My Dad is a very wise man. When I was a little girl, my parents used to take our family on annual camping trips. We lived in the city, so they wanted to expose us to nature and just spend some quality time with us kids. We used to camp in Gatineau, Algonquin, New Brunswick, and even Virginia Beach!

My brothers were far more interested in fishing and catching frogs and snakes than they were in identifying the different flora and fauna. Dad taught the boys how to fish, but he took me on walking tours through the woods and showed me all sorts of wonderful edible plants! I really cherish those special times with Dad. I remember listening to his infinite wisdom. He always seemed to have such a strong connection to nature and understood the delicate relationships between all living organisms. My Dad once told me "if you're out in the wilderness you will never starve". He's right! If you are stuck in the wild and you know what to look for, you will not go hungry.

When I was in the bush moving the cattle with Hubby yesterday, I thought of my childhood camping trips and my walks with Dad. I am really thankful for the times that Dad took me on those walks and taught me about edible wilds. On our property, Hubby's got a few hundred acres of forest.

In our forest, I've seen:
*Fiddle heads
*Mushrooms
*Mint
*Raspberries
*Strawberries
*Hawberries
*Leeks
*ASA from poplar bark (medicinal)
*Chamomile
*Blackberry
*Elderberry
*Dandelion
*Mustard
*Chives
*Crabapple

I know there are many more edible wilds on our property, but these are the ones I can identify. The number one rule for edibility is KNOW BEFORE YOU EAT!

Looking for edible wilds is such a fun activity. When Hubby and I have kids of our own, I'd really like to take them for walks through the bush to identify and sample some of the wonderful treasures Mother Nature has to offer us. The hiking part is fun, but finding wild raspberries is the part that is the most fun!!!

If you're ever over for a visit, we'll take a walk in the woods and look for edible wilds :)

(Cross-posted at Green Is Her New Blog)

You followed me home sometime last week and you don't seem to want to leave me alone! You're making me miserable. Sleepless nights, tossing and turning, painful coughing fits, the chills, cold sweats, and broken blood vessels around my eyes from coughing are only some of the many fine presents you gave me.

First, I tried my *cider vinegar potion. It usually does the trick. Nope. Not this time.
Then I tried my *ginger tea recipe. Despite the horrible taste, you still stuck around!
I tried orange juice and chicken noodle soup for a few days. Nothing. You're still here.
I tried taking a hot bath and letting the steam clear up my chest. It worked for a while, but then you returned.
I tried filling the sink with hot water and a few drops of eucalyptus oil and hovering over the sink with a towel over my head so I could breathe in the steam. That was only a temporary fix.
I even slathered on the Vicks vapo rub and you still wouldn't leave!
I don't like taking medicine, but since nothing seems to work, I had to whip out the big guns. Sweet Hubby went out and bought not one, but TWO types of medicine for me!
First, I tried to get rid of you with Benylin. You still wouldn't leave me alone!
I had no choice but to try Buckley's. The commercial on TV says "It tastes awful, but it works".

I thought that would certainly drive you away. I was wrong.

I even psyched myself into believing that I was better and that this pesky little cold was gone. I went out with some girlfriends on Saturday and had a delightful time. I was not going to let you ruin things for me. However, when I got home, things were a zillion times worse. You seem like you just don't want me to get better!

My mother-in-law came to the rescue yesterday and sent over her vintage Hankscraft steam vaporizer and humidifier. Last night was the first night in almost a week that I was able to get more than two hours of sleep! Two whole hours of uninterrupted sleep! Two hours with no coughing fits! Two hours of clear breathing!

Now please go away and never come back! My husband doesn't like sharing the bed with you. Personally, I'm getting pretty annoyed with all the crumpled up tissues on my nightstand. Enough already!

* Cider vinegar recipe: 1 cup of hot water, 2 Tbsp cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey (optional). This recipe really works well in killing off bugs and making your throat feel better.
* Ginger tea recipe: 1 cup hot water, 1-2 Tbsp ginger powder (depending on how strong you want it). You can use fresh ginger root, but the powder works too if you don't have any fresh ginger on hand. This is a strong tasting drink, but works wonders on sore throats. It also has a warming quality to it. Not my favourite flavour but I force myself to drink it when I'm sick.

