Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Week #18 Oct. 1, 2015

Happy Autumn!

CSA Weather Report…cool and rainy before the hurricane on Sunday?

Keep in mind that the last chance to get a tour of our farm (Green Thumb Farm) for this season, is Saturday, October 17th! Details in the events calendar below!

Still got your Lima Beans in the fridge? Read this…
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=59
And then read this and follow the recipe (though I don’t peel the outer coating like she did unless it’s really tough…Favas - yes, Limas - no)…
http://www.restaurantwidow.com/2007/09/yet-another-rid.html

CSA Basics 101 –
Please read the Wall Chart that the farmer brings in every week, follow the direction on the Wall Chart, and it’s not a bad idea to refer to it before you leave the CSA to make sure you haven’t taken too much OR too little before you leave the CSA.
I can’t tell you how many times I have left the CSA, gotten home, and realized I THOUGHT I took everything in the share for the week, didn’t, and it’s too late to do anything about it as anything left over at the end of the night is donated and gone at 7:31pm (unless prior arrangements have been made by CSA members for late pickups).

If you are going to show up at the CSA later than 7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (may be different every week but will probably be open till at least 10pm) and it’s the last minute and you’re running late…call the Cinema Arts Centre Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 and ask them to transfer the call to the café so we can pack a bag for you, put your name on it and leave it at the Box Office. If you don’t get to the Cinema before the Box Office closes, your food will NOT be there the next day. The Cinema is under no obligation to store your food, and we don’t want to be the cause of bugs in the Cinema Arts Centre being attracted to our wonderful CSA food.

This email contains (and keep in mind as far as any info/opinions that are not directly CSA related, you can always take what you like and leave the rest  )…

1.We bag our own!
2.Help! We’re looking for ONE (1) person to help out at the CSA this week from 3:30pm to 5:30pm…
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4.Click here and help change the world…every click counts!
5.Bitter Melon report from the kitchen…
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7. Hepatitis from drinking green tea? Think local, act glocal! 
8. What you actually got last week
9. Who woulda thunk it?
10.And now for something completely different…


1.We bag our own

CSA basic, for this CSA anyways, is that you need to bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now till December 10th!

And if you ask anyone to pick up your CSA food for you, please let them know that they need to bring bags to pack the food in.

So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in!  Put them in the trunk, or the glove compartment, or in a bigger bag somewhere in the car, or whatever you think will work for your situation. That way, you don’t even have to remember, they’re just there.

The CSA is under no obligation to provide you with bags for your food.

I also recommend a selection of canvas, paper and plastic. I bag my CSA share up in my paper (Strawberries) and plastic bags (most everything else) and put it in my bigger canvas bag so when I get home, everything’s pretty much (with some exceptions…like herbs) ready to be put right into the fridge.



2.Help! We’re looking for ONE (1) person to help out at the CSA this week from 3:30pm to 5:30pm…

If you’re available, please..

1. Respond to this email from now till 1pm, Thursday, October 1st
2. Call 631-421-4864 from now till 1pm, Thursday, October 1st
3. Call the Cinema Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm on Thursday, October 1st, and make sure you talk to someone from the CSA to let us know that you’re coming to work and when
4. Just stop by the CSA a little before 3:30pm and see if we still need help.

You can always show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and offer to help out just in case someone doesn’t show up (stuff happens  ).

If you didn’t already get an email from Hayley or/and suzanne talking to you about being at the CSA on the Early Shift (3:30pm to 5:30pm) or the Late Shift (5:30pm to 7:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.



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

CSA #101 – The Basics – when trying any new food item, start small and start slow. See how your body and palate reacts. And if you aren’t crazy about the taste, texture, smell, something…try at least SIX completely different ways of preparing it before you give it the heave-ho (raw, steamed, stir-fried, fried …maybe not so healthy but ANYTHING usually tastes good fried, in a salad, in a soup, in a sandwich, in a stew, in a smoothie, and on and on)!  Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

October 1, 2015
Week #18

1.Tomatoes*
2.Lettuce
3.Squash, Summer**
4.Kale
5.Eggplant
6.Beans, Snap (same as String Beans)

Total Items: 6

*
Tomatoes 23 ways…
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/07/fresh-summer-tomato-recipes.html

**
Zucchini Parmesan (or Costata Romanesco, or Golden, or Kousa, or Yellow…keep repeating the CSA mantra “Squash…is Squash!  )…
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/dining/roasted-zucchini-makes-a-fresh-parmesan-dish.html?_r=0
Summer Squash Noodle Salad…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/DailyDose/archive/2015/07/31/Summer-Squash-Noodle-Salad.aspx?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740

If you don’t have a spiralizer yet, the Cleveland Clinic (headed by Dr. Oz’s buddy Dr. Michael Roizen) sells one…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Pages/CCWProductDetails.aspx?category=Tools&cat=WellnessCatalog&pid=781723971012&utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740#



4. Click here and help change the world…every click counts!

If you clicked on this one…congratulate yourself! I just got an email from the group EarthJustice saying that the EPA has just updated a 23 year old law to protect farmworkers and their families from toxic agricultural pesticides! You CAN make a difference with just a click! 

A.Help save Monarch Butterflies…they’re being wiped out due to Monsanto’s Roundup Ready pesticide and Roundup Ready GMO crops (which actually use MORE pesticides not less as they were supposed to do)…
http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18443

B.CSA member, Deb Ettenberg, would like us all to help save the Milleridge Inn. The main building was built in 1672 and it is one of the oldest eating establishments in the USA! Of course, the new owners would like to tear it down and put up a strip mall…
https://www.change.org/p/save-american-history-save-the-historic-340-year-old-milleridge-inn?recruiter=379589160&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

C. Demand that world leaders sign a strong climate agreement at the Paris Climate Negotiations…
https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/demand-that-world-leaders-sign-a-strong-climate-agreement-at-the-paris-climate-negotiations?cmpid=action-eml-2015-09-23-roundup

D.Demand that chemicals linked to causing cancer be taken out of cosmetic products…
https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/demand-cosmetics-without-chemicals-linked-to-cancer?cmpid=action-eml-recurring-cosmetics

E.Tell Subway to switch to antibiotic-free meat…
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-subway-switch-to?source=mo&id=132923-620103-dcuHuax&t=31

F.Pledge not to buy food from California (the petition names the brands) that might be being grown with contaminated (treated but still contaminated) oil wastewater…
http://act.couragecampaign.org/sign/ToxicWaterProduce/?t=1&referring_akid=2104.1995773.-Hxk7z



5. Bitter Melon report from the kitchen…

CSA member Karen Rubino has this to report on her Bitter Melon experiments… 

So I just made myself a smoothie for breakfast with about 1/4 of my bitter melon & it's absolutely delicious. I taste no bitterness at all, in fact it's quite sweet. I was so afraid it was going to be bitter, that I added the teaspoon of honey, but to my taste, you don't even need it. Here's the recipe I made up with what I had in the house…

1/4 bitter melon
1/2 peach
3 strawberries
1/2 C apple juice
1/2 C almond milk
1 t. coconut oil
1/2 scoop protein powder
1 t. raw honey (optional)

I looked it up on the internet & they had one with mango, which I didn't have, so I made up my own. When my bananas ripen, I'm going to try one with banana another day.
Tomorrow I plan on putting some in my eggs. So I had scallions, mushroom and bitter melon in scrambled eggs. You do taste the bitter this way but I eat my scrambled eggs with ketchup & that takes care of the problem (I suggested to Karen that she try sautéing Garlic and Onions with the Bitter Melon to dial down the bitter flavor and add something hot if she likes hot…hot sauce, fresh Jalapeno Pepper).

6.Events

Monday, September 28th, to Monday, October 5th

Holistic Oral Health Summit…online
FREE
To register…
http://holisticoralhealthsummit.com/

If you don’t have teeth, it makes it more challenging to eat!  Listen and watch 34 experts talk about alternative ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy and get your mouth healthy if it’s not. And just for registering, you get some free info. I noticed one of the speakers was holistic dentist, Dr. Len Fazio, from Smithtown.


Thursday, October 1st

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Friday, October 2nd

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, October 3rd

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Sunday, October 4th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Monday, October 5th

7:30pm to 10pm

Let Us Eat Local 2015 Just Food benefit
The Metropolitan Pavillion
125 W 18th St
NYC
$225/$350 (VIP tickets includes 6:30 to 7:30pm cocktail hour)
To buy tickets or make a donation:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/let-us-eat-local-2015-tickets-16795486753?aff=Edible

Just Food is the group that organizes almost all of the CSAs in the 5 boroughs of NYC in addition to their Urban Farms and City Chickens programs. Great group, great food, great booze…a fine time will be had by all who attend.


Tuesday, October 6th

6:30pm (distribution starts at 7pm)

Food Not Bombs Huntington Food Share Distribution
E 6th St and Fairground Ave
Huntington Station
For more info and to get on their email list:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

If you want to help the group that we’re donating our CSA leftover food to this year, this is when and where you’d go. You can go any Tuesday…they’ll be there.

