Gold-mine in our back yard

Gold mine is a term used to express something of value, not to be taken literally. Recently, we are tuning in to foods which are valuable to your health and raspberries and their leaves rank up there on the chart of medicinals and antioxidants.

I heard that the leaves can be used in a tea to correct the menses, natures way. Twenty-three years have passed as the so-called picker bushes were cut away in the spring as being non-productive. A few were salvaged here and there for the birds. Its no wonder that I have a bird sanctuary here as the plants that I have all around attract them and are a good food source.

Today, as I strolled past the edge of the wood, I couldn't help but see the abundance of the fruit, not far from the many pears growing on my dwarf pear tree.

I'm still wondering if it is because of the weather we had this season? The weeds have grown up to the tree line. Or, perhaps we see the increase due to the five trees that were cut down in that area, greatly increasing the amount of sun that these bushes have received.

I wanted to pick some, but a quick read suggests that the leaves may be mixed up with poison ivy and it would be pretty hard to tell the difference. Since I am very sensitive to the poisonous plant, I will leave the berries for the birds to feast on.

We don't eat the pears either, as they are not sprayed in the Spring. They are perfect and tempting. Ignorance about the natural verses store bought is the difference. So, we let it go to waste while we pay top dollar at the farm stand. Is there something wrong with this picture?

Maybe we just need someone to come in who knows something about fruit in the wild to tell us it is okay to consume.

How did it ever get to this point where in this country, we do not recognize food? Years ago, we had farms and nut trees and wild blueberries, strawberry rhubarb everything and apples everywhere. Our natural food sources are becoming as extinct as our woodlands.

We now get much of our food from other countries or other states. Some people don't even know how to prepare food in its natural state. They rely on frozen dinners and take-out vendors.

Maybe it is time to slow down and reevaluate what we are doing. Maybe you have a gold-mine in your back yard too...