What I’m Trying Tonight – Cauliflower Crust Pizza

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When it comes to pizza, I’m about as picky as they come. The crust needs to be thin, the sauce flavorful and just the right amount of cheese to top it off. For the past 5 or 6 years I been hearing the drum roll for Cauliflower Crust. Food chefs, both home and in restaurants have been touting not only the healthy food aspect of this crust but also the taste. Sorry, I wasn’t buying any of it.

Krazy Keto Dinner - Cauliflower Pizza Crust!

Today I noticed an Instagram post by a cousin who is also a good cook claiming that her Cauliflower Crust Pizza was the best pizza she ever made. Now this cousin knows her way around the kitchen and has never steered her followers in the wrong direction, so I’m going to give it a try.

Her recipe states the following toppings, chopped garlic, cut farm fresh tomatoes with their juice, fresh basil, parsley and oregano, a drizzle of avocado oil and grated parmesan cheese. (You can follow her on Instagram at wholesomelivingwithroseann). Of course you can top your pizza with your own favorites.

The problem I was having was the crust. I searched the internet and there are many blogs, websites and YouTube videos to help you come up with the perfect crust. Here are a few links to some that I found easy and helpful.

Our Favorite (Easy!) Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe | Recipes, Dinners and Easy Meal Ideas | Food Network

Cauliflower Crust Pizza Recipe | Ree Drummond | Food Network

The Best, Easiest Cauliflower Pizza Crust Recipe | The Kitchn

Now I’m assuming you all have a well-stocked kitchen but if you don’t here are a few things to help make not only a Cauliflower Pizza but to make your cooking journey a lot easier.

Pizza Stone – Nothing makes pizza easier than a quality Pizza Stone. Be sure to get one that works in both the oven and on the grill. Click here for a suggested Pizza Stone.

Quality Baking Sheets – Done have a Pizza Stone and don’t want to invest in one. Baking sheets can do the job just as well. Make sure they’re nonstick.

Food Processor – No need to go crazy here, I have been using the same mini processor for over 15 years. When making Cauliflower Crust, it’s important that the cauliflower gets ground down to where it resembles rice.

So go on, give a Cauliflower Crusted Pizza a try and be sure to come back and comment on how you liked it.

Still not a fan, try my grandmother’s pride and true recipe. Grandma’s Home Made Pizza | Gracie’s Ravioli (graciesravioli.com)

 

One last point of full disclosure, if you should follow the links above and purchase an item I may receive a small commission.

A New Spice That I Enjoy

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Hi Friends, it certainly been a while since last I posted, but here I am back at it again.  In this post I will share with you a spice that you may not have heard of but one that I am now enjoying since last we meet. Here goes.

Spice I’m enjoying – Zahtar! Zahtar is a spice blend originally from the Middle East. It is often used in Mediterranean dishes and commonly brushed with olive oil and added before flat breads and pitas. Many use it with hummus and tabouli.

za'atar, a middle eastern spice blend containing herbs, sesame and sumac - zaatar spice stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

The main spices used to make Zahtar are sesame seeds, sumac, sea salt, thyme, marjoram, oregano or some combinations of these. I been using it to season chicken and even seafood, and find it really adds a flavor boost to these dishes.

za'atar. - zaatar spice stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Another way to use Zahtar is to sprinkle some in a plate, heat a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil and cut up thin slices of your go to Italian Bread. Dip the bread in the Olive Oil and then in the Zahtar mix. Trust me, you will love it.

za'atar-wu-zayt. - zaatar spice stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Can’t find Zahtar at your local market? I’m not surprised. Amazon carries a few brands, so click the link below and enjoy. My advice is to make sure the above-mentioned spices are included in some part as there a lot of spices that disguise themselves as Zahtar.

You can also be adventurous and make you own. I did, use this link to a recipe Homemade Middle Eastern Za’atar Spice Recipe + How to Use it (notenoughcinnamon.com)

A few days ago, I used Zahtar on chicken thighs and they were a big hit. The real time savor is that since you are using Zahtar you don’t need a lot of other ingredients to make this work.

