. Please pre-register by calling us at 442-3541.

Sunday, December 4th, 5:30 - 7:30 pm:  "Holiday Gift Making for Kids"  ($30 - price includes fee for parents)
Parents and kids can join us at Humboldt Herbals for this hands-on and fun class for kids. We will learn how to make various gifts for everyone in your family including lip balms, sugar scrubs, after shave/toners and potpourri bags with samples to go home. Handouts with recipes included.


Monday, December 5th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm:  "Placenta Encapsulation & Prenatal Nutrition with Tina George"  ($15)
Did you know that what you eat during pregnancy programs your baby's health and metabolism for life? We all know that fruits & vegetables & protein are best for baby, but what kinds, how much, and how should you prepare them? Join this interactive circle as we discuss the latest research about prenatal nutrition and placenta medicine encapsulation for postpartum use. For women in all stages of pregnancy, and those comtemplating conception.  Please call 442-3541 to preregister, as class size is limited. For more information, contact Tina George at www.heartoftherose.net.
Tina George is a Certified Massage and CranioSacral therapist, Doula, Birthing From Within Childbirth Educator and herbal student. She specializes in treating women in all stages of life: adolescence and puberty; prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum; menopause; and during times of acute stress, dis-ease and life transformations.


Tuesday, December 6th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm:  "Meet the Midwives: Pregnancy Information Night with the Humboldt Homebirth Alliance"  (FREE!)

 Pregnant or planning to be?  Interested in midwifery, homebirth, or women's health? Join us for an evening of conversation about topics such as:  Midwifery Care from Preconception through Postpartum, well-woman care in a midwifery practice, planning for your birth and preparing for labor safety in the homebirth setting, etc. We will also watch a birth film and have plenty of time for your questions.

 Homebirth Alliance is a group providing personal, family-centric care throughout the childbearing cycle. Visit:  www.californiamidwives.org, then click on "Find a Midwife" for Region 1 to get in touch with a midwife in your area.

 

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recipesQuick & Easy Herbal Gifts

Nectar Perfume
This fresh and lively fragrance is appropriate for both men and women
6 drops orange essential oil
8 drops lemon
8 drops tangerine
6 drops frankincense
4 drops neroli
For Perfume: Fill a sterilized 1/2-ounce glass bottle with 3/4 teaspoon vodka and add the scented oils in the order given.
For Perfume Oil: Fill a sterilized 1/2-ounce glass bottle with 3/4 teaspoon jojoba oil, apricot kernel oil, or sweet almond oil. Add the scented oils in the order given.

Redwood Forest Detox Bath
1 cup sea salt
1 handful redwood needles (fresh or dried ~ pine and cedar are lovely, too)
5 drops fir essential oil
5 drops cedarwood essential oil
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in an airtight container. To use: tie a generous handful of this mixture into a muslin bag, cheesecloth, or an old thin washcloth. Draw a warm bath and add the herbal mixture. Soak for at least 20 minutes.

Sweet Spice Milk Bath
Milk baths in the winter are soothing and moisturizing to dry, winter skin, and don't have the mess or slipperiness of a bath oil. This recipe works best when it relies heavily on cinnamon, with smaller amounts of the other herbs.
� cup dried spices such as cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and clove
2 cups dried milk powder
Combine all ingredients; stir well. Store in an airtight container. To use: Add � cup to tub full of warm water and soak.

Chocolate Lip Balm
Protect your lips with a rich chocolate cocoa butter lip balm.
1 � teaspoons cocoa butter
� teaspoon coconut oil
� teaspoon grated dark or milk chocolate
1 - 2 drops essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a double boiler on the stovetop and gently melt until you have a smooth liquid. Pour into a small jar or lip balm tube and allow to cool completely. Try adding pure orange, mint or lavender essential oils for unique gourmet lip balms.

Cocoa Butter Cuticle Cream
Massaging this cream into your cuticles daily will help boost circulation and promote healthy nail growth.
1 teaspoon cocoa butter
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Gently heat butter and oil in a double boiler until melted. Stir well and pour into a clean container. Allow to cool completely. Massage a small amount into your cuticles.

Edible Chocolate Massage Butter
Warm a small amount between your palms and treat your sweetie to a decadent and relaxing massage for chocolate lovers.
� cup cocoa butter, grated
1 tablespoon grated dark chocolate
2 tablespoons almond oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon grated beeswax
Place all ingredients in a double boiler on the stovetop. Melt gently, stirring often. Pour the hot liquid into a clean container. For small individual bars, pour into an ice cube tray or candy mold and let cool completely. Massage into clean skin.

Save Your Skin Salve
� cup olive oil
2 tablespoons dried comfrey root, chopped
2 tablespoons dried calendula flowers
2 tablespoons chamomile
1 tablespoon hemp oil
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
3 tablespoons grated beeswax
Place olive oil and comfrey root in a double boiler on the stovetop and heat gently for one hour. Make sure the oil completely covers the comfrey. After an hour, add the calendula and chamomile. Cook for another hour, checking periodically to make sure that the oil covers all of the herbs and doesn't boil. Turn off the heat, let cool slightly, and strain the oil through cheesecloth.
Measure 1/3 cup of the infused oil (if you don't have enough, add a little olive oil), and put in the double boiler with the hemp oil, cocoa butter and beeswax. Heat until the wax melts, stirring thoroughly. Pour into jar(s), allow to cool completely, seal and date. Use as needed for bruises, scrapes, rashes and bug bites.

