Tuesday, December 20, 2011

No baskets on the 27th

Merry Christmas!
Happy Hanukkah!
Happy New Year!
Enjoy!
Marnie

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

No baskets on the 27th

That’s in two weeks. 
More purchasing power on the website
I have started to put the refrigerator items on the website for one time and repeating orders. If you purchase through the website, you can choose the regularity of it – one time, weekly, biweekly, and monthly. If your creditcard has been charged for it, the sticker on your basket will state what items have been paid for. If you have any trouble, please call me for assistance.
This also opens up Dairy and meat purchasing capabilities to the outer pickup sites. Please be aware the items will be in a cooler with ice blocks waiting for you at the site. They are left there between 1 and 3 pm, so the sooner your pick up the better.

Christmas presents from a local green store!
Enjoy the Season!
Marnie

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Holiday Season

Is in full swing! I got my tree and started decorating. I have my Christmas cards and will send them out later this week. The best party of the year was this last weekend. I DO have good friends. I’m going to try to not shop in stores this year. All the presents I give will be bought online and delivered. Everything I give will also be related to food or gardening. I have no plans to get stressed out this season!
No milk available this week at all! I guess we all used so much over Thanksgiving or the stores have bought it all up for the Holidays.
We won’t be having baskets on the 27th, that’s a Basic week. I was going to go to Florida, but we are not sure these days. We may just go to the Catskills for a pretty white holiday. The road through there is still washed out from Irene. They say it’ll be finished in February. My last paper will be finished on December 19th. I will then have a Masters degree! WooHoo!!
Enjoy the Season!
Marnie

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Thank you OCA and to everyone who supported OCA in 2011!

Everyone who donated, everyone who volunteered, everyone who took the time to take action!
You made it possible to continue the transition to an organic future by fighting back against the biotech bullies and their government lackeys, by supporting state and federal legislative reforms, building local chapters, holding nationwide protests, and putting pressure on the corporations who control the food supply.
In 2012, we are going to have to fight even harder, but the rewards will be much greater. With the 2012 California ballot initiative, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto with the skull and crossbones they fear so much--mandatory labels on genetically engineered food.
If we can win in California in November, we'll be so close to an organic future, we'll be able to hear her breathing!
Organic Consumer’s Association is our lobbying representatives in Washington. To find out more about them and help support their efforts go to: www.organicconsumers.org/donations.cfm
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

HappyThanksgiving!

Ideas for the Holidays
Skip (some of) the meat. Raising conventional livestock requires large amounts of fuel, pesticides and fertilizers, making the process a major contributor to greenhouse gases. You don’t have to make your holiday meal vegetarian, but maybe make ones that feature smaller amounts of meat as a seasoning. 
Drink local. Consider getting wine from a local, organic winery, with less pesticide intensive methods. The Hudson Valley is getting quite a reputation! Or, support our nation’s growing craft brewing industry by picking up beer from a local brewery.
Dust off the china and glasses. One of the biggest generators of waste at holiday parties is the use of disposable cups and silverware. Though it’s easier to throw everything away, you’ll find that with a couple volunteers to help wash dishes or load the dishwasher, everything will be rinsed and dried in no time flat. 
Organize the leftovers. Once the meal is finished, encourage guests to dispose of their scraps in a compost collection. Leftover should be packed or frozen and used for future meals. If there is too much for you to handle, the food should be redistributed for guests to take home. It’s a great way to reuse the take-out Chinese food containers.
Give gifts that grow and inspire. Consider spreading the magic of real food culture through a hands-on cheesemaking kit or a homebrewing kit. Or share your favorite cookbook of culinary fundamentals. A seasonal produce calendar can be a fun reminder of what to anticipate next year at the farmers markets. Seed packets are a cheap and creative way to help develop a green thumb. 
Use wrapping “paper” that lasts. Try using reusable tote bags or light scarves. Reuse old maps, the comic pages from newspapers, and sheet music. If you do have a heap of discarded wrapping paper at the end of the night, be sure to recycle it, along with any cans and bottles.

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Organic Consumers Association Initiative – Label GMOs 2012

Organic Consumers' best opportunity for a strategic victory against Monsanto in 2012 is the California Ballot Initiative for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Nov. 10th, 2011, a wide-ranging coalition of consumer, public health and environmental organizations, food companies, and individuals submitted the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act to the State Attorney General. The initiative requires genetically engineered foods (also known as Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs) and foods containing GMO ingredients to be clearly labeled, similar to current labels with other nutritional information.
A genetically engineered food is usually a plant or animal that has had its DNA altered at the molecular level in a lab to include genes that produce foreign compounds from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria. This genetic alteration is not found in nature and cannot occur naturally.  Labeling GMO’s will allow health professionals to track any potential adverse health impacts of these foods. "Genetically engineering food can cause unintended consequences and because there have been no long term studies, we are unsure of how GMOs may affect our health."
Fifty countries including the European Union and Japan have laws mandating that genetically engineered foods be labeled, but the United States does not have such a requirement. Efforts to enact labeling laws in Congress and the California legislature have been blocked by big food and chemical company lobbyists. California voters are expected to have the chance to vote on the initiative in November 2012.
Do you shop at Trader Joe's?
Ask this California-based natural and organic food retailer to kick Monsanto out of their stores and join us in the fight for mandatory GMO labels! http: //www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_23157.cfm

