Changes, Progress and Chicken Soup

Hello my friends. I wanted to update on some changes and also share a fantastic recipe I had last night that should have been shared a long time ago.
First the changes. Most of you have seen my posts on FB or here about the consignment shop I purchased the last week of October. The store is called Second Helpings, and is located right here in Jackson Hole. While much a different business than herbology, there was indeed purpose in why I went forward.
Thinking back to almost 6 years ago when I was diagnosed with cancer, it was an awakening of my life and where I was headed. Having done what many would consider right for many years, I still was effected by a disease that could have taken my life.
I really took stock of my life throughout treatment, and came to the realization that my life had been lived to please others instead of being true to my heart, and it was literally killing me.
Soon after the entire experience, I left home, and everything I owned save a weeks worth of clothing, and made my journey to Jackson. Still fighting my own guilt over leaving my marriage, I still knew in my heart my children would never thrive unless I made sure they did.
I have chosen the path of being a single mom, to raise the last 3 of my 7 children. I do live for them but not to please them, but more be a companion and hopefully an upright adult guide. It is not an easy path financially, or physically, but I am far more happy.
Deciding to go forward with Second Helpings was a big leap of faith in hopes that the desires and dreams I have for my life, and that of my children might continue.
This has been much work indeed since October, with the Dreamseeds holiday rush at the same time, but thankfully it all worked out well.
Heading into this new year, however, has lead me to understand that being only one person running 2 businesses and a household by myself will not work without changes.
The first being that the old website is no longer valid. The new website is http://dreamseedsbliss.com

This was originally going to be my website name, but I followed the advice of others. I decided to move on the feeling I get working with these lovely plants and oils and go with the name I felt best represented the work I do.
This URL will lead you to my blog, with a couple links on the side to get to my online stores (Etsy and HC).
I felt this was best since the next change is I AM NO LONGER DOING HERBAL CONSULTATIONS OR READINGS.
There are many skilled herbalists out there that have time to devote to people and their ails far better than I have time for. I will certainly post when I decide it is time to do them again.

Many have asked about body butters and belly balme and I honestly have to wait and see when I can make them again.
Both of these products take a full day to make, and I simply do not have a full day to do them like I did before.
I have tossed about in my mind, that when it is off season here, sometime in April, this may be a good time to make them if the store is not slammed. If I go this route, it will be on a custom prepaid basis, I will make what people have asked and paid for, and if I make others, it will be only a few best sellers. I will post that announcement if that is what I am able to do.
I have some lovely soaps coming up for mid-late winter. As most of you know, I create seasonally, and what I am inspired to do. I also try to make one or two different soaps each month for those of us that love variety and also for my soap of the month clients. So I encourage you that if I stock something you love that you dont see very often, it might be best to order a few bars, since it may be along time before it is made again.
Besides time constraints, both my workshop spaces are full to capacity.
Wholesale-I have closed to wholesale orders save for my existing stores. The only type of wholesale I will do is when someone orders an entire batch of a soap variety. You will need to email me about this if you are interested because the prices vary ALOT depending on what essential oils go into the soap you choose.
These are made in cake form and are shipped uncut and is less expensive than my cut and wrapped bars because that expense is eliminated all together.
My shipping schedule is still the same  Tuesday and Friday mornings. Since we do not have postage pick up, I have to physically drive to the post office to deliver. Since our town functions this way, I do not pay the extra money in printer ink to print online labels. So don't panic if you do not receive a notice that your order is on its way. When you place your order, just know that it will go out on my next shipping day, and that you need to order about 10 days advance to be sure your package arrives on time. Why 10 days? Well if you order Tuesday night, your package will not ship until Friday. If it is mailed first class it can take another 5 days to deliver, depending on where you live. If you live out of the US, give your package 3 weeks.Most of my orders ship priority mail and that does go faster. None the less, give it 10 days from ordering day just to be sure.
I HAVE SOME SUPER NICE BARS FOR THE VALENTINES SEASON COMING SOON.
Vanillate-half vanilla and half chocolate bars. A great alternative for those parents that dont like to add tons of candy to baskets.

Flower Power- that feminine favorite is back! Patchouli, rose, amber, clove, and orange

Sandalwood vanilla-tis the season again. Keep in mind these are really expensive at $12 a bar due to the 3.5 oz of sandalwood and 1 oz vanilla these are created with.

Abundance-this is a lovely bergamot, neroli, jasmine, vanilla, cinnamon and clove blend.

Lilac, by popular demand

and the newest rave is LOVE, a phthalate free fragrance with notes mandarin, peach, strawberry, current, grapefruit, musk and bergamot. I have some matching bath fizzies for this as well!


So last night, my friend Theresa came over. It had been several months since we had time to visit, and I really wanted her to have dinner with us, so in thinking about what I could serve on my 6th day of the week of working 2 jobs and feeling a bit burned out, I pulled out an old favorite for a cold winter night. Preparation is simple and the flavor is delicious! 


Simmer several chicken breasts in chicken stock with 1-2 cloves of garlic until done.
Add chili powder or peppers, cumin, a wee bit of salt and pepper.Cut the chicken into bite size pieces and put back into the pot. Add 1-2 cans of hominy.
Ladle into bowls.


This is where each person created their soup according to taste. Have available shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onion, lettuce, chopped tomato, sliced lime, sliced avocado.
Add what you like to your soup and it will satisfy and give you warmth and joy!