An Indian government agency has agreed to sue the developers of genetically modified (GM) eggplant for violating India’s Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
This involves 270,000 organic farmers in America. For too long, Monsanto has been getting away with suing farmers whose crops have become contaminated by Monsanto’s patented genetic traits and chemical materials, and winning. Thankfully, the justice system seems to now recognize the severe error in this, and is now beginning to rightfully hold polluters and trespassers responsible. Monsanto, your days are numbered.
California’s Initiative process is making it possible to mandate that all GMO products sold in California be labeled. It would be a historic first in the US. The time has come for this to happen.
We get the petitions Feb 10 and will be looking to get 800,000 signatures on the petition which would insure the initiative gets on the November ballot. So if you are in California and you see signature gatherers please sign it. It is called California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act .
I have scheduled two workshops to train the signature gatherers. I am telling you this because I would never have imagined myself doing this. Anyone could organize a signature gathering team. And if you only get signatures from people in your neighborhood, or from your community organization, friends or strangers in front of a TJ’s or Whole Foods, it is all good.
There are no small efforts in this department. Everything and anything you do to get this initiative on the ballot is a BIG FREEKING DEAL. I would encourage everyone to contact labelgmos.org and sign up to gather signatures. Someone will contact you get you trained and put some petitions in your hands and you are off and running. I promise you if you get 1 signature on a petition it will make a difference.
O.k. folks that’s it for now.
THE CALIFORNIA RIGHT TO KNOW GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOOD ACT Initiative was filed with the California Secretary of State on November 9, 2011. This is a big deal folks and 20 years in the making!!!!! We should have the verified, approved petition back and in our hands and ready for the signature gathering the first week in January 2012.
Keeping it Fun — Save our Planet. It’s the only one with Chocolate
In the meantime, have had a workshop training on how to gather the signatures. Will be holding other workshops for the over 80 volunteer signature gatherers here in SLO County. I am working with a couple of fantastic Cal Poly groups, Empower Poly and Real Food. The students are such a resource and a delight to work with.
Volunteers are wanting to gather signatures in their neighborhood, community groups, church groups, at farmer markets, from local growers and grocery stores, co-ops and health food stores.
I am working with Transition California with over a 1,000 members on gathering signatures in every transition town in California. This has Transition written all over it. There is a real energy and determination surrounding this campaign and is very exciting.
In the next couple of weeks I will be holding more workshops. I want to concentrate our efforts and hit SLO county in a tidal wave with a sweep that will last 2 weeks starting on Valentines day and ending on the 29th. It’s a leap year.
If anyone is interested in getting involved do sign up at labelgmos.org. There is something for everyone. And if you have never done anything like this before, this is great way to get involved with something that will make a difference. This is grass roots stuff and you can do no wrong.
Everyone could get at least one signature and that one could make all the difference. I encourage you to sign up. It really has a very stimulating effect. And just for fun ask your local grocery store, health food, co-op if they will be supporting the initiative to Label GMO’s. That just gets the buzz going. People start talking and asking when they can sign the petition. It will make our appearance something to look forward to.
O.k. Folks, more info below. Thanks for dropping in for the update. Jeanne
p.s. I made the tee for about $5. Got a shirt at Michaels for $2.50, downloaded the press-on mirror image from the label gmo site, printed it out on my printer then bought the iron on sheets, package of 6, for $8. The printer didn’t pick up good color so I just filed it in with a blue permanent marker. Piece of cake and fun to do.
Monsanto’s Roundup linked to deadly diseases and birth defects, most people have no idea by Ethan A. Huff, staff writer.
Also, I have included at the end of this article the latest action by Label GMO’s.org. to get a California Initiative on the ballot to make labeling of all GMO’s mandatory. All I can say is the time for bitching and moaning about how bad it is, is over. It is time to start turning this thing around.
If you like being in driver’s seat then this is where you need to be. Take this initiative process and drive it home. They (WE) need 800,000 signatures. Sound like a lot of work? It is a lot especially if only a handful of people are doing it all. I encourage you for your own peace of mind and satisfaction to get one name on a petition. And encourage that person to get a name and before you know it there are a million and one names. And a million and one more people who can feel better about themselves because they have made a difference. The power of one. One name at a time is easy and you know and I know you can do that.
p.s. TODAY (AUGUST 20,2011) I ATTENDED A SEED MEETING WITH THE “LABEL GMO” PEOPLE. THEY NEEDED A POINT PERSON TO COLLECT SIGNATURES IN SLO. WELL, ALL FINGERS POINTED AT ME. IT IS TIME TO WALK THE WALK JEANNE GIRL. SO I AM ANNOUNCING I AM THE OFFICIAL CONTACT PERSON IN SLO IF YOU WANT TO SIGN ON TO KICKING SOME GMO BUTT. MY HOPE IS THAT WE CAN PUT SLO ON THE MAP AND GET NATIONAL ATTENTION FOR ALL THINGS GOOD AND GREEN BY COLLECTING THE MOST SIGNATURES.
MY HOPE, ALSO, IS THAT ALL THE TERRIFIC AND CONSCIENTIOUS GROUPS OF DEDICATED PEOPLE WORKING INDEPENDENTLY ON PROJECTS THAT ARE ADDRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CAN BAN TOGETHER FOR a VERY BRIEF AND SHINNING MOMENT TO COLLECTIVELY AND WITHOUT HESITATION, DELIVER a VERY SWIFT, DECISIVE BLOW TO ONE OF THE LARGEST THREATS TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, MONSANTO, THE GRIM REAPER TO ALL LIVING THINGS.
