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white fabric bell tent with mountains in background.

basket of calendula flowers

Cob chicken coop

from behind, three kids and three dogs walking on dirt road.

peach jam and peaches on wood chair.

milpa (corn field) with sunset and mountains behind.

clothes hanging to dry with mountains in background.

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Fermented Christmas Berry Spritzer in mason jar on top of wood table next to fresh toyon berries.

How to Make a Fermented Christmas Berry Spritzer

overhead view of open glass jar of infused honey.

Elderflower and Sage Infused Honey Recipe

follow me on instagram @our.baja.homestead

Twas a merry Winter Solstice in Baja, indeed! 🌲

Twas a merry Winter Solstice in Baja, indeed!
🌲
We took a trip to a pine forest in Parque Nacional Constitucion de 1857 (a National Park in Baja California).
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This beautiful park has a lake, seasonal snow, amazing rocks, hieroglyphics, thousands of pine trees, and infinite peaceful beauty. We attempted to hike a loop but turned back when we realized it wasn't looping, lol.
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1. Nerdy Nature Mama's 1st time at a Natl Park in Mexico
2. Stunning Hieroglyphic handprints
3. Creatures in the rocks
4. Viva Palestina - they were flying the Palestine flag all the way up here ✊🏼💜👏🏼
5. Rock passages
6. Acorn stashs in woodpecker holes
7. Paz
8. Baby Q hiking
9. Where the cactus meets the pine
10. Laguna Hanson!

Happy Winter Solstice, everyone! ❄️ Tomorrow,

Happy Winter Solstice, everyone!
❄️
Tomorrow, December 21st, we celebrate the shortest day of the year and the return of the sun!
❄️
My European ancestors celebrated this annual event because it meant a rebirth of the sun and a time to feast on slaughtered livestock, root vegetables, and fermented drinks. Additionally, it was a way to track agricultural planting and harvesting (at least in places without snow).
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Winter solstice was celebrated by many cultures and communities of the Northern Hemisphere!
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What a wonderful day to remind us of our entrance into Winter. I like to think of this season as a portal into rest, rejuvenation, and reflection. I recognize that rest is a privilege, and I hope for all of us to know it well someday ❄️
Comment SOLSTICE, and I will send you the link to my longer list of Winter Solstice practices that are budget and family friendly. Enjoy this special day!
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#Solstice #Winter #ourbajahomestead #oldways

Many people can forage where they are! Pavement cr

Many people can forage where they are! Pavement cracks, parking lots, and parks are all wonderful places to forage when living in a city.
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We went on a walk today and found this beauty, Lovage, along the creek. It's rather versatile in its medicinal properties, as mentioned.
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And i just love that loveage got its name from being used as an ingredient in love potions and aphrodisiacs in ancient Rome and medieval England (among other locations!)
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Now I will never want to buy celery from the store again!
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Just remember to be mindful and ethical when foraging. And wash your plants well when foraging in urban areas!
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#loveage #plants #foraging #wildcrafting #ourbajahomestead #ensenada

Story Time: Yesterday, my kids went romping throug

Story Time: Yesterday, my kids went romping through the beautiful oak forests where their Dad is working clearing land. And where there are oaks, there is poison oak.
🤲🏼
Inevitably, all 3 big kids got posion oak and were uncomfortable this morning. And they passed it to me lol. Their Dad Alejandro remembered the knowledge he learned from the local elders - to lessen itchy rashes, drink a tea boiled from the roots of the "Hierba Mala".
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So he went off and picked some roots for us (lucky guy is not allergic to posion oak!). He came back and made tea, and we drank it.
🤲🏼
It made me think of this Buddhist saying and the meaning behind it. Bad shit happens in life, but we CAN absolutely transform posion into medicine. I think of all the hard shit I've been through and how I'm trying my best to turn the posion into medicine to heal myself and my children. There's still some posion seeping through, but I know there's medicine too....
🤲🏼
What poison are you transforming into medicine?
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#buddhist #hechaleganas #ourbajahomestead

Wisdom Wednesday!!! Tips for a successful transiti

Wisdom Wednesday!!! Tips for a successful transition to off grid life...
🤘🏽
To clarify- I have an Off Grid Preparation Freebie that involves budgeting, researching, and planning your off grid homestead move. It's in the link in my bio!
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Although I love living 30 minutes from town (and grew up in the mountains living far from a big city), I know that not everyone is a fan of driving long distances constantly.
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Make sure you know what you're signing up for and rock on with your badself 💜!!!!
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Current off gridders: how far away from town are you, and do you prefer it that way? Just tolerate it? Or does it drain your energy? Let's spark a conversation to help off grid newbies plan!
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#offgrid #ourbajahomestead #onelove #beprepared
#homestead #mexico

Happy Medicina Monday, yall! This week, I've got

Happy Medicina Monday, yall!
This week, I've got a special Winter Berry to show you - Toyon Berry, aka Christmas Berry, aka California Holly.
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This beautiful bright red berry is native to Southern California, Southwestern Oregon, and Northern Baja. She is ready to harvest in late Fall and Winter (now!!!)
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The name Toyon is derived from the Ohlone name for the plant, Tottcon. Some people refer to the plant as California Holly. It is said that this plants name was the inspiration for the name Hollywood, as the hills of Southern California were heavily populated by this plant.
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When eaten raw, these berries produce a chemical that releases cyanide - eating too many can be toxic. It is recommended to dry them, cook them, or ferment them (like I did to make a fermented spritzer!)
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Medicinally, the toyon leaves were/are made into an infusion to aid with menstruation pain or an upset stomach (by the Ohlone). The Kumeyaay use the Toyon leaves and bark in an infusion to wash infected wounds and sores. Additionally, some indigenous folks of California used/use this plant for a treatment for Alzheimers!
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Lastly, this attractive plant makes great ornamental decoration. Just make sure to leave berries for the little bird friends 💜
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#ourbajahomestead #foraging #wildcrafting #plants #wildherbs #wildfoods #ethicalforaging #toyon

FORAGING IS A RECIPROCAL PRACTICE!!! 🌿 When for

FORAGING IS A RECIPROCAL PRACTICE!!!
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When foraging/wildcrafting, we can give back to the Earth in these ways:
~Making an offering of water to the plant we are harvesting from
~Praying over the health of the plant
~Cutting the plant in an ethical way so it can continue to grow
~Keeping the surrounding area the way you found it (or better!)
~Only harvesting what you truly need
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For a full Foraging guide (How To, the Roots of Foraging, and Ethical Foraging) comment FORAGE and I will send over my new blog post or just Google "Our Baja Homestead Foraging for Wild Food"...
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What else would you add to my list? Do you already practice ethical Foraging? Lmk in the comments!
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#Foraging #wildcrafting #huntergatherer #wildfood #thankyouMamaEarth #ourbajahomestead

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off-grid + homesteading
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herbalism
mothering
recipes
seasonal

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seasonal

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