a curious case of Cassava

 

Back in old days, we had fried ubi kayu, ketuk-ketuk (boiled ubi kayu mixed with sugar and kelapa parut then deep friend in gold-ball size), boiled ubi kayu and sambal tumis ikan bilis, ikan masin goreng and kelapa parut for breakfast. For tea, we had bingka ubi and air gula ubi. These dishes seem unhealthy but they sound fitting to shore up depleted energy after we have to do some serious ‘tug-of-war’ pulling them out the grounds!

However, if we wondered a little bit on how our forefathers and mothers could survive on ubi kayu during “Zaman Penjajahan“, living life unmechanically improvised, we would realise that this plain, starchy ubi kayu is their real deal energy bar!

Thanks to Dr. Joseph Mercola, who unveils his new Energy Bar called Organic Cocoa Cassava today, I finally found answers to my curiosity.

“Tapioca is the third largest source of carbohydrates in the world and is a staple food for more than 500 million people. Among crop plants, the cassava plant provides the highest yield of food energy per cultivated area per day, next to sugarcane.

A recent study conducted in the Philippines (one of the countries where cassava is an important crop) looked into the effects of root crops and legumes in lowering cholesterol levels among humans with moderately-raised cholesterol levels.

The study showed that cassava significantly decreased total cholesterol levels, decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered as “bad” cholesterol), and may help lower triglyceride levels due to its high total dietary fiber content.

Other studies show that cassava may help support the nervous system and help alleviate stress, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome.

 Cassava flour does not contain gluten, an allergenic protein found in wheat, barley, oats and rye. It can be used by gluten intolerant people to replace wheat flour.

Cassava can also be used for French fries instead of potatoes”. This made me thinking why we opt for fibreless, nutritional deficient, chemical laden fries when we could always go for a fresher ubi kayu fries!

So, how about their leaves, that taste heavenly, cooked in rich coconut milk along with boiled mung beans, tinged with spicy bird eyes chillies, ikan bilis and shallots pounded together, or plainly appetising when they are boiled till tender and then dip in peanut sauce (uncooked sambal kacang)?

I found one research paper on their nutritional values. Surprisingly, they are high in proteins, minerals and vitamins, compared to other vegetables, Healthy-wise, they could be used to treat and prevent anaemia, protein and Vitamin A deficiencies.

My curious case of cassava has been answered and I hope you could see them in brighter, healthier light now.

How to Plant Tapioca?

• Tapioca can be planted at the end or at the beginning of the rainy season.  Tapioca planted during the end of the rainy season has less steady growth than that planted at the beginning of the rainy season especially when the long-stored stem is used.
• Tapioca grows well in land with depth and loose soil, with minimum weeds.
• Most varieties are recommended to harvest in 11-12 month maturity stage.
• The recommended spacing is 1 x 1 meter. Close spacing results in smaller roots and poorer yield.
• The cut-stem for planting has to be 20 centimeters long with more than 5 nodes, preferable from the middle of the original stem. When cutting from the original stem into planting stems, it should be made carefully - avoiding the damage of the nodes.
• When planting, the cut-stem should be put vertically at half depth of the stem into the ground. Make sure not to plant it upside down! (our Trainer Ian did that once!… ….).

 “Ms. Doolittle accidentally started her first garden at 4 when she saw little green sprouts emerged from the spot she pounded her Mak’s rotten red chilies weeks before while playing masak-masak. Since that Eureka moment, she finds her perfect self in a garden that feeds one’s soul, mind and body. For passion or ration, she believes gardening is life-changing.”

Growing Children Growing Garden

My Farm Fitness’s co-owner, Ms. Doolittle will be my guest-blogger this week where she will post various interesting stories on organic farming and gardening, including her own experience of growing the vegetables in pots. She is very concerned that the public should have the knowledge of where their food comes from.

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A visit to Organic Day

Past few weekends, I went to SS2 Petaling Jaya to attend an Organic Day carnival organized by the Centre for Environment, Technology and Development of Malaysia (CETDEM). Founded in 1985, CETDEM is an independent, non-profit, training, research, consultancy, referral, and development organization. It is committed to improving environmental quality through the appropriate use of technology and sustainable development.

