2011 Reflectings

As we near the end of 2011, I look at the wonderful things that happened to us at Bayberry Meadow Herbs.

We have ventured into some different events that included going to Fort Niagara in upstate New York and was a vendor several times at the Coventry/Meriden Farmers' Markets.  There were also a couple of  food sampling events that allowed us to see how we can expand in our herbal blends.  We have a deli shop that is using one of our blends in their signature tuna salad and there will be another eatery looking to see what they can use for their signature fries.

Our tea colonial selection have been making their appearance, as we continue to educate the public on the historical backgrounds that go back several hundred plus years back.  Some are very similar to what was thrown into the Boston Harbor during the 18th century.  Its amazing how they knew then, that tea can keep the body healthy.

Our handmade herbal soaps continue to grow.  We have been working with some different herbal essential oils, not only for scent, but how to help improve the skin.  Our feedbacks keep us tweaking certain soaps, until we are happy with the results.  Our salves have kept us busy through the poison ivy season and the Bug-Away-Camp soap during our re-enactment season.

 

Herbal Garden at Fort Niagara, Youngstown, New York

But most of all, the friends/customers that believe in us, that keep us going and thinking of what's next, as we continue to evolve with the times.  Thank-you for being there!!!!!!

May the New Year bring you many blessings,
Rose

Looking for something different? How about joining a food swap group.

One thing I found in participating in the food swap at the Conventry Farmers' Market, was meeting  talented people, seeing creative and delicious items made from their kitchens and networking for recipes.  It also gives me the opportunity in trying foods/items that I would normally not make for myself like different types of jams, roasted red peppers, homemade yogurt, herbal butters, felted soap or swapping for a small felted handbag.  There are different themes whether its on Berries or a Whatever Goes, as long as it is handmade. 

One item I had made to swap was a Salsa Verde, which was something new that I have never made before.  At a Farmers' Markets I had attended, I saw some husk tomatoes and other ingredients that made it a perfect time to try it out.. It came out AWESOME and it has become a staple at our house, especially when I make my poached salmon for breakfast (yes, breakfast).  Other items I offered to swap were smoked/gourmet sea salts, herbal blends for cooking and a mulling spice blend that is great with apple cider, red wine or tea.  Some ideas I have been thinking about for my next food swap are chocolate covered Oreo cookies, chocolate covered pretzels with nuts, dried fruit or with crushed mint candy, and possibly chocolate bark (have this thing about making stuff with chocolate, lately).

Their up-coming food swap will take place on October 2nd and the theme is "Cosmetics Swap".  You don't have to bring items that are theme related, but anything that has been handcrafted, home grown or handcrafted.  Some ideas for this swap can be making lotions, sugar scrubs, lip balm, perfumes or moisturizes.  Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend this swap, but hope to attend at least one more before the season is over.

 

 So if you are looking for something to do on a Sunday, bring the whole family.  Come early before the market opens and meet some wonderful people.  You just might get hooked.

http://cosmeticswap.eventbrite.com/

Have a wonderful week!

 

What's Cooking at Bayberry?: Eggplant Caponata

What's Cooking at Bayberry?: Eggplant Caponata

Eggplant Caponata

Wondering what to do with left over eggplants from your garden?  Thanks to a wonderful neighbor, I made some of this caponata.  Made it for the first time and I have to say, it is wonderful. It has a nice texture, with a slight sweet taste from the red roasted pepper, balsamic vinegar with the undertone of capers. 

1 medium globe eggplant peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tablespoon kosher salt (less if you are using table salt
1 red bell pepper, quartered, seeds removed
1/4 cup olive oil
1 small onion chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 clove garlic minced

Put the eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon kosher salt.  Toss to coat and leave it over a bowl for an hour. 
Grill or broil the bell pepper until the skin is charred then wrap in foil until cool.  When the pepper is cool, peel the pepper and remove any excessively charred bits.  Slice into thin short strips.

When the eggplant is done salting, rinse in a bowl of cold water to remove excess salt.  Squeeze the eggplant with your hands to wring out as much moisture as you can.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the garlic and onions until they are translucent and just start turning brown around the edges.  Add the eggplant, bell pepper and thyme.  Salt and pepper to taste ( I did not add any salt when I made my batch).  Stir the eggplant until its very soft and it starts to loose its shape.

Add balsamic vinegar and capers and stir until there is no liquid left.  Take off  the heat and serve immediately with some crusty bread or refrigerate for a day.  It taste even better the next day.

 

Enjoy!!!!!!

