Raychel

Raychel Kolen, blog contributor, originally hails from the Midwest but has been calling Oregon her home for more than a decade. With her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa, Raychel enjoys storytelling in all its forms and especially relishes the opportunities to visit our farm partners in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe, shining a light on the remarkable efforts these hardworking farmers are doing to grow and nourish our beloved botanicals. When she isn’t thinking about marketing strategy or teaching workshops at the Mother Earth News Fair, Raychel can be found adventuring in the outdoors, foraging for wild mushrooms, fermenting fresh veggies in her kitchen, or hanging out with her hubby and sweet rescue dogs.

Recent Posts

Love Tea Simple Syrup

This Love Tea simple syrup is something special. With hints of cacao and cinnamon, this floral syrup is perfect for crafting unique cocktails or stirring into a cozy morning latte. It’s also an easy addition to sparkling or ice water: refreshing, with a delicate flavor that will mystify your friends!

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Posted by Raychel

How to Make Herbal Tinctures

A sip of herbal tea or a dropperful of tincture can be the catalyst for a lifelong pursuit of herbalism. Many of us begin our studies making these simple and effective preparations, yet basic concepts sometimes become complicated when trying to decipher Latin binomial nomenclature, formulations, physiological actions, and historical research. The most common mix-ups arise from misused terminology, and one term that tends to be applied to a variety of preparations is tincture.

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Posted by Raychel

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Salted Chocolate Cookies

I’ve always been a food fanatic. If the ingredients are high-quality and the fare freshly prepared, I typically like what’s on my plate. So it was with much dismay that I recently discovered I’m gluten and lactose intolerant. I’ve been experimenting with many substitutes for my favorite dishes at home and stumbled upon this combination, which doesn’t make me miss gluten or dairy one bit!

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Posted by Raychel

Easy Fire Cider Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

Growing up in the Midwest in the 1980s, my family was the rarity – eating organic salads made with real (not iceberg) lettuce every evening. My trendsetting mom’s insistence on organic leafy greens at the dinner table instilled in me a lifelong love of veggies.

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Posted by Raychel

Guide to Basic Herbal Actions

Herbalism is an art and science with nuances as diverse as the unique relationships we form with the plants around us. Whether we learn from our family, a teacher in our community, a collection of books, or we simply work with the herbs that flourish near us, understanding the language of herbalism can be a benefit in nearly every situation.

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Posted by Raychel

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Raychel

Raychel Kolen, blog contributor, originally hails from the Midwest but has been calling Oregon her home for more than a decade. With her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa, Raychel enjoys storytelling in all its forms and especially relishes the opportunities to visit our farm partners in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe, shining a light on the remarkable efforts these hardworking farmers are doing to grow and nourish our beloved botanicals. When she isn’t thinking about marketing strategy or teaching workshops at the Mother Earth News Fair, Raychel can be found adventuring in the outdoors, foraging for wild mushrooms, fermenting fresh veggies in her kitchen, or hanging out with her hubby and sweet rescue dogs.

Recent Posts

Love Tea Simple Syrup

Looking for a delicious syrup to add flavor to drinks? This Love Tea simple syrup is sophisticated but not overwhelming in flavor, with sweet floral notes.
WRITTEN BY Raychel

August 22, 2017

How to Make Herbal Tinctures

Interested in DIY tinctures and extracts? Learn the difference between a tincture and an extract, how to take them, and how to create your own herbal tinctures at home!
WRITTEN BY Raychel

June 13, 2017

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Salted Chocolate Cookies

Looking for a gluten-free dairy-free recipe for scrumptious salted chocolate cookies? These sweet snacks feature fair trade and organic ingredients.
WRITTEN BY Raychel

May 6, 2017

Easy Fire Cider Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

Looking for delicious and creative ways to consume more botanical ingredients? Try this easy vinaigrette recipe with fire cider and infused herbal oils!
WRITTEN BY Raychel

February 10, 2017

Guide to Basic Herbal Actions

Learn about basic herbal actions like adaptogens, bitters, and nervines, and find seven example herbs for each action.
WRITTEN BY Raychel

August 14, 2013