The Weblog

This weblog contains LocallyGrown.net news and the weblog entries from all the markets currently using the system.

To visit the authoring market’s website, click on the market name located in the entry’s title.



 
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Champaign, OH:  Summer Breeze


Summer breeze, makes me feel fine
Blowing through the jasmine in my mind
(Seals And Crofts – Summer Breeze)

What an amazing, beautiful, perfection kind of day, today!! Perfect weather that made it hard to make myself stay inside instead of playing out and about.

These first days of summer weather are always the sweetest and the most tempting. You don’t want to focus, you don’t want to be confined, you don’t want to be in…you only want to be out and free with the sunshine pouring all over.

As I was leaving another amazing market, tonight, I was walking to my car and feeling so free and so happy that we are finally drinking in the sun after our long winter. I was thinking that it was amazing to see so many new and so many long time customers, tonight. The chat time that I get with each of you totally makes my day, my week! You are my Summer Breeze, always.

I had the honor of speaking to a group from Logan County who were interested in our market. As I started to talk and explain and tell them all about the market, I found myself getting more and more excited and proud! I loved sharing our market story, loved explaining how things are done, loved being able to make them see how our little local system works.

I finally just let sunbeams come out of my face and just told them, that hands down, I LOVE this little local market. It is my sun, it is my inspiration, it is my breezy summer day, always.

Customers and vendors should all be so proud of this little market. We have come a long way and it’s easy to forget that. But, tonight, I was filled with nothing but sunshine pride, as I looked around me.

Thank you, to all of you!! My final words to the group were this…you cannot do this with just one person. It takes a very special group within another very special group within a very special community.

Give yourselves a big round of applause you sunshine makers…we are part of a very special local group…

I open the market, this evening, with excitement to see what the week will bring! Take a look at all the products that continue to come on….

If you need strawberries, Steven from The Berry Patch, has amazing strawberries!! He snuck in, last week, so make sure to order before he runs out!! We may be getting near the end of asparagus season so order in huge quantities, while you can!!

Make sure to taste the season…get those orders in!!

Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam

Jonesborough Locally Grown:  Jonesborough Saturday Market 6/7


Happy June, summer is officially on the schedule for Saturday. Don’t forget your hats and sunglasses.

Music will be provided by Well Worn Shoes.

A reminder: This year’s Farm to Table Dinner is August 23rd, and tickets go on sale at the market this Saturday starting at 8am. They are likely to sell out quickly, so come early. Cash/checks preferred but visa/mc also accepted. See our website for more details about the dinner.

See you on the street.

Deb

Local Farms First:  The market opens at 5 PM!!



Greetings Local Farms First food lovers!

STRAWBERRIES!!!

Fire Mountain Farm and Apiary has the first strawberries of the season!!! Check out the market for spinach, Swiss chard, mustard greens, salad mix, zucchini, arugula, eggs, meat and more!!

Thanks for supporting local family farms,
Amy Konash- Market Manager
LocalFarmsFirst.org – a 501c3 non-profit
970-641-7682
click here to start shopping on the website:
www.LocalFarmsFirst.com

Fisher's Produce:  Delivery Today!


Sorry we didn’t have time to open the online market this time. Busy week. We do have extra veggies with us to sell.

CSA share includes:

Broccoli or Cabbage
A mixed bunch of beets and carrots
Your choice of Kale, Chard, Salad Turnips or Kohlrabi
New potatoes or eggplant
Celery
Your choice of garlic or onion
Summer squash

See you at 5:00!

