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?
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