|
[ Past Issues Index ] [ Rex's Seedco Home ] [ Our Seed Catalog ] [ About Us ]
|
|
Table of Contents
1) Editor's Comments:
Today our main article looks at stir-fry vegetables. However, I really want to point out our article on Monarch butterflies. This past winter was disastrous for the Monarch population, and they really need our help. As always, if you do have questions, suggestions or ideas, do not hesitate to drop us a note. Rex Gregor Tom Krueger 2) Chinese, Japanese and Korean Stir-Fry Vegetables:In the United States the term 'Stir-Fry' is misleading. Thousands of years ago, Chinese cooks learned that in preparing foods quickly, in small amounts, liquid was unnecessary. They would cut bite-sized pieces of ingredients for rapid cooking. This unique method became known as "Chow" (stir-frying in the United States) and was prepared with vegetables, meats, poultry and sea foods. Most of the "Baby" vegetable seeds that followed the Vietnamese people to the United States were a part of the Oriental Culture. Japanese food culture has a long and rich history that became a part of the Japanese way of life. Perhaps, even before the 16th- century, teppanyaki cooking was introduced in Japan. It was not until the 20th-century that it became known in the United States as hibachi. It took a long time for this beautiful and refined art of preparing food, in a theatrical version, to catch on in the United States, or for that matter in England or France A friend invited me to a restaurant in New York City’s upper west side. The dazzling showmanship and the skill of the teppanyaki cook at our large table was unbelievable. A special Chef made skilled maneuvers with razor sharp knives, twirling salt and pepper shakers, and flying shrimp. Watching this masterful Chef perform his tricks was as much a treat as the meal itself. It was not until later that I learned that Oriental food is naturally low in calories. You can eat as much of the traditionally prepared Oriental food as you want without fear of gaining weight. Oriental food is rich in nutrition, balanced in content and low in calories. Rice, either plain or mixed with other grains, is the staple of all Oriental meals. It is accompanied by a variety of other items such as soy sauce, soybean paste, red pepper paste, ginger root, sesame seeds etc. Only recently, since the Vietnamese people joined our culture in larger numbers, has the United States become interested in Oriental foods. These foods were hard to find in grocery stores and even harder to find in the home garden. Today, many varieties of Oriental vegetables, such as the "Baby" types, are finding their way into home gardens. Most grow under the same soil conditions and are subject to the same problems from insects and diseases as their big sisters. In the Oriental cultures, cooking is considered an art. All other cultures consider preparation of food as a craft. The Oriental Culture believes that cooking depends on the blending of various ingredients and condiments rather than the taste of the individual elements. "A good cook must be a good match maker," an Oriental cook once said. The flavors must be blended with harmony, including color and texture, in the presentation of the dish -- color is as important as nourishment. The key philosophy of nourishment is the search for longevity. Oriental food is mostly plants, roots, herbs, fungus and seeds, which are thought to have life-giving elements. Improper cooking can destroy these elements. Ginger, a favorite Oriental condiment, is also used to sooth an upset stomach, and also used as a 'cold' remedy. The Oriental cook also uses only small portions of red meat, if at all. Are you interested in growing some of the vegetables used in Oriental cooking? You are invited to visit Rex's Seedco, where you will find a list of Baby/Miniature Vegetables. http://www.rexseedco.com/baby.htm Also Chinese/Japanese/Korean Stir-Fry Vegetables. http://www.rexseedco.com/chinese.htm 3) Humor for Today:An elderly Pastor, looking over his large Congregation on Easter morning, he startled them with this announcement: "My friends, realizing that I will not see many of you until next Easter, may I take this opportunity to wish some of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"4) Better Business Bureau:Being an informed consumer is never a bad idea. We've also been told many times we need to contact the Better Business Bureau to check out those we do business with. Well, the Better Business Bureau keeps reliability reports on about 3 million businesses. Did you know you can contact the BBB records to research a company or to file a complaint. And now that more and more of us are online, The Better Business Bureau is also now online -- things are now easier with Better Business Bureau Online. Click the For Consumer tab in the upper-right corner and start searching. If you're filing a complaint, have the address of the company handy to speed up the process. 5) A Monarch Butterfly Garden
There is a Native American legend that says, "If you have a secret wish, find a butterfly and whisper your wish to it. When you release the butterfly it will carry your wish to the GREAT SPIRIT." By setting the butterfly free, you are helping to restore the balance of nature, and your wish will surely be granted. Monarch Butterflies need your help NOW! This year about 70% of the wintering Monarchs from North America froze to death in Mexico as a result of three days of rain and subfreezing conditions. (Monarchs migrate from Mexico.) This was an enormous tragedy for our friends, the Monarch. This freak weather pattern destroyed millions of helpless Monarchs. The Monarch’s habitat must be helped to insure their survival, otherwise this miracle of nature will only be a memory. We urge you to plant milkweed seeds to help save the Monarchs. The recommended variety of milkweed seed is ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA (TPF093). This is a hardy, long-lived perennial with magnificent bright orange flowers in compact clusters which attracts Monarch butterflies throughout the season. It grows quickly and will sprout many seed pods. We suggest you start your seeds inside early so that mature plants are available for the Monarchs to locate and lay their eggs. When the weather warms where you live, the Monarchs will be searching for the milkweed for their eggs. In nature only about 3 out of 100 eggs reach maturity. Milkweed is the only food source used during the caterpillar stage.
