Happy Halloween with Spooky Corn!

My herbal husband's purple corn got frosted the other night. I just wish it was in the front yard. It would give the kids a FRIGHT! It will be a nice warm evening for Halloween. Not like others with rain or snow. Enjoy the time with your kids!

Holy Bloomin' Rosemary, Part III

Can you believe it! This rosemary is one of the bright spots in otherwise cold and windy weather. I need to trim the ends, but they are starting to bloom also! Oh well, I will just use them and prune them after they bloom. Hoping to take the twist ties away soon.

End of the Garden Salsa

I brought in the last of the peppers and tomatoes last week before the heavy frost could permeate through the protective old bedsheets I strew over my plants every fall. Since then I've been busy drying, freezing, pickling and making other foods with the last of the garden.
I must note, the vegetable garden was abundant this year as usual, but our tomatoes and peppers didn't ripen as usual. I believe these fruits require warm summer nights to ripen, and this year our nights were cooler than normal.

Every year is different, and this year we needed recipes featuring green tomatoes and/or under ripe peppers.
I froze diced peppers and whole Roma tomatoes in bags, froze tomato sauce in cartons, dehydrated red paprika peppers for grinding to paprika, red and green poblanos for grinding, and smoked green poblanos to dry for ancho powder.
On the recipe side, I came up with sweet spiced pickled green cherry tomatoes, green tomato vegetarian mincemeat, and green tomato salsa.
All I have left of fresh peppers left are a few beautifully ripe Giant Marconis for the grill, and a half a bag of Fooled You jalapenos for whatever.

Here is my recipe for Green Tomato Salsa that I adapted (quite a bit) from an old Pacific Northwest Extension bulletin. You can make it as hot as you like it by adjusting the peppers. I won't add the canning directions here because I quit canning years ago, and the recipe is not exactly what the Extension did, so the acidity might be different. It's a joy to be able to make something so good from nearly all my own garden. The onions were from the market, but I just imagine if I could only grow my own limes and black pepper...

Green Tomato Salsa

6 cups chopped green tomatoes
4 cups chopped (seeded) green poblano peppers
1/2 cup finely chopped jalapeno peppers
4 cups chopped white onions
6-8 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped
a handful cilantro leaves, stems removed
a handful of chopped parsley leaves, stems removed
3 Tbsp crumbled dried oregano leaves
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 cup bottled lime juice
1 Tbsp salt
2 tsp ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or so. Cool and ladle into storage containers.
Refrigerate and use, or freeze.
Makes 6-8 pints.

Options: Tomatillos can be substituted for green tomatoes. Lemon juice for lime juice.
Also, commercial salsa is sweeter, usually sugar is in the list of ingredients. I added some sugar/vinegar syrup I had leftover from pickling, which worked well for sweetening for a dipping salsa.

Backyard Herbalism

Lately I've been thinking (once again) about classifications and/or demographics for the magazine. A group of foragers were discussing general interest in wild foods, which led me to contribute my own answer - which included the term Backyard Herbalism.In the conversation, I said that most of the readers of The Essential Herbal Magazine are backyard herbalists. So... because words are fascinating to me, this exchange has had me going over this phrase in my mind, trying to decide exactly what that means - to me. The gentlemen in the group felt that men were much more interested, although Angie Goodloe and I both declared that we had an overwhelming number of women when we taught. The magazine is 95% or more women readers - not counting housemates - so I know they are also interested in the wild plants and weeds that grow outside our doors.

So what does this mean? What is a backyard herbalist? I can appreciate the delicate display of hothouse flowers and the unusual growth habit of these plants who depend on glass and forced air. The flower gardens at Longwood or any of the local parks are great! But I consider myself to be a backyard herbalist, and...

...what REALLY takes my breath away are the useful plants. The more useful, the more exciting!

We are the ones out there in pinching the tops off the St John's Wort, kneeling in a patch of plantain, or lifting the leaves to check underneath for winter chickweed. Ask anyone who has been with me when a new and long-sought-after plant crosses my path, and they will tell you of the nearly embarrassing display of excitement that I am completely unable to conceal.
Backyard herbalists learn to make infused oils, vinegars, and tinctures. We dry the plants that we find and mix them into potions and lotions. We have a little something for just about anything that could come up. At the same time, we don't pretend to be doctors, and we don't presume to treat serious issues that need to be seen and evaluated by trained medical personnel. Some are highly trained, and may go a little further medicinally than I would.

Oh, and I love my sack of cardamom seeds, and the bags of sandalwood, dragon's blood, and frankincense that I couldn't possibly have found in my yard or in my rambles. The exotic stuff is wonderful, so don't make me give it up! It's just that it is the icing on the cake, and the cake is made from ingredients I found outside.

