All blog posts from August 2011
Choices, Choices, So Many Choices!
Last week with the help and encouragement of my volunteers we decided to offer the first ever – ALL choice week! With so much in season at this time, we decided we would give you the freedom and flexibility to choose for yourself what veggies you would like for the week:) So Happy August everyo…
Bulk Veggie Sales Now Open!
I have SOOO much produce at the farm now! Yeah..better yet make that a triple double-dipped wahoo!!! Because of this and the fact that well ... the Farmers' Market pretty much sucks this year, hehe, I am grateful to be able to offer you bulk sales on some of the extra produce to ensure you can s…
Becoming Beautiful One Smile at a Time
This week I wanted to introduce to you a member of Team Transpire, the group of us that come together each and every week to bring you the best veggies we can. I would like to introduce the positive, beautiful and totally amazing Caroline K.! This girl has taught me a whole LOT about life - oh so wi…
Beets
Nutrition
Beetw are low in calories, high in fiber, and contain cancer-fighting antioxidant betalains. Betalains starve tumors and hinder cell division. Adding a 1/4 cup of beets to your daily diet can reduce your kidney cancer risk. This superfood dilates vessels so your blood flows easily, and…
Broccoli
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous, or cabbage, family of vegetables. It has a tree-like shape featuring a compact head of florets attached by small stems to a large stalk. It's color can range from deep sage to dark green to purplish green, depending upon …
Brussel Sprouts
Nutrition
Brussels sprouts are packed with nutrients that benefit the heart, boost the immune system, and promote healthy, resilient skin. A member of the cruciferous family, sprouts also contain a wealth of glucosinolates, thought to fight cancer. Isothiocyanates, a by-product of these sulfurous…
Cabbage
Nutrition
Nutrition
Cabbage is the "king" of the cruciferous family of vegetables, which also includes broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, kale, mustard greens, radishes, rutabaga, turnips, and other common vegetables. The members of this family of vegetables are currently receiving…
Carrots
Nutrition
This root contains more carotenoids (the antioxidants that give carrots their yellow-orange pigment) than any other vegetable. Carotenoids may protect against certain types of cancer, heart disease, and cataracts. Beta-carotene in carrots are converted by the body into vitamin A, essen…
Cauliflower
Nutrition
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Cilantro
Nutrition
Cilantro, also known as coriander, has a distinct aroma due to its concentrated essential oils.
This herb is used in many more exotic recipes but it is also a powerful natural cleansing agent. Cilantro has been effectively used to help remove heavy metals and other toxic agents detoxifyi…
Cucumbers
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
There are basically two types of cucumbers - the pickling varieties and the slicing varieties.
Nutrition
The flesh of cucumbers is a very good source of vitamins A, C, and folic acid. The hard skin is rich in fiber and a variety of minerals including magnesium, sil…
Eggplant
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) belongs to the nightshade plant family (Solanaceae) along with the tomato and potato. Japanese or Asian Eggplants are much smaller and thinner than the usual Italian eggplants which are thicker and more teardrop shaped.
Nutrition
Eggpl…
Garlic
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Garlic is a vegetable (Allium sativum) that belongs to the Allium class of bulb-shaped plants, which also includes onions, chives, leeks, and scallions. Garlic comes in the form of a bulb segmented into cloves, which is suitable for cooking or raw consumption.
Nut…
Ground Cherries
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Kale is a green leafy vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous or cabbage family. In fact, kale is probably the closest relative of wild cabbage in the entire cabbage family. Kale and collards are essentially the same vegetable, only kale has leaves with curly edg…
Kale
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Kale is a green leafy vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous or cabbage family. In fact, kale is probably the closest relative of wild cabbage in the entire cabbage family. Kale and collards are essentially the same vegetable, only kale has leaves with curly edg…
Leeks
Nutrition
Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum porrum) are related to onions and garlic. With leeks it is the leaves and stems that are eaten rather than the long, narrow bulb as in onions and garlic. Leeks have a long white cylindrical stalk consisting of layers that flow into green, tightly wrapped, fla…
Lettuce
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Lettuce belongs to the daisy or sunflower family (compositae). Lettuce exudes a small amount of a white, milky liquid when their leaves are broken.
Nutrition
Since it is primarily water, lettuce provides little health benefit beyond its nutrient content. In g…
Onions
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Onions (Allium cepa), like garlic, are a member of the lily family. There are several varieties of onions (eg. white globe, yellow globe, red globe, and green). Onions differ in their size, color, and taste. There are two main types of large globe-shaped onions: …
Parsley
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a member of the Umbelliferae family, related to carrots and celery. Parsley is most often used as a garnish or to complement other foods. Parsley has a high chlorophyll content that can help mask the odour and taste of many othe…
Peas
Nutrition
Plant Characteristics
The pea (Pisum sativum) comes in three major types: shelling, snow, and snap. Shelling peas have rounded pods that are usually slightly curved in shape. Peas have a smooth texture and vibrant green color. Snow peas are flatter than garden peas. Snap peas, a cross …