In the Garden- Curly Dock Seeds

Curly dock, also known as Rumex crispus, is a perennial herb native to Europe but has successfully naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America, South America, and Australia. Known for its long, curly leaves and reddish-brown seeds, curly dock is often labeled a weed due to its invasive nature. But what many don’t know is that the seeds of this plant are packed with nutrition and have a variety of uses. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the details of curly dock seeds, including how to harvest them and the different ways they can be used.

Harvesting Curly Dock Seeds

Harvesting curly dock seeds is a relatively straightforward process. The plant produces a tall, slender stalk covered in clusters of seeds that turn a reddish-brown color when they are ripe and ready for harvest, typically around late summer to early fall.

To harvest, simply snip off the seed stalks and place them in a bag. It’s best to allow the seed clusters to dry out for a few days in a cool and dry place. Once they’re dried, you can rub the seeds off the stalks with your hands or a piece of cloth.

It’s worth noting that curly dock seeds are covered in a hard outer shell that needs to be removed before consumption. This can be done by grinding the seeds and then winnowing, a process that involves throwing the seeds into the air and letting the wind carry away the lighter chaff, leaving the heavier seeds behind.

Uses of Curly Dock Seeds

While curly dock seeds are often overlooked, they are actually highly nutritious and versatile. Here are some of the ways they can be used:

1. Flour Substitute: The seeds of the curly dock can be ground into a fine flour. This flour can be used alone or mixed with wheat flour to make bread, cakes, and other baked goods. It imparts a subtle, earthy flavor to dishes.

2. Coffee Substitute: When roasted, curly dock seeds develop a rich, nutty flavor that makes them an excellent substitute for coffee. Simply roast the seeds in a pan until they’re dark brown, grind them, and brew like you would regular coffee.

3. Nutritional Supplement: Curly dock seeds are rich in vitamins, particularly Vitamin A and C, as well as minerals like iron and potassium. They also contain a fair amount of protein and fiber. Including them in your diet can provide a natural nutritional boost.

4. Traditional Medicine: In traditional medicine, curly dock seeds have been used as a laxative and a detoxifier. They are believed to help cleanse the blood and improve digestion.

Curly dock seeds, with their rich nutritional profile and versatility, are a hidden gem in the world of wild edibles. Harvesting and processing them may require a bit of effort, but the resulting product is more than worth it. So, the next time you come across a curly dock plant, don’t dismiss it as a mere weed. Instead, consider harvesting its seeds and exploring the different ways they can enrich your diet and health.

In the Garden – Mustard Greens

Mustard greens are an incredibly versatile and nutritious vegetable that is too often overlooked in the Western world. Known for their pungent, peppery flavor, these leafy greens have been a staple in Asian, African, and Southern American cuisines for centuries. From their humble seeds to their bold leaves, every part of the mustard plant can be utilized for culinary or medicinal purposes.

Origins and Varieties

Mustard greens, also known as Brassica juncea, are part of the Cruciferae family, which also includes vegetables like broccoli, kale, and cabbage. They are believed to have originated in the Himalayan region of India, and today, they are grown and consumed worldwide. There are numerous varieties of mustard greens, including green wave, southern giant, tendergreen, and red giant, each with its unique flavor and nutritional profile.

Growing Mustard Greens from Seeds

Growing mustard greens is a straightforward process. These plants are cool-season crops, thriving in temperatures between 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit, making them perfect for spring or fall gardens. The mustard seeds should be sown directly into well-draining soil, about half an inch deep and two inches apart. They need plenty of sunlight and regular watering. Within just a few weeks, the plants will be ready to harvest.

Using Mustard Greens in Cooking

Mustard greens have a vibrant, tangy flavor that adds a punch to any dish. They can be sautéed, steamed, braised, or even consumed raw in salads. When cooking, it’s best to pair them with strong, savory flavors like garlic, onions, or salty meats to balance their bitterness.

The seeds of the mustard plant, known as mustard seeds, are also widely used in cooking. They can be ground into a spice, used as a condiment, or even pickled. The seeds are also used to produce mustard oil, a common ingredient in Indian and Bangladeshi cuisines.

