Dandelion Dead (35 page)

Meanwhile, back on the East End I was busy running Nature's Way, although I left most of the managerial duties to Wallace and Merrily so I could focus on
the medicinal herb garden, teaching classes, writing books, and assisting Jackson at the animal sanctuary. Tad Williams was home from college and suggested we hire his friends Ron and Tabatha, so we were staffed for the summer season. My major focus was preparing for the wedding, and that included finding a vintage wedding dress and formal attire for Jackson. After looking locally, in New York, and online, I'd found the perfect dress and an outfit for Jackson.

Right now I was up in my bedroom at Nature's Way getting ready, while Ginger and Ginkgo, Allie, my maid of honor and masseuse at Nature's Way, and Hector, my dear friend and my acupuncturist, lounged on the bed. Allie looked fab in a vintage sky-blue sleeveless cocktail-length dress with tiny lemon-rose appliqués on the skirt, a tapered neckline and bodice, a pleated waist, and a tulle underskirt, while Hector looked downright dashing in a custom black tux, purple suspenders, and a black cravat.

Jackson, my husband-to-be, was with Simon, his best man, and the dogs, getting ready at our house in East Marion. We hadn't spent the night together, just to keep it interesting.

Still in a robe, I put the finishing touches on my hair—I'd decided to wear it down with a rhinestone comb on one side—and stepped back in the bedroom. “It's time.”

“Goody, goody, goody!” Allie said, and went over to the garment bag on the back of the door. “Do you want to take it out or me?”

“I'll do it.” I unzipped the bag and pulled out the prettiest dress I'd ever seen.

•  •  •

Nick Holmes, my late aunt
Claire's longtime love, walked me down the path in the medicinal herb garden past blooming lavender, sage, daisies, and clematis—to the sound of a string quartet playing the “Wedding March”—to the patio and Jackson standing underneath the pink-rose bower.

Standing next to Jackson, Simon, dressed in a light blue linen suit with a navy bow tie and waistcoat, gave me a big grin and held the leashes of Qigong, Columbo, Rockford, and Zeke, who'd all been groomed for the occasion and wore navy bow ties, too.

Jackson was my lover, best friend, and soon-to-be-husband, and Simon, my ex-boyfriend from L.A., had turned out to be my closest friend. It's funny how things can change. Life is full of sweet surprises.

“You look absolutely beautiful,” Jackson said. “That dress is perfect.” I loved the dress, too. I'd chosen a vintage ivory floral-appliqué gown, with a sheer tulle panel at the neckline and a ball-skirt silhouette, and a removable charmeuse sash, and an ivory veil. My ivory sandals were accented with tiny roses.

Jackson wore a vintage navy-blue linen suit, with a pink rose on his lapel, a waistcoat with pocket watch—a wedding gift from Simon—navy suspenders, and a slender blue tie, with a silver tie clip, and chocolate-brown brogues. “You look incredibly handsome. That suit is perfect.”

As the minister took us through our vows, I could feel Aunt Claire's radiating presence and the love emanating from our family and friends who flanked us on
either side: my mom and my sister, Natasha; Jackson's father, Bill; his brother Dan and his wife, Lori; Allie and Hector; Lily and Lucas; Merrily and Wallace; Tad and Ron—now a couple; Tabatha; Tony and his wife, Kathy; Harrison Jones and Julie; Simon's girlfriend, Sara Fletcher; the volunteers from Jackson's rescue farm; the head of the North Fork Animal Welfare League, and of S.A.V.E.S.; and all our other friends from the community. We'd kept it simple, as we only wanted people that we truly treasured to share this day with us.

The ceremony whizzed by, and soon the minister said, “Do you, Willow McQuade, take this man to be your husband and best friend from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish and help each other evolve to your best selves, until death parts you?”

“I do.” I meant it with all my heart.

“Do you, Jackson Spade, take this woman to be your wife and best friend from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish and help each other evolve to your best selves, until death parts you?”

“You bet I do.” Jackson smiled from ear to ear. “Just try and get rid of me.” Our friends and family laughed and cheered.

