Baack to Basics Homestead

Hallowed Tallow

Coming from a farming background, my family has been purchasing beef directly from farmers for years. We would buy the whole cow and inevitably have more suet (unrendered tallow) than we could consume before needing more steak. ☺ Once I realized that tallow products were gaining mainstream popularity, I decided I should put a bit of extra work into the suet and make small batches of ‘Hallowed Tallow’ products to sell.

I only use tallow from pastured (grass-fed) cattle, however, I do not use “grass-finished” tallow. To me, “grass-finished” implies that the cattle only ever ate grass, and while that would be superior, it just isn’t feasible in northern Canada. And I cannot find a farmer who will swear that their cattle only ate grass or hay! While having a 100% grass diet might increase the amount of vitamins present in the tallow, I am more interested in animal well-being. I want tallow from happy cows that spend their summer feasting in lush fields, then spend winter nights in warm barns with healthy supplements to their hay feed. I purchase tallow from local, small-scale farmers with the same mindset.

Note on tallow: Pastured tallow acts as a powerful moisturizer. It locks in hydration, supports the skin barrier, and is rich in vitamins (A, D, E, & K), fatty acids, and antioxidants. Hallowed Tallow products are free from preservatives, fragrances (unless stated otherwise), dyes, (except the felted wool on some soaps), and additives.

Note on ingredients: Health Canada requires that ingredients be listed by their EU technical name, which explains why many product labels look Greek (or Latin!) to me. I like to follow rules, but I also like plain language and simplicity, so I’ve used the common name of ingredients and added just enough Latin to follow the regulations.

Basic Balm with Olive Oil

This Hallowed Tallow Basic Balm is truly basic – with only two ingredients! It is my mother’s favourite night cream and is suitable for all skin types. It can also be used to soothe chafed skin, chapped lips, razor burns, minor cuts, diaper rashes, insect bites, and flaky scalps.

Basic Balm with Coconut Oil

This Hallowed Tallow Basic Balm is also pretty basic – and it’s my personal favourite. I use it every night now that my skin is getting older and more sensitive. (If only I had a balm for everything that is getting older and more sensitive!) It absorbs rapidly, never clogs my pores, and leaves my skin feeling great.

Beard Balm

Beard Balm is similar to basic balm, substituting the olive and/or coconut oils with castor oil and beeswax. Castor oil helps your hair by promoting shine, moisture, and strength. (It can also help to soothe an irritated scalp, potentially reducing dandruff and promoting a healthier environment for hair growth.) 100% pure beeswax provides an additional barrier to shield your skin and hair from environmental stressors.

Balm in a Bar

Balm in a Bar combines the convenience of a solid bar with the properties of a traditional balm. This bar has not gone through a saponification process, maximizing the retention of its beneficial properties.

Virgin coconut oil adds antioxidant properties. Jojoba oil helps regulate sebum production and prevents excess oiliness, even in oily skin. Helichrysum oil adds skin tightening, soothing, and anti-inflammatory properties. 100% pure beeswax is used to solidify the oils and provide an additional barrier to shield your skin from environmental stressors.

Tallow Moisturizing Soap

Tallow soap moisturizes as it cleans. In fact, the more you wash your skin, the softer it will be! Hallowed Tallow body soap combines tallow with small amounts of olive and coconut oils to achieve a perfect balance of moisturizing, cleansing, and lathering.

Bars are available plain or lightly felted in 100% wool to maximize their longevity. For felted bars, simply soak the bar in water until the wool is wet enough to release suds with rubbing. The more you use the felted bar, the quicker it will lather with each use. Wool is anti-microbial, so unlike a cotton facecloth, you can keep it in the shower indefinitely. It will not get funky! If you don't leave it in standing water, it should last up to 3 times longer than an unfelted bar. When the soap is gone, simply throw the shrunken wool into your compost.

Disclaimer regarding felted bars: Wool has a natural scent that not everyone appreciates, although I do. Some makers mask the scent with an abundance of essential oils. I do not. Also, the wool is dyed, so it may not be the best option for people with extremely sensitive skin or allergies. For them, it would be best to stay with an unfelted, unscented bar.

Castille Soap

A good alternative to tallow soap for my vegan friends and family is castille soap. It is very gentle and produces a silky, rather than bubbly, lather. The only ingredient remaining after saponification is olive oil. (Making soap requires adding lye and water to oil, however saponification changes the chemistry of the lye so only the oil remains.)

Castille soap is softer than tallow soap and benefits even more from felting. Bars are lightly felted in 100% wool to maximize their longevity. Simply soak the bar in water until the wool is wet enough to release suds with rubbing. The more you use the felted bar, the quicker it will lather with each use. Wool is anti-microbial, so unlike a cotton facecloth, you can keep it in the shower indefinitely. It will not get funky! If you don't leave it in standing water, it should last up to 3 times longer than an unfelted bar. When the soap is gone, simply throw the shrunken wool into your compost.

Wax Whims

Reuseable and Compostable Food Wraps

Waxed cotton makes an excellent, sustainable alternative to saran wrap and plastic bags. I wax 100% cotton with pure, food-grade beeswax to make wraps for sandwiches, cut fruits and veggies, and to cover bowls, etc. Full disclosure: these wraps are not as clingy as saran (but so much better for the environment!), so I secure them with string or elastic bands if a tight seal is required.

Waxed Cotton Aprons and Bibs

Are you a messy chef and constantly need to throw your apron in the wash? (No need to ask if babies are messy eaters, only whether you have one in your life who needs a cute, biodegradable bib!) I use leftover candle wax to seal cotton aprons and bibs, making them water resistant and easy to wipe clean with warm soapy water.

Candle Holders

Sometimes I like to make candle holders or yule logs, and may have a few for sale at the Sylvan Lake Farmer’s market. Here are a couple examples:

Wood Whims

Woodworking is a family tradition and I get immense satisfaction out of crafting items out of local and upcycled wood. I make Christmas trees, trays, cheese boards, and pet servers. I do not currently have any for sale, but if you would like to place an order, send me an email and I’ll give you a timeline.

Wool Whims

Wool is such a durable, versatile material, and is almost as plentiful as tallow on the prairies. It is anti-microbial, biodegradable, and makes wonderfully warm and cozy clothing – so necessary for northern winters!

Suds Savers:

Bigger Bags: coming soon!

Leg Warmers: coming soon!

Backyard Bouquets

Gardens and flowers are an essential part of the Baack to Basics Homestead. I have vivid memories of my grandmother’s flower garden in northern Saskatchewan and enjoy recreating the bouquets from her farmhouse table. I have added a modern twist with minimalist designs, handcrafted or upcycled vases, houseplant foliage, and the occasional greenhouse flower. If you live in the Edmonton area (or attend the Sylvan Lake Farmer’s Market on Friday afternoons) and would like to purchase a bouquet, send me an email and I’ll let you know what flowers are in bloom and whether I have any bouquets for sale. They are all priced around $15, unless a rare bloom or larger bouquet is requested.