That's how I would identify a backyard herbalist. No Marthas here. Just tree-hugging, dirt worshipping hippies. And that's who is reading the magazine, too!

My Herbal Husband's Pizza!

I must say that in this herbal household, we eat pretty darn well! My herbal husband's two favorite summertime passions are gardening and eating his harvest from the garden. Now that things are winding down outside, we had one of our last "homemade" pizzas the other night. It was full of cheese, homegrown tomatoes, ham, mushrooms, onions and basil and a Boboli pizza shell. Remember those herbal confessions the other day. The basil was from the package! It was really delicious.

Seize the Day

I finally found a copy to share of the Monsanto Song that I mentioned so long ago. The lyrics must be out there too for a sing along. It begins "Those polar bears, now, Who really cares, now..."
Enjoy(?) :



I'm on this email list serve that sends a newsletter called Toxic Times, and every time I read an issue I get more and more disappointed in my g-g-generation, in my fellow Americans, and in The System. This Herbie, Garden-y blog was originally supposed to reflect the happy happy side of my character, and accordingly, I usually stick to reports on pollution and politics on my cranky blog.
That's why I haven't been around here for a while, not that y'all missed me. But crankiness aside, hasn't this been the longest, dirtiest, most depressing political silly season you've ever survived?
Where was I, oh yes - I'm posting this copy of the latest email newsletter from MNCEH in hopes that more moderate people, the kind who like a happy garden-y read will think about what we are doing here.

Enough is enough.

Thanks,
Ym-health

Toxic Times
A weekly recap of the top stories on toxics in Michigan and beyond
From the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health

News Highlights from October 19 - 26, 2008

Download the following information as a pdf by visiting:
http://www.mnceh.org/toxictimes/news.php

MICHIGAN NEWS

Lead-poisoning rates high among kids in Kalamazoo Co.
Kalamazoo Gazette, Thursday, October 23, 2008
Lead poisoning, which can result from paint dust stirred up by renovation or remodeling projects, can impair a child's development and at high levels may cause death. Kalamazoo is one of 13 communities identified by the Michigan Department of Community Health as having high rates of childhood lead poisoning.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1224773437100800.xml&coll=7

Food allergies climb in American kids, study says
Detroit Free Press, Thursday, October 22, 2008
Food allergies in American children seem to be on the rise, now affecting about 3 million kids, according to the first federal study of the problem. But experts said that might be because parents are more aware and quicker to have their kids checked out by a doctor.
http://www.freep.com/article/20081022/NEWS07/81022020

Residents take up fight over cancer
The Detroit News, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
State asked for health study of industrial area believed to have elevated number of cases. Not more than 10 inches tall, three wooden crosses spray-painted white jut out of the front yard of Martha Allain's 11th Street home.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081022/LIFESTYLE03/810220378/1409/METRO

TEXAS TOWNSHIP CHEMICAL BARRELS Cleanup could finish in December
Kalamazoo Gazette, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should finish cleanup of dangerous chemicals from property at 10135 West O Ave. in early to mid-December, officials said at a public meeting Tuesday.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-31/1224687013152080.xml&coll=7

NATIONAL NEWS

EPA weakens new lead rule after White House objects
Detroit Free Press, Thursday, October 23, 2008

After the White House intervened, the Environmental Protection Agency last week weakened a rule on airborne lead standards at the last minute so that fewer known polluters would have their emissions monitored. The White House Office of Management and Budget objected to the way the EPA would have some facilities, such as lead-emitting battery recycling plants, monitored.
http://www.freep.com/article/20081023/NEWS07/81023109

Toys containing banned plastics still on market
Wall Street Journal, Thursday, October 23, 2008
Starting February 10, 2009, children’s toys and childcare products containing three types of phthalates will be banned and those containing a different three phthalates will be placed on a temporary ban. Manufacturers of such products are attempting to liquidate their stock before the ban takes effect, and consumer advocacy groups are complaining that the law has effectively offered a grace period to sell the products rather than requiring their disposal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122472242723860917.html

Fire retardant costumes pose Halloween danger
NBC, Friday, October 24, 2008
The fire safety label, which was once viewed as a safety seal of approval on Halloween costumes, is now triggering concern as parents weigh the benefits against the potential health risks caused by PBDE used on the costumes.
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/health/story.aspx?storyid=94800&catid=8

