The grapes are almost ready!

My grapes are looking healthy and juicy this year!  I have one grapevine in the backyard that runs up the fence and has been going now for about 4 years (I purchased a concord plant in a 4 qt bucket at that time).  The first year was slim pickings but every since has been just going crazy and I really look forward to picking and juicing!
This is how they look around the beginning of September and we pick after the first freeze, generally here in Utah that means around the first of October.  You can see there are still a few green ones but for the most part they look good enough to eat right now, though they are somewhat tart still.  The last month or so they really plump up and get super sweet!  One vine can really produce plenty of juice for a small family like ours.
I've learned how to trim back the vine over the years and how to keep it healthy and growing strong without over or underwatering it.  This plant is actually pretty forgiving though- give one a try!  Juicing is so fun and easy and you'll just be amazed at how this juice tastes -so much better than the Welch's juice you can buy at the supermarket!!  And the antioxidant levels in grape juice are very high!

UPDATE:  I got so busy this year in October that when it was time to juice, I almost felt I wasn't going to be able to get the job done!  My sweet mother-in-law and father-in-law came to my rescue and helped me pick all the grapes one day and they took them home and juiced FOR ME!  Wow!  They got 31 quarts from this one vine!  I was so grateful for the help; my shelves are stocked and we're ready to enjoy the grape juice all winter long!  I do plan on making some jam in the next few weeks too!  This grape does not make the best freezer jelly (doesn't ever really set up -too runny), but makes a nice cooked jam!

Try freezing your fresh tomatoes

I saw this great suggestion/post on Homesteading/Survivalism's facebook page a month or so ago.  I don't know why I'd never thought of this before, but since they posted it; I thought it was worth a shot!  So, I had a dozen or more tomatoes today and washed them, cored them and gave a quick squeeze to get out some liquid/seeds and popped them in a gallon bag.  They look great and hopefully they will taste great when I pull them out in a few months to make soup or something yummy! Great idea for fresh tomatoes- IF you have space in the freezer!

Bringing Fall indoors

I love to look out into the backyard in the fall and see our beautiful grasses coming to life!  Unlike most plants in the garden, grasses don't look their best until mid-summer and my favorite look is in the fall when you start to see plumes coming on (here in Utah it's the first of September).  These make a beautiful arrangement for "indoors"!  Cut them when they are green or after they have turned brown and use them again and again each year.  You can cut grasses like Silver Grass early or wait until they have opened up a little for the more fuzzy look or combine several different varieties to a fun look.  Here is photo of the grasses in my yard today and a fresh cut arrangement I made this morning.  Below that, are a few more that I made last fall and pulled out today to place in some more vases.

Late September - Silver Grasses

Fresh Cut today - Silver Grass plumes

Arrangements from last fall - 2011- different varieties
(tuck them in a garbage bag -to avoid fuzzies floating around -when you store them)

Grill Cleaner - Wild Orange Essential Oil

I cleaned our filthy grill recently with one of my favorite essential oils - Wild Orange!  Check out these photos and see why this will be my number one choice from here on out. I know, I know, it was so dirty it was embarrassing!   Truly, we hadn't cleaned it all summer long and you could really see all the grease built up over the summer- ick!  Formerly, I'd use a Grill Cleaner from the store or a Stainless Steel Cleaner but since I had my Orange Oil handy I thought I'd give it a try.  I knew that Orange oil (and frankly most citrus essential oils) was great at taking off sticky labels on picture frame glass and since the grease was so tough/sticky I thought maybe it would work the same.  So, I just put a few drops right on top of the black grease, spread it around a bit to cover well, then I let it sit for just about 2-3 minutes.  Then I wiped clean with a paper towel!  The areas that were super tough, I had to do twice, but really, it came off without even having to rub hard.  I must admit I used about 3/4 of a  small 5ml bottle, but still it's CHEAP and no harmful chemicals going into the air or into my lungs!  You'll notice our grill is old (about 8 years old) and does have some normal wear/tear and discoloring which oils can't help, but overall, I think the oil worked really well- I'd give it a A+!  Note to self:  Next time, try diluting the orange oil with a carrier oil and see if it works just as well in a diluted state.

