The CCC or Costa Calida Chronicle is one of very few high quality free monthly magazines available to Murcia and coastal readers with an equally high quality website making current and previous copies available at the click of your mouse. The below article on allotments has been made available to this website with kind permission of the owners of the CCC, transposed from page 46 of the August 2009 publication, while a further page 75 on organic growth of produce has been taken from the September 2009 edition. To learn more about the CCC click on www.costacalidachronicle.com or for advertising opportunities with free web listing give Teresa a call on 619 199 407.

Reprinted by kind permission of www.costacalidachronicle.com August 2009

Over the last few years, councils in the UK. and local communities have returned to basic values and are looking to provide allotments for the new upsurge in demand. Allotments were under threat from the mid 196O's through to recent times as Britain became a more affluent society and our change in shopping habits took us to buying, rather than providing for the family. With recent food scares, and a return to community values we are now seeing an increase in the demand for allotments, but these are still under threat as the demand for land for housing and the pressure upon councils to provide it is as great as ever. With a new phrase in the English language of "affordable housing", these will be built with no front garden, as that will be used as a parking space and no back garden as people are persuaded to have patio decking.

Allotment gardens have always been valuable community spaces, with many community associations or clubs providing various services to the local community and sharing freely their local knowledge and growing experiences. Many allotment sites are now emerging with the wider community and hosting specialized disabled gardens to assist people of all abilities and increase the availability of gardening therapy, including wildlife areas. With the growing concern in obesity and community health in general, some doctors' surgeries take plots and use them as treatment rooms to encourage patients to take exercise, and also to improve their social skills and feeling of belonging to society. They also try to improve the quality of patients' diets with affordable food.

Here in Spain, many people have found that they have too much land to cope with on a daily basis and perhaps forming a co-operative with a number of interested parties, it can be put to good use. For those who are keen gardeners you will often find that all the fresh produce arrives at the same time and you end up giving away much of your hard-earned tomatoes and beans etc. If there were a number of people looking after the plot of land, not only would the work be shared, but also the produce. Crops being grown are changing with the environment, and the increase of ethnic diversity. Many crops are being grown in Spain for the first time and causing great interest within the gardening world. Of course the old favourites like potatoes, runner beans, brassicas, root crops and fruit are still popular, but allotment gardeners are always eager to try new crops. Some people may prefer to make jams and chutneys with the produce, whilst others may prefer to work on the land, but the aim is the same - maximize the use of your land and increase your family income whilst doing so.

The tradition of allotment provision started around the time of the industrial revolution when thousands of people moved to the rapidly expanding cities. Allotments were originally seen as a way of ensuring that the "landless poor" could grow food, presumably to prevent hunger and civil unrest. Allotment use rose dramatically during the recession of the 1930s and during World War II. Many families took up the challenge to 'dig for victory' to help supplement meagre rationing. By the end of the war there were more than 1.4 million allotment plots in the UK and even parks and public spaces were being used to meet the demand and to eliminate dependence on food being shipped in to the country. Once rationing stopped, allotment use fell and eventually areas were sold off to developers to raise money for local councils. With a brief resurgence in the 1970's, following the self-sufficiency movement, the number of allotments plots fell, but since then the tide has definitely turned and in almost all areas of the UK demand for allotments is well in excess of the number available.

The sudden resurgence in interest in allotments is due to many factors. Allotments are no longer seen as the reserve of elderly men, finding an excuse to escape from the house to do a bit of gardening, Whole families are taking on allotments, realising the importance of getting in touch with the source of healthy food. Organic food is expensive and has often been shipped or flown in from around the world, so growing your own makes a lot of sense. Food prices are increasing rapidly, and will continue to do so, given our ludicrous system of food production that means that local supermarkets are still flying in green beans from Kenya in the height of our summer. At their best, allotments provide great opportunities for communities to come together, with experienced gardeners naturally mentoring 'newbies' and plot holders swapping excess seeds and harvests among themselves.

