Preserving The Edible Wild

with MARTHA WEBBER

I recently had the privilege of being shown the Kanata Forest by Martha Webber, a master teacher about the Edible Wild. At 85 she stills move through the forest as agilely as someone forty year younger and with the fascination and absorption of a delighted child.

Everywhere there were edible plants to be discovered.

Martha has been teaching since the 1970’s. In fact, Jason, attended one of her day camps when he was around 7 and next year we may attend her course on Edible Wild cuisine.

“Yesterday I did a workshop on wild edibles at Camp Woolsey, the girl guide camp.  Spring is the best time for that, so many of the plants are now mature and somewhat tough. We prepared milkweed, nettles, lamb’s quarters, amaranth,  most of which are now mature and had to be cooked a bit, but the rest were in a tossed salad with garlic mustard, chickweed, wild grape tendrils, topped, of course, with yellow and orange daylily flowers,  The staff were  were great, tried everything.  After that we walked through an old forest down to the river and found more “wild edibles”.  Oh, I gave then basswood flower tea and wintergreen tea along with the nettle brew.  I have met so many very interesting people over the years on these “wild”, or not so wild, edibles field trips, which began in the 1970’s.  Hope to still be around to run another course next spring. (www.dandelionjam.com). Would be delighted to have you join us.”

Part of Martha Webber’s work is helping to protect the forest. The Kanata Forest, the biggest remaining old growth forest in Ottawa is privately owned and slated for major development.

Martha Weber does not mince her words when she speaks of what is happening:

“The small part to be saved is not a central core. That is where the new road has been cut. It does not offer any hope that endangered species of plants or animals can survive if not slaughtered on the 4 lane route already clear cut, rocks blasted to ground level, it crosses wetland and a portion of the Carp River flood plain.  All of this is so very very wrong and final.

Wild animals can only forage for food around the new houses (over 3000: planned along the route) clear cutting is to begin in mid July unless we can get a halt on it, which does not seem likely. The developers may not push that date, the housing market is not as strong now as formerly. But there is no hope for animals that invade developed areas, guns, traps, poison, will welcome them, but where else can they go?

We believe that the damage done by the 4 lane swathe would eventually heal, not in my lifetime, but would endangered species and even butternuts with genetic diversity survive?  So many environmental regulations have been bypassed. Whistle blowers like us are ignored or crushed. This seems to be the era when developers are in charge.”

Click Here to watch a video about the importance of the Kanata Forest in Ottawa.

So our forest tour was also to help raise my awareness about protecting this forest. Time may unfortunately be running out, unless the court agrees to delay construction of a road scheduled to begin this summer.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Meeting+come+late+save+Kanata+forest/3189058/story.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/07/16/ottawa-kanata-developer.html

This portion of the Kanata Forest has a rich diversity of life, many healthy and older Butternuts and may also hold an archaeological site dating back thousands of years.

As far as I am concerned, this debate shouldn’t happen, everywhere in North America  there are fights over remaining remnants of mature forests and ecosystems. The importance of preserving these natural areas ought to be self-evident.

But let’s end on a truly delicious note, I invite you to treat yourself to a visit to Dandelion Jam and read more about the Edible Wild.

Daniel Tigner
DANDELION JAM

Martha Webber (613) 839-5217
http://www.dandelionjam.com

Heart to Heart!

Thank you everyone for you commitment to well being, consciousness, health and making this planet a better place for generations to come. Namasté! Gulabo

Happy Man
A Fond Farewell To A Ramana

A. Ramana, the enlightened teacher of self-inquiry in the tradition of Ramana Maharshi, left his body on February 15, 2010 at the body age of 80. He was in his Ashram in Tiruvannamalai, at the feet of the Holy Hill Arunachala, in southern India.

He leaves a rich legacy of teachings and an approach to self awareness that will be carried forth at his 2 centers: The Association for Happiness of All Mankind

AHAM in North Carolina (http://www.aham.com/Original/sitemap/index.html) and Arunachala Ramana AHAM Ashram in India.

Here is A. Rammana in an interview:

Dear Readers

I wish to thank you for your comments and ongoing interest in Canadian Forest Tree essences. Our passion for well being, nature and people allows us to continue creating these wonderful vibrational healing essences for you all. Namasté  Céline Cloutier (Gulabo)

Gatineau Park

Spirit of the Forest Treatment

SPIRIT OF THE FOREST TREATMENT

AT HOLTZ SPA

REPORTED IN THE USA MAGAZINE “DAY SPA”

Trend Watch 909 for November 2009 Newsletter

The Spirit of the Forest spa treatment developed bby Holtz Spa of Ottawa, which incorporates Canadian Forest Tree Essences, has been highlighted as a new trend in one of the major USA Spa Industry magazines. We expect great things for the Spirit of the Forest session in the future.

Meanwhile, anyone traveling to Ottawa can book a session by making an appointment at Holtz Spa. (http://ottawa.holtzspa.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=102&products_id=485)

Under the Greenwood Tree

Under the Greenwood Tree

By William Shakespeare

Under the greenwood tree,

Who loves to lie with me,

And turn his merry note

Unto the sweet bird’s throat,

Come hither, come hither, come hither:

Here shall he see

No Enemy

But winter and rough weather.

