Amish Home Remedies

I will be the first to tell you that I would rather take a beating as to have to go to the doctor.  Never have liked it and will go to great lengths not to go.  So one trip out to the farm I asked Andy and Lizzie what they do when they get sick.  (They hardly ever get sick) Sinus infections run in the family and living in the Ohio River valley sure doesn't help.  I was hoping that they could give me a miracle cure.

I was told to mix up some honey with minced garlic.  Okay I did that and took it for a couple of days...a spoon full every hour or so.  Then I heard from Justin, the CSA driver, that his wife adds horseradish.  So I mixed in pretty much of that.  And let me tell you I was breathing better within the hour.

 

 

Here are some of the things I have learned so far...

Sinus problems can either be viral or bacterial or they can be triggers by allergic responses.  DO NOT take decongestants.  Instead fill up a Neti Pot with a saline solution of 1/4 cup of warm water,  a 1/4 of a teaspoon of salt, and a pinch of baking soda.  Mix well.  If you have no Neti Pot, you can put a puddle of the solution in the palm of your hand.  Hold one nostril shut and stiff the solution up the other nostril.  Then you must inhale deeply.  It might burn just a smidge but don't worry it won't hurt you.  Blow your nose and you should get a lot of 'gunk'.  If you are really clogged repeat.  Usually within 30 minutes you should be able to blow something out.

 

To go along with the Neti Pot, Lizzie gave me some Deep Tissue Oil that her sister mixes up.  I rub just a little bit over sinuses.  It feels warm and smells wonderful.

This oil can be called 'first aid in a bottle'.  It can be used for many things.  It increases circulation, breaks up congestion and speeds healing.  It helps with muscles, aches, and pains.  It is a pretty strong oil so a little goes a long way.  Ingredients:  wintergreen oil, peppermint oil, menthol, cayenne pepper, ginger root, Arnica, St. John's wart, calendula and organic virgin olive oil.

 

And then as a last resort...horseradish juice.  Literally, Lizzie has a glass gallon jar filled with fresh shredded horse radish.  The top two inches is just the juice.  She poured me some in a glass pint jar and told me to take some every few hours.  I tried it straight for the first few times then I had to mix it with honey to get it to go down.  I took half the jar and decided that if all of this couldn't work I should probably go to the doctor. 

 

So I am 100% well after two shots, three prescriptions and a week of bed rest.  I wonder if all these remedies work better on the Amish because their systems have not been filled with all the junk and meds that we put into our bodies on a daily basis?  That might be a good research project for someone to do.

Finally Back On Track

We were hit really hard with four different sicknesses over the last few weeks.  I didn't lift myself off the couch for an entire week.  The flu, a sinus infection, a virus, and the creeping crud.  (For the one that refuses to go to the doctor to get well it might take a few more weeks.)

We got a newsletter from the farm who knows when...I just opened it this morning.  Also in the letter was all the information about this years CSA.  I will be filling it out and sending it in as soon as I can.  I don't want to miss out.

You wouldn't think there would be too much going on in the winter at the farm.  Maybe just their regular chores like milking the cow and feeding the other farm animals.  I am sure the wood stove is pumping out the heat and Andy and the family are cozy warm.

Here's something to wrap our Englisher minds around...Andy is thinking about fixing and insulating are room in the basement to store away ice for the winter.  If it works out they will be able to refrigerate their food next summer. Once the room gets fixed up (who knows what that means) he will have to figure out how to get the ice.  The old timers would get their ice from the ponds but Andy has another idea.  He will take the old CSA boxes and line them with plastic then fill them with water.  They will then go on the front porch where they will freeze.  If the weather cooperates and they hae a weeks of cold weather they should gets blocks of ice.  The last step would be to takes these ice blocks and stack them in the 'ice room'.  If all goes right they will hae ice to last throughout the summer.  I can hardly wait to see if this idea works.  And to think all I hae to do it walk to the freezer and open the door.  So spoiled I am!

Now is the time to sign up for next years CSA.  I know that last years members hae already been mailed an order form.  If you need on you can email the farm

cedarmorefarm@tdisp.com

Last Week Of The Season

I am not too fond of this week...the last week of the season.  this year has gone by really fast.  I am going to miss my Tuesday deliveries and Andy's newsletters and sometime little notes from Lizzie and drawings from the kids.  Tuesday during CSA season, is always my favorite day of the week.

