It has been a few months since the Fukashima disaster and no one is talking much about it anymore. People in my community are completely OBLIVIOUS to what happened and when they hear me say that I don't want to allow my children to eat fish anymore they say, "Oh, because of the radiation?" (as if they have some super shield around their home that protects them from it).
I get odd looks because I am the "paranoid" one who has a closet of emergency food and supplies. I appear to be over the top because I started urban farming with the intent of trying to grow on and live off of my very small piece of land.
After I told others that Europe was (4/11/2011) advising pregnant mums to stop drinking milk and to avoid eating large leafy vegetables, they are silent. I then ask, "What are you going to do about food and your children?" They are silent after that too.
I may be farming now and enjoying my chickens every day but I have not forgotten about Fukishima and the destruction. Those people that get cancer from this in the future months and years will just fade into the masses that are already being diagnosed daily. The leaders hope the memory of Japan's nuclear disaster will all fall away so they can get back to the business of what they do.
EVERYTHING, absolutely EVERYTHING is contaminated now. There isn't anyone or anything that is not being affected by this.
Infant mortality rates have increased 35% in the Pacific Northwest since the Fukushima meltdowns! Is anybody paying attention?
Organic farms and livestock are affected too so even though they are not being raised with pesticides or GMO food, they are still contaminated from the environment.
The chickens are growing on this urban farm and two are now laying eggs and their eggs are contaminated, unfortunately. But at least I know what these chickens are eating (besides radioactive particles and cesium, which is the real problem and what they don't want you to think about).
After much thought I came up with a plan of action for my family when it came to food. I know how important greens are and since large leafy greens are exposed to more contamination, I needed to cultivate greens in the shortest amount of time so that they would not be exposed to too much toxicity.
I figured that "MicroGreens" would be the best thing to grow under these troubling environmental circumstances. Greens are vital for healthy teeth and gums and we must all get them in somehow. I believe homegrown MicroGreens are one answer to avoid eating contaminated greens.
MicroGreens are not sprouts nor are they baby vegetables. The MicroGreens I am speaking of are young plants that have sprouted "true leaves". They grow in approximately 14-21 days, in soil and the sun, and they harvest quickly.
What I prefer about these type of MicroGreens is that they are grown in the SUN and the SOIL. Sprouts are grown in the dark and without soil so they are not as appealing to me.
There is also the "anti-sprout propaganda" raging in the media right now but I will save my comments about that for another post. It will suffice to say that I know first hand that migrant field workers do not have adequate bathroom facilities and they are forced to defecate in the fields. Can anyone say "e-coli"?
Greens grown in the sun or light have a different energy in them and I believe they are more vital and healthier. MicroGreens be grown indoors, in the window or under a grow light.
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SPROUTS AND MICROGREENS
Sprouts:
1. Grown in the dark, in moisture, no soil needed
2. Harvested before plant sprouts "true leaves"
Benefits: Nutritious, easy and quickest harvest (3-7 days)
MicroGreens:
1. Grown in the sunlight, in biodynamic soil with compost tea
2. Harvested after plant has sprouted true leaves
Benefits: More nutritious, distinct and unique plant taste, quick harvest (14-21 days)
The goal is to eat tasty and nutritious GREENS that have not been exposed to environmental toxins and MicroGreens are one answer to the "large green leafy contaminated vegetable" problem.
MicroGreens are all the rage for gourmet chefs and their true leaves give them a distinct and subtle taste that delights the palate. Plants this young are densely loaded with nutrients too so toss them with a dressing and viola, you have a tasty salad for your entire family that is loaded with vitamins and minerals and grown with the least amount of contamination.
I plan on combining the MicroGreens with the eggs and other vegetables that I am growing in two greenhouses and indoor growing systems. This is 'real' food that will insure real health in the difficult times ahead.
This is the future and it is here right now.
