Another Reason To Choose Organic: New Study

I was interested to read this morning of a peer-reviewed study published in the journal Environmental Research reporting levels of the pesticide glyphosate in participants’ bodies dropped an average of 70% after six days on an organic diet.

You can read the report here but it certainly shines some more light on health advantages in choosing organic.

High profile court cases in 2019 linked plaintiffs' Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma to use of Roundup® and an appeals court has upheld that decision. Research links glyphosate (Roundup®) to many health problems - including Parkinson's Disease, kidney disease, endocrine disruption, DNA damage, decreased sperm function, disruption of the gut microbiome (think about all the folks who complain of gluten intolerance) as well as cancer. 

Meanwhile, here on Crandall Hill, we're proud to offer you USDA Certified Organic apples - perfect for eating, cooking and preserving. The harvest is just beginning but the trees are heavy with fruit. Varieties available now include Zestar!®, Yellow Transparent, Pristine and Duchess of Oldenburg (an antique apple). Our new farm stand is open daily for self-service. You can also call (814) 274-8004 to pre-order your selections.

We also accept the FMNP checks and can make up special $6 bags of apples for you.

Farmstand Opening Wednesday!

We've been busily working at creating a space in our barn for an easy-access farm stand where we will be able to offer our USDA Certified Organic apples for sale directly from the farm. We will also, from time to time, have other USDA Certified organic produce available.

As I write this on Monday, our plan is to be ready to go Wednesday (August 19) morning. Signs will direct you where to pull into the driveway to access the stand. Right now, we have Yellow Transparent, Duchess of Oldenburg and Pristine apples but many more varieties will be offered as the season progresses.

More good news! We've checked in with the cider processor we have used the past two years and they will be open for business beginning in mid-September and we have made arrangements for having our cider processed there again this year. Watch for details.

One Misty, Moisty Morning*

It's one of those murky late summer mornings when the air, though cool, is thick. Last evening's rain was welcomed by the growing ones in the gardens and fields and by the two who sat watching from the back porch.  

Fog this morning gave way to drizzle, providing the perfect opportunity to weed and thin recent outdoor plantings of late beets and carrots.

How long until we harvest sweet corn?

We had time to finish yet another produce-heavy dinner on the porch before the rains came. A tip of the hat to sister-in-law Johanna Eurich who sent this recipe from Alaska.

Pasta With Tomato, Almonds and Anchovies

Combine 1/2 cup roasted almonds, 6 anchovies (I used anchovy paste from a tube, a squeeze of about 5 inches), and 3 cloves of garlic (I used about 6 because we love garlic) in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Cook an appropriate amount of pasta for your own needs. (I used whole wheat linguine.) Drain well , then toss in a large bowl with the almond mixture, a bunch of chopped ripe tomatoes (I used about 5 large heirloom tomatoes and peeled them first), 1 cup grated Parmesan, about 3 Tb. olive oil and a handful of chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (Serves 2 generously with leftover sauce)

Of course, I made one addition. I have lots of zucchini these days and shredded two and sautéed them in a bit of olive oil until they released their moisture and added that when I tossed it all together.

*From Mother Goose

One misty, moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather.
He began to compliment, and I began to grin,
How do you do, and how do you do?
And how do you do again?