BEFORE

After

More.... Before

After

Time to Harvest Nashi (Asian Pear)

We have been waiting for this week all summer!  The Nashi (Japanese for "pear") are ready and perfect for picking!  Our home is situated in a subdivision which was formerly a farm full of Nashi and peach trees.  The farm was owned by the Akagi family.  How lucky we were to have Nashi trees in our backyard that were mature and producing nicely when we moved into the neighborhood!  We take care of them and prune, thin every season and find that if we take good care we can have a really nice harvest every year unless the spring brought on storms when the blossoms were still on the trees.  Now and then we have a poor harvest due to bad weather in the spring, but it's rare.

Here is some of our bounty from yesterdays' picking!  These fruit are fully ripe when they turn yellow but are very good even when they have a little green still showing.  They are simply juicier and sweeter when yellow.  Once they turn yellow,  get them in a very cool storage or the refrigerator.  They will keep at least a month in a cool/cold area (some say 3 months, but by then the texture starts to change and they get a little soft).  I have tried to make juice/jelly before and I must say I prefer them in the RAW - just cut one and eat it or put it in a nice salad!  The juice/jelly simply require too much sugar to make it tasty in my opinion.
Everyone loves them!
They are juicy and crispy pears!  The kids love them and we've never shared them with anyone who didn't like them!  Yesterday when we were picking, several people walked by our fence line where a few trees hang over the fence.  One apologized -said that he picked our fruit while walking the day before and the other was a biker that just said "Can I have one of your asian pears? I love them!"  Of course, we said!  We understand that our trees are about 30 years old and they are of the Twentieth Century variety.  These go for about a buck a piece at Costco, so we are grateful to have them so plentiful in our yard and we love to share them with friends so if you come over in September, bring a bag with you and grab a few!

Zucchini Scrambled Eggs

Harvest 2012

Here is some of my harvest this summer-we are only a family of three so we have trouble eating all that just a few plants produce by ourselves!  It's so rewarding and fun to grow vegetables in your own backyard- have you tried it?  Grow them in a pot if you have to -on your back porch, but do try it sometime!  Start with just a few simple things like a tomato plant and a few herbs or if you have a lot of space you can't go wrong with zucchini or cucumbers.  Those two really spread out so you've got to have room and basically you can't kill a zucchini plant - they seem to thrive no matter how you mistreat them!  All you need is some decent soil and in my yard, I don't even really need to weed much around these plants, simply toss a few snails out of the way every week or so-super easy to tend!  I seem to get through most summers without having to use any bug spray or anything, so there you go- your own organic garden!   I love to add some shredded zucchini in our scrambled eggs in the morning! Try it- they are delicious! It makes your eggs nice and moist plus you get some "green" into your mornings!   I just throw the zucchini in the skillet first with a bit of olive oil, let them cook for just about 2 minutes, then toss in the eggs and cook until done!

Aromatherapy Awareness Week

In celebration of Aromatherapy Awareness Week June 9-16th, you are invited to attend a Open House where we'll be making Bath Salts, Air Fresheners, Sachets and simple Cleaning sprays!   Please rsvp on Facebook or  Evite so I'll be able to have enough supplies for everyone!  Drop in anytime from 11 am - 4pm on Saturday June 16th!  We'll have stations set up where you can Make & Take your own products for a small fee.

Air Fresheners or Facial Mister -Several
bottle styles to choose from!

Bath Salts - Various
containers to choose from

Here are a few photos to show you what we'll be making!

I will be pricing items shortly, but most will be around $2 each  and I'll have a few ribbons/things on hand also.     

If you have a need to make a "lot" of any one of these, please send me a email and we can make sure you can get supplies in a larger quantity  (essentialoils4u@hotmail.com).



Left: These are little sachets or Pick-me-up's - perfect beadlets that are easily scented in a jar, then you use them to scent drawers, your car or use as Pepperment Oil and keep it in your car as a pick-me-up when you start getting drowsy or try Wild Orange/Peppermint together for a afternoon wake-up-call at the office/keep one in your desk drawer!

Left:  2 Homemade Cleaners to choose from

1) Larger sprayer bottle - ALL PURPOSE Heavy Duty cleaner OR new OnGuard concentrate cleaner

2) Smaller sprayer bottle - All purpose (windows, counters, etc.)


There will be a special *GIFT for the first 5 people to arrive and a fun drawing for a Lavender Neck Wrap including a bottle of Lavender*, so bring a friend!

What does a aromatherapist do?

