TAKE A BREAK
THE SWEETGUM TREE
Historical accounts say the sweetgum was around for early interaction between the Spanish and the Aztec Empire. Montezuma smoked sweetgum tobacco and drank sweetgum tonic with Hernán Cortéz during a ceremonial exchange. The sweetgum produces a fragrant resin extract that has been used for thousands of years in soaps, tobacco, health tonics, and, nowadays, pharmaceuticals. The Latin name, Liquidambar styraciflua, translates to “flowing with liquid-amber resin.” It is also popular with cabinet makers for its dense, strong wood. The sweetgum grows naturally throughout the eastern U.S. It has distinct, star-shaped leaves and colorful fall foliage, progressing from green to deep purple. The tree is a good choice as a street tree because of its disease resistance and drought tolerance. When choosing to remove and replant streetside trees, I always invite you to select strong-wooded species for the best chance of survival. A sweetgum tree is an excellent choice. With its star-shaped leaves, the tree adds variety to a yard when people see it. As a native plant species, it’s a preferred food of native pollinators like the giant luna moth. I recommend the sweetgum for its beauty and wildlife value. It is a fine choice for replanting your front yard trees.
Simple Pancakes From Scratch
Everyone should be able to make pancakes without a boxed mix. This recipe is no-frills fantastic and can probably be made without so much as a trip to the grocery store.
Ingredients
• 2 cups
• 2 eggs • 1 3/4 cups milk • Unsalted butter or canola oil, to grease skillet
all-purpose flour • 2 tsp baking powder • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 tbsp sugar, optional
Directions
1. Heat a griddle or skillet to medium-low. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (including sugar if you like a sweeter pancake). In a separate bowl, beat eggs into milk. Gently stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ones. Mix only until flour is moistened. Clumps are fine. 3. Add some butter or oil to the skillet. If the butter foams or oil shimmers, the temperature is correct. Pour in a pancake of any size, cooking until bubbles form, about 2–4 minutes. 4. Flip and cook other side for 2–4 minutes. Serve warm.
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