“Now, do you two have anything you'd like to say to each other?”

“Yes,” I said. “Jackson, before I met you, I never really believed that I could find someone who could be my best friend and my lover, make me feel safe and protected yet encourage me to grow and become the
very best version of myself. I feel truly blessed to have found you. I love you, and I like you.”

Jackson smiled and squeezed my hands. “Willow, before I met you, life seemed pretty random to me, and it was very challenging, especially after I got hurt on the job. But that injury led me to Nature's Way looking for help for my back, and I found your terrific aunt Claire and then, you.”

“When you came into my life, you made everything so clear. I knew that I wanted to be with you, and that together we could take on the world and try to make it better. I love you from the bottom of my heart, and I really like you, too. Wherever you are, I am home.”

“That was truly lovely,” the minister said. “The rings, please.”

Simon leaned over and handed Jackson my ring, and I put out my left hand.

“Jackson, please repeat after me,” she said. “With this ring, I thee wed.”

“With this ring, I thee wed.” Jackson slipped the ring on.

Allie handed me Jackson's wedding band.

“Willow, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed.”

Jackson held out his left hand, and I slipped the ring on as I said, “With this ring, I thee wed.”

The minister smiled. “As an officiant from the great state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!”

Jackson took me in his arms and kissed me, and our friends and family clapped and cheered us on.

Simon slapped Jackson on the back and said, “I couldn't ask for a better man to marry my best friend.”

“Thanks, Simon. You're next.”

“I'm good with that.” He smiled at Sara.

Then, just for a moment, the world telescoped down to just Jackson and me.

“I love you, Jackson.”

“I love you, Willow.”

Qigong barked, and the rest of the dogs joined in.

“One big happy family,” I said, laughing.

“You bet.” Jackson took my hands in his. “It's me and you, McQuade, together forever.”

From out of the trees, a beautiful bluebird flew to the rose bower. It looked down at us from above and started to sing.

Special thanks go to Natasha Simons and copyeditor Steve Boldt for making my book the absolute best it can be, and the rest of the team at Pocket Books, especially the art department for the wonderful and vibrant cover that captured the essence of my story. I'd also like to thank my agent, Ann Collette, for her wise advice and publishing savvy. As always, my gratitude goes to my teachers in holistic health, starting with my mom, Marian Fiedler, along with Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.; Jacob Teitelbaum, MD; Suzy Cohen, rPh; and Deborah Wiancek, ND. I'd also like to thank all the readers who are so enthusiastic about my books, and the cozy blogs and websites, librarians, reviewers, and booksellers that have helped to promote the series. If there were a real Nature's Way Market & Café, I'd have you all over for vegan cupcakes!

A. Edible Plants

B. Animal Rescue

C. Vegan Living

D. Long Island Wineries

A. Edible Plants

It's easier than you think to develop a new appreciation for edible plants and use them as ingredients in your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Edible plants are chock-full of important nutrients that impart strength and vitality. All are gluten-free and sugar-free. From yard, forest, field, or garden to your table with no loss of freshness. Imagine savoring a salad, or a fresh green drink, from plants that have been foraged and collected only five minutes before consuming!

Before you forage, it's absolutely essential to learn how to identify the most poisonous plants. Not only do some plants have poisonous look-alikes, but certain parts of some plants are poisonous. For example, blue elderberries are yummy, but the leaves are toxic.

To avoid any problems, choose and use a good
guidebook. You'll find recommendations at the end of this section, or even better, take an herb walk with an herbalist to learn more about edible plants you'd like to grow, forage for, enjoy, and use in natural remedies.

Remember: Safety first!

Here are a few of my favorite edible plants, some of which you've learned about in this book.

Dandelion
(
Taraxacum
spp.): Although most everyone recognizes dandelion, not everyone realizes that nearly every part of the plant is edible. The leaves, which are most palatable in spring before the plant flowers, are high in iron, beta-carotene, and potassium. Dandelions are also mildly diuretic. I like to sauté well-scrubbed dandelion roots in a little toasted sesame oil and tamari. Herbalists have long prescribed dandelion-root tea to relieve acne and eczema as well as to enhance liver function.