EVERYBODY, MOMS, DADS, STUDENTS, SENIORS, RICH, POOR, FARMERS, COMPUTER NERDS, SAINTS AND SINNERS HAS A STAKE IN THIS INITIATIVE TO LABEL GMO’S. WE ALL EAT FOOD. INITIATIVE DETAILS BELOW. jeanne@holeinthefence.net if you want to leave contact info. thank you, thank you, thank you.
(NaturalNews) A recent report put together by various professors, scholars and researchers affiliated with Earth Open Source, a collaboration group devoted to food issues, cites in great deal the multitude of peer-reviewed scientific studies which show that Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide (glyphosate), which is applied to many genetically-modified (GM) crops, is responsible for causing birth defects, endocrine disruption, DNA damage, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and cancer — and yet government agencies around the world continue to ignore this crucial information, and withhold it from the public, as they push for its approval or expanded use.
One of the main studies highlighted in the report was published in the August 2010 edition of Chemical Research in Toxicology, and it showed that Roundup causes malformations in frog and chicken embryos at levels much lower than those used on agricultural crops. And since Roundup-ready GM crops are designed to tolerate the herbicide, not resist it, they literally absorb Roundup, which is then passed on in much higher levels to humans that eat the tainted crops.
Another study conducted as part of the Argentine government’s research group CONICET found high rates of the same or similar birth defect in humans living near GM soy crops that were routinely sprayed with Roundup, indicating a clear connection between the chemical and human birth defects. More than half of the growing land in Argentina is now dominated by GM soy, which is sprayed with about 53 millions gallons of Roundup every single year.
The authors of the report say that this and the bulk of other independent, indicting evidence against Roundup has been largely ignored by governments, including in the EU where new data requirements will demand that proper investigation into the safety of GMOs is conducted. Rather than rely on industry-funded pseudoscience that claims GMOs are safe, authors say those working for the people must rise to the occasion and take charge in having proper safety evaluations conducted on the safety of Roundup.
“The public … has been kept in the dark by industry and regulators about the ability of glyphosate and Roundup to cause malformations,” write the authors in their summary. “[T]he work of independent scientists who have drawn attention to the herbicide’s teratogenic effects has been ignored, denigrated, or dismissed … They have also contributed to the growing division between independent and industry science, which in turn erodes public trust in the regulatory process.”
…is quite simply to get foods that contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms) as ingredients labeled so that we can make educated choices about the food we eat. Through our connections and communities, we invite people of all ages and backgrounds to join us and take a stand for the power of our democratic process and […]
It’s easy to feel like we have no power. It’s easy for life to feel hopeless. We are so busy we can’t take time to take a stand on anything to effect change. When we are alone, the only thing we can think is: what can I possibly do about this? The Challenge can be […]
Given the challenges, our task is to wake ourselves up and remember the power we hold when we join together. Obviously, we can do nothing alone. Or with only a few. But when large numbers of us come together, we CAN make change. We already have. I am a parent. I learned long ago that […]
Here you can find resources to educate yourself and others on Genetically Modified Organisms, and what happens when they are in your food. The Science Basic FAQ’s Resources Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post Tell a friend
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead We can do this if we remember that consistent baby steps done by many creates change. This is a Ballot Initiative for California, but it’s really about the whole country. […]
We have two major funding campaigns – one to get all the required signatures for the initiative to qualify. The other is to run the educational campaign to get people out and “VOTE YES For Our Right To Know About GMOs.” Every donation matters. We need both large and small. We appreciate whatever you can […]
I am reprinting this article. It appeared in a green directory, Solstice, out of San Luis Obispo. If you did just one thing on this list it is better than nothing. Also, there is a plant called spiderwort that detects radiation. I added that at the end.
“Below is a list of foods that might lead you to discover that you have been doing many of the right things already, just by eating a quality and well-rounded whole foods diet.
Foods high in iodine: Kelp and dulse seaweeds are the best; foods rich in vitamin P (bioflavanoids), citrus pulp, bilberry and blueberry;
Foods rich in vitamin A: sweet potato, fish-liver oils, butter, dark green vegetables, beef liver, yellow and orange veggies, carrots, egg yolk, dandelion greens/roots, berries, apricots, spirulina, chlorella, blue green algae, chilies;
Foods rich in vitamin D: fish liver oil, butter, eggs, liver, milk, saltwater fish;
Foods rich in vitamin E: wheat germ, wheat germ oil, leafy green vegetables, avocado, nuts, legumes, raw vegetable oils, sweet potato, whole-grain products, asparagus;
Foods high in minerals: dark leafy greens, beets,etc.; chlorella, cilantro, miso, (good quality stuff from South River Miso or Miso Master; garlic; eleuthero ginseng, bentonite clays if radiation exposure cannot be avoided (do not take by itself, always mix in later and add at least psyllum to it); raw greens and sprouts; reishi and shitake mushrooms, burdock root; raw beets, celery root, milk thistle, dandelion or artichoke leaf;
Herbs specific for your constitution: schisandra berry, tumeric, aloe vera and tiphala.
This was short and sweet.
p.s. by mom. There is a plant called Spiderwort that can detect radiation. The stamen turn from blue to pink when they have been exposed to even slight radiation. Here is what it looks like.
