As we are entering the colder months I have begun to incorporate warming herbs and spices such as ginger root into my daily routines and massage practice.

Ginger can be used externally to help stimulate the circulatory system and warm our extremities. Infused ginger oil is wonderfully warming on stiff joints due to arthritis, dryness and general wear and tear. The oil can help bring relief to sore and aching muscles, while helping to lower inflammation in the joints. It is also beneficial in helping to ease cramps and to lessen stagnation in the lymphatic system.

Ginger used internally is also warming and stimulating to the circulatory and lymphatic system. We like to use it in conjunction with the ginger oil for aching joint pain, menstrual cramps and lower back aches. Ginger is also stimulating to the immune system and makes a great addition to any meal.

I tried making this latest batch of ginger oil by using a large fresh ginger root chopped up, a crock pot and 3 cups of Jojoba Oil.  I placed the crock pot on its lowest setting with the lid set half on the pot, so the water from the fresh root had a way to evaporate.  I did this for at least 24 hours and maybe a little longer.  My house smelled amazing and I actually strained off the ginger and then put the oil back in the crock with more fresh ginger an let this heat for another 24 hours.  

I highly recommend using sesame oil instead of jojoba oil if you easily get cold, especially in these winter months, but any oil will do.

As we are entering the colder months I have begun to incorporate warming herbs and spices such as ginger root into my daily routines and massage practice.

Ginger can be used externally to help stimulate the circulatory system and warm our extremities. Infused ginger oil is wonderfully warming on stiff joints due to arthritis, dryness and general wear and tear. The oil can help bring relief to sore and aching muscles, while helping to lower inflammation in the joints. It is also beneficial in helping to ease cramps and to lessen stagnation in the lymphatic system.

Ginger used internally is also warming and stimulating to the circulatory and lymphatic system. We like to use it in conjunction with the ginger oil for aching joint pain, menstrual cramps and lower back aches. Ginger is also stimulating to the immune system and makes a great addition to any meal.

I tried making this latest batch of ginger oil by using a large fresh ginger root chopped up, a crock pot and 3 cups of Jojoba Oil.  I placed the crock pot on its lowest setting with the lid set half on the pot, so the water from the fresh root had a way to evaporate.  I did this for at least 24 hours and maybe a little longer.  My house smelled amazing and I actually strained off the ginger and then put the oil back in the crock with more fresh ginger an let this heat for another 24 hours.  

I highly recommend using sesame oil instead of jojoba oil if you easily get cold, especially in these winter months, but any oil will do.

KickStarter Project

 http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/herbalrevolution/eat-your-weeds-organic-t-shirt-line

 Eats Your Weeds" Organic T-Shirt Line

Hello my name is Katheryn Langelier and I am the founder of Herbal Revolution, a small organic herbal business. My project is to launch an "Eat Your Weeds" organic t-shirt line for adults and kids. In three weeks, from September 21-23, I will be vending at the Common Ground Country Fair. This three-day event, put on by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, has been drawing crowds of over 20,000 people from all around the country. I believe that my "Eat Your Weeds" organic t-shirts will have a great opportunity to reach hundreds of people over these three days.

 Why "Eat Your Weeds" organic t-shirts?
The idea behind these t-shirts is to help create a dialogue and general awareness of local wild foods and the environment. Millions of pounds of chemicals and pesticides are dumped onto lawns, playgrounds, golf courses etc, to eradicate plants such as dandelions. These chemicals leach into our ground water, kill the the microbes that are needed to create healthy living soil and in general denature and poison most everything they come in contact with. I have hopes that this t-shirt will start to help people recognize the nutritional value and environmental benefits from eating locally foraged greens.

Why I need support to launch this project?

