Wednesday, 16 March 2016

How green can you go for St. Patrick

So, Its that time of the year when the whole world discovers that it has a great-great-great uncle who shook hands with someone who got his roof fixed by someone called Seamus. Which automatically means we can all have a pint of stout and jump around like a loony.

Plus it also allows bloggers, like myself to find the MOST tenuous link possible for our specific sphere of interest.

SO THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING





So it's time to green up your life, Sure, but you might not know some of the following greens that you might not know are really good for you. In fact you might not even know are OK to even eat. 

First of all, this may surprise you, but I have done a bit of research and have found out that the Shamrock is not only edible, but can be good for you too.



The traditional image of the Shamrock is based upon the beautiful White Clover (Trifolium repens) and its cousin, the Red Clover (Trifolium praetese). Both of these herbaceous perennials have historically been used to treat a variety of common ailments including fever, coughs, and colds. Red Clover is used as the basis of an ointment to treat gout and skin rashes, and a mild infusion of the flowers can be used to treat eye infections. Red Clover has calming properties and can be used with a mixture of herbs such as chamomile and hops as a mild sedative. In addition the humble little Red Clover has been proven to have anti-cancerous properties and has been used in medicine to treat cancerous growths.
Here's a little film 


The next item that is secretly edible and extremely good for you is Dandelion. That's right,

DANDELION




The dandelion greens are the part to be eaten

The time to harvest dandelion greens is early in the spring, when they are their youngest and before they flower.

They can be harvested again in late Autumn as they lose some of their bitterness after a frost.

For a special treat, get out early in spring and look for the crown, which is the cluster of new buds that sits above the taproot. These are the tenderest, sweetest parts of the plant.
Young dandelion greens are tender and delicious served raw in salads or sandwiches. Just remember that you should try and avoid dandelions by the roadside, or where dogs gather to mark their territories. ALWAYS WASH THEM THOROUGHLY.

Use sauteed or steamed dandelion greens as you would any other greens. Dandelion root can by ground and used as a substitute for coffee, and dandelion flowers can be used in recipes and for garnish.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/the-dandelion-is-a-healthful-great-tasting-weed-you-can-eat/


And finally.....Every kiddies nightmare the 

NETTLE
Here's a little film 


It might seem weird to eat a 'dangerous weed', but people have been doing it for hundreds of years. As an energy tonic, nettles are revered. In springtime you may find groves of stinging nettle, often growing in rich soil in slightly shady places.  Rather than avoiding them, arm yourself with a good pair of gloves and reap the benefits!

Nettle is a weed to some and a valuable healing herb to others.

Some of you may recognise the name Urtica Urens as the homeopathic remedy, utilised in – guess what - cases of itching and stings.


Why eat nettles?

Nettles are one of the most powerful iron sources in the vegetable kingdom.
Great for anaemia, for during menstruation (to top up departing iron stocks) and as a general blood tonic. Whenever you feel run down, or tired, think nettles!
 
Eating nettles or drinking the tea makes your hair brighter, thicker and shinier; it makes your skin clearer and healthier, good for eczema and other skin conditions.  Nettle tea is also a tonic for house or garden plants!


HAPPY PADDY'S DAY NON-IRISH GUYS



HERE IS MY RECIPE

The little leprechaun monster


1 Cup Kale
5 Leaves Mint 
½   Pears
1 Dash Vanilla
½ Teaspoon Cinnamon
½ Cup Coconut Milk






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