If you have read the other wildcrafting pieces then I think you deserve to be upgraded to forager. Crafting is a hobby. What we are doing now is a little more than a hobby so that is the reason for the upgrade. Congratulations. Now on with the show.
As a kid I always munched the stems of these little yellow flowers.
Sour grass
It was sour tasting but surprisingly refreshing. I thought I was brilliant calling it sour grass. Come to find out that is what everyone calls it. Hence, common name sour grass. If I knew then what I know now I would have eaten the whole thing. Sour grass’ real name is wood sorrel even though it is not a sorrel or a grass. Its genus is Oxalis, the binomial name is Oxalis acetosella. Acetosella is Greek for sour. Confused? Nevermind. All you need to know is that you can eat the leaves, flowers, seeds and roots, and call it whatever you want. It has true heart shaped leaves
Shamrock -3 leaf clover but its not really a clover either.
look like clover but isn’t – clover does not have heart shaped leaves.
This is a white clover leave. See the difference?
Wood sorrel is an edible wild plant that has been consumed by humans around the world for millennia.[2] In Dr. James Duke’s “Handbook of Edible Weeds,” he notes that the Kiowa Indian tribe chewed wood sorrel to alleviate thirst on long trips, that the Potawatomi Indians cooked it with sugar to make a dessert, the Algonquin Indians considered it an aphrodisiac, the Cherokee ate wood sorrel to alleviate mouth sores and a sore throat, and the Iroquois ate wood sorrel to help with cramps, fever and nausea.[3]
The edible tubers of the oca (O. tuberosa), somewhat similar to a small potato, have long been cultivated for food in Colombia.
The plant is mildly diuretic, so it is also good for those with water retention problems, when eaten raw or in a simple infusion or tea.
It does contain oxalic salts and as is the case with most everything, too much of a good thing is still too much. So, don’t plan on surviving on it alone. A handful a day is good for you. Two handfuls is one too many.
Next is Mallow
The Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis )
This is a very common plant that grows just about everywhere. Likes moist best. The whole plant is edible. Even the seeds which you can just eat as a snack. It is akin to the hibiscus and hollyhock and all are in the Family: Malvaceae so the leaves and flowers can look similar. And if you mistake a hollyhock for a marshmallow no worries. All parts of the hollyhock are safe to eat too. And everyone knows what a hibiscus looks like and the flower of the Hibiscus makes an excellent tea very high in Vit. C. So this is a great little family to get to know.
The whole plant, particularly the root, abounds with a mild mucilage and can be whipped up into a confectionary akin to the marshmallow. French druggists and English sweetmeat-makers prepare a confectionary paste (Pâét‚ de Guimauve) from the roots of Marsh Mallow, which is emollient and soothing to a sore chest, and valuable in coughs and hoarseness. A confection made from the root since ancient Egyptian time evolved into today’s marshmallow treat. The ‘Marsh Mallows’ usually sold by confectioners here, however are a mixture of flour, gum, egg-albumin, etc., and contain no mallow.
Eat the greens raw. Cook the roots. Make a syrup with the roots or leaves and it is very good for the Kidneys. Here’s a nice little video on Mallow.
Now foragers it’s tea time. Pine needle tea time.
How do you tell the difference between a pine, a fir, cedar, juniper or spruce they all have needles? Easy. Pine needles are the only needles that come bundled. They bundle up with 2-5 needles in a bundle. The White pine has 5 needles.
bundled pine needles
bundled (2) pine needles
Pine needles are rich in Vitamin C and also bring relief to conditions such as heart disease, varicose veins, fatigue, kidney aliments, sclerosis. Pine needle tea also gives you better eyesight. Pine needle tea has five times the amount of vitamin C found in one lemon. The white pine is the best for pine needle tea. It has 5 needles. They are all good so any pine tree will do.
This is a fir tree-not bundled needles
The smaller needles tend to be sweeter but its not that much of a difference.
Pine needle tea brings you clarity and mental clearness when you drink it.
The tea has many benefits; cleans the veins, increases your strength and vitality and helps in reversing or slowing the aging process. Pine needle tea was used by Taoist priests to promote longevity
Gotta love it! Put a handful of needles in a pot of boiling water and boil for about 5 mintues. it’s the oil in the needles that has all the benefits and boiling removes the oil. Then let it steep. Drink it hot. You can sweeten with honey. You should feel an almost immediate effect. I think I will do that right now. Toast.
Wheatgrass - Philosophers Stone of the plant world.
You don’t have to be a chemist or a philosopher or have special permission from the government to own this gold. In the whole scheme of things if you have a seed you have something that is as valuable to life and living as gold is to power and glory. If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and you could only take one of two things with you, a pound of gold or a pound of seeds, which would you choose? If you picked the seeds then you got both, the seeds AND the gold. Why? Beccause
WHEAT GRASS IS A GOLD MINE
1 Wheatgrass Juice is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll available.
2 Chlorophyll is the first product of light and, therefore, contains more light energy than any other element. This is a biggie folks.
3 Wheatgrass is high in oxygen
4 Chlorophyll is anti-bacterial and can be used inside and outside the body as a healer.
5 Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of unfriendly bacteria.
6 Chlorophyll (wheatgrass) rebuilds the bloodstream.
7 Chlorophyll can be extracted from many plants, but wheatgrass is superior because it has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown in organic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.