What I have discovered over the past few months is that these soft, organic and flattering t-shirt styles are not inexpensive to produce. It's important to me that these shirts are both organic and attractive. These are the things that I take into consideration when I am shopping for clothes, and I assume that many others do also.
My herbal business is very small and this summer I attempted to attend a three-day event that would have brought in a certain amount of financial stability for the business. Unfortunately, a couple of hours after I set up my booth, a torrential downpour came in with no letting up in sight. It was an intense storm and within 1/2 hour, it was starting to affect the products in my booth. I decided it was time to count my losses and get out of dodge. As I pulled up to my booth with my truck, I watched in horror as my tent went rolling across the field, people running madly with my props and products, and then to top it all off the tornado siren started sounding. I left this event with a broken tent, ruined products and a significant financial loss.
The shirt budget, which I thought would be available for me at this point in time, is now non-existent. Your pledge will help get me and my business back on track and up on our feet again, just in time for the Common Ground Country Fair in three weeks. 

What are the benefits from eating weeds?

There are many edible weeds available to us, but for the purpose of this project I will stick with Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis). All parts of the dandelion plant can be consumed, but for this example, I'll focus on the benefits of the dandelion greens. Dandelion greens contain one of the richest source of beta carotene in the edible plant kingdom. Along with being rich in beta carotenes they also contain high sources of Vitamin A coming in third behind cod-liver oil and liver. This vibrant spring green is full of nutrients including calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, Vitamin B, thiamin and proteins just to name a few. These great spring greens are cleansing to our systems, supportive to the kidneys and are great for the digestive system. Eating dandelion greens doesn't have to be an intimidating event, they can be added to salads, made into pesto, or added to any dish that calls for greens. They are often harvested in the spring when they are young and tender and before they have gone to flower. Once they have gone to flower they do tend to become more bitter, although I personally still gather these leaves well into the fall.

How will the project funds will be used?

I am looking to raise $2,500, to purchase roughly 130 organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirts in women's fitted scoop neck styles, a women's more modest style, a flattering men's style, and children's shirts.
I would be utilizing a small local screenprinting shop that uses water-based inks. Therefore, you would not only be supporting me, my project and my small business - but you would also be supporting another small Maine business.
...I am taking a leap, holding my breath and hoping this works! 

 What you get for your pledges?

• $5 - Everyone will receive a handwritten thank-you card with the "Eat Your Weeds" graphic design on it. 
• $15 - You'll receive the card above as well as one of our great "Eat Your Weeds" stickers.
• $25 - In addition to both items above, you'll receive a Dandelion Recipe card with some easy and delicious recipes.
• $50 - Along with all of the items above, you'll receive Herbal Revolution's Spring Cleaning Tea Blend. This tea is made with organic Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Yellow Dock Root, Rose Hips, Red Clover blossoms and leaf. I'd like to add that every single one of these dried herbs in this tea blend are also delicious and nutritious wild edibles!
• $75 - In addition to all of the items above - card, sticker, and you'll receive your very own organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt!
• $100 - You'll receive one of everything from the list above - card, sticker, tea, and organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt!
• $250 - You'll receive one of everything above - card, sticker, tea, and organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt - plus a dandelion flower essence.
• $500 - You'll receive all of the above - card, sticker, tea, organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt, dandelion flower essence - PLUS a 3-Month Herbal Revolution CSA Subscription. (This includes one herbal tincture, one flower essence, one tea blend and an extra item. You have your choice of products to receive each month along with great information on each product, plus plenty of fun extra information on edible weeds and how to use them.)
• $1000 - You'll receive all of the above - card, sticker, tea, organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt, dandelion flower essence - PLUS a 6-Month Herbal Revolution CSA Subscription. (This includes one herbal tincture, one flower essence, one tea blend, and an extra item. You have your choice of products to receive each month along with great information on each product, plus plenty of fun extra information on edible weeds and how to use them.)

Everyone gets my deep love, praise and gratitude, and if I can give you a big ol' hug then you get one of those too!

