Thursday, July 31, 2014

Week #15 July 31, 2014

Happy Summer!

This week’s mystery…Did anyone (CSA member or person picking up for CSA member) last week by chance take both kinds of Snap Beans/String Beans? There were Yellow/Wax and Dragon Tongue (beige and purple). Why do I ask? The count was correct at the start of the day, but at the end we were one bag short and that could explain it. Any ideas as to what happened? So somebody didn’t get any Beans this week (not a good thing). It’s all about solving mysteries and not about being punitive! 

Anyone want 2 bunches of Basil this week? CSA member Rita Wolfe would like to split her Basil Share with someone. If you’re interested, email or call me (631-421-4864) before 1pm on Thursday or let me know at the CSA, and bring in $5 in cash to give to Rita (or write a check for $5 to Rita Wolfe). The early bird gets the Basil! 

Any of you live near north Syosset? Someone is interested in joining the CSA but would like to rotate pickups with someone who lives in her neck of the woods. If anyone is interested, email or give me a buzz (631-421-4864).

Last two weeks for Basil Share deliveries! If you didn’t sign up but would like to get in on it here’s the deal…
You get 4 bunches of Basil for $10 per Basil Share! Pick your date(s) for delivery…July 31 and/or August 7, and submit either cash, or check made out to Halseys Green Thumb. Then, let me know (email or phone by midnight tonight for tomorrow) so I can put you on the list for the delivery day(s) on the date(s) you’d like!

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! I’m hearing from the people who bought these plants so far that they’re doing GREAT!!!

If you’d like to visit our farm (Green Thumb Farm in Water Mill) on days besides our CSA Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open 7 days a week 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! 

This email contains…

1. Your CSA DOES need you this week! We’re looking for ONE (1) person for 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and ONE (1) person for 5:30pm to 7:30pm
2. WE START TO WEIGH!!!
3. This week’s list…
4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?
5. What you actually got last week
6. Drink non-dairy milks? Then, read this…
7. How to buy a juicer!
8. Sign petition to help support this NYC eatery!
9. Help stop pesticide poisoning!
10. And now for something completely different…


1. Your CSA DOES need you this week! We’re looking for ONE (1) person for 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and ONE (1) person for 5:30pm to 7:30pm CSA

We need ONE (1) person for the 3:30 to 5:30pm shift and ONE (1) person for the 5:30 to 7:30pm shift.

Respond to this email, or call 631-421-4864 and leave a message, from now till 1pm on Thursday, July 31st.

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. WE START TO WEIGH!!!

It’s time to weigh our food!

A. Check the wall chart before taking any food so you know what you’re taking and how much to take…assume nothing and ask questions! 

B. Bring your reading glasses or ask someone to help if you can’t see the numbers on the scale clearly.

C. PLEASE DO NOT GO OVER THE AMOUNT STATED on the Wall Chart. Please err on the under side of the weight posted…NEVER over. It may not seem like much to you but we have 51 members and if every person is off by ONE OUNCE (for crying out loud! It’s only an ounce!!!) …that means we’ll be short over THREE POUNDS of produce and some CSA members won’t get the food they paid for. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want it to be you!

D. IF you are asked to weigh more than one food item at the same time…please follow the directions given to you and weigh in the order you are asked (you might not think there’s a good reason to be doing this but our farmer does and that should be enough of a reason right there…if you want a further explanation – ask suzanne…there is a method to the madness )



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

July 31, 2014
Week #15

1. Lettuce
2. Peppers, Sweet
3. Cucumbers
4. Beans, Snap
5. Cilantro
6. Beets
7. Squash, Summer

Total Items: 6/7

Basil Share #3

Flower Share #6



4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?

Did you take a look at the Flower Shares the other week? Amazing, right?

Do you now want one (or two)?

The way to get them now is to let me know ASAP either at the CSA, or by phone or email (by Wednesday midnight latest for me to try and get the word to the farm) and let me tell you how much the CSA share will be and you can pay cash or by check.

The amount for the next one will be $49. The Flowers come to the CSA when they’re ready so it’s not necessarily for 10 consecutive weeks.

If you’re sharing with someone and you buy a Flower Share and they show up when your share partner is picking up you can either pick your Flowers up from them, or have them pay you for the Flower for that week or each of you get a Flower Share and then…you can figure it out! 

Also, keep in mind that one person can have more than one Flower Share. A number of us (I’m one of them) get 2 Flower Shares because they are just that nice!!! 



5. What you actually got last week

July 24, 2014
Week #14

1. Lettuce: Oak Leaf, Green – 1 head - $2.75
2. Parsley, Italian Flat Leaf – 1 bunch - $2.75
3. Carrots – 1 bunch - $3.50
4. Beans: Green OR Yellow/Wax – 1 lb - $3.50
5. Onions – 1 bunch - $3.50
6. Radishes: Easter Egg OR French Breakfast – 1 bunch - $3.00
7. Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Eight Ball, Golden, Kousa, Yellow, Zucchini…not officially part of this week but to make up for the forgotten Summer Squash we were supposed to get last week – up to, and not over 3 lbs - $3.75

Total Items: 7
Total Amount: $22.75
(We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. Our farmer has give us $4.25 more this week than the $18.50 which we paid for so, the total so far is $5.75 more than what we’ve paid so far this season…really! )

Basil Share #2

Flower Share #5
Strawflowers (everlasts…can be dried)

Herb Share – July 2B
Chives, Garlic AND Mint



6. Drink non-dairy milks? Then, read this…

Lay off almond milk ignorant hipsters!
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2014/07/lay-off-almond-milk-ignorant-hipsters

Plus, almonds are going extinct on the west coast because of draught so the prices are going higher and higher. I’d rather eat them than drink them anyways!



