Studio Botanica - Herbs & Natural alternatives for Your Life

09/01/2024

PARSLEY !!! Often overlooked as a powerful plant ally, it's so much more than a garnish!

Many of will remember that grilled cheese at the diner with the tiny sprig of parsley on the side! Happily, our dear friend Parsley has somewhat graduated from this "supporting" role.

My goodness, years ago I researched Parsley for my chapter in the annual "Herb of the Year" book which is published annually by the International Herb Association. I was enthralled by the many pages of medicinal literature + wonderful recipes showcasing this amazing herb! The resulting book is packed with dozens of ways to use Parsley!

Here are some ways to add parsley to your daily meals:

Add to homemade bread, rolls or bagels
Use on homemade pizza, alone or with other greens
Use in quiches, scrambles or frittatas.
Make a pesto parsley as the star or make up a green blend of basil + parsley or dandelion + parsley
Include in vinaigrettes or a delicious marinade.
Make home-made juice combinations or add to morning smoothies to create high nutrient dense drinks
Add flavour to sauces, soups and stews
Use as a ‘rub’ to add flavour to poultry, meat and fish dishes.

There are dozens of ways to use parsley for our health!!

It's SEPTEMBER and in our HerbGals herb group, we are doing a deep dive into Parsley -- and I am so excited to share + learn + make lots of delish recipes. One of my favourites? PARSLEY infused in RED WINE.. one of Hildegarde of Bingen's recipes from the middle ages.. This is actually a heart tonic!!

Want to learn about HOW to become more self-reliant + become proficient with herbal remedies + recipes? Check out our beloved HerbGals group!
It's affordable.. It's fun. We laugh + learn lots together. Each month is special. Here's the link: https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals

Carol xo

08/31/2024

It's been a good summer + it's NOT over.. With September coming, I am always reminded of prep time.. Time to dip into my herb garden + make my traditional herbal remedies with the coming cooler months + cold/flu season in mind!
Years ago, I published a book with dozens of ideas for having healing herbal tea ideas + blends to have on hand for the challenges of winter!

Check it out here --> https://studiobotanica.gumroad.com/l/FXISYU

Why not learn all about simple ideas to prepare and be all set for 'that time'.

I hope you'll check it out + I sincerely hope that you enjoy each + every one!

Carol xo

08/30/2024

Oh such fun to make + delicious too. Healing Herbal Syrups can be made from an unlimited number of herb combinations!⁠
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Easy to make + to customiize for you + your family. ⁠
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If you'd like to learn how, just visit Studio Botanica here:
https://www.studiobotanica.com/how-to-make-herbal-syrups

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I make garlic syrup, ginger syrup + more.. in preparation for Cold n' Flu season. Who am I kidding ? I make tons more. but those 2 are always on hand. ⁠
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Hope you will check it out -- and make a healing syrup to enjoy + have on hand before needed!!⁠
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-care

08/29/2024

THROW BACK THURSDAY..

That's moi.. in Provence.. In 2003.. In the midst of one of Rosemary Gladstar's "PlantLovers' Journey" experiences. Enjoyed every second. Learned lots + Laughed a lot for 2 weeks!
This trip was unique-- Every day we visited French artisanal farmers + folks who worked/lived off the land.. Every day was more marvelous than the day before!
Sharing this memory with you. Do you have a special 'herb-infused' memorey?? Do tell me..

Carol xo

08/27/2024

I am going to save this article, for later in the fall, when I will hopefully have lots of tomatoes to enjoy -- YUM!

These green tomato recipes will help when you have unripe tomatoes to harvest before fall. Try these methods to use and preserve them!

08/27/2024

This looks SO good! You know me.. I'd be adding lots of additional herbs .. Parsley, Dill, Basil to start!
What do you think? YUMMY!

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08/21/2024

We can talk about Lavender for days... Such a super-star herbal friend!

These attributes are just highlights ~ there are many more!

Anti-depressant
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-spasmodic
Anti-anxiety
Carminative (stimulates digestion)
Nervine (supports nervous system)
Relaxant
Vulnerary (soothing to skin)

Lavender -- it's AMPHOTERIC.. We can feel uplifted. We can feel more relaxed. We can find "balance" with lavender medicine! Powerful herbal ally! I always have lavender in my apothecary + use it often.

We can use lavender in the kitchen too. Also.. skincare! So many ways can we love lavender!
We discussed "lavandula" early on, in our HerbGals sessions. A favourite for sure. Check out HerbGals here:

https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals

What do YOU do with lavender?
Do you want to learn more?
Check out my StudioBotanica website @
www.studiobotanica.com

Mmm I have an amazing Lavender Brownies recipe. YUM!

08/19/2024

What’s YOUR fave way to enjoy Basil?

When basil is in season, eat up!

Basil is an amazing digestive aid, helping you to digest anything else you eat during your meal.

Basil is known as the destroyer of phlegm. When you consider he number of ailments proved by excess phlegm – from allergies to asthma to colds – you begin to understand why adding more basil to your food is a good idea.

Eating more basil in the summer and fall helps fend off sinus and bronchial congestion during the winter.

