Jerusalem Artichokes ( Helianthus tuberosa)

I have heard of this strange looking things for years
My dad's mother made relish out of it
My mom's mom grew them
I have seen them in the whole foods store at $5 a pound.
But as I research them as an Heirloom plant and found commonly in the European Markets.
It is not commonly cultivated here in it's native Eastern USA.
Also called the sunchoke it has properties valuble to Diabetics.
I can't beleve something that is so productive is not know moreover here in the states.
It is quite High in Iron (Fe) and Potassium (K) as well as other trace elements our body's need

From the Columbia Encyclopedia:
Jerusalem artichoke, tuberous-rooted perennial (Helianthus tuberosus) of the family Asteraceae (aster family), native to North America, where it was early cultivated by the indigenous inhabitants. In this particular case the name Jerusalem is a corruption of girasole [turning toward the sun], the Italian name for sunflower, of which this plant is one species. The edible tubers are somewhat potatolike, but the carbohydrate present is inulin rather than starch, and the flavor resembles that of artichokes. Jerusalem artichoke is more favored as a food plant in Europe (where it was introduced in 1616) and China than in North America, where it is most frequently grown as stock feed. The inulin is valuable also as a source of fructose for diabetics. Jerusalem artichokes are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Asterales, family Asteraceae.

These are some I have set out drying that were sent to be from a friend
Robert G. Giles
of http://www.ailensunflowers.com

From what I gather not many people grow them because they are quite multiplicorous...LOL...or they are a weed and could get out of control if not contained. I plan to set up a bed with cedar planks, with a bottom. Or I do have a 55 gallon drum that could be cut in half and become a home for these tuberous yummies.
I honestly can't wait to grow them as I have shared a video where folks use them as trellises for their beans (I will be using scarlet runner beans).

Tubers of Helianthus tuberosus introduced into Europe from Canada by Samuel de Champlain in the seventeenth century and originally called Canadian artichoke; the origin of the name Jerusalem is from the Italian girasole (sunflower). A 170-g portion is a good source of copper; a source of vitamin B1; provides 1.7 g of dietary fibre; supplies 30 kcal (125 kJ). Much of the carbohydrate is the non-starch polysaccharide insulin.

Sunchoke Nutritional Value Guide: (Raw)
Quantity - 1 Cup
Energy - 115 Calories
Carbohydrates - 26 (grams)
Protein - 3 (grams)
Cholesterol - 0 (milligrams)
Weight - 150 (grams)
Fat - 0 (grams)
Saturated Fat 0 (grams)

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Heliantheae
Genus: Helianthus
Species: H. tuberosus
Binomial name Helianthus tuberosus
This info was gathered from
http://sunchoke.org/history.html

I have sauteed thinly sliced tubers in olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh lemon juice, and garlic, I kept on the heat until they started to become transparent.

I also substituted about 2 cups into a mix for a FAUX POTATO SALAD.
I cleaned the roots with a scrubby pad to get rid of alot of the outer brown.
Diced them into small cubes
boiled intil they just began to be soft.
Then I drained them and put into a bowl
added about 2 TBSP sweet pickles diced fine
1/2 cup light mayo
1/4 cut yellow mustard
a generous squeeze of honey
and salt and pepper to taste
and I minced a stem of celery leaves.

It was good warm but it was absolutely fabulous the next day cold.
I would serve it to folks to see if they could really tell a difference.
I am definately going to be testing a few recipies to see if the substitution can be made for things like hask browns, and french fries, and maybe do them scalloped and baked...I will be getting back with updates on these tests. I do hope you all have a fabulous day.
I am putting out a feeler with my twitter connection at Mother Earth News and Martha Stewart Living Magazine to see if they have any fun ideas with this vegetable.
and Grow Jerusalem Artichokes.

Sauteed Broccoli and Bok Choy

@MSLiving (Martha Stewart)(twitter) can to the call of help when I was looking for something delicious for my first adventure with cooking bok choy.


Here is pic of what I cooked, my 4 1/2 year old loved it it perfumes the kitched with sweet oriental yumminess ;)

Sometimes if you make a big deal out of a new veggie and allow the kids to help prepare you will be suprised at how readily they will eat it.

