Archive for the ‘teaching’ Category

Wildcrafting tweets

Monday, September 7th, 2009

Follow me on twitter, or check here for retweets.
Here is what happened in the last week or so –

What to do with all the comfrey leaves before winter? Dry them for infusions to drink, apply as compress or bath in. Put in vinegar 6 wks.

Don’t forget the purslane. Great in salads. Also many gardens have Amaranth on their borders, tasty when cooked as a pot green.

Nala was let loose in a fenced garden. In no time she had found an ear of corn, shucked it, and was eating it cob and all. Dogs as foragers.

My apple trees at the lake are full of apples. A good year for them. Ugly and full of dips and bumps, but most important they taste great.

Ground Cherry, (Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii) nearly ready for harvest. Use for Chutneys, Salsa, like a tomatilla. Lots by my lake.about 24 hours ago from web

Made a salad from Farmers’ Market veggies, topped with grated orange and yellow carrots, flowers of Chicory, Goldenrod and Queen Ann’s lace.

Why go on about fruit trees? For some even that is radical – picking fruit from a “strange” tree. Eating what has fallen to the ground.

Wrap each pear individually in tissue for root cellar storage. Last year my stored pears were still good in February. Really good.

Haven’t yet mentioned pears. Many street trees are pear trees and the fruit is delicious. Make pear butter, slice & freeze for future tarts

Blogging about the HomeGrown Festival http://bit.ly/23eSmb I will have a table, selling cook books giving reprints of the wildcrafting blog

My foraging friend reports picking 10 pounds of tasty apples from along Eisenhower Blvd. He just made one of his wonderful apple pies. And ?

The sumac pop was OK, milder than I would like. Apparently strong flavored juice/beverage to start is important. It is a learning process.

Latest Wildcrafting Tweets – garlic and bee balm

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

You can follow me on twitter, or check here because I post every ten tweets or so.

Earlier in the year the green wild garlic leaves can be used in place of cloves. Milder, sweeter, and wilts when cooked – great spring green

Unsure what you found is garlic? Scratch and sniff. Nothing else around here looks, smells and tastes like it except wild onion, also safe.

Noticing a lot of wild garlic setting bulbs. Look for a garlic like bulb 1-2 foot up on a stalk. Both the top bud and the root can be used.

Was gifted with a lot of borage. Not sure what to do with all of it, but drying will work if nothing else comes to mind.

Next Wildcrafting blog http://bit.ly/4V41p

The goldenrod is about ready for infusions. The vivid flowering tops can be steeped & enjoyed. The mints also available, also dry for later

My whole house smells like bee balm. Kind of like oregano. Interesting. What dreams might it inspire? Pizza? Spaghetti sauce? Will report.

It’s a bit humid, so I’m drying bergamont (bee balm) in a 100 degree oven, picked yesterday. Turn on for 15 minutes, turn off. Check, repeat

http://bit.ly/VVjX Latest blog entry for annarbor.com

Wildcrafting tweets

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

Here are the latest tweets. Follow me if you’d like!

The Mayapples are ripe. First taste ever. Like apple, mango, citrusy, little bitter, tropical, tart, very unusual. Maybe juice them?

Picked a few tiny milk weed pods – under 2 inches. Cooked with three changes of water and it tasted very nice, clean, mild, pleasant. New.

I found the first ripe wild apple of the season. Near Barton Pond. So tasty! So fall is on the way if the apples are ripening.

blog – http://bit.ly/PYhVA

Stay tuned for next steps. I’m still researching recipes, I have a few days. 5 Pounds berries, 1 gallon juice. Jelly bag to strain.

That makes a concentrate. (Can freeze for later use) To use add 3-4 parts water for each part concentrate. Next step, add lemon and yeast.

Learning to make my own soda from berries. First -make berry juice. Boil with just enough water, use stick blender or mash, strain, sweeten.

Still eating mulberries off the local trees. Seems like a long season for them. Cool weather. Looking for a black berry stand.

Expanded tweets http://bit.ly/kJSAd

Oh Wonderful Music

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

I like Bobby McFerrin, and this is part of the reason why. He just thinks in wonderful ways. And helps us to get there too. Thanks to my facebook friend Michael who posted this!

World Science Festival 2009: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale from World Science Festival on Vimeo.