Dentists back sealants, despite concerns
New York Times, Monday, October 20, 2008
The chemical is bisphenol-A, or BPA, which is widely used in the making of the hard, clear plastic called polycarbonate, and is also found in the linings of food and soft-drink cans. Most human exposure to the chemical clearly comes from the food supply. But traces have also been found in dental sealants. Despite the concerns, the American Dental Association remains strongly in favor of the sealants.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/21/health/21well.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Critics slam chemical report
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Friday, October 24, 2008
Scientists, lawmakers, and advocacy groups criticized a government report stating that bisphenol-A is safe. Scientists have noted serious flaws in the study, and lawmakers have requested a ban on bisphenol-A. Much of the criticism intensified when it was discovered that the plastics industry was responsible for much of the FDA report.
http://www2.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=809667

Lead, smoke exposure in kids linked to ADHD
Cincinnati Enquirer, Monday, October 20, 2008Eliminating childhood exposure to lead and tobacco smoke could cut the incidence of ADHD in the U.S. by more than a third, according to new research from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Individually, each substance increases a child's risk of developing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, but children exposed to both environmental toxins are more than eight times more likely to develop ADHD than children who weren't exposed to either substance, the study found.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081020/NEWS01/810200302

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

U.S. company challenges Quebec pesticide ban
Toronto Star, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Opponents are charging that a U.S. company's challenge of a ban on the weed killer 2,4-D in Quebec is undemocratic and based on misconceptions of its safety. Dow Chemical, who produces the herbicide, has filed a $2 million dollar suit against the federal government because of the ban.
http://www.thestar.com/article/522707

Toxic toys, jewelry recalled
Toronto Star, Friday, October 24, 2008
Health Canada has ordered thousands of toys and children's costume jewelry items off store shelves after a Star investigation found they contained dangerously high levels of lead.
http://www.parentcentral.ca/parent/article/523696
------------------------------

Articles were researched and compiled by Grant DeJongh, MNCEH Intern.
______________________________
Subscribe to Toxic Times – send an email to melissa@ecocenter.org
with SUBSCRIBE TOXIC TIMES in the subject line.

Herbal Soup Day

It was a cold, windy, rainy and raw day in Glenshaw today. Soooo I made a batch of Cream of Carrot and Lovage Soup. Never having made it, I made a double batch! We had our own carrots (white not orange) and potatoes and of course, herbs, lovage, parsley, even the fresh dill it called for. It is delicious and I think you will enjoy making it. Here is the recipe from the cookbook called A Celebration of Herbs Recipes from the Huntington Herb Garden, based on the lectures of Shirley Kerins. She spoke to the Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society in 2005.

Cream of Carrot and Lovage Soup

4 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup chopped onion
6 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup chopped lovage leaves
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1/3 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
5 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 (3-inch) sprig fresh dill
1 cup light cream or half and half
Salt and pepper to taste
Ground fresh nutmeg (optional)

Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and lovage. Cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the potatoes and parsley; stir until coated. Add the chicken broth and cook, partially covered, until the potatoes are almost tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the sprig of fresh dill and cook another 5 minutes, until the potatoes are completely tender.

Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Puree in batches in a blender or food processor. Return the pureed soup to the saucepan. Stir in the light cream and season to taste with salt and pepper. This soup can be serve hot or cold. Chill if serving cold, or reheat without boiling to serve hot. Sprinkle with a light dusting of ground nutmeg, if desired.

The Huntington Library in San Marino, California was built by Henry Edwards and Arabella Huntington in the early twentieth century, creating an extraordinary educational and cultural institution. They also have an extraordinary collection of herbals and recipe books. The herb garden is on the site of what was originally Mrs. Huntington's flower garden and was first converted in the 1940's. The garden lay neglected until 1975. Each bed was dedicated to herbs of a particular use, including medicines, cooking, salads, teas, confections, perfumes and cosmetics, sachets and insect repellents and dyes. In 1985 the garden was again refurbished, this time under the direction of Shirley Kerins, a licensed landscape architect and trained horticulturalist, who became curator of the Huntington Herb Garden. Today the Huntington Herb Garden is regarded as one of the finest in the country because of its extensive collection of herbs. I'm hoping to get to see it some day soon. Check out the website. It is a good one.

Gray Day - Seems Fitting

My best friend is sad, and so I am too. The world looks like it is sad too.



Everybody Hurts, R.E.M.

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
When you're sure you've had enough of this life,
well hang on Don't let yourself go,
'cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes

Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go, (hold on)
When you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on

'Cause everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,

When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts. You are not alone

American Herbalist Guild Symposium II

This has been a fabulous trip. I have equally enjoyed attending the American Herbalist Guild Symposium as well as spending time with friends. For the past two nights I've stayed up late talking to John and Kimberly, reconnecting with two people who have played such an integral part of my life. Because of John and Kimberly I moved out of Seattle to the countryside, my eyes were opened to the world of herbalism, and because of their daughter Hailey my husband and I fell in love. I am truly thankful and amazed at their creative contributions to the world.

