Fresh Abundance Weekly News - May 30, 2009

Fresh Abundance - Bringing Local Food to Local People
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Jacque's Blog
PEACH Blog

One Mother's Thoughts
This week my husband put up the clothesline and a note on the dryer saying that it was unplugged and not available till late fall. I love the smell of clothes fresh off the line. It is nice to know that a warm season of no static cling is here. In looking at companies that promote fabric softeners, I am often amazed how advertisers use my mothering instincts against me. Like all mothers, I want to take good loving care of my children. I want my family to be healthy and happy. As a good mother I have spent years diligently doing laundry, lovingly folding and putting away my kids clothes. When it comes to fabric softener sheets and liquids, the packaging has references to spring breezes and teddy bears. Of course I want fresh smelling clothes and safe feeling stuffys for my kids.

Here is what is actually in fabric softeners: alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, camphor, benzyl alcohol, limonene, ethyl acetate, pentane, and chloroform.

Here are some of the effects of these chemicals:
-cause central nervous system disorders, headaches, and loss of muscle
coordination;
-irritate mucous membranes and impair respiratory function;
-cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or drowsiness;
-cause liver or kidney damage;
-cause skin disorders and allergic reactions;
-cause cancer

I think it would be far more appropriate to replace the teddy bear with a skull and cross bones. If your family has allergies, skin problems, or asthma then toxic laundry products should be first on the list to be booted from your home. Here is a link to another mothers ideas on this. http://mommyfootprint.com/dryer-sheets-fabric-softner-a-household-toxin/. At Fresh Abundance we carry non-toxic enzyme based cleaners that you can use with confidence. If you want your clothes to smell spring fresh just hang them out to dry in the sunshine.

ON THE FARM
If you have time to volunteer anytime this next week it is all hands on deck as we scurry to get the plants in the ground. We need most of the seeds and bedding plants in the ground if we hope to have a crop from them. Be sure to check out the farm video on the farm blog you can link to the blog through the PEACH web site www.peachlocal.com. In addition to helping hands, we are also looking for any gardening supplies including the flimsy plastic pots and ponies from the plants you are currently putting in your landscape and garden. We also need two heavy-duty wheelbarrows, shovels, trowels, garden gloves and kneepads.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Community Roots Market June 14th 11-4 Tell everyone that your LOCAL market will be open EVERY SUNDAY from then on. Come and BUY LOCAL from venders while you enjoy local music and a vibrant market atmosphere.

Barn Dance on the Farm September 26th
We will host our annual, not to be missed because it is so much fun, PEACH fundraiser. Currently we are collecting items for our silent auction that will take place at the event. If you or your business would like to donate an item or service or would like to be a sponsor please contact Brightspirit at 509-435-5210 or Brightspirit@freshabundance.com

DONATIONS
We have collected about $200 of the $1000 needed for the BIG Community Roots Market banner that will hang on Division please be sure to give to the jar at the register or send a check to help us meet this goal. To create a strong market we need to get the market in the minds of regular Spokane folks. The car count on Division past the market is 40,000 a day. We need to get this sign up so everyone in Spokane will know where they can BUY LOCAL!!!

WORK PLACE GIVING
Does the place you work have a program for you to give charitable donations through payroll deductions? Please consider giving to P.E.A.C.H. Even if you don稚 use this form of giving I am trying to get invited to work place events so that I can talk about the work of P.E.A.C.H. If you would like to give to us through your work place giving or host a PEACH info forum at your work site please contact me 435-5210 brightspirit@freshabundance.com

PLANT SALE
We have a great selection of Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Kale, and Basil in stores now! All the proceeds go to support the PEACH Permaculture Farm!

PLANT GIVE AWAY
We have several thousand plants that we are giving away to low-income folks. If you are on food stamps stop by the Division store and we will give you plants so you can grow your own food. We are also looking for community gardens, food pantries, church groups or anyone who works with low-income community members to help us give these food plants away. The more of us that grow food, the stronger our local food shed gets!

Till Next Week - Stay LOCAL,
Eden Brightspirit Hendrix