Many educational systems set a high prize on getting the correct answer the first time. If you give the wrong answer on a test or scrutiny, you get a low mark and that is the only consequence.
If you make a mistake in carving your wooden cup, or in many other situations outside a classroom, it is by no means a catastrophe: you do, however, have to find your error, cope with it and keep going.
All posts by Sandro Ponticelli
How to make a rosehip syrup
Syrup made from the hips contains a large amount of vitamin C. The hips are ripe at the end of the summer. The hip is not a real fruit but a swelling of that part of the stem that holds the flower; the true fruits, the hairy objects containing one seed, reside inside the hip.
Ingredients
- Rosa canina hips
- Water
- Sugar
Preparation
- weight the hips
- open and remove seeds and hairy parts
- wash the hips
- boil the water (2x water weight)
- put the hips in the boiling water, let simmer for 5 minutes
- remove from fire, leave them to stand, covered, for 15 minutes
- strain the liquid
- add the sugar (0.5x liquid volume, ie add half cup of sugar for each cup of liquid)
- heat again to dissolve the sugar
Take a spoonful a day to keep colds at bay.
Keep the syrup in the fridge, or freeze it into cubes to use when needed.
Althea officinalis
Name
The meaning of Althea is “healing herb”. Officinalis (meaning “of the workshop”) is a common species name and it denotes medicinal plants.
Also Known as
- marsh mallow
- marshmallow
- marshmellow
- common marshmallow
Identification Keys
- perennial herbaceous
- 60-120 cm tall
- upright, hairy stem with few side branches
- tough, pliant, long, thick, tapering taproot
- taproot is pale yellow outside and white and fibrous inside
- gray-green, stalked leaves
- coarsely and irregularly toothed, alternate leaves
- heart-shaped or three to five-lobed leaves toward the bottom
- oval and pointed leaves toward the top of the stem
- flowers grow in short, dense cluster from the upper leaves
- five-petaled, pinkish flowers
- bushy central column composed of fused stamens
- dry, flattened, disk-shaped fruit
- fruit is radially divided into 15 to 20 segments
Bloom Time
- late summer
Habitat
- marshes
- seashore
- sunny salt marshes
- coastal areas
Look-alikes
Malva spp. is a related edible species:
- Malva sylvestris
- Malva neglecta
Medicine Uses
Parts Used
root, leaf, flower
Actions
emollient, mucilage, demulcent, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, antitussive, expectorant, diuretic, antilithic, immune enhancer, galactogogue
Systems
Digestion
- relieves ulcerative colitis, gastritis and peptic ulcers
- soothes heartburn, IBS and constipation
- reduces peristalsis
- relieves diarrhea
- has a laxative effect if it’s used at larger doses
Respiratory system
- soothes harsh, dry coughs, sore throats, laryngitis, bronchitis and croup
- clears catarrh
- relieves inflammation
Immune system
- aids production of white blood cells
- protects against Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus
Urinary system
- eases passing of gravel and stones
- relieves irritable bladder, cystitis and urethritis
Reproductive system
- eases childbirth
- stimulates flow of breast milk
Externally
- soothes irritation and inflammation from insect bites and stings
- used for treating varicose veins, ulcers, abscesses, bruises, sprains, aching muscles
- treats scalds, burns and sunburns (mixed with Lavandula and flax oil)
- heals skin in acne, eczema and sore nipples
- used for mastitis, boils and abscesses as warm poultice
- treats sore throats (gargle) and inflamed gums (mouthwash)
Food Uses
Parts Used
leaves, roots
Main Uses
potherb
Nutrition
- good source of vitamin C
- iron, calcium and copper
Cooking
- young leaves thicken soups
- use as cooked vegetable in stews, sauces, or a variety of side dishes
- use the raw leaves and flowers in salads
- boil the root, discard the root, boil down the liquid, sweet it and beat it
Recipes
Harvesting
Please do not overharvest where this plant it’s rare or you might eradicate it.
Harvesting Season
- young leaves: mid- to late spring
- flowers and fruits: late summer to fall
- roots: spring and fall.
Harvesting Methods
- strip off the young leaves
- pick the flowers and fruits with your fingers
- dig up the roots with a digging stick
Rosmarinus officinalis
Name
The latin name Rosmarinus is a compound word: “Ros” means “Dew” and “Marinus” means “of the sea”. So Rosmarinus stands for “Dew of the Sea” as the plant grows well near the sea-coast and sea-foam sprays upon it.
