Spring...Is it Here Yet?

According to the calender, spring is only weeks away.
Around here Mother Nature doesn't always read the same calender. Spring for us usually starts in May after all the snow melts. We can't usually get into the fields until mid May to plow. If it keeps snowing like this Spring may not come until June.
Winter does give us time to slow down and get some things done that we don't get to do in summer. This winter, we have redesigned our website and labels. We developed 5 new herbal healing products, and reformulated some of our old ones. Lemon Balm Lip Relief is now available on our website. Rejuvenating Night Cream, Elderberry Rose Day Cream, 3 C's Herbal Healing Salve will available soon. We expect them to be available by mid February.

Busy Winter

Even though life is slower here at Cloverleaf Farm in the winter, it is still busy. Always seems like there is something going on.
Lately, I have been getting the seeds ready to sell on our website. I have an idea in mind of how I want to package them so it is taking longer than last year. Last year, we just bought small envelopes, put a picture on it, and labeled the back.
This year, I learned how seeds used to be packaged "back in the old days" from Strawbery Banke Museum. We have been members of Strawbery Banke for a few years now, and always delight in their programs. In the fall they hold Garden Days, and we don't miss it. They have special events throughout the year, and we try not to miss any of them. Ghosts On The Banke is always especially cool.
Garden Days is where I learned about the old seed packet folding. Uses just paper, no glue, or tape and really holds the seeds well. Loved it. I found the paper, now it is just a matter of getting it to the right size for all the seeds. I don't want to have to cut them all different. One size would make life so much easier.
We have also been working on fine tuning things around the house. We have gotten 4 bedrooms back dated, and we have just one left. We still have work to do, but we are that much closer to our goal.

Hebal Healing...Candida (Systemic Yeast) Diet

I will make it simple. There are foods you can eat, and foods you need to avoid in a candida diet.

Foods You CAN Eat:
Candida Diet - Foods To Eat

MEATS

(Make sure they are Antibiotic & Hormone free)
Beef (small amounts)
Chicken
Fish
Lamb
Turkey

OILS

(Cold-pressed)
Flaxseed (not to be used for cooking)
Olive Oil
Sesame Oil
Sunflower Oil

GRAINS

(Whole)
Amaranth
Barley
Brown Rice
Buckwheat
Millet
Oats
Pasta (whole grains that are not wheat)
Rye

NUTS & SEEDS

(Raw)
Almonds
Brazil
Chestnuts
Hazelnuts
Macadamia
Pecans
Pumpkin Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Sunflower
Walnuts

DAIRY

(Antibiotic & Hormone Free of course)
Butter
Eggs

VEGETABLES

All (except mushrooms)
Moderate potato (1-2/x wk)

CONDIMENTS

Apple cider vinegar (raw & unfiltered)
Fresh herbs
Dry Mustard
Pepper
Sea salt
Spices (no additives)

DRINKS

Water - filtered
Herbal Teas
Mineral water without sugar

BEANS & LEGUMES

All

MISCELLANEOUS

Carob - unsweetened
Salsa (fresh w/ no vinegar or sugar)

FRUITS

use sparingly
Apples
All Berries
Coconut
Grapefruit
Lemons/Limes

SWEETENERS

Stevia

Foods to AVOID:
Candida Diet - Foods To Avoid
MEATS
Processed & Packaged meats
Hamburgers
Hot Dogs
Sausage
OILS
Peanut Oil
Processed oils
VEGETABLES
Corn
Mushrooms
NUTS & SEEDS
Cashews
Peanuts
Pistachios
DAIRY
All cheeses including cottage cheese
Buttermilk
Cow & Goats Milk
Ice Cream
Margarine
Sour Cream
Yogurt
GRAINS
Breads (unless wheat, dairy, yeast and sugar free)
Cereals (unless wheat, dairy and sugar free)
Corn
Pastries
Spelt
White Rice
White Flours
Wheat
CONDIMENTS
All vinegars (except apple cider vinegar - raw & unfiltered)
Catsup
Gravy
Jams & Jellies
Mustard
Pickles
Relish
Salad Dressings (unless no added sugar and only raw apple cider vinegar is used)
Sauces
Soy sauce
Spices with yeast, sugar of additives added
Tamari
Worcestershire
MISCELLANEOUS
Candy
Cookies
Chocolate
Coffee
Donuts
Gelatin
Gum (except xylitol sweetened)
Fried Foods
Muffins
Pastry
Pizza
Processed Foods (TV. dinners, etc.)
Smoked, Dried, Pickled or Cured Foods
BEANS & LEGUMES
Peas
No fermented soy products (miso, tempeh)

DRINKS
Alcohol
Coffee
Fruit juices
Sodas (Diet & Regular)
Teas - Caffeine (except green tea)
FRUITS
Apricots
Bananas
Cherries
Currants
Dates
Dried fruits (prunes, raisins, etc.)
Figs
Grapes
Kiwi
Mangos
Melons
Nectarines
Oranges
Papayas
Pears
Peaches
Pineapple
Plums
Pomegranates
Tangerines
SWEETENERS
Aspartame (NutraSweet)
Barley malt
Brown rice syrup
Brown sugar
Corn syrup
Dextrose
Fructose
Fruit juice sweetened
Honey
Maltodextrin
Maple Syrup
Molasses
Raw cane juice crystals
Sorbitol
Sucralose
White sugar

