The summer that never happened..............harvest time

Wow it is cold and we are running the hot pad on our bed at night. Even had a fire in the fireplace Saturday. I am bundled up like a Christmas package sent by fed Ex, all layered up in scarves, pulse warmers, leg warmers and whatever I can find to keep my extremities warm. Lupus does that. The circulation down to the lower legs and arms plus head leaves a lot to be desired.

Two weeks from surgery. I am counting the days. Feel good about it though. Especially after a grueling weak of PT doing deep tissue work and realizing that until I get this operation my sacrum and pelvis continue to go out. This causes all kinds of issues. Hard to do a whole lot without throwing it out of alignment.

The Lupus Education program is going well. I am happy to see the same faces return and concerned about the faces who don't. We are all fighting colds and getting over allergies. Now the flu has all in a tizzy. I am not a vaccination kind of gal. The last one I got was for pneumonia and not a live virus. Benign yet i cringed to get it. I have never had a flu vaccination. Never will either. I see people get sicker from that than the flu. To each her own. I take all precautions, use sanitizer like crazy, do not touch or get near sick people, wear a mask if I feel vulnerable, wash my hands often and long and keep tissue with me at all times. If you do get the vaccination make sure you are getting the one which is dead and not live. Oregano oil is also an agent which can help you recover from HINI. The regular American flu is best treated with fresh ginger tea, chicken or Matzo Ball Soup, warmth, rest, lots of fluids(water), some sort of inhaling essential oils like eucalyptus, camphor or peppermint, vit. C, Zinc and if you do not have an auto-immune disorder you can take lots of echinacea tincture. Tylenol cold or some pain relive does not hurt. But time is what is needed so buckle up and enjoy the rest. If your fever gets above 102 go to the emergency room after you have tried ice baths and lots of cooling fluids.
Remember though to wear a mask so you do not get others sick.

Douglas and I went out to a local diner for breakfast. 3.99 plus coffee and juice. It is amazing how many people are still eating out but ordering the least expensive item on the menu. I bet the dollar menu at McDonalds is on over load. Would be interesting to do a poll on this. I put a lot of thought into food. I feel such a pull to continue my commitment to support local farmers, growers, food purveyors, neighbors with mom and pop operations etc. My neighbor and I spoke of this yesterday while she was making a time consuming chutney. I tasted the Ketchup she made which was fabulous and a quickie recipe from her grandma which I will attempt to make this weekend. I am making the chutney tonight with green tomatoes from our garden. Tomato season for us is over but farmers who have green houses still selling at the market tomorrow and Saturday. I am also going to attempt mustard green-cabbage kraut. I made a cabbage-tomato chow chow this weekend which was fabulous. But my friend and i agree,Jennifer the neighbor who has a CSA and eggs, decided it takes a tremendous amount of work and is very much a commitment to not just growing and preserving your food but buying local and from farmers directly. It costs more in the short term but in the long run it is much less than you expect. Take peppers for instance. In the winter you pay 4.99 lb for a red pepper(un-organic from Mexico. If you buy a bushel of peppers from a local farmer and freeze them or you grow your own and preserve somehow you save money because in peak season your paying a quarter of the price. Same with apples, tomatoes etc. But who has the time? Plenty of people take the time or they pay someone to do it if they can afford it. Once you make the commitment it all falls into place in about 3-4 years. You realize you have a network of growers, farmers and others who are into trading and sharing, they might buy something you grow or make, your community is thriving because you are keeping your money local and small businesses can survive with little shipping costs. It all makes sense. I call it bio dynamic living some call it permaculture or sustainable farming. Even in Detroit groups and urban gardens are growing raised beds on toxic land while cleaning the land for larger plots down the road. people are making food form these gardens for the poor, sick and elderly while teaching urban kids all about food. They learn a trade too. How cool is that? I realize it is not feasible for most families yet every bit helps. Take a drive in the country near your home and stop at a couple produce stands or farms. Pick apples with your kids them make applesauce. In this way the kids have a fun day in the country, learn about where their food comes from, supports local economy, they learn how hard it is to make real applesauce and how very good it is and have fun. My sister does this with her girls and they understand. Maybe instead of a lemon-aide stand next summer you have a produce stand?

Happy harvest