Spring is here!
Welcome Spring!
On the equinox, we experience an equal length of day and night. From this point to the summer solstice, light overtakes the darkness and the season of renewed growth, energy, and cleansing settles in.
Spring feels like the true beginning of the new year. We engage in the spring cleaning of our homes, and it’s time to sweep out our internal dust bunnies as well. Turning to nature and following her directives, we can embrace a supportive flow of self-care. In winter, we roast root vegetables and puree them into soups. In spring, we turn to the bitter greens as a cleansing tonic to support our digestion and energize the movement of our lymphatic systems. We can imagine our lymph sweeping up and moving out that which we do not need.
This morning I visited an untended corner of my yard under the canopy of oak and bay to explore which weeds were happily growing. I found cleavers, milk thistle (pointy edges removed, these leaves make a great pesto or salad green), dandelion, chickweed, and miner’s lettuce. Along with lemon balm and mint from my little garden, I blended up a refreshing spring pesto. We’ll enjoy this on grain bowls and egg dishes, stirred into soups, and scooped onto crackers or bread.
Think of the following recipe as a template to play with, making notes as you go so you can recreate if you find new favorite combinations. Arugula, mustard greens, and fresh nettles (blanched 1-2 minutes in a pot of boiling water to remove the sting) are great base ingredients. Shop your yard, your farmers market and the produce aisle, experimenting with whatever looks most enticing.
Spotlight on Galium aparine. To dive in deeper with cleavers, check out Rosalee de la Forêt’s article.
Spring Greens Pesto
2–3 cups greens, rinsed and chopped
Handful fresh herbs, rinsed and chopped
¼–½ cup raw tahini (or nuts and seeds)
½ cup olive oil (or a blend of oils such as flax and hemp)
Zest and juice of one lemon
1–2 cloves garlic
1–2 teaspoons ginger, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon miso paste (or salt to taste)
Add 1–2 teaspoons of your favorite dried herbs and spices for enhanced enzymatic action
Combine ingredients in a blender or food processor. Taste for seasoning.
Store in a jar in the fridge, labeled with the date. Best used within five days.
Being well-hydrated, eating quality fats and oils, and moving our bodies helps clear out toxins and move the lymph as well. One of the best ways to get my own chi flowing is by dancing. If you're a Sonoma county local, join me at Hopmonk in Sebastopol for the King Street Giants on March 24. Let’s dance!
Thanks for being here. This is my first journal entry and I’m excited to discover where this journey takes us. My intention is to share my love for all things herbal, including ways to weave the power of herbs into our daily lives along with updates on products and upcoming events to add to your calendar.
If you have any health and wellness questions or particular plants you’re curious about, please let me know. I love a good research project!
