Heavens Harvest Farm Newsletter
July 28, 2008	Volume 6
Produce: Baby Bok Choi Blueberries Broccoli Carrots Pickling Cucumbers Slicing Cucumbers Green Beans Green Peppers Red Kale Boston Lettuce Romaine Lettuce Summer Squash Heirloom Squash Zucchini Scallions Herbs: Chives Lemon Balm Parsley Sage Due to availability not all shares will have the exact same contents.	Hello from Noah’s Ark! Haaa! A.k.a. -Heavens Harvest Farm! We are so grateful for all of you as partners in spite of what is becoming a very trying weather year. Just yesterday one of my farmer friends from South Deerfield told me he had to plow up acres of summer squash and zucchini and lay off 11 people because of the disease that overtook his crop from the incessant wet weather. We also pulled 250 plus yellow squash plants as the fruit was pitted with rubbery, black mold spots called Alternaria and Phytoptera. Fortunately we have other resources for squash here at Heavens Harvest and all farmers are experts at going with the flow. Our product list is expanding. Soon, tomatoes for all! Eggplant also on the way! Check out the recipe section and send in yours to share! Blessings, Ashley & Ethel LEMON BALM Culinary Uses Use fresh leaves in salads and as a garnish for fish and other dishes. When candied, the leaves make attractive cake decorations. Chopped leaves can be added to fish and chicken dishes and sprinkled over fresh vegetables. Add the leaves to cooked dishes in the last few minutes. They can also be added to summer drinks and fruit salads, and make a good substitute for lemon peel in recipes. Medicinal Use Lemon balm is traditionally used to restore nerves. It helps relieve anxiety attacks, palpitations with nausea, mild insomnia and phobias. It combines well with peppermint to stimulate circulation, and can also be used for colds and flu. Other Uses An infusion of leaves makes a refreshing skin toner and can be used in rinse water for clothes. A stronger infusion makes a good rinse for oily hair. Use as a facial steam for dry skin. Dried leaves add a lemony scent to Potpourris. CSA Guidelines 1. Please leave box week to week and break down/fold up. 2. Please return plastic t-shirt bags to recycle if you wish. 3. Go to heavensharvestfarm.com for newsletter (usually ready by 2 p.m. every Monday!). 4. Any comments, suggestions, etc. please put into a kind-hearted frame-work and send along to the farm email. 5. Be prompt in picking up at your CSA site! Product is perishable! Even though it is refrigerated before hand. 6. Remember that this is a Consumer Supported Agriculture project through an actual living, producing, certified organic farm. Your share will reflect the best we can offer from our farm and our two sister farms who, comprise Happy Valley Organics who are a large supplier for Whole Foods and many others. But, product availability will always be sufficient to provide for your full or half share. See the Recipes section of the web site for some great preparation ideas!