Enchantment Learning & Living Blog

Welcome to Enchantment Learning & Living, the inspirational space where I write about the simple pleasures, radical self-care, and everyday magic that make life delicious.

On Toast

May 7, 2014

It is a humble offering to the morning, but so delicious.

You had a lazy start to the day, luxuriating in the fact that it is mid-week, but you, you with your summer teacher schedule, can sleep in and treat this Wednesday as a Saturday or Sunday. Even the thought of whipping up an egg or making some oatmeal is too much. It would disturb the slow tranquility coursing through your veins.

But you must eat. And toast, toast is the answer.

It is only worth eating if it's made from quality bread--in this case, a whole wheat loaf from your favorite bakery. You slice off a thick piece and pop it in the toaster, making sure it gets that nice brown crust, not quite burnt but thick enough to leave a soft center underneath that crispy shell. Then comes the butter, liberally slathered on--you mustn't be stingy. You know some then prefer jam, but for you, the magic is in that simple marriage between toast and butter.

You take your treat, along with a fresh cup of coffee and a small dish of blackberries, to your patio, where you linger over the morning paper, the little finches greeting you with their trill song. You take a bite of toast, letting the earthy flavor of the wheat and butter roll over your tongue. You offer a bit of crust to the birds--but not too much, as you want to savor this treat yourself. Bite by bite you devour your simple breakfast until there is nothing left but a few crumbs on your fingers and a little butter on your chin.

You gaze wistfully at your plate: empty save for a scattering of crumbs. Before you can talk yourself into another piece of toast, you press your coffee mug to your lips and sip the decadent brew. Your coffee, your berries, the cool morning air remain your consolation, now the toast is gone.

Enchantment Learning & Living is an inspirational blog celebrating life’s simple pleasures, everyday mysticism, and delectable recipes that are guaranteed to stir the kitchen witch in you. If you enjoyed what you just read and believe that true magic is in the everyday, subscribe to my newsletter below for regular doses of enchantment. Want even more inspiration? Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Here’s to a magical life!

Bathe Like an Egyptian Bath

May 1, 2014

Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in milk and honey--the perfect recipe for soft, hydrated skin. Naturally, I thought of this as the perfect antidote to the dry skin the change of seasons can bring on. It feels purely decadent to soak in this rich liquid and your skin feels incredible afterward. The lactic acid in the milk gently exfoliates your skin, while the honey helps it retain moisture and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. I recommend full-fat milk since it is mega-nourishing for your skin--so save the two percent for drinking. Organic is also a must--who wants anything treated with unnatural things on their skin? Plan to take some time in the bath: grab a good book, drink a cup of chamomile tea, and feel as pampered as an Egyptian queen! And feel free to imagine scantily clad buff servants fanning you with big palm leaves as you soak.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup honey

Favorite bubble bath (optional)

Pour milk and honey under running water. Make bath water hot but not too hot. Add bubbles if desired. Soak in bath for at least 30-45 minutes. For best results, exfoliate before bathing and slather on your favorite body butter after. Enjoy!

Note: be sure to clean your bath after so you don't leave traces of milk and honey in it.

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra in the 1963 film by the same name. Bathing never looked so glamorous!

Chamomile Face Toner

April 29, 2014

Lately, I have been loving chamomile! It's gentle apple taste and nurturing properties have made it my go-to bedtime tea these past few weeks and I've even enjoyed using it as a steep for soothing bubble baths and beauty treats.

One of my all-time favorite chamomile beauty treats is the face toner I make out of brewing a strong cup of these little flowers. It treats puffiness, inflammation, and irritated skin, perfect for this time of year when the season change can wreak havoc on our skin--especially with all this dry, windy weather we've been having in Albuquerque! This toner is also great for sensitive skin; it simply soothes and heals, without drying or exposing your skin to harmful chemicals like mainstream toners. So if your face needs a little extra TLC, try this--it's super easy!