Dandelion Collection on Poppyswap.com

Dandelion Collection on Poppyswap.com

In honor of spring and spring flowers, I have created the Dandelion collection. The Dandelion Collection includes:
1 Dandelion Flower Essence
1 Dandelion Root Tincture
1 Spring Cleaning Bag of Tea
1 "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt
1 "Eat Your Weeds" sticker
1 Dandelion Leaf Recipe

Dandelion flower essence is made with dandelion blossoms, distilled water and brandy for preservation. This flower essence is good for those that are overly worked helping to relieve stressful tension that is held in the musculoskeletal system. The flower essence is also used in helping support and clear negative energy from the liver and gallbladder.

Dandelion Root Tincture is made with freshly dug dandelion roots and tinctured in a blend of spring water and certified organic grape alcohol. This tincture has traditionally been used as a support and stimulant for the liver and kidneys. Dandelion is high in potassium, making it a balanced diuretic. It is supportive to the digestive tract and helps to promote healthy bowels.

Spring Cleaning tea is a blend of: Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Yellow Dock Root, Astragulus Root, Red Clover Leaf and Rose Hips. This is a delicious spring tonic that I actually enjoy during most seasonal changes. The dandelion, burdock and yellow dock work well together supporting an clearing stagnation from the liver, kidneys, gallbladder and digestive system. The other herbs provide nourishing support to the body and immune system.

"Eat Your Weeds" T-shirts are printed on 100% Organic Cotton, High Quality, Sweat Shop Free Shirts. They come in a flattering scoop neck for women and a handsome crew style for man. They are printed on super soft material and come in the color Earth Moss.

You also will receive a sticker and dandelion recipe with this package.

When ordering specify what size and sex shirt you would like.
Women's sizes: s, m, l, xl
Men's sizes: s, m, l

Nettle and Leek Soup

The winter fog has long been shaken off as we approach May day or Beltane. The beautiful late evenings are filled with sounds of peepers and loons and the early mornings of song birds and wood peckers. The gardens are coming out of slumber and many of the wild edible are big enough now to start grazing on.

Dinner tonight was a Nettle Leek Soup with a Wild Mushroom Stock. Nettles have been starting to reach for the sun for the past couple of weeks now and today I took full advantage of there fresh green leaves!

Nettles (Urtica diocia) is a fabulous plant to get to know. Nettles are commonly known as stinging nettles, named for the tiny hollow hairs that cover the leaves and stems of this vibrant green plant. These hollow hair are filled with acetylcholine, seratonin and histamine which create that irritating burning sensation. The stinging feature of this plant has led to some people who steer clear of this brilliant plant, while the sting has brought others in closer. Stinging nettles has historically been used by native people, for flogging or urtication, to bring relief to arthritic pain. Studies have since been done showing that this process of nettle flogging, reduces pain and inflammation in people with arthritis.

Nettles are deeply nourishing, full of vitamins, minerals, proteins and amino acids, which are easily absorbed into our soft tissue, lymph and blood stream. Nettles are supportive and restorative to the endocrine system and adrenal glands, the lymphatic system, nervous system and is a great tonic for the kidneys. It helps boost the immune system, over all energy and is helpful for those dealing with chronic health issues such as allergies, joint aches, skin eruptions, and nerve inflammation.

Nettles have many wonderful uses, is supportive to many systems in the body and helpful for various health issues, along with uses topically for skin issues and as a hair rinse. But today I am excited knowing that I am getting a great source of Vitamins C complex, D, K and B complex, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, trace mineral and chlorophyll and so much more!

Nettles are awesome and just really great for us and I could spend hours writing about all of it wonders but instead I am going to tell you how to make this delicious and nutritious soup!

Nettle and Leek Soup with Wild Mushroom Stock

At least 2 cups of fresh Nettles Tops
1 large thinly sliced leek
1 onion sliced
5-6 garlic cloves minced
about 1 inch of ginger minced
and about 3-4 cups of your favorite stock
sea salt
black pepper

I satueed the garlic in olive oil for about a minute or two before adding the minced ginger. I then added the leeks and onions, deglazing when needed with some apple cider vinegar. While that was cooking I went and gathered some fresh young nettles tops. I quickly washed the nettles and then put them in a pot of boiling water for about two minutes. Straining the nettles and saving the water...I then added the nettles to the pot with the leeks. I added the stock and then pureed the soup adding salt and pepper to taste.

