The San Diego Herb Club
Volume 14, Issue 9, January 2008
Mission Statement The San Diego Herb Club is a group for people interested in herbs, from novice to professional, and in between. Through monthly meetings and special events, we explore, learn, teach and experience herbs as garden plants, their culinary, craft and medicinal uses, as well as their history and folklore.
Officers of the Club
Co-Presidents Cindi Lohry 619-469-8936 hm Judy Dunning 619-579-0222 hm 619-277-0031 cell Camille Riley 619-277-6827 hm Webmaster Cindy Christ 619-249-1064 Treasurer Cate Gilman 858-874-3173 hm Librarian Camille Riley 619-277-6827 hm
Wednesday, January 2nd Balboa Park, Casa del Prado, Rm 101
7:00-7:15 7:15-7:30 Business meeting: Program Groups, Future of Refreshments, Briercrest, Nov Plant Sale, Treasurer. Raffle ticket sales/Refreshments (Thanks to Charlotte, Cindy Christ & Elaine Keily for providing refreshments for this evening) Program Raffle/Refreshments/Clean Up
7:30-8:30 8:30-9:00
Program
The San Diego Herb Club meets from 7:00 – 9:00 PM the first Wednesday of each month in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado, in Balboa Park. Guests are welcome.
John Noble of Coastal Sage Gardening will speak to us about the new herb garden at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park, and also about edible native plants.
Check www.followingseasons.com and click on The San Diego Herb Club to find some recipes using native plants.
www.followingseasons. com
You are invited to present a 20 minute talk or demo on any herbal topic of your choice. This would take place from 6:35 to 6:55 (just before the regular meeting). Contact Cindi at 619-4698936 to schedule. Also if you would like field trips, herb study classes, or an herbal workshop call Judy at 619579-0222.
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HERBAL RECIPES Curry Powder (makes about 1/4 cup)
1.5 tablespoons coriander seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp yellow mustard seeds 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 1 tsp peppercorns 6 whole cloves 1 tablespoon turmeric powder 1tsp cayenne powder 1 tsp ginger powder Combine coriander, cumin, mustard seeds, fenugreek, peppercorns and cloves in a coffee grinder, and process until finely ground. Place the spice mixture in a small bowl; stir in turmeric, cayenne and ginger. Store in an airtight container.
Rosemary-Pecan Rounds
8 T unsalted butter at room temp ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar ¼ cup granulated sugar 1¼ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup finely ground toasted pecans + 12 pecan halves for garnish ½ t salt ½ t vanilla 1½ T fresh rosemary, finely chopped In bowl of electric mixer, place butter, dark-brown sugar, & granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until light & fluffy. With mixer on low speed gradually add flour, followed by pecans, salt, vanilla & rosemary. Mix until well combined (dough will be crumbly, not smooth). Heat oven to 300 degrees, place rack in center. Evenly fill 12 cups of a muffin tin halfway with dough. Use your fingers to pat dough firmly into each cup. Transfer the muffin tin to the refrigerator; allow dough to chill for about 20 minutes. Remove & use a skewer, straw, or chopstick to punch a decorative pattern into each shortbread. Place one pecan half in the middle of each shortbread. Bake until centers are firm to the touch and edges are golden brown. Transfer to cooling rack. When cool, invert onto a cutting board with a sharp tap of the tin onto the board. Transfer shortbread to airtight container and keep at room temp for up to 10 days.
A BIG REMINDER
The Botanical Foundation has asked that we use a plastic tablecloth to cover any table on which we place plants, in order to protect the tables. Thanks for helping us all remember this important job.
www.followingseasons.com
Dip Submitted by Alice White ½ C yogurt ½ C sour cream 1 tsp rosemary well chopped 1 tsp minced onion, finely minced 1 stevia leaf finely minced
Treasurer’s Report
Anyone who has unpaid receipts for Herb Club supplies please mail them to Cate or bring to the next meeting and you will be reimbursed.
Committee Reports/Requests
Briercrest Fragrant Herb Garden For info about helping to maintain this garden call Judy at 619-579-0222 or email at dunningj2002@yahoo.com. If you want to see the garden take the Severn exit off Frwy 8, go to the north side of the freeway and turn west on Murray, go to first traffic light and turn north onto Wakarusa, the park is on the left side and our garden is near the sidewalk by the native plant garden. In January we will be scheduling a work party to prune and weed. http://www.cityoflamesa.com/Departments/PublicWorks/park2.htm Updated 12-20-2007 Trees for Health Garden in Balboa Park To see this garden go into the Park to the corner of Balboa and Quince and it is across the street from the shuffleboard court. On Nov 7 in the morning there was a sowing of seeds of the herb California Poppy. If you'd like to offer your expertise to help with this project, please contact Charlotte, Barbara or Fern. At the suggestion of a volunteer, Gordon Bruefrueher, the process was begun to prepare a grant proposal to the San Diego Foundation for funds to help with the upgrades needed for the garden. The Bromeliad Study group has once again agreed to administer the funds through their bank account as the 501.c.3 of record. The funds should cover the upgrades and maintenance for a period of 3 years. They will be used for the following: Purchase laminated plastic for making the ID plaques, metal posts for mounting the ID plaques and soil amendments for new plantings; Contract for assembly and installation of ID posts; Office supplies necessary for updating the Guidebook and printing services for bulk printing of same; 10% admin fee to Bromeliad Study group for accounting services and Gravel or Decomposed Granite for re-surfacing/ repair of pathways For more info call or email Charlotte at 619-527-4030 or willotte2@yahoo.com. Updated 12-24-2007
Dues are $20.00 per year for an individual, or $35.00 for a family. Please make checks payable to Cate Gilman 5989 El Escorial Way, San Diego, CA 92124 (619) 251 9783 cate@san.rr.com
Dues Due
Oct Brigitte Zoeller Nov Diana Cavagnaro Carol Miles Dec Barbara Carey Alice White Jan Lillian Hanson
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Test Your Herbal Savvy What herbs are good for colds?
