Florida's Home Owner Insurance is Broken: People's Trust Insurance and Rapid Response Team

Friday, September 24, 2021

Around 7:00 pm, we heard the rain falling hard, lightning strikes, and the loud roar of thunder. This is common in South Florida, so I thought nothing of it. The lights flickered on and off, and there was a smell of something burning, but even the smell was common from the everglades. I checked the house - there was no smoke or fire. I went outside to see if everything was alright. I checked on everyone in the house.  Everything looked fine. I went to sleep.

At 8:00 pm, my son, Jake, called 911. Jake is a quadriplegic. He can use his voice to make phone calls. The 911 operator then called me and told me my son was on the other line. "There is a fire; get everyone out." The fire department burst through our doors, and I showed them where Jake was. I saw the grey smoke and fire coming from the roof. I retrieved the dogs and placed them in a safe place.

There were 4 fire trucks and police officers working on our home for 5 hours. We stood out in the rain, lightning & thunder. My sister and Jake's aide came to help. A neighbor opened his garage to provide us with shelter. I walked around in shock. I asked the Fire Chief what caused the fire, and he said, "Lightning, didn't you hear the crash." 

The last fire trucks left at 2:00am. The Coral Springs Police stayed with us until the Red Cross arrived around 3:00am.

We were allowed to go inside with an officer to retrieve medication, medical supplies, clothes, and important papers. There was very little left. I did place important papers in a fireproof file. I'm glad I did.

As I sat in the doorway of Jake's handicapped van waiting for the Red Cross - I made my first contact with my homeowner's insurance. She had a soothing and comforting voice. She tried to reassure me everything would be alright. She explained the offices are open Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. It was Saturday at 2am. I couldn't wait for Monday. I had to do something now. 

Sadly, our dachshund Snoopy passed away from the smoke the next day.

The Red Cross gave us emergency supplies and money for a room to stay in for 2 days. It is 14 days later, and we still need help finding temporary housing. We have to leave the hotel by October 23rd (30-day limit).

October 8, 2021. The insurance company has yet to start any work. They want to ensure it was lightning, even though the Coral Springs Fire Chief and their insurance Fire Inspector confirmed 91 lightning strikes in our neighborhood and 5 strikes almost directly over our home.

The worse part of the fire was above my bedroom area; that’s where the lightning struck. Everything in the back part of our home has been destroyed. The remainder of the house suffered electrical and smoke damage. The city can’t turn the power on until an electrician inspects the property. No one has set an inspection date.

We are running out of time. Our 30 days are up on October 23^rd.

October 22, 2021

We finally found a bottom-floor apartment that is not wheelchair accessible. We will make it work. I go back to our home almost daily. I sit in the garden with Holly (our beagle). Our garden survived. I get a lot of work done here.

January 2021 (4 months after the fire)

For over 30 years, I paid our homeowner's insurance. Never thought I would ever need it.

I assumed we would be back in our home by now, but they still need to submit the following permits: Plumbing, Building, Mechanical, and Notice of Commencement which I signed all of them in January, 

The project manager admitted they still needed to submit the architectural plans due to a lack of payment (I need clarification on that). I started to check weekly on the Coral Springs website, but no luck yet.

February 11, 2022, the electricity was restored to the front of the house, den, and kitchen. Many outlets were covered because they needed to be up to code.

February 22, 2022. They started to replace the roof.

Summary: October 2021 - March 2022

By the end of October 2021, the insurance company had only cleaned out the debris left by the lightning and fire.

Where there should be walls and ceilings, there was a tarp-like material providing cover. There were no closets, office, bedroom, or bathroom. Empty Space. Memories I could only remember through my imagination.

March 3, 2022

I checked the permits today, and the Plumbing, Building, Mechanical, and Notice of Commencement have NOT BEEN SUBMITTED. The roof is waiting for an inspection to put the tiles on.
March 4, 2022 (5.5 months since the fire)

I go back to our home almost every day.  There needs to be more progress on the reconstruction. However, my garden surprised me with strawberries, pineapple, and the start of mango flowers.

