Tuesday, May 27, 2008

PEACEFUL PASTURES


Organic Farm

Tuesday, May 20, 2008



Madison Creek Farms
~ Farm Day May 10 ~
Farm open every weekend 9-2pm
~ Listen to our new "radio show" podcast! ~



Where we are located -> Madison Creek Farms is located just north of Nashville, Tennessee in the rolling countryside of Goodlettsville. A third generation small family farm Madison Creek sits on 38 acres which encompasses fertile valleys, natural spring feedcreek and a hundred year old stacked stone wall that runs the length of the property. The Farmhouse was build in 1919 with an addition added in 1960. A kitchen addition was completed in 2005. Crabapple stone covers the house and hand cut cedar logs from the property frame the many porches that invite and welcome visitors to the farm. Our Farm is open to the public Saturday and Sunday's 8/2pm. Visitor are welcome to tour the flower fields, stroll through the vegetable & herb gardens and shop at our on-farm market pavilion. For directions to the farm and more information about on-farm activities and things to see and do at Madison Creek Farms click here. FARM VISIT


Our Farming Practices -> We are committed to farming organically and we farm within those standards and beyond and have done so over the years, each season building our soil and keeping our farm and our environment free from harmful pesticide and herbicides while producing top quality flowers, vegetables and herb. We are strong supporters of organic farming practices and strive to build a healthy local example of what can be done without poisoning our land and ourselves while preserving our farming heritage and sustainability.


Our Flowers -> Our flower season runs from April though November with over 75 annuals, perennials and ornamentals grown throughout that time. Most of our floral production take place on 6 acres. We utilize a raised bed system to help control weeds and to elevate top soil erosion. We harvest our flowers at their best to ensure a long vase life. The post harvest care of our flowers includes using clean buckets, fresh water with a floral hydrator and preservative. All flowers are graded, sorted and sleeved within the first 4 hours of harvest. We deliver all Madison Creek's flowers within 24 hours of harvest.


Our Vegetables -> We farm two acres in organically grown vegetables many heirloom varieties that date back more than 150 years can be found growing here on the farm. Our farm trials many seeds from all over the world. We are one of the only farms in Tennessee that offer ethnic, exotic crops grown from seeds straight from Italy and France. Gourmet varieties such as Striato de napoli zucchini from Italy a rare heirloom variety that is one of the finest tasting zucchini we have ever tried. We also grow 15 different varieties of potatoes here on the farm some dating back to the 1700's. Blue's, reds, yellows and fingerling types are harvested both as baby (new) and mature throughout the summer months. Some of the rarest heirloom Tomatoes so delicious with there rich fresh taste and delicate thin skin. These are the varieties you won't find in any grocery store. We grow several different varieties and each year. We celebrate our tomato harvest and in a big way through our Heirloom Tomato Festival here on the farm where each tomato is judged on quality and taste and only the very best will be found in next years plantings. Lettuces of all shapes colors and tastes, greens from spinach to chard to specialty micro-greens are found here on the farm. We are committed (being foodie types ourselves) to growing an array of great tasting, healthy fresh produce here at Madison Creek Farms and doing it environmentally safe and low impacted globally. Come on out to the farm and experience first hand, you will see and taste the difference yourself.


Our Herbs-> Madison Creek Farms grows a wide variety of culinary herbs including 8 different types of basil 6 different varieties of thyme. we are in theprocess of constructing a formal herb garden that will provide planting beds for over 200 types of herbs both culinary and medicinal. From unusual to standard varietieswe offer a great selection of fresh herbs. For those of you that don't have much experience cooking with fresh herbs Madison Creek Farms offers great workshops/cooking demonstrations throughout the season. Check our event schedule for a complete listing. Lunch is always included and ya'll know that is worththe trip. Madison Creek Farms EVENTS



