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Shopper's Diary: Great China Herb Company in San Francisco

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If you weren't looking for the shop, it would be so easy to miss Great China Herb Co. on a block of storefronts offering designer lookalike handbags; Chinatown postcards; iPhone cases; crates of fresh fruits and vegetables; pearl necklaces; paper lanterns; jade figurines; souvenir t-shirts; tour bus tickets, and late-night Hong Kong style hot pot entrées (cash only). Easy to miss—but what a shame if you did.

One afternoon last week I wandered into the Great China Herb Co., which since 1922 has done a brisk business selling and compounding an extensive selection of hundreds of herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine and met manager Judy Ho-Lam, the third generation of her family to run the Chinese pharmacy. Behind the glass-top counter where herbs are measured, weighed, and mixed is a long wall of fitted wooden drawers dating to the 1920s.

Inside the drawers: hundreds of different ingredients for traditional Chinese medicine treatments—Panax ginseng, apricot kernels, Goji berries, dried honeysuckle, and shaved wild yam root—and each is weighed and bagged to order. An ounce of dried chrysanthemum blossoms is $2; black jujube dates $1, and American ginseng is $7.50 an ounce. A steady stream of customers crowds the counter, waiting to have prescriptions filled.

Can herbs cure what ails you? Western medicine, which has been slow to embrace the 5,000-year-old practice of traditional Chinese medicine, is no longer dismissive. The Federal Drug Administration supports clinical trials of Chinese herbs and more than 37 percent of US hospitals offer complementary and alternative medicine treatments, according to the American Hospital Association.

How should you use Chinese herbs? Says Judy Ho-Lam, "I like to add them to chicken soup."

Photographs by Michelle Slatalla.

Chinese medicinal herbs honeysuckle SF ; Gardenista

Above: Dried honeysuckle, ready to be weighed at Great China Herb Co.

More than 6,000 plant species are used in traditional Chinese medicine, in different combinations and concoctions. Judy Ho-Lam recommended you do not use herbs for medicinal purposes without consulting a doctor. Many herbs can have negative side effects when taken in combination with each other or by pregnant women, people with allergies, or patients with autoimmune disorders.

  Great China Herb Co. in Chinatown SF ; Gardenista

Above: Each order is weighed, measured, and packaged by hand at Great China Herb Co.

Great China Herb Company SF scale ; Gardenista

Above: The wall of drawers and vintage brass scale date to the store's early days, circa 1922.

10 common Chinese medicinal herbs for sale at Great China Herb Co. in San Francisco ; Gardenista

Above: Ten common herbs used in Chinese traditional medicine include (Top Row, from L): Wild Yam root; American Ginseng; Panax Ginseng; Goji Berries; (Middle Row, from L) Black Jujube dates; Apricot Seeds; Chrysanthemum flowers; (Bottom Row, from L) Fox Nuts; Honeysuckle, and Red Jujube dates.

Jars of dried Chinese herbs Great China Herb Co. ; Gardenista

Above: Above the wooden drawers, shelves of jarred herbs.

Dried mushrooms Great China Herb Co. ; Gardenista

Above: Reishi mushrooms. In clinical studies, reishi mushrooms have proven effective at alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms in men.

Chinese medicinal herb shop SF Chinatown ; Gardenista

Above: The Great China Herb Co. pharmacy, one of the oldest in San Francisco, has been operated by the same family since 1922.

Great China Herb Co. in Chinatown SF ; Gardenista

Above: Planning to drive to Chinatown? Park in the underground lot beneath Portsmouth Square Plaza ($3 an hour); it's a fool's errand to try to find street parking in the neighborhood.

For more, see our upcoming story, 10 Chinese Herbs to Cure What Ails You and Herbal Essence: Just Add Water.


10 Chinese Herbs to Cure What Ails You

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Can Chinese herbs cure what ails you? Western medicine, which has been slow to embrace the 5,000-year-old practice of traditional Chinese medicine, is no longer dismissive. The Federal Drug Administration supports clinical trials of Chinese herbs, and more than 37 percent of US hospitals offer complementary and alternative medicine treatments, according to the American Hospital Association.

We asked Judy Ho-Lam, manager of the Great China Herb Co. in the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown, for a list of the ten most useful herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and suggestions for how to brew something soothing. Here are her picks:

Photographs by Michelle Slatalla.

10 Chinese Medicinal Herbs ; Gardenista

Above: Judy Ho-Lam's top ten includes: Wild Yam; American Ginseng; Panax Ginseng; Goji Berries, Black Jujubes; Apricot Seeds; Dried Chrysanthemum; Fox Nuts; Honeysuckle, and Red Jujubes.

Ho-Lam said no one should use Chinese herbs for medicinal purposes before consulting a doctor; many people are allergic to herbs, for one thing. For another, some herbs contain concentrated ingredients that may be harmful to pregnant women, or patients with autoimmune diseases or suppressed immune systems.  For more information about traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, see NIH and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; both institutions offer comprehensive sites summarizing the most up-to-date research on a particular herb. 

Chinese medicinal herbs chrysanthemum ; Gardenista

Above: Dried chrysanthemum flowers.

  • Chrysanthemum in Chinese medicine is used to treat chest pain, colds, fever, and hypertension (clinical studies have not been conducted on its efficacy). Chrysanthemum Tea Recipe: Boil 4 cups water. Meanwhile, put 1/4 cup of dried chrysanthemum flowers into a teapot. Pour enough boiling water on the flowers to cover, let sit for three minutes, stir and drain off the water. Add the rest of the boiling water to the flowers, cover, and steep for five minutes before serving.
  • Goji Berries. Traditional Chinese medicinal uses: to improve eyesight, anti-aging benefits, and to lower blood sugar levels. An observational study of 79 patients in China with advanced cancers who combined the berries with other treatments showed positive results; the study was published in 1994 and it is unknown if the results could be replicated in patients undergoing current courses of treatment. Goji Berries can be eaten raw.

Chinese medicinal herbs wild yam ; Gardenista

Above: Shavings of wild yam root.

  •  Wild Yam, not to be confused with tubers that grow underground, is a vine and used in Chinese medicine to alleviate gastrointestinal disorders as well as menstrual discomfort and symptoms of menopause. Studies have shown wild yam to have a mild estrogenic effect on mice but there's no evidence of the same effect on humans. Wild Yam Salve Recipe: Simmer 3 cups of chopped wild yam root in 1 gallon of water until the root softens. While simmering, mash the softened root; a foam will form on the surface of the water. Skim the foam in a bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking liquid. While the foam is still hot, stir into it 1/2 cup of beeswax beads and 3 tablespoons of stearic acid. Add reserved yam water to achieve a smooth consistency.

Chinese medicinal herbs apricot seeds ; Gardenista

Above: Apricot seeds.

  • Apricot Seeds are used in Chinese medicine to control coughs and wheezing (as well as to treat gastrointestinal symptoms). No clinical studies support these uses. The most common preparation is to boil seeds in conjunction with other herbs to create a concentrated brew. Seeds have a bitter taste.

Chinese medicinal herbs Panax Ginseng ; Gardenista

Above: Red Panax Ginseng.

  • Panax Ginseng, used in Chinese medicine to relieve anxiety and stimulate the immune system, may also be beneficial as a supplementary therapy for breast cancer. In a study of 1,455 breast cancer patients in Shanghai, published in 2006 in the Journal of American Epidemiology, researchers concluded that regular ginseng users had a significantly reduced rate of death and a higher quality of life. However, as study participants also were more likely to be taking tamoxifen, it is unclear whether the benefits can be ascribed to the herb or the prescription cancer drug. Avoid panax ginseng if you are pregnant, hypertensive, or taking anti-coagulants. Do not take it in conjunction with other herbs or supplements; for more information, see NIH Medline Plus.
  • American Ginseng, grown in the northwestern regions of the US and in Canada, is used by Chinese herbalists to reinvigorate yin, one of the two halves of the universe believed to create everything. Results of a study of 364 cancer patients reported last year in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that taking American Ginseng improves cancer-related fatigue.