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

www.CommunityGreen.org

Many of you know that I have been an organizer for a web based environmental group Community Green. We plan environmental events and post those of other environmental organizations that take place in New Jersey. Recently the woman who has been running Community Green from Colorado, passed the management of it to me. I’m very excited about this. It’s a good group of people and has a lot of potential. 
Please visit us at: wwwCommunityGreen.org
Victory for Voluntary GMO-Free Labels!
Monsanto and Eli Lilly have successfully blocked consumers' right to know about factory-farm dairy production by concealing the use of their genetically engineered bovine growth hormone, a.k.a. rBGH or rBST.
Still, when it comes to voluntary labels on non-GMO food, consumers are winning!
The first blow to biotech was in 2010 when a Sixth Circuit court ruled that milk produced with synthetic hormones is different than milk produced without it and struck down a Ohio rule that would have removed "rBGH-free" labels from dairy products.
The final blow to the Ohio rule came this week when the state agreed that, instead of revising the rule to comply with the court's opinion, it would abandon it altogether.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Miller’s Organic Farm in Madison this Saturday

Miller’s Organic Farm will be visiting Madison, at 42B Loantaka Way, this Sat, October 29th, from 8 am to 12 noon. It is a wonderful farm that specializes in farm fresh, 100% grass fed “real” dairy, meats, eggs, lacto-fermented food, fresh breads and more, down from an organic farm in Pennsylvania. Miller's Organic Farm is an Amish, family farm that follows the grass based farming principles promoted by The Weston A. Price Foundation. Their cows are on a high forage diet and are fed no grain to ensure a higher quality, more nourishing and better tasting food. There are no synthetic fertilizers, hormones, or antibiotics used. If you are interested in “Real” milk, raw cheeses, grass-fed, free-range, and soy-free meats, this is a wonderful opportunity.    
Miller’s Organic Farm delivers to Madison, NJ on a bi-weekly basis. They carry goat, sheep, cow and camel milk as well as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, pork and veal. They also carry fermented veggies and drinks, nuts, eggs, maple syrup, and many other spectacular items. Amos Miller and his son will be here this Sat to speak about their farm, answer questions and share some of their delicious products with you. The Millers do not come this way often, so don’t miss this chance. 
If you would like more information please call Julie at 973-520-8614 or e-mail at ban5143@yahoo.com. Miller’s Organic Farm can be found on this web address: www.mootoyou.org/about.html . We hope to see you there!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Master massage therapist offers discount to Co-op members

Take $20 off any one hour, first time medical massage with massage school Director Larry Heisler, M.A., LMT, or for any of our other services with any of our other wonderful teacher practitioners. Read about us at www.newjerseymassage.com
Philosophy: As we get older our muscles get harder, shorter and colder, eventually settling into our body pattern and determining how we move in space for the remainder of our lives. Can you say frozen in time. I’ll tell you what I say “Rigamortis sets in way before your die,” and medical massage addresses your soft tissue complaints and frozen muscular gait with great Deep Tissue, Myofascial and Neuromuscular Trigger Point massage work. It breaks up the rigamortis, unfreezes your connective tissue and activates your Acupuncture Energetic System. Pain, stiffness, poor circulation, inflexibility be gone!
NJ Massage
3699 Route 46 East, Parsippany, NJ 07054
Telephone: (973) 263-2229
NJ Massage Director Larry Heisler is a member of our Co-operative.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

New Bernardsville Branch

Today is the first delivery to the new Bernardsville branch! The pick up spot is just outside of downtown Bernardsville. Our host, Megan Schroeder, has been a member of the Co-op at the Madison Branch and recently moved to Bernardsville. So spread the word! The Bernardsville page on our website can be found at: www.mountainlakesorganic.com/Bernardsville.html
Bernardsville Trial Baskets are now available online.
New Sorter wanted
One of my longest held sorters recently got a new job. I am looking for someone who would like to work sorting produce every other Tuesday from about 11:30 to 2, for a Basic Basket. Please call or email me if you are interested.
Enjoy!  Marnie

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Book is Out!