The Trees in the 7 – Circulatory Essence

The Circulatory Essence  is one of the 12 Body Synergies which is a series of essences created to bring about the connection of mind and body for healing. Gulabo has described the Circulatory essence in this month’s Heart to Heart article.

Here are some images of the trees in the No. 7 Circulatory Essence:

Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea) : soothing the heart

Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum): strength, standing in your own light

White Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera)

Pussy Willow (Salix discolore): flow of energy, letting go

Pussy Willow is also available as a Single Tree Essence and has a wide variety of uses, especially when we feel a bit stuck.

Photos are by myself, Daniel Tigner.

Contact me for more information about the images at: dt@essences.ca

Supporting Movement and Flow with Essence Therapy

About seven years ago, while still deeply involved in my wellness center, I was facilitating a weekly support group for women using hypnosis for weight loss.  Being that it was the summer time, most of the women wore shorts and sandals.

One of the women suffered Raynauld’s.  This is compromised circulation of the extremities, causing the fingers and / or toes to be discolored, white to purple depending on the severity, the digits are always cold and sometimes the condition is even painful.

This woman’s circulation was so terrible in her feet that her toes looked more like California raisins than they did part of her normal anatomy.  I was so concerned for her well being, that after the class I approached her and we discussed her condition.

She stated that she was always like that, and in the winter time it was severely painful for her to be in the cold.  She had tried many remedies, but nothing seemed to improve her painful condition.

She booked a personal consultation with me and I put her on a program of herbs and essences.  At that point in my career, I was still an herbalist first, and would use essences with about 50% of my clients.   I put her on essence #7 for Circulation   and Pussy Willow for flow.  Pussy Willow also softens and I wanted to soften this condition that made her feet look more like hard rocks that soft flesh.  I instructed her to take a dropperful of both essences 4 times per day.

The next week she came back for another round of hypnosis, and while she was in trance state, I noted her feet.  She always wore flip flops, so it was easy to do a quick assessment.

The difference was astounding! Wow.  I remember thinking to myself, “I don’t remember herbs working that efficiently before, I must check her file and see what I did that is so effective.”  When she came out of trance, and the class was over, I remarked on her feet and circulation.

She immediately broke into a huge smile and was so happy, she said within three days she noticed a difference, and the continuous feeling of pins and needles was no longer present in her feet.  She was thrilled with the response.  I commented that I had never seen herbs work that effectively before, and then she told me:

“Terri, I haven’t even ordered the herbs that you suggested, the only thing that I have done is take the drops from those two bottles that you gave me!”

What a learning curve this woman created for me.  The essences alone facilitated a remarkable improvement in this woman’s circulation.  Her toes were white instead of purple, the temperature was changed in her skin and the sensation of pins and needles was diminishing with just 2 essences.

Do You Have Control Issues?

Look at the outlines below. I have distilled 2 basic patterns of control and given the essence that will be most helpful in transforming the pattern, bringing more flexibility and flow.

Outline NO 1

For feelings of :

Possessiveness, unable to relax and flow, broken hearted, stiffness, inflexibility, stress when one cannot control events.

Tends to shut down, need to control, accumulate possessions, emotional and physical stiffness, after bereavement, will not move on.

Statements:

I cannot let go, my heart aches, I feel I am spinning my wheels, I have to stay in control.

These feelings, patterns, behaviors and statements are some of the clues for people that  may have issues around control.

I have encountered several people corresponding to this outline. It seems like they have a compulsive need to be in control, control others, and want perfection. It makes it quite unbearable for everyone around them, let alone themselves, since how can we control everything and when is perfection ever reached?

Essence of Choice: 7 – CIRCULATORY! 12 BODY SYNERGY NO 7

Our Circulatory Essence was created to help release and heal emotional and energetic patterns frequently associated with the circulatory system (heart, arteries and veins). The Circulatory essence helps us allow feelings and energy to flow, brings a soothing balm to the heart and helps us regain a sense of connectedness of self and spirit. Qualities of laughter and enjoyment are promoted.

Outline  NO 2

For feelings of:

Being rigid, needing to be in control, over intellectuality.

Patterns and Behaviors:

Need to be seen as proper, difficulty giving and receiving, hardness, rigid, tends to be grumpy, unsmiling, tends to direct others, unable to let go.

Statements:

I feel stuck, I cannot please everyone, if not happy, too bad

These feelings patterns, behaviors and statements are some of the clues of a person that has difficulties just enjoying and flowing with the moment because of their need to control and overall rigidity.

Essence of Choice: PUSSY WILLOW!

Our single tree essence Pussy Willow puts us in touch with the natural rhythm and flow of life’s energy and the enjoyment of giving and receiving. This essence is of great benefit when we fell rigid and stuck, that we cannot melt and let go. One feels a softness and fluidity. The experience of the senses is enhanced, opening the door to pleasure and ecstasy.

Using the 7 – Circulatory and the Pussy Willow essences simultaneously will support anyone wishing to enjoy more fluidity, relaxation and joy in their life.

Namasté

Celine Cloutier (Gulabo)

Book a Heart to Heart Session with Gulabo at Gulabo@essences.ca

or 1-888-410-4325 Heart to Heart with Gulabo