7. How to buy a juicer!

Another juicing expert agreed…the best juicer is the one you’re going to use on a daily basis!
http://kriscarr.com/blog-video/best-juicer-buying-guide/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07112014%20NL



8. Sign petition to help support this NYC eatery!

I’ve never been here (and it probably isn’t organic or local) but if it’s been around for about 20 years, open round the clock, and helps keep taxis in NYC running by feeding its South Asian drivers, how bad could it be?

I’m going to put this on my list to check out next time I’m in NYC…
http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/07/punjabi-grocery-east-village.html?om_rid=AADNgX&om_mid=_BTxsSqB87G9YAL



9. Help stop pesticide poisoning!

CSA member Karen Rubino sent this to me. So after I signed the petition, I’m sending it to you…
https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=860B1FA823857CB42F6AFC2C7C247B57.app304b?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1583&utm_source=crm&autologin=true

The people who grow the food we eat, that’s not organic, are sprayed by 1.1 BILLION pounds of pesticides in the US alone! Sometimes the workers are exposed to these pesticides when the planes fly over them in the field while working, or exposed by something as simple as the farm not posting signs properly so workers know when it’s safe to be working in a greenhouse or not (I actually know someone who got pesticide poisoning due to this very reason). We should do what we can to lessen the use of pesticides, and make it as safe as possible for the people (and children) who work around them to be as safe as possible.



10. And now for something completely different…

More food references in Weird Al’s newest video (not a spoof but an homage to his fave band The Pixies) about and called First World Problems (apparently gluten-free is the new vegan/vegetarian as far as comedic references go…but then it’s probably also because Weird Al is a vegan)…
http://popcrush.com/weird-al-yankovic-first-world-problems-video/

This is the last new release video so that’ll be the last of Weird Al for the time being! 

###

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Week #14 July 24, 2014

Happy Summer!

Our farm driver, Tim, forgot our Summer Squash at the farm last week. Stuff happens and he felt really bad about it. Our farmer will be making up for it this week, not as part of the regular CSA share but as something extra.

The farm also forgot some Flower Shares so to those of you who were supposed to get two bunches and only took one so some other folks could at least get one…thanks!  Again, stuff happens, nobody’s perfect, and the farm will be making up for those missed flowers this week.

Last week started our Basil Share deliveries! If you didn’t sign up but would like to get in on it here’s the deal…
You get 4 bunches of Basil for $10 per Basil Share! Pick your date(s) for delivery…July 31 and/or August 7, and submit either cash, or check made out to Halseys Green Thumb. Then, let me know (email or phone) so I can put you on the list for the delivery day(s) on the date(s) you’d like!

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 Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open 7 days a week 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! 

This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. THIS WEEK WE WEIGH!!!
3. This week’s list…
4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?
5. What you actually got last week
6. Organic produce vending machine!!!
7. Leaf blower survey, babies and botulism…yes, there is a connection!
8. Old meat being served in China at McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut! Yum!!!
9. Buy fruit at Trader Joes, Costco or Fresh Direct? Read this!
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. THIS WEEK WE WEIGH!!!

It’s time to weigh our food!

A. Check the wall chart before taking any food so you know what you’re taking and how much to take…assume nothing and ask questions! 

B. Bring your reading glasses or ask someone to help if you can’t see the numbers on the scale clearly.

C. PLEASE DO NOT GO OVER THE AMOUNT STATED on the Wall Chart. Please err on the under side of the weight posted…NEVER over. It may not seem like much to you but we have 51 members and if every person is off by ONE OUNCE (for crying out loud! It’s only an ounce!!!) …that means we’ll be short over THREE POUNDS of produce and some CSA members won’t get the food they paid for. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want it to be you!

D. IF you are asked to weigh more than one food item at the same time…please follow the directions given to you and weigh in the order you are asked (you might not think there’s a good reason to be doing this but our farmer does and that should be enough of a reason right there…if you want a further explanation – ask suzanne…there is a method to the madness )



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

July 24, 2014
Week #14

1. Lettuce
2. Parsley
3. Carrots
4. Beans, Green
5. Onions
6. Radishes
(7. Squash, Summer…not officially part of this week but to make up for the forgotten Summer Squash we were supposed to get last week)

Total Items: 6/7

Basil Share #2

Flower Share #5

Herb Share – July 2B
Chives, Garlic AND Mint



4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?

Did you take a look at the Flower Shares the other week? Amazing, right?

Do you now want one (or two)?

The way to get them now is to let me know ASAP either at the CSA, or by phone or email (by Wednesday midnight latest for me to try and get the word to the farm) and let me tell you how much the CSA share will be and you can pay cash or by check.

The amount for the next one will be $49. The Flowers come to the CSA when they’re ready so it’s not necessarily for 10 consecutive weeks.

If you’re sharing with someone and you buy a Flower Share and they show up when your share partner is picking up you can either pick your Flowers up from them, or have them pay you for the Flower for that week or each of you get a Flower Share and then…you can figure it out! 

Also, keep in mind that one person can have more than one Flower Share. A number of us (I’m one of them) get 2 Flower Shares because they are just that nice!!! 