June 1, 2022 (8.5 months since the fire).
Jake and all of us are getting restless. We thought the house would be done by now. Susie, PTI adjuster. Robert, the project manager, Jake, my son, and I were on a conference call. Susie asked Robert if the house was condemned. Robert said, "No." Susie said we could move back in now. She allowed us to keep the apartment until July 23, 2022. I was concerned about safety.

June 21, 2022

I continued to go back and forth from the house to the apartment. I am Jake's caregiver at night, so I must return to the house.  I have been sleeping on a couch & storing some clothes in a filing cabinet. Jake lives in a room with one outlet and numerous medical equipment attached. The Project Manager stated he would have an electrician come by in a few days – that was 2 weeks ago. No one has come by. RR and PTI were notified on May 31, 2022, of the possible fire hazards presented by the electricity. We also notified PTI that Jake's Hoyer Lift had blown an engine; the replacement cost was $1800.00. PTI said it was not their responsibility.

July 2022

As instructed by PTI, we all moved out of the apartment and back into the house, even though I had no room, office, closet, or bathroom. No walls and No ceiling. I stayed on the couch until mid-October. 

These photos were taken on July 25, 2022.

This is where I lived and worked during the construction.

October 8, 2022 (13.5 months since the fire).

On October 8, 2022, Rapid Response walked off the job without securing the house's safety. A concrete pit for a bathtub was left with nails, broken tiles, raw concrete, and cement scattered everywhere. The dogs would bring them to us or chew on them. There was a bathtub in my office. My son's handicapped ramp was thrown out in the back of the house.

I finally moved back into my room in mid-October, even though the bathroom, office, and closets still needed to be completed. 

The disagreement was about the walk-in closet and the length of time this job was taking.  Matt (Robert's supervisor) said these closets "were more expensive and custom-made, and these are exactly what you asked for.” He was very angry and walked out. He scared me. That was October 8, 2022. They did not look custom-made for me. I am only 5'2". I could not reach the bottom shelf.

I realized after a few weeks, Rapid Response

was not going to show up.

When Rapid Response walked off, they jeopardized my son’s and my life. They did not make sure the house was safe and secure. This was a concern I brought up in June 2022 about electricity. There were nails, broken tiles, cracked cement, and a missing handicapped ramp.

October  25, 2022

I fell into the concrete pit left by the contractors. 911 was called, and they had to remove me from the filthy pit. I have never seen so much blood. It turned my grey hair red. I am being treated by a Neurologist for a concussion and unstable gait. The arm surgeon is seeing me for a fractured left wrist. I received a tetanus shot as a precaution.

November 10, 2022

I called People's Trust. To my surprise, they knew nothing about Rapid Response walking off the job.

I have a contract with People’s Trust that says I must use Rapid Response. If Rapid Response does not want to finish this job, who will?

My Home Owners Insurance was almost $10,000. Do they have any more contractors?

I have gotten along with most workers, except for the Project Manager. He appears likable and excited about his work. When we first met in September 2021, he was promising things that were not even on the sheet to fix and kept telling us our home should be ready by June 2022, and it would look brand new. He did not have to sell me; I have a contract with People’s Trust that says I must use Rapid Response. I was already sold.

I became frustrated with Rapid Response's lack of work which was overdue, and there was always an excuse, 

December 3, 2022 (15.5 months since the fire)

The house still needs to be finished. I have asked the Better Business Bureau for help. My attorney is ill, so I feel like I'm on my own (I won't do that again)

Rapid Response said I denied them access and did not like the items they purchased. They lied. They had access 24/7, and I chose all the items except the closet. People's Trust was offering me $8,000 to finish a job which I'm not sure what the actual cost would be. They sent it anyway and closed the case.

My attorney returned part-time after undergoing chemo and radiation. He returned the check and reopened the case.

March 16, 2023. (1.5 years since the fire).
I feel this tremendous loss. Here I am in my home, and I still have not unpacked. I have no books or shelves, no bathroom, no office, no clothes, no shoes, and no closets.