Officinalis (meaning ‘of the workshop’) is a common species name and it denotes medicinal plants.
Also Known as
- rosemary
- sea dew
- our lady’s rose
- rosemarine
- compass weed
- incensier
- mary’s mantle
- old man
- polar plant
Identification Keys
- perennial herb
- bushy evergreen shrub
- height up to 2m
- aromatic linear, leathery, with enrolled margins leaves
- leaf size: 2-4cm × 1.2-3.5mm
- leaf color: bright green and wrinkled above, white-tomentose beneath,
- stalkless leaves
- inflorescence and flower stalks with star-shaped hairs almost hairless and distinctly veined
- calyx 3-4mm when young, later 5-7mm,
- corolla 10-12mm, pale blue (rarely pink or white)
- nutlets brown
Bloom Time
- summer
Habitat
- full sun
- sandy, well-limed soil
Medicine Uses
Parts Used
Aerial parts
Actions
diaphoretic, carminative, emmenagogic, nervine, antioxidant, cholagogue, thymoleptic, decongestant, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, circulatory stimulant, febrifuge, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, diuretic
Systems
Digestion
- protects the gut from irritation and inflammation
- reduces diarrhea
- active against infections
- stimulates appetite
- relieves flatulence
- aids digestion
- enhances elimination
- clears toxins
Circulation
- stimulates circulation, improving peripheral blood flow
- reduces inflammation and muscle tension
- reduces migraines and headaches
- used for arteriosclerosis, chilblains and varicose veins
Respiratory system
- dispels infection
- helpful in asthma
- used for fevers, catarrh, sore throats, colds, flu and chest infections
Mental and emotional
- improves concentration and memory
- calms anxiety
- lifts depression
- relieves exhaustion and insomnia
Immune system
- enhance immunity
- detoxifies poisons
- relieves arthritis and gout
Urinary system
- enhances elimination of wastes
Reproductive system
- reduces heavy menstrual bleeding
- relieves dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain)
Externally
- massage the skin for joint pain, headaches and poor concentration
Caution
- avoid in pregnancy
Food Uses
Parts Used
Flowers, Leaves
Main Uses
Seasoning, Tea
Nutrition
- rich source of minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium
- very good amounts of vitamin A
- exceptionally rich in vitamin B
- fresh leaves are good source of vitamin C
Cooking
- enhances the flavor of any savory or sweet food
- the leaves flavor is quite strong, use it only sparingly
- use it to season lamb, rabbit, veal, pork, sausages, poultry, egg dishes, fish, pickles and shellfish
- flavor oil by adding a few sprigs
- add to jellies, fruit jams, and cookies
- use for add extra special flavor to dishes that need asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplants, green beans and peas, zucchini and potatoes
- use in breads and biscuits
- soak dried Rosmarinus officinalis in hot water before adding it to uncooked foods
- the flowers can be candied, preserved, or added to jellies, honey, wine or vinegar
Harvesting
- harvest the rosemary needle leaves throughout the summer
- in autumn, pick the leaves in the morning for best oil-content and quality
- use the fresh leaves in dishes immediately after picking them, or dry the leaves
How to make bannock bread
Bannock is a portable, tasty and easy to make bread. You can cook using little more than a fire and a stick or you can bake or fry it.
It can be used as a stand-alone food or combined with whatever ingredients are on hand: honey, brown sugar, fruits, nuts, berries, garlic, cheese, eggs or bacon.
You can prepare the basic mix and store it in an air tight container such as a zip lock bag. It is relatively light and easy to carry because you need to add water only when you are ready to cook it.
Preparation time
15 minutes
Ingredients for 1 serve
- 2 cups of flour
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 pinches of baking powder (optional)
Preparation
- mix the above ingredients well
- add whatever extra ingredients to the dry bannock mix
- add water a little at a time until you get the required consistency
Cooking methods
- ash bannock:
- roll the bannock dough into a ball and flatten into a thin cake
- bake it directly over the smoldering coals of a fire
- turn it occasionally until it’s golden brown
- stick coil bannock:
- roll the bannock dough into a long sausage shape
- coil it around a green, peeled stick
- hold the stick over the embers
- rotate until the bannock is golden brown all over
- baked bannock:
- pat the bannock dough into a fat tortilla 1 cm thick
- bake in a fry pan until done
- fried bannock:
- pat the bannock dough into a fat tortilla 1 cm thick
- put the oil in the pan. The quantity of oil determines the texture and crust
- fry bannock on both sides
The Sweet Spice Mix
The Sweet Spice Mix is a simple and tasty blend of herbs that you can sprinkle on cereal, fruit or any kind of dessert. It enhances any sweet dish.
