Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
Why is it that children are so attracted to dandelions? Maybe it’s because of their bright yellow color and their round, fluffy seed heads that are so much fun to blow into the wind and make a wish. Maybe it’s their abundance in a field that has not been cut down in a week or more, coloring the whole area in a yellow hue. Whatever it is, grandchildren love these flowers that we adults consider only as a nuisance or pesky weeds!
As I was driving past an open field by my home, there were so many dandelions that my granddaughters yelled out, “Stop, stop we want to pick some flowers.” So, I did. I parked along the side of the road and let them loose! They ran and screamed with delight, stopping only long enough to pick a flower, and then run again. After a few huge bouquets were obtained, we returned to the car to rush home to place their treasured dandelion stems in water. If possible, it’s better to be prepared and bring along some water in a wide-mouthed container.
NOT A WEED!
The dandelion is actually not a weed, but a perennial herb. It is one of the oldest herbs used for food and healing. The plant is native to Eurasia and is thought to have been brought to North America on the Mayflower as a crop and for medicine. Dandelions are very hardy; flourishing plants are essential as an early-spring source of nectar for bees and other pollinators. Flowers bloom from May to October, but most profusely when the days are less than 12 hours in length.
It is interesting that the dandelion is the only plant that represents three celestial bodies. The yellow ball flower resembles the sun and the round puff ball resembles the moon. The dispersing seeds resemble the stars. The dandelion opens to greet the morning sun and closes to go to sleep in the evening.
What can we do with all these dandelions? Well, in addition to setting them out in small vases to admire, the grandkids might like to try eating them, or using them to make crafts.
CONSUMING DANDELIONS
All parts of the dandelion plant are edible and very nutritious. They are higher in beta carotene than carrots and higher in iron and calcium content than spinach. You can try them plain in a salad, mixing with other greens, or put in a soup or stir-fry.
Try dandelion bread, which tastes like cornbread with a honey flavor! In separate bowls, mix dry and wet ingredients together to make two loaves. Combine 2 2/3 C milk, 2 eggs, ¾ C honey, ½ C cooking oil, 2 C dandelion flower petals, 1 t salt, 4t baking powder and 4 C flour. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.
CRAFTING with DANDELIONS
Make dandeLIONS: Cut circles out of construction paper and draw eyes and nose with whiskers and a mouth. Glue these circles onto the top of the dandelion flower balls for the lion face. Draw a lion body and have the kids color and cut it out. Next, glue the head onto the body to complete the dandeLION.
Paint with the dandelions: Let the kids have fun drawing flowers or use a page from a coloring book, then paint with the dandelion by holding it at the top of the stem and applying pressure. I was surprised how much color was obtained!
So, the next time you pass a flower-filled field with your grandchildren, stop and take the 
time to gather some dandelions to make a summertime memory.
Photos by Karen Shadrach