Ingredients:

  • Chicken Thighs – I used boneless and skinless, but it truly doesn’t matter.
  • Zahtar – If you are using skin on thighs be sure to season above and under the skin.
  • Lemon – Lemon zest adds a bit of additional flavor to the chicken, and you can squeeze a slice or two over the finished product.
  • Carrots – Add half inch slices or carrots to the pan, they are so good with this

Instructions:

  • Marinate the chicken thighs with olive oil, Zahtar, lemon zest, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Toss the carrots with the same mixture and spread out on your cooking sheet.
  • Heat oven to 425 degrees, place thighs on top of the carrots and roast chicken and carrots until the thighs reach an internal temperature of 165
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Looking for Zahtar, click Here. As mentioned in the disclosure policy I may receive some compensation if you purchase using the links.

 

 

Food Revolution

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Join the Food Revolution

Learning

Action 

In this post I want to share with you ways in which you can become involved in the Food Revolution that is necessary not only for the health of the person, but the health of the planet. 

Learning – Do you realize that there is an estimated 60 years of  farmable soil left on earth. Our food system is broken and bold steps must be taken now to regenerate the planet’s drying and dying soils. Below are some informative documentaries and books that will get you up to speed on this crises. 

“The Need to Grow” is a powerful documentary that speaks directly to this issue and is one you should watch. Granted they do try and hit you up to buy into their program at the end, but that’s your choice. Below is the link on Amazon for this and other things you may find of interest, but if you click above on the title there is a free screening available.

 

If you really want to get up to speed on all of this please read Pollan On Food. A three part box set that is a real eye opener when it comes to the food we eat. I read these a few years back and just recently picked them up again. Below is the link to this set on Amazon.

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Action – There are hundreds of ways in which you can take action and get involved in the Food Revolution. For me the Number 1 way is to compost. Do a quick search on the internet to learn the best ways to compost and exactly what material you should be composting. Click Here for a how to on Getting Started with Composting.

Another quick tip as we head into Fall is to recycle your leaves. Each year tons upon tons of leaves are put to the curb to end up in our landfills. Take action by mowing the leaves, upon which they will act as an organic fertilizer for your lawn. I take it one step further by catching the mashed leaves and using them as an organic ground cover in flower beds and the garden. This helps keep the weeds out while feeding the soil.

Autumn leaves in a leaf compost bin at Arden hall , north ...                                  How to Compost Leaves - Countryside

Click Here for steps in composting leaves easily.

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“Remember if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem.” Said by someone back in the 60s, but still relevant today.

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Hey just want to add on to a topic we discussed last week and that is buying wine from sites online. I recently discovered Last Bottle. They have a presence on both the East and West coast so you get your delivery quickly. They also feature some great wines at good prices.

I opened an agreement with them so use the link and get $10.00 towards your first purchase. Use their link to refer friends and you receive a $30 credit. Not a bad deal.

Thanks for Reading!

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Gracie’s Summer’s End

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Labor Day Grilling – Wine – Star Gazing – Today’s Riddle 

Labor Day Grilling – Labor Day, the unofficial last day of summer has always been a big grilling day for us. My wife loves to grill wild caught salmon using a Blackened recipe handed down from her dad. The ingredients have evolved over the years but if you like things hot this is for you. Be sure to buy wild caught salmon and not that farm raised stuff. It’s worth the extra $$$.

The secret to this recipe is in the rub. Drizzle the salmon with olive oil and place skin side down while you dust the salmon with as much rub as you cam muster (pun) as this can get hot. Grill for five minutes flip over and grill on the skin side for another three/five minutes or until the salmon shows signs of flaking. Here is the secret rub recipe:

2 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
1teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon or less ground mustard

 

Want a real how to recipe go to SlenderKitchen.com. Click the picture below:

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Wine – Appassimento -Italian term for drying harvested grapes, traditionally on bamboo racks or straw mats, for a few weeks up to several months to concentrate the sugars and flavors.

Appassimento wines are primarily associated with the Italian region of Vento where this process is used in making Amarone, Recioto and Sforzato.. These are superior wines that usually need a lot of aging and are very pricy.

