Foraging for Breakfast
I took this picture back in July and just got around to writing the entry. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as knowing you can go out in your backyard or nearby woods and get enough food to keep you going. On this particular moring I gathered berries, purslane and cherry tomatoes.
If you aren’t familiar with Purslane, it’s a common weed here in Ohio and in most other parts of the country as well. You can find it in gardens, sidewalk cracks and yards. Purslane is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Purslane has more beta-carotene than spinach, and contains high levels of magnesium and potassium. Historically it has been used as a remedy for arthritis and inflammation and for respiratory and circulatory function. Recently, it’s been found that purslane has lots of alpha linolenic acid, a type of omega-3 fatty acid. The substances in purslane may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as make the blood less likely to form clots. Purslane has only 15 calories per 100 gram portion.
EXERCISE CAUTION: Never eat wild plants unless you are sure of what they are. Take them to an experienced forager or botanist for identification. Some plants can make you very sick or kill you!
Aerogarden Update Photo 09/07/2008
Still no cilantro. I think we got some bad seed.
Caterpillar photo I took Sunday:
Do you see the bug in the picture below? It’s on the white flowers below those pods. We call this a hummingbird bug here. Many people have never heard of them. They’re very fast and shaped like a hummingbird but they also look like a bee. If you’ve never seen one they’re fun to watch. They love my white butterfly bush!
See it there in the upper corner of this picture?
Photos & Aerogarden Update
Well, the aerogarden is still performing well. Chives have popped up:
As I wrote before the control panel notifies you when it’s time to add nutrients or water. As of now I haven’t had to do either.
I’m loving this Aerogarden so much, I’m thinking of buying another one. They make a set up now where you can use it to grown any seeds you want. I think it will be great for spring seed starting!
A few favorite wildflowers
I have always loved wildflowers but I became interested in identifying and collecting them when I took a spring wildflowers class in college. I enjoyed it so much I took the fall flowers class as well. Hey, it went toward my science minor and it was very enjoyable.
New York Ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis -
Each small floret contains sweet nectar, which makes it a favorite for swallowtail butterflies and other insects. Native Americans may have used the Ironweed root to relieve pain after childbirth. Some species of Ironweed have been used to treat stomach problems.
Goldenrod- Laboratory studies have found that active compounds in goldenrod help reduce inflammation. It was used historically for wound healing. Can be used to make a natural yellow dye.
Orange/Red Trumpetvine (Trumpet Creeper)- This is a beauty! The fresh leaves can be irritating to some people, so it is mostly used dried. Dried plant parts have been used to treat fungus, yeast and tinea infections. If you would want to collect this plant, it is best to wear gloves.
Favorite Garden Flower
This is the Passionflower, my all-time favorite garden perennial. It can be invasive if you don’t keep up with it because it spreads underground and also from seeds. This is a climber that can turn any arbor, fence or trellis into what looks like a tropical getaway. It is hardy here in Ohio, zone 6. It dies back in the winter but returns in spring. By mid-summer the plant can grow very tall. The bright green foliage is covered with gorgeous, scented purple and white flowers that bees just love. After the flower dies, a very interesting seed pod starts to form. I’ll try to get a picture of a pod to show here soon.
Sunflowers- I love all kinds of sunflowers! They’re just so pretty and useful. After the flower dies and the seeds start to form, they make great food for the birds or for people. I like to collect a few seeds for use the following year and leave the rest for my feathered friends. As you can see in the photo above, bees also love sunflowers and I love bees in my garden. Bees make a garden healthy and happy!
Got a Greenhouse!
I really wanted a greenhouse but I didn’t want to invest a ton of money. So, I went to Ebay and found this great Portable Greenhouse for under $160 (including shipping).
I was very pleased with the quality for the price. It holds lots of plants. I’m a bit concerned about how it will hold up here with our winter storms, but I’m gonna worry about that a little later. That’s Danny, my boyfriend and gardening helper.
I saw this Zebra Swallowtail on our butterfly bush the other day. Haven’t seen one of those in years, they are so beautiful! As you can see, this one is missing part of its tail? area.
Slow Turtle Relocation Program
Yes, I’m one of those people you see in the middle of the road scooping up a slow turtle for relocation to the country. I picked this little guy/gal up today. It’s so small, about the size of the palm of my hand.
Too cute not to take a picture!
