News From 1910
A periodic, FREE email newsletter with helpful information and new products on a range of topics like: healthy foods, recipes, homesteading, natural soaps, gardening, and small animal care.
Click here to add your name to the subscribers list.
Make sure you add our email address to the "safe" list in your security settings: frontporch@stgeneralstore.com
Also visit our Front Porch area and join in the latest converstaions, pass on some info, or ask a question.
_________________________________________________________________
Recent Sycamore Tree News:
**GRAND OPENING** Friday July 9th from 10am-7pm at "Our Store" a.k.a. Janet's Hallmark in Wilmington, OH. Sycamore Tree will be the featured artisan with homemade bread, fresh ground grain, natural skincare & more! Stop by between 3-6pm to see these great natural products and sample some free food.
NEWS FLASH ! Our Blueberry & Butterscotch Gourmet Granola was recently featured on Studio 5's morning TV show in Salt Lake City. You can view our segment here in the "Butterscotch Gourmet Trend." To order your own bag of this delicious granola click here.
_________________________________________________________________
This is a collection of articles and ideas from past "News from 1910" issues.
“News from 1910” - October 2008
Whole Grain Goodness!
Why Use Whole grains?
Whole grains are the way to go! They provide essential nutrients from each part of the wheat berry in the proper balance for digestion, absorption, and good health. Commercially produced grain products are often devoid of such vital nutrition and here’s why:
When the commercial grain processors make flour, they remove the bran and the germ leaving just the kernel. The kernel is then ground into white and“whole wheat” flour. The problem is that most of the nutrition is packed into the bran and the germ, not the kernel! They further diminish any remaining nutritional value by various whitening processes such as bleaching, or even the “un-bleached” alternative. Processors then try to revitalize the depleted flour by adding vitamins and minerals back in, but those added nutrients are most often synthetic and incomplete. The result is flour that is not only lacking in complete balanced nutrition, but a product that has been filled with synthetic alternatives and bleaching by-products that are difficult for your body to process. The solution? Use the whole grain (bran, germ, oils, & kernel) the way it was created!**Whole grains are also a great source of insoluble fiber, helpful for colon health, heart health, and even reducing the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Don’t take our word for it . . .
“Ninety percent of the nutritional value of the wheat berry is contained in the wheat germ. And yet all of the wheat germ must, of necessity, be removed from commercial flours, including so-called 'whole wheat' flour. Wheat germ oil has almost no shelf life and becomes rancid very quickly. Rancid oil is a carcinogen, and government health regulations require the removal of the wheat germ oil from all commercial flours.”
http://www.nutritionlifestyles.com/homemill.htm
Why Use Freshly Milled Flour?
When grains are milled into flour, it only takes 24 hours for 40% of the nutrients to oxidize, and three days for 80% oxidation, which means that most of the nutrients are lost before it even makes it to the store, let alone your table. So grind up some berries and stir up your favorite baked goods for something truly fresh and nutritious.
** Wheat berries in their complete form have a tremendous shelf life, 6-8 years or more if kept dry!Grain We’ve got ‘em! To supply the growing number of people who are milling their own fresh & healthy flour, Sycamore Tree has several whole grains in stock. They are available in bulk (50# bags, or 45# in six gallon buckets). Grain options include:
Soft White Wheat----------------------------- (low gluten, great for cookies and pastries)Hard White Spring Wheat (Prairie Gold)-------------- (great all purpose flour)Hard Red Spring Wheat (Bronze Chief)--------------- (slightly darker flour with rich taste)Hard Red Winter Wheat---------------------- (like Bronze Chief with higher protein content)Spelt Berries---------------------------------------- (high gluten wheat substitute)
Wheat Montana:
We’re proud to sell Wheat Montana grains. They are Chemical-free. No GMOs (genetically modified organisms). No irradiation. No pasteurization.
What is “Certified chemical-free?” Just as the name implies they are chemical, pesticide, and herbicide free. It’s similar to “Certified organic.” Here’s how Wheat Montana describes it,
“Wheat Montana Farms believes in the value of organic farming but we take our process one step further and subject our products to a final chemical analysis to ensure that you are getting exactly what you want, clean, fresh, wholesome, chemical free, grains!” www.wheatmontana.com
** Store extra flour in the refrigerator or freezer to help prolong shelf life.
__________________________________________________________________________
Healthy Soap
Isn't all soap healthy?
While washing on a regular basis is a good healthy habit, not all soap is created equal! Before we get into the differences here are a few . . .
Soap basics
Traditionally, soap has been made by combining natural fats or oils (acids), with lye (a base) which forms a chemical reaction. This reaction of the acids with the base gradually transforms the two substances into soap and glycerin. This process is known as saponification, or "soap-a-fying" of the natural oils.
