Oats in My Backyard

We had laid straw down in the dog kennel this spring due to the amount of mud out there and what has sprung up is oat plants. At least I think they are oats.

I need some help with a positive ID on one of these plants though because I am not absolutely sure that they are oats. I know that the top ones are oats.

This bottom picture is of the seed heads that I am unsure of. I think they are oats, but I have seen wheat and barley that look like this as well.

I plan on saving the seeds and growing them next year, in the garden. Maybe choke out some of the weeds and grow some grain for breads.

If you can help me with this I would appreciate it!

Please leave a comment.

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

The Dandelion Dilemma

Do you remember going out into the yard and picking a handful of these to give them to the most beautiful woman in the world?

I used to bring my mom a dandelion bouquet all the time, and when I became a mom it was my turn. If I had known then what I know now, I would have made fritters out of them!

Now, as my yard has been turning into a weed bed (I don't like chemical weed killers) the dreaded dandelion is gaining ground on me.

I have tried using sugar prevent them, which seemed to work for a while, but sugar is not a practical solution.

I am not going to make a long post about this because there are so many other blogs that have gone into such detail that I feel if you don't search out more information you may miss out on a lot. So please seek knowledge on this little wonder of a plant.

The main highlights I want to share with you is that, yes the leaves tend to be a bit too bitter for most people, but mixed with milder greens it is a bit nicer. You can make fritters or wine with the flowers. The roots can be used for a coffee substitute and for other uses. That said there are also great health benefits from the entire plant, from root to blossom.

Dandelions may be used for a wide range of conditions needing a mild diuretic treatment such as poor digestion, liver disorders and high blood pressure.

The white milky sap is said to be effective in treating warts and to heal other skin afflictions.

Be aware that there has been drug interactions with dandelion consumption and there is the possibility of other reactions. Don't be afraid of them. Just do some research before you proceed.

The following link is to a friend's page which has some interesting recipes. Please visit her site. I will be throwing caution to the wind and frying up some of those flower fritters!

Thank you Brenda!

Dandelions | thesustainablehome

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Pine Tea

There are many people that know so much more about foraging for wild foods then I do and I have so much respect for them. What I am bringing to you is just a small sampling of what I have learned as I have been trying to be as well rounded as possible.

This is a pine needle tea and it is the first time I have tried it.

I also made my 15 year old daughter and my husband try it.

I have heard that you can use any of the green needles year round, but then I have also heard that spring to earlier summer new buds are the best so that is what I have used.

I boiled a cup of water and put a small handful of buds into the water to steep for 5 minutes. Then strained it into my favorite holiday mug, because it smelled quite festive, an took a sip. I couldn't really taste the pine very much so I would say that this is something that you could add to other herbs such as mint or lemon balm and have a nice warming tea on a cold day.

Pine needles are said to be high in vitamin C so that is something that you should keep in mind if you are not near citrus trees.

It is important that you try new foods in small amounts so that if you react to it it will have a smaller impact on you and so that you can get used to it.

I really didn't mind the taste, my daughter said she didn't like it, but she is 15, and my husband said he couldn't really taste the pine. Like I said, if you add a few of your favorite herbs you really might enjoy this. Find your cozy.

Thank you for stopping by!

Dee Dee

Lambs Quarters=Spinach with cooking suggestion.

If the thistles intimidated you, I have the perfect solution!

Lamb's Quarters.

These are quite common in my area and I really don't mind.

They are mostly green but can have a purple tint to them as well.

Pick the tender newer leaves and stay away from plants with damage to them.

I should have cautioned in my thistle post that when you forage for food you should know that food source and know that it is not in an area that has been chemically treated. Since this patch is in my own yard I know it is safe.

So now that you have gathered a big bucket full of these leaves, what to do...

Rinse them well in cold water. If you have a metal colander you can rinse them in there and then place the colander with your Lamb's Quarters over a pot of boiling water and let them steam until all the leaves are cooked tender. If you don't have a metal colander just steam them with what you can.

Put the hot cooked leaves in a serving bowl with softened Butter and Salt over top and the sprinkle some freshly grated Parmesan Cheese over it all and mix so the butter melts completely and the cheese melts slightly.

When I have made spinach this way, even die hard spinach haters took a new look at spinach. Lamb's Quarters are so very close in taste you may not notice a difference.

You can also use these leaves in a fresh salad. Throw in some violet flowers and your salad will really be something cozy.

Thank you for stopping by!

Dee Dee