This completes the fifth year of the CSA.  Andy says that the first few years they had their share of up hill battles and a few bumps in the road but the last two years have gone by fairly smoothly.  A bonus is that the customer base has grown each year.  There were 215 shares this year up 65 shares from last year.  With so many other families in the community using organic growing methods Andy sees no reason that they can not keep growing.  He feels that there are enough farmers to provide 3 or 400 shares at a time.  He may have to build a larger building because that kind of growth would force them out of the basement of the house.  By expanding they would be providing a better market for more of the farmers' products and at the same time they would be able to get more people in this area of Ohio to eat more healthy.  It would be a win-win situation.  Andy feels comfortable with the client list now and plans to let the CSA grow at its own pace.

Good news for the family...On November 24 (the day before Andy's birthday) God blessed the Hershberger's with a healthy little girl they have names Lovina.  On the same day Andy's twin sister, Anna, also gave birth to a little girl they are calling Rachael.  Everyone is doing well.  I plan to visit this weekend to meet this new little one and of course play with Anna, Dennis and Moses. I am wondering how the Amish celebrate Christmas?

New about Moses...His little hands are still improving and they are hopeful that they will not have to keep them bandaged much longer.

Thank you all for joining us and supporting us this season and we hope to welcome you back for the 2013 CSA season.

Recipe Of The Week: Butternut Squash Bake

Butternut Squash Bake

1/3 cup of butter

3/4 cup of sugar

2/3 cup of evaporated milk

1/2 cup of chopped pecans

3Tablespoons of melted butter

2 eggs
3 cups of mashed butternut squash

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup of sugar

1/4 cup of flour

Combine butter and 3/4 cup of sugar.  Beat in eggs, milk, vanilla, and spice.  Stir into squash.  Pour into a buttered casserole.  Combine remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the casserole.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

A Little Down Time...NOT

It might be a little less busy gardening/farming on the farm but things are buzzing!

Deer gun season opens this week and Andy hopes to be able to spend some time in the woods.  And hopes that he is able to bring some deer meat back for the winter.  I think he likes the time to be able to be in the woods and listen to 'nature'.  I am hoping he gets at least one because i had some of the best deer bologna the last time I visited.  Really don't like venison but the bologna was good...really good.

Sad to report that next week is the last week of the CSA season for this year. (But that doesn't mean the blog will be taking a break.  I have lots of things that I have learned to share in the coming months.)  So if you want to order any extra to tide you over, you need to do it now.  Just email the farm (well, actually Rue and Susan) and they will see that Andy and Lizzie get your order for the last box.  I know that I am getting some maple syrup and jellies...maybe some soap too.  They make great Christmas gifts.  My family thanks me over and over again.  They actually fight over it!

Moses Update...Andy and Lizzie took Moses back to the doctor in Millersburg for another check-up.  The doctor seemed pleased wit they way his little had is healing  up.  There is still some question about his fingertip and how they will heal up.  the treatment they are using is B&W ointment (which is mostly honey) and Burdock leaves has been working very well. (more to come with pictures in a later blog)  The Burdock leaves help relieve the pain and reduce swelling.  They left the hospital three days after the accident and Moses hasn't needed any pain medication and without antibiotics, there is no sign of infection.  And healing is taking place. I will report what I see when I visit the next time which will be in the very near future because....a new addition has finally been added to the family.  I  am thrilled to announce (and I am sure that Andy and Lizzie are more thrilled) that I got a letter in my box announcing the arrival of little 6 pound 11 ounce, 21 inch long baby girl with a full head of dark. Mother and baby are doing fine.  Her name is Lovina Hershberger.  I CAN NOT wait to love on her!  I will give you a full report after my visit...but then again I may not come home!

Recipe Share; Baked Veggies

Baked Veggies

 

This Thanksgiving we took the veggies that came in the CSA box on Tuesday and added some from the crisper drawer and made the most wonderful veggie medley.  I can not take credit for it...our 'earthy' daughter whipped it up the other week. 

 

onions, beets, broccoli, garlic, butternut squash, acorn squash, celery, carrots

 

Wash and cut up all veggies in chunks.  Toss in large bowl with EVOO, salt, and pepper.  Line a lipped cookie sheet with parchment paper (for easy cleanup).  Place in a 450 over for 20-40 minutes...until the look done.

DELICIOUS!

