Indian Trail

Have you seen any of these? I come across them occasionally in my woodland wanderings.
Click link to know more...

Indian Trail Trees

1994 in George Washington National Forest

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Persimmon Bliss Cake

Okay, so I have to share with you this cake I made recently because it was one of the best eva!

~ Persimmon Cake with Quince Jam and Elderberry Syrup ~

 

This was my hubbie's Birthday cake; here he is about to devour it.

Depending on where you are, you may still be able to harvest some Persimmons.  We harvested ours mid-November just as they were leaving their astringency for sweetness. 

More like a bread pudding... rich and decadent with a perfect blend of smooth but substantial texture and complex, delightful taste.

Unfortunately, I did not follow a recipe or even measure all the ingredients, but fortunately! I am now going to compile a recipe from memory...it goes something like this:

Play around with it and make it yours.

Using a Foley Mill, or another method, separate the Persimmon pulp from the skin and seeds.  Use as much water as needed to do this and blend it all together (pulp and water).  
You'll want about 4 c. of this blend for the cake.

Mix this blend with 3/4 c. honey, two sticks butter, 2 eggs.

Then add 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour, 1 tspn. baking soda, 1/2 tspn. salt, and 1/4 tspn. baking powder.

Blend and pour into (2) 8-9" greased round pans or similar, bake 350 degrees for an hour and a half
(or until toothpick comes out clean), watch for too much browning, 
this long length of time worked for me.

Once separated, blend the pulp with water until it's the consistency of "slop."  :)

 I topped this cake with Quince jam and Elderberry syrup we just made, but you could top it with any type of jam or syrup.  The sweetness of the jam with the tartness of the Elderberry was perfect.  Lemon curd and maple syrup with some Ginger come to mind as a great combo to try.

A tithing:  Racoon offerings

These seeds got fed to the racoons because we are already loaded down with loads of squash seeds to prep and eat, but you can also roast and eat these.  Let removing the pulp be your Zen meditation for the day.

Elderberry Syrup - A Method and Discussion

From this beautiful bouquet of a flower comes the berry...

 Great as a healing treat or a culinary delicacy!

This medicinal syrup is often thought of as being invaluable to the onset of colds and flu, particularly with fever, as it cools and promotes sweating, opening the pores and releasing the"evils" (as would be said in TCM).  I use this syrup for this, but also for some lesser known therapeutics:  nerve damage and pain (acute or chronic), constipation, and food poisoning.  And it tastes great...one of the easier herbs with which to gain compliance.  :)

Return of the Jedi in my oven.  :)

There are different ways of making this syrup and lots of possibilities of herbs to add.  In this batch I added Pine needles  (Pinus virginiana) my apprentices and I wild-harvested and processed.  This time I did not have fresh berries (was traveling when they were ripe here in Virginia), I used organic sugar for the syrup (you can also use glycerin), and I strained it.  Sometimes I leave it chunky for all the added goodness of the skin and seeds, but felt with the Pine needles included, straining would be good.  Plus peeps seem to prefer the syrup smooth.  ;)  Mind you if you leave the seeds in, you must cook it thoroughly as they can be toxic if uncooked.


Here's how to do this yourself:
(or inquire if you want to purchase or barter from me)

You will need:
1 lb. dry Elderberries 
(see link for Mountain Rose to right side to order)
about 7 c. organic raw sugar
any other herbs you wish to infuse, 
I used about 1 c. of Pine needles
canning jars or other containers

Begin by reconstituting your berries:  bring 8 c. of water to a boil, pour over berries and other herbs, let them sit steeping with a lid for a half hour.  Next hand mash or use a stick blender to break up berries being careful not to break up seeds (they won't hurt you, just taste bitter).  Then strain.  I used a cheese press for this, but you could use a mesh bag or the like.  Put this liquid in a large pot with the sugar. 

If you aren't making a divine mess in the kitchen, you aren't doing it right.  ;)

Boil, stirring regularly until it's frothy.  Have your canning jars ready (warmed so they don't break), lids off.  Once frothy, pour the syrup into the jars and put the lids on.  As they cool, they will pop.  You can store these jars unopened a year out of the fridge.  I like to keep it in the fridge once I open it.

Getting frothy.