The book is out!
I've been published! I'm a published scholar now! In fact, two MSU classes are using it as a textbook this semester! It sells for about $35 on Amazon, so I don't suggest buying it. But if you do, I'd be happy to sign it for you. :-)   I do suggest reading my chapter, or all of the book. The book is called "Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Sustainability" Edited by Robert W. Taylor. I wrote chapter four, Does Sustainability Mean a Lower Standard of Living.
Tomorrow WEDNESDAY, Sep 14th, will be a 24-hour worldwide marathon all about the reality of the climate crisis. Around the world, from New York City to South Africa to the Solomon Islands, people will use the power of the Internet to present their stories of living with climate change, and make clear the connection between extreme weather and the corporate carbon pollution that's changing our climate.
All the presentations, which will be in multiple languages, and in every single time zone, will be streamed live at ClimateRealityProject.org.
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Next Two Weeks are Co-op Vacation – August 16th and 23rd


We will have no baskets those two weeks. 
Enjoy! 
We’re back in action August 30th.
On-line control of your membership
You can control your own basket choice & vacation dates, and payments will be automatic on your credit card.
  • Go to www.MountainLakesOrganic.com and click the “Member Login” link. 
  • On that page you can then go to “New Users” by pressing the “Create Login Account” button. 
  • Fill out the basic information asked for, and you will be taken to the “Member Dashboard”. To prepare baskets for you, you will need to “Subscribe to Co-op” and “Update credit card on file”. Follow the steps and your baskets will be under your control. 
  • If you have any problems, you can go to the Contact us page and email your question to me, and I am here to help by phone too: 973-335-4469.
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

On-line control of your Membership

I first want to thank all of you who signed up for the automated control! We have 1/5th of you on the list! Bravo!

Please take a moment and sign up through our website for your baskets. You can then control your own vacation dates, and payments for your baskets will be automatic on your credit card.
  • On that page you can then go to “New Users” by pressing the “Create Login Account” button. 
  • Fill out the basic information asked for, and you will be taken to the “Member Dashboard”. To prepare baskets for you, you will need to “Subscribe to Co-op” and “Update credit card on file”. Follow the steps and your baskets will be under your control. 
  • Then, please play around and get familiar with the member’s capabilities. 
  • If you have any problems, you can go to the Contact us page and email your question to me, and I am here to help by phone too: 973-335-4469.
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Sign up for on-line control of your Membership

The website is ready. Please take a moment and sign up through our website for your baskets. You can then control your own vacation dates, and payments for your baskets will be automatic on your credit card.
Go to www.MountainLakesOrganic.com and click the “Member Login” link. On that page you can then go to “New Users” by pressing the “Create Login Account” button. 
Fill out the basic information asked for, and you will be taken to the “Member Dashboard”. To prepare baskets for you, you will need to “Subscribe to our CSA” and “Update credit card on file”. Follow the steps and your baskets will be under your control. 
Then, please play around and get familiar with the member’s capabilities. If you have any problems, you can go to the Contact us page and email your question to the CSAware group, and I am here to help: 973-335-4469.
Co-op Vacation!
Co-op vacation weeks will be August 16th and 23rd. We will have no baskets those two weeks.
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Please Read!

I’m very excited! The Co-op soon will be changing over to an application where the members can control their baskets and payments online called CSAware. The software is owned by Local Harvest, which many of you know. I have found them to be a tremendous asset in running this co-operative. 
Here in the beginning, you will have the choice to stay as a cash or check paying member, or switch over to CSAware. With CSAware, all your payments, except the last minute refrigerator decisions, will automatically be made by credit card each week, and you can add, change and cancel baskets in your private members account.
I have been working with the CSAware team and the website is almost complete. For ease of set up we will ask each of you to claim your membership online in the next few weeks (you will receive an email invite from CSAware). If for any reason, you have trouble with the site, you can always email or call me and I will correct the problem.
Choosing to move to this automated system, removes the guesswork from the billing. I will no loner need to send out emails asking if you paid because there is loose cash and no payment record from you. I also will not have to spend hours each week inputting the payments, and can spend that time on other aspects of the co-op that are demanding attention.
Again, If you would rather stay with paying by cash or check, please feel free to stay with the present system. CSAware is not hooked in to the website yet, but will be soon. So stay tuned!
Co-op Vacation!
Co-op vacation weeks will be August 16th and 23rd. We will have no baskets those two weeks.
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Going Solar!

Please forgive me for the roofing. They were supposed to be done by today, but the rain last week set them back. It’s actually very exciting. Tomorrow I am getting solar panels put on my roof! I did my homework and found a reputable firm. I have a tree that is a little in the way but I can still get 1/3 of my electricity from the panels. If the tree wasn’t there it would be 1/2 to 2/3. Being from the Shade Tree Commission I couldn’t just simply cut down such a big beautiful healthy tree!
If any of you have any questions about the process or contacts, please phone me. I am very willing to help out.  :-)
Co-op Vacation!
I have finally decided! My vacation weeks will be August 16th and 23rd. We will have no baskets those two weeks.
Enjoy Your Summer! 
Marnie

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Local Produce Has Begun

The apples, kale, and kohlrabi are from NY state, Blueberries, onions, and lettuce are NJ, yams are NC, and peas are MD. As the weeks progress we will be getting more from even more local sources. We have four reputable certified organic sources and are working on a fifth that is in Andover, NJ.

