How to Recycle Anything and make use of most anything

Yesterday on my weekly "Barter" for piano lessons I went equipped with all my stuff to clean the kitchen...

Then when I got there I was asked to weed out all the dandelions in the yard instead... I was taken off guard and kind of annoyed. I tried not to show this. So wishing I had my gloves and my good trowl I went at the requested task.... I went about pulling all those yellow flowering weeds out. After the first six or so I realized people eat these... and they say they are good! So I pulled out my plastic grocery bag (I almost always have one with me when I walk anywhere and yes, we walk to piano lessons) and proceeded to put all the dandelions into my bag. I offered them to the piano teacher knowing she would like such an item to eat, she declined. Guess what we ate with dinner last night? Yep! One big dandelion salad. My kind of "make lemonade when life hands you lemons" Sunday.

Dandelion Salad with Cooked Dressing

4 slices bacon, cut in small pieces
approximately 2 c. chopped new dandelion leaves
2 hard boiled eggs, sliced or chopped
2 Tbsp. chopped onion
1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. cream or milk
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1/4 c. cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. flour

Toss together chopped dandelion, chopped onion and fried bacon pieces. Set aside. In skillet warm butter and cream until butter melts. Beat egg and then add salt, pepper, vinegar, sugar and flour. Blend the egg mixture into the slightly warm cream mixture. Increase heat and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Pour hot dressing over the greens and toss gently. Add eggs before tossing. Serve at once. Gather the dandelion leaves early in the spring before the plants flower or they will be bitter.

This is what Shirley told me. It is considered a delicacy in Europe. The long tap roots of the dandelion have a substance in them that is used as a natural laxative. The roots are also roasted and ground, then used as a coffee substitute.

This is a good website that can lead you to other areas to make use of items:
How to Recycle Anything | Real Simple