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August Newsletter 
If you want a golden rule that will fit everything, this is it:  Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.   
- William Morris
Declutter Your Life

Are you sometimes so stressed that you can't think straight?  Take a quick look around.  Do you see lots of clutter?  Homes often mirror our emotional state - so it may be time to clean up the mess and regain some calm in your life.  

A disorganized, untidy home can be both a symptom and a source of stress.  Research shows that we secrete the stress hormone cortisol when surrounded by disarray.  Followers of feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice dedicated to achieving harmony, believe that clutter is stagnant energy. It takes up all available space and leaves no room for anything new to come into your life, creating a feeling of frustration.  

Organizing your "stuff" and getting rid of the excess can elevate your mood as well as keep your environment clean and bacteria-free!  Other benefits include more space and freedom, more control over your life, a sense of accomplishment, and a clearer mind. 

To help you reclaim both your surroundings and your serenity, try these tips:
1.  Make your bed first thing each day.  Believe it or not, this simple task can start your day with a feeling of organization that carries over into everything else you do.  
2.  Take baby steps.  It probably took a long time to accumulate the clutter, so give yourself time to clear it out.  Start with small areas - a room, a corner, a drawer, a cupboard - and do them one at a time to make it manageable.
3.  Set a schedule.  Decide on the time you need, set it aside - whether it be 20 minutes a day or an entire weekend - and stick to the plan.  
4.  Write it down.  A journal can help you figure out what's cluttering your life and why you're keeping it, as well as help you set goals and record positive changes.
5.  Reach out for advice.  There are many articles and self-help books that can assist you in making decisions on what to toss, what to donate, and what to keep.    
Meet & Greet at Viv's Veggies, Chestnut Farm
227 Lyons Plains Road, Weston, CT
Thursday, September 3, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Viv's watermelons are ready and bursting with flavor!  Stop by next Thursday evening - I'll be discussing the health benefits of this nutrient-dense food and demonstrating how to prepare a delicious watermelon gazpacho.  

More on wellness - Sam Abelow will talk about the traditional science of Ayurveda and how eating fresh, local food helps balance the body, mind, and spirit.  And, nature lovers, avid birder and Audubon employee Charlie Plimpton will explain the hawk watch that takes place in our area and at numerous sites throughout the country during the fall migration.  
  
Stop by and bring a dish, salad, or bottle of wine to share.  This is a great opportunity to meet like-minded neighbors and friends interested in farming, gardening, healthy eating, and enjoying the outdoors!
Food Focus:  Peaches
 
Delicious and widely popular, peaches are native to China, carried from east to west via the ancient silk route. The peach fruit is known as a drupe, or stone fruit, and has a scientific name of Prunus persica
Other Prunus members include plums, nectarines, and almonds.

There are over 300 varieties of peaches grown in the U.S. and over 2,000 worldwide. They are classified in three groups, freestone, clingstone, and semi-freestone, based on the way the fruit's flesh clings to the pit.  Peaches are generally available between May and October. 

These sweet, juicy fruits are low in calories, contain no fat, and are packed with a number of healthy compounds, vitamins, and minerals.  Significant antioxidants are present in the flesh and skin of peaches:  chlorogenic acid, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin act as protective scavengers against free radicals to reduce the effects of aging and deter chronic diseases.    

Peaches contain 10 different vitamins.  Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A inside the body and is essential for night vision and maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin.  It may also offer protection from lung and oral cavity cancers.  Vitamin C helps develop resistance to infections and is required for connective tissue synthesis.  Lower levels of vitamin E, another antioxidant, and vitamin K, essential for blood clotting, are found, along with thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, niacin, folate, and pantothenic acid.        

Peaches are also a good source of many vital minerals - including potassium, important for regulating heart rate and blood pressure; iron, required for red blood cell formation; and fluoride, essential for healthy bones and teeth and prevention of dental caries.   
In the market, look for rich color with a slight whitish "bloom," which indicates freshness, and avoid peaches with surface cuts and bruises.  Slightly hard but mature fruits can be kept at room temperature until they ripen.  To hasten the process, store inside a paper bag - this concentrates the natural ethylene gas.  Ripe peaches can be kept inside the refrigerator but should be brought back to room temperature before eating to maximize their rich flavor. 

Wash peaches in cold running water just before using.  Enjoy them as a whole along with the skin.  After slicing, the sections will turn brown, so toss with a few drops of fresh lemon juice to preserve color.          
Recipe of the Month:  Easy Peach Sorbet 

Prep time:  5 minutes, plus freezing time  
Servings:  4

4 ripe peaches or nectarines, skins on
3-4 tablespoons agave syrup
optional:  fresh berries, herbs, or edible flowers 
 
1.  Cut peaches in half and remove the pits, then cut fruit into small pieces.  
2.  Place fruit in a plastic bag and freeze overnight.
3.  In the bowl of a food processor, puree the frozen fruit until perfectly smooth, adding a couple of tablespoons of agave (or more if the fruit is tart). 
4.  Pack the puree into a small container, cover, and freeze for at least 1 hour.  
5.  Serve a scoop of the sorbet in a chilled dessert bowl or martini glass; garnish if desired with fresh berries, herb sprigs, or edible flowers.   
Happiness and healthy living are contagious!  Please forward this newsletter to family members, friends, or colleagues who may be inspired by it.  
 
All the best,
Sue 
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