I have just spent an awful week with Marisol having a stomach bug, meaning that she has been throwing up everything that she has been putting into her stomach. She has lost alot of weight and it has just been abit trying on all accounts. Diane was very helpful with her advice. On the first day I was not so worried, she was throwing up and I thought she would get over it. When she started dry reaching I got worried.
I tried to heal her homeopathically and I am not sure it worked, that is, I do not think I know enough about it to diagnose her correctly. What I realised was one little flimsy book and a bit of common sense can only get you so far, it is knowing how the body works in a factual sense that would give me a degree of confidence in myself and not having to feel I have to rely on an outer source.
I was worried as she kept throwing up and took her along, regretfully, to the doctor. The doctor was pretty unconcerned and said as long as she has tears and saliva in her mouth then it is a bug, you dont know what it is, and should be cleared in 24 hours though sometimes can last 5 days.
I am on day 6 and she just threw up, though the first time all day. It is just awful and I feel powerless to help her. I relented after day 4 and gave her some over the counter anti nauseas medicine which stopped her throwing up through the night, as she was getting critically dehydrated. anyway these are details with the point being really that nothing makes sense and that I guess to continually try to be informed so that when you are sick, or rather for me, when Marisol is sick, I feel a little stronger in my sense of understanding that I do not have to feel like running to the doctor because that is what happened in my moment of weakness and utter despair.
I am not saying that a doctor is not a good thing, I am so thankful for them, I just wish I had more of an understanding of the medical field so I could really know whether she is in dire straights or whether it is simply a bug and let her sip some ginger tea and sit it out.
Who knows....
Friday, December 21, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Duckies
I have just spent the afternoon tending to my new duck. New duck meaning that I have never prepared a duck before so it was all quite exciting. Firstly their fat is so thick. Of course it makes sense as that is their insulation. By the time you take all the fat of there is really not much of a duck left. So I chucked all the fat into a fry pan and made yummy crispy duck fat along with about 2 cups of pure duck fat. I read that this is a prized fat though if anyone has any ideas with what to do with the duck fat please let me know.
Now I have two measly looking pieces of breasts, legs, and wings that look as though they would just serve one meal, if that. The meat though is this beautiful luscious red colour, even in its death the duck has some sense of regalness.
So that was my frolic for the day. - Alice
Now I have two measly looking pieces of breasts, legs, and wings that look as though they would just serve one meal, if that. The meat though is this beautiful luscious red colour, even in its death the duck has some sense of regalness.
So that was my frolic for the day. - Alice
Monday, December 3, 2007
Ranting about winter flus
Just caught up on the blogging which was entertaining to read so thought I would put my two pennies in. As winter has definately arrived so has a few colds. Our mentor, Diane, has helped me definately think deeper about health, namely modern medicine and its quick remedy 'fixes'. Maryanne is sick and I hope she gets better, Marisol has just been sick which was not pleasant and as all of us are frolic girls who love our yummy food and all that comes with it, when one gets sick, we all feel it.
Current practises seem to follow the following scenario:
Girl gets runny nose, girl feels sick, girl calls in work and sleeps, maybe girl goes to doctor immediately or maybe girl waits for a day and still not feeling better girl goes to doctor. doctor prescribes drugs which will 'make the infection disapear', girl goes home and takes pills and goes to sleep. wakes up feeling better and thinks,' wow that was awful glad I feel better'. girl gets on with life and thinks nothing more of it.
We are not in the practise of a) questioning or understanding why we get sick and also with everyone busy busy busy we are too busy to let the body run its course of the illness and simply wish to take a pill, get better and forget about it. Surely if you let the body struggle a little with the illness then the body will have to create anti bodies to fight infection hence creating a stronger immune system. Especially with babies there is the temptation to whisk them off to the doctor to give them some kind of baby paracetamol or something of that nature. I know having had Marisol feeling poorly I was very tempted to go to the doctor because they know best, yes? What are all those years of training for? Yes they know a hell of a lot more than me but do they know how healthy Marisol will be if she does not take anything but lets her body fight it off so that when she is a strapping lass of 20 she can wrestle with the lions and not have to worry about the scratches and burns?