The local farms are sending the produce to us in cases, not prepackaged. Items like the blueberries, we have to package ourselves, so I would appreciate it if you bring back your berry boxes. This week we are using paper cups, but I have purchased the green paper cartons for future use. Please do not throw them out! They are relatively expensive so please return especially them for reuse, unless of course they are soiled. 
Thank you all for getting your vacation times to me. I will have our vacation schedule out within the next 2 weeks. 
Don’t forget your watermelon!
Enjoy Your Summer! 
Marnie

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Local Produce Has Begun

The apples, spinach, lettuce, and cilantro are from NY state, peaches from SC, Blueberries are NJ, and peas are MD. As the weeks progress we will be getting more from even more local sources. We have four reputable certified organic sources and are working on a fifth that is in Andover, NJ.
The local farms are sending the produce to us in cases, not prepackaged. Items like the blueberries, we have to package ourselves, so I would appreciate it if you bring back your berry boxes. This week we are using paper cups, but I have purchased the green paper cartons for future use. Please do not throw them out! They are relatively expensive so please return especially them for reuse, unless of course they are soiled. 
Rolls, Rolls, Rolls - Food Preparations Class 
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 12:00 PM 
There are many ways to make a roll using some of your favorite ingredients. Spring time is the season to begin to lighten up the menu and making rolls stuffed with fresh raw and cooked vegetables and grains is a perfect way to lighten your load.
Montclair Environmental Movie Night: The Farmer and The Horse 
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 6:30 PM 
Montclair Public Library - 50 South Fullerton Montclair, NJ 
A story about a landless farmer, a non-conformist, and an escaped office worker...The Montclair Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present another eye-opening environmental movie from their Green Film Series.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

VitaMix

One of our members has a connection to get the fabulous VitaMix blender with free shipping. They need to place an order with 3 or more to get free shipping. Her pricing is cheaper than the Costco pricing on their website. Contact Deb Stark at debragreccostark@weighbetternutrition.net  
Variable Speed Control - Turbo Blend VS Black           MSRP $549   Minimum advertised price - my retail price - $449  
Without Variable Speed Control - Turbo Blend 4500                $499  - my retail price - $399            
The Brand Chosen By Leading Chefs Worldwide
  • Variable Speed Control you control the blades allowing for flexibility and creativity - fine chop, grind or fully blend ingredients, all in one container
  • POWERFUL 2 PEAK MOTOR HORSEPOWER propels the blade tip speed up to 240 mph to blend even the toughest ingredients.
  • BPA-FREE, SHATTER-PROOF CONTAINER WITH 64 OZ. OF TRUE BLENDING CAPACITY designed to create a powerful vortex to force ingredients up from the blades and back down the center for thorough processing.
  • METAL-TO-METAL CONTAINER-TO-BASE COUPLING for maximum durability and long life.
  • SPILL-PROOF LID WITH REMOVABLE LID PLUG seals securely allowing ingredients to be added while processing.
  • The TAMPER allows for processing thick, dense ingredients and prevents air pockets from forming.
  • “LET’S GET STARTED!” DVD featuring an Eco-Lifestylist and Raw Food Author, Nut Milk Bag, and “Live Fresh” Recipe Book with easel-back design containing more than 200 raw, vegan, and vegetarian recipes.TU
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Summer is Here!

Please get your vacation schedules to me!
I’m putting together the summer plans and we will take a few weeks off, but exactly what weeks those are will depend a great deal on how many people take off when. We hope to start our local produce next week. Keep your fingers crossed!
I hope you all had fabulous Memorial Day Celebrations. Mine was very good. I have to say the Centennial Committee is doing a terrific job for Mountain Lake’s 100 year anniversary!
Court of Appeals Dismisses Monsanto's Appeal of Biotech Beets Case
May 20th the U.S. Court of Appeals issued a summary order concluding a long-standing lawsuit over the impacts of genetically engineered (GE) "Roundup Ready" sugar beets.  As a result, previous court rulings in favor of farmers and conservation advocates will remain, including the order requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prepare a rigorous review of the impacts of GE sugar beets, engineered to be resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide, before deciding whether to again allow their future commercial use.
Center for Food Safety (CFS) attorney George Kimbrell: "Today's order cements a critical legal benchmark in the battle for meaningful oversight of biotech crops and food.  Because of this case, there will be public disclosure and debate on the harmful impacts of these pesticide-promoting crops, as well as legal protections for farmers threatened by contamination."
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Woo Hoo!! School’s out!

