Spring time in Athens county, Ohio. This image of a trillium flower hosting a spring insect was shot in Sells Park by my friend Ann. After such a long winter we are all celebrating spring!

I am on my way to West Union , Ohio to teach a class on Medicinal Herbs to The Brush Creek Herb Guild. I met the women in the guild years ago at Judy Lews Mountian Herb Festival. Judy's Festival had always been a highlight for me. Held high atop Lewis Mountain ( a large hill really) , in SE Ohio, every October. Although Judy has retired, and no longer hosts the festival, she was a driving force in the herb society of Adams County, Ohio. The Brush Creek Herb Guild were vendors for many years, just as The Herbal Sage had been. Their homemade tomato soup with fresh herbs will be sorely missed. Everyone, outside, and find the spring beauties in your area!

Spring crop

Harvesting daffodil bulbs this week. Make sure the flowers are done blooming before transplanting any of these. I found the daffodils at the Herbal Sage Farms abundant this spring and decided to bring some into Athens Farmers Market.

SW Florida's Womens Expo

Tomorrow morning at 11:30 am I will be speaking at the SW Florida's Women's Expo.This annual event, in it's second year looks to be a great time.
"Sisterhood Magnified" is the theme, and I will be sharing my experiences as a women in business for 30 years.
I will also have the opportunity to join others as we share this road of entrepreneurship and all that entails.
Hope to see you in North Port, Florida!

Snowfall in SE Ohio

We haven't had it too bad here in Athens, Ohio. Snow is still falling,but not as bad as my friends in DC. Wow, 30" of snow, and more is coming!
I was able to drive to the country this morning,taking the dogs for a run up to the cabin, they loved it. German Shepherds live for this type of weather, I can bear it as long as I am dressed warm and keep moving!
I felt grateful today, winter does that to me. Happy for a roof over my head, and a house with heat. Happy that I can drive for a very short time and be surrounded by trees draped in dense,lush snow. The trees sit amongst the rolling hills of my new home. This visual creates a buffer from the harsh winters that I grew up with. Those winter days were seen with a backdrop of steel mills, and urban harshness.
These winter days are preferable by far.

Herbal Sage Farms

I had the opportunity to head out to Herbal Sage Farms this afternoon.The ruts on the tractor road were filled with ice cold water and some lingering snow. The berries have made it thru another winter, and I am looking forward to increasing our crop this year.

This time of year on the land fills me with hope. The sun was bright and tufts of last season's grass swayed slowly, bogged down with the damp remnants of winter. The dogs enjoyed the mud, the sun, taking advantage of the open acreage to romp.

I can feel new life rumbling under my feet. I have learned that spring has already begun, shown to me in a simple bud starting on a berry bush.I cannot help but smile as I write this, for this simplicity, feeds my soul..

Flu Season Hits Hard

Just off the phone with my family. Seems many of their friends have had bouts with the flu. They too have had some illness but all are recovering and that's the good news. H1N1 has been the hot topic this winter, I've included a link below, to share information about the use of the herb elderberry in fighting influenza.
http://tinyurl.com/elderberryinfluenza
I think about the way we care for the flu. So many over the counter medicines that often times are developed to ease the symptoms,to help us feel more comfortable while actually being sick. It's amazing.Does this sort of OTC remedies help us get better by making us feel more comfortable?
I for one, have been making plenty of tea.I eat fresh fruit , fresh veggies and keep myself hydrated. I do not forget my daily vitamin, nor have I had one day without some type of tea. The Herbal Sage elderberry tincture is taken every other day. I use 1 dropperful ( about 1/2 teaspoon) 2 times a day.Some studies suggest taking elderberry tincture daily during flu season. as an immune boost. Others suggest taking it daily when you have the flu. Either way,elderberry is a great addition to one's flu fighting arsenal!
Elderberry is one of those herbs that help to nourish me during flu season. The elderberries were harvested by both Cynthia and I, then dried. Some of these berries were added to the Tealady's Cold Care Tea recipe and others have been made into extract. This natural medicine sits in my medicine cabinet, a component of health here in Tealand.Here's another link in reference to use of elderberry in extract or tincture form.
http://tinyurl.com/elderberryinfluenza2

Herbal Sage in Pittsburgh Whole Foods

Today's repeated statement was "Wow, this really tastes good!", said with amazement and ending with a smile.Today I gave away my Tealady's Cold Care Tea blended with locally harvested elderberry, at the Pittsburgh Whole Foods Store on Centre Ave. This great tasting tea ( much to the amazement of many Whole Food customers ) was served hot and slightly sweetened.The weather had been rainy all day so this herbal treat was just the thing to take away the chill. One customer told me that Dr Oz, said elderberry was a great herb to help prevent the flu.She said, that he said, that elderberry actually helps fight off the influenza virus.
Has anyone else heard of this claim? Perhaps I should watch TV more often! I've attached a picture of Allison and me at today's tea tasting. Allison is a great person to go to if you have questions while at Whole Foods. Visit her in the Whole Body section of Whole Foods when you're in Pittsburgh.