On Mother’s Day…
I wish for the inherent beauty and power of mothers and the mother energy to be fully valued and honored.
I dream of a day when women will have full knowledge and rights of their reproductive health and processes.
I dream of a day where women’s bath houses crop up as communal spaces for women to drop-in at any time for nourishment, companionship, rest, and cleansing.
I dream of a culture that creates space for women’s cycles that are so connected to the natural, spiral cycles of this planet.
I dream of women choosing to deepend their connection with their own bodies. I dream of women taking young women through rites of passage that teaches them to honor their bodies, their intuition, and inner wisdom through the transitions through maiden > mother/creatress > and crone.
I dream of women embracing all her stages of life.
I dream of healthy women prepared for healthy births with nutrient-dense foods packed with Vit A, D, and K2.
I dream of healthy babies being born, breast-fed, and nurtured by women that don’t have to rush back to work to pay “the bills.”
I dream of a nourishment and rest being valued as much as action and planning.
I dream of women passing down books filled with herbal recipes, secrets of self-knowledge, hymns of praise of the feminine, and ways to strengthen, protect their hearts, and let them shine.
I dream of dreams being woven into braids at bedtime to sooth the soul.
I dream of women seeing a reflection of themselves in a man’s heart that is filled with love for the divine mother energy; likewise, I dream of a man looking into a woman’s heart and seeing a reflection of his peaceful warrior energy.

I dream of a world built for women ~
which means a world built for men ~
which means a world built for children ~
which means a world built for families ~
which means a world built for communities and tribes of people ~
which means a world built for balance.

I dream…

~~~

Much appreciation to my mother for always connecting me with my roots and teaching me about my ancestors…telling me stories…going on ancestry adventure hunts to find ruined house foundations, broken shards of pottery, sifting through old photos, chatting with great aunts and winding through dirt roads looking for gravestones.

Somewhere in there were pieces of our own healing…

May the web of life stay resilient and strong with the mother energy.

~~~

“May your body be blessed.
May you realize that your body is a faithful and beautiful friend of your soul.
May you recognize that your senses are sacred thresholds.
May you realize that Holiness is mindful gazing,
mindful feeling, mindful listening, and mindful touching.
May your senses always enable you to celebrate the universe and the mystery and possibilities in your presence here.
May Eros bless you.
May your senses gather you and bring you home.”

Old Celtic Blessing, excerpt from “Anam Cara” by John O’Donohue

While the blueberries are still ripening on the bush as we inch closer to Summer, I still have some frozen in the freezer from last year.  Here’s a great grain-free, GAPS-friendly recipe for muffins:

Blueberry-Banana Almond Meal Muffins
3/4 cup sunflower butter (or any other nut butter)
1 cup almond meal/flour
3 med ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs, whipped
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
1/2 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl (make sure the banana is well-mashed).  Grease 9 small muffin cups or 6 large muffin cups.    Bake for 30-35 minutes or until firm and browned on the sides.  Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!

Today I celebrate my 36th birthday.  Thank you all for being with me on this journey.  Here is my offering to you:

“Go where the love is.

Don’t try to make people love you. It can’t happen.

Don’t beat your head against closed doors behind which sit people who don’t understand, or can’t see, or won’t see, what you have to offer.

Don’t waste energy trying to convince people of your worth, when they can’t see it in your work; they don’t want to see it, either because they’re intimidated, or have a conflicting agenda.

Don’t bury your star–and we all have stars, and all of our stars sparkle with so many different talents, abilities, traits, qualities–don’t bury yours among dark-minded people, where it will only tarnish.

Don’t keep trying to detoxify poisonous situations. That’s my big problem. I’m always the Pollyana, always believing that better is just around the corner, and always willing to fight to get there.

Sometimes better isn’t around the corner–and the fight only depletes precious inner resources. Sometimes the only way to end a bad situation is to walk away.

And go where the love is.

That means not only doing what you love, but being where people love you–where they understand what you do, and, more important, where they have an affinity for who you are. Where the wellspring of creativity can be nurtured.

I know. Many people have jobs they loathe, and they can’t afford to move on. Many people have bosses and colleagues who bear them ill will. To you, I offer only the hope that you can keep an eye out for something better, that you might someday be able to move on.

And in the meantime, shield your heart from the pain of not being appreciated–and figure out how to go where the love is in the rest of your life. Go home and make music. Go into the garden and paint pictures.