Soap cleans by helping water to "wet" the surface and by providing a link between dirt /grease and water allowing it to be rinsed away. Here is how soap author & expert Susan Miller Cavitch describes it,
"A soap molecule consists of a chain of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms - aranged with a distinct head and tail. The head is attracted to water and the tail is attracted to dirt and oil. Soap cleans because these opposing parts connect dirt to water, permitting it to be rinsed away.
Soap also helps water to wet better. Water beads up on fabric and skin because its molecules cling to one another in droplets and do not soak the surface. This is where soap intervenes as a surface-active agent -- something that breaks apart these droplets and helps them wet the skin or fabric. . .
Once the soap molecule has helped water do its job, it next removes dirt and grease. . . . As the water-loving head of the soap molecule pulls toward the water, the dirt is dislodged as it remains attached to the tail of the molecule. The tail of the soap molecule then holds the dirt in suspension, away from the skin or fabric, until a rinse washes the dirt and the soap away."
Healthy vs. unhealthy
Now back to the healthy /unhealthy discussion. Over the years, large soap manufacturers have often subsituted the natural oils and process of soap making with synthetics like sodium lauryl sulfate and cocoamidopropyl betaine. These synthetics are often less expensive and more stable thus increasing their profit margins. With their "bottom line" as the main concern, modern manufacturers have reduced or eliminated the natural oils in soap and have replaced them with chemicals & synthetics that leave the skin irritated & dry, some which may have estrogenic effects. Then there are the controversial synthetic preservatives that even "natural" companies will use, like methylparaben ("repeated exposure can produce target organ damage"), diazolidinyl urea ("Contains formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, is toxic by inhalation, a strong irritant, and causes contact dermatitis"), and those containing propylene glycol ("Because PG penetrates the skin so quickly, the EPA warns against skin contact to prevent consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities.").
Word of these hazards has become more widely circulated, so in an attempt to be more natural, at least on the packaging, many of these large companies have returned to adding some healthy oils back in. While we encourage the move, it is often at such small quantities that it does little to offset the harmful ingredients their products still contain.
That is why we are happy to introduce our Sycamore Tree natural skin care products! The liquid soaps include only all natural oils that clean, moisturize, and nourish your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and healthy. Our natural healing balm has been getting rave reviews from mothers with small babies, to contractors with cracked hands & cuts. Works great on burns, too! Here's what one customer had to say:
We are pleased to add natural healthy liquid soap, healing balm, lip balm, and moisturizing bath melts to our offerings at the store. These may be purchased separately or combined with our hand crafted fabric bags to make a wonderful gift set.
Also new this month is our gourmet sweets line, including: chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate covered potato chips, & homemade caramels.
Our gardening department is now open with the addtion of heirloom seeds. Heirloom means they are not hybrids and can naturaly reproduce so you can save seed year after year. Heirloom seeds are naturally created varieties and have not been genetically modified or altered. Come on in to see our current selection.
Want to share our products with others? Gift certificates are also now available for Sycamore Tree General Store in any amount. We can also ship most items to friends and family out of the area. Contact us for details.
Recipe Corner:
Looking for a healthy but tasty alternative to boxed cereals? Try one of our favorites - Baked Oatmeal (I know, I know. It doesn't sound appealing, but give it a try. It's a lot like cake for breakfast, only its good for you!) We often make a double or triple batch and keep the extra in the fridge for "cold cereal" in the mornings.
Group 1: Group 2:
1 1/4 c. milk 3/4 c sugar
3 eggs 2 1/2 t. baking powder
2/3 c. oil (coconut oil is great!) 1 t. salt
3/4 c. oats *
* Hint: for best nutrutive value, you can soak the oats overnight or longer in 1 c. water and 2 T yogurt, buttermilk, or vinegar.)
Combine Group 1 & 2.
Add 2 apples, 1 t. cinnamon, & 1 t. nutmeg
Or 1 t. vanilla extract & 1c. chocolate chips
Or 1 t. almond extract & Blueberries
Or 3 T. cocoa powder & 1/2 c. peanut butter
Or create your own unique mix of tasty ingredients!
Bake in 350 deg. oven for 45-50 minutes or until firm in the middle.
Serve in a bowl hot or cold and cover with milk, as for cereal.
"Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, Sing praise to Him, Speak of all His wonders." 1 Chr. 16:8-9
Tim & Jamie Patten
& Sycamore Tree General Store
________________________________________________________________
Spring Planting
It's Almost Here !