Ginseng Tea Recipe: Bring 4 cups of water to boil. Meanwhile, place 4-6 teaspoons of shaved ginseng root in a teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot and allow the tea to steep, covered, for ten minutes. Strain and serve. 

Chinese medicinal herbs Black Jujube Dates ; Gardenista

Above: Black jujube dates.

  • Black Jujube Dates are used by practitioners of Chinese medicine to treat digestive problems, skin conditions, and as a sedative. Fruits of a small shrub-like tree, the dates may be candied and eaten as a snack. Black Jujube and Chicken Soup Recipe: Pour 4 cups chicken broth into a saucepan on the stove. Add two peeled garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons chopped ginger, and 1/2 cup black jujube dates; bring mixture to a simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup cooked shredded chicken; season with salt and pepper to taste and serve soup while hot.


Chinese medicinal herbs ; Gardenista

Above: Fox nuts (Bottom L) and Honeysuckle (Bottom R).

  • Fox Nuts, which can be roasted until they pop like popcorn and then seasoned with salt or spices, are used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve gastrointestinal ailments and to promote the health of the kidneys and spleen.
  • Honeysuckle, used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat sore throats and fever, can be brewed into a tea (see Chrysanthemum Tea recipe Above). 
  • Red Jujubes, cultivated for more than 4,000 years in China, can be eaten fresh or candied (for dessert). They are used in traditional Chinese medicine to improve appetite, relieve fatigue, and calm anxieties.

For more about traditional Chinese medicine and herbs, see Shopper's Diary: Great China Herb Company in San Francisco.

Happier at Home: 10 Reasons to Bring the Outdoors In

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Have you ever stepped out of the car (after a traffic-dodging drive from the city) into mountain air, drawn in a deep breath, and felt instantly better? Here's how to cue the same relaxation response at home, by bringing the outdoors in.

The back story: The atmosphere in the homes we create affects us deeply: it can change our behavior and, as a result, our health. Our environment can trigger a stress response (an imprisoning brick wall, stacks of unpaid bills, mounds of dirty laundry) or cue the relaxation response.

Adding nature to our lives is one way to put a few more deep exhales back into the daily grind: a connection to nature is an essential ingredient of human health and well being. Here are ten ways to bring the outdoors in:

Above: Houseplants in the bedroom of rug designer Cassandra Karinsky in Sydney, Australia, via The Design Files.

1. Adopt a house plant. In the 1980s, NASA discovered that plans can improve indoor air quality. And let's not forget that fresh air helps you sleep: Remember, nature is the original Ambien.

Above: Photograph of yellow mimosa flowers from Cécile Daladier.

2. Fresh-cut flowers boost feelings of happiness. As I stroll through the supermarket aisles, I often wonder: is it worth the extra money to buy flowers? They are cheery, no doubt, but they never last long. After reviewing the research, I'm now convinced: Studies have shown that flowers reduce depression and increase positive emotion. Read more in Need to Be Productive? Buy Some Flowers on Greatist and Flower Power in Rutgers Magazine.

3. Growing food helps connect you to the earth. For urban dwellers, compact edible gardens or a few potted herbs can make a dramatic difference in our culinary experience. After growing a bit of lettuce on our back porch, my children now prefer it to the store-bought variety.

Above: A still life of shells and stones is one of many natural collections at Kettle's Yard in Cambridge.

4. Add a small tree, a rock garden, or a terrarium to your indoor space. A verdant tree, like a Fiddle Leaf Fig, or a small rock garden of collected stones or a terrarium can help set the mind at ease after a hectic day.

5. Go out for a mid-day stroll. Getting back to nature can inspire creativity. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods ($10.58 on Amazon), coined the term "nature-deficit disorder" to describe a condition that he says results for our lack of communion with living things. He recommends living in and around natural living things, which boost our creativity, happiness, and health.

Above: A set of herbal tisanes at Babel Restaurant in the Cape Winelands of South Africa.

6. Grow herbs in small pots for a daily dose of energy and performance.  Atlanta-based interior designer Ginny Magher (full disclosure: Ginny is married to my father, Craig) recommends growing a variety of kitchen herbs in small pots for a quick tisane. She snips fresh basil or thyme into her tea and finds the scent of fresh herbs provides an early morning mood-boost.

Above: A houseplant in a vintage pale blue pot from At Swim Two Birds.

7. Spend time looking at plants to heal faster. Nature is natural medicine. In 1984, environmental psychologist Rodger Ulrich conducted a study on gallbladder surgery patients, which proved that those whose rooms overlooked trees healed faster than those who looked at a brick wall. Read more in How Hospital Gardens Help Patients Heal from Scientific American.

Above: A grouping of houseplants in a home office from Hardworking Houseplants; photograph via Home Designing.

8. Spend time around greenery to improve concentration and increase attention span. This benefit holds true for children as well. Studies have shown that children who spend time around plants have better concentration (A "Dose of Nature" for Attention Problems, NY Times). At Waldorf Schools, families are encouraged to build a nature table to reflect changes in the seasons; children are encouraged to collect "treasures" from the outdoors and display them inside to maintain a connection to the present season.

9. Head to a natural environment to improve memory performance by as much as 20 percent. Dr. Esther Sternber, author of Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Wellbeing, says our health extends beyond our physical bodies to include our emotions and the spaces around us. The practice of Feng Shui, the system of harmonizing the human experience with the surrounding environment, echoes this same principle.

Above: At (or past) their prime ranunculus and a few potted plants from At Swim Two Birds.

10. Nurture house plants. Caring for life can channel anxiety into an outlet of altruism and nurturing. In our texting, updating, connected-but-disconnected modern life, we can forget our place in the larger universe; having a life to care for can put it back into perspective—and again, help us feel more alive, at ease, and whole.

For more advice on wellness and balance, see more of our Happier at Home posts: 10 Secrets for a Better Night's Sleep, 10 Cures for TechnoStress, and 10 Tips for Happy Housecleaning

Natural Remedy: Garlic Honey for Fending Off Germs

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I'm not sure that this honey garlic will keep away any vampires still prowling around post Halloween, but I'm hedging my bets. And I hope that it will help kick the cold I've had for what feels like weeks. My pot of the garlicky elixir isn't quite ready for tasting, but my herbalist friends tell me that the honey will mellow the strong taste of garlic, making an elixir that's not only palatable, but actually tasty. I still might plug my nose on the first teaspoon.

(Would you like us to send you a new recipe every Friday? Subscribe to our Gardenista Daily email.)

Photographs by Erin Boyle.

garlic honey | gardenista

Above: A small jar (I used a 7oz. Le Parfait Canning Jar; $7.95 from Sur La Table), a 1/2 cup or so of raw honey, and three heads of garlic are all the supplies you need.

garlic honey | gardenista

Above: I used a locally grown hard-necked garlic variety for my honey.

garlic honey | gardenista

Above: Three heads of garlic was enough to fill my jar.

garlic honey | gardenista

Above: As I poured the honey over the garlic, I used a small spoon to  encourage the honey into the cracks and crevices between the cloves.

garlic honey | gardenista

Above: To finish, I made sure the cloves were submerged and sealed my lid.

garlic honey | gardenista

Garlic Honey

Adapted from Susun Weed's recipe for Garlic Honey.

Ingredients:

  • Raw honey to fill your jar (approximately 1/2 cup)
  • 3 heads of garlic, individual cloves separated, but not fully peeled

Instructions:

Gently break open the heads of garlic. There's no need to peel the individual cloves, but do remove the outermost papery layer that keeps the cloves in the bulb. Fill a small jar with the unpeeled garlic cloves and cover with raw honey. Seal your jar, mark it with the date, and store. In just a few days, the garlic honey will be ready for eating. Over time the honey and the garlic cloves will darken and become more potent. Some people store garlic honey in the refrigerator, but honey at room temperature should be just fine.

