Zero Waste Enthusiastic
Microgreens – an easy way to grow your own food anywhere
Back when we were younger and innocent, most wanted to become like our parents. We often go through their stuff and fit in their big shirts and shoes, even imitating how they bring themselves because we wanted to grow up faster. We believed that the adults had it easy in life. That they can do things with ease reason for us having the desire to become like them. Back in school, we were also taught about the Go, Glow, and Grow foods that we need to consume as a kid for further nutrients.
Anyway, apart from that mistaken thought, given that desire we had as a kid, our parents would often jive in with our desires and bribe us into eating vegetables and all the green stuff, making us believe that it can make us stronger and bigger like them in a snap. Contrary to our childish hesitance and worries, eating greeneries are very helpful.
Especially for the vegans, vegetable salads are heaven on their behalf. They are not just tasty. They also offer many benefits that can improve your overall health. For example, kelp is good for your bones, hair, and skin.
Need some motivation before you start? Well, we have few known actors, actresses, and famous people who have been vocal about including the greeneries in their diet. Famous people such as Hilary Duff, Jessica Alba, who prepared Macha Green Tea popcorn on St. Patrick’s Day, and Oprah Winfrey, who prepared a salad made from microgreens, are just a few from the several of them. It may come off as a trend, but at least this is one of the trends where people cannot afford to miss.
And what’s even more amazing? These are an easy way to grow your own food from the comfort of your own home!
What are microgreens?
Microgreens. Does it sound familiar? Taking its root words micro meaning small and greens, not the color green itself although some of the products are literally green, it refers to what we call vegetables. In simple terms, mini vegetables. How cute, right? Microgreens are considered as baby versions of full-grown vegetables. The small one where its leaves just developed.
Microgreens are often used as nutrition supplements, flavor, and texture enhancement. These babies are packed with nutritional benefits. They can contain more than forty percent more vitamins than the usual adult vegetables.
They can be sold as a whole and you can cut them according to your liking or buy them in a much smaller size. Apart from making it as another type of dish you can serve over dinner to your family, you can also use this as an ingredient you can add to whatever dish you are cooking or an ingredient you can add to your diet.
About MicroAcres
The first-ever company to produce microgreens in the Philippines, called MicroAcres, gives access to provide the freshest and nutritious produce. Consequently, they aim to make farming accessible and convenient for everyone, especially for those who wish to improve their lifestyle and want to live a healthier life possible. Growing microgreens is the company’s topmost priority.
Furthermore, MicroAcres encourages urban farming. You do not need to have a massive lot of soil to ensure your good farming and production of vegetables. Microgreens are convenient to grow for they are not picky with the kind of location they are growing. Even when you are living in an apartment, you can still grow your own microgreens.
Besides, given that it is good for the environment and the people, the company also offers microgreens learning kits for beginners and even for children. A good way to educate everyone regarding microgreens’ importance and the benefits it carries that can change the world.
MicroAcres also sells trays with good designs, where you can grow your microgreens, to add aesthetics to your farming and start harvesting within 10 to 14 days with style. With MicroAcres’ goal and their desire to grow more microgreens and widen its influence, more people can be sustainable with their own food.
Microgreens: Why Should You Grow Them?
Here are some benefits they carry.
Its nutrients content is concentrated
Meaning, microgreens often contain higher vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants level than its adult counterparts. Research says that the nutrients found in microgreens could be nine times higher than the actual mature plants.
Reduce risk of dangerous diseases
As we grow older, we get more at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancers, and even heart problems. Note that these babies can actually help reduce getting the risk of catching these diseases. Such as in diabetes, given the presence of antioxidants in microgreens, it can help prevent sugar from entering the cells.
Helps you boost your immune system
With this benefit, it can help you fight off the coronavirus spreading in our world at the moment. Microgreens being a whole package of small veggies but with boastful nutrients. Just make a quick salad and you are good to go. Besides any vegetable has the potential to affect the human’s immune system positively.
Helps improve your eyesight
Vision is very important therefore eyeglasses are highly significant for people like me who have poor eyesight. If you are not a fan of carrots, then you can try microgreens as another alternative to help improve your eyesight. The fact that it is small, you won’t even notice it in your meal if you include a few of it.
Microgreens contain lutein which helps your eyes absorb excess light intensity.
Eat the rainbow
MircoAcres offers many different microgreen varieties that can give different nutrients. These colorful microgreens are great if you want to spice up your meals.
Japanese Minowase Radish – low calories but has a lot of calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, Vitamin C, folate (B9), protein, and fiber.
Red Clover – boost bone health, improves skin and hair, and strengthens the heart
Alfalfa – high in Vitamin K, Vitamin C, copper, manganese, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, and fiber
Fenugreek – contains fiber, protein, iron, manganese and magnesium
Green Amaranth – packed with manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, selenium, and copper
Radish Kaiware – contains beta carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamins B1, B2, and B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron, fiber, and melatonin
How To Grow Microgreens With MicroAcres PH
Growing microgreens is easy with MicroAcres’ growing kits. Here are the simple steps for you to follow from planting to harvest:
Day 1: Planting
- Place coco coir mat on the tray and soak in water fully.
- Get seeds in one packet and sprinkle evenly on top of the mat.
- Spray seeds on top of the mat to make sure that they are activated.
- Cover the tray and place in a dark cabinet.
Day 3-6: Germination
- Check mat and seeds. Spray water on top of the mat if they are dry. Put back cover. Repeat until seeds have sprouted.
- If your seeds have sprouted, uncover and place the tray under the light. You don’t need direct sunlight. You can place your growing microgreens near a windowsill or even under indoor lights.
- If you see any white stuff on the seeds, don’t worry. They aren’t mold. Those are root hairs, a normal part of the germinating microgreen.
Day 7-10: Harvest
- Get clean scissors and cut the stems just above the mat.
- Wrap the microgreens in a paper towel before putting them inside a plastic container to ensure freshness. These can last for a week inside the refrigerator.
- You can also use fresh microgreens for your dishes such as sandwiches, soups, stews, and salads!
Conclusion
Indeed, never underestimate the power of small things. They may appear small and weak on the surface, but the purity of their inner core can even bring greater things than the big ones. Microgreens is just the start of appreciating more the greeneries.
Growing microgreens with MicroAcres is great for busy career men and women who, instead of spending time at the grocery store buying veggies and stuff, can now save more money and bring urban farming into their homes.
