Many a times have health
professionals preached water and drank wine. With this, I imply the infamous
notion of “do as I say not as I do!” I was nearly victim to this vice over the
beet root project. While I read about the great dietetic values of beet root, I
got the idea that it will be a viable and incredible project that would help
avert the nutrition insecurity in the refugee settlement. I had as well heard
stories and testimonies of the wonders of this tuber. Much as I was excited and
optimistic about this new innovation, I couldn’t stop thinking about why I
should not introduce beet root to my home too. First, I definitely had to
figure out where I would purchase the seeds and then learn how to plant,
harvest and prepare this delicacy. The journey began when I purchased a tin of seeds
from one farm supply store in my home town in Masaka during the Christmas
festive season. I then had to prepare a seed bed but had to leave it under the
care of my parents while I returned to work. I had to learn more about how the
preparation of this tuber for consumption is done. Actually, this ‘home project’
was yet to become an experiment ,I guess this is what they call
action research. Story cut short, after 3 months when I returned home for the
Easter holiday, guess what I found! I had to commend my parents for the great
farming expertise they portrayed on this project work. I could not hide the excitement
when I saw the green flourishing vegetable garden from a distance. Every inch I
got closer to the beetroot garden, the wider my smile grew. That was my first
ever moment to see live beetroot plants.
On Easter, we harvested 2 beets to
experiment with them! We however woke up to the reality that our home blender had
gotten damaged, the blending of the beets had to be mechanical. We trimmed the
tuber in to smaller hand-crushable pieces and did it great service. This made a
tasty deep-red coloured passion fruit-pineapple- beet cocktail. I am serious to
say that even the last drop of that cocktail was drank; for it was the best
juice we had ever had in decades. We obviously steamed the beet foliage after
trimming it in smaller pieces. It was super-tasty! By the time I left home, no
juice went without a beet punch! I had labored to inform my entire family about
the values that come with the consumption of beet root and left everyone
dumbfounded by the wonders of this plant.
I am so happy that I have helped
my family live the change I want to see in other people’s families. I guess it
really is fulfilling to support and promote the change you are implementing by
as well being part of it or lest you will “preach water and drink wine.”
