Square Foot Gardening

"When asked why they grow vegetables, gardeners often answer the question by saying they want that special homegrown flavor without preservatives, to save money by growing one’s own food and also the pleasure and satisfaction of a great hobby."

"Square foot gardening is the practice of planning small but intensively planted gardens. The garden is divided into a size and shape that gardeners of all ages, sizes and levels of experience can understand and cope with easily. It can be large enough to grow food for an entire family or just enough for a few salads each week."

"Benefits of this method of gardening are many. No heavy tools are required to loosen the soil as it is never compacted, weeding is minimal and convenient, and companion planting with pest-repelling plants is efficient in a close space. Also, taller raised beds can be installed to accommodate physically challenged gardeners."

Read More From Original Article: 

http://www.pressandguide.com/articles/2011/05/13/life/doc4dcd5b6d224be365112832.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Egg Salad

4 hard boiled eggs

1 tablespoon mayonnaise

1 teaspoon brown mustard

1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

1 tablespoon capers

1 stick celery, finely diced

salt and black pepper to taste

Mash eggs with mayonnaise and mustard. Add dill, celery, onions, and capers. Mix well to combine. Season with salt and black pepper. 

Serve chilled. 

   

Dark Side of Soy.

"Food products made with soy have enjoyed great popularity in the United States and elsewhere in recent years. Two decades ago, Americans spent $300 million a year on soy food products; today we spend over $4 billion."

“Many of soy’s health benefits have been linked to isoflavones — plant compounds that mimic estrogen,” reports Lindsey Konkel in Environmental Health News. “But animal studies suggest that eating large amounts of those estrogenic compounds might reduce fertility in women, trigger premature puberty and disrupt development of fetuses and children.”

"The U.S. government permits the sale and consumption of GM foods, but many consumers aren’t so sure it’s OK to eat them, given not only the genetic tinkering but also the exposure to so much glyphosate. Due to these concerns, the European Union has had a moratorium on GM crops of all kinds since 1998."

Read More From Original Article: 

http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/05/11/news/green/doc4dcae90880140471985884.txt

Mini Banana Cakes with Passionfruit Cream

226g butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs, room temperature

4 bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt

3 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

3 cups cake flour

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Grease 12 small ramekins or 12 cup popover pan.

In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, and salt, together. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy in a separate mixing bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. Beat in flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in bananas.

Scoop mixture into prepared ramekins. Fill 3/4 full. Place ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean (about 50 to 60 minutes). 

Cool. Run a knife around the edges to remove.

Passionfruit Cream:

1 small carton heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons passionfruit pulp

Using an electric mixer, whisk all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl until cream forms stiff peaks. Serve generous spoonfuls on top of the mini cakes.