The Healing Dandelion

04/23/2026

04/13/2026

Turn off your lights to help migrating birds

The NEXRAD radar network detected more than 169 million birds in flight last night with nearly 10 million in New York state alone! That is a very high number for this early in the season. Again, we have more of a May like weather pattern locked into place this week. The winds about 1,500 to 2,000 above the ground are racing to the north to northeast at about 40 to 50 mph on average. The radar trends match up well with those favorable winds aloft. So it does make sense despite the fact we are only in the middle of April. Don't forget, you can help these birds as they migrate north by turning off those outdoor lights. Light pollution can cause birds to get confused as they fly.

03/30/2026

I see so many gardening sites making this “weed”… this “invasive”… this “pestilence” to any upstanding gardener. I guess I have a different view of “weeds” and “invasives” ever since I seriously began to study herbs and went through four years of herbalist school.

Before I get in too deep… this plant… this being… is called Hairy Bittercress (or in technical Latin terminology— Cardamine hirsuta). The entire plant is edible— leaves, stems, flowers and even the seed pods. The tender leaves are sources of Vitamin C, Ca+, Mg+, and Beta-carotene. It is a wonderfully nutritious bitter green… something we as Americans don’t eat a lot of in our Standard American Diet (SAD).

As a matter of fact, most of us have lost the appreciation for the bitter taste. But scientifically speaking, many of our organs, but especially our liver, has bitter taste receptors. All bitter greens (arugula, mustards, dandelion, and more…and our little friend highlighted here— the bittercress).

Hairy bittercress is actually of the mustard family and adds a peppery, early-spring green to cleanse our livers after a long winter of eating rich, fatty, decadent foods. Its taste is similar to arugula or water cress. They can be added to salads with other wild spring greens, sprinkled on a sandwich, made into pesto (maybe combined with nettles?), added to soups, or even sautéed lightly (maybe with some tender asparagus).

Just a caveat— what I’ve learned about “weeds” and “invasives”. One— this is a remnant of colonialism, this idea of whatever doesn’t immediately serve us is without purpose. What I find fascinating through my studies is that “invasives” are right where they need to be. It’s interesting to me that Japanese knotweed is quite beneficial in treating Lyme disease. And where is Japanese knotweed most prevalent? In the regions where you find this disease most.

So perhaps instead of right away jumping on the “invasive” and “evil” bandwagon… it may cause us to have an epiphany that maybe we should come into relationship with these beings… get to understand their personalities and what they are good at. Harvest and utilize them responsibly to tame their wild ways a bit.

"All it takes is just a little change of perspective and you begin to see a whole new world."
Bob Ross, Happy Little Accidents

03/20/2026

For those of you into herbalism, this is a great somewhat local event. Yes it is NJ, but it’s not too far from PA border.

03/20/2026

While the population of eastern migratory monarch butterflies remains far below the long-term average, there’s some hopeful news to share today: according to this year’s WWF-Mexico-led survey, monarch butterfly colonies occupied 7.24 acres of forest compared to 4.42 acres the winter before (the survey took place during the 2025-2026 winter).

03/18/2026

Truth!!! Beyond truth!!!!

03/18/2026

We are on the verge of a great awakening. Trust in love and never fear.

03/15/2026

🌻🌱 Market Season is Almost Here! 🌱🌻

The countdown is on for the return of the Farm Market at Passer! 🧺✨

Get ready for:
🥕 Fresh local produce
🍞 Homemade breads & baked goods
🍯 Local honey & sweet treats
🌸 Flowers & handmade goods
🧀 Farm products & artisan foods
🌿 Amazing local vendors

Every week is a chance to meet the farmers, makers, and small businesses that make our community so special. 💛

Bring your friends, bring the family, and come celebrate fresh food, local talent, and community connection.

🌞 Support local. Eat fresh. Build community.

LocalVendors CommunityMarket 🌻🥕🍞🌿

03/15/2026

🌱✨ Market season is almost here! ✨🌱

The Farm Market at Passer will be opening soon, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for another season of fresh food, amazing vendors, and community fun!

Vendor Line Up So Far ~ Hausman's Fruit Farm, First Fruits Farm PA, DragonFly Hill Farm And Kitchen, Backyard Microbakery , Sugar Cycle, Nordic Greens LLC (first half of season), Groovy Greens of Springtown (second half of season), Fork'D Pierogies, Polk Valley Farms, Asters Native Plants, Rawsomely Healthy Pets, The Colorful Cardinal, Red Barn Bakes PA (drop-in vendor), Casa de Hongas Mushrooms (drop-in vendor). Food Trucks ~ All Things Gourmet Catering, Food Disciples , Stick With Me Food Truck. Plus more in the works!

Come support our local farmers, bakers, makers, and artisans while enjoying fresh produce, handmade goods, sweet treats, and so much more. Every week brings something new!

Bring a friend, bring the family, and come celebrate local with us. 💛

Support local. Eat fresh. Build community.