On the subject of tea, I have become obsessed with loose leaf tea. Why mess around with tea bags? Loose leaf tea is better quality, for one. The key is setting yourself up with the right steeping options. But perhaps, more importantly, make sure the tea is organic. Think about it. Pesticide soaked tea leaves equals pesticide steeped tea. None of us care to drink DDT on a regular basis.

Happily, I’ve found Mountain Rose Herbs company. These Oregon folks just won a business ethics award and are highly compliant with sustainable, organic agriculture and pesticide free standards. The company is genuinely passionate about providing the best products and respecting our planet. This is good. Very good. Also, their tea is excellent. My current favorite is the Dao Ren Green Tea.

Their website is a little on the busy and earthy side, but don’t let it stop you. You can peruse their products on the site, download an online PDF catalog, or request a printed catalog. The tea is very reasonably priced. They also offer many other products, including bulk spices, jars, and other natural health supplies. Read up on the history of tea and the company’s green culture from beaucoup literature on recycled paper that comes along with their products.

Most of all, may you drink loads of tea, worry-free!

The slogan for the gardening center in my neighborhood called Flowercraft is, “We Sell Happiness.” Too true. As springtime is now in full swing, I find myself at the nearby gardening center on a weekly basis. I feel my spirits lift from the moment I walk into the bounty of plants, a feeling then carried on through the day while watching my “little babies” grow at home. What is it about growing plants that is so exciting?

Whatever it is, it’s exciting enough that anytime I happen by a garden nursery I have to pull over to check it out. I recently unexpectedly found myself at the Berkeley Horticultural Nursery. I was so completely mesmerized that my partner looked at me with near-concern when I didn’t answer his question in my glassy-eyed state, “What do we need again?” As my dad used to joke when we guiltily ordered a third donut at the bakery growing up, “What does need have to do with it?”

The selection at any nursery these days is copious, as it’s high planting season. The number of options can be a little daunting. I highly recommend planting a few flowers in and amongst your vegetables and herbs to create a varied, living environment. Current favorite accents: Alysum, Cosmos and Lobelia. Happy planting!

Images: JannK, ddsnet, LadyLoneRanger

I still remember a friend of mine telling me about a visit to Italy when she and a new Italian friend were cooking dinner. He went out on the fire escape to grab some fresh basil for the pasta, which she found awe-inspiring. Maybe it was only because she was a young, impressionable college student at the time or the aura surrounding Italians and food, but she thought to herself, “Now THAT is living!”

Enjoying an herb garden is indeed living at its best. Growing herbs is not very difficult and can truly transform your daily cooking experience (don’t miss our Pesto recipe from yesterday). Especially if you’re lacking space, an herb garden doesn’t take up much room and can work almost anywhere: straight in the backyard in and amongst flowers, in potted plants on your deck or fire escape or even right in your kitchen.

Not only is it profoundly satisfying picking a few herbs to accompany a favorite meal, I’ve found that I save money and no longer suffer the guilt of throwing away mounds of rotted cilantro because I only needed a few sprigs the day I bought it. I use what I need, as I need it and herbs are always more flavorful when freshly picked.

An herb garden is also a great entry into gardening because you don’t have to invest much into it. It’s not like waiting three months of patient nurturing for your beefeater tomatoes to finally start producing, only to have them get a disease and wither before you can taste a single one.

Herbs vary in how they grow. Rosemary and thyme tend to grow more like bushes and may take longer to establish, whereas basil, cilantro and parsley grow relatively quickly in large sprigs. Mint on the other hand, can grow like ground cover, spreading quickly. Herbs can be grown from seeds or if you’re impatient like me, I suggest buying small plants already started and transplant them. Here are a few details about what herbs to consider and what you might expect.

Basil

Basil is imperative during the summer months and especially at the end of the summer when tomatoes are in season. It is particularly virtuous freshly cut and scrumptious in bruschetta or pasta. It thrives in sun and warmth and does better with frequent trimming. When Basil starts to flower- be sure to remove the flowers quickly, as the plant will produce fewer leaves with less flavor if allowed to flower completely.

Italian Parsley

Parsley doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. I grew up with the kind of parsley that was only meant to be a garnish, a sprig on the side of chicken for decoration purposes only. Parsley is versatile herb that works well in all kinds of dishes, from pasta to Indian curries.

Of all the herbs I’ve grown, my greatest success has been growing Italian parsley, which I prefer over other varieties. It can grow into a large, strong plant that withstands frequent cutting. (Cut stems close to the base of the plant.) Parsley likes the sun or partial shade and bi-weekly watering. Eventually it will “bolt” or “go to seed” growing straight up into a flower, which like lettuce, means it’s reached the end of its usefulness. Best if grown in large pots or directly in the ground.

