If you would like to see our scheduled programs for 2020 and beyond, please check out the Events page
FEATURED PROGRAMS
FEATURED PROGRAMS
We are changing our offerings
to make available both in-person and on-line programs. As a result, we have
changed some of our programs and retired others. If you have a program you remember from the
past, please contact me and we can work together to make a special program for
your organization.
Crafting Herbal Mocktails – this masterclass demonstrates how to make
simply syrups and herb extractions to craft a myriad of herb flavored and
scented alcohol-free mocktails. We will rethink party punch with herb
ingredients, make our own bitters, create flavors with herbed simple syrup, stir
up a faux Gin, and blend alcohol-free martinis, fizzes, and sours while discussing
the history of herbs in alcoholic beverages. (Alcohol can be substituted
for mocktail ingredients, if desired. However, this no alcohol program is
appropriate for Park Districts and Libraries.)
Zoom version #1 – with this zoom version we will walk you
through demonstrations of making simple syrup, bitters, and faux gin and other
alcohol substitutes and discuss how to craft cocktails with these special ingredients. Recipes and instructions along with shopping
lists for those wanting to make them during the presentation will be provided.
Zoom version #2 – This program is all about the crafting of a
cocktail. We talk about the glasses to use, bar tools to own, the ingredients
to have on hand, garnishes to make and use, and then discuss and make several
traditional styles of cocktails/mocktails with a focus on herb flavors and crafting
techniques.
Edible Flowers—A photo-based presentation that discusses the
edible nature of a wide variety of flowers. Explore tasty flora like
Daylillies, Anise Hyssop, and flowerings herbs as well as the useful properties
of purslane and mustard. More than 20 flowering plants will be discussed and
shown with harvesting, preserving, and preparing information for enjoying the
edible bounty of flowers. Plant lists will be included with a few recipes.
Samples of some recipes will be shared with participants in person with recipe
techniques explained in the Zoom version.
Language of Flowers -- This slide presentation focuses on
the Victorian tradition of floriography, or the sending of messages with the
arrangement of flowers. Although the practice is much older, in the 19th
century gifts of blooms were used to send a coded message to the recipient,
allowing the sender to express feelings which could not be spoken aloud in
Victorian society. A discussion of the meanings and a guide to interpreting
“talking bouquets” as well as a demonstration of how to make a tussy mussy and
create decorative arrangements is included.
After the presentation participants will be asked to provide
interpretations for a selection of displayed bouquets. Available in-person and as
a Zoom program.
Unusual, Exotic and Medicinal -- A PowerPoint presentation that discusses and illustrates
more uncommon herbs that can be grown in Zone 5 along with their uses, habits
and medicinal or culinary properties. Unusual herbs like Angelica,
Tansy and Pineapple mint, exotic basil and thyme varieties and other plants
gardeners need to meet will be shown and
discussed. Detailed Plants lists included. Available in person
and as a Zoom program.
Infusion -- Herbs can infuse their scent and flavor
in many different ways. This lecture based on my book Herbs R Easy –
Infusion, explores how to create herbal sugars and vinegars for cooking and how
to infuse herbs into water, oil, bath salts. Real-time demonstrations
give participants a feel for how easy it is to create items with herbs for
everyday use. Recipes and instructions included. Special bonus is a
discussion of how to package items for gifts or sale.
Curative Properties of
Tea -- Much has been
touted recently about the benefits of a good cup of herbal or green tea.
This lecture discusses the difference between black tea and herb tea as well as
what herbs make good tea, how to formulate your own teas and the various
medicinal properties discovered throughout time of various native plants with
pictures to help with identification. It also includes some information
on the benefits of green tea. In person, if hot water is available, we
can create our own blend to sample at the end of the program. On Zoom we
will discuss blending methods and flavors so participants can make their own
teas. Medicinal herbs qualities and recipes
will be provided to participants.
Green Cleaning with
Herbs -- This program
points out the numerous ways herbs can be used in your household to protect you
from germs and chemicals at the same time. Learn the many ways to clean
with herb infused vinegar, create mixtures to scrub ceramics and how to craft
an effective laundry and dishwashing soap.
Learn the disinfecting properties of herbs and their essentials oils and
how to combine them safely. Supply lists
and recipes will be included. Available
both in-person and on Zoom.