I only took one class today at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium and it was stellar. Chanchal Cabrera has been my favorite part of the symposium. Today I took her demulcents class which I thoroughly enjoyed. Well, to be honest, the first part was a little too heavy in chemistry for my understanding, but the second part focusing more on the plants was very fascinating. She highlighted marshmallow root, comfrey, mullein, flax, violet, fenugreek and slippery elm.

I especially appreciated that she passed around samples of these plants for us to feel and taste (nice to have a real plant while sitting in the Marriot Hotel). The biggest Ah Hah for me was learning how mucilaginous herbs can help a cough/congestion. I've heard this explained before but never quite understood it. (not that I fully understand now, but I can say I have a clearer picture.)

When you have mucous in the lungs that is hard and not coming up easily your body wants to keep coughing in an attempt to bring up this mucous. By eating mucilaginous herbs you coat the stomach. This coating of the stomach gives a vagus nerve response which translates to the lungs and then thins the mucous in the lungs making it easier to cough up. If you tried taking a stimulating herb in this instance you would create harmful, painful, incessant coughing with no results (e.g. lobelia). If you took an anti-tussive herb in this instance you would trap mucous in the lungs creating even more problems (e.g. wild cherry bark). Cabrera recommends always starting with mucilaginous herbs when it comes to congestion/coughs because these will do no harm, where as more stimulating herbs could.

During the afternoon I felt very full of information so John and I stayed at the booth and then later packed up Wildcraft! and came home.

Besides the herbal classes being offered another highlight at the American Herbalist Guild was meeting Annie Humphrey, herbalist and musician. I traded her a quart of pickled bull whip kelp for her CD, the Sound of Ribbons. You can learn more about Annie at www.anniehumphrey.com. I highly recommend her music.

After the American Herbalist Guild Symposium I got a five element acupuncture treatment from John which left me feeling like a breath of fresh air. Later, I got a phone call from my husband who's been busy braintanning deer hides. We actually haven't had our own phone for the past month. It's my experience that living without a fridge is challenging, but living without a phone is downright painful especially when I have two businesses to run and a husband who I love, miss, and expect to talk to every day while away. Tonight he reported that we should have a phone tomorrow!

I'll wake up tomorrow, spend some quality time with Kimberly, run errands in the big city, and then make it home before dark.

If an American Herbalist Guild Symposium is in your future budget I highly recommend attending.

Wonderful Ornamental Grasses in Bloom!

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago when my herbal husband commented that it was blooming! It has never bloomed. I bought it eight years ago at Limerock Ornamental Grasses in Port Matilda, PA. Sadly, it is another wonderful nursery that has closed as of last year. This is Miscanthus sinensis 'Dixieland'. A dwarf form of Miscanthus sinensis Variegatus. It is supposed to be a dwarf, but it is not. Not sure why but I love it and now it's blooming! A big bonus.

American Herbalist Guild Symposium I

The last two days have been absolutely full of learning on so many different levels. The best thing about the American Herbalist Guild Symposium has been being surrounded by other herbalists. So often when I say I am an herbalist, those I am talking to give the impression that herbalism is so quaint, in a "that's nice dear" kind of way.

To me, herbalism is a way of life. Connecting me to the earth and to the divine. Yesterday, Jonathon Treasure addressed the American Herbalist Guild to say that there were no healers in that room and furthermore, plants were not the healers either. Instead it is the magic of interaction between the two of them that is the healer. For me herbalism is the evidence of the divine, the magic and ultimate fulfillment of love. Herbalism is a living entity. The use of plants outside my door for food and medicine is how I worship in this incredible church we call Earth.

Which is a rather strange thing to contemplate in the Marriot Hotel of Redmond WA. We sit there surrounded by concrete and shopping malls being served Lipton tea and Starbucks Coffee.

I have so enjoyed it though. My favorite class at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium so far has to be Chanchal Cabrera's on Humoural Medicine. I've been searching and searching for a clear explanation of a western constitutional analysis and finally found it in her class. I could have spent the whole weekend learning with her on this subject, and I am sure I'll spend a lifetime attempting to understand it. I wish I could summarize this here, but that's hard to do with a 90 min lecture - especially with material so new to me. As many of you know Kiva Rose and Matt Wood are both good resources for energetic diagnosis.

Today I have another class by Cabrera on Demulcents and I am still undecided for the afternoon class.