Ingredients:

1 heaping tablespoon chamomile

1 cup water

Bring water to a boil--pour into mug. Add chamomile and let steep for five minutes. Pour tea through a strainer and into a mason jar (keep the lid off for now). Allow to cool completely. Store in a mason jar in the fridge for up to one week. To use, simply dab a cotton ball in the tea toner and rub on a freshly washed face. This is gentle enough to use in the morning and again at night. Enjoy!

On An Unexpected Afternoon Tea

April 27, 2014

It was nothing fancy. You simply found yourself hungry around 3 o'clock. You hadn't had lunch--breakfast had been a long morning affair, keeping you full for quite some time--but you still didn't feel like a proper meal. No, it was too close to dinner time for that. A little something still would be desirable, a small treat to hold you over until dinner.

You coax yourself up from your perch on the patio, laying your reading aside with the promise of something to nibble on as you finish that next chapter. You rummage through the kitchen cupboard, finding nothing to inspire you--the sun dried tomatoes and canned marinated artichokes feel too much like an evening appetizer, the whole wheat crackers less than inviting. You turn to your refrigerator. Surely there is something there, between your drawers full of vegetables and your fruit neatly stacked on shelves. Some quick pickles perhaps? And they your eyes land on it: a cherry empanada from your favorite bakery. How could you have forgotten it?

A plan quickly forms in your mind and your heart skips a beat at this unexpected pleasure: afternoon tea on your patio. You heat hot water for your tea, deciding on an earthy hojicha, a roasted green tea, to balance out the sweetness of your pastry. You plate your little snack and let your tea steep in your favorite mica teapot. You take your afternoon tea things on a tray to the patio.

As you let your tea finish steeping, you return to your book, feeling not unlike Bilbo Baggins enjoying the comforts of your very own Bag End. You ease back in your chair, ready to enjoy your impromptu tea and the rest of your novel. The emapanada is sweet. The tea is strong. The afternoon is perfect.

Spritz Cocktail

April 25, 2014

This time of year has me pining for travel and adventure--especially now that school is almost at an end. It is as if the long weeks of grading papers have finally caught up with me and I can no longer sit still. I want to move, to be moved, to saturate myself in the bounty of life: art, food, music, laughing, loving.

And yet vacation is still a month away. So how do I cope? Easy! I bring the fun to me! One of the ways I do this is by recreating the wonderful foods and drinks I experienced during my own travels, especially to my travels in Italy, where people really know how to enjoy themselves.

One of my favorite evening cocktails is the Italian spritz, made with Aperol (a bitter orange liquor) and sparkling wine. I was introduced to this drink by my younger sister, an artist who lives in Florence, when I went to visit her and her writer husband last summer. There is nothing more refreshing than this bubbly orange drink after a day of museum viewing, city wandering, and food tasting. Of course, when traveling, you should eat (and drink) like the locals, so I was more than happy to try a local favorite cocktail for apertivo, or the Italian version of cocktail hour.

That said, back state side the drink could be a little too sweet for me, since I wasn't drinking right by the River Arno. Still, I love the idea of the spritz, so I decided to see if I could whip up a version that I could enjoy at home while dreaming of my Tuscan adventures. Typically the spritz is made with 2 parts Aperol, 3 parts sparkling wine, and one part sparkling water. I reduced the amount of Aperol and had my fellow spritz drinkers try it. Viola! We were left with a perfect drink. Feel free to try it the traditional way too, if you like sweeter drinks.

Ingredients:

.75 oz (about 1/2 shot) Aperol

5 oz (about 3-4 shots) of a dry sparking white wine

1.5 oz (1 shot) sparkling water

Ice (optional)

Pour aperol into the bottom of a glass. Add sparkling wine and sparkling water. Add ice if desired--sometimes I put it in, sometimes I don't. Serves one (so double the recipe and invite another adventure seeking friend to join you!). Pairs well with a sunny, Tuscan attitude and a lovely patio garden.