- Alice
Current practises seem to follow the following scenario:
Girl gets runny nose, girl feels sick, girl calls in work and sleeps, maybe girl goes to doctor immediately or maybe girl waits for a day and still not feeling better girl goes to doctor. doctor prescribes drugs which will 'make the infection disapear', girl goes home and takes pills and goes to sleep. wakes up feeling better and thinks,' wow that was awful glad I feel better'. girl gets on with life and thinks nothing more of it.
We are not in the practise of a) questioning or understanding why we get sick and also with everyone busy busy busy we are too busy to let the body run its course of the illness and simply wish to take a pill, get better and forget about it. Surely if you let the body struggle a little with the illness then the body will have to create anti bodies to fight infection hence creating a stronger immune system. Especially with babies there is the temptation to whisk them off to the doctor to give them some kind of baby paracetamol or something of that nature. I know having had Marisol feeling poorly I was very tempted to go to the doctor because they know best, yes? What are all those years of training for? Yes they know a hell of a lot more than me but do they know how healthy Marisol will be if she does not take anything but lets her body fight it off so that when she is a strapping lass of 20 she can wrestle with the lions and not have to worry about the scratches and burns?
- Alice
Sunday, December 2, 2007
RUTABAGA FROLIC
Diane here, totally enjoying Maryann's Blog. Yes, the Birthday Dinner at David Drake's was wonderful, and just a small example of what Frolic Girls experience when they get away from their own kitchens.
Perhaps it's because I am from New York State (Utica and Ithaca, NOT Nyack or Sleepy Hollow, although I would like to live in the town which has a Legend and a Johnny Depp movie as it's namesake) I am very familiar with the delicious rutabaga. Back when we were Macrobiotic the rutabaga was always a part of our sauteed vegetables, which we ate for lunch and dinner, with brown rice, seaweed, beans, or the occasional fish tempura. I have always loved the bright color and sweet taste. In fact, I just had some boiled rutabaga cubes, mashed with lots of raw butter and sea salt. I only required two small pieces of Chocomaca for dessert. That's a great new chocolate with Amazon herbs in it, a nice snack and a good way to get some maca into your diet. The sweetness of the rutabaga is very good for us sweet-tooth people, and a great way to keep your blood sugar at a good level, as are all the orange vegetables. I learned that in Macrobiotics as well.
Maybe Maryann and I should take that road trip to Emerson for some local rutabagas, and find some lovely recipes using them. I have only eaten them sauteed with other vegetables, or boiled and mashed.
I HEART NY......and Rutabagas!
Perhaps it's because I am from New York State (Utica and Ithaca, NOT Nyack or Sleepy Hollow, although I would like to live in the town which has a Legend and a Johnny Depp movie as it's namesake) I am very familiar with the delicious rutabaga. Back when we were Macrobiotic the rutabaga was always a part of our sauteed vegetables, which we ate for lunch and dinner, with brown rice, seaweed, beans, or the occasional fish tempura. I have always loved the bright color and sweet taste. In fact, I just had some boiled rutabaga cubes, mashed with lots of raw butter and sea salt. I only required two small pieces of Chocomaca for dessert. That's a great new chocolate with Amazon herbs in it, a nice snack and a good way to get some maca into your diet. The sweetness of the rutabaga is very good for us sweet-tooth people, and a great way to keep your blood sugar at a good level, as are all the orange vegetables. I learned that in Macrobiotics as well.
Maybe Maryann and I should take that road trip to Emerson for some local rutabagas, and find some lovely recipes using them. I have only eaten them sauteed with other vegetables, or boiled and mashed.
I HEART NY......and Rutabagas!