Health Benefits and Nutritional Value

Mustard greens are a nutrient powerhouse. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and are good sources of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They are also low in calories, making them a great choice for those looking to maintain a healthy weight.

The seeds of the mustard plant are also highly nutritious. They contain selenium, a mineral known for its antioxidant properties, and magnesium, which is beneficial for heart health.

In the realm of traditional medicine, mustard greens and seeds have been used to treat a range of ailments, from respiratory issues to arthritis pain.

In Conclusion

Mustard greens offer a unique combination of robust flavor, nutritional benefits, and versatility in the kitchen. Whether you’re growing them in your garden from seeds or buying them from the grocery store, incorporating mustard greens into your diet can add a new dimension to your meals and boost your health. So next time you’re planning your menu or your garden, don’t overlook the humble mustard green.

Remember, whether you’re using the leaves or the seeds, mustard greens are much more than just a sandwich condiment – they’re a global culinary treasure.

In the Garden- Onions

Onions, a staple in every kitchen worldwide, are perhaps one of the most versatile and flavorful ingredients we have at our disposal. A member of the Allium family, which also includes garlic, leeks, and chives, onions are known for their unique, pungent flavor and aroma that can transform any dish. They come in a variety of forms – red, yellow, white, and green – each variant having its own unique taste and culinary uses. Some are sweet, others are sharp, and some are so mild you can eat them raw.

In the Garden- Rose hips

Rose Hips: What Are They?

Rose hips, also known as rose haw or rose hep, are the fruits of wild roses, usually forming in late summer and autumn after the roses have bloomed and pollinated. They come in different sizes based on rose variety, are round, and typically red or orange.

Rose Hips: Nutritional Profile

Rose hips are known for their high Vitamin C content, even more than oranges. They also contain vitamins A, D, and E, essential fatty acids, and high levels of antioxidant flavonoids known for their immune boosting qualities and ability to promote cell health. Furthermore, they are rich in fiber and contain trace amounts of calcium, iron, selenium, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

Rose Hips: Health Benefits

1. Immune Support: The high concentration of Vitamin C in rose hips can help boost the immune system.

2. Skin Health: The antioxidants and Vitamin A in rose hips improve skin’s texture and flexibility.

3. Digestive Health: Rose hips are high in dietary fiber aiding in digestion, treating constipation, and promoting a healthy gut.

4. Cardiovascular Health: Rose hips have been associated with lower cholesterol levels and improved heart health.

5. Bone Health: The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds may help reduce symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Rose Hips: Culinary Uses

Rose hips have a tart flavor and can be used in making jellies, jams, soups, teas, wines, and pies. They can also be used as a natural sweetener in baked goods.

Rose Hips: Precautions

While rose hips are generally safe for consumption, it’s important to note that the tiny hairs found inside rose hips can cause irritation if ingested or if they come in contact with the skin. Therefore, it’s advised to strain any tea or jelly made from rose hips to remove these hairs.

Rose Hips: Beauty Applications

Rose hip oil, derived from the seeds, is a popular component in various beauty products due to its skin nourishing properties. It can help with skin issues like wrinkles, scars, and eczema.

Rose Hips: Gardening and Wildlife

In the garden, rose hips can provide a vibrant pop of color in the colder months when the flowers have faded. They also serve as a crucial source of food for birds and other wildlife during the winter months.

In conclusion, rose hips are more than just a pretty autumn decoration. They are a powerhouse of nutrients with numerous health benefits and versatile uses. In the garden, kitchen, or beauty routine, rose hips are truly a hidden gem of roses.

In the Garden- American Hazelnut

The American hazelnut, scientifically known as Corylus Americana, has been a significant part of the American landscape for centuries. Not only are they an essential source of food for wildlife, but they also possess a rich history and multiple uses that make them a fascinating subject. It’s time to delve into the world of this extraordinary shrub, exploring its growth habit, uses, and the history that shapes its story.

Growth Habit of American Hazelnuts

Renowned for their adaptability, American hazelnuts are native to the United States, growing profusely in the eastern and midwestern states. This deciduous shrub is known to flourish in a variety of soil types, but prefers well-drained, loamy or sandy soil.