Ingredients

1 pound bok choy
1 pound broccoli
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
1 to 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions

1. Cut white stalks from bok choy; slice into 1-inch pieces. Coarsely chop green leaves.
2. Peel stalks from broccoli; slice 1/4 inch thick. Cut florets into bite-size pieces.
3. In a large skillet, boil 1/2 cup water. Add bok choy stalks and broccoli; cover. Simmer over medium-low until broccoli is bright green, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover; cook on high until water evaporates, 2 to 4 minutes.
4. Add bok choy leaves, oil, and garlic. Cook, tossing often, until garlic is fragrant, 2 minutes.
5. Press ginger in a sieve over skillet to release juices. Stir in soy sauce. I grate my whole bit into the pan we love ginger

Variations

Recipe suggest canola oil rather than safflower oil.



Thanks @MSLiving hopefully Martha herself...LOL
~V

Shrimp and Bok Choy Slaw With Peanut Dressing @MotherEarthNews

Big thanks to @MotherEarthNews (Twitter) for this recipe
We'll see if the kiddos like it, got lots of bok choy to try all kinds of recipes with ;)

Shrimp and Bok Choy Slaw With Peanut Dressing
Bok choy means "cabbage" in Cantonese. You can substitute napa, savoy or green cabbage if you like.

9 to 10 cups sliced bok choy
6 green onions, chopped
1 cup red, white or daikon radishes, thinly sliced
4-ounce bag of frozen cooked salad shrimp (optional)
Fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped

Dressing:

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter (I use unsalted natural peanut butter)
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon peeled and chopped gingerroot
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
Dash of cayenne pepper or chili oil
About 1/4 cup boiling water

In a blender mix all of the dressing ingredients, including the boiling water. Blend until smooth, adding a few drops more water if its too thick (the sauce should be the consistency of ketchup). Refrigerate in a plastic container until needed. The sauce will get thicker when it's chilled. This dressing keeps for at least a week.

To make the slaw, defrost the shrimp unopened in a bowl of cold water. Dry the vegetables thoroughly after washing so they don't add liquid to the dressing. Slice the bok choy crosswise into thin slices. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels.

Just before serving, toss the salad ingredients with the dressing. (The salad gets unappetizingly soggy if the dressing is added ahead of time.) Serve topped with fresh mint. Serves 4 as a main course.




Just a little fyi from this page
Slaw Ingredients

What is slaw? I'd say anything that can be grated, although Mr. Webster may disagree. Here are some unusual vegetables to try in your slaws:
•Raw beets, grated
•Daikon (white radish), grated
•Broccoli stems, grated
•Kohlrabi, peeled and grated
•Jicama, peeled and grated
•Red, green, yellow and purple sweet peppers, sliced into thin strips
•Bok choy, thinly sliced
•Napa or savoy cabbage, thinly sliced


Cabbage Growing Tips

Cabbages can be sown or grown as transplants. It is a hardy, cool-season crop with an optimum growing soil temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and a preferred soil pH of 6.5. A cup of organic fertilizer for each plant (plant the seed a half inch deep, five seeds per foot) and one to two inches of water each week is all it takes to produce a bountiful harvest.


I am signed up for a number of newsletters and they keep me on top of some really interesting informations.

How to Make Crispy Seaweed Bok Choy: 5 steps (with pictures)

How to Make Crispy Seaweed Bok Choy: 5 steps (with pictures)

All this time I thought I was eating something exotic, I am making this as much as I can.  Yum
I hope you at least try this too, it's delish

Dandelion Wine

Toughest Dang Weed
thank goodness it has some curative properties
But if you think about it all plants were put here for a reason, it is God's plan for the ones he created to learn and use them.

Dandelion Wine
5 quarts blossoms ( pack tight)
5 quarts water
3 lbs. sugar ( yeah I know- but honey didn't work right)
1 orange
1 lemon
1 pkg. dry active yeast-
1 slice whole wheat toast.

Add 5 quart boiling water to blossoms. Let set covered for a day.
Day 2 strain off blossoms.
Add citrus juice to the dandelion tea- also put in peel.
Boil 30- 60 minutes. Cool to room temp.
Toast bread. Add water to yeast(warm) and just enough to make a
paste. Spread on whole wheat . Float in the juice for 3 days.(
covered)
Strain and let rest 1 day. Strain into bottles jars and drink in 3/4
months.

