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Nuacht
agus Nóta (News and Notes)
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Welcome Autumn
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September 2008 |
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Stop the Globilization
Act of 2008 -
Keep those cards and letters going!
Congress is just getting back from their long summer break. In a
Presidential election year, all politicians are out to prove something,
and this year is no exception. So if you want to be heard - now is the time to do it.  The FDA Globalization Act of 2008 is draft legislation which, if put into action, would impose such enormous fees on small cosmetic businesses - like Celtic Chairde
Creations - that many of them would go out of business. This would mean
fewer choices for you, the consumer, and higher prices from those companies still in business. But there are things you can do to keep this draft
from going any further. Go to The Indie Business Blog and you can sign the petition or find letters that you can send to your Representatives. Together we keep keep small businesses going. |
We now accept MasterCard and Visa.
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 Spicy and Sweet - the Magic of Cinnamon
Cinnamon is probably one of the most evocative scents around. Get a good whiff and you can't help but think of warm apple or pumpkin pie, cozy nights in front of a fire with a good cup of cocoa topped with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon, or fresh cinnamon rolls from the oven. To me, cinnamon is the scent of Autumn - straight through from the Equinox to Winter Solstice and Christmas. It is a versatile spice that is perfect for the kitchen, the medicine cabinet or aromatherapy. And it has a certain amount of mystery and lore about it, adding to it's appeal.
Cinnamon has been around for hundreds of years. Arabs first brought this pungent spice to the west from Sri Lanka. But they didn't want anyone to be able to find it, so they developed a myth wherein a large Phoenix gathered the sticks for its nest. The bird was tempted by gatherers with a very large piece of meat. When the beast brought the meat to its nest, the weight of the meat would break it and the hunters would gather up the precious sticks. This and other tall tales kept the magic of cinnamon their secret for many years.
Luckily, cinnamon in all its forms are readily available today. Ground or in sticks, odds are you have either sweet cinnamon or cassia in your cabinet. Sweet or True cinnamon is has a sweeter, smoother flavor than cassia. Cassia is in the same family as cinnamon, but is slightly spicier and more pungent. It works slightly better that cinnamon in savory dishes, but both are perfectly suitable.
Cinnamon is great for digestion. Tests have shown that it is helpful in treating certain types of diabetes. As a tea it can help take care of flatulence and bloating as well as heartburn and nausea.
In aromatherapy, cinnamon is a warming scent, said to be an aphrodisiac. As a physical and emotional stimulant, it can help concentration and reduce drowsiness.
This is one of my favorite cinnamon tips, courtesy of The Herb Companion, one of my favorite magazines. If your cats like to dig in your indoor pots, coat the soil with a thin coat of cinnamon. Cats don't like the smell, neither do bugs, and as it breaks down it will add manganese to the plant soil, helping to fertilize them.
Cinnamon adds that extra warmth to several of our products: Lughnasa Lotion Bars are the perfect Autumn moisturizer with a hint of cinnamon and spruce behind the apple; the anti-fungal properties of cassia are put to work in our Tingles lip balm and cinnamon adds zing to our Orange Sizzle lip balm; it adds warmth and muscle relaxing properties to our Cerridwen Muscle Rub; and that hint of spicy warmth in our Autumn Apple Sugar Scrub comes from cinnamon.
Of course, this exotic spice of mystery is best known for the magic it creates in the kitchen. Cookies, cakes, stews, sauces, whether spicy or sweet, cinnamon adds it aromatic zestiness to any recipe. My personal favorite - cinnamon sugar on French Toast. Pure morning magic!
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Things to do with Jelly & Jam
Many of you have stopped by our booth at craft fairs and festival. Our selection of uniquely craft jams and jellies include a vast array of wine jellies from some of New Jersey finest wineries (and some from Mount Hope PA as well); tea jellies made with the beautifully developed Ducky Life Teas; unusual herb jellies like Lemon Herb and Wild Violet; as well as interesting creations like Jersey Shore Jam, made from locally grown rose hips, beach plums and bramble berries. We love coming up with tasty treats that are so different. Funny thing is, Cindy and I really aren't big on actually eating jams and jellies.
So when you have a creative bent for making something, you find ways to adapt it to your own tastes. We've come up with some suggestions for other uses for your favorites jams and jellies - from our collection, your own garden, or anywhere.
* Let them eat pie:One of our favorite quickie recipes for a special treat. Make either vanilla or cheesecake instant pudding and pie filling. Add 4 to 6 ounces of pumpkin butter, apple butter, or your favorite fruit butter. Stir to blend and pour into a ready made graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
* Or let them eat cake: You can use jam or jelly in between cake layers as a filling. If the jelly or jam is too stiff, warm it just a little. I usually put it in the microwave (in a microwaveable bowl) for just a few seconds.
* Great Glazes: Herbal jellies make wonderful glazes for fish, chicken or pork. I love using our fennel jelly on on fish, and the lemon herb is terrific on roast chicken.
* Dress it up: Looking to jazz up your vinaigrette dressing. Add a spoon or two of you favorite wine or tea jelly. It adds just a touch of sweetness and a little extra flavor that will wow your guests. Raspberry wine jelly mixed into a light vinaigrette makes a great dressing for fruit salads.
* Stir it in: Lemon herb jelly adds just the right touch of sweet and lemon to a cup of tea. Or try stirring in some tea jelly to mix up those flavors for something new.
* Get all cheesy with it: Sangria jelly on warm brie cheese is probably one of our favorites - but you can use any jam or jelly as a compliment to cheese.
Those are some of the ideas we've come up with. We'd love to hear your ideas or tried and true recipes for using jams, jellies, or fruit butters. Drop us a line at Celtic Chairde Creations, and we'll pass it along! |
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Where We'll Be - Come and See!
You can always find us at the Beachwood Boutique, 451 Atlantic City Blvd., Beachwood, NJ
 Allaire Fall Craft and Fine Art Market
Saturday, September 27 10 am to 4 pm
Historic Allaire Village, Farmingdale
We love Allaire! The ambiance, the shopping, the friendly faces - it all makes for a wonderful event. This is a great place to start your (gulp!) holiday shopping.
Grand Harvest and Wine Festival
Oct. 4 & 5, noon to 5 pm
Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ
If you've never been to a wine festival - you must stop by. Even if you don't drink wine, it's a wonderful friendly group with lots of music, food, shopping and fun!
Cape May Wine Festival
October 11 & 12 (Noon to
5:00 p.m.)
Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal
Sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association, this is the last event for the season. And who could ask for a better setting than lovely Cape May.
Jolly Mouse Craft Festival
Saturday, November 1, 10 am - 4 pm
Lloyd Road School, Aberdeen
An annual favorite and the true kick off to the holiday season.
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Let Us Hear from You
One of our favorite things about going to all of the craft fairs and festivals is getting to talk to you. It was suggestions from customers that helped us create the Honey Lavender Lotion Bar, our sugar scrubs, and even our Do Greene Sunburn Spray. We'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions for improvements or new products, fairs we should attend, or packaging suggestions. Or even if you just want to say hi! So drop us a line and let's see where it takes us.
Thank you for your support and inspiration.
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Contact Info
Cindy Bitowf and Joanne Tartaglino
732-763-7060 celticchairde@optonline.net
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Free
Lip
Balm
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In Celebration of National Coupon Month!
This coupon is good for 1 free lip balm with any purchase. Coupon must be presented at the time of purchase and cannot be combined with any other coupon or offer. One coupon per person per event. Only valid at events listed above. No cash value.
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Offer Expires: 9/30/08
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