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Kitchen Gardeners International: Kitchen Gardener Profile: Eshe Riviears

NAME:
Eshe Riviears, a.k.a. "the Herb Lady"

PROFESSION:
Herbalist

How long have you been kitchen gardening?
I have been kitchen gardening since I was 9 years old growing up in Michigan. I remember being put in charge of my 1st tomato plant. Those were the yummiest tomatoes in the world even up until now.

Who were some of your influences or teachers?
My dad, Percy and my Uncle Bayman. They were great "sometimey" gardeners.That means they didn't grow every season or even every summer, just sometimes. The best Organic growing advice that I ever received and that I still teach to my students, I received from my Uncle Bayman, "Plant some for you and some for the rabbits."

What are some of the gardening challenges you face?
I garden in a forest, uncut and untamed, except for my 4 acre parcel. The weeds are jungle-like, the rabbits are wiley and the deer are phenomenal, even squirrels watch you work from the treetops and swoop down and dig up whatever you have just planted. Techniques like radios on talk radio stations, human hair balls and scarecrows or foil mobiles don't foil these garden companions. The most effective techinque is my little boys "tinkling" around the perimeter. They happily comply.

How would you describe your cooking style?
Delicious and Healthy Cooking with Soul! This is cooking with and for flavor, while leaving out the traditional Southern foods that are contributing to heart disease, diabetes and High blood pressure (which is almost epidemic within African-American families). I replace pork and smoked turkey with plenty of herbs, cilantro, garlic, olive oil, peppers. This retains the home-style flavor and is very satisfying even to staunch meat-eaters.

Any food or gardening books that have had an influence on you?
The Rodale family of books have had an tremendous effect on my life. I still buy anything that Rodale publishes, sight unseen. They are pioneers in organic gardening techniques and research. I believe that one wouldn't put so much energy and passion into gardening if they didn't want the best vegetable, herbs and health possible. To put toxins on this greatness cancels that monumental effort.

Tell us something about "The Herb Lady" and what she does?
Oh, thats' a great BIG question. I am an Herbalist and Organic Master Gardener. I teach folks the Traditional and Folk Uses of Herbs. This includes teaching people what I like to call, "Living With the Seasons". This is integrating the complete (culinary,& medicinal) knowledge of fruits/vegetables (& herbs) as food, and how we use the foods that grow in season, in our area or region, to not only nuture, feed & heal our bodies for now, but to build our bodies for the upcoming season. It' really could be considered "common-sense", but with travel technology as it is, one could easily be eating regularly from locales half-way around the world that are in a totally different season.

Here's a short example: in former times, grandmothers would start "Spring Cleaning" when the dandelions sprouted. They would clean out the house completely from top to bottom, and also clean out the bodies of their family with a "Spring Tonic", that would also include Dandelions. The dandelions appear when its' time to use them.

Spring would be a chance to "lighten up" and "clean the blood". Everyone would have more energy for Summer and the planting season and even lose some of the winter fat that was put on to increase the body heat and protection of the internal organs.

The light greens and early peas and even the clover teas, would help to lighten the food from the potato and root crop diet of the winter and move to a lighter fare that also helps to re-mineralize and re-energize the body.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I enjoy that what I do because it doesn't feel like work. I do it because I can't help myself! All of this oozes from me and because of that, I work at it all of the time. I love it!

Any parting words of wisdom or a favorite quote?
"We are a part of nature, not apart from nature." This helps people understand that we are one of the many creatures that are also impacted by the way the planet is treated and the change of the seasons. Once people realize this, their focus changes and it softens.

Posted by KGI on March 10, 2007 6:44 AM to Kitchen Gardeners International
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