All of this has made me mentally ill. Four weeks ago, I was thinking of ending my life. I built this house for my son to live with others after I am gone. Now it is worthless if I can't finish it. 

March 27, 2023

We met at my house: my attorney, People's Trust (PT), and Rapid Response representatives.

As a dietitian, I know nothing about contractors. People's Trust will only allow Rapid Response to do the work. If Rapid Response does not want to do the work, PTI should provide another contractor.

I made a list and photographs of the work that needs to be done.

April 12, 2023

(1 year, 6.5 months since the fire)

After 2 weeks of silence since the meeting, I don’t think they care about fairness. I can not fight these big companies anymore. I’ve researched People’s Trust (PTI) and Rapid Response (RR). They have been doing this for years to consumers. RR walks off a job, and the consumer hires a contractor and tries to reclaim the money from PTI. The consumer loses because they can only use RR. They usually target consumers who hire attorneys or adjusters.

I wanted the meeting with the attornies to get a fair value for the amount of work left to do. $8,000 seemed low, and it turned out to be. I received quotes on just the bathroom at $10,000.00.

They are playing a very dangerous game with our health and well-being. RR can fix our home, but we will not leave. I will move my family to the other side of the house where there is no work to do and no reason for anyone to be in that part of our home. We can not leave again. 

I want my life back. They have nothing to lose by waiting. It has been over 1.5 years. They have already been paid for repairing my home. However, we have a lot to lose. I am getting sicker. I am unable to hold down food, and it is breaking my heart to have Jake see me crying every morning. I need to be able to unpack and start a new life. 

Please help end this nightmare.

National Walk to Work Day

National Walk to Work Day – get involved! Taking simple steps to improve your health could pay dividends years down the line. Getting involved in National Walk to Work Day could help put you on the right track to a healthier you.

Try Some of These Ways to Move More, 

American Heart Association

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can, for at least a floor or two. Once that gets easier, add another floor.
• Instead of using the breakroom or restroom nearest your workstation, use one farther away, maybe even on another floor – and take the stairs each time you go.
• Walk to a coworker’s desk or office to talk instead of using email, IM or the phone. The personal interaction is an added bonus!
• Join or start a recreational sports league at your workplace.
• Form a walking club or team to walk together at work.
• Schedule walking meetings for informal discussions and brainstorming. 
• Get off the bus or train a few blocks early and walk the rest of the way to work or home. If you drive to work, park as far away from the entrance as you can.
• Walk to a nearby restaurant for lunch instead of driving or ordering in.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

Sport has the power to change the world; it is a fundamental right, a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development and peace and well as solidarity, and respect. Through our unique individual skills and collective power, we can come together and share creative ways to improve our health and well-being through sport and physical activity - even from the confines of our own homes.

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6 April presents an opportunity to recognize the role that sport and physical activity plays in communities and in people’s lives across the world.

The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, or a combination of both. WHO also has some tips on how to achieve this with no equipment and with limited space. There is an abundance of free and accessible online and digital tools targeted at encouraging people of all ages and abilities to stay active and mobile while remaining at home.

General tips for staying active.

Sport as a universal language can be a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding by bringing people together across boundaries, cultures, and religions.

Sports Encourages:

1. Individual development

2. Health promotion and disease prevention

3. The promotion of gender equality

4. Social integration and the development of social capital

5. Peace-building and conflict prevention/resolution

6. Post-disaster/trauma relief and normalization of life

7. Economic development

8. Communication and social mobilization

National Find A Rainbow Day

"Eat Right with Colors"  explores the health benefits associated with eating foods of many colors. "Eating a rainbow" includes color diversity in your meals and food choices, so as to enhance your intake of a wide range of nutrients. 

