Does lavender have you in a chokehold the same way it has me?

I am going so far to attend a LAVENDER FESTIVAL this summer to commune with the literal spirit of lavender.

Indigenous plant wisdom tells us that we can foster real, life long relationships with plant ally’s. So much that their spirit will walk with us even if we don’t have them readily on hand. This is why it’s so important to really connect with the plants, flowers, and herbs that you routinely use.

Tell them your name. Give them your gratitude. Note how you feel when you’re in their presence. Watch how they start to work miracles with you.

Lavender and I have long walked together. In 2011, when I was attending my undergrad in Seattle, I would walk past the lavender stands at Pike Place market just so I could stop and breathe in their fragrance. All I could afford at the time was a small jar of lavender honey, and I treated it like gold, indulging in a teaspoon every few weeks.

Lavender grows wild and free in the PNW; I savored every moment I’d see it poking up through the mossy sidewalks, reaching tall over a neighborhood lattice fence, and covering full swaths of abandoned lots. It’s a really important herb for me, and I love working with her :)

I love a lavender latte JUST as much as the next girl, but what I can’t hang with is the sugary sweet syrup. Once in a while is a nice treat, but for the regularity I want lavender infused coffee, my body doesn’t like that much sugar, so I came up with this super simple hack:

RECIPE

Next time you go to grind your coffee beans, throw in a pinch or two of dried lavender buds. This works best if you grind your own coffee every morning, which you should if you haven’t heard that pre-ground coffee is a hot- bed for bacteria and contains things like ground up cockroaches and spiders!!

Brother eww.

Once your coffee beans and lavender buds are freshly ground, toss that into your coffee maker or french press, add hot water, and enjoy the silky, herbal kiss of lavender in each sip.

Alternative:

You can also boil your preferred milk or creamer of choice with a small pinch of dried lavender buds too! Strain, froth, and put on top of your cafecito!

BONUS: put a sprig of sprinkling of lavender on top 💜

Let me know how you adapt yours, I’d love to know :)

xo, Morgan

My healthy lavender latte hack

RECIPE

I spent a week alone and this is what I learned.

Keeping the spark alive when you’re eating different things.