TEXAS CACTUS COUNCIL

PO BOX 423

BENAVIDES , TEXAS 78341

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July, 2008, Newsletter  

The Texas Cactus Council had a very interesting meeting in Alice , Texas , in June. A program on Long Term Care was presented by David Perez. The presentation was followed by an extensive question/answer session. Thanks David.  

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The Texas Cactus Council welcomes new member Rosario Rivera, from El Paso , Texas , to the council. Bienvenida, Rosario.

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Prickly Pear Cactus

The genus Opuntia includes the prickly pear, bunny ears, and beaver tail cacti. Over a period of several weeks in late spring and early summer, each pad produces several three- to- four- inch wide flowers that bloom in an array of colors, depending on the variety, from subtle to brilliant tones of yellows and oranges, pinks and reds. When the blooms fade, the edible fruits form.

In warm climates, well-tended plants may be harvested of pads up to six times a year, and established plants may yield 20 to 40 one-half pound pads at each harvest.

Culinary Uses: Whether you add sliced or cubed pads to omelets or gently urge the fruit from its stickery skin and eat it fresh or cooked into jelly, this cactus has much to offer. Even the seeds can be eaten in soups or dried and ground into flour. Recipes and informative tips on preparation can be found in The Texas Cactus Council's cookbook “ Cooking with Cactus ”. Cactus tastes something like green beans. Today, the pads are available in this country throughout the year in specialty produce sections and at farmers markets. The smaller young pads in the early spring are the most succulent, delicate in flavor, and have the fewest spines. Fresh pads are full of water and should be bright green and firm. To prepare the pad, simply hold its base and scrape the skin on both sides with a blunt knife until all the spines are removed. Then peel the pads and cut them into shoestring strips or dice them according to the needs of the recipe. They can be eaten raw in salads, boiled and fried like eggplant, pickled with spices, or cooked with shellfish, pork, chilies, tomatoes, eggs, coriander, garlic, and onions. Many Texas Cactus Council members grow their own cactus in their own back yards and use it in their kitchens often. NOTE: Most of us are lucky to have spineless cactus in our collections.

The flavor of a ripe prickly pear cactus fruit depends on the variety but include strawberries, watermelons, honeydew melons, figs, bananas, and citrus. You can eat them raw, at room temperature or chilled, and alone or with lemon juice. They can be cooked into jams and preserves or cooked down into a syrup as a base for jelly and candy the cactus candy in some Mexican food stores. Individual taste preferences will dictate which varieties to choose for eating fresh and which for cooking. In Mexico alone, there are over 100 species with edible fruits. Sam Williams, a cactus enthusiast in Carmichael, California, says that while all the fleshy fruit kinds are edible and none are poisonous, only a few are palatable and even fewer taste really sweet. They range from juicy to dry and sweet to acid. Cantwell-de-Trejo says that the acidity and fibrousness of the fruits increase as the fruits mature. The more acid fruits are called xoconochtlis and are used in certain traditional Mexican stews and other dishes.

Fruit size, shape, and color vary from small and round like a walnut to three inches long and two inches wide like a rounded cylinder. Skin and flesh come in a rainbow of colors, white, green, yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown. White-skinned varieties are the most popular in Mexico , says Cantwell-de-Trejo, while the sweetest varieties generally available in this country have dark reddish-orange or purple skins and deep red-purple flesh. The fruit contains significant amounts of vitamin C, one fruit containing about one-half the amount of an orange. According to Cantwell-de-Trejo, this is its most important use in the diet of rural Mexicans.

Other Uses. Around the turn of the century, the plant scientist Luther Burbank researched many uses of the prickly pear cactus. Bob Hornback of Santa Rosa, California, has worked with the Luther Burbank collection for many years and done much to relocate and save specimens of these varieties. He has compiled a list of prickly pear uses from Burbank ' s research notes, circa 1914. (I have the spineless Luther Burbank cactus in my collection)

The sap from the pads can be used in first aid similar to the aloe vera plant. Simply cut off a portion of a pad, crush it, and squeeze the juice onto a cut, burn, or bruise. The sap will soothe the wound. Ground or pureed young pads are used as a laxative and also as a remedy for diabetes. According to Marita Cantwell-de-Trejo, Extension Vegetable Post-harvest Specialist at the University of California , Davis , the Mexican Institute of Nutrition in Mexico City is researching the hypoglycemic effect of cactus consumed by humans.

