Healthy Food on a Budget
One of the most common difficulties on a journey towards a more holistic life is the cost of nourishing foods. While it is true that unhealthy foods carry other costs such as illness and inflammation, for those of us living on a tight budget the reality is often that these lower quality foods are more…
Motherwort: The Plant World’s Mama Bear
Motherwort is the plant world’s mama bear. Or mama lion, from its Latin name Leonurus cardiaca, which translates to the Lion-Hearted One (Bennett, 2014). Motherwort Plant Profile This mint-family member has the ubiquitous square-stems that run in the family. Motherwort’s miniature blooms are delicately painted soft pink, and resemble the healthy womb and reproductive system…
Choosing Safe Herbs for Your Kids
Herbs and kids go together like two peas in a pod, with many lovely, gentle herbs that children readily respond to. These botanicals can be used to not only bring aid to little ones during times of illness but also to inspire children with the wonders of nature and the plant world. Yet, if we…
The Horseradish Plant: Harvesting, Processing & Uses
Fall is fast approaching, and with it comes the harvesting of roots. And the horseradish plant is high on our list! For those of you who regularly grow, harvest, process, and enjoy horseradish, I hope you pick up a new tip or two in this article. If you’re new to horseradish harvesting, I hope I…
Guts to Marrow, Gelatin is Easy to Swallow
The latest food fads are all about the grizzly bits of the animal, so it’s maybe a relief to a lot of folks that some of the most nutritious grizzle of all — gelatin! — can come in pretty colors topped by pastured whipped cream. Gelatin, perhaps you’ve heard, is making a comeback, and nobody’s…
FREE Herbs For Animals Chart
Herbalism is for everyone – including your furry friends! As shown in the Free Herbs for Animals Chart: 20 Herbs to Know & Use, herbs can be a wonderful addition to your pet’s meal plan and first aid kit. Herbs can be used safely and effectively, helping to eliminate the use of harsh chemicals. Add nourishing foods from the plant…
How to Craft the Perfect Herb Planter
Earth is home to an incredible array of natural herbs that have been integral to society for as far as we can see into the past. Herbalism is a proud tradition of knowledge, community with nature, and responsibility. Herbs are available for such a myriad of uses that it is nearly impossible not to encounter…
Red Clover Blossoms
How many times have you walked passed these red clover blossoms without even a second thought? I remember picking them as a little girl and being struck by their beautiful purple color whilst sucking out the sweet nectar from their blossoms. Little did I know just how magical they were, with such a long list…
Basic Botany: Describing Leaves
There’s a lot going on in a leaf. Thousands of chemical reactions occur in each one as part of photosynthesis – the process plants use to turn sunlight into energy. Each plant develops their own unique blend of ingredients from sunlight, water, and the nutrients they pull from the soil. The unique makeup of each…
Farm Stand Minestrone With Pesto Crostini
As summer rolls into autumn our local farm stands brim with luscious, incredibly delicious produce. Each year I make up big batches of soup with vegetables and herbs from nearby farm stands to freeze for my family to enjoy during the winter. One of our favorite soups is Italian minestrone. Minestrone means “big soup” and…
