dandalion
Blog No. 1: Introducing spring and Natural Way Healing

WHEN YOU FELLOW jumpers think about what Shejumps inspires you to accomplish, it is to take the necessary risks in order to accomplish your greatest dreams. Shejumps teaches us how to become empowered through our experiences in the outdoors. The Natural Way is an extension of that inspiration, but instead of taking a primarily athletic focus, this method of empowerment focuses on foundational outdoor living skills necessary to sustain your health. So no longer are we just using the backcountry as a tool for athletic growth, but also as a way to provide nourishment for our bodies and heal our pains.

The Natural Way gives jumpers a new perspective on facing the many challenges life throws at us, concentrating on teaching all those seeking how to approach your jumping from basic instinctual needs. We all need nourishment, from food, from medicine, from our self-image, from our passions and what we “do.” Without proper nourishment, of our bodies and spirits, how can we be ready to jump off a 150-foot cliff? My intention is to not only pass on knowledge about holistic healing, nutrition, herbal medicine, self-sufficient living, wilderness medicine, etc, but more importantly to instill within you a desire to keep transforming your life in ways you never thought possible—to open your eyes and hearts to the potential you hold inside of you. To help you connect with your natural being. You are a part of nature. You are part of the mountain, not just a climber facing the mountain. When we begin to listen and accept our pains and challenges, we gain a greater sense of our self, our capabilities, and our powers to heal ourselves.

…let us begin…

As the waning phase of the moon is coming to a close, I begin to reflect on this past month and my tendencies to latch strongly to the emotional and physical tides pulling me within my surroundings. After the full moon arrived, I realized how outward I had become, and it was time to look deeper and work out some inner kinks. It usually takes me a few days to truly transition into a more reflective place, especially when I become so synchronized by those around me. This cycle has been more complex and deep rooted than usual, as the Spring Equinox, Nature’s New Year, has started to revolve around us. This transitory time in our life, and in the seasons, is a huge jump for all of us. We have developed many wintertime habits that will no longer flow naturally with the current temperament of spring. I think we’ve all be transfixed by this seemingly sudden transition. There has been a lack of snow in the mountains, and the rigorous outdoor activity we are use to does not satisfy us in the same way. A greater cycle is about to start revolving around us, and we can choose to embrace it or flow with the old tides. The more resistance we give, the more strain is put on our conscience. Every season has a blessing to give. With winter, we face a very introverted time that for many of us jumpers is easily balanced with outdoor recreation, forcing us to be outside and expelling energy and tension. Yet our introverted nature is catching up. We need to seek deep into ourselves before we can fully reach our outwardly potential in our rebirthing into Spring. In this transition, familiarize yourself with your demons, for that darkness is what makes your light shine true. It may seem like you are being pulled in both directions, inward and out. Embrace it. Surrender to the gravitational pull of yin and yang. It may continue well into spring, as we continue to adapt to our surroundings, but before you know it, the climactic summer solstice will be here and inward we begin again.

There is new life beginning to sprout all around us; plants and animals are telling us to open our hearts and truly embrace all parts of ourselves. You may realize that you are still eating heavy warming meals, but as the days grow and the sun is shinning, our natural inclination is to eat more light, detoxifying foods. During the winter we eat storage foods such as squash, pumpkin, garlic, onions, potatoes, nuts, seeds, and vegetables and meats we might have preserved. With spring, we begin to see many things come to life, yet we are tickled in anticipation for the abundance that the summer and fall will bring. Spring is a time to eat and life light, munching on the light, cleansing, and nourishing greens that have begun their journey to maturity. We can relate our journey to that of a plant. Spring is a time to sprout new paths, while making sure we cleanse our toxins and nourish our beauty.

When I first started brainstorming about writing this introduction to spring and natural healing, I knew that I would have to share my experiences with Dandelion with you. As I started to write all about the accessibility and potency and various uses of this plant, it was bizarre to me that I hadn’t seen any flower heads so far this year, yet I was advocating for you to go out and find your medicine! Well, one morning I was walking home from the bus stop along the street I usually travel on, and I glanced upon this very green patch of grass and saw five beautiful, bright, and healthy dandelion flowers. There they were amongst their other friends who hadn’t quite flowered yet, gleaming “It is time!” As I proceeded down the road, I was also amazed to see a catnip plant hanging out under a shady bush starting to grow new leaves. It was so comforting to see two amazing healing plants (weeds) on my walk home, especially since I had been craving the start of hunting for healing plants. It is amazing how the plants that you need will find you. It is as though this catnip and dandelion could sense my longing to start the year off working with medicinal plants, and how my passion for finding and gathering them not only heals me but those in my community.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perfect example of what I like to call accessible medicine. Everyone who is willing has access to this superb and potent botanical medicine. You can find her in the woods, in your lawn, even in the cracks along downtown sidewalks. Have you ever tasted a dandelion leaf? Yes, they are very bitter, but that is where most of their potency lies. We are not accustomed to eating many bitter foods in our culture, but bitter constituents are very important for our whole body, especially our digestive and reproductive systems. It is interesting that Dandelion comes into fruition in the early spring, as that it the time our body needs bitter foods the most. We have been subsisting off a heavy winter diet for many months, which if prolonged for too long, can be very harsh on our digestive system. Dandelion cleanses and tones our liver, the most important organ in our body for processing, distributing, and assimiling nutrients we ingest from food. Dandelion is also a very powerful diuretic, an herb that stimulates kidney function, that not only helps facilitate proper urine and water excretion, but cleanses and tones the kidneys and bladder. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a major organ in our body rules each season. Winter is ruled by the kidneys and the element water. Dandelion is such a vital herb for us to use in the springtime as we put a lot of pressure on our urinary system during the winter with heavy foods (and drinks), and our whole eliminative system needs cleansing. There are many ways to incorporate Dandelion into our diets. The easiest way is to harvest the leaves before they flower and either steam them or eat them raw in salads. Then you can garnish your salad with the sweet and aromatic flower petals! Using the root is a bit more complex. You want to select a plant that is in its second year of growth, which is noticeable by a large taproot, and a bushier plant. You can dig up the roots, rinse them, and then either dry them for tea or make an herbal tincture. (The art and science of tincture making will be explored in a later entry.) Another favorite way of using dandelion is making wine from the petals. It makes a light and sharp herbal wine that is very detoxifying and rejuvenating. It is time: Jump into a meadow of dandelion flowers, make crowns, play with the Earth, honor yourself. Learn from the plants how to live purposefully, with respect for your self and the choices you make to sustain your happiness and health. Only you can know the path you need to take to fufill your dreams. All I can say is be open to the boulders that may make you change directions; this diversity is key to nurturing your whole being. No matter which path we end up on, we are all on the same journey.