Recipes

RAINBOW HUMMUS 6 WAYS

RAINBOW VEGGIE PLATTER IDEA
by #alphafoodie!
I love hummus and rainbows 

– a perfect appetizer to wow your guests

Rainbow Buddha Bowl

@createkidsclub
@produceforkids

Red and Pink Foods

Apples, Beets, Cayenne, Cherries, Cranberries, Guava, Kidney Beans, Papaya, Pink Beans, Pink/Red Grapefruit, Pomegranates, Radicchio, Radishes, Raspberries, Red Bell Peppers, Red Cabbages, Red Chili Peppers, Red Corn, Red Currants, Red Grapes, Red Onions, Red Pears, Red Peppers, Red Plums, Red Potatoes, Red Tomatoes, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelons

Green Foods

Alfalfa, Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocado, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccoli rabe, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Chives, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Edamame, Endive, Fennel, Green apples, Green Beans, Green Cabbage, Green Grapes, Green Olives, Green Onion, Green Pears, Green Peas, Green Pepper, Green Tomatoes, Honeydew, Kale, Kiwi, Leeks, Lettuce, Limes, Mint, Okra, Oregano, Parsley, Pistachios, Snow Peas, Spinach, Sugar snap peas, Swiss Chard, Tarragon, Tomatillo, Wasabi, Watercress, Zucchini

Blue and Purple Foods

Blue Grapes, Blue and Purple Potatoes, Blueberries, Dried Plums, Plums, Eggplant, Pomegranates, Elderberries, Juniper Berries, Kelp (Seaweed), Purple Belgian Endive, Purple Cabbage, Purple Figs

Yellow and Orange Foods

Apricots, Bananas, Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cheddar Cheese, Citrus Fruits, Clementines, Corn, Creamsicle, Garbanzo Beans, Golden Apples, Golden Flax Seed, Golden Raisins, Grapefruit, Honey, Lemon, Lemongrass, Mandarin Oranges, Mangoes, Nectarines, Orange Jello, Orange Peppers, Orange Tomatoes, Oranges, Papaya, Parsnips, Peaches, Pears, Persimmons, Pineapple, Pumpkin, Rutabagas, Saffron, Salmon, Spaghetti Squash, Squash Blossoms, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Whole Grains, Yams, Yellow Apples, Yellow Beans, Yellow Peppers, Yellow Summer Squash, Yellow Wax Beans

White and Black Foods

White: Cauliflower, Coconut, Garlic, Ginger, Green Onions, Scallions, Horseradish, Jicama, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Millet, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Quinoa, Shallots, Soy Products, Sunflower Seeds, Tofu, Turnips, White Beans, White Corn, White Sesame Seeds

Black: Black Beans, Black Cherries, Black Currants, Black Mushrooms, Black Olives, Black Quinoa, Black Raspberry, Black Rice, Black Sesame Seeds, Black Soybeans, Blackberries, Boysenberries, Prunes, Raisins, Seaweeds, Tamari (Soy Sauce)

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). My staff started the project in September 2010. Over the next five months, we would take over 600 photographs of colorful foods in order to create the March presentation for NNM. Many of the photographs are available for purchase, with the proceeds going to special needs young adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
http://www.dietitians-online.com/
http://www.weighing-success.com/
Wellness News (www.weighing-success.com/WellnessNews.html)
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, FAND
Jake Frank

Diabetes Alert Day Take the Diabetes Risk Test

Take the Diabetes Risk Test

The American Diabetes Association is at the forefront of the fight to prevent, treat, and cure diabetes. They provide education, promote awareness, advocate on behalf of diabetes patients, and are the authoritative source on diabetes in the United States.

Resources
Check-up America: Diabetes Basics. 
National Diabetes Education Program  

To learn more about the American Diabetes Association and events planned for Diabetes Alert day, Visit American Diabetes Association Alert Day.

March 23 Nutrition Related Topics of the Day

National Chia Day
Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid and fiber; and contains protein and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

#NationalChiaDay What Are Chia Seeds? Eat raw or prepared in a number of dishes. Sprinkle chia seeds on cereal, rice, yogurt or vegetables http://bit.ly/2pyf8se #NationalNutritionMonth #Chia #eatright

National Melba Toast Day

#NationalMelbaToastDay - Melba toast is a dry, crisp and thinly sliced toast often served with soup and salad or topped with various foods.


