Leafy greens have many benefits, and thrive in the valley.
It’s potpourri week!
Garden greens
If you are a gardener yourself, or fortunate enough to have a neighbor with a green thumb, you are most likely reaping the benefits of an abundant harvest of leafy greens.
These verdant vegetables are generally associated with many health benefits. They are a healthy source of carbohydrates, typically contain less fat and calories than many other foods, but can provide protein and other nutrients such as niacin, omega-3-fatty acids, flavonoids and carotenoids. And, they grow prolifically here in Mazama.
Leafy greens pack a punch! They provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can help improve gut health, immunity, and heart, bone and skin health. Lastly, a recent study found that a daily serving of leafy greens might slow cognitive decline that can come with age. That promise alone should make a plate of greens inviting.
Try a new recipe to utilize both the beetroot and its leafy green top. An especially yummy one can be found on “Dishing up the Dirt” website: simple beets with braised beet greens puree. Beetroot is another common garden product that has been categorized as a “superfood” for its health benefits.
Owls
Three baby barred owls have taken up residence on our lane. Doug Oliver and Isobel Kameros identified them as such using a free application designed by the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology to help people find the answer to “what’s that bird?”
The app, Merlin, asks a series of questions to help solve a mystery bird sighting. It also has a photo ID feature that allows anyone with a camera to snap a photo and get a list of suggestions.
The owls hunt small animals at night, especially rodents. They are good neighbors as the mice have arrived, and we are more than happy to share them with the owls for dinner. The barred owls’ call is recognizable as “who cooks for you?”
Old friends
When you get a call out of the blue from someone you worked with 40-some years ago, it’s a surprise. Recently, Vic Power, former Omak School District superintendent, called my husband, whom Vic had hired as high school assistant principal many years ago.
Turns out that Vic was raised up the Twisp River on his father’s dairy farm and has many fond memories of the Methow Valley. Sitting at Moose Hollow, a Mazama nightly rental, he pointed up to Sandy Butte and spoke of many a hunting trip up there for deer and goat.
Now in his 90s, Vic was happy to be in Mazama for his granddaughter’s wedding at The Mazama Ranch House Barn on Saturday (July 23). He spoke with pride about his granddaughter, Michelle Taft, and grandson, Brandon Taft, being on rowing teams at the University of Washington. Many of the guests at the wedding arrived from around the globe, all having been rowers at UW.
Music
In addition to the wedding above, Mazama was hopping on Saturday night with music rocking the Mazama Store courtyard (local band, Loose Notes) and Mazama Public House (Margo May and guests). Let’s keep it going!