8 Wheatgrass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive indefinitely.
9 Dr. Ann Wigmore and institutes based on her teachings has been helping people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass.
10 Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them and makes them over.
11 Wheatgrass Juice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables. Dr Earp-Thomas, associate of Ann Wigmore, says that 15 pounds of Wheatgrass is the equivalent of 350 pounds of carrot, lettuce, celery, and so forth.
12 Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.
14 Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins in the body.
15 Chlorophyll helps purify the liver.
16 Chlorophyll improves blood sugar problems.
17 In the American Journal of Surgery (1940), Benjamin Gruskin, M.D. recommends chlorophyll for its antiseptic benefits. The article suggests the following clinical uses for chlorophyll: to clear up foul smelling odors, neutralize Strep infections, heal wounds, hasten skin grafting, cure chronic sinusitis, overcome chronic inner-ear inflammation and infection, reduce varicose veins and heal leg ulcers, eliminate impetigo and other scabby eruptions, heal rectal sores, successfully treat inflammation of the uterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infections, reduce typhoid fever, and cure advanced pyorrhea in many cases.21 Wheatgrass Juice cures acne and even help to remove scars after it has been ingested for seven to eight months. The diet must be improved at the same time.
18 Wheatgrass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will help eliminate toothaches. It pulls poisons from the gums.
19 Drink Wheatgrass Juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.
20 Pyorrhea of the mouth: lay pulp of wheatgrass soaked in juice on diseased area in mouth or chew wheat grass, spitting out the pulp.
21 By taking Wheat grass Juice, one may feel a difference in strength, endurance, health, and spirituality, and experience a sense of well-being.
22 Wheatgrass juice improves the digestion.
23 Wheat grass juice is high in enzymes.
24 Wheatgrass juice is great for constipation and keeping the bowels open. It is high in magnesium.
25 Dr. Birscher, a research scientist, called chlorophyll “concentrated sun power.” He said, “chlorophyll increases the function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus, and the lungs.”
26 According to Dr. Birscher, nature uses chlorophyll (wheatgrass) as a body cleanser, rebuilder, and neutralizer of toxins.
27 Wheat grass juice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effect of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production.
28 Wheatgrass Juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries.
29 Wheat grass Juice can remove heavy metals from the body.
30 Wheatgrass juice is great for blood disorders of all kinds
Many juice bars today offer wheatgrass juice for sale but it can be on the expensive side, not as expensive as gold but it’s getting there. Juice bars typically charge between $1.50 and $3.00 per 1 ounce. (Shot) of wheatgrass. Powdered or dried wheatgrass is also very expensive, taste terrible and does not have near the health benefits of fresh wheatgrass.
You can grow a tray of wheatgrass for as little as .30¢ which will yield anywhere from 10-12 ounces. That’s less than .03¢ a shot!
Gold is at $1474.40 an ounce as of 04/15/11. All the gold in the world can’t buy you good health. Wheat grass is .03¢ an ounce and the benefits are priceless. Mother Nature, the Master Chemist/ Philosopher, provides all the magic ingredients: sun, water, air, dirt, seed so you can grow your own gold. All She needs in return is a thank you. Thank you Mom.
Let’s get started
There are two kinds of wheat berries. Winter and spring. Only use hard red winter wheat and it has to be organic. Can you drink wheat grass if you are gluten intolerant? More than likely yes and it will be good for you. It’s a pH thing. All life is a pH thing. You need to do a taste test first to be sure. More info here.
(What does pH stand for? The “p” stands for potential and the “H” stands for Hydrogen. What is potential Hydrogen? A scientific explanation would state that pH refers to the plant’s ability to attract hydrogen ions. A less scientific explanation says pH is the acid/alkaline balance.)
Wheat grass is powerful stuff so if you have never had it before start with a little, less than an ounce. I happen to love the taste of it and an ounce just gets my juices flowing and I always want more. To me it is just sweet and delicious. But every palate is different. I think if you like the smell of fresh-cut grass you are going to love this. If you find it too strong then mix it with some celery or carrot juice or add a little water. I wouldn’t mix fruit juices like apples with it, just veggie juices. The reason for that is a whole other blog.
Wheat grass juicers are their own thing. Not the same as any other juicers. I found a manual one at a thrift store for $7, It was missing a part, but nothing I couldn’t fix.
It is a HealthyJuicer and I am very pleased with it. It’s $45 new which is reasonable. If you don’t have a juicer use a food processor. Chop up the wheatgrass or it will wrap around the blades and burn up your motor, put it in the FP, add a little water and mix it up good.
Then strain it. Here is where that french press comes in handy again or sheer nylons are great to strain the pulp out. Put the pulp in your mouth and suck on it but don’t eat it because our stomach really can’t digest it (why cows have 2 stomachs?) Benefits of doing that are explained above.
I will do a quick run down here but a video is worth a 1000 words. (too late I am already over a 1000)
You need a container to grow your seeds in. Anything with some sides on it will do.
some newspaper, organic dirt, a cover to keep the critters and light away, cheese cloth is fine, a squirter bottle to keep the seeds wet, winter wheat berries and you are good to go.
Soak the wheat berries until they sprout. A day or two. Rinse at least twice a day. Water your houseplants with the rinse water, they will love it! Get the newspaper soaking wet and line the container. I use the flat just because it is a space issue with me. I don’t have any. I love the idea of the individual ones so you have a continuous supply.