What does this springtime birthing symbolize for you? What will grow and transform out of you this year? Something has been building inside of you all winter, ready to burst like the first crocus blossoms of the year. We all have to sprout from some seed to grow new leaves, branches, even trunks, within ourselves. Perhaps you might not be pursuing a particular path in natural healing, but as I begin to expand my branches I hope there is a flower for you on my tree to blossom, pollinate, and spread your seeds for the world to hear.

My Blessings and Gratitude, Evan

Be Willing. Be Wise. Be Well.

BLOG NO. 2: Honoring abundance and pickled cucumbers

pickles
THE BEGINNING of August marks the crux of summer, a half-way point between the summer solstice and the fall equinox. Abundance in nature and in ourselves has become very apparent. Around us, trees and shrubs have begun their second phase of leaf growth, taking advantage of the abundance of sun and energy - knowing that the day length has started to wane. Fruits have set and are ripening. Abundance is obvious not only in the presence of our lush forests but also in the first major summer harvests of food. We are blessed with a great diversity of ripe vegetables, fruits, berries, and the first grains. In this next month the potential of food to consume and preserve will be lain out for us to reap. This is the time of year to gather up our accumulated energy from the spring and summer to prepare for these harvests.

Summer heat urges us to be outdoors as much as possible. We sweat, which is the most natural and cheap detox available to us! These large amounts of fresh food around us sustain our health. If we are receiving adequate amounts of seasonal foods then we are less prone to get sick. All the vitamins and minerals important to our bodies right now are available in the gardens and in the forests. Whatever means you have to get outdoors and unite with the cycle of abundance, do it. Find your nearest forest, park, or wilderness and observe the plants around you. Pick blackberries and make jam. Take a bike ride around your town and see if your neighbors need help harvesting their overbearing fruit trees or vegetables from their garden. (*A tip for those living in Salt Lake City right now, Apricot trees abound in the Mill Creek neighborhoods!) Preserve excesses. If you don't have a garden, ask a local farmer if they need help with harvesting – trade your work for food. Pickle beans and cucumbers. Prepare your garden beds for a fall and winter garden. Honor your relationship with the Earth by taking part in it!

 In the past few years I have spent most of my August and September nights preserving excess vegetables from my gardens mostly by pickling and canning. In the past I have just canned all of my vegetables so that I could store them without refrigeration. This requires quite a bit of knowledge, equipment, and time. I usually don't start doing until I have bushels so full that I cannot eat or sell anymore. However, in the past few weeks, I have a found a new favorite way of preserving summer veggies that requires very little time and energy - refrigerator pickles. Their taste and texture is much better than store bought pickles, plus cucumbers grow like crazy this time of year. Here is an easy recipe that my farmer friend Galilee shared with me.

You will need:
-a half gallon mason jar, or 2 quart jars with lids (you can find them at any hardware store, and many grocery stores)
-15-20 small-medium size cucumbers
-1 ¾ c vinegar
-1 ¾ c water
-3 Tbsp salt
-1-4 fresh dill heads (check the farmers market)
-2 garlic cloves (or more!)
-1 Tbsp pickling spice (peppercorns and dill seed)

Heat the water with the salt until it is dissolved. Remove from heat and add the vinegar and pickling spices. Let cool. Wash the cucumbers well and pack jar(s) with dill heads and garlic. Pack cucumbers tightly in jar. Pour the brine over cucumbers and put on lid. Let them sit at room temperature for 24-36 hours and then refrigerate. They are ready to eat in five days, but can be stored for up to a year.

Stay tuned in the next few weeks for summer time herbal remedies for bee stings, poison ivy, sunburn, and how to make your own herbal infused oils.

Be willing. Be wise. Be well.