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Grow your own veggies vegetable patch organic gardening Paleo Network

Why I’m growing my own veggies

Just a few weeks ago I converted the old sand pit that the previous occupants of my house had left behind, to a vegetable patch. Well, when I say converted, I mean mixed some topsoil into the sand. I also re-purposed an old archway they’d left behind into a climbing frame for some green beans.

I put in loads of different seeds to see what would work, and basically forgot about them – until yesterday I saw 28 fully grown beans climbing up the arch! The basil is also working well, but it looks like the spinach I planted has been a bit too much of a hit with the slugs.

Grow your own veggies vegetable patch organic gardening Paleo Network

I’d love to become completely self-sufficient, even if just for vegetables – hopefully with a bit more experimentation I’ll be able to plant more of what works and abandon planting seeds that have no chance in my garden.

Vegetables are surprisingly expensive to buy – and there’s no choice. There are perhaps three varieties of tomatoes, one type of zucchini, two spinach varieties – whereas in the real world there are hundreds of varieties. Take the beans as an example, they’re currently about $5 a kilo at my local supermarket (non-organic). I bought the entire packet of seeds for $1.50 and it looks like I’m going to get quite a big crop.

I also love the idea of being able to pick my dinner off the vine/ plant immediately before cooking it. You really can’t get any fresher than that! Of course, I can also guarantee that my veg hasn’t been sprayed with nasty chemicals, so that’s another huge win. And what can be more satisfying than eating the rewards of your labour!

I’m hoping that since temperatures never really get down to a frost here, I’ll be able to grow something all year round. But failing that hopefully with the aid of my dehydrator, some pickling recipes and my freezer, I should be able to wean off buying my veggies from the supermarket.

Whilst I have got a garden, I’m hardly using any space for my veg – if you’ve just got a balcony, or can squeeze in a window box, you’d be amazed what you can grow – give it a try!

I’d love to hear if you grow your own veggies, and what you’ve had most success with! Any tips would be gratefully received!

Ginger Sesame Chicken Wings paleo recipe dinner primal-min

Recipe: Ginger Sesame Chicken Wings

Another wonderful way with chicken wings, this recipe is fiery and crispy, and great as a snack or as a main meal with some fresh vegetables. The key here is the ginger, and the amount of it! Requires overnight marinating.

Ginger Sesame Chicken Wings Ingredients:

  • 500g free range chicken wings
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 5 cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 50g fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 2 anchovies (optional)

Ginger Sesame Chicken Wings How To:

In a food processor, mix together the garlic, ginger, coconut aminos and anchovies (if using) to form a paste. Mix well with the sesame oil and sesame seeds in a bowl, then pour oven the chicken wings and leave to marinate overnight.

Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas mark 4. Lay the wings on a foil covered baking tray and cook for 40 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

Ginger Sesame Chicken Wings paleo recipe dinner primal-min

Paleo Protein Smoothie juice juicing primal diet recipe-min

Recipe: Paleo Protein Smoothie

Although blenders weren’t around 2000 years ago, I'm pretty sure that if they were, this is what our ancestors would have done with them. Smoothies like this are a great post workout recovery. Make one up in advance and it's an instant grab and go option.

Protein Smoothie Ingredients:

200ml apple juice
1 tbsp linseed
2 tbsp hemp seed
1 tbsp almond butter
1 banana
2 egg whites (optional)

Protein Smoothie How To:

1) Separate the egg whites from the egg yolk. Transfer all the contents to your blender, whizz together until smooth. Taste. Add a little honey if needed.

Paleo Protein Smoothie juice juicing primal diet recipe-min