Something Special for the Summer
From now through the end of August, Celtic Chairde Creations will make a donation to the Animal Rescue Force for every mailed or emailed order. 10% of every sale will go to this wonderful organization which finds loving homes for cats and dogs of all ages. They do a wonderful job of caring for these homeless animals, and the volunteers are all terrific. IF you need an order form, just drop us an email and we'll send one to you. Treat yourself - and these pets - by ordering today! |
Help Spread the Word and You Could Win a Summer Gift Pack
We're always looking to spread the word about Celtic Chairde Creations. You can help us - and be entered to win this gift pack of super summer skin care:
Dó Gréine Sunburn Spray
Gardeners Salve
Honey Pumpkin Face Mask
Face Toner
Orange Ginger Sugar Scrub
MIntingle Toes Foot Scrub
To enter, just forward this newsletter to friends using the FORWARD EMAIL link at the bottom of the page. For each forward, you'll be entered into the drawing. And for every person that signs up for our newsletter. you'll receive an additional entry!
One winner will be chosen on August 8th. So help spread the word - and you could be helping yourself to win!
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The Nature of Neem
We purchase our supplies from several small companies that we really trust. We use ingredients that we are familiar with, but we're always look for something new and interesting.
A while ago, while browsing through my favorite suppliers products, I came across Neem oil and Neem powder. What I purchased on a whim has become a vital part of several of our products and a fascinating plant to study.
Neem is an integral herb of Ayuruvedic medicine. Ayurveda is a holistic medical program brought to us from India. It is the collective study of treatment
strategies, pathology, anatomy, diagnostic systems, and physiology. It is recognized by the World Health Organization as a useful traditional
health science.
The Neem tree is native to India as well, and is a ever expanding source of food, traditional medicine, wood and beauty.
This tree is packed with power. It is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, and antiparasitic. It's high in Vitamin C and the oil is regenerative and moisturizing. Historically, it has been used to treat malaria. Particularly of interest is the fact that neem is an insect repellent and pesticide. In fact, I use neem oil to help defeat the evil Japanese beetle.
To take advantage of this wonderful gift from India, we add Neem to our Gardeners Salve for it's antifungal properties, to Honey Pumpkin Face Mask for healing and regeneration, and to our Do Greine Sunburn Spray for healing and bug repellent.
Usually, if I find a plant or an herb that intrigues me, I try to grow it. Unfortunately, New Jersey is not quite tropical and dry enough to support this amazing tree. But Neem is in the supply chest, and I'm sure we'll be using it again soon. |
Summer and Farm Fresh -
Perfect Together
I love summer. I love the hot summer sun, gardening, going to the beach,
barbecuing, warm sultry nights, walking in the woods, and - most of all
- the lovely, fresh fruits and vegetables found at farms and farm
markets.
The gardener in me loves to pick fresh tomatoes off the
vine, the never ending supply of zucchini, and bright tasting
blackberries nibbled from the the bushes. This year we're trying for
cucumbers again - if we can keep that rascally gopher out of the yard.
He seems to have a true passion for my cucumbers.
But my very favorite thing is to go to a farm or one of the local farm markets to
gather those sweet fruits and essential vegetables that I don't have the room (or patience) to grow at home.
And
New Jersey is still packed with great farms and markets to satisfy any
whim or craving. Interestingly, farms are making a come back, thanks in
large part to the return to green we all seem to be feeling. Bouts of
bacteria tainted produce that's been shipped in have heightened the
desire to return to local choices for our produce. It's a nice thing -
for the farmers, the economy, and our tables.
I have two of favorite spots for fresh shopping. One is the Rutgers Garden Farm Market on
Ryders Lane in East Brunswick. Nestled in a field among the trees, this
market offers a wide selection of goods - not just produce either. I
picked up some terrific Kielbasi from Stefan's Pure Blends while I was
there, although I was too late for the bread from the Village Bakery -
he had sold out already. You can bet I'll be there earlier this week!
There were some amazing sheep cheeses from Valley Shepherd Creamery. I
didn't even know New Jersey had any place that made cheese! And Davidson's Exeotic Mushrooms has the most amazing selection of fine, gourmet mushrooms. It's a
wonderful adventure that I look forward to attending each week.
My other favorite stop for fresh and fabulous is Terhune Orchards.
They have an amazing selection of pick-your-own fruits and veggies.
Cindy and I always run down for apple picking in September, but there
are some outstanding picks early in the
season - including blueberries and blackberries! Not always having time for the thrill
of the hunt, their farm market offers a
full selection of the farms finest. The staff is always wonderfully
helpful and knowledgeable. It's a great place to visit and learn
and spend a sunny summer day.
I hope you'll make it a point to
go local when you can. Maybe I'll see you at one of the hot farm spots
this summer. If you aren't close to my favorite haunts, take a look at NJ Fresh or the New Jersey Council of Farmers & Communities. Right now, I'm going to go grab a Jersey Raspberries and
have a healthy, summer munch!
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Where We'll Be - Come and See
Celtic Chairde Creations
You can always find us at the Beachwood Boutique, 451 Atlantic City Blvd., Beachwood, NJ
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