Thursday 4 April 2013

A Year of Healing with West Coast Herbs

Last Saturday I attended the second month of Heather MacLeod's "A Year of Healing with West Coast Herbs." What a simply amazing day! We came together over nettle and blackberry leaf tea, sharing our previous month's experiences, and how already the course was having a profound effect on each of us. We then looked over the excellent handout detailing the wild plants and homework for the month ahead. Weeds were on the menu, in more ways than one.


Piling into Anne's van we took off, high in spirits and drunk on the sunny weather, in search of the perfect nettle patch. A kind gentleman had offered his land for the taking. Gathering nettles in the sunshine, sharing feelings with fellow gatherers, to the gentle sounds of Patsy Kline coming from the landowner's radio, will not soon be forgotten...




Bags filled to the brim, we made our way back to class. Heather had suggested a pot luck lunch this time around. While snacking on goat's cheese and Anne's honey wafer crackers, and Linda's delectable smoked salmon, capers and cream cheese pita breads, we chopped and sliced, sauteed and stirred.


For the very first time I learned the proper way to use Phyllo pastry. Seven women in a kitchen and not a cook too many! Soon the Nettle spanatopika was ready to go in the oven. 



Back outside into the sunshine, this time to learn about, identify and harvest common weeds for a nutritious salad.


Lunch was simply delicious... I had brought a coleslaw to which Heather added a delicious dressing made from Anne's blackberry vinegar...




Judy brought homemade pie casing with a jar of her mother's homemade lemon curd, a perfect end to a perfect feast! Unfortunately I didn't get a photo, so maybe she'll make more for next month... we certainly hinted enough...

But the day was not over. Gathering the plants we had harvested during the previous month we learned how to put together the makings of a tincture, and then all worked together to make a wonderful, soothing healing salve.


Just like the day was to my spirit...

3 comments:

heather said...

You reminisced beautifully, and reminded me of just what a lovely day it really was!

Shena Meadowcroft said...

Thank you Healther... you created the loving space in order for all this to unfold ~

tammy said...

we also have made nettle spanikopita....yum! nice story....