new life & love to empty jars..

wondering what to do with your empty Lemon Canary candle jars or your old sauce bottles.. here are some ideas.. remember you can also return them, for a discount off your next candle..

make your own chandelier out of old jars

twist some wire around your old jars to make these gorgeous lanterns

old wine bottles make the perfect dinner accompaniment

turn your old jars into eco friendly soap dispensars

what a gorgeous way to display flowers from the garden, add a bow or lace for something special

put a group of small odd jars together in your bathroom

lovely along the footpath or tables for after dark entertaining

knit a cosy for your jar and fill it with flowers.. LOVE

keep your odd buttons in an old jar, then you'll always know where they are!

rather than buying jars use old ones for things like grain, sugar, salt etc

hang a few old jars under a market umbrellas rungs and add tealights

display your favorite pics in a group on a small dresser, keep them upside down to stop dust getting in
you could also put the lid on and add keepsakes to the photos like old movie stubs, a strand of hair, shells
or something that reminds you of that person.

get creative.. if you have any other great ideas please post them..

and think twice before throwing out your next empty jar..

The Lemon Canary x

a pure clean home..

I know I have been promising some eco friendly cleaning tips for the home.. here are some to get you started..

White Vinegar - disinfects and neutralises grease, great all round cleaning agent. Add fresh herbs to hot vinegar to make a multi purpose solution that smells better than straight vinegar.

Eucalyptus Oil - disinfectant, antiseptic & insect repellant. Removes grease, gum & adhesives. Great wool wash.

Lemon - because lemons are naturally acidic they are a mild bleach. They will cut through grease & soften stains. Also a great insect repellant.

Salt - using a salty solution near food preparation areas is a great way to disinfect and keep bugs away from the kitchen.

Bicarb of Soda - non-poisonous and a great stain remover. Great abrasive polish for the bathroom. A small pot in the fridge will absorb unpleasant smells.

Olive Oil - protective oil for wooden & leather surfaces. Equal parts olive oil & vinegar clean & polish timber & remove scratch marks.

The Lemon Canary x

vintage jar soy candles by lemon canary.. for the love..

When I first started making soy candles I wanted try and re-use old Jars to reduce the carbon footprint of Lemon Canary. But where would I find old jars? Jars that people would embrace. By the biggest stroke of luck or fate, whatever you may call it, I came across a gorgeous old preserve jar in my local St.Vinnies. "Do you have any more of these" I yelled out in delight, startling the poor lady sorting through a bag of donations. She went on to tell me that the jars were something of an Australian icon. 

In 1915, Joseph Fowler had begun selling home-bottling equipment from the back of a cart, door to door in Melbourne. His bottles became an essential item during the depression. The company's ads featured an illustration of a dainty housewife named Mrs. B Thrifty. Over the last century Australia has seen many sizes of these gorgeous jars, green glass, grey glass, tall, short, bottles.. I am still amazed when I have a find of jars at some of the sizes that are around that I had no idea existed. Some fetch quite a high price and are now very rare. Therefore I must stress to all you candle lovers, if you do buy and enjoy these beautiful candles please take advantage of the Lemon Canary Rebate Scheme. You will receive a $5 credit for all returned jars towards your next purchase, that way we can be sure that these iconic jars stay in circulation. If you live interstate or cannot get them back to Lemon Canary, pop them on ebay, or donate them to your local church or op shop so that they may be found and loved all over again. 

Everytime I pour a soy candle I think about where it has been before this moment, what it has seen, and the fact that it is probably older than me. Has it housed a sticky strawberry jam? or perhaps a spicy tomato relish? which church groups or fetes has it raised money for? and which dear people before me have put love and energy into turning a seemingly ordinary jar into something wonderful? 

Meeting and speaking to some of these gorgeous 

people has truly been the most rewarding part of the whole experience, I had no idea that a small idea like re-using jars would bloom into something so touching and sentimental. 

Apart from all these delightful things the jar, (which has now found a new owner, at least for a time), it is also filled with gorgeous pure soy wax and looks beautiful and unique in your home, I am yet to have a friend come over who doesn't comment on the jars. These candles are also brilliant for outdoors as the flame doesn't get blown out.

Every time you light your candle, all that history comes with the flame.. x

The Lemon Canary x

Toxic Overload (& Microwave Cleaner)

Until the beginning of the Chemical Age in the middle of last century people used basic substances to keep their houses clean and the pests out. These are probably things that you still have in your cupboard today, Soap, Vinegar, Baking Soda, Ammonia, Borax, Alcohol, Cornstarch and other food ingredients. These were used to lift stains, deodorise fabrics, polish wood and metal, disinfect, repel pests, clean animals, wash clothes and the list goes on. Simple ingredients such as eggs, oil, clay, vinegar, coconut oil, essential oils and herbs were used for skin and hair.

