The Sea And Me

-
Image
 Keeping My Mind. I’ve been out at sea for the past 15 years now; it’s all I do. I wait for the tide to rise high enough to get the boat out of the Scottish harbour, travel five miles out into the North Sea (the most treacherous sea in the world), and then drop my anchor and grab about three hours of sleep. Of course, I check the weather beforehand, and as much as I try to be careful, the weather can change on a whim. I wish I didn’t have to sleep, but everyone knows that’s impossible. It can be even more dangerous when you’re asleep, not just because the weather can change suddenly, but also because fishing trawlers have a nasty habit of catching fire. There’s a mountain of electrical cabling mixed with a fuel tank containing 2000 litres of diesel, plus other hazards that I won’t bore you with being on board. This is a video I took not long ago, it was of a trawler on fire close to me. So yes, it is the most dangerous job in the world, just one wrong step and it's game over! Yet,...
Post a Comment

Dandelion: The Plant That Refuses to Be Useless

-

 Bright as sunlight and rooted in defiance, the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) grows wherever it is not wanted — and gives everything anyway.

Pulled, sprayed, dismissed… and still it returns.

Not as a nuisance.
But as one of the most nutritious and generous plants on Earth.





🌞 A Survivor That Became a Healer

Dandelion doesn’t wait for perfect soil. It breaks through cracks, restores damaged ground, and pulls minerals from deep beneath the surface.

That same resilience is what makes it so powerful for us.

Historically, dandelion was used to:
🌼 Rebuild strength after winter
🌼 Support liver and digestion
🌼 Cleanse and nourish the blood
🌼 Restore balance to the body

It wasn’t an alternative food.
It was a foundation food.

🥗 Every Part Feeds You

Dandelion is not just edible, it is completely usable.

🌿 Leaves – bitter, mineral-rich, perfect for digestion
🌼 Flowers – uplifting, used in teas, syrups and wines
🥔 Roots – roasted as a coffee alternative, supports liver health

Few plants offer so much with so little effort.

🧂 Nutritional Gold in Plain Sight

✨ Vitamin A – skin, vision & immunity
✨ Vitamin K – bone & blood health
✨ Iron & Calcium – strength & structure
✨ Potassium – heart and hydration
✨ Bitters – essential for digestion

It doesn’t just feed you, it activates your body’s systems.

🍳 Simple Ways to Use Dandelion

Here’s where it becomes real, not just knowledge, but nourishment.

🍵 Dandelion Tea (Leaf or Root)

You’ll need:
🌿 Fresh or dried dandelion leaves or root
💧 Hot water

How to:

  1. Add a handful of leaves or 1 tsp dried root to a cup
  2. Pour over hot (not boiling) water
  3. Steep 10–15 minutes

🌼 Bitter, earthy, deeply cleansing, a daily tonic

☕ Roasted Dandelion Root “Coffee”

You’ll need:
🥔 Dandelion roots (cleaned)

How to:

  1. Chop roots into small pieces
  2. Roast in oven (180°C) until dark brown and fragrant
  3. Grind and brew like coffee

🔥 Rich, roasted flavour, no caffeine, full nourishment

🥗 Wild Dandelion Salad

You’ll need:
🌿 Young dandelion leaves
🍋 Lemon juice
🫒 Olive oil
🧂 Pinch of salt

How to:

  1. Wash leaves well
  2. Toss with lemon, oil and salt

✨ Optional: add nuts, cheese or apple

🌼 Fresh, slightly bitter, wakes up digestion instantly

🌼 Dandelion Flower Honey (Vegan Syrup)

You’ll need:
🌼 Dandelion flower heads
💧 Water
🍋 Lemon slices
🍯 Sugar or honey

How to:

  1. Simmer flowers in water with lemon (15–20 mins)
  2. Strain liquid
  3. Add sugar and gently reduce until syrupy

🌞 Golden, floral, sunlight in a jar

🌿 Quick Dandelion Pesto

You’ll need:
🌿 Dandelion leaves
🌰 Nuts or seeds
🧄 Garlic
🫒 Olive oil
🧂 Salt

How to:
Blend everything until smooth.

🌱 Nutrient dense, slightly bitter, deeply satisfying

🌍 What Dandelion Teaches Us

Dandelion doesn’t compete. It contributes.

It grows where it’s needed, gives what it can, and asks for nothing.

🌼 That nourishment doesn’t have to be rare
🌼 That resilience can be gentle
🌼 That abundance often looks ordinary


About Me



Scotland, United Kingdom Scotland, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Sea And Me

-
Image
 Keeping My Mind. I’ve been out at sea for the past 15 years now; it’s all I do. I wait for the tide to rise high enough to get the boat out of the Scottish harbour, travel five miles out into the North Sea (the most treacherous sea in the world), and then drop my anchor and grab about three hours of sleep. Of course, I check the weather beforehand, and as much as I try to be careful, the weather can change on a whim. I wish I didn’t have to sleep, but everyone knows that’s impossible. It can be even more dangerous when you’re asleep, not just because the weather can change suddenly, but also because fishing trawlers have a nasty habit of catching fire. There’s a mountain of electrical cabling mixed with a fuel tank containing 2000 litres of diesel, plus other hazards that I won’t bore you with being on board. This is a video I took not long ago, it was of a trawler on fire close to me. So yes, it is the most dangerous job in the world, just one wrong step and it's game over! Yet,...
Read more

Royal Langoustines in Whisky Butter with Charred Lemon *North Sea Recipe*

-
Image
A show stopping Scottish seafood dish - rich, bold, and fit for kings & queens... Visit Our Trawler For Langoustines This recipe elevates langoustines to regal status with a silky whisky butter , charred lemon, and a hint of wild rosemary. The flavours are elegant yet daring, smoky, citrusy, buttery, and unmistakably Scottish. Perfect for dinner parties, date nights, or whenever you want to impress. ✅ Why You’ll Love This Dish Unique flavour profile - whisky + seafood done properly Ready in under 20 minutes Uses simple ingredients to create something unforgettable Amazing as a starter or luxurious main 🛒 Ingredients (Serves 2–3) For the Langoustines 8–12 fresh langoustines (raw, whole or halved lengthways) 1 tbsp olive oil Sea salt & black pepper ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 small sprig fresh rosemary For the Whisky Butter 75g unsalted butter 1 small shallot, very finely chopped 1 garlic clove, grated 40ml good Scottish whisky Zest of 1 lem...
Read more

Filleting Haddock at Sea: A Master at Work on Children’s Hope Trawler

-
Image
Our TikTok Page Filleting a fish on dry land is one thing. Filleting a fish on the open sea, with the deck lifting under your feet and the North Atlantic rolling beneath you, is something else entirely. On our trawler, Children’s Hope , it’s a daily task that demands precision, confidence, and a calm hand. And in the video I recently filmed, Greg shows exactly how it should be done. This post takes you through what makes a great haddock fillet , what to look out for when you’re working at sea, and why Greg’s technique is worth paying attention to. Aboard Children’s Hope : Conditions That Shape the Skill Life on a trawler isn’t a steady kitchen counter. The boat breathes with the water. You learn to move with it, brace your knees, and keep your hands sure even when the deck tilts. That’s why good filleting at sea is more than technique. It’s balance, timing, and experience. Greg has all three, and it shows from the moment he picks up the haddock. Greg’s Approach: Fast, Clean, Controlled...
Read more