Eating Edible Wild Foods: Lambs Quarters, More than a Spinach Substitute

Eating Edible Wild Foods: Lambs Quarters, More than a Spinach Substitute

By Catherine Novak

Most early summers, I spent some time foraging for wild herbs to bring more food and medicines to our household. I especially enjoy the ease of identifying and gathering Lambs Quarter leaves.

Now is the time to enjoy reaping the benefits of the autumn seed harvest. You can, too. The seeds can be added to cereals, cold and hot, as well as to muffins, like you would poppy seeds.

If you’re a fan of spinach cooked in various dishes, you may enjoy the milder taste ofChenopodium album, also known as Lambs Quarters.

Often people want to add wild foods to their diet, but aren’t sure about dealing with unfamiliar flavors and textures. One of the benefits of Lambs Quarters is its extremely mild taste. In fact, my six-year-old son prefers the flavor of Lambs Quarters to the stronger flavor of spinach.

New Store Coming

Right now, you can order incense, oils, soaps, candles and bath salts directly from me by emailing me your order and paying either through PayPal, money orders or checks.

You can also check out our auctions at EBAY.

Coming soon, our address at http://www.wiseweeds.net will host an active store with shopping cart and all. Right now, it's brand-new and not yet open.

Moving On Up...

You read it here first, folks. Wise Weeds Botanicals is hitting the road and moving its headquarters to Hoopeston, Il.

Hoopeston, Il? you might ask. Yep, we're moving to a little town about two-and-a-half hours south of Chicago.

Sirius Rising and Starwood 2005

Just got back from Sirius Rising and Starwood's 25th anniversary bash.

This year the Wise Weeds booth was right next to the famous "Phil's Grill," just down the road from our spot of the last two years.

Saw some old friends and made a few new ones. Many thanks to Dustin, Deanna and Naomi for running my booth so that I could attend or present workshops, as well as get to cool off in the pool on some of the hot days where I was melting in the middle of the afternoon.

Did I mention that this was the first year I was a presenter at Starwood? Herbal Safety: Medicinal vs. Magical Herbs, Scents & Scentsuality, and Love as Thou Will (with Ed Hubbard). All of the workshops went off, with Love as Thou Will on polyamory garnering the largest audience.

When I get a chance, I'll talk more about these events and other exciting news.

On the Road

Hi folks,
Just to let you know, I expect to be at Sirius Rising and Starwood at Brushwood in Sherman, NY come the middle of July. If you're interested, you can check out the dates at http://www.brushwood.com

Like last year, I will be presenting herbal/aromatherapy classes at Sirius Rising.
AND, in breaking news ;*) I am a speaker at STARWOOD this year. http://www.rosencomet.com

I'll be discussing Herbal Safety: Medicinal vs. Magickal Herbs (those of you who have already taken this workshop know we discuss "stupid people tricks" and other entertaining notions.)Scents & Scentsuality. And, I will be co-presenting a workshop called: "Love as Thou Will" on polyamory with Ed Hubbard.

I also expect to be at the Northeast Naturists Festival in mid-August. This small, but wonderful event, takes place at Empire Haven, in Moravia, NY.

NEW WEBSITE COMING:

Yes, it's true. I am FINALLY going to have a professionally designed website. What that means to you is that, besides being to order from my ebay store, you will be able to deal directly with me AND read up to date articles on herbalism, aromatherapy, spiritual uses of oils and incense and different aspects of crystals. (Okay, this is not going to happen all at once, but we're going to get there!!!! )
In the meantime, find out what's for sale at our EBAY store. It includes incense, oils, essential oils, booksand auctions of all sorts of goods and fun items.
http://stores.ebay.com/Aroma-from-Wise-Weeds-Botanicals

ON THE ROAD
And, in case you've been wondering, it's been a busy season already for me.
Wise Weeds was at the Sacred Sexuality Beltane Festival at Ramblewood in Maryland in April. I spoke on "Scents & Scentsuality," and co-presented a workshop on polyamory with Ed Hubbard.

The next weekend Wise Weeds was at the Blue Ridge Pagan Alliance Beltane at Heavenly Acres in Standardsville, VA. Always a lovely location, great people and a lot of fun. Overall, the weather was great for us, too!

Over Memorial Day Weekend, Wise Weeds was at GOTT (Gathering of the Tribes) in Isle of Wight at Blackwater Campground. We shared a vending space with Michelle West, whom some of you may know from her store, Moon Dance, which had been open in Virginia Beach until the end of March. We had a great time seeing friends and catching up on news.
The first weekend in June was a new adventure: The St. Louis Pagan Picnic, which took place June 4 and 5. Because I am the "official" supplier of oils and incense to witchschool.com, they invited me to share their vending space. The heat was intense. But if you wanted days filled with ritual, music of all types and TONS of shopping, it was a great place to be.

GOT GOTT?

GOTT stands for Gathering of the Tribes. As in a semi-annual event held on Memorial and Labor Day weekends in Isle of Wight, VA.

Been doing the usual last minute pouring of oils and packing of incense. Looking forward to seeing some folks there. Although I'm a vendor, I find that festivals are as much a social occassion for me as a time to make money. I enjoy seeing and talking with my "regulars," regardless of whether they spend any money with me (although that never hurts ;*)

Time for bed.

Planting a Seed

Since 1992, Wise Weeds has been around "officially." We started out in N.J. and moved down to Virginia in 1997.

Most people know us for our excellent blends of handmade oils, incense and herbal products. They've met us at Renaissance Faires, Medieval Faires, Music Festivals and Pagan Festivals.

Through this BLOG, I hope to share some insights into herbalism, aromatherapy, healing and the craft of natural perfumery. Might also share some pix of our line of custom made jewelry, as well.

Please, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment here. You can also email us for more info on our products and services.