Endless Green Onions, Endless Kitchen Fun!

 

Pantry staples are things that you can keep for a long time, things that don't go bad: canned tomatoes and beans, flour and quinoa, rice and scallions. Hang on... scallions? As difficult as it may be to believe, scallions and green onions are actually easy to keep as a pantry staple... you just need to get creative.

Scallions or Green Onions?

First, you need to choose which you'd like to have on-hand. While scallions, green onions and spring onions are often sold interchangeably, they are actually quite different ingredients. Scallions have a narrow white portion where green onions and spring onions have an entire onion bulb. Scallions are milder in flavor than spring onions and green onions. Pick your favorite... then start growing!

Making Onions a Pantry Staple

Whichever onion you choose, it will quickly become a pantry staple with a few easy steps. First, cut the onions down to the white portion, leaving the roots in tact. Next, place them in a glass with just a few inches of water in the bottom, roots down. Lastly, place them on the windowsill. You're done! Within a few days, the green parts of the onion will start sprouting again, and within a week, you'll be able to start using them.

Of course, this method doesn't allow you to use the white portion forever, but it will stay fresher than it would in the fridge. After two or three times of trimming the onions, they will stop sprouting as quickly. You can use the white portion then, and replenish your supply from the grocery store or farmer's market.

What to Do with Them?

What can you do with your endless trove of onions? Here are a few of our favorite ideas!

    Brown rice, sesame, spinach and scallion pancakes are a healthier version of the classic.

    A new potato salad pairs baby potatoes, green onions and vinaigrette.

    Linguine with creamy scallion pesto treats the onion like an herb.

    Like other spring vegetables, spring onions can be pickled.

    Green onions go great with spicy grilled chicken.

    Green onions make amazing deviled eggs.

Written by Emily Monaco   

Boost your Health with these 11 Anti-Inflammatory Foods

   

blueberries

Perhaps the term "diet" isn’t appropriate here. There are no portions to worry about, and you’re not counting calories. Instead, you're loading up on foods that are naturally good for you and have the added benefit of reducing inflammation. No, this is no diet; this is a life plan.

Anti-inflammatories are among the most commonly prescribed medications. They are used for many different chronic ailments including arthritis, heart disease and hypertension. While these medications may provide quick relief, long-term use of some anti-inflammatory medications such as NSAIDs and steroids can actually weaken our immunity or cause unwanted side effects.

Maintaining a diet high in anti-inflammatory foods can ease the adverse reactions to medications, but it also adds a healthy (and tasty) mix of foods into your meals. On top of their anti-inflammatory properties, these foods also supply us with essential vitamins and minerals that help boost our immune system.

Using Common Sense with Your Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Chances are if you are suffering from an auto-immune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, eating an anti-inflammatory diet may not be a substitute for medication. It can however, ease day-to-day symptoms of inflammation that accompany those diseases. The foods listed in this article are a healthy addition to any meal plan.

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

So you’re looking to start an anti-inflammatory diet, but don’t know where to begin. The following foods have an abundance of anti-inflammatory properties.

    Wild Alaskan Salmon: It’s no secret that salmon contains omega-3s and has been known to help numerous ailments. It is important to note that wild caught salmon has a much higher omega-3 content than farmed raised. For those of you that are not fans of fish, there are many non-fish oil and omega-3 supplements that will provide these important nutrients, including flax and hemp seed oil.

    Kelp. Kelp such contains fucoidan, a type of complex carbohydrate that is anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidative. It is also high in fiber, which helps your body feel full and will aid in weight loss. It’s best to buy organic kelp and avoid some of the seaweed snacks that are loaded with vegetable oil and salt.

    Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This oil provides a healthy dose of fats that fights inflammation. It can also help lower the risks of asthma and arthritis, as well as protect the heart and blood vessels.

    Blueberries not only reduce inflammation, but they can protect the brain from aging and prevent diseases, such as cancer and dementia.