Recently I discovered Siccari, an appassimento styled wine from Sicily. Produced by Purato, Siccari is made with organic grapes and is vegan friendly. The label reads; Siccari has an intense bouquet of damsons, it is voluptuous and silky smooth, with layers of luscious flavors from raisins to Morello cherries.

 

Santa Tresa Purato Siccari 2018 Bio - Biodyvino

 

There is a lot to like about this wine but when compared in price to Amorone, well it’s an absolute winner. I purchased at a local wine shop but found it online at https://www.empirewine.com/ for $10.95. You should buy a lot. Click here for a wine you will surely love.

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Star Gazing – The summer months offer great opportunities to discover the beauty of the night time sky. Right now Mars, Jupiter and Saturn are still putting on a show. The little kid in me is always curious as to what the bright light in the sky is that I’m starring at.

There are some great apps for Star Gazers but the one I like the best, and yes I tried a few, is Star-Tracker. There is still plenty of time to get outdoor with your friends and start star gazing! Let Star-Tracker guide you to explore the universe.                                                   

 

Just hold up and point the device (your cell phone) to the sky and have fun! You can see any stars, constellations and deep sky objects you are watching in reality.

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Today’s Riddle – The rungs of a 10 foot ladder attached to a ship are 1 foot apart. If the water is rising at the rate of one foot an hour, how long will it take until the water covers over the ladder?

Riddle Answer will appear on our next post or check out our Instagram @mikeangarola on 9-5-2020 after 5PM for the answer.

Thanks for stopping in!

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Gracie’s Ravioli – 4 Things

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Wine – Food – TV – Some Meditations

*Buy Wine From Home – What would be a post to this site without a section on wine. If you like wine, and searched brands or deals though your phone, it’s a safe bet your getting slammed with deals on various Wine Clubs. I tend to ignore these, as I like researching my wine purchases, but the Pandemic and its restrictions has made me take a second look at some of these.

Elevant Society Wine ClubThe big problem is there are way to many to choose from. I look for clubs that offer free shipping and offer you choices. Here’s a site that breaks down the top 30 Wine Clubs. You should take a peek. Free Shipping Wine Clubs.

WTSO LogoAnother site that makes purchasing wine from home easy without any restrictions or membership is WineTillSoldOut.com. I love this site and have been purchasing wines from them for years. You will receive an email with the current selection and the minimum needed for free shipping. Don’t like the wine, skip it. Once the wine is sold out they offer another selection and you will receive a new email.

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Food – Make Your Own – One of my favorite cuts of pasta is Ricotta Cavatelli. You can easily find Cavatelli in the frozen section of most supermarkets, especially here in the Northeast. However, if you’re in to making fresh pasta this cut is easy to do so. Make a big batch and freeze what you don’t use right away. Check out video for an easy recipe. 

Here’s a bonus link to going all in and making you’re own Ricotta.

 

When the Pandemic first started I took over the weekly meals preparation. First night out at 5PM, both kids hit the dinner table, with a knife and fork in each hand and a sad, hungry look on their faces. At that point I promised them that dinner will be on the table every night between 6:30 and 7:00 PM each night.

There have been far to many nights when I needed to come up with something quick in order to keep my promise. My go to has been Cavatelli/Spaghetti and Broccoli. A dish that covers all the bases. Add chunks of Italian sausage and dinner can be on the table in as little as 20 minutes.

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What I Watched During the Pandemic Quarantine. Of late we all spend a lot of time sitting home most evenings. If you’re like me I’m sure you hit on more than a few movies or mini series for entertainment. Two documentaries that are must views are The Last Dance, The Michael Jordon series devoted to his last championship series in 1996 and the three part series on U.S. Grant on the History Channel. 

The Last Dance Poster

Both series offer rare insights into two men that had huge impacts in their fields. The Jordon series cements his status as the, sorry Lebron,  GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in Professional Basketball. It also deals with some very troubling times in his personal life, including the murder of his father and a gambling habit that sometimes clouded his decisions and legacy. Get a quick look into this series herehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt8420184/

 

Grant PosterThe Grant Series offers another unique look into a man who at the time of his death, was the most famous man in the world and stood alongside men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in the pantheon of American heroes. However, today Ulysses S. Grant is largely forgotten, his rightful legacy tarnished by a fog of myth, rumor and falsehood.

