Category: Food

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Know Your Underground Roots

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Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Underground Stems

The underground stems, by being situated below the surface of the soil, protect themselves against unfavorable conditions of weather and the attack of animals and serve as storehouses for reserve food, and in vegetative propagation. Their stem nature can be distinguished by the presence of nodes and internodes, scale leaves at the nodes, axillary buds in axils of scale leaves and a terminal bud. Further, the anatomy of the underground stem resembles that of an aerial stem. The underground stems are of four types namely rhizome, tuber, bulb, and corm.

Rhizome

A rhizome is a thick horizontally growing stem which usually stores food material. It has nodes and internodes, scale leaves, axillary buds, adventitious roots and a terminal bud. Scale leaves enclosing the axillary buds are seen arising from the nodal points of the stem. Some of the axillary buds develop into branches which grow upwards into the…

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Omnivorous versus Vegan Diets: A Debate. Part I, by Renee Lehnen & Kansas Stanton

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NaturalisticPaganism's avatarNaturalistic Paganism

Naturalistic Pagans not only view the Earth as sacred, but also ourselves, each other, and other beings that share this planet with us. But regarding food, what does the most Naturalistic Pagan diet look like? Writers, Renee Lehnen (an omnivore) and Kansas Stanton (a vegan) debate this question regarding topics on human evolution, health, environmentalism, ethics, sustainable meat, and clothing. We hope that within this debate, the reader can answer this question for themselves and be able to make a spiritually conscious and physical difference. -Kansas Stanton 

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Omnivorous versus Vegan Diets: A Debate. Part II, by Kansas Stanton & Renee Lehnen

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NaturalisticPaganism's avatarNaturalistic Paganism

Naturalistic Pagans not only view the Earth as sacred, but also ourselves, each other, and other beings that share this planet with us. But regarding food, what does the most Naturalistic Pagan diet look like? Writers, Renee Lehnen (an omnivore) and Kansas Stanton (a vegan) debate this question regarding topics on human evolution, health, environmentalism, ethics, sustainable meat, and clothing. We hope that within this debate, the reader can answer this question for themselves and be able to make a spiritually conscious and physical difference.  Continued from Part I.

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Omnivorous versus Vegan Diets: A Debate. Part III, by Renee Lehnen & Kansas Stanton

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NaturalisticPaganism's avatarNaturalistic Paganism

Naturalistic Pagans not only view the Earth as sacred, but also ourselves, each other, and other beings that share this planet with us. But regarding food, what does the most Naturalistic Pagan diet look like? Writers, Renee Lehnen (an omnivore) and Kansas Stanton (a vegan) debate this question regarding topics on human evolution, health, environmentalism, ethics, sustainable meat, and clothing. We hope that within this debate, the reader can answer this question for themselves and be able to make a spiritually conscious and physical difference. -Kansas Stanton 

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Foodstyles | Asparagus and Brie Puff Pastry with Thyme Honey

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Buttery puff pastry, creamy brie, roasted asparagus, and sweet honey all come together in this simple, asparagus and brie puff pastry. These pastries are great for a Mother’s Day brunch, as an appetizer, lunch, or even a light dinner, making them perfect for entertaining. But they best part, they are so delicious!  […]

Source: Asparagus and Brie Puff Pastry with Thyme Honey. – Half Baked Harvest

La’au Lapa’au | Herb Guide: Oregano

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Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Origanum vulgare

Also, Known As:

  • Common Marjoram
  • Oregano
  • True Oregano
  • Turkish Oregano
  • Wild Marjoram
  • Winter Marjoram

The famous European herb called the oregano or the pot marjoram is a very familiar spice, botanical name Origanum vulgare. It is a common herb, and the European oregano is known to be a very hardy and perennial herb characterized by the presence of an erect, and somewhat hairy and well-branched stem, the leaves of the herb are also hairy. When fully grown, the plant can cross two feet in height, and is characterized by a very acrid and pungent odor, the fragrance of the plant is very strong, and has a sage-like an aroma, it also smells somewhat like another spice, the thyme – also used in a lot of European cuisines.

