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July 31 " My Lord"Most of us have been taught not to use the Lord's name in vain. It is a concept that we are taught as children but sometimes you just can't help yourself. As I patiently waited in line to purchase watermelon , cantaloupe and corn, I overheard a customer simply state "my Lord". She did not mean to utter this phrase but the taste of the freshly cut and sampled cantaloupe caught her off guard. This is not any cantaloupe. No, this is "nothing but the truth cantaloupe"," the real deal"; pick your superlative. The cantaloupe is just one of the reasons that I was standing in this line on a hot Thursday afternoon. The cantaloupe and watermelon from this farmer taste like they were grown in a field of sugar. This is real cantaloupe-not the kind that you find in decorative fruit arrangements or fruit platters - but fresh, local, Maryland cantaloupe given readily by the vine because it is time.The sun and the earth have done their best and in return a customer simply states"my Lord ". I usually arrive early to this farmers market , pick out my produce and wait patiently on the seasoned farmer from Maryland to unload the rest of his truck. Each week he slices a watermelon and cantaloupe. Some of the melons have yellow flesh or " yellow meat" as we called them as children and some are orange on the inside. He does not talk much but then he doesn't have too- the melons, corn, blueberries and other produce speak for him. As customers swarm around his stand, he can not unload the corn fast enough. His grandaughter's admonition to " put more corn out" is calmly met with the measured response "I'll put it out after I rest".As he stands in the back of his truck he can clearly see that his work is not in vane.This is what farming is about; watching eager customers bag your fruits and vegetables as fast as you can unload them. This is what makes the $5000 investment for irrigation and ten hour days worth it all- "my Lord" uttered by a new satisfied customer. October 21 Take the ChallengsLast night I met wonderful women participating in the Take the Challenge health and wellness program in Prince George's county. These women meet weekly to exercise, talk, eat and support each other in maintaining and regaining health and wellness.There were women recovering from breast cancer and living with diabetes. There were also women who simply want to learn how to live healthy. This wonderful program is sponsored by the Prince George's County Executive Program, the Prince George's County Healthy Department as well as Prince George's Community College. Coretta Jones ,director of the Community Heart and Stroke Initiatives for the American Heart Association, delivered an empowering presentation on stroke awareness, stroke prevention and becoming your own health advocate. The American Heart Association has developed an innovative program , The Power to End Stroke, which invites African-Americans to learn about their family health tree as well as providing information on maintaining heart health and recipes for healthy eating-"I Have the Power". Ms. Gina Boyd of the National Bone Marrow Donor Program spoke on the under representation of African Americans in the Marrow Donor Registry despite the prevalence of bone marrow diseases in the African-American population.On site enrollment cards and cheek swabs were available and used by many in the audience.Her moving description of recent families affected by bone marrow disease provided case studies on the tremendous need for bone marrow donation. It is always our pleasure at 5 A DAY CSA to provide fruit(Stayman-Winesap apples and asian pears) at events which champion health and wellness.We have recently participated in the Stamp Out Sickle Cell Walk, the 50 Million Pound Weight Walk,and the Steve Harvey Foundation Charity Golf Tournament. As always, the the seasonal fruit we bring is thoroughly enjoyed by all. September 21 Sickle Cell Walk Today I attended the Stamp Out Sickle Cell Walk at Howard University Hospital. The volunteers and participants there were committed to raising funds for sickle cell patients and researchers and also to raise the public's awareness of Sickle Cell Anemia.This walk took place at Howard University Hospital with participation by Children's and Georgetown Hospital as well. The wonderful pears, apples, peaches and plum were truly appreciated and enjoyed by all. Nutrition is an essential part of health for everyone but especially for those living with a chronic disease such as Sickle Cell Anemia.Please visit www.soswalk.org to learn more about sickle cell anemia and to donate to this worthy cause. June 27 Grace and DIgnityTonight I attended a gospel fundraiser for Felicia Jackson at Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church. The gospel concert was spectacular and attended by diverse audience representative of Montgomery County and this country. .Funds are still being accepted by The Dwellin Place for Felicia and her family.