Look for the answer elsewhere in the newsletter.
Library Corner
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Our club library has many books and magazines that are useful as reference and general information. Members are welcome to borrow a book or magazine for one month. Please be sure to check your shelves and return any materials you may have borrowed. Thanks to Heidi Behnke for tending the library.
KUDOS
To Brigitte, Fern & Barbara for sowing California Poppies in the Trees for Health Garden; to Fern, Cindy S. & Heidi for helping with the Dec Nights project.
Got a mystery plant? Bring it in for show & tell and we will try to ID it.
FYI
??Have you checked out the library lately?? October, 2007 Herbs for Health: Through the Herbalist’s Lens. November, 2007 Herb Companion: Soothe & Restore Sore Muscles. December, 2007 Herbs for Health: Tea Time; The Lovely Scent of Relaxation. Nurseries and other places to check out: In Harmony Herbs & Spices 1862 ½ Bacon St, Ocean Beach, 619-223-8051. www.inharmonyherbs.com Websites to check out: Plant Soup/ Nan Sterman, www.PlantSoup.com
Please notice that Cate Gilman is our new Treasurer. You will find her address in the Dues column on the left side of page 3.
New Website!!!
Please check out our new website. Go to www.followingseasons.com and click on The San Diego Herb Club. Member Cindy C. has set up and paid for this new website for us and she will be our webmaster. She welcomes pictures, articles, recipes, etc. for the site. The old newsletters will be in archives and the upcoming meetings and events will be in calendar section. Thanks Cindy.
Got a garden question call the Master Gardener Hotline: 858-694-2860
Notes from Dennis Sharmahd talk April 2007 Pokeweed young leaves are edible. Chickweed has hair on its stems. Oxalis flowers (sour grass), lavatera flowers (good in salads), milk thistle leaves, leaves and stems of Miners Lettuce are edible. Steam leaves of chenopodium to eat. Spurge is toxic
Herbal Savvy Answer
Thyme, Basil, Oregano and Rosemary Adding spices to your diet can benefit your health, according to Suzanna Zick, a naturopathic physician and researcher at the University of Michigan Health System. Fight colds with basil, oregano and rosemary. The essential oils in these herbs may be able to fight against colds and flu. Treat chronic coughs with thyme. "The health benefits of thyme are unique. It has been traditionally used to treat coughs, even whooping cough," said Zick. Classes/Events Jan 6 Sun, Coastal Sage Gardening is celebrating its 6th annual Open House & Native Plant Sale, 1-5p, Music, Dance, Crafts, & Refreshments, Book signing by Jan D. Wellik, author of Nature Writing Field Guide for Teachers, free. 3685 Voltaire St. Pt Loma, 619 223 5229 Mon, Jack Shoultz - "Bugs: The Good, Bad and the Ugly", CHIRP Garden Club, Alpine, 6:30p call for location: 619-445-8352 Tues, 6 weeks, Herbs for Women's Health, Jane Richmond, School of Herbal Studies & Healing, Ocean Beach, 7-9:30p, 619 224 1268 Jane is also available for health consultations & for information or to schedule an appointmnet 619 224 1268. http://selfhealschool.com/html/jane_richmond.html Thur, San Diego Botanical Garden Foundation meeting, 7:30p, Casa del Prado, Rm 104, Balboa Park Thur, 6 week course, Herbal Fundamentals, John Finch, Self-Heal School of Herbal Studies & Healing, Ocean Beach, 7-9:30p, 619 224 1268 Thur/Sat, Use of Native Plants by Native People, Quail botanical Gardens, Encinitas, Thur Jan 10,17,24 classes 7-9p, Sat Jan 26 Native Plants/Native People garden tour 9a-noon, $100, 760436-3036 x206 Sat, Herbal Hand Salve & Lip Balm, Sheryl Lozier, Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs, $28, 619-390-1523,10a-noon Mon, Lessons from Chelsea: International Ideas for Sustainable Gardens, Nan Sterman will lead us to England's Chelsea Flower Show, This year the designers addressed some familiar Southern California dilemmas: limited water supplies, ongoing drought, invasive plants, global warming and the desire for home-grown edibles. Free, San Diego Horticultural Society 6 p, Surfside Race Place, Del Mar Fairgrounds. Jimmie Durante Blvd, Del Mar. www.sdhortsoc.org (760) 2957089. Sun, Guide to California Gardening, Nan Sterman, Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas, 2p, $10 admission to garden, www.qbgardens.org Sat, Soap Making, Sheryl Lozier, Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs, $25, 619-390-1523,10a-noon Sun, Herb Walk, Old Mission Dam, John Finch of School of Herbal Studies & Healing, , 619 224 1268 Thur, Kumeyaay Ethnobotany, Cuyamaca Community College, 6-8:50p, Rm H224, GEOG 299, Jane Dumas & Richard Bugbee Sat, Fresh Eucalyptus Wreath, Sheryl Lozier, Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs, $45, 619-390-1523.10a-noon
Jan 7 Jan 8
Jan 10 Jan 10 Jan 10
Jan 12 Jan 14
Jan 20 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 31 Feb 2
*Herb Club Member
Upcoming Programs February 6th: Karen England, Herbs of the Bible March 5th: Landscape Program Group Presents September 3rd: History/Folklore Group Presents
The San Diego Herb Club 200 Highline Trail El Cajon CA 92021