Sipping a moontime smoothie during your period is a simple way to support your body and honor this special time of the month. It’s made with nourishing ingredients that help ease cramping, balance hormones, and boost energy & mood. Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus & related species; I use Rubus niveus, which grows wild near my home) is a uterine tonic that has long been a cherished herb for women’s health. It is…
Delicate and aromatic lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. For the first two and a half decades of my life, their sweet blooms were a yearly herald of warm weather, longer days, and an abundance of fresh fruits & veggies. While I’m not living where lilacs grow anymore, my love for this plant has only deepened. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder— in this case anyway. Lilacs (Syringa…
May has always been my favorite month. In the Midwest, it’s when the fields & forests begin to burst with life, offering lots of fungi & flora to forage. It’s also when the lilacs bloom. Such a magical, yet fleeting time that urges us to slow down and be present — to stop and smell the lilacs. Lilac syrup is a lovely way to enjoy this gorgeous flower. It’s a…
This tasty dressing is incredibly nutrient dense. Dandelion provides a number of vitamins and minerals, which are readily extracted into the vinegar. It also promotes healthy digestion. Olive oil adds a boost of antioxidants and rich flavor.
Handcrafted condiments are a serious level up from store-bought renditions that are far less tasty, and are full of highly-processed ingredients like preservatives, food dyes, artificial flavors, and high fructose corn syrup. When I first started making my own mustards many years ago, I was delighted by how simple and truly delicious it was to whip this flavorful condiment at home. I haven’t bought mustard since! Dill (Anethum graveolens) adds…
The Aztecs and Mayans revered cacao as sacred long before 18th century Swedish botanist, Carl Linnaeus, named the cacao tree Theobroma cacao, which means “food of the gods” in Latin. In modern times, cacao is well-known as a flavoring in sugary desserts and chocolate candies. However, this herb actually has numerous health benefits when not heavily adulterated by processed sugars and other additives. Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is rich in minerals and anti-inflammatory flavonoids.…
This hot sauce is reminiscent of mole poblano, a savory Mexican sauce made with cacao, chiles, and other spices. Authentic versions of this tasty sauce include 20+ ingredients and can take hours to put together. This rendition is much simpler. Lacto-fermenting the peppers adds depth of flavor without a lot of effort and after the initial wait for the peppers to ferment, the whole thing comes together in just a…
These pretty popsicles are a simple way to enjoy the color, flavor, and health boosting effects of flor de jamaica.
Vanillegipfeli, more commonly known as vanillekipferl, is a crescent shaped cookie made with ground almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts and dusted with vanilla sugar. It’s popular in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, & Slovakia and is traditionally made at Christmas-time.
This recipe is an excerpt from the article “Butter Boards” by Brittany Peterson featured in the Winter Vol 1 | Issue 3 | 2022 edition of Botanical Anthology. Our herbal magazine, featuring remedies, recipes and projects with plants for the autumn season, can be purchased as a digital version here and as a printed version here. Do you know someone dairy free or would you rather find a healthy afternoon snack for the family? …