Martha's Vineyard Part IV: Morning Glory Farm

 Morning Glory Farms! Yes, we must have spent 2 hours there....all the pumpkins outside on the lawn are what caught our eyes, but the wind turbine, lovely barn, and planted fields of vegetables are what drew us in!

As you come in, you can purchase little bouquets that are in water in these quaint rusty cans

                                                                          

Inside, were lovely baskets of fresh fruits and vegetables w/ these cute hand-written notes on each

Garlic, onions, shallots.....and each in its own lovely basket

On the shelves were lots of organic goodies....great to see that islanders can get these so easily

The greens were the deepest green I have truly ever seen

I LOVED the hand-written apple chart of which are good for eating or baking

I was surprised that most of their apples were NOT organic

I love that the apples were in pecks.....remember the jingle? a peck of pickled peppers?

And peppers there were! Every color and variety!

More of the lovely greens at Morning Glory Farmstand

Don't these just make you want to buy them?  

And here are the fields where they are grown

I LOVE the story behind Morning Glory Farms....it started in 1975 with 50 acres.  Only about 6 acres of their farm is organic.  They have decided not to pursue the costly and time-consuming certification to be officially all organic, so they call themselves "Morganic," the combination of Morning Glory and Organic.  They also sold cheeses from the area and around New England, grass-fed beef ( which I LOVE ), and lots of prepared foods to take home and warm up that they create in their farm kitchen.

And....speaking of their kitchen....one of their biggest 'draws' is their pies!

On the day we were there, pies would not be ready until 2:00 PM

But, we were able to 'peek' inside the windows of the kitchen to see  them at work

We were sorry we missed this pumpkin festival they had on Oct. 16

Don't you just love the hand-written signs?  I do.  This farmstand is a don't miss, in my opinion.  We loved going there, bought lots of goodies to munch on while we drove around the island.  If you're interested, visit the Morning Glory Farm website and plan your trip accordingly around some of their lovely events. 

They also have a book, which they sell in the store....it's beautiful!      

You can purchase the book on their website

I would definitely visit their website---it's a testament to American and the power of the human spirit.  People who have worked at the farm even have their own 'group' which meets for reunions.  There are over 100 members already....pride of ownership...............and of a family who followed their passion! Bravo!!

                                                           

                                                                            

                                                                            

                                                                    

How to make a SUPER HEALTHY detoxing smoothie

 ** First, I want to emphasize that all of your fruits and vegetables need to be organic, fresh, and thoroughly washed. Yes, even wash organic fruits and vegetables. They've been handled, rained on, and transported and they need a good cleansing. I use warm water--no store bought products to 'clean' my fruit!
** Secondly, FRESH is my preference, but to save money, buy fruits on sale when you can and freeze small bags to store away--that's the next best thing to fresh and they still taste incredible.
** Next, to have the MOST nutrition for the least amount of fat and/or calories, use organic non-fat PLAIN yogurt. It will taste awesome in your smoothie, even if you don't like to eat it plain.
** The food additive that I put in my smoothie, YOGA DETOX, is NOT a requirement. You can buy protein/whey/nutritional substitutes in Whole Foods, Vitamin Cottage, or your favorite nutritional store, but read the ingredients carefully. You do not want to be adding any soy. We eat far too much soy in our diets already, so don't be adding any here first thing in the morning.


So, let's begin. First thing in the morning, you'll want to pour yourself a tall glass of clean fresh water...this can be from your tap if it's purified, OR buy distilled water. Add about 1/2 the juice from 1/2 of a fresh lemon and sip on this while you make your smoothie. The lemon in the water will cleanse your bowels and the lemon will help to take the acidic nature out of your system and make your system more neutral. I know it sounds counter-intuitive that an acid will make that happen, but it's true.

lemon neutralizes!

Lemon juice is also a major player in the 'master cleanse' diet that Demi Moore and her husband just did--it works, I promise. Buy some test strips at your local health store and check your pH w/ your saliva and urine BEFORE and AFTER doing this cleanse for a week. You'll see!!

I use a blender, but a food processor will work, too:


1. Spinach- fresh, organic, firm, dark green...throw a handful in after you've washed it.

2.  Add a whole banana--now here's a place where you can use up a banana that maybe is past its freshest life cycle--in fact, the older ones are sweeter and will enhance the flavor of your smoothie--you can also freeze a 'getting old' banana and they will work just fine--your smoothie will just be COLDER!

