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Visions of Peppermint Tisanes Dancing in My Head
One of the most beautiful things about tending to your own garden is how easy it is to take for granted all the things you can do without a trip to the supermarket. Tonight was a fine example of this for me. After a 15 mile bike ride this evening (I’m getting into shape for running a 5k and doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day 60 mile walk less than a week apart from each other this October) I wanted something warm and soothing to relax with, but my usual caffeine just wasn’t going to cut it. Of course I have a stash of several teas in the cabinet but that just wasn’t working for me either.
The weather was beginning to get loud and wet as the thunderstorms approached from the West, so knowing I wasn’t going to have to water the community garden, I just took a quick stroll over there to do my daily once-over – you know, when you just snoop around to find a new tomato here or a hidden bloom there. I discovered my okra plant is covered up with little pods and looking fantastic. My cantaloupe vine is threatening to overtake the neighborhood but there are several little cantaloupes getting there start so I’m excited!
As I made my way out of the five foot by eight foot plot I wrangle at the Riverside Community Garden, I bent down to pinch the peppermint plant back a bit, not wanting it to be the invasive I-want-it-all goody two shoes I know it can be. I held the freshly picked leaves to my nose and immediately it hit me – TISANE! One fistful of bruised mint leaves, a pot of almost boiling water. Steep. A teaspoon of raw honey and a huge mug is all that I need to complete the wonderful evening.
I’m now piled up on the sofa being serenaded by thunder and the sound of the plentiful rain and on my second mug of peppermint tisane. I didn’t have to go any further than my garden to get the ingredients either. I also have a fresh picked General Lee cucumber and a handful of 18″ long asparagus beans for my lunch tomorrow.
Tell me again why people aren’t doing this for themselves?