As much as I have loved the American Herbalist Guild Symposium I am, of course, already looking forward to returning home to my loving husband and to our little cabin in the woods far away from shopping malls and Lipton Tea.

Berry Bushes for Birds and Decoration

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago and shows our holly bushes that are just full of beautiful berries. I love to decorate our front door with a holly wreath. Very effective on a blue door! It is also a hiding place for a lot of birds. The picture at the bottom is a beautyberry. Very interesting for the birds during the winter because it is a great food source for them. It has really taken over the space. It has been moved a few times already. Remember to feed the birds all year long with these two great bushes.

My Herbal Husband's Purple Corn

My herbal husband likes to experiment with the garden. He brought back seeds of the purple corn (Zea mays) that is used in many ways in Peru, including a drink called chicha morada. The picture above is around the end of September. It has continued to grow and it is well over our heads in the 8 to 10 foot range. This picture was taken just last week. It has just dodged frost this past week, but it will really get it this week when we are supposed to get SNOW!

American Herbalist Guild Symposium (Pre-intensives)

Yesterday I traveled over the Cascadian Mountains to attend the American Herbalist Guild Symposium. I've been looking forward to this event all year, not only because of the event itself, but also to be able to spend time with my friends the Gallaghers.

The ride over was spectacularly colored with rich reds, yellows and oranges. The summit even had a good dusting of snow - a hint of what's to come.

As soon as I got to town however, everything seemed to go disastrously wrong. I made it to Redmond and was here about all of 30 secs. before I was pulled over for speeding. I have never ever ever in my life been pulled over because I am so meticulous about speeding. It was just a crazy moment where I was lost and trying to follow directions, and having just been in a 40 mph speed zone that had switched to a 25. The cop (and I have good friends who are cops) was a complete $%#&$, with no consideration for me as a person. But I guess that's his life and his problem. Of course the $160 ticket is my problem.

Then, immediately following this incident I spilled gas all over me while trying to fill up. So, you can imagine my relief at finally making it to the Gallagher's house, safe and sound. (although smelling horribly)

The drama wasn't over for the day however. All the stress had me breaking out in cold sores and then to top it off, my alarm clock was dysfunctioning, waking me up at 5:30 am (instead of 6:30 am) and then later not going off at all.

Of course in the grand scheme of things, life was still filled with so many blessings, especially safe travel and time with friends. (I would think that one moment, and then remember the ticket tarnishing my record the next moment, and then get a good whiff of myself the next moment.)

After everything that went wrong yesterday I woke this morning trying to be positive while also holding my breath.

John and I arrived at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium to attend the first day of pre-intensives. My first intensive was an indepth class on Fibromyaglia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrom.

I have to give a full round of applause to this wonderful class. Khalsa was very clear, organized, witty, and engaging in this very informative talk. Obviously I am not going to type out all that was discussed in those three hours, but I'd love to give highlights.

First and foremost I thought it was incredibly interesting to hear his perspective that the list of symptoms that people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia experience could quite possibly be caused by chronic sleep deprivation. It would be too simplified to say that he primarily works with people to get restful sleep, but this did seem to be a big part of his treatment plan. I also appreciated his outlook on vitamin D and the role this important vitamin plays in chronic pain issues. His basic protocol for fibromyalgia was:
T -touch (massage twice a week can be helpful if possible for the patient)
H - herbs (for pain, restful sleep, depression)
R - Rest (12 - 14 restful hours of sleep per day is ideal)
I - Immune Support (Could be caused by underlying chronic infections)
V - Vitamins and Nutrition (Besides vitamin D, he also spoke highly of magnesium)
E - Exercise (Very light exercise - not overdoing it)

Having works with hundreds of "fibromites", he had very practical assessments of the reality of what people can and can't do when faced with this debilitating "syndrome." He also spent considerable time discussing the importance of treating a person and not the "Fibromyalgia" - which of course is always appreciated.

So that was three hours of my morning.

The afternoon John and I took a class from Michael Tierra entitled, "the many external uses of herbs." This fascinating class that gave me a whole new perspective on herbal usage. Countless times Tierra discussed the importance of working with herbs outside your front door. Something I didn't think I would hear from Tierra, the "Chinese Herbs Herbalist."

In this class he gave a short history of naturopathic medicine, and then discussed the work of Massague, a French herbalist who used herbal foot and hand baths as a primary means of treatment. In these baths he used a variety of common herbs - several of them poisonous when taken internally. (Scotch broom and Ivy for example.)

I found this to be an interesting method of dispensing herbs to complicated cases that are on multiple prescription drugs, and may be sensitive to taking things internally.

