Author: admin

01 JAN

Rose Hips

While the common rose originated in Iran, cultivation of the fragrant flower took off in Europe in the 1800’s with the introduction of roses from China that had an amazing ability to bloom repeatedly throughout the summer and into late autumn. Rose bushes have become one of the most popular garden shrubs, bearing flowers in a variety of colors: red, white, pink, yellow, orange, and burgundy. Currently, there are thousands of rose varieties and hybrids that have been developed for their bloom shape, color, size, and fragrance. Some even lack thorns.
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01 NOV

Timeless Thyme

There are about 350 species of thyme. Since they readily hybridize (blend with other species) in cultivation, their classification is quite complex. Many produce good garden plants, which are easy to grow and exhibit fragrant foliage and small pink or lilac flowers. Although the flowers are small, they’re numerous and produce copious amounts of bee-pleasing nectar. Some of the finest-flavored honey comes from thyme plants.
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01 OCT

Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) can be grown year-round and usually stays green late into the fall and sometimes throughout the winter. The plant can reach six to eight inches in height the first year and up to three feet when it flowers the second. Young foliage is preferred for eating, since the leaves of the second-year growth tend to be somewhat tough and bitter.

While parsley is native to the Mediterranean region, it’s now one of the most widely cultivated garden herbs. In ancient Roman times parsley was a very popular culinary additive. Pliny complained that every sauce and salad contained it. The Romans spread parsley and soft cheese on bread—a predecessor of the modern parsley and cream cheese sandwich.
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01 JUL

Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:

2 qt. tomatoes, canned
1 qt. water
2 onion, large, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
1/4 c. barley, uncooked
3 carrots, raw, diced
1 c. okra, raw, diced
2 c. green beans, fresh, cut into bite size pieces
2 c. zucchini, fresh, diced
1 lg. potato, diced
1 16-oz. can pinto beans
1 16-oz. can white northern beans
1 16-oz. can black beans
2 T. Italian seasoning
garlic powder to taste
7 imitation chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 c. mini pasta shells-or favorite pasta, vegetable or whole grain

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01 JUL

Passion Flower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) also goes by the name passion vine, apricot vine, or Corona de Cristo. It’s a hardy, climbing vine that is noted for its beautiful flowers and tasty fruit. This perennial creeper is native to Central and South America, the West Indies, and the southeast region of the United States. The climbing tendrils can be trained so that the vine can easily grow on a trellis.
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01 MAY

Vege-Tofu Burgers

Ingredients:

6 to 8 oz. bread crumbs
4 to 5 c. quick oats
2 c. whole-grain crackers (crushed)
2 to 4 c. pecans (chopped)
2 pkgs. tofu
2 med. onions (pureed)
2 to 3 pkgs. Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
2 c. lentils (cooked)
1 c. brown rice (cooked)
Better than Milk (as needed)

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01 MAR

Chive Talkin’

Color your plate while battling bugs.

Chives are part of a large genus of approximately 500 species of perennials that contain bulbs or underground stems. This mostly strong-smelling allium herb includes garlic, onions, scallions, leeks, and chives-all belonging to the lily family. Various allium species have been cultivated since earliest times-a favorite of Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans-and are universally important as vegetables, flavorings, and medicinal plants.
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01 MAR

Lavender

Relax! Relax! Relax!

The lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) grows from two to three feet tall and produces small purple-blue flowers that appear on the stalks in attractive slender spikes. While fine lavender is native to the western Mediterranean region, lavandin, a hybrid lavender plant, is now widely cultivated elsewhere in Europe, the United states, and Australia. It successfully grows in well-drained soils enriched with plenty of sunshine.
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