Lemon Squeeze Mead

I was making some Lemon Balm Honey using freshly picked leaves and when I went to jar it up I noticed that it was starting to ferment. Some wild yeast made its way into the jar and started making its magic with the honey. What was I going to do with this honey now....I couldn't sell it. Then is hit me...MEad!

Using two half gallon jars I made an infusion using my Lemon Squeeze Honey Love Tea which is a blend of Lemon Balm, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Lemon Peel and Rose Hips. I let this sit over night.

The next I strained off the herbs and then poured the jars into a pot and gently warmed the brew...which smelled so delicious. I made an extra quart of infusion so I could drink some while making the mead.

Once warmed I took it off the stove and mixed in a quart of the lemon balm infused honey. I then split the liquid between the two jars and sprinkled the top with champagne yeast. To cover the jar I use a piece of cheese cloth and then set the jars aside in a relatively warm place. I will let them set for a week or two checking on them daily to watch the action. Once the fermenting start to slow down you can then bottle the mead into beautiful corked bottles. Make sure not to place the corks to tight...if the brew is still fermenting they will pop off. I have had this happen to me more times then I would like..LOL.

You can choose to drink the mead right after it has finished fermenting or bottle it and save it for a special occasion.

The basic mead recipe that I was taught and still follow is 1 part honey to 3 parts water and a sprinkle of yeast.

There are many other herbs and spices that you can use to make a medicinally charged mead...such as dandelion, angelica and burdock root, rose, lavender, elderflower or berry, chamomile etc.

Have fun...be creative and Enjoy!

What's for Dinner...Eat Your Weeds

Wild Greens Frittata

My garden is a continual space of inspiration for me and today was no different. I have a daily goal of eating foods prepared in our kitchen made with high quality ingredients that will create nourishing meals to feed our bodies...but this doesn't always happen. I have been feeling somewhat un-inspired these past few days in the kitchen along with feeling overly busy and crunched for time. Thankfully today this all changed and while I was in the garden watching my landlords chickens I thought about all of the plantain and dandelions that I needed to get out of a bed and it came to me...Wild Greens Frittata.

I used eggs from our landlords free roaming...bug pecking...compost eating chickens and hand fulls of Nettles...Plantain...Dandelion and Red Clover leaves.


Preheat oven to 325

1 onion chopped how you like
6 garlic cloves diced
roughly 2 1/2-3 cups of shitake mushrooms de-stemmed and sliced
4-5 nice sized handfuls of Wild Greens...I used dandelions...nettles...plantain and red clover leaves
1-2 handfuls of kale
4 oz of shredded cheese...I used mozzarella...goat cheese would taste fabulous with this also
8 eggs

The garlic...onions and shitake mushrooms where sauteed together in a heated skillet with some olive oil until the flavors combined...about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to season them with some salt and pepper. Then set aside in a bowl.

Next I took the greens and in the same skillet I wilted the greens using a little bit of water and covered the skillet for a few minutes before taking the cover off and letting the rest of the water to evaporate off. Squeeze off extra liquid and then add the greens to the onions...garlic and shitake.

In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs...I actually used just the egg whites with four of the eggs and then the whole eggs for the other four. I also added a pinch of nice chunky Hawaiian sea salt while whisking the eggs.

I added the eggs and the shredded cheese to the rest of the ingredients and stirred it all together.

I oiled a cast iron skillet and making sure that the oil coated the sides...heated the skillet up on the stove top and poured the bowl into the skillet and cooked on the stove for about 1-2 minutes I then put the skillet into the oven and baked for about 23 min.

Once out of the oven I took a spatula and went around the sides of the skillet before flipping the skillet onto a cutting board. I cut into pie slices topped with a corn chipotle salsa and dished it up along side a green salad with goat cheese and sunflower seeds. Yum!