Grow Your Own Celery!

One of my favorite places to get helpful health information is the Hippocrates Health Institute, a non profit health institute based in Florida. Their website is chock full of tips on healthy living, nutrition and alternative therapies. Visit them today at http://www.hippocratesinst.org! A big thank you to Hippocrates Health Institute for letting us share this quick tip with you on how to grow celery right in your own back yard.

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What did the cucumber say to the celery? A: "Quit stalking me!" Have you priced organic celery lately? HHI Greenhouse Manager Brian Hetrich shares the perfect solution for you -- grow your own!   You know how lots of folks cut off and throw away the base of the celery bunch? Instead, you can put it in the ground and it will grow back! Start by soaking the base in a saucer with about a half inch of water for a few days and then plant it outside. Celery likes fertile well-drained soil, partial shade and frequent watering. You may never have to buy celery again! Brian Hetrich is responsible for growing all of the living foods at Hippocrates Health Institute in the greenhouse and organic garden. As part of the Life Transformation Program, he teaches classes to guests on gardening, juicing and raising sprouts and wheatgrass. A naturopathic doctor, Brian left his private practice in Maryland to come to Hippocrates in 2012. Visit our website to learn more about the benefits of wheatgrass and living foods.  About Hippocrates Health Institute Our philosophy is founded on the belief that a vegan, living, enzyme-rich diet - complimented by exercise, positive thinking and non-invasive therapies -- are integral to optimum health. We believe that good health is every person's birthright, and that a life free of disease and pain is our human legacy. Visithippocratesinst.org to learn more about our programs.

Magic Beans!

Lima Bean Plant Growing Up and Out 

 Part of the joy of having children is experiencing life through their eyes. Things I take for granted are transformed into exciting adventures simply because they are brand new for my kids. In some ways, it’s like getting a fresh start in life and I love it.

Last week, Jayden’s class began a new project that had him practically jumping up and down with joy. He got to grow his own lima bean, nurturing it from a dry little kernel to a vibrant green plant. He adores his little lima bean green, and he’s learning all about the root system of the plant by watching it grow in real time.

If you have young children, this is a wonderful and easy project for them. All you need is an old CD case, some dirt, scotch tape, a dry lima bean and water.

Directions:

Sesame and Garlic Kale Chips (With Raw Option)

I do a lot of driving. With three children, how can I not? School, extra-curricular activities, shopping, outings, you name it – it seems like I spend more time in my car than out of it. I don’t mind it, though. When I’m alone in the car, I get to catch up on phone calls, conduct business and sometimes even savor the luxury of just letting my mind wander.

It was on one of these occasions that a thought occurred to me – I know that seeds grow into plants, but I couldn’t figure out if I’d ever seen a sesame seed plant. So, I did some reading. It turns out that this tiny seed was domesticated about 5000 years ago and exists in thousands of varieties, most of them wild. You may be familiar with sesame seeds as a topping for breads and hamburger buns, but they are used in numerous ways pretty much all around the world. I even learned that the leaves of the sesame plant are edible and can be cooked or eaten raw. I will definitely be on the hunt for some sesame plants and recipes to use them in!

Sesame has one of the highest oil contents of any seed, and because of its naturally occurring antioxidants, it is one of the most stable vegetable oils, with a long shelf life. Sesame seed oil is rich in Omega 6 fatty acids and protein.

Remembering that I had a bottle of sesame oil in my kitchen, I decided to put it to use. I made a batch of kale chips with garlic and sesame oil, and, boy, was my family happy! It seemed that as soon as I had taken the chips out of the oven, they were gone. Thankfully, they are easy to make and take hardly any prep time at all, so I can crank them out often enough to keep even my eager troop satisfied.

I highly recommend these chips as a much healthier alternative to other salty snacks like potato chips and cheese puffs. If you want directions on how to make Sesame and Garlic Kale Chips, just keep reading.