Summer Is Coming To An End

Here it is, the end of August.  The sun is setting sooner and the nights are getting cooler.  Summer has passed too soon.  One good thing, great sleeping weather at night, especially if you are camping.

We will be starting up again soon at Meridens's Farmers' Market, with our Mulling Spice Blend, perfect timing with the arrival of Apple Cider.  Our Savory Garlic Blend has been a success.  We will start carrying the herbal cooking blend in a mason jar container.  As always, our Garden Blend and sea salts will be available.

Solid Lotion bars, freshly whipped shea butter and our sugar scrubs with whipped shea butter will make their appearance again.  Perfectly blended, to keep your skin nice and soft during the winter months.  Keep in mind, they make perfect gift items all year round.  We will even custom scent them to match the scent of our handmade soaps.

Speaking of handmade soaps, we make a number of them for every skin type and to please the senses.

Bay Rum with white clay - perfect for shaving or use as a bath soap.  Definitely the scent of the tropics, the scent of "Old Spice"

Clean Cotton - Yankee - smells like cotton sheets, hanging on a clothesline, blowing in the summer wind.

Orange Spice - the scent of sweet orange with the undertone of spice.  Pefrect for the Fall season.

Lemongrass - fresh lemon scent with LOTS of bubbles.  Makes you want to stay in the shower longer, just for the scent alone.

Four Thieves - sage, peppermint, rosemary and lavender.  Every time I smell the scent of the bar, it changes the scent.  Sometimes I smell the peppermint first, other times the sage and sometimes the lavender.  The other scents come to play after the main scent presents itself.  This is one of our latest soap we have made.

Herbal Mint - great during the summer to help cool your body, even better in the winter to soothe those achy muscles and help you relax.

Goat's Milk Soap - for those with very sensitive skin.  Has lots of lather to help soften extremely dry skin.

Bayberry Soap - our signature soap.  Has a wonderful fragrance that is nice throughout the year.  Makes a perfect hand soap in any guest bath.

And these are only a few.  At times, we carry as many as 23 different types of soap.

Teas with a bit of history.  We have the Lucky Dragon Hyson green tea, which is one of the British favorite teas.  The hyson tea is one that is similar to the one thrown into the Boston Harbor during the Boston Tea Party.  This type of tea was the most expensive tea available at the time (18th Century) and was taxed the highest.   The Litchee Congou and Superior Gunpowder teas were also available at the time as well and were types of teas that were also thrown into the harbor.  The congou tea is infused in litchee fruit, giving it a pleasant sweet scent that is nice to drink hot or iced.  The Superior Gunpowder tea has its leaves handrolled, so that they look like the grains of gunpowder.  When brewed, the leaves open up.  Our gunpowder tea is green tea.  We also have a Monk's tea, French Blend, Earl Grey, White Tea and a number of other teas.

So what's cooking at Bayberry Meadow Herbs? A bit of everything.  A little something to please anyone.

May our paths cross, soon.

Busy Summer

Its been a while since I have posted anything on the blog.  Think its time to let you know what's cooking at Bayberry Meadow Herbs.

Didn't know what the summer would be like, since I had a late start on what colonial events I would be doing this year.  I have participated in Fort Ticonderoga's French and Indian/Rev. War events for the past 9 plus years and this was the first year that we did not go.  Many things had changed, especially the jurying process and like myself, many other sutlers were not chosen to attend this year.  They wanted to downsize the events as well as the number of participants.  I have spoken to a sutler who did attend the June F&I event and was told that the numbers for reenactors and the public were down.  It had rained that weekend, in which the inside of tents were flooded.  Unfortunately, some of the participants ended up leaving, due to their gear becoming soaking wet.

Instead, I got a call in the beginning of April from Fort Niagara, looking to see if I was interested in attending their French and Indian War event during the beginning of July.  Even though it was a 7 1/2 hour drive, its a site I have been interested in attending, for a number of years.  The French and Indian War event is a juried event and there is a waiting list.  We were pleased to know that the reason we were invited, was that our shop is different from those who attended in the past, one that sells dried herbs, teas and the such.  To make a long story short, I stayed for 4 1/2 days, had a wonderful time at the fort and spent a day in Ontario.  Will I do the event again?  Definitely!  The staff at the fort were wonderful, I saw many of my sutler friends that I usually see from Fort Ti and friends I haven't seen in years.  Next time, would LOVE to stay in the area alittle longer.

