I could use a drink right about now

I could use a drink right about now…

I may be making light of something that is a serious issue for many folks. I know because alcoholism is a big issue in my family. My dad was an alcoholic, and I have a grandmother and grandfather that both died from alcohol related diseases.

In my 20’s I was well on my way to following suit, but grace would have it that I fell in love with learning. I was in college and fell in love with studying history, geology and of course, PLANTS. I realized that I would come back to school from a drunken weekend and was forgetting everything. So I made a conscious decision to choose learning over alcoholism.

I have a joke that I sometimes say, “Well, it is a good thing I don’t drink, because if I did, I’d be right about now, I’d be drinking…”

Right about now is one of those times…

The tension is palpable everywhere I go. It seems like people have forgotten how to agree to disagree. When I was growing up, I remember big family dinners with long discussions and differing opinions, and everyone would laugh and go home still loving each other.

As an herbalist with 35 years of clinical experience, one of the things I do is listen to people’s stories. SO many stories right now about family members not talking or gathering together because they have different opinions. I am hearing so much more distress in stories about the divides in families, marriages and all kinds of relationships.

Even though this country is gripped by this election. The emotional paralysis and fear gets us nowhere.

Let’s remember that no matter what, we feed life. We nourish each other, we care for each other and yes, we can drink together. Remember, it’s also harvest time! We nourish each other with the generosity of the earth. And yes, we can drink together! Healthy, healing herbal elixirs, teas, soda’s and mocktails!

Make a delicious herbal drink in the next few days and invite your loved ones over for tea.

Take a drink, take a breath and open the tightness.

Feel the love of the earth enter you through the plants and the plant infused drink you created to share.

Offer up an herbal adaptogen drink to help your loved ones keep their nervous system regulated, to hold steady and carry on with love and care.

Just as I made the decision to choose life over alcohol in my early 20’s. I choose life again. The plants help me go deeper, they help me reach deeper into what it is that nourishes and feeds love and life.

Here are a few of the drinks that will be on our table in the coming weeks. I hope you find some herbal nourishment for body and soul here.

Here is to finding common ground and finding what nourishes love and life in your family and community.

Much Love and Care,

Kami