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Mountain View News Saturday, July 27, 2024

Darling Girl!

"GILLIAN"

Shorthair Tuxedo

Born 4/11/21 

Meet Gillian, aka "Little G," a 
sweet and petite tuxedo girl 
looking for her forever home. 
Gillian may be a little shy at 
first, but with some time, toys, 
and treats, she’ll warm up to 
you in no time. Watch her roll over for tummy rubs and 
listen for her sweetest meows, especially when she’s asking 
for attention or eagerly awaiting breakfast.

Gillian loves to explore and enjoys high places like a cat 
tree. She’s a quiet little adventurer who gets along well with other cats. Although she has a 
twin sister, Gemma, they are not bonded and can be adopted separately.

This darling girl with a white blaze on her forehead has been with us since she was a 
baby and has never had a real home. She doesn’t ask for much, just a patient and loving 
companion who will take joy in seeing her thrive and zoom around with unbridled joy. 
If you’re looking for a cat who isn’t too clingy but will shower you with love and sweet 
moments, Gillian is the perfect match for you. Give this little sweetheart the home she 
deserves!

Gillian is healthy, spayed, current on vaccines, and more!


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of several books including “Self-Sufficient Home” and 
“How to Survive Anywhere.” He also leads wilderness classes every weekend. 
He can be reached at School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle Rock, CA 
90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]


PURSLANE (PORTULACA OLERACEA)

The plant kingdom’s richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids

Purslane generally starts 
appearing a bit later than 
most of the spring greens, after many of the 
spring greens have already dried up, typically 
by June or July. It is a very common annual in 
rose beds and gardens, though I do see it in 
the wild occasionally, typically in the sandy 
bottoms around streams.

The stems are succulent, red colored, and 
round in the cross section. The stems sprawl 
outward from the roots, rosette-like, with 
the stems lying on the ground. The leaves are 
paddle shaped. The little yellow flower is 5 
petaled.

WHERE FOUND:

Though a European native, this plant is now common and widespread worldwide. It is found 
in agricultural lands, swamps, fields, gardens, ditches, and vacant lots. Though it prefers wet 
soils, it can be found in most environments.

USES:

When you chew on a fresh stem or leaf of purslane, you’ll find it mildly sour and a bit crunchy. 
It’s really a great snack, though I like it a lot in salads. Just rinse it to get all the dirt off, dice, 
add some dressing, and serve. Yes, add tomatoes and avocado if you have any. When I first 
learned of this plant native to India, I ate it mostly in salads.

The famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau lived off the land when he built his little cabin 
near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. He wrote, “I learned that a man may use as simple a 
diet as the animals, and yet retain health and strength. I have made a satisfactory dinner off 
a dish of purslane which I gathered and boiled. Yet men have come to such a pass that they 
frequently starve, not from want of necessities, but for want of luxuries.” He wrote that in the 
mid 1840s! Things are not that different today.

According to Mike Krebill, author of “The Scout’s Guide to Wild Edibles,” “The tender tips 
of the stems (of purslane), including the leaves, may be eaten raw in salads, baked in a quiche, 
or added to a stir fry. Flexible stems up to the thickness of a pencil may be pickled.”

You can also add the succulent leaves and stems to sandwiches, tostadas, even on the edges 
of your chile rellenos and huevos rancheros. I’ve eaten it fried, boiled, baked (in egg dishes), 
and probably other ways, too. It’s versatile, tasty, and crisp. It really goes with anything, and 
it’s very nutritious.

If you take the thick stems, clean off the leaves, and cut them into sections of about 4", you 
can make purslane pickles. There are many ways to make pickles; my way is to simply fill 
the jar with the purslane stems, add raw apple cider vinegar, and let it sit for a few weeks. (I 
refrigerate it.)

MEDICINE/NUTRITION: 

According to researchers, purslane is one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids. 
That means that not only is it good, but it’s also good for you! It has been fed to chickens to 
create a low-cholesterol egg!

100 grams, about a half-cup, of purslane contains 103 mg. of phosphorus, 39 mg. of iron, 
2,500 mg. of thiamine, and smaller amounts of vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and calcium, 
according to the USDA.

ADVICE FOR GROWING: Purslane seeds can be purchased from seed supply companies, 
and planted in gardens or pots if you don’t have any.

The cut stems root easily, so you can cut the thicker stems that you find in the wild, and then 
root them in good soil in your yard.

Purslane is a member of the Purslane Family, which 
according to the most recent botanical classification, 
contains only one genus, Portulaca. There are about 100 
species of genus Portulaca world-wide, with Purslane 
being one of the most common species worldwide.

CAUTIONS: Sometimes, prostrate spurge is confused 
for purslane. Prostrate spurge, however, lies very flat to 
the ground, and when you break the stem of spurge, a 
white milky sap appears.


Pet of the Week

 Costello is a handsome four-year-old tuxedo cat seeking an 
experienced cat person to give him a wonderful home! 

Costello’s love language may not be touch (he’s not a snuggler 
at this time), but it’s definitely food! From squeezy treats to 
crunchies to wet food, this cat is a fan of it all. His preferred 
style of interaction involves playtime and tasty treats. He’s 
also a great listener, so if you’re looking for someone to talk 
to, Costello could be your guy.

Costello would be a wonderful companion for a patient 
adopter who can go at his pace and give him time to come 
out of his shell. He’s ready to build a special bond with you 
over time... you bring the snacks!

The adoption fee for cats is $100. All cat adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and 
age-appropriate vaccines.

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, adoption 
appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30, and can be scheduled online. View 
photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA Animal 
Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for your pet. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone 
calls or email.


HOT TEMPERATURES CAN MAKE CONCRETE AND ASPHALT 
TOO HOT FOR YOUR DOG’S PAWS. 

Asphalt and concrete temperatures can usually be 20-40 degrees hotter 
than the ambient temperature. If the back of your hand can’t stand the 
heat on the concrete or asphalt for 7 seconds, it’s too hot for a walk.

When it's above 90 degrees outside, bring dogs and cats indoors.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com