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October 2013 Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest
Your Community Natural Grocer Since 1995.
Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
- Chief Seattle, 1854
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Our kind of Trick or Treating!
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October is a full and festive month here at Harvest Market. We're celebrating Non-GMO Month, Fair Trade Month, and Halloween, all with educational activities, food samples, and even a special guest appearance by Dr. GMO during Hockessin's Trick or Treating on Saturday, October 26.
As we enter the harvest and approach a holiday season full of important meals, celebrating Non-GMO Month this October is a great opportunity to practice avoiding GMOs in the grocery store.
GMOs, or "genetically modified organisms," are plants or animals that have been genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals. These experimental combinations of genes from different species cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding, and many shoppers prefer to avoid them. While changing shopping habits can seem intimidating at first, by following these basic tips you can feel confident that you know what you're feeding your friends and family.
Produce 
Fortunately, the produce aisle is not only full of healthy, fresh choices, but is also the easiest place in the store to avoid GMOs. Choose organic produce to avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides, and try to buy local produce to support a strong, sustainable regional economy and your local farmers. Watch out for conventionally-grown papaya from Hawaii, zucchini and yellow summer squash, and sweet corn, all of which are common GMO crops. The Non-GMO Project has verified a handful of fresh produce items, with more being added to the list every day.
Meat, Dairy, Fish and Poultry 
There are no genetically modified animals on the market, but GMO corn and soy are common ingredients in feed. Look for Non-GMO Project Verified dairy, eggs, meat and fish for assurance that the animals have been fed a non-GMO diet. Choosing organic, grass-fed or wild-caught is a risk-reduction strategy when a Verified option isn't available.
Bulk
If you're buying in bulk, a lot of what you'll find is low risk, and with single ingredient foods, it's much easier to know what you are getting. Most beans, grains and spices are good to go, but if you need something like trail mix, granola, or soup mix, you'll want to find a version without high-risk ingredients, or choose a Non-GMO Project Verified option.
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Trick or treat?
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Packaged Foods
The products you find in boxes, cans and bottles in the center aisles of the store have the highest risk for containing GMOs. Corn, soy, canola and sugar beets show up on lots of ingredient panels, both in recognizable forms and also hiding in other, more processed ingredients. Oils, sweeteners, flavorings and vitamins are just a few of the many examples of ingredients derived from high-risk crops. In many cases it is difficult, if not impossible, to assess GMO risk just by looking at an ingredient label. Your best bet with these types of foods is to look for the Non-GMO Project Verified label. For the gold standard in food quality and safety, look for products that also bear the organic label.
 Supplements
Just like packaged foods, supplements often contain many additives that are highly processed corn and soy derivatives. The food-based vitamin and supplement industry is working hard to increase transparency in their ingredient sourcing, and there is a growing list of Non-GMO Project Verified choices.
Get Informed
Get informed about the human health and environmental consequences of GMO's. For a handy printout of GMO risk crops and other basic facts, visit the Non-GMO Project website. There you can also find a complete list of Non-GMO Project Verified products and many more useful resources. For non-GMO meal planning, check out the Non-GMO Project Cookbook, available starting in October 2013. 
Take Action Get Inspired Feeling spooked about the prevalence of GMO's in our food system? Find relief and hope in Dr. Mercola's article "How Genetically Engineered Foods Will Be Eradicated". Let's welcome the non-GMO "groundswell that will topple Monsanto" during "the most critical stage in the history of GMO activism in the United States": now. |
Walt's Swarmbustin' Honey
West Grove, PA
Walt's Swarmbustin' Honey is located down a gravel drive in West Grove, Pennsylvania. The stone farmhouse and stock pond aren't even the most picturesque scene in the place. Just past the pond, stacks upon stacks of brightly colored hives surrounded by cornfields steal the show. A bee's life is as peaceful as any person's would be in such a setting. Walt began as a gardener on the property where he now works and lives as a full-time beekeeper. Working horses came next, but in 1983 he began the hobby that would become his life's passion. By 1988, he had 50 beehives, and 100 hives a couple years later. At that point in 1977, Walt became a full time beekeeper. He now employs five people full-time and ships honey as far away as the West coast. Fortunately for us, his honey and pollen is as local as it gets, which is great for adapting to allergies in this area. He is happy to be part of the increasing trend toward buying locally.
 The bees themselves are lovely beyond description. These creatures are just amazing. Bees are a model of community. Each member of a hive has a job that it performs for the good of all.
