Redland Evening Herb Society Online

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Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 11:53 PM | Permalink

This month’s speaker:

Jorge Bermudez

“Living a Better Life and Finding Healthier Ways to Make it Through Your Days.”

Jorge Bermudez will be speaking on natural alternatives to items used every day. He will be highlighting products that use the soothing and medicinal qualities of herbs.

Herb of the Month: Fennel

A Look Ahead:

 
May 3, 2006:

DeAnna Alvarez & Tracy Bossinger (The Ladies of FLERT) will speak on edible aphrodisiacs.

Herb of the Month: Saffron

June 7, 2006:

Miguel Cisneros-Abreu presents “Tea Time, Health Time.”

Herb of the Month: Rooibos

July 5, 2006:

Kristin Jayd-Jimenez and Cheri O’Neal will speak about “Kitchen Cosmetics, Bathroom Beauty.”

Herb of the Month: Jojoba

Meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm in the Fruit & Spice Park Auditorium. All members and guests are welcome! Our Tasting Table, Raffle Ticket Drawing, and Door Prize Drawing follow each speaker.

Monthly Society Project: Come garden with us! Meet in the Park at 10am on the Saturday following each monthly meeting. You get free park admission and free herbs to take home.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 11:32 PM | Permalink

Description: Fennel is a relative of carrots and grows in feathery bunches from celery-like stems. It can reach 6 feet in height and is available in both green and bronze varieties. Yellow flowers grow in bunches, much like its relative dill. All parts of the plant are edible.

Cultivation: Fennel grows prolifically from seed. It prefers full sun and welldrained soil. It can cross-pollinate with dill.

Culinary: The flavor of fennel is much like licorice, though not as strong as its scent suggests. Leaves can substitute for tarragon, stems can be chopped or shredded and eaten raw or cooked. The seeds are used in sausages, teas Medicinal: Fennel seed is considered a digestive aid, helping reduce
gas. It is also useful in cosmetics.

Other uses: Butterflies and bees are attracted to its flowers, so it can be added to a butterfly garden successfully. Planting enough for the caterpillars to eat shouldn’t be a problem!

Similar plants: Florence fennel or finocchio is much like sweet fennel, but only grows about 2-3 feet tall and forms bulbs at the base where the stems join. These are eaten much like celery, but with a licorice flavor.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 10:01 PM | Permalink

Mary Ann Poor gave an inspiring lecture about the benefits of Neem, a plant native to India and used for the past 4,500 years to cure various physical ailments. The Neem plant is often referred to as the village pharmacy. Mary Ann and her husband brought along samples of Neem tea, in a diluted and
potent form for members to try. Mary Ann was also the proud winner of Arturo's vegetable basket at the raffle. Many thanks to Mary Ann and her Neem anecdotes and experiments.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 09:04 PM | Permalink

REHS took over the tea room at the Fruit and Spice Park for the 16th Annual Asian Culture Festival. Many members assisted to make our booth wonderful.

A huge thank you goes to Joe & Helen Mandoeng for contributing all the gorgeous plants for us to sell.

Leila Barnes brought her fantastic Rosemary Shortbread for sampling.

Kristin Jayd-Jimenez and Cheri O’Neal had various herbal arts & crafts for sale, including baby clothes dyed with herbal colors, natural bath scrubs and soaps, and yummy snacks.

Tania de la Maza, Licensed Massage Therapist and Aromatherapist, returned to offer chair massages.
Tania can be reached for an appointment at 305-606-6390.

Tommy Bretthauer also brought out his massage chair to relax patrons.

Melissa Casey brought artwork on Sunday.

Melissa Casey can be reached via her website, www. MelissaCasey.com , or by phone at 305-305-6927 or 305-382- 8561.

She has more items on her website, and is available for commission work as well.

Miguel Cisneros-Abreu provided tea for sampling and for sale, and had a selection of essential oils.

Neal Smith helped set up, and Jim O’Hare made an appearance as well.

A fine garden being no less difficult to contrive and order well than a good building.
-A. J. Dezallier D’Argenville

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 08:09 PM | Permalink

If you are a lover of herbs, herbal lore, and cooking with herbs and want to take your knowledge of all of these a few steps further, then Growing Herbs in Pots by John Burton Brimer should be an enjoyable read for you.