Carminic acid cochineal is produced by the cochineal insect that feeds on the pads and fruit, and is used in botanical stains and as a cloth dye. In the 16th century, the export of cochineal from Mexico was second in importance and monetary value only to silver. According to Cantwell-de-Trejo, there is a resurgence of interest in these natural pigments. Also, some Indian groups dry the pads, flower buds, and fruits for later boiling and eating. Young flower buds can be baked and eaten .

Note: We've noticed extensive damage on prickly pear in our area ( South Texas ) by cochineal. The insect can destroy the cactus it lives on. I've received communications from area cactus enthusiasts who are having their cacti gardens attacked by cochineal. The only solution I know to control the insect is by spraying it with soapy water (clothing or dish washing detergent will do). About 30% of the prickly pear cactus at the ranch are currently infested with cochineal.

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Beth Zies, long-time member of the Texas Cactus Council from Seguin, Texas, sends her cactus sangria recipe. Beth's address & phone are below. Contact her to purchase the Cactus Margarita Mix.

Cactus Sangria

1 cup orange juice

1/2 cup lime juice

1 cup sugar

In a 2 quart saucepan stir together the lime juice, sugar, and orange juice. Heat until sugar is dissolved. Chill for 3 to 24 hours.

Add chilled red/white wine

1 lemon

1 lime

1- 750 milliliter bottle of red or white wine

1-12 oz. bottle of Cactus Margarita Mix

Scrub the orange, lemon, and lime under running water. Slice fruit into 1/4 inch slices. Cut each slice into quarters to form wedges.

Place the fruit wedges in a pitcher, pour in the wine and cactus margarita mix. Serve over ice. Garnish with citric slices. Store leftover Cactus Sangria (if there is any left over) in refrigerator.

Thanks for your interest in Cactus Margarita. I always remove all the thorns before I ship...

Beth Zies

Cactus Margarita

www. cactusmargarita.com

113 East Live Oak

Seguin , Texas 78155

phone (830)379-7062

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Meeting

The council had voted at the last meeting to meet in Benavides , Texas , for the July meeting. However, the restaurant will be closed for that week to allow the owners to go on summer vacation. We will be meeting at Jerry's Diner in San Diego , Texas , instead. The meeting is set for Thursday, July 17, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. The menu has steaks, Mexican food, seafood, burgers, their famous cabrito guisado (kid goat stew) and quail. Come early if you wish. Bring your family, your neighbors and friends. Jerry's is right across the street from the San Diego Civic Center on the corner, one block from the Duval County Courthouse.  

J. T. Garcia

Secretary/Treasurer

  garjo60@stx.rr.com

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June, 2008, Newsletter

The field day in Edinburg , Texas , on May 17, 2008, was quite a treat. We all met for lunch at Tiko's Café. From there the group went on to the Museum of South Texas . We met at the Reception Room where Texas Cactus Council member, Dr. Anne Estevis, presented a reading on her latest book, Chicken Foot Farm. The book details the life of a young Mexican-American boy growing up in South Texas in the 1940's. It was a most interesting session. Most of the TCC members in attendance bought the book. Dr. Estevis also wrote another book, Down Garrapata Road , a collection of short stories set in a small Mexican-American community in Southern Texas during the 1940's and 1950's, revealing the traditions, love, and social concerns of the families living there. I bought both books, and they are just great! If you would like any of the books, send me an email and I will gladly refer you to Dr. Esteviz.

Contact me at garjo60@stx.rr.com  

Dr. Esteviz has taught in schools in New Mexico and Texas . She was also with the Department of Educational Psychology, college of Education , Univ. Of Texas-Pan American.

Down Garrapata Road won the following awards:

1. Finalist--Texas Institute of Letters Fiction Award

2. ForeWord Magazine's Silver Book of the Year award in juvenile fiction

All of the Texas Cactus Council members returned from the meeting loaded with door prizes, including bags of cantaloupes, fresh corn, grapefruits and seeds from the rare black lace cactus. And of course, the Museum of South Texas was fantastic. The guided tour of the facility was very interesting. I plan to go back and re-visit the museum with my family.

Well, we got some more rain. However, our little town ( Benavides , Texas ) also got a tornado or two early Friday morning (May 16 th ) at about 3 a.m. Many, many trees were knocked down as was part of the roof of the school's Momeny Gym. Power was out for part of the town. No injuries were reported and no other major damages were seen. We had not seen so much destruction on our trees in quite a while. Most neighboring areas are still very dry. We'll have to push our rain dancers to continue with their duties. Are you ready, James? If you can't do it, we'll have to recruit Robert McAnear to conduct future rain dances.