Some of this plants redeeming values
from
http://www.spiritnow.com/article/horoscopes/the_mystical_magical_healing_properties_of_dandelion_1019

http://www.asianonlinerecipes.com/herbs-health/dandelion-healing-properties.php
Will be visiting this latter site for information to remove a wart from my knee

Have a great day ~V

Irish Potato Candy

Erin Go Braugh
A little taste of the Irish

ENJOY A FREE PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD

IRISH POTATO CANDY

This recipe will serve three candies per each guest of dinner for four.

4 tablespoons of mashed cooked potatoes
2 tablespoons of butter
2 teaspoons of milk
1 cup confectioners' sugar, if mixture doesn't get stiff like dough, add a little more until it does.
2 cups peanut butter

Step 1. Mix together potatoes, butter, and milk. Add enough powdered sugar to make a stiff dough.
Step 2. Roll out on a flat surface sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Step 3. Spread on a layer of peanut butter and roll up. Place on cookie sheet and chill for at least 1/2 hour and then slice in 1/2 inch thickness.
Step 4. Wrap each slice in gold/yellow plastic/Syran wrap and return to refrigerator until just before serving.
Step 5. Place three wrapped Irish potato candies in the Shamrock Favor Cup.

HELP YOURSELF TO A FREE PRINTABLE SET OF SEED PACKETS

HAVE A GREAT HUMPDAY ~V

How to Start Canna From Seed

I had some happy Canna Plants this year and collected and shared oodles of seed.
But I didn't know what to do with them. I sent out the scout and came back with this information from one of my Group Buddies.
This is not my personal information

How to grow Canna from seed:
Scarify the seeds in January. Take the seeds, one by one, and rub the ends of the seeds on the sandpaper until you can see a small section of the white layer.
Place the canna seeds in the glass bowl. Cover the seeds with warm water and let them sit for 24 hours.
Fill the nursery tray with vermiculite. Dampen the vermiculite until it is moist, but not soggy. Remove the seeds from the bowl of water and plant them ¼ inch deep in the vermiculite.
Place the nursery tray in a warm area indoors. and keep the vermiculite moist during the germination period. The seeds will germinate in about 7 days.
Move the nursery tray to an interior location that receives sunlight. Check the vermiculite often and do not allow it to dry out. Rotate the nursery tray as needed, to prevent the seedlings from growing sideways.
Transplant the canna seedlings when they are six inches tall. Fill the flower pots with moistened potting soil, and then plant the canna seedlings into their individual pots.
Place the flower pots in a sunny window. Keep the potting soil moist, and continue to rotate the plants periodically.
Fertilize the seedlings with a granulated, organic fertilizer. Follow the directions on the package.
Move the flower pots outside after the danger of frost is past. Set the plants in a partially shaded area for two weeks to "harden" them off before their final transplant.
Plant the young cannas in a sunny location. Using a garden trowel, dig holes the same size as the flower pots, 18 to 24 inches apart. Dampen the holes.
Place one hand over the soil in the flower pot, and turn the pot upside-down. Lift off the flower pot, then lower the soil ball into the prepared hole.
Pat the dirt around the canna until it is firm and any air spaces are filled. Water the ground around the new plantings.

Amazing No Knead Bread

This was sent to me from another website for a Facebook Group I coordinate posts for

Amazing No Knead Bread

We have done this recipe for no-knead bread ages ago - and it is one I use on almost a daily basis - and I got asked for it again just recently. It is excellent, SO easy.
I still use one tsp yeast per cup of flour, but each to their own.
ADDED - Some want the recipe, so here goes.
Put into a bowl 3 cups of high grade flour,
3tsps of yeast (depending on the type you use - check on instructions to
see what the measure for measure per cup should be),
one tsp of salt
and around one cup to one and a half cups of water; enough to create the dough.
Mix the dry ingredients together, then add the water.
Mix the dough until it is well integrated, then cover with a greased clingfilm and leave on your countertop (or warm place) for 10-12 hours.
Preheat your oven to 425F (220C) and at the same time, put in an empty cast iron or Dutch oven with a lid.
Heat that for 30 minutes.
Empty the dough onto a well floured breadboard, then shape into a round. Bring out the cast iron pot, remove lid, pop dough into it
(do not grease the pot or put any other thing into it).
Put lid back on and cook for 30 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for 15 minutes more. Done!