N.B. This is an update of a post that originally ran on November 1, 2013.

Interested in other home remedies? Try making your own Elderberry Syrup or Fire Cider.

Architect Visit: The Magic of Two Courtyards in Melbourne

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Melburnian architecture firm Edwards Moore’s insertion of two internal courtyard gardens into the existing fabric of a small and narrow urban house might at first seem counterintuitive. With limited indoor space, does it make sense to give up more to the garden?

Oh yes. Designed to distribute daylight and ventilation evenly through the difficult-to-reach areas of a long and narrow (13 by 75 feet) former worker’s cottage in Fitzroy, Melbourne, the two garden courtyards pull off a difficult feat. Large glass doors create better air circulation and rooms with a view. The effect is to make indoor spaces seem more connected and bigger than they are. Clever and ingenious? We think so. 

Read more about Edwards Moore, a member of the Remodelista + Gardenista Architect/Designer Directory

Photography by Fraser Marsden via The Frame

Above: Large full height glass doors open into the first courtyard. 

Above: The bedroom doors open straight onto the courtyard garden. 

Interior courtyard in Fitzroy Australia by Edwards Moore ; Gardenista

Above: With borrowed light and space from the garden courtyard, a bedroom and hall feel bigger.  

Above: Concrete floors complete the raw and unfinished aesthetic. 

Above: Access to the bedroom beyond is either through the naturally lit hall or the courtyard.

Above: A raw, unfinished aesthetic runs throughout the house, underlining the continuity of the spaces. 

Above: Light is drawn into the living room through a window to the first courtyard. The open bookcases are reminiscent of wood framing.

Above: A through-view from the back of the house to the front is open, airy, and light-filled.

Above: A three-dimensional model illustrates the series of the spaces and the relationships between interior and exterior spaces. 

Intrigued by the power of a courtyard to transform a house? For more of our favorite courtyard gardens, see Garden Visit: Andrea Cochran's Courtyard Vignettes.

DIY: How to Propagate Aloe, the Plant of Immortality

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Growing up in a beach town, I saw my fair share of sunburns. (We were a bit more lax about sunscreen in those days). Luckily my stepmother always had an aloe vera on hand to soothe my sun-kissed shoulders. Ever since then, I've thought of aloe as a handy succulent that no home should be without. Fortunately, it's extremely easy to propagate.

There are more than 250 species of aloe in the world, but it is aloe vera (also known as Aloe barbadensis) or "true aloe" that is most commonly associated with health benefits. Though the debate still rages around the more extreme claims of aloe's miraculous powers, most people agree that it does help with minor skin injuries. 

See below for step-by-step instructions for propagating aloe from a mature plant:

Photographs by Justine Hand.

Aloe vera plant, Gardenista

Above: Ever the stalworth soldier in the battle against minor scrapes and burns, my aloe vera bears the scars of life with little kids, but it still has lots of life to give.

The tradition of using aloe vera for medicinal purposes goes way back. Thousands of years before my resourceful stepmother, the ancient Egyptians placed it in the pharaohs' tombs to aid them in the afterlife. Even if you don't believe that aloe is the "Plant of Immortality" as the ancients did, you might agree that it makes an auspicious present. At the very least it adds character to a home and helps clear the air.  

Aloe vera plant with offshoot, Gardenista

Step 1: Identify the offsets. Since aloes spread by producing easily transplanted offsets, they are quite easy to propagate. Here you can see two offsets in light green; the larger one to the left is ready for its own pot. The tiny one just beginning to emerge on the right will have to wait a bit.

Aloe vera plant offshoot roots, Gardenista

Step 2: To successfully transplant an offset, one must wait until it is big enough to have its own roots. I hold off until it has four or more leaves several inches long.

Step 3: To separate the offset from the mother plant, take them both out of the pot and gently pry the offset and its roots away from the larger aloe. 

repotting your Aloe vera offshoot, Gardenista

Above: My son Oliver prepares a new home for the aloe offset. 

Step 4: Repot your offset. A semi-tropical succulent, aloe prefers soil with good drainage. We placed a bit of gravel on the bottom of our pot, to aid drainage and prevent the aloe roots from sitting in water. On this we layered good potting soil with extra perlite. (You can also use sand.) 

Aloe vera planting, Gardenista

Above: Oliver gently packs soil around his transplanted offset.

Step 5: After potting your aloe, give it a good soak. In the winter, your plant will become somewhat dormant and require less water. In the summer, water thoroughly, but always allow your aloe to dry out completely between waterings. Cacti fertilizers can also be used once a year in summer. 

aloe vera plant, Gardenista

Above: With shallow roots that tend to spread, aloe prefers a wider pot with a drainage hole. 

Aloe vera offsets repotted, Gardenista

Above: A gift fit for a king, or anyone really, our baby aloes await a new home. 

aloe vera gel, Gardenista

Above: To extract the gel of an aloe vera, simply split the outer skin of a mature leaf with a knife and rub directly onto skin.

N.B. Erin discovered that aloe not only is great on scrapes and burns, it also helps to take the sting out of bug bites.

The Novice Gardener: Will a "Poisonous" Plant Really Kill Your Pet?

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My cat, Minou, eats houseplants and she's still alive. I don't let her eat them, but she eats them. In the turf battles I fight with my cats, I prioritize no scratching the sofa over no eating the houseplants, and since she seems fine after every green snack, I've come to wonder if houseplants are "toxic" to her like bourbon is "toxic" to me; poisonous, but delightful, and harmless enough in small doses.

My skepticism started with poinsettias. First, Minou tasted them, then she ate them, then...nothing happened. These were poinsettias we're talking about—the blood red angels of death that incredulous observers of my cat-rearing methods can't believe my cat has survived.

Is it any wonder I've come to view some of the more hysterical houseplant toxicity lists as alarmist Internet click bait? 

Of course, some plants are poisonous to pets. But which ones?  To set the record straight, I interviewed Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center and did a little research of my own. Read on for the details:

N.B.: What about you? Has your cat (or dog) eaten a so-called poisonous plant and lived to tell (or bark) the story? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Photography by Meredith Swinehart except where noted.

Above: Minou licks her lips at the sight of a false aralia.

As anyone with animals or children or spouses or roommates knows, you have to pick your battles when it comes to perfection at home. But scratching the sofa doesn't kill cats—and eating the houseplants could. I don't know everything my cat has eaten, but I know \she's sampled the leaves or petals of poinsettias, asparagus fern, English ivy, selaginella, tulips, begonia, winterberry, hypoestes, roses, hydrangea, and cyclamen, to name just a few.

Here's what Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, has to say on the subject:

If Minou has eaten potentially poisonous plants, why does she seem to be just fine?

Dr. WismerEvery plant is going to have a different amount of toxins in it. For example, when selectively breeding for flower color we may increase or decrease the toxicity of a plant. Plants that are under more stress (insect damage, drought, etc.) may have increased amounts of toxins in them. Also the amount of toxins can change during the growing cycle.

Above: Lucky for Minou, false aralia is non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Okay, so first things first: Which plants are toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA offers a searchable database of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, plus a list of 17 Poisonous Plants the  society has chosen to highlight.

The list includes many plants commonly known to be poisonous—including castor bean, oleander, and yew—plus some plants that aren't yet common perpetrators but whose poisoning incidences are on the rise, including marijuana.

The ASPCA also has a pet poison call center, and information on What To Do If Your Pet Is Poisoned.

Above: In an earlier installment of The Novice Gardener, I tried to embrace houseplants. There is very little left of my favorite, the begonia, after three months of living with Minou. Even though the ASPCA Database includes begonia as toxic to both dogs and cats, she's continued her snacking. 