Looks like the perfect way to celebrate the end of the week!

Lavender Gimlet

April 20, 2014

This time of year, I always start craving bright, fresh cocktails that are evocative of the season's bounty--fledgling herbs and the green citrus notes that seem to permeate the air come April. They are a great way to kick off a fun Saturday night dinner or linger over with a friend in the garden.

One of my all-time favorite spring cocktails is the gimlet. Cousin to the margarita and the whiskey sour, it is a simple mixture of freshly squeezed lime juice and gin, easy to make and so refreshing--especially after a day of gardening! I was contemplating a gimlet for this very reason last night while tending to my lavender when a thought occurred to me. Wouldn't my gimlet be just divine with a hint of lavender flavor? Yes, yes it would. And it was.

Some people prefer to make gimlets with vodka, but for this recipe, the herbaceousness of a good gin compliments the lavender nicely. I used the local Santa Fe Spirits' Wheeler's Gin, but any quality gin will do. Also, use fresh lime juice--that neon green fake stuff at the liquor store is just plain gross and the bottled stuff doesn't have the zing you need to balance out the sweetness of the lavender simple syrup. To learn how to make this easy, simple syrup recipe, click here.

Cocktail Ingredients:

1.5 oz lime juice (1 shot)

3 oz gin (2 shots)

ice

.75 oz lavender simple syrup (1/2 shot)

Combine all ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

On Lingering Over a Cup of Coffee at a Cafe

April 12, 2014

It is your favorite cafe and the perfect morning to linger over a cup of rich coffee.

It is still cool out, but the day already hints at the warm afternoon to come. The mountains frame the city in the distance, and the blue sky is streaked with ribbons of cotton. It is a lazy day, meant for lingering over your morning brew and maybe later puttering in the garden. But for now, you are content to nurse that cup and just be.

The coffee is rich and thick--bold cowboy coffee that wakes your sleepy cells up and yet soothes at the same time. You half-heartedly flip through the local newspaper, finding yourself, as always, paying more attention to your weekly horoscope than any of the more in-depth articles.

Eventually, you abandoned your tentative hold on the paper in favor of people watching--the couple holding hands to the right of you, the old friends catching up over breakfast, the late-for-work take-out worker bees. All are part of the gentle hum of the morning, the sweet cacophony of daily living.

You take one last sip of your coffee, now only an almost-cooled puddle at the bottom of your cup. Your thoughts turn toward gardening, maybe even reading a novel on your patio, your plants and the sunshine your quiet companions. Yes, time to rejoin the rest of the world in their steady industry. As you slowly make your way to the exit, you can still taste the rich caramel of the coffee on your lips. You marvel at such a taste and the gentle promise of a slow day ahead of you.

Grape-Lime Gin and Tonic

April 11, 2014

One of my favorite warm weather cocktails is the gin and tonic. It's the perfect blend of sweet and bitter. It's not overly saccharine, and its bubbly quality always makes it feel festive.

Last summer my family and I took a cue from Spain (a country in love with the G&T) and started adding different ingredients to the classic drink to up its yum factor. The hands-down easiest and most delicious flavor combination is limes and mashed fresh grapes (in the summer we use the ones growing in my parent's backyard). The taste is everything the warmer months encapsulate: tart fresh fruit, refreshing bubbly, and a long afternoon sitting in the backyard, enjoying a cool breeze.

For this recipe, I used Moscat grapes, at their peak in the spring, and best known for their role in making sweet Muscato wine. You can also use green grapes--their tartness brings out the crisp zing of the tonic water.

Ingredients:

1 shots (1 1/2 ounces) gin

3 shots (4 1/2 ounces) tonic water

1 tablespoon lime juice

10 muscato grapes

Ice

Combine grapes, lime juice, and gin in your glass. Muddle ingredients until grapes are mashed and combined with liquid ingredients. Add ice. Top with tonic water. Stir. Enjoy!

