SuperFood:Swiss Chard

Sounds so fancy, doesn't it?

My father introduced me to this "better than spinach" veggie many years ago, before becoming such a popular ornamental(pretty) plant! 'Rainbow Chard' is pictured above. Yellow, red and green stems make up this variety. Another favorite of mine is 'Ruby Chard' with red stems.

I cook chard like spinach - a bit of chicken broth, some garlic, salt and pepper. Above, I placed chicken on bottom of dish, then mushrooms, broth and chard last on top. Covered with foil and finished the cooking chicken.

Chard has high percentages of vitamins A, K, and C. Like spinach, chard is easy to grow, and you can start it from seed in early spring.

So, put Swiss Chard on your list for spring planting, adding another SuperFood to your repertoire. You'll save a few bucks, too!

Blessings from the Garden.

ML

SuperFood: Kale

(Kale:the green ruffly stuff cozied up with turnips and sweet potatoes)

I just read an article in Oxygen magazine compounded by a Facebook notice from Garden City Organics which sparked this post! Earlier this month, I described the 12 most common SuperFoods and their benefits.

It's time to conjoin the food we grow and eat. Kale hits the spotlight today as it is one of the top SuperFoods. The term "superfood" is such because of its nutrients and health protecting qualities. According to the CDC, Kale was brought to the US in the 17th Century, ended up in the South as a "poor man's food" because it is so cheap and easy to grow. Hear that? EASY TO GROW!

With this in mind, I purchased several beautiful & healthy kale plants from Garden City Organics on Broad Street.

Blessings from the Garden

ML