6:30pm to 9:30pm

The Fall Gala for the Coalition for Healthy School Food presents…Great Chefs Cook for Healthy School Food
Midtown Loft
267 5th Ave
NYC
$125/$300
To get tickets:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ebey8bun4f070028&oseq&c&ch
For more info about the event:
http://www.healthyschoolfood.org/events.htm

This is a wonderful organization headed by ex-Long Islander Amie Hamlin. Participating restaurants include Vedge (famous vegetarian restaurant in PA), Candle Café, Franchia, V-Spot, and chefs including Fran Costigan and Bhavani Jharoff (from Long Island) and many more. There will be live jazz, gift bags, a raffle and a silent auction.


Wednesday, October 7th

7:30pm

Save the Milleridge Inn meeting
Knights of Columbus Hall
45 Heitz Pl
Hicksville
For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/SavetheMilleridge?_rdr=p


Saturday, October 10th

9am to 2pm

Mini Retreat
Science of Spirituality Mediation Center
79 County Line Rd
Amityville
FREE
For more info and to register:
631-822-7979
infotristate@sos.org

Includes yoga, meditation and vegetarian cooking class.


Sunday, October 11th

9am to 12:30pm

Food Justice from Seed to Market
Omega Institute Online
FREE to $30
To register…
https://www.eomega.org/online-workshops/food-justice-from-seed-to-market?source=ePromo.OM.HB#-workshop-description-block

CSA member Joy Tuxson let me know about this wonderful online event featuring Vandana Shiva, a heroine of the global environmental movement, along with Winona LaDuke, Will Allen and other inspirational speakers. Once you’re registered, this will be available to be viewed till November 11th if you can’t watch it on October 11th.


Saturday, October 17th

10:30am/11:30am/12:30pm

Green Thumb Farm CSA Annual Pumpkin Picking Farm Tour
Green Thumb Farm
829 Montauk Hwy
Water Mill
FREE
Must RSVP:
631-726-1900 (you can call to make your reservation from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week)

Open to all Green Thumb CSA members and immediate family only! If you are sharing a CSA share with someone, usually one person visits the farm in June when we go Strawberry picking and the other goes in October for the Pumpkin picking (the share partner needs to make the reservation under the name of the CSA member otherwise the farm doesn’t know who you are).

Must RSVP to attend (for you last minute planners - it’s possible you can call before you leave for the farm and maybe still make it in to one of the tours…no guarantees but it might be possible). It’s a one hour wagon tour of our farm so they need to make sure they have room in the wagon for whoever is showing up.

Truth in advertising…the Pumpkins are NOT organic, nor are they from our farm. They are brought in for kids to carve, not for people to eat (though you certainly can). Pumpkins are a type of Winter Squash and our farm organically grows varieties that are better suited to eating.


Saturday, October 24th

8:30am to 6pm

12th Annual Holistic Mom’s Network (HMN) Natural Living Conference
New Jersey Institute of Technology
150 Bleecker St
Newark, NJ
$55 (members/$50 General Public/$35 (ages 5 to 12)
For more info and to register:
https://hmn-nlc.squarespace.com/

Keynote speakers are Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting, and Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth. Holistic Moms Network has 100 chapters nationwide (and there’s one in Huntington) and this year the conference is close to Long Island. For more info about HMN…
http://www.holisticmoms.org/


Thursday, October 29th

? to 9pm

Pecha Kucha: Talks over Tea
Sip Tea Lounge
New York Ave
Huntington
FREE (though I’m sure the owner would appreciate it if you at least ordered some tea)
For more info:
631-683-5777

More info TBA

8pm

Conversations: Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Rd
Westbury
$63
For more info and to buy tickets…
http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004E75D4FC4D1F?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141

An in depth talk with questions from you! For the past 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agricul¬ture, gardens, drugs and architecture. He is the author of the best-sellers In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Join us in a moderated conversation with audience Q&A and a book signing to follow. This is a new project in association with Book Revue of Huntington!


Friday, October 30th

6:30pm

MysTEArious Halloween Tea Pairing
Sip Tea Lounge
286 New York Ave
Huntington
$25
To buy tickets:
631-683-5777

Enjoy a 5 course tea pairing with sweet and savory vegan treats! Feel free to come costume and bring your Halloween spirit! 


Wednesday, November 4th and Thursday, November 5th

Farm to Tray
USG Conference Center
Rockville, MD
$55
For more info and to register:
http://www.fieldtotray.org/

Scholarships still available to attend. A conference to strengthen farm to school lunch purchasing in the mid-Atlantic (which includes NY).


Sunday, November 8th

NAVEL Expo
For more info:
http://navelexpo.com/

Major all day holistic health event usually held in Huntington. Info TBA.


Saturday, November 14th

9am to 2pm

Mini Retreat
Science of Spirituality Mediation Center
79 County Line Rd
Amityville
FREE
For more info and to register:
631-822-7979
infotristate@sos.org

Includes yoga, meditation and vegetarian cooking class.


Saturday, December 12th

9am to 2pm

Mini Retreat
Science of Spirituality Mediation Center
79 County Line Rd
Amityville
FREE
For more info and to register:
631-822-7979
infotristate@sos.org

Includes yoga, meditation and vegetarian cooking class.



7. Hepatitis from drinking green tea? Think local, act glocal! 

As in food…go certified organic when possible and know where your tea comes from (and if you’re in Huntington, check out Sip Tea Lounge on NY Ave across from Thai USA that has a bunch of different kinds of Green Tea…some organic and all carefully sourced)…
http://www.grubstreet.com/2015/09/green-tea-hepatitis.html

There IS no local tea, but there is a “glocal” movement for people to know where there food is coming from globally (from people who are growing things in a healthy and sustainable way), and it’s referred to as “glocal”.



8.What you actually got last week

September 24, 2015
Week #17

1.Tomatoes*: Paste – Yellow, Red, Yellow – up to 2 lbs - $6.00
2.Lettuce: Leaf, Green – 1 head - $3.00
3.Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Golden, Kousa, Patty Pan – Green, Yellow, Zucchini** and/or Bitter Melon – 2 total - $1.25
4.Kale: Russian, Red – 1 bunch - $3.50
5.Okra: Green/Red mix – ½ lb - $3.25
6.Squash, Winter: Butternut, Carnival, Delicata - 2 total - $2.50

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $19.50
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $1.00 more than we paid for. Doesn’t sound like much but see how every little bit extra he gives us adds up over the course of the 28 weeks! So far it’s $17.95 total extra.

Herb Share – September 2B
Marjoram AND Sage

*
Tomatoes 23 ways…
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/07/fresh-summer-tomato-recipes.html

**
Zucchini Parmesan (or Costata Romanesco, or Golden, or Kousa, or Yellow…keep repeating the CSA mantra “Squash…is Squash!  )…
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/dining/roasted-zucchini-makes-a-fresh-parmesan-dish.html?_r=0
Summer Squash Noodle Salad…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/DailyDose/archive/2015/07/31/Summer-Squash-Noodle-Salad.aspx?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740

If you don’t have a spiralizer yet, the Cleveland Clinic (headed by Dr. Oz’s buddy Dr. Michael Roizen) sells one…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Pages/CCWProductDetails.aspx?category=Tools&cat=WellnessCatalog&pid=781723971012&utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740#

**Quick and slow Okra recipes…
http://www.tastingtable.com/cook/national/how-to-cook-okra-recipes-fried-okra-bollywood-theater?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=Quick_vs_Slow_Okra_Edition_2015_07_23&utm_content=Cooking_editorial



9.Who woulda thunk it?

Organic beef at Mickey D’s!!! But have they taken the yoga mat chemical out of the buns? 
http://www.grubstreet.com/2015/09/mcdonalds-unveils-organic-burger.html

However, they’ve also been using organic Milk (since 2003) and free range Eggs in England (since 2010)…
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/aug/31/jamie-oliver/chef-jamie-oliver-praises-mcdonalds-england/



10.And now for something completely different…

Real chefs cooking dumb recipes…

Chef Daniel Holzman, owner of The Meatball Shop cooking Honey Boo-Boo’s ‘Sketti recipe…
http://www.eater.com/2015/9/23/9383307/real-chef-attempts-honey-boo-boos-sketti-recipe

I love Daniel (and The Meatball Shop), but I’d try this using organic raw milk butter, King Kensington or Santa Cruz Organic Ketchup, and some organic dried whole wheat pasta…and not use a microwave to heat up the “sauce”…and probably add hot red pepper flakes…but then it wouldn’t be Honey Boo-Boo’s recipe. Ah well! 

###

Friday, September 25, 2015

Bitter Melon Info

Hi!

Any questions about cooking, juicing, eating, and health properties of Bitter Melon…please feel free to contact me.

If you’re pregnant or are breastfeeding…there’s conflicting info so err on the safe side and take a pass…small amounts should be fine as women eat this all over the world but if it’s new to you, maybe now is not the time to experiment.
http://www.momjunction.com/articles/benefits-of-bitter-gourd-during-pregnancy_00326723/

If you’re diabetic or have hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia…be aware that Bitter Melon can lower your blood sugar levels so monitor so it doesn’t go too low (and just don’t drink or eat too much of it)!!!
Bitter Melon and Diabetes…
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/bitter-melon-diabetes/
Bitter Melon and Prediabetes…
http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/bitter-melon-diabetes/

The sheet I had on Bitter Melon at the CSA is from The National Bitter Melon Council…
http://bittermelon.org/eat/cookingbittermelon
It’s kind of a demented website in that none of the recipe links seem to work, and the writing is somewhat off kilter. Not sure if it’s a translation issue with a non-English speaker or what. However, they actually have a section on CSAs!
http://bittermelon.org/grow/csa

Do you have the anti-bitter gene? Some people have a gene that makes tasting bitter foods more intense than other people. These folks also tend to have certain health problems because they naturally avoid eating bitter foods that would be good for them. If you do, try and sneak small amounts of bitter foods into whatever you can, whenever you can! 

