For the past two years I have been lucky to attend the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine’s 2010 Conference. This two day intensive event is full of workshops, lectures and more about southwest herbalism and more. Every time I come away feeling excited to get into my garden.

The best thing I learned this year was about ‘Tad Tea.’ My favorite herbalist, Cascade Anderson Gellar lead a slow walk through the garden. For the first time during the conference, I didn’t bring my notes, I took off my shoes and I just listened. She asked us all to grab a cup of hot water and follower her. She explained how each morning as she greets the day, she spends a fe minutes welcoming her garden and making a ‘tad tea:’ with a tad of this and a tad of that. Whatever spoke to her that day.

So we explored the many beautiful plants and she instructed us to just pick a thing or two and drink not thinking about what it was healing or whether it would ‘go together’ while we walked taking in all that the gardens and nature offers us. Wow. What a revelation, in its simplicity and perfection. Herbs don’t have to be complicated. I don’t manage to get out every day, but a few times a week I make sure to converse with my paradise patio and enjoy a tad tea. I’ve had some of the best teas this way.

What are you drinking this week?

Read more about Tea for Tuesdays and have a cup with me!