Making pine needle soda is a fun wintertime project. Rich in probiotics, this homemade wild-fermented drink is a delicious alternative to sugary store-bought beverages. Whipping up some pine soda is also a great activity to do with little ones. Crafting this bubbly beverage is a simple way to introduce children to the wonders of foraging and fermentation. And kids will love drinking something they helped make! This post contains affiliate links. As…
Spitzbubens are one of the most beloved Christmas cookies in Switzerland, where my husband was born, and were his favorite festive treat as a kid. Making them has become a holiday tradition for our family, and they’ve become one of my kids’ favorite Christmas cookies too. Spitzbuben: A Classic Swiss Christmas Cookie Spitzbuben is a sweet shortcrust pastry made by sandwiching jam between two cookies. The top cookie typically has…
Evergreens have been an important part of winter celebrations since ancient times. From wreaths, garlands, and the classic Christmas tree, decorating with pine, fir, and spruce has long been a quintessential part of festive traditions. Evergreens are also a lovely ingredient in the holiday kitchen. Pine, spruce, and fir are all edible and can be a delicious addition to beverages, baked goods, condiments, and more! I work with pine the…
As fall fades into winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the rainy season is beginning in the Ecuadorian Andes. Indoor heating isn’t common here because the temperatures are generally fairly mild, but this time of year especially, evenings in the mountains can grow quite chilly. On nights like these, you’ll want a warm sweater and a nice thick blanket. And wrapping your hands around a hot mug of canelazo is the…
As an herbalist, gardener, and naturalist, there are many plants that are special to me. But, few are as near and dear to my heart as nettle (Urtica dioica). I first began working with nettle in my early days as an herbalist, after reading about its many beneficial properties in Rosemary Gladstar’s books. That spring, I foraged nettle along the walking trails behind my apartment building. I then baked nettle…
This recipe is an excerpt from the article “Nettle + Mushroom Salt” by Harmonie O’Loughlin featured in the Autumn Vol 4 | Issue 14 | 2025 edition of Botanical Anthology. To learn about the benefits of the ingredients in this salt blend, check out the entire article in the magazine! Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the autumn season, can be purchased as a digital…
Pear + Cardamom Oat Colada is inspired by the tradition of warm, grain-based beverages that are a part of autumn festivals across cultures. Made with ripe pears, oats, and cardamom, it’s a nourishing and comforting way to celebrate the harvest and ease into colder days.
Whether you’ve just finished a long hike, spent a hot afternoon chasing the kids, are breastfeeding a little one, or recovering from illness, replenishing your fluids properly is key to staying healthy and feeling your best. However, drinking plain water isn’t always enough. When you sweat, breastfeed, or lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, your body also loses electrolytes. And if you’re low on these essential minerals, it can negatively impact several…
Cherished for its calming, adaptogenic properties, tulsi is a beloved ally in herbal traditions around the world. But despite its bold aroma and unique flavor, tulsi under appreciated as a culinary herb. Fresh tulsi tastes slightly sweet and peppery, with notes of clove and anise, and it can add depth of flavor to a variety of drinks, condiments, and dishes. Tulsi Chimichurri is one of my favorite ways to showcase…
As July fades into August, we enter the beginning of the harvest season, a time of transition, when the fullness of summer slowly gives way to the first hints of autumn. For centuries, this turning of the seasonal wheel has been honored with rituals of gratitude and celebrations. In the Northern Hemisphere, August 1st marks the halfway point between summer solstice and autumn equinox. This midpoint has long been a time…