Who’ You Calling A Fad ?
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When I first began growing microgreens a few months back I edged into the project quite oblivious to the profound impact these little blighters were to have on my life. Now, just a short while later I find they have woven their way into the fabric of my life to the point that it is difficult/depressing to imagine my life without them.
The now familiar burst of energy, the shot of vitality, combined with the general sense of well-being immediately following a meal of micros, is an altogether delicious experience, and a tale told and retold by practically everyone who tries them. Everyone has their own take on microgreens of course; some use them sparingly and so the effect is rather understated, but for those of us who use micros as a stable… well, let me tell you – the effects are as immediate as they are quite startling.
Firstly (and without getting too graphic) let’s just say the work they do on one’s digestive system is quite miraculous in of itself! (‘nough said, I imagine). I’m sleeping better. I feel calmer and more relaxed than ever. I’ve lost the few pounds I never could quite shake after last year’s Italian adventure. I’m saving myself a ton of money at the grocery store! I have no food cravings. In short, a microcentric diet is literally working wonders.
So what is a micro-centric diet ? Simply replace traditional staples – noodles, rice, potatoes etc with 2 ounces of microgreens. That’s it really. Of course you can fall back on the traditional band of starches any time you wish, you don’t always have to pile your plate with 2 ounces of lovely fresh microgreens – but what a difference two meals, or 4 ounces, of fresh grown, fresh cut microgreens per day can make. Believe me, unless you give this a try you’ll never know, and that would be a shame.
Really, honestly, you out there reading this, whoever you are, wherever you live – Just try it! Either grow them yourself. Buy them from a grower in you area. Or, if you live here in the Roaring Fork Valley, join the Emerald Greens Microgreen Club… that way I, yes me myself… will be your personal microgrower.
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As previously mentioned, at the outset I had no real idea just what microgreens were really all about. I’d heard that they were used as garnish in the sort of restaurants at which I rarely ever eat.
The only word association that came to mind was perhaps “fad”.
Perhaps for some – particularly those who see them as garnish – a fad is precisely what they are, but speaking personally, all I can say is that these fancy-dancy newcomers bring something to the table quite new and different from any food I know of. They add crunch and zest and zeal to the most ordinary meal.
Also there are just so many, many micros from which to choose… something like 64 commercial strains in all.
And so over the coming weeks I aim to spotlight the varieties that I am currently cultivating for Emerald Greens: at the moment this includes Pak Choi, Kohlrabi, Kale, Mustard, Broccoli. More varieties will follow, plus I intend to explore seasonal options along the line of Basil, Dill and Coriander. Harvests take place each Tuesday and Friday.
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But today we follow our most audacious micro by far, “Radical Rad”, or Daikon Organic Radish as he is more commonly known.
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And here he is – isn’t he a lovely big seed?
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I’ve often wondered just how many of these perfectly formed time capsules make up a full tray of microgreens but have yet to figure it out, but believe me… its a lot.
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Each one placed ‘just so’… add a little humidity, and under the cover of darkness the miracle of life begins to unfold.
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At first its all sort of calm… peaceful, tranquil almost.
Huge pointed tendrils that appear larger than the seed itself, as if by magic, thrust from within the cracked shell casing and immediately impale the floor.
Tellingly a young shoots first instinct is to put down roots. Water at this point is all.
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After but a short time – by the second day in fact, things become a little turbulent. Ground floor root drilling space soon becomes hot property; elbows are out and its each Rad for himself – or so it would seem.
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In the ensuing chaos the rads wriggle and writhe this way and that in their desperate efforts to raise their heads above the rapidly growing canopy.
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The scene is one of epic struggle.
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By day three the early birds are off to catch the worm.
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However, late starters can and do occur.
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Sensing a slow bolting seed within their company this group of rads instinctively form protective ranks as the young seed receives the much needed attention and encouragement of the pack.
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Concerned rads check in from time to time to lend whatever assistance they can.
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Meanwhile the Radical Rad Party is now in full glorious swing.
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And Man, do they know how to have a good time.
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No one’s forgetting the little late developer however, but as these photos plainly illustrate, wild party animals they may be, they take their famous No Rad Left Behind mantra very seriously indeed.
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It’s day 4 now and things really start to get interesting.
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But still they hold the line for the hapless young rad. Have no fear though – “However long it takes” is the answer I usually receive to the inevitable question.
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At last, out from his protective ring pops the little late developer… and just in the nick of time: It’s Day 4 after all, “Let there be LIGHT“.
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Still think I’m a Fad, eh?
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Exposed to daylight for the very first time these Radical Rads immediately flush a most gorgeous lime green – soon to morph into the startling emerald green familiar to their growing legion of fans.
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Crispy, crunchy, tangy and delicious. Radical Rads add life, vim and vigor to everything they touch.
Add them to soups, curl up with a bowl of ‘greens, add some fresh olive oil, a few drops Balsamic vinegar and tuck in. As mentioned earlier… a two ounce serving will provide you with a mountain of nutrients, abundant taste, and a calorie count that fits well inside even the strictest diet – with one important detail… these feisty micros really, and I mean really, fill you up.
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and now
the slideshow
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Radical Rad moves through the crowd.
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Thanks for visiting martincooney.com. Please check out my sculpture – it’s light, portable, durable and made for the induction into the real world wherever that may be.
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PLEASE: Don’t do this at home. Go out and do it.
Cheers!
M∀ℜΤ¿Ν
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