A Aromatherapist is someone who has been formally trained in the use of essential oils, essential oil safety, history of essential oils, the distillation processes, blending, dilution rates, contraindications etc., and has a basic understanding of anatomy and a familiarity with plants/individual oil makeup (chemical constituents and their efficacy/therapeutic effect).  A aromatherapist is always working toward a whole body balancing - meaning, they are looking at health as a balance of healthy eating habits, routine exercise, good sleep habits, supplements, etc. and also, always considering the role of our spiritual and mental well being in that balancing act.   Essential oils and aromatherapy can play a part in bringing the body back into balance and while aromatherapy is not a licensed modality at this time in the USA, it may be, in the near future, as we become more and more aware of the benefits (with virtually no side effects if used according to standard dilution rates/recommended daily dosages) natural, pure essential oils can bring.
Here is a article that states more specifically what a Aromatherapist can/cannot do according to a accredited school - American College of Healthcare Sciences: What Can I Legally Do As An Herbalist, Aromatherapist, Or Other Holistic Health Practitioner?
Not all aromatherapy training/education is the same.  If you are looking for a certification in aromatherapy or to become a Registered Aromatherapist be sure to do your homework before entering into a program.  Some can run a small fee of $300 for a weekend course and some upwards of $5000+ for a accredited certificate or diploma program.  Course are even available online.  To some degree, you get what you pay for.  If you are simply looking for some basic training so you feel comfortable using essential oils at home for you and your family, a weekend course or 16-20 hours of training is a great place to start.  However, if you are seeking to enhance your current holistic practice with a specialty like aromatherapy a more intensive course might be a better fit.   Training you might receive in the United States will also vary from what may be available/offered in other countries.

Best Gourmet Popcorn EVER - and it's non-GMO!

About 8 months ago I was introduced to the most delicous popcorn in the world!  Going by the name "Pop Art" (formerly Happy Day Gourmet) gourmet popcorn, now you'll be able to pick it up at some local Utah retail locations like my favorite grocery store; Harmon's! I was just there about 2 days ago and they said, yes, they are going to be doing a promotion/samples soon and making shelf space for Pop Art!  They didn't have any yet, but expect inventory soon! Yipee!!
The best part?  It's organic, non-GMO popcorn and they are committed to keeping it that way!
They have several flavors but my favorite is definitely Rosemary & Truffle- it's heavenly! This is NOT popcorn you will share with just anyone and certainly not with the kids while watching a Friday night movie at home- NO! You'll be hiding it in the cabinet and only eating a few cups at a time (it's rich!).  Or if you're like me, the bag won't last even a day or you'll gladly skip a few meals to justify eating the whole bag!  It's pricetag is a bit to swallow but I think you'll find that it's worth every penny!
Check out this Pop ART popcorn article in the Edible WASATCH magazine and watch for it coming soon to your local gourmet store/grocery!

Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss?

Coconut Water for Athletes?

Coconut products (coconut milk, coconut water, coconut meat) have been peaking interest of many consumers in the last 3-4 years or so now. There are references, of late, in many places about the electrolyte/rehydrating value in coconut water and how it can be used as a substitute for water or sugar-laden drinks post athletic exercise. On some of the coconut water you purchase, you may even see this indicated as a marketing ploy.  Additionally, it is touted to be a great electrolyte replacement, in general, which could be of interest to moms looking for a option to re-hydrate kids who have been sick as well. I actually prefer a coconut water over a Gatorade, for example as it just seems more refreshing and natural to me where those sports drinks seem too sweet for me. It makes you wonder if these are actually better than water? Here is a study published on the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition site in January 2012.  It is a study that is fairly easy to read and summarize (unlike most clinical studies).   Take a peak at the conclusion.  Basically, it tells us that, in this study anyway, that water, coconut water and a carbohydrate-electrolyte sport drink seems to prove the same/similar results in terms of rehydrating post-exercise.  They did not seem to prove that coconut water was better or worse.  Interesting, because the study was funded by a coconut water company; VitaCoco Company, NY.    It does state, however, that additional studies could be conducted to measure the post-rehydrating differently.  So the question still remains, is anything really better at rehydrating, in terms of excercise/athletic performance than water?  I would think this can be a very difficult subject to prove, either way in that every one's body may have a different capacity to perform AND recover anyway... What do you think?  Watch for more studies about coconut water as we continue to see more and more of them in our supermarket shelves.  Are the natural sugars in the coconut water healthier for us than sugary sports drinks? 