Organic farming is gaining popularity in Malaysia today, partly due to the effect of CETDEMs Organic Farm which operated for some 10 years at Sungai Buloh. What began as a one-acre experiment in 1987 grew well enough to be a proven venture. The small farm was growing vegetables and fruits, without the use of any chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. CETDEM decided that with its limited resources, it has to spread the good philosophy and practice of organic farming and kitchen gardening. The practical experiences learnt need to be shared, more so when there is an urgent need to increase the quality and quantity of organic produce in the Malaysian market. It also has become a learning environment, where many classes and workshops are offered to adults and children, as well.

There were many stalls at the carnival. Both, wifey and I had great time buying many great products and listening to free talks on organic farming, sustainable development and such. Please enjoy this little tour.

Note : Next Organic Day is scheduled on 4 July 2010.

Aside :

My Farm Fitness’s co-owner, Fisha a.k.a. Ms. Doolittle will be my guest-blogger next week where she will post various interesting stories on organic farming / gardening, including her own experience of growing the vegetables in pots. She is very concerned that the public should have the knowledge of where their food comes from. This is the best time to ask her questions and she’ll try to answer it.

 

re-potting my plants

As blogged previously, I had nothing scheduled to pull me away from home last Saturday. I decided to tackle a couple of cleaning and organizing projects in my little home. I went out to the balcony to check how my plants were doing. With so little free time nowadays, I don’t really get much chance to look after the plants anymore. The plants were not healthy, and decided to give the ‘life’ back these little green ‘friends’.

Re-soiling

I went out to see my plants earlier this morning, and noticed that the soil in the pots were getting little less, and less airy too.  The plants do not look healthy. So, I decided to re-soil by mixing/adding more organic earth to it. Now, the roots are able to breathe well, and live healthily again.

For those who want to start out their own edible garden, Corporate Athlete’s Farm Fitness has some seeds for you. Have a look at our Stir Fry Seeds Collection.   It consists of 5 different seeds, where once fully grown, these vegetables are perfect to be stir-fried with garlic … yummy!

1. 5g of White Flower Pole Bean Seeds (Kacang Buncis)
2. 5g Curly Kale (Kailan)
3. 5g of Golden Yellow Amaranth (Bayam Emas)
4. 5g of Hong Kong Oily Choy Sum (Sawi Minyak)
5. 5g Dwarf Pak Choy (Pak Choi Kerdil)

The entire seeds collection is for RM10.00 only.

Update : Farm Fitness

We are very excited with one of our latest projects; ‘Farm Fitness’ launched last February. And we started to sell seeds early last month. So far, we are very grateful to receive strong support from friends and family in our FF project. We also have a new addition to our Corporate Athletes’ family; our very own ’farmgirl’ a.k.a. Ms. Doolittle …. yeah. Despite of having a 9-5 job as a banker, Ms. Doolittle dedicates her free time tending her well-manicured garden. Last Sunday, I got the chance to set up her very own edible garden. We had great time planting new seeds. Please have  a look at her blog entry on how well the seedlings are doing now over here, plus some great quotes on farming and gardening too. Under her care, be rest-assured that the plants will grow beautifully – Ms. Doolittle even named her veggies….:)

The first batch of seeds that we brought in were Chinese Stir-Fry Seeds Collection. Once fully grown, these vegetables are perfect to be stir-fried, the Chinese way of course. These are super simple and fast to-do dishes. Just throw in some minced garlic in hot oil, preferably Olive Oil, and add the vegetables. Voila, you have a healthy dish for your rice.

Corporate Athletes & Ms. Doolittle are working together to help in promoting the unbelievable benefits of growing your own veg. So, why should you grow your own? Simply put – IT TASTES BETTER! (and its organic too).

Below is strictly promo ……. layannnn

• 5g of White Flower Pole Bean Seeds (Kacang Buncis)
• 5g Curly Kale (Kailan)
• 5g of Golden Yellow Amaranth (Bayam Emas)
• 5g of Hong Kong Oily Choy Sum (Sawi Minyak)
• 5g Dwarf Pak Choy (Pak Choi Kerdil)

The entire seeds collection is only for RM10.00 per set. We are trying to bring in new seeds in the next few months. Do look out for our upcoming Tom Yum Goong Seeds Collection.