If the begonia is supposed to make Minou feel sick, why does she keep going back for more?

Dr. Wismer: Many pets do not seem to be able to correlate the vomiting or other problems they are having with the eating of the plant material. If the vomiting occurs hours after the animal ingests the substance, they won’t know why they are feeling sick and would likely ingest that toxin again without making the connection.

Above: Cyclamen is included on the ASPCA's list of 17 Poisonous Plants, noted as potentially causing intense vomiting and even death.

How did Minou survive eating cyclamen, the potentially fatal Christmas tuber?

Maybe because she didn't eat the actual tuber. According the to ASPCA, chemical compounds that are toxic to pets can be concentrated in different parts of the plant—sometimes the roots, sometimes leaves, flowers, or seeds. In cyclamen, the poisonous compound called cyclamine is most concentrated in the root, or tuber, portion of the plant. Minou left a few teeth marks in the flower petals, but left the rest of the plant alone. Regardless, I won't keep any more cyclamen in the house.

Above: An orange Lillium superbum from Vita's Sunset Garden. Photo by Kendra Wilson for Gardenista.

Which plants are deadliest to cats?

Dr. WismerThese are the plants where one bit can kill or cause serious problems. For cats, lilies—members of the true lily family (Hemerocallis sp., Lilium sp.). While the poisonous component has not yet been identified in these plants, it is obvious that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Above: A sago palm from 5 Houseplants That Changed History. Photograph by Erin Boyle.

Which plants are deadliest to dogs?

Dr. WismerFor both dogs and cats, it's sago palm. The seeds or "nuts" of the sago palm contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can be very serious, including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, and liver failure.

Black Cat and Asparagus Fern, Gardenista

Above: As I planted an asparagus fern last November, Minou was lurking. It turns out the asparagus fern is also toxic to both dogs and cats—potentially causing allergic dermatitis and vomiting or abdominal pain—but luckily, it's a plant Minou has largely ignored.

Above: My smaller cat (and Minou's daughter), Reine, couldn't be less interested in houseplants—she never eats them—which makes me wonder:

Are houseplants the biggest household poison problem for pets?

Dr. WismerHouseplants seem to be the biggest issue for cats, but for dogs things like chocolate and human medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) can be more serious. It’s best to pay close attention to everything! Don’t leave anything out on countertops unattended and be sure to check ASPCA.org before purchasing any plants for your house or yard.

The Poison Control Center also lists the Top Pet Toxins of 2012. Topping the list for the fifth year in a row is prescription medication for humans.

Is there anything I can do to stop my pets from chewing on plants?

I sprayed Grannick's Bitter Apple, a taste-deterrant spray, on all my houseplants. Minou didn't like the taste, but I found that I needed to reapply the spray every day in order for it to keep her at bay. (I fail to water my plants on a weekly basis, so I definitely failed to spray them every day.) I also found that the more porous the plant, the more its health suffered from the spray: I don't think it was healthy for the ferns, moss, and begonia.

It seems that the best solution is avoidance. I knew that Minou would continue to nibble on the begonia until it died, and its toxins are not good for her. So I composted the begonia and planted cushion moss to live alongside three tiny hypoestes and a creeping pilea (Above), three plants listed among the non-toxic on the ASPCA list. Now the entire arrangement is non-toxic to dogs and cats.

As for the poinsettias, the ASPCA lists poinsettias as toxic to both dogs and cats, but "generally overrated in toxicity." I stopped buying poinsettias after that first Christmas, mainly because poinsettias peppered with cat bite marks and bleeding milky white sap just aren't as pretty as poinsettias that have been left alone.

I've sworn off cyclamen and I realize now that it's just plain lucky that I'm not especially fond of lilies.

Read more adventures of the Novice Gardener in 10 Tips for the Beginning Gardener—What I Learned In Year One and Houseplants for a Hater

The Cult of the Courtyard: 10 Homes with Amazing Interior Light

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Interior courtyards blur the boundaries between landscape and architecture. They make adjacent interior rooms feel larger and offer a unique combination of fresh air and privacy.

We all want to spend more time in nature, and residents of homes with glass-walled interior courtyards experience a bit of the great outdoors from the comfort of their homes. In homes with courtyards nestled between separate wings, the courtyard is often the most direct (and refreshing) route from one part of the house to another.

Here, we've rounded up ten homes with interior courtyards from members of the Remodelista + Gardenista Architect/Designer Directory.

Alterstudio Architecture Modern Home with Glass Walled Interior Courtyard, Gardenista

Above: In a densely concentrated neighborhood of modest homes and businesses, this Austin home by Alterstudio Architecture is private on the outside while providing communal outdoor space via an internal courtyard. All the rooms adjacent to the courtyard have natural ventilation and light.

Alterstudio Architecture Modern Home with Reflecting Pool and Glass Hallway onto Courtyard, Gardenista

Above: Also by Alterstudio, this interesting Austin home is located in an uninteresting subdivision. The architects drew attention away from the surrounding neighborhood by turning the focus inward to a courtyard filled with creeping zoysia grass connected to the front of the home by a glass hallway. The architectural focus of the house became the centralized outdoor space and its rear view.

William Wurster Remodel by Jennifer Weiss Design with Open Courtyard Walls from Kitchen and Dining, Gardenista

Above: San Francisco-based Jennifer Weiss Architecture remodeled a William Wurster home with full-height glass walls abutting the kitchen, dining, and living rooms, making the courtyard an extension of the main open living space. For more from the architect, see Steal This Look: J. Weiss Kitchen & Bar in SF. Photograph by Lucas Fladzinski

Modern House in Converted Vicarage with Transition Courtyard, Gardenista

Above: London architects Stiff + Trevillion turned a Victorian vicarage into a single-family home. The resulting part-Gothic, part-modern home features a skylit courtyard to ease the transition from the interior portion of the home to the exterior. See more of the firm's new/old aesthetic in A Victorian Remodel with an Industrial Edge.

Deborah Burke Modern Home with Protected Courtyard, Gardenista

Above: This East Hampton home by NYC-based Deborah Berke & Partners was sited on the far corner of a 1.4-acre property as a means of leaving as much of the yard open as possible. The courtyard space shown above is one of several discrete outdoor spaces designed to highlight the landscape. For more from the architect, see Architect Visit: Deborah Berke Artist's Studio in New York.

Mesh Architectures Modern Brooklyn Remodel with Interior Courtyard, Gardenista

Above: When Mesh Architectures renovated a Brooklyn home whose garage filled the entire property lot, the architects created an interior courtyard instead of a typical rear yard. A great room, master bedroom, and master bathroom open onto the courtyard, expanding each of those rooms outdoors in good weather. For more from the architects, see The Architect Is In: Romancing the Loft with Mesh Architectures

Stinson Beach Home with Outdoor Courtyard by Blasen Landscape, Gardenista

Above: This home in Stinson Beach near San Francisco was renovated by Pfau Long Architecture and Marin-based Blasen Landscape Architecture. The owners wanted usable outdoor space but had to contend with salt air and extreme winds, so the designers found a solution in a protected courtyard sited among the main living spaces and outbuildings. For the full story, see A Beautiful Seaside Garden at the End of a Dirt Road. Photograph by Marion Brenner

Edwards Moore Home in Melbourne with Small Interior Courtyards, Gardenista

Above: Architects Edwards Moore renovated a small workers' cottage in Melbourne, adding multiple interior courtyards to lend an outdoor living component to the living spaces. The walls of glass help to bring natural light into the home's all-white interior. For more on the home, see The Magic of Two Courtyards in Melbourne. Photograph by Fraser Marsden.

