BOGO, LDL and Pirates, Time For You To Take Over!

Hydro Harvest Farms

In This Issue

Healthy Facts about High LDL

Bag only Fresh Lettuce

Recipes by Andrea

What's Pickin'

Greetings!

Shiver me timbers, the pirates are invading Tampa again! Gee, those pirates probably represent many deadly health habits, but they are fun to watch. Ever see a Pirate movie with one drinking juice instead of ale, or eating a carrot stick instead of a big old turkey leg? Believe me, I am sure that would be corny, but the life we lead and the foods we eat determine our health and well being. I'm a perfect example. I gained 40 lbs. sitting at a desk, getting no exercise, drinking a beer or two or three to relax and eating too many high fat, high cholesterol foods, for convenience and yes sometimes they do taste good. But, I felt awful. My knees were starting to ache, by whole body ached. My blood pressure was yo-yoing, my cholesterol was up (LDL), and I just didn't want to do anything but work and sleep. Sleep is good, but solid 7-8 hours is best. I am going to change, or that nice retirement I look forward to will be short lived.

We as adults have the power to change our habits, and we have the power to give our children better foods and better habits. Too often I see parents just give the kids chicken fingers and fries to appease them, and because it's easy. Who is the parent? You have to introduce your children to all kinds of healthy foods. So many of the parents that come to our farm, get it. Their children are great veggie and fruit eaters. The kids sometimes tell us more about the veggies and fruit then we know. See, they pay better attention in science and nutrition class too.

Short term thinking is what gets us in trouble, look at our economy. But, simple changes, starting today, can make all of the difference in the way you feel, the way your children feel, act, learn and behave.

So, be a pirate for a day, but tomorrow act and eat like it is the first day of the rest of your life.

Don't forget The Florida State Fair from Feb. 11-21, we will have our farm at the AgVenture building. This place is great for kids! Lots of Chickens too!

Gates Times:

Thursday Feb. 10 10am-Close
Friday, Saturday, and Sundays and Presidents Day (Monday Feb. 21st)9am-Close
Monday Feb. 14th-17th 10am-Close
Closing time varies by the day of the week and weather conditions.

For more information, call 813-621-7821 or toll-free 1-800-345-3247.

Remember you or your friend that you forward this email too, and ask them to sign up, have a chance to win a free HydroHarvestFarms garden. I will announce the winner after the Fair closes.

As Always, Thanks For Picking Us!
John and Terrie Lawson
Hydro Harvest Farms

TRY THE FARM FRESH WAY OF LOWERING LDL AND STAYING HEALTHY

What is LDL?

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major carrier of cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is commonly known as "bad cholesterol". Too much LDL will build up with other substances along the artery walls that feed the heart and brain. They combine to form plaque (atheramatous plaques), hard, thick deposits that clog the arteries. This leads to a condition called atherosclerosis.

The Best Fruits and Vegetables to Help Reduce Cholesterol

In general, fruits and vegetables are fantastic foods to choose to lower your cholesterol. They have the added benefit of being low in saturated fat. Rich in essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, carbohydrates as well as phytochemicals, those that result from plant metabolic processes, fruits and veggies also reduce your risk for developing certain cancers, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and more.

The goal is to try and eat at least nine servings of fruit and vegetables per day. That's about 4 � cups of the good stuff. Potatoes - yes, that means French fries and chips - don't count. Your best options have the brightest and deepest, richest colors. For example, Leafy greens are wonderful choices. They should a permanent space on your plate.

Leafy greens include items such as Swiss chard, lettuce, kale and spinach. Then, there are cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, bok choy (aka Chinese Cabbage) and mustard or collard greens. Finally, there are citrus fruits. Kumquats. oranges, lemons, limes, tangerines and grapefruits are fantastic cholesterol reducers perhaps due to the flavonoids in their peels as a 2004 study suggested.

THE ENTIRE EAST SIDE OF OUR FARM HAS MANY LDL LOWERING VEGETABLES.

What Affects Cholesterol?

The following factors affect blood cholesterol levels:

Certain foods - eating too much saturated fat, found mostly in animal products, and too much cholesterol, found only in animal products
Heredity - genes play a role in influencing the levels
Weight - excess weight tends to increase the levels
Exercise - regular physical activity may not only lower LDL cholesterol, but it may increase the level of desirable HDL cholesterol
Smoking - cigarette smoking lowers HDL cholesterol
Age and gender - cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and women age. Menopause is often associated with increased LDL cholesterol in women.

