{"id":799,"date":"2016-02-17T00:07:37","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T00:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/138.197.3.154\/?p=799"},"modified":"2016-02-17T00:07:37","modified_gmt":"2016-02-17T00:07:37","slug":"healing-greens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/healing-greens\/","title":{"rendered":"Healing greens: my winter garden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like the healing leaves of the Tree of Life can restore\u00a0the soul and spirit, greens can renew\u00a0your body. \u00a0Spinach, romaine lettuce, watercress, collard and beet greens, and many others contain powerful antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that can renew your brain, help protect against alzheimer’s and birth defects in pregnant women, normalize your blood sugar, and usher in a host of other health perks. \u00a0(see references below.)<\/p>\n

It was bitingly chilly outside, and our dog had no interest in my greens or cold-frame, but I\u00a0stubbornly pinched off leaf after baby leaf, and I\u00a0finally gathered enough tender lettuces to half-fill the salad bowl. \u00a0The smell of the fresh greens intoxicated my senses, and my chilly fingers unthawed gradually in the warm kitchen as I\u00a0reflected that next time I\u00a0tried to venture into my winter garden, I\u00a0was going to fortify myself with practically a gallon of hot chocolate, and array myself in the fleeciest, warmest sweatshirt and scarf that I own. \u00a0I glanced at the thermometer sitting in our kitchen windowsill and read, “38 degrees F” [outside temperature]. \u00a0Sigh.<\/p>\n

….This seemed like a good idea, back in the summer when i was reading an inspiring book by Eliot Coleman (The Four Season\u00a0Harvest<\/strong>), with exciting charts and lists of cold-weather vegetable varieties and planting dates for winter harvesting. \u00a0Coleman lives on the northern seaboard, so I\u00a0reasoned, “well, if he plants his spinach in August, i probably have a good two to four weeks behind him to do the same”<\/em> (since I\u00a0live in southern Missouri). \u00a0It was great fun watching the baby seedlings thicken the dark, rich earth of my cold frame with their greening carpet. \u00a0It wasn’t quite so much fun battling the onslaught of a blizzard in January, trying to pluck tiny greens out of an icy-bordered cement block recess.<\/p>\n

I know, though, from hard experience, that a steady diet of white sugar and white flour will kill you eventually, for lack of colorful, alive, vitamins, and that when I\u00a0choose alive, fresh colors in spinach- and blueberry-gorgeous gourmet salads, my being thrives.<\/p>\n

I had a broccoli plant that over-wintered several years in my backyard, and produced broccoli shoots (although not another tight, full head like the first one) without any help or winter covering from me whatsoever. \u00a0It only succumbed to the lawn mower of an, alas!, uninformed, helpful family member :). \u00a0Certain cold-weather crops like broccoli, spinach, beets, brussels sprouts, etc, actually thrive at cooler temperatures, and would rather<\/em> produce in the spring or fall than in summer’s heat. \u00a0(Brussels sprouts, in fact, are among those greens that actually grow sweeter with a frost, and are prone to bitterness in the heat.)<\/p>\n

\"beautiful<\/p>\n

It really didn’t take much time to care for my cold frame once we got the seeds sown; \u00a0it is sheltered behind the two-story garage wall, and after several frosts, i finally covered it with a plastic drop-cloth, which promptly blew off and tangled itself into twists and rolls in the first subsequent strong wind. \u00a0However, the strong little plants didn’t seem to mind too much, and thankfully, they received more rainwater that way, so, I say, all’s well that ends well. \u00a0Smile. \u00a0Thank Heaven for healing leaves.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Research on how greens have been proven to help your brain and body:<\/p>\n

The Fifty Best Plants on the Planet<\/strong>, Cathy Thomas<\/p>\n

The China Study<\/strong>, Dr. Colin Campbell<\/p>\n

The Hormone Reset Diet<\/strong>, Dr. Sara Gottfried (Harvard University)<\/p>\n

The New Heart Health<\/strong>, Dr. Louis Ignarro (Nobel laureate) & Dr. Andrew Myers<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How to grow greens in the winter:<\/p>\n

