Rosemary-An Herb For All Seasons~

Rosemary, a plant/herb for all seasons indeed....a strong determined perennial that will give you years of beauty and production if you are aware of it's needs.

Good drainage is a must...raised-bed growing is fabulous for this-
Home made/composted soil is perfect...a little Fish Emulsion for food every few weeks and no need for any other additives.

Keep the tips snipped to encourage spread instead of straight up growth...makes for a much stronger and prettier plant.

Less instead of more water is the best...too much water and poor drainage is the death of any plant and especially herbs.

Uses....in the summer ( what we have now :) toss wet sprigs on the grill for a fabulous aroma and taste on meats, vegetables, and fruits.

In the fall...it is heavenly on a bonfire or in the fireplace...roasted atop a turkey and allowed to steep on top of the stove for a good smelling home.
Great for the respiratory health too.

Winter and the holidays lend themselves to endless uses of this beautiful evergreen....from a simple but elegant table-scape to a outrageous door wreath...Rosemary is your girl !

July 4th and all is good ~we are grateful.

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

From Sage Hill Farms and all the helping hands...we ask you to make this holiday safe, fun, and in honor of the meaning.

Take a stand...EatWell, send a message to the food police...we demand the  safest, the cleanest, and the most nutritious...It's Independence Day !

Happy 4th of July....

The Sage Hill Farms family...
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
931-438-8328

The Perfect Giving Back or Paying It Forward~

....the change you wish to see~




Once in a while, the perfect chance presents itself that allows us to give back in a manner that makes a difference to the whole and not just a chosen few. This is one of those times, Jim Gerritsen in Bridgewater, Main-an organic farmer and advocate for all organic farmers against the damaging actions of the chemical giant...Monsanto-needs our help.

Let me make clear...farmers are not wealthy people...most of us work on a very tight budget, often working against all odds to make a goal and keep our farms and businesses out of the red.

Jim has, over the last 30 years, donated hundreds of hours to the cause of the organic farmers, most recently being the lead plantiff in the OSGATA suit for relief from the wrongful  actions of Monsanto.

Please take the time to follow the link below, learn about Jim and his family, and all they do for the organic farmers.

Remember...No Farms No Food...

I grew up with the knowing that we help our neighbors when help is needed....Jim is our neighbor, just living in another state.

Those who know me, know I do not promote many causes, or ask you for donations to those causes...this is a worthy plea...I'm asking...a little or a lot, will be greatly appreciated .

Thank you for your time and your consideration of this request.
http://www.indiegogo.com/help-woodprairie-build-repair-shop

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
Tennessee
Advocate for "Truth In Labeling."
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

An Herbal Summer~

I know from my own experience that we tend to get stuck using the same herb/seasoning time after time. This is the time to experiment with herbs we may not have tried before. Even if you aren't growing your own, most farm markets or fresh produce markets will have a variety. ( maybe even your neighbor :)

Basil, mint, and parsley seem to be the staples for most.
Cilantro, Lemon verbena, Savory, Tarragon, and Thyme...many awesome flavors can be achieved by opting to stray a bit from the norm.

Thyme is wonderful tossed onto the grill with chicken or fish, squash, or potatoes.
( soak it for a few minutes in water, then lay it on top of the meat or vegetable )

Tarragon...a small amount added to lemon or strawberry sorbet is awesome.

Savory...a milder thyme flavor...mixed with buttered breadcrumbs and spread on baking chicken...yum!

So, reach out and go a little herb crazy this summer...

Enjoy and remember to visit the website or tour this blog for recipes to tempt~

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

Little Green June Apples......the production promises to be plentiful-the tree is loaded! These make wonderful snacks for the grandsons and for the big people too :) This is an old heirloom apple that is used a lot to graft and help preserve other heirloom varieties.

Not good to eat right from the tree...a wee bit too tart...but peeled and thinly sliced...allowed to dry naturally ( spread on a clean cotton cloth and leave in a sunny location for a couple of days)...perfection and so good for us.

Once they are dried, just scoop them into a storage bag, and they will last for weeks/months. (Well, it depends on who and how many are munching )

( to keep them from discoloring while drying...toss a few drops of lemon juice and mix until they are all coated. This will also help to preserve them .)

