Green Thumb Farm Huntington CSA

Happy Spring!

CSA weather report…thunder storms…some possibly severe…umbrellas and consider driving the flat way * to the CSA and avoiding West Shore Rd which has a tendency to flood.

*take West Neck Rd (off of Main St/25A) north to John Daves Lane and make a right on to John Daves Lane. Make your first left on to Southdown Rd and then your first right on to Browns Rd and the UUFH/CSA is right after the Southdown Elementary School. This is a good way to keep in mind for heavy rains to avoid flooding (may happen today) and in icy or snowy conditions (come Nov/Dec this can be an issue) to avoid slipping and sliding down hilly roads.

Any gardeners? You can order certified organic herb and vegetable plants for your garden from our farm by calling Green Thumb Farm at 631-726-1900, 7 days a week, from 9:30 to 4pm, place your order with a credit card and they will be delivered to the CSA.


This email includes…

1. You can still get in on the Herb Shares!
2. You can still get in on the Flower Shares!
3. Mushroom Share anyone?
4. This week’s list (subject to change without notice…farming is like that!)
5. Click activism
6. Want Hot Dogs this Memorial Day Weekend?
7. Event Listings
8. Ways to avoid toxins…including things that are food related…
9. What you actually got last week
10. And now for something completely different…



1. You can still get in on the Herb Shares!

If you see the Herb Share today and it looks appealing…you can still get one! Yes, we do get Herbs as part of our regular share (we’re getting Tarragon or Savory today), but for some of us…it’s not enough AND believe it or not, Herbs have higher levels of antioxidants than high antioxidant foods like Blueberries (and Berries in general)!
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=news&dbid=35

We Americans don’t use them enough. If you aren’t going to use what Herbs you have within a week or so, you can freeze or dry them (depending on the Herb). So, if you’re interested in an Herb Share, talk to suzanne about how to jump in, and what the pro-rated cost would be. The price to start on June 13th will be $65 (for 2 bunches of Herbs twice a month) per Herb Share. Let me know if you’re interested!



2. You can still get in on the Flower Shares!

The first Flower Share usually turns up the first week in June and is often Peonies. The flowers are certified organic, grown on our farm (Green Thumb Organic Farm), and are a visual delight. I get two Flower Shares because I like fuller arrangements.

If you have a cutting garden in your home it allows you to keep more blossoms in the yard, and you can use these for your home.

If you share with someone and worry about not being there when the flowers show up…make an agreement that if the flowers show up on a week when you’re not there that your share partner can pay you $7 to take them home that week. Just a thought!

If you’re interested, the cost per Flower Share is $70 for 10 weeks (not consecutively but whenever the flowers are ready). Let me know if you’re interested!



3. Mushroom Share anyone?

Our first Mushroom Share delivery is going to be on May 30th. We need to be getting the Mushrooms in 5 lb boxes and we’ve filled our first 5 lb order, and now I’ll be taking names for people interested in the next group. As soon as we get enough people interested, we can figure out when the delivery for the next group will start and how much it will cost. Any questions, just ask!

The same matchmaking service is available if anyone wants to share a Mushroom Share. Are you sharing a share and your share partner doesn’t want Mushrooms? Maybe someone else will share a Mushroom Share with you for the weeks you’re not picking up!

If you know anyone who’d be interested, have them get in touch. You can get a Mushroom Share and not be a CSA member. In fact, one of our Mushroom Share members is Nicole, owner of Sip Tea Lounge in Huntington Village…
http://siptealoungeny.com/
Nicole had joined a CSA for this season before she was aware there were other CSA options in the area, but she heard about our Mushroom Share and couldn’t resist! 

