wild greens juice

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Would you like to take a walk on the wild side? No, not that wild side silly.....I'm talking about Wild Greens! Right now in many places there are some very nutritious "weeds" growing right in your back yard! These can be used in some great salads, juices and even your favorite smoothie!!

At our North Carolina home we have dandelion, chickween, plantain, mint, clover, violets and more popping up, that are great for replacing the traditional spinach and greens. Because they are fresh picked, they tend to have more vitamins and minerals and if you resist the temptation to weed and feed your yard, they are organic.  Instead of spraying them with pesticides, use them in your juices, salads, soups and more. You only need to plant them once, they will continue to grow every year.

Here are some other "weeds" that would be great:

Weeds:
Borage leaves and flowers
Chicory greens and flowers
Fiddlehead ferns
Lambsquarters
Malva
Miner’s lettuce
Purslane
Sorrel
Stinging nettles

There are articles articles and photos of edible weeds on the Internet. You may also find many books that help identify edible plants in your area. Please practice caution when picking wild plants making sure you can identify them well.

Here is a simple recipe for Wild Greens Juice or blend them up for a delicious smoothie:

1 Large Handful of Dandelion Greens (Use young spring leaves)
1 Large Handful of Chickweed
Juice of 2 Lime
2C of Mint Leaves
3 Pears

Nutrients
Beta- carotene, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, choline, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, vitamin B
Dandelion Greens – Improve functions of urinary system 
Chickweed – Blood cleanser and anti-inflammatory
Mint – Settles the digestive system, helps tone the liver, intestine, and the nervous system
Lime – Helps strengthen the immune system
Pear – Promotes cardiovascular and colon health


Remember, weeds are only in the eye of the beholder.......