Fresh Abundance Weekly News - May 2nd 2009

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I'm feeling wild and crazy today so let's see if you can ride the wave with me.

I was at a P.E.A.C.H. board meeting this last week, and Angie (mom and board member since 2000) stretched from her tired day as we covered the necessary agenda items. Neither of us was too enthused as we were missing two board members, and both of us had worked too many hours in the last week. Somehow we stumbled on the topic of Mt. Dew, and I off handedly referred to how toxic it was. She, my good friend and long time champion against toxics, said "What are you talking about?" My biology educated self went on to explain that brominated vegetable oil was banned in 100 countries, and that our kids here in the U.S. swill the cloudy drink like water. She was alarmed, and she admitted (gasp) folks that she loved and swilled Gatorade, which also contains brominated vegetable oil. Angie was mad at me, and she asked why I had not informed her of this fact.

-- If you want more information on how Brominated Vegetable oil, this is a good article.

I lounged on the sofa and wondered how many other toxics I had not informed her of. We had worked hard in the early P.E.A.C.H. years to educate moms about the toxics they were unknowingly exposing their precious children to. But five years ago we decided to work on the solution, and to quit pushing the problem.

Although I am confident that the work of Fresh Abundance and P.E.A.C.H. must be focused on the positive solution, I also understand that information is powerful, and that understanding the problem may be helpful to making healthful choices. I guess this is my long-winded way of asking you if you want more information on how toxic some common everyday habits are. I could let you know on a regular basis, which forms of everyday exposure are maybe not so helpful to creating good health and I could answer specific toxic questions you may have. If you want more education in my weekly news please respond and let me know. I do not want to preach the gospel of toxics, but I don't want you left in the dark either. Email me at Brightspirit@freshabundance.com

P.E.A.C.H. Permaculture Farm Update
We have a class of 25 fourth graders coming on Monday to help plant peas. It is fun to watch the antics of children as they learn about soil life and get their hands in the soil. We hope to have bedding plants available by the beginning of June due to cold weather that has set the plants back but we are nursing them along.

Beyond Green
Have you seen the obscene green paint at the Division location?? Tart apple is the color's name, and it only seemed fitting for our Fresh store. A member came in and commented that we have gone beyond green. I started thinking about this and realized that the work of Fresh Abundance and P.E.A.C.H. is indeed beyond green. Starting Monday we will have a paper version of the weekly news that will go out with each order and/or can be picked up at the stores called Beyond Green!

BUY LOCAL & Save Money
We now have a NEW way for you to SAVE money!!! As a Fresh Abundance member current on your dues you will now get 3% off your in-store purchases if you pay with cash. This is yet another way for you to keep your money LOCAL. Every time you use your debit card not only does it cost your LOCAL business money, it sends those expensive service fees out of state. Debit and credit cards are easy but they hurt our LOCAL economy. If you can make it work, good old-fashioned green backs keep the money LOCAL and save you $ every time! Spend less to get more for your community.

We now have LOCAL Wiggle Worm, worm castings. They come in 30pound bags for $27. To have this delivered with your order, simply request a bag in the order notes. We will not post this new product on the website as we have a limited supply and it will go fast.

Weekly Produce Sales That's right, we are officially beginning to offer weekly produce sales. This week enjoy:+Organic California 1 Pound Strawberries $4.79 each
+LOCAL Organic Fuji Apples $1.29/pound
+LOCAL Organic Bakers Potatoes $ .99/pound
+Organic California Asparagus $5.79/pound

Veggie Facts
Asparagus is the vegetable that kicks off our local season. Although we currently have California Asparagus, we will have some local soon. Here are some interesting things to know about this gourmet spear. Asparagus is a member of the Lily family. Asparagus spears grow from a crown that is planted about a foot deep in sandy soils. Under ideal conditions, an asparagus spear can grow 10" in a 24-hour period. Each crown will send spears up for about 6-7 weeks during the spring and early summer. The outdoor temperature determines how much time will be between each picking...early in the season, there may be 4-5 days between pickings and as the days and nights get warmer, a particular field may have to be picked every 24 hours. After harvesting is done the spears grow into ferns, which produce red berries and the food and nutrients necessary for a healthy and productive crop the next season. An asparagus planting is usually not harvested for the first 3 years after the crowns are planted allowing the crown to develop a strong fibrous root system. A well cared for asparagus planting will generally produce for about 15 years without being replanted. The larger the diameter, the better the quality! Asparagus is a nutrient-dense food which in high in Folic Acid and is a good source of potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C, and thiamin. Asparagus has No Fat, contains No Cholesterol and is low in Sodium.

Opportunities For Giving
I believe that we need to always ask for what we want. So I will keep asking for a 200K loan to Fresh Abundance for development. Invest green in any amount to help us reach this goal. I hope every time you see this you smile and remember to ask for you want in your own life. We are what we believe so believe BIG.

Policies & Housekeeping In an effort to serve you better we are going back to the policy that Monday orders, additions, and cancellations must be in by 9am Sunday. We will make sure that we have the boxes posted by noon on Saturday.

We want to Welcome Sheri to our FA Team. Sheri is taking over for Lindsey as your member care staff. We are sadly saying goodbye to Lindsey who is off to establish herself as a massage therapist.

Mark Your Calendar
Next Community Roots Market Sunday May 17 from noon till four. Community Roots Market will go to being a weekly, indoor/outdoor year-round market starting June 14th.

+Organic Gardening Class: Soils 101. How to care for your soil community so that you can grow the best tasting veggies
+Raw Food Preparation Class: Food preparation and tasting including entrees, salads, soups, desserts and more.
+Live Blood Analysis: (LBA) reveals more vital health information than dozens of tests from medical laboratories, with all information in the proper context.

Till next week, BUY LOCAL

Eden Brightspirit Hendrix