Entrance to Fort Niagara

Another venture we have taken this summer is doing some Farmer's Markets.  We took on two locations, alternating weekends, but found it was alittle too much.  Since I was still busy during the regular weekday, I found that one market location was enough.  We chose to stay with the Meriden Farmer's Market on Saturdays, to help support them in reaching local/fresh food/products into the community.  Even though it is a very small market, there has been a great response from the community, supporting the vendors and they look forward in coming weekend after weekend.  Lines start to form before 8:00 am and while you are trying to break down at noon, you still see people coming.  There are 2 farms that bring in their fresh produce by the truckload and they have been running out of produce every weekend, no matter if they bring a larger amount of produce the following week.  This past weekend, I took the opportunity to close my spot for 10 minutes, so that I could take a couple of quick photos and purchase a few things before all of the produce was gone.  Came home with a few goodies.

Fresh Tomatillos

Pickling Cukes

Beautiful Jalapenos

With a few things I purchased, decided to make a Salsa Verde.  Always LOVED to look at the tomatillos or husk tomatoes, but wondered what can I make with them.

So here it is:

5 or 6 tomatillos (6ounces), remove the husks and finely chop them
2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion
2 serrano peppers or jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (make sure you oil your hands before   handling hot peppers, so that you don't get the pepper oils on your skin)
1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 teaspoon finely shredded lime peel or grapefruit peel (I grated the lime peel instead)
1/2 teaspoon of sugar

In a mixing bowl, stir together the tomatillos, onion, serrano or jalapeno peppers, cilantro or parsley, lime or grapefruit peel and sugar.  If you make it ahead of time, cover and chill for up to 2 days.  Great to use with tortillas, any mexican dish, even on swordfish (brush fish with lime juice, spoon salsa verde on top of swordfish, bake uncovered in a 450 degree oven until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, allowing 5 to 7 minutes per 1/2 inch thickness of fish)

Now if you are like me, I used the recipe as a guideline.  I made a larger batch, instead of chopping it finely, I left it slightly chunky, added the juice to 1/2 of a lime (still added the grated lime peel first, tasted it, then the lime juice).  Used sweet onions and 2 LARGE jalapenos and lots of parsley, since I was not able to find cilantro.  While I also had extra tomatillos, I put them thru the blender, added 1/3 of my mixed salsa blend into the blender as well, to give it a bit of liquid.  Added a touch of garlic (can't stay away from it) and alittle black pepper. 

Fresh ingredients

Chopped ingredients before adding any liquid salsa that was processed through a blender.

Even though I left it slightly chunky, I put it in the refrigerator, so that the flavors have a chance to blend.  Will decide if I will leave it that way or put it all thru the blender for a more liquid salsa texture.  Traditionally in Mexico, I have been told that red or green salsa is served in liquid form, never chunky.  But unfortunately,  I like my salsa slightly chunky.

As I tasted the finished product of the Salsa Verde, it has the tart, lemony flavor of the tomatillos, nice sweet taste of the onion and parsley, slight heat of the jalapenos with a "just right" aftertaste of the lime.  Can't wait to try it tomorrow, once it has chilled for a day.

If you have a recipe that uses tomatillos, let us know.  Would love to hear from you.

Maybe it it comes out really AWESOME, I just might make some for the next Food Swap that I'm able to attend, at the Coventry Farmer's Market.

Happy Cooking!

How Bayberry Meadow Herbs began as a business.

In my day to day job for 9 months out of the year, we are studying evolution in Science and it only makes me think how much Bayberry Meadow has evolved.  It started as a part-time dried floral business, including teaching the art of dried floral arrangements at several locations.  With time, I included how dried herbs can be used for everyday uses (from cooking to sachets).  As an 18th century re-enactor, I demonstrated from time-to-time how herbs were used during that time period and how we use them in modern days.  Presently, including creating salves, lotions and soapmaking.

Bayberry was born on October, 1988.  I was scheduling as many as 24 events a year, selling our dried floral arrangements throughout New Haven/Fairfield County and Woodstock, Ct areas.  From retail, Bayberry started to do wholesale for a number of clients that included Foxwoods Casino (for 9 years) and Mohegan Sun (for a little over 4 1/2 years). We became known for our various swag designs, in which we then incorporated it as part of our business logo.  During this time, I always seemed to have a part-time job at a couple of museums, teaching art to children from the ages of 5 -12, and instructed workshops for adults through the Adult Continuing Education programs in a number of town, demonstrations/lectures for women's organizations and garden clubs.