Serving size: One (so invite a friend over and double the recipe!)

You might be wondering how to fill a glass this tall...easy: add more gin and tonic!

On Chamomile

April 9, 2014

It is the soft yellow heads you see first, then thin white petals dried into healing slivers. You smell ripe apples and rich earth next, the sweet graininess of the little flower a soothing potion when steeped in hot water.

Gingerly, you gather a small handful of these fragile little flowers and funnel them into your tea strainer which you then nestle into the arms of your favorite fat tea mug.

You pour hot water, freshly boiled, into your mug, enjoying the sweet steam that rises to kiss your face; it is the perfume of sweet grass and sun-warmed fruit that laps over your skin.

You watch the flowers bloom anew in your mug, the white petals unfurling and then dissolving into the warm liquid.

When it it is time, you remove the strainer from your mug, leaving behind only a thick healing concoction the color of yellow straw--your own liquid sun cupped between your hands.

You take a sip, letting it wash your throat and course through your body, at once attracting abundance and repelling unwanted energies--if lore is to be believed.

Just one sip of the brew from this apple-scented flower and you are convinced. Inside and out, it has cocooned your body in its warmth, sheltered you from that which you don't need and saving you for that which you do.

Coconut Water-Kiwi-Lime Cocktail

April 1, 2014

That's right, I said it. All us hippies can feel free to have our coconut water and drink it too--in cocktail form! It makes drinking cocktails feel almost healthy, because, hey, there are tons of good-for-you vitamins and electrolytes in your glass, thanks to the coconut water. If you're feeling extra virtuous or pregnant, feel free to leave out the vodka--the drink is equally delicious sans alcohol.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz vodka (1 shot)

3 oz coconut water (2 shots)

1 squeeze of lime (about half a teaspoon)

One skinned chopped kiwi

Ice

Pour vodka, lime, and kiwi in a glass and muddle ingredients until kiwi mixes with liquids. Add ice. Top with coconut water. Stir. Enjoy! Makes one serving (so you should probably double it and share with a friend).

On Drinking A Glass of Wine on My Patio

March 31, 2014

The day is at an end. You have turned your teacher clothes over for yoga pants and a comfy top. Your hair is loose around you. Your bare feet enjoy the feel of the earth kissing their naked pads. All thoughts of school are fading quickly under the magic of the evening's cool air, the soft cooing of doves, and the chilled glass of white wine in your hand.

You sip from your glass, savoring the dry flavors of grapefruit and basil. The cool liquid rolls over your tongue and down your throat, just as the sun sets a little lower in the sky. You know you should probably turn your attention to the news soon but for now your relish the simple quiet after a day of noise and bustle.

The city itself seems to be winding down for the night, relinquishing its fast pace for calmer hours as if it were a person, undoing its neck-tie before unlocking the front door. You take another sip of wine, relishing how the herbaceous flavor warms your belly and loosens your limbs. For a moment, you are nothing more than you--a quiet soul, enjoying a quiet night.

You take another sip and close your eyes; underneath the mellow birdsong, you hear the gentle murmur of traffic as people head home, looking forward to a hot meal and a couple of hours doing nothing. Nothing--nothing more than gazing out at the world from the humble perch of your patio, mind blissfully focused on nothing in particular, nothing but the gentle grace of a day coming to a close.

Apple Cider Vinegar Detox Bubble Bath

March 27, 2014

Apple cider vinegar, like baking soda, is one of those all-purpose miracle kitchen staples, good for everything from salad dressings to facial toners. For it to really work, though, you need to make sure that you buy only the raw organic kind, like Bragg, because of the natural minerals, vitamins, and enzymes in it. Apple cider not only reduces inflammation in the body and draws out toxins, but also soothes and moisturizes the skin. It is likewise the all natural secret to brighter, clearer skin--it has long been purported to cure acne and fade sunspots. What most people don't know about apple cider vinegar is that it also absorbs and neutralizes odor, making it one of the best forms natural deodorant, right up there with baking soda.

