spring has almost sprung!

time to "switch out" dry winter skin for fresh, soft-as-a-baby-lamb spring skin!   check it out-  www.tinyurl.com/refreshandrenew

Do-It-Yourself Voodoo!

with valentine's day just around the corner, don't you think it's the perfect time for voodoo?!  


in the spirit of the holiday, the wandering herbalist will be at the "puppy love" show at willow this thursday night, february 11th.  a percentage of all sales made during "puppy love" will be donated to chicago canine rescue, a favorite local shelter.  it's the perfect time to shop from your heart, for your love!   

shop dog boo and i will be there with all the makin's for your own personalized voodoo dog- the perfect valentine gift for yourself or your favorite dog owner!  working on the philosophy of "reverse" voodoo, just push the pin into the blooming heart center and send love- and whatever else you'd like!- to your favorite pooch.  good thoughts make good voodoo!


here's how you will make your own doggy voodoo doll:


choose your dog... all the fabric is re-purposed, usually from shirts purchased at goodwill or the salvation army...

then choose your "voodoo"...  here are a few options i'll have... clockwise, starting from the top left:

calendula- to bless a departed soul (good for someone who recently lost a pet).

rose- for love... lots and lots of love!

comfrey- for safety during travel (perfect for a pooch who is stuck in cargo on a plane).

hawthorne (berries)- gets love flowing (for crabby dogs or dog owners)!

nettles- for adaptability and to be able to flourish where needed and loved (perfect for a foster dog who is moving on to a permanent home).

meadowsweet- for love spells!  fun!  also to cheer the heart.

you can also add a sweet, personalized note...

then we'll add the herbs/note/both, and sew it up...

and there you go...  that voodoo that you do so (sew) well!  

"puppy love" happens at willow on thursday, february 11th from 6 to 9 p.m..  there will be trunk shows featuring local accessory designers, my doggy DIY craft, a silent auction, wine and beer, and all-around fun and frivolity.  *ummm... have you met amy- the owner of willow- yet?  she's nothing but crazy fun!!*  

puppy love at willow

thursday, february 11th

850 north damen  (a block and a half north of chicago, on the west side of damen)

6 to 9 p.m.

come on over!  don't make us beg...!!!

The Real, Desperate Housewives of Orange County

let's face it...  there is NO chance any one of those housewives would ever ask me to create a healing tea blend, but...  i can't help but wonder what i would recommend...


blackberry- to strengthen the physical body AND, metaphysically, maintain healthy personal boundaries... because those husbands can be a handful!  
calendula- to help heal all that plastic surgery...
dandelion leaf- stimulates appetite, improves assimilation- since they really don't eat much (the root is awesome for the liver, but would need to be used in a decoction or overnight infusion)...

rose- to soften and open the heart...
peppermint- to synergize and bring all healing aspects together...

i guess this is my official "housewives blend"!  hmmmm...  i wonder if it will taste good with a shot of tequila...

An Open Letter to Cupid

dear cupid,

i love you.

i love your round, fleshy body that has decidedly consumed ample amounts of chocolate and truffle fries and lobster dipped in drawn butter...

i love that you target all of us with your magical arrows, hoping to dislodge any doubt or hatred or fear...
i love that you probably sleep on a cloud...
i love that you are friends with the sun and the moon...
i love your sense of humor, putting us in the most ridiculous of romantic situations...
i love that you test us, pairing us with friends who don't always treat us well...
i love that you also give us friends who are always amazing...
i love that you chose chocolate and roses as the "standard" valentine's gifts...

i love that you can heal a broken heart...
i love that you remind us to be kind...
i love that you give every animal an "unconditional love arrow" at birth...

i love that red wine is heart-healthy, and i'm sure you had something to do with that...
i love that you have hope...
i love that you give us hope...
i love you for loving us.  allllllll of us.

so, dear cupid, here's to wishing you a very, very happy heart day.

love,
the wandering herbalist

p.s.  i have a short list of people who may require an extra arrow or two.  i'll forward it.

A Perfect Gift- From the Heart, For the Heart

shop dog boo's voodooo dogs help you use GOOD voodoo to send love to your favorite four-legged companion.  just push the pin in the blooming heart to stimulate the heart chakra and your pooch will feel that loving energy!  more deets here:  www.tinyurl.com/doggyvoodoo

a great valentine's day gift for your favorite dog lover... or wanna-be dog lover!  hand-sewn with repurposed fabric and lots of intention by yours truly.  $10/each.  


available in chicago at willow- 850 north damen, or directly through me.  call me at 303.324.7323, or email thewanderingherbalist@gmail.com. 

From Oil to Salve... Magic!

i just finished a fresh batch of paw salve... check out how it's made!  


first the oil must be infused... i used the heat method- since chicago doesn't have a ton of sun right now... ;)
half of the oil i use is comfrey-infused...

and the other half a blend of rose, lavender, chamomile, and calendula...

look at that beautiful green comfrey oil!

i keep the infused oils in a mason jar until i'm ready to cook up some paw salve...

so when i'm ready...  it goes in a pan (a pan i ONLY use for my herbal products!) with some beeswax...

and when the beeswax is melted, it gets poured into a pyrex until it cools enough to add the vitamin e and essential oils... and then poured into the plastic jars.  and POOF!  boo boo goo paw salve is born!

simple is best!  this healing salve is perfect for anyone with paws- pooches, putty tats OR people!  www.tinyurl.com/booboogoofactsheet

Wandering Through Kansas and Nebraska...

here we go, yo!  just under eleven hours of driving and here we are in lincoln, nebraska!  had a little
"huh?" moment in eastern colorado that slowed us down a bit, but... onward and upward!  a bed hasn't felt this necessary in quite a while...  sweeeeeeeet dreams!  next post will be from chicagoland!!!!