Pre-Packaged Veggie Alert, Cilantro (Again!) and Sunscreen

Hi, everyone!!!

This past week has been an interesting one around "the farm" (not really a farm—just my very small backyard!).

It looks like a little of everything is popping up all over the place! Because of the rain we had a couple of weeks ago, some of our seeds got "misplaced!" So, now it appears we have a couple of tomato plants where they really shouldn't be!

I also have managed to get cilantro just about everywhere in my herb garden. Again, what the heck am I going to do with all that cilantro?????? I've got to decide quickly because it is getting too ripe.

FYI—if you'd like to let your cilantro go to seed so you will have it come up again next year, just let it grow. Eventually there will be seeds on TOP of the plant and they will fall into the ground for next year. If you do not want to do that so you can use the cilantro, you must take the leaves off the plant when they are 1/2" to 1" big...and a nice deep green color.

Right now, in my opinion, I think it's too early to let them go to seed. It takes a while for the seed to appear, so you wouldn't get another big crop of cilantro by summer's end, and also since it takes so long to go to seed, it would get too cold by fall before the seed would appear and you'd lose the plants.

As for the rest of my herbs: I did plant a row of cilantro in between each different herb, and it appears that each of those rows are coming up!! (Of course...) I have a good size plot of dill happening, a TON of basil and nice looking sage coming up.

I have never been able to grow thyme...in the ground or container. However, it looks like I have some coming up this year. As far as my rosemary...I am having trouble determining what are rosemary starts and what are weeds. So, I'm just going to have to try to be patient ( Me? Patient???) and let them grow. I should be able to see the difference between the weed and rosemary fairly soon.

As far as the vegetables are concerned... My corn is coming up!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO excited about the corn!!! Even though my dad told me that each stalk only gets one, MAYBE two, ears, I just thought it would be awesome to try to grow it!!!! Looks like there's about 15-16 stalks coming up and they look pretty hardy!!!! (My husband thought I was nuts wanting to grow corn! But it's looking GOOD!!!!) YES!!!!

LOTS of tomato plants coming up—heirloom (YUM), big boy, roma. Radishes are growing like crazy—when those are harvested I will give you an incredible recipe for sauteed radishes! Cukes look good...eggplant...peppers...raspberries...strawberries...blueberries—all looking mighty fine!

We also did another experiment. Our air conditioning unit sits up on a slab, and there is a small built-up brick wall around it. In front of it is about a 6'x3' patch of ground that was just a grassy area. We decided to use that.

At first I was thinking of the herbs, but eventually my husband decided to try squash. We weren't exactly sure of the viability of the soil...but you should see the plants coming up!!!! If all goes well we'll be having yellow squash and zucchini this summer, too!

Lastly—we have planted garlic and it looks pretty darn good. I am a big fan of garlic in everything, so growing it is fantastic. We also have these interesting onion sets called "Egyptian Walking Onions." Last year they were not all that great, but this year they are CRAZY!! Next blog I will hopefully be able to give you a picture of them and a huge backstory and explanation of what they are.

OK...now for my "Lesson of the Day." If you purchase pre-cut, ready to eat vegetables at your grocery store, I found out a tidbit that might interest you.

Most pre-packaged "fresh" vegetables are dipped in a CHLORINE wash before being packaged. This is done to keep the foodborne bacteria at bay.

Now my questions is—are we just substituting one bad thing for another?

Sure, we don't have the foodborne bacteria, but we now have a chlorine wash we are ingesting. I'm not so sure I like that. MAYBE....the best thing to do is to just buy the vegetables REALLY fresh and cut them up yourself... Doesn't that sound a lot healthier? Something to think about, right?

Last bit of info I found out: I know that as I get older I worry more and more about my skin and what the elements (wind, snow, heat, sun) do to it. I am constantly vexed by the left side of my face, which appears to have a couple of "stripes" (yes, Hana & Lad you know exatly what I'm talking about!!).

I sunbathed when I was younger...not worrying about skin cancers or damage to my face, and these "stripes" are not only a result of my getting older but of that careless sunbathing. (The left side of your face is generally more exposed to sun anyway, as when you drive your right side is inside the car).

I came across a statistic that I think we should pass down to our kids and anyone who will listen. Fifty-three percent of skin cancers  are located on the left side of the face. That's ALL skin cancers. Please everyone, while you are enjoying the outside—whether it be gardening or not—be sure to properly cover yourself in sunscreen. And remember to use it on your face as well.

Thanks for reading!! Next week we'll have Egyptian Walking Onions, my review on various types of "organic" and "natural" chocolate (MMMMM....) and hopefully a recipe or two!!

Have a great week! Eat well and enjoy your food!!!!