What exactly is the summer solstice? It’s a phenomenological event that happens each year, around midsummer, when the rotational axis of the Earth is most inclined to the Sun. Consequently, it is the longest day of the year. It is certainly an auspicious time, and cultures the world over since time immemorial have marked […]
Right now, the weather has been heating up here in NWLA, although we have had some amazing rain storms that have resulted in ridiculously lush gardens and general vegetation. It’s around this time that I start to miss the cleavers and chickweed and other tender wild greens of springtime that have long since withered or […]
We are back for another season at the Shreveport Farmers’ Market. This year we will be in booth A-18 In addition to some of our staple products like Louisiana Fire Cider, Wild Herb and Mushroom Salts, and Yaupon Tea, we are excited to offer a seasonal apothecary of herbal wellness products specifically for the force […]
I was listening to a podcast <Rewild Yourself, holla!> the other day where the host was discussing his foraging practice, and it make me realize how although I definitely have a foraging practice and have done for a long time, I am not always directly conscious of it and with that comes a detriment to […]
“All plants contain adaptogenic/tonic compounds, because plants have to contend with a good deal of stress themselves.” -James Duke Adaptogens are a trendy topic nowadays, with herbs such as astragalus, ashwaganda and shatavari being household names in some cases. This is partially due to adaptogens being highly publicized in health food store marketing, publications and […]
I want to talk about one of my favorite wild plants, Crossvine. Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) is a perennial native vine that is common in forests of the Southeast. Crossvine is also sometimes grown as a garden ornamental because it has incredibly gorgeous trumpet shaped orange and yellow showy flowers that hummingbirds love. It flowers in early […]
First off, let’s define what I mean by Reishi. Reishi is a polypore fungus, which means that it is a mushroom that does not have gills. It has pores underneath the surface of its’ shelf like fruiting body that release the spores. Reishi, like other polypores, grows on the wood of dead and decaying trees. […]
It might sound a little basic, or boring, but my absolute favorite way to enjoy pine needles is in a syrup. I know, I know. Syrup has sugar and sugar is pretty much evil. I hear you. I do. Most of the time when I ingest pine needles as a wild food, I do so […]
Northwest Louisiana has its fair share of pine trees. The Pineywoods region extends here from East Texas, and there is a long history of logging and timber replanting in this area. It is not uncommon to see forests that are essentially pine tree plantations. We have a few different pine tree species in the area: […]
I love pancakes, and I go through periods where I make them *a lot* because they are easy, cheap, quick and versatile (hello flatbread for chili and curry!) Now that I have discovered I feel so much better when I don’t eat grains, all my go to recipes and mixes for gluten-free pancakes don’t work. […]