Preparation time
5 minutes, if you’ve already grounded each ingredient
Ingredients
- 4 tbs. Cinnamomum spp. (cinnamon), ground
- 4 tsp. dried Mentha piperita (peppermint), ground
- 4 tsp. Illicium verum (star anise), ground
- 4 tsp. Coriandrum sativum (coriander) seeds, ground
- 2 tsp. powdered Zingiber officinale (ginger), ground
- 1 tsp. Syzygium aromaticum (cloves), ground
- 1 tsp. Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), ground
Preparation
- Mix all ingredients together and store in a jar
Around the world without flying
My friend and colleague Federico Cicchi is completing preparations for making his dream a reality: travel around the world in slow motion. He’ll use all means of transport but the airplane, giving back space and time the value and importance they deserve.
His trip is organized in three steps.
- He’ll arrive in Brazil with a cargo ship and then he’ll cross America from Cape Horn to Alaska, riding a 50cc motorbike. This journey’ll set a new Guinness World Record.
- From Alaska, he will cross the whole Canada reaching New York and then Chicago. From Chicago he’ll follow the mythical route 66 to Los Angeles.
- He’ll sail the Pacific with another cargo ship reaching New Zealand and Australia. From there, he’ll move north to take Trans-Siberian Railway in Mongolia to return in Europe
You can follow his adventure on his site: WithoutFlying.
Thymus vulgaris
Name
Thymus comes from greek verb “to perfume” or “to burn incense”, indicating that this plant was used in sacrifices.
The specific name vulgaris means a common plant.
Also Known as
- thyme
- common thyme
- English thyme
- summer thyme
- winter thyme
- French thyme
- garden thyme
Medicine Uses
Parts Used
flowering aerial parts
Actions
antispasmodic, astringent, digestive, antiseptic, antibacterial, decongestant, circulatory stimulant, relaxant, immunostimulant, antioxidant, antifungal
Systems
Digestion
- enhances appetite and digestion
- relieves wind, colic, irritable bowel syndrome and spastic colon
- protects the gut lining from irritation and antibiotics
- reduces diarrhea
Circulation
- prevents chilblains
- combats the effect of cold in winter
Mental and emotional
- strengthening tonic for physical and mental exhaustion
- relieves tension, anxiety and depression
- enhances concentration and memory
Respiratory system
- helps resolve colds, sore throats, flu and chest infections such as bronchitis, pneunomia and pleurisy
- relieves asthma and whooping-cough
Immune system
- has powerful antibacterial and antifungal effects thanks to its volatile oils
- increases longevity
- increases perspiration
- reduces fever
Urinary system
- relieves water retention
Reproductive system
- relieves dysmenorrhea pains
- useful in infections such as candida and salpingitis
Externally
- disinfects cuts and wounds
- useful for aching joints and muscular pain
- gargle used for sore throats
- douche used for vaginal infections
Caution
- avoid large amounts in pregnancy
Plantago major
Name
Plantago means “footprint” and it refers to the foot-like shape of the leaf. The specific name “major” means ‘larger’ referring to the leaf size, probably in contrast with other Plantago plants as Plantago lanceolata.
Also Known as
- greater plantain
- common plantain
- soldier’s herb
- white man’s foot
- broadleaf plantain
- broad-leaved plantain
- roadweed
- wayside plantain
- lamb’s foot
- snakeroot
- waybread
- healing blade
- hen plant
Identification Keys
- perennial weed
- makes a tough, leafy rosette
- leaves all in tuft at base of plant
- leaves 10-30 cm, oval
- leaves not spear-shaped
- strongly veined leaves, main veins are parallel
- pencil-shaped flowering spikes about 15 cm
- short, flattened, purple leaf stalk
- flowers 2-3 mm
- 4 oval, brownish, papery sepals
- sepals are shorter than petals
- 4 greenish, yellowish-white petals
- petals form a tube beneath oval lobes
- 4 long, protruding stamens, 1 stigma
- flower-head not covered by hood
- fruit is a 2-4 mm oblong capsule
- fruit has 6-13 elliptical flattened seeds
- each seed is 1-1.5mm
- the top of the fruit detaches to release the seeds
- sap is not milky
Bloom Time
- May-September
Habitat
- grassy place, cultivated or waste ground
- spreads through most temperate regions of the world
- requires moist soil
- needs a sunny or partly shaded position
- can withstand temperatures down to -15°C
Look-alikes
It can be confused with other Plantago plants:
- Plantago lanceolata (long-leaf plantain). It has narrower leaves.
