Popeye had it all figured out: spinach makes you strong and healthy, equipped to tackle the day. Readily available all year round, this accessible and affordable green leafy vegetable, a member of the amaranthaceae family, is a durable and nutritious addition to almost any meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as an afternoon snack. While spinach may not always top the charts as a superfood, it warrants a place at the table.
Imagine driving along the coast of California, admiring the gorgeous views and stunning beaches. You pull over, step out of the car, and smell the magical scent of fresh Pacific Ocean air. You breathe deep the ionically charged air, do a few stretches, and gather your seaweed harvesting tools and head down to the rocky beach. And your day begins for harvesting wild seaweed.
Lentils might not look like much, but they certainly pack a punch. You’ve probably enjoyed them in lentil soup, where they stand out as the featured ingredient.
Love-lies-bleeding flowers belong to the family Amaranthaceae, commonly known as the Amaranth family of the genus Amaranthus L. or pigweed P. There are forty-nine species in the genus that includes the Amaranthus caudatus L., also known as foxtail amaranth P. The plant is native to the tropical regions throughout the world and there is well documented use of it as a staple food for the native peoples for millennia.
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are powerful little legumes with high amounts of fiber, vitamins A and E, manganese, and folate. They originated in the Middle East and were cultivated for thousands of years, with evidence of their origin dating back to 3000 B.C.. This study, published in 2016, suggests that chickpeas can play a role in weight management and both glucose and insulin regulation.
Butter lettuce is a member of the family Asteraceae, commonly known as the Aster family of the genus Lactuca L. or lettuce P. The United States Department of Agriculture lists butter lettuce as the species Lactuca sativa L. or garden lettuce P.
Black currant is a member of the family Grossulariaceae, commonly known as the currant family of the genus Ribes L. or currant P that contains sixty-five species, five of which are the American black currant, the northern black currant, the western black currant, the trailing black currant, and the European black currant.
Fava beans are a member of the family Fabaceae, commonly known as the pea family of the genus Vicia L of the species Vicia faba L, commonly called fava bean P. The plant is native to the Mediterranean basin with evidence found as early as the Iron age. By the end of the Iron age they had spread throughout the world.
Chard is in the family Chenopodiaceae, commonly known as the goosefoot family, in the genus Beta L. or beet P. This genus contains ten species of beets and two subspecies, one of which is chard, scientifically known as Beta vulgaris L. ssp. cicla (L.) W.D.J. Koch or chard P.
Dandelions are a member of the family Asteraceae, commonly known as the Aster family in the genus Taraxacum F.H. Wigg. or dandelion P., which contains nine species. The greens have been eaten since prehistory and are native to Asia, Europe, and America. The name is derived from the French term “dent-de-lion,” meaning “lion’s tooth” and referring to the serrated edges of the leaves.