The shaman put the blindfold over my eyes. Lying on my back, I was instructed to let out a slow deep breath, and then another. Silence settled in, filling every pocket of space around me and I noticed the rhythm of my heartbeat. As the shaman began to shake the rattle nearly at the sameContinue reading “The Shaman”
Category Archives: Articles
The Guardians of Mojave
Thank you to the desert for this short story. “The Guardians” The sun lingered, still bright and glaring in the late afternoon yet dipping down past the ridge line of the western bluffs. To the east, the shadows of the cholla and dried shrubs began stretching across the rugged canyon. Dusk was still a fewContinue reading “The Guardians of Mojave”
Call of the Wild (Food)
A food journey. 2008-2020 My life, for the most part, seemed to be pretty typical and average. Degree. Job. Married. House. Fancy car. Up until one life-changing day that I held my two month old first born child, who cried nonstop in my arms for an endless twenty-four hours after an adverse reaction to aContinue reading “Call of the Wild (Food)”
Foraging Baja 2019
“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” ― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full ofContinue reading “Foraging Baja 2019”
Desert WILD! Foraging Adventure in the Sonoran Desert
October 9-10, 2021 Explore the edible and medicinal abundance of the Sonoran Desert after the late summer monsoon season. Our journey will cover the entire foraging process, from desert to table. We will explore the surrounding foothills, canyons and flowing creeks to identify the local wild edible and medicinal plants, learn sustainable and ethical harvestingContinue reading “Desert WILD! Foraging Adventure in the Sonoran Desert”
Lemon Rosemary Chicken of the Woods Mushroom
I have found that this normally “dry” wild mushroom is an excellent candidate for sous vide, rather than the usual saute. Add in your favorite herbs and seasonings and its lends an incredibly tender and juicy texture. I was a little disappointed in the small size of my only find of this mushroom so farContinue reading “Lemon Rosemary Chicken of the Woods Mushroom”
Wild Greens and Pinyon Pine Cream Sauce
I think the first “wild food” recipe that I ever made was a nettle pesto. I would speculate, though, that is probably most folks initiation into wild foods. It is abundant, found nearly everywhere, and quite simple to make without messing it up too bad. Success is fairly inevitable. Now, after many years of divingContinue reading “Wild Greens and Pinyon Pine Cream Sauce”
Cactus & Corn Tortillas
Last weekend I hosted the incredibly knowledgeable Enrique Villasenor, local healer in training, who taught all about how to use Opuntia species of cactus (aka prickly pear) for healing a vast array of health conditions. It all goes back to “balance” he says, and this plant helps us do that. Even if we aren’t sufferingContinue reading “Cactus & Corn Tortillas”
Brassicas: Wild and Tame
I’ve been walking through my neighborhood lately to the library instead of driving. Its a nice four mile round trip loop that starts out in a pretty nice area with big properties and then through some open spaces where I’ve been keeping tabs on the overgrown wild plants. Lots of nettles, mushrooms, pepper tree, nasturtium,Continue reading “Brassicas: Wild and Tame”
