Family Resources Kid's Resources
Family Support
The Parlor Join us on our message boards for conversation, introductions, support, encouragement and chit chat. Stop by and introduce yourself Here!
Recipes
Tea
Crafts
Garden
Forums
Sunflower Seed Snacks
By Mary Emma Allen
When the giant sunflower started growing in our garden, we weren’t surewhat it was because no one had planted sunflowers. Perhaps the wind blew theseeds there from the bird feeder. Or a bird dropped it while flying over.
We’ve watched it grow and develop a multitude of flowers. Thegrandchildren are anticipating picking and drying the seeds. The bring yellow blossomsbrighten our day and attract the attention of visitors.
A Nutritious Snack
Sunflower seeds can be eaten alone or combined with raisins, nuts, anddried fruits. They also give salads extra crunch and protein. They’reinteresting to add to breads or other baked goods. These seeds and sunflower meal come close to being a complete food in themselves. They contain protein, calcium. phosphorus, iron, potassium,magnesium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin C canbe obtained when you sprout sunflower seeds.Supposedly three tablespoons of sunflower seeds generally yield about 10percent of an adult’s daily protein requirements.
Native to North America
This high protein food is believed to be native to North America, andwas taken to Europe by the early Spanish explorers. From there, it spreadthroughout the Middle East and Asia. Finally sunflower seeds were introduced into the Americasagain as a food and have become a popular food in this country.The American Indians were using sunflower seeds long before the whiteman arrived. They made bread from the seeds by parching them, then poundingthem into a meal. This was mixed with marrow before the natives baked them on hotstones.
TOASTED SEEDS - Place seeds on a pan in a pre-heated oven at 350 degreesF. for a few minutes. Another recipe says to roast them at 300 F. for 15minutes. Or you can fry them in oil. Then salt the seeds lightly if desired.
ADD TO RECIPES - Try experimenting with toasted sunflower seeds invarious recipes to add protein to your meals.
About the Author Mary Emma Allen has been writing cooking columns for 30 years and has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a cookbook/storybook, "Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking articlesat http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/meaYou can email her at me.allen@juno.com
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling Memorial Day signals the start of barbecue season. Everyone wants to light that fire and charcoal that first meal. A few tips might pre- vent your entree from becoming a "Burnt Offering."
Read these tips for plenty of grilling ideas, make this year's barbecue perfect!
Growing and Using Garlic Chives Garlic chives, Allium tuberosum, is a hardy perennial (Zones 3-9) that will grow to about 12 inches high. The stems are skinnier and flat, instead of hollow as are regular chives, with greenish white blooms that are about an inch wide and not as rounded. They bloom in the summer rather than spring. The bloom stalks grow much taller than the leaves, sometimes up to 30 inches.
The stems and blooms are both edible and have a mild garlic onion taste. I've noticed many writers will list this as primarily as an Asian herb, as they are also known as Chinese chives, Chinese leeks, ku chai (China) or Nira (Japan), but it has many other uses as well!
The Perfect Porch Swing Perhaps it is the soothing rhythm or the reassuring creak of the porch swing that attracts us. Perhaps it is the companionable silence or quiet conversation. Or maybe swings simply remind us of more genteel times.
Although porch swings can be purchased in a wide range of materials, the most common are wicker and wood. You can also make your own porch swing from one of the myriad of woodworking patterns available at garden centers, hardware stores, or on the Internet.
Memorial Day: Backyard Grilling
Growing and Using Garlic Chives
The Perfect Porch Swing