The hazelnut shrub typically grows to a height of 15 to 18 feet and spreads approximately 10 to 12 feet. It’s a multi-stemmed shrub that can spread considerably via suckers if not pruned regularly. The shrub blooms in the early spring, producing male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are long, yellowish-brown catkins, while the female flowers are tiny and red. By late summer or early fall, these flowers mature into clusters of edible nuts enclosed in a leafy husk.

Uses of American Hazelnuts

American hazelnuts have been a valuable resource for both wildlife and humans. They provide an essential food source for squirrels, deer, turkeys, and several bird species. The dense growth habit of the shrub also provides excellent cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals.

For humans, the primary attraction of American hazelnuts is the nut itself. The nuts are small and sweet, making them a delightful snack. They also serve as a key ingredient in a variety of culinary delights, including pastries, chocolates, and the famous Nutella spread. The oil extracted from the nuts is used for cooking and in cosmetic products.

Beyond culinary uses, American hazelnuts are also used in conservation and landscaping. Their extensive root system makes them ideal for soil stabilization and erosion control. In landscaping, they are often used in hedges, screens, or as specimen plants due to their attractive foliage and nuts.

History of American Hazelnuts

The American hazelnut has a rich history dating back to the indigenous peoples of America. Native American tribes, such as the Algonquin and Iroquois, traditionally used hazelnuts for food and medicinal purposes. The nuts were often ground into a meal or used to create a healing oil.

With the arrival of European settlers, the uses of hazelnuts expanded. They were used in dyes, oils, and even in folk remedies. Today, the legacy of the American hazelnut lives on. It continues to be a popular choice for gardeners and farmers due to its multiple uses and easy cultivation.

In conclusion, the American hazelnut is more than just a source of delicious nuts. Its rich history, versatile uses, and distinct growth habit make it a truly fascinating and valuable plant. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast, a gardener, a cook, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, the American hazelnut has something to offer.

Clorox: An American Institution

The fun part of reviewing our inventory before we list an item for sale is looking up the history of common place items and finding the interesting facts about them. For bottle collectors, Clorox bottles have been an item of interest for some time. The public universally thinks of Clorox when they think of any chlorine bleach. The history of this household staple comes from humble beginnings.

The original company that would become the Clorox company started as Electro-Alkaline Company in 1913. Banker Archibald Taft, purveyor of wood & coal Edward Hughes, bookkeeper Charles Husband, lawyer Rufus Myers, and miner William Hussey each put up $100 to setup the factory in San Francisco.  The first packaging was a five-gallon crockery jug, and it was exclusively used for industrial purposes such as laundries, brewers, walnut bleachers, and municipal water companies.

In 1916, it was taken over by investor William Murray and at the suggestion of his wife created a less concentrated liquid bleach for home use. In 1918, the familiar 15-ounce amber glass bottle started being sold.

In 1928, the company went public and changed its name to Clorox Chemical Company. Clorox was named for the combination of its two main ingredients- chlorine and sodium hydroxide. At this point they started making amber bottles with the Clorox logo to distinguish themselves from other companies that offered other products in amber bottles.

From 1928 until 1939, the bottles went through several changes: the original pint bottle, which contained 15 ounces went to 16 ounces; the design of the bottle started with the Clorox diamond on the bottom of the bottle and evolved to raised solid lettering on the neck and shoulders of the bottle; the use of texture on the bottle; then raised lettering on the heel of the bottle. During this period the bottles were sealed with a rubber stopper. Due to rising popularity the half-gallon amber bottle with a single finger ring handle was introduced. Starting in 1940, Clorox redesigned the amber bottle replacing rubber stoppers with screw tops.

The next 20 years saw changes in design and volume of the Clorox amber bottle: 1942 saw the introduction of the gallon size amber bottle with a single finger ring handle; from 1955 until 1959, the two-finger ring handle was added to the half-gallon and gallon sizes; from 1959 through 1962, the pint and quart size bottles had a bulb-shaped neck, and the half-gallon and gallon sizes saw the addition of a four-finger handle; in the 1960’s, the amber bottles were fazed out and replaced by the popular plastic bottle.

The popularity of the company led to its purchase by Proctor & Gamble in 1957. Fearing a monopoly on the market, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) went to the Supreme Court. In 1969, Proctor & Gamble was forced to divest itself from Clorox.