In the video he talks about a “baby blanket” to keep the seeds moist. It is an absorbent liner that holds water. The newspaper and felt material does the same thing. I think he was using a ShamWow in lieu of the dirt. Trader Joes has a KITCHEN CLOTH that is the same as a ShamWow. It is very absorbent made from viscose which is a cellulose product but not all natural. So I am not keen on subjecting my seeds to chems that the roots are going to end up eating and then I end up eating.
Even the paper that uses soy ink could be a factor. But I do use about 2 inches of organic dirt as a bed for the seeds and what they will use to draw the nutrients from. Keep the bed and seeds wet and covered. Then take the cover off so they green up. After about 9 days put on your miners cap and go mine your gold. Major pup gets 2 droppers full and he is licking his lips wanting more. It is a real shot in the arm.
So, here is the video. They use fancy sprouters. A mason jar with a nylon for a lid is just fine. You really don’t have to get anything special to do this. Use whatever you have and that is good enough. Nature doesn’t care. The seeds are going to sprout and grow no matter what the digs look like. So keep it simple and easy. One last thing. There is no storing or saving this. Drink right away if you want the full impact.
GO FOR THE GOLD
I get no kick backs for the above links. I am just using what I think works best for the presentation. All the best. Mom
This is just a lovely little bush in my neighborhood I am trying to ID. So, it’s a Psoralea pinnata, called the Grape Kool-aid plant because that is what it smells like. Cool.
Sorry this is about 2 weeks behind schedule folks. The Japanese tsunami and nuclear meltdown really got me thinking about a disaster kit. We are 19.5 miles from Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant, on the wrong side of the San Andres fault, full moon, planets lining up, fish kills in Redondo Beach all added up to get the dang kit done. It was an intense two weeks but the kit is done. Thanks for your patience. Just one more thing. There is going to be a universal water prayer for Japan conducted by Masaru Emoto on March 31 at 12 noon. I hope all reading this will be able to join in. Thank you.
Chenopo’dium: from the Greek chen, “goose,” and pous, “foot,” or podion, “a little foot,” referring to the shape of the leaves in some species (ref. genus Chenopodium)
Lambs quarters - Very common looking weed
This European relative of spinach and beets, which grows throughout the North America, bears large quantities of edible, spinach-flavored leaves you can collect from mid-spring to late fall. It’s one of the best sources of beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, and iron in the world; also a great source of trace minerals, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, and fiber. Wildman has an excellent piece on lambs quarter, also called goosefoot and pig weed. There is a look-a-like that will make you sick. The tell-tale difference is the look-a-like smells like resin. So no worries just pinch the leaves if it stinks let it be. I have found all the plants we are talking about here in my own yard or neighborhood. They are common. I have found, ID’ed and eaten everything I am posting here. I am not going to tell you anything I haven’t tried myself. So, Here is Lambs Quarters which I just found and ID’ed this last winter.
One of the tastiest greens out there–It is in your yard – Find It – ID It.
Young lambs quarters Ewe to you.
Nutrients: Lambs quarters has Phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins A, B2, Niacin, and C
Medicinal uses
Native Americans ate the leaves to treat stomachaches and prevent scurvy. Cold tea used for diarrhea. Leaf poultice used for burns and swellings. Fold remedy for vitiligo, a skin disorder.
This YouTube has some more interesting facts about Lambs Quarters. Ever heard of quinoa? You will be surprised what he has to say about lambs quarters and quinoa.
Most are succulent and have white flowers, and all with practically the same edible and medicinal values. They all exhibit a very interesting trait, (they sleep) termed the ‘Sleep of Plants,’ every night the leaves fold over the tender buds and the new shoots. I suggest you only gather this little darling when the white flowers are present. The look-a-like is the scarlet pimpernel. They grow very close to each other. You can’t tell them apart except for the flowers.
is known as the weather vane plant. When a low pressure is approaching the flower will close up to protect its pollen. Low pressure means there is a change of weather on the way. Dandelions flowers will do the same thing. But if there is a puff-ball on the dandelion the plant releases the puff from the stem before it rains to insures reseeding. Watch those puff balls. High pressure means clear skies. I digress. Back to Chickweed.
Gather fresh edible plant between May and July, as soon as flowers appear, it can be used fresh or be dried for later herb use.
Properties
Chickweeds are Medicinal and edible, they are very nutritious, high in vitamins and minerals, can be added to salads or cooked as a pot herb, tasting somewhat like spinach. The major plant constituents in Chickweed are Ascorbic-acid, Beta-carotene, Calcium, Coumarins, Genistein, Gamma-linolenic-acid, Flavonoids, Hentriacontanol, Magnesium, Niacin, Oleic-acid, Potassium, Riboflavin, Rutin, Selenium, Triterpenoid saponins, Thiamin, and Zinc.
New research indicates it’s use as an effective antihistamine. The decoction is also used externally to treat rheumatic pains, wounds and ulcers. It can be applied as a medicinal poultice and will relieve any kind of roseola and is effective wherever there are fragile superficial veins or itching skin conditions.
bum
Chickweed up close and personal
Chickweed-Down and Dirty
This little guy is good for just about everything that ails you. Find it in your garden or neighborhood. It is everywhere and finding it is kind of a thrill. It shows you have been paying attention and are learning something. Walking takes on a whole new meaning when you are out there trying to ID plants. I just learned about wood sorrel the other day and now I popping it in my mouth every chance I get.