No Need to Cross the Water--Great Restaurants Do Exist in NJ!
Maryann again, with a plea to everyone who loves good food: Visit one of NJ's high-quality restaurants.
When I started to get into food, my focus was on New York restaurants. No explanation needed here, but I soon realized that NJ had some phenomenal chefs hiding up its sleeve. As with all great chefs, there is a connection between the menu and the seasons. Taking it further, there is an emphasis on local ingredients.
One summer evening, while coming back from PA, Alan and I stopped at Circa in High Bridge (right off Route 78E.) I was blown away by the fresh, local ingredients, attentive but casual service, and the charming decor. One of my dishes was garnished with a nasturtium plucked from the chef's garden! The corn and watercress soup tasted of summer's finest bounty.
On Nov. 24th, myself, Alan, Lily, Jeff, Diane, Ed, and Miriam had the meal of our lives in the wine cellar at Restaurant David Drake in Rahway. To eat in a restaurant's wine cellar is a rare (and usually very expensive) experience. Thanks to Lily's connections, we were allowed to order the 3-course Prix Fixe instead of the usual wine cellar 6-course meal.
First, let me comment on the service. When most people think of "fancy" restaurants, they usually imagine service that is pretentious. True service is unobtrusive, but always present. It whispers rather than yells. Each time a course was served, several staff members came to our table, stood behind our chairs, paused, and then put all the plates down at exactly the same moment. Then someone would whisper in your ear, " That is the acorn squash risotto", just in case you had forgotten! It was so personal, and genius. I felt as if each of us had our very own server, looking out for us.
Our entrees varied between fishes and meats, each one like a work of art (Lily and Miriam will hopefully post some photos). You all must see the tirimisu Lily had--Drake has elevated this dessert to the sublime.
Phenomenal food and phenomenal friends--does life get any better than that?
Check out this link as a start to finding the NJ restaurants that care about where the food comes from:
http://www.buyfreshnwj.org/WebPages/FSLocal%20Restaurant%20List.htm
Save your pennies, and visit one of these places. Fine dining is not for some elite group of people. It should be an enlightening, not intimidating, experience. Choose a high-quality NJ restaurant, and you'll have an experience to savor.
When I started to get into food, my focus was on New York restaurants. No explanation needed here, but I soon realized that NJ had some phenomenal chefs hiding up its sleeve. As with all great chefs, there is a connection between the menu and the seasons. Taking it further, there is an emphasis on local ingredients.
One summer evening, while coming back from PA, Alan and I stopped at Circa in High Bridge (right off Route 78E.) I was blown away by the fresh, local ingredients, attentive but casual service, and the charming decor. One of my dishes was garnished with a nasturtium plucked from the chef's garden! The corn and watercress soup tasted of summer's finest bounty.
On Nov. 24th, myself, Alan, Lily, Jeff, Diane, Ed, and Miriam had the meal of our lives in the wine cellar at Restaurant David Drake in Rahway. To eat in a restaurant's wine cellar is a rare (and usually very expensive) experience. Thanks to Lily's connections, we were allowed to order the 3-course Prix Fixe instead of the usual wine cellar 6-course meal.
First, let me comment on the service. When most people think of "fancy" restaurants, they usually imagine service that is pretentious. True service is unobtrusive, but always present. It whispers rather than yells. Each time a course was served, several staff members came to our table, stood behind our chairs, paused, and then put all the plates down at exactly the same moment. Then someone would whisper in your ear, " That is the acorn squash risotto", just in case you had forgotten! It was so personal, and genius. I felt as if each of us had our very own server, looking out for us.
Our entrees varied between fishes and meats, each one like a work of art (Lily and Miriam will hopefully post some photos). You all must see the tirimisu Lily had--Drake has elevated this dessert to the sublime.
Phenomenal food and phenomenal friends--does life get any better than that?