Hamptons Home with Outdoor Courtyard at Center of Home, Gardenista

Above: This Hamptons home renovated by Stelle Lomont Rouhani Architects is composed of a two-story bedroom wing and a one-story wing of communal spaces, connected by an open courtyard. According to architect Viola Rouhani, "Every meal happens in that courtyard." For more on the project, see The Architect Is In: A Home in the Hamptons, Designed to Endure.

Modern Interior Courtyard Inside Glass Walled Home, Gardenista

Above: Andrea Cochran Landscape Architecture designed several interior courtyards in an austerely modern Marin home. The courtyards are meant to function as art pieces that extend the size of every room to which they attach. For more from the landscape architect, see Garden Visit: Andrea Cochran's Courtyard Vignettes.

For even more courtyard gardens, see A Secret Courtyard Garden in Piccadilly, Ancient Tree Ferns Included and LA Confidential: A Private Courtyard Garden Goes Luxe on a Budget.


Architect Visit: A Hidden Japanese Garden

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In a dense residential neighborhood in Fujieda, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, mA-Style Architects decided to keep the focus tight. Rather than designing a home that offered expansive views of neighboring city houses, the architects created a vista close to home for the Green Edge House.

The architects designed floating exterior walls to block the view of the surrounding neighborhood and serve as a backdrop for a rock garden that surrounds the house.

Every room inside the one-story house can be opened onto the greenery that lies between the glazed interior walls and the floating exterior walls. By designing a green space to run around the edge of the house, instead of by installing an interior courtyard, the architects were able to maintain some of the interior privacy lost with traditional courtyard designs.

(See The Cult of the Courtyard for ten homes that bring the outdoors in.)

Photographs by Nacasa and Partners, Inc.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Seen from the outside, the exterior wall floats above the ground, bringing light into the home from below.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Slender trees fits between the exterior white wall and the glazed glass walls of the interior structure.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: From the inside, looking out, the white exterior walls create a gallery-like space to showcase the plantings that encircle the house.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Across the expanse of birch flooring, the home's garden flanks both sides of a central room.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: Glass doors allow access to the perimeter garden.

the green edge house, mA-style architects, photo by nacasa and partners | gardenista

Above: The view from the street.

For more from mA-style Architects see A Home Inspired by An Ant Colony (Seriously).

The Big Debate: Plants in the Bedroom?

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At one of our recent editorial meetings, a discussion about plants in the bedroom revealed that Gardenista and Remodelista's editors are in two diametrically opposed camps: Love them or hate them.

Why the debate? Photosynthesis adds oxygen and purifies the air (which is why Michelle has plants in every room... well, also she's just a plant nut). But because plants require light to photosynthesize, at night the process apparently reverses and plants may respire as humans do, emitting carbon dioxide (this is the part that Sarah finds creepy).

How to get to the bottom of this? I asked an expert: my 15-year old son who happens to be a bit of a plant biology aficionado (go figure).

Me: Is it true that plants emit oxygen in the day and carbon dioxide at night?

Son: You know about photosynthesis and respiration, right? Well, plants respire at a slower rate than they photosynthesize, so there is actually a net gain of a few molecules of oxygen per cycle.

Me: So you think it’s healthy to sleep with plants at night?

Son (suspicions aroused): Why are you asking me these questions? Is this your way of testing me for my biology exam? I thought you were working.

So, for readers avoiding a family domestic, I have decided that it comes down to personal preference. What’s yours? Let us know in the comments below.

Above: I can't see the harm in having a few slow-growing succulents, given their Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), which allows them to take in carbon dioxide during the night and store it to use for photosynthesis the next day. Photograph via Old Brand New Blog.

How about an indoor lemon tree in the bedroom? See DIY: Potted Indoor Citrus Trees.

Above: Alexa likes the way these plants on the windowsill add cheer to a children's bedroom in a summer house in Söderfors, Sweden. For more windowsill plants, see DIY: Grow Lily of the Valley on a Windowsill.

What plants look good in a bedroom? See Indoor Lemon Tree (I'll Take Two).

Above: For some, one plant in the bedroom is enough; they draw the line at more. What do you think—can you have too many? Photograph via Fresh Home

Whatever side of the debate you favor, we all agree that plants in the rest of the house can only be a good thing. See 239 images of Plants as Decor in our Photo Gallery.

N.B.: This is an update of a post published January 7, 2013.

DIY: Rose Water Hydrosol

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Winter in New York means a lot of time indoors and, we hope, a lot of time for projects. I have a penchant for all things floral, so it’s only natural that one of my projects would be to bottle a favorite scent. 

For an easy-to-make winter refresher, I turn to rose hydrosol, also known as rose water. Rose is known to be very good for your skin—both moisturizing and full of antioxidants—and a rose hydrosol makes a delightful facial spray. 

I use essential oils as a way to relax and decompress. Sometimes this means using a few drops in the shower (pretending I have an aromatherapy steam shower) or sometimes it means lighting a candle. Many doctors working with integrative medicine view aromatherapy as complementary to other alternative healing methods, and I subscribe to the theory. I know this: a drop of essential oil can help me relax and feel refreshed. 

For full step-by-step instructions for making your own rose hydrosol, see below.

Photographs by Sophia Moreno-Bunge.

Flower Water Recipe | Gardenista

 

Above: Rose is good for cleansing and hydrating, and is useful for headaches and tired eyes.

You can make your own floral hyrdosol with any scented flower or herb of your choice. Lavender, jasmine, orange blossom are a few of my other favorites.

Flower Water Recipe | Gardenista

Above: Fresh rose petals and ice cubes for making a hydrosol.

A hydrosol is designed to be sprayed on your skin; use flowers from your garden or those purchased from a local organic farmer that you know have not been sprayed with chemicals. The best floral hydrosols are made with flowers that are in season, when they are most fragrant. Fear not: you can also make floral hydrosols from dried flowers using this same process.

Flower Water Recipe | Gardenista

What you'll need:

  • Rose petals from about six very fragrant roses (or roughly five or six handfuls of petals).  If you are using dried flowers, you'll need three handfuls.
  • Large cooking pot and a lid that fits snugly.
  • 2 small, heat-safe glass or ceramic bowls.
  • Plenty of ice.
  • Ziploc bags for ice (so it can be easily replaced after it melts).
  • 6 cups of distilled water.
  • A small spray bottle.

Flower Water Recipe | Gardenista

Step 1: Place a heat-safe bowl upside down in a pot. Next, drop your rose petals around the bowl, but not on top of the bowl. If you want an extra-fragrant rose water, use more plant material. You also can mix in herbs of your choice.

Rose Water Recipe | Gardenista

Step 2: Pour distilled water carefully over the petals until the water level reaches a height of about 1 inch below the lip of the bowl.  Place your second heat-safe bowl in the pot so that it rests on top of the overturned bowl.

Flower Water Recipe | Gardenista

Step 3: Place the pot lid on the pot (upside down, so the lid creates a concave space where you will place your ice cubes). When the steam from the water containing the plant material hits the bottom of the icy cold lid, it will create condensation and drip back into the empty bowl. This is your flower water.

Flower Water Recipe | Gardenista

Step 4: After your pot has finished simmering, turn off the heat and let it cool (with the lid still on so you don’t lose any hydrosol from evaporation). After it cools, remove the bowl with your hydrosol and pour it into a bottle or jar to store. I decided to make my hydrosol extra aromatic and therapeutic by adding a couple of drops of rose essential oil. (I used an essential oil by AuraCacia, with sustainably sourced ingredients; a bottle of Rose Otto Essential Oil is $96.82.)

Your hydrosol should last for about six months, and should be kept in a cool, dark place (a refrigerator works best).