Hope your summer is playing out green and healthy ~

We are busy already....little green peppers, tomatoes are blooming, as are the squash.....it's happening!

If you're in my area, stop by for a cool glass of tea or lemonade...

Enjoy~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
931-438-8328
931-675-3962

Herbs and Your Skin~

I write a lot about culinary herbs, but do you know there are some simple ways to use herbs outside the body for healthy and beautiful skin?

These can all be made into tinctures and ingested...but, for now, I'm talking about simple applications that can be derived through steeping and using as a splash or spray.

Red Clover and Nettle...will cleanse and detoxify

Yarrow, Chamomile, and Calendula... reduce itching and redness from rashes and allergies.

Chamomile and Comfrey...soothe soreness from exercise or injury.

Thyme and Echinacea... fight infections.

Lavender...healthy skin growth.

Yarrow and Nettle... help eliminate waste via the kidneys.

Fennel and Clary Sage... help balance hormonal fluctuations leading to skin blemishes.

Lemon Balm and Sweet Marjoram...eases stress.

Horsetail and Oat... promote wound healing.

Bring a quart of water to a boil, add herb of choice, and gently boil for about 5 minutes...remove from heat, cover, and allow to steep for 20 to 30 minutes. Strain and store in a glass container.....fill a spray bottle as needed or use with cotton balls to apply to needed areas. 

I keep it in the fridge, it feels wonderful on a hot summer day, spritzed or applied to the face or even the feet,

Note...this in no way implies medicinal advice.

And please avoid the eyes when applying to the face :)

Happy and safe summer~Bug-free we can wish!

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

                                                    Calendula

Accolades To Spinach~and good health

According to Sage Hill Farms and Popeye :)

Spinach is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.

Spinach is native to ancient Persia (Iranian regions). Arab traders carried spinach into India and China. Traders also brought this green leafy vegetable to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and ultimately to the US. Today, there are three primary varieties of spinach available on the market. Typically the most popular is baby spinach, but you could also go for smooth-leaf or Savory (has curly leaves). ( Sage Hill grows and prefers the curly leaf...buttery and smooth.)

Powerful Plant-based Steroids
Spinach contains its own type of vegetable steroids called phytoecdysteroids. These are similar to insect molting hormones and have been proven to dramatically increase glucose metabolism. This keeps blood sugar levels stable and minimizes the requirement for the critical fat-storage hormone insulin.

Spinach is filled with blood purifying chlorophyll.
This chlorophyll is quickly metabolized and used to develop new red blood cells and pull out carcinogenic substances from the body. Chlorophyll has magnesium which acts to strengthen the blood-brain barrier and protect the neurological system from environmental toxins. Spinach is really an amazing source of glycoclycerolipids that protect the digestive tract from inflammatory damage. These are the main fatty acids that makeup the cell membranes of light-sensitive organs in chlorophyll containing plants.

Helps Boost Immunity
Spinach is also an important source of copper, zinc and selenium which help boost immunity. Spinach also contains some very newly studied carotenoid anti-oxidants called eposyxanthophylls. The epoxyxanthophylls that have been researched to show remarkable anti-cancer properties include neoxanthin and violaxanthin.

Vision and Brain Function
Spinach is also filled with the powerful carotenoid anti-oxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These phytonutrients are extremely important for healthy vision & brain function. The carotenoids act to protect chlorophyll from intense UV radiation. Under intense sunlight, chlorophyll can convert into an excited form called triplet chlorophyll along with singlet oxygen molecules which act as potent free radicals. The more carotenoids a plant maintains the greater the degree of survivability it has and the enhanced nutritional bio-availability provides.

Why Buy Organic?
When purchasing spinach be sure to choose organic, as the non-organic commercial varieties are considered the most heavily sprayed edible plants on earth. Also, look to buy it fresh to avoid chemical preservative agents and aluminum found in the cans. It’s also quite simple to grow in areas of mild temperatures--it grows beautifully for me in the spring and fall.

Spinach will also grow very well in a large/wide container.-you can grow enough in a old wash-tub or whiskey barrel for 2 to 4 people and if harvested about twice a week will give you an abundant crop all season.

Happy Gardening.........................

EatWell-BeWell~

Bea Rigsby-Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
931-438-8328