Check out this link as a start to finding the NJ restaurants that care about where the food comes from:
http://www.buyfreshnwj.org/WebPages/FSLocal%20Restaurant%20List.htm
Save your pennies, and visit one of these places. Fine dining is not for some elite group of people. It should be an enlightening, not intimidating, experience. Choose a high-quality NJ restaurant, and you'll have an experience to savor.
In Defense of Rutabagas
Maryann here.
With the farmers market now closed for the year, I get a terrible sense of dread (despite the fact that I didn't go every Saturday--I just like knowing it's there!)
While surfing around online about local food, I found this article about the unloved rutabaga:
http://www.nj.com/food/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-0/119441812095980.xml&coll=1
I for one am willing to have a go at these big funny root vegetables (I know the frolic girls are all game too). I learned that NJ grows very few of them, and some farmers sell them from out of state. The ones in supermarkets are waxed to help keep the moisture in.
Alas, there is a local purveyor---Old Hook Farm in Emerson. As the above article mentions, their rutabagas are unwaxed (and even have the leaves still attached). I just called to verify that they are locally grown--and the woman said they're grown right on the farm in Emerson!
The farm also has a big store carrying various organic groceries. Sounds like a road trip is in order.
With the farmers market now closed for the year, I get a terrible sense of dread (despite the fact that I didn't go every Saturday--I just like knowing it's there!)
While surfing around online about local food, I found this article about the unloved rutabaga:
http://www.nj.com/food/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-0/119441812095980.xml&coll=1
I for one am willing to have a go at these big funny root vegetables (I know the frolic girls are all game too). I learned that NJ grows very few of them, and some farmers sell them from out of state. The ones in supermarkets are waxed to help keep the moisture in.
Alas, there is a local purveyor---Old Hook Farm in Emerson. As the above article mentions, their rutabagas are unwaxed (and even have the leaves still attached). I just called to verify that they are locally grown--and the woman said they're grown right on the farm in Emerson!
The farm also has a big store carrying various organic groceries. Sounds like a road trip is in order.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Our Alice is back from London!
Happy days are here again! Our Alice has returned from London, with news of child care, markets, shopping, and high tea.
Whenever I have a friend travelling to distant shores (or States, I'm not fussy) I ask them to buy me certain things. Occasionally I will have specific requests, but for shopping in London, I only ask for common items that people get in the grocery stores. I've seen 4 pound bags of Brussel sprouts and Peter Rabbit Chocolates in Sainsbury's, one of the chain grocery stores in England, and was quite impressed. I also liked that the check-out people have comfy chairs to sit on, rather than standing all day. They seemed very cheerful compared to our over-worked grocery clerks. I imagined living in a London suburb, with a red front door, lace curtains in the window, and enjoying my job at Sainsbury's. But then again, wherever I go, I imagine living there. It did help that England is my ancestral home and that I always felt a cute boy in bell bottoms and long hair could pop around any corner, and sometimes they did! But enough about my British fantasies.
Of course I dispatched Alice to do some grocery shopping for me and here's a list of what she bought for me, all delivered in a orange Sainsbury's bag which is made from 33% recycled materials. Alice said that all the stores there now have shopping bags one can purchase and re-use, and they will be starting to charge for plastic bags once they have given everyone a chance to buy the reusable ones. I am happy to know that even our large grocery stores in the States are now doing this, and I have a collection of them which I use whenever I do shop in stores. I'm sure you all are doing the same thing, and it's about time.
Here's the goodies I have from London:
Waitrose After Dinner Mints (with a fondant centre)
Waitrose Organic Scottish Oatcakes (with a beautiful Celtic Knot design on the box)
McVitie's Chocolate Digestive Biscuits (45% Wholemeal & Wheat Goodness)
Duchy Originals Organic Chocolate & Orange Biscuits
Duchy Originals Organic Christmas Pudding(Profits Donated to the Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation)
Duchy Originals Organic Mince Pies, made with all butter pastry. We'll have those for Christmas.
