Thursday, May 29, 2014

Week #6 May 29, 2014

Happy Spring!

Planting a garden this year? Get certified organic Herb (many varieties), Vegetable (many varieties) and Flower (some…ask!) plants grown at your farm, Green Thumb Farm! To order plants, call the farm at 631-726-1900 between 9:30am and 4pm any day of the week/weekend and have a credit card on hand for payment. They will be delivered with the next available CSA delivery!

If you’d like to visit our farm (Green Thumb Farm in Water Mill) on days besides our CSA Strawberry picking in June and Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open until Sunday, December 7th. Tell them at the farm stand that you’re a CSA member and it’s sure to bring a smile!

Seriously…put this phone number (631-385-1079) in your cell phone, on your fridge, or wherever you put phone numbers you’re glad to have when you need them! It’s the hall phone of the UUFH to be used only on Thursdays from 3pm to 8pm. We’ve already had a few people who wished they had it and didn’t, and others who had it and found out how handy it can be! 

When picking up your CSA share (and “you” means the CSA member whose ONE NAME is on the CSA contract)…if you are sharing a CSA share with someone OR if someone besides you is picking up for you, the person who is not you must give your name to the person at the sign-in table along with their name. Last week, someone who lives with the CSA member gave their name and since it’s early in the season, we had no idea at the end of the night who the heck this person was and it caused a bit of a kerfuffle.


This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. CSA member Andrew Pettersen presenting film at Cinema Arts Centre this Sunday!
3. This week’s list…
4. Looking for people to share a Community Supported Alcohol share with me!
5. What you actually got last week
6. This month at Shake Shack…
7. Learn to play with your food at Fairway!
8. Strawberries picking at our farm!
9. Got any Sage left?
10. And now for something completely different…


1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…

you can always show up at 3:30pm or 5:30pm and ask if we still need help!

Also, keep in mind that if you don’t get an email telling you that you’re working on a particular week…you’re not scheduled to work (but if you have any questions, get in touch with Judi and/or suzanne).



2. CSA member Andrew Pettersen presenting film at Cinema Arts Centre this Sunday!

CSA member Andrew Pettersen is a man on a mission! He’s discovered a passion in educating the public about the privacy and health concerns (and other issues) around the issue of smart meters.

He’ll be presenting the film Take Back Your Power with the filmmaker in person for a Q & A!

Sunday, June 1st
7:30pm

Take Back Your Power
Cinema Arts Centre
423 Park Ave
Huntington
$10 – Members/$15 – General Public (includes a reception with the filmmaker)
For more info, to watch the trailer, and to buy tickets:
http://www.cinemaartscentre.org/event/take-back-your-power/



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

May 29, 2014
Week #6

1. Kale
2. Thyme
3. Radishes (greenhouse)
4. Tat Soi (greenhouse)
5. Scallions
6. Swiss Chard (greenhouse)

Total Items: 6

Herb Share – May #2B
Savory, Winter AND Tarragon, French



4. Looking for people to share a Community Supported Alcohol share with me!

Yes, CSA also stands for Community Supported Alcohol!

I’m looking for people (2 minimum) who want to go in with me on a CSA share of artisanally crafted mead and funky herbal wines (the ingredients are mostly local and/or organic)! I did it last year and am doing it again.

I’ll be picking it up Friday, June 8th between 6pm and 8pm in Williamsburg where Raphael will also be having a tasting, and am planning to go somewhere interesting for dinner. So if you’re my CSA share partners, you’re more than welcome to share the adventure.

Article about Raphael (the NY Times also had one of his wines as a suggestion for their Xmas gift food list)…
http://www.ediblemanhattan.com/departments/notable-edibles/a-sparkling-mead-maker-takes-a-bite-out-of-the-apple/

This is the specifics on the wines for this season’s share (I’m really looking forward to the Dandelion Wine – he invited CSA members to pick the Dandelions with him but I couldn’t make it…hopefully, next time I’ll join in)…
http://enlightenmentwines.com/EnlightenmentWinesCSA-SPRING2014.html

The share price is $90.73 for 4 bottles, one of each variety (which breaks down to $22.69 per bottle), so if you’re interested or have any other questions, get in touch by responding to this email or giving a call at 631-421-4864.



5. What you actually got last week

May 22, 2014
Week #5

1. Kale, Curly: Green – 1 bunch - $3.50
2. Sage – 1 bunch - $2.75
3. Arugula (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $3.00
4. Tat Soi (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $3.00
5. Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
6. Mizuna (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $3.00

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.25 (We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. We were over by $2.25 last week for the total of the season so far…meaning that the farmer is giving us more than we paid for…so even with this week’s total being $.25 less than $18.50, we’re STILL $2.00 over from what we’ve paid so far.)