General Bitter Melon article with recipe…
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/07/seriously-asian-bitter-melon-stir-fry.html

And Wikipedia always has something to say…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momordica_charantia

Why bother eating Bitter Melon? Here’s some of the health benefits (but read about the contraindications too)…
http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/diabetes/bitter-melon-treat-diabetes-00700/
http://juicing-for-health.com/health-benefits-of-bitter-gourd.html
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-bitter-melon.html
Bitter Melon and Prostate Cancer…
http://cancerpreventionresearch.aacrjournals.org/content/4/12/2122.full
Bitter Melon and Pancreatic Cancer…
http://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/pancreatic-cancer/bitter-melon-juice-induces-pancreatic-cancer-cell-death/article/308216/
Bitter Melon and Breast Cancer…
http://www.cancerdefeated.com/this-bitter-fruit-is-having-sweet-success-against-cancer/2302/

With any new food…start with a small amount to check it out and take it from there.

Basic prep…
Wash
Don’t need to peel
Cut off the amount you want to cook, and then cut in half to scrape out the pith and seeds with a spoon and discard the pith and seeds (if the seeds are red and you eat them, they are toxic…but you’re not supposed to eat the seeds and pith anyway)
Cut into half moons or whatever shape and size you wish and use in recipe (but I’d say to start, use a SMALL amount of Bitter Melon and a LARGE amount of whatever it says to cook it with – protein, other veg, etc)

Like this video…good basic info whether you’re going to cook this or not…Vietnamese Bitter Melon Soup…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_7c6hnOvUA

Bitter Melon and Egg video…use a TINY amount of Bitter Melon to start and a LOT more Eggs!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30X12EpYrOI

Simple baked Bitter Melon recipe (this looks really good…use any good Masala Spice mix)…
http://www.indiatimes.com/health/recipes/diabetic-recipes-10-indian-bitter-gourd-recipes-236176-2.html

Japanese vegan Bitter Melon Salad (this looks like a winner)…
http://www.justonecookbook.com/bitter-melon-salad/

Vegan stuffed Bitter Melon recipe (Indian style)…
http://holycowvegan.net/2011/03/stuffed-bitter-melons-karela.html

This stuffed Bitter Melon (with cheese) recipe looks good too but they don’t tell you what to tie up the Bitter Melon with (guess I’d just use basic kitchen twine)…
http://www.indiatimes.com/health/recipes/diabetic-recipes-10-indian-bitter-gourd-recipes-236176-4.html

Bitter Melon with Potatoes and Sauteed Onions…
http://www.indiatimes.com/health/recipes/diabetic-recipes-10-indian-bitter-gourd-recipes-236176-5.html

Juicing Bitter Melon…
Wash it
Don’t need to peel it
Cut off the amount you want to use (start with 1/2” slice), cut it in half and scrape out with a spoon the pith and any seeds and discard the pith and seeds (red seeds are toxic but we’re not supposed to be eating the seeds anyway)
Add the Bitter Melon to your juicing combo (Cucumber/Apple/Lemon/Bitter Melon is a nice one)

If you’re into making juices, try this recipe BUT start with using a ½” piece of Bitter Melon, and then 1” and work your way up to maybe a 2 or 3” piece…in these recipes they say a half a Bitter Melon or a whole one BUT it depends on the size and too much is NOT a good thing…juicing makes it go from culinary to medicinal and too much Bitter Melon juice can lower your blood pressure to the point of it being too low and getting dizzy (one of our CSA members was her own guinea pig and figured this one out)…
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/in-the-reboot-kitchen-green-bitter-melon-juice/

Bitter Melon juice/smoothie recipe video…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unq-X7kHr6k
Bitter Melon juice info…
http://www.livestrong.com/article/520753-how-to-make-karela-juice/
http://www.chinasichuanfood.com/bitter-melon-juice/

More recipes…

Filipino style (…uses Egg)…
http://simplegoodandtasty.com/2011/05/03/bitter-melon
Basic Bitter Melon and Eggs recipe (I’d use more Eggs than Bitter Melon and start with a 1 or 2” piece with 2 or 3 Eggs and I can’t be bothered with any salting or blanching…thought it will reduce the bitter flavor it’s more time than I want to take and I like the flavor)…
http://www.daydaycook.com/recipe/1/details/1023/Bitter-Melon-Scrambled-Eggs.html
Bitter Melon with scrambled Eggs and Bacon (you can leave out the Bacon and this will still work BUT animal fat is traditional with Chinese and Thai recipes and tones down the bitter flavor)…
http://wishfulchef.com/bitter-melon-eggs/
Bitter Melon and Eggs Thai style…I’d use a 1” piece of Bitter Melon for THREE Eggs to start and I’d cook this recipe backwards…first cook the Bitter Melon (and I’d do it with Onions and Garlic and some Chili Pepper…I like things hot but not hot works too) and when the Bitter Melon was a little soft and browned a bit and then add the Eggs…
http://praneesthaikitchen.com/2011/08/04/stir-fried-bitter-melon-with-egg-recipe/

Chinese style…
http://www.noobcook.com/bittergourd-egg/2/
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/vegetablesrecipes/ss/bitter-melon.htm#showall
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/tour/food/chinese-cooking/stir-fried-bittermelon.htm

Indian style…
This one’s a winner too…
http://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/karela-sabzi-recipe-punjabi-karela-sabzi/
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/prepare-own-bitter-melon-5034.html
http://indian.food.com/recipe/karela-bitter-melon-or-gourd-55817

Thai style (uses fish sauce)…
http://www.thaitable.com/thai/recipe/stir-fried-bitter-melon

Assorted recipes…
http://chinesefood.about.com/od/vegetablesrecipes/tp/Bitter-Melon-Recipes.htm

Freezing Bitter Melon (they don’t tell you how long to blanch them for…not good)…
http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1728706/freezing-bitter-gourd
Blanching time chart…hmmm…no Bitter Melon listed but I’d go with 2 to 3 minutes since it’s like Summer Squash or Peppers. Do basic prep, and cut into half moons and freeze for future use…
http://nchfp.uga.edu/how/freeze/blanching.html

To learn how to cook, it’s useful to expand one’s palate by eating out and exploring.

Where to eat Bitter Melon on Long Island…

Thai USA
Huntington
Ask for Bitter Melon as it’s not on the menu but if they have it, they will make a side dish for you with Eggs. I get it with their brown rice (and sometimes I get a side of peanut sauce and drizzle that on because everything tastes better with Thai peanut sauce)

House of Dosas
Hicksville
On the menu it’s called “Healthy Salad” and it’s Bitter Melon

The Orient
Bethpage
Not on the menu – ask for Bitter Melon – they will make it with Black Bean Sauce OR with sliced Pork or Beef (it’s a big portion…you will have leftovers)

Fortune Wheel
Levittown
It’s on one dish on the menu BUT they will also make it as a vegetable dish…I haven’t done that here yet (or tried the one dish that has it on the menu) but I will

If you know of any other places that serve it on Long Island (or in the 5 boroughs), let me know!

Best wishes…suzanne
631-421-4864

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Week #17 Sept. 24, 2015

Happy National Organic Harvest Month and Happy Autumn!

CSA Weather Report…lovely!

Keep in mind that our last chance to get a tour of our farm this season is Saturday, October 17th! It’s in the events calendar below but there’ll be more info to follow as soon as I get it!

Still got your Lima Beans in the fridge? Read this…
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=59
And then read this and follow the recipe (though I don’t peel the outer coating like she did unless it’s really tough…Favas - yes, Limas - no)…
http://www.restaurantwidow.com/2007/09/yet-another-rid.html

Apology…sorry for misinforming you about the CSA members whose daughter was singing at the Sky Room Café last week. Not the Weavings! I could swear it was them but hey…mistakes do get made. When in fact, it was the Garvey’s (publishers of Creations magazine) daughter Kirsten Maxwell, and if you didn’t make it to the concert last week after the CSA, you can listen to her music here…
http://www.kirstenmaxwell.com/music-1/

Tomato info…the first time we got our “Stuffing” Tomatoes (red and yellow striped Heirlooms), no one at the farm told me about them so after that CSA one person contacted me and thought they were faulty, and another instinctively stuffed them and was happy at her creativity of making Lemonade out of what appeared to be the Tomato equivalent of a Lemon. The next week I was told what they were and we’ve been spreading the word ever since. I learn something new every year even after 18 years of CSA experience.  Here’s a good article on Stuffing Tomatoes with recipes…
http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/stuffing-tomato-varieties-zmaz02fmzgoe.aspx

Basil info…anyone wonder why we don’t have Basil Shares anymore? Or Basil in the Herb Share? Or Basil in our regular CSA Share? Then read this…
If you see the extent a plant pathologist went to for her Basil at home, you’ll see why this is not doable on a farm…
http://livegpath.cals.cornell.edu/gallery/basil/how-gardeners-can-manage-downy-mildew-in-basil/
For more info…
http://awaytogarden.com/basil-pressure-fight-devastating-downy-mildew/
The farm (and you) may need to wait till there are resistant varieties (not-GMO bred but old school hybridized).

