Laura Reiley wrote an article for the Tampa Bay Times about the local restaurant and farmer’s market, about what’s on the menu isn’t always true. Was a good read.

http://www.tampabay.com/projects/2016/food/farm-to-fable/restaurants/

Meandering roads
The trip from central Oklahoma to Kansas City.
Going north on I35 is a relative straight road. When I got to Kansas the road going to Kansas City kind of meandered through the countryside like a river following the path of least resistance. I wonder if they used less force to come up with a less boring route for the road.

Automation has been in many of the MSP restaurants for about 3 years now, http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/travel/ipads-at-airports/

Herb water:

Yes and No… some of the compounds are not water soluble, and are better extracted in oil or alcohol.

Try Monarda (Bee Balm) blossoms. They contain high amounts of thymol, which is water soluble. It’s mildly anti-microbial and will freshen your breath. It’ll taste better than using normal thyme.

Another good one is Japanese Knotweed (the fresh young shoots). The Jury is still out on the active compound, resveratrol (the “beneficial” part of red wine). But there is a lot of supporting evidence that consumed in small amounts regularly (not high-dose herbal supplements), there is some benefit. If you research this plant, you will find it’s one of the most hated species in the entire plant kingdom because it grows very big, and spreads very aggressively. It’s the poster-child for “invasive”, so plant it away from property lines, away from your foundation, and keep it contained with regular harvesting.

Elderflower is a good one.

One or two leaves of feverfew is good. They taste like shit, so mix with something else to cover the taste. It will dilate blood vessels and reduce inflammation. It needs to be taken daily for any effect, so it’s something to add to your go-to recipe.

Meadowsweet is the best herb for tea. Fresh young leaves and the blossoms. It’s will work like a low-dose aspirin, has a pleasant, sweet taste and has many other benefits in the garden.

Pretty much anything in the wormwood family is good. Again, this has a bad reputation from it’s use in absinthe. It was claimed that it made you “crazy”. No… drinking 180 proof booze that tastes like candy makes you crazy, lol. This group also includes less infamous herbs with the same properties like mugwort.

Sweet woodruff. Grows well in any shady, moist area. Under a tree on the north side of the house for example. It imparts a very nice flavor and aroma, and is extremely mineral dense, especially iron and zinc (don’t try drying in the microwave, lol, there’s a lot of metal in the leaves). It does however need to be dried, fresh it’s flavorless and has no smell. Dried it’s extremely potent.

Corn Poppy. Use the green seed pods. These don’t have opiates, it’s not a heroine poppy, won’t make you fail a drug test, lol. It’s a mild sedative. It won’t knock you out, but is good for reducing anxiety.

While not an herbal tea, there are other things you can eat which have a profound effect on the body. Juicing seaberry and aronia will give you a low-sugar, non-caffeinated energy boost on par with any caffeinated energy drink. Eggs contain high levels of choline, which your brain needs to function properly. An egg for breakfast can really improve mental focus. Non-hydrogenated coconut oil also aids cognition and improves your metabolism.

Many herbs are less than palatable, but you can dry them, then toss in a blender with fresh fruit and make fruit leathers infused with the herbs. Their flavor will be masked, and you have a healthy snack, better than hitting the vending machine in your office’s break room.

I’m not big on conventional supplements, but have found that incorporating these things into my diet as food and beverage has had a huge impact on my health, and in a relatively short period of time. I’m also not big on some of the herbal medicines, there’s a lot of myth and unsubstantiated claims. I consider herbs a preventative measure against many diseases, but there are very few cases in which I would rely on them to cure an existing ailment.

I agree with everything Jack told that young accountant. Man, Jack, that answer was spot on in all aspects. I wish him the best, but absolutely he needs to gain some real world experience. But watch out getting too comfortable too. It’s going to be a challenge. But if you save some coin while you’re gaining the experience, you’ll be in very good shape later to make the move to hanging up your own shingle.