Cactus pears or prickly pears ( Opuntia spp. Cactaceae) are omnipresent plants of the Mexican landscape and have great historical and ethnobotanical significance. Ripe fruits and tender cladodes (pads), have been collected from the wild since preColumbian times, and the mature cladodes are used as a forage for livestock. Opuntia originated in Central Mexico and some parts of the Caribbean region.. Today cactus pear is a well recognized fruit crop in Mexico cultivated throughout the central semiarid highlands . Unfortunately, Texas has not yet made any attempts to consider cactus as a crop. California has dealt in cactus fruit production for quite some time.

A vast array of species are still found in the wild, while backyards contain mostly cultivars selected by farmers. Production at commercial level started in the 1960s and is based on outstanding plants taken from rural households where they provide food for the family. Orchards used foundation material obtained from plants bearing large fruit size, high color, and good flavor. The clones were named based on specific fruit and plant traits. It is difficult to identify plants based only on vegetative traits and most farmers and scientists still use fruit characteristics for descriptive purposes.

Official figures report that Mexico has 42,000 ha of cactus pear distributed in the central highland (2000 m) semiarid temperate part of the country, all of them under rainfed conditions. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 700 mm with a bimodal pattern. Soils are shallow to medium in depth, poor in organic matter, and acidic to lightly alkaline.

As a plant with crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), cactus pear is able to withstand drought. It is cultivated in small tracts traditionally devoted to maize and beans production, with low revenues. Medical research has found value in cacti as a raw material for products to treat hypoglukemia, diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, and obesity. Recent research revealed that this plant is also able to thrive in high CO 2 environments. Cacti have received attention as a crop to fight global pollution and desertification.

Growers expertise generated by trial and error and recent agronomic advances account for high yields of cactus pear. Production depends on intensity of farming practices, orchard size, and environmental factors such as late frosts and rainfall. Due to dependance on a narrow base of cultivars, there is a temporary (three months) market saturation, which is associated with falling prices and low returns. It is desirable to extend the harvest season either with earlier or later ripening cultivars or crop management practices .

At least 95% of production in Mexico is for domestic consumption. Cactus pears are eaten as a snack, and sold peeled and slightly chilled by street vendors. Harvest season starts late in June and extends through Sept. However it is possible to widen the market window if other cultivars are marketed. High soluble solids, white flesh, and juiciness are praised by Mexican consumers, while foreign markets prefer yellow and red-fleshed cultivars.

In this paper an attempt is made to provide a reference for growers, brokers and researchers about cultivars currently grown and marketed in Mexico . For many areas of the world cactus pear still remains an unknown fruit crop.

Cactus Fruit (tuna) Smoothie

2 peeled tuna

3 tbsp vanilla yogurt

1 tbsp Chia

1 tbsp flaxseed

1 tsp peanut butter

½ cup milk

3 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients. Sweeten to taste. Enjoy.

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Meeting

The council will meet on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at El Charro Restaurant in Alice , Texas . As always the council will provide a program that will be of great benefit to all. We've provided programs that highlight a beneficial product (chia, flaxseed, whey, etc.), educational field days (Rancho Colorado , Museum of South Texas in Edinburg , Texas , Museum in Sarita , Texas , Museum in Orange Grove , Texas , etc.) At the June meeting we will provide a program that explains a service that no one will want to miss. It is a program on Long-Term Care, presented by David Perez. A brief description follows. El Charro Restaurant is located on the “Y” in Alice leading to Falfurrias , Texas . Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. As always you may come earlier to place your order at an earlier time.

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Long Term Care by John Hancock  

Achieving financial security. Maintaining the lifestyle you choose. It's how you see you future. And what you're planning for. Long Term Care provides coverage that helps protect your assets and quality of life, keeps pace with the rising cost of care, and most of all helps to maintain your family's quality of life. Protect your retirement. Over the course of a lifetime, you save and invest to reach many goals. A comfortable retirement. Travel. A second home or ranch. A legacy for your heirs or favorite charity. But the truth is, few of us have the financial resources to ensure our independence if we need ongoing care as we grow older. Or in the event of a serious illness, injury, or disability, which can strike at any age. And while you can't always count on family for help, you want to be sure that the time you spend together is quality time.