Check out where Dr Weil puts Asian Mushrooms (Shiitakes…and Oysters which we might also get in the share from time to time…are indeed that  ) on his Anti-Inflammatory Diet Pyramid (and click on them too)…
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02995/Dr-Weil-Anti-Inflammatory-Food-Pyramid.html



4. This week’s list (subject to change without notice…farming is like that!)

Week #5
May 23, 2013

1. Arugula (greenhouse) – 1 bunch
2. Mizuna (greenhouse) – 1 bunch
3. Tat Soi (greenhouse) – 1 bunch
4. Leeks – 1 bunch
5. Kale, Siberian: White (last week of Kale for a while) – 1 bunch
6. Tarragon* OR Savory (winter? summer?) **– 1 bunch

Herb Share
May – Week B
Mint AND Thyme

*
Tarragon – no Veg Info Sheet on this so here’s some online info…
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Herbs-and-Spices/Tarragon
http://www.herbinfosite.com/?page_id=357
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarragon
http://homecooking.about.com/od/herbsspices1/a/tarragontips.htm
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/tarragon-herb.html
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/tarragon.php
http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/tarrag07.html
http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/healthy-living/herbal-healer-what-is-tarragon/article_ec5d25b8-37f6-5211-a0fe-6013fd127863.html

**
Savory - no Veg Info Sheet on this so here’s some online info…
http://www.gardenherbs.org/savory.htm
Winter Savory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_savory
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/savwin25.html
http://extension.psu.edu/plants/gardening/herbs/all-herbs/winter-savory
http://www.campaignforrealfarming.org/2012/01/herb-of-the-month-winter-savory/
Summer Savory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_savory
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/s/savsum24.html
http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/topics/food-dining/recipes/summer-savory-is-the-skinny-herb-nobody-knows-but-all-cooks-should-grow/



5. Click activism…

A. Any day now, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam could sign into law an "Ag-Gag" bill designed to intimidate the journalists and whistleblowers who gather this compelling visual evidence. Those investigations are critical to exposing terrible cruelty to animals, as well as conditions that threaten our food safety.
The bill would make it illegal to wait more than 48 hours to turn over videos or photographs of animal abuse to law enforcement, which keeps investigators from revealing patterns of corporate wrongdoing and abuse by forcing them to expose themselves after only two days
Sign ag-gag petition…
https://www.aclu.org/secure/veto-the-TN-ag-gag?ms=autofire_130424_acluaction_aggag

B. Tell Congress…don’t let food workers go hungry and support the Fair Minimum Wage Act…
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-congress-dont-let

“I work as a server and I work very hard. Some months I don't make enough to pay my bills and I don't get benefits. Often times when I get my paycheck it's only $20 because of the taxes I have to pay on my tips. I honestly could not afford to take my family out to eat at the restaurant that I work at. If my hourly wage were higher I would be able to pay for my basic expenses without worrying every day if my tips are going to be enough to cover the next bill that's due.” -Kaycee, FMWA supporter

C. Take action for a fair food & farm bill and help repeal the Monsanto Protection Act! Sign the petition from the Center for Food Safety…
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=10982

D. Label genetically engineered foods! Sign the petition from the Environmental Working Group…
http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=2024&tag=201305FBGEAmendFull&utm_source=201305fbgeamendfull&utm_medium=email&utm_content=first-link&utm_campaign=food

E. Tell the Bureau of Land Management to ban fracking on federal lands…
http://act.credoaction.com/letter/blm_fracking_ban/?rd=1&t=5&referring_akid=7948.2109721.JhqUcE



6. Want Hot Dogs this Memorial Day Weekend?

These are the ones recommended by the folks at Rodale News…
http://www.rodalenews.com/beef-hotdogs?cm_mmc=TheDailyFixNL-_-1304386-_-05222013-_-The_10_Best_Grassfed_Hotdogs_text

If you want to know more about Rodale, all the way at the bottom of this page there’s something called “The Rodale Story”. Click on that for more info!



7. Event Listings

Thursday, May 2nd to Sunday, December 8th

9am to 4:30pm

Green Thumb Organic Farm
Montauk Hwy
Water Mill

Our CSA farm’s farm stand is open for the season! If you’re passing by, stop in and say hi and tell them you’re a CSA member and you’re sure to get a smile! There are plants for your garden, flowers for your home and friends you might be visiting in the area and food…lots of food! 