The marc, or leftover herbs after pressing, can then be composted or used for something else.  As I said, I usually don't strain my syrup and this is why.  This seems like a waste of good nutrients and fiber.  Normally I would utilize this marc, at least as a filler, in muffins or bars.  Or use it externally as a poultice even.  But being swamped for time and, after an apprentice day of remedy prep, loaded up on various marcs that I want to get the last bit of magic out of, let's just say the raccoons will be pooping purple!

I think next time I want to add something like Pine needles, I will infuse them first, strain, and then use that infusion to reconstitute the berries.  Live and learn, always something new to learn, especially when you constantly experiment and rarely do the same thing twice.  :)

I doubled the recipe.  One recipe makes (12) 8 oz. jars. 

Inquire if you want to purchase or barter, $15 for an 8oz. jar.*
All Organic.  Shipping is expensive for liquids and this weight, 
so best if you know me and can get it in person, but I will ship, inquire...

Elderberry Abstract Art

*If you are buying several Ravenwind Botanica products at one time, whether the same item or not, you can save substantially on shipping as I will ship it all together, please inquire and we'll get the payment set up right for you.  :)  You can click on 'Ravenwind Botanica' in the list to the right to see all products available.  Thanks for supporting my work.

Joy in the Woodland Yard

Want to know what delights me? Discovering a native wildflower in the yard that I hadn't seen here before. Prenanthes serpentaria Gall-of-the-Earth, apparently used for Rattlesnake bite. Let's hope I never need it. It is growing within 30' of where I think Copperheads are denning; wonder if it works for their bite too. It's an alexiteric. Only 4 plants, so I won't be harvesting any, but hoping to support it spreading...

Here are various websites I used to verify the species of the Genus, which was also called Nalabus.

Paridaeza Flower Essences For Sale

Flower essences work on a vibrational level to encourage balance.
They work on the subtle body.
They are not biochemical medicines.

Essences can effect change slowly or quickly; the change will be subtle: changes in eating, sleeping, dreaming, energy, thinking, feeling, moving.

It’s important each day to take a moment to center yourself and draw attention to what you are working on in your emotional/mental life.  This is something you can do each time you take the essence.  Awareness of the body, thoughts, and emotions is the foundation from which you can create and witness change.








 All of these flower essences (except the White Lily which was given to me by a friend) have been created with Love off the land I caretake organically on Blue Mountain in Virginia (since 1998).  I harvest the flowers at their peak on a sunny day, and using well water and the sun, I allow the essence to become, then I prepare and bottle it.  I do this with intention and gratitude and sometimes with the help of a friend.  Here are some of the flowers that bloom on this land.  I will be working to make essences out of more of them over the coming years…

  “I do not have to go to Sacred places in far-off lands. 

The ground I stand on is holy.

Here, in this little garden I tend, my pilgrimage ends.
The wild honeybees, the hummingbird moths, the flickering fireflies at dusk
are a microcosm of the universe.

 Each seed that grows, each spade of soil is full of miracles.  

And I toil and sweat and watch and wonder and I’m full of love.  

Living in place, in this place.  For truth and beauty dwell here.”

- Mary de la Valette

 ~ ~ ~

Paridaeza Flower Essences: 
Each Essence is $4.95, See Price at Bottom for Special Offers.
 

Bee Balm (Monarda didyma) - Spark and Vigor *
Assists with inspiration and will that one may be joyful and live their dreams - Clears psychological obstruction so that one may grow and transform - Helps workaholics not be so serious
 -  Helps leaders use their power positively for others

 

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) 
- Learning from Our Elders
Promotes creative visualization, balancing the intellect - Connect with one’s heritage - Heal old wounds - Move from despair to the light - Embracing one’s roots as one moves forward in their evolution
 - Heart Chakra

 

Dogwood (Cornus florida) - Deep emotional trauma *
Brings our gifts up from the depths of us, giving us a new ability to be in this world, including psychic abilities, connection to all that is, a deeper knowing - Awakens the Phoenix that rises from inside of us after a traumatic experience

Mayapple (Podyllum peltatum) - Meditation Assistant *
Readys one for growth, teaches temperance, good for impatience and the need for instant gratification,
Be Here Now

 

Mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin) - Delivering Your Truth *
Facilitates intuition and awareness so that one may open to others without doubt, with power, particularly if one is introverted, timid, or dependent - Helps with depression that may result from being closed off to others - Personal strength

 

Orange Daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) - Rebirth and Release *
Aids in letting go of a need to control by understanding that life is eternal and infinite, hence beyond our control - Teaches about the cycles of death and rebirth

