“Every part of Creation is indebted for its life to the other parts of Creation that have died and decayed so that it might live.” ~ Jessica Prentice, Full Moon Feast The past couple of days involved a recent kitchen experiment — rendering lard. While rendering the lard (purifying the lard), I couldn’t help but … Continue reading
Mental Health Issues, Thyroid Disease, Auto-immune Disorder, Oh My!
I’ve decided to post more information on mental health issues because I keep seeing case studies and people keep contacting me about this. Here is a little run-down on what I think is going on with mental health issues (and chronic, health issues). First off, have you read my blog on my experience back in … Continue reading
Prickly Pear Jello
“Cactus grow from Alaska to Argentina, or chilly Canada to chilly Chili, and other parts of the world. People have been eating Nopalea/Opuntia for at least 9,000. It’s not too late to join them.” ~ Eat the Weeds Prickly pears are ripening on their thorny thrones right now. And, considering their widespread presence in North … Continue reading
Zine: Seasonal Living with Herbs & Food of the Deep South
THIS ZINE IS SOLD OUT… A project I’ve been working on for 8 years or so has finally come to fruition! Some of you have read previous blog posts on traditional foods ways, herbal medicine, and living with the seasons. While others of you have actually attended a course or workshop with me. Well, this … Continue reading
Pistachio Purslane Pesto
I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before. A traditional pesto recipe has the green goodness of sweet basil that requires the zing of a little lemon juice. Enter purslane, stage right. Purslane is THE Omega-3 powerhouse of the plant kingdom. It also has a slightly sour taste to it, making it an … Continue reading
Settling Into My New Bioregion (Coastal California)
In April, my small family moved to Santa Barbara, CA for my husband’s work. Thankfully, my work with plants and people is pretty portable (another p-word please?). Considering that my work with plants really began in CA, it feels good to bring it back home after about 9 years in Appalachia and the Deep South. … Continue reading
Borys’s YUM Lactation Cookies
Dairy-free. Egg-free. Gluten-free goodness for little ones with a milk protein sensitivity… Yeah. I hadn’t heard of that either until it happened to my little one. Boo. So, my husband, Borys, has been such crucial support during my postpartum period after our little one’s birth. We couldn’t just order take-out. We couldn’t just cook as … Continue reading
Motherhood and the New Ring on My Tree
It’s finally springtime. And, I’m feeling the warm sun thawing the last, cold-knuckled grip of winter. I have never been so ready for spring (clutches table in front of me and locks you in a exasperated stare). My little one, born in late October, is now 5 months old. Through the short days and long … Continue reading
Privet & the Healing Potential of Invasive Species
Privet (Ligustrum sinense) I just survived the privet trimming. Of course, this dance with privet (and what a wild dance as it grows like crazy) got me thinking about the traditional use of this plant as well as new scientific information coming out about it. I’ve always had a thing for invasive plants. In my … Continue reading
Plant Love & the Interns’ Final Projects
August 3, 2017 Sniff, sniff… Just had the most wonderful call with the interns last night. It was our last call as I’m simplifying things to prepare for the birth of this little one. Two of them have worked with me directly at the apothecary. And, one was a friend who became a satellite intern, … Continue reading
Lindsay Kolasa 