on the nut topic... conkers?

how do you tell if its white oak or normal ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_oak

It doesn't say that these oaks grow over-seas. But I think they do.
Red oaks are fine too, but they contain a lot more tannic acid, which is what you don't want.

White oaks specifically have lower tannic acid concentrations, which makes it easier to boil it out to be mouse friendly.

You can also go hunting for dandelions, I know those are mouse, AND people friendly!
Although, I don't know how you'd go about killing off any parasites or nasties without ruining the flowers and leaves. I guess you could freeze them.
I'm sure there are other edible flowers and things too, just can't think of them off the top of my head.