Author: farmdoc

Buckwheat microgreens can be a great addition to your diet. Buckwheat isn’t a wheat at all, in fact it derives from the rhubarb and sorrel family. The seeds interestingly are shaped like little pyramids. Their flavor is mild and somewhat of a tangy variety. They work great in smoothies, mixed with salads or used on top of sandwiches and wraps. So besides the taste and gluten-free benefits, why is buckwheat a good microgreen? Studies have been conducted indicating buckwheat has anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that along with anti-inflammatory benefits, it also was liver protective.

Buckwheat also has high levels of rutin. Rutin is a bioflavinoid and power anti-oxidant. Rutin helps build collagen and has been shown to prevent atherosclerosis by keeping artery walls flexible. Rutin along with lecithin (also in buckwheat), helps with lowering LDL cholesterol. Buckwheat also is one of the few plants that contain all essential amino acids making it a complete protein. This is a great addition to those eating a vegan diet. It also represents a good food to utilize for dieting especially those on low carb or keto diets. So give buckwheat microgreens a try, the nutrition benefits and flavor make it a powerful super food!

Microgreen Research Paper
My recent research paper on microgreens was accepted for publication in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A copy will be made available to everyone once it publishes this Spring.

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Our newest addition to our list of microgreens is leeks. If you haven’t tried these, the taste is a combination of onion, garlic, shallot, scallion, chive, and Chinese onion. The spectrum of flavor is more on the sweeter side. Leeks are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin B6, iron and magnesium, and a very good source of folate as well as vitamins A, C, and K. They are also particularly high in provitamin A carotenoids, including beta carotene. Your body converts these carotenoids into vitamin A, which is important for vision, immune function, reproduction, and cell communication. Leeks are also a good source of manganese, which may help reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms and promote thyroid health. Leeks are alliums, a family of vegetables that includes onions and garlic. Several studies link alliums to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke .While most of these studies have tested onions or garlic, leeks contain several beneficial compounds thought to lower inflammation and protect heart health. Like garlic, leeks contain allicin, a know anti-microbial making them a good addition for immune support. Besides the health benefits, the flavor is phenomenal. If you like garlic or onion, you will love leek microgreens. Try some and add them to your favorite recipe.

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Mixes of microgreens can be beneficial in many ways. Blending different flavors of micros can pair up several varieties to give a unique flavor profile. It also allows an excellent way to combine different nutrient rich micros to make a super charged blend. Farm Doc has several mixes to provide both flavor and nutrition. Our Basic mix blends broccoli, kale, kolhrabi, arugula and red cabbage. These cruciferous microgreens offer multiple health benefits. They contain sulforaphane, a recognized anti-cancer phytonutrient. Famously low in calories, they offer a great benefit to those utilizing a low carb or keto type diet. Their high nutrient profile works well for those who live a vegan diet or are trying to fill gaps in their diet. Our Spicy mix contains all those in the Basic mix plus adds a mustard microgreen for added zest. These mixes supply healthy amounts of calcium, iron and potassium and more immune-boosting vitamin C. Our flagship blend is the Farm Doc Mix. This contains snow pea, sunflower and radish in a delicious crunchy mix. All of our mixes are well enough on their own as a snack or with a dressing. Why would you want to stop there? Try the Farm Doc Mix on a burger and you won’t have it any other way. Basic and Spicy mixes dress up any sandwich or wrap with flavor and nutrition. The list is endless so try some on a pizza, eggs or fish. The flavor and texture will make your favorite dish that much better.

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Sulforphane, sounds like some type of dangerous chemical we wouldn’t want to be exposed to, right? Well this is quite contrary to the truth. It is an exceptionally powerful antioxidant, detoxifier and brain enhancer. It helps in building stronger mitochondria, the power house of all cells, And you don’t have to supplement this phytochemical (bio-active compound found in plants), its loaded in broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.

This anticancer compound is also 10-100x more concentrated in microgreens vs the mature plant. Every cell in your body has a powerful protein called Nrf2. This protein is usually dormant until a stressor or inflammation shows up. It then binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE), a master switch for antioxidant activity. Once activated these antioxidants quiet inflammation and protect you from stress and cell damage.. And the key to activating this important process is sulforaphane. It wakes up Nrf2 to start this process.

This process affects your whole body which explains why sulforphane is important to you. Activated Nrf2 has been shown to affect energy production by improving mitochondria. It also increases our ability to burn fat, important for weight loss. Sulforaphane itself is a power detoxifier of toxins and carcinogens. Lab studies have found it actually kills cancer cells and has led to the testing of a ant-cancer drug, Sulforadex. You can access this powerhouse phytochemical from Farm Doc”s broccoli microgreens or the basic or spicy mixes

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Pea microgreens or pea shoots are one of the more popular microgreens we grow. Why you ask? Since they have a mild yet sweet flavor, they can be used in many dishes. The pea microgreen is also one of the largest of the microgreens we grow. Since this plant keeps its flavor throughout growth, they do not have to be harvested early like the sunflower to prevent bitterness. They look like tiny forests when they are ready to harvest. Nutritionally, the pea has many qualities. Research has determined that pea shoots have up to 7 times more vitamin C than blueberries per weight. Pea shoots have 4 times more vitamin A than tomatoes as well. 3 ounces of pea shoots provide 3 grams of highly available protein. This can help you curb your appetite and help better manage blood sugar.

