Plant energetics is a way to understand how a plant can affect the body through our senses and how it feels in the body. Energetics is subtle, but so helpful when choosing herbs. The difference between warming and cooling plant energetics is like feeling the warmth of the sun versus a cool plunge into the ocean. In this episode, we delve deep into warming energetics and match these with a group of trees that provide great examples: evergreens. These trees have great potential for kitchen uses and herbal remedies. We talk all about  juniper, fir, hemlock and spruce trees.  Some exampl ..read more

Pine trees are trees that are very familiar especially because of their long thin needles and pine cones. But they seem overlooked for their culinary and herbal remedy benefits. In this episode, I am back in my kitchen with elegant pine needles brewing a tea blended with warming spices and preparing a skin healing salve. I’ll talk you through all the steps.  Thank you for joining me! Pine Needle Chai: 1 cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon dried ginger 2 teaspoons dried orange peel or zest of 1 orange 1 allspice berry ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 2 tablespoons chopped fresh pine needles or 2 teaspoons dried 1 ..read more

Herbal teas are a lovely way to be creative and experience herbs on a daily basis. Brewing herbal teas can take on different forms and tastes, including juice-like creations when dried berries are used as the main ingredients. These berry teas are a wonderful way to gain nutrient benefits from herbs. In this episode I am sharing my current favorite method for brewing herbal tea that feels more like a juice. Thank you for joining me. Tea “Juice” Decoction ¼ cup dried elderberries ¼ cup dried hawthorn berries ¼ cup dried sea buckthorn berries ⅛ cup dried goji berries ⅛ cup dried rose hips 1 tabl ..read more

The Little Herb Saver: Lemon balm is like a blanket of peace, calming a nervous stomach, reducing anxiety, elevating  a gloomy feeling, and providing relief for sleepless nights. That’s a lot, but that’s also not all.  Lemon balm is easy to grow, lovely to eat or drink as tea, powerful in its own right but not in a way that lends caution to using it. To get more lemon balm into our lives, can only be a good thing. And this is why I deem it a little herbal saver.  Thank you for joining me for this part 2 lemon balm monograph. (Episode 52 is part 1) Lemon Balm Vinaigrette: 3 table ..read more

Lemon balm is soothing, calming and uplifting, whether fresh or dried its a pleasure to have and use. Lemon balm is such a gem that it deserves a a two part herbal monograph. Here in part 1, Dina focuses on lemon balm's origin and the benefits it can offer for us now. Also offering favorite sources for dried lemon balm and some recipes for making teas and tinctures. Thank you for joining me. Recipes in Episode: Lemon Balm Tea: 1-2 tsp dried lemon balm with 8 ounces hot water, steep 15-20 minutes. Lemon Balm Tincture: 50g lemon balm + 250ml Vodka Lemon Balm Cordial: 1 cup chopped apples (Granny ..read more

Baking and herbs both calm my heart and mind. In today’s episode, I am back in my kitchen baking scones with lemon balm infused heavy cream blended into the batter. Lemon balm is a delight to grow and the fresh leaves offer a beautiful perfumey aroma that can uplift a heavy heart and offer a peaceful moment. In the kitchen, it’s medicine for the baker.  Lemon Balm Scones (if lemon balm balm is not something you have, give these a try using basil or thyme in its place) For lemon balm infused cream: approx ¾ cup (12g) fresh lemon balm leaves or ¼ cup dried lemon balm 1 cup plus ⅛ cup heavy ..read more

Rounding out my broth episodes with ginger provides the perfect example of how lovely tasting herbal tea can second as herbal broth which then infuses the food we eat with an extra layer of nourishment. Ginger is a great example, because it is such a foundational culinary herb with multitudes of methods and recipes incorporating ginger both fresh and dried.. As for soup, ginger itself may be added as an ingredient, it goes especially well with chicken soup or creamy carrot soup or a garlic lemongrass broth with noodles, But it can also be layered in as the actual broth or stock base to make a ..read more

Could chicken soup be medicinal because of the plant and herbal ingredients?. Chicken adds nourishment but I propose the healing qualities are due to onions, thyme, bay leaves and pepper. Chicken Stock (from my kitchen) ½ gallon water (2 quarts) 3 pounds chicken bones (joints - wings, backs) 2 cups chopped onion 1 cup chopped carrot 1 cup chopped celery 1 Tablespoon thyme ½ Tablespoon pepper 2 bay leaves Run bones under cold water for 5 minutes, drain. Add bones to stock pot with water, bring to gentle simmer. Skim off impurities and fat that rises to the surface. Add mirepoix and herbs. Gentl ..read more

Another form of kitchen alchemy and extraction: Kvass. This fermented beverage is refreshing and tangy. Using Kvass as broth may be unconventional but it is also uncommonly good, especially beet kvass used in borscht, either cold or hot. Give it a try. Kvass Recipe 12 slices dark rye bread 2-3 quarts hot water ¼ cup sugar or honey 1 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 12 raisins For Beet Kvass 2-4 beets, peeled and cubed 2-3 quarts water Mentions: Beyond the North Wind by Darra Goldstein The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Borodinsky Rye Bread ---Deepest gratitude to ..read more

Join me in my kitchen apothecary as I make the easiest stock ever. Just garlic and water simmered together results in a versatile, flavorful and densely nourishing stock. It’s perfect for making vegetable soup, rice, marinara sauce or beans.  Garlic Stock makes 2 quarts 2 whole heads garlic 1 Tablespoon olive oil 2 quarts water Gently wash garlic head under running water, pat dry with a paper towel. Slice garlic head in half horizontally. In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add halved garlic cut side down, cooked stirring occasionally about 3 minutes until garlic begins ..read more