For a little background information, Felicia Jackson's sister died leaving 10 children who she desperately wanted to remain together as a family. Felicia agreed to care for her sisters' 10 children in addition to her own four children. She currently works as security guard and has received support and an outpouring of love from her childrens' school s as well as the Rockville community during these tough times. The Montgomery County chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority "adopted" the family last year and has provided ongoing support for Felicia and her family. The AKA's also organized the outstanding gospel concert on June,26,2008 to assist Felicia with the property taxes and house maintenance; Felicia and her family are now the new owners of a home spacious enough for everyone courtesy of Extreme Home Makeover.
During the concert, Felicia was described as someone who embodies love in her actions and words. She is a devoted parent who realizes the importance of education and never misses a school meeting for any of her children. Felicia lives what many of us only talk about-grace , dignity and equanimity under duress. She and her children deserve continued support and prayers.
June 18 Stephen's Farm setbackI received news today that the Stephen's farm has sufferred a setback. Almost all of their crops have been burned by the heat. In addition, they are only able to water by hand. They are determined to restart and concentrate on the falll season but for now everything has been lost. This is a time now for reflection and also for education. June 14 FIrst Baptist Health FairThe Health Expo at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden was a huge success. This event was not only well organized but also widely attended by women, men and children.There were representatives from the fields of nutrition, exercise, medicine, home nursing, and adult daycare as well as a blood drive. The Prince George's Health and Fire Departments were in attendance as well.
I was able to speak to many people and discuss a recurring theme. Many people actually do not make time for slow food and senseable eating(using all five senses when eating) The entire process,shopping,cleaning and cooking, is seen as burdensome. This has resulted in the explosion of preventable illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in our society and especially in communities of color. Compounding this fact is the notion of multitasking while we eat. We do not smell, taste,touch, and even hear our food anymore. Instead we sit in from of the tv and eat mindlessly;this results in overeating. You don;t eat one or two cookies, instead you eat a whole sleeve of cookies. Our lives are too fast paced- and for what? Instead we need to Focus on Health, and eat senseably. There is not a pill, packet or powder sold over the counter that will cure an illness. You can not isolate vitamins, antioxidants , minerals and nutrients from fruits and vegetables and achieve the same benefits as eating produce in its natural state. Foods should be eaten and not analyzed and dissected. In addition, a diverse diet is critical. Fad diets, cabbage and blood type to name a few, are just that. Stop and think for yourself- can you really eat cabbage all day every day? We have taken the traditional medical approach(pills,and powders) and transferred it to alternative medicine.We complain that doctors push pills and then we turn around and shop for pills in the health food store. Here is the reality-there is no quick fix to either preventing illness, maintaining health or treating illnessess.
FOOD IS MEDICINE. PRIMARY CARE BEGINS IN THE KITCHEN.Fruits and vegetables are already prepackaged. Juicing is fine- but what about all the fiber that for the most part is thrown away. That fiber serves a purpose-it helps to regulate the absorption of the carbohydrates, and protein to prevent rapid rises in glucose levels and such hormones as insulin.It also prevents rapid drops in blood glucose levels. The fiber then goes on to either help with the binding of such substances as cholesterol (soluble fiber) or the toxic waste that accumulates in the colon(insoluble fiber). Appreciate God's work and eat the food in as natural a state as possible. Cooking is fine but temperatures over 350 degrees result in chemical changes in all foods which can be carcinogenic.
SLOW DOWN. FOCUS ON HEALTH. FOCUS ON FIVE. June 13 Stephens FarmThe Stephens Farm is having rocky start. So far because of the heat, they have lost their organic cabbage, lettuce, kale, turnip and collard greens. The green beans are barely hanging on. This is what makes farming difiicult. One week of brutal rain or heat can wipe out your crops. They still have some conventional produce which they are selling at the Augusta Farmers Market. If you are in the area, stop by and support these farmers. Food as Medicine Yesterday I attended the Food as Medicine seminar sponsored by the Center for Mind and Body Medicine. One of the speakers , Dr. Bruce Gordon, introduced the concept of Mindful Eating. In a nutshell,for me mindful eating means using most of your senses when eating. Everyone in the room ate one grape. We all noted the color, the feel of the grape, the smell, the feel of the grape on your tongue and finally the taste. We spent time with our food instead of shoveling it down as quickly as possible. For those that are wine enthusiasts, you know that to appreciate the wine you have to look, smell, swirl and then taste. Mindful Eating follows these same principles and allows for eating slow food slooowwly. Slow Food with Mindful Eating-now that is a new approach to healthy eating. May 15 Adderson FarmI just received pictures from the Adderson Farm. The produce looks awesone and includes spinach,peas, kale and sweet onions. I can not wait to include her produce in our farms. I am committed to helping farmers of color to continue their legacy of feeding the citizens of this country. Local and natural is a great concept but the truth is this farm needs help and income-in return the members of the CSA getr get great produce.