Once fully grown the caterpillar rests for a day then hangs upside down from the milkweed plant. Within a few hours this caterpillar miraculously turns to a green chrysalis. (The emerald green caterpillar is ringed with golden dots.) Ten to twelve days later, the caterpillar inside its chrysalis goes through an amazing metamorphoses and emerges as a beautiful Monarch Butterfly. Dana Plexippus is the scientific name for the Monarch Butterfly. Monarchs can be found on all continents wherever milkweed plants grow. Monarch Butterflies are among the largest beautiful butterflies in North America. To order your milkweed seeds, go to http://rexseedco.com/orderfrm.html and select either the online order form or the order by mail link. Put TPF093 as the catalog number and for quantity use the number 3. In three or four days you will receive your milkweed seeds. ($10.00) Thank you for joining us in this project. TPF093 ORANGE BUTTERFLY MILKWEED (ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA) This is a hardy, long lived perennial with magnificent bright orange flowers in compact clusters that attracts MONARCH butterflies throughout the season. 6) Which is Better?We have never run from controversy here at the Green Thumb Times. We don't intend to now. The major question before us -- which is better, a liquid fabric softener in the rinse cycle or a fabric sheet in the dryer? So what do we want in a fabric softener? Conditioners soften, freshen, provide static control and sometimes provides stain protection. On choosing whether liquid is better or sheet is better, we need to decide which of the benefits of the softener we covet the most. If clothes softening is your most important goal, a liquid fabric softener added to the rinse cycle is better than the dryer sheet. Liquid softeners rinse through the entire wash, while dryer sheets only soften areas of the clothing it touches. If your ultimate goal is to reduce static cling, a dryer sheet is your best bet. Why? Because static starts in the dryer and not in the washer. But what if you want the best of both? Go ahead and use both. You'll then totally solve any controversy. 7) Washing Lettuce:Did you know that leafy lettuces should always be thoroughly washed before using. Here's a handy way to do it... Fill a large bowl with cold water. Separate the leaves and swirl them in the water. Allow them to sit in the bowl for a short time. Now, if you end up with an excessive amount of dirt in the bottom of the bowl, you'll want to repeat the process again. Once washed, dry the lettuce by either patting it with a towel or using a salad spinner. 8) Subscribe/UnsubscribeThis newsletter, the Green Thumb Times, is sent out only to those who have requested a FREE subscription by signing up at http://rexseedco.com or specifically asked to be added PRIVACY: Your email address is held in the strictest of privacy. It is never traded or sold to anyone else. To subscribe to The Green Thumb Times To unsubscribe Rex Gregor, Editor Tom Krueger, Publisher Please feel free to forward The Green Thumb Times to a friend. Rex’s Seedco has searched the world for quality
growers of garden seeds. Many of these farmers bring together ancient
wisdom and modern science so people everywhere may have good health
and enjoyment in life. We are dedicated to providing the best wherever
they are found.
|
|
[ Past Issues Index ] [ Rex's Seedco Home ] [ Our Seed Catalog ] [ About Us ] Rex's Seedco
|
For a uniquely moving and unforgettable garden we recommend that you
consider planting
a Monarch Butterfly Garden this year.
Monarchs begin their life cycle as tiny, 'off-white' eggs laid on milkweed
plants. The eggs hatch after four or five days. The caterpillars that
emerge will only eat a diet of milkweed leaves for 18 to 20 days.
These caterpillars will eat enormous quantities of the milkweed leaves
as they grow 2,700 times their original size in only two weeks. During
that time, they molt five times (shedding their skin as they grow).