Herbal Healing...Hidden Diseases of Sysytemic Yeast

These are just some of the diseases and conditions that could be linked a person having a systemic yeast condition.However, it is often misdiagnosed as something else, not diagnosed at all or worse yet, disputed and disregarded by your doctor.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Lupus
Hypothyroidism
Chrohn's Disease
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Celiac Disease
Chronic Sinusitis
Atopic Eczema
GI dysbiosis
Adrenal dysfunction
Rosacea
Psoriasis
Macular Degeneration
Barret's Esophagus
Lactose Intolerance
Meniere's Disease
Depression
Alzheimer's
It may even be related to things like:
Autism
ADHD
ADD
Headaches/migraines
Fatigue
Schizophrenia

Herbal Healing...Systemic Yeast Symptoms

Most doctors out there will tell you it doesn't exist. Others know better.
The following is a list of symptoms that can occur with a systemic yeast condition:
Yeast/Fungal Overgrowth (Candidias)has been found to be a factor in many disorders and is found in millions of people who cannot figure out what is wrong with them. They go from doctor to doctor knowing something is not right, but are usually told it is all in their head. Symptoms can vary from person to person. The more symptoms you have the more likely you have a systemic yeast condition. Check with your health care provider.

Symptoms of Systemic Yeast

Yeast/Fungal Overgrowth (Candidias)has been found to be a factor in many disorders and is found in millions of people who cannot figure out what is wrong with them. They go from doctor to doctor knowing something is not right, but are usually told it is all in their head. Symptoms can vary from person to person.

1.jock and rectal itching
2.chronic athlete's foot
3.chronic toenail and fingernail fungus
4.ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
5.allergies
6.sensitivity to noise/sounds
7.sensitivity to foods
8.sensitivity to chemicals
9.sensitivity to odors
10.anemia
11.weight changes without changes in diet
12.lightheadedness
13.feeling in a fog
14.fainting
15.muscle twitching
16.muscle weakness
17.jerky-leg syndrome
18.low sex drive
19.incapacitating fatigue
20.concentration/focus problems
21.short term memory
22.painful joints
23.muscle aches
24.extreme tightness in the neck and shoulders
25.acid reflux
26.brown colored mucus in the back of the throat
27.white or blood blisters in the mouth/tongue/throat
28.unrefreshing sleep
29.sore throat
30.white coated tongue
31.aversion to be touched - "crawling" skin
32.chronic sinusitis
33.frequent urination
34.headaches including migraines
35.visual blurring
36.sensitivity to light
37.eye pain
38.depression
39.irritability
40.anxiety
41.panic attacks
42.personality changes
43.mood swings
44.chills
45.night sweats
46.canker sores
47.shortness of breath
48.hypertension/high blood pressure
49.dizziness and balance problems
50.sensitivity to heat/cold
51.alcohol intolerance
52.gluten intolerance
53.irregular heartbeat
54.irritable bowel
55.constipation and/or diarrhea
56.painful gas/abdominal bloating
57.low grade fever or low body temperature
58.numbness/tingling in the face or extremities
59.dryness of mouth and eyes
60.difficulty swallowing
61.projectile vomiting
62.menstrual problems (PMS/endometriosis)
63.recurrent yeast infections
64.recurrent ear infections
65.rashes
66.dry/flaking skin
67.eczema
68.dermatitis
69.acne
70.skin discoloration/blotchiness
71.dandruff

Sorting Out The Seeds

It may only be January, but we have been drying seeds since the fall. Now that we are sure they are all dry we can start packaging them for spring. It can be a tedious job but someone has to do it. They will be used to start plants next spring, but we also sell them at our shop.
Organic farming is a wonderful experience. You know that the seeds you are planting are free from chemicals and pesticides. You know that the crop you grow can be safely eaten by your family. The crops you sell are safe to put on someone else's table.
Most people don't think about the food they eat, or where it comes from. They go to the store, look at the beautiful red tomatoes, and have no way of knowing that harmful chemicals are in the tomato. That is not including what companies put on the skin to "help retard decay".
I am happy knowing that the produce we sell is deliciously natural and healthy for you.
Now back to the seeds.

Welcome to A New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!
Blessings to All for a Happy and Healthy 2008.

To start the New Year off right, here is a healhty recipe.
Pumpkin Soup
1 small pumpkin
1 small acorn squash
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic
1 onion
1 tsp brown sugar
2 cups chicken broth (low salt)
1 cup water
cornstarch

Hollow out pumpkin and acorn squash. Discard or make spicy pumpkin seeds (recipe below)
Cook pumpkin and acorn squash enough to soften.
Puree pumpkin and squash in blender or food processor.
In a large pot combine water, chicken broth and spices.
Add pureed pumpkin and squash.
Let simmer 4-5 hours on low.
Add cornstarch to thicken as desired

Spicy Pumpkin Seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Blend together in bowl:
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper or cayenne
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Add:
1 1/2 cups pumpkin seeds

Mix seeds and spice together. Be sure to coat well.

Spray cookie sheet with olive oil. Pour on seeds. Toss to coat well.
Spread evenly onto cookie sheet.

Bake for about 8 minutes. Turn seeds over and bake for about 7 minutes more.
Cooking time will vary depending on your over so watch them close. They will burn quickly.

Enjoy!