7686 Herber Rd, New Tripoli 18066
Look for the weeds!
“My siblings and I used to run through the corn fields, playing tag and “hide and go seek” when we were young. There were always weeds in the rows.
But now when I drive in the country I started to notice that there aren’t any weeds in the fields. Why is that?”
The scary answer: 1208% more glyphosate is being sprayed on food crops from mid 1990s to the 2014/16. [source]
You see, glyphosate, formerly known as RoundUP, kills almost all biological life in the soil.
Weeds don’t grow – which sounds like a “win” for farmers.
But the insects, worms, microbes and enzymes in our soil, organisms that help make soil healthy and fertile, also die.
When you drive by fields that are completely brown – they’ve been sprayed with chemicals to kill off the vegetation before planting.
But killing weeds is not the only reason glyphosate is sprayed on the fields.
Worse still, many crops that are not genetically modified are sprayed with glyphosate RIGHT BEFORE HARVEST!
The purpose of Pre-Harvest treatment is to dry crops out allowing “farmers to harvest their crops more efficiently and at less cost.” [source]
I watched the eyes go WIDE of a friend at our Pizza night last month when I told him that over 70 vegetable, fruit, nut and grains are sprayed with this chemical, formerly known as RoundUP. [source]
“Isn’t that used for killing weeds in lawns?”
Suddenly the connection is made.
What food CAN I eat without poisoning myself?
There is good news and bad news.
You can’t totally avoid toxic chemicals because they are in our air, water, soil and gut.
But you can do 3 Simple Things: Eat Different. Detox. Educate.
Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables.
The best option is to choose foods from a farmer you know cares about his soil and is using the best practices.
Valuable nutrients are present in vegetables and herbs that support the health of your cells and proper digestion.
Increasing the variety and quantity of vegetables keeps your meals interesting helps you rely less on filling up with grains.
In fact, many vegetables and herbs will help you detox those environmental toxins daily.
Detox daily, weekly, and monthly.
Adding fermented vegetables is one of the most pleasing ways to detox daily. Just add a spoonful of sauerkraut, gingered carrots, or beet kraut to add color and flavor. You don’t need much. Use them like a condiment.
Herbal teas and essential oils like dandelion, burdock, milk thistle, radish, lemon, and grapefruit help support your detoxing organs (your liver) and restore enzymes that are used to get rid of chemical compounds.
You can also delay your first meal until afternoon once a week, or more often, to give your body a “digestive rest.” This kind of intermittent fasting gives that body a chance to restore cells and repair systems of the body instead of constantly dealing with food in your digestive track.
Regular extended fasts of 24 hours or more can be healing and restorative too. Find one that works for you.
When you eat good, satisfying, nutritious food all the other days of the month, taking a day off really isn’t a bad experience. Try it.
Educate yourself and your family.
Reuben and I encourage you to stay connected to health and nutrition educators that you can trust.
Our farm customers regularly share resources they’ve found that open their eyes to the dark side of the food industry and help make better food choices.
We are so passionate about sharing real farm food and real nutrition with our people that we provide classes, workshops, conferences, videos, blog posts and farm tours.
Let us be one of your trusted educators.
But That’s Not SIMPLE!
I know it’s easy to be overwhelmed.
I remember throwing away entire trash bags of packaged food from my pantry.
That was after learning that all the corn and soy products listed on the labels were “genetically modified. ”
The purpose of genetically modifying seeds is with the full intention of surviving the process of being heavily sprayed with glyphosate, which kills all biological life in the soil except the “genetically engineered corn and soybean seeds.
I might of cried.
But I was determined.
Now after living on an organic farm, I know that 1) how food is grown, 2) where it is grown and 3) the health of the soil is what determines its actual nutrition.
And the flavor!
If organic vegetables, and grass fed milk, pastured eggs and meat didn’t taste amazing, few would commit to eating this way.
Our farm members say it in their own words:
When you eat local food, especially year round, you will receive the health benefits of peak nutrition, including the juicy flavors that POP in your mouth when you eat beefy tomatoes and drippy, sweet peaches.
Our farm members make incredible meals and shared their pictures and recipes in our Farm Member Only Chat Group.
By learning what real food tastes like, our farm members tastes have become highly educated which leads to better nutrition!
Focus on Nutrition for Budget Wisdom
After years of feeding 9 – 20 people every day, I’ve learned a few things about making nutritious meals that go the distance and keep everyone happy. As you connect with me, more you’ll learn why I recommend these foods.
- organic fresh vegetables
- fermented vegetables
- organic eggs from pastured chickens
- sourdough bread made with organic wheat (no sprays!)
- raw, grass fed milk and organic yogurt made from grass fed milk
I’m sharing the deep reasons why these foods are essential and what we can learn from traditional wisdom in a new public Facebook Group. Join me to learn more!
Traditional wisdom belongs to us all so let’s make sure it doesn’t get forgotten.
The “draft” group description attempts to capture this: A community for sharing insights into what makes a healthy lifestyle sustainable for the long term. Share what you’ve learned and pass on the knowledge and traditions that have been passed on to you. You don’t need to have a farm or even land to live a sustainable life. Farmer Reuben encourages everyone to GROW one thing or PRODUCE one thing – especially if you can share with someone else.
If you still do Facebook, click image to join me here:
As Always…
We support your desire to have a good, healthy way of life and food on your table that supports that goal.
We’ll keep farming for you!
Reuben and Tessa DeMaster
Willow Haven Farm