Luke

CSA Farmers Market:  How to Make Salad Dressing


Think outside the dressing bottle
I think too often we over look the ease of making our own custom dressings at home. It is really simple, and much healthier and more satisfying :)

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Oil to vinegar ratio should be about 3:1 then adjust to your liking
For a smoother consistency and less separation use some dijon mustard or egg yolks from pastured chickens
Don’t be shy with the flavors, dried or fresh herbs, onions, garlic, honey for some sweetness
(Slow Dog seasoning has some great blends, that would make excellent dressings)

Here is a simple recipe
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar
1-2 tablespoons dijon mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
generous pinch of sea salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh herbs or 2 teaspoons dried (basil, oregano, chives, and thyme are all nice)
scant 1 1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

1.Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a jar. Stir well with a fork.
2.Add olive oil, cover tightly, and shake well until combined. You can also use a blender and drizzle the oil in slowly while it is running.
#.Serve over your basic green salad with added chopped vegetables.

Suwanee Whole Life Co-op:  News:Pick Up Entrance, FCLO Group Buy and more


Suwanee Whole Life Co-op

How to contact us:
Our Website: suwanee.locallygrown.net
Pick Up Location: 4942 Austin Park Avenue, Buford GA 30518

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

THANK YOU Marie, Janna, Jessica, Stephanie and Marianna for volunteering on Tuesday!!! Moving to our new location went well but I discovered that I desperately need volunteers. Thank you to those that have already signed up!! I can’t believe the month of June is almost filled up!

If you are interested in volunteering, I have created a volunteer sign up on Signup Genius. I am asking for volunteers to sign up for 1 hour shifts from 2p to 7pm. No packing is involved just need someone to be there to assist other members. You are welcome to bring your kids as long as they are supervised. Here is the link to the sign up http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A44AEA623A7FA7-volunteer

The link is also posted on the About page on our website.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Pick Up Entrance & Time Change

We are still working out all the kinks and logistics of being in a new space. To make things go a little smoother, we are asking that you come to the back entrances instead of the front door.

We will have a SIDE ENTRANCE open and the DOCK will always be open. The only time the side entrance will be closed is if it is raining.

Starting this Tuesday please only USE SIDE ENTRANCE AND DOCK to pick up your items.

Also, I pick up my daughter from practice right at 7pm so we need to have the warehouse locked up by 6:45pm. Until further notice PICK UP WILL NOW END AT 6:45PM.

Group Buy This Weekend: Fermented Cod Liver Oil (FCLO)

This weekend we will have our monthly Group Buy for Green Pasture products (Fermented Cod Liver Oil, High Vitamin Butter Oil, Skate Liver Oil, etc. All currently available products (as of today) will be listed on the market site tomorrow for ordering.

The prices include our discounted group buy price, shipping, fees and taxes.

This will NOT be available for pick up this Tuesday. I will place our group order on Monday and expect it will be available for pick up within 2 weeks. This is a prepaid pre-order, so payment is expected this Tuesday. If you are only ordering Green Pasture products this week, please drop a check in the mail or online payment on the co-op market website.

If you are new to the co-op and/or Fermented Cod Liver Oil, I have a section at the bottom of this weblog that discusses the benefits of this amazing product.

I’ve also listed my recommendations and dosage for adults and kids.

Essential Oils to make Homemade Bug Spray

The mosquitoes are here! I personally use essential oils and have found them very effective.
Essential Oils that bugs don’t like are: Citronella, Clove, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Cedar, Lavender,and Mint.

You can find all these oils from Southern Essentials on the market website!

Here’s a great article about how to make your own homemade bug spray and why you should avoid commercial insect repellent. http://wellnessmama.com/2565/homemade-natural-bug-spray-recipes-that-work/

Carrell Farms is BACK! and Finch Creek Farm is going on vacation

Carrell Farms, our provider for grass fed water buffalo, is back and is fully stocked. Water Buffalo is seasonal so stock up before they are sold out.

Finch Creek Farm will be taking a break until their summer crop is ready.

Coming soon from Finch Creek Farm – 7 varieties of squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, basil and potatoes. All are Certified Naturally Grown!

Upcoming Group Buys

Below is a list of upcoming co-op group buys to help with planning and budgeting. All dates are subject to change.