What's your favorite way to eat basil?

08/15/2024

Do you have a garden? If so.. What are you growing this year? Please share -- even just some of your favourites!⁠
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Here's a tiny herb garden -- featuring lemon herbs like lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon balm, lemon thyme + a tiny lemon basil!⁠
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All of these plant friends are fragant + offer varying degrees of "lemon scented tasty goodness"⁠
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One of my favourite things to to is infuse vinegar to make a citrus scented tasty vinegar which can elevate vinaigrettes as well as additions to mayo or sauces, stir-fries or sprinkled over grilled or roasted veggies!⁠
Lots of ways to use -- and SUCH an easy project!⁠
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So simple to make -- basically your choice of vinegar + herbs -- you're done!

Want the recipe? Want a printable?
Here's the link: https://www.studiobotanica.com/lemon-infused-vinegar-summer-sensation

This is a winner -- if you want to increase the calcium absorbed and so much more -- Adds taste -- adds brightness + helps us to assimilate our meals too.. ⁠
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Are you growing any lemon'y herbs? ⁠
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-infused -infusedvinegar

08/01/2024

YARROW is HERB OF THE YEAR 2024!!
We are diving into the magical + marvelous benefits of Yarrow in our HerbGals group -- and there's a lot to talk about.
This very special herb is full of gifts for us with pages of attributes.
These are 5 of dozens of healing qualities which Yarrow medicine offers:

Yarrow Highlights:
Anti-Allergenic
Antibacterial
Anti-Inflammatory
AntiViral
Febrifuge (supports fever control)

If you'd like to learn how to make medicine with yarrow + dozens of other plant allies or maybe you'd like to learn how to treat a fever or a seasonal allergy-- there are so many ways we can embrace this important herbal friend-- just take a peek at the link below:
https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals
you are most welcome!!

How do you embrace Yarrow?

07/24/2024

Happy place 🍃 Harvested a favourite plant friend from my out-of-control healthy herb garden!
Can you guess? Which plant ally is this??

Hint: both culinary + medicinal 💚



I promise to post the answer tomorrow!

07/23/2024

Nothing says summer like COLD SOUPS!!!

Wanting to share a few of my favourites ~ and hope you love these! COLD SOUPS are so easy to make and perfect when it's just TOO hot to heat up your kitchen. Both light and nutritious ~ they can become a favourite in your family !

Delightful Coild Soups:
Gazpacho
Vichysoisse (potato leek)
Avocado
Orange Cantaloupe

ALL FABULOUS!!!
https://www.studiobotanica.com/delightful-cold-soups-for-summer-meals/

Hope you enjoy them all -- Such a wonderful way to enjoy cooling, light n' tasty meals .. Upgrade your summer picnics.. Make these + store in a glass jug.. Pour into wine glasses or tumblers + they are ready to devour!!

07/18/2024

Making this special recipe this week..
It's still CHERRY SEASON -- uplevel your next charcuterie platter or a simple cheese n' crackers.. YUMMY!!

Cherry Lime Fig Chutney is a delightful condiment. Slather it on anything! Add deep dark fruity flavours to BBQ! Elevate your next burger!

07/15/2024

Wanting to make this recipe soon!
Do You make your own fermented goodies ??

https://www.facebook.com/share/eCiG4fRSCNh9Lurj/?mibextid=WC7FNe

07/14/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/zd9dC5Pm7jUgmtp4/

Instead of polluting the planet with confetti, hole punch leaves instead! Fully biodegradable, and cute! ☺️

07/11/2024

Are you familiar with Garlic Scapes? There's a short season.
These are a favourite -- an annual 'tradition' .. local farmers market buy.

Garlic Scapes impart a mild garlic flavour and can be enjoyed cooked or raw. Chop them into a salad or use in recipes calling for green onions or scallions. They are delicious when sauteed with mushrooms, celery, peppers or your favourite veggies in a quick stir-fry and then pair extremely well atop whole grain or rice pasta or atop a dish of spelt, quinoa or other whole grain.

All these ideas are flavourful + fun! MY favourite ? Garlic Scapes PESTO!!

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese or Romano
3 Tbsp. fresh lime or lemon juice
¼ lb. scapes 110g
½ cup olive oil

Puree scapes and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
Stir in Parmesan and lime or lemon juice and add seasoning to taste.

For complete info + printable recipe.. click here:
https://www.studiobotanica.com/garlic-scapes-pesto/

Find scapes + make this recipe! You'll be so glad you did. YUM!

07/09/2024

We enjoyed a fun-filled insightful + loving exchange in our special HerbGals monthly group -- we are doing a deep dive into many ways we can embrace Motherwort + enjoy her special gifts!!
Look at these delicate flowers -- is she not a beauty?

here's to the appreciation of plant medicine + the powerful ways we can nourish + strengthen ourselves (and our beloveds)

Check out our HerbGals group -- all the info is over on my website here:
https://www.studiobotanica.com

07/02/2024

It's JULY + we are excited (at HerbGals) to be diving into a study of delightful Motherwort ~ such an amazing woman's medicine!
Dozens of benefits -- we are going to have fun!
*digestive herb
*nervous system support
*General tonic
*reproductive system
*Cardiac support
+ much more! This is a tiny snapshot!
NOW is the time to harvest this sweet herb.. Look at the flowers!
Watch.. use gloves.. she has an upright stem with some surprising prickly bits.. Learn how to make an extraordinary medicine!
Think of Motherwort when dealing with ANXIETY!!