 

Recipe Of The Week: Potato Dumplings

Potato Dumplings

1 quart of water
1 teaspoon of salt
5 cups of mashed potatoes
1 1/2cup of flour
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of salt

In a saucepan, bring water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil.  In a bowl combine remaining ingredients and mix until fluffy.  Roll into 1 inch balls and drop gently into boiling water.  Cook for about 7 minutes.  Drain and serve warm.  Serve with roast beef and gravy.

Cedarmore Farm Fresh Produce Club

Eat Better:  Join Our CSA Produce Club

 

Get fresh picked,  locally grown vegetables each week, all season long

Feed your family healthy, seasonal fruits and vegetables

All our produce is grown locally in Highland county

We farm using only organic methods.  No chemical pesticides or fertilizers!

 

For 2013, we are pleased to offer these CSA share options:

 

Fresh Egg Share:  available for you to receive pasture range eggs each week.

Weekly Canned Goods Share:  adds a surprise jar to your produce box.

Weekly Baked Goods Share: adds a fresh baked surprise to each box.

 

We will take orders throughout the season for fresh baked pies, cinnamon rolls, breads, cookies and bars, as well as home canned goods and maple syrup.  Also grass fed chicken will be available in season. 

 

All extra items ordered can be picked up with your weekly produce share.  You will be billed at the end of the month.

 

Free delivery is included to many Greater Cincinnati pick up locations.  Your share will be in a produce box labeled with your name at the pick up location of your choice.

 

We continue to offer the option to pay your full amount due when you sign up, or to pay 50% up front and the balance by July 1, 1013.

 

 

Crops Planned For The 2013 Season

 

Spring:  beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, radishes, salad greens, strawberries, summer squash, tomatoes and zucchini

 

Summer:  blackberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, garlic, green beans, onions,peppers, potatoes, red beets, sweet corn, tomatoes

 

Fall:  broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, lettuce, onions, radishes. carrots, squash (sweet dumpling, acorn, butternut), garlic, potatoes, res beets, kale, Chinese cabbage, sweet potatoes

 

Choose Your Shares

All Season Share:  sign up by March 1st to get a produce box delivered weekly for 32 weeks
1st week of May-1st week of December
$515 per share

Spring Share:  Sigh up by March 1st and get a produce box delivered weekly for 10 weeks
1st week of May-1st week of July
$190 per share

Summer Share:  Sign up by April 1st and get a produce box delivered weekly for 12 weeks
2nd week of July-last week of September
$180 per share

Fall Share:  Sign up by May 1st and get a produce box delivered weekly for 10 weeks
1st week of October-1st week  December
$170 per share

Pasture Range Egg Share:  Available each week with you share from above.
$3.50 a dozen

Weekly Canned Good Share:  One Surprise Jar each each with your share from above.
Possibilities are ketchup, tomato juice, tomato chunks, pizza sauce, pickled beets, pickled sweet peppers, or hot pepper butter, dill or mustard pickles, strawberry, blackberry, or red raspberry jam, peach or pear butter and more.
$4.00 per jar

Weekly Baked Good Share:  Get one surprise each week with you share from above.
Possibilities include:  pies (blackberry, cherry, blueberry, raspberry, pecan nut, or apple), cookies (monster, chocolate chip, pumpkin, chocolate no-bake, buttermilk, or raisin oatmeal), bars (3 layer snack bars, peanut butter, pumpkin with frosting and nuts, pumpkin with chocolate chip, or granola bars), cinnamon rolls, zucchini bread, banana bread or wheat bread.
$5.00 per week

Pick Up Locations

Cedarmore Farm:  12612 Turley Lane, Hillsboro, OH on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Anderson #1: 7225 Cobblestone Court on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Anderson #2:  1980 Gainsborough Lane on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Batavia:  3553 St. Rt. 222, Batavia on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Clarksville:  3668 Nicholson Road on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Mt Orab:  16844 Bodman Road on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Wyoming:  508 Wirtz Way on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Milford:  1224 Eagle Ridge Road on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Eastgate:  4873 Beechwood Road, Cincinnati on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Hamilton:  914 Richwood Avenue on Tuesdays 6:00-9:00PM
Hillsboro:  8586 US HWY 50 on Tuesdays 8:00-10:00PM
Lebanon:  2308 Wood Road on Tuesdays 6:30-9:30PM
Loveland:  865 Miami Ridge Drive on Tuesdays 5:00-8:00PM
Mason:  106 W Church Street, Mason, on Tuesdays 6:00-9:00PM
Clifton:  2170 Elysion Place on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Covington:  836 Alhambra Court, Park Hills, KY on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Burlington:  6989 Lucia Drive, KY on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Norwood:  1624 Sherman Avenue on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Oakley:  2733 Arbor Avenue, Cincinnati on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Westwood:  310 Coral Park Drive on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM
Downtown Cincinnati:  1222 Race Street on Fridays 5:00-8:00PM

