Stinging Nettles - A Simple Tea to Try This Spring

The fields are green and I am excited to hunt for wild edibles that are popping up as spring finally arrives!

Okanagan Rawsome’s mission is to awaken our taste buds to delicious raw, gluten-free goodness! Afke Zonderland, Chef & CEO shares how easy it is to live a whole-food, vegan, sprouted philosophy and make the healthiest choices for yourself and your family.

I still remember Tara and Erika running up to me, wearing shorts and t-shirts with a bouquet of blossoming stinging nettles. In tears by that time – their legs and arms were covered in red hives – punishment for well-intentioned little thieves.

Nettles, like dandelion leaves and roots are said to clean out the entire intestinal tract while activating the body’s natural defense mechanisms. Not only that, nettle is super-beneficial for the kidneys, said to expel gravel from the bladder and dissolving kidney stones. Find nettle in folklore, identified as both a diuretic and a natural remedy for treating bladder infections. They are also listed as a blood purifier that drives out toxins and metabolic wastes by stimulating the kidneys to excrete more water. Stinging nettle root extract in combination with saw palmetto has been shown to stop the spread of prostate cancer cells. For these reasons and so many more, stinging nettles offer preventative advantages while alleviating airborne allergies with anti-histamine properties.

Spring provides us with a succession of natural crops that help our bodies shake off sluggish winter residue and prepare us for allergy season. Stinging nettles are a refresh from the dandelion leaf smoothies we’ve been gorging upon of late. As I prepare to drive back and forth to Tai Chi, I throw a pair of garden gloves and clippers and keep an eye out for just know the place! These young plants will be steeped for tea, some dried for winter use and some will go in the freezer for a harvest that will yield frozen winter greens. If you haven’t tried them before, empower yourself with this oh-so-simple recipe!

Stinging Nettle Tea – Try it!

A handful of young plants steeped in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes is enough to bestow stinging nettles’ many benefits. Pour through a sieve and enjoy or use a French Coffee to brew the very best, fresh herbal teas.

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Okanagan Rawsome now comes in five fabulous flavours!

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps • See how they are made!

Onion-Herb BEET CRISPS are packed with local organic beets, carrots and onions combined with sprouted seeds and a yummy blend of spices.

LOCAL Organic Veggies
99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps are delicious with your favourite cheese, hummus, or pesto. Make an open-faced sandwich using a Beet Crisp as a base!

INGREDIENTS: *ground flaxseeds, *carrots, *sprouted buckwheat, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *beets *zucchini, *sprouted lentils, *onions, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder, *sea salt, cumin (*organic)

A source of pure plant energy, these living whole food snacks are low-glycemic, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation. Loaded with organic ingredients and local produce, Okanagan Rawsome is real food that nourishes your body – and soul!

Find Okanagan Rawsome at retailers in Victoria and across Vancouver Island!

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Spicy Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps

Spicy Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps • See how they are made!

Spicy Chia-Hemp CARROT CRISPS are spicy snacks made with locally grown carrots & zucchini, chia, hemp, and sprouted lentils to enhance nutrient bioavailability. The carrots provide a high-source of Vitamin A.

LOCAL Organic Veggies
96% ORGANIC Ingredients

Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps are delicious with your favorite cheese, hummus, and/or a slice of avocado. Make an open faced sandwich using a Carrot Crisp as a base!

INGREDIENTS: *carrots, *ground flax seeds, *sprouted buckwheat, *zucchini, *sprouted lentils, hemp hearts, *chia seeds, *sea salt, cumin, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder (*organic)

How Carrot Crisps are Made

Flax Sesame Apple Crisps

Flax Sesame APPLE CRISPS light, flavour-packed zesty treat made with oranges and lemons. We grind whole flax seeds to preserve valuable Omega-3 fats. Dehydration happens at low temperatures, protecting valuable living enzymes!

LOCAL Organic Apples
96% ORGANIC Ingredients

Delicious with a seed or nut butter. Visit the recipe section of our website for other suggested pairings and rawsome recipes!

INGREDIENTS: *apples, *coconut, *ground flax seeds, *sesame seeds, *dates, hemp hearts, *oranges, *lemon juice, cinnamon, ground ginger, *sea salt (*organic)

How Apple Crisps Are Made

Chocolate Ginger Apple Crisps

Chocolate Ginger APPLE CRISPS offer dark chocolate-coconut decadence in a delicious mixture of organic Okanagan apples, ginger, sprouted seeds, sprouted buckwheat, and dates.

LOCAL Organic Produce
90% ORGANIC Ingredients

Choc-Ginger Apple Crisps are delicious on their own or with a serving of ice cream made with frozen bananas & vegan chocolate pudding.

INGREDIENTS: *apples, *sprouted buckwheat, *ground flax, *dates, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *sprouted pumpkin seeds, ginger slices, dark chocolate (cocao, sugar, non-GMO soya lecithin, vanilla flavour), *coconut, ground ginger, *lemon juice, cinnamon, *sea salt (*organic)
Available in convenient single-sized portions.

Cranberry Raisin Apple Crisps

Cran-Raisin APPLE CRISPS combine sprouted buckwheat with delicious organic cranberries, raisins, and organic Okanagan apples to create a naturally sweet and filling snack.

LOCAL Organic Apples
99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Crumble a few pieces of Cran-Raisin Apple Crisps onto plain yogurt or sprinkle some on top of your morning cereal to add live enzymes and easy to digest protein to kick start your day!

INGREDIENTS: *apples, *sprouted buckwheat, *ground flax, *dates, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *sprouted pumpkin seeds, *raisins, *cranberries, cinnamon, ground ginger, *orange zest, *sea salt (*organic)

Available in convenient single-sized portions.

Serving Suggestions!