For me anyway. I finished everything for this semester at 7:30 last night. Now for a few weeks of R&R in my garden and back to summer school. I didn’t want to do it that way, but if I plan to finish by December, I need to.
Anyway, the produce is being sourced closer and closer. Sorry for the asparagus from Mexico the other week. My sales rep didn’t flag me on that which she usually does. We will be starting with Karley again this summer. It looks like the week of June 14th or 21st. Please get me your summer vacation schedules when you get them!
We will be changing over the website to one that is a little more automated this summer. You will each be able to manage your own accounts with what baskets you choose and even pay safely through the site. This will be my summer project, getting this up and running. I like to make it so people don’t have to change a thing if they don’t want to. 
Recycling Efforts
We like to use paper that has been used on one side for the invoices and NewsLetters. If any of you have some, please help out and just leave it in the garage when you pick up. We have had a few sources, but are finding we could use more these days. Thanks to all who supply us!
I hope you are all enjoying your spring. I like that the weather is getting into the 70’s these days. It’s my favorite temperature zone.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Stop Plan for Monsanto & Biotech Industry to Police Itself!

Genetically modified organisms, planted on 165 millions acres of US farmland, have increased the use of toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, destroyed soil fertility and carbon-sequestering capacity, spawned super-weeds, contaminated organic & non-GMO crops, and are less nutritious and more likely to trigger allergies, in general making plants, animals and human beings weaker and disease-prone. GMO corn for ethanol has decreased grain supplies, raised food prices, and increased world hunger; while generating the same greenhouse gas pollution as conventional gasoline. Genetically engineered trees, fish, and farm animals pose similar hazards to human and environmental health.
The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has aided Monsanto and the biotech lobby by failing to accurately assess the impacts of GMOs, as they have failed to properly assess the monumental damage of chemical agriculture. APHIS, using the excuse of efficiency and cutting costs, wants to turn over the job of conducting assessments to biotech companies like Monsanto that have vested interests in deregulation.
This is a very dangerous game to play. Tell APHIS to halt their pilot program and instead put their resources towards more vigorous review of the potential harms of GMO crops and animals.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Beginnings of Co-operatives

Co-operatives as we know them first appeared in England during the class struggles of the early 1800’s. Robert Owen, known for his attempts to save the poor from squalor and reforming the child labor laws, wrote “Report on The Poor” addressing the social and economic structures of England. Though the House of Commons rejected his report, the idea of “Villages of Co-operation,” based on the Shaker communities in the United States, caught on. William Thompson furthered the concept of co-operatives, and Socialism as well, through his writing, specifically his paper in 1824, “An enquiry into the principals of Distribution of Wealth Most Conducive to Human Happiness.” Both men strongly believed human nature was basically good; happiness came from human interactions; and that man is demoralized by the inhumane environments created by the economic system. This connection between happiness, social relations, co-operation and democratic methods established the moral and methodological foundation of co-operatives as a humane alternative to the problems of capitalism. The academic ideals didn’t translate into reality very well. with over 250 failed attempts at co-opting communities before 1844, when William King produced the first successful co-operative. Starting small, he thought to first co-op a business that everyone uses, a grocery store.

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Rain rain rain!

It’s time to hook up the rain barrels and capture some of that blue gold for your garden! I have three rain barrels and have only needed to use my municipal water (tap water) a handful of times in August last two years. The plants, especially the young ones don’t like tap water because of the chlorine. It’s actually very toxic to them. If you use tap water to water plants, let it sit for an hour in the watering can first, to let the chlorine dissipate. Last year I went to Rutgers and took a How to Make a Rain Barrel Instructor’s course. I have been holding classes in making rainbarrels and selling them ever since. If any of you would like me to come do a class for your town organization or club, please contact me. I also have rain barrels available for $75, with instructions for set up produced by Rutgers University. 
It’s time to get out in the garden, and start planting the broccoli, peas, beans and lettuces! Plant the warm weather seeds inside, to be transplanted come Mother’s Day. Please make a conserted effort to buy organic seeds. Seeds of Change is a great company. Burpee is as bad as you can get.
The forsythia are blooming so that means its time to put down the corn gluten on your lawn as a weed inhibitor. It lets the weed seeds sprout, but inhibits root growth, so the weed eventually dies. Grass that is already established won’t be harmed. Weeds that are established will need to be pulled. Its a little more expensive than synthetic herbicides, but it keeps your soil alive and working organically. I’ll have more on this in future articles.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Spring Produce

The flowers are blooming. The birds are out. But this is the absolute worst time of year for produce. There is nothing local. Florida only has citrus left. Everything else has to come from California, or has been sitting in a nitrogen room so it doesn’t rot. This is why at this time of year, we have more things like coconuts, and kiwis that certainly would never grow here. All is not lost. We get to try strange fruits like cumquots. The asparagus is just starting. The berries are ripening closer every day and lettuce does well in greenhouses year round. We can begin our anticipation of the summer tastes! It’s just around the corner. 