5. What you actually got last week

July 17, 2014
Week #13

1. Lettuce: Romaine – 1 head - $2.75
2. Broccoli – 1 head - $2.50
3. Beans, Green – 1 lb - $3.50
4. Onions – 1 bunch - $3.50
5. Swiss Chard – 1 bunch - $3.50

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $15.75
(We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. This week is confusing. We were supposed to get $19.50 worth of produce but our farm driver forgot the Summer Squash back at the farm so our farmer has give us $3.75 less this week than the $19.50 which was $1.00 over what we’re supposed to be getting every week so, the total so far is still $1.50 more than what we’ve paid so far…really! )


Basil Share #1

Flower Share #4
Snapdragons



6. Organic produce vending machine!!!

Submitted by CSA member Andrew Rudin…
http://www.healthfreedoms.org/a-vending-machine-that-dispenses-local-organic-veggies/#



7. Leaf blower survey, babies and botulism…yes, there is a connection!

Was lucky enough to see this on the news the other day…
http://7online.com/health/race-against-time-to-save-baby-diagnosed-with-botulism/192894/

This is what can happen when leaf blowers stir up soil, and then have these particles that can include botulism float around in the air for several hours after the leaf blowing is finished, and then these particles can be inhaled by infants, children, pets, and those with compromised immune systems.

So, if you live in the Town of Huntington and would like to have leafblowers banned, fill out this survey…
http://huntingtonny.gov/leaf-blower-survey

I included this website in my survey in the part where you can add additional comments and this is what I said…

Please read this website and see that other places in the country have totally banned leaf blowers (as early as 1987) and landscape businesses didn't have to raise their fees or go out of business, and life went on as usual as it did before the invention of leaf blowers...
http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/cqs/other.htm

My only problem with this survey is the last three questions didn't allow for an "I don't know" answer. I know the answer to the last two are yes from various health studies I've read, but am honestly guessing about #9 and if it were an option, I would have said that I don't know.

Someone else I know commented on the fact that they found all these other choices confusing as they simply wanted leafblowers banned…period. And all the others options seemed confusing and diluting the message of banning them altogether…as if it’s not possible (see above website to see that it is).



8. Old meat being served in China at McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut! Yum!!!

This is what they’re doing to their own people…and this is where we’re sending Chicken and Fish to be processed and sent back to us?

Be afraid, be very afraid!!! 

And then, buy local…

http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/07/mcdonalds_kfc_and_pizza_hut_se.html



9. Buy fruit at Trader Joes, Costco or Fresh Direct? Read this!

Recall…listeria…ugh…
http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/07/fda-fruit-recall.html

Buy local…know where your food comes from as much as possible!



10. And now for something completely different…

From sandwiches to hats…who doesn’t love them some foil! 

Weird Al strikes again with another parody…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-0TEJMJOhk

Again…if you don’t know the original…

Royals by Lorde…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcIKh6sBtc

###

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Week #13 July 17, 2014

Happy Summer!

Possible mystery of the week…did anyone go home with either 1) an extra bunch of Winter Savory if you have an Herb Share (you must take one of each variety, not two of one kind), or 2) a bunch of Winter Savory if you don’t have an Herb Share?
We were short one bunch of Winter Savory last week but don’t know if it was a farmer or CSA member error. Any thoughts on this? It wasn’t counted before the CSA started so that’s one thing we usually do every week that didn’t get done last week.

As most of you heard, last week the reason the CSA was outside on the lawn was not because the weather was lovely (which it was), but because right before we arrived at the CSA, the UUFH had a visit from Terminex exterminating company spraying pesticides for Ants. I could taste it as I was checking out the room so I knew this was no place for organic produce, children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems (all of which we have at the CSA) so we dragged the tables outside. As of last week, we have been told that any future visits from Terminex would be scheduled on a Monday or Friday. I have also offered to come up with non-toxic solutions to the problem of an overabundance of Ants which is not a health problem, but an aesthetic one mostly due to issues of insufficient food storage, insufficient cleaning, and unsealed entry points, all of which can be taken care of without the use of toxic pesticides. This information came from one of my favorite books in the universe, Common Sense Pest Control by Olkowski and Olkowski (of course, it’s out of print…and one of the commenters who thinks so too is Mike McGrath, former editor-in-chief of Organic Gardening magazine).
http://www.amazon.com/Common-Sense-Pest-Control-Least-Toxic-Solutions/dp/0942391632

This week starts our Basil Share deliveries! If you didn’t sign up but would like to get in on it here’s the deal…
You get 4 bunches of Basil for $10 per Basil Share! Pick your date(s) for delivery…July24, July 31 and/or August 7, and submit either cash, or check made out to Halseys Green Thumb. Then, let me know (email or phone) so I can put you on the list for the delivery day(s) on the date(s) you’d like!

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 Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open 7 days a week 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! 

This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. THIS WEEK WE WEIGH!!!
3. This week’s list…
4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?
5. What you actually got last week
6. Consider donating to help prevent and cure Cancer…
7. Leaf blower survey, babies and botulism…yes, there is a connection!
8. How to cook (most  ) everything this summer!
9. Change the world with a click of your mouse!
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. THIS WEEK WE WEIGH!!!

It’s time to weigh our food!

A. Check the wall chart before taking any food so you know what you’re taking and how much to take…assume nothing and ask questions! 

B. Bring your reading glasses or ask someone to help if you can’t see the numbers on the scale clearly.

C. PLEASE DO NOT GO OVER THE AMOUNT STATED on the Wall Chart. Please err on the under side of the weight posted…NEVER over. It may not seem like much to you but we have 51 members and if every person is off by ONE OUNCE (for crying out loud! It’s only an ounce!!!) …that means we’ll be short over THREE POUNDS of produce and some CSA members won’t get the food they paid for. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want it to be you!