Green Pasture- Fermented Cod Liver Oil- 6/6/14 – 6/8/14

Wilderness Family Naturals – Organic Coconut Oils and pantry items – 6/20/14 – 6/20/14

Nuts.com – Bulk Organic Raw Nuts – 6/20/14 -6/22/14

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible

Fermented Cod Liver Oil Information

GREEN PASTURE INFO:
Here’s some information about Fermented Cod Liver Oil and its health benefits:

Why choose Green Pasture Products?

•Whole Food Form
•Wild, as Provided by Nature
•Natural fatty acid complex, nothing removed or changed
•Full, deep range of Vitamins A, D, E, K; CoQ enzymes; and other Quinones
•Non-industrialized & Historical Processing Methods
•Clean, Pure, and Extensive Third Party Tested (NO PCBs, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic or other Heavy Metals)
•Family owned business
Why is FCLO better than regular fish oil? •Green Pasture uses wild caught cod in and around the Arctic region (A substantial amount of today’s cod liver oil is produced from farmed fish)
•FCLO higher in nutrients than regular fish oil
•Double the amounts of vitamin A and D as regular cod liver oil
•Goes rancid less quickly
•No synthetic vitamins added
•Most salmon oil has one-fifth the potency of cod liver oil
•1/2 TBS of FCLO provides the amount of elongated omega-3 fatty acids found in twelve 1,000 mg fish oil capsules

What are the benefits of Fermented Cod Liver Oil?
•Rich in Vitamins A & D which are crucial nutrients that are lacking in most modern diets
•Vitamin A- vital for a healthy immune system and healthy vision and is important for proper development in children
•Vitamin D- improves insulin function, protective effect against multiple sclerosis,
•May help prevent flu (lack of vitamin D synthesis during the winter as one explanation for high rates of influenza infection during cold season)
•In women, higher levels of vitamin D from cod liver oil improve bone mineral density
•EPA- Eicosapentaenoic acid (Omega 3 Fatty Acid) anti-inflammatory and necessary for prostaglandin production
•DHA -docasahexaenoic acid, a nutrient absolutely vital for a healthy brain and nervous system
•Fights inflammation associated with heart disease and heals the lining of the arteries
•Reduces the size of atheromas clogging arteries and improves blood vessel function
•Studies have shown cod liver oil can protect against diseases like cancer and leukemia
•Effective in treating arthritis
•Helps maintain soft skin and minimize wrinkles

How does it benefit my child’s health?
From conception through adolescence, cod liver oil can provide developing children with what they need to thrive. Mothers who take cod liver oil during pregnancy and nursing protect their children from disease while providing them with important nutrients and fatty acids. For growing children, cod liver oil is important for healthy bones and teeth, as well as preventing common problems like ADHD. It’s also an excellent treatment for diaper rash and other skin conditions if used topically.

Synergy of Butter Oil and Cod Liver Oil
Research shows that butter oil and cod liver oil, taken together, provide complementary factors leading to proper essential fatty acid balance. High-vitamin butter oil contains arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 fatty acid, while cod liver oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3. Moreover, the saturated fatty acids in the butter oil promote efficient utilization of the unsaturated fatty acids in the cod liver oil. Finally, butter oil contains a broad and deep range of important quinones including Vitamin K, E and CoQ enzymes while cod liver oil is rich in Vitamin A and D.

Green Pasture’s High-Vitamin Butter Oil is extracted from dairy milk produced by Guernsey and Devon cows (high butterfat producers) that graze exclusively on irrigated grass in the northern Great Plains. This specific combination of climate and irrigation produces a rapidly growing specialized forage, ensuring optimal levels of Activator X as discovered by Dr. Price. Activator X and other nutrients are then further concentrated by putting the butterfat through a specialized low-temperature centrifuge process

Here is a link to an article about the benefit of cod liver oil and why it’s best taken with a high vitamin butter oil http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil .

I’ve been taking FLCO since October 2011 and I can honestly say that I have seen an improvement in my own health. My hair and nails are stronger than they’ve ever been. My hair hasn’t been this thick since my last pregnancy 6 years ago. My skin feels and looks better. I usually have small bumps on my upper arms and they have virtually disappeared. My hormone level seems more even and no mood swings. One member told me her vision has improved since taking FCLO. My son thinks it’s helped him learn how to read! He loves it and actually requests it. My daughter, on the other hand, takes it only because she knows it’s good for her.

I have heard and seen several testimonies about FCLO increasing HDL (the good cholesterol) and have experienced it myself. My doctor has been tracking my HDL (and LDL) for the past 5 years and noticed that my HDL has been going up since 2011. The only significant dietary change I have made is adding FCLO to my diet. One of my closest friends has been taking the infused coconut oil that includes fclo and skate oils. Her HDL skyrocketed almost 50 points and her LDL lowered. Ironically we have the same doctor and she is now very interested in Fermented Cod Liver Oil.

Last year, my dentist told me I had a small “soft spot” on one of my molars that he wanted to keep an eye on. I doubled up on my fish oil and at my next visit he said it was no longer there! I have been told by others that using this product can help re-mineralize your teeth and reverse tooth decay and now I believe it.

My neighbor just started taking FCLO recently. She is also a breast cancer survivor for almost 14 years but has suffered from lymphedema (swelling in arms and hands). She told me shortly after taking fermented cod liver oil blend gel she has seen a significant reduction in her swelling and sense of well being she hasn’t felt in years!

If you have a testimony you’d like to share, please email me. I’d love to know how others in our co-op have seen the benefits of taking this wonderful product!

Nora’s recommendations:
I have personally tried every flavor and type of FCLO that Green Pasture carries. There are 2 that my entire family takes and we switch it up for variety- FCLO/HVBO Blend Gel- Cinnamon Tingle Flavor and Infused Coconut Oil- Carob Banana flavor.

I recommend shaking up the FCLO Blend Gels then storing it in the fridge upside down. It’s easier to scoop out that way. None of the products need refrigeration but I do only for this product. The infused coconut oils tend to harden up in the fridge so I just keep it on the counter.

My family has “family fish oil time” right after dinner. We take it with a little orange juice or something acidic to cleanse our palate.

Suggested Dosage:
FCLO/HVBO Blend Gel- Adults 1 teaspoon, children 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon depending on age

Infused Coconut Oils- Adults 1 tablespoon, children 1/4 to 1/2 tablespoon depending on age.

For other FCLO products see sources below for recommended dosage.

Dosage sources:
http://holisticsquid.com/how-much-cod-liver-oil-do-i-need/

http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics

Champaign, OH:  A Fun Filled Invitation!!


Lee and Jennifer Ruff of End of the Road Farm would like to invite you on Sunday, June 22nd at 2 pm for a guided farm tour of their sustainable, draft-horse powered homestead. Samples of various goodies made from their sorghum, spelt flour, and pastured eggs will be provided.

Please wear comfortable walking shoes, as you’ll tour the crop fields, mobile chicken and pig pens, two market gardens, and horse paddock/pasture. We ask that children be well supervised, as this is a working farm as well as our home, and as such, buildings are off-limits. We look forward to sharing the afternoon with you, and hope you will join us with questions, enthusiasm, and an interest in seeing how and why we have chosen this wonderful farming life! Thank you!!

Directions from Urbana:

Take State Route 36 East into Fletcher (approximately 18 miles).

At the first stop light in Fletcher, turn left onto State Route 589.

Take the first right at the United Methodist Church – there’s not a street sign, but you’re now on First Street

Stay on First Street past the Yield and Dead End signs – this becomes our driveway!

You’ll see our house number, 455, posted next to the gate as you drive through, and we’ll show you where to park!

455 W. First Street

Fletcher, OH 45326

(937)903-5249

endoftheroadfarmoh@gmail.com (We do not have a computer at home, but do check email once a week, so if you have questions, we will get back with you as soon as we’re able! Thanks!)

This is going to be such a fun day!! I know I can hardly wait to take the tour and get to know this little family even better!!

Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam

Gwinnett Locally Grown:  MARKET IS OPEN & FARM PRODUCT NEWS!


The Market is open Thursday Noon-ish – Monday 9 a.m. After that, ordering is disabled. Pick up your order Tuesday 4:30-6:30 p.m. ONLY, at Rancho Alegre Farm at 2225 Givens Road, Dacula, GA 30019. New to The Market? Learn about how it works here.

SUMMER CAMP REMINDER
Just a reminder that Summer Camp At The Farm is open for registration. The deadline for June’s camp is Friday! Register your 5-14 year olds here.

MARKET NEWS
Sylvan Falls Mill and Leah Lakes Farm are on vacation.

Legacy Alpaca is back with various colors of Alpaca yarn, some in their natural color, and some of which have been dyed using natural materials. We have Mother Earth Meats chicken back in stock, and Russell has butter again.

We have duck and goose eggs available again as an add-ons during Tuesday pick-ups. Duck eggs are $3.50 for half dozen, and goose eggs are $2 each or 3/$5. They are from Sally at Treffynnon Farm in Conyers.

I have turned on the recipe section of our website and will be experimenting with how it works over the next few days. I know we all have favorite ways of cooking the food sold by our farmers, and soon we’ll be able to share them!

Thank you for supporting local farmers and artisans :-)

See you Tuesday – Happy Shopping!
Debbie Moore
Market Manager
grow@ranchoalegrefarm.com

Fresh Wishes,
Pilar Quintero
Market Host
Rancho Alegre Farm

Please contact grow@ranchoalegrefarm.com for questions pertaining to Market or Raw Milk. It is very difficult to take phone calls on a working farm, especially one that also hosts tours and private events. Remember to follow us on Facebook and Meetup to get notification on all our wonderful events and news.

Local Farms First:  Pick Up Reminder!



Greetings Local Farms First food lovers!

Pick Up Reminder!!

Don’t forget to pick up your order today between 4-6 PM!

Crested Butte: The CB Pick-Up Location is now at The Daily Dose juice bar right next to Clark’s Grocery Store

Gunnison: Upstairs at the ORE Office (202 E. Georgia).

Thanks for supporting local family farms,
Amy Konash- Market Manager
LocalFarmsFirst.org – a 501c3 non-profit
970-641-7682
click here to start shopping on the website:
www.LocalFarmsFirst.com

Champaign, OH:  Boogie Shoes


I wanna put on my, my, my, my, my
Boogie shoes just to boogie with you, yeah
I wanna put on my, my, my, my, my
Boogie shoes just to boogie with you
(K.c. And The Sunshine Band – Boogie Shoes)

So, it’s that time of the week…time to announce the weekly Market Love playlist winner!!! Lots of names, this week!! All strategically written down, folded up, picked by my daughter, the Cosmic Co-Ed, and her long time pal…Cosmic Side-Kick..

But, before I announce the winner…does this song make you want to dance, sing, boogie? Can’t you just remember your bell bottom jeans, platform shoes, feathered hair, and if you are a girl, your Bonne Bell Lipsmacker lipgloss? Yeah….hello early teen years of yesteryear!

This was a very versatile song…you could boogie away at parties, pool teen dances, the skating rink…you just couldn’t sit still with this song blaring.

It was the 70s, it was disco, and we were all groovin’ it. It reminds me of the swim club we belonged to, teen dances, teen lounge, a jukebox…the thrill of a summer adventure. It also reminds me of a ton of neighbor kids, all piled into a station wagon, being dropped off at the local skating rink to skate the night away. Dim lights, disco balls and kids with sweet moves on skates.

I love a song that will transport you back to great memories, fun times, and the promise of a great summer!

Here’s to that great summer that is just ahead of us…and here’s a big shout out to this week’s winner…

Valerie Root! Congrats!! You can get your copy of Market Love, tomorrow, at order pick up!

Peace and Love,
Cosmic Pam