Melba toast is made by lightly toasting slices of bread under a grill, on both sides. The resulting toast is then sliced laterally. The thin slices are then returned to the grill with the untoasted sides towards the heat source, resulting in toast half the normal thickness. Melba toast is also available commercially.

Pear Helene, Modiifed

Pear Helene, Modified
Classic French Pear Dessert
4 servings

The dessert was reputably invented by the godfather of haute cuisine, Auguste Escoffier in Paris in the 19th century and purportedly named after the opera, La Belle Helen (the beautiful Helen) by Offenbach.

The ease of preparation and beautiful presentation make this dish a stunning dessert. What is not to love about pears, chocolate, and ice cream. 


Ingredients
2 whole cinnamon sticks
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups water (divided)
4 firm Bosc pears (peeled, cored with stem intact)
1 cup vanilla ice cream, light
4 Tbsp ​chocolate sauce (for drizzling)

Directions

1. Combine the cinnamon sticks, sugar, and 1/2 cup of water in a medium saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 5 minutes, until it becomes a thick-like syrup and turns golden brown.
3. Turn the heat to the lowest setting and gently whisk in the remaining 2 cups water, until the syrup is completely incorporated into the water.
4. Add the peeled pears to the sugar syrup mixture and bring to a gentle simmer for 15 minutes. Test the doneness with a knife by pricking in the thickest part of the fruit; the pears are poached when they are just cooked through, but not completely soft. Be careful not to overcook. 
5. Allow the pears to cool in the syrup until they are at room temperature. Lift the pears carefully from the pan with a slotted spoon.
6. Serve with 1/4 cup of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of one tablespoon chocolate sauce.

National Let’s Laugh Day

"People who laugh actually live longer than
those who don't laugh.
Few persons realize that health actually varies
according to the amount of laughter."

James J. Walsh, MD

Having a good laugh usually makes
us feel good about ourselves.
This can be a factor in motivating a person to lose weight.

I Love to Laugh

Babies Laughing

Research published in the International Journal of Obesity discovered laughter can be beneficial in weight control.

Laughing helps burn calories by increasing the heart rate by 10 to 20 percent: The metabolism increases as well, meaning you will burn more calories at rest once you have stopped laughing.

Scientists calculated 15 minutes of laughter a day will burn 10 to 40 calories, depending on a person’s weight and the intensity of the laughter.

Laughter can relieve physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, which promotes an overall sense of well-being.

Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which may benefit the cardiovascular system.

Laughter may benefit people with diabetes. One study showed after watching a comedy, the group had lower blood sugar levels than they did after listening to a boring lecture.

Laugh because it feels great,
because it is healthy for you and
because we take ourselves too seriously.
It’s time to lighten up.
“Laughter is the best medicine.”

World Salt Awareness Week: Cutting Back on Salt How am I supposed to live without you? Find Out

Knorr ll Sidekicks ll Commercial

The use of the video is not an endorsement,
but an example of why
it is important to read the label, and I like the song.
"How am I suppose to live without you?"
 - Read below to learn how to cut back on salt.

World Action on Salt and Health (WASH)  was established in 2005 and is a global group with the mission to improve the health of populations throughout the world by achieving a gradual reduction in salt intake.

WASH works to encourage multi-national food companies to reduce salt in their products and with Governments in different countries highlighting the need for a population-wide salt reduction strategy. The aim is to reduce salt intake throughout the world to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended a maximum intake of 5g per day by reducing the amount of salt in processed foods as well as salt added during cooking, and at the table.

WASH has long been campaigning for everyone to eat less salt. As part of the campaign, WASH has identified that in order for people to take control of their own health they need to know what they are eating in the first place. In 2014 attention will be focused on the need for better nutrition labeling; investigating the current global trend towards nutrition labeling; congratulating those countries that have already implemented clear and consistent nutritional labeling, and targeting those countries that need to do so. The theme aims to show that there are options for consumers that want ‘less salt please!’, and to help make it easier to choose them.

Salt Matters: Preserving Choice, Protecting Health

Where does sodium come from?

