One of my favorite projects this spring was putting in my first culinary herb garden. There's nothing like harvesting fresh herbs from the garden to spice up any meal. It's amazing how quick, easy and low-cost this project was. The soil and bricks were free from Hayes Valley Farm and the starts were just a few dollars. We decided to put in herbs that were pretty low maintenance like mint, rosemary, basil, thyme, and sage. I hope this has inspired y'all to get your hands in the dirt and build a spiral of your own. It doesn't take a lot of work and it beats paying for fresh herbs a the grocery store that go to waste! Check out 'this site' to learn more about herbspiral design, growing
information, and use of each herb.
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Here are some simple, yet delicious recipes from Bri. Maya Tiwari's book, "The Path of Practice: A Women's Book of Ayurvedic Healing." Enjoy!
*SPRING MASALA (spice mixture) 1 tablespoon cumin seeds 2 tablespoons coriander seeds 1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds 1 teaspoon black peppercorns 1 teaspoon cardamom seeds *SPINACH MASALA | Serves 4 2 bunches spinach 1 tablespoon organic ghee 1 tablespoon Spring Masala 1 teaspoon tamarind paste 1/4 cup warm water 1 teaspoon unrefined brown sugar 1 teaspoon rock salt Wash spinach and trim stems. Melt ghee in a large skillet, and roast the Spring Masala for 30 seconds, until the ghee starts to bubble. Add the wet spinach. Stir, cover, and let simmer for 3 minutes until the leaves turn limp. Dilute the tamarind in the warm water and add to the spinach mixture, along with the brown sugar and salt. Stir, cover, and simmer for 3 minutes more. *BARLEY & LOTUS SEEDS | Serves 4 3 1/2 cups water 2 cups pearl barley 1/4 cup dried lotus seeds 1 teaspoon sunflower oil 1 pinch of rock salt Bring water to a boil in a medium-size saucepan. Wash the barley and lotus seeds and add to the boiling water. Add the oil and salt. Stir, cover, and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Serve warm. *VEDIC CHERRY-ROSE PUDDING | Serves 4 1 cup of Cream of Wheat 1/2 cup spelt flour 1 cup organic cow's milk 1/2 cup rosewater 1/4 cup pitted dates 1/4 cup fresh cherries 1/4 cup sucanat 1 teaspoon cardamon powder 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon tumeric powder 1 handful fresh, organic rose petals for garnish Preheat over to 350 degrees. Oil a shallow baking dish and set aside. Sift the flours into a mixing bowl and pour in milk and rosewater. Mix into a smooth batter. Cut dates and cherries into tiny pieces and add to batter. Stir sucanat and spice powders and pour batter into prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, until the pudding cake is barely set and the top is golden brown. Spoon out the pudding cake into dessert bowls, garnish with a few rose petals. John O'Donohue was renowned for his sharp intellect, deeply truthful story telling, and way he graciously revealed both the painful longings and joyous revelations of our human experience. On this early, crisp morning I'd like to share with you one of my favorite poems he wrote: A Morning Offering
I bless the night that nourished my heart To set the ghosts of longing free Into the flow and figure of dream That went to harvest from the dark Bread for the hunger no one sees. All that is eternal in me Welcomes the wonder of this day, The field of brightness it creates Offering time for each thing To arise and illuminate. I place on the altar of dawn: The quiet loyalty of breath, The tent of thought where I shelter, Wave of desire I am shore to And all beauty drawn to the eye. May my mind come alive today To the invisible geography That invites me to new frontiers, To break the dead shell of yesterdays, To risk being disturbed and changed. May I have the courage today To live the life that I would love, To postpone my dream no longer But do at last what I came here for And waste my heart on fear no more. ~ John O'Donohue ~ It was two years ago that I felt the surge of inspiration to start a blog after having completed a teacher training module with Shiva Rea. Yet again, my fire has been stoked after returning from Venice, CA and I'm ready to dive in again.
Each spring something new emerges, and I'm excited by what's on the horizon. I had the fortune to meet so many incredible teachers around the globe who have inspired me to finally, after all these years begin teaching - for real, for real this time. Gratefully thanking all of those who have walked before us.....our spirits are strong, AHO! |
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