D. IF you are asked to weigh more than one food item at the same time…please follow the directions given to you and weigh in the order you are asked (you might not think there’s a good reason to be doing this but our farmer does and that should be enough of a reason right there…if you want a further explanation – ask suzanne…there is a method to the madness )



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

July 17, 2014
Week #13

1. Lettuce
2. Peas OR Broccoli (farmer not sure which one it will be yet)
3. Squash, Summer
4. Beans, Green
5. Onions
6. Swiss Chard

Total Items: 6

Basil Share #1

Flower Share #4



4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?

Did you take a look at the Flower Shares the other week? Amazing, right?

Do you now want one (or two)?

The way to get them now is to let me know ASAP either at the CSA, or by phone or email (by Wednesday midnight latest for me to try and get the word to the farm) and let me tell you how much the CSA share will be and you can pay cash or by check.

The amount for the next one will be $49. The Flowers come to the CSA when they’re ready so it’s not necessarily for 10 consecutive weeks.

If you’re sharing with someone and you buy a Flower Share and they show up when your share partner is picking up you can either pick your Flowers up from them, or have them pay you for the Flower for that week or each of you get a Flower Share and then…you can figure it out! 

Also, keep in mind that one person can have more than one Flower Share. A number of us (I’m one of them) get 2 Flower Shares because they are just that nice!!! 



5. What you actually got last week

July 10, 2014
Week #12

1. Lettuce: Leaf, Red – 1 head - $2.75
2. Peas, Snow – ½ lb - $3.25
3. Radicchio: Chiogga OR Traviso * - 1 head - $3.50
4. Cabbage: Green – 1 head - $3.00
5. Beans, Fava** - ¾ lb - $3.25
6. Mustard Greens*** - 1 bunch - $3.00

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.75
(We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. Our farmer has give us $.25 more this week over what we paid. It doesn’t sound like much but it does add up over the course of the CSA season. The total so far is $4.25 more than what we’ve paid so far)


Flower Share #3

Herb Share – July 1A
Dill AND Savory, Winter

*
Radicchio – if you think you don’t like it, have you tried grilling it? 
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/perfectly-grilled-radicchio-recipe.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicchio
http://www.marthastewart.com/286437/radicchio-recipes/@center/1009854/winter-produce
http://www.jmarchinifarms.com/recipes/radicchio-recipes.html
http://radicchio.com/recipes/
Booze and Radicchio!
http://radicchio.com/for-chefs/salads-for-adults/

**
Fava Beans – REMOVE THE BEANS AND DO NOT EAT THE PODS!
Read the health indications if you’ve never eaten these before…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicia_faba
This has some nutrition info…
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/fava-beans-nutrition-selection-storage
http://www.marthastewart.com/975835/fava-bean-recipes/@center/1009726/spring-produce
To not peel the individual Beans…most of the countries that don’t remove the coating also cook Fava Beans longer than most American cooks would take the time to do…
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324659404578501233872401520
Or to peel them (I vote on peeling…I’ve eaten them with the coating on in a lovely restaurant in a delicious dish and had to spit them out as they were inedible even after much chewing)…
http://www.thekitchn.com/timesaving-mindblowing-tip-you-dont-have-to-peel-fava-beans-190462

***
Mustard Green Recipe
http://www.veria.com/healthy-recipe/easy-vegetarian-recipes-daily-greens-with-tahini-miso-sauce/

The recipe is a little wacky in that the ingredient list doesn’t have Collard Greens in it, but the instructions do. The tv version was just Cabbage and Mustard Greens so I’d go with that on the first go round. The recipe says “drain” and on tv, the woman was squeezing the water out of the Mustard Greens that were wrapped in paper towels (a clean dish towel would be more “green”  ).

To tweak this recipe, I’d probably steam my vegetables instead of boil them, and substitute basic Green Cabbage for the Napa Cabbage depending on price and which is available. And clearly, you could use any combination of greens. I believe the basic idea here is to pair a spicy/bitter/tangy green with a mild one to tone the spicy/bitter/tangy quality down a notch, and still get the benefits of eating those more intensely flavored vegetables!



6. Consider donating to help prevent and cure Cancer…

CSA member, Amy Norris Wenzel, lost her beloved brother Craig way too soon and is riding in the LI Bicycle Challenge in his memory and honor. Last year her crew rode 25 miles and raised $7,000 to help prevent and cure cancer. This year the goal is to ride 40 miles and raise even more money to prevent and cure cancer, diabetes and other illnesses.

To learn more about this event and where the money goes…
http://www.lichallenge.org/About.html

If you’re interested in donating to this cause, go to this website, and click on the name Amy Norris Wenzel under “Craig’s Crew”…
http://www.lichallenge.org/sponsorarider.html

Check here to see if your employer matches donations…
https://doublethedonation.com/lichallenge

If you prefer to write a check please make checks payable to: Long Island Bicycle Challenge. You can send checks directly to Long Island Bike Challenge at 1366 Odell Street, Wantagh, NY 11793. Please put the name “Amy Norris Wenzel” in the memo.



7. Leaf blower survey, babies and botulism…yes, there is a connection!

Was lucky enough to see this on the news today…
http://7online.com/health/race-against-time-to-save-baby-diagnosed-with-botulism/192894/

This is what can happen when leaf blowers stir up soil, and then have these particles that can include botulism float around in the air for several hours after the leaf blowing is finished, and then these particles can be inhaled by infants, children, pets, and those with compromised immune systems.