Watch a preview here: https://www.history.com/shows/grant

 

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As we enter into the close of another Summer let me leave you with a few quotes I received from the Oldfathers Group.

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” John Lubbock

“Sigh… there goes another summer, Snoopy!” Charlie Brown

Thanks for Reading!

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What I Learned to Appreciate the Past Five Months

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Gracie’s Ravioli

Food, Garden, Wine, IPAs, Meditation

Food – Bone In Chicken Thighs – I’ve done a lot more cooking for the family the last five and a half months and the one thing that always seems to be a hit are Chicken Thighs. Be sure to get bone in and just cut away the excess skin, leaving a fair amount on. The favor is amazing and I promise you’ll never go back to cutlets. Here is a link to one great recipe.

Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs –Easy grilled chicken thighs  Juicy grilled chicken thighs marinated in lemon juice, garlic and herbs. A great, easy gluten free recipe that delivers succulent chicken every time. (Click the heading above).

Want a great side dish, check out this video for the best roasted potatoes. I like making thin slices as opposed to halving them like they do in the video, but either way is great.

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Garden – I spent a lot of time in the garden during these crazy times. I find it the perfect place to relax, meditate, work on the beds and just forget about life for a while. This year the garlic was tremendous. So good in fact that I went out of my way to find recipes that included lots of garlic. I planted a few varieties of Hard Neck garlic which is preferred in the Northeast over soft neck

Garlic should be planted in the fall around the first of October, but you should order now as suppliers run out quickly. My favorites varieties are Music and Spanish Roja. Visit  https://keeneorganics.com/ for a huge selection of garlic bulbs ready to buy. They have an incredible selection and their site is very informative.

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Wine – Anyone that has read a single post here knows how much I enjoy a good glass of red wine. In recent post I talked about California wines, especially Pinot Noir from Napa and Sonoma Valley. Recently I branched out and gave into the hype on Pinots from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

There are some great Pinots from this region and in a blind taste test it would be real hard to separate them from Napa and Sonoma wines. One thing to remember is that the hype has caused them to shoot up in price so there really isn’t bargains here. Just good wines at a good wine price.

Wine.com devotes a whole section to Pinots from Willamette Valley. Click here to see they’re listing. Siduri below is one of my favorites.Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018 Front Label

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New Favorite IPA – I decided that I wasn’t going to gain weight during the lockdown and stepped up my workout routine in hopes of maybe shedding a few pounds. Problem is I started drinking a bit more and the weight never came off. That is until I discovered Dog Fish’s Slightly Mighty.

Slightly Mighty is a full tasting IPA with only 95 calories and 3.5 grams of Carbs. Their label reads, “This Lo-Cal IPA is brewed with mighty aromatic hop varieties that deliver tropical notes with a slightly sweet balance provided by the monk fruit extract,” Not a fan of fruit taste in your IPA. Trust me you’ll not notice, and it’s surprisingly easy to find in a beer shop near you.

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Meditation – Meditation has many benefits and in as little as 15 minutes a day can have a lasting benefit to your outlook, health and sleeping pattern. Do yourself a favor and check out this post – 20 Benefits of Meditation During the Pandemic.

Well that’s all I got for now. I truly hope that everyone is safe, healthy and continues to stay that way. 

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Gracie’s Ravioli Weekly Post

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Gracie’s Ravioli

Food, Garden, Wine, Meditation

Food – Lent has begun and for many, a time to fast, sacrifice and renew. For many Lent means meatless meals, that are simple and somewhat tasteless. Here’s a few Lenten meals that will make Friday’s not feel so bad, keep you in line with your fast and want to save to prepare even after the season is over.

Stuffed Olive Cod – Growing up in my grandparents home Cod was a mainstay, especially during lent. Visit the olive bar in your supermarket to put a new twist on cod in this simple high-protein, low-fat entrée that’s a weeknight lifesaver.

