TRY IT TUESDAY & TRIPLE RUBY RELISH

If you see a curious, cute and curvy woman in your yard picking dandelions, don't be alarmed. It's just me checking out all of the health benefits and using them for tea and snacks.

All this time, I've been looking at dandelions as a nuisance that drew bees, but I recently found that even though they have a slightly bitter taste, the  benefits are outrageous.  Even better, it won't cost you a dime if they're growing in your backyard, or along the road. Yay! Thanks to www.organicfacts.net!

Warning: Dandelions can be helpful to diabetics by lowering blood sugar, but for patients already taking blood-sugar modulators, this can result in hypoglycemia, an equally dangerous condition. Consult your doctor before adding dandelion supplements on top of your normal treatment. Also, the milk sap of dandelions has been known to cause itchiness, irritation, or allergic reactions on the skin, and should be kept away from the eyes. Finally, there is a rare type of fiber in dandelions called inulin, and some people have a predisposed sensitivity or allergy to it which can be quite severe. When first adding dandelion greens to your diet in any way, start small and closely monitor your body’s response.

Other than that, try some delicious dandelion greens and get healthy!

So every Monday, I have a standing appointment to see a physician for reasons that would bore you, so I head off for my 45 minute drive of singing along to the radio.  This appointment is a fantastic opportunity to not only catch up on reading, but to do what you know I do best - chat with strangers,(lol) because I'm at the hospital for most of the day.  Let me just say that visiting military hospitals is quite an adventure, and you'd be amazed at some of the stories you hear, or the the funny people you meet.  Totally makes my day, for sure.

Once finished there, had to pass right by the library and, yes, couldn't help myself, and ended up taking out 7 new books,  which included: Nora Roberts - Liar, Greg Ilies - The Bone Tree, Karen Robards - Hush, Stuart Scott, the ESPN sports announcer who died from cancer, - Every Day I Fight, Amanda Quick - Garden of Lies, Lisa Scottoline - Every 15 Minutes and a Persian cookbook, so I could try some new recipes.  The lady at the library really enjoyed sharing information about her 18 year old stepdaughter who had taken her car without permission, traveled to Virginia, then blamed her (the librarian+ stepmother) for racking up all those miles when she got in trouble with her dad.  Yikes!

Headed to Barnes and Noble in Cary ( Hey there Anna of Herding Cats and Burning Soup), and picked up Memory Man by David Baldacci to round out my book haul for the day.

Anyhoo - I still can't believe how simple this recipe is to make.

INGREDIENTS
16 Oz. Strawberries, chopped
6 Radishes, Cut into Strips (Cut up however you wish-lol)
1/2 Cup Watermelon
3 Tbsp, White Balsamic Vinegar
1 to 2 Tbsp Snipped Fresh Mint - (Feel free to stop over to my garden-lol)

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the strawberries, radishes and watermelon, then add the vinegar. Let it stand for 10 minutes, then drain.  Toss wit the mint and you're all set to impress your friends!

If you're shy around strangers, today is your day to try to give a HUGE smile and strike up a conversation about the weather, a newly released book, or how lovely an outfit looks, with someone you've never met.  Everyone has a story to tell, and you never know how your kindness to a stranger can make all the difference.

Hugs....