Redland Evening Herb Society Online

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Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 11:40 PM | Permalink

This month’s speaker: Carolyn Coppolo Carolyn is a Founding REHS member and owner of the Redland Herb Farm. She will be presenting ideas for growing and using herbs in South Florida.

Herb of the Month: Annatto

A Look Ahead: September 6, 2006: Nan Deardorf- McClain, N.D., Naturopath, will be speaking on Bach Flower Remedies.

Herb of the Month: Tea Tree

October 4, 2006: Delphine O’Hare will teach us how to make greeting cards at home.

Herb of the Month: Cardamom

November 1, 2006: Seth Berman will use herbs and other materials to craft holiday gifts.

Herb of the Month: Pandan December 6, 2006: Holiday Extravaganza. Bring a dish to complete the Great Holiday Feast!

Herb of the Month: Juniper

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.

Suggestions, submissions, comments? Send them to Tracy Bossinger E-mail: inariargenteus@gmail.com Phone: 305-444-5612 Deadline is the 20th of the month.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 10:47 PM | Permalink

Alternate names: Achiote, Bixia, Lipstick Tree

Description: Small, evergreen tree. Flowers are five-petaled, and are rose, pink, or white with yellow stamens. Seedpods are maroon or scarlet, spiny and heart-shaped.

Cultivation: Grown from seeds or cuttings. Seed grown plants take longer to flower than cutting-grown plants.

Culinary: Annatto is used primarily for its coloring, which varies from bright yellow to redorange. Depending on the freshness, annatto also lends a slight pungency to the dish. Commercially, it is added to various foods (most notably cheeses) to impart its color. Seeds can be ground and added to
dishes, soaked in water when whole, or heated in oil to extract the color and flavor.

Medicinal: It is used in traditional preparations for worms, lowering fever, improving digestion, and externally for treating burns.

Cosmetic: In its native South America, annatto was originally used as a face and body paint.

Sources:
http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Bixa_ore.html
Herbs & Spices for Florida Gardens by Monica Moran Brandies.
Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses by Deni Bown.

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 09:43 PM | Permalink

There are some photos posted now to show what a handsome bunch we all are, and we would love to have the content also reflect who we are as a society. Our website should be a resource to us as members and a sample of what our group has to offer for visitors who log on.

So, go check it out, then send your feedback to me at JaydEdj@mac.com. And watch out, I'm bringing my camera to the next meeting...

Visit Our Site at www.REHSOnline.com Contact Kristin at: Jaydedj@mac.com or 305-342-5844

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 08:05 PM | Permalink

July’s presentation was all about how to take care of your skin and stay gorgeous with a minimum of fuss and expense. Using components and tools already in your home, you can make beneficial treatments yourself that would cost megabucks in a salon or spa.

Cheri & Keri O’Neal demonstrated how easy it is to customize “melt & pour” glycerine soap (available at American Apothecary or craft shops) using fresh or dried herbs, fruits, vegetables, milk, and essential oils.

Kristin Jayd- Jimenez explained the basic ingredients that can be used in home body care products, and made a pampering treatment for John Thorp (highlighted below). Kristin does not measure her ingredients, so all proportions can be individualized, but there are many, many books available for those
who need to follow an exact recipe.

Ingredients that are probably already on your shelves at home that can be used for skin treatments include: olive oil, lemon juice (even the stuff in the bottle, in a pinch), honey, salt, oatmeal, sugar, corn starch, baking soda or powder (the chemical differences are not enough to make an impact),
and tea bags. Other ingredients you may not have but that are easy to find include essential oils, cocoa butter and aloe.

A blender and stainless or glass bowls are all the tools you really need to mix up your treatments, and the time and skills needed are minimal. Many thanks to Kristin, Cheri & Keri for a lovely presentation!

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 07:07 PM | Permalink

The three foot care steps are soaking, exfoliating and moisturizing, and are easy to accomplish.

Relaxing foot soak: Mix a combination of rock salt, sea salt, lavender flowers and lime peel in a blender or food processor, then add to hot water and soak your feet. (Kristin recommends soaking until the water feels cool, if you can.)

Exfoliation: Mix together raw sugar, brown sugar, lime juice and peel (either grated or ground in a blender/ food processor). Use this blend to scrub damp feet to remove rough spots, then rinse well.

To moisturize: Peel aloe leaves and grind finely in a blender or juicer. Whisk in olive oil and essential oils of your choice. Smooth this mixture over your feet for a refreshing and hydrating treatment. For extra pampering, wear socks and put your feet up for a while!

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 06:14 PM | Permalink

August 5: Bamboo Workshop led by Daniel Holmes. 10am-noon. $25. September 9: Vegetable Gardening, Container Gardening & Unusual Vegetables, by Chris Rollins. 10am-4pm. $35.

September 30: Propagation, led by Chris Rollins. Includes planting seeds, grafts, cuttings and air layers. 10am-5pm. $40 includes tree to graft.

October 6: Hunter’s Moon Celebration featuring a campfire, stargazing, music and park tours. Bring a blanket & telescope. 7:30 pm. $15, under 12 free.

November 4: Historic Garden Tour of the Redland with Chris Rollins. Tour landscaped estates in the Redland and learn how to create your own. 10am- 1pm. $25.

November 11 & 12: Plant & Garden Extravaganza—a weekend full of plant societies and nurseries selling their specialty items. 10am-5pm. $5, under 12 free.

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 04:22 PM | Permalink

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.

The July Tasting Table was filled by: James O’Hare—Salmon; John & Marie Thorp—Watermelon 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.

The July raffle table included donations from: Delphine O’Hare—Sewing Gift Set; James O’Hare—Scrubbie Soap Making kit, Liquid Soap Making Book; Cheri O’Neal—Lavender Glycerine Soap; Leila Barnes—Handmade Soap Book

We are still looking for member made, member tested, or member adapted recipes for the cookbook. For submissions, send to one of the following contacts:

Mail: REHS Cookbook, c/o Fruit & Spice Park, 24810 S.W. 187 Ave., Homestead, FL 33031 Email to Leila Barnes: leiwai@adelphia.net Email to Leah Sherman: shermlea@aol.com Email to Tracy Bossinger: inariargenteus@gmail.com

The deadline is quickly approaching for publication, so don’t miss your chance to be included!

Posted by REHS_Newsletter at 01:21 PM | Permalink