This document is for informational use only, and should not be used in place of the advice and diagnosis of a doctor or healthcare professional. This document is also not a recommendation for any particular treatment plans. The advice of a doctor or healthcare professional is important for your particular condition or disorder.

LETTUCE DOES NOT COME OUT OF A BAG!

Lettuce, isn't lettuce unless it is Hydro Harvest lettuce. No kidding. Since I am being vigilant at watching my eating habits, I have to resort to ordering salads when we go out to eat. It's to bad that so many eateries, have the same fried food, from the same purveyors. The same Iceberg and Romaine lettuce precut, prewashed(yuck) and dumped out of a bag.Yes, they want consistency, they need to hold down costs and most of us, let's face it, are victims of fast food convenience. Well, the salads I have eaten, at some places, are terrible. I am so spoiled. We have the best lettuce varieties, and right now is the primo season to pick them. This week and until February 13, we will have our showcase of Romaine, leaf and Bibb lettuces buy one get one free. Just mention this at checkout, or clip the coupon (I'd rather you don't waste paper).

REAL ROMAINE

RECIPES BY ANDREA

"WASTE NOT, WANT NOT"

"BUY LOCAL, BUY SEASONAL, BUY FRESH"

WE ALL NEED TO GO GREEN, HOWEVER, THIS WEEK WE ARE GOING GREENS FROM THE FARM

SESAME STIR-FRY BOK CHOY

2 tsp. canola oil

1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

2 pounds Bok Choy

2 tsp. sesame oil

2 Tbsp. low sodium or regular soy sauce

1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

In a wok or large frying pan, heat the oil over high heat until very hot. Add the Bok Choy and stir-fry until they begin to soften slightly. Add the soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil and cook until just done, 1-2 minutes longer. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve.

TIP: ALSO, if you have leftover chicken, cut into strips or shrimp add to mixture, stir fry and serve over brown or white rice.

SWEET BRAISED WINTER GREENS

2 pounds collard greens

3 Tbsp. olive oil

1 red onion, peeled, halved and thinly slivered lengthwise

2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced

3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. golden raisins

2 Tbsp. pine nuts

Salt and pepper to taste

Rinse collard greens and tear leaves from center ribs, discard center ribs and stems.

Pour oil into a 12-14 inch frying pan over medium heat; when hot add onion and garlic and stir frequently until onion is limp, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, raisins, pine nuts and collard greens. Stir frequently until greens are slightly wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat, cover and cook until greens are very wilted and tender to bit, about 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

CHECK TERRIE'S ARCHIVES AND YOU WILL FIND MANY DELICIOUS RECIPES.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THESE RECIPES, CONTACT ANDREA AT afreebody@verizon.com

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR OLD FAMILY RECIPES, PLEASE CONTACT ME, ALSO, IF YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE RECIPES FOR STRAWBERRY PIE OR TARTLETS, PLEASE E-MAIL TO ME. I WANT TO TRY THEM AND POSSIBLY PUBLISH IN TERRIE'S NEWSLETTER, PLEASE INCLUDE NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO GASPIRILLA, PLEASE BE SAFE.

ALSO, I FORGOT TO MENTION FARMER JOHN HAS A FEW RADISHES AND OF COURSE WILL HAVE MORE, YUMMM. GREAT IN YOUR SALADS, DON'T THROW AWAY THE GREEN, SAUTE' THE GREENS AND PLACE ON PLATE FOR PRESENTATION AND THEY ARE TASTY, REMEMBER TO RINSE WELL. BON APPETITE AND ALWAYS EAT HEALTHY FROM THE FARM.

DON'T BUY YOUR VEGETABLES AND HERBS FROM THE STORE, BEFORE CHECKING WITH FARMER JOHN OR FARMER FRANK TOO SEE WHAT IS AVAILABLE. 813-645-6574.

RECIPES COURTESY OF ANDREA FREEBOY, APOLLO BEACH, FL

Best Nutrients, Best Price, Anywhere!

HYDRO HARVEST FARMS NUTRIENT SPECIAL!

The nutrient solution is the most important factor in the success or failure of a hydroponic system. Most fertilizers commonly available in garden centers do not contain all of the 13 elements necessary for plant growth because the growing media usually provides many of them. Hydroponic plants receive nutrients from a different source; so it is necessary to use a fertilizer formulated for hydroponic systems. It is important to follow the dilution rate recommended on the label.

One Pair of Nutrient (MAKES 256 GALLONS!)

$19.90

(shipping $6.95