Medicine Uses
Parts Used
leaf, seed
Actions
astringent, alterative, diuretic, vulnerary, demulcent, refrigerant, detoxifying, decongestant, expectorant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral
Systems
Digestion
- counters inflammation and irritation in the bowels and stomach
- helps in gastritis, diarrhea and colitis
- reduces colic and spasm
- bulk laxative for constipation (taken as a tea of seeds)
Respiratory system
- relieves colds, sinusitis, bronchial congestion, hay fever and asthma depressing mucous secretion
- prevents ear infections and glue ear
- soothes cough reflex
- protects mucosae from irritation
Immune system
- reduces swelling and inflammation
- stops bleeding
- promotes wound healing
- reduces fever and infections
- clears toxins
- has antiviral action against herpes viruses and adenoviruses
Urinary system
- helps in urinary tracts infections
Reproductive system
- reduces excessive menstrual bleeding
- useful for prostatitis enlargement
Externally
- cures cuts, stings and insect bites
Harvesting
- pull off the leaves
- strip the immature, green fruits with your fingers
- gather the seeds inside the mature fruits
How to sharpen a knife
My main knife is small but tenacious as the ant which takes its name: the ESEE Izula. It’s quite comfortable to use and well-balanced for whittling and other delicate tasks for which a larger knife is less suited. I have used it even for more heavy-duty tasks as batoning wood (both cross grain and normal splitting) without any problem.
It’s a carbon-steel knife so it has a good edge retention but sometime it needs to be sharpened. A dull knife is perhaps the most dangerous tool: it slides when you want it to cut and it cuts when it stops sliding, usually when it hits your fingers.
Using a sharpening stone
There are several techniques and many more products to sharpen a knife blade but i like to use the less sophisticated ones. In the woods, simplicity is always the way and so i prefer not to use a liquid on the sharpening stone. Stones have different grits ranging from coarse to extra-fine, but if you keep a close eye on the sharpness of your knife, you’ll need to use only the fine stone to hone the edge and every once a while you should take it back to the medium grit.
- place your stone on a horizontal surface in front of you.
- lay the blade flat on the stone at a 45 degree angle with the edge of the blade facing you.
- grasp the knife by the handle. Raise the blade off the surface of the stone until the edge side, named bevel, is at full contact with the stone (around 20 degree angle);
- keeping the edge of the blade in contact with the stone, firmly and carefully draw the knife towards you. This action will grind the blade from hilt to point. Maintain the 45 degree angle, and the angle that you have raised the blade off the stone.
- apply medium to light pressure as you’re drawing the edge across the stone. The amount of pressure depends on how old the knife is, how many times you’ve sharpened it, and the current condition of the edge. A very dull edge requires a lot of pressure.
- turn the knife over, and repeat the process on the other side. If you keep the knife in the same hand, this time you have to push the blade away from you. It’s important to maintain the same angles on both sides of the blade.
- go slowly and alternate strokes on the stone several times. A very dull knife needs more strokes than a better kept one.
At this point you should have a pretty sharp knife. You can test it by holding a piece of paper vertically, and drawing the blade across the edge and down. A sharp knife will cut the paper.
Stropping
Once you’ve sharpened your blade, the edge usually has tiny bits of metal still clinging to it. If you move your finger along the side of the edge, you’ll feel them like sand grains. Stropping is the technique used to clean off a blade’s edge after sharpening bending and twisting those clinging metal pieces until they fall off. It’s also done to realign the microscopic teeth created on the edge while sharpening.
Stropping is done by swiping the blade away from edge (the opposite of sharpening movement) on the inside of a leather belt, alternating side each stroke. If a leather belt is not available a smooth piece of wood can also be used.
Blade preserver
You can rub wood ash on a stained blade to remove the stains without scratching the blade. Leaving some ash on the blade, you can prevent future rusting (just remember to blow away the ash before using the knife).