 |
 Happy New Year and very best wishes for 2014!
I heard a quote the other day and it has really been sticking with me lately - to paraphrase it, it was something like "A happy life is actually a string of happy moments, but most people miss the happy moments because they're so busy trying to find a happy life."
This is what being thankful is all about - acknowledging and appreciating all the happy moments that are happening all the time. This is going to be one of my New Year's Resolutions! It is time to fully recognize life's happy moments - recall them instead of focusing so hard on what may be wrong or bad in one's life. And be present when the happy moments are happening and be grateful for them. It is sometimes hard to avoid falling into the trap of unhappiness even when there isn't really a reason to be unhappy. How terrible - to feel like you're living a depressing or not-as-good-as-something life, when, in reality, you have a very good life, but you just never get around to seeing it as good and happy.
Despite these crazy fluctuating temperatures, I have been starting seeds, inventorying seeds, and re-ordering for next season. I'll have the plant variety lists for 2014 ready very soon!
And my Building a Sustainable Herbal Apothecary Intensive Herbal Course is starting this Friday! I am so excited to be teaching this course again and can't wait to get started Friday! If it is a sunny day, we can spend part of the class in the greenhouse and get some sunny warmth and green-plant-energy!
We still have a couple spaces available in the course. Please email me if you want to reserve yourself a spot - info@midsummerfarm.com - or scroll down for more info on registering.
I truly think that every household should be able to knowledgeably and intelligently use herbs to heal, aid in health issues, and to be healthier in general.
Having a bank of herb-knowledge, a cabinet of herbal remedies, and/or a sustainable garden of herb plants at hand will definitely improve your own and your family's quality of life by addressing health concerns and boosting the nutrient density of the meals you make.
I organized this Building a Sustainable Apothecary Course according to 5 general areas of health and well-being with which herbs are particularly potent. It is intense - there is a lot to cover, and we'll be focusing on learning about the herbs medicinally (how to use them in food, tinctures, slave, etc.) as well as sustainably (how to grow them, harvest them, etc.). The course builds over the 5 sessions, so I cannot offer the classes broken apart, but if you can't make one of the 5 days, you can make it it up the next time I offer the course in the fall. More info below...please scroll down.
My Living with Herbs Herbal Intensive is also starting again this winter - the first class date is Groundhog Day - February 2nd! And we have spots free in this course as well still. This is a great course for someone who wants to make the most of a current herb garden, for someone who wants to take his/her herb garden to the next level, or for someone who is starting from scratch and wants to build the ultimate herb garden.
I know many people who have an instinctual drive to collect herb plants for an herb garden, but then just don't make the most out of the herbs' presence in their lives - this course addresses that - providing lots of inspiration, information and experience. This course is also great for someone who doesn't have a herb garden, but who wants to grow enough herbs to use herbs regularly. More info below...
|
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Early 2014 (January/February) Schedule of Events
And after a little holiday break, we are ready here at Midsummer Farm to start up our workshops again - and there are some other really cool workshops happening soon in the area as well! Please check out what is happening below:
Building a Sustainable Herbal Apothecary Course
First whole-day session - Friday, January 10th 2014
Spots still available - see more info below or email me to reserve one! info@midsummerfarm.com
Game of Logging Course
Saturday, January 11th 2014, 8 am - 4 pm
Takes place in Warwick, NY (address provided upon registration)
Have trees? Want to manage them more safely?
Join New York Heartwoods this Saturday for a Game of Logging Level 1. The course will address proper protective equipment, chainsaw safety features, chainsaw reactive forces, and safe directional felling techniques. We will first practice on standing logs, then each student will be supervised as they fell their own tree. Who - Bill Lindloff Procuts / New York Heartwoods
When - Jan 11th 8AM-4PM
Cost - $150
Register - RSVP to megan@newyorkheartwoods.com
Payment - PayPal to ops@newyorkheartwoods.com or cash/check day of
Bring - lunch, water, chainsaw, personal protective equipment (hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, chaps)
 Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Saturday, January 18th, 2014, 2 pm to 3 pm
Kokedama is a traditional bonsai discipline. Japanese for "moss ball," kokedama is a fascinating way of planting within a sphere of moss. Incredibly unique, they can be placed in a shallow dish or suspended from a string. For this hands-on workshop you will be provided with all materials needed to create your own kokedama. Learn the easy, long-term care techniques and be inspired to build more of your own string gardens at home. Kokedama make a beautiful indoor plant display in winter and creating them is simple and fun. A variety of plants will be provided. All materials included to plant your very own kokedama to bring home. With Rebecca Glembocki, Hudson Valley Garden Association Co-founder. For more information about the Kokedama Workshop, email info@hvga.org. To register/buy tickets, please go to the HVGA website!
