Since I grew up in Mexico, my awareness of the seasons was never very strong.
I will always remember the second year I was living in New York City when I was walking down the street and I saw some little buds flowering in a tree. My heart swell with joy.
Here in Olympia, WA, the days are slowly becoming longer and the streets are slowly welcoming the colors of the blooming flowers. Last week we had the chance to attend a wonderful community event organized by The Red Thread Apothecary. We went to Priest Point Park to harvest nettles and it was wonderful and refreshing. Sophie, the young and wise herbalist who led the nature walk, invited us to intentionally sting ourselves in the forehead before we started harvesting. "Nettles change me," was the blessing she did while touching her face lightly with the plant, "so when you get stung, remember to welcome the change."
This change of seasons is a very creative time for me, so I have a couple of things to share with you today and I hope you enjoy them.
First, I made a video!
I will always remember the second year I was living in New York City when I was walking down the street and I saw some little buds flowering in a tree. My heart swell with joy.
Here in Olympia, WA, the days are slowly becoming longer and the streets are slowly welcoming the colors of the blooming flowers. Last week we had the chance to attend a wonderful community event organized by The Red Thread Apothecary. We went to Priest Point Park to harvest nettles and it was wonderful and refreshing. Sophie, the young and wise herbalist who led the nature walk, invited us to intentionally sting ourselves in the forehead before we started harvesting. "Nettles change me," was the blessing she did while touching her face lightly with the plant, "so when you get stung, remember to welcome the change."
This change of seasons is a very creative time for me, so I have a couple of things to share with you today and I hope you enjoy them.
First, I made a video!
Nettle Harvest from Marissa Rivera Bolaños on Vimeo.
I had almost forgot how much I love making video!
I have been so busy with doula life that I had not been taking my camera out so much. Making this little video was a good reminder of my other passion. I'm still waiting for the opportunity of making a birth video and start combining my vocation for birth work and my video skills!
Now, back to nettles.
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Nettle is a nutritious food that has vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium and silica. Stinging nettle is naturally high in iron.
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We had previously talked about the wonderful benefits of nettle tea during pregnancy, but nettles are also great cooked, so I thought I would share with you some of my favorite nettle recipes now that they are abundantly in season.
TOP 5 STINGING NETTLE RECIPES
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1. Nettle Kraut from Killer Pickles. If you like the sound of it, but you're intimidate with the concept of making your own kraut, check out OlyKraut's Spring Nettle Gourmet Sauerkraut, you can get in in the Olympia Food Co-Op. Fermented vegetables are an amazing source of probiotics and during pregnancy, great help to keep GBS in check. You will get tested for this bacteria between your 35th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. 2. Nettle Pesto from Naked Cusine. This delicious pesto is great with your favorite pasta or as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. |
Do you need help with creative ways to eat sauerkraut? Check out my new eBook, Real Food Remedies for Pregnancy Problems, there is a wonderful Peanut Butter Sauerkraut wrap that you will love!
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3. Nettle Chips from Learning and Yearning. Crunchy and delicious snacks, easy to make and transport!
4. Nettle Saag from Mummy I Can Cook. Indian food was the number one thing I ate during my pregnancy. I wish I had found this recipe before, I would have saved myself a lot of money. This is also perfect to make in advance and freeze, so that you can have some healthy food ready for postpartum.
5. Nettle Quiche from Naked Cusine. Eat it with a salad and a cup of nettle tea for a nourishing, protein rich lunch!
4. Nettle Saag from Mummy I Can Cook. Indian food was the number one thing I ate during my pregnancy. I wish I had found this recipe before, I would have saved myself a lot of money. This is also perfect to make in advance and freeze, so that you can have some healthy food ready for postpartum.
5. Nettle Quiche from Naked Cusine. Eat it with a salad and a cup of nettle tea for a nourishing, protein rich lunch!
Enjoy your food and the beauty of spring and shoot me an email if you have any questions!
