Linden!

I've learned, it's the time for linden foraging!
http://www.yougrowgirl.com/2013/07/03/foraging-for-linden-flowers-giveaway/
Linden is in season and I'm planning on heading out to forage on Sunday morning with some friends to have linden around for tea during the year. There is something so empowering that happens every time I forage in the city–I encourage anyone to do so! Even just once (to start!) It will change your perspective on our food system, your eating habits, and the space around you. Dramatic, I know, but really quite an incredible, empowering, grounding experience once you process what is happening when you pick your own food in a city that has starving and homeless people in it. The capacity that a city has to feed itself–in part, through urban fruit and nut trees. Stunning!

A Beautiful Sight

After collecting a bunch of lovage (left), sage (top), and mint (bottom), I decided to dry the majority. Lovage is a great perennial herb that I never knew about until now and it's one of my new favourites!  Its a very pungent celery/parsley-like flavour. Sage is great for cooking or for a throat soothing tea, and mint tea is one of my go-to's for digestive tonic. 





I also cut a bunch of nettle (hanging far right) to make into a cleansing tea in the future. One of my new favourite sights!

Stalking the Wild Asparagus

Can you see it? There is a patch on the lower left and one that Bozena walks in front of in the second photo.

This was literally on the side of a road, just outside of a farmers field. I had no idea how asparagus grew before this weekend. Apparently, if you don't pick it, it turns into a fern!  And it's from the lily family!  Who knew?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/asparagus-info.htm
Also, a side note–foraging is so empowering!  One of my first experiences doing so and I am definitely going to capitalize on Bozena's expertise in the future...  Excited!

Foraging Adventures

I went out to Grafton ON and did a bit of foraging with my friend Bozena today. We found tons of beautiful wild mint, GIANT rhubarb (that leaf was bigger than me!) and a few asparagus.  Tomorrow–more asparagus hunting!