Sodium comes from natural sources or is added to foods. Most foods in their natural state contain some sodium. However, the majority of sodium Americans consume comes from sodium added to processed foods by manufacturers. While some of this sodium is added to foods for safety reasons, the amount of salt added to processed foods is above what is required for the safety and function of the food supply.

Reading Labels
When you buy prepared and packaged foods, read the labels. You can tell the sodium content by looking at the Nutrition Facts panel of a food. Listed are the amount for sodium, in milligrams (mg), and the “% Daily Value.” Also read the ingredient list to watch for the words "soda" (referring to sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda), "sodium" and the symbol "Na" to see if the product contains sodium.

Salt and/or Sodium Descriptors

• Salt-Free: Meets requirements for "sodium-free."
• Sodium Free: Fewer than 5 milligrams sodium per serving.
• Very Low Sodium: 35 milligrams or less sodium per serving.
• Low Sodium: 140 milligrams or less per serving
• Reduced Sodium: At least 25 percent less sodium per serving.
• Unsalted: Has no salt added during processing. To use this term, the product it resembles must normally be processed with salt and the label must note that the food is not a sodium-free food if it does not meet the requirements for "sodium-free".

 

The FDA and USDA state an individual food that has the claim "healthy" must not exceed 480 mg sodium per reference amount. "Meal type" products must not exceed 600 mg sodium per labeled serving size.

Sodium and Hypertension.
In order for a food to make an Allowable Health Claim, it must contain a defined amount of nutrients. In relationship to sodium and Hypertension, the amount is 140 milligrams or less sodium per serving.

American Heart Association (AHA)
The American Heart Association recommends you choose and prepare foods with little or no salt to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aim to eat less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day (less than 3/4 teaspoon of salt).
The AHA is working with federal agencies to identify ways to reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply. The association is encouraging food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce the amount of sodium in foods by 50 percent over a 10-year period. AHA will help Americans lower the amount of sodium they consume by the following strategies:
 1. Reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply,
 2. Make more healthy foods available (e.g., more fruits and vegetables); and
 3. Provide consumers with education and decision-making tools to make better choices.

Tips for reducing sodium in the diet

1. Choose fresh, frozen, or canned food items without added salts.
2. Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas, and lentils.
3. Limit salty snacks like chips and pretzels.
4. Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes.
5. Select unsalted, lower sodium, fat-free broths, bouillons, or soups.
6. Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, low-fat cheeses, and low-fat yogurt.
7. Use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food.
8. Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables.
9. When dining out, ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.
10. Don’t use the salt shaker.

National Day of Unplugging - Alternative Activities

National Day of Unplugging. is a holiday that consists of a 24 hour period from sundown to sundown, to unplug, unwind, relax and do things other than using today’s technology, electronics, and social media.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under 2 and less than 2 hours per day for older children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents create an electronic-media-free environment in children’s bedrooms.
 

The Benefits of Reduced Screen Time

• Reducing screen time can help prevent childhood obesity.

• Children who spend less time watching television in the early years tend to do better in school, have a healthier diet, and are more physically active.

Hazards of Too Much Screen Time

•Adolescents with a television in their bedroom spend more time watching TV and report less physical activity, less healthy dietary habits, worse school performance, and fewer family meals.

• Children with a television in their bedroom are more likely to be overweight.

Alternative Activities During National Day of Unplugging

• Prepare a family meal together.
• Take a walk in the park.
• Join a family fitness group.
• Plant a vegetable garden or grow a fruit tree. 
• Visit the zoo.
• Plan a picnic or barbecue.
• Go to a museum.
• Take a nature hike.
• Organize a scavenger hunt.
• Learn yoga.
• Go dancing.
• Volunteer for a community or charitable organization

From Farm to Table: Jamaican Callaloo

What is the Jamaican callaloo plant?

Callaloo is a fast-growing tall leafy green vegetable from the amaranth family. You can harvest the young tender leaves or the mature leaves/stems for cooking. It is a nutritious green. The flower buds and seeds can also be eaten.

