Rosemary Harvesting & Graphic Design

This morning I found myself outside checking on my Rosemary plant/bush. I planted it from a seedling 2 years ago and it took off like crazy. I keep it pruned back to shrub height and usually prune it after it flowers its pretty little Lavender blooms. Yesterday it was looking a little peckish. It sort of looked a bit mottled and light green.

Normally I do not water it since its over two years old now and seems to take care of itself. But every-once in a while it seems to want some extra water. So I watered it. Today it is happy and green. Though you should prune it after it blooms I have never had problems with pruning it anytime.

Rosemary with Lavender Blooms

Rosemary supposedly prefers a sandy loam type soil and from what I understand it has a harder time growing up North which is probably why I killed my first one. I had one when I lived in the Chicago area and the poor little thing didn't make it past three months. Now that I live in Northern Georgia I figured I would try my luck again and lo an behold a Rosemary bush was born!

So back to pruning. After watering it yesterday and checking it today and it looking much better, I went ahead and pruned it back. The shape I am looking for is about waist high and the branches that are getting heavy and starting to look like they may split or crack off on the sides, I just whack those off.  Immediately my little bush looks happy. Check!

Now the most important part; harvesting them. Wait I technically just did that. Yep that is pretty much it, you cut it off and walla harvested. Okay now that you cut it off what do you do with it? Well lots of things actually. You can put it out to dry, make sure to spread it out so that all the leaves can get air. Or you can keep it fresh by putting it an air tight container and putting it in the fridge.  Be sure to rinse and dry it thoroughly because of the bugs it could have from coming from outside but don't use an anti-bacterial soap it could ruin the properties you want to keep.


Now why Rosemary? Well it is really one of my favorite fragrances and possibly one of my favorite foods. Have you heard of Rosemary Olive oil bread? YUM E!  Regardless of the delicious tastes the most important thing is have you heard about how great it is for you? It has amazing health benefits and in recent studies scientists are finding it increases your memory; especially those with brain surgeries and problems with short term memory, (guess what that is me) by 75% just by inhaling the natural oils for 15 minutes. You then put it aside and 30 minutes later you repeat. So twice a day. I have started sticking my nose in my Rosemary bush because of this and I will have to tell you how I come along. I will let you know that I was very cloudy and non functioning this morning and it seemed to wake me up at least and I am now able to semi write without my usual loss of focus.

Oh did I mention that it is supposed to help you focus too? Wow right? Who knew a tiny little evergreen well actually not technically an evergreen it is from the mint family along with other popular and fragrant herbs such as thyme, oregano, lavender and basil. Here are some other great health benefits our little friend has; Rosemary leaves contain certain phyto-chemical (plant derived) compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.  Because of its natural substances which I wont go into here Rosemary has compounds that are known to have rubefacient (counterirritant), anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties.

It is rich in many Vitamin B complexes.  Which I find very interesting because did you know you need vitamin B for your nerve system and memory? People like me who have brain disorders and migraines are usually low in vitamin B12. I have to give myself an injection monthly for the rest of my life. The fact that the plant is rich in vitamin B may have something to do with the memory increase? Would seem plausible.  Our little plant is also rich in vitamin A, low calorie, no cholesterol, and 37% of RDA fiber if you eat 100 grams.  Also 37% of RDA for vitamin C.  And it contains natural iron.

Now thanks to this little bush of mine this morning, my mind seems to be more awake which means I can now hopefully create a Freebie for you for August as well as the daily Freebies. YEA! Right? So I guess I have to say Rosemary not only does the body good, but the mind as well and really I don't mind eating it. And with that in mind ha ha here is one of my own recipes for Rosemary potatoes. Makes a great side dish and is a huge hit with my family.

10-20 min prep to table time depending on what type of potato you use. Starting with  6-10 new potatoes clean and peal or use the little canned whole potatoes,. I use the canned because they are already soft and cooked and then this cooks up super fast and delicious. If you are using fresh potatoes boil and cook until they are soft enough to stick a fork through to the center. Drain. If using the canned...get your can opener, open and drain. Haha I know you are not as dumb as me but you never know...moving on. Next put them into a 4 cupish sauce pan; "Cupish" is a authentic term. I know because I said so. 

Now you will add salted butter. The real stuff people its actually better for you then the made up crap look it up. Now depending on how many potatoes you used; 6 use have a stick, 10 use 3/4. Melt the butter in with the potatoes add fresh Rosemary or you can use the dried bottled stuff but if you do add it in with the butter right away so it will start to get soft. BTW they say even dried Rosemary helps with the memory excellent right? Use as much or as little as you want for taste I ad enough to coat the potatoes well.

On about a medium heat you will let the butter melt with the potatoes and start stirring them around in the butter so they get nice and coated with the rosemary and the butter. Let them brown just a bit. Now the best part. You know that Parmesan shaker of cheese you use for spaghetti and pizza? Yeah you can use that but don't. They make a better one that has 4 cheeses including Asiago. Try and find those Kraft ones that have a blend of more than one instead because they are so much tastier. They are not as easy to find though so if you can't find them just use the regular because it really is good too.

Start adding the Parmesan to the potatoes while stirring.  You want enough to give them a really good coating. Keeping it on medium heat and continue stirring and coating. The cheese will start to melt down and clump to the starchiness of the potatoes. Little will be left in the pan if you let it melt down enough and coat the potato. Your potatoes will have a lumpy consistency look to it.  And that was it you are done; DELICIOUS. Garnish with a fresh sprig of Rosemary and side it with your favorite meat.