White Seafood Lasagna – This recipe comes from Joe Colamonica and was featured on TasteOfHome.com. In Joe’s words, “We make lasagna with shrimp and scallops as part of the traditional Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes. Every bite delivers a tasty jewel from the sea.” I think it works equally as well for lent

Vegetarian Porcini Mushroom Risotto – I love risotto, I love mushrooms and what the heck I love a good vegetarian meal. Mushroom risotto is a popular vegetarian Italian rice dish which makes for a suitable gourmet vegetarian entrée whether dining out or at home. This is not a low-fat, healthy version, but rather a more traditional full-fat and indulgent recipe when you want nothing but pure, rich, decadent flavor. OK, maybe not exactly in line with your fast, but hey, pretty darn good.

I know during lent eating meat on Friday’s is just a big NO NO. So if you struggle during this season to come up with something the whole family will enjoy, you need to just click here. 100 Dinners to Love during Lent – That aren’t Fish.

Garden – So we rolled into March and for many that means Spring and Spring garden projects. I’m sure many have already started seeds and in some areas the soil is ready for planting. We had a mild winter here in the Northeast and I’m thinking about Spring Lettuce, Spinach, Sugar Snap Peas, Kale and other cold hearty plants.

Here’s a few seeds that I started, all from Sustainable Seed Company:

Organic Tango Lettuce – Tango is a curled baby leaf variety that has a crisp clean texture and holds up well with numerous salad dressings.

Organic Strawberry Spinach – This is a favorite of mine, as they are sweet but pale in flavor along side a real berry. The leaves are spinach green triangular and bite sized. This one can go all season, as the heat of summer doesn’t seem to bother them.

Organic Arugula Roquette – My wife loves Arugula and we just can’t seem to grow enough of it. This one leaves a sharp, spicy pungent, peppery taste similar to horseradish in mixed salads. Best used in raw salads and tomato dishes when the leaves are 2-3″ long.

            

Wine – Last week I talked about the impact our California Wine Country trip had on my wife and I last year. One variety that we both surprisingly rediscovered was Chardonnay. A crispy white from either Sonoma or Napa pairs well with just about any meal. We lean towards a Russian River Chardonnay and here are two that are reasonably priced.

Raeburn Chardonnay 2018, about $18.00 – James Suckling review;
“This has a very rich and fleshy feel with intense, ripe peaches that pervade the nose and palate. There’s a really concentrated feel here. Ripe, too. Drink now.”

Folie a Deux Russian River Chardonnay 2017 –  $16.99 at wine.com. Winemakers notes; “Indicative of its cool-climate origins, with bright acidity beneath notes of pear, apple, pineapple, apricot, nutmeg and vanilla—all framed by a richly textured palate. Bright acidity beneath notes of sweet melon, golden apple and bright tropical, perfumed pear. Flavors of ripe vanilla, mandarin, toasted marshmallow, butterscotch, banana and citrus blossom are accompanied by a creamy mid-palate.”

Meditation – Here’s a thought to ponder;

“Take a good hard look at people’s ruling principle, especially the wise, what they run away from and what they seek out” Marcus Aurelius

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Weekly Post from Gracies Ravioli

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Gracie’s Ravioli 

Food, Wine, Garden and People

Food – As a family we have been eating in a lot lately. Here are 4 recipes we tried last week.

Mediterranean Chicken Skillet – I got this one off the Yummly.com website and tried it this weekend. A Mediterranean Chicken Skillet Recipe that can be made in less than 30 minutes. It’s extremely flavorful so it will please your whole family, and best of all, it’s all done in one-pan.

Mediterranean Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Artichokes – Another one skillet recipe. Easy to make, 30 minutes from start to finish! You’ll love the mix of flavors in this dish.

Bourbon Glazed Carrots – Wow two of my favorite things, bourbon and carrots. I found this one on kitchn.com. A quick easy side dish without the messy clean up.

Pasta Con Sarde -Pasta Con Sarde is a Sicilian mainstay not just for  Christmas Eve.  I found a can of sardines and decided to make it again this past week. A simple dish with loads of flavor.

Wine – My wife and I took a trip to the west coast last February and now find ourselves almost exclusively seeking wines from Napa and Sonoma Counties. Here are three favorites wineries and a link to help plan your Wine Country Vacation.

