East Bay Herbals

Herb-Packed Verdant Dressing

A Seasonal Verdant Dressing For Moving and Cooling

 

Aromatic and Green Herbs For Spring

In this season's medicine series I covered the importance of aromatic greens (according to traditional practices) in the vernal pat of the year. As the body wakes up from the heaviness of winter (where much of our energy is channeled inward for hibernation and rest), our energy begins to shift outward, preparing us to sprout and bloom in spring and summer. Aromatic greens are crisp, fresh, and packed full of carminative phytonutrients which can be used to help shift our energy and propel us into the change that the seasons bring.

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A seasonal food, many of these greens are the first to be found popping up in your garden, and will continue to flourish throughout the summer with water and care.

 

Infusing Your Everyday Meals With Herbalism

As a practicing clinical herbalist I love creating advanced herbal protocols and blends for my clients, but as as a holistic nutritionist, home chef and traditional style healer, I see the immense value that food-based healing can bring. When we approach our meals from a place of medicine - we have the opportunity to bring healing and preventative care into every meal we create. Infusing your life with herbalism doesn't always have to include a tincture or a tea, sometimes it can just be about dosing yourself up with some added ingredients to help balance the constitution and bring the tenants of seasonality in where we can.

 

Green Herby Dressing Recipe

While you can eat these potent morsels of seasonal medicine fresh, one of the easiest and most delicious ways to pack spring greens into the diet is by blending them up in a creamy green goddess dressing aimed to enliven in spring and cool in the summer. This tasty little recipe can be drizzled on fish, potatoes, salads, and veggies from the garden for an energetically balancing addition to any meal from spring through summer. I've used my favorites below, but you can add or replace any of the greens in this recipe to suit your palate and kitchen.

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Herb-Packed Verdant Herb Dressing Ingredients

• 1/4 cup each fresh parsley and basil

• 1-2 tbl fresh chives

• 1 tbl fresh fennel  or tarragon

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar and/or lemon juice

• 1/4 cup soaked cashews

• 1/3 cup water

• 1-2 tbl olive oil

• black pepper and salt (to taste)

• dash coconut aminos

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Dressing Directions

Soak your cashews and let sit 30 minutes. While your cashews are soaking, rough chop your herbs and spices and add to a small food processor. When your cashews are ready, drain and add to the processor/blender along with oil, vinegar/lemon juice, salt pepper, and water. Blend on high until fully combined. Store in a glass jar in the fridge and enjoy within 3-4 days! Tips: I find this comes together better when all ingredients are at room temp; if sauce is too thick/too thin either add more soaked cashews (to thicken) or more water to thin.

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There's An Herb For That

Want To Find The Perfect Herb to Add To Your Dressing

For Optimized Digestion? Sign-Up and Download My Constitutional Aromatic Herb Selector Below

 

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Note: The information on this site has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is for educational, historical, and research purposes, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this site should not be used as medical advice. If you have a medical concern please seek out a qualified healthcare professional, and always consult your physician before adding herbal supplements into your diet, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or on medication.

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East Bay Herbals does not promote wild-crafting for your medicinal plant needs and believes that wild native plants should be left alone for mother nature to care for. We encourage you to either purchase your plants from a trusted herb retailer (we love The Sonoma County Herb Exchange), from your local farmer's market or to experiment with growing your own. Many medicinal plant seeds can be found at your local nursery or purchased online from the wonderful seed savers at Strictly Medicinal Seeds.