So, if you live in the Town of Huntington and would like to have leafblowers banned, fill out this survey…
http://huntingtonny.gov/leaf-blower-survey

I included this website in my survey in the part where you can add additional comments and this is what I said…

Please read this website and see that other places in the country have totally banned leaf blowers (as early as 1987) and landscape businesses didn't have to raise their fees or go out of business, and life went on as usual as it did before the invention of leaf blowers...
http://www.nonoise.org/quietnet/cqs/other.htm

My only problem with this survey is the last three questions didn't allow for an "I don't know" answer. I know the answer to the last two are yes from various health studies I've read, but am honestly guessing about #9 and if it were an option, I would have said that I don't know.

Someone else I know commented on the fact that they found all these other choices confusing as they simply wanted leafblowers banned…period. And all the others options seemed confusing and diluting the message of banning them altogether…as if it’s not possible (see above website to see that it is).



8. How to cook (most  ) everything this summer!

Your summer cooking toolkit…grilling and salads and you’re good to go…it’s an option!
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/15/dining/your-summer-cooking-tool-kit.html?_r=0

And chilled pasta salads are other options for your summer CSA produce…
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/16/dining/recipes-for-room-temperature-pasta-dishes.html



9. Change the world with a click of your mouse!

A. Want clean water? Sign this…
https://secure3.convio.net/ucs/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=762B32734E51D6415582A529C16088FC.app321b?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=4239&autologin=true

And then sign this (even though June 16th was the deadline, it still seems to be taking signatures)…
http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50923/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11349


B. Tell congress to oppose Agent Orange crops (2,4D pesticides on GMO crops)…
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=14470



10. And now for something completely different…

Weird Al’s newest song “Tacky” (with Jack Black, Margaret Cho, Aisha Tyler, Eric Stonestreet, and Kristen Schaal from the Daily Show) is a spot-on spoof of Pharell’s Happy. Even though it’s not exclusively about food, there are a few food references so I think it fits the bill…
http://www.nerdist.com/vepisode/weird-al-yankovic-gets-tacky-with-pharrells-happy/

Lyrics…
http://www.nerdist.com/vepisode/weird-al-yankovic-gets-tacky-with-pharrells-happy/

If by chance you don’t know the original song (to check it out or see how spot-on the spoof is comparing it to the original)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

And if you really like the original, then there’s the 24 hour version of the song…really!
http://24hoursofhappy.com/

###

Week #12 July 10, 2014

Happy Summer!

Next week starts our Basil Share deliveries! If you didn’t sign up but would like to get in on it here’s the deal…
You get 4 bunches of Basil for $10 per Basil Share! Pick your date(s) for delivery…July 17, July24, July 31 and/or August 7, and submit either cash, or check made out to Halseys Green Thumb. Then, let me know (email or phone) so I can put you on the list for the delivery day(s) on the date(s) you’d like!

Who went Strawberry picking at our farm the other weekend? Got any pictures? How about letting us know how the farm tour was?

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 Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open 7 days a week 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! 

This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. Consider donating to help prevent and cure Cancer…
3. This week’s list…
4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?
5. What you actually got last week
6. Tips on how to store your CSA food (and food in general!)…
7. Organic food and birth control? Wha???
8. Do you eat fish? If so, read this!
9. Can you can?
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. Consider donating to help prevent and cure Cancer…

CSA member, Amy Norris Wenzel, lost her beloved brother Craig way too soon and is riding in the LI Bicycle Challenge in his memory and honor. Last year her crew rode 25 miles and raised $7,000 to help prevent and cure cancer. This year the goal is to ride 40 miles and raise even more money to prevent and cure cancer, diabetes and other illnesses.

To learn more about this event and where the money goes…
http://www.lichallenge.org/About.html

If you’re interested in donating to this cause, go to this website, and click on the name Amy Norris Wenzel under “Craig’s Crew”…
http://www.lichallenge.org/sponsorarider.html

Check here to see if your employer matches donations…
https://doublethedonation.com/lichallenge

If you prefer to write a check please make checks payable to: Long Island Bicycle Challenge. You can send checks directly to Long Island Bike Challenge at 1366 Odell Street, Wantagh, NY 11793. Please put the name “Amy Norris Wenzel” in the memo.



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

July 10, 2014
Week #12

1. Lettuce
2. Peas, Sugar Snap OR Peas, Snow
3. Radicchio: Chiogga *
4. Cabbage: Green
5. Beans, Fava**
6. Mustard Greens***

Total Items: 6

Flower Share #3

Herb Share – July 1A
Dill AND Savory, Winter

*
Radicchio – if you think you don’t like it, have you tried grilling it? 
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/perfectly-grilled-radicchio-recipe.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicchio
http://www.marthastewart.com/286437/radicchio-recipes/@center/1009854/winter-produce
http://www.jmarchinifarms.com/recipes/radicchio-recipes.html
http://radicchio.com/recipes/
Booze and Radicchio!
http://radicchio.com/for-chefs/salads-for-adults/

**
Fava Beans – REMOVE THE BEANS AND DO NOT EAT THE PODS!
Read the health indications if you’ve never eaten these before…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicia_faba
This has some nutrition info…
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/fava-beans-nutrition-selection-storage
http://www.marthastewart.com/975835/fava-bean-recipes/@center/1009726/spring-produce
To not peel the individual Beans…most of the countries that don’t remove the coating also cook Fava Beans longer than most American cooks would take the time to do…
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324659404578501233872401520
Or to peel them (I vote on peeling…I’ve eaten them with the coating on in a lovely restaurant in a delicious dish and had to spit them out as they were inedible even after much chewing)…
http://www.thekitchn.com/timesaving-mindblowing-tip-you-dont-have-to-peel-fava-beans-190462

***
Mustard Green Recipe
http://www.veria.com/healthy-recipe/easy-vegetarian-recipes-daily-greens-with-tahini-miso-sauce/

The recipe is a little wacky in that the ingredient list doesn’t have Collard Greens in it, but the instructions do. The tv version was just Cabbage and Mustard Greens so I’d go with that on the first go round. The recipe says “drain” and on tv, the woman was squeezing the water out of the Mustard Greens that were wrapped in paper towels (a clean dish towel would be more “green”  ).