As usual I have overstepped my bounds here and gone way over the limit. But I have half of next weeks wildcrafting blog already done. It will be on wood sorrel, Pine needles and spring tonic if I have room.
It only happens once a year, in the Spring and only for a very short time. Spring tonics are the magic elixir Mother Nature puts out there to get the life forces moving.
Spring tonics were what I was going talk about but because of recent events in Japan and the devastating 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, http://tinyurl.com/4vpsefnand now the threat of a nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Number One nuclear power plant http://tinyurl.com/6cwtzrg I have decided to talk about something I think is more important.
I am in California, 19.5 miles from Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant and on the wrong side of the San Andres fault. Recent events are very close to home.
It has been four days since the earthquake and tsunami hit. There are constant after shocks measuring between 5 and 6. Many areas are isolated and roads impassable. Only 1/2 of the emergency crews have been activated. There is no food left in the stores. There is no way to deliver food. No one to drive the trucks. No roads to drive on. No one to run the stores. Crops were destroyed. Gas stations can not pump gas. There is no food, water, shelter, energy. This is an unimaginable situation. You can’t imagine it happening here or to you. Few do but still it happens.
Electricity to Tokyo, about 250 miles away, has been affected because of the shut down of the power plants. This affects transportation and delivery of goods across Japan. Some subway station are closed so people can not get to work or make their connections. Rolling black outs are being proposed and another quake predicted for Thursday. Energy or the lack of it effects everything. NEC, Mitsubishi, Sony, suspending operations to save energy. The stock market nose-dived, below 10,000, down 633 points stocks affected insurance, oil, coal, automakers./ Topix down 68.5
The men, woman and children that made it to a shelter have blankets and they are grateful for that. The weather forecast is temperature in the 30’s and a large snowstorm is due on Wednesday. The shelters are not equipped with food, water, toilet paper, diapers, tampax, toothpaste, band aids, heat, coffee, tea, lights or any of the things we all take for granted every day. People are in shock. Separated from their families not knowing if they are dead or alive, injured. There is no way to communication. ATM’s don’ t work. Anything that needs to be pumped like water and gas has no electricity to run the pumps. Cell phones don’t work, batteries are dead and there is no electricity to recharge them.
This is a line for water in Sendai
This is a very desperate situation. These people had no warning. They could not prepare for this. Life changed in an instant and it will never be the same. It is damn bleak. And it could happen here. The ring of fire is real. We are on the Pacific Plate. It is on the move.
This is a warning to us. This is a wake up call. This is as close to the hand of God reaching down and tapping you on the shoulder and saying ” Hey you’re next so be prepared.”
I am going to give you two links to get yourselves started. One is the American Red Cross earthquake to do list. You can buy a kit ready-made or you can put one together yourself. There are things on this list you would never think of doing yourself. Read and Do it. Now. http://tinyurl.com/l4cjg5.
The second one is an earthquake watch video. This is very matter of fact. It is based on scientific calculations and things we have learned about earthquakes and what to look for. March 14-19 is of particular importance because of some very unique planetary alignments.
If this does not get you attention then I do not know what will. Just understand this. In an emergency there is not going to be anyone to help you. You are on your own. So be prepared. Gas up that car and get a telephone number of someone outside of the State that you can call. Phone lines within the State of the disaster are going to be jammed. Calling out is easier. Leave a message of your status and where you are. The contact person can pass that information on to everyone that checks in. It is going to be the only way to communicate.
I got a Red Cross radio that runs on solar, batteries, adapter and crank for $50. It also charges cell phones. Do you have a good escape plan? Know what roads to take and what direction to go in in case of Earthquake, floods, tsunami, emergency shelter? All different. We may not have any warning either. Who knows. But if all we have is 10, 15 minutes to get to safety, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to grab a bag with a toothbrush, water, toilet paper and beef jerky in it rather than not? Do yourself a favor people and just do it. And put some seaweed in there too it is loaded with iodine.
I don’ t want to be an alarmist here folks but this is no Y2K. This is something quite different. Facts are: 9.0 earthquake is a biggie and we have had 4 of them since 1952.It did knock the earth 6.5 inches off its axis. Our electromagnetic field is the lowest it has been since the last earth changing events occurred. Things are happening. Pay attention.
It is going to take time to get stuff organized. Don’t wait. And don’t be Stupid like this guy and ask
God’s Help!
There once was a flood and everyone had reached safety except for one man.
He climbed to the top of his house with the water lapping at his feet.
A helicopter flew over his head and hung down a rope for him to climb, but the man was deeply religious and said, “It’s alright! The Lord will save me!”
So the helicopter flew away. The water continued to rise and a boat came to him but, once again, the man shouted, “No! Go AWAY! the Lord will come and save me!” and, once again, the boat sped off.
The water was getting dangerously deep by now so the helicopter came back and, on cue, the man repeated, “I don’t need saving! My Lord will come”
Reluctantly, the helicopter left.
The rain continued to pour, the water continued to rise and the man drowned.
At the gates of heaven, the man met St. Peter. Confused, he asked, “Peter, I have lived the life of a faithful man – why did my Lord not rescue me?”
St. Peter replied, “For pity sake! He sent you two helicopters and a boat!”