And to those just starting out in the world, wondering where you should start? Same thing. Go where the love is.

And don’t be surprised if you find yourself learning the same life lessons over and over again.

Find the love. And go there.”

Excerpt from:  http://www.slowlovelife.com/

If you have a juicer, then you can more masterfully proceed.  But, you don’t need one.  I just use my blender.  First let me introduce you to the lovely plant allies we will be juicing:

Starting from the top down ~ plantain, chickweed, cleavers, and dandelion.  Harvest the above-ground greens of all of these plants.  You can experiment and add other weeds such as purple dead nettle, violet leaves, pony’s foot, self-heal, and young yarrow leaves.

Here’s the recipe:

Loosely fill a blender 3/4 full with green matter:
70% wild weeds
30% parsley, cilantro (and a dash of mint for some *pow*)

Cut a couple one-inch chunks of ginger into the blender
Add the juice of 1 to 1/2 lemon,
a pinch of sea salt
and 1/8 cup of honey

Puree until everything is chopped well and the solution has turned vibrant green.  Strain out the plant material, drink and enjoy!

Lindsay *Maypop* Wilson

Hi there blog friends, near and far.  I just wanted to let you know that I just created a Facebook page where I will post info about:

Traditional foods and food preparation
Wild foods and medicinal plants
Yoga, meditation and the breath
Upcoming workshops
Anything else that strikes my fancy

Please feel free to join me there:  Lindsay Maypop Wilson

We just had an eclipse during the last full moon.  And there are two more eclipses to come by the next full moon.  That’s three eclipses in the a row — one solar and two lunar — powerful cosmological activity!  Because of the intensity of this next month, I thought I’d offer some notes on pain.

Pain has a very powerful transformational affect.  What we chose to do with that pain — while in it, while understanding it…while peeling it back…reveals who we are as a human being and what we are about.  Pain, realistically, is part of life.  Suffering because of pain is an option.

Do we wish to suppress it?  Do we wish to punish it?  Do we hide it?  Do we shove it into the corners of our hearts and minds?  What do we do with it?

Or, do we chose to embrace it?  Do we see its connection with other beings that are in pain?  Do we let it open our hearts?  Do we surrender to it and let it cleanse us?

Of course we do not linger there…  We do not swim in its deep pools for longer than we need to.  But, we do go there when we are called to so that we can move the emotions through our system instead of allowing them to stagnate or lodge themselves in our body.

As I reflect on my own experiences with my own pain, I realize that sometimes I crumbled under the weight of it and made unwholesome choices for myself (to try and make it go away, thus producing suffering for myself and others).  However, as I matured and seasoned with my own pain — it was very clear to me what took me to the next level of healing.   In the dark hours when no one was around or looking…I crawled even deeper into the arms of my own heart…I chose love and gratitude — even for this…and I chose a deep reverence for life.

“One thing that comes out of myths is that at the bottom of the abyss comes the voice of salvation. The black moment is the moment when the real message of transformation is going to come. At the darkest moment comes the light.” ~ Joseph Campbell

“Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all humanity and the whole of nature in its beauty.” ~Albert Einstein

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”  ~ Anais Nin

Life is so much more than propping up and holding onto something that is failing our hearts, our families, and our communities. Each day is an opportunity to open up to WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

Of course, not one of us really knows how the future will unfold.  However, most of us do realize that we are living WAY out of balance.  That disharmony in our own country (the US) is reeking havoc on other countries and cultures as well.  A new film, Reconvergence, visits and ruminates on the altered reality we have created in our modern societies.

I do feel that there is intelligence in every living thing.  Even our modern cultures express some intelligence.  Mainly, I feel that the modern cultures are reflecting important information that we need to pay attention to.  What are these cultures saying to us about what life has become?  There is beauty and there is art in there, as well as horror.  What are we to learn as human beings about where we have arrived as a species?  And, have we created a life that is in balance, abundant, and fertile?

Truly, the cultures that foster imbalance, death, and destruction…well, they simply die at some point.  That’s what happens in nature.  I feel it is important to notice what is dying in our modern cultures and what is actually working and thriving.  With that lens of discernment, people can choose where to put their precious energy.

Shed what is no longer serving you and others…  Cultivate what will be beneficial…  Use the magical yet simple act of saying “YES” and “NO.”  These two words shape our reality more than we can ever imagine.