Chickweed
(
Stellaria media
): Delicate and delicious, chickweed is high in vitamin C. Its leaves, flowers, and stems are great when included in salads, soups, and stir-fries. Store up to two weeks in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Herbalists make the tops into a tea to soothe bladder and bronchial irritation and ulcers; they also put them in salves to relieve skin disorders ranging from diaper rash to psoriasis.

Lamb's-quarters
(
Chenopodium album
): The leaves of lamb's-quarters have long been used as a nourishing food during times of war and famine. They may be eaten raw or cooked and are rich in iron, calcium, beta-carotene,
and vitamin C. To make a tea from the leaves, pour one cup of boiling water over two heaping teaspoons of fresh leaves (or one heaping teaspoon dried). Steep, covered, for ten minutes. When cool, the tea may also be used to moisten a compress to relieve headache or sunburn.

Malva
(
Malva neglecta
) is a member of the Malvaceae (mallow) family. The word
malva
is Latin meaning “soft,” and
neglecta
means “neglected.” Malva leaves are soothing and anti-inflammatory and can be eaten raw along with the seeds. Malva leaves have served as a traditional medicine in a tea for sore throats and ulcers. Malva can also be used in a simple poultice for treating skin rashes, burns, and insect bites. The leaves are rich in beta-carotene and have been included in teas and syrups for coughs and irritated lungs.

Nettles
(
Urtica dioica
) are a member of the Urticaceae (nettle) family.
Urtica
is from the Latin meaning “to burn,” and the plant is probably best known for the stinging hairs that can cause pain when touched. Taking nettles in capsule, tea, or tincture form before the hay-fever season can help minimize its symptoms. That's because nettles stabilize mast-cell walls, stopping mucus production and inflammation and reducing irritating histamine release. Nettles are also high in beta-carotene and vitamin C, which helps to strengthen mucous membranes.
Cure caution:
Use gloves and scissors when collecting nettles, and only the young plants should be consumed as nettles become irritating to the kidneys when they start flowering.

Purslane
(
Portulaca oleracea, P. sativa
) is a member of the Portulacaceae (purslane) family. The genus name
Portulaca
is from the Latin
porto
and
laca
meaning “milk carrier,” in reference to the plant's juicy liquid. High in the essential fatty acid omega-3, purslane is also rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C. Not only does it make a good salad herb but it is wonderful in raw soups such as gazpacho or used in place of okra in recipes. As a poultice, it is used to treat bee stings, boils, burns, and hemorrhoids.

Violet
: Found in shady areas, with heart-shaped leaves, brilliant purple flowers, and a lovely aroma, the violet (
Viola odorata
) is a member of the Violaceae (violet) family. While violet leaves are edible year-round, the flowers are in their prime in the spring. I like to use raw violet blossoms on the dishes I serve to add an element of whimsy. The leaves and flowers are both high in vitamin C and are a valuable remedy for coughs, fevers, and lung complaints such as bronchitis.

How You Can Use Edible Plants

1. Salads. Except for nettles, which must be pureed, all the above greens, when young (before flowering), may be included in a salad.

2. Blend clean chopped greens (except nettles) into some soaked nuts to make a pâté. Season with lemon, garlic, salt, and chopped onion to make a dip.

3. Use greens as you would spinach in making raw lasagna.

4. Puree young greens to make a raw pesto or soup.

5. Enjoy fresh wild-greens drinks!

Edible Plant Recipes

Note:
When trying a new food for the first time, it's good to have only a moderate amount, just to test how it affects you.

Green Smoothie

1 cup of apple juice

1 ripe banana, peeled

1 cup of wild greens such as malva, violet, lamb's-quarters

Blend for 2 to 3 minutes, strain, and pour into large glass. Enjoy this nutrient-packed drink.

Dandelion-Green Quiche

Crust

¹
/
³
cup of coconut oil

2 tablespoons of organic milk

³
/
⁴
cup of brown-rice flour