If you're interested in trying your hand at making another kind of hydrosol (or stocking up on a few new essential oils), I did some research into ailments and their corresponding aromatherapy treatments, and this is what I found:

  • Muscle soreness (for the gardeners!): bay, caraway, chamomile, eucalyptus, frankincense, ginger, geranium, juniper, lemon grass, lemon verbena, rosemary, sandalwood, patchouli and myrtle.
  • Fatigue: basil, angelica, cedarwood, clove, eucalyptus, jasmine, frankincense, lemon, neroli, marjoram, peppermint, patchouli, and vanilla.
  • Anxiety: lavender, melissa, myrrh, bergamot, cardamom, chamomile, cypress, frankincense, rose, pine, vanilla, marjoram, neroli, nutmeg, patchouli, and orange/lime.
  • Headaches: basil, chamomile, cinnamon, ginger, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon grass, melissa, marjoram, peppermint, thyme, ylang ylang, and clary sage.

Interested in natural beauty? See Gardenista's archive of Health & Beauty posts.

Container of the Month: New Life for Old Plants

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I'm not big on resolutions, but I do spend time thinking about how I envision the months ahead and I like making a fresh start in January. I go on a mad cleaning spree, purging anything that doesn't fit into how I hope we'll live in the coming year, making space for what may come, and keeping what works.

This extends to the garden, too: I've predictably collected a hodgepodge of plants and containers by year's end, so I dump out crowded planters and toss into the compost anything that's past its prime. But I always save plants that still have utility, and love repurposing them in new designs.

Remember our June container of the month? All those plants still looked good come January, but had totally outgrown the pot they shared, so I separated the plants and gave them new homes where they could stretch out. The 'Glacier Blue' euphorbia and lamb's ears got new container buddies, below.

Photographs by Meredith Swinehart.

container with lambs ears, lamium 'White Nancy', 'Glacier Blue' euphorbia, and Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

Above: I love how the euphorbia filled out, so I made it the centerpiece of this 12-inch square planter (which might look familiar as it was repurposed from our September Container of the Month). With the euphorbia now taking up more room, I kept just a small chunk of lamb's ears. If you've grown lamb's ears, you know how quickly it fills out, and how easy it is to divide—you can literally pull apart sections with your hands, and keep those that have a healthy amount of roots. 'Big Ears', a variety with oversized leaves, is available from White Flower Farm for $12.45.

Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

Above: For a dramatic color contrast, I added Dolce Licorice heuchera, one of the most beautiful varieties I've seen. Along with rich plum leaves, it has wine-hued undersides. 

'Glacier Blue' euphorbia and Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

Above: Side by side, both the silvery-blue-and-white euphorbia and dark heuchera look even more distinct. Morningsun Herb Farm carries 'Glacier Blue' Euphorbia for $9.

'Glacier Blue' euphorbia and Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

Above: Because it has creamy white edges, this euphorbia is an especially useful in part-sun locations.

'Glacier Blue' euphorbia, Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

Above: Plants can get crammed on nursery shelves, so when planting something that I've just brought home, I'll often fluff and loosen the leaves a bit so they look more filled out.

container with lambs ears, lamium 'White Nancy', 'Glacier Blue' euphorbia, and Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

Above: To spill over the edge of the container, I added 'White Nancy' Lamium which has silvery leaves edged in bright green. Lamium can fill in pretty quickly, so I started with small seedlings from a six-pack. If you want bigger plants, you can get them from Bluestone Perennials for $9 in spring.

container with lambs ears, lamium 'White Nancy', 'Glacier Blue' euphorbia, and Dolce Licorice heuchera | Gardenista

The silvers and whites of this all-foliage combo will brighten even the darkest winter days, while the rich burgundy adds just enough contrast to make the other plants pop. For more easy container ideas, see Frosty Winter Whites, Rich Fall Hues, and Tough Beauties That Won't Die.

Shopper's Diary: Marble & Milkweed's New York City Studio

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The bathtub that launched a homegrown apothecary business? It's not as far-fetched as it sounds.

For Briar Winters, the woman behind the lower Manhattan-based online apothecary shop Marble & Milkweed, a transformative soak in the claw foot tub of an East Village masseuse inspired a search for an apartment with a tub of her own. Briar placed an ad on Craigslist, and in a twist of fate that seems reserved for life in New York City, she got a message listing an available tenement-style walkup replete with exactly the kind of kitchen tub she was after. Little did she know, this tub would become the inspiration for a career change and a homegrown business.

A pastry chef by training—Briar worked at the storied Swedish restaurant Aquavit for years—she immediately got in the habit of taking a nightly bath to relieve her sore muscles after a long night at work.

Influenced by her background in Scandanavian pastry, Briar blended her favorite flavors from the kitchen—rose and cardamom and vanilla—into products designed to be nourishing in a different way. Her botanical-based remedies soothed her achy shoulders and eventually, what began as experiments in her own wellness became experiments in sharing her concoctions with others. Sugary scrubs were some of her earliest products (See: Marble & Milkweed: Rose & Chamomile Facial Scrub), followed by the blended teas, nourishing body oils, serums and perfumes for sale today in her online shop.

Photographs by Erin Boyle.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Briar in her studio.

Briar's ingredients are certified organic and fair trade and heavily inspired by the garden. Briar's been in New York City for 12 years but grew up in Washington State with an apple orchard and family garden. Here in New York, she and her boyfriend maintain an 8-by-5-foot garden plot in the East Village where Briar's currently working on a native plants project with one of the garden's founders.

In March of 2013, Briar moved her home operation into a devoted studio space. Almost a year later, the studio continues to be a bustling space for concocting and packaging the ever-expanding line of Marble & Milkweed products. On the day I visited it smelled like the ginger and mint tea. And later? The ginger, rose, and cardamom Briar mixed for a specially blended bath salt. Stay tuned for the DIY coming later today.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Briar Winters at work with her mortar and pestle.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Bottles await sterilization.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Samples from the Marble & Milkweed collection.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Amber bottles of Nourishing Body Oil ($28 for a 2-ounce bottle).

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: A shade for protecting light-sensitive concoctions. Briar also sells the Glass Tea Pot; $48.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Marble & Milkweed hand-blended Teas. For the indecisive, consider a Tea Sampler with four blends of your choice for $8.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Every studio needs a proper tea cart. We're especially fond of the seeded eucalyptus and succulents keeping the teapot company.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Briar in the studio, braids tucked elegantly out of her way.

shopper's diary: marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: An inspiration board of sorts with printed Instagrams, including a shot of the bathtub that started it all (second from Left).

marble-and-milkweed-bottles-erin-boyle-gardenista.jpg

Above: String lights and sheer curtains warm up Briar's industrial workspace.

In the mood for a virtual tour? See all of our Shopper's Diary posts. 

DIY: Rose, Cardamom, and Ginger Body Soak

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We couldn't share the story of Briar Winter's bathtub-inspired business without offering a DIY recipe for making a healing tub soak of your own. Briar generously shared the step-by-step for creating one of her favorite full-body soaks.

Read on, and most important, get thee to a bathtub.

Photographs by Erin Boyle.

body soak with marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Briar generously walked us through the steps of blending a custom bath salt (full recipe below). 

body soak with marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Briar blends ingredients with a mortar and pestle. The key, she says, is to blend the ingredients in the order listed below.

body soak with marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: A drizzle of apricot oil to pull everything together.

body soak with marble and milkweed | gardenista

Above: Briar spoons her salt blend into a muslin bag. Rather than sprinkling her tub with the blended ingredients, she places her filled bag underneath the running tap of the bathtub to infuse the water and dissolve the salt. The extra step saves her from having to scrub the tub post-soak.

body soak with marble and milkweed | gardenista

A Warming Winter Body Soak from Marble & Milkweed

In the following order, blend together in a mortar and pestle:

  • A small handful of whole green cardamom pods
  • A handful of dried rose petals
  • About 1 cup of your favorite bathing salt (Briar loves Himalayan pink salt for this)
  • A teaspoon or two of your favorite carrier oil (Briar suggests apricot kernel, sesame, melted coconut, or jojoba)
  • A few drops of essential oil (says Briar: Start with just a couple drops and then smell the blend for balance, keeping in mind that the scent of the oils will bloom in the warm water of your bath and gently scent the surrounding air)
  • A small spoonful of dried, powdered ginger (Briar: "Very warming for this time if year, and it complements the scent of the rose and the cardamom")

After the mixture is blended, spoon it into a small fabric/muslin bag. As an alternative to using a mortar and pestle, cardamom pods also can be crushed with a rolling pin and the remaining items blended together in a bowl. But Briar reminds us, "There is something so nice about the ritual of blending everything to release the scents with the mortar and pestle."