Weeds were weeded by hand. Pyrethrum, a pesticide derived from chrysanthemum which is non toxic to mammals, controlled a wide variety of pests. It is still used today but is often mixed with other chemicals to increase its effects. I have simply planted Marigolds in my Vege patch to control bugs and pests. 

We can learn something from the past for a better future, we can use safe alternatives instead of chemically filled ones. We need to care about our health now, not in 10-15 years time when the damage is done. I will publish some recipes over the next few weeks that will save not only your health but $ as well.. everyone wins!

Here is one to get you started..

Natural Healthy Microwave Cleaner:

1/4 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon vinegar

5-6 drops thyme, lemongrass, or lemon essential oil

Combine all ingredients to make a paste. Apply to the walls and floor of the microwave with a soft cloth or sponge. Rinse well and leave the microwave door open ot air-dry for about 25-minutes.

 The Lemon Canary x

freshen the house..

As LC was vacuuming today she thought the house needed something to pep it up, as an experiment CB put 8 drops of essential oil onto the vacuum bag and kept vacuuming.. instant success.. (will only work if your vacuum has a vacuum bag though) :)).. try lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus &/or lemon if someone in the house is sick for an instant antibacterial remedy, great for the flu season - lavender & geranium to relax - basil, mandarin or lemongrass to freshen up for guests.

The Lemon Canary x

Hummingbird Bakery.. Red Velvet Cupcakes

Recently LC was sent an amazingly delicious... cookbook from her friend J that lives in the UK, the cookbook is the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook, if it's not on your shelf yet LC recommends putting it on your wish list for your next birthday. The Hummingbird Bakery was first opened in 2004 on Portabello Road, London. Tarek Malouf (the author) came up with the idea when he spent thanksgiving in North Carolina, after indulging in cupcakes, brownies and banana cream pie he wondered why no London bakery ever excelled at these.. and the idea was born..

This is LC's's favorite recipe from the book.. Red Velvet Cupcakes..mmmm.. 

PS - these are naughty recipes!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Ingredients

60g unsalted butter at room temperature

1 egg

150g caster sugar

20g cocoa powder

40ml red food colouring

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

120ml buttermilk

150g plain flour

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 1/2 tsp white wine vinegar

Frosting

300g icing sugar, sifted

50g butter at room temperature

125g cream cheese, chilled

12 Hole muffin tray lined with paper cases

1. Preheat the oven to 180C.

2. Cream the butter, egg and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. In a separate bowl mix the cocoa powder, food colouring and vanilla extract. Once mixed add to the creamed mixture.

4. Mix carefully until combined and then add half the buttermilk, mix further and add half the flour and the baking powder. Mix thoroughly before adding the remainder of the buttermilk and flour and mixing further on high speed until you have a smooth even mixture,

5. Add the white wine vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and mix on low speed, turn he speed up again and beat for a couple more minutes.

6. Spoon the mixture into the muffin cases and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 mins or until the cupcakes spring back slightly when touched.

7. Allow the cupcakes to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire cooling rack.

8. In the meantime, to make the frosting cream the icing sugar and butter together until well mixed.

9. Add the cream cheese and mix until it is incorporated. Continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy for at least 5 mins.

10. Use a spatula to layer the frosting on top of the cupcakes.

The Lemon Canary x

soap in a stocking

Kids go through soap like there's no tomorrow. As an alternative, gather up the unused scraps of soap that normally sit in the bathroom, stuff them into a stocking and tie it onto the tap in the laundry, so when they're washing their hands they are using these otherwise wasted bits of soap!

The Lemon Canary x

Super Easy & Healthy Gluten/Egg Free Almond, Apricot, Macadamia & Coconut Slice

One of the things my 'carob feeding' mother passed down to me was substituting recipe ingredients with healthier alternatives, it was like a genetic malfunction that just clicked in at a certain age. Since the birth of my Son, I find this condition has worsened dramatically, as I look for new and interesting ways to get 'good stuff' into him, (and it doesn't hurt me or Man of house either).

This chain of thought brings me to my next, Agave Syrup.. the great sugar alternative, recently re-introduced to me by a friend P who I'm sure must take sunshine supplements as he literally glows with health. So of course, I didn't have a choice to re introduce my love of this amazing syrup! Rather than harping on about it here is the link to a fantastic website that will tell you all you need to know, www.allaboutagave.com

As in all my recipes if I can source organic produce I try to, and encourage you to buy Organic and support this fantastic industry.

