Mint (Mentha spp.) is a well-known herb that is a common flavoring for gum, mouthwash, & toothpaste, as well as foods and beverages, like ice cream & tea. If you have an established mint patch, you likely have an abundance of mint, and may be wondering how to utilize it. This sauce is super quick & easy to put together and is a tasty way to use fresh mint from…
Gomasio is a Japanese condiment traditionally made with unhulled sesame seeds (goma) and salt (shio). My rendition of this tasty topping includes nettle and hemp seeds too. Sprinkling a bit of this gomasio over a snack or meal adds flavor and makes it even more nourishing (assuming you’re eating whole foods). Sesame seeds are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, including vitamin B1, B3, B6 & E, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc,…
Growing up, one of my favorite Christmas traditions was making sugar cookies with my mom and sister. I loved deciding which shapes to cut out of the dough and mounding the cookies with frosting after they’d cooled. But, looking back, it was the quality time with my mom and sister that made this holiday ritual extra sweet. Now, that Ayla is getting a bit older, baking with her has become…
Spicy Dandelion Root & Reishi Hot Cocoa is my favorite spin on a classic cold-weather beverage. While this recipe is definitely more involved than stirring a packet of Swiss Miss into hot water, it only takes about 10 minutes to whip up and is well worth the extra bit of effort. Unlike pre-packaged hot chocolate mixes, this healing beverage is made with herbs & whole food ingredients. Which means that…
We’ve had rabbits around the homestead for over 4 years now. For the most part, raising rabbits been something that I have really enjoyed. Bunnies are adorable and soft. Their poop is excellent fertilizer. Cutting greens for them twice daily keeps me disciplined to weed the paths and garden beds. Occasionally, our family is nourished by their meat too. Though admittedly we don’t butcher our rabbits often. I tend to…
Ghee, or clarified butter, is a fragrant, flavorful oil that is well suited for cooking, as it doesn’t burn easily. It’s more shelf stable than butter and can be stored outside of the fridge for up to 6 months. In the process of turning butter into ghee, the milk solids are removed. So, even folks who have a milk protein intolerance can consume ghee without issue. Ghee is made by…
“Placentophagia is not such an unusual behavior for most mammilian mothers in the perinatal period. Animals of all the mammilian groups […] most all will injest the placentas of their newborn young. Animals are not aware of the biochemical benefits, yet instinctually they find the placenta extremely palatable immediately after giving birth,” says midwife & author, Robin Lim (120). There are many wise women, doulas, mothers, and midwives, like Lim,…
In most of the developed world, once a baby is delivered and their umbilical cord has been severed, the placenta, or “afterbirth,” is thoughtlessly disposed of as medical waste. However, many traditional cultures have beliefs and customs that honor the placenta and its important role in the bringing a child into the world. “In Bali, for example, the placenta, or ari-ari, is said to live on in spirit as one…
The placenta plays a vital role in the well being of mom & baby throughout pregnancy and the immediate post-partum period. “During pregnancy and after birth, the placenta makes maternal and child survival possible. It provides for our nutritional needs and aids in our development. It acts as a barrier guarding us against harmful bacteria and most foreign molecules,” says midwife, Robin Lim [1]. After the birth, the baby and…
This pretty cocktail was inspired by beautiful Michigan strawberries and some gorgeous lavender that is currently blooming in my mom’s garden and is a tasty twist on the popular mint julep. The fruity, floral flavor makes it the perfect drink for enjoying with friends on a summer evening. It is also a lovely way to preserve fresh strawberries while they are in season. If you like, you can make a…