 

Red Horsechestnut (Aesculus x carnea) - Live and Let Live *
Teaches one to not be overly concerned, worried, anxious, or fearful for others, to allow them to be and live their lives - also helps animals with respiratory issues

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) - Open Heart Center *
Supports one in healing the Heart, which often closes from painful life experiences and fear - This flower opens to the sun each day and helps your Heart to flower, to be open and let the light in

 

Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) - Enthusiasm for Life *
Helps to release anger or tension that one feels in the "pit of my stomach" - Brings hope when one is depressed and feels there is no end in sight, brings about sweetness when one is feeling low

 

 Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica) - 
Freedom from Restriction, Safe to Love *
Transmutes fear and clears blocks, particularly in throat and feet chakra areas - Allows for free expression of Love without fear, especially in speaking, chanting, or singing (throat) and moving or taking the next step (feet) - Aids in saying what needs to be said and doing what needs to be done (Love)

 

White Lily (Lilium candidum) 
- Integrate Sexuality and Spirituality
Works to bring wholeness to one’s sexuality - Join with others at a higher level of consciousness - Helps one to gain a healthy understanding of  sexuality and find the balance between prudishness and excessive promiscuity that is not fulfilling and feels empty - Aids in healing sexual trauma, which can arise from many circumstances:  rape, prostitution, invasive medical procedures, physical abuse in a sexual relationship, porn addiction, and so on  - Crown Chakra

 

Wisteria (Wisteria japonica) - Relax into Intimacy*   
Increases vitality while smoothing emotions, helps with focus, softens - allows one to enjoy, to not be uptight, but be vulnerable in relating - Promote calm through chaos and turmoil, particularly helps with separation and/or lack of equality in relationships - Great for use with any type of meridian therapy

 

 ~ ~ ~

* These essences have been “Honeybee-potentized” - a name I have given to those essences that came into being while sitting on one of my organic beehives in the sun.  I do this so that the essence is also infused with the life-giving, steady tenacity of the Honeybee.  Flowers and Bees are intimately linked and together they make a potent essence.

Price List*
All orders come with a printed sheet of details about each essence.
10 mL brown glass bottle with dropper - $4.95 each (plus shipping, add below)

Individual Essence -

  ***Please note which Essences you would like.***

Buy 3 get 1 free! (4 for $14.85) 
Purchase 3 individuals, add shipping below, and tell me which 4 essences you want.




Shipping and Handling - Sent first class mail via USPS in recycled packaging.

$4.95 flat rate for up to 2 bottles

$9.95 flat rate for 3-24 bottles

SPECIAL OFFER!  ‘Full Kit’ One of each, 12 total, for $39.95! (plus shipping, add above)

 (a savings of almost $20 off the individual price!)

Take two to four drops four times a day, under your tongue or mixed in  a few ounces of water,
ten minutes prior to eating or one hour afterward. You can take them more often if you want, as needed.
Listen to your Inner Guidance.  You can also add them in with a bath or lotion, etc.
  I would love your feedback after using these Essences...

These Flower Essences are in a base of 140 proof Vodka.
They have been made with a homeopathic succussion of 6X.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA; These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

*If you are buying several Ravenwind Botanica products at one time, whether the same item or not, you can save substantially on shipping as I will ship it all together, please inquire and we'll get the payment set up right for you.  :)  You can click on 'Ravenwind Botanica' in the list to the right to see all products available.  Thanks for supporting my work.

                                                                        

Giving Thanks...

... and realizing there is more to do than give thanks. We all need to acknowledge the grandness of the gifts we are given, the true gifts, and respond with right action to truly show our thanks - not just blindly consuming and only caring about ourselves and "pleasantries" and convenience.  Our actions need to be ones of true appreciation based on understanding of the ALL.

A message for today and everyday.













What can YOU do?

This means not using Round-Up because it's convenient, disregarding destroying the water and soil...

This means supporting Organic farmers who respect the soil...

This means living in harmony with all of life: humans, animals, plants, the air, water, soil...

This means not supporting large corporations, who do not care about the people, like Wal-mart and McDonald's...

This means recycling and re-using, conserving resources...

This means acting for the good of all and not just for personal greed...

This means not wasting food, building materials, clothing, etc...

This means not buying meat that came from a factory...

WE are the ones...




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