garden to table - rose hip tea

each morning this week, before we've even started our walk, roxy stops and 

nibbles on rose hips.  

even though I am holding the leash, she is stronger than i am

 so that is what we do until she's reached her fill.  

she loves them.  i usually twiddle my thumbs during this good five minute pause but today i 

watched her and wondered why and then asked google.

i learned rose hips contain huge benefits for canines and humans alike.

the greatest of which is that they are loaded with vitamin c and i mean packed! 

so with winter/cold season on its way, i decided i would learn how to make rose hip tea to help my family gear up.....

it is simple:

pick rose hips after the first frost (or snowstorm), they are sweeter.

i chose to pick rosehips from the wild roses that grow around the property.  

they looked so ripe and ruby red.

wash, top and tail rose hips, then cut in half and remove the seeds.

for one cup of tea i used about 15 rose hips.

boil just enough water for one cup of tea.  add prepared rose hips making sure they are 

completely submerged.  turn off heat and let steep for 10 - 15 minutes.

strain liquid into tea cup and drink immediately, as the water will have cooled and 

you will benefit from the fresh, high vitamin c content.  reserve the rose hips to eat 

as they still have a lot of nutritional value, and taste......well.........fine.

i added a bit of honey to my cup of homemade rose hip tea and suddenly felt that
i should change my name to beatrix potter.  so lovely.

thanks roxy my girl, for enlightening me.
you've proven once again that dogs are man's best friend.

have a lovely weekend.