Fresh Foods for Spring Holiday Menus- Healthy Foods Prep Class
Thursday, April 14, 2011 - 12:00 PM
As spring comes so do new beginnings. The same holds true of our food choices. This is a great time to experiment with something new and fresh that you may have not thought to prepare before. This Easter or Passover meal is a great place to start. Join me as I demonstrate some fresh spring inspired appetizers that you can serve at your holiday table. We will prepare dips, spring rolls, and stuffed vegetables as well as other easy but colorful dishes that your guests will love. 
Phyllis is a certified Holistic Health Counselor with over 20 years practicing in the field of nutrition. She is a coach, educator, and chef skilled in multiple food disciplines. Certified by the Institute for Food Studies and The National Gourmet Institute.
Learn about a different type of healthy food preparation each month – raw foods, foods that are good for your heart, gluten free grains. We’ll prepare seasonal produce, can summer fruits, make tomato sauce, and even learn how to detox in the winter. join us each month for a pleasant afternoon social, and learn about delicious and healthy food preparation.
Come to one class or come to all...
Each MLOC class is $25 individually, or a four class package is $75.
RSVP today to reserve a spot. For more information contact Marnie at FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com or 973-335-4469.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Your home vegetable garden - Get ready for Spring!

Sunday, April 10, 2011 – 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Where: Mountain Lakes Organic Co-op
Start your garden the organic way. Learn about garden preparation, sourcing organic seeds and soil amendments, heirloom tomatoes and herbs, and planting diversity in vegetables, herbs, and flowers to attract beneficial insects and as natural pest deterrents. Map out your succession planting schedule to ensure continuous harvests. Develop integrated pest management (IPM) skills and harvesting practices, for squash, cucumbers, peppers, and other summer crops. Learn about drip irrigation systems and rain barrels and how to keep your plants strong and healthy with consistent water in the summer heat.
Wanda Knapik, a certified Permaculture Instructor, installs vegetable gardens for institutions and residents through her company - My Local Garden, LLC.
Come to one class or come to all...
Each MLOC class is $25 individually, or a four class package is $75.
RSVP today to reserve a spot. For more information contact Marnie at FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com or 973-335-4469.
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

WestHaven Organic Farm

West Haven is the farm up at the EcoVillage in Ithaca. They follows permaculture principals in their farming methods. A main Permaculture principal is that your actions should have many different benefits. Crop rotation does this. One type of plant may deplete the soil of particular nutrients and leave other nutrients that another type of plant can use. The most noted example is peas and beans capture nitrogen from air and fix it in soil, which benefits other plants like tomatoes which can be planted in the plot the next growing season. Crop rotation also discourages pest growth. A fly that feeds on carrots may get established in the soil one year, but if the carrots are planted in a plot 150 feet away the next year, it’s too far for the fly to travel, find and flourish. Flowers too are not only beautiful, but can act as pest deterrents. The smell of marigolds are very good for keeping bugs away. Row covers also have multiple benefits. They keep bugs away like the flea beetle on arugula. They also extend the season, by keeping frost off the plants as temperatures begin to dip below freezing. 
Planting certain vegetables with each other also has many benefits. Plants like to grow in biodiverse clusters because they benefit from each other in different ways. Various plants can deter pests, add needed nutrients to the soil, provide needed shade, provide stalks to climb and transpirate needed moisture. An old Iroquois combination is the three sisters –  corn, beans and squash. Some believe plants that taste good together often grow well together like, tomatoes, onions and rosemary. But you would want to keep the dill, parsnips and radishes away from this cluster. 
Which brings us to the next topic, the fertilizer, or the refuse. It can also be thought of as the link that turns something from the linear cradle to grave into the circle of life – composting. West Haven fertilizes their fields with their own compost – made from the left over plant material and chicken poop, the compost from a nearby dairy, and with cover crops. Cover crops are plants like winter oats, hairy vetch, and peas that are very good at replenishing the nutrients in the soil. When the farm was bought, the farm manager planted consecutive years of cover-crops to invigorate the soil. Each year of organic farming improves the soil more. The microbes are left to establish their own equilibrium, which also keeps the pests in check.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

GreenStar Food Co-op

I just got back from a very inspiring class trip to Ithaca, NY. We visited the EcoVillage and other sustainable projects that are happening there. The local food co-operative, GreenStar, was an inspiration. It’s a member owned grocery store. Lifetime membership costs $90 payable over up to 10 years at $9 per year. Their mission is to buy as locally as possible. Local is considered to be within 30 miles of the co-op. They label local foods with the farm it came from, and all suppling farms must be able to be visited by members. They also carry items from further away, but they will only carry items that are good for you. There is nothing from China sold there, and they stay away from items that are over packaged. 

