As the summer settles in up here in the northern hemisphere, a lot of us are hankering for mouth-watering meals and the nourishing presence of friends and family. There’s just something about gathering (socially-distanced right now, of course!) with loved ones over a plethora of food – sharing ...
We usually think of sight and hearing as our main senses. But what we smell has the strongest impact on our emotions. The olfactory receptors in our brain connect directly to the limbic system, where emotions begin. That may be why essential oils — the distilled essence of various plants and flowers ...
We are living through tumultuous times. Between the global pandemic and the worldwide outcry for social change, it is easy to become overwhelmed. I know I do. Alarming footage is everywhere, there’s a hodgepodge of different ideas, and it seems like everyone is on edge. That’s why it is incredibly ...
What is the first herb you ever learned was actually medicine? It’s easy to get caught up in all the articles and new studies on promising natural remedies, but what about that first piece of herbal knowledge you came across? Maybe in your grandma’s kitchen… or in a novel you read as a ...
Why do so many people equate relaxation and pleasure with walking barefoot along the beach as the waves roll in? How come my son River’s first instinct is to take his shoes off when he sees a field of green grass? Is it kooky human behavior that is simply hard-wired into our genetic makeup, or is there ...
In my house, we love to kick our dishes up a notch with many combinations of spices and herbs from around the world, but we find ourselves coming back to some of the same blends time and time again. Today I want to share with you one blend that we keep returning to… Berbere Spice. Berbere spice is a blend...
This is a weird time. We’re all feeling it. Sure, it’s challenging. But this time also offers a magical opportunity. Without access to all our familiar distractions — like going out to restaurants or parties, or even visiting friends — we have to really be with ourselves. If we want to, we ...
Seems like everywhere we look people are reminding us to wash our hands. Celebrities are singing their hit tunes and encouraging folks to sing along as they scrub. There are diagrams and instructional videos, all of which are amazing. But the frequency with which we scrub often leaves our hands chapped ...
Planting an herb garden is the perfect way to bring in the spring, and we humans have been doing it for thousands of years. The ancients believed that every one of us can speak the language of the plants. That we can learn how to harness their medicines by spending focused time with them — just like ...
I grew up in my mom’s New England restaurant, and the kitchen has always been my sanctuary. The ritual of making a meal, in and of itself, can bring calmness and deeper connection — but when you prepare herb-infused foods that relax the body, as well as the mind and spirit, you’ve got the perfect ...
I know you’re probably getting bombarded with information about how to keep yourself and your family healthy during this unprecedented time. There are a lot of great herbs and supplements that can boost your body’s natural defense and overall vitality – but sometimes instead of focusing only on what...
In the middle of a jungle ceremony a few years ago, a shaman told me, “Sometimes you have to break down in order to break through.” One of the essential truths on the ancestral healing path is that crisis and transformation often go hand in hand. This crisis can come in a variety of shapes and forms ...