Today were the pre-intensives for the American Herbalist Guild Symposium, with the actual symposium starting tomorrow. It was a full day and I'll be processing all that I've learned for weeks if not years to come. I can hardly believe that there are still three more days to go!

After the classes today, John and I came home to a lovely meal prepared by Kimberly. There was a delicious souffle, salmon, a yummy squash soup, and cooked greens. It was so nice to sit with friends and enjoy such a good meal.

I am so thankful that things not only didn't go wrong today, but that it actually went quite well. Tomorrow I have two classes at the American Herbalist Guild Symposium, and if I get home early enough I'll post about those tomorrow night.

Herbal Crunch Time!

I was out cutting some of the last herbs of the season. We are supposed to get snow flakes next week! The first picture shows curly parsley, winter savory, thyme and oregano in the center between the parsley. The oregano, thyme and winter savory are drying between paper towels and the parsley is being frozen in plastic containers. It all works really well.

Next I cut some lovage (Levisticum officinale). It is very much like celery in looks but stronger in flavor.

If you like Bloody Marys, you can use lovage as a straw because the stem is hollow! Great conversation piece.

It is very easy to dry and I will use mine for a chicken recipe that I will share later.

Here it is hanging on the clothes line in the basement. The herb at the far left is summer savory.

Next I worked on the Italian flat leaf parsley. I again just placed the leaves in two plastic containers.

Finally, I had this pile of chives that I cut into small pieces and placed in one plastic container. You can use it by the teaspoon or tablespoon on baked potatoes with sour cream and my favorite way in the winter to use them with scrambled eggs. Yummy! A little work yields big herbal flavor during the cold days of winter.

The Essential Herbal Nov/Dec 2008 issue is out!

We're drawing a close to another year here at The Essential Herbal. Another year full of incredible information, people sharing their love of the plants and what they can do for us, stupendous recipes, ways of doing things... it just amazes me how much I keep learning. That makes 8 full years of continuous publication. Can you believe it? I look over the contributors we've had sharing with us this year, and am again amazed. Our regulars are terrific, and continue to come up with fascinating ideas for us.
Additionally, I've asked subscribers on the magazine's yahoo group to send me notes of "what they want" in their herb magazine. They've sent in some really well thought out ideas and we will be putting some of them into place immediately. We've always tried to make sure there was enough in each issue that everyone would feel they had their money's worth, and I think we managed to do that. Now, with the country in the state it is in, we need to make doubly sure. So... if you have a skill with herbs that you'd like to write about, we'd love to hear from you. If you think there is something we should be doing that we aren't, we'd like to hear about that too. We can't promise to do everything, but we can't try if we don't know. Of course, everyone likes to hear what they are doing right, and we aren't adverse to some encouragement :-).
So here's the next issue. We think you're going to love it!

Table of Contents

Crossword Puzzle, Ym-health
Field Notes from the Editor
Sweet November: Comfort in a Simmer Pot, Robyn Mallon
Suburban Herbie, Cheating the Winter, Geri Burgert
A Year at a Log Cabin, Betsy May
List Article - What did you learn this year?
The Elder, Ym-health
Down on the Farm, A Simple Life Holiday, Michele Brown & Pat Stewart
Gift Giving from the Heart, Susan Evans
Louisiana Lagniappe, Pumpkin Spice Bread, Sarah Liberta
SouthRidge Treasures, Boxwood, Mary Ellen Wilcox
A Visit to Robison-York State Herb Garden at Cornell Plantations, Ithaca, New York, Betty Pillsbury
The Soap Pot, Gifts of Soap, Alicia Grosso
Never Enough Thyme, Wrapped Sassafras, Susanna Reppert Brill
Lessons from the River, Kristena Roder
Wholesome Holiday Treats, Sue-Ryn Burns
Distillation, Jeanne Rose

A couple Far Out and Intense November classes!!!

Maryanne and I are setting out for Farm at Coventry in Pottstown on November 1st to hang out with Susan Hess and teach a couple of fun classes. Register soon at Farm at Coventry! Below is Susan's description from her website:

Saturday, November 1st from 10-3: Incense and Love Beads
We’re pulling out the tie dye and dusting off the old Joni Mitchell albums to hang out with groovy guest teachers ‘The Twisted Sisters’: Ym-health of The Essential Herbal and her sister Maryanne Schwartz of Lancaster County Soapworks, Etc. and Torchsong Studio.
In the morning they’ll discuss the many different ways incense is made and burned and show us how to make incense cones using sandalwood and frankincense. You will take home your own hand-made cones and the knowledge needed to continue making your own incense for holiday gifts and home use.
In the afternoon, we’ll learn to make fragrant herbal beads with dried plants from the garden or herb shop. Tina and Maryanne have developed a handy method that can be done during class hours that is limited only by your own imagination. Any plant at all can be used for bead making, and they look beautiful when used in conjunction with conventional glass, wood, or clay beads. You'll take home instructions and some beads that you've made - along with the knowledge needed to go on and make more beads on your own. Feed your herbal head with the Twisted Sisters at the Farm at Coventry pad! It’ll be outa sight! Cost including materials is $40
* Basic supplies for do-it-yourself will be available for purchase from Farm at Coventry on the day of class.

