Rose hips have been used in cooking for centuries to bring a sweetness from the field into the kitchen, while they are available. Rose hips mainly consist of flavonoids, sugars in the form of sucrose, glucose and fructose, tannins, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and a high amount of immune boosting polysaccharides called pectins. Nutrient rich and tasty, they’re a welcome addition to autumn meals. Harvesting and Processing Rose Hips Helpful Tips ~ Leather gloves are a good idea for picking as they protect our hands and wrists while reaching through thorns to get to the rose ..read more

This morning I awoke to a grey, drizzly morning here in the beautiful  Pacific Northwest where I live. This marks a vast change from the hot, arid, and even smokey days of late. The air is-at least for a moment- finally, blessedly, cool and refreshing. My soul is rejoicing! My favorite time of year is marked by these cool hazy mornings and golden, sparkling afternoons…brilliant jewel colors adorn the landscape, like a final celebration before the cycle of returning to the womb of the earth begins once again. In autumn we are embraced by the comforting earthy scents of spicy cinnamon ..read more

Yesterday my husband and I hiked a peaceful trail on the Washington Coast. Tall hemlock and Sitka spruce towered overhead, providing protection from the drizzle. The needles they have shed for hundreds of years created a soft, cushy path that guided our way. I took off my shoes and walked barefoot on the cool earth, stepping lightly and mindfully as I made my way up and down each hill. In this slowness I became more aware of my surroundings, of each sensation, each thought…each breath. Touch is healing, grounding, providing a vital connection that assures us we are not alone. And in this ..read more

Stuffy noses are no fun! An all natural vapor rub can open the breathing passages, soothe the tissues, and bring relief to otherwise uncomfortable situations. The first time I had a stuffy nose after moving far away from my mom was a turning point in my life. Being away from mom was sad enough, but not being close enough to her so she could wipe some vapor rub on my chest and nose, wipe her hands on a tissue, hand me the tissue to sniff, then kiss me on the cheek was the impetus for the formulation of my Breathe Easy Vapor Rub. Of course, this was many years ago, yet I still make the bal ..read more

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Digestive bitter | Cellular Chaperone | Nutrient Dense Dandelions are everywhere! And we are thankful for that. Weeds tend to show up where they are most needed, yet we don’t always recognize their generosity. Case in point are dandelions. Dandelions are everywhere, in the cities, country, and every crack in the sidewalks and roadways in between. They show up in our lawns, gardens, and come knocking at our front doors. Someone once told me that if you can’t beat them, eat them. Better than trying to beat dandelions, cultivate a love for them. Eat your weed ..read more

There are many more benefits to foraging plants in the wild than just the medicine they bring to us. Before we pick our first plant, we are brought into the exquisite beauty of nature. It’s the peace and quiet that first draws attention. The utter calm that is so different from the jarring electricity of the urban or suburban areas where many of us live. After appreciating the freedom from disturbance for a few moments, we begin to notice the sounds of the area: birds calling, insects buzzing, whispers of larger animals moving just out of sight, sounds of water from waves on the beach, c ..read more

The leaves of salal contain several phenolic acids including tannic and gallic acids. They dry out congested tissue. Think of a sponge – when we squeeze a sponge, water comes out, it dries, and is then able to function better. The tannins in salal help to squeeze fluid out of the lungs and sinuses, as it were, bringing down inflammation and opening pathways to allow for better respiratory function. The astringent and anti-inflammatory actions don’t limit themselves to the lungs and sinuses, but do affect the throat and upper intestinal mucosa, and through the bloodstream to the urinary tract ..read more

Tips for cleaning your home, naturally! Cleaning your home with DIY natural cleaners is not only environmentally and personally friendly, but these cleaners are cheaper than store bought products to boot! Science has seen that the active ingredients of many of the “antibacterial” cleaners have been linked to endocrine disruption, thyroid damage, and the emergence of drug resistant superbugs. Uncool, my friends, uncool. The endocrine system produces hormones that regulate tissue function, reproduction, cellular metabolism, sleep and mood, growth and development among a vast array of other ..read more

Winter can be harsh on the respiratory system. Everywhere we go, we hear people coughing! We need relief and we need it now! Respiratory Support Recipes   Herbal Cough & Cold remedy Nettle Pesto Breathe Easy Balm Stuffy noses are no fun! An all natural breathe easy vapor rub can open the breathing passages, soothe the tissues, and bring relief to an otherwise uncomfortable situation. The first time I had a stuffy nose after moving far away from my mom was a turning point in my life. Being away from mom was sad enough, but not being close enough to her so she could wipe some ..read more

What better herb to say warmth in the cold of winter than ginger? Not only does this root quell nausea, but it’s nutritional to boot! Ginger Ginger is more than just a fiery tasting spice, it’s also medicinal! The pungent roots contain pain relieving and anti-inflammatory salicylates. The gingerol in the root is antiviral. It checks nausea due to chemotherapy, flu, motion sickness, and vertigo. The stimulant action of the constituent shogaol aids in controlling gastric acidity, regulating intestinal motility, and improving digestion. Ginger contains a wide variety of anticancer ..read more