To tweak this recipe, I’d probably steam my vegetables instead of boil them, and substitute basic Green Cabbage for the Napa Cabbage depending on price and which is available. And clearly, you could use any combination of greens. I believe the basic idea here is to pair a spicy/bitter/tangy green with a mild one to tone the spicy/bitter/tangy quality down a notch, and still get the benefits of eating those more intensely flavored vegetables!



4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?

Did you take a look at the Flower Shares the other week? Amazing, right?

Do you now want one (or two)?

The way to get them now is to let me know ASAP either at the CSA, or by phone or email (by Wednesday midnight latest for me to try and get the word to the farm) and let me tell you how much the CSA share will be and you can pay cash or by check.

The amount for the next one will be $49. The Flowers come to the CSA when they’re ready so it’s not necessarily for 10 consecutive weeks.

If you’re sharing with someone and you buy a Flower Share and they show up when your share partner is picking up you can either pick your Flowers up from them, or have them pay you for the Flower for that week or each of you get a Flower Share and then…you can figure it out! 

Also, keep in mind that one person can have more than one Flower Share. A number of us (I’m one of them) get 2 Flower Shares because they are just that nice!!! 



5. What you actually got last week

July 3, 2014
Week #11

1. Beets (if there are greens, they are edible!) – 1 bunch - $3.50
2. Peas, Sugar Snap OR Peas, Snow – ½ lb - $3.50
3. Peas, Shelling – 1 lb - $6.50
4. Lettuce: Oakleaf, Green – 1 head - $2.75
5. Cilantro – 1 bunch - $2.75

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $19.00
(We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. Our farmer has give us $.50 more this week over what we paid. It doesn’t sound like much but it does add up over the course of the CSA season. The total so far is $4 more than what we’ve paid so far)

Flower Share #2 – Yarrow



6. Tips on how to store your CSA food (and food in general!)…

CSA member, Lisa McInnis Lonigro, came across this veritable treasure trove of info from a fellow CSA member in Boston (published 2 years ago but still fresh as the day it was posted!)…
http://www.thekitchn.com/the-kitchns-guide-to-storing-fruits-and-vegetables-tip-roundup-176308?utm_source=tk&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=social



7. Organic food and birth control? Wha???

I try to be, and believe in being, fair and balanced so…

If you agree with this petition - sign it, and follow through with the boycott of their products…
http://act.credoaction.com/sign/Eden_ACA?akid=11122.1689073.aKe8Mj&rd=1&t=1

If you don’t agree…don’t sign and/or write Eden Foods to voice your support of their decision, and continue to purchase their products.
http://www.edenfoods.com/



8. Do you eat fish? If so, read this!

I came across this while investigating a type of fish, Orata, that I’d never had before but tried at a Japanese restaurant, Hibino, in Queens (there’s one in Brooklyn too).

Turns out that Orata is the Italian name for Sea Bream also known as Dorade, and of course, isn’t on this list! However, one website I saw said that IF this fish if from a company called Local Ocean, they aren’t polluting the ocean as it’s an enclosed aquaculture system and also has low mercury levels.

Wallet card that talks about mercury levels of fish…
http://www.nrdc.org/health/effects/mercury/walletcard.pdf

And keep in mind that Cilantro (which we got last week) is a natural partial chelation agent for Mercury…
http://www.mercola.com/article/mercury/mercury_elimination.htm


And just to show you that it’s not all bad news out there…aquaculture done right can be a good thing for the planet and people who eat fish…
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/07/aquaculture-feed-algae-nuts-mcfarland-springs-kenny-belov



9. Can you can?

If not, and you’d like to, there’s 3 spots left for this event as of Wednesday afternoon…

Thursday, July 17th

6:30pm

Home Canning: A Hobby You Can Eat
Huntington Public Library
338 Main St.
Huntington
FREE
To register:
631-427-5165

Learn how to can (with a focus on Tomatoes) from Master Food Preserver, Mark Vosburgh (certified by Cornell Cooperative Extension). This is for new and experienced home canners.



10. And now for something completely different…

If you find yourself in Italy and are hungry or thirsty…

A bit of silliness about how to speak Italian…without speaking Italian!
http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/07/us-consulate-milan-italian-hand-gestures.html

###

Week #11 July 3, 2014

Happy Summer!

Who went Strawberry picking at our farm the other weekend? Got any pictures? How about letting us know how the farm tour was?

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 Pumpkin picking in October, the farm stand is now open 7 days a week 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! 

This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. More fast food disgustingness…
3. This week’s list…
4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?
5. What you actually got last week
6. Sugar Snap Peas and Booze…really!
7. Click here if you want to ban leaf blowers in the Town of Huntington (and you live in the Town of Huntington), and find out why you’d want to do such a thing!
8. Sugar and health problem cover up!
9. Eight easy ways to eat organic on a budget…
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. More fast food disgustingness…

Besides CAFO meat and yoga mat plastics in fast food…now there’s wood. Ugh!

http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/06/powdered-cellulose-fast-food.html?om_rid=AADNgX&om_mid=_BTsayfB869JrT2

Sorry to keep harping on this but, at least Chipotle and Panera are heading in the right direction.



