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

~ Oak (Quercus) ~   Autumn roadtrips take twice as long, as I stop all along the roadside to collect windfallen autumn leaves from the footpat...

Usnea barbata a.k.a. Angi angi in Aotearoa.  Usnea grows on trees like an "Old Man's Beard", cascading from the trees looking much like a white bea...

~ Amanita Muscaria ~ This iconic, fairytale mushroom has been used for religious, recreational and even food for millennia. It’s use in folk me...

~ Watercress ~ (Nasturtium officinale) As I’ve been walking in & out of the bush a few times a week the last few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed gat...

~ Wild Mint ~ Mentha spp. There are so many varities of Mint in the world, all of them known for their strong, fresh, ‘minty’ smell & taste. Ap...

~ Kawakawa Berries ~ For years I didn’t understand why the luscious Kawakawa at the end of my garden only produced green berries, which never r...

~ Poor Man's Capers / Pickled Nasturtium pods recipe ~   It is the time!! The Nasturtiums are in full flower and there are many ripe seedhead...

Did you know that the young green seedheads of Narrowleaf Plantain (Plantago Lanceolate) taste just like mushroom? Well they do. Just pick the fres...

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

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...

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...