Prices are very competitive and members get a 2% discount. Higher discounts are available depending on how much they work. The co-operative format is also used to extend food cost benefits to members according to need. They believe healthy foods should be available to all. They work with the farmers too, paying for crops in the spring when the farmer need the money, much like a CSA, and taking delivery later in the season. Many items are in individual packages, but most you take only what you need, using your own reusable containers or the biodegradable bags that they provide. The co-op is extraordinarily popular. They feed 20% of the greater Ithaca community. It was so refreshing to see a successful people oriented operation. Food for thought.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM
Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Mountain Lakes Organic Coop - 10 Vale Drive Mountain Lakes, NJ
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

March Calendar

Thursday, March 17, 2011 - 6:30 PM
Montclair Public Library - 50 South Fullerton Montclair, NJ
The Montclair Environmental Affairs office and Community Green present another eye-opening environmental movie from their Green Film Series. What better way to celebrate St Patrick's Day than to go see Deep Green?! Deep Green offers a glimpse at green technology here in the US and abroad. read more 


Tuesday, March 22, 2011-10 am -12 pm
Van Velck Gardens - 21 Van Vleck St Montclair, NJ
From 10am -12pm Prepare your garden in the spring: organic soil amendments, composting, and critter-proofing. Learn about sourcing organic seeds, planting seeds directly into your soil in April and May (peas, arugula, lettuces, greens), garden design and companion planting. read more 

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:00 PM
The League of Women Voters of Mountain Lakes and Community Green Invite you view Gasland In this Oscar nominated documentary, director Josh Fox journeys across America to examine the negative effects for natural-gas drilling, from poisoned water sources to kitchen sinks that burst into flame to unhealthy animals and people. read more

Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Mountain Lakes Organic Coop - 10 Vale Drive Mountain Lakes, NJ
Fermented Foods have "live" cultures and are teeming with friendly bacteria to support the balanced population of healthy flora in our intenstinal tract. These friendly bacteria in the intestine are principally responsible for digestion and assimilation of nutrients. read more 

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Start getting ready for World Food Day

In the worldwide movement to stop GMOs, World Food Day, on 10/16, has frequently been marked as a day of action. Following this tradition, Organic Consumers Association's Millions Against Monsanto campaign is calling for actions from each of our congressional district chapters, with the goal of turning out 2300 people at each event to make a million nationwide.
The first step... 
to getting people involved is to get them to sign our Millions Against Monsanto petition. Which is on the table near the cash box. Please read it and sign it if you would like to know when you are being sold GMO foods.
You can also go online and sign it here: www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/action.cfm
Also...
Thank you to the OCA activist who shared a recent e-mail she received from Kraft Foods which admits "We are not rejecting milk from BGH/BST supplemented herds." BGH/BST is the genetically modified Bovine Growth Hormone developed by Monsanto and now marketed by Eli Lilly. It was the first genetically modified organism to become part of the food supply. It is well-known by federal regulators that GMO bovine growth hormone produces milk that is less nutritious, contaminated with pus, and has elevated levels of IGF-1. Elevated levels of IGF-1 are correlated with increased rates of cancer. 
Let Kraft & Kellogg's know you're joining a boycott of their brands because you want to avoid GMOs!
Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

USDA Deregulates GMO Alfalfa

The USDA has deregulated Monsanto GMO Roundup Ready alfalfa after five years of deliberation. The decision squashed a proposed compromise that would have placed geographic restrictions on Roundup Ready alfalfa to prevent organic and traditional alfalfa from being contaminated by herbicide sprays and cross-pollination.
      
Exchange Morals for Money
“Americans have come to consider their standard of living as a somewhat sacred acquisition, which they will defend at any price. This means that they would be ready to make many an intellectual or even moral concession in order to maintain that standard” –Richard Robbins. Over the last 120 years, as people earn more and more money, they have made many intellectual and moral concessions in order to maintain the ever rising standard of living. We have become more competitive, stressed, given up a more relaxed lifestyle to make more money. We have come to accept a number of formerly sacrilegious concepts – money not being tied to a commodity, money being created by creating debt, its now even expected to charge interest on loans. People used to value “thrift, modesty, and moderation.” As consumer capitalism grew, we have accepted that we need to spend money. We are now borrowing so we have money to spend, and, we are spending it on luxury items.
This change of ideals and morals has changed our way of life dramatically. It has altered our time, space, and class.  Our holidays have become excuses to consume, weather for presents, food or greeting cards. We have left our city apartments to live in big sprawling houses, with cars and malls. And, as Macy’s board chairman states, “The luxuries of today are the necessities of tomorrow.” At the rate the growth economy ideals are spreading, there are staggering implications for the rest of the world. China and India both have populations far greater than the United States and their economies are growing rapidly. China’s GDP is growing about 8% per year. India is saving about 7% less per year. We live on a finite planet. At some point our economy cannot grow anymore.

