As we settle into the lushness of mid spring, I hope you are taking time to partake in all the green glory. I find myself flip flopping between complete bliss and total overwhelm on a daily basis as I fold foraging and gardening back into my life. The flip side is yummy meals of spring greens to enjoy, and the flop is simply not being able to keep up. I have some brand spanking new projects that I am incredibly excited to share with you. Take a look at what’s brewing and then check out my “spring” rolls and dipping sauce recipe, a delicious weeds-to-table snack that is kid approved!!
Wheel of the Year Herbal Studies Course
I’m so happy to announce that I’ve designed a year long herbal studies program based on the Witches’ Wheel of the Year. Celebrating the holidays that occur on the cross points of the year has been a vital way of celebrating my connection to nature for decades. My life has become richer and more vibrant by rooting my herbal practice in these natural rhythms and it is with bliss that I invite you to come learn with me, in community. This course will begin, like so many schools do, in September, just in time to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox. This is a foundations in herbalism class with lots of hands on, multi-sensory learning. We’ll blend science and magic for an alchemical journey, connecting to the cycles of nature, while deepening our relationships with herbal medicine for health. Please reach out with any questions and to register. Financial aid and payment plans are available.
Wednesdays in NYC
The next BIG announcement is that this country girl will be bringing DB Herbalism & Coaching into NYC once a week (on Wednesdays) starting this month. The Iris Kaplan Center for Transformational Wellness is a psychotherapy center that opened in January. Along with the incredibly talented therapists, there is a Vitality & Wellness Suite of integrative practitioners, and a yoga studio. I’ll be offering functional coaching and herbalism to help people address the roots of imbalance. Some of the areas that I specialize in are complex trauma manifesting as anxiety/depression, gut healing, hormonal imbalances and insomnia. The combination of individualized herbal formulations and food/lifestyle coaching are a very effective pathway for change. City friends, come visit me at IKC!! Contact me directly for scheduling.
Wellness Retreat in the Mountains
Finally, there is a lovely lodge in the woods right up the street from me, just minutes to mountain hikes and swims, called Minnewaska Lodge. I will be offering herbal healing and coaching for a Vibrant Summer Botanicals retreat on June 13th and 14th. The first day I will present a hands on workshop and the second we will take some time for tea and a consult. If you are looking for a nourishing getaway this is the perfect chance to come play in the Gunks.
“Spring” Roll Recipe
“Spring” Rolls (‘Tis the season)
-package of spring roll wrappers
-½ cup of your favorite mushrooms
-two cups napa cabbage
-four cups of your favorite weeds (I like dandelion greens, garlic mustard, field garlic..sometimes called onion grass, nettles and violet leaves)
-a quarter inch of grated ginger root
-two cloves of minced garlic
-a bit of chopped garlic mustard (tastes reminiscent of horseradish)
Chop the cabbage and all the weeds (excluding the nettle) and set aside in a large bowl. Sautee the ginger, garlic and garlic mustard root, adding in the mushrooms and nettle leaves. Once cooked lightly, add this mixture to the bowl of cabbage and stir it all together. Meanwhile, soak the spring roll wrappers in water. Make sure to soak just one per bowl because they can stick together. I like to have two shallow pie dishes filled with water so that I can have two soaking at a time. When you take one wrapper from the water, put in another to soak. Add a scoop of your cabbage/weeds/veggie saute mixture to each wrapper, fold it up and prepare to pan fry in a bit of olive oil. I usually cook 5 at one time in my large frying pan.
Dipping Sauce
These spring rolls are delicious with simple tamari sauce. If you feel like getting a bit fancier I like the below sauce.
½ cup tamari
1 tsp spicy mustard
A squeeze of lemon or orange
½ tsp ginger root powder
Whisk it all together and enjoy! A fresher,more satisfying snack would be hard to come by.
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