One of the most poisonous plants on the planet....and we have it here...for $15!
Welcome to our very first blog…so in normal CJ’s style, we are going to be awkward, honest and proud, even of our weaknesses!
So we thought we would have a look internationally at what is out there trying to get us at any given moment. Eyeing up our chubby thigh’s, our small children or Nana….just waiting to set off raging diarrhoea, followed by the sweats and dehydration to the max.
And to our initial horror, shortly followed by amusement (at our dimness) …we have realized we have number two on the list, currently sitting happily out in CJ’s….and it can be all yours for just $15!!
Here is how the list plays out…
Tobacco - I don’t know about you but this one was a given. But then I am wondering what ‘Chewin Tabaccy’ was? I then remembered that most of those guys were probably lucky to get past 30!
Oleander (Nerium oleander) - Pretty flowers and fresh, lush foliage will draw in any amateur…kind of like a ‘Cougar’ who has aged well. She promises everything but just stands there as you slide south rapidly. If consumed, anything from Vomiting, diarrhoea to coma can occur. Potentially the worst relationship you will ever have…
Rosary Pea - When I was 7 yrs old…my then current love interest brought me back a necklace from Fiji. Yes, I know, super cute but here I am typing about the above subject only to realise the necklace was made out of the 3rd most deadly plant on the planet. Needless to say the relationship didn’t pan out long-term. All I will say is that thank goodness My 7 year old self didn’t have a chew on that necklace!
Castor Bean - My advice, don’t be a journalist and speak out about the Bulgarian government. Back in 1978 this was the toxin of choice for whoever wanted the end for poor old Georgi Markov who is now no more talkie talkie. The oil they produce is safe in managed doses but we all know what Mum’s intentions were when a tablespoon of this was shoved down your throat…
White Snakeroot - Poor old Abraham Lincoln’s mum was the innocent consumer of cow’s milk from a cow who had feasted on this nasty guy. Makes for a bad cuppa, I think.
Deadly Nightshade - yet another warning to not trust just any bottle of wine (So does that take Cleanskins off the table?) this evil yet sweet berry was, according to legend, brewed into a wine by MacBeth’s soldiers to sort out the Danes. Unlike other nasties, who throw bitterness to stop you munching on them, these berries are sweet and delicious…not a great addition to the family edible garden!
Water Hemlock - Fancy Amnesia? This will help you forget all the brainless, stupid activities of your youth and in some cases, last week! This guy will give you eyewatering stomach cramps, good ole diarrhoea and sometimes loss of memory! Let’s just not go here…as fun as it sounds.
So now you want to know what one has weasled its way into our stocklist??
Nerium Oleander!! We promise it wasn’t on purpose and by the time this blog goes live, we will have sold out of them anyway…i.e. made them someone else’s problem! So the lesson for today….don’t go being an amateur forrager. Yes, we know it’s all hip and cool but what’s trendy about a twisted gut, projectile diarrhoea and an early exit?
Until next time…stay safe, eat stuff you know and don’t go getting clever!
Peace out….