Reprinted by kind permission of www.costacalidachronicle.com September 2009

As a follow-on to National Allotment Week in the August edition of the Costa Calida Chronicle, we have some information on Organic Fortnight. Up and down the UK, people in shops, schools, cafes, Churches and farms will be hosting events and raising awareness about why organic is the healthy choice, the best for animal welfare, and the right thing for the planet. Here in Spain it is just as important to know what we are eating. Much of the fruit and vegetables are produced using chemicals in the form of sprays and fertilizers. If you can manage to produce your own fruit and vegetables you will know exactly what has been put on the plants, and what has been put in the soil.

As we all look to make money go further, organic offers genuine good value. The benefits stretch far beyond great-tasting, additive-free food and drink. If we want food, beauty products or clothes which don’t just taste, took and feel good, but which are environmentally friendly, healthy and have the highest animal welfare standards, then organic gives us just that.

It is obvious that we need to make fundamental changes to the way we grow and eat our food. Only radical changes to our diets and farming systems can achieve the level of greenhouse gas cuts needed. Some of these changes can be made the next time you shop. Buying organic food and supporting organic farming, alongside a shift to less and mainly grass-fed meat and dairy products with more seasonal fruit and vegetables, should be the first step for anyone who takes climate change seriously. Unfortunately many people, even those who in other areas of their lives consider themselves green, are happy to ignore the climate impact of their weekly non-organic shopping and continue to buy the 'cheapest’ food available, regardless of the environmental and social costs that we all end up paying eventually.

It is possible for most of us to shop and cook organically without compromising on quality. It might require some creativity and life-style changes, but these changes have the potential to leave both you and our planet healthier and happier. Use the following tips to stay healthy, ethical and green whilst saving money..

Cook fresh fruit and veg from scratch, growing it is your own allotment or garden, or buying it from the market. Avoiding over-packaged convenience foods is usually both healthier and cheaper.

Eat less meat and try lower cost cuts such as belly of pork or neck of lamb. Offal too can provide tasty nutritious meals. In Spain many families rely on a pressure cooker to maximize the use of cheaper cuts.

Cook In bulk. Make meals in larger batches, using herbs and spices and cheaper ingredients like tinned tomatoes or beans and pulses to bulk things out. Any left-over food can then be frozen or made into soup.

Join or create an organic-buying group. Grow or buy in bulk with friends and split the cost.

For the freshest, most local food you can get, right on your doorstep, with only the cost of seeds and a bit of casual work …. GROW YOU OWN.

Keep your own chickens with super-fresh eggs every day. The chickens' food can be supplemented with your home grown excess fruit and vegetables.

Save money. In the UK we throw away 6.7 million tonnes of food every year. By planning meals in advance, buying what you need and not what you 'fancy', and using leftovers, you should be able to avoid the need to throw away any food at all, saving up to €50 a month.

Organic Food is good for us and our planet, is kind to animals and wildlife and allows us make a big difference. With all these benefits it is easy to see why organic delivers such good value for money.

Over 20% of greenhouse gas emissions come from food and farming today with Nitrogen fertiliser manufacturing being the worst offender. To produce just one tonne of fertilizer, it takes one tonne of oil, seven tonnes of greenhouse gasses and one hundred tonnes of water. Organic farmers work with nature to feed the soil and control pests. By choosing organic local and seasonal food we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

No food has higher amounts of beneficial minerals, essential amino acids and vitamins than Organic Food. Organic Food avoids pesticides and all controversial additives including aspartame, tartrazine, MSG arid hydrogenated fats. Organic Food contains higher levels of vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer fighting antioxidants and Omega 3. Organic milk for example, is on average 68% higher in Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Animal welfare is at the heart of organic systems. Organic animals are free to pursue natural behaviour because they have plenty of outside space to thrive and grow and are not routinely drugged with antibiotics. Organic standards prohibit cruelty and guarantee truly free-range lives for farm animals. Many shoppers don't realise that organic products are also free range. Chickens are looked after in smaller flocks, spend more of their lives roaming outside, and have more space in their houses. Feeding, shelter, transportation and slaughter are all carefully monitored with the animal's welfare being the priority.