I took this workshop last year - it was excellent and a lot of fun! I still have my moss ball hanging by my kitchen window - it has grown tremendously!
Fun & Success with Houseplants, HVGA Winter Lecture Series
Starr Library, 68 West Market St., Rhinebeck, NY 12572
Saturday, January 18th, 2014, 10:30 am to 12 noon
Learn practical tips and pointers on being successful with houseplants. Discover unusual yet easy to care for plants & the beautiful things you can grow from the produce section of your supermarket. All of your questions on plant physiology & pest control will be answered, as well as an overview on propagation. Even self-proclaimed " black thumbs" will be inspired to enjoy & be successful with some green friends this winter. With Cindy Muro, Mohonk Mountain House Greenhouse Manager. For more information about this class email: info@hvga.org. To register/buy tickets, please go to the HVGA website!
 Making Herbal Salves, Ointments, and Lip Balms Friday, January 24th 2014, 11 am - 1 pm
With a focus on organic, fair-trade, medicinal herbs and spices, we'll construct a variety of healing and soothing salves and lip balms. We'll also discuss different types of healing herbs, what they can do for us, and where to get them. You'll never want to be without a jar of Anti-itch salve made with white willow bark and plantain or Dry-skin healing Calendula salve made with self heal and chickweed once you see how fun they are to make and how effectively they work. Workshop takes place in the kitchen at Midsummer Farm |Cost is $48 | registration closes 1/20/14
 Making Homemade Dog & Cat Food Workshop Saturday, January 25th 2014, 1 pm - 3 pm
Featured in the NY Times! Check out the article here! And we were featured in Orange Magazine! Check it out online here!
Healthier, Economical, Delicious. Either as a supplementary meal or as your pets' regular diet, homemade food is better, safer, and easy to make. We will mix up a batch of balanced food using raw chicken as a base. We'll go over tons of options in food bases - raw vs cooked, various nutritional additions, dogs vs cats, special needs pets, and discuss the wide range of commercial diets and brands. You'll take home recipes, a clearer knowledge of the commercial pet food available, and resources for suppliers. We'll also make up a wonderful whole foods supplement that you can add to a commercial diet using higher quality ingredients and for a lot less money than the fancy brand names. Even if you're not ready to switch over completely to a homemade diet, you'll get a lot from this workshop. Workshop takes place in the farm kitchen | Cost is $48 | Registration closes 1/20/14
 Backyard Organic Poultry Rearing Workshop Sunday, January 26th 2014, 12 noon - 2 pm
This is the PERFECT time of year to make your chicken plans for the spring!!!
For anyone who has dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this course will guide you through starting up your own flock and in organic and natural rearing methods. We will discuss all of our secrets to Organic chicken care that we have discovered over the years. Chickens are wonderful stewards of the earth; and kept in proper conditions, chickens are valuable assets to the garden, lawn, and compost pile. They also provide backyard joy. They are easy to take care of, are not noisy or smelly, and are an important part of the Organic garden. (Please be sure to check with your town to make sure that chickens are allowed where you live.) Cost is $36 | Registration closes 1/21/14
 Legumes! Cooking with Beans Workshop Friday, January 31st 2014, 11 am - 1 pm
A very healthy NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION - include beans at least 4 times each week for ultimate health!
Beans are one of those things that can make a huge difference in your health and well-being just by adding them to your weekly eating plan. And we'll go over a bunch of different ways to integrate them into your every day life easily. This workshop will lead to better overall health. Beans have been missing from the typical American diet and people have strange opinions of them, but they are delicious, easy to digest when prepared properly, and nourishing on many, many levels. We'll do a selection of fabulous bean dips, nourishing bean soups, refreshing bean salads (great for packing for work or school lunches), and a variety of other recipes. Workshop takes place in the farm kitchen | Cost is $36 | Registration closes 1/28/14
Living with Herbs - Herbal Intensive Course
First whole-day session - Sunday, February 2nd 2014
Spots still available - email me to reserve one! info@midsummerfarm.com
 Seed Starting for your Organic Garden Workshop Friday, February 7th 2014, 11 am - 1 pm
For over 8 years, we have been perfecting seed-starting, and I have come to realize that most of what home gardeners are told about it isn't complete and actually leads to failure or weak, unsatisfying seedlings. In this workshop, we'll demonstrate and go over how to start your own seeds professionally and successfully. We are also doing this organically and biodynamically - using herbal teas to prevent damping off, using organic nutrients, etc. For anyone planning a big garden, starting your own strong and healthy seedlings is imperative! Participants will be going home with seed starting tray already seeded with great fall crops! Workshop takes place in the kitchen at Midsummer Farm | Cost is $43 (thru Pay Pal cost is $46 to cover fees) | registration closes 2/3/14
Winter Egg CSA Share Begins!
