Yams are quite often mistaken for a SWEET POTATO and the YAM suffers the same fate. The authentic yam is a tuber of a tropical vine and cannot even consider to be related at all to the sweet potato. A true yam is hard to locate in an US market although it is gaining in popularity in the US however it is a popular vegetable in Latin American and the Caribbean. The yam can probably be located in local Asian and African markets. I have never seen them in my very American grocery not to say they maybe in some.

The true yam can be found in varieties totaling approximately 200. The fleshy part includes
various colors such as white, ivory, yellow or purple. The thick exterior may be white,pink or
brownish black. The yam shape is long and cylindrical often reaching seven feet in length. After
cooking the yams,you will find them with a very slippery and starchy appearance. The taste is not
that of sweetness but more of a earthy and hardy taste. This description does not evoke visions
of the well known yams that appear on your Thanksgiving plate. The very simple answer to the lead in question “WHEN IS A YAM NOT A YAM OR IS IT A SWEET POTATO when it is an orange-colored sweet potato that has been labeled a yam. This resulted from the growers of this type of sweet potato having the desire to distinguish it from the white-fleshed sweet potato that most people recognized.

This not to say that the yam is not an outstanding vegetable because it is an excellent source of
Vitamin B6. The high intake of vitamin B6 has been noted to reduce the the risk of heart
disease.If you find the “true” yam it will be likely sold in chunks sealed in plastic wrap.It
would be a little unwieldy to handle a seven foot tuber weighing nearly 150 pounds.The yam is
also an excellent source of potassium which aids in controlling blood pressure. A storage protein
contained in the Yam known as dioscorin may also benefit those who suffer from hypertension.

“True” yams can usually be substituted in any sweet potato recipe. However a word of caution
show be noted here the “true” yam cannot be consumed in a raw state without toxic results. This
is not true of a sweet potato. Yams should be kept in a cool dark and well-ventilated spot for up
to ten days. They should be kept loose and not in the sealed plastic bag in which they were
purchased. Please don\’t store uncooked yams in your refrigerator.

Now is the time to enjoy something different using “true” yams. You can puree the cooked yam add a little milk and season with tamari, coriander, cumin and cayenne for a delicious taste. Because
of the yams earthy and deep taste you can pair it up with darker meats like venison. It would
good in your next stir fry by adding chunks of yams along with fennel,onions,and mushrooms it
really makes a very delicious combo. Ask your local grocer where to find “true” yams this will
also test your local grocer in his knowledge of produce.

This gardener has been gardening for over twenty years and has decided to use his empirical data as well as researched information to assist beginners as well as old timers in their garden pursuits. My web site can be found at http://www.gardenersgardening.com

The question today isn\’t so much what\’s on your countertop as what is your countertop made of? Right now my answer would be laminate, but I\’m dreaming of the day when I can say marble. Or maybe even recycled glass-really!

If marble\’s more your style than recycled glass, here are some traditional countertop choices. (The innovative ones are below, so keep reading!)

• Laminate. One of the most affordable options, laminate is comprised of several layers of heated and compressed paper. The color or pattern you see on the countertop is just the top layer. Lucky you, when it comes to laminate countertops the colors, patterns, and design choices are almost endless, so you can emulate the traditional look of stone or go wild with color.
• Ceramic Tile. Counters topped with vitreous tile can accept hot pots and pans without scorching and resist moisture from splashes around sinks. The variety of ceramic tile sizes, shapes, and colors makes it perfect for adding style to your kitchen. Just keep in mind that installing ceramic tile can be labor-intensive and pricey. And you\’ll have to work to keep those grout lines clean.
• Natural Stone. Granite, marble, and soapstone are the most popular stone countertop options. Natural stone gets major points because it\’s tough yet elegant, and you can choose from polished, honed, flamed, or tumbled finishes. Keep in mind that most natural stone surfaces require regular sealing. Stone can be a particularly pricey option depending on the type you choose, however. To save money, you might want to consider stone tiles instead.
• Solid Surfacing. Another option if you\’re not quite ready to fork over the money for natural stone, synthetic surfacing resembles stone and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It\’s nonporous and durable, but it can be scratched and burned (no setting hot pots directly on the countertop like you can with real stone!).
• Stainless Steel. It doesn\’t get much more contemporary than stainless steel countertops. This material is durable and easy to clean. But be careful-stainless steel scratches easily, and it\’s not cheap to replace.

• Concrete. Countertops made of concrete are durable and easy to clean if they\’re sealed properly. Concrete can be colored any shade and, as a bonus, its pigmented finish is stain-resistant. Much like stainless steel, concrete is best suited for contemporary kitchens.
• Butcher Block. Someday I\’ll have a stretch butcher-block in my kitchen. But until then I\’ll have to be content just writing about it. Butcher block is made from hardwood strips that are glued together. Common hardwoods used include oak, cherry, bamboo, and maple. Moisture will damage butcher block, so keep it away from sink areas. And if you finish your butcher block, make sure you choose a finish that\’s safe for food contact-because what good is butcher block if you aren\’t going to cut on it?

If you were intrigued when I mentioned countertops made from recycled glass, you\’re in luck. Here are a few innovative countertop choices worth considering next time you go countertop shopping. (And if you know of any other cool new countertop creations I missed, let me know!)

• Squak Mountain Stone. These eco-friendly countertops are made from a fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash, and Portland cement. It\’s a great alternative to natural or quarried stone and resembles soapstone or limestone.
• Vetrazzo. These countertops are made of 85 percent recycled glass and come in a slew of fun colors. Recycled glass countertops sound breakable (or sharp!) but they\’re not-in fact, Vetrazzo surfaces are so smooth, they\’re comparable to granite. Bonus: The company sponsors a Recycle Vetrazzo program, where people can recycle their old recycled Vetrazzo countertops (yep, that\’s a lot of recycling going on there).
• Bamboo. These cool countertops are made of solid bamboo plywood and are laminated with a formaldehyde-free adhesive.
• Fusionstone. It\’s not eco-friendly like the other innovative countertops mentioned above, but Fusionstone is pretty cool. A layer of ultra-clear glass is fused to exotic stone slabs to protect the stone from scratching and stains while still showcasing its natural beauty.
• Quartz Surfacing. This material combines 93 percent quartz with 7 percent resin to create a countertop that\’s twice as strong as granite-can you believe that! It\’s more maintenance-free than granite too because it\’s nonabsorbent, easily wiped clean, and is insanely durable (no need to worry about scratches or stains). It is typically as expensive as the real deal though.

Lexicon Consulting, Inc

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