Herbs for Many Uses
The subject of herbs is most fascinating. Think about it. We buy and/or grow them. We touch, feel, smell, preserve and use them in thousands of different ways. Some make us feel better and heal us. Others make us feel like gourmet cooks even when we aren’t. Herbs can take our headaches away. They can either calm and relax us, or stimulate us. Herbs lend themselves to creative natural crafting both indoors and out. Take a simple walk and observe….some very important herbs grow in the wild and may be thriving at your very feet. Take a moment to think about how herbs touch your life every single day. You will be amazed.
Herbs have been around for thousands of years and right here in Herbs for Today you will read about how important herbs have been throughout history. Herbs have been as valuable as money at one time or another. They were considered by some to be the work of the devil himself resulting in the deaths of those healers who’s “magic” somehow managed to survive so many centuries. Today we know much more about this “magic” and we use what we’ve learned freely.
I like and appreciate all herbs, but I definitly love the culinary herbs. Today the most popular varieties can be purchased fresh and dried. They are easy to grow for the most part. They can and do change a ho-hum dish into a flavorful feast. You will be tempted to experiment…..you do that!
We’ve found that a good number of the culinary herbs are also highly nutritious. What a nice benefit…use herbs (and spices) to bump up the nutrition level of the food you serve your family. My personal favorites are basil, rosemary, parsley, garlic and cilentro. Then there is dill. Once I thought dill was only for pickles. Wrong!
So, as I sit here trying impossibly to wrap my thought around the massive world of herbs I want to welcome you to what I see in the future of Herbs for Today. This is the place you will come to when you want to learn about shopping for herbs….not all are natural or organic. This is where you will learn about growing herbs which I consider a MOST satisfying experience. I’ve seen beautiful herb gardens, but I am most moved by my friend’s tall and leggy basil plant which she admires and nurtures each and every day.
Herbs lend themselves to creating wonderful things like vinegars and oils that are as pretty to look at as they are good to eat. Imagine a stunning bottle of olive oil, garlic cloves, dried red pepper and parsley. I may be German, but I love my Italian food, and I call this Italian. Makes a greatly appreciated gift too.
Crafting with herbs is another topic for Herbs for Today. There are untold ways to create with herbs. My personal favorites are growing and drying all sorts of stuff like cayenne peppers for instance. This eventually becomes what I like to call Kitchen Gourmet Potpourri. I’ll tell you how I make it.
The other is pressing and drying herbs (and anthing else that will lay nice and flat). These are beautiful when mounted in frames, and make distinctive and original gifts as well. This is the one herbal art I have an interest in expanding.
I would like to welcome you to this herbal adventure and invite you to visit often. Because herbs are a subject that lends itself to the exchange of ideas, I do welcome yours….and your comments and suggestions as well. We are going to have a great time exploring the finest gifts nature has to offer. Welcome aboard!
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