http://www.frugallivingnw.com/frugal-homemaking/amazing-no-knead-bread-step-by-step-recipe/
— with Gina Rosa and Debbie Logan Romesburg

Caterpillar Scarf

This is a fun and super easy project for yourself or for gifting.
Here where I live I only knit with one strand at a time, but if you live where it is colder you could go two and even mix colors for a really cool look.
This scarf if made to this pattern is lightweight but warm, cute and dressy at the same time, Quick to work up.

Materials needed
size 15 knitting needles
1 ball Lions Brand Fun Fur 50g
knit stitch only

Cast on 18stitches
knit all rows until end
work off with last 18 inches of thread

I had made a forest green scarf just like these out of Festive Fur a couple of years ago as a trial project, I could have sold oodles if I had the forsight of what the heck would be trending in this town when...LOL

Make SOmething ~V

The Magic Boo Boo Sock

Children believe in Magic, it is a wonderful thing. Today we are making BooBoo sock (has no connection to the name Honey BooBoo we made these before she was ever a concieved marketing idea)

Anyway This is a good use for mismatched baby socks, I used cuter ones for the out side and a plainer one for the inside.
It can be made for someone as a gift with an explination of what a boo boo sock is, or you can make it with your child and let them cast a spell on the magic beans.
Step 1: find your baby socks

Step 2: find a helper to speak some Magic words over the beans as they fill the sock

A Boo Boo sock takes all the pain away
It turnes the tears into sunlight
Magical Beans with all the powers
To make BooBoo go away for hours.
It is simply a sock with lentils inside sewn up tightly at the top leaving enough room to have a cuff over the outside sock top. I found The Socks are easily filled if stretched over the top of a tall glass or mug

Step 3: sew top of sock

The Outside is just a cushy comfort and keep the inner sock from getting dirty. Not connected just remove and wash.
The outside also keeps just the right amount of cool so the magic beans will work;)
POP a couple in the freezer for minor emergencies, scraped knees, bumps, bruises
Great size for little hands, and super easy to make and use.

JUst for the record The little gal in the pic, had run into a door facing two days earlier, because of immediate administering of a small amount of Olive Oil to the area followed by the Boo Boo sock in 15 minute intervals, we quelled the formation of a dark bruise...it was looking quite swelled & horrid but here we are at day one

and above at day two.
Just a Tip: Olive Oil will cause blood to disperse back into the body and can lesssen bruising.

Hope You All Have A WOnder Ful Day
~V

Hobbit's Potato Soup

HOBBIT'S POTATO SOUP

6 cups diced potatoes
1 large onion chopped
2 cans chicken broth
1 stalk diced celery
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Cover with water and cook until tender

Then add:
1 stick butter
1 quart of half and half

Variation add 1/2 cup chopped ham or bacon while cooking

Sprinkle with fresh grated Parmesan or Sharp Cheese to serve

Until You Read Again
~v
http://instacanv.as/tigerlily690

Lucrative Venture ~ Photos

I have two wonderful girls, which means I am going to have to find creative ways to create more income to support the habit that just seem borne into women of these times ... LOL
So with that said I have added quite a number of pictures to a new site in an attemp to sell some of my work. I take loads of pictures and only a small percent ever get seen, I really am picky as to what will represent my tastes and feelings at a certain time. I do although have loads of pictures that I love no one has ever seen. Through Instagram and Instacanvas I am offering an insight into how I see things around me and things I really love. My gallery has a good selection of different samples available now for those who would like to check it out.
There is no reason my photos taken with my phone can't pay for my phone. Anyway The money from the pics are going toward monthly phone payments as well as any money exceeding that amount will pay for my girls 2013 Christmas Vacation.(if all works out)
I will have some prints available of some older works as handsigned prints, Those will be available at a later date, I was not happy with the current printer's sample. Watch for the announcement of their availablity.

I participate in life, trying not to miss a thing, sometimes the little things are the

http://instacanv.as/tigerlily690

only things, watch for little things.
Have a great day
~v

Baking Soda (NaHCO 3)~ A few good uses

Baking soda has been around a very long time, and has had a variety of uses besides "Baking". Here are a few things maybe you didn't know it was good for or how to use it for these purposes.

