Local Organic Love

        This was last weeks CSA share. Glorious, right? All veggies are certified organic, locally grown by my NEIGHBORS. This is the bounty of the earth. GLORIOUS. 

       Because the fact is, our food is not what it once was. Despite all this genetic mutations that are supposed to enhance our crops, protect against crop destruction, and induce higher yields, our food is becoming chronically nutrient deficient. But I don't want to get started on the dangers of GMO's--in this post, anyway. 

        It starts with dirt. Soil wasn't created to be farmed relentlessly year after year after year with plants that deplete, not enhance, the soil itself. This nutrient consumption is not effectively replenished through fertilizers. There should be dozens of minerals and other nutrients in healthy dirt, but fertilizers and soil enrichment products contain maybe five or six of these essential trace minerals. Even when farmers fertilize with manure, this is often contaminated with antibiotics, growth hormones, and various other chemicals from the cows that actually damage the soil further. In addition, plants are sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and fungicides, which wash off into the soil and cause even further damage.

      Herbicides, fungicides, pesticides and waxes coat supermarket groceries, reducing their permeability to pests and disease. But it is this that we later ingest when we finally get this food home and into our meals. The last thing our chemically bombarded bodies need is to be ingesting and absorbing these poisons off of our food. 

      Additionally, we don't eat fresh food anymore. Think about it-- lets say there's an orange farmer in Florida. He picks his oranges and puts them into crates. He then ships them out. They travel for a day or so, maybe more, then arrive at their destination. They are unloaded and put out onto shelves. A day or so later, you show up to buy your oranges for that summery fruit salad you've been craving. At BEST, there is a four day gap between when the fruit was picked and when it arrives at the supermarket. Your groceries will travel an average of 1300 miles. 

     The fact is, if the vegetable or fruit is no longer attached to the plant, it has begun decaying. Enzymes inside the food begins to slowly die. The longer the time it takes to get from the plant and into your mouth, the less nutrients there are. 

     So...what do we do? Well, we absolutely need to be taking a good multi-vitamin to make up for the depletions. No matter how well you eat, our food does not have the nutrient pack that it used to, and we have to restore this somehow. I know that a lot of you are making every effort to eat well for yourself and for your family. I know that a lot of you struggle to afford good, organic, healthy food. And a lot of you come in and say, "I'm eating organic, lots of raw food, I'm exercising, and I still don't feel right." Often this can be resolved with a good multi-vitamin. 

     We are so blessed in Madison. There are farmers markets on almost every day of the week, spread throughout the capital and all the suburbs! There are many CSA programs you can get signed up with, and many local restaurants that support local organic farmers. We have access to good healthy organic food--lets take advantage! You'll find that if you buy organic local food it tastes better (I PROMISE you, it truly does taste better!) and you need less to eat because you'll be getting SO MUCH more nutrients in the food! You won't be ingesting chemicals and poisons. You'll be eating food that can nourish and heal your body. You'll be eating to live well. 

Just to help you on your way, here are some links to the various CSA share programs and info on farmers markets in the area. 

   

FairShare CSA Coalition: http://www.csacoalition.org/

Full List of CSA Farms: http://www.csacoalition.org/our-farms/full-list/

Harmony Valley Farm: http://www.harmonyvalleyfarm.com/csa.php

Tipi Produce: http://www.tipiproduce.com/csa/

Troy Gardens Community Groundworks: http://www.communitygroundworks.org/what-we-do/troy-community-farm/csa

Madison Area Farmers Markets

Mondays: 2524 Rimrock Rd., 2-6pm

Tuesdays: 953 Jenifer Street, 4pm-7pm; Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St., 2pm-6pm

Wednesdays: City-County Building, 215 MLK Jr. Blvd., 8:30am-2pm; Hilldale Mall, Segoe  Ave. off  of University, 7am-2pm; Gilbert Rd. at United Church of Christ, 3pm-7pm

Thursdays: The Villager Mall, 2300 S. Park Street 2pm-6pm; Agora Pavilion on Cheryl Parkway, 3-6pm; Greenway Station (Middleton) 8am-1pm

Saturday: Capitol Square 6am-2pm.; Labor Temple, 1602 S Park St 9am-2pm; Hilldale, Segoe Ave off University, 7am-2pm; Hill Farms DOT 4802 Sheboygan 7am-1pm.

Sunday: Town Center, Northside and Sherman 8:30am-12:30pm; Ahuska Park on Broadway 9am-1pm; Labor Temple 1602 S Park St 11am-3pm. 

You can find more in your area at: http://thealvaradogroup.com/2010/06/08/looking-for-a-farmers-market-in-the-madison-wi-area/#sthash.Tgeymjmb.dpuf

SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

This weekend only, buy 1 beauty product at 10% off and get the 2nd 20% off! 

Time to beautify!

Fun Fact!

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Constipation!

      Did you know that women who are constipated are 4 1/2 times  more likely to develop breast cancer?

                 (Constipation is defined by natural health professionals as having less than one bowel                                               movement per day; optimum is 2-3 times per day.)

Tea Party: Nettle Tea

How To:

Fresh Herb: Carefully chop the young leaves of stinging nettles. Use two tablespoons of fresh herb per cup of water. Allow to steep in hot water for 10-15 minutes, covering tightly. 

Dry Loose Herb: Measure a generous teaspoonful into a tea strainer or tea bag. Allow to steep for 10-12 minutes in hot water, covering tightly. 