Playing
by the Rules: A history of Board Games - An adult PowerPoint program that
reviews the history of board games from the original creators of iconic games
through the current Monopoly of Hasbro the center of most game making.
Available in-person and on Zoom.
Native American Herbs – Explore the various plants of
Native origin that have healing, food and religious benefits; their uses,
growing habits and other details will be shared in this combination slide and
hand-on program. We focus on the plants of Midwestern Native groups such
as the Annishnabe (Ojibwa), HO-Chunk (Winnebago) and others who have a
tradition of planting and gathering in the upper Midwest.
In Person Only Programs
Herbology 101 / Fun with
Herbs - A general
program that details a variety of topics including the use, growing and care of
herbs with information on using your herbal harvest. It is perfect
general program for those who are curious about herbs but do not know where to
start and those wanting to plant to put herbs in their garden.
Be an Herbal Gourmet -- By adding even the most basic herbs to
your culinary palette, you can make your cooking more interesting, delicious,
and enjoyable. Also adding herbs can enhance flavors and allow for more
healthful cooking. It is easy to create herb mixtures to replace salt in
food. This and other tips for using herbs to cook with
everyday are included in this lecture. The discussion includes flavor
families, what herbs to use with certain dishes, and how to create herbal
vinegars, butters and other items which can add herb flavors to cooking when
herbs themselves are not appropriate.
Crafting
Gifts with Herbs - Using herbs
to create special scented and edible gifts is fun, inexpensive, and easy. In this program participants learn steps to craft
various gifts for men and women with fresh and dried herbs and other plant
materials. There are culinary blends, vinegars, baking mixes, simple
potpourri, cocktail ingredients, and special scented items for fragrance or bath.
Tips on gift wrapping and presentation are also included. No additional
fee is required unless a full demonstration of all steps in creation of items
is desired. There are several versions of this program available to match
seasons and holidays, so it can be repeated to the same audience.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM Let’s Play Native American Games -- Learn
to play and create several simple and fun games used by adults and
children of several Native American Tribal groups of the Eastern Woodland
region. This interactive class geared to kids (age 7 to 12) and adults,
will explore the history and purpose of games in American Indian society while
understanding the rules for various games. Participants will discuss
the rules, try out the games and even create one to take home. Full
instructions and rules for all games will be provided for a total of seven (7)
different games. Instructions will be included in a take-home
handout.
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM Let’s Play International Games – Some new, some ancient, all the games we will play have an international origin. Countries like Africa, the Netherlands and Peru are all featured in this program. Participants aged 10 to 15 and adults will learn to create each game and then practice the rules of play. Handouts with instructions will be included. All the games in this program can be played with a piece of paper and a fist full of pennies.
FEES
Fees -- Any lecture listed above can be done for $175.00. If the group is less than 25 people, a lower fee may be negotiated. Fees include handout materials for participants. Almost all of the above mentioned lectures can be modified to include hands-on demonstrations and instruction. Since this requires additional materials, supplies and equipment an additional fee of $3.00 per person or a minimum of $36.00 is needed for a demonstration lecture.
Travel Boundaries -- At this time I do not travel outside the Chicagoland area. However, this is a generous area that includes southern Wisconsin, western Indiana and anything within a 100 mile radius of Elmhurst, Illinois.
Demonstration In Person Programs
Crafting Herbal Blends -- This lecture uses various methods and materials to create several dips, dressings and spreads. Included is a detailed discussion of flavor families and choosing herbs to prepare the various foods. Once students are well-versed in herb flavors they will choose and mix herbs for various ingredients like salads, vegetables, fruits, etc. Methods of blending and melding herb flavors are discussed and recipes are demonstrated and sampled. (The fee for this program is $225.00 for up to 35 people $3.00 per person for any number over 35)
Hi do you ever come to the Omaha area? I'd like to learn more about herbs, growing and crafting w them. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI have not been to Omaha Nebraska in many years and I cannot say it is on the list for anytime soon. There is an herb shop called Praireland Herbs in Iowa that you might look into taking a road trip to. They are knowledgeable as well. http://www.prairielandherbs.com/
ReplyDeleteHi Marcy, would love to have you teach with us District 214 Community Education. Teresa
ReplyDeleteTeresa.palaggi@d214.org
847-718-7704