Fort Ross Winery – The Sonoma Coast is home to Fort Ross and we were fortunate to take part in a private tasting there. OK, a little pricy and not for everyday drinking, but boy are these wines good. If you like Pinot Noir you got to try Fort Ross.

Martinelli’s Winery – A few years back a friend gifted me a bottle of Martinelli’s Jackass Red Zinfandel and I have been a fan of their wines ever since. Sustainable farming methods and family wine making at its best. Martinelli’s makes great Pinot Noir, award winning Red Zinfandels and over the top Syrah.

DeVero Farms and Winery – More than a winery, this winemaker uses only certified organic and biodynamic process to grow first class wines in a traditional Italian style. I didn’t realize how good their wines were till after almost 6 months I popped open a bottle of their 2018 Dolcetto and found an easy drinking red that paired with just about anything.

Has a trip to Californios’s famed wine country always been a wish? Here’s a link (Click Here) to a great site that can help you plan that wine vacation. The Russian River in Sonoma is home to many top wineries and  must stop for Pinot lovers.

Garden – Okay its February, but you should start planning your garden and ordering those organic seeds now. Here’s the only three seed companies I buy from.

Johnny’s Selected Seeds – The best source of seeds and tools for gardeners of all sizes and needs. If you’re looking for organic seeds be sure to search for that specifically. They sell both.

High Mowing – No seed company is more committed to organic gardening than High Mowing. From their website, “100% certified organic seed, 100% of the time. Bred to perform best in organic conditions – robust, vigorous genetics and modern disease resistances.” You get all this and free delivery with orders over $10.00

Sustainable Seed Company – These guys carry over 850 varieties of seeds including many hard to find varieties. They have a huge selection of certified organic seeds as well.

People – If you don’t follow Tim Ferriss you need to do so. His weekly blog and email are a combination of inspiration, humor and human interest.

Ferriss is an American author (4 Hour Workweek, 4 Hour Chef and others), entrepreneur, angel investor and public speaker. His blog post include interviews, weekly suggestions and lifestyle design. He has been listed as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People,” one of Forbes’s “Names You Need to Know,” and one of Fortune’s “40 under 40.

His latest interview is with Richard Turner. Don’t know who Richard Turner is, here’s a cut offered by Ferriss on the interview.

“Note: Toward the end of the interview, you will hear Richard performing card tricks. He did them in front of me, and he absolutely blew my mind. I highly recommend checking out the interview on YouTube, as I made sure to have video from multiple angles for this episode. Just go to youtube.com/timferriss. Not to sound like a mullet-wearing Long Island boy (which I’ve been), but this footage is simply fucking amazing.
Oh, and did I mention that Richard is completely blind? That’s right. You’re in for a ride, my friends.”

On his weekly (Friday) email, Ferriss always ends with a quote, that in his words leaves him pondering. I’ve shared many of those quotes with my kids. Here’s a sample;

“Don’t postpone joy till you have learned all your lessons. Joy is your lesson.”

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Hey, Thanks for reading, please share this post and if you haven’t, buy the eBooks. They’re only $2.99

 

Micro Greens – Why Grow Them? – Why Eat Them?

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I have become fascinated with Micro Greens and plan on giving you plenty of good reasons on why you should grow and eat them.

Micro Greens – What the Heck are They:

Before any discussion on Micro Greens begins you should have a clear idea as to what exactly Micro Greens are and how to process them. Simply put, Micro Greens are the baby version of many plants you may be eating and growing now.

Organic growing micro greens. Fresh micro greens at green background reflecting in glass table. Growing redish sprouts for healthy salad. Eating right, stay Stock PhotosOrganic growing micro greens.

Stored in the seeds are a ton of nutrients, as much as 40% greater than in the mature plant. Seeds store nutrients and other good things to fight off disease and create the energy needed to establish roots. All of these nutrients used to form the roots are what we end up eating with Micro Greens.

 

Different kinds of micro greens. Assortment of micro greens. Growing kale, alfalfa, sunflower, arugula, mustard sprouts. Healthy lifestyle, stay young and modern Stock Photo                      Growing kale, alfalfa, sunflower, arugula, mustard sprouts.