Then came the decision to go back to school in which the business was put on the shelf for a short period of time (while working at my present job at the same time).  I guess I still had it in my blood to keep it alive, whether it was doing demonstrations during the colonial events or selling some of my wares, to help support my new adventure as a colonial re-enactor.  After getting my BA., I became restless and decided to take a soapmaking class with a very good friend of mine.  Since that day, I have been hooked in making my own soap (so has my friend, she also makes soap for sale).

Even though I no longer create dried floral arrangements (for the most part), I never thought that we would be where we are now.  I LOVE doing the colonial events throughout New England, where our handmade soaps, herbal blends, China teas, salves, sea salts from around the world, dried herbs and spices can be purchased in camp, while educating the public on how to use them in their everyday life.  I am starting to expand into doing  regular events that include guest vendor at Farmer's Markets, Garden events, and looking into doing workshops again. 

Who knows where the business will take me next, but I am definitely looking forward to the adventure.  Know for sure, you will know where we go next.

Have a Wonderful Spring Season,
Rose

Herbs of the Month - White Sage

Around this time of year, I start to get a number of orders for white sage, sweetgrass braids, our desert sage with lavender, desert sage with juniper and sweetgrass smudge sticks.  I have people looking to bless a new home, starting construction in their home and a few that have gone over seas to our service men/women.

White sage (Salvia apiana). White sage is an herb that is used as a anti-inflammatory, used in tea or tincture form. A tincture has a very nice scent and can be used as a perfume, if desired.  It can be made into a tea, which decreases sweating, salivation, and mucous secretions in the sinuses, throat, and lungs. Cold tea can be a good stomach tonic, while a lukewarm tea is good for treating sore throats.

Native Americans use the plant in a sweathouses as a remedy for colds.  The leaves when crushed and mixed with water, you can create a hair shampoo or rinse.

This variety is the famous white sage of smudge sticks, a type of incense.  White sage is believed to cleanse the area of negative vibes.  Today many Native American tribes still use the stems and leaves for smudging as part of purification ceremonies by burning the leaves that are bundled into a wand or stick form.

When smudging:
     Identify the area of negativity. This could be a room, office or outdoor area. You may feel as though the negative energy is within you.
     Use a match to burn a small portion of bundled white sage.
     Hold the sage near yourself and fan the smoke to your body or that of another person.
     Walk around the room, object or area holding the sage. Start with the door and continue around the perimeters of the room, including the center of the room.
     Fan the smoldering sage in four directions and ask out loud for blessings and protection. Press the sage on a rock or other non-flammable material to make it go out.  I usually have a terracotta plant dish which is fine to use.

 

As an re-enactor, I usually smudge the inside of our tent, not only for the fragrance, but it helps keep mosquitoes away.  When you smudge the inside of your tent, lightly smudge it and NEVER leave it unattended.  Make sure it is completely out and in an appropriate container. White sage is also used in combination with other aromatic herbs to repel ants and other insects--either as a powder for dusting, or as a spray. 

 

May you have many blessings throughout the year.

Herbs of the Month for February - Natural Dyes From Herbs

      I guess with all of the snow we are getting in New England, I can just imagine how it might of been during the colonial days, when all you could do is stay inside.  With this, I thought of posting something different.
      Even though we use herbs for cooking, medicinal purposes, to freshen up any room, to help keep the inside and well as outside of the body healthy and to make all sorts of beverages, did you know that you can make your own wonderful dyes as well?
     Different parts of the plant - flowers, leaves and roots may create colors of reds, yellows, browns, grays, greens and blues.  Creating your own dyes using skeins of wool and be an enriching experience.  From gathering the plants, simmering them in a enamel pot so that they will release their hues, moving the skeins gently thru the colored water and drying the skeins to finish off the process.  Definitely a labor of LOVE.
      When collecting the plant material, harvest them when the plant is at its peak.  Gather the flowers when they are just about in full bloom, berries when they are ripe.  Harvest roots in the fall and leaves in the spring.  You can also harvest bark in the spring as well or in the fall.  Remember that the amount of color depends on the environment conditions and the season they are harvested.  Someone who uses plants harvested along the coast in New England will produce different colors from the same species of plants that are harvested in the mountains of Virginia.
     As a rule, start off using 8 quarts of plant material to dye a pound of yarn.  When using nut hulls, wood, bark or berries, use 1 pound and with roots, use 1/2 pound.  For each pound of wool, cotton or linen, use 4 to 4 1/2 gallons of soft water to prepare the dye bath.
     So if you want to add to your herb garden this year, look to see if there are any that you would like to plant for dyeing purposes.  Here is a list to choose from.