CSA Basics 101 –
Please read the Wall Chart that the farmer brings in every week, follow the direction on the Wall Chart, and it’s not a bad idea to refer to it before you leave the CSA to make sure you haven’t taken too much OR too little before you leave the CSA.
I can’t tell you how many times I have left the CSA, gotten home, and realized I THOUGHT I took everything in the share for the week, didn’t, and it’s too late to do anything about it as anything left over at the end of the night is donated and gone at 7:31pm (unless prior arrangements have been made by CSA members for late pickups).

If you are going to show up at the CSA later than 7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (may be different every week but will probably be open till at least 10pm) and it’s the last minute and you’re running late…call the Cinema Arts Centre Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 and ask them to transfer the call to the café so we can pack a bag for you, put your name on it and leave it at the Box Office. If you don’t get to the Cinema before the Box Office closes, your food will NOT be there the next day. The Cinema is under no obligation to store your food, and we don’t want to be the cause of bugs being attracted to our wonderful CSA food.


This email contains (and keep in mind as far as any info/opinions that are not directly CSA related, you can always take what you like and leave the rest  )…

1.We bag our own!
2. We don’t need your help this week at the CSA (but there’s a lot of time between now and December 10th that we will)…
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4.Notes from the Farm
5. Food saving tips!
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7.The downside of Green Smoothies…
8. What you actually got last week
9. Store Salad Greens vs. Local Salad Greens
10.And now for something completely different…


1.We bag our own

CSA basic, for this CSA anyways, is that you need to bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now till December 10th!

And if you ask anyone to pick up your CSA food for you, please let them know that they need to bring bags to pack the food in.

So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in!  Put them in the trunk, or the glove compartment, or in a bigger bag somewhere in the car, or whatever you think will work for your situation. That way, you don’t even have to remember, they’re just there.

The CSA is under no obligation to provide you with bags for your food.

I also recommend a selection of canvas, paper and plastic. I bag my CSA share up in my paper (Strawberries) and plastic bags (most everything else) and put it in my bigger canvas bag so when I get home, everything’s pretty much (with some exceptions…like herbs) ready to be put right into the fridge.



2. We don’t need your help this week at the CSA (but there’s a lot of time between now and December 10th that we will)…

You can always show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and offer to help out just in case someone doesn’t show up (stuff happens  ).

If you didn’t already get an email from Hayley or/and suzanne talking to you about being at the CSA on the Early Shift (3:30pm to 5:30pm) or the Late Shift (5:30pm to 7:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.



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

CSA #101 – The Basics – when trying any new food item, start small and start slow. See how your body and palate reacts. And if you aren’t crazy about the taste, texture, smell, something…try at least SIX completely different ways of preparing it before you give it the heave-ho (raw, steamed, stir-fried, fried …maybe not so healthy but ANYTHING usually tastes good fried, in a salad, in a soup, in a sandwich, in a stew, in a smoothie, and on and on)!  Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

September 24, 2015
Week #17

1.Tomatoes*
2.Lettuce
3.Squash, Summer**
4.Kale
5.Soy Beans OR Okra***
6.Squash, Winter

Total Items: 6

Herb Share – September 2B
Marjoram AND Sage

*
Tomatoes 23 ways…
http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/07/fresh-summer-tomato-recipes.html

**
Zucchini Parmesan (or Costata Romanesco, or Golden, or Kousa, or Yellow…keep repeating the CSA mantra “Squash…is Squash!  )…
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/15/dining/roasted-zucchini-makes-a-fresh-parmesan-dish.html?_r=0
Summer Squash Noodle Salad…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/DailyDose/archive/2015/07/31/Summer-Squash-Noodle-Salad.aspx?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740

If you don’t have a spiralizer yet, the Cleveland Clinic (headed by Dr. Oz’s buddy Dr. Michael Roizen) sells one…
http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/Pages/CCWProductDetails.aspx?category=Tools&cat=WellnessCatalog&pid=781723971012&utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740#

**Quick and slow Okra recipes…
http://www.tastingtable.com/cook/national/how-to-cook-okra-recipes-fried-okra-bollywood-theater?utm_medium=email&utm_source=national&utm_campaign=Quick_vs_Slow_Okra_Edition_2015_07_23&utm_content=Cooking_editorial



4.Notes from the Farm

Mid-September 2015

Our summer drought has ended!!! After less than 2” of rain all of July, August and into the 2nd week of September (what we ideally should be getting is 1” of rain every week so we were 9” short), we got 4” of rain in 3 days. This was greatly needed for our fall crops, which have been planted into dry, dusty soil. Our fall greens: Tat Soi, other Chois (Choy/Choi basically means green vegetable in Chinese), Arugula, Mizuna, Spinach, and others all needed some water to start growing. Turnips (Gold, Red, and White), as well as several varieties of winter Radishes, all had been dormant until the rains arrived. It will be another month before we start harvesting them, but will have them into December.

Our Kales, Cabbage and Broccoli greatly benefited from all the rains.

We’re still picking much of our summer crops…Peppers, Eggplants and Tomatoes, Beans and Summer Squashes. We will only have all of these another month or so. Winter Squashes are now being picked and put into storage for distribution over the next weeks until the end in December. Next week we plan on digging our Sweet Potatoes and will have them until our final delivery as well.

Happy Fall, enjoy the season’s bounty…Winter is around the corner!

Organically yours,
Farmer Bill (Halsey)



5.Food saving tips!

Save food, save money, less waste, more food for you! 
http://www.drjohnlapuma.com/wellness-and-health/saving-money-and-setting-an-example-for-kids-10-food-waste-tricks-to-do-now/



6.Events

Friday, September 25th

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, September 26th

10am to 4pm

17th Annual Long Island Naturally Environmental Fair
Manor Farm
210 Manor Rd
Huntington
FREE
For more info about this event:
http://www.starflowerexperiences.org/

Starflower Experiences presents its annual Fair and Community Yard Sale. There will be live music, games for the kids, and info about green living.

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)


Sunday, September 27th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)

10am to 6pm


Monday, September 28th, to Monday, October 5th

Holistic Oral Health Summit…online
FREE
To register…
http://holisticoralhealthsummit.com/

If you don’t have teeth, it makes it more challenging to eat!  Listen and watch 34 experts talk about alternative ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy and get your mouth healthy if it’s not. And just for registering, you get some free info. I noticed one of the speakers was holistic dentist, Dr. Len Fazio, from Smithtown.


Tuesday, September 29th

6:30pm (distribution starts at 7pm)

Food Not Bombs Huntington Food Share Distribution
E 6th St and Fairground Ave
Huntington Station
For more info and to get on their email list:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

If you want to help the group that we’re donating our CSA leftover food to this year, this is when and where you’d go. You can go any Tuesday…they’ll be there.


Wednesday, September 30th

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 1st

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Friday, October 2nd

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, October 3rd

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Sunday, October 4th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Tuesday, October 6th

6:30pm to 9:30pm

The Fall Gala for the Coalition for Healthy School Food presents…Great Chefs Cook for Healthy School Food
Midtown Loft
267 5th Ave
NYC
$125/$300
To get tickets:
https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07ebey8bun4f070028&oseq&c&ch
For more info about the event:
http://www.healthyschoolfood.org/events.htm

This is a wonderful organization headed by ex-Long Islander Amie Hamlin. Participating restaurants include Vedge (famous vegetarian restaurant in PA), Candle Café, Franchia, V-Spot, and chefs including Fran Costigan and Bhavani Jharoff (from Long Island) and many more. There will be live jazz, gift bags, a raffle and a silent auction.


Sunday, October 11th

9am to 12:30pm

Food Justice from Seed to Market
Omega Institute Online
FREE to $30
To register…
https://www.eomega.org/online-workshops/food-justice-from-seed-to-market?source=ePromo.OM.HB#-workshop-description-block

CSA member Joy Tuxson let me know about this wonderful online event featuring Vandana Shiva, a heroine of the global environmental movement, along with Winona LaDuke, Will Allen and other inspirational speakers. Once you’re registered, this will be available to be viewed till November 11th if you can’t watch it on October 11th.


Saturday, October 17th

Time (TBA)

Green Thumb CSA Annual Pumpkin Picking Farm Tour
Green Thumb Farm
Water Mill
FREE

Open to all Green Thumb CSA members and immediate family only. Must RSVP to attend. Detail to follow as soon as we get them.


