Now that I grasped your attention with this weed… according to legend, its meritorious property was discovered by a Chinese goat herder who noticed sexual activity in his flock after they ate the weed. It is sold as a health supplement, usually in raw herb, tablet, or capsule form and sometimes blended with other supplements. Horny goat weed extract is a natural product of the plants in the Epimedium genus, with a history of use in Eastern medicine to relieve fatigue and weakness in the back and knees. The Epimedium genus contains a number of leafy green plants primarily used for ground-cover.

I was recently introduced to horny goat weed through a gift from the Clean Team—thank you Clean Team, I really did enjoy the Passion Collection of chocolates by Gnosis Chocolate.   This collection of four was “brimming with chocolate’s love-enhancing raw nature, crowned with aphrodisiacs from around the world.” Yep, written just like that on the box. These handmade chocolates from New York were divine and Clean, however, I did not feel an overpowering urge the weed is notorious for providing. Maybe because I didn’t hoard them all to myself; I shared eight scrumptious pieces with three friends.

Other tasty treats I shared with family and friends recently include these…    What have you cooked up in your nest lately? Remember to look out for those sneaky labels. I hesitate buying anything that is genetically modified. Which means no more corn, soy (Beware of chocolates, Hershey especially uses genetically modified soy!) or wheat for me.  Look for substitutes or make your food from scratch yourself with flour made from organic quinoa, almond, coconut or rice.

With thoughts of gardens and sunshine this transitional time of year, treat guest of your nest to an enviable menu with the help of your local farmers. Be forewarned–the spirit and enthusiasm for farm-to-table cooking is contagious!

The beauty of organic ingredients lies in their simplicity. Arranging them in a dish in artful and tasty ways makes them new and inspires a deeper appreciation of food.   Let’s respect our food and forge the strife to restore it to its natural state—your body will thank you tremendously for it.    

“Sharing a meal is a major intersection of so many paths and stories,” says renowned chef Jose Garces. Share a meal in your nest and explore the connections. Where does the road lead you?