Growing food to be as healthy as can be!
As a DIG member, you get access to the Food Revolution Impact Kit, including the documentary film, The Need To Grow, but also exclusive video classes. One such class is called “Nutrient Density: How to GROW Healing Foods with Erik Cutter”. Here are some of the highlights.
Celery: this humble veggie contains much of what your body needs, including
- Hydration (it’s mostly water)
- Fiber (supports digestion)
- Antioxidants like apigenin and luteolin
- Mild potassium support
Celery also has sodium (naturally occurring), Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus, all in small amounts.
If you’re detoxing, celery can absolutely be part of a supportive, mineral-rich diet but it works best alongside leafy greens, root vegetables, legumes, seeds, and adequate protein.
Mustard greens: Do you like wasabi? I sure do, but hate the green food colouring. Instead, grow mustard greens, and infuse your cells with sulfur-containing compounds, which help other compounds in your body become bioavailable.
Swiss chard and kale: Interplanted with edible marigold, these leafy greens are protein-dense relative to their calorie count (38% protein but still only around 4 g per 100 g). They are more impressive, however, in terms of their Massive micronutrient density Vitamin K content, natural folate source (versus fortified foods containing synthetic folic acid), Magnesium, Potassium, Fiber, and antioxidants.
Cutter’s Alegria Farms has a raised bed set up, as seen here:
Plants are tightly packed, but there is still ample space for air circulation and light penetration.
The “socks” they use to grow their veggies are ideal for oxygen exchange, and reduces (eliminates!) soil compaction, slowing down nutrient exchange between the plants and soil. The trays collect the mineral rich water, which the roots re-uptake into the plant. This set-up is a great way to conserve water, and the plants growing together in this way creates a micro-climate which moderates temperature.
Makes my mouth water!
Remember, to gain access to this resource, you have to be a DIG member. Sign up or renew your membership here: https://www.durhamdigs.ca/membership/