Author Unknown
I look forward to writing the next blog on Spring tonics and Wildcrafting #5.
I love you dear readers now get busy and be safe please.
We are going to grow greens on your window sill, counter top or a cupboard. From seed to eats in just 72 hours. Crazy weather has put a bit of a kink in the food supply. Not to worry. We have a quick fix. You can grow sprouts anytime, anyplace, rain or shine, hot or cold, night or day. One pound of seeds will get 12-14 pounds of sprouts. Sprouted seeds, grains, and legumes are the most powerful enzyme-rich foods that exist. Enzymes are in every cell of our body. We can’t live without them. Sprouts have enzymes big time.
What are sprouts? Sprouts are germinating seeds that pack a real wallop nutritionally like nothing else on earth.
Sprouts provide the highest amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes of any food per ounce or calorie.
Estimates suggest there can be up to 100 times more enzymes in sprouts than in fruit and vegetables.
Sprouts can help protect you from radiation and toxic chemicals. Sprouts are rich in antioxidants which help the body to cleanse and detox.
Whole dried peas have no Vitamin C, yet when sprouted for 48 hours, provide more Vitamin C (ounce per ounce) than fresh oranges. What can I say? It’s magic.
Sprouts are High in Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Protein, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Iron. Those trace minerals are hard to get, especially in cooked foods.
Buy organic seeds. Some other seeds have a coating, could be contaminated and you don’t know exactly where they came from.
Everybody has heard of Alfalfa sprouts. Alfalfa, as the name in Arabic signifies, is the king of all sprouts. it is a vital component of human insulin. Apart from minerals, alfalfa is also a rich source of vitamins A,B,C,E and K and amino acids.
Buy extra seeds put them in jars and freeze them for future use. No telling what is happening with our seed supply. With Monsanto planting 8 million acres of RoundUp ready Terminator alfalfa seeds that will contaminate every living thing down wind it could be that uncontaminated seeds will be the new gold standard. Good for barter and your own food supply.
Sesame seeds are another good source of nourishment. They contain all the essential amino acids in their 20 per cent protein content and higher concentration of calcium than does milk. They are high in lecithin, unsaturated fats, vitamin E and vitamin B complex, besides other live nutrients. But there are others. Sprouts sources: Alfalfa , clover, mung, lentils, peas, broccoli, cabbage, kale, radish, wheat, barley, rye, spelt, rice, oats, almond, buckwheat, peanut, pumpkin, sunflower, quinoa, arugula, kale, cress, flax, buckwheat and lettuce, to name a few.
Are you sold on sprouts yet?
If not here are the numbers and this should convince you. A pound of Alfalfa sprouts costs $9 at our co-op. There are 32 tablespoons per pound. A tablespoon cost .28. You use 2 tablespoons per batch. So each batch of sprouts is going to cost you, out-of-pocket, about .56. A pound of seeds will yield you between 12-14 pounds of sprouts. That works out to about .03 cents per batch. That is a pretty darn good return on your investment. Makes good cents. Also, there is no weeding, fertilizing, pest control involved here. This is lazy man farming at its very best. Ready to grow some energy? Mother Nature has this all down to a real science. All you have to do is give Her a jumping off point.
There are several methods. Jars, bags, and contraptions. We are keeping this simple. I did the bag thing and the jar thing. I liked the jar thing the best. Cheapest, easiest, simplest is a jar. I had a french press sitting around doing nothing so I put it to work. It already had a strainer on it.Any glass jar will do.
Oops, that's ajar not a jar
A jar. That’s better
A jar
Need cheesecloth, screen, even a (clean) nylon sock cut off at the toe and put over the whole jar works great to cover opening so seeds can’t escape and air gets in. (I buy packaged nylons from the Goodwill for $1. They make great strainers, tie ups for plants and in a real pinch you could even use it as an emergency fan belt, Really! They are strong)
Measure: Before you go to bed one night, measure the correct amount of seeds–in this case, 2 tablespoons of alfalfa sprouts put them in the jar, rinse them good, swish them around, fill jar 1/3 with water and let stand overnight.
Just a note here about water.
Note:Water, water everywhere…but it’s not always fit to drink. Or for that matter, grow sprouts with. Many municipal water supplies around the world have been contaminated by industrial and agricultural pollutants. If you soak the seeds in that water, your sprouts may absorb those pollutants and pass them on to you. Eating sprouts made in contaminated water may have an adverse health affect over time, so consider using filtered or spring waterfor sprouting. I have a Brita filter that I use. Make sure the water is not cold but warm or at least room temp. Not all water is obviously flammable and contaminated (Gasland) but if you are not sure, error on the side of caution. Kind of makes you wonder what kind of water treatment store-bought stuff has been subjected too doesn’t it.
Next morning Strain
Note: Some people save this soaking water. It contains valuable nutrients that you can mix into a health shake with other ingredients like fruit and yogurt. Or use it for your houseplants–they’ll be very grateful.
Shake the jar a few times to remove all of the water from last night’s soak and drain.
To ensure complete drainage, store the jar at a 45 degree angle so all the water drains out and the seeds are not setting in water. Wet seeds rot. Rest the jar up against the wall or get a tilted holder so any excess water drains out, and you can forget about it. Note: I have to say this is the key to a good crop. Tilting gets all the water out and seeds can breathe. You want the seeds moist but not wet.
