The Marula Fruit – African Booze For Wild Animals, Or Total Myth?

Are you familiar with the Marula tree? If not, it’s a beautiful African tree that produces wonderful and tasty fruits! Yummy fruits, which apparently make elephants drunk…? The story has been going on for ages…so much so that it has even become a liquor, called “Amarula” for connoisseurs (very tasty by the way, a little like Bailey’s)!

Origin

The story is traced back to the 1970s (1974 to be exact), when a guy by the name of Jamie Uys produced two documentaries called “Beautiful People” (he also directed “The Gods Must Be Crazy”). The footage, among other things showing wild animals getting drunk after eating the marula fruits, became an immediate hit (and even received an award for best documentary). Since then millions of people are still persuaded that elephants do indeed get drunk with such “potent” fruits! The question is: is it true?

Genuine Info or Total Fallacy? Continue reading “The Marula Fruit – African Booze For Wild Animals, Or Total Myth?”

Edible Plants – Sahara Desert

Researchers have discovered much evidence that supports the Sahara desert having once been a far more damp area, in which 1000s of various animals and plants once thrived. Elephants, wildcats, and giraffes are all portrayed in ancient art from the area. While the Saharan cheetah is occasionally seen in the desert, the rest of these species have died out and no longer inhabit the area, instead living in the regions that have a larger variety and quantity of plant life and water resources. Even though so many species of animals have died out or migrated from the Sahara desert, many still remain and rely on the native Saharan vegetation for food. There are three specific animal species that feed on these Sahara desert plants. Continue reading “Edible Plants – Sahara Desert”

Learn Facts About the Red Nocturnal Squirrelfish Species of Tropical Fish

A mostly red, tropical reef fish, the Hawaiian squirrelfish Menpachi stays in underwater caves in the daytime, swimming out after dark to hunt for food in the shallow waters over the reefs.They eat crabs, invertebrates, zooplankton and small fish. Because they are active primarily at night, their large eyes are important, as nocturnal creatures. The Menpachi fish is good to eat and is often hunted by spear fishermen. It is not a large fish, usually not more than 12 inches in length.

Although they are edible, some of the other species of squirrelfish are not generally used for eating, as they are small, in general, they have rough scales and their spines are sharp.

The squirrelfish named ala’ihi by Hawaiians has red with multiple white stripe or silver stripe colorings. The name of this fish is often seen without the apostrophe as alaihi. It is often the subject of paintings and posters as it is an attractive, colorful fish. Continue reading “Learn Facts About the Red Nocturnal Squirrelfish Species of Tropical Fish”

Fruit Trees That Thrive in the Arizona Low Desert

Growing Fruit Trees in Phoenix, Arizona

In this article I talk about which fruit trees do well in Arizona

The first thing I will do is crush your dreams of growing tropical trees. I have seen it done, but the effort far outweighs the reward. If you want a mango or avocado tree in your yard I recommend moving to Hawaii, because that just isn’t the kind of climate we live in. Those who are somewhat successful at growing tropical fruit trees in the Phoenix area have to go to great lengths to combat the frost. They have to cover the trees at night and place lights under them to help them survive the Winter. They also have to go to similar lengths to combat the heat. I say forget it and grow something that wants to be here unless tropical trees are simply a passion of yours. Continue reading “Fruit Trees That Thrive in the Arizona Low Desert”

Big Sur Wild Forage Foods in Mill Creek

Here in Mill Creek there are an abundance of plants which can be harvested at various times of the year for food and medicine.

The first to appear are bracken ferns, which grow to large size. In the fiddlehead stage of early spring, as they are forming little curls, they have tight heads that can be harvested and eaten. In earlier times people picked these and processed them by leaching them in wood ash to be used as early spring vegetables. They are like the asparagus of the woods, although the preparation is more intensive.

At the same time of the year, small greens pop out in abundant patches in places where there is shade and moisture. They are a fine pantry of nourishment with high vitamin content.

Shooting stars make clusters of tiny rounded leaves, low under their purple, yellow and black flowers. Continue reading “Big Sur Wild Forage Foods in Mill Creek”

Legend of the Hummingbird Cake

A Victorian cake recipe that is truly exceptional. The perfect cake to take to gatherings…it’s easy, freezes well, serves many.

