_Peep, peep!  That's the sound that signifies the sure return of spring for me.  Right now the spring peepers are in full chorus in our backyard, singing their tiny froggy love songs for all to hear.  Combined with the uncustomary early warm weather, life is good right now in the Northeast.

The sunshine has brought more neighborhood strolls and hilly hikes.  Keeping up with two kids and two dogs (often way ahead of me as I meander looking for early spring plants) usually leaves me craving something cool to drink.  Yep, it's smoothie season!

Last week the kids and I pretended we were mad scientists and created a super yummy herbal smoothie that is a great immune booster as well.  I don't know about you, but I always seem to get sick with changing seasons as my body adjusts to the new temps.  Here's what we came up with:

Elderberry Blast Smoothie

1 cup Yogurt
1 cup frozen (or fresh) berry mix.  Ours had blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries
1 banana
1/4 cup Elderberry Syrup or 1/2 cup dried Elderberries
1 dropperful Echinacea tincture
2 tspns Cinnamon Powder


-Mix together in a blender or food processor to desired consistency and you have a delicious immune boosting treat.  Substitutions and experimentation with the recipe is strongly encouraged. :)

Happy Spring!

Kristin

_Moving back to New England after a 3 year stint in sunny SC had me excited for this winter season.  Cozy sweaters, steaming bowls of soup, bright blue sky against snow-draped woods.  And yes, the occasional snow day.  That magical day when the kid's (and my husband's) school is cancelled.  Snow angels, snowmen, and sledding?  Bring it on!

Sadly this winter has been a bit of a disappointment.  Aside from a giant snowstorm in October that left us without power for 5 days and a 30 ft. Maple on our house, it's been pretty mild.  Well today was payday.  We got our snow day!  Nothing can top a day of getting crazy in the snow like a big cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. 

We like to put our own herbal spin on things around here, so I thought I'd share a fun recipe to making real marshmallows.  Those air puffed, spongy white things don't contain any marshmallow at all, which is actually a very healing herb.  Marshmallow root is renowned for its abilities to sooth skin and heal inflammations in the body.  It's one of my go-to herbs for sore throats. 

Go on, I dare you try making these.  Super easy and SO delicious.

This recipe is adapted from Lesley Tierra's (2000): A Kid's Herb Book. 

-Preheat oven to 275 degrees F
-Separate 2 eggs, keeping the whites.  Beat whites until foamy and not quite stiff.
-Add in 1/2 tsp. Vanilla or other delicious flavoring
-Slowly beat in up to 1/2 cup (it's okay to use less!) sugar, 1 tsp at a time
-Beat in 2 tablespoons marshmallow root powder
-Drop mixture using teaspoonful at a time on a lined cookie sheet.
-Bake 1 hour
-Remove from sheet and let cool.  Yum!

*Refrigerate extras (if there is any) for several days

Hope your day was magical!
~Kristin