Choose Your Payment Option

Pay total now or pay 50% of total now and 50% by July 1
Mail sign up sheet and checks made out to Cedarmore Farm to

Cedarmore Farm
12612 Turley Lane
Hillsboro, OH 45133

For comments, questions, or ordering extra goods please email
cedarmorefarm@TDISP.com




 

 

Other Great Items That Are Available To Order

Baked Goods
(Preorders only...please order three days before pick up day)
Breads:  zucchini, banana, or wheat bread  $3.00 per loaf
Rolls:  cinnamon  $5>00 per tray
Pies:  cherry, blackberry, raspberry, pecan nut, apple  $6.00
Bars:  three layer snack, peanut butter, pumpkin with frosting and nuts pumpkin with chocolate chips or granola bars  $4.00 per tray
Cookies: monster, chocolate chip, pumpkin, chocolate no-bake, buttermilk, raisin oatmeal  $4.00 per dozen

Canned Fruit Products
red raspberry jam  $4.50 a pint or $2.75 a 1/2 pint
strawberry or blackberry jam  $4.00 a pint or $2.50 a 1/2 pint
pear or peach butter  $4.00 a pint or $2.50 a 1/2 pint

Canned Vegetable Products
(pint jars for $4.00 each)
pickled beets
pickled sweet peppers
mustard pickles
dill pickles
bread & butter pickles
sweet pepper butter
hot pepper butter
ketchup
tomato juice
tomato chunks
pizza sauce
salsa

Maple Syrup
(from Andy and Lizzie's trees on the farm)
one gallon  445.00
half gallon  $25.00
one quart  $14.00
one pint  $8.00
half pint  $5.00

Pasture Range Eggs
$3.50 per dozen

Homemade Bar Soap
(made by Lizzie's Mom at $3.00 per bar)
unscented
spearmint
Lilly of the Valley
cucumber melon
rose
lavender
lemon grass
love spell

**availability is not guaranteed and the prices subject to change.

Send orders to cedarmorefarm@tdisp.com

Billing will be sent at the end of the month. 

Ready For The Thanksgivng Table

Work at Cedarmore has slowed down enough that Andy and Lizzie are now able to do some of those 'honey-do' jobs.  Like wood to cut for warmth this winter, fences to fix to keep everyone safe, a few projects around he house...just a lot of things that have been on the back burner during produce season.  Then there is all the paperwork that has to be done for he upcoming season.

 

The potato crop has not been very good this year, especially the late crops.  They had a few neighbor farmers that grew potatoes, but during inspections they found lots of bad and rotten spots on them.  They just felt that these potatoes were not worthy of being included in our boxes.  Hopefully they will be able to include some and these will be the last for the season.

 

We are in luck because there seems to be a surplus of canned goods.  So Andy and Lizzie have decided to run a sale until the end of the CSA season, which is December 7th.  There will be a 10% discount for the following items:

 

Tomato juice

Vegetable juice

Pizza sauce

Salsa

Dill pickles

Bread & Butter pickles

maple syrup

 

You must by a full case to get the discount (12 in a case), except for Maple syrup.  You can mix and match to make a full case.  You will get a discount on maple syrup no matter the quanity you buy.

lettuce, carrots, butternut squash, turnips, garlic, spicy greens

 

Recipe Of The Week: Greens and Bacon Salad

Greens and Bacon Salad

8 slices of bacon cut into bite size pieces
2 quarts of broken salad greens
3 hard boiled eggs, sliced
8 cherry tomatoes halved
1/3 cup of mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons of sugar
2 Tablespoons of vinegar
2 Tablespoons of salad oil
2 teaspoons of dry mustard
1 teaspoon of paprika
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt

Fry bacon until crisp and drain on paper towels.  Put greens in salad bowl: arrange eggs, bacon, and tomatoes on top.  Combine remaining ingredients and serve with the salad.