We’ve designed our small biz in a special way to keep our creative juices flowing and to keep us from getting stuck in too many details (at least for now).  We have very little overhead as we sell/drop-off at the local market and ship to those who can’t pick-up locally.  We offer new herbal offerings on the Equinoxes, Solstices, and Celtic holidays — about 8 offerings a year — bi-monthly, basically.  We also teach workshops and volunteer teach on certain occasions (for example, the local public schools).

The name of the apothecary is Sweet Gum Springs Apothecary.  The night of the birth of this apothecary, I was driving home from my friend’s house after a long talk about the vision and nature of the apothecary.  We couldn’t think of a name but loved the idea of calling it an apothecary.  Herbal apothecaries used to be a cornerstone in most communities in the US before big-pharma.  As I was driving home, I passed an historical marker near a Methodist church.  It said Hicashabaha Springs and that there used to be a spring that flowed right through that area.

After a little research, most translations said that Hicashabaha meant, “a spring with Sweet Gums” or “Sweet Gum leaves floating on the water.”  I happened to already have a bit of a liking for the Sweet Gum trees, their five-pointed leaves, and their crazy little seed balls.  I also liked the idea of honoring this spring as the local Native American tribal women were known to gather there and weave baskets.  I couldn’t imagine the many untold stories that swirled at the edges of this spring now covered up by asphalt and pavement.  I felt that honoring this spring was also honoring the local tribe — the Choctaw and sub-communities of that tribe — and the vibrant watershed that once flowed through this area.

I think I’ve always had making plant medicine in my bones.  When I was younger, I would make flower water (I called perfume) that would mold shortly thereafter.  Alas, an honest attempt at harnessing the power of flowers.  I also made sachets from magnolia leaves, stuffing them with fragrant honeysuckle flowers and tying them up with string.  With that in mind, I’ve begun channeling that young, budding herbalist that was temporarily cut-off from crafting medicine from plants.  Creating this apothecary with my friend has been a very fulfilling experience…and I feel that there is more to come!

Our first herbal offering was March 20th and it went really well!  We’ve never dipped into the red in terms of our budget and we continue to garner community support.    We’re very mindful of where/how we source materials and we wild-craft and grow a good bit of the plants and trees ourselves.

Here’s what we have available for our May 1st offering.  Please feel free to share our info with anyone you think may be interested!  You can go directly to the website by clicking here:

Queen of Hungary Water (8 oz, 12 oz reused bottle) $20, $25 - This beautiful Gypsy creation is a must have for your cosmetic needs.  It’s most known for it’s astringent and toning properties for the face as well as its ability to keep acne at bay.  It can be used in a variety of cosmetic applications.  Our recipe includes a beautiful array of herbs to delight your skin: rose petals, orange peel, lavender, sage, rosemary, apple cider vinegar & rose water. Indulge your skin!

Lavender Truffles (6) $9 - Tantalize your taste buds with these decadent, aromatic truffles!  Combining lavender and dark chocolate can never be wrong, right?

Nutrient-Rich Infusion (4 oz loose leaf tea) $13 - This herbal tea blend is perfect for boosting your nutrient intake and nourishing your whole body.  We’ve combined Red Raspberry Leaf, Linden flowers, Oatstraw, Nettles, Meadowsweet & Red Clover for an all over body tonic and nurturing infusion.  Drink to your health and power up with nature’s multi-vitamin herbs!

The Balm (First Aid Salve, 4 oz) $22 - This salve is a doozy!  Green goodness straight from our gardens to help whatever ails the skin.  From bug bites & stings, to rashes, burn, cuts and everything in between… so many uses and soooo effective, too!  That is why we call it “The Balm”.

Cinnamint Remineralizing Tooth Powder (2 oz jar) $10 - Another popular request at Sweet Gum!  Rosemary Gladstar jokes that clay was the original tooth paste and brushing our teeth with sweetened gunk is a modern trend!  In fact, most all commercial brand toothpastes have a base of bentonite clay (they just trick the consumer with the labeling!).  Remineralize with bentonite clay, refresh & cleanse your mouth with cinnamon and peppermint, while white oak bark tightens the gums.  A little goes a long way and this will last you quite awhile!

Rose-mint Jelly (8 oz) $8 -Try our herb infused jelly for a alternative to standard jams.  Add it to your favorite shortbread cookies or top off a piece of buttered toast.  We won’t be surprised when you feel the urge to sneak a spoonful while sipping on your favorite tea!  Rose petals and mint will surely be a delight!