Plant, insect and bird life is up to 50% greater on organic farms. Organic farming relies on wildlife to help control natural pests so wide field edges are left uncultivated for bugs, birds and bees to flourish. They are not sprayed away by the fertilisers, chemicals and pesticides routinely used on non-organic farms.

Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are banned under organic standards. Shoppers wanting to avoid GM products may be surprised to know that over a million tonnes of GM crops are used each year to feed non-organic livestock, which in turn supply our supermarkets with pork, bacon, milk, cheese and other dairy products.

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More on Brassicas and their benefits from the internet.

Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, brassicas are the powerhouses of the vegetable kingdom. With its long history, the Brassica group provides more types of vegetables than any other genus. Brassicas are members of the Brassicaceae or mustard family, formerly known as the Cruciferae or crucifer family, hence they are also called crucifers. This diverse grouping includes plants whose leaves, flowers, stems, and roots are cooked and eaten. Some of the most common brassicas include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, swedes, and turnips. Less familiar brassicas include broccoli raab, collards, cress, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, and bok choi.

Cabbage, one of the oldest of the Brassica vegetables has been used in cooking in Europe for more than 4,000 years, giving it an epic history. They are classified as either green or red, although colour ranges from nearly white to reddish-purple. Common green cabbage and red cabbage both have thick leaves and round, tightly-wrapped heads. Napa cabbage, also called Chinese or celery cabbage, has a more delicate texture and flavour than common cabbage. The leaves of the Savoy cabbage are crinkled and thinner than common cabbage, and Savoy cabbage has a milder flavour. Cabbage, like other brassicas, is high in sulphur, which gives it a strong aroma while cooking. Red cabbage may turn a greyish blue when cooked in hard water. Often vinegar or another acid is used to counteract this tendency.

Broccoli, another popular member of the Brassica clan, is believed to be a vegetable native to the eastern Mediterranean. Calabrese is a variety of broccoli which originated in the Italian province of Calabria. The word broccoli is Italian, from the Latin brachium, meaning arm or branch. Broccoli may also be white or purple (which turns green when cooked).

Brussels sprouts are tiny heads of cabbage that grow on tall stalks with leaves on top and look somewhat like miniature palm trees. They are named after Brussels, Belgium, where they were first discovered around 1750. While usually a green vegetable, there are also red varieties such as Falstaff. Smaller Brussels sprouts are tastier for cooking, and garden-grown have a nuttier, sweeter taste than those from the supermarket.

Cauliflower originated in the Middle East and comes in white, green, and purple heads. There is even a new orange variety called Citris. As a vegetable, cauliflower is difficult to grow and consequently more expensive to buy in the supermarket than most of its Brassica cousins. Cauliflower, like broccoli, consists of unopened flower buds; the head of the cauliflower is called the curd. Packed with vitamins, one serving of cauliflower in cooking can supply a whole day's worth of vitamin C.

Since the Brassica family is so large, more of its members can be found on the internet. The brassicas include a diverse array of colours, textures, and tastes, all packed with vitamins and disease-fighting nutrients. Growing these on your allotments or adding them to your grocery cart will help to keep you and your family in the peak of health!

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More nutritional and other benefits to be derived from eating the humble banana


Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fibre, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain Tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel better.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anaemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit ' s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex England ) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system..

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work:
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that to avoid panic-induced food cravings we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a ' cooling ' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer Tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, helps the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in ' The New England Journal of Medicine’, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death from strokes by as much as 40%.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. A banana is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away !!

And for gardeners…. If your roses are covered with Aphids, drape banana skins over the branches. It’s amazing, but in a day or less, they are GONE!

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THE AMAZING CUCUMBER


1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day. Just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your allotment? Place a few slices in a small aluminium pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminium to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytochemical) in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explorers for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

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