Category Archives: CSADist

Jan 7 2017 snow

2017 CSA Winter January 7th

2017 CSA Winter January 7th

  • Fresh Ginger
  • Fresh Turmeric
  • Papaya
  • Lemon
  • Kumquats
  • Baby Kale
  • Baby Red Sorrel
  • Tatsoi
  • Arugula
  • Mint
  • Lemongrass
  • Delicata
  • Tomatoes

2017 CSA Winter January 7th: Citrus, tropical fruits and rhizomes! An exotic start to the new year…More info from Dr. Carlin Rafie on turmeric, listing its usage for the following: respiratory conditions, liver disorders, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, cough and sinusitis, anorexia, abdominal pain, sprains and swelling. Shealso references the therapeutic effects as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, thrombosuppressive, antiarthritic, and cardioprotective. I have a friend who likes it in the kitchen as a medical aid for cuts, helping to stop bleeding, lend analgesic action and antibiotic treatment.  Recent findings stongly suggest that turmeric be used together with black pepper as it greatly increases the bioavailability of the curcumin compounds, with one stating that it was raised by 2000%. Curries and golden milk are popular uses for turmeric; i like it combined with ginger, cinnamon, coconut milk and as a tea, chopping it fresh into the pot with a dash of black pepper and using it as a base for brewing my favorite tea bag, adding a dash of milk or cream for a bit of fat as that also increases absorption. Imagine it as a spicy carrot flavor and grate it along with your ginger for a quick stir-fry of your tatsoi with a dash of black pepper into some coconut oil…yum! Have a great week, all!

Mike with ginger

2016 CSA Fall December 31st

2016 CSA Fall December 31st

  • Fresh Ginger
  • Baby Red Kale
  • Chervil
  • Delicata Squash
  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Hot Peppers
  • Chives
  • Pineapple Sage
  • Papaya
  • Arugula
  • Lavender

2016 CSA Fall December 31st:

So many benefits to eating fresh, locally grown foods… This week Michael wanted to share some of the amazing properties of ginger. Dr. Carlin Rafie gave a presentation at VSU about her research that included the following: therapeutic effects of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, analgesic, and anti-microbial. She also touched on its uses in Ayurvedic, Chinese and Hindu medicine, treating digestive disorders, nausea and morning sickness, arthritis, muscular discomfort, headaches, the common cold, and inflammatory conditions. Michael documents these educational conferences at vsuag.net. Making it easy to use all year long, he grinds it up with honey to a paste and pops it in the freezer for tea, adding a large teaspoon to hot water for a delicious cup. We also store it whole in the freezer and grate into our stir-fry or on top of squash for fresh ginger flavor. We will chop the root and greens fresh for a pot of tea, utilizing the benefits of the whole plant. The leaves and stalks can be used as a wrap and stuffing for meats/fish, as an infusion similar to bay leaf or lemongrass. These also make a nice base for Asian stock. The tomatoes, peppers and ginger are part of the core for Michael’s hot sauces and make a great combo for curry dishes.  Here is to spicing up your cold days! Cheers!

First Tomato

2016 CSA Fall December 24th

2016 CSA Fall December 24th Tomato

  • Papaya
  • Tomatoes
  • Chives
  • Sage
  • Pineapple Sage
  • Rose Geranium
  • Baby Red Sorrel
  • Arugula
  • Tatsoi
  • Baby Red Kale
  • 2 Delicata Squash
  • Beet Tops

“These are a few of my favorite things…”  Included is a photo of Michael with his very first tomato…the “love apple”. It sits above his Dad’s desk. We like to cook the squash and top it with pumpkin pie spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, but we also like it stuffed with tomato, arugula and cheese, giving it a nut topping. The beet tops make a very nice simple salad with goat cheese and a splash of balsamic. The rose geranium is one of my favorite cups of tea, infusing the leaves before the water comes to a boil to not lose much of its aroma. It also steeps in milk products very well, just be sure to not overcook it. It can flavor chilled yogurt in less than an hour for a unique dressing or dip that goes nicely with cheese and fruit plates. Then there is another cutting of the pineapple sage to soothe and comfort you. May peace and harmony be with you. To your health and your pleasure always! Enjoy

First Tomato

First Tomato