In Growing Herbs in Pots, you will also explore indoor herb gardening and tips for small space spots as on patio or windowsill.

Recipes comprise the last half of the book and include recipes for using herbs in appetizers, main course items and desserts as well as herb vinegars, marinades, butters, sauces and jellies. Those that I have tried are quite interesting, simple and flavorful.

Originally published in 1976, it has been reprinted and a used copy can be gotten for as low as $2.95 on www.alibris.com .

Apple Pie with Mint Make pie according to your favorite recipe, but instead of the cinnamon usually called for, add ½ teaspoon mace, 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel, and 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint.

Sauce Rouge

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. Salt

3 Tbs. Tomato puree

1/8 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

2 tsps. Finely chopped basil (or scant 1/2 tsp. Dried)

Pinch of sugar* 6 to 8 small beets (canned)

Paprika

Chop basil, dice beets; place in blender with other ingredients and add mayonnaise; blend at low speed for 3 minutes.

If sauce is being used for tomato dishes, omit beets and double tomato puree.

Yield: about 1 ½ cups

* a pinch of stevia (white crystal form) was used instead of sugar for the sauce rouge on March’s Tasting Table. There are pots, then there are POTS! Potted herbs.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 06:45 PM | Permalink

Fronds and stems of fennel stuffed into the cavity of a chicken impart a delicate mild licorice flavor to the meat.

Infused in vinegar, fennel makes a tasty condiment for salads.

Fennel seed tea is said to improve the digestion and assist those suffering from flatulence.

Widely used in Italian cooking and the cuisine of Provence, fennel is becoming more widely appreciated in the U.S.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 06:18 PM | Permalink

Jim is still seeking speakers for August & September 2006. If you have suggestions or wish to volunteer, let him know!

Tried and true recipes and/or family recipes with a story are also being sought for the REHS/FSP cookbook. Contact Leila Barnes to submit items.

Two volunteers are also needed to help transcribe recipes for the cookbook. Contact Leila or Leah to volunteer.


The newsletter is looking for gardeners willing to be profiled in “How Does Your Garden Grow?” Call 305-248- 9029 or email to: inariargenteus@gmail.com

Volunteers will also be needed for the upcoming Holistic Health Event, April 7-9.

Check out the website! You can now subscribe to our weekly email list online. Emails will cover growing and using herbs in all ways. Go to www.rehsonline.com to sign up.

Suggestions and submissions are welcome for the website, too. Contact Kristin (jaydedj@mac.com) or Tao (info@umaatantra.com) to have something added in cyberspace.

This is your space to post items for sale, trade, or things you are seeking.

FOR RENT: Attention Nature Lovers! 1/1 plus studio/garage on 5 acre native hammock. Private, with easy access to US1. $800/mo. (Includes water & electric). Call 305-299-7826.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 05:55 PM | Permalink

This is an unofficial list, and subject to
change.
• Unified School of Martial Arts
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Self Defense,
Daniel Montana
• Tai Chi, Sifus Steven & Amy Tarrago
• Yoga and Qi-gong, Santiago Dobles
& Tao Semko
• Massage Chairs from Med Vance
School and National School of Technology
• Aromatherapy for Children, Rachel
Markel
• Lecture by Francisco Moro,
M.D.
• Allen Masconi, M.D., P.A.:
“The Value of Complementary
Medicine”
• Dr. Mark Silverman, Chiropractor
• Tao Semko, Martial Arts/Yoga/
Qi-gong instructor: “Yoga and
Better Sex”
• Santiago Dobles, Martial Arts/
Yoga/Qi-gong instructor:
“Cancer and Qi-gong”
• Tracy Bossinger & DeAnna
Carlile-Alvarez: “Herbal Aphrodisiacs”
• Janis Lavine, L.M.T, Cranial Sacral
Practitioner: “Cranial Sacral Health
Care”
• Rachel Markel, A-CAM Research
and Education: “Environmental
Health-Creating a Non-Toxic Environment
• Miguel Cisneros-Abreu, A-CAM
Research and Education:
“Aromatherapy as Complementary
Alternative Medicine” and
“Healing Teas, Herbal Medicine”

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 04:42 PM | Permalink

Many, many thanks to Jane Hsu and Leah Sherman for their articles for this issue of the newsletter. It wouldn't have happened without them!