Peace May 11 Calvert Farm VisitThis week I visited Calvert Farm in Cecil County Maryland. It was a rainy dreary day and I intially passed the farm. I did however see several Amish buggies on the road before I turned around which I found quaint and peaceful. Once I entered the farm, I saw Pam Stegall and her workers which included several Amish children as well as their parents. A large dog guarded the packing shed where Pam and her workers were hard at work packing the freshly picked produce which included rhubarb, pineapple mint, bok choy,red butter lettuce, and asaparagus among other things.
As I left the farm, I decided to take Route 1 back to the College Park. This day trip was filled with visions of scenic pastures,custom built homes,cattle and horses. The radio stations were filled with commercials for John Deere tractors. As I continued over the Susqehanna River, I witnessed the beauty of rural America. Continuing on, I entered Baltimore where boarded up rowhouses, surveillance cameras and fast food businesses were everywhere;this is not an area where organic or local/natural is part of the daily lexicon. The content of the radio stations changed as well. There was mention of produce on in the airwaves but it was in the form of FLoRiDa singing about applebottom jeans.
One ray of hope was seen as I passed an urban garden project overgrown with weeds ,for now, near W. Baltimore and Harlem Ave. Given all the abandoned lots in many inner cities, urban gardens can provide organic foods to inner city residents. A good of example of this is the 7th St Garden in Washington,D.C. in the Shaw neighborhood.Take a look at www.urbanfarming.org to see what is possible to improve the health and welfare of everyone and decrease the incidence of health care disaprities.
That is all for now. April 28 Food and FitnessFri-Focused on Health. I visited and made a presentation at the Fitness Challenge class at First Baptist Church of KenGar in Kensington, Maryland. There were over twenty women of all ages in the basement of the church taking up the challenge to improve their health through exercise. This program is available at many churches in the Maryland area and sponsored by Yusef Battle of the Fit Solution. Congratulations to the women of the church....... Focused on Five and Exercise.
Sat- Focus on Five-the CSA pickups from 9:30m -11:30 AM at Woodside United Methodist Church. Myself and my able assistant ,C.P. ,packed and handed out the boxes to our customers in Silver Spring The church also holds classes for children with obesity on Saturdays sponsored by an outside organization.Next off to Annapolis where deliveries were made to the community at Fairwinds Condominium. A very active coordinator of the delivery site is committed to providing fresh food from farmers committed to sustainable agriculture. The organic label is not as important as the farmers philosophy on farming and committment to farm free of synthetic pesticides.
Sun-Another delivery day. This time in Landover, Maryland at the Theresa Banks Swim Center. This will hopefully be a busy dropoff site for the citizens of that area.Well until next time....Focus on Health.
April 22 The Future of FarmingJust received some photos from the Stevens. They have a farm using natural farm techniques in South Carolina. The farm in Georgia uses Organic Practices and is Organic Exempt meaning the Steven's sell less than $5000.00 per year of produce. The goal of course is to sell more and then obtain the Certified Organic Certification. Certificed Organic is a designation provided by the USDA whcih means that among other things the soil has been without synthetic fertilzers and pesticides for three years, organic seeds are used and only organic fertilizers and pesticides(if any) is used.Take a look at the folder for pictures of the future of farming. April 20 Stephens FarmThe Stephens' are hard at work . For anyone who does not know, farming is hard work and labor is hard to find. The STephens' however are committed to producing food which is safe for themselves as well as the members of the CSA. Take a look at the pictures from their farm to see your how your fruits and vegetables are growing. |
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