Saturday, October 24th

8:30am to 6pm

12th Annual Holistic Mom’s Network (HMN) Natural Living Conference
New Jersey Institute of Technology
150 Bleecker St
Newark, NJ
$55 (members/$50 General Public/$35 (ages 5 to 12)
For more info and to register:
https://hmn-nlc.squarespace.com/

Keynote speakers are Kim John Payne, author of Simplicity Parenting, and Robyn O’Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth. Holistic Moms Network has 100 chapters nationwide (and there’s one in Huntington) and this year the conference is close to Long Island. For more info about HMN…
http://www.holisticmoms.org/


Thursday, October 29th

8pm

Conversations: Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Rd
Westbury
$63
For more info and to buy tickets…
http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004E75D4FC4D1F?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141

An in depth talk with questions from you! For the past 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agricul¬ture, gardens, drugs and architecture. He is the author of the best-sellers In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Join us in a moderated conversation with audience Q&A and a book signing to follow. This is a new project in association with Book Revue of Huntington!


Friday, October 30th

6:30pm

MysTEArious Halloween Tea Pairing
Sip Tea Lounge
286 New York Ave
Huntington
$25
To buy tickets:
631-683-5777

Enjoy a 5 course tea pairing with sweet and savory vegan treats! Feel free to come costume and bring your Halloween spirit! 


Sunday, November 8th

NAVEL Expo
For more info:
http://navelexpo.com/

Major all day holistic health event usually held in Huntington. Info TBA.



7.The downside of Green Smoothies…

There aren’t many in this video BUT if you drink these (or Hibiscus Tea) I do advise you watch this and learn what they are…
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-downside-of-green-smoothies/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-downside-of-green-smoothies&utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=ccbf213f9d-RSS_VIDEO_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-ccbf213f9d-23639013



8.What you actually got last week

September 17, 2015
Week #16

1.Tomatoes, Mini: Cherry – Red OR Pear – Yellow OR Sungold – 1 pt - $4.75
2.Lettuce: Leaf, Red OR Oak Leaf, Green – 1 head - $3.00
3.Radishes – 1 bunch - $3.00
4.Eggplants: Neon, White – up to 1 lb (and then left in bowl and weighed with Peppers)
5.Peppers, Sweet: Bell, Romanian Was – up to 1 lb (Eggplants and Peppers together totaling up to 2 lbs) - $4.50
6.Beans, Snap: Green OR Romano OR Yellow/Wax OR Beans, Shelling: Lima – 1 lb bag - $3.50

Total Items: 6
Total Amount: $18.75
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $.25 more than we paid for. Doesn’t sound like much but see how every little bit extra he gives us adds up over the course of the 28 weeks! So far it’s $16.95 total extra.



9.Store Salad Greens vs. Local Salad Greens

Local wins every time (go CSA salad greens  )…
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/08/salad-greens-water-nutrition



10.And now for something completely different…

Pizza farm? Riiiggghhhtttt….
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/b3e57df4eb/pizza-farm-with-nick-offerman?_cc=__d___&_ccid=etwh8a.nri503

###

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Week #16 Sept. 17, 2015

Happy National Organic Harvest Month and Happy Summer (it’s still summer till September 22nd/23rd)!

CSA Weather Report…just lovely!

And remember, we’re going to be outside in the garden of the Cinema Arts Centre this week!

Here’s a quote I found about the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah (celebrated starting Saturday evening, Sept 12th) that I lifted from an email from another CSA (Homecoming Farm in Amityville…run by Dominican nuns) and it made me think of all of us and our CSA…CSA is about the relationship between you and the Halsey family at Green Thumb Farm, where they work long and hard to help sustain you (and your family) with the food they grow, and when you spread the word about your CSA you help do the same for others…
“Rosh Hashanah is about relationships. Whether between individuals and the God in whom they believe, communities and the traditions which define them, or simply between individuals, whether any God or tradition is part of their lives, it's all about sustaining relationships which sustain us and help us do the same for others.”
Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, President of The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership

To all our CSA members celebrating this Judaic holiday season…L’Shanah Tovah! 

CSA Basics 101 –
Please read the Wall Chart that the farmer brings in every week, follow the direction on the Wall Chart, and it’s not a bad idea to refer to it before you leave the CSA to make sure you haven’t taken too much OR too little before you leave the CSA.
I can’t tell you how many times I have left the CSA, gotten home, and realized I THOUGHT I took everything in the share for the week, didn’t, and it’s too late to do anything about it as anything left over at the end of the night is donated and gone at 7:31pm (unless prior arrangements have been made by CSA members for late pickups).

If you are going to show up at the CSA later than 7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (may be different every week but will probably be open till at least 10pm) and it’s the last minute and you’re running late…call the Cinema Arts Centre Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 and ask them to transfer the call to the café so we can pack a bag for you, put your name on it and leave it at the Box Office. If you don’t get to the Cinema before the Box Office closes, your food will NOT be there the next day. The Cinema is under no obligation to store your food, and we don’t want to be the cause of bugs being attracted to our wonderful CSA food.


This email contains (and keep in mind as far as any info/opinions that are not directly CSA related, you can always take what you like and leave the rest  )…

1.We bag our own!
2. We don’t need your help this week at the CSA (but there’s a lot of time between now and December 10th that we will)…
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4. Click away and help change the world!
5.Sushi Bowl recipe…
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7.Any teachers out there of grades K – 12? Know any???
8. What you actually got last week
9. How to stop farmers from polluting water (we’re not talking organic farmers)…
10.And now for something completely different…


1.We bag our own

CSA basic, for this CSA anyways, is that you need to bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now till December 10th!

And if you ask anyone to pick up your CSA food for you, please let them know that they need to bring bags to pack the food in.

So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in!  Put them in the trunk, or the glove compartment, or in a bigger bag somewhere in the car, or whatever you think will work for your situation. That way, you don’t even have to remember, they’re just there.

The CSA is under no obligation to provide you with bags for your food.

I also recommend a selection of canvas, paper and plastic. I bag my CSA share up in my paper (Strawberries) and plastic bags (most everything else) and put it in my bigger canvas bag so when I get home, everything’s pretty much (with some exceptions…like herbs) ready to be put right into the fridge.



2. We don’t need your help this week at the CSA (but there’s a lot of time between now and December 10th that we will)…

The last email worked, and so we now have enough folks to help out tomorrow at our outdoor CSA!

You can always show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and offer to help out just in case someone doesn’t show up (stuff happens  ).

If you didn’t already get an email from Hayley or/and suzanne talking to you about being at the CSA on the Early Shift (3:30pm to 5:30pm) or the Late Shift (5:30pm to 7:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.



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

CSA #101 – The Basics – when trying any new food item, start small and start slow. See how your body and palate reacts. And if you aren’t crazy about the taste, texture, smell, something…try at least SIX completely different ways of preparing it before you give it the heave-ho (raw, steamed, stir-fried, fried …maybe not so healthy but ANYTHING usually tastes good fried, in a salad, in a soup, in a sandwich, in a stew, in a smoothie, and on and on)!  Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

September 17, 2015
Week #16

1.Tomatoes, Mini
2.Lettuce
3.Radishes
4.Eggplants
5.Peppers, Sweet
6.Beans, Snap (same as String Beans)

Total Items: 6



4.Click away and help change the world!

A.Tell Congress…no cuts to food stamp benefits!
https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/tell-congress-no-cuts-to-food-stamp-benefits?cmpid=action-eml-recurring-snap

B.Help protect Monarch Butterflies and help yourself!

GMO crops require more of the pesticide Roundup, and that kills the plant called Milkweed that the Butterflies use as a food source, SO it’s another way Monsanto is helping these creatures become extinct. Monarch Butterflies are a pollinator insect and for food production, we need all the pollinators we can get!

So, help the Butterflies, help yourself…
http://action.foe.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18427

C.The same class of pesticides that are killing off Bees are polluting waterways and harming other wildlife.

Click here to tell the EPA to get rid of them…
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17453



5.Sushi Bowl recipe…

Contributed by CSA member Kim Battaglia…
http://cookieandkate.com/2015/vegetarian-sushi-bowl-recipe/?utm_source=Cookie+and+Kate+Newsletter&utm_campaign=7f20acdc8f-Email-New_posts_by_email1_12_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dc2361842c-7f20acdc8f-243065241

CSA foods that we get that are in the recipe include Cucumbers, Carrots and Soy Beans…though I’m pretty sure we didn’t get enough for 2 cups that the recipe asks for. However, in a recipe like this…improvise! 

And looking on this website, I found THIS one that looks really good…

Creamy Cherry Tomato and Summer Squash Pasta…
http://cookieandkate.com/2015/creamy-cherry-tomato-summer-squash-pasta/

You could make this with any Tomatoes and any of the many kinds of Summer Squash that we get.

And this recipe would be great with the heirloom stuffing Tomatoes we got this past week…
http://cookieandkate.com/2011/stuffed-tomatoes-with-quinoa/



6.Events

Saturday, September 19th

10am to 1pm

Island Harvest Food Drive
Walbaums
60 Wall Street
Huntington

A trip to Trader Joe’s can make organic or healthier food donations pretty darn inexpensive. Suggested items include donations of canned vegetables, tomato sauce, soups, peanut butter, pasta, cereals, baby formula, spices, coffee, tea, personal care items or nutritional beverages.

10am to 4pm

36th Annual Pickle Festival
John Gardiner Farm
900 Park Ave
Huntington
$5.00
For more info:
http://www.greenlawncenterporthistorical.org/

10am to 4pm

7th Annual Organic Apple Festival
Rodale Institute
Kutztown, PA
$5 per car
For more info and directions:
http://rodaleinstitute.org/organicapplefestival/
For the more ambitious and early rising, there’s a 5K race staring at 8:30am. To register ($30)…
http://rodaleinstitute.org/apple-a-day-5k/

Pick your own organic Apples, 40 organic food vendors, live music and stuff for the kids!