Herb Share – May #2B
Savory, Winter AND Tarragon, French



6. This month at Shake Shack…

For the month of May, it’s the 3rd Annual Great American Shake Sale at all Shake Shacks (our nearest one is in Westbury). Shake Shack is partnering with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign so for every $2 you donate, you get a coupon for a free Shake (worth $5) on your next visit. That’s a pretty good deal!
http://www.shakeshack.com/tag/no-kid-hungry/
And here’s their special Custard Calendar for the month of May…
http://www.shakeshack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ss_custard-cal_may14.pdf



7. Learn to play with your food at Fairway!

Meet Bill Wurtzel and learn how to make fun food art using only healthy ingredients from Fairway…
http://www.funnyfood.us/

Saturday, June 21st

1 to 3pm

Fairway, Red Hook, Brooklyn
480-500 Van Brunt St.
$1.00 if you reserve online…not sure if there’s a cost if you reserve at the store
https://www.fairwaymarket.com/shop/funny-food-art-workshop/

Register at the Customer Service Desk or online.



8. Strawberries picking at our farm!

Saturday, June 21st

Annual CSA Strawberry Picking and Farm Tour
Green Thumb Farm
Rt 27
Water Mill

Save the date! The times are usually from 10:30am to 1pm but will give you the details when I get them from our farmer. It’s a walking tour of approx 1 hour in length for CSA member and immediate family members only!

If you’re sharing a CSA share with someone, only one person/family can go. In this case often one person will go in June for the Strawberry picking, and the other person will go in October for the Pumpkin picking and the name of the CSA member is the one used for the reservation.



9. Got any Sage left?

Here’s a few facts about Sage Tea…
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/hidden-health-benefits-tea
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/sage-tea-good-for-8148.html

And an article on Sage Tea preparation with fresh and dried Sage leaves!
http://www.grandmas-wisdom.com/sage-tea.html



10. And now for something completely different…

If you like Chopped…try Sauced!
http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/05/sauced-inside-amy-schumer-cooking-show-sketch.html

###

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Week #5 May 22nd 2014

Happy Spring!

Sorry about the lack of a CSA email last week but it was very nostalgic for me and some of our longtime CSA members as a return to the early days of the CSA (17 years ago!) when there was no internet or emails, and every week was a total surprise as to what would show up.

The short story is…our CSA emails are clearly too much for the internet to handle, so this week I’m going to try to ease back slowly and not attach the Veggie Info Sheets. I’ll start sending them out tomorrow…first one, then two, then three, until we can get back to 6 of them at a time, or they get rejected by the lords of the internet. In the meantime…there’s always the internet, cookbooks, and ask me! We’re working on alternative ways to send the emails and get you all the great info we cram in these things!

Planting a garden this year? Get certified organic Herb (many varieties), Vegetable (many varieties) and Flower (some…ask!) plants grown at your farm, Green Thumb Farm! To order plants, call the farm at 631-726-1900 between 9:30am and 4pm any day of the week/weekend and have a credit card on hand for payment. They will be delivered with the next available CSA delivery!

If you’d like to visit our farm (Green Thumb Farm in Water Mill) on days besides our CSA Strawberry picking in June and Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open until Sunday, December 7th. Tell them at the farm stand that you’re a CSA member and it’s sure to bring a smile!

Seriously…put this phone number (631-385-1079) in your cell phone, on your fridge, or wherever you put phone numbers you’re glad to have when you need them! It’s the hall phone of the UUFH to be used only on Thursdays from 3pm to 8pm. We’ve already had a few people who wished they had it and didn’t, and others who had it and found out how handy it can be! 

When picking up your CSA share (and “you” means the CSA member whose ONE NAME is on the CSA contract)…if you are sharing a CSA share with someone OR if someone besides you is picking up for you, the person who is not you must give your name to the person at the sign-in table along with their name. Last week, someone who lives with the CSA member gave their name and since it’s early in the season, we had no idea at the end of the night who the heck this person was and it caused a bit of a kerfuffle.

CSA member Joanne Schenendorf pointed out in the “and now for something completely different” video last week, there was a mistake! You don’t pronounce the “s” at the end of pommes frites.