Blacks: alder, black walnut, yarrow

Blues: elder, elecampane, indigo, Oregon grape

Browns: burdock, comfrey, fennel, geranium, hops, juniper, madder, onion, pokeweed

Golds: agrimony, amaranth, dock, goldenrod, lavender cotton, mullein, onion, plantain, safflower, yarrow

Grays: elder, raspberry, sunflower, yarrow

Greens: agrimony, angelica, barberry, bayberry, betony, coltsfoot, comfrey, dock, fennel, foxglove, goldenrod, horsetail, marjoram, mullein, rosemary, sage, tansy, uva-ursi, yarrow

Oranges: blootroot, pokeweed, sorrel

Purples: blackberry, geranium, grape, lady's bedstraw

Reds: dandelion, dock, hops, lady's bedstraw, madder, pokeweed, St. John's wort, sweet woodruff

Rusts: pokeweed, safflower

Tans: barberry, onion, Oregon grape, raspberry, sunflower, sweet woodruff, uva-ursi

Yellows: agrimony, barberry, broom, chamomile, dandelion, dock, fennel, goldenrod, horseradish, lady's bedstraw, onion, safflower, sage, St. John's wort, sunflower, tansy, yarrow


Check out http://www.herbcompanion.com/Projects/Culinary-Herb-Goes-Dye-Crazy.aspx for addition information.

Enjoy and stay warm.

What's Cooking at Bayberry?: Taking Care of Your Skin During The Winter Months

What's Cooking at Bayberry?: Taking Care of Your Skin During The Winter Months

Taking Care of Your Skin During The Winter Months

     Snow has finally reached us in Connecticut and with the cold winds blowing and the low humidity in our homes and workplace, we should really take a look on how to keep our skin healthy looking.  Even though there are a large number of lotions, creams and soaps available, take a look on how are they effecting your body overall.
     Many of the commercial products might help keep your skin nice and soft, but have you ever taken a look to see what they contain?  For example, take a look at your soap label, the next time you un-wrap the packaging.  Does it contain olive, coconut, palm, sunflower, almond......oils, shea, coconut, mango.....butters?  Does the scent come from essential or synthetic oils?  What preservatives have they added?
      Since 85 percent of what you put on your skin is actually absorbed into your body, are there ingredients  you rather not have absorbed in your body?  How is it effecting your health?  Something to think about.
     I know a number of soap-makers (including ourselves) that are making products that will not only help keep your skin nice and soft, but keep in mind how their products effect the body as well.
     Our goal, is to keep the inside and outside of the body healthy.  The ingredients that are used are those nature provides us with, without fillers and preservatives.  We make our products in small batches, to guarantee freshness, use essential oils (even though we have a few fragrant oils that we used) and use ground up herbal plant materials, honey, and goat's milk.  As our business continues to grow, so is our knowledge on how we can use herbs in our everyday life.

     Here are some information on ingredients we use in some of our products.

     Shea butter: great for skin discoloration, softening extremely dry skin, chapped lips, smoothing out wrinkles, stretchmarks and fading scars.  High in Vitamin A and E.

     Olive oil: known as "liquid gold", great to moisturize dry hair and the skin. High in vitamins.

     Coconut oil: excellent skin softener and moisturizer.  Helps reduce the symptoms of skin conditions and supports the natural balance of the skin.

     Rice Bran Oil: high in Vitamin E.  Helps keep the skin nice and soft.  Wonderful to use on your hair.

     Sweet Almond oil:  easily absorbed into the skin, without leaving a greasy feeling.  Helps restore moisture to the skin and help relieve muscle pain.  Great oil to combat itching and inflammation.  Rich in minerals, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, B2, B6 and E.

     Avocado oil: helps regenerate damaged skin, relieves itchy skin due to skin conditions, highly moisturizing and especially welcomed on matured skin.

The list can go on and on and on.

Other things you can do to help keep your skin healthy:  drink plenty of water and add moisture in the air at home or work.  Something as simple as leaving out a glass of water on the counter for the dry air to absorb.  You don't have to go out and get an expensive dehumidifier.  To keep the air nice and pleasant smelling, gather up some herbs from your cabinet such as cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, rosemary, lemon peels or old vanilla beans and make yourself a simmering potpourri mixture.  If you have any lavender buds, it makes a wonderful simmering potpourri by itself.  Just make sure that you keep an eye on it, if you put it on the stove.  Use essential oils to make your own diffusers or sachets place in different area work just as well.

For 2011, we are looking forward in having a few workshops on how to keep your body (inside and out) healthy.  We hope you can join us at one of our scheduled gatherings and learn what you can make at home from what Nature has to offer.