Jamaican Callaloo is a famous local staple green leafy vegetable. Cooked with onion, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, and Scotch bonnet pepper, this healthy side dish is for a tropical breakfast, lunch, or supper. Callaloo, also known as amaranth, is an ancient green leafy vegetable that has been consumed for thousands of years. It tastes like spinach but with a stronger flavor.

In Jamaica, farmers produce callaloo seeds and sell the plant in local markets.

How to Grow Callaloo

• Callaloo, Amaranthus Spinosus, or Jamaican or Caribbean spinach, is something you can easily grow in a garden bed at home or in a community garden.
• Plant callaloo in the early spring after the last frost. Wait until April or May, depending on the last frost in your area, to prepare a garden bed for your callaloo seeds.
• Choose an area that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day
• Add well-draining compost to the garden bed for extra nutrients.
• Press seeds into the soil 7–10 inches (18–25 cm) apart in the rows. Callaloo plants can handle a little crowding, so don’t worry too much about getting the spacing exact.
• Cover the rows of seeds with 1⁄4 in (0.64 cm) of soil. The goal is to firm the soil up just enough to cover the seeds and keep them in place in their rows.
• Water the seeds gently to moisten the soil. Use a watering can or a hose with a light spraying attachment to water the soil. Avoid using a hard stream of water that could disturb the seeds.
• Water the plants 1-2 times a week during dry periods. Spray down the whole seedbed with a hose and a misting attachment. Wait a few seconds for the water to seep into the soil, and spray any dry spots.
• Callaloo plants are considered drought tolerant, so it’s fine for the soil to dry out between waterings.
• There's no need to water callaloo unless the soil is totally dry. If you can feel any moisture in the soil, leave the plants alone for now.
• You don’t have to fertilize callaloo for it to grow well.
• Removing weeds lets the callaloo plants get all the nutrition out of the soil because no other plants compete for it.
• Get rid of pests by spraying the leaves with a pest control spray. Watch out for pests on the leaves, like beetles, aphids, and mites. Spray the foliage with an organic pest control spray to remove any pests if you plan on eating the callaloo.
• Callaloo is very disease tolerant, so you only really have to look out for pests, which can cause the plants to yield less foliage for harvesting.
• You can harvest callaloo as soon as the leaves are big enough to handle, usually within the first couple of months after planting it.
• Collect leaves every 2 weeks or so during the summer. Allow plants to regrow for a couple of weeks after each harvest. Trim off up to 1/3 of the oldest leaves again after 2 weeks to encourage new growth throughout the growing period.
• You should be able to do this through late September if you live in a seasonal climate in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere, you could do it until March or around then.
• There’s no pruning necessary to care for callaloo plants.
• Callaloo is naturally resistant to most pests and diseases.
• You can substitute callaloo for spinach in most recipes that call for spinach.

How to Cut Callaloo for a 

Continuous Harvest All Season Long  

 

Nutrition Information

Recipe: Jamaican Callaloo
Serves 2

A friend stopped by and brought over Jamaican Callaloo. It was delicious. Jake says it is better than spinach. It is unique and favorable. 

Ingredients
4 cups callaloo, chopped 

1/2 tsp Salt
1 tablespoon olive oil, or coconut oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 green onions, chopped
2 sprigs thyme
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 Scotch Bonnet pepper, whole 
2 tablespoons water


Directions

1. Remove the outer old leaves and peel the outer membrane of each callaloo stem.
2. Cover callaloo in cold water, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, and leave aside while prepping the remaining vegetables.
3. After discarding the water, rinse with water and drain. Callaloo should be chopped.
4. In a large pot, heat the oil and saute the onion, garlic, spring onion, thyme, tomato, and scotch bonnet pepper until the onion is transparent.
5. Add callaloo. Allow to boil for 5-10 minutes on low heat, or until the callaloo is soft.

Reference.

1. Callaloo, Wikipedia. "There are many variations of Callaloo across the Caribbean, depending on the availability of local vegetables. The main ingredient is an indigenous leaf vegetable, traditionally either amaranth (common in Jamaica, also known as callaloo), taro leaves, or Xanthosoma leaves."