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

July 3, 2014
Week #11

1. Beets (if there are greens, they are edible!)
2. Peas, Sugar Snap
3. Radicchio *
4. Lettuce
5. Cilantro

Total Items: 5

Flower Share #2 – Yarrow

*
Radicchio – if you think you don’t like it, have you tried grilling it? 
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/perfectly-grilled-radicchio-recipe.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radicchio
http://www.marthastewart.com/286437/radicchio-recipes/@center/1009854/winter-produce
http://www.jmarchinifarms.com/recipes/radicchio-recipes.html
http://radicchio.com/recipes/
Booze and Radicchio!
http://radicchio.com/for-chefs/salads-for-adults/



4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?

Did you take a look at the Flower Shares the other week? Amazing, right?

Do you now want one (or two)?

The way to get them now is to let me know ASAP either at the CSA, or by phone or email (by Wednesday midnight latest for me to try and get the word to the farm) and let me tell you how much the CSA share will be and you can pay cash or by check.

The amount for the next one will be $56. The Flowers come to the CSA when they’re ready so it’s not necessarily for 10 consecutive weeks.

If you’re sharing with someone and you buy a Flower Share and they show up when your share partner is picking up you can either pick your Flowers up from them, or have them pay you for the Flower for that week or each of you get a Flower Share and then…you can figure it out! 

Also, keep in mind that one person can have more than one Flower Share. A number of us (I’m one of them) get 2 Flower Shares because they are just that nice!!! 



5. What you actually got last week

June 26, 2014
Week #10

1. Strawberries – 1 qt - $6.75
2. Peas, Sugar Snap OR Peas, Snow – ½ lb - $3.50
3. Radish: French Breakfast OR Red – 1 bunch - $3.00
4. Lettuce: Crisp, Green OR Romaine, Red – 1 head - $2.75
5. Curly Cress – 1 bunch - $2.75

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $18.75
(We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. Our farmer has give us $.25 more this week over what we paid for. It doesn’t sound like much but it does add up over the course of the CSA season. The total of the season so far…meaning that the farmer is giving us more than we paid for…is $3.50 over from what we’ve paid so far)



6. Sugar Snap Peas and Booze…really!

http://liquor.com/articles/snap-pea-cocktails/



7. Click here if you want to ban leaf blowers in the Town of Huntington (and you live in the Town of Huntington), and find out why you’d want to do such a thing!

They need 373 more signatures to move forward with this so spread the word!
https://www.change.org/petitions/huntington-town-council-restrict-gas-leaf-blowers-glbs-during-summer?recruiter=1891563&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition



8. Sugar and health problem cover up!

How the sugar industry covers up the links between sugar consumption and health problems…
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2014/06/sugar-industry-tactics-to-make-your-food-unhealthy

While this may seem like heavy reading, it’s a pretty fast read and if you want the gory details, click on the full report this article is based on at the end of the article.

And if that seems like too much of a commitment, it’s worth going to the end and just reading the conclusion and recommendations (that’s what I did).



9. Eight easy ways to eat organic on a budget…

How about this fun fact…apparently if you eat 80% organic for ONE WEEK, 90% of the common organophosphates used in the environment that are in most people’s bodies are GONE! So as it says in the article below, once you start eating organically (the more the merrier), the pesticide burden in your body begins to vanish!!! How cool is that?

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/learn/blog/8-easy-ways-eat-organic-budget?utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Image+-+8+Ways+to+Eat+Organic+on+a+Budget&utm_content=dskolnick%40pb.net&utm_campaign=7Gen+2014-06-26

Did you know about this???
http://www.organicdeals.com/
This alone was worth reading the above article (have already signed up to get emails from this site).



10. And now for something completely different…

Food for thought (not wanting, or meaning, to be “punny” but there you go!)…
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/06/25/325189711/kandinsky-on-a-plate-art-inspired-salad-just-tastes-better

I’m a simple woman and actually prefer the conventional lump of salad BUT different strokes for different folks! And who knows…if there’s a point in time where I’d have the time, and decided to take the time, I might see what I could come up with on my salad plate!

I have to admit though, I did go thru a phase of pizza making where I was creating cartoonish landscapes on my rectangle whole wheat pizzas using highly colorful produce so I’m more representational than abstract. 

###

Week #10 June 26, 2014

Happy Summer!

This may or may not be our last week of Strawberries from our CSA. In a very good year, we get 4 quarts. So far, we’ve gotten 1 pint and 2 quarts, and we’ll see what this week brings. If you don’t already know, the place to get more berries from now till the fall is Makinajian Farm, 276 Cuba Hill Rd (and Little Plains Rd at the intersection of the two), Huntington, 631-368-9320, as they grow certified organic Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries and Blackberries in season, and they have their berries that are no longer in season in their freezer (at least they did the last time I was there). If you go and see Farmer Mick or his sister Tina…tell them suzanne says hi!

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 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! 

This email contains…

1. Your CSA doesn’t need you this week but…
2. What to eat at Jones Beach this season!
3. This week’s list…
4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?
5. What you actually got last week
6. Anybody out there involved in tv, film or digital media production?
7. Click here if you want to ban leaf blowers in the Town of Huntington (and you live in the Town of Huntington), and find out why you’d want to do such a thing!
8. Do you, or anyone you know, use the sweetener Truvia?
9. Use Honey? Read this…
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. What to eat at Jones Beach this season!

Come to visit Jones Beach and go to Smorgasbar!!!

It’s like Brooklyn’s famous food extravaganza called Smorgasburg (for its Williamsburg location) but at Jones Beach!

