Every Day a Little Better » K. Blocksdorf - Every Day, A Little Better

More Reasons to Love Dandelions

Katherine — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:25:00 +0000

Is the cure for cancer beneath our feet? I love carpets of yellow dandelions in the spring, although I know not everyone feels that way. But besides they’re beauty (IMHO), consuming the oft reviled dandelion has many health benefits, and researchers are looking at the possibility that dandelions may help fight cancer. According to this CBC report, in one test, a puree of the “weeds” was deadly to leukemia cells but preserved healthy cells. Researchers in Windsor, Ontario have been granted a total of $217,000, to study the effectiveness of dandelion extract on fighting cancer. So don’t hate those saucy yellow flowers in the back yard. Read more about the health benefits of dandelions and then use them in salads, wine, tea and coffee. Enjoy the butterflies and finches that use them for food—perhaps they’re onto something. Here's how to make dandelion tea:

More Dandelion Recipes:

And now I’m going to the backyard to pick some dandelions. Apparently there’s a goldmine back there.

The Humble Dandelion: Why So Maligned?

Katherine — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:08:50 +0000

I've always wondered why dandelions were so maligned. They add color in spring, stay green in hot dry weather, attract butterflies and finches who love their seeds and can be used to make wine and salad. They're welcome on my lawn--in fact, they are my lawn. There were about 20 of these two species of butterfly on my back lawn today feasting on my abundant dandelions.

The Dandelion

What a pretty little flower,
 albeit much maligned,
 though finches, bees and the butterflies
 are otherwise opined.

Each spring the merry faces,
 of the dent-de-lion humble,
 appear just as the grass turns green,
 before forsythia blossoms tumble.

The deep set root survives the frost,
 the leaves shoot emerald green
 And yellow as the springtime sun,
 the flowers golden gleam.

And when daffodils and tulips
 are in song and poem praised,
 The unwelcome little dandelion,
 receives a scornful gaze.

But like finches, bees,
 and butterflies happily agree,
 I love the yellow dandelion,
 and sing their praises willingly.

Kathy

A Red Admiral or Vanessa atalanta

Question Mark or Polygonia interrogationis

80 Chicken Recipes to Adapt to the Slow Carb Way of Eating

Katherine — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:15:21 +0000

Slow Carbing takes a little innovation. But most recipes can be adapted to the Slow Carb Way of Eating. For lunch today I had a tuna sandwich. I just substituted a besan flatbread for regular bread. I actually perfected the taste. Chicken breast meat is quick to cook up for supper and I love chicken (I just don't think about the hormones and crap in the meat. And I am starting to lean towards vegetarianism again...). Here's a page of 80 Low Carb Chicken Recipes that could easily be adapted to the Slow Carb Way. Tonight I'm trying Easy Oven Chicken. What do you think of coconut and the Slow Carb Way? Those Coconut Chicken bites look awfully tempting...but maybe best left for cheat day? What do you think?

Photo of the Day: Jan 4 and 5

Katherine — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:21:43 +0000

I don't like the look of many quilts, and the idea of quilting has never appealed to me, even though I do a lot of sewing. But, don't knock it before you try it right? So, I have decided to try machine quilting and as it nears completion am rather satisfied with the results, even though experienced quilters would shudder at my ineptitude.

From Photo a Day 2012

T-Maxx and I went for a walk today and found signs...

From Photo a Day 2012

Another Year, Another Photo Album

Katherine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:49:47 +0000

Two years ago I started a Photo a Day project. Recently my husband mentioned how much he liked seeing the photos I had taken each day. I had no idea he paid attention. So, on his suggestion, I've started another Photo a Day project.

From Photo a Day 2012

The thermometer plummeted, and suddenly it felt like it has been winter forever.

From Photo a Day 2012

A second picture to go with the first. The cardinals have not visited the feeders yet, but with the morning's cold temperature, this one is clearly tempted by the offer of free food.