Clean.

Big news (it's a book!)

In case any of you missed the memo, there's a BIG announcement up on my new blog today!

Find all the details about my new book here.

(Squee!)

My blog is moving!

Big news, my friends! I'm moving my blog from here to my shiny new site, rachelwolfclean.com.

I think you'll find my new blog is nicer to look at, easier to navigate, and more mobile-friendly. Do tell me what you think! Then update your favorites folders, and head over to explore and subscribe.

I don't want to lose you in the switch, so I've added an email link to the front page to simplify you keeping up-to-date on new posts. 

See you there!

 

Love,

Rachel

Making bitters

Lupine and I spent the morning prepping two small, personalized batches of digestive bitters. We enjoy drinking them in either carbonated or still water before meals, boosting our digestion and giving us something to sip on while we cook. I've been dealing with some persistent eczema since fall, and I'm certain that better digestion will be key to healing that from the inside out.

If you're looking for inspiration for crafting your own bitters, our ingredients lists (sans quantities, since we measured nothing!) is below. Mine also contained a pinch of dried elecampane root that I neglected to add to the list.

I suppose this can also serve is a working demonstration of what unschooling or interest-led learning looks like, since the whole project was learning-by-doing, and as a bonus Lupine decided this was the opportunity she's been waiting for to practice her cursive. (She asked me to practice mine, too, and I happily obliged.)

If you need more than this rough list, my basic how-to can be found in Taproot WEAVE (along with the knitting patter for the green and purple hats that several of you asked about from my Instagram over the past week or so). That issue is almost sold out though, so don't wait if it's on your wish list! 

Edited to add: Taproot WEAVE sold out in a hurry. If you're looking for another resource for DIY bitters, this book looks promising! (Afflink.)

 

 

What magic is happening in your kitchen this week?

 

After the retreat

I'm never sure how to properly sum up a weekend like the one that just came to a close. Because so much unfolds in such a short space of time - where can I even begin?

Planning and preparations melt into excitement and nerves, which soon give way to ease as friendships begin and connections are made. Stories are told, experiences are shared, and strangers quickly become friends. 

And then, as suddenly as it began our time together came to a close.

If pressed, I would sum up our weekend like so: nourishment and rest, connection and conversation, tears and laughter, learning and play, refilling and recharging. 

Our group was a just right mix of (brave!) introverts and at ease extroverts, all learning and sharing side-by-side. A community of women coming together from places as far flung as California, Colorado and Indiana; and from all corners of Wisconsin and Minnesota. 

The weekend began with a bang and a crash when a pair of spruce trees came down in a fierce storm, blocking the driveway but sparing our cars by just a few feet. Once that excitement passed the relaxed weekend energy unfolded and everyone found ample time to craft and make art, relax by the fire, eat glorious food, explore the Northwoods and the lake shore, and - of course - learn about and make herbal remedies. 

I am so grateful to share the weekend with this amazing community of women. Fifteen joined me here (fourteen pictured above, on account of an early flight), and I daresay many new friendships were forged.

My summary? 100 belly laughs, 15 brave women, over a dozen herbal recipes, 9 organic meals, 4 glorious days, 1 beautiful barn, and 1 big lake.

And what a wonderful weekend it was! 

Thanks for this wonderful few days, ladies. You are beautiful souls - each and every one. 

 

 

Autumn Herbal Retreat

Since returning from Ireland I've been busily preparing for the upcoming Women's Herbal Retreat. Compiling recipes, filling boxes with herbs, jars, and supplies, and generally getting excited about the long weekend to come. 

In just over a week I'll be gathering with a wonderful group of women for four days of cup-refilling and medicine making in the north woods, with Lake Superior spinning her magic literally just outside our door. 

Counting Green Magic Summer Camp, this will be my fourth retreat. And I have so enjoyed each and every one! The community, the sharing of wisdom, the laughter, the food... it's hard to choose a favorite part of these long weekends together. A passion for making remedies and life-long friendships have taken root at these gatherings, and I'm honored for the part I have been able to play.

I don't have any more retreats planned at the moment, so if you've been holding off now would be a great time to join us. (There is just one bed remaining!) Details follow. 

Included in your retreat:

• 3 nights lodging at the beautiful Lake Superior Barn, all linens provided
• Home-cooked, organic meals and snacks
• Guided plant walk
• Hiking trails through 300 acres of private forest and the Lake Superior shoreline
• Outdoor wood-fired hot tub, sauna, and campfire circle (weather permitting)
• Relaxed, casual classes to learn about and handcraft herbal medicines
• Herbs, ingredients, and packaging for the remedies you will create and bring home
• Recipes and instructions to make the remedies again

Though food and beverages will be included in your stay, alcohol is not provided. However we invite you to bring along a favorite bottle of wine to enjoy in the evening around the fire!

Location:

We will gather together near Maple, WI on the shores of Lake Superior. The Barn will be our home for the weekend, providing ample space for classes, meals, and relaxing. 