Pea shoots are very versatile as they mix well with other microgreens. Our Farm Doc Mix combines the crunchiness of sunflower shoots and pea shoots with the spiciness of radish. This is one our most popular mixes and goes well on sandwiches, wraps, salads or as a potent nutritious snack on its own. Our Summer Medley combines pea shoots with corn shoots for a sweeter mix that goes well with fish. Our pea shoots have also been used on Za51 pizzas so their uses are numerous.

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Radish microgreens have been gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers looking to add more superfoods to their diets. Radish micros are loaded with vitamins, and research suggests that these super-nutritious sprouts may be even more effective at preventing cancer than broccoli microgreens. Here’s some of the facts on the health benefits of radish microgreens.

Folate, B6 and Anti-Cancer Components
Radish sprouts are an excellent source of folate, with 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of radish sprouts delivering almost a quarter of the Daily Value of folate. Folate is believed to promote cardiovascular health by breaking down homocysteine, an amino acid that is thought to promote atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in blood vessels). About half the people with cardiovascular disease have elevated homocysteine levels, compared with only 5% of the general population. In addition to providing tons of folate, radish sprouts contain plenty of vitamin B6, another nutrient that has been shown to break down homocysteine in the body. Thanks to their extremely high glucosinolate content, broccoli sprouts are touted for their anti-cancer effects. Radish sprouts may have even more of this anti-cancer potential than broccoli sprouts.

Weight Loss Effect
Radish sprouts are inarguably one of the best foods for people who are trying to lose weight. Like other sprouts, radish sprouts are very low in calories (43 calories per 100 grams, or 3.5 ounces), and they are packed with vitamin C. A study from Arizona State University found that people with low blood concentrations of vitamin C burned 25 percent less fat during a 60-minute walking session on a treadmill than people with adequate levels of vitamin C. Among other things, your body uses vitamin C to make carnitine, a compound that encourages your body to turn fat into fuel, rather than to store it as body fat. Try radish micros on a salad, wrap, sushi roll or burger for extra zip and nutrients.

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Microgreens are a very unique food. They are versatile and can be used in many different dishes. They also have a great nutrition benefit to get lots of nutrients from a very small food. Lets look at sunflower shoots. Sunflower shoots have a very distinct nutty-like
taste. Here are some of their nutrient facts.

Zinc: Zinc is a mineral well researched in the field of fertility. Zinc is necessary for the development of sperm in men.

High in B vitamins especially folate: Folate (or folic acid) is a necessary B vitamin for pregnant women, needed to ensure proper development of the baby’s nervous system. The combination of B vitamins also assists in the mother’s circulation
as well as aids in stress relief.

Vitamin E: an anti-oxidant, Vitamin E works synergistically with vitamin C and selenium to
reduce blood pressure, increase the elasticity of arteries and prevent heart disease.

Lung Expectorant:In Ayurvedic medicine, these sprouts are thought to have the ability to encourage clearance of the lungs. Natural expectorants may also be used as a preventative measure against lower respiratory infections to deter the invasion of pathogens.

Protein: a complete vegetable source, Protein is well known for its ability to repair muscle tissue and aid in enzymatic functions in the body. But protein is also important in bone development and the prevention of osteoporosis, as it acts as the fundamental framework for the development of the bone matrix and continues to support bone strength throughout life. 1/4c = 6grams

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.

Microgreens are a great treat that nature has given us. We eat them because they are great as a snack, on a salad, as a salad or blended in a smoothie. However, do we all know the nutrient benefits these little greens pack? Researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park were surprised by the results of their study. “The microgreens were four- to 40- fold more concentrated with nutrients than their mature counterparts,” says researcher Qin Wang, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Maryland in College Park. “When we first got the results we had to rush to double and triple check them.” Researchers evaluated levels of four groups of vital nutrients, including vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and beta-carotene, in 25 different commercially grown microgreens. The results are published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin E levels were highest among red cabbage, garnet amaranth, and green daikon radish microgreens. Cilantro microgreens were richest in terms of lutein and beta-carotene. “All of these nutrients are extremely important for skin, eyes, and fighting cancer and have all sorts of benefits associated with them,” says researcher Gene Lester, PhD, of the USDA.

Lester said he was surprised to find microgreens were superior in nutritional value than the mature plants. “To find that the levels were not only detectible but in some cases 4-6 times more concentrated than in the leaves of a mature plant, I find that quite astonishing.” Although more research is needed, Wang says there may be a good explanation for microgreens’ high nutrient content. “Because microgreens are harvested right after germination, all the nutrients they need to grow are there,” says Wang. “If they are harvested at the right time they are very concentrated with nutrients, and the flavor and texture is also good.” (WebMD)

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Farm Doc Microgreens are locally grown in Strum, WI. The micros are grown in a controlled environment with non-GMO, organic seeds using clean soil, adequate hydration and ventilation. They are hand harvested using sterile procedures, packed and delivered fresh to the farmers market, your favorite restaurant or store or directly to your home.