An Herbal Day of Celebration!

It was a day of herbal learning and fellowship with the Western Pennsylvania Unit of the Herb Society of America. I'm a Member at Large. It was held at Old Economy in Ambridge, PA. It was a sunny but cold day. The Unit maintains a medicinal and dye garden there. It is called Herbes de Pittsburgh VII. They sold a tin with an herb mix. I have purchased several of them and given all of them away. This time I'm keeping this one because I can make the Herblets from the first Three Rivers Cookbook. A staple of cookbooks in this area. The recipe is on Page 20 if you have this cookbook. The tin contains dried shallots, dill, basil, thyme and marjoram. Here is the recipe:

Herblets

"Keep these on hand for unexpected guests."

thinly sliced Pepperidge Farm bread

shallot buds

butter

dill

basil

thyme

marjoram

Slice each piece of bread into 4 sections. Do not remove the crusts. (if you don't have the dried herb mixture). Cut shallot buds in slices and gently saute. Dip each section in melted butter sauteed with shallots. Remove from dip and place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with finely chopped herbs. Use any one, or make a variety of toasts. Toast in 350 oven for approximately 10 minutes or until browned. Cool and store. Will keep indefinitely in air tight containers. Use for soups, salads or cocktails.

Preparation: 15 min. Easy

Cooking: 10 min. Can do ahead

Mrs. Howard G. Wilbert

(If you have the dried herbs, I would melt the butter, dip the bread into the butter, place on cookie sheet and sprinkle with herbs. Bake as noted above.)

Old Economy was the home of the 19th century Christian communal group, the Harmony Society. Established in 1824, Economy was known worldwide for its piety and industrial prosperity. Despite the Society's economic success, time and events brought about its decline. By the end of the 19th century only a few Harmonists remained. In 1905, the Society was dissolved. It's always a good day when you are learning about herbs.

Herbal Confessions!

Ok, ok, I confess, I had to BUY basil for our salad today. We still have those wonderful Cherokee Purple tomatoes and NO basil anywhere. What to do? What to do? For $2.49 (at our local grocery store) I can buy fresh organic basil. I always tell my audiences, herbs are available even if you have no interest in growing them. It works and works very well. As you can see, the basil is big and beautiful and holding its own in the refrigerator. Here is another look inside.

facing facts

Open Letter to the President-Elect by Michael Pollan: Farmer in Chief
By Michael Pollan
New York Times, October 10, 2008
Straight to the Source

Dear Mr. President-Elect,

It may surprise you to learn that among the issues that will occupy much of your time in the coming years is one you barely mentioned during the campaign: food.
Food policy is not something American presidents have had to give much thought to, at least since the Nixon administration - the last time high food prices presented a serious political peril. Since then, federal policies to promote maximum production of the commodity crops (corn, soybeans, wheat and rice) from which most of our supermarket foods are derived have succeeded impressively in keeping prices low and food more or less off the national political agenda. But with a suddenness that has taken us all by surprise, the era of cheap and abundant food appears to be drawing to a close. What this means is that you, like so many other leaders through history, will find yourself confronting the fact - so easy to overlook these past few years - that the health of a nation's food system is a critical issue of national security. Food is about to demand your attention.

Finish reading here

Frost Got My Pineapple Sage!

Yes, Jack Frost has visited our garden the last two nights and the pineapple sages are done for this year. They were really magnificant all season and brought the first hummingbirds for regular visits to my herb garden. I will always treasure the pictures I was able to get of those adorable birds. Here is the pineapple sage today.

Finished Herbal Vinegar!

I started with this jar and cinnamon basil, purple basil, parsley, tarragon, oregano and chives on September 18th.

I placed it on the windowsill for about two weeks and then two weeks in the basement.

Yesterday we tried it and deemed it ready! The purple basil really added a lovely color to it. I will use it in salad dressings and beef stews and homemade vegetable soup. Herbal vinegar is very easy and delicious and a great way to preserve the herbal harvest.

