GROWER & MARKET NOTES

This is one of our family’s favorite quotes and has been a lifelong principal. It came to mind this morning thinking about the awful heat we endured last month. Now that we’re into the “hot” summer months in some ways it feels like we’ve already gone through them. Yet we press on, doing things the hard way because the hard way is the RIGHT way. Our growers have chosen a different path than traditional mainstream gardening. Sustainable practices involve a lot more WORK, and ours have chosen that path. Some would say it’s unreasonable, but it’s what makes it possible for our customer friends to enjoy CLEAN SAFE food every week. THANK YOU for supporting our local farmers and it is our deepest desire to be a blessing to you and your good health.

ALABAMA HOMESTEAD has a few new products listed this week in the Medicinal Herbs category. The product descriptions contain a lot of information about the various items and we hope you’ll take the time to learn about them and how to incorporate these safe items into your own health regime.

AVALON FARMS: Squash and cucumbers will not be listed this week. With that excessive heat last week the plants didn’t set any fruit and look rough. I’ve hit them with some kelp fertilizer to give them a boost. Some already look much better and have baby squash. I’m hopeful that they’ll be back in the market next week.

The blackberries are finished for this year. Blueberries will be available this week and maybe longer.

We had a very strange thing happen this week. We found a kitten in our Mazda van! Apparently it was in there for 2 days!!! Black van, in the sun, in South Alabama summer heat…..don’t know how it survived. Or how it got in. It seems ok. Very thin. But getting it’s energy back. Must have climbed into the van when we were picking things since we leave the back open then. Makes me wonder/worry how many more babies are around. 

1. Rich in nutrients: Okra boasts an impressive nutrient profile.
One cup (100 grams) of raw okra contains:
*Calories: 33
*Carbs: 7 grams
*Protein: 2 grams
*Fat: 0 grams
*Fiber: 3 grams
*Magnesium: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
*Folate: 15% of the DV
*Vitamin A: 14% of the DV
*Vitamin C: 26% of the DV
*Vitamin K: 26% of the DV
*Vitamin B6: 14% of the DV

Okra is an excellent source of vitamins C and K1. Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that contributes to your overall immune function, while vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s known for its role in blood clotting.
Additionally, okra is low in calories and carbs and contains some protein and fiber. Many fruits and vegetables lack protein, which makes okra somewhat unique.
Eating enough protein is associated with benefits for weight management, blood sugar control, bone structure, and muscle mass.

2. Contains beneficial antioxidants: Okra packs many antioxidants that benefit your health. Antioxidants are compounds in food that fend off damage from harmful molecules called free radicals. The main antioxidants in okra are polyphenols, including flavonoids and isoquercetin, as well as vitamins A and C.

Research shows that eating a diet high in polyphenols may improve heart health by lowering your risk of blood clots and oxidative damage . Polyphenols may also benefit brain health due to their unique ability to enter your brain and protect against inflammation. These defense mechanisms may help protect your brain from symptoms of aging and improve cognition, learning, and memory.

3. May lower heart disease risk: High cholesterol levels are associated with a greater risk of heart disease.Okra contains a thick gel-like substance called mucilage, which can bind to cholesterol during digestion, causing it to be excreted with stools rather than absorbed into your body.

One 8-week study randomly divided mice into 3 groups and fed them a high-fat diet containing 1% or 2% okra powder or a high-fat diet without okra powder. The mice on the okra diet eliminated more cholesterol in their stools and had lower total blood cholesterol levels than the control group.

Another possible heart benefit of okra is its polyphenol content. One 4-year study in 1,100 people showed that those who ate a diet rich in polyphenols had lower inflammatory markers associated with heart disease.

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!