Long term care enables you to: Receive care in your choice : your home, an adult day care, an assisted living facility, hospice facility, or nursing home. You get customized care to suit your needs. You may stay home for as long as possible, with a home maker, home modifications ( such wheelchair ramps) , home safety checks and monitoring systems. Long Term Care provides assisted daily living services to you, when the time comes. Long Term Care provides a vast range of services. You will be provided hand outs to learn more how this policy can be so beneficial to you and your spouse.

J. T. Garcia

Secretary/Treasurer

 

Prickly Pear with Tunas

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May, 2008, Newletter

The Texas Cactus Council welcomes new member Salomon Charles, Jr., from Bishop, Texas . We also heard from former member Oscar Saenz from San Antonio , Texas , who indicated he would be re-joining the council soon. Welcome back, Oscar.

The April Texas Cactus Council meeting in Robstown was quite successful. We were extremely happy to once again see Robert & Jeannette Mick from Sinton , Texas , former members of the council. Guests to the council meeting were Lina Mireles from Benavides , Texas , and Lorraine Tummings (mother of TCC member Eugene Piette from Cato , Wisconsin ). And again, guests are always welcome at our meetings - - which are on the 3 rd Thursday of each month at a place designated by the group. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are conducted right after the dinner.

Well, we finally received some rain in the South Texas area - - 2 ½ inches. It wasn't much but it is a start. Within a week after the rain the livestock was enjoying the green grass and weeds. Hopefully we won't have to continue purchasing hay, range meal and cattle cubes for awhile. We will need more rain. May is one of the rainiest months of the year and we hope that the precipitation will continue. Apparently the rain dance performed by Texas Cactus Council member James Williams from Freer, Texas , worked. Thanks, James. If you can get Abel Perez to join you in other rain dances, we might get a huge downpour! We'll keep our fingers crossed.

Most of the spring gardens are already planted. Reports of tomatoes, squash, and onions are being shared. Those who have started cactus gardens are also reporting success. Cacti are one of the easiest to grow plants. Have you tried using seeds to start cactus plants? We've talked much about the rare and endangered black lace cactus.

It is very hard to find and the only reported areas in Texas that have very few plants left in the wild are three South Texas counties: Jim Wells, Refugio & Kleberg. After searching for several years, I was able to locate a source for purchasing black lace cactus seeds. I might decide to take a few seeds to give as door prizes at the next meeting. Below are tips for growing cactus from seeds.

GROWING CACTI FROM SEED

A preferred method of growing from seed, from the people at the Soma Graphics. My thanks to them for many good tips and ideas.

Cacti should be germinated in sandy, well-drained soil. A commercial sterilized cactus mix works fine. Use small ceramic pots 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inch) since they allow soil to dry out completely (after germination) and prevent root rot. Most cacti germination temperature should be around 70 degrees F. Peyote should be around 80 - 90 degrees.

Place a small piece of cotton over the pots drainage hole and pull a few strands thru to act as a wick. Fill the pot with cactus mix. Place the seed on top of the soil in the center of the pot. Additional soil should be sifted through a tea strainer to barely cover the seed.

Put the pots in a tupperware container with a translucent snap-top lid."Bottom" water the pots by pouring about 1/4 inch of tepid water (never cold) into the tupperware. Bottom watering causes the roots to grow strong, from searching for the water. When you first plant the seeds, you should also top water once with a fine mist water sprayer. The soil should be well watered throughout but not soggy. Place the lid on the container and place it outside (April - July) or under artificial lights (For an earlier start indoors).

The tupperware creates a mini greenhouse, and should be kept closed except for a daily check on the seeds progress (which allows some necessary air circulation) until the seeds germinate. They don't need any additional watering or misting during this time (unless for some reason the water level in the container drops below 1/16 inch). Be careful that your mini greenhouse isn't too humid. Wipe off any beads of condensation that form on the containers lid. Also be careful that the temperature isn't too hot, as this can cook the seedlings.

Many species germinate within a few weeks. When the seedlings first appear, they look like tiny green spheres. After they have sprouted, replace the tupperware lid with a piece of stretched muslin secured with string or a rubber band. This will allow air circulation, which can be increased by placing a fan above the container. Adequate air circulation is essential as all green plants require plenty of CO2 to grow. Seedlings are more sensitive to light than mature plants. They should be dark green. If they are a reddish or brown color, they are receiving too much light, and additional pieces of muslin must be placed over the top of the container to shade them. If they are yellowish then they are not getting enough light.