    Dark Leafy Greens. Dark leafy green vegetables are loaded with antioxidants. They are high in inflammation-fighting carotenoids, vitamin K and vitamin E.

    Turmeric: This Indian root, which is often found in curry blends, contains a natural anti-inflammatory compound called curcumin. Turmeric also has pain relieving properties. Among the other spices that can help with inflammation are oregano, garlic, and rosemary.

    Ginger: You may know that ginger is good for digestion and relieving nausea, but it also helps reduce inflammation and control blood sugar.

    Broccoli. This highly nutritious vegetable that contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer phytonutrients such as sulforaphane. It helps the body to get rid of potentially carcinogenic compounds.

    Green Tea: Green tea contains anti-inflammatory flavonoids that may even help reduce the risks of certain cancers.

    Sweet Potato: A great source of complex carbs, fiber, beta-carotene, manganese and vitamin B6 and C, these potatoes actually help heal inflammation in the body.

    Papaya. Papaya contains papain, a protein-digesting enzyme. Together with other nutrients such as vitamin C and E, papain helps to reduce inflammation, and improves digestion and healing from burns. Make sure to buy organic papaya as many--especially coming from Hawaii--are genetically modified.

Foods to Avoid

It’s pretty basic knowledge that it’s best to try and limit processed foods, sugar, and trans-fats, and this is especially important if you're looking to reduce inflammation. With inflammatory issues, dairy is also tough on the body. It has a common allergen that can trigger inflammation as well as breathing and stomach issues.

Aspartame and MSG are two common food additives that can trigger inflammation responses. There’s no time like now to give up those diet soft drinks and foods with these additives.

Choose grass-fed meats when possible. Feed-lot animals consume large quantities of corn and soy, which may aggravate inflammatory issues. These animal are also injected with hormones and antibiotics, which can cause a whole range of other issues.

 

Written by Marni McNiff  
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Summer squash [Cucurbita pepo]

Summer squash

Zucchini is the most well-known summer squash, but are other types worth growing, such as crookneck squash. Useful, all-purpose vegetables, summer squash of all sorts are delightful sliced or chopped into salads of all kinds, including pasta salads. It adds a texture and crunch all its own. Or use summer squashes in soups, simmering lightly to preserve their texture. For a simple summer side dish, saute in olive oil, garlic, and oregano.

Summer squashes come in quite a variety. They can be long, straight, and thin like zucchini, have a swollen base and thin, bent top like crookneck squash, be round like a baseball, or even be shaped like a flying saucer. Grow bush types in hills 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 3 to 5 feet apart. Plants are notoriously prolific producers, so you may need only one or two to supply your needs.

Light:

    Sun

Plant Type:

    Vegetable

Plant Height:

    1-2 feet tall

Plant Width:

    3-10 feet wide

Top Varieties

'Black Beauty' zucchini

bears smooth, straight fruits on an open plant. 60 days

'Early Prolific Straightneck'

is an open-pollinated variety with light cream color fruits. The neck end is thinner than the blossom end. 48 days

'Early Summer Crookneck'

is an heirloom that has a bent neck and yellow fruits with bumpy skin. Use it as you would zucchini. 53 days

'Gold Rush' zucchini

offers uniform golden yellow, smooth, straight fruits that are a colorful contrast to green zucchini. 45 days

'Raven Hybrid' zucchini

produces dark green fruits in as few as 48 days from planting. The plant is a compact bush.

'Sunburst' pattypan squash

is a deep golden yellow flattened, rounded, summer squash with scalloped edges. The vigorous plant is quite productive. 50 days

Garden Plans An Eye-Catching Kitchen Garden Plan

Inspired by Italy Vegetable Garden Plan

Harvest Tips Zucchini, crookneck, and straightneck summer squashes are best when harvested at a small size, about 6 inches long. Pattypan or scallop squashes are best when they are 3 inches in diameter. Check plants daily because the squashes grow quickly in warm weather. If some escape detection, harvest them as soon as possible. The more you harvest, the more the plants will bear.