The Farmers

Mark and Peggy Lynn Marchetti along with their young son "Lucca"own and operate Madison Creek Farms. The farm has been in Peggy's family for three generations. The Marchetti's have been on the forefront of the local organic movement here in Tennessee. In 2001 Peggy organized & hosted the first Tennessee organic growers meeting that for the first time brought together 85 local farm families interested in growing their crops organically, together with state agriculture officials and national organic leaders to help form what has now offically become TOGA (Tennessee Organic Growers Association). Peggy currently presides as the president of The Franklin Farmers Market . The Franklin Farmers Market is Middle Tennessee sole farm certified producer only market. Every Saturday May/Nov 8/12pm. you can find over 65 local farmers and the best selection of organically & naturally grown produce, fruits and specialty crops. You will also find natural grass feed beef, free-ranged eggs and artisan cheeses, breads and other fine food products. Visit their website for more information on events and market updates. Franklin Farmers Market.org For more information on Mark Marchetti songs, please visit his my space site.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Super Foods for a Super You Include these Foods for Maximum Body Benefits
Faster than a speeding bullet...More powerful than a locomotive...Nutrient-dense and packed full of health enhancing properties...Here come the SUPER FOODS!
These foods benefit the body in so many ways. They power your brain, and correctly and efficiently fuel your body. Super foods fight infection, enhance your immune system, and protect against diseases such as osteoporosis, heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
Include the following foods often, when planning your meals and snacks...

Read Entire Article
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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Ancient Dietary Wisdom for Tomorrow's Children
By Sally Fallon


The Weston A. Price Foundation for Wise Traditions

"The fact that "primitives" often exhibited a high degree of physical perfection and beautiful straight white teeth was not unknown to other investigators of the era. The accepted explanation was that these people were "racially pure" and that unfortunate changes in facial structure were due to "race mixing". Price found this theory unacceptable. Very often the groups he studied lived close to racially similar groups that had come in contact with traders or missionaries, and had abandoned their traditional diet for foodstuffs available in the newly established stores—sugar, refined grains, canned foods, pasteurized milk and devitalized fats and oils--what Price called the "displacing foods of modern commerce." In these peoples, he found rampant tooth decay, infectious illness and degenerative conditions. Children born to parents who had adopted the so-called civilized diet had crowded and crooked teeth, narrowed faces, deformities of bone structure and reduced immunity to disease. Price concluded that race had nothing to do with these changes. He noted that physical degeneration occurred in children of native parents who had adopted the white man's diet; while mixed race children whose parents had consumed traditional foods were born with wide handsome faces and straight teeth. "

Tuesday, April 15, 2008




Primm Springs Soysage is a delicious meat alternative. It is made with non-GMO organic soybeans, organic whole wheat flour, organic wheat germ, nutritional yeast, and several herbs and spices. No preservatives of any kind are added and our product is vacuum sealed for freshness, rather than frozen. These factors give Primm Springs Soysage a very unique flavor that is far superior to the bland taste of most other meat alternatives.


An additional advantage of our soysage is its great versatility. It can be substituted for ground beef, pork, turkey, or sausage in just about any recipe. Soysage also makes a delicious sandwich or breakfast patty. Simply slice to desired thickness, then cook on a skillet or grill. For added convenience, soysage can also be frozen if desired.


We've posted some RECIPES on our site to show some of the easy ways that this all purpose meat substitute can be used. Each recipe is accompanied by a color photograph. We hope you will browse the recipes and begin to enjoy the great taste and health benefits of Primm Springs Soysage.



Links:

Soy Protein, Your Key to Better HealthDr. Suzanne K. Paxton, R.Ph.
Vegan Outreach - Ending cruelty to animals
Wheat Germ & Wheat BranBellyBytes.com
Premier Nutritional Yeast FlakesProduct Information


Primm Springs Soysage is used in place of ground pork and hamburger and is extremely versatile. It is made with organic, non GMO soybeans, organic whole wheat flour, organic wheat germ, nutritional yeast and several herbs and spices. Although there are several other meat alternatives available in stores, Primm Springs Soysage has a very unique flavor in comparison. In fact, the recipes on this web site work best when used with Primm Springs Soysage opposed to others. It is hard to explain in words why it is better but we think you will agree. Let us know what you think. E-mail us at info@primmspringssoysage.com


