Monday, December 17, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
KickStarter Project Link
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/herbalrevolution/eat-your-weeds-organic-t-shirt-line
Saturday, September 1, 2012
"Eats Your Weeds" Organic T-Shirt Line
Hello my name is Katheryn Langelier and I am the founder of Herbal Revolution, a small organic herbal business. My project is to launch an "Eat Your Weeds" organic t-shirt line for adults and kids. In three weeks, from September 21-23, I will be vending at the Common Ground Country Fair. This three-day event, put on by Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, has been drawing crowds of over 20,000 people from all around the country. I believe that my "Eat Your Weeds" organic t-shirts will have a great opportunity to reach hundreds of people over these three days.
Why "Eat Your Weeds" organic t-shirts?
The idea behind these t-shirts is to help create a dialogue and general awareness of local wild foods and the environment. Millions of pounds of chemicals and pesticides are dumped onto lawns, playgrounds, golf courses etc, to eradicate plants such as dandelions. These chemicals leach into our ground water, kill the the microbes that are needed to create healthy living soil and in general denature and poison most everything they come in contact with. I have hopes that this t-shirt will start to help people recognize the nutritional value and environmental benefits from eating locally foraged greens.
Why I need support to launch this project?
What
I have discovered over the past few months is that these soft, organic
and flattering t-shirt styles are not inexpensive to produce. It's
important to me that these shirts are both organic and attractive. These
are the things that I take into consideration when I am shopping for
clothes, and I assume that many others do also.My herbal business is very small and this summer I attempted to attend a three-day event that would have brought in a certain amount of financial stability for the business. Unfortunately, a couple of hours after I set up my booth, a torrential downpour came in with no letting up in sight. It was an intense storm and within 1/2 hour, it was starting to affect the products in my booth. I decided it was time to count my losses and get out of dodge. As I pulled up to my booth with my truck, I watched in horror as my tent went rolling across the field, people running madly with my props and products, and then to top it all off the tornado siren started sounding. I left this event with a broken tent, ruined products and a significant financial loss.
The shirt budget, which I thought would be available for me at this point in time, is now non-existent. Your pledge will help get me and my business back on track and up on our feet again, just in time for the Common Ground Country Fair in three weeks.
What are the benefits from eating weeds?
There are many edible weeds available to us, but for the purpose of this project I will stick with Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis).
All parts of the dandelion plant can be consumed, but for this example,
I'll focus on the benefits of the dandelion greens. Dandelion greens
contain one of the richest source of beta carotene in the edible plant
kingdom. Along with being rich in beta carotenes they also contain high
sources of Vitamin A coming in third behind cod-liver oil and liver.
This vibrant spring green is full of nutrients including calcium,
potassium, magnesium, iron, Vitamin B, thiamin and proteins just to name
a few. These great spring greens are cleansing to our systems,
supportive to the kidneys and are great for the digestive system. Eating
dandelion greens doesn't have to be an intimidating event, they can be
added to salads, made into pesto, or added to any dish that calls for
greens. They are often harvested in the spring when they are young and
tender and before they have gone to flower. Once they have gone to
flower they do tend to become more bitter, although I personally still
gather these leaves well into the fall.
How will the project funds will be used?
I am looking to raise $2,500, to purchase roughly 130 organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirts in women's fitted scoop neck styles, a women's more modest style, a flattering men's style, and children's shirts. I would be utilizing a small local screenprinting shop that uses water-based inks. Therefore, you would not only be supporting me, my project and my small business - but you would also be supporting another small Maine business.
...I am taking a leap, holding my breath and hoping this works!
What you get for your pledges?
- $5 - Everyone will receive a handwritten thank-you card with the "Eat Your Weeds" graphic design on it.
- $15 - You'll receive the card above as well as one of our great "Eat Your Weeds" stickers.
- $25 - In addition to both items above, you'll receive a Dandelion Recipe card with some easy and delicious recipes.
- $50 - Along with all of the items above, you'll receive Herbal Revolution's Spring Cleaning Tea Blend. This tea is made with organic Dandelion Root, Burdock Root, Yellow Dock Root, Rose Hips, Red Clover blossoms and leaf. I'd like to add that every single one of these dried herbs in this tea blend are also delicious and nutritious wild edibles!
- $75 - In addition to all of the items above - card, sticker, and you'll receive your very own organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt!
- $100 - You'll receive one of everything from the list above - card, sticker, tea, and organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt!
- $250 - You'll receive one of everything above - card, sticker, tea, and organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt - plus a dandelion flower essence.
- $500 - You'll receive all of the above - card, sticker, tea, organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt, dandelion flower essence - PLUS a 3-Month Herbal Revolution CSA Subscription. (This includes one herbal tincture, one flower essence, one tea blend and an extra item. You have your choice of products to receive each month along with great information on each product, plus plenty of fun extra information on edible weeds and how to use them.)
