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Introducing Gardyn 3.0: My Newest Addition to Hydroponic Gardening

During Covid lockdown, I introduced you to my first indoor hydroponic system, the Lettuce Grow. It has been a couple of years, and I couldn’t resist the Black Friday special for this latest addition to my gardening room, the Gardyn 3.0!

Growing your own veggies and greens is a great way to get the most nutrient-dense versions for two reasons. First, you are in control of adding the nutrients! Second, you can harvest and eat the very same minute without leaving time for vitamins and minerals to be lost. Also, with indoor hydroponic systems in particular, you can grow everything without the risk of harmful chemicals or pesticides. I love my Lettuce Grow system, but when I saw the Gardyn 3.0, I was drooling! It takes up even less space than the LG, and just seems more sleek and elegant, like a piece of decor. You can grow 30 plants at a time with the Gardyn 3.0– it is capped out at this and you cannot get a smaller version like you can with the LG, but honestly, it is good to have more slots because you can choose to place a cap on top and utilize a germination rotation so you will always have fresh lettuce and veggies to use, which I prefer. While the LG can be used with or without grow lights so you can place it outdoors, the Gardyn 3.0 is designed for indoor hydroponic gardening only. In my current cold climate, I appreciate this, but even in the summer, I find it hard to garden outdoors with the heat and the bug management. For people with limited physical abilities, this system is so much better! The biggest physical difference I saw right off the bat is the placement of the water tank opening- it sits right on top an you can use a kitchen pitcher to fill it, compared to the LG which I had to lug a hose from outside through my door to fill.

Setting up my Gardyn 3.0 was quick and easy- I actually did it all by myself in under 1 hour. The parts are very lightweight so it was not strenuous at all. I had to attach the 3 growing tubes to the base, add on the lights, connect the system to a power outlet, add water to the reservoir, and then inserted the Gardyn Pods plants that came with my order (I chose not to add all at once, as I like have a rotation of veggies ready to harvest. The pod contains seeds already, so you literally just pop them in. The nice thing about them compared to my LG is that they contain the roots better, so the monthly cleanings will be a lot easier on me.

Once it was all setup, I opened the Gardyn app on my phone and it pretty much told me what to do next. This app has both a free and a paid version, and makes it easy to monitor your plants and adjust the settings to ensure that each plant is getting the proper amount of light and nutrients. The app seems to know what needs to be done for the lights and watering, and I didn’t have to do a thing, at least while I am in the germination phase. Plant food is also included with your purchase, but that does not get added until seeds have sprouted. Apparently I will be receiving alerts when it is time to refill the water or add nutrients, so I can be sure that my plants are always thriving and guesswork is avoided. There are two built-in cameras on the grow lights, which take time-lapsed photos of your plants and also use AI to identify any issues your growing plants are having. How cool is that technology?? I can’t wait to see my veggies sprout and give you guys updates on my progress with this more high-tech hydroponic garden.

If you want to incorporate more fresh greens and veggies into your life with minimal work, I can’t recommend this grow system enough! Invest in Gardyn 3.0 today to enjoy the benefits of fresh, homegrown produce all year round. Click HERE to get 20% off your own Gardyn 3.0.

Nasar Nutrition blog is reader-supported. I only write about things I personally own and try myself. If you buy through my links above, I may earn some affiliate money, which I promise to use to buy more things that will continue to support the journey of those living with chronic pain conditions. You do not pay a higher price- in fact, I do my best to secure a discount for my readers!

Produce for Better Pain Management

How to get more organic fruits and veggies for your money so you can reduce symptoms of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Disease, and POTS.

Misfits Market

DISCLAIMER! I have not been sponsored, paid, or endorsed by Misfits Market. I simply think they can be a useful tool in your nutritional journey and hope that this can help you!

As many of my clients are already aware, there is a huge difference between organic and conventional produce/products. For those who may not know, the difference between organic and conventional products is due to the way a fruit or vegetable is farmed, or how an animal was raised before consumption. Conventional produce can be created with the use of synthetic fertilizers, synesthetic pesticides, genetic engineering (GMO), antibiotics, and growth hormones, all with the intention of producing a more visually appealing product. Organic produce must be certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and meet their strict standards of the organic certification program.  While smaller local farmers may be exempt from going through the certification process due to their small scale of business, they can still market their products as organic but may not use the official USDA seal, so when in doubt look for the USDA certified organic seal when shopping for organic products in store.

While conventional food may appear larger or more perfect in appearance, it is important to remember that that bigger is not always better. It is tempting to purchase prettier produce since there is a lower cost for these goods compared to the often marginally higher prices of organic products. Some people mast cell disease may react to additives or chemicals in foods, so knowing what is used to produce foods is more important than how symmetrical and pretty a food looks. We already spend so much money on food that it can be difficult to make the decision between organic and conventional products without breaking the bank, there is a great solution, so read on!

Thanks to a company called Misfits Market, you can now order organic products directly to your doorstep! Misfits Market has developed a system in which they rescue foods that are perfectly edible and organic but were declined by stores due to cosmetic reasons such as being too large, too small, or simply having an odd shape, having superficial differences. The company is offering a solution to “the ugly problem” our country is facing. Since grocery stores refuse to buy products that are “misfits”, nearly half of the USA’s farmed food is thrown out. Misfits Market rescues perfectly edible and high-quality organic produce which are sustainably and responsibly sourced directly from farmers and delivers it directly to your door. They have other products as well- not only fruits and veggies! The produce delivered from Misfits Market tends to be fresher than those from a grocery store since they eliminate the middleman, which means you get more vitamins in your veggies, since each day after harvest items lose their micronutrients!