This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. CSA members in need of some help!
3. This week’s list…
4. Holistic Moms Network of Huntington Event
5. What you actually got last week
6. This month at Shake Shack…
7. Learn to play with your food at Fairway!
8. Strawberries picking at our farm!
9. And now for something completely different…


1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…

you can always show up at 3:30pm or 5:30pm and ask if we still need help!

Also, keep in mind that if you don’t get an email telling you that you’re working on a particular week…you’re not scheduled to work (but if you have any questions, get in touch with Judi and/or suzanne).



2. CSA members in need of some help!

A. Anyone know of a good Endocrinologist? One of our CSA members is looking for one who’s familiar with Hashimoto’s (not a pediatric one). They have United Healthcare Community Plan.


B. Anyone have any recommendations for an exterminator that uses pesticides as a last resort as opposed to a first resort, and is into the least toxic ways to get rid of household pests?

One of our CSA members is concerned about termites and would like to use someone who is as green (and yet effective) as possible!

While I didn’t have an exterminator to recommend, I did recommend a book that I think every human being should own because at one time or another, we will probably have to deal with something that’s in this book, and this book gives the solutions how to get rid of the problem in the best ways that won’t harm you, your family or pets (and talks about from least toxic to most toxic solutions). One person who agrees with me is Mike McGrath, a former editor of Organic Gardening Magazine. Of course, it’s out of print but you can still get copies…

Common Sense Pest Control – Olkowski (NOT the gardener’s one)…
http://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Pest-Control-Least-Toxic-Solutions/dp/0942391632

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sortby=1&tn=common+sense+pest+control&x=74&y=11



3. This week’s list…

May 22, 2014
Week #5

1. Kale
2. Sage
3. Arugula (greenhouse)
4. Tat Soi (greenhouse)
5. Scallions
6. Mizuna (greenhouse)

Total Items: 6

Herb Share – May #2B
Savory, Winter AND Tarragon, French



4. Holistic Moms Network of Huntington Event

Sunday, May 25th

10am

Sip Tea Lounge
286C New York Ave
Huntington
631-683-5777
http://siptealoungeny.com/
To RSVP: vikshop@optonline.net

Join CSA member (and founder of the Huntington Chapter of the Holistic Moms Network) at the delightful Sip Tea Lounge for some conversation, tea and snacks (in lieu of their regular monthly meeting at the Elwood Public Library)!

If you’re interested in attending, please RSVP to Vickie as seating is limited (if you’re going to hang), or just stop by and say hi if you’re curious as to what the group is about. I may just stop by and say hi because any excuse to visit Sip Tea for some tea and snackage is a good thing in my book! 



5. What you actually got last week

May 15, 2014
Week #4

1. Asparagus - .75 lb - $3.25
2. Tat Soi (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $2.75
3. Kale Rabe* - 1 bunch - $3.50
4. Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
5. Mizuna (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $2.75
6. Oregano – 1 bunch - $2.75
7. Arugula (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $2.75

Total Items: 7
Totall Amount: $20.75
What did I tell you? We pay $18.50 per week so this week our farmer gave us $2.25 more than we paid for. With the deficit of -$.75 from the first few weeks…hey, it was a tough winter!...we’re now up $1.50 more that our farmer has give us (more than we’ve paid for so far for the year), and this amount will grow as the season goes on.

*
Cook like Broccoli Raab (Rabe/Rape)
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/cook-kale-raab-31699.html
http://www.diaryofalocavore.com/2013/05/rabe-raab-local-food-report.html

and the week before that…

May 8, 2014
Week #3

1. Collard Greens – 1 bunch - $3.50
2. Arugula (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $2.75
3. Kale Raab, Red (Rabe/Rape) – 1 bunch - $3.50
4. Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
5. Chives, Garlic – 1 bunch - $2.75
6. Mizuna (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $2.75

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.25 (on our total for the season, we’re still down -$.75 from last week but that will change soon enough!  )



6. This month at Shake Shack…

For the month of May, it’s the 3rd Annual Great American Shake Sale at all Shake Shacks (our nearest one is in Westbury). Shake Shack is partnering with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign so for every $2 you donate, you get a coupon for a free Shake (worth $5) on your next visit. That’s a pretty good deal!
http://www.shakeshack.com/tag/no-kid-hungry/
And here’s their special Custard Calendar for the month of May…
http://www.shakeshack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ss_custard-cal_may14.pdf



7. Learn to play with your food at Fairway!

Meet Bill Wurtzel and learn how to make fun food art using only healthy ingredients from Fairway…
http://www.funnyfood.us/

Saturday, June 21st

1 to 3pm

Fairway, Red Hook, Brooklyn
480-500 Van Brunt St.
$1.00 if you reserve online…not sure if there’s a cost if you reserve at the store
https://www.fairwaymarket.com/shop/funny-food-art-workshop/

Register at the Customer Service Desk or online.