Wednesday, May 1st to Friday, May 31st

The month of May is the Great American Shake Sale! Donate $2 to Share Our Strength to help end childhood hunger, and get a coupon for a free shake ($5 value) to be used on your next visit. Shake Shack uses Fair Trade and local foods (ex - chocolate from Mast Brothers of Brooklyn), and the building is part solar and was built using green building concepts.
For more info:
www.shakeshack.com


Thursday, May 23rd

4:30pm to 6pm

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Lovingood Fitness Lounge & Spa
310 NY Ave
Huntington

Bodywork presentations…chair massages…raffle prizes…refreshments! You may need to register thru the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce (how I learned about this), or you could just stop by and see what happens.


Saturday, May 25th to Monday, Sept 2nd

Swedish Culinary Summer
East Hampton
For more info:
www.swedishculinarysummer.com

Swedish cuisine, and worldwide interest in it, has grown exponentially over the last 20 years. Zagat just placed Swedish restaurants in the number two and number three positions in the top ten restaurants in the world and there are three Swedish restaurants on Pellegrino's World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Swedish food is now the darling of media worldwide and especially in the U.S. Swedish Culinary Summer uses food as the universal ambassador to "open the doors" at key charity events in the Hamptons during the summer season: a full summer of top Swedish chefs, food, beverages and consumer goods, plus there will be cooking classes and special dinners available at the Maidstone Hotel.


Saturday, May 25th

12pm to 1pm

Food Chain Radio Show presents…author Mark Prendergast with For God, Country & Coca Cola
http://metrofarm.com/food-chain-radio
Topics include a look at the secret ingredients of the original Coca-Cola; how the Coca-Cola company grew to become one of the world’s most successful companies; and what the future might look like for the soft drink industry.
2pm to 5pm

March Against Monsanto
1. H Lee Dennison Bldg
Hauppauge
2. Union Square
NYC
For more info:
http://www.march-against-monsanto.com/


Wednesday, May 29th

7pm

Slow Food Huntington
Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave
Huntington
FREE

Attend the first open meeting with the new Board of Directors, meet new people, discuss the issues that are the most important to you, find ways in which you can get involved, and share a delicious meal!


Saturday, June 1st

Hay House World Summit
online
FREE
Register here:
http://www.hayhouseworldsummit.com/home-registered/
For more info:
http://www.hayhouseworldsummit.com/about-us/

Access to over 100 hours of lectures from people such as Louse Hay, Wayne Dyer, Suze Orman, Baron Baptiste, Kriss Carr, Caroline Myss, Christiane Northrup MD, Joan Borysanko, Deepak Chopra, Sonia Choquette, Mark Hyman MD, Cheryl Richardson and a LOT more. It would cost a FORTUNE to take workshops with these people so this is a pretty good deal.

5pm to 8pm

Salsa with a Healer Dance Party…for the Gift of Life!
Fred Astaire Dance Studio
132 W Jericho Tpke
Huntington Station
$20 for a Raffle Ticket suggested to be purchased if attending
To register “like” this Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/SalsaWithAHealerForTheGiftOfLife?fref=ts
Info about Gift of Life…
http://www.giftoflifeinternational.org/pages/index.php

This is a benefit for the Gift of Life International. There will be dancing, food, Larocca Organic Wine, raffle prizes (including an Omega juicer!) and lots of like-minded folks interested in health, healing and fun! Attending will be the following single health providers…Donna Martini - is the Ambasador For Wellness in Nassau County, Michael Antonelli, NTP is partner in Nutritional Frontiers, Michael Berlin, DC - is Founder of the Wellness Center in Plainview, Karen Barbosa, DO - is a Breast Surgeon at Winthrop Hospital, Peter Testani - is a Wealth Manager for David Lerner & Associates, Don Nelson - is a Psychotherapist in NYC and Speaker Coach.


Monday, June 10th

4pm to 8pm

The Edible Academy Family Garden Picnic w/ Mario Batali
NY Botanical Garden
Bronx, NY
$40 and up
For more info and to get tickets:
http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/2013/batali-family-picnic.php

For the kids…make pickles, climb trees, etc, and for the big kids…booksigning, cooking demo (special guest Daphne Oz), and cocktail party. All proceeds benefit The Edible Academy children’s gardening program.