Wild bees are actually called feral bees because honeybees are not native to this continent. Honeybees, apis mellifera, originated in Africa, Asia, and Europe. A steady diet of royal jelly makes the queen fertile, who is the only female member of the hive who mates. All worker bees are infertile females, and drones, who have no stinger, are around only to fertilize eggs laid by the queen. The system is pretty perfect, actually. A queen bee will lay as many as 2000 eggs per day in individual cells. During the busy nectar gathering season, a bee's life span is generally six to eight weeks. Brood is constantly being raised. Royal jelly is some incredible stuff: Walt tells us that "if you eat two or three queen cells [full of royal jelly], you better have something to do!"
Walt is a respectful beekeeper. The hives are arranged top to bottom to allow more room for the bees' own space than for honey production. He keeps a few hives at farms for fruit tree pollination, but for the most part the bees' lives are centered around home, where they may be moved through different fields.
"Swarmbustin'" refers to the process of providing a new hive for bees who have outgrown their old digs and split into two groups, one of which will "swarm" to a new location.
Recently there have been news reports and television specials about the decline of honeybee populations. Walt's take on the situation is that bees are adaptable, so long as humans stay out of the way. In his opinion, big agribusiness, chemical sprays, etc., are really to blame for colony collapse. The poor practices of commercial beekeepers contribute as well. The more exposed bees are to chemicals, the greater compromise on their immune systems, which means they cannot fend off viruses. Seems like all creatures are subject to those conditions. As long as we support small honey farmers, bees will be supported and stick around to do their jobs.
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Bee pollen is in season and available in our freezer.
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For the entire article about Harvest Market's visit to Walt's Swarmbustin' hives, visit our blog.
***Due to a wet summer, Walt's supply of Totally Raw Honey (ONLY) is totally gone until next year. We are currently searching for another local raw honey supplier, so stay tuned!***
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Acure Organics Face and Hair Care
Acure Organics is a family owned and operated company founded on sustainable principles to provide the highest quality fair trade, natural and certified organic personal care products. Their products are created with great care and are a reflection of social and environmental values. Every product is free from animal testing, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, harmful preservatives and artificial colors. Acure Organics travels the globe to find the most potent certified organic ingredients that meet their high standards of efficacy and purity. The Brightening Scrub pictured above is a personal favorite of Kate Derr, one of our Health and Beauty buyers at Harvest Market. Take advantage of our 15% OFF sale on all Acure Organic's Fair Trade products in October and treat yourself to a spa experience at home while the kiddos trick their way around the neighborhood. |
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Raw Cacao Nibs Raw cacao nibs are nature's little stimulant. They're slightly bitter tasting, high in fiber and great for smoothies. Certified Organic from Peru, our new raw cacao nibs are great in raw dessert recipes, like those featured in the RawFoodForLife.org website. You'll find our bulk bags of raw cacao nibs next to the Maca, Acai and Spirulina powders, complimented by the company of other super foods. Conventionally grown cacao is one of the highest pesticide using crops (along with cotton and the "Dirty Dozen" we listed in our email newsletter last month). This amplifies the significance of purchasing organic and fair trade chocolate products, and also ensures a better tasting, higher quality cacao.
Fair Trade cocoa certification ensures farmers receive a Minimum Price, regardless of the fluctuating prices on the market. Farmers also receive premiums which they can invest in community projects such as education, health care, and environmental stewardship. |
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Good Paper Cards
"Changing lives, one card at a time" is the goal of Good Paper, our new line of adorable handmade, Fair Trade and eco-friendly greeting cards for all occasions. Good Paper has two lines: Cards from Africa and Sanctuary Spring, and every card is hand signed by the person who made it.
Cards from Africa are all handcrafted by young people in Rwanda who have been orphaned by genocide or AIDS. The cardmakers are all heads of households, responsible for providing for the remaining younger siblings in their family. Cards from Africa pays above-market wages so that the cardmakers can feed their families and send the younger siblings to school. Sanctuary Spring is a line of beautiful cards handcrafted by women who have escaped prostitution in the Philippines. These women were originally forced into prostitution by others or because they had no other means of providing for their families. Now, they are participating in restoration services provided by local charities in order to forge a new beginning for their lives. |
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Staff Apple Cook-Off
Sat., Oct. 5
12 - 3pm
It's apple pickin' time! Join us as the Harvest Market staff conjures up our best apple recipes for you to enjoy and then vote for your favorite. Recipes will be available.
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Fair Trade Fridays
Friday, Oct.
11, 18 & 25
During these three Fridays in October, sample from different pairings of certified Fair Trade items every week, including olive oil, spices, coffee, chocolate, fruit and more.
