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…
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…
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…
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…
On a hot day, few things are more refreshing than a cold glass of agua fresca. This traditional beverage, whose name literally means “fresh water,” is popular throughout Latin America. Made by blending fruits, herbs, and water, each region has its own variation, and popular ingredients include watermelon, lime, hibiscus, and tamarind. However you make it, sipping agua fresca is a refreshing way to beat the heat. This version combines…
Linden Limeade is one of my favorite summer drinks. Bright, tart limes pair perfectly with linden’s enchanting floral notes, making a tasty beverage that’s perfect for staying hydrated on hot days. Linden is a demulcent herb that supports hydration by moistening and soothing dry or irritated tissues. It’s also a relaxing nervine, and is known for helping to ease anxiety, irritability, and emotional tension. Simple to whip up, this herbal…
Lately, I wake up before the sun with the baby every morning. So, by afternoon, I can usually use a pick-me-up . Making a tea latte is a quick and simple way to give myself a little boost to help get me through the rest of the day. A lavender earl grey latte is my favorite iteration.
Though an unconventional addition to a Bloody Mary, whiskey adds an excellent depth of flavor to this classic cocktail. Infusing the whiskey with black peppercorns adds spicy, pungent notes that are characteristic of many pre-made Bloody Mary mixes.