...which is my long way of saying that it makes a great detox bath--bubbles optional (but really, what bath is complete without bubbles?). If you are worried about smelling like you spent the day in a pickle jar post-bath, don't be! The vinegar smell doesn't stick to you like most people think. You can always add some essential oils to your bath to balance out the vinegary smell as well.

Ingredients:

1 cup apple cider vinegar

essential oils of your choice (optional)

favorite bubble bath (optional)

Simply add one cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath, along with your essential oils and bubbles if desired. Plant to soak for at least half an hour to get maximum benefits. Enjoy!

Rose-Tulsi Breakfast Quinoa

March 11, 2014

So I am addicted to my weekday morning quinoa for breakfast. I cook it just like oatmeal but find the hearty little grain holds me better than your average oatmeal. It's simple. It's healthy. It's homey. It's full of good-for-you fats and proteins while being gluten free. How can breakfast get any better? Still, even this perfect weekday breakfast can use a little twist now and then to shake things up. I got totally inspired byNatural Vitality Living's Overnight Earl Grey Porridge--what a wicked combination of the soothing morning oatmeal with the sophistication of Earl Grey tea. Even better, I thought, would be tea like Rose-Tulsi, a blend of rose petals and holy basil, to infuse my breakfast quinoa with the taste of spring. Top that off with some Greek yogurt and fresh berries and you have the perfect recipe for a good morning!

Ingredients

2 cups water

1 cup quinoa

2-3 tablespoons honey (to taste)

2 heaping tablespoons or two bags Rose-Tulsi tea (I used Organic India Sweet Rose Tulsi Tea found in most health food stores)

Toppings of choice (I like plain Greek Yogurt and fresh berries)

I typically cook this on Sunday and store it the fridge for the workweek. It stores well and makes for a hearty breakfast on the go. The night before, bring the water to a boil and steep the tea for at least five minutes. Remove the tea bags (or strain the loose leaf tea) after steeping and allow to cool. Mix the quinoa and cooled tea together in a resealable container and let soak overnight in the fridge. In the morning, cook quinoa on medium heat for approximately 15 minutes or until grains are soft. Stir in honey to desired sweetness. Serve with fresh fruit and yogurt for a delicious, satisfying breakfast!

Makes 4 servings

Lemon-Mint Sleepy Time Tea

February 25, 2014

...because sometimes we need a little variation to our sleepy time tea.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup skullcap

1/2 cup hops

1/2 cup chamomile

1/2 cup lemon balm

1/2 cup peppermint leaves

Blend all ingredients in a bowl and transfer to an airtight container. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat. To brew, use a heaping tablespoon per cup of hot water. Add more tea per cup of water for a stronger brew. Makes approximately 2 1/2 cups of tea. Enjoy!

Health benefits of ingredients:

Chamomile: anti-inflammatory; sedative; skin softening; all around body soother.

Hops: contains calcium and magnesium among other vital nutrients; sedative; soothes PMS symptoms; diuretic; antispasmodic.

Lemon Balm: antihistamine; antibacterial; nerve tonic; digestive stimulant.

Peppermint: a cure all herb for headaches, cramps, sore throat, and stomach aches.

Skullcap: nerve tonic; tension soother; contains calcium, potassium, and magnesium, among other vital nutrients.

