Happy Summer!
CSA Weather report…87 and sunny (don’t leave your CSA share
in the car…it will be very unhappy because it’s WAY too hot in there)!
Keep in mind…any time you try a food you’ve never
eaten before…
1.
Do some reading about what it is, and find out
if there are medical contraindications if you’re on medication or have health
issues
2.
Eat a single serving size and give it 24 hours
to see how your body reacts (some might be fine, a lot might not)
3.
When in doubt how to cook something, look to the
countries that have been using it for decades/centuries, and see what they do
and don’t do
4.
Any questions, don’t hesitate to ask
What happens if you don’t get any CSA emails and
Thursday rolls around and it’s time to go to the CSA? GO ANYWAY! There
have been times over the years when various things have prevented a CSA email
from being sent…computers, storms, health emergencies, etc. However, the thing
to do is to come to the Cinema and in all probability, your CSA share will be
there (unless there’s weather that’s so treacherous travel would be extremely
ill-advised and even then, the farm will show up and drive from Water Mill to
Huntington before some CSA members would drive from Huntington…to Huntington).
And if not (which I doubt…there was only one snowstorm where the farm showed up
on Friday instead of Thursday because no one could drive anywhere), there would
be a sign on the door saying something, or you could call me (though with
Hurricane Sandy, even my land line was down because of the Verizon battery it’s
hooked up to….grrrrrrr…I need to get that detached so I can get phone calls
during those times when the power goes out).
Parking suggestion…try parking all the way
around the building in the upper parking lot where the day care center play
area is. You hopefully will find a spot, and it’s a short walk down the stairs
to the entrance from there, and most people don’t seem to think of parking up
there. If you park illegally you can get a parking ticket, it does happen!
If you are going to show up at the CSA later than
7:30pm, but before the Box Office is closing for the night (can be
different every week but 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 (do NOT leave a
message to be given to the CSA because there have been occasions where we
didn’t get the message and someone showed up to get their food and was not happy
their food wasn’t there) 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.
If you’re sharing a CSA share with someone…it’s
possible they’re not on this email list yet (if not email me their full name
and email address…or have them do it), so check with them and then forward this
if they didn’t get it (and always check the junk/spam folder).
Keep in mind that anything you read in this email (unless
it’s directly related to the functioning and operation of the CSA) is
subjective and like they say in the 12 step world…take what you like and leave
the rest!
This week’s email includes…
1. The
CSA doesn’t need you this week (but we will soon enough)
2. CSA
101 – Bring Bags!!!
3. We
started weighing our produce last week…not rocket science but there are things
to be mindful of!
4. Help
change the world with a click…
5. The
List- subject to change without notice because…farming is like that!
6. Sad
news…death in our CSA extended family
7. Article
about CSAs in Wednesday’s NY Times (front page of the Food/Dining section)…
8. Eat
Bananas? Read this…
9. Event
Listings…both near and far
10. It’s
not all bad news!
11. What
you actually got last week
12. And
now for something completely different
1.The CSA doesn’t need you this week (but we will soon
enough )
We’re talking about working at the CSA.
We have the help we need for this week. Whoo-hoo!
If you didn’t already get an email from Rene 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.
HOWEVER, 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 J ).
2.CSA 101…Bring Bags!
CSA basic, for this CSA anyway, is that you need to
bring your own supply of bags for packing up your CSA share every week from now
till December 8th!
So, my suggestion…put bags that you’re setting aside for
your CSA share in EVERY vehicle you own or might ride in! J 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.
And if you send someone to pick up your CSA share for
you, you need to tell them to…BRING BAGS! J
3.We started weighing our produce last week…not rocket
science but there are things to be mindful of!
It’s time to weigh our food!
A.
Please be aware that it may take a little more
time for you to collect your CSA share when weighing is part of the experience
so plan accordingly.
B.
Check the CSA Wall Chart that our farmer brings
in every week before taking any food so you know what you’re taking and how
much to take…assume nothing and please feel free to ask questions! J
C.
Bring your reading glasses or ask someone to
help if you can’t see the numbers on the scale clearly.
D.
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 56 CSA members this week,
and if every person is over by ONE OUNCE (for crying out loud! It’s only an
ounce!!!) …that means we’ll be short over 4 1/2 POUNDS of produce and 5 CSA
members (and one of them could be you) won’t get the food they paid for.
E.
