Dandelion lessons

The ubiquitous dandelion. She's so prolific that most people deign to notice her, or instead scorn her presence on their lawns.
I've lived for several years in a dandelion drought. In Arid-zona, dear dandelion was few and far between. When I did her bright sunny face it was usually high in the mountains and solitary little plants. Never the less I always exclaimed with joy to see her. There were never enough to collect for medicine though, let alone for eating.

When I moved to Colorado it was the dead of winter, literally, and slowly spring has been having her way with things. The trees are blooming, the seedlings are up in the garden plots, and dear Dandelion, she is everywhere!
Oh the joy!
I've been getting some greens every week for several weeks now,picking around the edge of my garden plot,but now the bright sunny flowers are out, and as an herbalist, I must heed my calling to make medicine. This time of year, the medicine is from the flowers.

Those bright sunny orbs that spring up anywhere, and everywhere. Despite pesticides and concrete, persistant little dandelion pokes her spiky toothed leaves up, and then waves hello with her multitudes of bright flowers.

My heart has been heavy these last few weeks, and even though spring has sprung, and life renews itself, my eyes have been turned inward. I haven't taken the joy of spring into my heart yet. "What a shame!" Says dear dandelion, and she beackoned to me. After a long day inside at work, I headed to the fields to spend some time with dandelion. I needed more greens. Free nutritious food for the taking, and wanted to make dandelion flower oil. Down on hands and knees, it is hard to be sad for long when on the earth smelling green things and moist earth, and sweet dandelion flowers all around. Oh it felt so sweet and good to lay down on warm weedy ground, and smell the mustard and dandelion everywhere.

By the end of my little walk about the field my beargrass basket was chock full of greens,flowers and roots.
back at home I washed all the greens and proceeded to make dandelion walnut pesto!
Delicious!
Dandelion Walnut Pesto
2 good handfuls of fresh dandelion greens
1 c olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 c toasted walnuts
salt and pepper to taste

blend in a food processor, serve! YUMMY!

I also started a quart of dandelion flower infused oil, perfect for breast self lymph massage and to spread a little sunshine , where the sun dont often shine!

Go out and enjoy the dandelion medicine people! She's just begging for attention and to be eaten, giving of her nutritious stores from the wild earth.