11am to 6pm

33rd Annual Queens County Fair
$9 Adults/$ Children 3 to 12/under 3 years of age FREE
FYI – no pets allowed
For more info and to buy tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/33rd-annual-queens-county-fair-tickets-18463714467

Irish music, pie eating, farm animals, corn maize, food and craft vendors, and fun for the whole family!

12pm to 8pm

7th Annual Gaia’s Essence Women’s Wellness Conference
Islandia Marriott Long Island
3635 Expressway Drive North
Islandia
$25
For more info and to get tickets:
http://gewwc.com/

Their mission statement for this event is be empowered…be inspired…your perception…your reality. This year they’ll be having a kid’s room with special programs just for kids! Sponsors include Fit Healthy Mamas, LI Dietetic Association, Natural Awakenings magazine, So Delicious, Vitamix, and Whole Foods.


Sunday, September 20th

10am to 4pm (can pick up tickets and map at Charnews Farm stating at 9am)

9th Annual North Fork Foodie Tour
Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm
3005 Youngs Ave
Southold
$25 (12 and under FREE)
For more info and to buy tickets in advance:
http://northforkfoodietour.brownpapertickets.com/
If you’re interested in renting a bike to do the tour for $36…
http://www.northforkreformsynagogue.org/foodie-tour-2015

It’s an amazing day to tour a large number of north fork farms, vineyards, etc., meet chefs, win prizes, eat food, milk goats and a whole lot more, organized by the North Fork Reform Synagogue!

11am to 6pm

33rd Annual Queens County Fair
$9 Adults/$ Children 3 to 12/under 3 years of age FREE
FYI – no pets allowed
For more info and to buy tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/33rd-annual-queens-county-fair-tickets-18463714467

German music, pie eating, farm animals, corn maize, food and craft vendors, and fun for the whole family!


Tuesday, September 22nd

6:30pm (distribution starts at 7pm)

Food Not Bombs Huntington Food Share Distribution
E 6th St and Fairground Ave
Huntington Station
For more info and to get on their email list:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

If you want to help the group that we’re donating our CSA leftover food to this year, this is when and where you’d go. You can go any Tuesday…they’ll be there.


Friday, September 25th

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, September 26th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)


Sunday, September 27th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Sept 25th)


Wednesday, September 30th

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 1st

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Friday, October 2nd

10am to 4pm

Long Island Fair
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Rd
Old Bethpage
$12 Adults/$8 Seniors 60 and older AND Children 5 to 12/under 5 years FREE (special prices for other times…check website for details)
For more info:
http://www.lifair.org/

Since 1842, this has been the Agricultural Fair of our area (besides the big NY State Fair upstate)!


Saturday, October 3rd

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Sunday, October 4th

10am to 5pm

Long Island Fair
(see Oct 2nd)


Thursday, October 29th

8pm

Conversations: Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Rd
Westbury
$63
For more info and to buy tickets…
http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004E75D4FC4D1F?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141

An in depth talk with questions from you! For the past 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agricul¬ture, gardens, drugs and architecture. He is the author of the best-sellers In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Join us in a moderated conversation with audience Q&A and a book signing to follow. This is a new project in association with Book Revue of Huntington!



7. Any teachers out there of grades K – 12? Know any???
If so, there’s a program coming up thru the organization NY Agriculture in the Classroom to help teachers use to connect their curriculum to gardens and local food systems, all while earning 18 hours of Professional Development Credits.
For more info and to register (scholarship application deadline 9/22, registration deadline 9/30)…
http://agclassroom.org/ny/programs/literacy_academy_li.htm



8.What you actually got last week

September 10, 2015
Week #15

1.Tomatoes: Orange, Red, Rose, Stuffing Heirloom, Yellow – up to 2 lbs - $6.00
2.Lettuce: Leaf, Green – 1 head - $3.00
3.Beans, Shelling: Soy (Edamame) OR Okra: Green & Red – 1 bag (1/2 lb) - $3.50
4.Scallions – 1 bunch - $3.00
5.Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Eight Ball, Golden, Kousa, Patty Pan – Green and Yellow, Yellow, Zucchini – up to 2 lbs - $4.00

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $19.50
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $1.00 more than we paid for. Doesn’t sound like much but see how every little bit extra he gives us adds up over the course of the 28 weeks! So far it’s $16.70 total extra.

Herb Share – Sept 1A
Thyme and Savory, Winter



9.How to stop farmers from polluting water (we’re not talking organic farmers)…

Legislation being proposed to have non-organic farmers not pollute water due to use of large amounts of synthetic fertilizers and the lack of cover crops to absorb it…
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/des-moines-nitrate-water-lawsuit

And purchasing more organic foods increases the need for more organic farms which will also help this situation!



10.And now for something completely different…

Vegan reggae music!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OIzAF1I7g8

###

Week #15 Sept. 10, 2015

Happy National Organic Harvest Month!

HELP!!! There’s NO ONE working at the CSA this week from 5:30PM TO 7:30PM!!! (see #2).

CSA Weather Report…THUNDERSTORMS with torrential rainfall and possible flooding…plan accordingly…bring an umbrella, rain boots? And this is a day for plastic over paper bags! 

Here’s some info about organic and Organic Harvest Month…
http://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/news/organic-101-for-organic-harvest-month-in-september

And suggestions of how to celebrate it…and, oh look – one of the suggestions is to JOIN A CSA! Go you! 
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/three-easy-ways-to-celebrate-organic-harvest-month.html

CSA Basics 101 –
Please read the Wall Chart that the farmer brings in every week, follow the direction on the Wall Chart, and it’s not a bad idea to refer to it before you leave the CSA to make sure you haven’t taken too much OR too little before you leave the CSA.
I can’t tell you how many times I have left the CSA, gotten home, and realized I THOUGHT I took everything in the share for the week, didn’t, and it’s too late to do anything about it as anything left over at the end of the night is donated and gone at 7:31pm (unless prior arrangements have been made by CSA members for late pickups).

If you are going to show up at the CSA later than 7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (may be different every week but will probably be open till at least 10pm) and it’s the last minute and you’re running late…call the Cinema Arts Centre Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 and ask them to transfer the call to the café so we can pack a bag for you, put your name on it and leave it at the Box Office. If you don’t get to the Cinema before the Box Office closes, your food will NOT be there the next day. The Cinema is under no obligation to store your food, and we don’t want to be the cause of bugs being attracted to our wonderful CSA food.


This email contains (and keep in mind as far as any info/opinions that are not directly CSA related, you can always take what you like and leave the rest  )…

1.We bag our own!
2.HELP!!! There’s NO ONE working at the CSA this week from 5:30PM TO 7:30PM!!! At the CSA this week we are looking THREE (3) people to help out from 5:30pm to 7:30pm…
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4. Click away and help change the world!
5.FREE online workshop with Dr. Frank Lipman (house doctor to NYC chef Seamus Mullen’s restaurant Tertulia…amazing chef with amazing story of illness and recovery through food) – Kick your summer sugar habits
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7. Seasonal food recommendations from the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center
8. What you actually got last week
9. Want to eat healthy and save money?
10.And now for something completely different…


1.We bag our own

CSA basic, for this CSA anyways, is that you need to bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now till December 10th!

And if you ask anyone to pick up your CSA food for you, please let them know that they need to bring bags to pack the food in.

So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in!  Put them in the trunk, or the glove compartment, or in a bigger bag somewhere in the car, or whatever you think will work for your situation. That way, you don’t even have to remember, they’re just there.

The CSA is under no obligation to provide you with bags for your food.

I also recommend a selection of canvas, paper and plastic. I bag my CSA share up in my paper (Strawberries) and plastic bags (most everything else) and put it in my bigger canvas bag so when I get home, everything’s pretty much (with some exceptions…like herbs) ready to be put right into the fridge.



2. HELP!!! There’s NO ONE working at the CSA this week from 5:30PM TO 7:30PM!!! We’re looking for THREE (3) people to help out from 5:30pm to 7:30pm…

If you’re available, please..

1. Respond to this email from now till 1pm, Thursday, September 10th
2. Call 631-421-4864 from now till 1pm, Thursday, September 10th
3. Call the Cinema Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 from 3pm to 5:30pm on Thursday, September 10th, and make sure we get the message at the CSA (ask them to put the call through to the Sky Café) that you’re coming to work and when
4. Just stop by the CSA a little before 5:30pm see if we still need help.

You can always show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and offer to help out just in case someone doesn’t show up (stuff happens  ).

If you didn’t already get an email from Hayley or/and suzanne talking to you about being at the CSA on the Early Shift (3:30pm to 5:30pm) or the Late Shift (5:30pm to 7:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.



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

CSA #101 – The Basics – when trying any new food item, start small and start slow. See how your body and palate reacts. And if you aren’t crazy about the taste, texture, smell, something…try at least SIX completely different ways of preparing it before you give it the heave-ho (raw, steamed, stir-fried, fried …maybe not so healthy but ANYTHING usually tastes good fried, in a salad, in a soup, in a sandwich, in a stew, in a smoothie, and on and on)!  Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

September 10, 2015
Week #15

1.Tomatoes
2.Lettuce
3.Beans, Shelling: Soy (Edamame)
4.Scallions
5.Squash, Summer

Total Items: 5

Herb Share – Sept 1A
Thyme and Savory, Winter



4.Click away and help change the world!

