POTPOURRI

POTPOURRI
The Austin Herb Society Newsletter
February 2013
Austin Herb Society meetings are held at Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs
Road on the first Tuesday of each month and are open to the public. A $3.00 donation for
the refreshments is suggested for visitors. We would love to have you join us.
Membership dues, sponsorships and all contributions to AHS are tax deductible.
The Austin Herb Society, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) member supported, nonprofit operating under the umbrella of
the Austin Area Garden Council. Hope to see you soon!
Ya’ll come to the 2nd Annual AHS Soup Social!
Our February meeting will be hosted by the Culinary Study Group where we will
be treated to some really good eats. Members are asked to bring dessert type
refreshments.
The Austin Herb Society sponsors a fundraising event in February each year. Check our web page for
details. We use the funds to support our garden maintenance programs, education & outreach, as well as
various donations made within the Austin community.
Ready, set, grow your own herbs!
From basil and lemon balm to lavender and beyond, the Austin Herb Society shows you how to
grow, use and enjoy herbs in Central Texas
Saturday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m. to Noon
Speakers: 9:30 a.m. “Simple Steps to Healthy Herbs,” Cathy Slaughter, Gabriel Valley Farms
10 a.m. “Local Herbs for Everyday Use,” Ellen Zimmerman, EZ Herbs
Zilker Botanical Garden Center
Cost: $10 (ZBG parking fee: $2 at gate)
Join the Austin Herb Society at its annual educational seminar and herb sale, featuring
presentations on such topics as: planning your beds, selecting soil and compost, planting in sun
and shade, Austin-hardy varieties, container gardening, water conservation and more. There will
also be herbs from Gabriel Valley Farms, hands-on cooking demonstrations, tips on making
simple medicinal products at home, and creating herbal arrangements and crafts. For information,
contact Susan Norwood at [email protected] or 453-0639.
January Meeting
Fighting Inflammation with
Food and Herbs
Our speaker Lucinda Rudin’s presentation “Fighting Inflammation with Food and Herbs”
was fun and informative. She explained that inflammation is a natural part of the body’s
defense mechanism which keeps bad things out of the body and builds antibodies. The
problems start when the process gets out of control. Foods and supplemental herbs can
keep inflammation in line as a healthy response to attack instead of a chronic destruction.
Foods which promote inflammation are too processed, too sweet, too salty, too fatty or
fried, full of empty caloried and lacking nutrients and fiber. Foods which counter
inflammation are unprocessed, full of fiber and nutrients, satisfying without overeating.
Fruits ;and veggies, especially the colorful ones, Omega-3 oils, beans and many herbs and
teas (as we know) counter inflammation and promote healing. Garlic, ginger, turmeric,
cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, sage, olive and coconut oils, green and black teas are
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Many also lower blood pressure and stabilize blood
sugar.
Lucinda recommended Dr. Andrew Weill’s website for his Anti-Inflammatory Food
Pyramid. Dr. Weill is at the forefront of Integrative Medicine, uniting western with
Traditional medicines.
Understanding Soil and Soil Amendments
Thursday, March 14, 2013, 10am-12pm
Travis County AgriLife Extension Office 1600 B Smith Rd., Austin TX 78721
Get to know your soil so you can improve its ability to retain moisture and improve plant growth. Your
soil may be blocking vital elements your plants need to grow. Ascertain how and when to add missing
elements to improve plant health and production. Learn the type of soil on your property and its
corresponding strengths and weakness. (Bring a cup of your soil in a plastic bag and a glass jar with lid.)
Discover changes you can make to improve the soil structure and water storage capacity. Organic matter,
cover crops, soil microorganism and mulching will be discussed.
This class is part of The Green Thumb series. Registration required at https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu or
by phone 979-845-2604. Keyword Search: Green Thumb. One class is $15, with price discounts for
signing up for 3 or more classes at the same time. Class is limited to 40 people. It is presented by the
Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Travis
County.