- $1000 - You'll receive all of the above - card, sticker, tea, organic "Eat Your Weeds" t-shirt, dandelion flower essence - PLUS a 6-Month Herbal Revolution CSA Subscription. (This includes one herbal tincture, one flower essence, one tea blend, and an extra item. You have your choice of products to receive each month along with great information on each product, plus plenty of fun extra information on edible weeds and how to use them.)
Friday, May 11, 2012
Making and Using Dandelion Oil
Here in Maine, as with many places that experience the four seasons, we welcome the coming of spring with open arms. The return of spring, also means the return of the plants, trees, migrating animals and the wild edibles and medicinals.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of these wild edible/ medicinals that I eagerly welcome back. The entire plant is both edible and medicinal and I use the flower, leaves and roots to make tea, tinctures, oils, vinegars, wine, beer and I also cook with them.
Today I am going to highlight the beautiful dandelion flower and how to make and use dandelion flower oil.
A field of dandelions in full bloom is a brilliant sight to see in the spring time. These flowers not only bring a smile to my face but they also bring warmth to my heart, and every spring I make a golden herbal oil with these flowers.
Dandelion oil has a lovely relationship with breasts and the breast tissue, making it a great oil to be used for breast massage. Dandelion oil can help ease and release tension and the deep emotions that can be stored away in our breast tissue. I believe that regular breast massage, using oils that have an affinity for the breasts, will help encourage us to provide our breasts and ourselves with a deeper sense of support, confidence, kindness and love. Here are some, not all, but some other oils that mix well with dandelion oil for the breasts: Dandelion root, Lady's Mantle, Violet, Calendula, Burdock seeds, Rose and Sacred Basil.
Dandelion flower oil can also be used as a fabulous moisturizer for the body, and a deep relaxant and tension reliever. Dandelion oil makes a great choice of oil for receiving a full body massage. It has the ability to help release stored emotions that are being held with in our muscle tissue, which can cause us deep tension and stress. It also works well on achy sore muscles, joints, swollen breasts and tense backs and necks.
To make this lovely oil, find a place to gather the flowers that is away from roads and free of pesticides and chemicals. Pick a nice sunny day or at least wait till the morning dew has evaporated off of the plants and gather the the full, non-damaged, healthiest looking blossoms. Please be mindful and thankful when you are gathering the dandelion blossom as with all herbal gathering that you do.
Once you have gathered the flowers bring them home, spread them out evenly on a drying screen and let the flowers lay out for a day. I suggest letting the flowers wilt for a day as opposed to using the freshly picked flowers due to the water content in the flowers. Water and oil don't mix and the presence of water in the oil can encourage the oil to go rancid. This has happened to me a number of times while making fresh herbal oils, so now, depending on the plant, I will usually let the plant material lay out on screens for a day.
After the flowers have wilted for a day I then place them into a sterile jar, I use mason jars which come in pint, quart and half gallons sizes. I fill the jar right up with flowers, making sure not to pack the flowers in to tight, I keep them nice and loose. Then I use an organic or pesticide free olive oil and slowly fill the jar with oil. You will see little air bubbles finding there way to the top of the jar. I use a wooden skewer to help encourage the air out of the jar, this is very important, the presence of air can also spoil your oil. Getting all of the air out can take sometime, keep refilling the jar with oil until you know longer see any air bubbles. Cover the jar and place on a plate or in a container, because the jar will weep a bit and can make a mess. You will want to check the oil over the next few days and weeks, checking to see if more oil needs to be added to the jar. You should place the oil in a dark place that is not to warm and not to cool for at least two weeks and up to six.
Label your jar clearly, write the date that you made the oil, what the oil is, did you use fresh, wilted or dry material, and sometimes it can be nice to keep track of where you harvested on the label also.
After two to six weeks it is time to strain the oil. I use a metal mesh strainer and a piece of unbleached cheese cloth inside of that strainer. I use bowl that has been cleaned and sterilized and slowly pour the jar of oil with dandelions into the strainer. As the flowers come out I squeeze the excess oil out of them and then add them to the compost, I do this in stages. It will make a mess if you pour the whole contents into the strainer at once. When you have strained everything off, place your new golden oil into a sterile beautiful bottle or jar and admire. If you are going to use a clear jar store the oil in a dark place. Amber colored jars or bottles make a great storage place for oils, but then you don't get to see the beautiful colors, so just be aware of where you store the oil. Olive oil comes in dark jars for a reason, it helps keep the oil stable, were the presence of air and light can encourage the oil to spoil. I use olive oil the most when making herbal oils because it is one of the most stable oils and it does a great job of extracting medicinal properties from plant material.
I have mentioned to avoid things that could spoil or cause your oil to go rancid a few times, this is something to be aware of. When making an oil sometimes they can go bad and when they do you will know. It is just an awful smell, a smell that makes you understand something has gone wrong. If this happens, don't be discouraged, compost the jar contents and try again. Think about what you could do differently next time, like check on it more often to make sure the oil is to the top covering all of the plant material. Plant material that is exposed to air and not covered with the oil can also encourage spoiling.