Tea Bag: Use one tea bag per cup of hot water. Allow to steep 10-12 minutes in hot water, covering tightly.
     I have found a mason jar to be very effective for the above methods of brewing tea. Plop the tea bag or strainer into the jar (doesn't work with tea strainers that rest on the lip of the cup) and then screw the lid on tightly. Once its done brewing, you can drink it right from the jar! 




image source- check out this adorable blog!         

Flavor:

Nettle tea has a surprisingly pleasant flavor. It is reminiscent of alfalfa, or perhaps sweet hay, but rich and robust. You can also taste the minerals in it, and for a good reason! Nettles are packed with essential minerals! It may sometimes be a little bitter for some, but with a dash of lemon or honey to sweeten it up, you'll find this tea quite refreshing! 

Good For:
       

1. Allergies. Many drink nettle tea to help relieve allergies. This may include pet allergies, to seasonal allergies, or bronchial allergies including rhinitis, asthma and sinusitis. This beverage helps to clear phlegm from the body and in so doing, help reduce symptoms commonly associated with these conditions. It is also anti-inflammatory, and the powerful anti-oxidants within boost the immune system to fight off the allergic reaction In fact, nettles have been used to treat allergies for hundreds of years! Note: Those allergic to ragweed may have an allergic reaction to nettle!
2. Anti.inflammatory. Nettle tea may be helpful in reducing inflammation as it contains hox alpha, which diminishes the effect of cytokines on the joints of the body. This is soothing for arthritis, gout, and other pains. In fact, it's said in ancient times people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism where whipped with stinging nettle for relief from the pain of their condition. We don't suggest such practices-I'd MUCH rather just drink the tea!
3. Sterols. This helps to limit the possibility of enlarged prostate or hyperplasia. 
4. Immune function. Nettle tea can neutralize toxic antigens in the body, strengthening the immune system. It is also very high in vitamin C, which can help reduce headaches, cramps, allergies, and spikes in blood sugar levels. Research has proved nettles to be effective against up to 9 varieties of harmful microbes. 
5. Urinary tract. Nettle tea is a natural diuretic that helps to flush out excess uric acid from bladder. This a wonderful herb for those who struggle with urinary tract infections. It also helps to purify the blood by flushing out the kidneys. 
6. Anemia. Nettle contains a very high amount of iron, which is beneficial for those suffering from anemia. It encourages the regeneration of red blood cells and replenishing of the hemoglobin in the blood. 
7. Blood clots. Nettles contain a very high amount of vitamin K, which is a natural blood thinner. Consult a physician before drinking this tea if you are taking any prescription blood thinners!
8. Worms. Nettle tea discourages worms in the intestinal tract, washing them right out of you! 
9. Diarrhea/hemorrhoids. Nettle tea can be used to calm the intestinal tract for relief of diarrhea. It also acts as a relaxant on the anal sphincter to help relieve hemorrhoids. 
10. Calcium. Nettle tea is also high in calcium and may be used by those who need to increase calcium/calcium absorption. 

High In:

          Calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium and sulfur. They also contain high levels of chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamin C, and a variety of the B vitamins. 

Product Highlight: Vita PQQ

            Everyone one of us likes to think that there exists some sort of magical substance that can stop our aging and render us eternally youthful—or at the very least, eternally healthy. While practicality tells us that this is a wonderful fantasy, we continue to either hope for a miracle pill, or simply ignore our own wrinkles and aching backs.        

            Aging has been scientifically linked to mitochondrial degradation. In other words, as the furnace in your cells slowly dies out, like a worn out engine, you begin to experience the unpleasant side effects of aging; hair loss, bone fragility, diminished immune function, gastrointestinal or heart disease, memory loss, etc. We know that list all too well.  But how do we stop our mitochondria from burning out? How can we keep our cells furnaces going?

            I offer up not necessarily the Holy Grail or Water of Life, but a recently discovered vitamin.  In 2003, Japanese scientists shocked the world by introducing the first new vitamin since 1948. They dubbed it pyrroloquinoline quinone. We call it Vitamin PQQ instead.

            This vitamin is one of the very few substances known to actually increase both the quantity and quality of function in your mitochondria. It promotes an entirely new generation of growth in those shriveling cells. It also boosts your energy, as the mitochondria are responsible for producing energy. And finally, because it rejuvenates the powerhouse of your cells, it may actually slow down the aging process.

            And just to make this more impressive, when you combine CoQ10 and PQQ, it produces a near double effect. Nerve cells are protected from damage, improves clarity of mind, ability to focus, and short term memory—and goodbye old age!

            Holy Grail? Well, not quite…but we’re getting closer!

Fun Fact!

Did you know...?

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           Every seven years, your body COMPLETELY regenerates every single cell you have in your body! Doesn't that make you want to make sure that every cell your body produces today is in perfect health? Seven years of healthy cell growth means a healthier happier you!

Recipe: Peach Perfection Smoothie

Peach Perfection Smoothie

Taken from ‘Raw Energy’ by Stephanie Tourles

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        This chef is a magician with raw food! Her recipes are inventive, delicious, and, I admit it, entirely addictive. This scrumptious smoothie deserves your two prettiest glasses, sipped out in the sunshine on this beautiful Saturday morning. Just so you can enjoy it even more, know that what you’re drinking is also rich in antioxidants, vitamins B and E, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and healthy fats. Yum!

              2 cups almond or walnut milk

              2 cups super-ripe fresh peaches, peeled and cut into chunks, or frozen peach slices

              1 tablespoon raw honey or agave nectar

              2 teaspoons raw, unrefined coconut oil

              pinch of sea salt

    Put the nut milk, peaches, honey, oil, and salt in a blender and blend on medium until smooth, about       30 seconds. Blend in a few ice cubes for an extra-frosty treat.