IF you are asked to weigh more than one food
item at the same time (and you probably will at some point in the CSA
season)…please follow the directions given to you, and weigh in the order you
are asked (you might not think there’s any good reason to be doing this but our
farmer does, and that should be enough of a reason right there but if you want
a further explanation – ask someone working at the CSA or contact suzanne…there
is always a method to the madness J)
4.Help change the world with a click…
Get Pthalates out of our food…you can read why here and sign
the petition…
5.The List - subject to change without notice
because…farming is like that!
July 21, 2016
Week #8
1.Lettuce: Leaf, Green – 1 head
2.Carrots - 1 bunch
3.Radish – 1 bunch
4.Peas: Snow – .5 lb.
5.Beans, Snap: Yellow/Wax – 1 lb.
6.Squash, Summer – 2 lbs
Total Items: 6
Flower Share – maybe…maybe not
6.Sad news…death in our CSA extended family
I found out today that longtime CSA member “B” Hanson died
on June 15th, at age 91.
She had a long and very interesting life…was a Broadway
singer/actress, philanthropist, supporter of CSA, humanitarian, longtime
resident of Huntington, and alternative health success story (had end stage
Lymphoma, given 6 months to live, did Gerson therapy against her doctor’s
orders [who was horrified and let her know in no uncertain terms she’d be
dealing with quacks and throwing her money away], and died about 20 or so years
later much to her doctor’s surprise…who died of cancer using conventional
treatments way before she did).
B (yup, that was her name) would mention it almost every
year that she believed being a CSA member and eating this organic food was an
important part of keeping her alive and healthy, and being a member of a CSA
with a 400 year history of farming on Long Island (and being certified organic
for the last bunch of years…not sure how many…30? 40?) was something she felt
strongly about as well.
Last year, her son and daughter-in-law, Blake and Lenore
Hanson, were CSA members as B had hip problems and wasn’t able to get around
easily and was living with them (with their young adult kids John Henry and
Isabel picking up for them from time to time), and prior to that her daughter
Polly Hanson was a CSA member as well when B was living with Polly.
Memorial service will be taking place…
Friday, July 29th
3pm
St. John’s Church
1670 Rt 25A
Cold Spring Harbor
Reception afterwards at Bleecker Hall
Brief article about her home…
7.Article on CSAs in Wednesday’s NY Times (front page of
the Food/Dining Section)…
I’ve been talking about this issue for many years and am SO
glad to see this getting recognition (there are businesses/groups that are
calling themselves CSAs and they’re not, and there’s no laws preventing them
from doing this though California is working on it)…
Was disappointed the one person Julia Moskin didn’t talk to
was Elizabeth Henderson, godmother of CSA in the USA and author of the CSA
“bible”, Sharing the Harvest. I’ve been wondering what Elizabeth thinks about
this issue and haven’t been to any conferences lately to run into her and ask.
And there’s at least one thing that I noticed that’s not
correct in the article that I will be emailing Ms. Moskin about (and will go
over it more thoroughly before I do to make sure there’s no other errors).
It’s an important issue that needed to be brought to light
and I’m VERY thankful to Ms. Moskin for that!
8.Eat Bananas? Read this…
Really hope I never have to sing the song…Yes, we have no
Bananas…and actually mean it…
There’s a disease, and part of the problem is that Bananas
are a mono-crop. The only one sold in this country (and around much of the
world) is Cavendish.
There’s over 1,000 varieties in 50 subgroups and we only eat
ONE of them.
And also, buy organic!
ALL Bananas are grown, harvested and packed (partially to
totally) using child labor. So at least if you buy organic, you don’t have
children being exposed to pesticides in the important developmental years of
their lives (they fly over the crops and spray WHILE the kids are out there
picking…as well as spraying in the packing facilities, etc.). Getting rid of
child labor is a whole other story…easier said than done though of course,
that’s a goal.
9.Event Listings…both near and far
Monday, July 11th to July 23rd
Kick Sugar Addiction World Summit 2016 Online Conference
FREE
For 12 days hear 21 experts in the field of sugar addiction
and sugar addiction recovery. Check website for the list of speakers.