Repeat: On the evening of the same day, you’ll repeat the rinsing process. You’ll continue this morning and evening rinsing for 4 or 5 days (in warm climates, figure a day or two less than that). If you’re feeling particularly keen on sprouting, you can rinse it a third time at noon.
Watch for the growth:you’ll see green leaves sprouting on seeds, and white shoots on beans, nuts, and grains. Note: Sprouts don’t need light to grow so you can keep them wherever you have the room to store them with good air circulation. To green them up expose them to the sunlight for a day before harvesting.
Harvest and Eat
Add tosalads and sandwiches, and as a garnish on soups. A sprout sandwich is just delicious
Puree seeds and beans to make a fantastic sandwich spread or vegetabledip. For flavors, try adding tahini, lemon, and garlic for a middle Eastern flair; or fresh tomato and basil for a Mediterranean touch.
Cook bean sprouts: lightly stir-frythem with other vegetables, or add to other recipes like vegetable burgers. Also very good when steamed with shredded carrot and cabbage
Store in the frig, this slows down the growing process, and eat within 4 or 5 days. That should not be hard to do. They go fast.
Sprouts are great for pets too. Major Pup loves Nori seaweed wraps (This is how I get him his vitamin A and phytoplankton.) Wasn’t crazy about the sprouts. So I just wrapped the sprouts up in the Nori.
If you need more info, more detail on growing sprouts here are two great sites.
Then if you want a visual aide here’s a YouTube. This one tells you about all the different types of seeds and how to use them.
This is a video of the process step by step.
I went a little crazy with the sprouting. That’s normal for me. I had some hulled sunflower seeds I was using to make protein bars. I didn’t know if they were viable but what the heck, soaked them and this is them after 3 days. So cool. They were good even without the hulls. Who knew?
3 day old sunflower seeds
And then I had some sesame seeds and a bag of clover sitting around and didn’t know if any of this would sprout. It did. The sesame really surprised me.
clover and sesame
Fruit strainer for growing sprouts. Not my favorite. It was a space thing.
Bag method. It works just not great.
So , all I can say is try it and have some fun with it. Experiment a little. For sure it is going to be healthy and a darn site cheaper. I would really like to hear from some manly men out there that are doing this. Come on Guys.
This sprouting thing got me interested in spring tonics. So next week will do a little thing about collecting nettle, dandelions, sassafras and make a spring tonic out of it. You can only do this in the spring when the leaves are all fresh and new and loaded with vim and vigor.
Fat and happy after his Nori and sprouts. What a pup xoxo
There is some talk about food shortages because of the very hard winter in Mexico and the Southwest where much of our produce comes from. I talked with the produce manager at our local grocery store and he confirmed that the shortage is a reality and is in the works as we speak. He gave an example of box of tomatoes going from $16 a box to $50 a box within a matter of two weeks. It is just a supply and demand thing. Only the produce is going to be affected at this point in time and it should only last for 3-4 months or until the next growing season comes around.
In the meantime growing your own produce such as lettuce, peas, green beans, and spinach, all fast growers, will keep you in greens. Also, buying local at farmers markets and co-ops is always a good thing to do. And when you are buying seeds to plant in your garden buy an extra pack or two now and put them in your freezer to store for future use. You never know about availability of seeds with all this crazy weather. If you have seeds then you always have the ability to grow your own food if need be. This is just insurance. Here is a great blog that explains seed saving. http://terroirseeds.net/113/seed-saving-and-storage/
Don’t forget those dandelions greens either.
The most basic and readily available wildcrafting plant you will ever find. They are just dying to be part of your tossed green salad. Dandelion tea from the flowers packs a real punch too. All parts of the dandelion, flower, leaves and roots, contain minerals and vitamins: A, C, D, E, & B complex, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, choline, and boron, etc. when infused in hot water or eaten fresh. Here’s a little piece I did on dandelions you might find useful.
Also, a quick easy way to get very nutritious greens is from sprouts you grow in your window. It takes 72 hours. Another reason not to panic. Again, get your sprouts seeds from a co-op and then buy some extra that you put in the freezer. I use mason jars to store my seeds. Glass is better than any plastic wraps, no residues. Also, if the electricity goes out and you have to use things in your freezer right away because they will spoil, not so with the seeds. You have just extended their life by a year once they defrost. Now you are also working on a long-term survival kit and you didn’t even know it.
This is just to get you started on getting prepared. Next week I am going to show you how to grow sprouts as easy as 1-2-3. I use a large glass french press coffee maker to grow my sprouts in and it works great, better than the sprouting jars that didn’t always get enough air flow and the sprouts fermented before they sprouted. I got the french press at the Goodwill store for $3.
seed sprouter
So, keep your eyes open for a good sprouting container, get your seeds, some mason jars, or save all your glass jars, meet me back here next week and we will get started sprouting with some surprises.
I have started a hashtag on twitter to just keep track of chemtrail activity. If you want to play all you have to do is Tweet the time, place, and activity and put the pound sign “#” with the word, “chemtrails” in the tweet. It looks like this 1.20.11, SLO, 9:40am. I count 17 trails directly overhead now. #chemtrails.
The #chemtrails will show up red in the tweet. You can click on that and it will take you to the tweet site with all the #chemtrail entries.
The Extensive Database for California Skywatch is located on the Agriculture Defense Coalition Website. This site houses a robust database containing …
www.californiaskywatch.com/
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