Stovetop Simmer
Make your whole home smell fresh and inviting with this recipe. Or, put a few scoops of the mixture in a Mason jar, tie with raffia, and include a card with directions for a gift.
1 large Mason jar for storing dry mix
2 cups dried orange peel
4 tablespoons whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
6 allspice berries
1 cup dried lemon peel
1 whole nutmeg, cracked
Mix together all ingredients and place in a Mason jar. To use: Place 2 tablespoons of the mix in a large pot and cover with 2 or 3 inches of water. Simmer the mix over low heat and the smell will permeate the house. Just keep adding water as it reduces.

Lavender Vinegar
1 bottle rice wine vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons dried lavender flowers (depending on the bottle size of the rice wine vinegar)
small glass bottles
thin lavender ribbon
Divide the lavender flowers evenly between jars and then fill the bottle with rice wine vinegar. After a few days, the vinegar will take on a pretty lavender hue. Tie lavender ribbon around the bottle. Use over salad or vegetables.

Herb & Spice Vinegar
2 whole nutmeg
7 juniper berries
1 tablespoon celery seed
1 tablespoon caraway seed
6 cardamom pods
1 tablespoon coriander seed
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 jalapeno pepper, washed and halved
fresh sprigs of dill, tarragon, rosemary, savory and parsley
lemon peel
1 bottle rice wine vinegar
1 bottle cider vinegar
In a large, decorative jar, layer juniper berries, nutmeg, celery seed, caraway seed, cardamom pods, coriander seed, garlic, jalapeno pepper, sprigs of fresh herbs, and lemon peel. Cover with a combination of rice wine and cider vinegar.

Herbal Rice Trio
Bag up this trio for the cooks in your life in small sealable bags with a decorative label. Cook on the stovetop or in the rice cooker.
2 cups brown rice
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon Herbes de Provence
1 veggie bouillon cube

2 cups wild rice mixture
1 tablespoon dried orange peel
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon dried lycii berries or cranberries
1 veggie cube

2 cups white rice
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried wild mushrooms, finely chopped
1 veggie cube

Vanilla Sugar
Simply place a split vanilla bean in 2 cups of sugar. Cap well, shake often, and put in a pretty bottle.

Homemade Anisette
This licorice flavored liqueur hails from France and was traditionally used as a nightcap to ease digestion. (The Greeks call it Ouzo and the Italians, Sambuca). The name "Anisette" refers to its popular ingredient, anise seed, which also flavors cakes, cookies and coffee. You can use this elixir to do the same.
1 cup distilled water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons anise seeds
1 tablespoon dried chopped licorice root
1 750ml bottle of vodka
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and gently bring to a boil until sugar dissolves. Toss in anise seeds and licorice root and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Allow to cool and strain. Blend syrup and vodka in a clean bottle, cap, and shake. Allow flavors to fuse for a few days.

Mulled Vanilla Spiced Wine
1/2 cup cinnamon pieces
1/4 cup ginger
2 tablespoons cloves
1/4 cup dried orange peel
2 tablespoons allspice berries
1/4 cup vanilla extract
2 tablespoons star anise
2 tablespoons powdered ginseng
Add the above ingredients to 1 liter wine or juice and warm gently for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain before serving. This will warm the coldest of toes and other places.

Simple Rose Hips Conserve
Loaded with vitamin C and bioflavoniods, which aid in structural integrity and healing.
2 cups hot water
1 cup dried rose hips (seedless)
� cup Honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
Pour the hot water over the rose hips in a bowl. Stir well, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Scoop the rose hips into a blender, using about half of the soaking water. Reserve the rest of the soaking water separately. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender, and blend well until thick and pudding like, adding more of the soaking water as needed. Strain by stirring a little at a time through a large strainer. Scrape the conserve off the bottom outside surface of the strainer as needed. (straining the conserve with catch any stray seeds - there always seem to be a few lurking in the dried rosehips, and are hard enough to break a tooth!). Refrigerate and use within one week, or can for later use. A delicious treat for the holiday table, and good by the spoonful for coughs, colds and sore throats.

Kava Kava Truffles
We get rave reviews about this recipe year after year. Kava is a "peaceful euphoriant" that reduces anxiety and helps you relax. These make wonderful holiday treats for your stressed-out friends!
� cup butter
� ounce kava kava root
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons whipping cream
7 tablespoons confectioners sugar
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (optional)
cheesecloth
Melt butter and pour into a glass baking dish. Stir in kava. Allow the kava and butter to slowly infuse by placing the baking dish in the oven on the lowest possible heat for 12 to 24 hours (for gas stoves, the pilot light is sufficient). Strain the kava from the butter with cheesecloth. Pour the strained butter into a saucepan and add the chocolate. Melt together. Remove from heat. Add the cream, sugar, and nuts, and blend together well. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours. Remove from fridge, shape into balls, and roll in sweetened cocoa, cinnamon, cardamom, or whatever you like. Store in fridge. Remove from fridge 2 hours before serving

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