Cilantro

Cilantro, not to be confused with Italian parsley, has a distinct flavor that seems to elicit passionate responses of either love or hate. While it was an acquired taste for me, I fall firmly into the “love” camp, as this herb works well in so many recipes, including salsas, Asian stir-fries and with fish. Cilantro likes sun and can be tended much like parsley, cutting sprigs as needed. Trim flowers if they start to appear.

Rosemary

Rosemary grows well in many climates and is often used as an ornamental flowering bush in people’s yards. There is nothing quite like fresh rosemary with roasted chicken. Rosemary is a hardy plant that grows quickly and lasts a long time with little tending. Grow directly in the ground or in a large pot.

Thyme

Nobody should live without thyme. I may use thyme more than any other herb. It is particularly aromatic and goes well with everything, such as tomato sauces, bouquet garni’s for soup stocks or meats and vegetables. In fact, thyme makes an excellent alternative for basil in bruschetta. Thyme loves the sun and does well with little tending. It grows well in pots and can be trimmed frequently once established.

Mint

I have developed a new love for mint. I once had enough mint outside my back door that simple syrup and a muddler were always on hand. While most people recognize its crucial role in drinks like mint juleps or mojitos, it can be overlooked as a fabulous addition in concert with other herbs in frittatas, fish pistous, vegetable sauces or pasta dishes. Mint grows readily and quickly and may be best grown in pots unless you’re ready to live with it in abundance.

Sage

Sage is an excellent herb for flavoring stuffing. It’s also amazing toasted in butter and served as a garnish with butternut squash soup.  Sage is a shrub-like plant that grows well indoors or out and can get quite large if given the opportunity. It prefers lots of sunlight and loose, fertile soil.

Dill

I used to shy away from dill, but no more. Dill is a great herb for potatoes, fish or egg dishes. It grows well in containers and does best with ample sunlight, plenty of water and tall pots to accommodate its deep roots.

Images: stvno, auntsue, other_andrew, cocoen, myfrenchcuisine, raeallen, raeallen

Since the beginning of time, we’ve been beautifying ourselves with the plant kingdom’s best skin and hair care helpers, and if you buy wholesome, natural cosmetics (like Juara, Pangea, or Angelface Botanicals to name a few), you’ll notice your ingredient list is full of plant names. But let’s face it, these little beauty potions can be pricey. Thankfully it’s not difficult to create your own homemade beauty products using common herbs and essential oils. It doesn’t take a huge expense to ensure you have beautiful, healthy skin and hair.

Rosemary

It’s no secret why many natural brands make rosemary shampoo – a rinse made from this herb adds luster to dark hair and strengthens and smooths damaged hair shafts. Check out EcoSalon’s DIY recipe for rosemary shampoo or make a strong rosemary tea for an after-shampoo rinse.

Chamomile and Thyme

infused into a strong tea make a great and gentle cleanser for oily skin. Pour a liter of this tea into your bath to help clear up body blemishes, not to mention the relaxation…ahhhhh!

Lavender

is a favorite herb of many natural skin care products, but why not make your own? Lavender is soothing and antiseptic, so it’s a great solution for burns, psoriasis, infections and sensitive skin in general. Make a spritzer with strong lavender tea, or a small spray bottle filled with distilled water and a few drops of lavender oil (start with a low dilution, then keep adding drops until you find the strength that’s right for you). And because lavender is a natural mood lifter, using this spray will make you smile and that’s definitely a key to beauty.

Rosewater

You can pick up a bottle of rosewater at a Middle Eastern market, or a rose aromatherapy spray from the natural market (Heritage Products makes my favorite), but if you’ve got a rose garden and the DIY inclination, simply make your own. Since ancient times, rosewater has been used as a gentle astringent and is anti-inflammatory. Use with a cotton swab as a toner or spritz onto your face a few times a day. And don’t forget, you’ll smell great!

Neem

is one of the big guns of the herbal world. Because it’s anti-bacterial, neem oil is used to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and it has a strong, garlic-type smell, so it may not be part of your daily skin care routine, but it’s good to have around for when you really need the stronger stuff.

Comfrey

with it’s big, soft leaves beckons us to use it. It is a well known herb for healing blemishes and repairing damaged skin. To make your own comfrey oil, stuff a jar of olive oil with comfrey leaves and let sit for 6 weeks. You can then use this oil on dry hands, chapped lips, scrapes and burns, or even eczema. If you’re really DIY, melt some beeswax or cocoa butter with the comfrey oil to make a salve of thicker consistency.

