The wisdom of Goldenrod is to seek out the limitless joys of summer and store them deep in your roots. Goldenrod is a great ally for us with the Autumn Equinox. I marvel at the root system of my third-year garden plants. Their roots dive hungry in to the soil in summer and fall, going deeper and deeper, gathering energy from the sun-soaked soil throughout the Cascadia season of light. In the winter, Goldenrod roots lie just below the surface, vulnerable yet holding strong from the nourishment of the summer past.

Adding fruit and herbs together in a beverage is a wonderful way to use up all that extra summer fruit. I even encourage you to use up all parts of the fruit, peels and all. Here’s four fruity and herbaceous beverage recipes for Summer.

This is an invitation to integrate wild plants into your daily diet. Wild, edible plants are the foods of our ancestors and they are calling. Not sure how to integrate them into your diet? Just add them to whatever you are eating!

Having scrambled eggs? Add some nettle. Mac and cheese? Nettles are great here, too…or how about adding some lambs quarters? Making your favorite wrap, taco, or sandwich? Add some chickweed and dandelion greens for added crunch and flavor.

Tired feet? Contrast foot baths, herbal soaks and salt glows can help. Standing on cement floors, (service workers? I see you!) walking long distances, and playing sports will often lead to sore or tired feet. Poor alignment, poor fitting shoes, and even structural issues with the feet, legs, and/or hips can also cause fatigue.

Burdock (Arctium lappa) is one of the most nourishing plants on Earth.