By working directly with farmers, Misfit Markets is able to sell their organic products at a much more reasonable price. Customers typically pay up to 40% less (even sometimes more) compared to buying the same goods at traditional grocery store prices! Since the company goals are truly to fix our broken food system, help end food-insecurity and create a  more sustainable future, they offer membership for free with no fees or required commitments to purchase. Misfits Market‘s delivery boxes are fully customizable and can even be delivered on a weekly basis, allowing you to shop when you need and to not overspend on curated boxes with unwanted items like other delivery services. This is especially helpful for those with food allergies or intolerances. Misfits Market saves you not only a trip to the grocery store, but money in your wallet all while providing you with nutritious, sustainably and responsibly sourced organic products for an affordable price! Help your wallet, the environment, and your health by giving Misfits Market a try today and use code COOKWME-LY4 for $10 off your first order!

5 Reasons Coffee gets the go-ahead

Coffee is one of those foods that the media seems to flip flop on – can you boost your health with coffee? Is coffee a natural superfood? It is hard to know what is true and what isn’t when it comes to social media, so let’s clear up some confusion and shed light on the science-based benefits of quality coffee. 

Can I just say that I love coffee? I actually have learned to drink it black! Following the MMKD protocol has helped me to develop a taste for pure foods. A single cup in the morning is all I need- it isn’t about the caffeine, but the slow sipping that offers up a calmness with which to start my day and set my intentions. It is like a cup of meditation.

Many of you will be glad to hear that there is science to support the benefits of drinking coffee. However, when it comes down to it, quality really does matter. 

Choose a clean & healthy coffee

A heaping spoonful of low quality instant coffee, or the coffee you might buy at most gas stations, will likely use the cheapest, lowest quality coffee beans (usually selected based on price alone). These beans may contain a higher ratio of bean defects (such as insect damage, over-fermentation, and oxidization) and higher levels of mold. Plus, the coffee might be stale. Many of the benefits of the coffee compounds will still be present, contaminants that can cause adverse health effects may also be hiding in there too.

It is best to find a coffee that’s tested to be free of contaminants, like Purity Coffee. 

Purity Coffee is the only coffee that is produced with health benefits in mind. Every step of the way, from organically grown plants to fresh, nitrogen-flushed bags, they make sure the coffee is pure and clean. Not only is Purity Coffee free of contaminants, but it is roasted to have the highest concentration of antioxidants and the lowest risk of carcinogenic compounds. You can be confident that your health is in good hands when you brew Purity Coffee at any temperature.

Here are five ways coffee can boost your health:

  1. It contains antioxidants

The key ingredient is a group of antioxidants known as chlorogenic acids, or CGAs. These components protect you from damaging free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms which can damage cells, contribute to diseases and cause aging. CGAs (antioxidants) eliminate these oxidizing molecules in the body. That’s why they’re called “antioxidants.â€Â 

Coffee

Coffee is actually the richest source of antioxidants in the western diet (and PURITY is the richest source of antioxidants out of all coffees), more than even ‘superfoods’ like blueberries and kale.

2. It can increase athletic performance

Athletes who took in caffeine pre-exercise burned 15% more calories for three hours post-exercise than those who didn’t.

A little caffeine post-workout may have benefits too. Compared to consuming carbohydrates alone, a caffeine/carb combo was shown to increase muscle glycogen by 66% after intense exercise, allowing athletes to exercise harder and longer next time.

3. It can help lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes

This 2014 study showed that participants who increased their coffee consumption by more than 1 cup per day over a 4 year period had an 11% lower risk of type 2 diabetes in the subsequent 4 years compared with those who made no changes in their coffee consumption. Participants who decreased their coffee intake by more than 1 cup per day had a 17% higher risk for type 2 diabetes. 

4. It can reduce the risk of liver disease

This meta-analysis suggests a 40% reduced risk of liver cancer in coffee drinkers. Research also suggests that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of other liver conditions as well.

5. It can keep your heart healthy

This recent study suggests a lower risk of atrial fibrillation among men who consume 1-3 cups of coffee per day. Atrial fibrillation is when the heart beats irregularly. Symptoms typically include heart palpitations, light-headedness, and chest pain.

6. It can decrease risk of developing Cancer

Coffee is valued for its high antioxidant value and phytochemicals, so it is no surprise that coffee has been linked to lower risk for certain types of cancers. It may also promote longevity. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, “coffee drinkers may live longer than non-coffee drinkers, having lower risk of dying from many cancers – as well as other chronic diseases.”  You can read more about the research on the AICR website here.

Drink it hot or pour yourself a nice glass of cold brew…

Because coffee acids are better extracted at high temperatures, cold brew can be up to 60% less acidic than hot brewed coffee. Many people love the smoother, sweeter flavor of cold brew. Since fewer acids are extracted than from a typical heated brewing process, it doesn’t have the same bitter bite to it that can be off-putting for some.

Did you know- you can even cook with coffee!

Coffee isn’t just for drinking! Use the grounds in anything from baked goods, smoothies, energy bites, or mixed into marinades for steak or fish.

Enjoy the recipe below for a yummy coffee flavored nut butter.

Vegan Coffee Bean Cashew Butter

  • 2 cup cashews, raw, soaked
  • 1 Tbsp Purity coffee beans, ground
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • salt, to taste
  • 1 Tbsp Lakanto Monkfruit Syrup

Prep

  1. Place cashews in bowl and cover with hot water. Let stand for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  2. Add all ingredients in food processor and process until smooth and creamy.
  3. Enjoy with sliced apple or on spread on almond crackers!

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