Every year I tried to add to my "veggie" garden bitter melon. Since we had a very unusual weather, only three (3) out of twelve (12) seeds survived and my neighbor friend, seven out of twelve.Although my plants bear only few fruits we had a super-abundance of "ampalaya" leaves to get us by, more than enough for us and much to share with friends. This made me happy and appreciate God's "green-leafy" blessings.
Because my neighbor friend planted the seeds early in the season her plants had more fruits, appearing & looking healthier compared to my plants. I felt very happy for her ... every time I do my daily brisk walks, I pass by her place to admire her fast growing plants.
There were times I also invited other friends to see J's bitter melon (bitter gourd or ampalaya) plants without her knowing it. They too shared my admiration for the green leafy vine with lots of flowers & fruits. But there was one "special" fruit that I really liked so much, a healthy looking green bitter melon that was getting bigger & bigger every day.
At one time, a friend asked me if J shared some of her bitter melons, and I told her jokingly, "... unfortunately, not yet." Well, she said that she can pick the "special" fruit while J was out on a weekend. I told her not to do such a thing. For weeks, it became a topic of our conversations. Then she said, she herself would definitely pick it if I won't do it, soon. She sounded really serious. Again, I told her not to do so and added, "... pray she'll share!"
The following day, J came knocking at our patio door and I saw a bitter melon in her hand. With a sweet smile she handed it to me. Curiously, I visited her garden the following day when she was gone. True to my suspicion, I was amazed that the bitter melon that I was admiring most was the one she gave me. That's really, really special! I immediately called my friend and told her, J shared the bitter melon and amazingly, it was the fruit that we were both admiring for a long time. I said, "... see, good things happen to those who patiently wait! "
Cooked the bitter melon mixed with eggplant, onions, garlic, tomato, herbs and bitter melon leaves from our garden (vegetable pinakbet). Also added tofu. Shared the food with our American friends.
Bitter melon loves rich, well drained soil in full sun minimum temperature of 60 Fahrenheit. The fruits resemble a cucumber with bumps. It is a medicinal herb food plant common in Asia, India, Africa and the Caribbean. The fruit and leaves are good for sour and bitter flavor. When growing up, didn't really like the taste but because of its medicinal value I started to love it. It is used to reduce fever, diuretic and to remove toxins from the system (kidney & liver cleanse).
Ben didn't like eating bitter melon when he was growing up, either. But for the last eleven years I've added bitter melon with blanched leaves (natural healing remedies) in his food to boost his immune system. Since he is not taking any medicines or supplements, I have found out it helps keep his hemoglobin normal. It also helps regulate my blood sugar since there are many in my family that are diabetics.
The summer turned out to be a great one. J shared lot's of bitter melon, once a week, until the warm weather ended and the cool nights started. In return, I gave her tomatoes, eggplants, squash, peppers, sweet yam (camote tops), herbs, and brussels sprout. From the abundance of our garden, the more we shared to others, the more we received. What a great and "sweet" blessing!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Need fiber with your thanksgiving meal?
flax seeds (fresh)
sunflower seeds (raw)
dry coconut flakes
Grind equal servings with coffee grinder, sprinkle over salad, rice or baked potato. For healthier and better effect, use it immediately.
1 Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous, love does not...."