(Duchy Originals is a company started by HRH Prince Charles, who is an avid organic farmer and supporter. Yes, we know he treated Diana horribly, and Camilla looks like a horse, but he is still Royalty, not to us, of course, but still.......
"Golden Shred" (By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, Preserve Manufacturers James Robertson & Sons, Manchester), in the most beautiful jar with a black and white striped lid. As I read the label more closely, I find that James & Marion Robertson started their Preserve business in Paisley, Scotland. I must borrow Lily's Paisley Shawl to wear whilst I have the Preserve on toast.
A lovely can of Lyle's Golden Syrup, from Abram Lyle & Sons, Sugar Refiners.
One packet of Sainsbury's Degradable "Tie Handle pedal bin liners"......garbage bags to us. The package says they degrade 30 times faster than normal plastic. The Instructions for use also caution, "Glass and sharp objects must be wrapped securely before being placed in the liner." Also, "These bags are made with a degrading agent and are not suitable for home composting or recycling.
That means enough people compost there so it's worth putting the warning on.
Sainsbury's Little Ones Cotton Buds, which we call Q-Tips or Cotton Swabs. Isn't "cotton buds" a much sweeter name? There's a lovely picture of little cartoon sheep on the packet. They are "produced in Greece for Sainsbury's."
A lovely packet of Sainsbury's Cotton Balls...called "Cotton Wool Balls" and in a nice draw-string bag.
A funny little booklet called "Rhyming Cockney Slang" which I am not even pretending to understand. Maybe Alice will blog about it and teach us how to do it.
And finally, my most requested item, a Mackintosh Square from Marks & Spencer, which you know all about if you have seen "A Room With A View" and "Ab Fab."
"Observe my foresight. I never venture forth without my Mackintosh Square. At any time, one may have to sit on damp ground or cold marble."
For now I am leaving all items in the Sainsbury's bag, carrying it around the house, and pretending I have just come in from a little shopping.
WELCOME HOME ALICE AND MARISOL!
Whenever I have a friend travelling to distant shores (or States, I'm not fussy) I ask them to buy me certain things. Occasionally I will have specific requests, but for shopping in London, I only ask for common items that people get in the grocery stores. I've seen 4 pound bags of Brussel sprouts and Peter Rabbit Chocolates in Sainsbury's, one of the chain grocery stores in England, and was quite impressed. I also liked that the check-out people have comfy chairs to sit on, rather than standing all day. They seemed very cheerful compared to our over-worked grocery clerks. I imagined living in a London suburb, with a red front door, lace curtains in the window, and enjoying my job at Sainsbury's. But then again, wherever I go, I imagine living there. It did help that England is my ancestral home and that I always felt a cute boy in bell bottoms and long hair could pop around any corner, and sometimes they did! But enough about my British fantasies.
Of course I dispatched Alice to do some grocery shopping for me and here's a list of what she bought for me, all delivered in a orange Sainsbury's bag which is made from 33% recycled materials. Alice said that all the stores there now have shopping bags one can purchase and re-use, and they will be starting to charge for plastic bags once they have given everyone a chance to buy the reusable ones. I am happy to know that even our large grocery stores in the States are now doing this, and I have a collection of them which I use whenever I do shop in stores. I'm sure you all are doing the same thing, and it's about time.
Here's the goodies I have from London:
Waitrose After Dinner Mints (with a fondant centre)
Waitrose Organic Scottish Oatcakes (with a beautiful Celtic Knot design on the box)
McVitie's Chocolate Digestive Biscuits (45% Wholemeal & Wheat Goodness)
Duchy Originals Organic Chocolate & Orange Biscuits
Duchy Originals Organic Christmas Pudding(Profits Donated to the Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation)
Duchy Originals Organic Mince Pies, made with all butter pastry. We'll have those for Christmas.