“Impress your friends with this Hummingbird Cake – a recipe that has been passed down through many generations. If desired, crush additional nuts and press them into the sides of the frosting, and put sliced maraschino cherries on top of the cake to “guild the lily.””

There are many versions of this cake.

Hummingbird cake history

Southern Living magazine generally is credited with the first reference to Hummingbird Cake. It published the recipe in its February 1978 issue, submitted by a Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, N.C. But Mrs. Wiggins did not include an explanation of the cake’s unusual name, which remains a mystery however folklore has it that the hummingbird is a symbol of sweetness. Continue reading “Legend of the Hummingbird Cake”

Tea Personalities – Find the One That’s Right For You

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A woman is like a tea bag – you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water.” Let’s take a look at some other ways tea relates to our different personality types.

Hippocrates, the Greek philosopher and doctor discovered that many of his patients had similar characteristic and behavior patterns. He classified them into four different groups. Those who had high energy and were optimistic he called Sanguines. Those that seemed to have a natural instinct to be in control and were quite often leaders, he called Cholerics. Melancholies was the name he gave those that seemed to have depth of intelligence and a tendency toward moods swings. Those that were peaceful and easy going he called Phlegmatics.

So, with those terms in mind, let’s look at the personality of different types of teas. Continue reading “Tea Personalities – Find the One That’s Right For You”

Palestinian Chicken Soup With Meatballs

Every time I make this soup it reminds me of a common bond with my Jewish friends – chicken soup made with love. Chicken soup made on cold days, and on days when I had cold or flu as a youngster. And from my grandmother, who came from Jerusalem, the Christmas starter. It still is the Christmas starter dish on most of my family Christmases. This Christmas, we had it on Christmas Eve as the meal in itself. We sometimes have it on New Years’ day too, or at a dinner party with loved ones.

Chicken or turkey is used in this recipe, both are equally good. To make the chicken broth, you need any part of the chicken that has bones. It is the bones and joints that give the soup its special taste and good qualities (generally now considered to be anti-inflammatory). Ideally, use a whole chicken.

Continue reading “Palestinian Chicken Soup With Meatballs”

You Say Merliton, I Say Mirliton – A Merliton by Any Other Name Tastes Just As Sweet!

For those of you not living in either California, Florida, Louisiana or Latin America, you may not be familiar with a merliton. Perhaps the names, chayote, vegetable pear, mango squash, cho-cho, xuxu or christophene ring a bell. They all refer to this versatile gourd-like vegetable that is grown around the world and called by various names. Historically, it was a primary food of the Aztecs and Mayas.

What Exactly is a Merliton?

A merilton is an edible plant of the Curcurbitaceae (gourd) family along with melons, cucumbers and squash. It is grown on a vine. It looks like a light green large pear, similar in color to a Granny Smith apple. The inside is a lighter color with a soft large seed.

A merliton can be fixed in as many ways as a sweet potato. It can be stuffed, fried, bake, mashed, creamed, pickled and buttered. The filling makes a great custard pie. It can be eaten raw and served cold in salads. It makes a great tasting soup and merliton fritters are a popular substitute for pancakes. Continue reading “You Say Merliton, I Say Mirliton – A Merliton by Any Other Name Tastes Just As Sweet!”

Fabulous Native Foods Nutrition: Hearts Of Palm, Banana Stem, Salak And Sago Palm Fruits

A picture depicting a rural agricultural scene of coconut and banana trees fronted by rice fields best sums up the native foods of most Asians. However, few will see beyond the obvious hanging fruits, when the two tropical trees have much more to offer.

If you literally get to the core, you will find the real gastronomic delights awaiting you. Just think, the white rod-like center of the tree can be harvested for food!

Hearts Of Palm

‘See that pointy tip of the trunk, right at the top of that queen palm,’ she said. ‘That’s where the heart or bud is’. I have been on the trail of the palm heart ever since the day that precocious, dusky kid in class divulged that tidbit of information to me.

On second thoughts, my heart fell, for if you cut off the tip, you cut it dead. However, palms with multiple stems will survive; for if you chop off the main trunk, one of the remaining ones will take its place. Continue reading “Fabulous Native Foods Nutrition: Hearts Of Palm, Banana Stem, Salak And Sago Palm Fruits”