Shares still available! Email me for more info! info@midsummerfarm.com
Week 1 - February 12th 2014
 Backyard Organic Poultry Rearing Workshop Friday, February 14th 2014, 11 am - 1 pm
This is the PERFECT time of year to make your chicken plans for the spring and A GREAT VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT!!!
For anyone who has dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this course will guide you through starting up your own flock and in organic and natural rearing methods. We will discuss all of our secrets to Organic chicken care that we have discovered over the years. Chickens are wonderful stewards of the earth; and kept in proper conditions, chickens are valuable assets to the garden, lawn, and compost pile. They also provide backyard joy. They are easy to take care of, are not noisy or smelly, and are an important part of the Organic garden. (Please be sure to check with your town to make sure that chickens are allowed where you live.) Cost is $36 | Registration closes 2/10/14
 Gardening For Good Bugs Workshop Monday, February 17th 2014, 11 am - 1 pm
This is one of our passions! We love bugs. And did you know that MOST bugs are beneficial?? The focus of this workshop is to garden for your good bugs, provide them with what they need (and maybe a little extra), and regain balance in your garden to prevent the bad bugs from damaging your harvest. We will get into native pollinators, honey bees, butterflies, predatory bugs and mites, etc. Cost is $36 | registration closes 2/13/14
 Making Homemade Dog & Cat Food Workshop Friday, February 21st 2014, 11 am - 1 pm
Featured in the NY Times! Check out the article here! And we were featured in Orange Magazine! Check it out online here!
Healthier, Economical, Delicious. Either as a supplementary meal or as your pets' regular diet, homemade food is better, safer, and easy to make. We will mix up a batch of balanced food using raw chicken as a base. We'll go over tons of options in food bases - raw vs cooked, various nutritional additions, dogs vs cats, special needs pets, and discuss the wide range of commercial diets and brands. You'll take home recipes, a clearer knowledge of the commercial pet food available, and resources for suppliers. We'll also make up a wonderful whole foods supplement that you can add to a commercial diet using higher quality ingredients and for a lot less money than the fancy brand names. Even if you're not ready to switch over completely to a homemade diet, you'll get a lot from this workshop. Workshop takes place in the farm kitchen | Cost is $48 | Registration closes 2/18/14
Seed Starting for your Organic Garden Workshop  Saturday, February 22nd 2014, 10 am - 12 noon
For over 8 years, we have been perfecting seed-starting, and I have come to realize that most of what home gardeners are told about it isn't complete and actually leads to failure or weak, unsatisfying seedlings. In this workshop, we'll demonstrate and go over how to start your own seeds professionally and successfully. We are also doing this organically and biodynamically - using herbal teas to prevent damping off, using organic nutrients, etc. For anyone planning a big garden, starting your own strong and healthy seedlings is imperative! Participants will be going home with seed starting tray already seeded with great fall crops! Workshop takes place in the kitchen at Midsummer Farm | Cost is $43 (thru Pay Pal cost is $46 to cover fees) | registration closes 2/18/14
Workshops at Midsummer Farm: Classes are taught from a strictly Holistic and Organic standpoint. Class size is kept small to ensure individual attention. Fees include all materials and supplies needed. Children are welcome; children under 5 are free. If more than one person from a single household is taking the workshop together, the second person may deduct $5 from the cost of the workshop. Many classes take place outside in the gardens and are weather-permitting. Participants must register in advance. Cooking classes are hands-on and tasting is encouraged. NOTE: times and dates of workshops are subject to change.
To register: You can register for workshops and events by emailing us (info@midsummerfarm.com) or by visiting our website:
And either download the registration form and send in a check or use the paypal pull-down menu.
If you haven't been to our farm yet, we're located at 156 East Ridge Road, Warwick, NY 10990. And welcome!
|
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Herbalism Course: Building a Sustainable Herbal Apothecary (5-Session Course)
Late Winter / Spring 2014
In this intensive course, you'll be building your own herb-based household health plan, as well as your own herbal medicine cabinet, beauty spa, and emotional well-being resource. Along with delving into natural herbal approaches to healing and vital health, each session will also involve how to grow and maintain a plentiful and abundant herb garden as well as how to harvest, store, and make use of the herbs you grow effectively. This is also a great opportunity to plan and experiment with what herbs you will want to grow in the spring and plan for your herb garden.