Spring that is, and for an increasing number of us that means garden time. The ground is begining to thaw, birds are starting to return, and the mail box is stuffed with seed catalogs. At Sycamore Tree General Store we are getting our hands dirty too, making soil blocks and setting a new round of seeds varieties into the mix, awaiting the miracle of life to spring forth. Folowing in our mission to provide "natural healthy products for Home, Farm, and Garden" we have added heirloom garden seeds to our list of items this year. Did you know there are a number of healthy reasons to choose heirloom seeds over hybrid? Here's the scoop . . . we've also included some money saving tips for your spring planting.
Heirloom Seeds vs. Hybrids
First the basic Definitions: Heirloom seeds are seed varieties that have been saved from naturally occuring plants year after year for many generations (often 40-50 years old). They are also open pollinating which means they reproduce viable seeds by natural processes, such as bees or wind, each growing season.
Hybrids are seeds that have been created by crossing one variety with another in an attempt to retain the most desirable characteristics from both. Hybrid varieties will not produce viable seeds for replanting, or if they are able to reproduce the next year, the produce will not retain all the characteristics of the original hybrid. Therefore hybrid seed must be purchased new each year.
Economic Benefits: Why buy seeds year after year when you could get them right from your own garden? Not only is saving seeds from your own plants a great money saving idea, it is also a step toward preserving our freedoms. In an era of increasing governmental regulation and control, here is one way to help preserve and protect access to a healthy food source for your children & grandchildren.
Give someone a pack of hybrid seeds and he can eat
for a season.
Teach him to save heirloom seed and his family can eat
for generations.
Soil Block Maker
Another money saving tip, and one that's healthier for your new seedlings too...try soil blocks.
We learned about soil block makers from a book, The New Organic Grower by Eliot Coleman, and used one last year to make soil blocks in which we started our seeds, indoors. Wow! Our seedlings were gorgeous and healthy, only needed to be watered every couple of days, and weren't root-bound at planting time.
What is a soil block exactly? It is simply a block of potting soil mix that has been moistened and pressed together using a block maker which forms an individual 2" x 2" planting cube. This eliminates all the jiffy pots, peat pots, plastic containers, egg cartons, milk jugs, and paper cups we've all tried over the years.
Not only is it more economical, it's better for your seedlings. The small air space between the blocks forms a natural temporary boundary for the roots until it is transplanted to a larger soil block, or put right in the garden. The soil block is container-free- therefore no need to worry about trapping too much water, or a tangled mess of roots around the inside of the plastic. This gives optimum environment for your seedlings and minimizes the chance for shock at transplanting time. Plus, with every soil block put into your garden, you're adding humus and natural fertilizer which builds a healthy soil.
Stop in at Sycamore Tree and give ours a try. Or bring a plastic tub of your potting soil and some trays and pop out a whole batch while your here. We've got the seeds just B.Y.O.D (dirt).
Look below in our recipe section for the soil block making mix.
Soil Block Mixture (Seedling Soil Mix)
(Bucket=10 quarts)
3 Buckets Peat Moss
1/2 cup lime.
2 Buckets Perlite or Coarse Sand
1 Bucket Soil
2 Buckets Compost
Combine dry ingredients in a plastic tub, Add water until it forms a wet "brownie" -like mix, press soil block maker firmly into wet mixture to pack all cubes, eject soil blocks onto plastic garden tray, and plant your seed at recommended depth. Mist generously with water every couple of days as needed. Transplant into larger blocks or directly into the garden.
Coconut Oil
We've been replacing hydrogenated oils and the average processed vegetable oils with coconut oil (and expeller pressed olive oil) for the past couple of years since we heard from various sources that coconut oil is good for you. But, how is it good for you? In our search for this answer, we came across a book titled, The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D. ,and some very interesting information about coconut oil that we can't help but share. (All following quotes are from this book.)
Apparently, there's more to fat than saturated or unsaturated. The people around the world "whose diets are high in coconut, are surprisingly free from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other degenerative diseases." In fact, the type of fat in coconut oil produces energy and "seldom ends up as body fat or as deposits in arteries or anywhere else."
Another surprising find is that the body transforms the type of fatty acids in coconut oil into powerful germ killers. "The unique properties of coconut oil make it, in essence, a natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiprotozoal food."
The many benefits are too numerous to list, but include: prevention and relief of: heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, excess weight, viral diseases, digestive disorders, inflammation, cancers, tooth decay, chronic fatigue, prostate enlargement, kidney & liver disease, many types of bacterial disease, fungal infections, eczema, and other skin conditions.
Needless to say, we're going to be using coconut oil even more!
Our coconut oil is Extra Virgin Unrefined Cold Pressed, high in nutritional value and with a mild scent of pure coconut.
28 oz. pail $ 12.50
64 oz. pail $ 27.50 (1/2 gallon)
"Then God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegitation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them' and it was so"
Gen 1:11
Tim & Jamie Patten
& Sycamore Tree General Store
__________________________________________________________________________