This is my article from the Co-op newsletter, thought you might like it.
Spring has announced its arrival with an early heat wave and bountiful blossoms hanging heavy from the trees. For those of us interested in eating local natural foods, spring brings the promise of the best our area has to offer. The early warm weather has us yearning for deep salads, colorful stir-fries, and bowls of berries. In this issue of the Food Co-op newsletter we’re making the best of spring. If you’re like me and can’t wait for the summer harvest there are other ways to have great produce right now.
Be your own local producer - grow your own sprouts! It doesn’t take special equipment, any soil, or a degree in bioengineering!
Seeds sold for sprouting are dry and dormant. Soak the seeds for several hours to trigger an end to this dormancy. Rinse the seeds in a fine colander or sieve, and remove any debris or pebbles from the seeds. Drain the seeds thoroughly, and spread them into a sterile jar [washed in a dishwasher or hand washed and boiled in water] covered with cheesecloth or a commercial sprouter, which may resemble a series of stacked trays. Keep the sprouting unit in a cool place with good air circulation. Placing the sprouts in a pantry invites mold. Rinse and drain the sprouting seeds daily. In one to four days, depending on the variety, the sprouts are ready to harvest. Place them in a salad spinner to remove excess moisture, and store them in the refrigerator. Enjoy fresh sprouts within three days of harvest for best quality.
There are several great websites to take you through the process step by step:
http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/sprouts.htm
http://www.sprouting.com/homesprouting.htm
Another way to enjoy veggies before their traditional arrival date is hydroponics. There are several producers for the Co-op that have hydroponic offerings. Don’t be leery of this new-fangled method of growing vegetables. While it is new, this method is based on the best the earth has to offer. I first remember hearing about hydroponic vegetables being grown on the space shuttle. In hydroponics plants are grown in a minerally enriched water solution. They are a great choice for those who are mindful of their impact on the earth.
Because hydroponics don’t use soil, there are no worries about damaging it. When hydroponic plants grow they are sheltered from the dangers that traditional plants are susceptible to. So they are not treated with pesticides and chemicals that leave a residue. Interestingly enough, hydroponic growing uses less water than traditional methods because the water is recirculated.
To learn more about hydroponics check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics
http://www.genhydro.com/genhydro_US/quicktips/OrganicHydroponicArticle.pdf
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