I'm over here today.

On Friday, we went to the Manitoulin Trade Fair in Little Current. The fair ran from May 4th to the 6th and showcased over 125 local businesses. It always surprises me to see how many businesses there are on the island. They had everything from home appliances, golf clubs, soaps, jams and jellies, fudge, farming info, fishing gear, pizza, ice cream (from 3 Cows and a Cone), mad science, pony rides, cute little trinkets and gifts (from The Rain Barrel), clothing (from Dreamer's Cove) to even live entertainment (they had a string quartet too!).

Children are love made visible- This quote jumped out at me while reading this book in bed the other night. How beautiful and true is that?!

My wonderful blog friend, Jane, sent me this book a few days ago. The book was written by her mom and her sister. Let me just say that I simply could not put this book down! Reading its contents from cover to cover was not a difficult task at all.

As the authors wrote in Preconception Plain & Simple, there are many books out on the market about pregnancy and having babies, but not so many about preconception. It's all about preparing for pregnancy. How wonderful is that?!

What I loved most about this book was that it was light-hearted, funny, fun, positive and inspiring. I enjoyed the authors' writing style and felt it was very informal and fun. Just reading the book makes you feel relaxed and that the process of baby making isn't something stressful or anxiety filled...because it isn't (or at least, shouldn't be)! I don't mean the actual process of creating a baby, but rather the steps before one tries to have a baby.

The book talks about preparing your mind, body and soul for pregancy. There are lots of witty, sexy, creative, intelligent tips like what foods to consume for virility and motility (they even supply a grocery list!). Preconception Plain & Simple is also not laden with thick, heavy, overwhelming medical information. It's got just the right amount of info and they also include links to websites and references to books if you want to further research things yourself. I suppose one could also go to their doctor or specialist if one wanted full on medical information. Actually, I presume one would go to their doctor for detailed information and advice. However, I liked that this book wasn't all about that!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thanks, Jane, Sharon and Audrey!

Just an added bonus: I also loved that the authors included quotes by some of my favorites! Clever and inspiring! I was so pleased to see that Sharon and Audrey also appreciated the words of H.D. Thoreau, Arthur Guiterman, Victor Hugo, Simone de Beauvoir and many others.

Book info:
Author: Audrey Couto McClelland, Sharon K. Couto
ISBN: 0975442600
Published: 2005-02
Publisher: Pinks & Blues Publishing
# Pages: 256
Binding: Paperback
Amazon Price: $19.95 US

One more thing!!! Check out the promo these wonderful ladies have done for my sister-in-law's sister!!! It's on their website. All the more reason why I love these ladies!!! You can also check out my SIL's sister's website for her baby series at www.canvasedge.com . You'll simply fall in love with Melanie Bailey's adorable baby series. I've already got mine! "The Baby Series paintings have even caught the eye of The Mom Show on Discovery Health Channel. Stay tuned next season to see The Baby Series used in a nursery make-over!"

PS. Unfortunately, I have had to start using the "word verification" on my comments section, because spammers have found my blog. Grrrrrrrr! Sorry guys and gals! I know it's a bit of a hassle to have to type in the word verification...

For years and years, people have been using apple cider vinegar for minor ailments, due to its amazing power to remedy many different health problems. Of course, there are some that don't agree with the use of apple cider vinegar and its ability to help with one's minor ailments, but my mother-in-law and my hubby swear by the stuff.

I've read books, health magazines, pamphlets from the health food store, and websites galore on apple cider vinegar. I take it every now and then when I feel a sore throat coming. Whenever hubby feels under the weather, he immediately takes a few tablespoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water, and drinks it.

I have no idea why, but I have never been able to successfully make Jell-O. For some reason, mine just never congeals. What is supposed to be one of the easiest, dummy-proof things to do, always ends up as a disaster.

My MIL couldn't wait to give me my birthday presents. My birthday's next Monday, but she was too excited, she just had to let me open them today. I received several really amazing gifts from her, but the one that stood out the most was the one she had made for me. I'm a sappy kinda gal and just love homemade presents. I feel like they've got more value - perhaps not monetary value, but sentimental value. It really shows you that someone took the time, effort and love and put it into creating your gift. I love that! Mehhhh...I guess I'm just easy to please! LOL!