Sleepy Time Tea

February 24, 2014

At night I need a little herbal tea to get me ready for bed. I grew up drinking Celestial Seasoning's Sleepy Time Tea, mostly because it had a cute bear on the cover of the box all curled up in his jammies by the fire, his cup of tea on the table next to him. All I would have to do is look at that box and be ready for bed--but, of course, I still drank the tea too. And, yes, there is still a part of me that wants to drink only that brand of Sleepy Time Tea just for the bear on the cover. These days, though, I can do a pretty good imitation of that bear myself, both in how I fall asleep on the couch in my pjs, my cup of tea at my side, and in my own Sleepy Time Tea Blend that I've concocted in honor of that Celestial Seasoning's sleepy bear.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup skullcap

1/2 cup hops

1/2 cup chamomile

Health benefits of ingredients:

Chamomile: anti-inflammatory; sedative; skin softening; all around body soother.

Hops: contains calcium and magnesium among other vital nutrients; sedative; soothes PMS symptoms; diuretic; antispasmodic.

Skullcap: nerve tonic; tension soother; contains calcium, potassium, and magnesium, among other vital nutrients.

On the Necessity of Good Coffee

February 13, 2014

The week before you greeted the day with sub-par beans bought in a moment of desperation--you needed to replenish your coffee stash, but didn't have the wherewithal for another errand. So: you settled for some regular store brand beans.

The days to follow would teach you how foolish you were, how necessary that extra errand would become.

You brewed your first pot from those unfortunate beans on a day when you most needed a cup of rich liquid strong enough to put hair on your chest. What you got was a stale, brackish brew akin to hot, dirty water. It soured your taste buds and made your brain feel fuzzier than it already was. No. This was simply no way to start the day--any day.

You stared forlornly into your cupboard as if it would take pity on you and your Bambi gaze and procure some dark, rich grounds that had been pushed to the very back, stuck behind cans of beans and jars of olives. But no such luck.

The day unraveled as a foggy plot to find a solid cup of coffee from school cafes and nearby stores. This one had gone cold sitting on the burner too long, the other brewed too weak, yet another thick as molasses and twice as cloying. Eventually, you give up the hunt and commit to that one errand you now wished you had taken the time to run days earlier.

You buy your beans. You grind just enough for the next day, keeping the rest of your stash tightly sealed for freshness in your cupboard, as far away from the other offending beans as possible. The kitchen is perfumed with the robust chocolatey aroma--a promise of tomorrow morning's pleasures.

The next day you turn your coffee maker on, longing for the simple indulgence of good coffee too long denied you. And there it is--a perfectly brewed cup of rich, decadent goodness, the scent wafting from the mug, teasing you, begging to you take your first sip. And then another. And another.

Orange Lavender Tea

February 9, 2014

This time of year, I always have the faint longing for spring. I eye the ground hopefully, looking for that first almost-there flower bulb peeking out of the earth, its green shoots braving the cold winter air, while its roots stay firmly snuggle underground. I begin to think of my garden, of the radishes and lettuces I wish to plant. I find there is no better remedy for this early spring fever than a cup of Orange Lavender tea--it has the subtle brightness of spring from the citrus and the soothing floral aroma of winter's passing from the lavender. So when you find yourself longing to be in the dirt sowing those first seeds in your garden even though spring is still a long way off, console yourself with this gently fortifying blend.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup tulsi

1/2 cup dried orange peels

1/4 cup lavender

1/4-1/2 cup spearmint (depending on how minty you want it to be)

Health properties of ingredients:

Dried orange peel: contains vitamins A, B, and C; unblocks stagnant energy.

Lavender: a traditional nerve tonic and relaxant; antiseptic and antibacterial.

Spearmint: soothes nerves, motion sickness; cures headaches, cramps, sore throats, and stomach aches.

Tulsi: helps body adapt to stress by balancing out cortisol levels, antibacterial, and anti-fungal.

On the Ritual of Tea

February 2, 2014

It is a symphony for the senses. The gentle whistle of the boiling kettle; the soft murmur of tea leaves being poured into a strainer like grains of sand slipping through an hourglass; the first splash of hot liquid hitting the teacup; the fragrant steam washing over your face.

