WHEN RAIN FILLS THE CRACKS

A lot happened this week. It is hard to describe the gratitude I felt when I saw the principal standing outside the school doors, under an umbrella, dressed in her professional clothes in torrential rain; or the sorrow that only moments later arose when I saw the beautiful duck or was it a goose? lying in the middle of the road, with its best friend flapping, begging him to get up as the man with slumped shoulders threw bread crumbs in a path leading it away.

In that moment, I pulled my car over, wrapped the bird up and carried it over to the side of the road and placed it down, out of the way. It was a beautiful beast. and I cried. I didn't know what more I could do. I asked the man should I just leave him here? and he nodded yes.

I wondered about those two events, why they fell only moments apart, and how they could resonate so deeply. It made me think about timing and the choices we make - not just as individuals but as a collective whole - how my son's school principal chose to stand out in the rain; how the man sprinkled bread crumbs; how that duck missed its mate; how I held that beautiful beast and looked at the soft white feathers on its neck and couldn't distinguish my tears from the rain.

Every day one of the principals at school is there to greet the children and whether the children are outwardly aware of it or not, they are registering it on a profound level that some one is there to welcome them in. The man scattering bread crumbs didn't need to, but he chose to because saving the other duck mattered.  In that morning, I felt how intimately connected we all are in one village, stretched out along one long road, any day of the year. We may not always register this, but in an instant it is all revealed.

I feel that way about the process of healing, that as deeply personal as one's journey is, the journey is made better by the collective conscious that tells each and every one of us that we're never alone and that we are all part of something bigger and greater, connected to something that says it's ok to be chipped, broken, cracked and fragile, because some one will always hold a door open, or lead you to a safe place, or help you carry a burden.  We're all in it together.  

WASTE NOT WANT NOT: SAVE THE CARROT TOP!

Ever wonder what to do with carrot greens when those fluffy tops are lobbed off ? Carrot tops are more often discarded - thrown away, used as compost, or chicken feed [lucky chicks] - but carrots greens are not only edible, they are highly nutritive, rich in protein, minerals and vitamins. Their nutritional profile is similar to their roots and provides vitamins A, B6, C and K, folate, manganese, niacin, potassium, calcium, and thiamin, but they contain 6 times the vitamin C of the root. Yup, just like turnip greens, carrot tops are even more LOADED than the root and tuber.

Greens are among the top vegetable sources for Vitamin-K which plays a role in bone health, limits neuronal damage in the brain, and is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. 

When joined together, Vitamins A and C are ready to kick ass when it comes to protecting our cells. Vitamin A keeps skin and mucous membrane cells healthy and that means they are more resistant to fighting off cancers and diseases caused by viruses.

The fresh green leaves contain 100% of daily-recommended levels of Vitamin C and work in many B-complex groups that are essential to metabolism. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine when fighting colds and allergies; aids in collagen production; has anti-oxidant properties that fight against cancer and protects cells from damage and mutation; and best of all, it helps to keep our eyes and hearts healthier so we can see and feel the beauty that is all around us. 

KALE IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD

KALE IS NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD. Of course we know it is, but...I love four-letter words, like "Love" and "Lyme" and "Kale," so I'll take it as a good sign, a very good sign, that my gut is craving more Tuscano Kale from @Baylee Rose Drown at Upper Pond Farm. Forget that I love anything with "Toscano" in it, just think of those leafy early spring greens sauteed in gorgeous olive oil from our trees in France at Lou-Coudon Estate Rental along with some garlic from White Gate Farm. NumNum. So simple, so delish. and that's it. Friends, follow links and encourage everyone you know to get to know their local farmers and buy a CSA share! Community Supported Agriculture is not just good for every one, it's good for your community and for Mother Earth. Check out this useful Site: Small Farm Central . We love you!! 

THE BENEFITS OF BREATH: SAVE THE DATE

SAVE THE DATE: May 5-7, 2017. The Lyme Juice Company is hosting a retreat at White Gate Farm  

THE BIOLOGY OF BREATH. This course teaches Breath-Work as a means to increase an awareness of our breath and to manage and “yoke” our respiratory capabilities so that we may optimize the health benefits of every inhale and exhale we take.  The Breath-Work practice encourages the creation of new pathways to replace old habits in order to make room for new, more vibrant ways of navigating our lives and spiritual needs.

More juicy details to come! Pricing will include tuition fee, all organic meals, morning juices, and overnight lodging. The course fee is structured for both commuters from afar and local residents. We are happy for our local friends and neighbours to attend without having to stay overnight. Spaces are limited. For more information please message Carolann

Have Yourself a Juicy Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Juicy Little Christmas. We love you!! xx

SUMMER SHOTS and JUICY DARLINGS

We grew some new muscles this summer. It was HARD WORK and A LOT of heavy lifting but we loved every day of it. Here are some snap shots to share with you There are some Juicy Darlings missing from this summer montage but they will soon be added! xx We love you, Carolann and Vicky.

