Journal

Nesting Bouquets Providing nesting bouquets for the birds in early spring is a fun way to attract birds to your yard.  Collect natural materials and fibers such as alpaca hair or dog hair, lavender or rosemary sprigs, small twigs, usnea, cattails, feathers and moss.   You can also use natural twine, just be sure to cut pieces 2 inches or shorter to avoid entanglement.  Gently tuck them in so that they are easy for the birds to pull out and carry back to their nests.  Pack all the materials into a wire suet, willow ball, grape vines or hanging terrarium.  This is...

Wildcrafting Etiquette Wildcrafting is gathering wild plants for food or medicine and a wonderful way to connect with nature.  It is quite simple and also incredibly fulfilling to get to know the plants around you and creates a sense of self sufficiency.  When taking the time to harvest plants for food or medicine there are some simple things you can do that can make the experience better for both you and the plants.  Using your intuition and knowledge is key to deepening your connection with them.   It's important to harvest plants at their optimal growing time of year and...

Spring Cleansing Ah Spring! The season for new beginnings.  With everything going on in the world right now, it seems like a good time to clean body and home.  We have spent most of the winter storing and building to stay warm and healthy.  But now it's time to let go of things we have been holding onto and start anew. Cleansing can be rejuvenating for physical, mental and spiritual well being.  Some good reasons for cleansing include improved immune system, clear skin, slow aging, energy, weight loss, vitality and enhanced consciousness.   Almost everyone can benefit from cleansing, and it...

WILD PESTO      Spring officially starts next week but I cant help but feel like it's already here.  These sunny crisp days feel really good.  I celebrated this morning and gathered some early spring herbs.  I mostly collected nettle, but there was also an abundance of cleavers, chickweed and wild onion.  Nettle is a wonderful herb to have in the apothecary as it is a versatile food and medicine.  I like to use it as the base for this wild pesto recipe I am sharing with you today.  Fresh nettle can be juiced, cooked and steamed.  Once dried the hairs are...

Pickled Magnolia Here in the Pacific Northwest, Magnolias are a beautiful flowery reminder that Spring is near.  Few know that magnolias are edible and absolutely wonderful when pickled.  Pickled magnolias have a unique floral/ginger taste and can be added to salads and sandwiches and even used as a ginger substitue with sushi.  Collect the young petals, just a few from each flower.  The younger petals are less bitter.   Recipe1 pound of fresh Magnolia petals1 1/2 cups rice wine vinegar1 cup sugar2 tbsp salt Prepare a large bowl of iced water.  Separate the petals from the flower if not already.  Careful,...