Studies have shown that Micro Greens not only have higher nutrient concentrations, but all micros, in varying degrees, contain higher levels of vitamins. Many Micro Greens for instance are rich in Vitamin C, while others were high in Vitamin E.

Different kinds of micro greens. Assortment of micro greens. Growing kale, alfalfa, sunflower, arugula, mustard sprouts. Healthy lifestyle, stay young and modern Royalty Free Stock Images                       Healthy lifestyle, stay young and modern. Eat Micro Greens

Chemical Free:

Probably the absolute best part of eating Micro Greens is that they are chemical free. Most Micro Green growers use a soil-less growing media and because they are harvested within two to three weeks you will have zero need for any fertilization whether chemical or organic.

Terracotta Composting 50-Plant Garden Tower by Garden Tower Project

Most Micro Green growers also use a non GMO, organic seed from reputable companies like True Leaf or High Mowing. This further adds to the organic nature of micros. In addition if you grow them yourself, which is really quite simple, you are in complete control.

Bagel sandwich with creame cheese, salmon,onion,tomato,greens,ch. Ives close-up on a wooden background. Delicious bagel, golden bake color, soft inside, crispy Royalty Free Stock PhotosBagel sandwich with cream cheese, salmon,onion,tomato and micro greens. Add them to salads, use as a garnish, as a topping on sandwiches or just eat them raw.

Next week I will take you through a complete grow-a-long, as we put up two tray of micros in my basement. We’ll start with the basics of purifying the water plus sanitizing the grow trays and seeds. Within three or four days the seeds should germinate at which time we will put them under the lights and wait for the finished product.

I’m sure you will find Micros Greens not only easy to grow (even on a counter in your kitchen) but a healthy addition to your diet.

Garden Tower Project

 

 

Why Are My Tomatoes Cracking?

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Have you noticed that your well cared for tomatoes are starting to crack? To much water is most likely the culprit.

It has been a crazy summer here in the Hudson Valley. We’ve had some nasty hot weather but an unusual amount of rainfall. Today is August 18th and my cheap Target water gauge shows 6.61 inches of rain so far this month, on top of a wetter that usual July.

We all know that garden vegetables need water but the effects of too much water are almost identical to not enough water. The signs for an over-watered plants are:

  • Lower leaves are yellow

  • Plant looks wilted

  • Roots will be rotting or stunted

  • No new growth

  • Young leaves will turn brown

  • Soil will appear green (which is algae)

I was away for a few weeks and had a neighbor keep an eye on my garden. When I got home I noticed that many of the tomatoes were beginning to ripen but they all had cracks or breaks. I suspected over-watering and my neighbor confirm that she never once hit the hose. It was just the fact that heavy rainfall over saturated the garden.

The soil in my gardens drains really well and most summers this is enough to make sure I will not suffer crop damage from heavy rains. This just points out how much rain we’ve seen this summer and how you can never guarantee garden success.

In addition to cracked tomatoes, my cucumbers plants  showed signs of rotted roots and all my squash plants had yellowed and stopped producing fruit. Root crops like carrots and onions seemed to fair well, but I haven’t harvested potatoes yet and I’m a little worried about them.

When Mother Nature takes control of your garden there really isn’t much you can do. I do find that picking fruit before it totally ripens can save it. This drill works particularly well with tomatoes, and keeps them from getting picked apart by the birds. You just have to wait a bit longer for them to turn red.

Anyway, I just finished making some fresh tomatoes salsa, and you should do the same. Here’s my quick recipe.

In a food processor mix together:

  • 4 ripe tomatoes quartered

  • 1 large white onion quartered

  • 1 hot pepper cut in half (remove seeds if you want to calm it down)

  • 1 large red and green sweet pepper

  • 1/2 small cucumber

  • 3 cloves of garlic

  • 1 cup cilantro

  • 1 cup parsley

  • 1 tbs olive oil

  • 1 tbs lime juice

  • 2 tbs tomato paste

  • salt, pepper and chili powder to taste

Be sure to refrigerate for a few hours prior to serving. This way all those flavors blend in together.

 

showing roots