Spring flowers

I love Springtime - It draws me out into the yard to do a chore that somehow becomes a pleasure! 
Tulips, iris, daffodils, and any day now- peonies! The tulips are fading and some were eaten by passing deer, so now I look forward to the peonies.  
The aromas that the peony brings are simply heavenly!  It is one of my favorites, next to the lilac.  I adore gardenia as well, but can't grown them well here in Utah.  Maybe I just haven't positioned it in the right location; maybe I'll try again this year. I am heading out today to do some more weeding and I look forward to planting veggies soon too (after Mother's Day)!   My father-in-law made us a beautiful new planter box and I'm excited to have some fresh veggies again this year!  Get outdoors and put a few new plants in, even if it's not your "gig", you'll be sure to enjoy the fruits of your labor!  It feels good to take in some fresh air and feel the dirt under your fingernails!

Peony ready to bloom

Live a little, now and then

I love this quote.  I think that while on this journey for better health, we must not get too anxious and crazy about our food/diet.  Yes, food is a big part of good health, so is excercise, getting enough sleep, taking a few supplements, breathing fresh air, drinking clean water and so on.  So let's not go crazy with every little part of that every day ok?  Make it a part of your lifestyle but have a ounce of your favorite dark chocolate or a handful of potato chips now and then, just not every day!

What is aromatherapy - What are essential oils?

Essential Oils are the aromatic compounds traditionally extracted from the plant via steam distillation or cold compression methods.  These oils are used for their amazing aromas to scent your home, your car, they are in our toothpastes, and they are used therapeutically to replace some supplements and over-the-counter drugs.

From Dr. Pappas at Essential Oil University; here is how he describes Essential Oils:

"Essential oils are the volatile, aromatic oils obtained by steam or hydrodistillation of botanicals. Most essential oils are primarily composed of terpenes and their oxygenated derivatives. Different parts of the plants can be used to obtain essential oils, including the flowers, leaves, seeds, roots, stems, bark, wood, etc.  Certain cold-pressed oils, such as the oils from various citrus peels, are also considered to be essential oils but these are not to be confused with cold-pressed fixed or carrier oils such as olive, grapeseed, coconut etc. which are non-volatile oils composed mainly of fatty acid triglycerides. Other aromatic, plant-derived oils, which technically aren’t essential oils because they are solvent extracted, include Absolutes (hexane followed by ethanol extraction), CO2’s (liquid carbon dioxide used as the solvent) and Phytols or Florosols (fluoro-hydrocarbon solvent).(1)

Until a few years ago, I thought of aromatherapy as simply a nice option/replacement for other types of aromatics in the home.  I thought that it was an expensive option, considering I could purchase candles of any variety of scents or Scentsy wax burners for less than a diffuser and bottle of Lavender.   As far as other uses, I believed that Lavender could be a calming, soothing oil to assist with relaxation and sleep.  Of course, this was a very uneducated view of aromatherapy but I believe one that is shared with many other people, at least here in the United States where oils are not as commonly used as in Europe, for example.  I’ve learned how essential oils can play a role in a more therapeutic way and that aromatherapy isn’t simply about pleasant smells and perfumery.  Essential oils, in my mind are to be cherished; a gift that if properly handled and safely used, can enhance our lives and aid in healing in our homes.  

According to Shirley Price as noted on her web site (2011), aromatherapy is the controlled and informed use of essential oils to maintain and/or improve the health of the mind, body and spirit[2].     Aromatherapy can be delivered through topical application, through inhalation and internally.   

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years and some of our most popular oils today date back to biblical days and beyond.   As defined by Dorene Peterson in  Aromatherapy 101 (2011), an essential oil is the distilled (or sometimes expressed) product of the volatile components synthesized by various plant tissues of a single plant species[3].  Essential oils are distilled from the plant leaves, berries, resins, bark, stems, nuts, roots and flowers.  Chemical constituents present in essential oils determine the essential oils’ properties and specific qualities that help us determine what oils to use for specific issues

Essential oils are volatile.  My thoughts on “volatility” were that of a description of a situation or person rather than that of evaporation speed.  Therefore, a volatile oil to me only triggered a thought the oil was unstable or unpredictable, could go rancid, or not meant to last.  Not true at all. 

