CELERY

By Gary Teng NF 25 7 pm Wed Mt.Sac College Professor Betty Crocker

So, What is Celery?

A biennial European plant (Apium graveolens var. dulce), in the parsley family, having edible roots, leafstalks, leaves, and fruits Celery is from the same plant family as carrots, parsley, fennel and caraway

Celery Growers Association

The Michigan Celery promotion Cooperative, Inc. is a grower owned marketing and processing cooperative operating in Michigan. Founded in June of 1951 to improve the celery pack quality, to help price stability and to promote members share of the Michigan celery industry 55% of the total celery acreage of Michigan including celery for fresh market processing and juice

Growers Association contd

Michigan was the birthplace of the nations celery industry Dutch farmers in the Kalamazoo area began growing and marketing celery in the 1850s as a curiosity and a food delicacy. There is a historical marker in Kalamazoo recognizing the pioneer farmers who established the celery industry Recently there is a museum in that area with pictures and equipment used over the year for growing, harvesting and shipping the celery

Growing Celery
Celery is a cool-season biennial crop. It has a very long growing season but a very low tolerance for both heat and cold. Celery prefers rich, well-drained soil with lots of water, it can not tolerate drought of any kind. It needs lots of nutrients to grow well. Celery seeds are very small and difficult to germinate. Transplanted celery is planted in double rows on 36-to 40-inch beds, with spaced 9 inches apart and plant rows 14 inches apart.

Growing Celery (contd)

Celery is a shallow-rooted crop that requires frequent irrigations. If the ground is not kept consistently moist, it will negatively affect the taste of the celery. For celery, weed control is most critical until transplants are established and begin to form a plant canopy that can shade out weeds Ready to harvest after 85 to 120 days from planting. Begin blanching two or three weeks prior to harvesting.

Growing Celery (contid)

Harvest a bit early by pulling off the outer stalks when they are about 12 inches long. New stalks will grow to a complete celery plant for later harvesting. Pick the celery by pulling them out of the ground. Cut off the root off the stalk and then store in the cold storage for crisp.

Celery is a Nutritional Powerhouse!

Nutrients in Celery 1.00 cup (101.00 grams) Nutrient vitamin K folate vitamin A potassium %Daily Value 36.9% 9% 9% 7.5%

molybdenum
fiber vitamin C manganese calcium vitamin B6 tryptophan magnesium vitamin B12 Calories (16)

6.7%
5.6% 5.2% 5% 4% 23.5% 3.1% 2.7% 52.5% 0%

Celery is an important food source of conventional antioxidant nutrients, including vitamin C, betacarotene, and manganese, the
specific types of antioxidants associated with many of the anticancer health benefits.

 Fresh celery is an excellent source of vitamin-K, provides about 25% of DRI. Vitamin-K helps increase bone mass by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bones. It also has established role in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in the brain. Vitamin K is necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions, including normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity, & bone health.

Did You Know

Celery plant contains just 16 calories per 100 g leaves has all the characters to consider it as one of the most valuable low calorie or negative calories weight loss functional foods. Essential oil obtained from extraction of celery plant has been used in soothing remedies for nervousness, osteoarthritis, and gouty-arthritis conditions. In addition, its seeds, and root have a diuretic, remove excessive water from body.

Celery Salad Recipe Ingredients 12 celery ribs, thinly sliced crosswise 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 head red leaf lettuce, torn 4 ounces pecorino cheese kosher salt fresh pepper

Directions: 1. Fill a medium bowl with cold water and about 2 cups of small ice cubes. Add sliced celery and let it soak in the ice water bath for at least 10 minutes or for up to 30 minutes, until very crisp. 2. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, whisk the olive oil with the lemon juice. Stir in the finely chopped shallot. Season with salt and pepper. 3. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with 3 T of the dressing. Transfer lettuce to plates or a platter. 4. Drain the sliced celery and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Add the celery to the large bowl and toss with the remaining dressing. Season the dressed celery with salt and pepper. 5. Using a slotted spoon, scatter the sliced celery over the lettuce. 6. Using a very sharp vegetable peeler, shave long strips of the pecorino cheese over the salad. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve.

My wellness is my wealth

I commit myself to be fit from now on

My Wellness Strategies: Eat more complex CHO 80-120 % , eat more fiber avoid simple sugar, fructose Eat more n3, n6 rich food such as fish, seafood and lean meat. DRINK. MORE. WATER! Avoid juices (& all sugary beverages in general). Include more fresh fruits and veggies in all meals. Avoid supplements as much as possible some of them are toxic to our organs Aerobic exercise for muscle, bones growth and prevents diabetes and heart disease

References
http://www.health-care-clinic.org/vegetables/celery.html

http://www.almanac.com/plant/celery http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-882CELERY.aspx?activeIngredientId=882&activeIngredientName=CELERY http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/vegetable/celery/

http://michigancelery.com/