Forgetting Things!

I apologize to anyone who actually reads my blog. I forgot to post yesterday and thought I did because I had the day's idea in my head. Do you ever do that? Think you did something or told someone something because you thought about it to extent? So, here was yesterday's nature lesson for me.

I found out something really cool today. I learned how to spot (some) things that you can eat in the wild if it were needed. These things are edible and to my surprise, taste rather amazing! I will list my two favorites here and you guys can tell me if you are willing to try them or if you refuse to based on principal. 

First, Dandelions. I know, I know, gross. They surprisingly aren't. I learned two things about Dandelions. The leaves, which don't look real inviting, can be used as a salad. All you have to do is pick the leaves. They will have sort of a sour taste because as you can imagine, dandelions are strong. To get rid of this, boil the leaves and then lay them to dry. An hour later, voila! I promise you it tastes just like salad, and I didn't load it down with dressing before you ask. I tried it with barely any so I could see how it actually tasted. The second thing to do with dandelions, is use the flower(or weed, however you look at them) and roots for tea. Wash them off really well, unless you don't mind the extra protein from bugs. ;-) Let the roots dry before continuing. Grind both the flower and roots up and put in two-three pints of water. Bring the water to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Add a tsp of baking powder and mix. Let it cook for 25 minutes and add a little cinnamon! It is really good. 

Second, Nettles, also known as Stinging Nettles. Now you all think I am really crazy. Once picked, they lose their "stinging," quality. Okay, so you will want to pick these with a glove or something to prevent yourself from touching them. After you get them picked, wash the leaves and get rid of the stems. Put them in boiling water for 5 minutes, or until the leaves look sort of wilted. Get rid of excess water and you have a salad. No, I am not kidding. 

So now I am learning to eat directly from the earth. There is something amazing about getting back to nature!

Walk With Purpose.

I told you all how one of my pledges was to get into shape and be healthy again. I started another part of accomplishing that today. My husband and I went for what was supposed to be a stroll for two miles on a gravel road by our house. As I was walking I kept looking at Chris who looked utterly bored. So, before I knew it I said "Go," and took off full sprint toward a road sign. He seemed confused at first but soon caught up, and passed me. Instead of getting discouraged, I closed my eyes and tried a little harder. Eventually, I made it to the sign and I felt a little proud.

On my way back I told Chris to make me jog from a cross section all the way to my house and not let me stop. He took his job seriously, acting as a drill sergeant of the highest command and when I slowed he yelled and got behind me pushing me on. When we got back a friend asked if I was being chased by a Tiger so my face must have been redder than red.

I am not the type to brag about exercise because, lets face it; those times have been few and far between lately. So, why do I insist on telling you about this experience? One, the entire experience was on two miles of pure nature. There was no gym, there was no treadmill, there weren't even paved streets. I was in nature and it felt so good to hard breathe that beautiful clean air. Second, in order to get back to nature you have to get back to the real you. I am here to tell you, you can't do that without a little exercise along the way. Hopefully, that exercise is natural, and outside, because you won't regret it.

Hard Day's Work

I look down at my body and I have cuts all over, my skin is more dirt than skin, and my socks are black. No, they didn't start that way, they were white. I am sticky all over and can feel so many knots in my hair I doubt it will ever come untangled again. Yet, somehow, I feel more at peace than I have in months.

I spent my day, along with my husband, outside pruning trees, yanking roots of weeds out of the ground, raking remaining leaves, and staring at the sky asking why the heck it needed to be 90 degrees while I did all these things. I know, I know, the first one that complains about the heat... The fact remains, had I been sitting on my butt doing nothing, I wouldn't have. However, getting off topic here, I was working my butt off.

A little background into my life; I grew up a military brat, and then a "city," brat. If you can call Mandan, North Dakota a city, that is. I do remember doing some hard work when I was little, and I remember climbing trees. However, I guess that "city," side got the better of me and I can honestly say I haven't done real hard work like I did today, in quite a while. My husband and I just moved into a house in the country not too long ago, and it takes a lot more work than an apartment. We made a pledge to each other to grow our own food and to do more work outside. We also made a pledge to start taking care of ourselves.

The reason I tell you all this isn't to bore you. It is to inform you that doing a hard days work is one of the most beautiful ways to get back to nature. You drink more water because you get so thirsty it is the only thing that will quench the burn in your throat. Pulling weeds give you this sense of pride you don't experience from run-of-the-mill jobs. Pruning your trees makes you happy because you know they are getting healthier without all the dead things hanging all over. Climbing trees gives you that invincible feeling you had when you were 10 again, as my husband and I experienced today. Nature is just a beautiful thing and a perfect Endorphin raiser when you need one. When I go to bed tonight, I will know that I did the most with a day as I could and I got to enjoy beautiful nature around me.

I would stay longer, but we need to have a fire to burn all those branches we pruned. Catch you soon!

Peace of a Puppy

Well, last night was difficult for me. My family dog of thirteen years got sick and we had to put him down. I cried for a half hour and I still tear up a little. However, talking to my mom led me to a realization; I need to be happy he's gone. Before everyone starts calling me a monster, I will explain why.

My dog was in pain, he couldn't even stand to pee anymore. He couldn't get up steps, he was thinning out extremely fast, and he just looked tired. Wishing I could keep him here is extremely selfish of me. He went to a better place last night and I was crying because he left me.

I thought of all these things, and then I felt at peace because I realized he is at peace. I sent up a prayer that he chase my housecat who also is deceased  around Heaven. I thanked him for being a wonderful puppy, and I took a deep breath.

My husband of course ended my acceptance with a wonderfully cheesy joke and I thank him for that. He said "Don't worry honey, all dogs go to Heaven. Haven't you seen the movie? Sheesh."

And with that, I am smiling again.

Beauty of a Bee

   I was sitting in my yard yesterday and a bee started swarming around my head and like a typical person, I jumped and ran. As I was running though, for some reason I stopped and looked at it. I remembered this article I had read in a natural health magazine where an actress said that bees are so beautiful and you never really see them anymore. Those words ran in my head and I watched as this little bee landed on me. He must have gotten bored of me because he flew away but I kept thinking, "I really hope he doesn't sting me." That thought led me to another thought that was both beautiful and terrifying to me. Bees only sting once because once their stinger is gone, they die. 

   Can you imagine that for a second? It is allowed to be completely free and fly, create honey, and build massive hives, but should it harm another being, it dies. Could you imagine if that were the case for humans? We would have gone extinct by now. Think back on your life and try to tell me, or yourself, that you never harmed another soul. I know I can't do it, and I am guessing you can't either.

   I think we all need to start thinking like we are bees. We shouldn't harm others emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Maybe remembering the life of a bee will help us force ourselves to stop next time we even think a harmful thought. I know I will.