How did I get here?

For over 55 years, I have been a child of the  wild. I feel sad when I think of how many kids don't have a "woods" to explore. Even in the city, kids had wild spaces, since kids naturally seek them out. Now, parents have their children scheduled from the time they get  up until Bed. Dancing lessons, sports, music lessons, sports, play dates- nothing that is without adults and without rules. We worry about "strangers" stealing our kids if they are out of our sight, the woods is now a place off limits because you might get Lymes. Gardner. the famous psychologist who had  previously labeled seven learning style- added an 8th- the naturalist. That is me, only Nuns didn't know anything about any of the "intelligences" much less this one, since I have long been out of school when Gardner added this very important part to his work.
I was born in the city, but even there were "fields" at the end of the street ( an area between the houses and railroad tracks). Moms put us out after breakfast, we came home for lunch and went back out till dinner. If it was Summer, we were out till dark. The school year was different, Homework, then out till dark.
I was just under 6 when we moved to NJ. At the bottom of my street was heaven in my eyes, acres and acres of woods, fields AND water. I don't think we lived there for two weeks before I disappeared with my young Uncle for hours to play there. By the time we got back, our family was frantic, they were ready to call the police. We were soaked because we played in the "stream" we found, which was the outflow water from the sewer plant! Did not go very well,
My parents eventually got used to the fact I would spend hours in the woods and fields, but happy I had my dog with me. Of course, she was too busy chasing rabbits to protect me, but who was the wiser?
The other great thing about NJ was gardens. Not just a 10 square foot plot called the front lawn, but lots and lots of yard and gardens. The next thing I got in trouble for was picking my neighbor's eggplant blossoms because I had never seen a flower like that before. I had my own garden by the spring of the following year. I had strawberries, I dug from the fields, and a willow tree. My parents gave me some seeds for marigolds and zinnias. But in my Mother's garden was the plant that sealed my relationship plants forever. Mint. Wonderful mint. I was thrilled that a plant whose leaves tasted so good grew here. I ate other  plants too. Not with anyone telling me ( do not recommend, I was a wild child and have a very busy guardian Angel still!). Sour grass ( woods sorrel), and Johnny Jump-ups- wild pansies. Never lost my interest in plants, although High school turned me away a little while- after all it WAS the 60's. We had other plant interests. But by college, I had a garden again. And discovered that MOST herbs  ( although not spices, by definition a tropical plant usually a root, bark, or seed), could be grown here. The obsession had begun. I still can't resist buying a plant that I have never raised. But it got worse. The research into herbs started me in many other directions besides cooking, I started doing crafts and making simple medicines, but basically buying herbs capsuled from a health food store. Got enough knowledge and confidence going and started teaching a Community Ed class in Herbs and herbal crafts. It was very popular and never had problems filling the  class, but it was not the direction I wanted to go.I kept getting called more and more into healing. Healing  with nutrition and natural medicines, especially herbs. What finally  got me from gardener and chef to healer and medicine maker? I found Susun Weed. Her approach and books gave me the courage to continue in this work. After the  first visit for a three day intensive, I have never looked at plants and healing the  same way.

I have studied with many people since then as well as going back to Susun's. I taught culinary arts in vocational school for 14 years, most schools with a garden as part of the curriculum . I took 18 months of hard studying and hands on training and proudly got my certification as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. There is much, much more to this journey and the learning  will always continue. However, I never think of herbs without  remembering that first taste of mint! Green Blessings, Susan.

Remember, stealing is wrong, whether is words or objects. If you learn from someone, give them credit. Ask their permission to use their work and honor them for it. No matter what material gain you get by stealing, it will eventually cause you many problems, including civil or criminal court action, although the karma of your actions will draw the appropriate results. Most people are very glad to share or allow you to use some of their work for classes. Most people will gladly share plants from their gardens, especially if it is food and you are hungry. I am astonished how many people don't think twice about taking plants without permission because the site looks wild. Even when posted. So today, I would like all my readers to remember to give credit where credit is due and get permission to take plants - no matter how abandoned the land looks. Peace and Green Blessings.

Wild foods of Spring

You want to feed your family nutritious foods, but can barely afford a head of cabbage, much  less organic anything. Time to consider the free wonderful foods that are everywhere. Weeds. That's right. Those so called "pesky" plants that people spend millions a year to get rid of, so they can have a chemical filled "lawn". Unless you have  kids that have no where else to play, lawns are a left over relic from when we actually kept grazing animals, like cows and sheep, on our land. Lawns today are mostly a chemical filled, soil destroying green area, that  is barely used ( too much activity can destroy those pretty things), and is a major contributor to the pollution of our water and soil. Not to mention the amount of fossil fuel related products needed to keep it up.
Not  everyone is ready to turn their lawns into a garden ( I know how some of  you are about your pride and joy green spot), there are ways to start getting the best of both worlds. Lets start with edible and tasty wild foods that are everywhere. Dandelion, violets, red clover, the mustards, chickweed, burdock, sorrel-  all simple to identify, wild foods that most of you are  probably busy pulling or spraying out of your gardens and lawns. The nutritional impact is great with these wild foods. They grow where they are happy, and since they are not stressed out, they are full of  nutrition.
First a couple of ground rules ( no pun intended). One, if it is NOT your property, always ask permission from the rightful owner before picking anything. Two, make sure that the area has not been sprayed with herbicides ( plant killers) or pesticides( bug killers) recently -like in the last six months or so, at least. Three,  KNOW WHAT YOU ARE  PICKING!!! That is why you start out simple. You know what dandelions look like. Good,start with dandelions. Although they are more bitter than most Americans are used to eating, they are something you recognize. Dandelion greens are less bitter when they are young, and the flowers have not appeared yet, but the whole plant is edible, except the seeds ( the "puffy" ball of fluff that we loved to blow around as kids). To try Dandelion the first  time, add a few of the greens into a raw salad, or saute some in with other greens your  family  is already  eating, like collards, spinach, broccoli rabe, kale or even cabbage. Violets are now in bloom, so they are pretty easy to find. Use the flowers ( and the whole family is edible, so pansies are good too, just make sure that they have been treated as a food plant,not an ornamental or that they are raised organically). The flowers have almost no taste, but really make for a pretty salad. The leaves are good, high in vitamin C and other nutrients, and have a mild flavor. I would not use a lot of the leaves at one time- they can cause loose stools  in large quantities, especially if you are new to eating them. The violet family is an ally for breast health as well. For more information, look to Susun's Weeds Books. She has a wealth of information on these two plants, as well as other  green allies and their properties.
Find some one local who knows what plants are thriving in your area, and who does classes or walks in identification of useful plants. Become a protector as well. Most of the plants I will discuss here are plentiful, but even with plentiful plants, we must respect them. Never take all the plants you find in one area. If you do not see many, do not take any! Someone else harvested  the area first, or they are just  getting established. The best is to start naturalizing your own property if you can. If  you live in the city, and do not have a green space,  there are plenty of places to forage, just  be careful of where you pick. Lead is  a concern in city  soils. City parks are a  possible source, but it is against the law in some places to pick from parks, nature centers or sanctuaries-always ask!!! That being said, most places do not mind if you pick or use most of the plentiful weeds, in fact they may welcome your  efforts. Get yourself a guide book or two. Peterson's series are very good, and they have books based on regional plants, so you can look for things that are particularly fond of living where you  do. There are many plants out there just waiting for you to discover them. So what are YOU waiting for?
Green Blessings,
Nourishing Susan