The last thing to be aware of when making herbal oils is that sometimes mold will grow in the oil, this usually happens when the plant material is left to long in the jar. If this happens and the oil still smells good and not rancid, then just scoop the mold out of the jar with a spoon, making sure that you got it all. The oil should be fine to use after you remove the mold.
Now that you have your lovely dandelion oil, use it, share a bottle with friends and family and Enjoy!
The above photo from left to right is: dandelion flower oil, dandelion leaf tincture and dandelion root tincture.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of these wild edible/ medicinals that I eagerly welcome back. The entire plant is both edible and medicinal and I use the flower, leaves and roots to make tea, tinctures, oils, vinegars, wine, beer and I also cook with them.
Today I am going to highlight the beautiful dandelion flower and how to make and use dandelion flower oil.
A field of dandelions in full bloom is a brilliant sight to see in the spring time. These flowers not only bring a smile to my face but they also bring warmth to my heart, and every spring I make a golden herbal oil with these flowers.
Dandelion oil has a lovely relationship with breasts and the breast tissue, making it a great oil to be used for breast massage. Dandelion oil can help ease and release tension and the deep emotions that can be stored away in our breast tissue. I believe that regular breast massage, using oils that have an affinity for the breasts, will help encourage us to provide our breasts and ourselves with a deeper sense of support, confidence, kindness and love. Here are some, not all, but some other oils that mix well with dandelion oil for the breasts: Dandelion root, Lady's Mantle, Violet, Calendula, Burdock seeds, Rose and Sacred Basil.
Dandelion flower oil can also be used as a fabulous moisturizer for the body, and a deep relaxant and tension reliever. Dandelion oil makes a great choice of oil for receiving a full body massage. It has the ability to help release stored emotions that are being held with in our muscle tissue, which can cause us deep tension and stress. It also works well on achy sore muscles, joints, swollen breasts and tense backs and necks.
Once you have gathered the flowers bring them home, spread them out evenly on a drying screen and let the flowers lay out for a day. I suggest letting the flowers wilt for a day as opposed to using the freshly picked flowers due to the water content in the flowers. Water and oil don't mix and the presence of water in the oil can encourage the oil to go rancid. This has happened to me a number of times while making fresh herbal oils, so now, depending on the plant, I will usually let the plant material lay out on screens for a day.
After the flowers have wilted for a day I then place them into a sterile jar, I use mason jars which come in pint, quart and half gallons sizes. I fill the jar right up with flowers, making sure not to pack the flowers in to tight, I keep them nice and loose. Then I use an organic or pesticide free olive oil and slowly fill the jar with oil. You will see little air bubbles finding there way to the top of the jar. I use a wooden skewer to help encourage the air out of the jar, this is very important, the presence of air can also spoil your oil. Getting all of the air out can take sometime, keep refilling the jar with oil until you know longer see any air bubbles. Cover the jar and place on a plate or in a container, because the jar will weep a bit and can make a mess. You will want to check the oil over the next few days and weeks, checking to see if more oil needs to be added to the jar. You should place the oil in a dark place that is not to warm and not to cool for at least two weeks and up to six.
After two to six weeks it is time to strain the oil. I use a metal mesh strainer and a piece of unbleached cheese cloth inside of that strainer. I use bowl that has been cleaned and sterilized and slowly pour the jar of oil with dandelions into the strainer. As the flowers come out I squeeze the excess oil out of them and then add them to the compost, I do this in stages. It will make a mess if you pour the whole contents into the strainer at once. When you have strained everything off, place your new golden oil into a sterile beautiful bottle or jar and admire. If you are going to use a clear jar store the oil in a dark place. Amber colored jars or bottles make a great storage place for oils, but then you don't get to see the beautiful colors, so just be aware of where you store the oil. Olive oil comes in dark jars for a reason, it helps keep the oil stable, were the presence of air and light can encourage the oil to spoil. I use olive oil the most when making herbal oils because it is one of the most stable oils and it does a great job of extracting medicinal properties from plant material.
I have mentioned to avoid things that could spoil or cause your oil to go rancid a few times, this is something to be aware of. When making an oil sometimes they can go bad and when they do you will know. It is just an awful smell, a smell that makes you understand something has gone wrong. If this happens, don't be discouraged, compost the jar contents and try again. Think about what you could do differently next time, like check on it more often to make sure the oil is to the top covering all of the plant material. Plant material that is exposed to air and not covered with the oil can also encourage spoiling.
The last thing to be aware of when making herbal oils is that sometimes mold will grow in the oil, this usually happens when the plant material is left to long in the jar. If this happens and the oil still smells good and not rancid, then just scoop the mold out of the jar with a spoon, making sure that you got it all. The oil should be fine to use after you remove the mold.
Now that you have your lovely dandelion oil, use it, share a bottle with friends and family and Enjoy!
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