When: from now to Labor Day, 11am to 8pm (and you don’t have to pay the $10 to park at the beach if you go after 6pm)
Where: Park at Field #4
Central Mall
1000 Ocean Ave
Wantagh, NY
Check out the big white tent by the boardwalk

Go to Fleischer’s (they use pasture raised meats), mention that you heard about Smorgasbar in their email newsletter (true, you heard about it from mine) and you’ll get FREE FOOD (a bag of McClure’s chips AND an organic Blue Sky soda)

Here’s the Newsday article that mentions the complete list of vendors…I’ve heard good things about Fleischer’s and Rubirosa…
http://long-island.newsday.com/recreation/beaches/jones-beach-has-new-upscale-food-choices-under-huge-tent-1.8491931



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

June 26, 2014
Week #10

1. Strawberries
2. Peas, Sugar Snap OR Peas, Snow (not sure which one yet)
3. Radish
4. Lettuce
5. Curly Cress

Total Items: 5

Flower Share #2 – maybe???



4. Our certified organic Flower Shares are here! Are you ready and on the list?

Did you take a look at the Flower Shares the other week? Amazing, right?

Do you now want one (or two)?

The way to get them now is to let me know ASAP either at the CSA, or by phone or email (by Wednesday midnight latest for me to try and get the word to the farm) and let me tell you how much the CSA share will be and you can pay cash or by check.

The amount for the next one will be $63 which may or may not be this week. The Flowers come to the CSA when they’re ready so it’s not necessarily for 10 consecutive weeks.

If you’re sharing with someone and you buy a Flower Share and they show up when your share partner is picking up you can either pick your Flowers up from them, or have them pay you for the Flower for that week or each of you get a Flower Share and then…you can figure it out! 

Also, keep in mind that one person can have more than one Flower Share. A number of us (I’m one of them) get 2 Flower Shares because they are just that nice!!! 



5. What you actually got last week

June 19, 2014
Week #9

1. Strawberries – 1 qt - $6.75
2. Rhubarb (get rid of leaves…they’re poisonous…too much Oxalic Acid) – 1 bunch - $3.50
3. Mustard Greens – 1 bunch - $3.25
4. Lettuce: Romaine – 1 bunch - $2.75
5. Lavender (yes, you can cook with Lavender Flowers…or not, and then just put in a vase and smell, or dry and use in future potpourri or cooking) – 1 bunch - $2.75

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $19.00 (We pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share. Our farmer has give us $.50 more this week over what we paid for. It doesn’t sound like much but it does add up over the course of the CSA season. The total of the season so far…meaning that the farmer is giving us more than we paid for…is $3.25 over from what we’ve paid so far)

Herb Share – June 2B
Cilantro AND Sorrel



6. Anybody out there involved in tv, film or digital media production?

The reason I’m asking is that CSA member, Randi Gould, is looking to make a job change and as we know…you never know! 

This is the ad that Randi sent me and if I had a job to offer, I’d give her an interview!

And if you don’t have any direct connections but have some good ideas, get in touch with her about those too.

Producer/Field Producer/Associate Producer "Volunteer" Available

If you are in the film or television industry, or digital media production, and need someone to assist on your film/video project, contact me. Among my strengths:
• Strong communication skills (Columbia University Journalism School grad; freelance writer and editor; co-author of 7 books)
• Ability to multi-task and stay hyper-organized
• Diplomatic wrangler of celebrities and on-air talent (experience garnered during my magazine days and during a recent video project for the American Society of Clinical Oncology)
• Doggedness in conducting research and gathering intel
I already have the skills; I just need the experience. Let's discuss!
Write to randi.gould@gmail.com



7. Click here if you want to ban leaf blowers in the Town of Huntington (and you live in the Town of Huntington), and find out why you’d want to do such a thing!

They need 373 more signatures to move forward with this so spread the word!
https://www.change.org/petitions/huntington-town-council-restrict-gas-leaf-blowers-glbs-during-summer?recruiter=1891563&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition



8. Do you, or anyone you know, use the sweetener Truvia?

Apparently, it kills insects really well but is just fine for humans…

http://www.grubstreet.com/2014/06/father-son-discover-truvia-kills-insects.html?om_rid=AADNgX&om_mid=_BTodyBB86ujcwP

Why not just use plain old Stevia instead as that’s what it is…Stevia with crap in it and done to it. The companies that make it are Cargill (think Monsanto) and Coca-Cola.

As usual…less processed and simple is the way to go.

And someone else’s take on the Truvia controversy…
http://www.foodrenegade.com/is-truvia-healthy/



9. Use Honey? Read this…

OK…no Truvia. Now what?

CSA member Andrew Rudin submitted this article saying that 75% of Honey sold at the supermarket isn’t really Honey.

The solutions is simple…buy local and know your beekeeper (and ideally, they’re an organic or biodynamic beekeeper).

I’ll be asking our farmer if he’ll be doing Honey Shares from the bees on our farm this season.

http://healthfreedoms.org/2014/06/08/seventy-five-percent-of-honey-bought-at-the-supermarket-isnt-real-honey/



10. And now for something completely different…

Take my word on this one…we don’t want this. There’s got to be a better way…
http://www.fastcoexist.com/3027928/cyborg-baby-spinach-could-one-day-detect-chemical-weapons

From what they have to do for the Spinach to behave this way, we wouldn’t want to eat it as it would be so altered. We haven’t yet discovered all the good things in foods the way they are now to be messing around with their genetic makeup and then losing the possibility of finding out what those undiscovered good things were because they’ll be lost forever. Then the scientists and government will say it either 1) isn’t a problem to eat or 2) there’s NO WAY it’s going to crossbreed with regular eating Spinach and in both cases they will, more likely than not, be wrong. Jeez!

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