8. Strawberries picking at our farm!

Saturday, June 21st

Annual CSA Strawberry Picking and Farm Tour
Green Thumb Farm
Rt 27
Water Mill

Save the date! The times are usually from 10:30am to 1pm but will give you the details when I get them from our farmer. It’s a walking tour of approx 1 hour in length for CSA member and immediate family members only!

If you’re sharing a CSA share with someone, only one person/family can go. In this case often one person will go in June for the Strawberry picking, and the other person will go in October for the Pumpkin picking and the name of the CSA member is the one used for the reservation.



9. And now for something completely different…

Bet you wish you had one of these…I know I do! 
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/chefsexperts/interviews/sam-van-aken-interview

###

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Week #3 May 8th 2014

Happy Spring!

If you’d like to visit our farm (Green Thumb Farm in Water Mill) on days besides our CSA Strawberry picking in June and Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open until Sunday, December 7th. Tell them at the farm stand that you’re a CSA member and it’s sure to bring a smile!


This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. CSA member in need of some help!
3. This week’s list…
4. Organic Flowers for Mother’s Day?
5. What you actually got last week
6. This month at Shake Shack…
7. Learn to play with your food at Fairway!
8. And now for something completely different…


1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…

you can always show up at 3:30pm or 5:30pm and ask if we still need help!



2. CSA member in need of some help!

Anyone have any recommendations for an exterminator that uses pesticides as a last resort as opposed to a first resort, and is into the least toxic ways to get rid of household pests?

One of our CSA members is concerned about termites and would like to use someone who is as green (and yet effective) as possible!

While I didn’t have an exterminator to recommend, I did recommend a book that I think every human being should own because at one time or another, we will probably have to deal with something that’s in this book, and this book gives the solutions how to get rid of the problem in the best ways that won’t harm you, your family or pets (and talks about from least toxic to most toxic solutions). One person who agrees with me is Mike McGrath, a former editor of Organic Gardening Magazine. Of course, it’s out of print but you can still get copies…

Common Sense Pest Control – Olkowski (NOT the gardener’s one)…
http://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Pest-Control-Least-Toxic-Solutions/dp/0942391632

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sortby=1&tn=common+sense+pest+control&x=74&y=11



3. This week’s list…

May 6, 2014
Week #3

1. Collard Greens*
2. Arugula (greenhouse)
3. Kale Rabe**
4. Scallions
5. Mizuna (greenhouse)
6. Chives, Garlic***

Total Items: 6

*
Also see Braising Green Veggie Info Sheet

**
Cook like Kale
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/cook-kale-raab-31699.html
http://www.diaryofalocavore.com/2013/05/rabe-raab-local-food-report.html

***
Best used cooked or in stir fries, not really used raw (a small amount in a juice might be an option) in a Salad…though no one will stop you! 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_tuberosum
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/04/seriously-asian-stir-fried-chinese-chives-with-eggs-recipe.html


Herb Share – May #1
Rosemary & Sorrel



4. Organic Flowers for Mother’s Day?

While our own CSA Flower Shares won’t start till the beginning of June (and hopefully will start with Peonies…and there’s still time to sign up for one – or more than one…I get two Flower Shares every year!), you can still get organic, or at least sustainably grown, Flowers for Mother’s Day from the company Organic Bouquet…

http://www.organicbouquet.com/c_552/eco-friendly/mother-day-flowers.html



5. What you actually got last week

May 1, 2014
Week #2

1. Turnip Greens – 1 bunch - $3.25
2. Arugula (greenhouse) – 1 bunch - $1.75
3. Kale: Russian, White – 1 bunch - $3.50
4. Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
5. Sorrel – 1 bunch - $2.75
6. Leeks – 1 bunch - $4.25

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.50 (on our total for the season, we’re still down -$.50 from last week but that will change soon enough!  )



6. This month at Shake Shack…

For the month of May, it’s the 3rd Annual Great American Shake Sale at all Shake Shacks (our nearest one is in Westbury). Shake Shack is partnering with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign so for every $2 you donate, you get a coupon for a free Shake (worth $5) on your next visit. That’s a pretty good deal!
http://www.shakeshack.com/tag/no-kid-hungry/
And here’s their special Custard Calendar for the month of May…
http://www.shakeshack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ss_custard-cal_may14.pdf



7. Learn to play with your food at Fairway!

Meet Bill Wurtzel and learn how to make fun food art using only healthy ingredients from Fairway…
http://www.funnyfood.us/

Sunday, May 11th

1 to 3pm

Fairway, Westbury
1258 Corporate Drive
$1.00 if you reserve online…not sure if there’s a cost if you reserve at the store
https://www.fairwaymarket.com/shop/funny-food-art-workshop/

June 21st

1 to 3pm

Fairway, Red Hook, Brooklyn
480-500 Van Brunt St.
$1.00 if you reserve online…not sure if there’s a cost if you reserve at the store
https://www.fairwaymarket.com/shop/funny-food-art-workshop/

Register at the Customer Service Desk or online.