RETAILERS
Primm Springs Soysage is distributed by DPI Rocky Mountain and is available nation wide at many Wild Oats Markets. You may also purchase it at the Produce Place on Murphy Road in Nashville, TN. Our company is growing fast and Primm Springs Soysage may be in your town very soon.The Produce Place4000 Murphy RoadNashville, TN 37209Phone: 615-383-2664



Check out the video with Mary Alice and THE TWO SONS of PAULA DEAN!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Nutrition



http://www.nutrition.org/

http://www.mypyramid.gov/

http://www.nutritiondata.com/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutrition.html



Key Recommendations for the General Population



ADEQUATE NUTRIENTS WITHIN CALORIE NEEDS

*Consume a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages within and among the basic food groups while choosing foods that limit the intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, salt, and alcohol.

*Meet recommended intakes within energy needs by adopting a balanced eating pattern, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide or the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan.



WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

*To maintain body weight in a healthy range, balance calories from foods and beverages with calories expended.

*To prevent gradual weight gain over time, make small decreases in food and beverage calories and increase physical activity.



PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

*Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight.

*To reduce the risk of chronic disease in adulthood: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.

*For most people, greater health benefits can be obtained by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration.

*To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain in adulthood: Engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

*To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. Some people may need to consult with a healthcare provider before participating in this level of activity.

*Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance.



FOOD GROUPS TO ENCOURAGE

*Consume a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables while staying within energy needs. Two cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables per day are recommended for a reference 2,000-calorie intake, with higher or lower amounts depending on the calorie level.

*Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables each day. In particular, select from all five vegetable subgroups (dark green, orange, legumes, starchy vegetables, and other vegetables) several times a week.

*Consume 3 or more ounce-equivalents of whole-grain products per day, with the rest of the recommended grains coming from enriched or whole-grain products. In general, at least half the grains should come from whole grains.

*Consume 3 cups per day of fat-free or low-fat milk or equivalent milk products.



FATS

*Consume less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids and less than 300 mg/day of cholesterol, and keep trans fatty acid consumption as low as possible.

*Keep total fat intake between 20 to 35 percent of calories, with most fats coming from sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and vegetable oils.

*When selecting and preparing meat, poultry, dry beans, and milk or milk products, make choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free.

*Limit intake of fats and oils high in saturated and/or trans fatty acids, and choose products low in such fats and oils.



CARBOHYDRATES

*Choose fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains often.

*Choose and prepare foods and beverages with little added sugars or caloric sweeteners, such as amounts suggested by the USDA Food Guide and the DASH Eating Plan.

*Reduce the incidence of dental caries by practicing good oral hygiene and consuming sugar- and starch-containing foods and beverages less frequently.



SODIUM AND POTASSIUM

*Consume less than 2,300 mg (approximately 1 teaspoon of salt) of sodium per day.

*Choose and prepare foods with little salt. At the same time, consume potassium-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables.



ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

*Those who choose to drink alcoholic beverages should do so sensibly and in moderation—defined as the consumption of up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

*Alcoholic beverages should not be consumed by some individuals, including those who cannot restrict their alcohol intake, women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, pregnant and lactating women, children and adolescents, individuals taking medications that can interact with alcohol, and those with specific medical conditions.

*Alcoholic beverages should be avoided by individuals engaging in activities that require attention, skill, or coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.



FOOD SAFETY

*To avoid microbial foodborne illness:

*Clean hands, food contact surfaces, and fruits and vegetables. Meat and poultry should not be washed or rinsed.

*Separate raw, cooked, and ready-to-eat foods while shopping, preparing, or storing foods.

*Cook foods to a safe temperature to kill microorganisms.

*Chill (refrigerate) perishable food promptly and defrost foods properly.

*Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk or any products made from unpasteurized milk, raw or partially cooked eggs or foods containing raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, unpasteurized juices, and raw sprouts.



Note: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 contains additional recommendations for specific populations. The full document is available at www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.