See Shopper's Diary: Marble & Milkweed for the full story on Briar's online shop.

Inspired to elevate your bathroom experience? See 5 Favorites: Plants for the Bath and World's Best Plant for a Bathroom.

Giveaway Winner: Garrett Wade Saws and Supplies

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We have a winner. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who entered our latest Gardenista Giveaway of a $200 collection of last-a-lifetime saws from Garrett Wade (and accessories to care for them).

Sylvia Gonzalez is our randomly selected winner and will receive a sharp-edged a large Folding Pruning Saw, an arborist's Short Pole Trim Saw, a 14.5-inch Professional Pruning Saw and Scabbard, and other supplies from Garrett Wade, sellers of fine tools since 1975.  Sylvia told us, "I have lots of pruning to do this month, I am just waiting for the next new moon to do my chores."

Photographs courtesy of Garrett Wade.

Garrett Wade saws and supplies ; Gardenista

This is the third of three giveaway contests we've sponsored this season with our generous partner Garrett Wade. For advice on tool maintenance, see How to Sharpen a Shovel and How to Sharpen Pruners and Loppers.


10 Paint Picks: Jade and Celadon Green

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The Chinese New Year (which starts January 31) has us thinking about green, a color representing health and renewal in China. We looked to jade green, a shade inspired by the stone with a many-thousands' year history in China, and to celadon, a color synonymous with pale green Chinese ceramics.

We asked members of the Remodelista Architect/Designer Directory to fill us in on their favorites, and added a few choice shades of our own:

Top row, left to right: Pratt & Lambert Clover; Benjamin Moore Aganthus Green; Farrow & Ball Green Blue; Farrow & Ball Arsenic; and Benjamin Moore Silken Pine. Bottom row: Farrow & Ball Green Ground; Farrow & Ball Vert de Terre; Benjamin Moore Sweet Caroline; Benjamin Moore Overcast; and Benjamin Moore Lafayette Green.

Above: SF designer Kriste Michelini likes Benjamin Moore's Silken Pine. Says Michelini, "It's a pale celadon that's easy on the eyes and can act as a neutral. It's beautiful in a bedroom, living room, or bathroom for a serene and fresh look."

Above: Portland, OR, designer Carole Magness singles out Farrow & Ball's Green Ground, which she calls "fresh and vaguely artsy, reminding me of certain verdant aspects in Flemish art." Green Ground is among the palest shades in this group. 

Above: Architect James Dixon recommends Farrow & Ball's Green Blue, a color he's used on the walls of an apartment in Paris.

Above: We admire Clover from Pratt & Lambert, a rich jade green. Designer Kelley Wearstler (via House Beautiful) says the shade reminds her of patinated copper.

Above: Another Remodelista favorite, Benjamin Moore's Aganthus Green is a grayed green just turning toward blue. 

Above: Eliza Hart of SF's Hart Wright Architects likes Benjamin Moore's Sweet Caroline, which is minty without being bright. 

Above: Designer Rozalynn Woods suggests Benjamin Moore's Overcast as a great alternative to white with just a hint of color. Next to Silken Pine, this is the palest green of the bunch. 

Above: We like Benjamin Moore's Lafayette Green at the darkest end of jade.

Above: Carole Magness also uses Farrow & Ball's Vert de Terre, which she says "brings to mind a clear running brook in the forest." Vert de Terre is more olive than Aganthus Green but similar in tone. 

Above: Farrow & Ball's Arsenic is a bright jade. San Francisco interior designer Nicole Hollis calls it "just the right quirky mod color," which sounds about right to us.

See these greens in action in Palette & Paints: 10 Minty Green Rooms, and have a look at our paint picks in red, the Chinese color of happiness, at The 8 Best Red Exterior House Paints.

Gardening 101: How to Root Herbs in Water

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Rooting herbs in water is so easy to do that the first time it happened to me was a surprise. A friend brought me a housewarming gift—a bouquet of herbs—that I set aside and promptly forgot in my haste to prevent the movers from breaking the china. By the time I unpacked the last of the dishes and found the herbs, they had roots. 

Here's how to root herbs in water (on purpose!) and toughen them up so they can survive a transplant to the garden:

Photographs by John Merkl.

Gardening 101 How to Root Herbs in Water ; Gardenista

Keep It Simple: All you need are clippings of soft-stemmed herbs (woody herbs won't root in water), a wide-mouthed vase, herb snips, a few pebbles and—of course—water to fill the vase.

Gardening 101 How to Root Herbs in Water ; Gardenista

Step 1: Strip off the bottom leaves off so you have a nice long stem.

Gardening 101 How to Root Herbs in Water ; Gardenista

Step 2: Give the stem a fresh cut, on an angle (to expose more surface to the water).

Gardening 101 How to Root Herbs in Water ; Gardenista

Step 3: Insert the stems into the jar of water.

Need to Know: Some herbs will take longer to root than others, so don't despair if you see no action for a couple of weeks.

Gardening 101 How to Root Herbs in Water ; Gardenista

Above: After roots develop, toughen them up by gently dropping pebbles, one at a time, onto the roots. After a week or so of toughening them up, they should be strong enough to withstand being transplanted outdoors.

Gardening 101 root herbs in water ; Gardenista

Above: Mint will develop roots faster than most other herbs; it's a good choice for a beginner. For more, see our Video: Clone Herbs in Your Kitchen.

New to gardening? See more of our Gardening 101 posts, including Gardening 101: How to Sprout a Seed and Gardening 101: How to Water a Potted Plant.

Recipe: Fruit Roll-Ups for Happy Kids (and Moms)

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"Mo-o-o-o-m, Grace gets fruit roll ups in her lunch box every day," my daughter Solvi lamented last week. "Why can't I?" 

"Because they are full of sugar and bad for your teeth," I dodged. "Plus they're pretty expensive."

But she got me thinking. What if I made them myself? Then I could control the amount of sugar, not to mention make sure there were no lurking additives, and possibly even keep down the price. And so, armed with my new dehydrator...

See below for ingredients and step-by-step instructions:

Photographs by Justine Hand.

DIY fruit roll ups, supplies, Gardenista

Above: For my fruit roll ups, I opted for the simplest ingredients: fresh fruit, honey, lemon juice, and a dash of sugar.

DIY fruit roll ups, cut fruit, Gardenista

Above: After washing the fruit, I put my little helper to work cutting off the stems. 

DIY fruit roll ups, puree, Gardenista

Above: A touch of honey added to all the other ingredients, and you are ready to purée. 

DIY fruit roll ups, pouring puree, Gardenista

Above: After puréeing the fruit, pour it into a lightly greased fruit leather tray. A set of two trays is available at Nesco; $9.95. A Garden Master Pro Dehydrator also is available at Nesco; $130.

DIY fruit roll ups, spread puree, Gardenista

Above: Because Solvi is a berry "nut," I also tried a strawberry-blueberry mix.

DIY fruit roll ups, spreading puree, Gardenista

Above: You can also use the oven to make fruit roll ups by spreading a reduced purée onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Homemade fruit leather, cutting, Gardenista

Above: After your fruit has no sticky spots, it's ready to cut.

DIY fruit roll ups, rolling, Gardenista

Above: To store, roll your fruit leather in parchment paper.