Brushing your teeth, it adds a little abrasive to knock off stubborn plaque and make you mouth feel fresh hence its odor reducing properties. Here is a recipe for making a homemade toothpaste.
1 cup coconut oil
1/2 c baking soda
1 tsp, splenda (optional)
10 drops of peppermint oil (i am thinking of trying tea tree oil as well, Melaluca
is an awesome natural product) (this may be too strong start with less and add to)
stir to a paste and store in an airtight jar.
Sounds very cool and inexpensive

I discusses the No Poo scalp cleansing method in a previous entry, check back to
New Years Resolution on December 28, 2012

You can also use it in a light abrasive nutrient cleansing oil for the face/skin
This is a refreshing change for all skin types, since the oils are natural your skin will soak then in.
equal parts of
coconut oil (yes the pure kind you can cook with),
100% shea butter (yes the kind that is pretty solid),
and good quality olive oil.
I melted the coconut and shea together for about 40 seconds in 20 second bursts in the microwave, then stirred until they were completely melted. Pour into a dark bottle add olive oil and give it a shake. I added a tiny bit of almond extract(yes the kind you cook with) just to give a really pleasing scent. You massage this onto your face and then use a soft washcloth and warm water to gently rub off, it leaves your skin feeling clean, soft and fresh. Once a week you can pour a little over some baking soda or extra-fine sugar for a nice exfoilating scrub. It is a nourishing emollient, that can cut your skin cleansing product expenses in half. (Mix with some salt for a really great exfoilating body scrub, thinking ahead to spring)

Did you know you can use Baking Soda to unglog a drain
sprinkle baking soda into the drain, then add some white vinegar (yup kiddo chemistry)
after it is finished with its reaction, I usually just leave it awhile to bubble and loosen whatever is in the drain. Then I finish with some boiling water.
unless you live with a sasquach and there is just a mega hairball down there this will normally move it out.

I leave you with just a tiny bit of Baking Soda History for this entry
Baking Soda is a leavening agent and is commonly grouped with yeast
Mixing Baking SOda and Vinegar to cause the release of Carbon Dioxide and cause effervessing is the most commonly known early Chemistry experiment
This link has interesting facts about Baking Soda

http://www.studymode.com/essays/History-Of-Baking-Soda-410630.html

So Check to see if your box of Soda is fresh in your fridge.
and here are 60 uses for Baking Soda
http://www.thelosthaven.co.uk/BSoda.htm

Have a Great Friday

This Too Shall Pass ~ INSOMNIA

Due to stress I have been having quite a bout with INSOMNIA lately.
I know it has been affecting my pleasant demeanor, although I haven't snapped to harshly at anyone yet. All my stress debunkers have failed, and I am resolved that it is going to just have to pass and I will just have to grin and bear it (and buy a new concealer stick...LOL)

Well last night in my attempt to use boredome to help sleep creep up onto my brain I found quite an interesting app on my Samsung SmartPhone...UDraw (FREE)

Here are a few examples of what rattled around and out of my fingertips, The best pic that was created actually didn't get saved, I have found with this app & my phone, it will shut itself down, Oh well what can I expect from something free right it will have it's glitches ;) But I think it will save enough of mine and my gals spontaneous art to satisfy and make up for the glitching.

I also have been playing around with a Sketch App, I think I will use that for my Christmas cards next year, a collage of pastel colored sketches, I can't wait...

Have a Blessed Day
Catterpillar Scarves coming up (Light, Compact, Warm, Attractive, and Fluffy)
Easy and fun to make, you can have one to match,contrast all your cold weather outfits ;)
~V

It's All In Perspective ~ The Small Things

Pay attention to the 'small things' you might miss something if you don't.
The Small thing in one's heart may be the biggest thing in others.

Make sure in 2013 that you take time to notice things and people around you. In this world it is all to much about the Big Picture and the small things get missed.

Taking the small things for granted or being unappreciative of small gifts from the world, is really a shame for lots of folks, I thought I'd share a few small things from my New Years' Day visit with my family. They were tired of my experimentation with my new lenses so I gave them a break...LOL

Have A Great Weekend ~V