Wildcrafting tweets – another 10

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Follow me on twitter, or read every 10 tweets posted here and also on AnnArbor.com. IF you go to AnnArbor.com just search for wildcrafting or Linda Diane and you’ll see a list of the blog posts.

for lunch: purslane stir fried with tempeh, garlic, & greens with a bit of tamari and Thai hot sauce at the end. Found a purslane hot spot!less than 5 seconds ago from web

Yesterday I “captured” Jewel Weed seeds and they were a mild nutty taste treat. Hold your hand around the exploding seed pod & trigger it.less than 5 seconds ago from web

latest annarbor.com blog on St. Johns Wort, nerve regeneration, and shingles http://bit.ly/2JXNAvless than 5 seconds ago from web

Those lovely honeysuckle berries you’re seeing everywhere? Most are toxic. Don’t eat them.8:54 AM Jul 26th from web

St. John’s Wort is know for depression, it’s a powerful nerve healer and also antiviral. Perfect for shingles – nerve pain from virus attack11:32 PM Jul 25th from web

St. Johns Wort showed up in my yard, I picked it, and tonight I have a shingles attack. SJW is the best remedy for me. SJW oil topically.11:31 PM Jul 25th from web

My friends are reporting in-black raspberry season is over in this part of the woods. It was a great year for them! All years are different.10:01 PM Jul 25th from web

Found a small patch of St. John’s Wort at my lake cabin. Picked flowering tops 2 tincture. Photos to follow on my annarbor.com blog tomorrow7:27 PM Jul 25th from web

my favorite black raspberry patch had two ripe berries only. I fear the season is finally over. Always a sad moment.8:58 PM Jul 24th from txt

Latest blog post for annarbor.com http://bit.ly/z77xh12:49 PM Jul 24th from web

Next 10 Wildcrafting Tips and Tweets

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Follow me on twitter, or check here every few days. Also, my blog at annarbor.com!

# wildcrafting
Photo of pig weed http://bit.ly/18jQwt and look for red stem near base.less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Pig weed – a form of amaranth – may be a weed in your garden. Red near the base. Best to cook the leaves as a pot green. Calcium and more.less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
The wildcrafting blog is now live on annarbor.com Search for Linda Diane Feldt of wildcrafting. There are three posts so far, and photos!less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Purslane – packed with nutrients, similar to fish oil and flax, great raw in salads, some like it cooked. Creeping in your garden. Eat it!about 15 hours ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Bee Balm, Bergamont, is flowering so easier to ID. Flower is almost round, almost clover like. Crush a leaf and smell – oregano like odor.9:08 PM Jul 22nd from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Friday July 24 my wildcrafting blog is a regular part of annarbor.com I have three queued up. Suggestions on topics?9:06 PM Jul 22nd from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
The sky blue flowers now abundant are likely Chicory. Most common use is the roots – roasted & ground for coffee subst. Roots high in inulin5:00 PM Jul 21st from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Herbal First Aid and Prevention for Your Pet with Linda Diane Feldt sponsored by People’s Food Co-op ยท Jul 23 7-8:30 p.m. at Crazy Wisdom8:33 PM Jul 20th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Grape and Virginia creeper vines often grow near poison ivy. “Leaflets three let them be” is good advice. PI takes many forms and disguises6:39 PM Jul 20th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting
Grape and Virginia creeper tendrils make a fun sour addition to a salad. The younger the better, cut into small pieces for a taste treat.6:38 PM Jul 20th from web

Wildcrafting another 10 posts

Monday, July 13th, 2009

I’m enjoying the routine of 1-2 posts a day on wildcrafting. Keeps me in touch with something fun, that I care about, and that can inspire other people.

Here are the next ten tweets, you can follow me on twitter wildcrafting

1.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingSome Lamb’s Quarters are already beginning to be a little tough unless you’ve been picking regularly. Still edible, just cook a few minutes.less than 5 seconds ago from web

2.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingBiking and walking are the two best ways to find wild food. You have to slow down to be a forager. And watch. And stop often.less than 5 seconds ago from web

3.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingMotherwort flowering tops made into tincture for menopause transition & help regular cycles (menses and heart rhythm). Peek harvest ending7:59 PM Jul 12th from web

4.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingI unexpectedly made a housecall and was offered homemade pizza with wildcrafted dried morel mushrooms as a topping. Wild foragers!7:47 PM Jul 12th from web

5.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingAn abundance of black raspberries, an abundance of BRB tweets. Technology follows nature. About to indulge in some non-wild blueberries tho.9:35 PM Jul 11th from web

6.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingA friend shared black raspberry ice cream with me 2day. Wow. He also has BRB wine, and is trying BRB soda – brewed like root beer. Creative.9:33 PM Jul 11th from web

7.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingQueen Ann’s lace is blooming – seems early. That’s a second year wild carrot. Not much for food or medicine, seeds were used 4 birth control9:31 PM Jul 11th from web

8.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingblack raspberries in cornbread, crisps, fruit leather, jam, dried, pies, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies, milk shakes, and of course just plain.8:32 PM Jul 10th from txt

9.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcrafting1st year wild carrot before the flower. Make sure it smells like carrot. Root in salads or add to stir frys roast veggies.7:43 PM Jul 10th from txt

10.
Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingPicking Mulberries into a NYT bag. My dog is scarfing them up off the ground as fast as she can. They go into the freezer, in zip lock bag.8:29 PM Jul 9th from web

Ethics interview

Thursday, July 9th, 2009

I had a chance to talk about one of my favorite subjects recently, with Bart Bund and Jeanine DeLay who are part of a2ethics.org. It was an enjoyable discussion, wide ranging and also covering some interesting aspects of ethics and alternative health care.

