Growing GREENS even During Winter

Just because it might be snowing outside doe not mean you can't grow fresh greens.  Try SPROUTS!
This weekend we have a very special offer.  Order Mary's Sprouting Kit and get 6 ounces of Organic Sprouting Seeds! That's 4 FREE ounces!

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Got Sprouts? Don't Miss Out! In case you're just tuning in, we've been steadily adding to our 2014 Planting Guide. For your viewing pleasure we've made a special page with all of the growing info in one easy place. Check out Mary's 2014 Planting Guide Helpful Links  Heirloom BEANS Heirloom BEETS Heirloom CORN Heirloom Fruits Heirloom GREENS Heirloom PEAS Heirloom PEPPERS Heirloom SEEDS PUMPKIN & SQUASH Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Wildflower Seeds Specialty Heirlooms Seed Pack Combos SUPPLIES Mary's Tincture Shop Mary's Herbal Organix Join Our Mailing List Mary's Heirloom Seeds 2104 Tyler Street Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 654-3501 Order Mary's Sprouting Kit this weekend and we'll include more FREE SEEDS! Now until Monday, Dec 15th ALL orders of Mary's Sprouting Kit will include 6 ounces of organic Seeds! That's 4 FREE ounces of seeds! A few of our favorites Sprouted Wheat Wheat Grass Kits FENUGREEK ALFALFA If you live in a warmer climate such as Arizona, California, Hawaii and Florida then you might still be growing.  You might even be growing cool weather crops such as Kale, Arugula, Swiss Chard , Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli and Cabbage. If your area is COLD or snowy at the moment then you might try growing SPROUTS in winter! Do you eat Sprouts?  Do you grow your own sprouts? SPROUTS grown in a jar do not require dirt or sun, Just Water!!!  It's SO EASY! I have been growing/eating sprouts for a while.  I sprout "cat grass" which is actually wheat grass, for our 2 cats and they LOVE it.  I sprout Mung Beans, Broccoli and Alfalfa for sandwiches & salads. Save Money and Sprout Your Own! Sprouts are nutrient dense and take up almost no space.  If you want fresh GREENS without having to grow a garden, sprouts are the way to go.   Do you know that a small bag of Mung Beans sprouts (organic) at my local grocery store costs almost $8? That's ridiculous!  Mung Beans When I sprout 1/3 cup of Mung Beans I usually get about 3 cups (or more) of sprouts after 5-6 days!!! Most important, by growing your own you are in control of your food.  You can decide when to grow, how much to grow and grow them organically.  MUNG BEAN SPROUTS Each cup, or 104 g serving, of sprouted raw mung beans provides approx 155 mg potassium. Mung Bean Sprouts Each 1-cup serving of raw mung bean sprouts provides 14 mg vitamin C, or nearly one quarter of the daily value for vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that is essential for proper immune function and wound healing. Another benefit of mung bean sprouts is their 60 mcg folic acid, or 15 percent of the daily value for this B vitamin, which is an especially important nutrient for women who may become pregnant, because it reduces the risk for neural tube birth defects.  Continue Reading BROCCOLI SPROUTS!!! If you are interested in purchasing larger quantities of organic sprouting seeds please send us an email Broccoli Sprouts From MORE Nutritional Info on SPROUTS, "Eating broccoli sprouts may be able to protect people from cancer, according to scientists from Johns Hopkins. The Maryland-based researchers found that young broccoli sprouts contain a substance called sulforaphane in concentrated amounts. Sulforaphane helps the body fight cancer, and may prevent certain cancers from developing. Researchers call this phenomenon chemoprotection.    Asthma sufferers may benefit from a daily dose of broccoli sprouts, as studies have shown a decrease in inflammation of the airways after eating the vegetable. A study reported in the March 2009 issue of Clinical Immunology reports that sulforaphane, the same compound that can prevent and fight cancer, reduced inflammation associated with asthma and nasal allergies. In addition to broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane is naturally occurring in cauliflower, mature broccoli, brussels sprouts and cabbage." MARY'S SPROUTING KIT with Seeds! This one quart sprouting jar is everything you  need to learn the basic aspects of sprouting.   A perfect way to get started. Grow your own sprouts for a delicious and nutritious meal or snack for just pennies!!!   Includes SEEDS! Mary's Sprouting Kits make great gift ideas for all ages.  Sprouting is simple and easy.  Sprouts can be grown in as few as 24 hours and up to 6 days. NEW:  GREEN PEA SPROUT SEEDS These dried green peas have a great germination rate and make delicious, crunchy and mildly sweet sprouts. A great addition to salads. Peas can also be used in soups and other recipes.

All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds. Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.

Detox December

You're probably thinking...."Is Mary totally crazy?  Who starts a Detox in December?"

For starters, there is really no need to go all out and go broke on Detox supplies or programs.  There are plenty of home remedies and simple solutions for regular detoxification.  Since the Average American eats so much more (especially fatty) food during the holidays, adding a detoxifying step to your day is so important.

First, I suggest Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.  
This might be one of the easiest options for detoxing.  
From Detoxing with Diatomaceous Earth, "Add diatomaceous earth to your diet to detox parasites that can contribute to food intolerance, nausea, bowel discomfort, pain, itching, asthma, sinus infections, Morgellon's disease, and a host of other allergic-type reactions.
DE detoxes mercury, cadmium, lead and other heavy metals; removes poisons from chemtrails, radiation and may alleviate the effects of GMOs. DE possesses antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties.
In addition to detoxing and destroying pathogens, diatomaceous earth helps to lower blood pressure and contributes to the production of collagen to improve skin tone, strengthening the tendons and joints."

