Hippie Dabble Digest 70: Squirrel maze, environmental news, chicory recipes, health benefits & growing chicory, beneficial moths, flower tea, & more!

Welcome to the 70th Hippie Dabble Digest! Running late as usual, but I finally got it done. I’m continuing to make progress on getting products onto the website. Take a look at all of the products in the Shop here: https://hippiedabble.com/shop/ and keep checking back!  For our weekly coupon code, subscribe to the Hippie Dabble Digest here:

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Our next in person event is the Casper Holistic Expo in Casper, Wyoming, September 9th and 10th.

In the last several Digests I have started you on a journey of the edible plants in my garden. Check out the raspberry information here: Hippie Dabble Digest 69: Substack Note, Always Judge a Book by its Cover, The Cannabis Question, environmental news, raspberry recipes, raspberry info, & more!;

the daylily information here: Hippie Dabble Digest 68: Maze Toys, 8 Japanese habits, environmental news, Daylily recipes & information, exercise & the aging brain, & more!;

the asparagus here: Hippie Dabble Digest 67: Weird or Confusing, free plants, environmental news, baked asparagus with parmesan, benefits of gardening, asparagus info & where to buy, birdwatching, & more!;

and all the lovage here: Hippie Dabble Digest 66: Ambicular, mini habits, environmental news, lovage & lemon roasted chicken, lots of lovage, summer health tips, & more!.

This week it’s chicory. There’s lots of information below. Throughout the rest of the summer, in each Hippie Dabble Digest I will feature one edible plant that I have growing in my own garden., including a recipe, lots of information, and where to buy. I’m aiming for once a week, but sometimes life gets in the way.


*All of the links provided in every Digest and on the Directory are not currently sponsored links. I don’t get a single cent when you click on them. I do the Hippie Dabble Digest and the Directory because I love finding and sharing this information. Maybe someday I’ll get paid for it, but for now, I just love doing it.

One other important note: I have decided to put this newsletter back onto Substack to increase its reach. If you find you are getting the newsletter through both Substack and MailPoet (from the website), feel free to pick which platform you would like to receive from and unsubscribe from the other. I apologize for the added step!


Just for Fun & On YouTube

This week I’m combining these two sections because this video is so entertaining! I have recently gotten into bird watching, and like the person in this video, have discovered how entertaining the squirrels are also. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

In the News

Here are all the positive environmental stories from 2023 so far (Euronews)

“We’re going to be regularly updating this page with good news about our planet in an effort to combat climate anxiety. Eco-anxiety, climate doom, environmental existential dread – as green journalists, we see these terms used a lot – and often feel them ourselves. While there’s a lot to be worried about when it comes to the climate and nature crises, we must not lose hope – because hopelessness breeds apathy.” Last updated on July 17, 2023, read the most recent positive stories here: Here are all the positive environmental stories from 2023 so far | Euronews.

What the EPA isn’t telling you about the asphalt spill at Yellowstone River, according to experts, and why it matters (Reckon News)

“If you haven’t heard, 60,000 gallons of liquid asphalt spilled into the Yellowstone River in Montana late last month after a train derailed while crossing a bridge. Yep, another derailment. That’s about 500,000 pounds of a thick, tarry substance primarily made from petroleum and other chemicals. Locals are concerned about environmental damage and threats to wildlife but have been met with a unified response from the Environmental Protection Agency, Montana Rail Link, and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality that there won’t be any damage.” Read more here: What the EPA isn’t telling you about the asphalt spill at Yellowstone River, according to experts, and why it matters – Reckon.

Leaked UK government plan to protect against climate heat ‘very weak’ (The Guardian)

“The government’s plan to cope with the climate crisis has been condemned as “very weak” by experts, who say not enough is being done to protect lives and livelihoods. Responding to the document, which was leaked to the Guardian, one highlighted its failure to adequately protect people in the UK from extreme heat. The heatwave in 2022, when temperatures surpassed 40C for the first time, led to the early deaths of more than 3,000 people, wildfires, buckled rail lines and farmers struggling with drought. Southern Europe is in the grip of a searing heatwave.” Read more here: Leaked UK government plan to protect against climate heat ‘very weak’ | Climate crisis | The Guardian.

