The Gifts
1. Dandelion flowers (some call weeds) hold a powerhouse of nutrition. The flowers according to James Duke author of "The Green Pharmacy" have a great amount of lecithin and choline. These two elements help to prevent arteriosclerosis,protects against cardiovascular disease, improves brains function and can help repair the liver. Rumor has it that dandelion flowers can help prevent age spots. Some of the best wine to ever cross my lips was homemade dandelion wine, which uses the flowers petals. The petals can also be used in egg dishes, fritters, pancakes, salads, soups and jellies. The dandelion leaf is yet another gift of nature and would take a whole page to discuss it's benefits!

2.Black eyed susan or 0x-eye daisyThese bright yellow flowers look great in arrangements offering visual "happiness" to any room. Recent studies on this plant show that it may stimulate the immune system even more than Echinacea and may hold some promise for arresting AIDS but it is to soon to tell yet.

3.Kudzu Flowers!
Kudzu is the plant that is called the monster that ate the South but instead the South should eat the Kudzu. Jelly and syrups are made from the flowers of the Kudzu vine. Baskets are made from the vine itself and the leaves can also be eaten. The young leaves are cooked like spinach and can be used like cabbage rolls. The Kudzu root may offer the "cure" for to much drinking. Take a kudzu root capsule before a night of drinking and you'll only drink one drink. Here's the real gift of kudzu, Puerarin chemical contained in the root of kudzu has 100 times more antioxidant activity than Vitamin E (James Duke "The Green Pharmacy)

4.Elder flowers
You find the use of elderflowers mentioned in old text dating hundreds of years. The English used elderflowers in their water to condition the skin and to lighten freckles. An elder flower wash was also used for boils, hemorrhoids and sunburn. Elderflower tea has been used to break a fever, the berries have a active antiviral properties also. The berries are a whole different season.

These are just 4 of the 4,000 species of plants in the USA. It makes you wonder why we need another parking lot when a wildflower meadow could offer so much more.

Fancy Elder and Dandelion Flower Fritters
2 eggs
2 teaspoons sugar
1 cup of milk
1 cup of flower
10 large elder flower heads
10 dandelion flowers, pull the petals
Oil for frying
Powdered sugar

Beat the eggs, sugar and milk together
Sift in the flour and stir well
Let the batter rest for 30-40 minutes
Rinse off your flowers and let dry on a paper towel.
Add your dandelion petals in the batter
Heat up your oil in a heavy pan. You want about 2 inches of oil.
Hold the elder flower head by the stem and dip into the batter and then into the hot oil
Fry until golden brown on both side.
Drain on a paper towel and dust with powdered sugar or serve with maple syrup.