Over the next 50 years, Clorox has grown and acquired many other well know brands, such as Glad, Pine Sol, Burt’s Bees, Rainbow Light, and Renew Life- to name a few. In 2019, Clorox was ranked 7^th in Barron’s “100 Most Sustainable US Companies” list. From a small chemical factory on San Francisco Bay to today’s major worldwide conglomerate the Clorox company has become a brand institution.

 Please take the opportunity to look at our other vintage bottles at The Backwoods Shoppe, as well as other fun and unique finds we have available. Feel free to visit our Instagram and Facebook pages and follow us!

OMG- a recipie that will make you talk in internet slang

I have been searching Pintrest to come up with dinner recipes, especially when I have an over abundance of something. It has been super helpful since I’ve started getting food from the Clemson Area Food Exchange, an organic or chemically free, well, food exchange. You order what’s available and farmers/bakers/etc deliver 🙂 This summer I typically ordered a Farm Box, which is $30 or a whole bunch of veggies… You never know what’s in it until you get it. It’s fun! Makes me get a little more creative in the kitchen.

At one point this summer, I had way too much cottage cheese (you might have read my review on cinnamon rolls?)… Anyway, along with needing to use up the cottage cheese, I needed to use up a bunch of zucchini, too. I found this curious recipe and pinned it to my Good Lookin’ Food board.

Quinoa Burgers!! If you didn’t already know, quinoa is the cat’s meeeow! Do a quick google search if you don’t already know 😉

This recipe calls for carrots, but the author didn’t have carrots one night and substituted with zucchini. Her husband afterwards told her she can only make them with zucchini from now on… He was so right!! Give it a try! I promise if you follow this recipe to the T the first time, you won’t be let down. Holy moooooly… Mmmmmmmm……

  
 
P.S. to Long Creekers (and Mountain Resters… And surrounding area I guess if you want to pick up in Long Creek), my grandmother lives in Seneca now and I visit her every Tuesday. That fortunately lands on a C.A.F.E. (Clemson Area Food Exchange) pick up day in Seneca at the hospital, so I have been volunteering there and picking up food and bringing it back to Long Creek. If anyone is interested in buying organic/chemical free local goodies, I will bring them to Long Creek for you. Friday at 9pm ordering begins and you have three-ish days to complete your order. You can order on their website or though their app!! You can order twice for free before you need to pay a $20 annual membership fee. And I am offering FREE DELIVERY TO THE BACKWOODS by 6:30/7pm Tuesdays. Just make note on your orders that Sarajoy is picking up your order, and please prepay 🙂 easy peasy for some locally grown organic veggies, meat, dairy, baked goods, etc. Please let me know if your interested!!

Hello world!

  Greetings from Long Creek, South Carolina!

My name is Sarajoy, and I am a new mother of my boy who is now 4 1/2 months old. People always said how the time flies, and sheesh! …they were right! I also founded and run a nonprofit called The Backwoods Visitors’ Center & Community Shoppe. I know what you’re thinking, “could you think of a longer name?!” Well, no. 😛 When I first started learning about business, I read that a name needs to reflect what type of business you plan to run. So The Backwoods- an extremely undescriptive name- plus the fact that the shoppe includes a broad spectrum of offerings, equals the narrowing down to the name The Backwoods Visitors’ Center & Community Shoppe 🙂 If the name doesn’t explain it all- we host local area information, & art, specialties, and second hand goods of our rural community. Brilliant, I know 😉

My folks recently moved here from Arizona and I couldn’t be happier. Now I have a buddy or two for craftin’ things, growin’ things, cookin’ things, baby shenanigans, shoppe happenin’s and more! So, to consolidate all our adventures, my mother and I have decided to start a blog! (Thanks for reading it thus far, by the way 🙂 ) We plan on writing one post almost everyday on the F.A.C.T.S. from The Backwoods. Obviously from the heading of this blog, you have already found out that F.A.C.T.S. stands for family, artistry, collectibles, trails, and sustainability. And I am sure you have made the connection between this blog, my life, and the shoppe.

So, here we go! Turning the page to start a new day, onto trying new things, and enjoying our lives in The Backwoods!