Warmest February on Record

I thought the snow would never melt but after 2 weeks of warm weather its finally gone – soon to come back though I’m sure. But with the warm weather we spent some time this beautiful February weekend catching up on much need work here on the farm. After...

Alternatives to Microbeads

Over the past few years tiny beads made from plastic, called microbeads, have found their way as an ingredient in some cosmetic products intended for exfoliating the skin. Exfoliating removes the outer, dead layer of skin.  Why these plastics ever became a staple...

Book Review – Woman Powered Farm

Woman Powered FarmAudrey LevatinoThe Countryman Press 2015When a colleague sent me a link to this book and said she thought of me when she saw it, I had to learn more. I was intrigued knowing that there is a new trend now with women in farming and changing the face of...

A Month of Squash

Our butternut squash harvest this summer was more than expected. Even after giving many away we still ended up with over 50. That comes to eating about one squash per week, so needless to say I am looking for butternut squash recipes – got any?So far, this is...

Rember to Eat Lignans for Memory

Remembering to eat foods high in lignans, like broccoli, flax and berries is important for keeping your memory sharp. Several small studies have suggested that phytoestrogens from plants can play a role in maintaining mental abilities, and now two larger studies...

A Weekend in Sonoma

We did a mini vacation last weekend in Sonoma County California, an area known for its wine, beer, and food. We were not disappointed. I was looking for a trip where I could get to the ocean, do a bike ride, and some hiking – after all, you have to balance all that...

Beauty Benefits of Peppers

Beauty Benefits of PeppersPeppers come in all sizes, shapes and colors and we love them all. This time of year many of them are ripe and you can find a wide variety at farmers markets. Peppers even come in different flavors from sweet to hot. But you’ve been...

Healing Herbs, Tina Sams

Healing Herbs, A Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Foraging, and Using Medicinal PlantsTina SamsFair Winds Press, 2015 Healing Herbs, Tina SamsTina Sams is a modern day Village Herbalist with a vast knowledge of herbs found in gardens, field and forest.  She...

Book Review: Harvest to Hydrosol, Ann Harman

Harvest to Hydrosol, Ann HarmanbotANNicals 2015Annie Harman is a distiller extraordinaire and I am happy to consider her a colleague as well as a friend. Her and I have talked back and forth alot about distilling over the years and I can attest that she is the best...

Personal Care Products Safety Act of 2015

It’s happened again. A new cosmetics Safety Bill has been introduced;  the Personal Care Products Safety Act of 2015 was introduced on April 20 by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).There are a few things in here that I am...