Want GMO foods labeled? Click here…
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/50202/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=17019

And then click here…
https://secure.earthjustice.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1773&utm_source=crm&utm_content=ResponsiveSidebarTakeActionButton&autologin=true



5.FREE online workshop with Dr. Frank Lipman (house doctor to NYC chef Seamus Mullen’s restaurant Tertulia…amazing chef with amazing story of illness and recovery through food) – Kick your summer sugar habits

Sign up here (and you don’t have to purchase anything)…
http://www.bewellbydrfranklipman.com/2015-fall-cleanse?trk_msg=8V35Q5EPL4T492BUHGSLPJFKM4&trk_contact=KP3DRQRGJ83MVGGJI9KT4JLCHS&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.bewellbydrfranklipman.com%2f2015-fall-cleanse&utm_campaign=Just+Say+No+to+Sugar&utm_content=09%2f09%2f2015



6.Events

Thursday, September 10th

8pm

Insider Secrets of Successful Professionals: How Improving Your Body, Mind, Energy and Lifestyle Boosts Your Bottom Line
To register and for more info:
http://www.themojocoach.com/preview/

Change your life with the Mojo Coach, Debi Silber, with this free phone call/workshop.


Saturday, September 12th

6pm

Rodale Institute’s 2015 Organic Pioneer Awards
Rodale Institute
Kutztown, PA
$300
For more info and to buy tickets:
https://donate.rodaleinstitute.org/organicpioneerawards

The founder of Amy’s foods (do you have any in your kitchen?  ) will be one of the award recipients.


Sunday, September 13th

1pm to 5pm

Darshan Mela Spiritual Festival
Science of Spirituality Meditation Center
79 County Line Rd
Amityville
FREE
For more info…
631-822-7979
infotristate@sos.org

Though this is a celebration of two gurus of this group, it’s a community based fun fest. There will be a vegetarian food court open at 1pm for those who are vegetally inclined!  Children’s activities start at 2pm, and a lecture on vegetarian eating and healthy living will be from 3pm to 4pm in English and Spanish.


Tuesday, September 15th

6:30pm (distribution starts at 7pm)

Food Not Bombs Huntington Food Share Distribution
E 6th St and Fairground Ave
Huntington Station
For more info and to get on their email list:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

If you want to help the group that we’re donating our CSA leftover food to this year, this is when and where you’d go. You can go any Tuesday…they’ll be there.


Saturday, September 19th

12pm to 8pm

7th Annual Gaia’s Essence Women’s Wellness Conference
Islandia Marriott Long Island
3635 Expressway Drive North
Islandia
$25
For more info and to get tickets:
http://gewwc.com/

Their mission statement for this event is be empowered…be inspired…your perception…your reality. This year they’ll be having a kid’s room with special programs just for kids! Sponsors include Fit Healthy Mamas, LI Dietetic Association, Natural Awakenings magazine, So Delicious, Vitamix, and Whole Foods.


Wednesday, September 30th

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 1st

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 29th

8pm

Conversations: Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Rd
Westbury
$63
For more info and to buy tickets…
http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004E75D4FC4D1F?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141

An in depth talk with questions from you! For the past 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agricul¬ture, gardens, drugs and architecture. He is the author of the best-sellers In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Join us in a moderated conversation with audience Q&A and a book signing to follow. This is a new project in association with Book Revue of Huntington!



7.Seasonal food recommendations from the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center

The gang at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Center say (it’s the home of Dr. Michael Roizen, best bud of Dr. Oz) to go find these foods at your local farmers markets.

You can certainly do that, but we get them at our CSA!

http://www.clevelandclinicwellness.com/DailyDose/archive/2014/09/16/Daily-Wellness-Tip-09-16-14.aspx?utm_source=EmailMarketing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyTip&CS_003=3699740



8.What you actually got last week

September 3, 2015
Week #14

1.Tomatoes, Mini: Grape, Red – 1 pt - $4.75
2.Escarole – 1 head - $3.00
3.Beans, Snap (same as String Beans): Romano* – ¾ lb - $2.75
4.Cucumbers – up to 1 lb (weighed together with Sweet Peppers)
5.Peppers, Sweet: Bell, Hungarian Wax, Lipstick – up to 1 lb (up to 2 lbs total with 1 lb of Cucumbers) - $4.50
6.Okra: Green and Red mix – ½ lb - $3.50
7. Eggplant: Japanese – 1 - $1.50

Total Items: 7
Total Amount: $20.00
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $1.50 more than we paid for. Doesn’t sound like much but see how every little bit extra he gives us adds up over the course of the 28 weeks! So far it’s $15.70 total extra.

Flower Share – Week #11 – THE END! 
Mixed bunch (Sunflowers, Celosia, Gomphrena)

*
Romano Beans are cool…
Romano Beans
Where: The Four Horsemen
Price: $15
Romano beans don't get the buzz that other short-season produce (corn, figs) garners this time of year, but they're an exceptional, meaty bean worth eating as much of as you can. At James Murphy's comfortably busy wine bar in Williamsburg, they've been serving them with dry-aged beef, basil, and pine nuts.



9.Want to eat healthy and save money?

Download (for a limited time) the online FREE $5 Dinner Cookbook from the Natural Gourmet Institute…
http://www.naturalgourmetinstitute.com/5-dollar-dinners-cookbook/?utm_source=clean%20plates&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=clean%20plates%20%245%20dinner



10.And now for something completely different…

Still not too late to do this Watermelon party trick…
http://www.grubstreet.com/2015/09/watermelon-trick.html

###

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Week #14 Sept. 3, 2015

Happy Summer!

CSA Weather Report…sunny and hot and humid…it’s summer! 

HELP!!! There’s NO ONE working at the CSA this week from 5:30PM TO 7:30PM!!! We could use some help at the CSA this week from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, AND 5:30pm to 7:30pm (see #2).

CSA Basics 101 –
Please read the Wall Chart that the farmer brings in every week, follow the direction on the Wall Chart, and it’s not a bad idea to refer to it before you leave the CSA to make sure you haven’t taken too much OR too little before you leave the CSA.
I can’t tell you how many times I have left the CSA, gotten home, and realized I THOUGHT I took everything in the share for the week, didn’t, and it’s too late to do anything about it as anything left over at the end of the night is donated and gone at 7:31pm (unless prior arrangements have been made by CSA members for late pickups).

If you are going to show up at the CSA later than 7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (may be different every week but will probably be open till at least 10pm) and it’s the last minute and you’re running late…call the Cinema Arts Centre Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 and ask them to transfer the call to the café so we can pack a bag for you, put your name on it and leave it at the Box Office. If you don’t get to the Cinema before the Box Office closes, your food will NOT be there the next day. The Cinema is under no obligation to store your food, and we don’t want to be the cause of bugs being attracted to our wonderful CSA food.


This email contains (and keep in mind as far as any info/opinions that are not directly CSA related, you can always take what you like and leave the rest  )…

1.We bag our own!
2.HELP!!! At the CSA this week we are looking for ONE (1) person to help out from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and THREE (3) people to help from 5:30pm to 7:30pm…
3.This week’s list…occasionally subject to change without prior notice because farming is like that!
4. Click away and help change the world!
5.Win a book to add to your gardening collection (or start one), or a goat farm…take your pick!
6.Events (things to do both near and far)
7.Save a farmer…buy and eat certified organic foods!
8. What you actually got last week
9. Like Hamburgers? You might want to read this to be able to make a better choice in your meat purchases…
10.And now for something completely different…


1.We bag our own

CSA basic, for this CSA anyways, is that you need to bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now till December 10th!

And if you ask anyone to pick up your CSA food for you, please let them know that they need to bring bags to pack the food in.

So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in!  Put them in the trunk, or the glove compartment, or in a bigger bag somewhere in the car, or whatever you think will work for your situation. That way, you don’t even have to remember, they’re just there.

The CSA is under no obligation to provide you with bags for your food.

I also recommend a selection of canvas, paper and plastic. I bag my CSA share up in my paper (Strawberries) and plastic bags (most everything else) and put it in my bigger canvas bag so when I get home, everything’s pretty much (with some exceptions…like herbs) ready to be put right into the fridge.



2. HELP!!! At the CSA this week we are looking for ONE (1) person to help out from 3:30pm to 5:30pm, and THREE (3) people to help from 5:30pm to 7:30pm…

If you’re available, please..

1. Respond to this email from now till 1pm, Thursday, September 3rd
2. Call 631-421-4864 from now till 1pm, Thursday, September 3rd
3. Call the Cinema Box Office at 631-423-7610 xt 0 from 3pm to 5:30pm on Thursday, September 3rd, and make sure we get the message at the CSA (ask them to put the call through to the Sky Café) that you’re coming to work and when
4. Just stop by the CSA a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm see if we still need help.

You can always show up a little before 3:30pm or 5:30pm and offer to help out just in case someone doesn’t show up (stuff happens  ).

