Tag Archives: love tip

love tip #12: spring wild edibles and medicinals

06 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by in love tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It is so important to know what is already growing nearby!

I’ve been busy combing my woods lately and I’ve found many new edibles and herbals/medicinals.  These are all early spring/spring bloomers.

Bloodwort/Bloodroot

Bloodwort/Bloodroot

Bloodroot/Bloodwort — (Caution: Bloodroot must be used with extreme caution and under professional care!)  Medicinal uses: mainly for bronchial problems and severe throat infections, pharma uses mixed with other compounds to treat heart problems, treating migraines, and in dental uses.  The paste is used externally for skin diseases/cancer, warts, tumors and ringworms.  The root has many uses as a dye and anesthetic/expectorant.

Trillium

Trillium

Trillium — The young unfolding leaves are edible raw or cooked as a pot herb.  The root has many medicinal uses as an antiseptic, diuretic, and ophthalmic and can be boiled, grated, and/or made into a poultice for external use on the eyes to reduce swelling or to reduce joint aches and inflammation.

 

 

Dragonfly Columbine

Dragonfly Columbine

Columbine — A flower that is both beautiful and edible.  The flowers are high in nectar and therefore can have a hint of sweetness.  The roots are used to stop diarrhea and the flowers and seeds are used for the liver, jaundice, and kidney stones.  Leaves are used for aches and mouth/throat sores as lotions.

 

 

cropped-dsc02317-2.jpg

Eastern Redbud

Eastern Redbud Tree — Another pretty flower that is also edible raw or pickled while also rich in vitamin C; buds can be used as a caper.  The inner bark can be made into a tea creating strong astringent.  Redbuds are also used to treat fevers, diarrhea, dysentery, whooping cough and congestion.

 

Please remember to use home remedies with caution, and to always ensue proper identification.  The information here in no way substitutes professional advice for ailments and/or use of the plants listed!


 

love tip #11: scratch tastes better

22 Sunday Feb 2015

Posted by in love tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Shhh!  The most delicious foods are often the most simple to create!

Dusty’s Core Baking Mix

Since active with the Gypsy Preparers, I’ve been asked to share my grandmother’s core recipe for basic baking mix.  Since she didn’t actually measure her ingredients, I have adapted what I learned into measured recipes that I’m able to create off the top of my head for everyday use.

Flapjack mix

Dusty’s Flapjack mix, http://www.permielove.com

Everything starts with the Core recipe.  Mine is a simple mix of:

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

> Basic pancakes: add egg and milk (I scoop about 4-5 heaping tablespoons of this mix into a bowl, add 1 beaten egg and milk to desired texture.)  I use a griddle with cooking spray, flipping the pancakes as soon as bubbles begin to open.  If your pancakes are dry, thin the mix with milk and flip your pancakes sooner.

> Basic waffles: add egg and milk as above, plus 1 tablespoon oil or shortening (I prefer olive oil.)  The fat adds that bit of crisp to the cooked product and is more like the Belgian Waffles I remember from when I lived near Brussels!

> Flapjacks: raise sugar to 1/2 cup and add 1/2 cup cornmeal, prepare the same as Basic pancakes.

> Biscuit mix: add 1/3 cup chilled shortening to the Core recipe, cutting it in quickly and then adding just enough water or buttermilk to form drop biscuits for baking.  You can also reduce the sugar and raise the salt to desired taste.

> Backpacker’s mix: add 1/3 cup powdered milk and powdered eggs as desired to Core recipe, when ready to use, spoon out desired amount and add water until desired consistency.

Don’t forget to add your favorite toppings!  Although I will mix mashed bananas right into the pancake mix, I add all other toppings just after pouring the mix onto the griddle, immediately adding blueberries, chopped chocolate, etc., to allow the ingredients to cook into the mix and warm well.

*** You can even make your own buttermilk quickly and easily using fresh milk with lemon juice or white vinegar.  Simply put 1 tablespoon of either acid into a measuring cup, then fill to 1 full cup with milk.  In 5-10 minutes you will have buttermilk ready to use!

Please remember when sharing to credit content and photos to permie love!  Thank you!

love tip #9: the dreaded Black Walnut

10 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in love tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

It happened to me.  Yes, even me.  I went out last week and planted a blackberry bare-root in the yard and was just about to go out and add a blueberry to the that ‘perfect’ location when … when … I found the evidence.  The squirrels had been busy (thankfully) and had exposed a large stash of Black Walnuts meaning there had to be a tree nearby.  So, even though leaves are bare, I set out and found the culprit.

Black WalnutsNo, I won’t cut it down.  It’s useless, that is unless I plan on waiting about 20 years for the roots to compost fully.  I just have to rearrange. The blackberry will be moved and I will seek out a new home for the blueberry bush.

Unfortunately, that’s a tall task.  The tree is huge and it’s roots are far spread and I have a very limited open area nestled in thick woods.  I do have two tillable acres on the front of the property but the field can’t be seen in summer when the trees are full and I’ve no plan on providing the neighbors with a plentiful bounty.

Natural and manmade fences and an open view to the front acreage is planned but that’s down the road and not today.  Instead, I search and in the next week or so I replant.  Or do I dream of a beautiful Black Walnut hutch in my future?

Visit the Wisconsin Horticulture Extension website for a chart of plants that are both sensitive and not sensitive to juglone, the toxic substance produced heavily by Black Walnut trees.  And remember that even sensitive plants can often be grown in the vicinity of Black Walnut if they are grown in raised beds, keeping their roots above ground level.

love tip #3: easy insect control

15 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by in love tips

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

It’s easy to tell that I love the wild birds on my property.  But did you know that they are a wonderful addition to your garden insect control?  Birds like house sparrows and starlings are often shunned because of their protective nesting natures, but you can use them to your advantage and now is the time to begin!

European Starling

European Starling

Offer a welcome mat in winter to wild birds by providing seed and suet so that when nesting time arrives, the birds will already see your property as a friendly haven.  Just make sure to do it correctly!

Place feed far enough from your house to prohibit birds from regularly landing and nesting directly on your home, or around kids’ play areas, by feeding them closer to your garden.  Before late winter/spring nesting begins, place bird houses in this same area.  Space them far enough out to prevent dipping at you while gardening, but still surrounding the area you most want controlled.

Voila, you are one with nature and a little less insect heavy in your garden!