Autumn Faire Pictures - Sonny and Andrea are engaged!

Today we were summoned to the renaissance faire. It was a simply gorgeous day.

The immense straw man greeted us as we entered, in stark contrast to the queen growing by the side of the mansion. Heh heh... I have gardening gloves just like the queen's!
Our kids work there, and one of their best friends, Sonny, met his sweetheart there last year. Today he proposed to her on stage during the Queen's Court intro to the day. We were happy to go witness it. He did a fine job of it, too. Sonny approached the stage filled with confidence. We were all so happy when these two finally decided to stop the wild flirtation and finally date. They make a very sweet couple. They changed quickly and surely from 2 single people into a couple who are very much ready to make a life together.Andrea came forth, and Sonny gave her several dozen roses before dropping to one knee. He'd written what he wanted to say to her. I think the queen may have been in suspense, but how could any woman turn that down? Look at him! The ring was his grandmother's.And of course, she said yes. To my stunned surprise, I looked beside me to see my sister and daughter both in tears. I must be getting salty in my dodderage.

For the past 10+ years since we sold our shop at the faire, visits have been a quick walk around the grounds and out. It hasn't been fun for my sister and me. Today was different. There were some beautiful things to see, some old friends to visit - although it was crowded so there wasn't much time to visit. Below you'll see some of the things that caught my eye.
A Harvest Moon Table A Most Fine and Bountious Harvest Table
Our friend Fenris the potter is an artist in so many different mediums. These altars are his work and they are truly divine.
A corner, almost out of sight held this vision.
One of the celtic bands that took the stage today. These drummers were absolutely incredible and drove the crowd wild. The bag-piper held his own quite well too!
The kids - Rob, Sonny, and Molly. Now for some reason THIS picture might make me tear up. They are all grown now. Seeing them in our old stomping grounds, forging (heh heh - little pun, sorry) their own way is odd. They relate in completely different ways to the things that we used to tell them about. It's just ...odd.
The fountain in front of The Globe, dressed for Autumn.
Another, more primal, straw man.
Maryanne (normal) and the kids (who've been too long at the faire).
The grounds of the shire were decorated to welcome the harvest more beautifully than they ever even came close to during our days there. We were very saddened to see that the giant ginkgo tree at the top of the hill was gone. On days like this, we'd look up and see the brilliant blue autumn sky (forever named "Emil blue" for Don Juan's shirt our first year there, which matched the sky, and Don Juan was portrayed by a gorgeous young man named Emil). The clear, pure yellow of the ginkgo leaves would contrast so strikingly with the sky that it would take our breath away.
Still, it was just beautiful, clear, cool, and crisp as any Autumn day could be. Fare Thee Well...

Rosemary Garlic Jelly Day!

In June I took a topiary class from The Rosemary House. As you can see they are doing rather well. They both have blooms on them. The heart shaped one has buds all along the heart and the non-spiral spiral next to it is also blooming. It is more of a rocket shape because the herbal husband pulled up on the spiral while I was pushing down. It is happy though because it's blooming. The Rosemary House has a very wonderful blog at Rosemary's Sampler. It has both tea and herb postings. It is really a treasure. Well, more about the jelly. I have adapted a Certo recipe because it has my ultimate pet peeve, it makes more than four glasses. That little half jar is a nuisance especially when it is a surprise. So here is my adaption:

Rosemary Garlic Jelly (Makes 4-8 oz. jars)

1-1/4 cups dry white wine (I use Pinot Grigio)
1/4 cup minced garlic (a whole head, maybe more)
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
3-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine
1 pouch CERTO Fruit Pectin


Wash jars and screw bands in hot soapy water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use. Boil jars in water for 10 minutes. Let stand in hot water until ready to use.

Mix wine, garlic, vinegar and rosemary in 3 or 4 quart saucepot. Stir in sugar. Add butter or margarine to reduce foaming. Bring mixture to full rolling boil, reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. (This helps suspend the rosemary and garlic in the mixture.) Bring mixture to full rolling boil that can't be stirred down. Take saucepot off the burner and add package of Certo quickly. Return to boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. If there is foam and there should not be much, it should disappear when stirred before placing in jars. If there is a lot of foam, skim it with a spoon.

Ladle immediately into prepared jars, filling to within 1/8 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with 2-piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars in pot or canner and make sure that water covers jars by 1 to 2 inches. Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 5 minutes. Remove jars and place upright on towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. (If lid springs back, lid to not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.)

Here is a finished jar. Use it over a block of cream cheese with crackers or put a teaspoon or two on a piece of boneless, skinless chicken or pork in the last 15 minutes of baking.
Delish!