8. And now for something completely different…

Can you say ????

http://www.yumsugar.com/How-Properly-Pronounce-Difficult-Food-Words-34073034

###

Thursday, May 1, 2014

May 1, 2014
Week #2
Happy May Day/Beltane (the mid-point between the first day of spring, and the summer solstice)!

If you’d like to visit our farm (Green Thumb Farm in Water Mill) on days besides our CSA Strawberry picking in June and Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open starting today, May 1st, until Sunday, December 7th. Tell them at the farm stand that you’re a CSA member and it’s sure to bring a smile!

CSA member Heather Engle is in need of flower/plant catalogs and/or magazines that have photos of flowers and plants in them for an art project she’s doing in the nursing home she works at as a Therapeutic Recreation/Art Therapist. If you have anything to contribute, please bring them to the CSA this week and Heather will gladly pick them up at the end of the night! If you know of any gardeners or plant enthusiasts, maybe you can ask if they have any old magazines and catalogs that they’re ready to get rid of. Thanks! 


This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. Still got those Black Beans hanging around?
3. This week’s list…
4. It was a challenging winter for everyone, and farmers were no exception…
5. What you actually got last week
6. This month at Shake Shack…
7. And now for something completely different…


1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…

you can always show up at 3:30pm or 5:30pm and ask if we still need help!

2. Still got those Black Beans hanging around?

Here’s another article about cooking with dried Beans…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/20/dont-be-scared-dried-beans_n_2918404.html

3. This week’s list…

May 1, 2014
Week #2

1. Turnip Greens*
2. Arugula (greenhouse)
3. Kale: Russian, White – 1 bunch
4. Scallions – 1 bunch
5. Sorrel
6. Leeks

Total Items: 6

*
The Turnip Veggie Info Sheet briefly mentions Turnip Greens, but the Braising Green Info Sheet has most of the information you’ll be looking for.

4. It was a challenging winter for everyone, and farmers were no exception…

CSAs are a great help for farmers in times of agricultural famines and feasts. Our monies are a guaranteed income early in the season before summer is in full swing, and if the weather isn’t conducive for people to be heading out east and stopping by the farm stand (or even out of their houses if they live nearby). Keep in mind that 50% of what is grown on Green Thumb Farm is sold to CSA members! That’s how important CSA is to this farm, which now has the 14th generation of young Halseys tilling the soil…
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/30/dining/bitter-winter-limits-the-offerings-of-spring.html?_r=0

5. What you actually got last week

April 24, 2014
Week #1

1. Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes) – 1 lb - $4.75
2. Beans, Black (dried) – 1 lb - $4.25
3. Kale, Russian: Red – 1 bunch - $3.50
4. Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
5. Chives – 1 bunch - $2.50

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $18.00 (I know…we pay $18.50 per week so where’s the other $.50! Not to worry, we’ll get that back and then some as the weeks go on)

6. This month at Shake Shack…

For the month of May, it’s the 3rd Annual Great American Shake Sale at all Shake Shacks (our nearest one is in Westbury). Shake Shack is partnering with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign so for every $2 you donate, you get a coupon for a free Shake (worth $5) on your next visit. That’s a pretty good deal!
http://www.shakeshack.com/tag/no-kid-hungry/
And here’s their special Custard Calendar for the month of May…
http://www.shakeshack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ss_custard-cal_may14.pdf

7. And now for something completely different…

Bacon surrealism…

http://www.thebraiser.com/watch-behold-this-trippy-bacon-dream-courtesy-of-oscar-meyers-new-bacon-clock/

However, Oscar Mayer does NOT make the Bacon of MY dreams! 
Here’s the FIRST! weekly CSA food list:
April 24, 2014
Week #1

1. Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes) – 1 bag
2. Beans: Black (dried) – 1 bag
3. Kale: Russian, Red
4. Scallions – 1 bunch
5. Sorrel

Total Items: 5