People who work hard to spray or pull out all weeds from the garden to keep it tidy may like to change tactics. With her practical workshops, Julia Sich form Pyes Pa shows people that some weeds are nutritional powerhouses.
"Not all weeds are worthless plants. Some of them are real superfoods, packed with nutrients. I teach people how to forage for them, get to know them, and how to use them to improve health and wellbeing," Julia says.
"You'll be amazed how many weeds in your garden once identified, you can safely eat. The benefits are increased amounts of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and fibre.
"They help boost the immune system, maintain the correct pH balance in the body, cleanse our inner organs and are easy to digest," she says.
Julia first heard about edible weeds in 2008 from gardening expert Wally Richards who lives in Palmerston North. She was interested in the idea, but it took her more than two years to take the leap and start making green smoothies herself.
Ten years ago, Julia was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopaenic Purpura (ITP) or low platelets. She tried many alternative health remedies, from homeopathy to acupuncture and aura healing to cure it but to her disappointment, nothing worked.
Julia also suffered a stroke after which she spent six weeks in hospital and had to relearn how to use her left hand and to walk again.
After being seriously ill, Julia started exploring ways to improve and maintain her health.
One of the things she says helped her were the incredible nutritional properties of edible weeds, combined with leafy greens and fresh fruit, turned into a rich green smoothie.
Julia realised that she wasn't getting nearly enough nutrition from her diet before the stroke happened and even after it, until she started making these smoothies. She now drinks between 1-2 litres of green smoothie every day.
"I can honestly say that today I feel the healthiest and most energetic I have felt in all of my adult life," she says.
Julia explains that nature likes diversity, and says that weeds are companions to vegetables.
"Weeds bring insects to gardens, and you can learn a lot about soil conditions from where they grow.
"I encourage people to start noticing what little plants they have growing in neglected corners of their gardens and to get to know them."
DETAILS
What: Foraging For Edible Weeds - Green Smoothie Workshop
When: Sunday, May 18, 10am 1pm
Where: 19 Waikite Way, Welcome Bay, Tauranga
Description: Held at Hone & Andrea's sustainable property
Cost: $30 (includes eBook valued at $9.95)
For more information and to register: Email (preferred) info@juliasedibleweeds.com
Phone: 027 4308471
Website: www.juliasedibleweeds.com