Register soon! First class is January 10th!!!
Empower yourself and Naturalize your household with 5 intensive sessions!
10 am - 4 pm; Fridays and Saturdays this Spring:
- Session 1 - Friday, 1/10/14 - Liver Cleansing Detoxing, Gut and Bowel Health
- Session 2 - Saturday, 2/15/14 - Antibiotics, Antivirals, Antifungals, Colds and Flus, Respiratory Health
- Session 3 - Friday, 3/7/14 - External Healing - Skin Health
- Session 4 - Saturday, 3/22/14 - Anti-inflammatory Herbs, Bug Bites, and Allergies
- Session 5 - Saturday, 4/12/14 - Hormone Balancing, Digestion and Metabolism, Anxiety and Stress
$485.00 / person Price includes materials, herbs, handouts If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@midsummerfarm.com Please download and print out the form, fill it out, and send it, with your check to:Midsummer Farm, 156 East Ridge Road, Warwick, NY 10990 Or you can register through Pay Pal if you prefer (price included fees associated with online registration) on our website.
The below course outline provides a focus for each session:
Session 1) Liver Cleansing/Detoxing, Gut and Bowel Health
HERB FOCUSES: Milk Thistle, Dandelion, Mucilages, Burdock, FOS foods, and more.
USING: Teas (water decoctions), Tincturing (alcohol-infusions)
FOOD FOCUS: Raw Food Salads, Herbal Juices
Session 2) Antibiotics, Anti-virals, Anti-fungals, Colds and Flus, Respiratory and Sinus Health, Infections, Sore Throats
HERB FOCUSES: Garlic, Echinacea, Marshmallow,
The below outline provides a focus for each session, but much more will be covered as the course evolves....
Session 3) External Healing - Skin Health, Cellulite, Varicose Veins, Cuts, Burns, Bruises, Dry Skin, Wrinkles, Chronic Skin Issues, Sunburn, etc.
HERB FOCUSES: Calendula, Violet, Yarrow, Arnica, Comfrey, Self Heal, Umbelliferae family, and more.
USING: Oil-infusions, salves, lip balms, ointments, poultices.
FOOD FOCUS: Seeds, Roots, and Spices of Umbelliferae family
Session 4) Anti-inflammatory Herbs, Bug Bites, and Allergies
HERB FOCUSES: Licorice Root, Pain-killers, Anti-histamines, Nettles, Plantain, Tumeric, Chickweed, Feverfew, Chamomile, Insect Repellents, Meadowsweet, and Mints.
USING: Variety - bringing them all together.
FOOD FOCUS: Green, Chlorophyll Rich Recipes
Session 5) Hormone Balancing, Digestion and Metabolism, Addressing Anxiety and Stress
HERB FOCUSES: Nervines and Adaptogens, Oats, Kelp, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Skullcap, Lemon Balm, Motherwort, Red Clover, St. John's Wort, Blue Vervain, and Raspberry Leaf.
USING: Variety - bringing them all together.
FOOD FOCUS: Chickpea and Cannellini Bean and Herb recipes
goldenseal, thymol, baical skullcap, elecampane, oregano, and more.
USING: Syrups and lozenges
FOOD FOCUS: Broths, Soups
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Herbalism Course: 2014 Living with Herbs Season-Long Herbal Intensive Course! (12-Session Course)
~An Herbal Year at Midsummer Farm~
The focus of this course is Living with Herbs - familiarizing yourself with using them and growing them and integrating them into your daily life.
This has been in the making for over 5 years - Classes will be intensive - Covering a wide range of herbs and usages.
This is a great course for someone who wants to make the most of a current herb garden, for someone who wants to take his/her herb garden to the next level, or for someone who is starting from scratch and wants to build the ultimate herb garden. I know many people who have an instinctual drive to collect herb plants for an herb garden, but then just don't make the most out of the herbs' presence in their lives - this course addresses that - providing lots of inspiration, information and experience. This course is also great for someone who doesn't have a herb garden, but who wants to use herbs regularly.