Immunobooster Tincture (1 oz) $12 - This Powerhouse combination of herbs will stimulate your immune system to treat what ails you.  It is not for long term use, but more appropriately to use at the onset of an infection until the infection has cleared.  You can also use it when flying, or when you expect to be exposed to potential viral infections.  Black walnut, propolis, cottonwood buds, and usnea.

Nerve Nourishment Tincture (1 oz) $12 - Relax and uplift your body, mind & soul with this beautiful nervine nourishing tonic.  Just envisioning these beautiful herbs nourishes my psyche!  Mimosa, lemon balm, motherwort, passionflower & tulsi will balance, support, relax and renew you!

Over the years I have worked, volunteered and roomed with a number of different people — male and female — old and young — from and of so many various backgrounds. When working with so many kinds of different people — conflict resolution is really important. I don’t mean ‘big conflict’ — I mean the everyday kinds of conflict that easily get swept under the rug or even the kind that accumulates over time.

What I have learned…is that if a conflict comes up and I feel negated or negative due to a situation or experience…I need to meditate on that (sometimes for just a an hour and sometimes for days — depending on the situation). What will become clear to me is that a collision of ways of thinking or being happened. Or, someone who was holding poison or toxicity inside them spewed some out and I happened to be around at that time.

I then find a moment when I can talk to that person one on one. I tell them how the situation made me feel. I tell them what felt appropriate and what felt inappropriate. I don’t NOT tell them something because “this is how they are or other people know they are this way.” That only continues the cycle of their unawareness on how they might affect other people (and themselves).

Almost every time I approach a person — we have a breakthrough — I see their perspective more and they see mine. I have no expectation from this situation — no one wins or loses. You will actually feel this harmonious feeling when both people feel complete from a sincere exchange of expressed experiences and personal insights.

The energy is then diffused and the residue from the misunderstanding or conflict is shaken off. Life goes on…and what was once stuck is unstuck. What was once unheard is now heard. It only takes about 5 minutes sometimes to shift things. Especially when you have no agenda and you don’t expect a certain outcome.

You will also get a lot of information from that experience. If the person is worth you getting to know — they will handle the situation with equal equanimity — both people will have time to speak. If they are someone you need to remove from your life or create a good bit of distance from — they will become hostile, defensive or brush you off.

Of course, people have come up to me and expressed misunderstandings or issues about how I might have said or done something (or behaved). That ability to stay present and take in the information first — before responding — is very important. Sometimes I am really good at it — and sometimes I am not at all! Ultimately this is a process of understanding…….of listening and speaking…and we are all learning……

We live and learn and do the best we can to grow relationships that are mutual and understanding and shed the ones that just will not grow…………

Wild greens/herbs salad with soaked/roasted local pecans, dried cranberries, locally-made raw goat’s milk feta, and a vinaigrette made from a local apothecary’s (actually me and a friend’s apothecary) mighty mineral vinegar tonic

Wild greens/herbs pesto (yes, loaded with garlic, local pecans, and permesan) on buckwheat soba noodles

To drink:  locally made kombucha or beet kvass

For desert:  vitality truffles (made by the same apothecary mentioned above)

Our event was held at the local MS Modern Homesteading Center which opened its doors this past January.

Wish to know what herbs and weeds you could put in your wild salad or pesto?  Well, there are many!  Most of the plants below are wild or weeds while some are domesticated and found in most gardens.  I will divide the possible contents by the % that should be in the salad or pesto:

70-90% — centella erecta, chickweed (3 different kinds), dead nettle leaves, wild geranium leaves, stinging nettles (for pesto),  speedwell, ground ivy, violet leaves, purslane, and plantain

10-30% — young yarrow leaves, peppermint leaves, shiso, young wild carrot leaves, violet flowers, nasturtium flowers, redbud flowers, sage, thyme, young yellow dock leaves, cilantro, parsley, and dandelion leaves

These plants provide a variety of benefits.  In combination, you can expect some anti-microbial activity, Omega-3′s, organic acids, digestive tract and liver support, vitamins, and minerals.  To me, this is what spring tastes like — fresh greens and a diversity of newly sprouted flavors!

Basically, I double-rinsed the plants in water and used a salad spinner to dry.  I then chopped the leaves up coarsely, added some garden lettuce leaves, and tossed in the dressing — ready to eat!