                                                            

3.  Add some blueberries.  Again, the amount depends on whether this is just for you, you and your friend/partner/spouse/kids OR you want to make some for later!  2 handfuls is good for me!

                                                                 

4.  Add the yogurt:  I use TWO HEAPING tablespoons of non-fat plain organic yogurt--the brand is not as important in a smoothie.  I definitely have some favorites to eat plain.  

There are Many Varieties: choose your favorite!

      5.  2 T. YOGA DETOX or supplement of your choice that does not include SOY as an ingredient.

                                                                 

I get this from my naturopath, but it can be ordered online--if you need assistance, just ask me and I'm happy to answer your questions.

6.  Add 1/2 cup of orange juice or other juice that you like- apple, cranberry, mango.....be creative!

7.  Add 1 packet of Emergen-C- added boost, extra vitamin C...and is Chock Full of Goodness!    

       

Any flavor will work! I just love the ORANGE

8.  Blend on medium speed for about an minute....pour and drink immediately.  If you want, this mixture can be frozen into 'pops' for an afternoon pick me up on a hot afternoon....GREAT FOR KIDS---they won't even KNOW they are eating all that spinach!! 

9.  ENJOY---if you have any questions, please email me!  I'd love to hear from you!! 

I can hardly wait!!

Oh so yummy!!

 

Bio-Dynamic Sustainable Farming

I'm a huge fan of farmer's markets, especially when the produce comes from biodynamic farms and/or organic farms that offer 'shares' to community members.  It's a healthy and incredibly wonderful trend and I'm a huge proponent of healthy fruits and vegetables that have not been treated with pesticides, chemicals, and other growth stimulants artificially produced.

It is a fact that fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a good diet, but oftentimes, we do not realize how many chemicals, pesticides, waxes, and other synthetic ingredients are found on our fruit and vegetable choices at our grocery stores.  When possible, seek out local farms and markets.  Buy from farms that are sustainable and organic.  "Sustainable agriculture systems are designed to take maximum advantage of existing soil nutrient and water cycles, energy flows, beneficial soil organisms, and natural pest controls." ( http://eap.mcgill.ca/sustain.htm )

Biodynamic Farming is NOT new--it had its beginnings in the 1920's when issues began to arise on farms throughout the world and land did not produce the amount of crops it once did. "Essentially, biodynamic farming and gardening looks upon the soil and the farm as living organisms. It regards maintenance and furtherance of soil life as a basic necessity if the soil is to be preserved for generations, and it regards the farm as being true to its essential nature if it can be conceived of as a kind of individual entity in itself — a self-contained individuality. It begins with the ideal concept of the necessary self-containedness of the farm and works with furthering the life of the soil as a primary means by which a farm can become a kind of individuality that progresses and evolves."  ( http://biodynamics.com/  )

In Northern Colorado alone, there are several farms that use these practices and honor the earth with their work.  One is Happy Heart Farms ( don't you just love their name?? )
       http://www.happyheartfarmcsa.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=3  

Another is Grant Farms: http://www.grantfarms.com/home.php

One of my favorite organic farms in the country is in Oregon.  Through their website, you can order herbs, serums, and products that can be trusted for their purity and good health.  If interested, you can visit their website @: http://www.oregonswildharvest.com/whole_health/backyard_medicine_chest

This Sunday, check out your local farmer's markets and take a look and see which stands are featured from farms that are organic, sustainably farmed, and/or bio-dynamic farming.  Support these local farmers who have undergone strict and stringent regulations to meet these high standards of the bio-dynamic/organic process.

And for more information, check out the following websites and educate yourself about wonderfully healthy foods in your area.  You may even want to volunteer at one of the farms--you get a discount on the produce, learn the trade, and get some exercise in the outdoors!  Have good family fun this Sunday and go visit a great Farmer's Market!  Check out the following website to find a farmer's market near you! http://www.localharvest.org/
  and for MORE information, visit:

http://www.biodynamics.com/nabdap-announce

http://attra.ncat.org/organic.html

Even the Prince of Whales believes in Organic Gardening....shouldn't you??