Weeds?

we've been having some great summer weather here in connecticut and i've been able to squeeze in some gardening time. there's always some kind of yard work to do like weeding but i also have a vegetable garden and now that summer is in full swing there is plenty to do in it like weeding! depending on what one is doing two hours of gardening burns about 370 calories. but i'm not thinking about that although there is an exercise called the "farmer's walk"……

one plant that grows in both the yard and the garden is purslane "portula oleracea"- a native plant of india and the mid-east. an annual that looks like a mini jade plant, it is draught resistant and will grow and spread just about any where. that's why the weed part comes into the conversation.

but wait a minute. purslane is edible-tastes somewhat like spinach-and is full of vitamins c, a and e and omega 3's. many of us don't get enough omega 3's which help to keep us heart healthy and reduce inflammation. at only 9 calories a cup, the leaves make a healthy addition to salads or combine it with basil to make a more nutrient rich pesto.

seeds are also available but why bother? they say the taste is slightly better and it grows into a taller plant. maybe. but meanwhile i will just pick what's around and enjoy it in a salad. you may want to try it too then decide whether or not to call it a weed.