One aspect of England that I really love is the ubiquitous presence of used book shops. My personal favorite is Oxfam books in Chester. I can walk by and have a quick look at the "just in" section every time I walk into town! :) On one such occasion I managed to snag a book called: "Grow Your Own Drugs" by James Wong. A book based on his series on the BBC.
Since summer is all around us and the world seems to be blooming here in England, I am inspired to do some foraging and using a friend's book entitled "Food for Free" have tried collecting ingredients to use to make meals. :) Kind of like dumpster diving except in nature and not in alleyways.
First on the trial was the great Stinging Nettle. I have wanted to try Nettle soup for ages. I've heard of its health benefits, but couldn't seem to work past the fact that I don't really care for creamy soups, and most recipes called for about a bucket of heavy cream to offset the taste of the nettles.
Since summer is all around us and the world seems to be blooming here in England, I am inspired to do some foraging and using a friend's book entitled "Food for Free" have tried collecting ingredients to use to make meals. :) Kind of like dumpster diving except in nature and not in alleyways.
First on the trial was the great Stinging Nettle. I have wanted to try Nettle soup for ages. I've heard of its health benefits, but couldn't seem to work past the fact that I don't really care for creamy soups, and most recipes called for about a bucket of heavy cream to offset the taste of the nettles.
We went collecting anyway.
Here is Letty hard at work
The young nettle tips are the best for the job
I came home and dumped the lot into a pot of water and boiled it to heck to make a recipe for nettle hair tonic found in the James Wong book. Everybody wants stronger hair!
I came home and dumped the lot into a pot of water and boiled it to heck to make a recipe for nettle hair tonic found in the James Wong book. Everybody wants stronger hair!
Hair Strengthener1 large bunch of nettle leaves
500ml of water
500ml of white vinegar
1tbsp aromatic herbs or 10 drops of essential oil (like lavender or rosemary)
MAKE IT: Simmer nettles in the water and vinegar for 2 hours, then stir the aromatic herbs or essential oil and allow mixture to cool. Strain through sieve lined with fine-weaved muslin. Filter bottles.
USE: Apply to scalp every other night as a hair-strengthening tonic, or use as a leave-in, final rinse after shampooing.
STORAGE: keeps for one month.
Letty and I both use it now and it is GREAT! Smells lovely with the lavender oil in it. :) Here is proof that at least one of us has nice hair. Letty straightens her hair once every million years (her curls are so nice!!) but we were bored and a friend left her straightener at our house. in any case having nettle tonic in re-used water bottles makes our bathroom look hippie-tastic (except it is really clean) and I love it!
No comments:
Post a Comment