DIY fruit leather makes happy kids, gardenista

Above: Success! Homemade fruit roll ups are even more delicious than store-bought. 

DIY Fruit Roll Ups

On the Internet I found a million different recipes for fruit roll ups, using a variety of fruits and sweeteners. In the end I concocted my own simple recipe. You, too, can experiment.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pint (16 ounces) of fruit; I used strawberries and blueberries
  • 2 tablespoons sugar*
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/8 cup water
  • Parchment paper

*A little note about sweeteners. You can use sugar, agave, honey, applesauce, or nothing to sweeten your fruit leather. I opted for a honey/sugar combo because the honey gives the fruit roll ups a silkier texture. I always like a little tart with my sweet, so I also added lemon juice. 

Instructions—dehydrator:

After washing the fruit, combine ingredients in a blender and purée. Spread a thin layer onto a lightly greased fruit roll up tray. Set your dehydrator to 140 degrees. After about three hours, start checking your fruit. It is dry when there are no sticky parts. Remove the dried fruit leather from the tray while it is still warm. Lay it on a non-stick surface and cut into strips. Roll stripes in parchment paper and store in an airtight container for up to a month.

Instructions—oven:

For those of you who do not have a dehydrator, you can also make fruit roll ups in an oven. After you make a purée, cook it on the stove top at medium heat for about ten minutes to reduce it. Then spread the mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or Silpat. Set the oven temperature to 140 degrees and let cook for about three hours or until there are no sticky parts. Cut into strips and store as above.

N.B. Looking for more healthy snacks from the garden? Try two of our favorites: Dried Fruit and Quinoa Fruit Bars.

Shopper's Diary: Homestead Apothecary in SF's East Bay

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Homestead Apothecary in Oakland, California is a small shop offering raw ingredients for herbal health alongside ready-made tinctures and salves. Founder Nicholas Weinstein believes that "the technology we have built to make our lives easier is causing disease and stress and taking up so much of our time that it is difficult to make space for self care." As nature lovers who make our living on the computer, we empathize.

Homestead Apothecary sits in Oakland's Temescal Alley, an artsy corridor of independent, like-minded businesses. After raising $5,000 on crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, Weinstein started the brick-and-mortar store less than a year ago. Though he had been interested in natural health for some time, Weinstein got serious about it after his cat became ill and traditional vets told him he may have to put her to sleep. An herbalist veterinarian essentially cured her.

Weinstein wants to dispel the notion that herbal medicine is only for those with a specialized interest and expertise, and his shop has a marked focus on community—promoting health and wellness in his community of Oakland; supporting the local Bay Area community of naturopaths, herbalists, farmers, and makers; and as a physical space for community members to gather at low-cost health clinics, workshops, and art events.

To learn more, visit Homestead Apothecary.

Homestead Apothecary Guide to Herbs, Hand-Made Labels for Tinctures, Gardenista

Above: An "Herbal Folklore Guide" (L) created by Homestead Apothecary using information gathered from Eugene, OR-based Mountain Rose Herbs. Handmade labels (R) describe exotic-sounding goods like red clover tincture, blue violet tincture, and comfrey-infused olive oil. Photographs via Facebook.

Photos of Homestead Apothecary in Oakland's Temescal Alley, Gardenista

Above (L): The interior of Homestead Apothecary, with tinctures on offer and beeswax candles hanging from driftwood. Photograph via The Radder. Above (R): Herbs and tea at the shop. Photograph via Spotted SF.

Seasonal San Francisco Plant Dye Color Wheel, and Root Beer Compost, Gardenista

Above (L): A San Francsico-area seasonal color wheel created by the Permacouture Institute for a workshop on making seasonal plant dyes. Photo via Facebook. Above (R): Root beer compost, containing five types of roots, two types of bark, wintergreen leaves, hops flowers, and juniper berries. Photograph via Oakland Local.

Facade of Homestead Apothecary with Live Plants, and Nic Weinstein Holding Cut Plants, Gardenista

Above (L): Outside the shop, the apothecary offers live plants for those interested in growing their own herbs. Photograph via The Radder. Above (R): Weinstein with an armful of greens. Photograph via East Bay Express.

Exterior Sign of Homestead Apothecary in Oakland, and Local Plants on Brick Wall, Gardenista

Above (L): The Homestead Apothecary shop sign, hand painted on live-edge wood. Photograph via California Home + Design. Above (R): An artist's display at Interface Gallery, part of an exploration of local plants held in conjunction with Homestead Apothecary. Photograph via Oakland Local.

Homestead Apothecary Owner Nic Weinstein, Gardenista

Above: Could his tattoos be any more charming? They read, "Never for money, always for love." Photograph by Bonnie Chan via Oakland Local.

Inspired to take your health into your own hands? Read Natural Remedy: Garlic Honey for Fending Off Germs, DIY: Rose Water Hydrosol, and 10 Chinese Herbs to Cure What Ails You.

Required Reading: Elizabeth David on Vegetables

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Those who prefer to go to bed with a cookbook rather than cook from one may have Elizabeth David to blame. The 20th century British cookbook writer's storytelling skills are unrivaled even today, in a post-Nigel and Nigella world. It is debatable, though, whether ordinary people cook from her books as they are thought to be complicated and even impossible. Thank goodness for Jill Norman, who has "curated" Elizabeth David for several decades and brings us the readable and cookable Elizabeth David on Vegetables.

Photographs by Kristin Perers.

Elizabeth David on Vegetables. Gardenista

Above: The traditional British diet is quite a healthy one. Fresh produce, simply cooked. But food rationing (still in place until 1954) took the joy out of cooking for people without access to land and livestock. When Elizabeth David breezed in after wartime adventures in hotter climes, her ideas were eagerly accepted, even though the ingredients she wrote of were still hard to find.

Elizabeth David On Vegetables. Gardenista

Above: Elizabeth David On Vegetables, published by Quadrille, £20. (For US readers, Elizabeth David on Vegetables is available for $24.63 from Amazon.)

Although the style of Elizabeth David's first book Mediterranean Food (1950) is now curiously outdated with chapters titled "Eggs and Luncheon Dishes" and "Cold Food and Salads," the information is as fascinating as ever. It's all about interpretation. Jill Norman interprets Elizabeth David interpreting the cooking of millennia—rather brilliantly.

Elizabeth David on Vegetables. Gardenista

Above: Even now, we are just getting used to the idea that a meal can be complete with just vegetables. Quality ingredients are important. Shown here, the makings of a salad of curly endive, Gruyere, olive oil, and vinegar. The cheese is cut into tiny cubes.

Elizabeth David on Vegetables. Gardenista

Above: Roast onions, what could be easier? David suggests serving them hot with butter and salt, or cold with a vinaigrette dressing. She writes, in her elegant style with an eye for thrift:

"This is one of the best possible ways of cooking onions in the winter when the oven is, in any case, turned on for the cooking of a stew or some other long-cooked dish."

Elizabeth David on Vegetables. Gardenista

Above: Tuscan bean soup, ideally made using a fagiolara (flask-shaped Tuscan earthenware bean jar), though you'll be forgiven for using a tall soup pan. David knows her audience: "In each soup plate or bowl have ready a slice of coarse country bread—or the nearest you can get to such a commodity—rubbed with garlic and sprinkled with olive oil."

Elizabeth David on Vegetables. Gardenista

Above: Marinara sauce, the bedrock of what we now know as the Mediterranean Diet (said to be the healthiest diet in the world). This recipe is one of the simplest, with just tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and basil.

In the '50s, Salsa alla Marinara was an unknown pleasure (in the UK at least): "Basil then was no more than the name of bachelor uncles," wrote Jane Grigson in one of many collections, Elizabeth David Classics.

For more innovative British cuisine, see Required Reading: The Ethicurean Cookbook and Notes from the Larder: Nigel Slater.

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