I talk to the plants and they respond. Well, perhaps it's the degree of attention I give them that makes the difference. They are living entities that respond to their conditions, including who and what they interact with. My houseplants get told how wonderful they are and how grateful I am for their brightness and colour. So it makes perfect sense to me that I do the same in the garden. Honestly, I think it makes a big difference. Like anything, when you place your focus, energy flows and things just come alive and happen. It's no miracle, it's just how the world works - well, the world in my house and garden. If you aren't having conversations with your plants, your either way too busy - or you haven't seen the memo.... they are listening. There's a book called the power of appreciation. In this book there are explanatioins of experiments done on water molecules that changed their cellular structure. The first group were told how beautiful and wonderful and loved they were and under a microscope their structures were bright and had the structure of the most magnificent gem stones. The second group was told it was ugly and unwanted, and yes, you guessed it - the cellular structure was dark and fractured. So, if you were to choose - what would you say to your plants and the people around you? ​​

Some time ago, Derek and I were at the bottom of the garden where we were checking on the tree health and I was preparing to do some collection. Derek had the secateurs, so he was given instructions on where to collect from our mature female Kawakawa. As he handed me the cuttings I expressed my gratitude. Derek, being polite said thank you and I responded - " I wasn't talking to you". It seemed so natural and I should say, essential, to express thankfulness to the plant that was sharing part of its life force for the benefit of my family. As part of my connection with the garden and home orchard I find myself drawn to the weeds that will soon be removed to be put in the compost or eaten. Among these are the wild onion - that dreaded weed that is an indicator of poor soil - My neightbours keep telling me to come on over and collect theirs! Using the weeds as ingredients that are beneficial to our bodies is an essential part of my kitchen. Onion weed is great as a garlic replacement and can be safely added to ferments for a stronger food source (as they do have quite a strong taste and are worth experimenting with) and can be picked for a most of the year.

Included in the summer months is bone broth which should be drunk regularly as a tonic for the gut that helps to reduce cholesterol, stimulates the circulatory system and provides nutritious collagen for connective tissue health. You can add the Onion Weed to the broth It contains chlorophyll, fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and inulin. Inulin feeds the good bacteria of your gut but can cause bloating for some people if too much is used - so like garlic and onion, use to flavour only. I'll be teaching a workshop in bone broths that will take you through all the essential requirements to make this nourishing drink including how to store and use it in daily life if you are interested.

Many blessings.

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