Many references on the internet refer to essential oils as the “essence” of the plant and often mention their volatile nature.  In Aromatherapy 101, Dorene Peterson explains that the word comes from the Latin word volare or “to fly”[4].  Essential oils, unlike other fixed oils evaporate quickly and do not turn rancid.  This term volatility, in regards to essential oils, has become clearer to me and is not nearly as negative a term as I suspected previously.  The rate of volatility is the rate at which the oils evaporate when they are exposed to air.  Some essential oils evaporate faster than others based on their constituents and knowing those rates aides those interested in perfumery with coming up with a nicely balanced perfume, for example. 

Upon reflection now, of course, I realize that essential oils can play an important role in an overall holistic approach.  I am a novice, but even with my limited exposure to essential oils they have empowered me to believe, from first hand experience, that there are indeed healthier options in treating minor ailments.  This feeling of empowerment moved me towards more education and I see now that more education will in turn bring more empowerment!  I am now more proactive in my pursuits for alternative treatments since realizing that herbs and essential oils truly work and without the terrible side effects we see from prescription drugs.   The science behind the plant is what intrigues me now and I’m certain that scientists will continue to find and prove what we know today; that plants are the key to living longer, healthier lives. 

I like how Valerie Ann Woodward (2000) describes essential oils as nature’s healing tools[5].  The thought really spoke to me.  The description reiterated for me this idea that indeed plants, herbs and essential oils are virtually handed to us by nature to help us aide our bodies in healing themselves.   We have, within reach, these tools. 

---

References

[1]http://essentialoils.org/knowledge-center/what/, accessed 11/15/11

[2] Price, Shirley, Shirley Price Aromatherapy http://www.shirleypriceessentia.com/aromatherapydefined.html, (2011).

[3] Peterson, Dorene (2011) Aroma 101 –Introduction to Aromatherapy, ACHS, 27.

[4] Peterson, Dorene (2011) Aroma 101-Introduction to Aromatherapy, ACHS, 27.

[5]Woodward, Valerie Ann (2000) Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child, New World Library, 4.

Best Broccoli Soup

Made some broccoli soup last week and wanted to share it!  I got this recipe from the food network and modified it a bit to my own liking!

Broccoli Soup with croutons

Broccoli Soup:

2 lbs fresh broccoli, broken into small pieces.  

1 1/2  chopped onion 

1/2 bag shredded carrots or shred your own (about 1/2 cup)

6 T butter or 4 T olive oil

Sea Salt and fresh cracked pepper or 1-2 drops Black Pepper Essential Oil

4 T flour

6 cups chicken or vegetable stock

4 oz. Nestle media Crema or 4 oz. whipping cream

4-6 drops Tabasco sauce or other hot sauce

Heat butter or oil in large heavy bottom pot over med.-high heat.

Add broccoli, carrots and onion, then a bit of salt/ pepper. 

Cook until onion is translucent, only a few minutes.  Remove

most of the veggies to the side for a few minutes, at least the large

pieces of broccoli.   Then, add the flour.  

Cook the flour for about 1 minute, then add the stock and bring

to a low boil.  Add veggies back to the soup.  Cook for about 

10 minutes, until broccoli is tender.  Add the cream and tabasco.

Remove from heat and transfer contents to blender or 

food processor  in 2 batches.  Add salt and pepper to taste and

return to pot to warm back up and eat!!  Make homemade croutons or buy

some to top it off (optional).  Enjoy!


P.S. I think it would be fun to be a food photographer~! I love taking 
photo's of my freshly made meals! 

You can make this pretty fast, but I like to make it one day and eat it the next- it's better when it has a chance to sit a bit so the flavors really penetrate the entire soup!

Earth Day - 2012

What will you do to help our enviroment on EARTH DAY? April 22, 2012

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Here are some ideas:

• Read produce and food labels- start paying attention to ingredients.  Buy organic produce. Buying organic is currently the best way to ensure that your food has not been genetically modified.
• Find/Use a Non-GMO Shopping Guide like this one: GUIDE-click here 
• Recycle!!!! Freecycle! Buy products from companies who care about real recycling and sustainability
• Plant a tree!
• Visit the website EARTHDAY and click on "What you can do" for lots of ideas and make a pledge to make a change THIS year- lots of easy ways to give back!
• Stop buying bottled water! Alternatives: try glass bottles or aluminum- yes, you can wash your bottles, it only takes a minute.  Millions and millions of these plastic bottles are filling up our landfills (even though they can be recycled, plastic is still not biodegradable).    And for your own health, if you must drink from a plastic bottle, educate yourself on the harmful chemicals that can come into your water through certain types of plastics.  There are a lot of great water bottles now you can find online and your local Sporting goods stores carry many great aluminum choices! Here is one of my favorites: GLASS WATER BOTTLE : be sure to check out the new flip top!
• Carpool one day per week (if you don't already) to school or work
• Take your reusable bags to the grocery store and every store you shop at - keep them in your car, your purse, be ready!
• Have a garage sale!  It's surprising what others may find useful that you might throw away and you could make a few extra $$!
• Support Companies/products that have recycling/sustainability as a part of their Company philosophy/plans going forward like: http://www.stonyfield.com/healthy-planet/our-roadmap-green-business/mission-action-program-map/map-teams/sustainable-packaging

