Wild Berry Cakes for Camossung: A Prayer For Restoring The Garden

August 23, 2019.Reading time 17 minutes.

My family background is pretty diverse (stretching across Europe from Spain, France, Greece to Eastern Europe and Russia) so I harvest and write about the many foods my ancestors have eaten for literally thousands of years. But I also resonate deeply with the food cultures of the Coast Salish Peoples whose territories I occupy. How […]

Stewards or Profiteers: Selling The Wild

December 15, 2017.Reading time 12 minutes.

I’ve been foraging for over a decade now, but lately, I’ve noticed a growing number of newly enthused “wildcrafting” entrepreneurs selling their wares. So imagine my surprise when a local wildcrafter recently insinuated that his enlightened approach to wildcrafting and stewardship of the land was opposed to the forager’s clear-cutting ways and take, take, take […]

Aromatic & Spicy Juniper Berry Sugar Stars

December 4, 2017.Reading time 11 minutes.

Juniper Berry is simply divine. For those who have never encountered the juniper berry, imagine the spicy exotic notes of eastern spices like nutmeg and allspice, and the scent of fresh-cut evergreen branches combined. Aromatic and perfumey, it is just the perfect spice for a buttery cookie. But how to best capture their flavour? Baked […]

Deeply Nourishing Seasonal Medicine: Delectable Dandelion Root Treats!

November 7, 2017.Reading time 4 minutes.

Tis the season for harvesting that super nutritious and medicinal powerhouse—dandelion root! According to herbalist Susun Weed, dandelion roots are best harvested in late fall when they are sweetest and highest in medicinal potency. And while they’re mostly used in tinctures and teas for their many amazing health benefits, my favourite seasonal way to enjoy […]

Wildcrafting the Shrub: Osoberry Delight

June 3, 2016.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Ripening now in the Pacific Northwest – the Osoberry. Like a cross between cherry, cantaloupe and cucumber, its flavour is unique. Here is a recipe for Osoberry” shrub,” a kind of vinegary cordial popular with the cocktail set. I ended up using it more like a syrupy balsamic vinegar in salads, marinades and glazes. Not […]

Part 3. Ending The Toxic, Costly and Unnecessary War On Invasive Plants: Who Does The War Serve?

September 28, 2015.Reading time 18 minutes.

This investigative series follows my personal exploration into a big question – is the toxic chemical war we are waging on invasive plants doing more harm than good? To see my introduction to this series click here. In Part One and Two I explored evidence suggesting that, in the long run, invasive plants may be doing more […]

Prologue: Ending the Toxic, Costly and Unnecessary War on Invasive Plants. Now.

September 19, 2015.Reading time 16 minutes.

This investigative series follows my personal exploration into a big question – is the toxic chemical war we are waging on invasive plants doing more harm than good? I’ve had it. On a recent dog walk into Uplands Park, I was horrified to discover the landscape literally dotted with notices of herbicide applications of Glyphosate […]