Sage

Got oily skin? Then listen up. Sage (yup, the kind you grow for cooking) is astringent, so a strong tea made of sage and mixed with a bit of witch hazel or apple cider vinegar serves as a great daily toner. Or if you want, simply use the plain tea as a daily facial rinse.

Evening Primrose

You can find the oil in bottles or capsules at any natural market. Evening primrose oil contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that is unfortunately not produced by your body, but which promotes healthy, rejuvenated skin. Take the oil both internally and use topically on your skin to firm and hydrate your skin, help heal blemishes and reduce signs of lines and wrinkles.

Henna

Well known as a natural way to become a little more of a redhead, henna powder is a great way to add shine and protection to your hair.  If you’re looking for the shine without the reddish tint, go for “neutral henna,” which is actually the plant Cassia obovata, but conditions and nourishes the hair just the same.

Basil

is particularly useful if you live in a polluted area and your skin has lost its luster, crush a handful of basil leaves and pour a cup of hot water over them to make a strong tea. Once this brew has cooled, splash your face with it as a detoxifying, circulation-promoting toner. Without drying off, apply moisturizer.

Turmeric

is a tricky one, simply because it will temporary tinge your skin yellow, but it is a great cleanser and adds a lot of moisture to your skin. Read more about turmeric here.

Seaweed

You can bypass the expensive seaweed wraps at the spa and give yourself a simple facial at home. Sea vegetables are not only nutritious for the body, but because of their high mineral content and softening properties, are very nourishing for the skin. Buy some nori sheets (the same kind you’d use for making sushi), quickly dampen them with water and place them on your face for a moisturizing mask. You may want to keep spritzing to prevent the nori from drying out. Remove after 15-20 minutes and voila, you’re a mermaid!

Aloe Vera

Aloe is well known for treating burns and scrapes, but you can use it on any irritated skin. A face mask made of aloe, honey and kelp will greatly soothe and moisturize your skin. You can buy the gel in stores but it’s always best if you have a plant to ensure purity. At the very least, read the ingredients and make sure your aloe gel doesn’t contain any of these common cosmetic toxins.

Geranium

The essential oil of this common garden flower is used in many cosmetic products for balancing skin and hair. If your skin is oily, simply add 2-3 drops of geranium oil to a bowl of water and splash your face. For dry, sensitive skin make a healing oatmeal-geranium mask out of oatmeal, water, a teaspoon of melted honey, and 4-5 drops of geranium oil.

Burdock root oil

(shown at top)

is an ancient healer for dry, itchy scalp. It can help get rid of dandruff and keep the skin on your scalp healthy. For best results, rub a little bit into your scalp after you wash your hair and while your hair is still damp. Modern studies have shown that burdock root oil contains essential fatty acids and phytosterols, which promote hair growth and a healthy scalp.

Take charge of your beauty with nature’s finest ingredients – the plants! And don’t forget, beauty does radiate from the inside out and a healthy diet and lifestyle is essential. Enjoy – and be beautiful!

Images: Rubber Slippers in Italy, dnak, matsuyuki, mezuni, Lilly, Lida Rose, wikipedia, Smoobs, missycorley, Tanaka Juuyoh, yimhafiz, The County Clerk, Just Food Now, miheco, titanium22, lizzlebob

My husband (a.k.a. Eco Cop) will go kicking and screaming into a card store at the last minute to select a Valentine’s Day greeting for me. He is convinced that greeting cards are a consumerism scam and that card companies are profiting from the theory we are special one day of the year. Like many other eco cops, he argues the paper is wasted on sentiments that should be evergreen. I’ve had to adjust to this sort of cynicism, having sprung from a family that buys multiple cards and urges the recipient to read each one aloud.

But I think even my husband, an avid vegetable gardener, might appreciate these cards which live on not just in your heart but in your garden.

The Plantable Greeting Cards from Botanical Paperworks are designed by Kal Barteski and are printed on 100% post-consumer waste fiber and seed-embedded paper. The recipient plants the cards and, voila, wildflowers pop up faster than Jack’s beanstalk. How natural! The six cards included in the package are: Spread Joy, Breathe, Seek Peace, Live Passionately, Refresh Within and Become Happiness. What eco enthusiast wouldn’t approve of these notions?

Each card measures 4×6 inches folded and includes envelopes in brown, blue and green. $22 for the set.

If you aren’t a wildflower fan, you can opt for cards infused with herb seeds or a Plantable Seed Calendar for 2009. All of these creative and sustainable products are available at Olive Barn. Spring planting is right around the corner, so get busy and send these messages to someone you love.