The Barn is approximately 1 hour from Duluth, 3 hours from Minneapolis, and 5 hours from Madison. If you will be flying to the retreat please email me and we will arrange affordable transportation from Duluth International Airport to the Barn on Thursday and a return trip on Sunday.  

Meals:

Meals will be simple, nourishing, and home-cooked. Most ingredients will be organic and many will be local. Some will even be herbal! If you have special dietary restrictions do let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Activities:

Our schedule is relaxed, providing plenty of time to hike in the woods, sit by the fire, or soak in the bath. Be sure to bring your walking shoes, outdoor clothing, and any handwork projects you enjoy like knitting, sketching, or journalling.

And - of course - we will have ample time to learn about herbs.

Each day (Friday through Sunday) we will explore herbs and making remedies. These sessions are designed with beginners and advanced beginners in mind. Don't be deterred if you have limited experience working with herbs! Weather permitting we'll also take a guided plant walk, exploring the woods and field for medicinal plants. 

At the end of the retreat each participant will bring home a collection of their own hand-crafted remedies including tinctures, teas, syrups, salves, oils, and more. (Pictured below is most of what each participant created and took home from the Spring 2017 gathering.)

Arrival and Departure:

Arrive on Thursday October 26 between 5:30 and 6 PM. Depart on Sunday October 29 by 1 PM.

Accommodations:

There are four different room options for your stay. (The more affordable options tend to sell out most quickly, so don't delay if that is your preference!)

TS: Twin bed in shared bunk room (five guests per room): $675 per person (one bed remaining)

QB: Queen-sized bed in shared bunk room (five guests per room): $700 per person sold out!

QD: Private room, queen sized-bed, double occupancy: $750 per person sold out!

QS: Private room, queen sized bed, single occupancy: $925 per person sold out!

About your hosts: 

Rachel Wolf has a background in Environmental Education and spent her career-before-motherhood working with children and adults both in the classroom and out in the natural world. More recently Rachel's time has been divided between interest-led homeschooling her two kids, freelance writing about herbs and plant remedies, and running her herbal body care company, LüSa Organics. Rachel is a passionate teacher who delights in making topics accessible to a wide age range and hands-on learning is her specialty.

After a decade owning her own business, Kate Zomboracz is finally willing to admit she is, in fact, a cook.  Her devotion to local, organic food came from a strong environmental ethic developed while studying philosophy, environmental biology & sustainable agriculture and has evolved into her family's Community Supported Kitchen.  She works, lives and learns side by side with her three (wild and free) kids and husband.

How to Register:

Registration is now open! If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP via email at your earliest convenience. 

As we anticipate all of our slots filling quickly, please reply with your first choice bunk option and any acceptable second choices using the codes above (TS, QB, QD, QS).

50% of payment is due at time of registration, with the remaining 50% is due on October 1. Registration is non-refundable but we'll certainly do our best to fill your spot if life gets messy and you find you can't make it.

Some words from past retreat participants:

"This retreat was everything I dreamed it would be and more. Because how often do your dreams become reality? Rachel's warm and gentle spirit permeated the whole experience. Her wisdom is priceless. We shared an amazing fellowship, phenomenal food, and learned lifelong skills as well as took away a remarkable amount of herbal remedies! So grateful for the experience and cannot wait to do it again!"

and...

"The herbal retreat was incredibly relaxing and fulfilling and the food provided was amazing, wholesome, and nourishing. The herbal information provided was invaluable. This is the information your grandmother and mother would have given you centuries ago, but here you are, in a company of beautiful women, learning it midway through life. It is wonderful, uplifting, freeing, and will forever be in your heart and mind."

 

Green Magic Summer Camp

Last weekend, Lupine and I gathered with a delightful group of 21 parents and kids for four days of crafting, play, and medicine-making. 

And what fun we had!

Over the course of the weekend these 10 moms and 11 kids hiked together in the woods, did copious amounts of crafting, forged new friendships, and explored 9 common backyard plants. Then each family learned how to make salves, syrups, tinctures, and more - and brought home more than a dozen new remedies, made by their own hands. 

The kids, ranging in age from 6 to 13, didn't miss a beat in connecting and sharing with one another, regardless of age. Coming from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and even North Carolina, there was much of that new-friendship magic unfolding throughout the weekend as the kids (and parents) got to know one another better with each passing day.

Before we knew it our remedy and craft project stashes were adding up, and our weekend together was drawing to a close. By the time Sunday rolled around addresses and pen pal promises were exchanged and enthusiastic goodbye hugs were given.

And while I came home profoundly tired, I also returned profoundly grateful.

Grateful for these 21 beautiful souls that I was honored to share and connect with for four wonderful days in the woods. Grateful for their passion, curiosity, and willingness to try something new. Grateful that these kids (and their moms) are going home just a little more confident and a little more aware of all that plants can do.

And grateful that Lupine and I got to play along, too.

Green magic indeed.