Septembers in Ecuador are often very dry and windy. Unfortunately, this is also the time of the year when locals customarily burn their land to prepare it for grazing cattle or growing crops. These man made fires can quickly get out of hand on windy days, particularly when they aren’t well tended. Such a fire has been ravaging the mountain across the valley from our home for 3 days now,…
Fresh summer cherries make a delicious barbecue sauce that’s a perfect accompaniment for grilling. This Cherry BBQ Sauce adds rich, vibrant flavor to chicken, pork chops, pizza, or wraps. Ingredients: 2 cups halved cherries, with pits removed 1 cup water 8 oz tomato sauce ⅓ cup brown sugar ¼ cup molasses 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp liquid smoke 1 tsp garlic powder ½ tsp…
Zucchini baba ganoush is a fresh take on the creamy, smoky Mediterranean dip that’s traditionally made with eggplant and is a tasty accompaniment to pita bread or fresh veggies. It comes together quickly and easily, making it the perfect summertime appetizer or potluck dish.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) salve is an effective multipurpose balm that is great to have in your medicine cabinet. In Latin it’s name, solidago, means “to make whole” which alludes to it’s numerous healing properties. Goldenrod has anti-inflammatory effects and is utilized topically on sore muscles, achy joints, and injuries to help reduce pain & swelling. It’s also wonderfully healing and soothing to the skin, and has long been used for…
The tea can also be utilized for numerous acute issues such as colds, sore throats, urinary tract & bladder infections, and for easing symptoms of seasonal allergies. Goldenrod tea is also quite pleasant tasting, making it a lovely addition to an iced tea latte. Sip this cool drink on a hot, late summer day.
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…
Vaginal steaming, also commonly called yoni steaming, is a self-care practice that has its roots in many different cultures worldwide. It involves squatting or sitting on a steam chair over a bowl of hot water and herbs. Steaming is said to have a number of benefits for pelvic health. It can be helpful for easing PMS and menopause symptoms. Women also report its usefulness for various conditions, including pelvic organ…
From time to time, I enjoy paging through an herbal body care book from the 1970’s called Jeanne Rose’s Herbal Body Book. It’s full of old fashioned recipes for natural products that aren’t commonly found in modern day beauty regimens, including something she calls a “cosmetic vinegar.” According to Rose, cosmetic vinegars can be used as a facial rinse, aftershave, or deodorant. “It is softening and will relieve itchy skin and restore…
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…