And that first sip. Nothing compares to that first sip of a fresh cup of tea. The welcoming hot brew on your tongue, washing away the wrinkles of the day. Your hands wrap around the ceramic mug enjoying the heat radiating from it, wrapping around your fingers like cozy mittens.

You contemplate this as you watch your tea brew in a hand thrown ceramic teapot. You peer into the pot's open top to see leaves unfurling like tiny dancing figures gliding through the hot water.

Earlier you stared into your pantry, debating what tea to brew. A black tea would be the ultimate refreshing burst of energy, but you dismiss the Earl Grey and smokey Lapsang Souchong before you because they belong to your office time. They are the beverage of Victorian ladies and Sherlock Holmes respectively, reminding you to move through your day with grace and awareness. No, you need something else now. You sift through your green teas, all promising that meditative calm and clarity, but push further still to your own herbal blends--not teas at all, really, but herbal steeps.

These herbs call to you, the soothing balm to your soul. The tulsi and raspberry leaf fill the pot with a delicate, earthy perfume that washes over your face in a gentle warm mist. It is time to pour. You savor your cup while gazing out the window at the bare tree branches. And when the tea is gone your eyes fall to your empty cup. You see stray leaves sticking to the bottom of it, teasing you with glimpses of your future if only you knew how to read them.

Women's Soothing Mint Tea Blend

January 31, 2014

This tea is dedicated to all the ladies in my life who need a little extra TLC now and then. It has the soothing flavors of mint kissed with cinnamon and orange peel, with the healing power of raspberry leaf--a plant traditionally considered a healing tonic for women. Personally, I drink this tea pretty much nightly before I go to bed since it's caffeine free. Drinking it regularly allows me to get the maximum health benefits of the blend.

Ingredients:

1 cup raspberry leaves

1/2 cup peppermint leaves

1/2 cup spearmint leaves

1/2 cup cinnamon bark

1/2 cup dried orange peel

Health properties of herbs:

Cinnamon: antiseptic, aids digestion, calms nervous system, anti-inflammatory.

Dried orange peel: contains vitamins A, B, and C; unblocks stagnant energy.

Peppermint: a cure-all herb for headaches, cramps, sore throat, and stomach aches.

Raspberry leaf: rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, magnesium; tones uterus; relieves tension.

Spearmint: soothes nerves, motion sickness, along with the properties associated with peppermint; stronger flavor than peppermint.

On Playing with Herbs

January 25, 2014

You have your jars of herbs lined up before you like wild soldiers. Each is stuffed with gifts from the ground--fat golden flowers and thick roots and long needles--each its own medicine. Here is calendula, that happy marigold, ready to soothe irritated skin and frayed minds; there is ginger root, the fiery cleanser of the solar plexus, stoking the heat, the determination within yourself; tucked in the back is that brash kitchen herb rosemary, that fearless sharp evergreen the clears the mind and heals your tired bones.

You let the scents of each open jar mingle and cloud your nose as you take first a pinch of this herb and a scoop of that. You want something--your body is humming, calling for the soothing wisdom of these plants and they answer that call with the gentle melody of tiny buds bouncing against the sides of your mixing bowl, dried leaves whooshing into the pile of your new blend.

You inhale the rich grassy scent of alfalfa leaves, hungry for their nourishment. You search through your jars looking for alfalfa's mate, that balancing force that tempers the mouthful of mowed grass with sweet and soft. Your eyes light on fennel, that little seed made up of licorice and mint; yes, this will pair well with your other leaves.

Each addition to your bowl is the promise of a new healing elixir that will float from a steaming cup and into your soul to mend, to cleanse, to ground. And though you started with your jars and only a vague sense of needing a cup of wellness, you find that after your blend is made and steeped and drunk, that what you really needed was time in the kitchen. Time to unscrew the lids on those jars of herbs and play with nature's medicine cabinet. Time to let your mind drift, to let the taste of rosemary settle on your tongue, and to have no other aim but to blend.