Wednesday, June 12th

7:30pm

Let’s Eat: Food on Film presents…How to Cook Your Life
Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave
Huntington
$10 Members/$15 General Public (includes reception and Skype with Edward Espe Brown)
For more info and to buy tickets (this will probably sell out):
http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/event/how-to-cook-your-life/

Filmmaker Doris Dörrie turns her attention to Buddhism and that age-old saying, you are what you eat. In How To Cook Your Life, Dörrie enlists the help of the charismatic Zen Master, chef, and Tessajara Bread Book author Edward Espe Brown to explain the guiding principles of Zen Buddhism as they apply to the preparation of food as well as life itself. This event is co-presented with Slow Food Huntington.


Monday, June 17th

12pm to 3pm

NY Crossroads: Rally to stop fracking and demand alternative energy
East Capitol Lawn
Albany
For more info and to sign up:
https://www.facebook.com/events/200220593434997/
http://nyagainstfracking.org/

There are supposed to be buses from Long Island going and car pools.


Thursday, June 27th

6pm to 9pm

Art With a Purpose
Rush Arts Gallery
526 W 26th St, Suite 311
NYC
$150
For more info and to buy tickets:
http://www.healthyschoolfood.org/events.htm?utm_source=Art+With+a+Purpose+-+1&utm_campaign=Year+End+27th+2012&utm_medium=email

An art exhibit/event with works for sale by such artists as Peter Max and Sue Coe, benefitting the NY Coalition for Healthy School Food. There’ll be vegan food donated by Candle 79 and Candle Café West, and wine donated by Pure Food & Wine and Verity Wine Partners. Jazz music provided by Miles of Music.


Friday, August 9th to Sunday, August 11th

NOFA Summer Conference
U Mass
Amherst, MA
For more info and to register (early bird pricing till July 9th):
http://www.nofasummerconference.org/registration.php
What is NOFA (in particular NOFA-NY)?
https://www.nofany.org/about

CSA members Vickie Muller (along with her daughter) and suzanne j zoubeck attended last year and may be going again this year. If you have any questions, ask one of them. If you’re at all interested in organic gardening, food, food politics, the environment, green living, green housing, renewable energy, alternative health, etc. this is an AMAZING event to attend (over 200 workshops to choose from)! The food is local and organic and there are enough choices whether your diet is gluten-free, raw, vegan or paleo. There are farm tours and parties at night. Also, there are workshops and activities for children from ages 2 to 17 so it’s fun for the whole family…or for singles…or seniors…or anyone!


8. Ways to avoid toxins…including things that are food related…

http://www.alternet.org/environment/bill-moyers-12-ways-you-can-avoid-toxic-chemicals?akid=10466.238255.1nqTFy&rd=1&src=newsletter843715&t=6&paging=off



9. What you actually got last week

Week #4
May 16, 2013

1. Arugula (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $3.25
2. Radishes (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $3.25
3. Chives – 1 bunch - $2.50
4. Tat Soi (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $3.25
5. Beans, Black: dried – 1 bag - $2.75
6. Kale, Russian: White OR Red – 1 bunch - $3.50

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.50 (we pay $17.50 for our weekly CSA share so this week we’ve gotten $1.00 worth of food more than we paid for PLUS a bunch of Cilantro on top of that…so the total extra value we’ve gotten so far this season…is $5.75)



10. And now for something completely different…

For children of all ages!!!

Get creative…make food AND make art!

Slide #7 features Chiogga Beets (we get those) and Carrots that are dark purple on the outside and orange on the inside (we’ve had those too)…
http://www.doctoroz.com/slideshow/cute-foods-get-your-kids-eat-healthier

And a bazillion more ideas and images…
http://pinterest.com/foodhero/creative-veggies/
http://pinterest.com/recipeart/edible-art-food-art/
http://pinterest.com/planetpals/food-fun-for-kids-healthy-too/
http://www.livinglocurto.com/2011/09/vegetable-trays/
http://ohhappyday.com/2012/05/kids-plates-diy/

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