WHEN THE MARKET ENDS with THANKS

It's not often I find myself at a loss for words...but right now THANK YOU are the two right words for this moment, the last day of the farmers market. My son and I moved to Old Lyme in June and we got juicin'! We set up a juice stand and haven't stopped since. It's been a wonderful way to get to know a community through its farmers and makers and the people who support them. Allott and our dear friend Vicky and I have LOVED, LOVED, LOVED getting to know so many of you over the past four months and we can't wait to see more of you. So please stay tuned for future plans: The Lyme Juice Company will pop up again and hopefully we'll pop up just when you need a burst of something delicious, nutritious and made with LOVE. To all of you who have stopped by the stand and supported us in our first weeks and months here, thank you. Thank you for welcoming us here and for enjoying a healthy break with us. Thank you, Lyme Farmer's Market, for being a beautiful stomping ground. Allott and I have loved being in the field with all of you.  xx

Make time to get away. Even if but for a day...

Make time to get away. Even if but for a day.

HAPPY FACES: Inside and Out

INSIDE OUT. Skin covers approximately 18 square feet of a body. It’s our largest organ and our first line of defense when it comes to fighting off disease, infection and the toxic build up that comes at us from all directions in the outside world.

Our skin also works from the inside out to rid our body of impurities.

Keeping your skin clean and your pores clear on the outside not only rids the epidermal layer of pathogens that colonize there but it also allows the body to expel waste from the inside out.

Today's take-away: Healthy skin comes from proper skin care, inside and out. Here are some key rules to follow

• Know your skin. If you can’t figure it out, ask some one who can
• Use products that work well with your skin and do not contain harmful ingredients. Choose products you can trust. What’s in your cleanser, toner, and moisturizer? Can you pronounce it? If not, then you might not want to put it on your skin
• Make sure to have regular facials, especially when seasons change
• Eat the right things - Here are some autumn fruits and vegetables that you can eat for optimum skin health: Apple, Beetroot, Carrot, Lemon, Pumpkin seeds [packed with zinc which is vital to the creation of new skin cells and helps to control oil production], Sweet potato, and Tomato
• Check with your doctor or nutritionist and ask if adding a supplement is right for you. Biotin [B7] is a co-enzyme that plays a key role in maintaining healthy hair, nails and skin. It keeps us looking young and is often added to beauty products… but that’s a bit of a gimmick because Biotin is not effectively absorbed through the skin. It’s better to consume foods in which Biotin can be found such as eggs, avocados, cauliflower, berries, fish, legumes, mushrooms and …organ meats [Go on, be brave].

LET'S FACE IT. Summer is over and we’ve changed swimsuits for sweaters. September is a month where we add layers of long sleeves and evening wraps but it's also a month to take off some layers - the layers of summer. Sun, sweat, make up, sunscreen and chlorine all build up a thick layer of summer fun on your skin. No matter how fun summer was, it’s time to come clean. Clear it all away, scrub off those layers. As part of healthy skin care, make time for yourself and book an appointment for a facial. I check in with Patti Davidson at Faces for a deep-cleansing and exfoliating Decleor facial.

HAPPY FACES – The Lyme Juice Company is adding a new juice this week to aid good skin health and create a glowing autumn for your largest organ - your skin. HAPPY FACES will be made from organic beets, carrots, lemons, apple, and spinach. Come on over and show us your HAPPY FACES at The Lyme Farmer’s Market - Saturdays from 9-12:30 until October.

LET'S POP UP TO THE PARTY - Lyme Juice Bar at Your Special Event

LET’S POP UP – The Lyme Juice Bar can POP UP at your home for your fabulous house party. or POP UP at your corporate event. Lyme Juice can POP UP and juice for you and your guests at your wedding or POP UP on the morning after your big day. Or just POP UP to the party and get juicy making locally grown artisanal cocktails. Your guests will LOVE the delicious, FRESH and healthy flavors we make. Email Carolann@goodgirlgogogo.com and let’s figure out the juicy details together!

The Lyme Juice Company makes hand pressed juice with organic produce from Upper Pond Farm and other local farmers every Saturday at Lyme Farmers Market 9-12:30 from June to October. 

