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Let’s talk about edible flowers!Like most peop

Let’s talk about edible flowers!Like most people of my era who grew up with no gardens to nibble from, the idea of flowers in my food was pretty unusual. (A big exception we’re the unopened daylily buds in hot and sour soup. At the time I had no idea what they were.)So what a delightful discovery to find that flowers are edible!Roses and lilacs perfume our food.Peppery nasturtiums spice it up.Bee balm (Monarda) blossoms add sweetness with a kick.Chive flowers are a joy.And even less flavorful flowers like calendula, borage or most violets, add beauty and color. And you know how strongly I believe that joy is medicine.So which flowers are safe to eat? There are so many!Squash blossoms and daylilies are sturdy enough to stuff.I love to pick purple blooms of rosemary or lavender and pop them in my mouth.Maple flowers are one of my favorite wild spring edibles.The flowers of peas and beans also taste lovely.Bolting kale, arugula, radishes and mustard flowers are a great way to get the most out of those plantings.This is by no means an exhaustive list. If you’d like to get deeper into edible flowers, my favorite book is by Cathy Wilkinson Barash, Edible Flowers: From Garden to Palate.There are definitely flowers you should not eat.If they are in a park or a yard, you have to be cautious about pesticides and other poisons.And some flowers in and of themselves may be harmful — hellebore is one of many examples. As always, check for positive ID and safety before foraging.In this beautified salad from a couple of weeks ago I added Calendula petals, nasturtium flowers and the single borage blooming in my garden at the time. Swipe through for pictures of each.The other ingredients here are lettuce, a homegrown yellow tomato and feta cheese.Beautiful, healthy, tasty and joyous.Pro tip: Beautified Salads always look better in shiny bowls.What are your favorite edible flowers? What’s on your dream list to plant next season?

We got some real rain last night, and the garden l

We got some real rain last night, and the garden loved it. So much so, in fact, that I realized I’ve been substantially under watering it all summer.And let this be a reminder that humans are basically plants with complicated feelings. We often need more water than we think, too.So make sure you stay hydrated, even on rainy days when thirst might not remind you.

What science proves and the truth about certainty.

What science proves and the truth about certainty.. Some real talk about how science works, and our language around it.#TheTruthAboutScience #ScienceAndTruth #InconvenientTruths #LivingWithUncertainty #IntellectualHonesty

Thursday in Cascadia.

Thursday in Cascadia.

For those of y’all who aren’t Jewish, sundown

For those of y’all who aren’t Jewish, sundown tonight (Wednesday) through sundown tomorrow (Thursday) is Yom Kippur, the day of atonement in the Jewish tradition.In the actual liturgy we atone for cynicism and closing our hearts. We pray for forgiveness (for ourselves and others) and for freedom: no one is free until we all are free.It’s the original anti-burnout holiday, celebrated by my people for thousands of years. Tonight we sang the same songs all over the world.I’m heading off line now to do the work.Chag sameach, everyone. Sending love with every charred cinder of my heart.

Visual art is really magic in how it can transport

Visual art is really magic in how it can transport you to far-off places and times.I took this photo during my February Arizona trip, while taking a hiking break. I was close to the end of the boring part, and sat myself down in a dry wash to eat, hydrate and relax with my book.Looking at this image I can feel the rocks I sat on, the sun filtered through the foliage, and the joy of just being *someplace else* for the first time in a year.This is why I keep saying you can dose up on vitamin N just by looking at an image. Our minds are amazing, and our eyes can make our bodies believe we are out in the wild.Actually getting outside is even better if you can manage it. But if you can’t, well, try giving yourself some time with fabulous photos.Where will yours take you?

Do you dislike taking handfuls of supplements?He

Do you dislike taking handfuls of supplements?Here’s an easy substitution – or support – for your probiotics: homemade sauerkraut.Daily doses of fermented foods are a part of every traditional diet for good reasons: Gut flora matters.The quantity, quality and diversity of those bacteria makes a difference for your mood, your immunity, your nutrient status and your digestion.Think back to what your parents ate, or your grandparents, or as far back as you need to go. Chances are, there’s a culturally appropriate ferment in all sides of your family line.pictured here is one small purple cabbage turned into ~1 quart of delicious, probiotic-rich ferment. (The jar is no longer full because I’ve been nibbling at it.)And it’s so easy to make! All it takes is cabbage, salt and some time.do you ferment veggies at home? I’d love to hear about your favorites. Let me know 👇🏼.

Things have been heavy lately, and obviously they

Things have been heavy lately, and obviously they have been for a long time.As we head into the weekend I want to remind you that whatever crap humans are pulling, Nature always has your back.I also want to remind you that getting a nature fix does not require millions of hours of driving, of hiking, of roughing it. That’s all wonderful if you’re both able and into it.But you also can dose up on vitamin N with a walk in the park, standing by a street tree or even looking at a photograph.Keep it simple. Keep it coming.

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