Eating Your Yard

I am fascinated with nature.

All around us Mother Nature has much to offer not only in beauty but, with medicinal and culinary aspect.

As I continue with the segment Eating Your Yard formerly known as Weed Eater.

I've been writing about my experiences for several years about the benefits of edible weeds.

The name weeds are subliminal as a problematic annoyance and obnoxious issue.

In some areas that may be the case. But, if we would stop for a moment to learn more about the history, and their importance to our environment.

We might have a better quality of life with the health benefits these precious plants have are offering. Everything has a purpose on the earth therefore, plants were present first but share the earth with those that have the ability to destroy them.

We need plants to survive but, because of regulations, laws and marketing schemes humanity has been corralled into a barrel of brainwashing.

Of course, some weeds are obnoxious because we have been taught that the principal key to having a beautiful yard is to be weed free. While we are being spoon-fed, we are destroying natural habitats for the creatures which live beneath our feet. Don't get me wrong I do not do all creepy crawlies but, I have an admiration and respect. I know the intricate details of how everything is tied into one another and as the movie the Lion King suggested ITS A CIRCLE OF LIFE.

Just for the sake of not destroying all weeds we may classify them as herbs. And of course, occasionally the more popular the herb becomes its medicinal uses tends to lead to extinction or end up on the plant endangered list.

Anyone that knows me knows my favorite weed is Dandelion but, I will try to talk about other weeds because there are many growing in your yard, garden or alongside the roadway virtually unnoticed. Probably to the non-herbalist they are very annoying messing up your pretty landscape.

Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to another beautiful foraging herb which is dear to my heart just as much as dandelion.

Today's edible weed is Lamb's Quarters.

Lambs Quarters (Chenopodium album) is found in fields, pastures, agronomic and vegetable croplands, gardens, orchards, vineyards, landscaped areas, roadsides, and other disturbed locations. So, you see its everywhere waiting for your tasty embrace. This awesome plant can grow up to almost 5 feet tall in great soil conditions.

The mature plant description for identification is as of this: Leaves are generally dull and pale gray green, triangular egg shaped to lance shaped, about 2/5 to 2 inches (1–5 cm) long and have thin stalks that are about half as long as the leaf blade. Lower leaves usually have three main veins that extend from the base that are usually less than 1-1/2 times the width. Leaf surfaces, especially on new growth, are covered with a fine white powdery coating. Stems are single or may have a few rigids, angled branches and are sometimes striated purplish red. I like to think of them as almost looking like a wild green poinsettia in the summertime.

Since, I said that it means it's among the most summer annual plants.

Now, why is this plant so special? Glad you asked, Lamb's Quarter is also akin to the spinach family and in Europe it is cooked like spinach.

My son and I had the pleasure several times eating Lamb's Quarters because of its nutritional benefits. Check out the chart below. Lamb's Quarters has more vitamins and minerals than most commercial food products!

Anyway, trust me in the summer I'm in my yard foraging these tasty, wonderful plants. If you love greens, it is up there with shard, collards and my beloved dandelions.

How do you eat it? You can eat Lamb's Quarters raw straight off the stalk or add it to salads, cook it like spinach, or chop it mixing it with your favorite herbal seasonings on fish or poultry. And if you are health smoothie junkie, and you need some good greens for a smoothie this is it right here.

Where can I find it? Besides going out to the woods, fields, pastures or your own yard there are a few stores which sell it in the produce isle. Just make sure to check out your favorite markets for fresh greens. Also, if you choose to forage, please have a knowledgeable and experienced person to assist you for proper identification.

Also, speak with a farmer because most farmers are familiar with this particular plant. but make sure it hasn't been sprayed. I'm also told cows love it as well.

Genesis 1:29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only. It is not to treat, cure or diagnose. If you are interested in foraging, please do adequate research and seek out a professional for proper identification. If you choose to use a plant app, remember all plants in different countries are not the same but look very similar. When in doubt leave it out.

This has been Eat Your Yard lets go munch on some grass not mow it! Author Stephonia Roberts is an herbalist, Gardener and Texas Certified Master Naturalist

Plant description cited from unknown web source