Return To Our Roots
Welcome to the outdoor Apothecary
The Outdoor Apothecary inspires naturally minded people to live with the seasons, become self-reliant, connect with nature, and protect their health through herbal living. We love celebrating “the old ways” of living to bring blessings to ourselves, our families, communities and to Mother Earth. We offer articles, tips, recipes and ideas on practical self-reliance, simple herbal remedies, foraging, gardening and reconnecting ourselves to our natural world and sacred ancestral traditions.
About Me: Barbi
I’m a bookish “earth mother” who loves to read and walk in the woods. I’m a wildcrafter & herbalist, avid gardener, collector of nature specimens, and field guide enthusiast.
I spent most of my childhood exploring our natural world and I’m now devoted to reviving the ancestral wisdom of plants as medicine and healers. I love spending hours outside tending to my gardens, gathering plants and herbs, being in nature,and learning skills of self-reliance like homemade soapmaking.
I give deep thanks and gratitude to my Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck family for inspiring me to honor our Mother Earth by dedicating myself to studying and sharing ancient lifeways and reviving the wonderous arts of plant medicine and nature connectedness. I sincerely hope you’ll join me on this journey.
Rewild Your Life
Connecting with nature is more than a walk through the woods. It’s about being conscious of seasonal changes, becoming attuned with the plants around us, and relearning the nature-language we’ve forgotten through our modern lives. We believe that incorporating the “old ways” of doing things, growing and harvesting our own food, and having a do-it-yourself spirit, promotes self-sufficiency and is an important part of leading a healthier lifestyle, closer to nature.
We hope to provide you with a foundation to rewild yourself through aligning with the cycles of the seasons and to help you in discovering the energies of the seasonal cycles.
Nourish Yourself with Nature
Free 29-page Guidebook to Celebrating the Seasons
A Guided Workbook to help you celebrate nature’s seasonal cycles with mindfulness and meaningful intentions – our gift to you! Learn how to live a mindful nature-connected life.
Recent Posts
Lamb’s Quarters & Wild Mushroom Quiche
This crustless quiche made with lamb’s quarters and wild foraged mushrooms is going to rock your world!
Irresistibly Delicious Recipe for Butternut Squash Pie
It’s the time of year when butternut squash is in season and it’s a perfect time to make this recipe for butternut squash pie! It’s creamy, sweet, and delicious. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday get-togethers with friends and family. We’re gonna show you how to make it step by step so that you can enjoy this dessert too!
Easy DIY Mason Jar Herb Garden
Growing your own herbs is a great way to save money and have access to fresh, organic produce year-round. This craft uses common household items and can be done in as little as one day!
Celebrating Mabon With Herbs & Ancient Traditions
Happy Mabon! Autumn is definitely in the air, and it’s time for celebrating Mabon. We’re going to be talking about the mythology and folklore of Mabon as well as the herbs for this season. What better way to get into the spirit of fall and celebrate the season than with some herbal inspiration?
Goldenrod vs Ragweed: One Benefits Pollinators, One Causes Allergies
Goldenrod vs ragweed. One attracts pollinators and one causes allergies. Know the difference!
Surprising Jewelweed Plant: Identification, Uses, and Benefits
Find out what jewelweed plant is (AKA Touch-me-not), how to identify it in the wild or in your garden, and some of its many medicinal uses.
Canning Basics 101 for Successful Food Preservation
Let’s learn some canning basics! One of the best ways to preserve food long-term involves a process called home canning. Today, we will discover just how easy it is to learn this exciting skill set.
Best Zucchini Pie Recipe with All-Purpose Baking Mix
Try this delicious savory zucchini pie recipe made with Bisquick or other all-purpose baking mix.
Incredible Cheddar Onion Biscuits
Nothing beats these warm flaky old-fashioned cheddar onion biscuits straight from the oven. This fool-proof homemade biscuit recipe is easy to make and requires just a few ingredients. One of them is our all-purpose baking mix.
Amazing Recipe for Zucchini Pancakes
This savory recipe for zucchini pancakes are unbelievably easy to whip up and are great with a little dollop of sour cream.
Homemade Baking Mix – Better than Bisquick
Make your own all purpose baking mix. Make it up ahead of time and use it when you need it. A great substitute for Bisquick or Jiffy Mix.
Easy Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
Now is the time to cook up some delicious summer vegetable recipes like this one for easy roasted cauliflower with herbs and lemon.
The 6 Basics of Permaculture Design: Sustainable Gardening
This article aims to share the basics of permaculture gardening and how to start a sustainable garden.
Permaculture Gardening: for Amazing Results
Growing your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs utilizing the principles of permaculture gardening is a great way to live closer to nature.
If you are a gardener looking to live more sustainably, then permaculture will be for you. Simply put, it is a way to live sustainably by working with nature to grow your own food.
The Amazing Power of the Sun to Infuse Herbs
Harness the power of the sun when infusing herbs in oil using the simpler’s method.
Amazing Saint John’s Wort Plant: Identification, Benefits, Uses
This article discusses the identification, benefits, and uses of Saint John’s wort plant Also discussed are how to use this medicinal plant in your own herbal medicine.
How to Make an Herbal Tincture: Plus 2 Easy Recipes
A great way to preserve these herbs for use throughout the year is to start making herbal tinctures. Through this article, you will learn the ins and outs of how to make an herbal tincture.
Small Batch Wild Black Raspberry Jam Recipe
This recipe for small batch wild black raspberry jam is my favorite because it only has three ingredients and no pectin. All you need are raspberries, granulated white sugar, and lemon juice.
Easy Honeysuckle Wine Recipe: One Gallon
Summer is the time that I most love for making flower wines like this easy recipe for honeysuckle wine. It’s subtle and delicious and totally captures the essence of summer.
Elderflower Wine: The Delicious Essence of Summer
Capture the essence of summertime with this easy elderflower wine ricipe that’s super simple to make.
5 Magical Summer Solstice herbs for Midsummer Celebrations
The summer solstice has been seen as a significant time of year in many cultures, and has been marked by midsummer celebrations, festivals and rituals. There are also many midsummer herbs that have significant meaning and use during these celebrations.
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