Border wall settlement leads to environmental remediation funding in San Diego County (KPBS)

“A settlement reached in a series of lawsuits that alleged the Trump administration unlawfully diverted taxpayer money to build a wall along the southern border will provide funding towards the remediation of more than 1,200 acres of land in southern San Diego County, it was announced Monday. The settlement brought by a coalition of 18 states, including California, seeks to redress environmental impacts caused by the construction of the proposed border wall, which was planned to span hundreds of miles through California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.” Read more here: Border wall settlement leads to environmental remediation funding in San Diego County | KPBS Public Media.

Weekly Recipe

Because this week is all about chicory, here are some recipes using chicory. Go to the In the Garden section for more information on the different types of chicory.

Italian Sauteed Chicory Greens (An Italian in My Kitchen)

This recipe uses the leaves of the chicory plant. You could probably use any of the different types of chicory for this recipe. Screenshot below. Italian Sauteed Chicory Greens – An Italian in my Kitchen

How to Make Chicory Coffee from Scratch (Simply Beyond Herbs)

This one uses the root of the chicory plant. See the specific type of chicory used below. How to make chicory coffee from scratch – SimplyBeyondHerbs

20 Easy Chicory Recipes the Family Will Love (Insanely Good Recipes)

And this one provides links to 20 recipes using various types of chicory including types you can find in the store. Screenshot below. 20 Easy Chicory Recipes the Family Will Love – Insanely Good (insanelygoodrecipes.com)

Physical & Mental Health & Well-Being

Here are a few articles on the health benefits of chicory root. If you don’t have chicory in your garden, you can find it at the store.

Chicory Coffee: A Healthy Alternative to Coffee? (healthline.com)

5 Emerging Benefits and Uses of Chicory Root Fiber (healthline.com)

Chicory Root Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits (verywellfit.com)

In the Garden

And finally to the information about chicory! There are several different types of chicory. The type that I have in my garden is mainly grown for its root, although the leaves and flowers are also edible. Pictures of my chicory are below. The flowers are so interesting because they are open in the morning and then close up in the afternoon.

The other types of chicory are grown for their leaves and look more like lettuce or cabbage. You may be familiar with endive and radicchio which both fall under this type of chicory. Here’s more information on the types of chicory.

The 10 Types of Chicory You’ll See at the Farmers Market – Produce Pack (theproducepack.com)

The diversity of the chicory and endive plant — Spadefoot Nursery

Chicory Vs Endive – Are Chicory And Endive The Same (gardeningknowhow.com)

Here are some links on how to plant, grow, and care for chicory:

How to Grow Chicory (Cichorium intybus) | Gardener’s Path (gardenerspath.com)

Chicory Herb Plants: Tips On Growing Chicory (gardeningknowhow.com)

How to Grow And Plant Chicory: Complete Guide (gardenbeast.com)

Chicory – The Daily Garden

And here’s a few places to buy chicory seeds. The first link is for the leafy type and the rest are the type grown mostly for the roots.

Chicory Seeds – Organic Varieties | Johnny’s Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)

Chicory Seeds, Cichorium intybus | American Meadows

Chicory Seeds | Flower Seeds in Packets & Bulk | Eden Brothers

Chicory Seeds (vermontwildflowerfarm.com)

Chicory Seeds For Sale – Chicory Seeds | Chicory Plant | Chicory Uses (heirloomseedsolutions.com)

This and That

Ecologist Tim Blackburn: ‘Moths pollinate a wider range of species than bees’ (Live Science)

“With colors ranging from candy pinks to golds and sometimes possessing wingspans as big as a bird’s, moths are a fascinating group. Ecologist Tim Blackburn tells Live Science about the incredible, hidden world of moths.” Read more here: Ecologist Tim Blackburn: ‘Moths pollinate a wider range of species than bees’ | Live Science.

Unlock the Power of Nature: 10 Healthy and Delicious Flower Teas (Rosie Loves Tea)

I was thinking about turning my chicory flowers into tea and came across this article that tells you how to make tea from flowers and also goes into detail on 10 different flower teas. Take a look here: Making Flower Tea: 10 Best Flowers — Rosie Loves Tea

Quote of the Week

Thanks for joining me for another edition of the Hippie Dabble Digest! See you next week!

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