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Your Market Produce
Buying Club
July 2010 Newsletter
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Greetings and Peace,
I
pray this newsletter finds everyone in the very best health.
Sweet Corn. Although we have the ability to purchase corn year-round, now is the
time to eat fresh locally grown corn.
There is plenty of controversy surrounding the corn industry and the overall
health benefits you actually get from consuming corn. I have included a few
links to documentaries that highlight corn, ways to grow your own, and the best
stage (milk stage) to consume it.
"The greatest levels of protein and fiber are seen when the corn is
in the milk stage. This makes milk-stage corn a more balanced food than
maturity-stage corn. When eaten in the mature stage, corn is a very starchy
food. And, it is harsh on the digestive tract. Therefore, eating corn in its
milk stage reduces the risks of damage to the digestive organs, while providing
the body with proper nutrients. Overall, it is safer to eat corn in this
stage."* I found this information on several websites, from colleges and
universities to farmers: big and small. I also found that this stage does not
last very long, typically from 4-8 days. Hence, it is not widely advertised. Unfortunately
we live in a world that values money over the health of people.
With all this mentioned, enjoy sweet corn in its milk stage during this small
window of time.
With
Love,
Erika Muhammad
*(Taken from Frequently Asked
Questioned about How To Eat To Live vol. 2 by Kevin Muhammad)
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How Can You Tell If Corn is in the Milk Stage?Sweet corn ears should be picked
during the "milk stage" when the kernels are fully formed but not fully
mature. The kernels are smooth and plump and the juice i n the kernel
appears milky when punctured with a thumbnail. Sweet corn remains in the
milk stage less than a week. Other signs that indicate when the corn is
ready for harvest are drying and browning of the silks, fullness of the
tip kernels and firmness of the unhusked ears.
Sweet corn can be tested for ripeness by pressing a kernel with your
fingernail - if they are ripe, this will show a creamy coloured liquid
from inside the kernel. If the liquid is watery, the sweet corn needs
more time to ripen; if the liquid is almost like dough, the sweet corn
is over-ripe.
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Corn: How to Select and
Store
Since heat rapidly converts the sugar in corn to starch, it is very
important to choose corn that is displayed in a cool place. If shopping
for corn in the supermarket, make sure it is refrigerated. If
purchasing corn at a farmer's market or roadside stand, make sure that
if the corn is not refrigerated, it has at least been kept in the shade,
out of direct sunlight. Look for corn whose husks are fresh and green and not dried out.
They should envelope the ear and not fit too loosely around it. To
examine the kernels, pull back part of the husk. The kernels should be
plump and tightly arranged in rows. You can test for the juiciness of
the corn by taking your fingernail and pressing on a kernel. Corn that
is fresh will exude a white milky substance.
To enjoy corn's maximum flavor, purchase it on the day you are
going to cook it since corn has a tendency to lose its flavor relatively
rapidly. Store corn in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Do not remove
its husk since this will protect its flavor. To enjoy its optimal
sweetness, corn should be eaten as soon as possible.
Fresh corn freezes well if placed in heavy-duty freezer bags. To
prepare whole ears for freezing, blanch them first for seven to eleven
minutes depending upon th eir size (larger ears take a longer time to
blanch than smaller ones). If you just want to freeze the kernels, first
blanch the ears for about five minutes and then cut the kernels off the
cob at about three-quarters of their depths. Whole corn on the cob
will keep for up to one year, while the kernels can be frozen for two to
three months.
If you're watching your weight or your blood sugar levels, choose
blue corn chips and tortillas. Corn comes in a rainbow of colors,
including violet, blue, and black. Darker varieties contain greater
quantities of antioxidant pigments called anthocyanins.
Blue corn tortillas contain about 20% more protein and 8% less starch
giving them a lower glycemic index than the more common version made
with white corn; plus blue corn tortillas have a softer texture and
sweeter flavor than those made with white corn, reports Dr. Luis
Bello-Perez in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.
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Upcoming Events:
August 7 & 21
Pick up location 5296 Foothill Blvd @ Fairfax Oakland, Ca 94601 We accept cash & checks. (checks must be recieved by Monday of event week) Pay Online |
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Membership Incentives
FREE
Any member
that signs-up
3 or more members in 1 month
will receive
a free produce bag
for that event.
Simply submit the signed membership agreements with payments.
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What is Your Produce Market Buying Club?
We are a group of people who see the need for and are committed to establishing economic and agricultural unity in the black community.
Our inspiration is the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, which teach us to "pool our resources and do for self."
Our Mission, "Empowering people to feed themselves."
Our primary goal is to establish a member-owned cooperative corporation supermarket in our community.
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Contact Us
Newsletter:
Yourfoodbuyingclub@gmail.com
Membership Administration: Majeedah Muhammad buyingclubmembers@gmail.com 510-712-0094
Informational Presentations: Carlton Muhammad carltonm@sonic.net 510.827.5203
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"Never Say that you will eat anything. Say that you will eat the best of things."
How To Eat To Live
Book Two
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