Another simple solution is Lemon Water.  You might enjoy reading Benefits of Lemon Water.  
From Health Benefits of Lemon & Basil, "Health benefits of lemon include treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, fever, hair care, skin care, internal bleeding, rheumatism, burns, overweight, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure. Known for its therapeutic properties for generations, lemon helps to strengthen your immune system and cleanses your stomach. It is not only a blood purifier but also enables body to fight diseases. Lemon juice, especially, has several health benefits associated with it. Useful for treating kidney stones, curing heart strokes and reducing the body temperature, lemonade helps you to stay calm and cool."
 

Basil Lemonade recipe

Add Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to your routine.  
From Health Benefits of ACV, "Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, pectin and vital minerals such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorous, chlorine, sulfur, iron, and fluorine."  
I make a delicious salad dressing with ACV.  I call it my Detox Dressing and it's originally from a major detox I used to do once a year. 

From Global Healing Center, here are more FOODS to assist with detoxification:
Fruit
Greens: Kale, Brussels Sprouts, Alfalfa, Arugula and Chard
GARLIC
Broccoli Sprouts
Green Tea
Mung Beans
Seeds & Nuts
Omega 3 oils

Right now, Mary's Heirloom Seeds is offering FREE SEEDS with purchase of Mary's Sprouting Kit.  Each kit purchased will include 6 ounces of Organic Mung Beans.

Each Kit Includes:   wide-mouth glass sprouting jar (quart size), 
lid & screen, organic SEEDS and detailed sprouting instructions.

 There you have it!  

Detox this December for a Healthier and Happier 2015!

Meatless Monday LinkUp & Pumpkin Recipe RoundUp

I Love Meatless Mondays!

It's been over 3 months since I cut out meat completely.  In the last 21 days or so I have eaten a few bits of chicken here and there (not gonna lie).  I have enjoyed not eating meat on a daily basis.  I feel great!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner I thought it would be nice to share a bunch of healthy PUMPKIN recipes
 

Southwestern Pumpkin Burger

Roasted Pumpkin Apple Soup

Pumpkin No-Bake Energy Bites

Pumpkin Spice Quinoa Breakfast Cookies

Skinny Pumpkin Granola

Joining me for Meatless Monday is Lydia @ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen 

and Christie @ A Kitchen Hoor's Adventure

Are you ready to PARTY?
This party is LIVE for an entire month!!!  Each week you'll have another chance to add your meatless creations to the party.

Meatless Monday Favorites and LinkUp

I Love Meatless Mondays!

About 80 days ago I cut out meat completely.  In the last 14 days or so I have eaten a few bits of chicken here and there (not gonna lie).  I have enjoyed not eating meat on a daily basis.  I feel great!

My soy-free meat-alternatives are my Black Bean Patties and Red Bean Burgers.  A few weeks ago I made this Portobello Burger for the first time and it was love at first bite.  Even my carnivore husband liked this "burger."  

This week I'm going to share a few of my favorite Meatless Meals from past link-ups.

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes from Fuel Your Future

Spinach and Mushroom Quiche with Spaghetti Squash Crust

 

Peanut Noodles from Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen

Grilled Vegan Margherita Pizza from Strength and Sunshine

Caprese Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Joining me for Meatless Monday is Lydia @ Lydia's Flexitarian Kitchen 

and Christie @ A Kitchen Hoor's Adventure

Are you ready to PARTY?
This party is LIVE for an entire month!!!  Each week you'll have another chance to add your meatless creations to the party.

Mom's Detox Veggie Soup

This is not my Mom's recipe.  This is a recipe FOR my Mom!  Yes, my mom reads my blog...Hi Mom!

When I was back home visiting last week we talked a lot about detoxing.  The benefits, the hows and whys.  Then I came home and found a very simple soup (more like a broth) for detoxing.

Before we get started I need to explain.  This recipe calls for LOTS of veggies but in the end, you STRAIN OUT the veggies and only eat the broth.  
Feel free to save to veggies and freeze them for later.
Alternatives: give them to your chickens or toss them in the compost!

Why do we not eat the veggies?  First, all of the "goodies" from the veggies are in the broth.  Second, drinking the broth for a meal allows the digestive tract to take a break to heal and recoup.

Let's Detox!

Mom's Detox Veggie Soup
Ingredients

Onions, garlic and herbs.

My favorite Herbs: Basil, Cumin, Curry, Thyme, Tarragon, Oregano and Sage.

Asparagus
Broccoli

Cauliflower

Parsnips or Turnips

Sweet potato

Carrot

Kale

Spinach

Cabbage

Peppers (hot or sweet)

Swiss Chard

Any other green leafy vegetables that are in season.

Do not use potatoes

Optional: your choice of healthy salt, like hymalayan salt crystals, turmeric, cayenne pepper and ginger.

For this recipe I used 1/2 clove of garlic, 1 red onion, a handful of fresh basil from the garden, dried Oregano, Thyme and Cayenne pepper.
Then I added Celery, Broccoli, Cilantro, Sweet Potato, Carrots, Kale and Spinach.

Chopped Celery, Broccoli, Carrots and Sweet Potato

Directions:

Fill the bottom of a large pot with onions, garlic and herbs.

Add just enough water to cover the garlic and onions (3-6 cups) and boil for 10 – 15 minutes.

Do not add any oil to the pot.

Chop up vegetables

Fill the pot approximately 1/3 full with chopped vegetables

Fill the pot approximately ½ full with water

Bring to a simmer – do not boil.

Cover and let simmer for 4-6 hours, adding water every hour or so to keep the water level between ½-3/4 full.

Strain broth and serve with your choice of healthy salt, like hymalayan salt crystals, turmeric, cayenne pepper and ginger.

Any remaining Detox Soup should be store in a glass container in the fridge.  Re-heat leftovers or serve cold.  If you have additional questions please feel free to ask.