We often would have people come up to our booth at farmer's markets and ask for 'lye soap'. We would then try to explain that all soap has lye in it and if someone says that there is not lye in soap, then it isn't soap but detergent (and that's no lie). Finally, after a little more questioning, we figured out what people were looking for; old timey lye soap, like Grandma used to make.

The lye soap that our kinsfolk used to make once a year was made with hog fat and lye derived from wood ash. Recipes varied from house to house, and sometimes it was heavy on the lye side. This made it a great all-purpose cleaner, although harsher to skin that some people liked. Our lye soap is made with lard, lye and water, but is not so heavy on the lye. We've found that it is a very mild skin soap and is helpful for various skin conditions such as psoraisis, eczema and acne-prone skin.

Not only can you use Grandma Alexander's Lye Soap on your body, we suggest to try it in your washing machine too. Here's a recipe that Jennifer has been using for the past six months using our lye soap.

• 1/2 bar of Grandma Alexander's Lye Soap - grated
• 1/2 c. borax
• 2 gallons of water

Note: If desired, add 1/2 cup of washing soda with the Borax. Washing soda is not baking soda, but made by Arm & Hammer. I have not tried this variation to the recipe since I cannot find washing soda yet, but I will revise the above recipe if I find it and like it better.

We recently had the pleasure to visit with a columnist for the Charlotte Observer, Joe Depriest. Mr. Depriest contacted us after seeing a press release for the O You Dirty Dog contest and thought that there may be a nice story in the mix. A few days later a photographer for the Observer, Robert Lahser, came out to take some photos of us in action.

The article was first in the August 3rd edition of the Neighbors section, then was repeated the next day. What a wonderful response we've had from people who faithfully follow Depreist's stories. We couldn't be more pleased with the article and the people we've met because of it. Thanks, Joe and Robert!

Read the Charlotte Observer story (opens new window)

Now is the perfect time to start visiting your local farmers' market. Not only will you be supporting your local economy with buying directly from the source, the products you purchase will be fresher and will taste better too. The prices are generally better too, because the cost is not marked up due to gas prices. Buying locally is better for you, your wallet and the community.

Today's farmers' markets are more than fresh produce. There you may find handmade crafts, home-baked goodies, fresh-cut flowers and, of course, handmade soap. Many of the markets feature entertainment, educational demonstrations and feature non-profit organiztions within the community. Going to the market is like a cultural quickstop and helps to teach our young ones about where food comes from and the importance of farmers and of conservation.

The buzzword that many markets are using also happens to be Oxford American Dictionary's 2007 Word of the Year. This word is 'locavore' or 'localvore'. The word was was coined a few years ago by a San Fransisco group of women who challenged local residents to try to eat only food grown or produced within a 100-mile radius. For those of us affected by higher gas and food prices as well as the drought, becoming more of a locavore is easier as towns create their own farmer's markets.

This year, we are attending a few more area farmers' markets. We will be at the Hickory Farmers' Market every Saturday and the Charlotte Farmers' Market most Saturdays. New this year are the Catawba Valley Farmers' Market in Newton and The Bluegrass Farmer's Market in Lenoir. Look on the front page of our site to see when we'll be attending the market nearest you.

For more information and directions to the four markets, go to our Locations page

LocalHarvest.org - Find a farmer's market near you

Foothills Fresh - Local Farms, Local Food, Local Fun in the Foothills and Piedmont of NC

The benefits of salt have been known for many, many years and it has stood the test of time in our households. Besides making food flavor emerge, salt also can be used as a tooth cleanser, an excellent mouthwash, gargle for a sore throat and an effective antiseptic. And it can clean almost anything like ovens, sinks and refrigerators. It extinguishes fires, keeps flowers fresh and keeps ice off sidewalks and walkways. And the list goes on.

One area we are most interested in is how salt affects our beauty regime. Salt, especially Dead Sea salts have been known to alleviate skin diseases such as psoriasis. Coming from the Dead Sea, these salts are high in minerals such as calcium and magnesium, to name a few. It's called the Dead Sea because nothing lives in it. It is some of the saltiest water anywhere in the world, almost six times as salty as the oceans! The Dead Sea is completely enclosed by land and it gets saltier with increasing depth. There's no seaweed or plants of any kind in or around the water. There are no fish of any kind swimming, nor are any creatures living in or near the water. As a matter of fact, what you'll see on the shores of the Dead Sea is white crystals of salt covering everything!

And this is no ordinary table salt either. The salts found in the Dead Sea are mineral salts, just like you find in the ocean, only in extreme concentrations. Because of such high concentration of these minerals, the salt is highly beneficial for relieving muscle tension, aches and arthritic pains, stiffness after exercising, cleaning pores, detoxifying the body, has healing affects on our skin and improves our general health. Himalayan Pink Salts have similar benefits.

Peppermint and Tea Tree Foot Soak

The most relaxing way to end your day. It is filled with epsom salts, dendritic salts, Dead Sea Salts, Himalayan pink salts, and the essential oils of peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus. One quarter cup of the salts in a basin of warm water is all you need to treat your feet to an evening of indulgence. Read more about peppermint in the following article.

Body Salt Scrub Soap

If you ever go to the ocean, you’ll notice that most basic skin problems disappear within a few days of being in salt water. Our salt bar does the same thing on a smaller scale. Using this soap will actually exfoliate your skin very gently, resulting in the smoothest skin ever!

I’ve been enamored by peppermint since I was a child. Anyone remember your first peppermint candy cane at Christmas? And as we have grown, perhaps peppermint tea has entered our daily routine…along with an occasional peppermint candy. Is that all there is to that extraordinary essential oil? Hardly.

Peppermint has many uses and the list is staggering. It can ease migraines, helps clear congestion in the sinuses, it clears the mind, helps concentration, is a restorative in cases of mental fatigue and a mental stimulant. Obviously not something to have in the evening when you are seeking sleep, peppermint is great in the car to help keep the driver alert. Peppermint is the ideal remedy for all digestive disorders. It is also an aid for car or air sickness. In a massage, it helps stimulate the lymph system. Peppermint is an analgesic and aids with treating sore muscles and joint pain. In skin care, it is helpful for easing itching or irritation. Soothe those tired, achy feet with peppermint oil that can be found in lotions and foot soaks.

Peppermint and Clove Massage Oil

We call this a pain-relief oil for a reason. In just minutes, you will experience the gentle and tingling comfort that is created from the peppermint oil, along with warming clove, lavender, eucalyptus, marjoram and turmeric essential oils. I personally use this for my feet and legs every evening before bed. This massage oil has other uses too. There are a number of customers who love the relief they get from the itchiness due to various skin ailments. For rescue from that headache, massage a small amount on your temples.

Peppermint Sinus and Headache Pillow

This is our quick fix for that nagging morning sinus headache. Breathe in the aroma of this peppermint pillow to help naturally ease your headache. It may be stored in the freezer as a cold pack, or gently warmed in the microwave (no more than 1 minute, depending on your microwave).

Peppermint Handmade Soap

Start your day a refreshing way when you use our peppermint soap in your shower. It tingles and wakes up your senses with its cooling essential oil. I use peppermint essential oil and then top it off with lots of aloe butter for some smooooth soap. No more itchy legs!!