If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, please let me know by sending an email to: inariargenteus@gmail.com.

To avoid spam, I will not be emailing newsletters without an invitation to do so.

The newsletter can also be viewed online at our website: www.REHSonline.com.

Suggestions and comments are always welcome, as are contributions. Thanks for making the newsletter so wonderful! free.

Newsletter submissions are always welcome. Contact me at 305-248-9029 or inariargenteus@gmail.com

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 04:31 PM | Permalink

April 1, 2006: Establishing A Small Grove led by Chris Rollins. Goodie bags presented. 9am-Noon. $25.

April 7—9: “Think Natural Health: An Herbal Wellness Weekend.” Featuring concessions with a variety of natural products; interactive sessions of reiki, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, more; speakers throughout the day. 9am- 6pm. Admission $10, includes 10 minute chair massage.

April 7—9: “Think Natural Health: An Herbal Wellness Weekend.” Featuring concessions with a variety of natural products; interactive sessions of reiki, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, more; speakers throughout the day. 9am- 6pm. Admission $10, includes 10 minute chair massage.

May 13: Propagation class led by Chris Rollins. 10am-5pm. $40 fee includes tree to graft.

May 19-21: Redland International Orchid Show. An American Orchid Society judged show, featuring over 50 booths of educational and sale exhibits. 9am-5pm. Admission $5, children under 12 free.

June 10-11: Tropical Ag Fiesta. Exhibition of local agriculture, featuring tropical fruits and plants for sale. Cosponsored by the Fruit & Spice Park and Tropical Fruit Growers. 10am- 5pm. Admission $5, children under 12 April 1, 2006: Establishing A Small Grove led by Chris Rollins. Goodie bags
presented. 9am-Noon. $25.

June 17: Lychee & Longan Workshop led by Chris Rollins. 10am-noon. Tasting, recipes & plants included in $25 fee.

For more information on any of these events or to register, call the Fruit & Spice Park at 305-247-5727. Registration is required for all classes.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 03:03 PM | Permalink

Leah Sherman announced that the REHS is currently publishing a cookbook, and they are in the process of collecting recipes. She is asking for "tried and true" recipes for the cookbook for all members. They are not looking for new recipes that have not yet been "road-tested" yet by the discriminating
palates of REHS cooks.

REHS will be reserving the clubhouse at FSP during the Asian Cultural Festival, a delightful show featuring a large selection of Asian crafts, arts, dance and music, all highlighted by a large selection of Asian food ranging from Laotion cooking to Thai fruit carving.

All members and guests are invited (but not required) to bring a contribution to the monthly tasting table. For those not inclined toward the culinary arts, paper plates, plasticware and beverages are also very welcome.

Everyone was on the same wavelength in March, with many gorgeous and delicious salads. Apologies for the lack of pictures, but rest assured it was unbelievably lovely. Grazing was provided by: Leah Sherman—Herb Stuffed Eggs with Cucumbers and Red Mayo; Leila Barnes—Pasta Salad with Ginger Dressing,
Black Bean Salsa; James O’Hare– Salmon; Tina Pavel— Chicken & Pasta Salad with Basil; Tracy Bossinger—Rosemary Bread & Olive Oil; Eliat Schmalbach, Delphine Kendzia, Arturo Gonzalez—Green Salads.

Donations are also encouraged for the raffle table. Tickets are on sale at the raffle table during each meeting, and are fifty cents each. Ticket proceeds benefit the Society.

This month’s raffle table was stocked by: Leah & David Sherman—Gardening books; James O’Hare—Book; The Schmalbachs—Clapper; Tommy Bretthauer —Massage Gift Certificate; Leila Barnes—Banana Bread, Bergamot Mint Soap; John & Marie Thorp— Tissue Culture African Violet, Baby Neem Trees; Jane Hsu—Movie
Game; Miguel Cisneros-Abreu—Bath Salts; Arturo Gonzalez—Vegetable Basket; Kristin Jayd-Jimenez—Vegetable Box.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 02:34 PM | Permalink