Nettle Tea and other trail yummies.
Nettle Tea and other Trail Yummies;
I answered a Tweet the other day, it asked for advice on herbal recipies for the common cold.
I am not a herbalist but it got me thinking about what I use, the way I try and stay as healthy as possible, using natural ingredients. especially if out in the wilderness and I can often be found grazing through an ultra marathon using 'Gods Garden' and hedgerows as source of protein and nutrition as a morale boost.
My answer to the Tweet was to use Nettle and Thyme Tea (which i get from my garden, if the Rabbits haven't ate it all first!!) with a small amount of honey if available. Now please don't go destroying wild beehives, not only will you will be very lucky to see them. but the sting from bees can hurt and anaphylactic shock can kill you, if you are in the wilds getting medical assistance is time critical.
However if you fancy a warm nutritious drink, Nettle Tea is a great source of Vitamins and rather tasty. I certainly will be adding some to my hot water during the Spine Challenge as a moral boost.
I will be adding to this Blog Regularly with various Recipes and seasonal Hedgerow treats. Disclaimer only eat and drink wild plants if you are sure that you know what they are, experience is key to this. I will only post easy to identify plants and easy to follow recipes.
Nettle Tea;
Method:
- Find some nettles and cut of the leaves with as little stem as possible (the older looking nettles are sweeter). Fill up a cup full and wash them thoroughly in warm water. Put the nettles in a large saucepan with 4 cups of water and add the sugar or honey. (If you are doing this on the trail, boil water first, use a small amount to wash the nettles. Then infuse the water with the leaves.)
- Put the pan on the hob and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Taste the tea and add any more sugar if needed. Serve in mugs with a nettle for decoration. (if using a Jet-boil or Primus system, just boil the water first. Add the Nettle leaves and infuse to taste.)
Top Tip
If you are cooking a boil in the bag meal you can stick your nettles in the water and it will infuse whilst your bag is cooking. That way you get a delicious drink when your food is ready.Health Benefits of Nettles;
The bright-green leaves of stinging nettle reveal the high chlorophyll and iron content of the herb. Rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicon, sulfur, copper, chromium, zinc, cobalt and phosphorus, as well as vitamins such as A, C, D, E and K,
please feel free to comment on this, and check back to see other recipes in our hedgerow, range for Ultra running. #WildKitchen
Adrian
Awarded points for wreckers Challenge.
We have been awarded 2 qualifying points for the 2015
"The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®".
The qualifying race give points for every race of The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, not just for the UTMB®, but the TDS™ and of course the CCC® also. check out their website
www.ultratrailmb.com
This is an iconic set of events for which during the UTMB® participants are required to non-sto circumnavigate Mount Blanc, starting and finishing in Chamonix
In the CCC® participants are required to travel the 2nd (and by no means the lesser) half of the course from Courmayeur in Italy to Chamonix in France.
The TDS™ A race in open country along the ‘Grande Randonnée’ paths crossing though the Mont-Blanc, Beaufort, Tarentaise and Aosta valley countryside.
A mountainous event, including numerous sections at altitude (>2,500m), in weather conditions which can be very difficult (night, wind, cold, rain or snow), requiring a very good level of fitness, the appropriate equipment and a real capacity for personal autonomy.
Anyone who wishes to enter must gain qualifying points to show their eligibility.
They are as follows;
UTMB® 2014 : 7 points acquired between 2012/01/01 and 2013/12/31 (in 3 races maximum)
CCC® 2014 : 2 points acquired between 2012/01/01 and 2013/12/31
TDS™ 2014 : 2 points acquired between 2012/01/01 and 2013/12/31
The eligibility of a race is decided upon by the Ultra-Trail team.
After reviewing our route map and the near 10,000 ft of positive gain, aid stations and terrain they have decided that.
The Wreckers challenge will be worth 2 points to all finishers to count towards their total for 2015.
we are thrilled about this and hope you will agree, they will be well earned.
And here is our badge to prove it.
Adrian