Just check out the link to our HerbGals monthly membership group:
https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals

Hope you'll join us !!!

-anxiety

07/02/2024

LEARN MORE ABOUT PINEAPPLE W**D HERE: https://practicalselfreliance.com/pineapple-w**d/

Foraging for pineapple w**d is fairly easy as it typically grows right under your feet. And unless you're looking closely at the ground as you walk, you may miss it altogether! 🌱

This resilient little plant loves growing in disturbed areas like sidewalk cracks, dirt roads, or any place that is continuously trampled. 🌿🍍

07/01/2024

Wishing ALL of my fellow Canadians ~ a very happy CANADA DAY!!

May your day be filled with fun --> great health + laughter !!

with love, Carol xo

06/27/2024

𝟔𝟎+ 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬

These fantastic vegetable side dishes are not only easy to make but packed with incredible flavor, too. Look no further than this delicious collection if you need an easy side dish recipe to serve alongside your next meal.

FULL POST: https://moonandspoonandyum.com/vegetable-side-dishes/

06/22/2024

Excited to share that dear friend Laurelle Johnson ⁠
is our special guest on our next session of our HerbGals membership herbal study group!! ⁠
Laurelle will share "Five Favourite Carrier Oils + How to Use with Success"⁠
We look forward to learning + experimenting with some fabulous ideas + creating wonderful new concoctions with our plant allies!⁠
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I can vouch for the most wonderful dried herbs available from Laurelle's ⁠
"Sweet Turtle Farms" -- Delightful Calendula, Chamomile, Yarrow (+ more)⁠
Check out Laurelle's Etsy shop here:⁠
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetTurtleFarms⁠

Seriously phenomenal dried herbs! Laurelle also sells gorgeous infused oils.⁠
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We'd love to have you join us -- Check out the details here:
https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals

Herbs can offer us so many gifts.. In the kitchen, for first aid, for outstanding beauty, helpful supportive medicine, botanical skincare + so much more! SO much to learn -- we do all of this and have lots of fun doing it!! -- It's better TOGETHER !!!⁠
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06/19/2024

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06/19/2024

Thanks to Mary Bove -- for this fruity refresher!!!

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06/18/2024

Elder bushes bloom in late May and throughout June, producing beautiful clouds of fragrant white elderflowers. While elderflowers are commonly used to make elderflower syrup and cordial, they can d…

06/11/2024

Looking for a healthy and delicious treat? Look no further than this Salted Quinoa Chocolate Bark! This recipe is easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Plus, it's packed with nutrition thanks to the quinoa and antioxidant-rich chocolate. So why not give it a try today? You may just find yourself making this recipe again and again! https://wendypolisi.com/salted-quinoa-chocolate-bark-with-pistachios/

06/10/2024

HOT WEATHER HERBAL REFRESHERS ~ from Ice Tea to Lemonade!⁠
I've written for Vitality Magazine for 25+ years but this is my 1st "HerbGal Cover".. Thanks to my editor Julia for her support. ⁠
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I am very pleased with this article as it offers very practical ideas + recipes for how to create delicious easy-to-make healthy herbal refreshers which are yummy anytime but also very hydrating in the summer heat!⁠⁠
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Summertime really is THE perfect time to embrace self-care + opt for healthy cooling beverages!⁠ If you are new to making herbal concoctions, ⁠
i hope you'll try them. If you are already an herb enthusiast.. I hope you'll try them.. In any case.. I hope you enjoy them AND I'd love to hear about YOUR OWN personal FAVOURITES!!⁠
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Here is a direct link to the magazine:
https://tinyurl.com/Vitality-Summer2024

I LOVE sharing my herbal passion !!⁠ I hope you enjoy these recipes!!!

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06/08/2024

PURE JOY! Embracing some new herb friends to join the others in my tiny gardens! Always a delight + so very rewarding!!⁠
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Are you planting herbs this year? Do you have any favourite herbs to grow?⁠
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Have you every thought "I really need to learn more about growing + using herbs so that I can really elevate my meals + feel confident using them?"⁠
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Why not join me -- either as a subscriber to my newsletter over at - www.studiobotanica.com

or check out one of my ebooks..
or if you really want to spend some good fun-filled time .. with the plants + learning 'more deeply'.. check out HerbGals -- my monthly membership group -- all the info available from this link:
https://studiobotanica.teachable.com/p/herbgals

You are MOST welcome!!!⁠
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I do hope you will allow me to share my passion with you!!⁠
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Green wishes, Carol xo⁠
Thank you.⁠
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06/02/2024

Creative rhubarb recipes can be hard to find, and you really only need so many strawberry rhubarb pies in a season.  We harvest it by the wheelbarrow load each spring, and we’re always o…