Here is today's small pleasure, my Gluten/Egg Free Almond, Macadamia, Apricot & Coconut Slice..

1 1/2 cups Brown Rice Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1 1/2 cups desiccated Coconut

1/2 cup chopped Macadamia Nuts (or other nuts)

200g of Dried chopped Apricots

1/2 cup Almond meal

1 1/2 cups Organic Milk

1 cup Agave Syrup

Grease a slice pan and line with baking paper

Preheat oven to 180C

Place dry ingredients in bowl and make a well in the centre

Mix in wet ingredients with a spoon

Bake for about 30min or until golden brown

I was a bit naughty and put a little icing on mine but you can easily just dust a bit of icing sugar over the top or leave it as is..

1 1/2 cups icing sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Coconut to sprinkle

I had a friend email me that her little boy has nut allergies and what could she substitute the almond meal and macadamias with.. 

The nuts can be substituted with more dried fruit or chocolate chips if you can find a brand that they can have, the Almond Meal - you could just pop in 1/4 cup more of Coconut or 1/4 cup more of  Rice flour, either is fine.

The Lemon Canary x

Banana Birdie Face Masque

These days, these days.. we use so much make up, we clog our pores with toxins and chemicals and then wonder why our skin looks and feels sluggish, I have a beautiful face mask to rejuvinate tired looking skin. First cleanse your skin properly and make sure you have removed all dirt and debris, prepare your bed to lie down with a towel across the pillow, put on some relaxing music, light a (soy) candle, then apply the following..

Banana Birdie Face Masque

1/2 mashed banana

2 teapoons honey

2 teaspoons plain yoghurt

Mash it all up - pop it on your face and lie down for 10-15 minutes.. relax...

This will give your skin a big oxygen boost, the honey is so healing and nourishing, Banana is soothing, (did you know rubbing a banana peel on a mozzie bite can reduce the itching??)..

Afterwards, wash the mask off and just press a few drops of Jojoba oil over the skin... bliss..

The Lemon Canary x

Beginning to Soy (and amazing Salt Body Scrub)

I have begun this blog to share my love for all the little pleasures in life, predominately small things that make life special and beautiful. These can be as simple as time alone with a delicious cup of tea or a cuddle with your child. Lately my love of these things has come into full bloom as I have begun my own company Lemon Canary making beautiful, eco friendly Soy candles to spoil myself and my loved ones with. I make each candle myself, reducing the cost to the consumer, in other words, everyone can enjoy these gorgeous healthy candles.

I try where I can to contribute to creating less toxic waste in my own life and love making a product that is completely renewable. I am always looking for new and exciting ways that I can make my house clean and smell amazing using natural cleaning products.

On this blog I will post recipes for Making your own beautiful bath products, cleaning products and pretty much anything I come across that I just have to share with you. I look forward to hearing from others on their life's little pleasures and recipes for body/kitchen etc.

I should probably mention that I have been a Beauty Therapist since I was 17 and for years prior to that even, have been making my own wonderful beauty products - which yes.. I'm going to share with you, I would be lying of I hadn't been accused of smelling like a salad over the years or forgetting I was answering the door with a face full of mashed avocado but hey, if you wouldn't eat it why would you put it on your skin right?? I am very passionate about a keeping body, mind and spirit clean (apart from the odd red wine of course) and often consider the effects of the huge number of chemicals that people put in and on their bodies. I hope I can help you frighten your partner or neighbour with a delicious face mask this week!!!!

RECIPE FOR AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS SEA SALT BODY SCRUB

- Bag of Sea Salt about 300g (try and get a smooth fine kind).

- Glass Jar to put it in (just use an old sauce jar, after it's been washed of course you don't want bits of garlic in your scrub)

- 100 - 150ml of Oil, Something nice, nothing too olive smelling, macadamia, apricot kernel, sweet almond are all nice depending on your budget.

- 5 drops essential oil of Lavender

- 5 drop essential oil of Ylang Ylang

(You can substitute these essential oils for different ones, lime and lemongrass for example is very refreshing, Lavender and Ylang Ylang is a more relaxing blend)

If you are pregnant please check with your GP before you use any essential oils.

Place the ingredients in the jar and mix with a spoon until you get a nice consistency adding more oil/salt as needed. Then pop lid on and keep next to bath or in shower, great gift idea too, just pop a ribbon on). Try not to get water into the jar when using scrub or this may send it rancid.

Let the salts dissolve into the bath after your scrub, the magnesium is so relaxing for your muscles.

Scrub and enjoy.

The Lemon Canary x