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Eberly's Organic Poultry Demo
Mon., Oct. 14
9am - 7pm
Sample Eberly's Organic turkey and chicken meatballs, chicken thighs, and chicken breasts from local pastures. One taste from Donnarae and you'll know the difference!
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 Take Action: Defend Small Farms
The FDA's Food Safety Modernization Act consists of new food safety rules that make it extremely difficult and very expensive for small farms to comply. Click HERE to learn more and take action. (Watching this animation
from Chipotle should motivate you even more!)
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Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified logo on many Specials this month. 
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Cold and Flu Immune Boosting Smoothies
by Harvest Market's Green Smoothie Girl, Kim Lemberg
When I'm feeling run down my first plan of attack starts in the kitchen. I start to juice and blend fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs that provide me with a concentrated source of nutrients that the body easily absorbs. I love making my simple immune boosting green smoothie on a daily basis and alter the ingredients depending on what I feel like, have on hand, and what's in season.
What I love about making smoothies is that you get wholefood ingredients that are easily digested. This includes plant based fiber which helps your body eliminate toxins as well as keeping you full and energized for hours. To help boost my intake of immune boosting minerals and for some good healthy fats, I love to use homemade nut or seed milk when making my green smoothies. Coconut water is also lovely, especially if you want your smoothie a little on the sweeter side.
What's great about all of it:
Citrus is rich in vitamin C which helps boost immune function and helps to deactivate histamine in the body, relieving nasal congestion.
Leafy greens such as spinach and parsley are anti-inflammatory to the body and loaded with phyto-nutrients and zinc to nourish your immune system.
Leafy greens not only support the lungs, but the liver, too.
IMMUNE BOOSTING GREEN SMOOTHIE BASE:
2 Oranges (peeled)
1 Lime (peeled)
1/2 Lemon (peeled)
1 handful of baby spinach, a swig of fresh parsley, or your favorite greens
1 1/2 -2 cups water or milk
Blend and allow your body to be fully nourished. Makes 1 serving.
BOOSTERS TO ADD: 
- Pineapple - High in Vitamin C. Pineapple contains Bromelain that aids in digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Manuka Honey - Antibacterial and helps to fight viruses.
- Ginger - Anti-inflammatory, warming properties and helps to relieve nausea.
- Turmeric - A natural antiviral with potent anti-inflammatory properties, powerful antioxidant.
- Fermented Foods - Includes kefir (water, coconut or all dairy versions), yogurts, kombucha, fermented vegetables, and/or a probiotic supplement.
- Nutritional Supplements - Vega, Garden of Life, When Protein, Barlean's Greens and Olive Leaf Extract, and Amazing Grass are all really good ways to add protein and support a healthy immune system.
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Eucalyptus
Distilled from leaves and twigs and originally from Australia and Tasmania, eucalyptus essential oil is pungent, sharp, and somewhat camphoric. It treats sinus and throat infections, fever, flu, chickenpox and herpes. It is excellent on an oily complexion-especially one with acne-as well as boils and insect bites, and for killing head lice. The scent alone increases energy, countering physical debility and emotional imbalance.
When steaming is impractical, use a natural nasal inhaler. You can make your own with the following formula. The technique described in this formula can be used with any safe essential oil.
Homemade Nasal Inhaler
5 drops of eucalyptus oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt
Place the salt in a small vial (glass is best) with a tight fitting lid and add the eucalyptus oil. The salt will absorb the oil and provide a convenient way of carrying the oil without spilling it. When needed, open the vial and inhale deeply.
From: "The Little Book of Aromatherapy" by Kathi Keville.
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3 Lies GMO Labeling Opponents are Recycling in Washington State
 It's déjà vu all over again. Last year a coalition of out-of-state, multinational biotech, pesticide and junk food corporations spent nearly $46 million to narrowly defeat Proposition 37, California's GMO Labeling Initiative. Now, the same who's who of the world's most notorious global corporate bad actors has descended on Washington State. Why? To try to stop Washington State voters from passing I-522, a citizens' initiative that, if passed, will require mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in all food products sold in Washington State. Like bad robots, they're spitting out the same old, tired lies, designed to scare voters into voting against their own best interests.
Here are the lies. And the facts. Please read, print, email, roll up and stuff into a bottle you launch into the sea . . . whatever it takes to spread the word that while $46 million may buy a lot of lies, it doesn't change the facts.
Click here to read the entire article. |
Please note: Our mailing address has changed.
Harvest Market Natural Foods
P.O. Box 1739
Hockessin, DE 19707
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