Organic Granny

  Roasted (Grilled) Eggplant Rounds Ingredients 1 Eggplant sliced into rounds tossed in bowl with 3 tablespoons olive oil, to coat 😺😺 Mix in a small bowl: 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 😺😸 Package of Daiya vegan cheese shreds 😼😼😼 HOW-TO : Preheat oven to 425° F. Cover flat pan with parchment paper Dust (or dredge) eggplant rounds with herbs Place on oven pan and put in oven for 25 minutes.  At the 15 minute mark add on topping of Daiya cheese shreds. 😼😽😼 Notes : Eggplant, or aubergine, is a Mediterranean fruit (used as a savory or vegetable) and is really delicious cooked with Italian herbs but you are not restricted by such pronouncements.  You could use Middle Eastern, Northern African, Oriental or Mexican herb mixes if those are your taste faves.  No nazis overseeing your kitchen (I hope).  Go with your creativity. Let me know how they turn o

  My hunch was that thistles are probably full of nutrients-- chlorophyl for sure-- and that they would be a nutritious, albeit somewhat bitter, addition to a smoothie.  I didn't think that they would be easy eating in a salad or a sandwich (similar to stinging nettles in that respect). And then I ran across this very interesting video by Victoria Boutenko's son Sergei, who was traveling the world and presenting workshops on wild edibles.  I'm pretty impressed with what he has to say.   He mentioned some fruits that he would choose to blend with the thistle.  He also stated that peeling the stem back exposes a tasty stalk that can be chopped and used in salads like celery or cucumber (has the potential to taste like either of these).   Since I also have a fair representation of thistle in my backyard I believe that I will do a little exploring.  If I come up with any really amazing recipes, I will post them here. Some notes on the healing and values of the  Silybum Marianum

In my front yard I have a thriving planting of  Oregano Vulgare .  Although the herb is best eaten before the plant flowers, there ARE some very practical things that you can do to utilize the flowers. Here are 7 suggestions: Don't pinch off all the flowers  (if you must pinch off at all!) because the pretty, fragrant flowers will attract pollinators like the honey bee.  Bee farmers may actually thank you for the mild oregano-flavoured honey that results. The flowers have a more delicate flavour than the leaves  and are a lovely cullinary addition to salads, sauces, and Mediterranean-type dishes. Essential Oil of Oregano has been valued for its curative health qualities for generations!   Even just 'smelling' the plant is said to be very health-giving.  Put a garden chair next to a clump of oregano so you can sit there to take the sun and breathe in the fragrance.  Make a tea by pouring hot water over 3 T. of flowers, steeping for about 10 minutes, sweetening with honey and