Easy Rose Gardening
Saturday, February 9, 2013, 10am-12pm
Zilker Botanical Garden, Garden Center
2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin TX 78746
Incorporate user friendly roses into your new or existing garden plans! Cher Groody is a master gardener
with 30 years of experience in the use of roses in a landscape. She will teach you methods for proper
selection of rose varieties, site prep and maintenance like pruning, pest control and fertilization. This
session is excellent for newbies and experienced gardeners and questions are encouraged.
This seminar is free; Zilker park entrance fee is $2 per adult, $1 per child or senior. The seminar is
presented by the Travis County Master Gardeners, a volunteer arm of the Texas AgriLife Extension
Service in Travis County. www.tcmastergardeners.org. For information, call (512)477-8672.
From Chris Wenk-Harrison
Hi Mary
I sent this before but didn't see it in the last Potpourri. You may not have received it or not needed any
more content but I thought I'd send it again in case you need some additional input for the next Potpourri.
The last issue had some excellent information--I really enjoyed the lavender section and your info on
native plants, aquaponics, etc. Nice photos too.
When I went on a fall cruise, I especially enjoyed having breakfast and lunch in the spa café which was
co-located with the indoor pool. The daily lunch menu offered a variety of poached fruits using herbs and
unusual ingredient combinations. When I returned home, I looked for the menu online so that I could try
some of the combinations at home. Since I also have some additional herbs such as lemon verbena, mint,
and cinnamon basil, I thought I might try them too.
organic poached fruits bar
Organic Peach Poached in Honey with Cinnamon, Thyme and Rosemary
Organic Poached Pear with Vanilla Fla-vor, Orange Zest and Star Anis
Freshly Sliced Pineapple Poached in Honey Syrup and Fresh Coriander Seeds
Lemongrass and Cardamon Nectarines Poached in Honey Water
Organic Red Apples and Blueberry with Blackcurrant and Cassis
Apricot Poached in Honey Water with Bay Leaves, Nutmeg and Tarragon Spices
Red Apple Poached in Freshly Brewed Verbena Tea, Honey and Oranges Organic Winter Plum Poached
in Lime Water with Nutmeg
Also from Mary Mills, a reminder:
The Potpourri is the Austin Herb Society online newsletter.
Austin Herb Society Board Members and Committee Chairs can submit
specific information and updates:
reports on events, programs etc.
announcements of programs
workshops
seminars
Members can submit reviews, reports, articles and
comments on:
field trips etc.
book reviews
herb lore
recipes
garden discoveries
experiences or observations about single herbs, gardens or events
Photographs are welcome.
Articles and photographs will be included as space allows.
The Potpourri is a great place to submit suggestions for programs
members would like to see presented and a place to submit questions to
other members. Let us work together to make the Potpourri newsletter a
vibrant source to exchange and share information.
Submit your information to
Mary Mills
email information:
[email protected]
Culinary Members Outing to Con Olio on January 18, 2013
Visit our sponsors!
American Botanical Council
www.herbalgram.org
Ana’s Herbs
www.anasfoods.com
Austin Onsite Acupuncture
and Nutrition
www.austinonsiteacupuncture.
com
Barton Springs Nursery
www.bartonspringsnursery.net
Becker Vineyards & Lavender
Farm
www.beckervineyards.com
Bonnie’s Greenhouse
254-799-7909
Chez Zee
www.chez-zee.com
Fleegal Farms Soaps (web
orders only)
www.fleegalfarms.com
Gabriel Valley Farms
www.gabrielvalleyfarms.com
Geo Growers
www.geogrowers.net
Great Outdoors
www.gonursery.com
It’s About Thyme
www.itsaboutthyme.com
Natural Gardener
www.naturalgardeneraustin.co
m
Ronda’s Montessori Garden
www.rondasgarden.net
Savory Spice Shop
www.savoryspiceshop.com
Vivero Growers
www.viverogrowers.com
Wheatsville Food Co-op
www.wheatsville.coop