This Violet Jam recipe is LOVELY.  It has a sweet, delicate flavor and is the most beautiful shade of purple.  A lot of the violet recipes that I have experimented with over the years were from one of my favorite go-to books: “Country Wisdom & Know-How — Everything You Need to Know to Live off the Land” from the Editors at Storey Books…a great one to have in your library, for sure. Read the rest of this entry →

By celebrating all the earth has to offer each day my friends, you’ll find yourself naturally giving back to it.

We tend to chat about the less hyped aspects of earth day around here………..

The simple things like reconnecting with nature and engaging with what’s outdoors, shopping secondhand, repairing rather than tossing, growing your own food, being creative with what you have to work with instead of always buying new, simplifying life in ways that make you need less ‘stuff’ in turn making room for more breathable, less cluttered moments.  Gravitating towards reusable rather than disposable.  Disconnecting from technology regularly to maintain a healthy balance.  Relying less and less on what’s artificial and over-processed and more on what’s simple, whole and close to nature….

the point….It’s about how you are living and what YOU are DOING that makes the difference.

b.organic….it starts at home.

Cheers to each and every one of you AND an extreme amount of GRATITUDE from all of us at b. organic for enthusiastically watching our program, participating, exchanging ideas and stories and helping US celebrate earth day, EVERY day.  It takes a village.

michele.

Link to our April Newsletter Here

in full bloom right now

&

they.

are.

GOOD.

for you……

They are rich in Vitamins A & C.

AKA….Viola Odorata; Viola Tri-color; Common Meadow Violet; Wild Pansy; Field Violet; Johnny Jump-ups; Sweet Violet…..

All members of the Viola family are edible and they also possess some wonderful medicinal properties

The roots, the leaves and the blossoms are all beneficial but most of the common uses call for the leaves and flowers.

Best time to collect is in the mornings when they’re fully open.

The leaves and blossoms are a beautiful and tasty addition to any salad.

You can also use the leaves and blossoms to create:

Violet Jelly and Jam

Violet Vinegar

Violet  Honey

Violet Tea

Violet Water Mist

Enjoy them while they’re in bloom.  The spring is the best time for the leaves as later in the year they tend to get a bit more bitter and acquire a slightly tougher texture.

Always watch where you pick so that you’re not harvesting in an area that has been sprayed with chemicals and always wash your greens and flowers before eating.  A salad spinner is a wonderful device to have when foraging for wild greens.

And I know it probably goes without saying, but never get them confused with the indoor African Violet houseplant, which is not part of the Viola family— those my friends, are not edible.

Cheers to the Wild Violet!

michele.