Enjoy! Marnie

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

New Semester Started

Last night I had my new classes. I’m taking ecology and Building Sustainable Cities. LOTS OF WORK! But very exciting classes! I’m really looking forward to them. The topics and books look great. I think one of my termpapers will be on the Local Food Movement.
Fair World Alert: Hershey Go Fair Trade!
Valentine's Day is a major chocolate buying holiday, but your gifts for your sweetheart should not come at the expense of workers rights! Forced labor, child labor and trafficking continues in the cocoa industry in West Africa. Almost all major chocolate companies have begun to commit to using independent, third-party programs to certify that their cocoa suppliers comply with international labor standards, but Hershey continues to lag behind the industry.
As America's largest and oldest chocolate manufacturer, Hershey has the responsibility to lead the industry in ensuring workers' rights, from bean to bar. It's time for Hershey to "Raise the Bar" by tracing the sources of its cocoa, working to eliminate child and forced labor, and shifting to Fair Trade cocoa.
Montclair Environmental Movie: Gasland
Thursday, January 27 – 6:30 PM
Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton, Montclair, NJ
The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe? Join us for the films and discussion following. This is one of a series of Environmental Film Screenings put on by CommunityGreen.org..
Enjoy! 
Marnie

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

3 Events!

Thursday, January 20 – 12:00 PM
This group cleanse will last for 8-10 days and will begin with an information session as we decide which level of cleansing is right for you. With three different cleanse options offered, we will work together to support each other through weak moments. We will close with a session on how to break your cleanse and move forward as you add foods back into your diet.
Happy Hour with the Sierra Club!
Thursday, January 20 – 5:00 PM
At Egan & Sons, 118 Walnut Street, Montclair, NJ 
It’s cold outside, but you can keep warm without coal. Join the Sierra Club for happy hour to support New Jersey – the Green and Clean Garden State. Bring friends! Meet new people!
Montclair Environmental Movie Night: Gasland
Thursday, January 27 – 6:30 PM
Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton, Montclair, NJ
The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudia Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe? Join us for the films and discussion following. This is one of a series of Environmental Film Screenings put on by CommunityGreen.org..

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Group Cleanse - Healthy Food Preparations Class

Thursday, January 20 – 12:00 PM
Cleansing can mean different things to different people and can take many different forms depending on how you have been feeding your body. We will work together to support each other through weak moments. This group cleanse will last for 8-10 days and will begin with an information session as we decide which level of cleansing is right for you. Mid week you will have the opportunity to check in with everyone to share your experiences and ask questions. We will close with a session on how to break your cleanse and move forward as you add foods back into your diet.
Cleansing Options include:
The Master Cleanse: A fast using home- made lemonade, pure grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper. The book is available through the Co-op.
Blessed Herbs ( www.blessedherbs.com ) - A colon cleanse and optional 5 day fast using special herbs and their special toxin absorber packets that are taken throughout the day. The colon cleanse kit is available from the website and should be purchased prior to the start date and brought with you to the first session. The kit is on sale now buy one get one for half price so sharing can bring the cost per person to $67.00. Anyone interested in Blessed Herbs can email Phyllis and she can pair you up.
The Elimination Diet includes a variety of common foods and substances to eliminate over the 10 day period. The list includes: sugar, wheat, dairy, caffeine ect. A shopping list is included as well as recipes There is an optional day of fasting mid cleanse as well. 
Schedule for Meetings:
Initial Meeting -Thursday January 20th, 12:00 pm
Mid Cleanse Check In-Sunday evening January 23rd, 5:00 pm
Final Meeting-Thursday January 27th, 12:00 pm
Any questions about cleansing: Phyllis Deering at pdeering@optonline.net. For more info contact Marnie at: FruitLady@MountainLakesOrganic.com or 973-335-4469. www.meetup.com/MountainLakesOrganicCoop/calendar/

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A winter break from local - lets go tropical!

There aren’t many local veggies out there these days, so the Big Baskets are taking a rare visit to the tropics and indulging in coconuts and pineapples, and both baskets get mangos and US kiwis. All are great in smoothies and together they make a nice fruit salad.

To open a coconut
If you haven’t used coconuts before, they are opened by poking a knife in the three circles on top. The shell is softer in one especially and you can make a hole to drain the coconut water into a container. There is usually up to 2 cups of coconut water which can be blended with the meat to make coconut milk. 
I then take my hammer to the nut and a few swift blows will crack it. The white coconut meat can be pried loose with a knife from the shell and the brown skin can be peeled off with a potato peeler.
Coconut is a delicious and healthy addition to both fruit and green smoothies. One coconut is enough to make a coconut cream pie (Google “coconut cream pie”). I am looking for good coconut recipes, so if you have a favorite, please email it to me!

Enjoy!
Marnie