Cafe Thursday – New Use for Old Nemesis

I was wondering at the beauty of a sunny morning on my way to church last Sunday when I looked out my window and noticed a field full of dandelions.  I’ll admit, I am not a dandelion fan.  I, like every other girl I know, used to love them and fashioned many a wreath, garland and bouquet for my mom way back when, but have since moved on to more refined beauties such as roses.  However, I did start wondering as I drove why God would create such a strange thing, I mean, dandelions must have a purpose, right?

Imagine my glee upon finding this article today in The Salt Lake Tribune, written by one of my new favorite people on the web, MaryJane Butters.  In case you can’t get to the article, just use the search box and type in her name, it is a great article about how we can use dandelions in salads and how to even use the roots to make coffee.  MaryJane is honestly quite amazing, and I just love her tutorials, recipes, and overall great advice on all things organic.  It also helps that MaryJane is quite the homemaker and has some great ideas for how to reuse things and how to create less waste in our homes.  She actually has this Mid-Western City Girl longing for a farm of her own!  Wow, did I say that out loud?

Anyway, I am not sure I will be roasting or brewing up a cup of dandelion coffee anytime soon, but the next time I see some of my old nemesis around the yard, I may just consider havesting them for my daily salad.

Finally Friday Fun – Food and First Editions

Food First

I mentioned in my last post that I was searching the web last week for  places in my home state of Michigan that sold organic food and how much fun I was having finding and testing food.  I found another little gem.  I received my first order from a store called Food For Thought on Wednesday and was quite pleased with my purchases.  Not only is their site and packaging adorable, their food is delicious.  Of the few things I ordered, my favorite item hands down was the Organic Cherry Salsa Atento, I could honestly eat it by the buckets!

First Editions

I ate this wonderful salsa while I did some research online to determine if I accidentally own a first edition, first print book.  I LOVE books, and love reading them even more.  I have been seriously considering starting a collection that would second as an investment and so I have been doing some reading up on buying first edition books.  I randomly picked up a book that I got mailed to me by a friend and as I was trying to determine its edition, realized I had a first edition.  So my collection has officially started.  This particular book is not very well known and my book isn’t worth much. . .but everyone has to start somewhere.

New Place to Buy Organic

I am having so much fun going mostly Organic and being more careful about what food I put in my body. I don’t think it should be this much fun, but it is. I have been searching the web for organic food that doesn’t cost a ton, and I found a great new place on Friday.  Eden Organic has many healthy options, but is especially good for pasta, soy sauce, and organic snacks.  I found them because I was searching for organic growers in my home state of Michigan and received my first order yesterday.

I have to say first of all that I shopped late Friday, and got my food on Tuesday, that turn around time for online purchases is hard to beat.  I ordered four different products and have tried three of them already: 

The popcorn was amazing. . .really!  I made it just as instructed on the back of the package and it tasted much better than any microwave popcorn I have had.

I used the udon noodles as spaghetti noodles and then mixed the crushed tomatoes with a jar of Trader Joe Bruschetta sauce, a bit of succant, some garlic salt and pepper for a wonderful spaghetti dinner.  The price on these items are very good, and you have the option to buy in bulk when you purchase them from the online store.  I will be buying plenty more popcorn and noodles this week.