The pod cast is about an hour long. I did have a chance to talk about my ethics project, currently in the implementation stage.

They are interviewing “local superheroes” and you can listen to me squirm a bit with that idea. It is always nice to be acknowledged for my work, and I’m more comfortable talking about the work rather than having any super healing powers. And in the interview, I do talk about how those “powers” may be developed, as well as an appropriate container for that.

Nala is present for the first part of the discussion, until she is sent to the basement.

I could talk about ethics for days. Very inspiring, very brain expanding. I’d be curious to know if anyone finds this discussion interesting or stimulating. I liked listening to it again! That’s a good sign.

The podcast is on the site, no separate URL for it.

Wildcrafting Tweets next 10

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Follow me
But if you don’t twitter, here are the last ten posts -

# wildcraftingOils are used externally, most tinctures internally. Takes 4-6 weeks to make, really easy. Use olive oil and for tinctures 100 proof vodka.less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingSt John’s Wort is in bloom – use the flowering tops in oil or vodka – not only antidepressant also topically heal nerves, bruises, shingles!less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingWalk in the woods – I’ll carry/wear catnip to keep mosquitoes away. Don’t laugh, it works. I’ll use tincture in a few weeks once it is readyabout 7 hours ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingFroze my first pint of black raspberries for this season. Where to find? Most A2 school yards seem to have some along back fences. Unsprayedabout 18 hours ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingInsect stung the back of my knee. At the lake crushed jewel weed leaves, decrease pain and swelling. Home, plantain leaf chewed & spit on.11:00 PM Jun 27th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingthe black rasberries have begun. I found ripe berries in a sunny patch. The berries seem larger and earlier than last year. Enjoy!10:31 PM Jun 26th from txt

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingMore on how to make vinegars and their value http://www.holisticwisdom.o…11:26 AM Jun 26th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingComfrey leaves chopped and put into apple cider vinegar. Vinegar extracts minerals, including calcium. 4 wks later strain and use.11:24 AM Jun 26th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingIn an hour I’ll be teaching the class “There is a free lunch” on wild edibles. Now to collect wet samples (washed by severe rainstorm).6:09 PM Jun 25th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingThis morning, picked ripe service berries to add to my oatmeal. Yesterday snacked on mulberries each time I biked by the tree on 7th. Yum!!6:08 PM Jun 25th from web

Wildcrafting tweets – last 12

Thursday, June 25th, 2009

to follow me

# wildcraftingIn an hour I’ll be teaching the class “There is a free lunch” on wild edibles. Now to collect wet samples (washed by severe rainstorm).less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingThis morning, picked ripe service berries to add to my oatmeal. Yesterday snacked on mulberries each time I biked by the tree on 7th. Yum!!less than 5 seconds ago from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingSumac – from Staghorn Sumac – harvested in the fall, they keep well once dried. Red color, lots of vit C. Use as condiment or sumacade.12:50 PM Jun 24th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingUsing up dried sumac berries from last year. A handful in a 1/2 gallon jar, add water, set in sun for 30 min-2 hours, strain drink w/ ice.12:49 PM Jun 24th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingMulberries on the sidewalk? Look up and enjoy handfuls. They are ripe! Yogurt pie recipe http://bit.ly/bZLr710:30 PM Jun 23rd from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingFor an abundance of berries all winter, want to have 6+ gallons in the freezer. I’ll pick every day & freeze: service, mulberry, raspberry,10:08 AM Jun 23rd from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingJust added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #locavore #wildfood #herbology8:57 PM Jun 22nd from WeFollow

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingHad my first service berries yesterday, they are ripening slowly this year. White mulberries ripe, more rain = less taste. Wait a few days.1:42 PM Jun 22nd from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingI’m giving a free class “There is a Free Lunch” Thu Jun 25, 7-8:30 Crazy Wisdom Bookstore, PFC sponsored – wild foods, what where and why10:37 AM Jun 22nd from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingToday – Cattail pollen. Upper level of the two browning fuzzy tops. Shake into a container, or use with the fiber you can pull off easily.10:19 PM Jun 21st from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingMy mom used motherwort for irregular heart beat. If it didn’t work, nitro, if that failed she would call the ambulance. It often helped.9:04 PM Jun 20th from web

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Linda Diane Feldt
wildcraftingThe motherwort is just flowering, an ideal time to tincture the flowering tops. Use to regulate cycles – periods, menopause. Use low dose.9:02 PM Jun 20th from web