Classes are from 10 am to 4 pm. Intensive coverage, with bits of 'downtime' during the day to socialize as well as making lunch and snacks together
12 sessions: 7 Sundays, 5 Mondays:
PART 1
Session 1: Sunday, 2/2/14
Session 2: Monday, 2/24/14
Session 3: Sunday, 3/16/14
Session 4: Sunday, 4/6/14
Session 5: Monday, 4/7/14
Session 6: Monday, 5/5/14
PART 2
Session 7: Sunday, 6/22/14
Session 8: Sunday, 7/13/14
Session 9: Sunday, 8/3/14
Session 10: Monday, 8/4/14
Session 11: Sunday, 9/14/14
Session 12: Monday, 10/13/14
Cost:
Part 1 only: $450.00 Part 2 only: $450.00 Both Parts: $845.00 Fee includes supplies, snacks, and lunches (that we will make together). If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@midsummerfarm.com Please download and print out the form, fill it out, and send it, with your check to: Midsummer Farm, 156 East Ridge Road, Warwick, NY 10990 Or you can register through Pay Pal if you prefer (price included fees associated with online registration) on our website. Once you register, I'll send you 2 of my favorite herbalism books - so you can start focusing right now and be inspired and ready for the first class. 
Areas to be covered: Growing herbs Seed starting and propagation Designing the garden areas and your backyard's herbal culture Companion planting / and combining herb and vegetable gardening / Herb neighborhoods Growing with essential oil content and medicinal quality in mind Biodynamic principles Permaculture and farmscaping The colonial dooryard garden and exploring other traditional and creative herb garden structures Pairing herbs, harvest-time, planting style, use, etc. En masse plantings for using herbs in bulk or selling herbs Annual, Biennial, and Perennial methods Forest and Shade plantings Natives Container Gardening Greenhouse or conservatory herbs Deepening our connections with plants Pollinators, beneficial insects, native insect habitats Techniques for weeding, planting, spacing, watering, soil development and maintenance, composting, animal partnerships, protecting the garden Selling herbs and micro-farming herb businesses Once you've taken this course, you be more than able to design, plant and harvest from a wonderful personalized herb garden.
 Using Herbs
In different formats in cooking Dried, powdered, simple syrups, fresh as flavor base as well as a bright addition to end of recipes Making herb centered dishes - pestos, green sauces, etc Baking, desserts, herbal sorbets Salads, salad dressings, vinegars Succi (Herb Juices) Beverages Harvesting and preparing with cooking in mind Storing and freezing The health benefits of eating super foods Cooking with herbs and preparing seasonal food in your herb garden is particularly poignant and fulfilling.
 Medicinal Uses:
Types of medicinal herbs - categories and families
Study of 100's of herbs from Agrimony to Yarrow
Harvesting time varies for each herb and varies for what you need to use it for
Drying / tincturing
Salves and Lip balms
Ointments
Teas- nourishing and healing
Simple syrups
Pets and farm animals
Sanctuary tonic allies
This will be organized by season for harvesting specific herbs.
I am so excited about finally offering this season-long course. It is going to feel so great being able to spend time focusing on herbs and working with a group of people who also love herbs!
To register - please send a check along with the registration form, which can be downloaded by CLICKING HERE: An Herbal Year at Midsummer Farm!
Classes will take place at Midsummer Farm in Warwick NY (156 East Ridge Road, Warwick, NY 10990) and will move about the farm during the course of each session from the greenhouse to the kitchen to the garden beds. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Our 2014 CSA program is currently open for registration and we still have some spots open!
We are offering discounts for early bird sign up! $50 off if you sign up before January 31st 2014!!
Please email us with any questions you may have! info@midsummerfarm.com |
|
|
|
| _______________________________________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
© Copyright 2013 Barbara Taylor-Laino, HHC / Barbara Taylor Health. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Barbara Taylor Laino is required.
This information newsletter is designed as an educational tool for better health. Recipes and information are included as examples for you learn from; they are not diagnostic or prescriptive. Everyone's health needs are different. This newsletter is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider. The entire contents of this newsletter and the websites of Barbara Taylor Laino and Midsummer Farm are based upon the opinions of Barbara Taylor Laino, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author(s), who retains copyright as marked. The information on the www.midsummerfarm.com website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Barbara Taylor Laino. You are encouraged to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
|
Midsummer Farm Contact Info:
Barbara and Mark Laino
Midsummer Farm
156 East Ridge Road
Warwick, NY 10990
845-986-9699
info@midsummerfarm.com
Holistic Health Counseling Contact Info:
Barbara Taylor-Laino
Barbara Taylor Health
156 East Ridge Road
Warwick, NY 10990
845-986-9699
info@barbarataylorhealth.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
|
|
|
|
