Let's Talk About: Goldenrod

He is everywhere.

Waving at me from above the blue and purple chicory, teasing me, dancing behind the brown grasses drying in the autumn sun.

Goldenrod, Solidago, Golden Dagger!

Many people take one look at Goldenrod and run in the other direction, sneezing and coughing, but Goldenrod is NOT the source of your autumnal allergies.  Poor showy Goldenrod has the bright, obvious flowers and so gets blamed. The big yellow flowers do not have airborne pollen, so you'd have to put the flowers IN your nose to cause a reaction (watch out for hornets).

The plant to blame is Ragweed - this sneaky plant is small, green, and unassuming, but the pollen blown on the breeze irritates many, many people.  Ragweed and Goldenrod do tend to grow near each other in ditches and fields, hence the confusion.

The worst part is that Goldenrod is one of those cures that grows with the ailment, and it actually offers great relief for sinus allergy sufferers.

(Read more to see a recipe for Goldenrod Infused Honey...)
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Raspberry Allergy?

ASAP is a great way to find
local produce and farmers!

Aww...after a few in-home experiments, I've got a strong suspicion that I have developed a mild allergy to raspberries!  I got some lovely fresh berries from Stepp Orchards via Mother Earth Produce, and had a handful right away last Friday.  A bit later, I realized that my tongue was a little tingly and burning, and that my stomach was rumbling and acidic.  Then a few small itchy spots appeared on my arms.

The next day, I had raspberries again, and later noticed a similar feeling.  I recalled everything I'd eaten in the past two days, and only raspberries were both consistent and something I hadn't had in a while.

Later that week, I happened to be at a lovely bar (The Thirsty Monk) and found that they had Framboise Lambic on draught.  Delicious!  I've often loved Lambic, and couldn't pass up the chance to have it from the tap.  It was after the first sip that I recalled that Framboise is French for raspberry - and just like that, my tongue was burning and the tart flavor gave way to a sharp metallic taste.  *pout*

Now, it has been one week since my first uncomfortable raspberry experience, and there were a few more in the fridge just now.  One final test.  A handful of yummy, sweet, tart raspberries later, and the results are the same.  Acidy, achey tummy - a burning tongue, and oops...there's a new itchy bump on my upper arm.

*sigh*

My next experiment is going to be with red raspberry leaf - a longtime herbal ally for menstruation, cramping, and grounding in states of emotional turbulence.  I hope that my new sensitivity does not reach to the dried leaves that I've so often used for teas and medicines!

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I've been off visiting family for my birthday, and saying goodbye to my grandmother's home - a place that has been around my whole life.  I hugged my favorite Catalpa tree and watered him with my tears, I walked barefoot in the sweet, thick grass, and took cuttings of my grandmother's rose to grow in Asheville.  I've been so busy with my own thoughts and emotions that I've not had time to write much.

The new site is still under construction, but we'll unveil it soon!  Until then, here's a few cool things:

Home-made Jerky from theKitchn - I've done jerky before, but I think I need to apply myself a bit more and perfect the recipe.  I'm not 100% happy with my efforts, but this seems like a really good guide.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes from Sweet Domesticity - I just got a mess o'peppers from my uncle's garden, and aim to do this over the next few days.  I'm fresh out of chili powder, and low on red pepper flakes!  Time to spice things up.

XKCD is an amazing webcomic - oftentimes I don't understand their mathematical references, but there are so many thought-provoking ideas conveyed quite effectively through mere stick figures...for example, today's comic about the orchid Ophrys Apifera nearly made me cry.