Foraging Fun!

Found a HUGE old lilac tree way off the beaten path and some wild mustard greens - which will be good with our bison burgers tonight. I'm not a big fan of the SUPER bitter leaves, but my daughter likes them. Mustard greens are a great source of vitamins A, K, E, C and various minerals. The lilacs we gathered just because...

Wild Mustard and Lilacs

Helena on an Apple Blossom Strewn Mossy Rock Giving Some Love to Sweet Birch!

We gathered a few branches from some sweet birch saplings that were growing prolifically. I LOVE making birch beer, which is similar to root beer. If you break off a branch of sweet birch it has a smell that reminds me very much of root beer, although more minty.

Rough recipe... dice up the branches; cover with water; simmer for a few hours; add sweetener of choice; add seltzer. We were impatient and only did an hour decoction of the roots so it was a bit weak, albeit tasty.

Helena is homeschooled so, amongst other work, today counted as a science field-trip along with some math in the car and some spelling along the trails.

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We Discovered a Hidden Pond on our Explorations!

Purple Violets

The photo makes them look blue, but they were purple in real life. Violet blossoms are full of vitamin C and good for various respiratory ailments. We made an infusion with ours to make into a violet syrup. However, I think you really need a LOT more than what we gathered to make a strong syrup. My favorite use for violet blossoms it to just throw them in a salad, over the top of veggies, or on top of any dessert like ice cream. Quick and simple and fresh and you don't lose their beautiful shape and color.


If you go foraging, I'd love to see what you've found and how you've used it. Finally, if you want to learn more about herbs, check out Online Herbal Summer Camp 2015 - button link at top of this page.