The oregano also refers to the pleasant and mint smelling European herb, the marjoram, or the wild marjoram as it is…

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Lāʻau Lapaʻau | Kalo Is More Than a Native Hawaiian Plant—It’s an Ancestor to Hawaiian Culture 

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A story about Kalo (taro), a native Hawaiian plant.  […]

Errata:  The story incorrectly stated the Taro Security and Purity Task Force was involved in the GMO taro issue. They were not in existence at the time and are mandated not to become involved.

Source: Kalo Is More Than a Native Hawaiian Plant—It’s an Ancestor to Hawaiian Culture – Indian Country Media Network

Lāʻau Lapaʻau | Guide to Propagating Herbs

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Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Seeding is our favorite form of propagation. A seed is a repository for all the genetic diversity of the ancient wildness of these potent medicinals. When you are looking for medicine in a herb, you want to use the purest, strongest strain of the species you can get; in other words, you want the original, unchanged, wildest form available. So you will not, in most cases, choose a hybrid, which is indicated by a multiplication sign between a plant’s genus and species name or by a proper name within single quotes, like ‘Jenny’. And you won’t choose varieties developed for a wide array of flower colors or disease resistance. Seeds of unselected, wilder species will give you the full range of biodiversity possible for the herb – which makes it perfect for use as herbal medicine.

Most of the herbs featured on this website can be easily sown from seed…

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Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Food as Medicine: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, Asparagaceae)

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Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

History and Traditional Use

Range and Habitat

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, Asparagaceae) is a herbaceous perennial with stalks that can grow to several feet in height. Most asparagus is harvested once the stalk reaches 6-8 inches in height. The stalk is the edible portion of the plant, along with its pointed, budlike tip.1,2 If asparagus is not harvested, the stalks grow into finely textured, fern-like plants before going dormant in winter.3 In the United States, the primary asparagus producers are the states of California, Washington, and Michigan.4


Depending on the cultivation method, asparagus yields a crop in one of three colors: green, white, or purple. Green asparagus, the most common in the US, is allowed to grow exposed to sunlight until harvested. White asparagus contains no chlorophyll due to human intervention, which involves mounding dirt on the stalk as it grows to shield it from sunlight.

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Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Effects of Altitude on Phytochemistry and Genetics in Different Maca Phenotypes

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Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs's avatarCrooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Maca (Lepidium meyenii, Brassicaceae) tubers have been used by indigenous Peruvians as a medicinal food since antiquity. Age- and gender-specific physiological effects of maca have been seen in vivo and in human trials with male and pre- and postmenopausal female subjects. Effects vary by color phenotype and levels of bioactive compounds, including glucosinolates (GCs). In an earlier study, red maca (RM) was found to have the most GCs. RM is reported to have a selective therapeutic effect in men over 50 against prostate hyperplasia. Black maca (BM) and purple maca (PM) had the next-highest GC levels in the earlier study. BM was reported to improve sexual desire and function in healthy men. Yellow maca (YM), with the least GCs, in a mixed-phenotype, traditional blend, was reported to help hormone balance in pre- and postmenopausal women. The effect of altitude on plant composition has been well documented across various…

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Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Herbs & Actions for Eczema, Psoriasis & Dermatitis Part 1

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The Wonky Pot Apothecary's avatarThe Wonky Pot Apothecary

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Alteratives

Alteratives are herbs that gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality.  They seem to alter the body’s processes of metabolism so that tissues can best deal with a range of functions from nutrition to elimination. Many herbs with this action improve the body’s ability to eliminate waste through the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Some stimulate digestion or are anti-microbial. Alteratives move the body to a state of health, removing indicators of systemic disintegration. They are often used for skin conditions to take some of the pressure of “detoxifying” the body and off of the skin while at the same time improving the skin’s ability to eliminate waste and heal. Alterative herbs are best used internally for their properties and can be particularly helpful for psoriasis, eczema, acne and many other skin conditions.