Interactive reflexology map

Check out this great interactive Reflexology Map!

Why? How? Essential Oil Science

You might enjoy this video from L. Jacobs -It gives some insight that I think I haven't seen explained in this fashion elsewhere....

Brown Sugar Scrub, Oatmeal Mask

I found these recipes some time ago - I wanted a hair treatment, so I pulled these back out and thought I'd share.  I've tried all three and they are all very very nice! Give it a try!

(by Michelle Howard, Spa Director, Zermatt Resort)

Brown Sugar Scrub (Can be used for full body exfoliation or for hands and feet)

½ cup Brown Sugar

2 heaping Tablespoons of fractionated coconut oil (Almond or Olive Oil can be substituted)

3 to 5 drops of your favorite essential oil
Mix well. To apply wet skin and massage gently, rinse with warm water and apply favorite moisturizer

Peppermint Hot Oil Hair Treatment (Stimulating & Refreshing to scalp, deeply moisturizing for hair)

½ - 1 cup Olive Oil (amount can be adjusted depending on length of hair)

5-6 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Gently warm Olive oil by putting it in a glass cup or jar in a pot of hot water; once the olive oil is warm add the essential oil and apply immediately to scalp and massage the remaining amount through entire hair. Cover with a shower cap to hold in the heat. Allow to sit for up to 20 minutes, to finish shampoo & condition hair.

Oatmeal/Yogurt Facial Masque (Good for all Skin Types, nourishing and moisturizing)

1 Tbsp Oatmeal

1 Tbsp plain organic yogurt (skip all the pre-sweetened types)

A few drops of warm honey
Mix all the ingredients together and gently apply to face. Leave on for 15 minutes, rinse with steaming washcloth and apply favorite moisturizer.

Water - Distilled? Purified? Tap?

bottled water

Often people ask when I'm making homemade products, what kind of water do you use and why?  Now, I'll go on to explain the differences between these two, however, please note that my thoughts on waters may be quite different if I'm comparing various other waters as compared to these for "drinking".  Distilled water is generally my water of choice when I'm making cleaners and lotions. 


Distilled Water: 
This is water which has been boiled and then the vapors/steam is collected.  As the steam is forming, some of the heavier molecules (possible contaminants) do not rise and collect with the pure water.  These heavier  molecules can also contain scant minerals that we might normally get in our foods.  This removal of impurities and lack of "additives like iron and fluoride make it a good choice for cleaning.  Additionally, it is a good water to choose for filling up your iron when you take to doing that chore because it will leave no residue on the clothing AND is a good choice when you are concerned about mineral build-up in your small electronics.  It does not taste great, however, so I don't recommend it for your drinking water. 


Purified Water:

EPA Flyer-Water Health

In general, purified water is safe for drinking and has gone through a process of removing some unwanted contaminants similar to distilled water.  Purified water can simply be "boiled tap water".  If you are purifying water in case of a emergency, you might add a small amount of bleach to the water if you don't have time or tools to boil water (3 drops to 1 quart of water).   Other common methods of commercially purifying water could include: distillation, reverse osmosis, filtration, etc.  These all make water "drinking water".   Purified water seems to have no real "definition" in terms of how it is treated, however, it is mean to be a water free from contaminants and no additives, unless stated so on the label.  Drinking Water, however, typically does have fluoride added to it. 
Generally, the cost a of generic brand-gallon of either of these will run about the same price, though sometimes I see purified a little higher.  
Here, you can find a link to this great flyer from the EPA that defines all the different kinds of water very well: EPA FLYER- Water Health Series

23 and 1/2 hours: What is the single best thing we can do for our health?

I think you'll find this video interesting and a great reminder of how little we may need to change in our lifestyles in order to get big benefits!