When the seedlings have germinated, place a thin layer of very fine aquarium gravel on the surface of the soil. This gravel will help to support the new seedlings and protect the surface from drying out too quickly. Be careful to gently scoop out any green moss-like growth that might appear because of high humidity.

After four to five months (when spines have formed on seedlings) remove the muslin shading for one or two hours a day to give the seedlings more light. Stop bottom watering and use a watering can twice a week. Water around the seedlings, not on top of them. The seedlings should be misted occasionally (not a lot) in hot weather. Seedlings should be brought inside for their first winter, and kept moist (they cant handle very cold weather). They should be placed in a sunny window away from cold drafts.

Also note: The use of some sort of fungicide when germinating cacti seeds is almost mandatory due to the high humidity levels involved. I have heard reports that the fungicides Daconil and Consan 20 can cause reduced germination rates, and are not recommended. I have heard a recommendation for the brand name Chinosal, but have not used it personally.

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NOPALITO SMOOTHIE

   1 ripe banana, cold from the refrigerator or freezer
   1 cup diced, cooked nopalitos, (frozen)
   Juice of ½ key or Mexican lime or 1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
   1 cup cold orange, pineapple or grapefruit juice
    1 tablespoon honey
   Put banana, nopalitos and juices in blender and liquefy until smooth.
   Note: Diabetics should use unsweetened grapefruit or pineapple juice and omit the honey.

You can sweeten with Splenda or better yet, Stevia!!! You can add whey powder, flaxseed or chia, if you wish. Add 3 or 4 ice cubes to make smoothie slushy. ADD TEQUILA TO THE RECIPE AND IT'S GREAT! BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO BE DRIVEN HOME! :)

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Meeting

Our next meeting (field day type) will be held on Saturday, May 17, at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg , Texas.  First, we will meet for lunch at 12:30 PM at Tico's Restaurant , located near the museum (see details below).  At 2:00 PM, TCC member Dr. Anne Estevis will do a reading from her recently published second book titled Chick Foot Farm. Anne's book is a historical novel about life in South Texas during the 1940s, which all of us will find of great interest. The reading takes place in the museums conference room.  Anne's books will be for sale and she will gladly sign them for you.

After the reading and book signing we will be guided through the museum by a staff member. The entry fee to the museum and use of the conference room has a total cost of $7.50 per person, payable when entering the museum. Excellent door prizes for lucky attendees.

The Museum's main permanent exhibit is called “Rio Grande Legacy”, which covers South Texas history from pre-Hispanic times to present-day. One temporary exhibit is a private collection of documents dating back to the 1500s A. D. These are original documents, which were submitted to the Spanish crown by Spanish subjects as a requirement to affirm their nobility lineage in order to be exempt from taxation (great for those interested in genealogy).  The museum is very large and really worth the drive to the Rio Grande Valley . A very good selection of books on South Texas history are available at the museum's book store.

HOW TO ARRIVE AT THE MUSEUM   As you approach Edinburg , when traveling from the north on Hwy 281 (from Alice , etc), you veer right on business 281 (Closner). Follow Business 281 until you get to the main square, where the county courthouse is most prominent. Park on the east side of the courthouse (big parking lot) and you will see the museum on the north side of the square (parking lot)..

Plan to have lunch before the meeting at 12:30 PM at Tico's Restaurant in Edinburg . Tico's has an excellent buffet or you may order from the menu. Tico's is located at 321 S. Sugar Rd ….956-361-1021. To get to the restaurant, take University Drive west and go just past UT-Pan Am University , then turn left on Sugar Rd. University Drive dead-ends at the court house. Tico's is just east of Wal-Mart, which is off University Drive .

Meet at the museum's conference room at 2:00 P.M.

Nos vemos en el museo,

J. T. Garcia (Sec/Treas)

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April, 2008, Newsletter

The Texas Cactus Council had a great meeting in Riviera at Baffin Bay Café in March. There was standing room only at the restaurant due to the great turnout of members. I presented a short program on Glycemic Index. This is the system where carbohydrates are ranked according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low Glycemic Index foods is the secret to long-term health, reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss. You can find lots of information on Glycemic Index on the internet. Interestingly, cactus (nopalitos) has one of the lowest Glycemic Index levels.

