Book covers edible plants

Book covers edible plants

Your next meal may be waiting right outside your back door.

Ellen Zachos’ “Backyard Foraging” introduces readers to common plants most people don’t know are edible. Who knew you could eat lilac flowers, hosta shoots and the young stems of Japanese knotweed?

Zachos, who teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, describes the edible parts of 65 plants and tells how to harvest and eat them.

“Backyard Foraging” is published by Storey Publishing and sells for $16.95.

Grab bars, seats get stylish look

American Standard is making accessibility stylish.

The company recently introduced the Invisia Collection of grab bars and shower seats, designed with elegant shapes and finishes that make them attractive as well as functional.

In some cases, grab bars are subtly integrated as decorative elements on wall-mounted towel bars, soap dishes and toilet paper holders. The seats are made from Brazilian walnut, which resists moisture and mildew.

The items are made from stainless steel with either a satin or polished chrome finish. They’re intended for installation in new construction or as part of a remodeling project.

A dealer locator is at www.americanstandard-us.com.

Examples of suggested retail prices are $325 to $367 for a towel bar and $1,300 to $1,325 for a fold-down shower seat.

McClatchy Newspapers