Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year and marks the official start of summer. It invites us to slow down, get outside, and soak up the sweetness of the season. One of our family’s favorite solstice traditions is packing a backpack full of snacks, taking a hike, and enjoying a picnic in one of our favorite spots. I love baking this Solstice Sun Bread to bring along. It’s easy…
This nettle soda bread is one of my favorite quick bread options. It’s quick, delicious, and pairs wonderfully with a hearty soup or a breakfast scramble. It's wonderful when enjoyed warm, slathered with butter and a sprinkle of salt. Nettle is a nourishing addition to this simple bread. It's rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and several other important nutrients. This recipe is a great way to use those lovely nettle…
An important aspect of Samhain rituals is reflecting on the cycle of life & death and remembering our ancestors. In Ecuador, Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased) is a similar celebration that honors loved ones who have passed on. After living and raising my kids in Ecuador for the past several years, I find that many of our family’s seasonal rituals blend aspects of nature-based celebrations from the…
Aromatic and flavorful basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a tasty addition to a number of dishes, like pesto, pasta, salad, and more. It is a source of vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamin K, and lends several other health benefits. Basil is rich in flavonoids, particularly quercetin and rutin. These constituents have anti-inflammatory properties. They also have a cytoprotective effect, which means that they help to protect cells from damage, which could lead to…