3 Ways to Use Dandelion

Most people grow flowers for their landscape and use them strictly for their aesthetic value. Not so with dandelion. While the unassuming dandelion may be the bane of every manicured lawn, it has so many health benefits, that you’d be hard-pressed not to grow and preserve it.

Many people do not realize that there are a lot of flower varieties that can be eaten. Flowers can bring amazing flavor and color to salads, and make stunning decorations for cakes and other dishes. If a flower isn’t poisonous, it’s considered technically edible, but not all edible flowers are tasty.

Flowers can also be used to make teas, and their properties can be used in cooking and natural medicine. Dandelion flowers and roots are very good for you, they contain both vitamin C and vitamin A. Never eat flowers that have been sprayed with any type of pesticide.

Just keep in mind that you should be absolutely certain what you’re eating because some flowers have poisonous look-alikes! You should be cautious about eating flowers if you have hay fever, asthma, or other allergies.

My pick for this weeks feature post is from 3 bloggers who have taught me more about growing and using dandelion

The Dandy Dandelion from Seeking Serenity and Harmony

I loved this detailed post called The Dandy Dandelion, with many links to follow to give you a thorough education about how wonderful this herb really is.

Dandelion Candy from Homestead Lady

Have you ever thought about making Dandelion Candy with your freshly harvested blossoms? Get foraging information and directions for turning dandelion into herbal coughdrops or dandelion candy, which contains honey, raw sugar, dandelion, turmeric, lemon, and ginger. Great tasting and naturally good for you!

Dandelion Syrup from Comfort Spring Station

Use your harvest to make Dandelion Syrup, which can be used just as other herbal syrups are used – on pancakes and waffles or mixed with seltzer for a fizzy drink. Who knew that syrup could be good for you!

Welcome to Farm Fresh Tuesday #4!

I’ve teamed up with my terrific homesteading buddies for a weekly blog hop and we’re super excited that you’re here.

What is a blog hop? It’s a place for bloggers to put their most recent articles about topics that interest you. It’s like searching for all the things you love about homesteading without having to scroll through a google search on individual topics. Each week you’ll find a new blogger and a few new articles that you’ll love.

My Co-hosts for Farm Fresh Tuesday are:

Lisa Lombardo of The Self-Sufficient Home Acre read her latest article – How to Preserve Cherries and Make Cherry Jam

Annie Lewellyn of 15 Acre Homestead read her latest article – How to Preserve Oranges

Tamara Reid of The Reid Homestead read her latest article – The Easiest Way to Preserve Green Beans

Shelle Wells of Rockin W Homestead read this article – 4 Ways to Preserve Onions

BLOGGERS, THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR FAMILY-FRIENDLY POSTS TO THIS BLOG HOP. HERE ARE THE RULES.

1. Homesteading, homemaking, gardening, recipes, sustainable and green ideas, DIY, healthy living, and self-reliance posts are welcome. Share up to 4 family friendly posts.
2. You may share older posts with ‘in season’ information, but please don’t share the same posts each week!
3. This is a Roundup Party – If you share your posts in this party, you are giving permission for others to link to your posts….that’s a good thing because it helps get more eyes on your posts! 🙂
4. Please link back to this party post so that we can feature you next week.
5. Visit some of the other posts and leave a comment…let them know you found them here!
6. Feel free to apply to our Farm Fresh Bloggers Roundup Page!
7. Please do not link to other Blog Hops, Linky Parties or to other giveaways in this homesteading hop. However, you may leave a comment below telling us about your blog hop or giveaway!