Lyme Juice believes that you’ve got to use it or lose it, so we make sure to use everything up…

We source fresh fruits and vegetables from local farmers and our delicious organic pulp goes back to a local farmer to feed farm animals or to use as compost. Some of the pulp also goes straight to the Lyme Juice Kitchen where we are always busy developing and testing new delicious gluten-free recipes for chips and muffins and crackers. Come visit us at The Lyme Farmers’ Market and see what we’ve made. It changes each week to match seasonal crops.

To keep things fresh and ALIVE, the produce that we don’t use at the market on Saturday gets made into apple sauce [our Green Apple and Ginger is DELISH] and pies [apple and pear, oh yeah!]. We also make Chicken ‘n Vegetable and Vegetarian Starter Kits - we do all the shopping and chopping for you - All you need to do is add it with your own spices to your soup, curry or slow-cook pot. 

Just wait until you taste Vicky’s Witchy Broth - there’s magic in them bones! Her healthy collagen-dense bone broth is made from local, grass-fed cows and sells out quickly - make sure you place an order at the beginning of the week.  Call us. We love you! Xx Carolann and Vicky.

UP BEET: A HAPPY JUICE

The Lyme Juice Company is adding UP BEET to its menu this week. Upper Pond Farm in Lyme, CT will be picking some beets for us on Friday to bring fresh to market on Saturday morning.

UP BEET will be made from organic beets, carrots, orange, apple, lemon and ginger. We can’t wait to see your happy UP BEET faces when you taste it!

Beets are loaded with good things and are associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure and increased exercise performance. The pigments that give beets their rich color are called betalains. Betalains function both as antioxidant and as anti-inflammatory.

Beets are very low in saturated fat and cholesterol, a good source of vitamin C, iron, and magnesium as well as an excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, potassium, and manganese.

Manganese? Yes, please! Manganese is an essential trace element that supports healthy bone development. It is anti-inflammatory and a co-enzyme in metabolic activity. Dr Axe writes about Manganese noting that it:   

• helps to prevent osteoporosis and arthritis
• is important to antioxidant and enzyme function
• helps to maintain cognitive function
• fights diabetes
• supports lung health
• balances calcium levels
• balances iron levels
• reduces PMS symptoms

Only note of caution is that beets are high in sugar. They are usually well tolerated but contain oxalates and FODMAPs in the form of fructans, short chain carbohydrates that feed the gut bacteria. FODMAPs can cause unpleasant digestive upset in sensitive individuals, such as those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. If you are on a strict diet you might want to check with your doctor or nutritionist to make sure that the anti-inflammatory benefits outweigh its high sugar/fructans content.

GET JUICY!

Lyme Juice Co – Our Juicy Pop-Up is ready to bring GREEN and MIGHTY GOOD to your special event.

LET'S POP UP - The Lyme Juice Company is ready to bring GREEN and MIGHTY straight to your special event. We can pop up at your home with a cleansing detox for the morning-after your fabulous house party. We can pop up and make something healthy and green to go with your beautiful wedding. Or we can just pop up to the party and get juicy making locally grown artisanal cocktails. Email us and let’s figure out the juicy details together!

The Lyme Juice Company makes hand pressed juice with organic produce from Upper Pond Farm and other local farmers every Saturday at Lyme Farmers Market 9-12:30 from June to October. 

Lyme Juice believes that you’ve got to use it or lose it, so we make sure to use everything up…

We source fresh vegetables and fruits from local farmers and our delicious organic pulp goes back to a local farmer to feed farm animals or to use as compost. Some of the pulp also goes straight to the Lyme Juice Kitchen where we are always busy developing and testing new delicious gluten-free recipes for chips and muffins and crackers. Come visit us at The Lyme Farmers’ Market and see what we’ve made. It changes each week to match seasonal crops.

To keep things fresh and ALIVE, the produce that we don’t use at the market on Saturday gets made into apple sauce [our Green Apple and Ginger is DELISH] and pies [apple and pear, oh yeah!]. We also make Chicken ‘n Vegetable and Vegetarian Starter Kits [we do all the shopping and chopping for you]. You just add it with your own spices to your soup, curry or slow-cook pot. 

Just wait until you taste Vicky’s Witchy Broth - there’s magic in them bones! Her healthy collagen-dense bone broth is made from local, grass-fed cows and sells out quickly - make sure you place an order at the beginning of the week.  Call us. We love you! Xx Carolann and Vicky.

THE LYME JUICE COMPANY

The Lyme Juice Company makes hand pressed juice with organic produce from local farmers and Upper Pond Farm every Saturday at Lyme Farmers Market 9-12:30 June-October.

The Lyme Juice Co also does pop-up stands for special occasions - corporate and private events and weddings, too. We'll make it nice and juicy for you and your guests.  

Any questions, please email us at carolann@goodgirlgogogo.com. We LOVE making you healthy and happy. xx