Desert Messenger

March 20, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 25 Nancy's Kitchen The wonders of Chlorella HEARTY BLACK BEAN SALSA SALAD 1/4 cup bottled Italian salad dressing 1 tsp chili powder 1 can (15 oz) black beans 1 can (15 oz,) kernel corn 1 can (15 oz,) chopped stewed tomatoes 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or ci- lantro (coriander leaves) Put the salad dressing and the chili powder in a large bowl and mix them together with a fork. Open the cans and place the black beans and corn in a colander or strainer. Rinse them with water and drain them well. Add the beans and corn to the bowl with the salad dressing. Drain the tomatoes and add them to the bowl. Add the chopped parsley or cilantro and toss with a fork until everything is well mixed. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Can serve on lettuce leaves or chopped lettuce. Also sprinkle shredded cheese on top, for appear- ance. Serves from 4 to 6 Explore Palm Canyon in Kofa Wilderness So much to see around Quartzsite! Tucked away in the narrow, rugged canyons of the Kofa Mountains is the California fan palm, the only native species of palm tree in Arizona. The small, scattered clusters of palms in Palm Canyon are a major visitor attraction on Kofa National Wildlife Ref- uge. Hundreds of visitors each year hike the Palm Canyon Trail, a National Recreation Trail, to see the palms which seem unnatural in the desert land- scape. The California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera) found in Palm Can- yon are probably descendants of palms growing in this region during the last periods of North American glaciation. Some botanists theorize that the trees, which are not date-bearing, gradually spread into these canyons and other protected niches as the climate warmed to desert conditions. Other researchers have suggested that the trees may have spread from other palm groves by birds or coyotes carrying seeds in their digestive tracts. Since palm trees do not grow annual rings like other trees, it is very difficult to say how old the trees might be. California fan palms typically live for 80 to 90 years. The survival of these trees is directly dependent on the microclimate in this protected canyon. The palm trees are only able to live in the narrow side canyons where direct sunshine is limited and moisture is available. Finding Palm Canyon is relatively easy. Take Highway 95 south to mile- post 85. Approximately 18 miles south of Quartzsite, watch for the brown Palm Canyon sign which indicates the junction with a dirt road. Follow the dirt road east for seven miles to a parking area. The road is passable in a passenger car, but the ride may be rough. The narrow canyon above the parking lot is Palm Canyon. A half-mile foot trail starts at the upper end of the parking area and leads into the canyon. The trail is easy to follow, but is rough most of the way due to large rocks and some steeper sections. Allow an hour to make the round-trip. As you follow the trail across washes and up hills, you will pass several species of plants common to the Sonoran Desert. The palo verde (Cercid- ium spp.), a small tree with bright green branches and stems, rarely has leaves as it sheds them in times of drought. Its branches and twigs have enough chlorophyll to produce all the energy the tree requires. Ironwood (Olneya tesota), a grey-green tree with small leaves, is also present in the canyon. Its leafy stems are covered with thorns, as are the branches and stems of many other desert plants. Near the end of the trail, you will notice numerous small bushes with holly-like leaves. This plant is Kofa Mountain barberry (Berberis harrisoniana). It is found only in the southwest corner of Arizona in the Kofa, Ajo and Sand Tank Mountains. It is not very com- mon, even on the refuge. The Palm Canyon trail ends at a small sign on a slightly elevated area near the middle of the canyon. By looking up at the narrow north-trending side canyon, you can see the palms. For a short time at mid-day, the trees are well-lit for taking photographs. The rest of the time, the trees are in shade. In 2001, forty-one trees were counted in the main grove. There are a few additional palms scattered throughout Palm Canyon and in Fishtail Canyon, the next canyon to the southeast. If you stop your car to look at plants and wildlife or take pictures, keep your vehicle within 100 feet of the roadway to avoid damaging the fragile desert environment. Try not to stop near curves where other motorists may have difficulty seeing you and please be alert to oncoming traffic as you return to the highway. Camping is permitted on the refuge and overnight parking is permissible in the Palm Canyon parking area. Please contact the headquarters for additional information or to report accidents, unusual incidents or unique and interesting observations. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Kofa National Wildlife Refuge 9300 East 28th Street Yuma, AZ 85365 928/783-7861 Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. by Herbmama There are three algae & two cereal grasses that are commonly avail- able in the marketplace. The algae are chlorella, spirulina & green blue algae (aphanizomenon flas-aquae). The grasses are wheat grass & bar- ley grass. While all five products are excel- lent sources of nutrients, chlorella has properties that make it the most valuable of all the green food supplements. Chlorella has 5 to 10 times the chlorophyll content of spirulina, wheat grass and barley grass. It is also higher in chlorophyll than blue green algae. As a matter of fact, chlorella contains the highest chlo- rophyll content of any known plant. Besides the abundance of chloro- phyll, chlorella's tough cell wall of- fers advantages not found in other algae or grasses. Chlorella's cell wall has been shown to eliminate toxins, pesticides and heavy metals from the body. Plus the cell wall has the ability to induce interferon produc- tion in the body which is important to immune function. Chlorella and the other algae are abundant in beta-carotene, which is known to prevent cancer. The pro- tein content of the algae is significantly higher than in the cereal grasses. Chlorella is about 60%, spirulina 73%, blue green algae 56%, barley grass 14% and wheat grass 18%. Chlorella's nucleus is the factor that truly sets it apart from the other green food supplements though. Then nucleus contains Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF). Scientific experiments have indicated that the CGF has great rejuvenat- ing effects. It is extremely rich in the nucleic acids, RNA and DNA. Labo- ratory mice fed chlorella have obtained life span increases of over 30%. Many researchers feel the CGF is responsible for this increase. Chlorella is the most researched algae in the world. Spirulina has had less research, but also shows great promise with its unique nutritional ben- efits. There has not been a large amount of research on blue green algae but many people report positive health benefits. Chlorella is the world's most popular algae with millions of satisfied us- ers. It is the most common supplement taken in Japan. It is frequently added to tea, soup, milk, juice, noodles, yogurt, & other foods. This is not intended to treat, cure or heal any type of illness or disease. For more information contact Herbmama at 580.490.1770. Be sure to 'like' us on FB and visit our websitewww.herbs-4-health.com

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