A to Z Challenge: H is for Herbs

This month, I’m taking part in the A-Z Blogging Challenge, the annual event where hundreds of bloggers write 26 blogs—one for each letter of the alphabet—and post them each day of April, except Sundays. This year, I’m blogging about: THINGS THAT GROW IN ALBERTA. Don’t forget to check back daily and leave a comment on my blog, Facebook page, Twitter, Tumblr or via email at chase.superman.duffy@gmail.com. I’ll randomly pick a few winners who will WIN a SIGNED copy of one of the Chase “Superman Duffy” comics.

My mom bought me an herb starter kit last year and I grew tons of sage, thyme, rosemary, parsley and basil. Okay, maybe not rosemary. That stuff is tricky. But you should have seen my parsley!

By definition, herbs are plants used for food, flavouring, medicine, or perfume. We used the herbs I grew for food. There is nothing like roasted chicken, drizzled with canola oil and sprinkled with thyme, sage, and rosemary.

I haven’t done it myself, but I know some people also grow herbs for medicinal properties, or for their aromatic qualities. (My grandma, for example, has lavender in her garden because she says it smells pretty, but also because it keeps the deer from eating her flowers! Who knew?)

On the flip side, TOO much of an herb (just like pretty much anything) can be toxic. So, even though sage grows wild, you shouldn’t pick it—or any plant—without an adult to confirm that you are picking the safe herb.

If you have an herb garden, maybe you want to try COOKING with herbs—or at least canola. <grin> Comment below for a chance to WIN a copy of TASTING MY STORY, the fourth book in the Chase “Superman” Duffy series. It’s not just a cookbook—it’s a mystery!

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow for the letter I.

— Chase Superman Duffy