Those of you who have been following me on Twitter probably already know that I have recently been tweeting about seeds, germinating, soil, seedlings, etc. A few weeks ago I decided to attempt to grow a Moringa tree right here in northwest New Jersey. I know New Jersey wouldn't exactly be considered a tropical or subtropical climate, the climate in which moringa trees thrive, but why not give it a try? Wait a second, what on earth is Moringa?
I discovered Moringa by reading Jenney's blog, The Drays Today. She adds Moringa leaf powder to the Super Porridge she feeds Baby J, which has helped him gain weight.
Moringa has tremendous nutritional value and is often referred to as the miracle tree because it produces so many useful vitamins and has so many uses for people. The leaves, leaf powder, pods, seeds, flowers, roots, and bark are all edible.
Moringa leaves contain:
two times the amount of protein of yogurt (and all of the essential amino acids)
four times the amount of calcium of milk
four times the vitamin A of carrots
seven times the vitamin C of oranges
three times the potassium of bananas
Wow, sounds like a miracle tree to me! But in order to retain all of the above health benefits the leaf powders must be processed correctly. For this reason I have decided to grow the tree, dry the leaves, and make the powder myself, or try to at the very least. Another reason to grow the tree myself is the cost of processed leaf powder. Let me just say that I do not have the money to purchase leaf powder.
I ordered the seeds and soaked them in water for an entire day before planting them. The following picture is Day 2. The seeds are in the soil ready to germinate.
I have never grown anything from seed before so you can say I was pretty excited. I checked on my seeds every single day, several times a day. Alright I will admit I checked on them every time I walked by the kitchen counter which was often. I even gently pushed the soil aside with my finger to see if anything was happening. I never thought those poor little seeds would have survived all my harassment.
But here they are on Day 12. Happy 4th of July, my litttle Moringa seedlings!
UPDATED (7.5.09):
And on Day 13 you have opened your leaves. Each day you are looking more marvelous than the last. Time for a new home where you can spread your roots!
9 comments:
WoW...what a miracle tree indeed! Happy Fourth to you guys!
~Elyse
That's amazing! I've never heard of moringa tree before. And what a great idea to grow it yourself!
~Tellie
I gotta tell ya, your blog is a little creepy. Its like you copied every single thing from mckmama's blog... even the profile picture! You have a voice here... something that really needs to be said about your child and his fight for life... wouldn't you feel more comfortable doing it, oh I don't know, AS YOU?
I am sure you have a wonderful style and grace about you, but how would anyone know if all they see if you trying to copy mckmama?
Sorry this is harsh.
I'm just confused by you I guess.
People derive inspiration from various and diverse areas. With the risk of sounding confrontational, I am quite sure not everything on your own site, Amanda, is truly original. I am confused by where you believe you can dictate such harsh criticisms to an amazing mother, wife, and friend whom you do not even know. I personally find every post to be a true reflection of what is occurring in the life of a woman who faces the tumultuous/challenging/and rewarding daily activities of being a mother with a child who has CF.
"I am confused by where you believe you can dictate such harsh criticisms"
This is a public blog. That CF mama has put out there on the blog frog in mckmama's community and on mckmama's blog.
That is a silly question. Or are people only allowed to comment on public blogs if they are sugar coated comments?
Really. Re-read my comment. I belive the CONTENT of this blog to be original and deserving of its OWN disply...but I am so distracted by seeing everything as a direct rip off of mckmama's blog I can't seem to appreciate the content. Which I sad.
As I said before, I think you have a voice and a wonderful style and grace about you that could be more better heard AS YOU. NOT as a carbon copy of someone else!
Get past the defensiveness and see the truth. This blog, in its design, is *not* original. It is a copy.
If you don't want the public to comment on your blog, make it private. If you don't want to be recognized for being a copy cat, find your own style.
This is riduclous. If you think I am the only one who thinks this way, your sadly mistaken. I found this blog through an entirely different blog that talked about how much of a 'stalker' CF mama was...
Now. I did not go so far as to believe that or pass that judgement... I do not know CF mama... but what I can SEE with my EYES is that her (your) blog layout is an exact replica of mckmama's, and that is slightly creepy!
Why can't you see that??? Don't you think people who dress up like Paris Hilton and try to talk like Paris Hilton and spend money like Paris Hilton and look like Paris Hilton are odd? Why don't they just want to be themselves????
Do you get at all what I am saying?
I, in NO way shape or form, want to fight about this for one more second. If you want to be a copy cat, then do it!! Embrace it! Own it!
I wish the best for you and for your family and will pray for healing and happiness and love for your son. He looks to be the most special of children and you are surely blessed to have him in your lives.
God bless-
Amanda
http://iammommy.typepad.com
Wow Amanda. Weren't you ever taught that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all? Who are you? I wasn't aware blog owners had to report to you. I find this blog true and honest and real. If her blog 'confuses' you, you might consider spending your time elsewhere. I'm sure you don't have anyone imitating your style. Nothing really worth while there.
Did you honestly just say 'if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all" THEN proceed to say something *mean* about me and my blog?
Wow what a mess. I was reading about your tree growing efforts and then all of this crap from someone. Geez. Anyway if you are interested in high nutrition foods check out Hallelujah Acres they see a powdered veggie drink called Barley Max. Now they have a Berry flavor which is a big improvement. You just stir it up in a glass of water. Kids will drink it and it has a lot of essential nutrients and enzymes.
Just for the record, I don't think you sound like a copy cat of McKMama.
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