Baby Robins
I was able to sneak in a get a couple pictures of the baby robins. I think they are just about to leave their nest. How cute are they!!
Our Robin
This robin made a nest in our tree. The pictures turned out so nice I just had to post them. There are 2 baby birds in the nest and I’m really hoping they both make it!
Earth Hour is Today
On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour.
The Earth Hour page is here: http://www10.earthhourus.org/. They have a great idea page for adults with activities for kids. http://www.earthhour.org/earth-hour-every-day
I got informartion about this event from WWF. Here’s the email:
Dear Friend of WWF,
Earth Hour is tonight, March 29, from 8 to 9 pm local time! Get ready to make it a great celebration for the planet.
Wondering what to do after you turn the lights out? Here are 10 fun ideas to help you, your family and your friends make a change and make a difference today.
 Time to switch to CFLs! |
1. Host a Green Party
Get your friends together for an Earth Hour eco-party. Fire up the flashlights and battery lanterns, serve organic food, avoid the disposable utensils, use natural décor (like flowers and hanging plants) and have a friend provide acoustic music. Talk to your guests about how you’re each reducing your environmental footprint and share ideas and solutions for saving more energy, money and carbon dioxide.
2. Give Yourself an Energy Makeover
Use Earth Hour to make your home more energy efficient: Replace your old light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs; install power strips (so you can turn computers and electronics on and off more easily); and change your air conditioner filters. Or go one step farther and install one new energy-efficient item, like an EnergyStar qualified DVD player. And on Monday, call your local utility and sign up for green power-like wind, hydro or solar.
3. Go Green with Your Kids
Earth Hour is a perfect time to talk to your kids about the environment and why we need to protect our planet from the dangers of climate change. Check out books on the environment from the library and read by flashlight, or head into the yard and have a night picnic. Or how about a night of board games? Check out our downloadable Earth Hour kids’ activities.
 Don’t forget your reusable bags when you shop! |
4. Do a Recyclables Scavenger Hunt
Get your flashlights and scour your cabinets and shelves for cans, bottles and cardboard (like cereal boxes) that you don’t normally recycle. Make a list of all the non-recyclable containers you’re using now (like plastic shopping bags and butter tubs), and figure out ways to reduce your consumption of items that end up in landfills. One easy tip: get reusable grocery bags… and reuse them!
5. Green That Workspace!
Working the night shift? Even if you can’t turn off all the lights at work, look around and see what you can unplug, turn down or use less of (like consuming less paper by printing double-sided). Every day millions of computer screens and speakers are left on overnight–shut ‘em off! And talk to your coworkers about what they can do to help make a difference, too.
6. Involve Your Local Leaders
If your city or town isn’t hosting an Earth Hour event, ask your local government to set up a community “green” discussion this spring. Help organize attendance by reaching out to local environmental and community groups, and come prepared to ask your leaders what they’re doing to make your city greener.
7. Clean Up Your Neighborhood
Grab a flashlight and take a long walk through your neighborhood, picking up trash and recyclables as you go. It’s a great chance to do some stargazing, too!
 Turn off the television. © WWF-Canon/John Daniels |
8. Unplug and Chill Out
Most of our daily activities–like watching TV, shopping online and texting friends–require loads of electricity, but do we really need to do so much stuff all the time? Take one hour for yourself to just chill… turn off the screens, put down the handheld devices and just take some “you” time to reflect, read or talk to your family. After all, why do more when you can do less?
9. Take Your Temperature
Your thermostat and your refrigerator are responsible for a huge portion of your carbon footprint. If you lower your thermostat by just 2 degrees and set your fridge to 37 degrees F. and the freezer at 0 degrees F., you’ll make a big difference.
10. Make a Pledge for the Planet
Earth Hour shouldn’t end at 9:01 pm–it’s a chance to take a first step toward lowering your overall impact on the environment. So use part of that hour to make a personal pledge to do more–recycle, drive less often, turn off or unplug electronics, and beyond. The only way we’re going to stabilize our climate is if we make real changes in our everyday lives. That change begins with Earth Hour, and ends with a healthy planet.
Of course, there are more than 10 ways to make a difference. Visit WWF’s website for additional ideas on things you can do every day to help the Earth and reduce your environmental footprint.
Thank you for being a part of Earth Hour and committing to lowering your impact on the planet.
Switching off,
 |
Richard Moss
Managing Director and Vice President, Climate Change