OREGON GRAPE – MAHONIA AQUIFOLIUM (BERBERIDACEAE) – ROOT AND BARK     

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Health | Strengthen Your Knee Tendons and Ligaments With This Simple Recipe

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Our knees are included in our most important movements every day, such as walking, standing, running, jumping, so their function if of high importance to the entire body. Yet, they use their natural lubrication over time and the ligaments and tendons become less flexible. In this way, they are more susceptible to injuries. Since they … […]

Source: Strengthen Your Knee Tendons and Ligaments With This Simple Recipe

Desserts | Baklava Cheesecake – The Best of Two Worlds

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The baklava cheesecake is a winning fusion recipe in my book and it does justice to both recipes it is based on. It has all creaminess you would expect from any self-respecting cheesecake and all the nutty crunchiness of baklava. The sugar syrup with its fragrant orange and rose water notes helps of the dessert elements to come together happily!  […]

Get the recipe:  Baklava Cheesecake

Foodstyles | Brownies from the Hearth

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Servant of Hestia's avatarHestia's Servant

browniesCan we talk brownies for a second? I mean….seriously. I love them. Not the cakey brownies but the dense, ooey gooey ones. The ones that….I make from scratch. Seriously, what kind of HearthKeeper doesn’t have skills in the kitchen? Okay…aside from my mother. She’ll tell you her culinary skills are limited to special feasting meals, and I’m not going to argue with her.

How I happened to come up with this is that one evening was while living in Western WA.  Friends of mine said they were going to drop in at the last minute. I totally needed to go grocery shopping and we lived out in the woods, so I made do with what I happened to have on hand because a HearthKeeper always has something to offer guests. I came up with some of the most incredible brownies ever….and I haven’t looked back since.

Warning: Only make these when you…

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La’au Lapa’au | Take One Tablespoon Of This Before Bed And You Will Never Wake Up Tired Again!

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Insomnia is a worldwide issue, and numerous people every single night struggle to fall asleep and get the proper rest their body needs. Due to this, they take various heavy medications, which in turn cause severe side-effects. The lack of sleep seriously affects the quality of your life, and sleep deprivation of deficiency leads to … […]

Source: Take One Tablespoon Of This Before Bed And You Will Never Wake Up Tired Again!

Lāʻau Lāpaʻau | Aloe Vera

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The Wonky Pot Apothecary's avatarThe Wonky Pot Apothecary

Aloe

Herb: Aloe

BOTANICAL NAME: Aloe Vera Syn. A. Barbadensis

COMMON NAME: Aloe, True Aloe, Burn Plant And Lily Of The Desert.

FAMILY NAME liliaceae

AYURVEDIC/ TCM NAME N/A

PARTS USED: Both The Gel And The Latex From The Leaves Of Aloe Are Used Medicinally But For Quite Different Purposes. Whether Using Raw Aloe Or Purchasing A Prepared Remedy, One Should Be Careful In Distinguishing Between The Latex And The Gel.

The Gel Is The Pulpy, Transparent Content Of The Split-open Leaves And Familiar To Anyone Who Has Used Aloe To Treat Kitchen Burns. The Latex Is A Yellowish Sap Found Closer To The Inner Skin Of The Leaves And Which Drains When The Leaves Are Cut Open. The Latex Is Also Known As ‘aloe Bitters’ And Is Used To Make ‘aloe Water’ Or Dried Into A Powder. It Is Highly Laxative!

NATIVE REGION: Aloe Vera Is Native To Southern Africa…

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Vegan Foodstyles | Lilajay’s Vegan Gluten-Free Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Is it weird to send a love letter to a cheese company? How about a bread company? Usually I save the love letters for sweets. However, when someone can make such amazing food with just plants I just want to celebrate! Plus, these plant-based foods come with the great side effect of saving the planet, along with the animals and humans that live on it, nice job peeps!!  […]

Source: Home | Lilajay’s

Full Moon Intention Planting Ceremony

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Happy Full Planting Moon! The Planting Moon represents the time of year when the soil has finally thawed enough for planting. Seedlings are able to root downward while simultaneously breaking up through the soil towards the sun. This Full Moon is a powerful time for our goals and holds deep symbo […]

Source: Full Moon Intention Planting Ceremony