If you didn’t already get an email from Hayley or/and suzanne talking to you about being at the CSA on the Early Shift (3:30pm to 5:30pm) or the Late Shift (5:30pm to 7:30pm) this week, you’re not on the schedule for this week.



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

CSA #101 – The Basics – when trying any new food item, start small and start slow. See how your body and palate reacts. And if you aren’t crazy about the taste, texture, smell, something…try at least SIX completely different ways of preparing it before you give it the heave-ho (raw, steamed, stir-fried, fried …maybe not so healthy but ANYTHING usually tastes good fried, in a salad, in a soup, in a sandwich, in a stew, in a smoothie, and on and on)!  Am glad to provide suggestions for this one.

September 3, 2015
Week #14

1.Tomatoes, Mini
2.Escarole
3.Beans, Snap (same as String Beans)
4.Cucumbers
5.Peppers, Sweet
6.Okra
7. Eggplant

Total Items: 7

Flower Share – Week #11 (the end)



4.Click away and help change the world!

A.Not a fan of GMO Salmon? Sign here…
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/sign/tell_Costco_to_ban_GMO_Salmon_weekofaction/?t=2&referring_akid=1654.31784.3joU3H

And if you’re a member of Costco (I’m a BJs gal…like the cheap gasoline prices), from now to September 6th you could deliver a letter to your local Costco to let them know how you feel about this matter (the website will give you what you need to do this…form letter, etc).

B.Tell EPA to update rules about getting rid of fracking waste…
http://org.salsalabs.com/o/852/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=18368



5. Win a book to add to your gardening collection (or start one), or a goat farm…take your pick!

A.Register on this website (a great one for gardening info) and comment for a chance to win a book about roots!
http://awaytogarden.com/understanding-roots-with-robert-kourik/comment-page-6/#comment-1028062

B.Want a change of life? Move to Alabama and win a goat farm. Enter by October 1st…
http://modernfarmer.com/2015/08/humble-heart-goat-farm-essay-contest/?utm_source=Modern+Farmer+Newsletter&utm_campaign=f9876834e0-Thursday_August_27_20158_27_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e8a89c7e43-f9876834e0-56034161&mc_cid=f9876834e0&mc_eid=226402f698



6.Events

Tuesday, September 8th

6:30pm (distribution starts at 7pm)

Food Not Bombs Huntington Food Share Distribution
E 6th St and Fairground Ave
Huntington Station
For more info and to get on their email list:
http://www.lifnb.com/chapters/huntington_food_share

If you want to help the group that we’re donating our CSA leftover food to this year, this is when and where you’d go. You can go any Tuesday…they’ll be there.


Saturday, September 19th

12pm to 8pm

7th Annual Gaia’s Essence Women’s Wellness Conference
Islandia Marriott Long Island
3635 Expressway Drive North
Islandia
$25
For more info and to get tickets:
http://gewwc.com/

Their mission statement for this event is be empowered…be inspired…your perception…your reality. This year they’ll be having a kid’s room with special programs just for kids! Sponsors include Fit Healthy Mamas, LI Dietetic Association, Natural Awakenings magazine, So Delicious, Vitamix, and Whole Foods.


Wednesday, September 30th

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 1st

7pm to 10pm

Raw food cooking class with Chef David from The Purple Elephant and guest Chef JP from Naked Foods in Cost Rica!
The Purple Elephant
81B Fort Salonga Rd W
Northport
$90
To reserve your space and for more info…
http://thepurpleelephant.net/cooking-classes.html

Class will include class demonstration, and complimentary Sparkling Point Champagne Toast along with an hour to devour all foods demonstrated after the classes.
https://www.facebook.com/ThePurpleElephantSpecialtyFoods?fref=ts


Thursday, October 29th

8pm

Conversations: Michael Pollan – In Defense of Food
NYCB Theatre at Westbury
960 Brush Hollow Rd
Westbury
$63
For more info and to buy tickets…
http://concerts.livenation.com/event/00004E75D4FC4D1F?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141?crosssite=TM_US:1236523:141

An in depth talk with questions from you! For the past 20 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: food, agricul¬ture, gardens, drugs and architecture. He is the author of the best-sellers In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto and The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. Join us in a moderated conversation with audience Q&A and a book signing to follow. This is a new project in association with Book Revue of Huntington!



7. .Save a farmer…buy and eat certified organic foods!

We need more farmers, not less, and so we need to keep them healthy (and their families too).

Farmers bear the brunt of pesticide poisoning (our farmer’s father, Ray Halsey, Sr., suffered from a case of pesticide exposure many, many years ago which was one of the reasons that led Green Thumb Farm to going back to being organic…as they were for the first 300 years or so that the family farmed their land).

So, save a farmer and eat organic…
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/08/26/pesticide-poisoning.aspx?e_cid=20150826Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campaign=20150826Z1&et_cid=DM83676&et_rid=1091332503



8.What you actually got last week

August 27, 2015
Week #13

1.Tomatoes: Paste – Heirloom, Red; Heirloom/Red/Yellow – up to 2 lbs - $6.00
2.Lettuce: Leaf, Red – 1 head - $3.00
3.Squash, Summer: Costata Romanesco, Golden, Kousa, Patty Pan – Green/Yellow, Yellow, Zucchini – up to 2 lbs - $4.00
4.Cucumbers – up to 2 lbs - $4.00
5.Swiss Chard: Rainbow OR Green – 1 bunch - $3.50

Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $20.50
We pay $18.50 per week for the food the farmer is giving us, and this week he’s given us $2.00 more than we paid for. Doesn’t sound like much but see how every little bit extra he gives us adds up over the course of the 28 weeks! So far it’s $14.20 total extra.

Flower Share – Week #10
Sunflowers

Herb Share – Aug 2B
Sorrel AND French Tarragon



9.Like Hamburgers? You might want to read this to be able to make a better choice in your meat purchases…

Organic and grass fed is the better choice (or buy grass fed organic meat and grind your own Hamburger meat)…

http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2015/08/poop-ground-beef-superbugs-antibiotic-resistant



10.And now for something completely different…

Take the cookbook quiz…is it real or is it fake? I got a little over half of them correct…not as easy as it looks!
http://www.eater.com/2015/7/8/8909301/fake-cookbook-covers-quiz

###

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

SPREAD the WORD! LAST CALL TO JOIN THE CSA THIS SEASON!

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) LAST CALL TO JOIN THIS SEASON!

Green Thumb Organic Farm, Water Mill, East Hampton delivers to Huntington Cinema Arts Center for your weekly pickup!
Please email Suzanne today to visit and sign up tomorrow. LAST DAY for sign up is Tuesday 9/8.

Greetings!

Tuesday, September 8th is the last day our farmer will accept new CSA members for this year.

If you are interested or know someone who is please let any friends, co-workers and family know about our Half and Half CSA **Cinema Arts Centre Sale.

The last Half of the season runs September 10th to December 10th

There’s SEVEN days left for people to still join our CSA.

What is it?

September 10th is the start of the last half of our CSA season, so for CSA members that sign up to start picking up their CSA share on September 10th, we’re its half off on the Work Deposit ($50 instead of $100) and half off of the Work Hours (6 hours instead of 12 hours). Please note that you get the $50 Work Deposit returned upon completion of your work hours.

**IF YOU ARE a Cinema Arts Centre member, you get an additional discount. It is $75 off the original $100 Work Deposit so you only have to pay $25 and if you work 6 hours at the CSA you get your $25 back. Simple shift work.

COME VISIT (no obligation):
If you want to visit the CSA this Thursday (TOMORROW), you need to call/email Suzanne to make an appointment to get a free sample of CSA food when you visit. No obligation to join! Come see what this is all about!
suzanne zoubeck
dskolnick@pb.net
631-421-4864

COST:
Two checks need to be written (unless they want to pay in cash which is an option)…

Check #1…
Check made out to: Green Thumb Farm – CSA
$75 TOTAL ($25 yearly Administration Fee + $50 Work Deposit)
If you work 6 hours, you get your $50 work deposit returned

**If you are a Cinema Arts Centre member…
$50 TOTAL ($25 yearly Administration Fee + $25 Work Deposit}
If you work 6 hours, you get your $25 work deposit returned

Check #2…
Check made out to Halseys Green Thumb
$259 – the breakdown is $18.50 per week from Sept. 10th to Dec. 10th

OPTIONAL EXTRAs:
Herb Share (fresh organic herbs)…you need to sign up after you have joined the CSA.
Bulk Tomato Share…you can sign up and pay for the deliveries on 9/10 or 9/17 (the info is on the CSA contract).

SHARE your SHARE:
It’s short notice but if anyone wants to share with someone and they don’t have anyone in mind, I will keep a list and see if I can make any last minute matches to share your CSA share.

Please PRIVATE message me on FB or email suzanne or pick up tomorrow at the Cinema, the CSA contract, Price Sheet and Share Partner Form.

It’s the LAST CALL for some great local, certified organic produce from now till December 10th!

Best wishes,
suzanne
suzanne zoubeck
631-421-4864

Again, feel free to private message me on FB if you have any quick questions OR reach out to Suzanne directly to visit tomorrow and/or join.

Please see this blog site for details of this years Huntington CSA:
http://huntingtoncsa.blogspot.com/