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The council will meet on Thursday, April 17, 2008, in Robstown , Texas , at Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. You may, of course, arrive earlier if you wish. The council had voted at the last meeting to meet at Cotten's Barbecue in Robstown. However, when I dropped by to make arrangements, a lot of problems cropped up. For one. the restaurant would issue out only one bill for the group. Secondly, they wanted a guarantee of at least $20 charge per person. Then they had some issues with the tip (which sounded ridiculous). I thanked them and drove over to Las Palmas Restaurant. Here they have a variety of Mexican food, steaks, pork chops, etc.

The restaurant is on 900 N. Highway 77 in Robstown. If you're coming from Corpus Christi , exit on the “ Alice ” exit. At the end of the bridge the restaurant is right there on the right. If you're driving on Hwy 44 from the Alice area, turn right (right after the SNAPPY Service Station) to get to the restaurant.

A program will be presented to the group on “CHIA” the fabulous plant native to Mexico that will revolutionize our health practices.   Some chia will be brought to the meeting and be processed  and made available for sampling among the members. The source from where the product can be ordered will be provided as will other available and useful information.  A company trademarked chia as "Salba" for profit motives. Joe Martinez will be presenting the program. Look what the following article has to say about this miracle plant:

  ...contain a secret super food that leaves broccoli, blueberries,

flaxseed, soy and salmon in the dust!

AND

it's not chocolate!

Keep reading for great news about your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol balance, energy, skin, joints, digestion and so much more ...

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A special report from Allan Spreen, MD.

Did our Creator make a PERFECT FOOD?

Stunned researchers now say "YES." Gram for gram, this amazing discovery packs awesome amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids, plus:

• 6 times more calcium than whole milk...
• 15 times more magnesium than broccoli...
• 3 times more antioxidant power than fresh blueberries...
• More fiber than flaxseed...
• More protein than soy...

Imagine a food so perfect that just a tiny bit every morning could transform your entire day. You simply stir a bit into your cereal or yogurt, and presto...

• Suddenly, you're surging with energy all day long, and sleeping better at night...
• You've never been more regular , as occasional constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and cramps simply disappear...
• Weight-control becomes more manageable, as hunger pangs and cravings vanish, and you feel amazingly satisfied...

Then, as the weeks go by, imagine...

IT EVEN MAKES BROWNIES
TASTE MORE DELICIOUS!!

No, it's not chocolate! This "perfect food" blows chocolate (and every other contender) out of the water. Yet ironically, it's been sitting right under our noses for over 500 years -- and totally ignored until just recently.

It's a grain you've never heard of, yet the ancient Aztecs prized it more highly than gold. They fed it to their athletes, used it as medicine, even offered it to their gods...

Ancient Aztecs believed it gave them supernatural
ENERGY & POWER...

And maybe it did, in a manner of speaking Spanish conquistadores named it Salvia Hispanica L , promptly forgot about it -- and that was that for the next five centuries. Well, so far it's just a colorful Aztec legend, right? But everything suddenly changed just recently, when scientists finally took an interest in it...

And when modern researchers ran tests,
THEY NEARLY FELL OVER...

They noticed that Salvia Hispanica L. came in two colors -- black and white. The black ones proved unremarkable. But the white ones tested off the charts! So they bred a strain of purely white grains, tested them again, and the results clearly showed they had found a nutritional goldmine . Scientists named this super-grain Salba® . And just for starters, it turns out to be...

the "bread of heaven"
FOR YOUR HEART!

Gram for gram, Salba has 8 times more Omega 3 fatty acids than fresh Atlantic salmon...

Let me be clear that I'm not knocking salmon. I love it! Salmon contains different kinds of Omega 3, including high amounts of DHA and EPA -- while Salba's Omega 3 content is mainly in the form of alpha linolenic acid. I believe it's best to have both forms of Omega 3...

But you can't bake salmon into
BANANA BREAD...

And whoever heard of salmon cookies! The beauty of Salba is that you can sneak it into any meal, from your breakfast oatmeal, to lunchtime macaroni and cheese, to all kinds of delicious dinners and desserts.
Better still, Salba is richer in this special form of Omega 3 fatty acids than any other whole food I've ever evaluated. That's heavenly news for your heart! After all, even the American Heart Association agrees that Omega 3 fatty acids can help...

• Promote healthy heart functions...
• Maintain healthy cholesterol levels...
• Keep your blood pressure right where it's supposed to be...
• Support a healthy cardiovascular system...

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Sounds like a great program! Hope to see you all there.

J. T. Garcia

 

 

 

Prickly Pear Cactus