Four Season Harvest<\/strong>, Eliot Coleman<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Like the healing leaves of the Tree of Life can restore\u00a0the soul and spirit, greens can renew\u00a0your body. \u00a0Spinach, romaine lettuce, watercress, collard and beet greens, and many others contain powerful antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that can renew your brain, help protect against alzheimer’s and birth defects in pregnant women, normalize your blood sugar, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":800,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[15,8],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/my-cold-frame-spinach-and-salad-greens.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":943,"url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/nourish-creating-healthy-body-soul-spirit\/","url_meta":{"origin":799,"position":0},"title":"Nourish: creating a healthy body, soul and spirit","author":"Jeanna Porter","date":"April 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Nourishing your cells and renewing your body After I graduated from college, I became very seriously ill, and God sent me a wonderful doctor who helped me understand how my hormones had been affected. \u00a0I became enthusiastically dedicated to researching foods that would help heal me and optimize my body,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "health"","block_context":{"text":"health","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"nourish with healing vitamins","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/nourish-blog-image.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/nourish-blog-image.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/nourish-blog-image.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1016,"url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/1016-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":799,"position":1},"title":"the delicious taste of good health","author":"Jeanna Porter","date":"May 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"That sweet taste in my mouth that I used to get sometimes when I was running didn't only derive from my exercise habits. \u00a0You see, I had been so sick that I was desperate, and I had decided to whole-heartedly take my doctor's advice concerning my blood sugar and eating\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "health"","block_context":{"text":"health","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/category\/health\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"the delicious taste of good health","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/the-delicious-taste-of-good-health.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/the-delicious-taste-of-good-health.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/the-delicious-taste-of-good-health.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/the-delicious-taste-of-good-health.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/the-delicious-taste-of-good-health.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":785,"url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/kindness-and-gracious-virtues\/","url_meta":{"origin":799,"position":2},"title":"Kindness and gracious virtues","author":"Jeanna Porter","date":"February 16, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \"A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the bones.\" \u00a0-Proverbs Picture the river of life, flowing, sparkling bright and clear, through the eternal vistas of heaven. \u00a0And on either side of the river of life grows the tree of life, giving forth a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "kindness"","block_context":{"text":"kindness","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/category\/kindness\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"kindness and gracious virtues","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/snappa-1455641157.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/snappa-1455641157.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/snappa-1455641157.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/snappa-1455641157.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/snappa-1455641157.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1076,"url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/matcha-green-tea-smoothie\/","url_meta":{"origin":799,"position":3},"title":"Matcha green tea smoothie","author":"Jeanna Porter","date":"July 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This cooling refresher will give you a wellspring of natural energy to start your day and replenish your body's hydration after a hot and sweaty workout: Matcha green tea smoothie 1 frozen banana 1 c. plain greek yogurt 2 c. honeydew melon pieces (or seeded cucumber) 1\/2 c. real maple\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "garden"","block_context":{"text":"garden","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/category\/garden\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"matcha green tea smoothie","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/matcha-green-tea-smoothie-3.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/matcha-green-tea-smoothie-3.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/matcha-green-tea-smoothie-3.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/matcha-green-tea-smoothie-3.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/matcha-green-tea-smoothie-3.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1135,"url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/fresh-berry-parfait\/","url_meta":{"origin":799,"position":4},"title":"Fresh Berry Parfait","author":"Jeanna Porter","date":"November 4, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"This gorgeous, nourishing treat is satisfying enough to be breakfast in and of itself, or a pretty finale to a (hopefully light!!) meal. \u00a0Its beauty is unadulterated health-giving, too, so why not heal your body with vitamins and your soul with a feast for the eyes?!! For the cream: 32\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "garden"","block_context":{"text":"garden","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/category\/garden\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"fresh berry parfait","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/2016-06-26_061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/2016-06-26_061.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/2016-06-26_061.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/2016-06-26_061.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/2016-06-26_061.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/2016-06-26_061.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1088,"url":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/shepherds-pie\/","url_meta":{"origin":799,"position":5},"title":"Shepherd’s Pie","author":"Jeanna Porter","date":"July 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Shepherd's Pie--the definition of comfort food!! This is an easy one-dish meal, and one of the best casserole recipes for nourishing a hard-working family. \u00a0The vegetables and meats can be interchanged or varied. \u00a0However, we thought my impromptu\u00a0version was scrumptious!! \u00a0The creamy sweetness of the corn made it divinely\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "garden"","block_context":{"text":"garden","link":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/category\/garden\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Shepherd's Pie","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/snappa_1468339523.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/snappa_1468339523.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/snappa_1468339523.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/snappa_1468339523.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/snappa_1468339523.png?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7AVRM-cT","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/799"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=799"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":809,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/799\/revisions\/809"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gracelivingstonhillgirl.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}