Foraging, Folk Herbalism, Edible Weeds + Inspiration for a Slow Life

~ Watercress ~ (Nasturtium officinale) What a delight to find fresh watercress growing in the stream the other day, the perfect addition to our hom...

Usnea barbata a.k.a. Angi angi in Aotearoa.   2/3rds of the land where we are staying is covered in native forest, and it's dripping with an a...

Cleavers Infusion Recipe Gather a large handful of fresh cleavers. Ensure they’re clean and pick out any bits of dirt or stray twigs. Roughly chop ...

~ Gorse ~ (Urex Europaeus)   Gorse flowers have an interesting slight coconut / vanilla flavor with floral hints. They can be used in wild br...

~ Sweet Violet ~ (Viola Odorata / Viola Sororia) aka 'Common' or 'English' violet Sweet little Violets bloom from the depths of winter into ea...

Puha, Rauriki, Sonchus Oleraceous 'Puha' is a Sow Thistle from the Sonchus family.  It’s a very common misconception that ‘Puha’ is native to New Z...

Preparing Walnut husks for natural dyeing. The husks create a deep, rich, brown color, & the natural colorant 'juglone' creates a 'substan...

I was delighted to discover an entire field full of Chamomile ripe for picking, not far from home. The kids frolicked and gathered, and even played...

Marinated Wood Ear mushrooms   This week in between torrential rain & piping hot sun, I took my kids into the bush, where I expected to,...

Hakeke / Wood Ear / Pigs Ear / Jelly Fungus For me these are one of the most abundant, easy to find and identify mushrooms in the New Zealand bush ...

Pikopiko everyday, everyway. Sauteed with oil & salt, added to a pasta sauce, pickled in a brine, and last night in a sauce that topped the...

A few days ago a whole lot of Onion Weed came out of my garden & there was only one thing to do with so many big, fat, juicy onion weed bulbs...