And here we go.

I'm starting a new chapter of Sea Beats. A representation of myself and my journey and the ways I want you to join me. It's a very personal road but it's also a lot of fun to think about, share about, hear your stories about, understand our separate but very much intertwined paths. So here we are starting from this new beginning. 

I left my California home just a mere couple of weeks ago. I got into a car with my partner and our three noisy cats and we set off on an adventure up the 5 North towards our new (probably) forever home, Portland Oregon. There had been lots of planning, talking things over, mapping things out, packing things up, throwing things out. Putting all my herbs and tinctures carefully into boxes. And here we are! It was the best decision I could have made, just what my soul needed.  I moved into a house with my own office to set up every thing in it's perfect place. Tower of herbs, boxes of crystals, books and books and books on shelves, my favorite green chair to meditate in, altar, desk, tools for creating, and my typewriter ready to pound out love letters and zines about living a magical life. Let's begin, shall we? 

Cosmic Shine,

WEiRD GRL LIVE

Speaking of Sea Beats shout outs - I got a pretty great one today on WEiRD GRL LIVE, a Central Valley based talk show featuring Amber, an eccentric vegan weird girl. How awesome is that?!

Major Marjoram.

Marjoram is best known for it's culinary uses, but as of late I've been drinking it as a tea for my ticklish throat and cough left over from bronchitis. People don't give herbs enough credit, they really don't. Especially marjoram. Good for dry coughs, asthma, nausea, headaches, toothaches, depression, anxiety, sore muscles, and menstrual cramps, marjoram is like this amazing cure-all sitting right before our eyes on our spice racks. Make it into tea! Make an infused oil and use it as a warming aid for your aches and pains! Use it in your cooking recipes! You really can't go wrong. 

Side note: I've been drinking it with the dandelion honey I made (which turned out AWESOME) and it's super delicious. A++

(photo: http://www.anniesremedy.com/)

I'm going to be using it in my newest warming salve and selling it on SEA BEATS within the next couple of weeks! Don't forget to check it out!

Oh honey!

So sticking with my theme, I decided to make dandelion honey today! I've never made it before so today's honey will be a test. I went into my yard and gathered 2 cups worth of flowers and got to separating petals from stem. While doing that - I made this super short stop motion video:





I put my petals into a saucepan of water, along with half a vanilla bean and some lemon slices and let it boil. At the moment it is steeping. I'm so excited to see how it turns out!


Here was the recipe I used:


Ingredients:


4 cups dandelion petals
4 cups water
3 (1/4-inch) thick slices lemon
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half
2-1/8 cups granulated white sugar
Preparation:


Pick dandelion flowers during the daylight while in full bloom, remove petals, then measure petals only.


Place petals in a heavy saucepan along with the water, lemon slices, and vanilla bean. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 6 hours.


Strain dandelion tea through cheesecloth and discard solids. Place in a heavy saucepan and bring to a low boil. Gradually add sugar while stirring until sugar is dissolved. Lower heat and let simmer to desired syrupy thickness (may take up to 4 hours).

                       

Just dandy.

Oh, lovely lovely dandelions. This is one weed that I love dearly, and lucky for me they have taken over my yard! This stemmy yellow flowered weed has quite a bad rep which is unfortunate considering all of its amazing properties.

 Recently, I spent a sunny Saturday digging up my yellow friend's roots to make into an antioxidant packed tincture. Not only are dandelions excellent sources of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin B complex, but they are great for a bunch of different ailments ranging from depression to helping relieve digestive problems like flatulence, fullness and constipation. A natural mood stabilizer, dandelions are exceptional for those with PMS! They are also high in iron, making them perfect for fatigue during a menstrual cycle or those suffering with anemia. Also good for acne, eczema, hypoglycemia, kidney problems, urinary infections, and so so so much more!

 Not only are the roots packed full of goodness, but the juice produced from dandelions are excellent for fighting bacteria and helping wounds heal faster (when applied externally). The leaves are used in salads, and the roots can be used to make a tasty coffee-like drink! The flowers can be used as a honey substitute (which I will be making and selling soon!), a wine, or fried up for a crunchy snack! All in all, dandelions are sort of a miracle plant.