Pineapples – don’t hold your breath!

Pineapples are very easy to grow.  There are a couple of ways you can grow a pineapple:  you can either grow them from the little plantlets that grow from the mature pineapple, or you can buy one from the shop,  chop the top off and stick it in the ground …. the pineapple will then grow!  They can take about 18 months to grow, but they don’t need a lot of attention or maintenance while they develop.   Now the pineapple has finally flowered, its going to take another 6 months to mature into a fruit.

Nutrition and health benefits:

Pineapple’s nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin c It is low in fat and cholesterol. Vitamin c is the body’s primary water soluble antioxidant, against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fiber.

Pineapple is a digestive aid and a Natural Anti-Inflammatory fruit. A group of sulfur-containing proteolytic enzymes in pineapple aid digestion. Fresh pineapples are rich in bromelain. Bromelain has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects, reducing swelling in inflammatory conditions such as acute sinusitis, sore throat, arthritis and gout, and speeding recovery from injuries and surgery. Pineapple should be eaten alone between meals.

Pinapples are used to help cure bronquitis and throat infections. It is efficient in the treatment of arterioscleroses and anaemia. Pineapple is an excellent cerebral toner; it combats loss of memory, sadness and melancholy.

http://living.oneindia.in/health/wellbeing/health-benefits-pineapple.html

pumpkins ….

Today its all about pumpkins. This one is growing on the roof top of a flat.  They have male and female flowers (pictured below), which you can fertilise yourself.  The female flowers have a bulb at the end of the flowers (shown below) the male ones dont.  Normally the ants and insects would do this for you, but on a rooftop its better not to take any chances.  Pumpkins are great baked, mashed or made into pie.  Soups are easy, you just add a bit of stock or salt, and stew it up for half an hour, then blend.

Nutrition value:

Calcium – 37 mg
Carbohydrate – 12 gm
Dietary Fiber – 3 gm
Folate – 21 mcg
Iron – 1.4 mg
Magnesium – 22 mg
Niacin – 1 mg
Potassium – 564 mg
Protein – 2 grams
Selenium – 0.50 mg
Vitamin A – 2650 IU
Vitamin C – 12 mg
Vitamin E – 3 mg
Zinc – 1 mg

• http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-pumpkin-1659.html

The pumpkin is:

• Low in Saturated Fat, Sodium, and Cholesterol
• High in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus

The nutritional value of pumpkin means that it’s good for:

• Losing weight
• Maintaining good general health

Avoid including pumpkin if you’re interested in:

• Gaining weight

http://www.natural-environment.com/nutrition/vegetables/pumpkin-nutrition-facts.php

from the garden to the salad bowl

Today I picked some veggies from the garden – a yellow carrot, beetroot, rocket, lettuce, basil, and tomatoes. With the addition of an avocado they made a great salad!  The yellow carrot is a rogue carrot seed that found its way into the packet of carrots seeds I sowed last November.  Tastes just the same as an orange carrot, just a little off colour.