Monday, July 25th to Monday, August 1st
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Summit (online)
FREE
To register…
Speakers include alternative healthy heavy hitters…Russell
Blaylock, MD, Donna Gates, Mark Hyman, MD, Steven Masley, MD, Daniel Amen, MD,
Josh Axe, DC
Tuesday, July 26th
5:30pm
Vegan Japanese Garden to Table Cooking Class with Chef
Bhavani
Old Westbury
$89
For more info and to purchase ticket…
Sunday, July 31st
5pm
Hayground Chef’s Dinner
Hayground School (Jeff’s Kitchen)
151 Mitchell Lane
Bridgehampton
Tickets: $1200 (seriously)
A superstar chef event (http://www.haygroundchefsdinner.org/chefs-1/
) for a good cause. If you got it, here’s a good place to spend it! J
About Hayground School…
Tuesday, August 2nd
5:30pm
Vegan Mediterranean Garden to Table Cooking Class with Chef
Bhavani
Old Westbury
$89
For more info and to purchase ticket…
Monday, August 8th to Monday, August 15th
The Sleep Success Summit (online)
FREE
To register:
Featured speakers include – David Wolfe (Nutribullet anyone?
J ), Michale Breus (sleep expert),
Arianna Huffington (newly obsessed with sleep), Alan Greene, MD (pediatrician),
Donna Gates
Friday, August 12th to Sunday, August 14th
NOFA Summer Conference
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA
For more info and to register (early bird prices till July
15):
NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association) is the group
that’s been certifying farms organic since the time before the USDA got
involved. They rock. We have a NY chapter that you can join…
There are 2 conferences every year. In the winter, each NOFA
member state (NY, NJ, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT) has their own winter conference (the
one that farmers can attend because…they’re not working). In the summer,
everybody from all the member states gets together for the summer conference
and about 1,000 to 2,000 people that are interested in health, organic farming
and gardening, healthy living and healthy eating get together for a WHOLE lot
of workshops, movies and parties, and cafeteria style eating of organic/local
foods that would accommodate most any dietary needs (gluten free, vegan, paleo,
raw). It’s great for families (they have workshops for kids from 5 to 12, and
13 to 17…and they have childcare available for ages 2 to 4), singles, seniors,
and just about anybody. If you go, a good time will be had by all! Feel free to
ask me any questions as have been to the summer and winter conferences, and CSA
member Vickie Muller has gone to the NOFA Summer Conference with her daughter
for a few years too.
This year’s keynote speakers…
Tuesday, August 16th
5:30pm
Vegan Thai Garden to Table Cooking Class with Chef Bhavani
Old Westbury
$89
For more info and to purchase ticket…
10.It’s not all bad news!
There are 5 episodes about the food scene on the east end of
Long Island. Anything that has Brian Halweil of the Edible publications in it
(East End, Long Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan) is worth looking at.
Scroll down to Food Talk for the video on demand episodes…
11.What you actually got last week (not always what was
in the email the week before because farming is like that regarding occasional
last minute changes)
July 14, 2016
Week #7
1.Lettuce: Leaf, Red – 1 head - $3.00
2.Onions, Spring - 1 bunch - $3.50
3.Swiss Chard: Rainbow OR Red – 1 bunch - $3.50
4.Peas: Sugar Snap – 1 lb. - $6.50
5.Beans: Fava (medical alerts and general info)* – 1 lb. -
$3.50
Total Items: 5
Total Amount: $20.00
(since we pay $18.50 per week for our CSA share, this week
we got $.50 more than we paid, SO that means at the moment, our farmer has
given us $4.75 more than we paid for up to this point. Over the course of the
CSA year…and over the years…we have gotten at least one, and sometimes up to
two, share’s worth of food that we didn’t pay for…so keep reading this and see
how it plays out from week to week)
Flower Share – Week #4
Strawflowers
Herb Share – July 1A
Cilantro AND Savory
*Fava Beans – health alerts – this is not to scare anyone
out of eating these (they’re really good), but to be responsible and informed
consumers of food
1.Are you on antidepressants (MAO inhibitors) or L-Dopa for
Parkinson’s? Are you on a low Tyramine diet? Snow Peas have Tyramine too (learn
something new every day)! Read this…
However if you’re not, Fava Beans might help relieve
depression and Parkinson’s…
2.Do you have Favism? Affects 400 million people worldwide
but mostly in Africa, New Guinea, the Middle East, parts of the Mediterranean
and Asia and can effect 5 to 25% of the population depending on the location
(there is a screening for it…wonder how much it costs?)…
How to cook, recipes and inspiration…
12.And now for something completely different
Too pretty to eat? J
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