(Duchy Originals is a company started by HRH Prince Charles, who is an avid organic farmer and supporter. Yes, we know he treated Diana horribly, and Camilla looks like a horse, but he is still Royalty, not to us, of course, but still.......
"Golden Shred" (By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, Preserve Manufacturers James Robertson & Sons, Manchester
A lovely can of Lyle's Golden Syrup, from Abram Lyle & Sons, Sugar Refiners.
One packet of Sainsbury's Degradable "Tie Handle pedal bin liners"......garbage bags to us. The package says they degrade 30 times faster than normal plastic. The Instructions for use also caution, "Glass and sharp objects must be wrapped securely before being placed in the liner." Also, "These bags are made with a degrading agent and are not suitable for home composting or recycling.
That means enough people compost there so it's worth putting the warning on.
Sainsbury's Little Ones Cotton Buds, which we call Q-Tips or Cotton Swabs. Isn't "cotton buds" a much sweeter name? There's a lovely picture of little cartoon sheep on the packet. They are "produced in Greece for Sainsbury's."
A lovely packet of Sainsbury's Cotton Balls...called "Cotton Wool Balls" and in a nice draw-string bag.
A funny little booklet called "Rhyming Cockney Slang" which I am not even pretending to understand. Maybe Alice will blog about it and teach us how to do it.
And finally, my most requested item, a Mackintosh Square from Marks & Spencer, which you know all about if you have seen "A Room With A View" and "Ab Fab."
"Observe my foresight. I never venture forth without my Mackintosh Square. At any time, one may have to sit on damp ground or cold marble."
For now I am leaving all items in the Sainsbury's bag, carrying it around the house, and pretending I have just come in from a little shopping.
WELCOME HOME ALICE AND MARISOL!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
FROLIC GIRL STEPS OUT OF HER KITCHEN....
into another kitchen!
I forgot to mention my most fabulous news. Today I will be appearing at a book signing for the wonderful book "The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken."
Lily practically forced me to apply for a job as Writer's Assistant a year ago, and I am so glad she did. I had the fortunate experience to work with Laura Schenone, a wonderful writer and a fabulous person. I was encouraged to stretch my abilities and found out I could actually assist a real writer.
It has always been my dream to write a book. I don't know if I could actually do it, now that I've seen what it entails, but I feel so blessed to have been a small part of this book. It was fascinating to see the hard work that goes into a book, and I will never look at a book the same way again. The creative process is only the beginning. There are many many details to attend to before a book gets into your hands.
I encourage anyone reading this to buy this book AT ONCE, and not just because my name is mentioned in the Acknowledgements (second page, third paragraph). It is a beautiful journey into a woman's family traditions. You feel you are in the sweet sun-filled air of Italy, taken back in time to a Traditional way of living and cooking. You will be able to make your own ravioli, and get a real feeling of appreciation of family and food. And that's what being Frolic Girl is all about, isn't it?
www.lostravioli.com
Frolic Girl note: Alice, Carolee, and I attempted to make pasta with freshly ground whole wheat flour, and once I remembed to add olive oil to the dough, it worked! After all Frolic Girls read the book, we will have a Ravioli Frolic. Ms. Schenone always got a real kick out of my tales of kitchen frolics and mis-adventures.
The Book Signing, Pasta Demonstration, and Party
3-6 PM, Sunday November 18
The Montclair Women's Club
82 Union Street
Montclair, NJ
Yes, I should have posted this earlier, but you will all be there anyway. I don't know if we have many people following the blog, and I've just figured out how to post here.
I forgot to mention my most fabulous news. Today I will be appearing at a book signing for the wonderful book "The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken."
Lily practically forced me to apply for a job as Writer's Assistant a year ago, and I am so glad she did. I had the fortunate experience to work with Laura Schenone, a wonderful writer and a fabulous person. I was encouraged to stretch my abilities and found out I could actually assist a real writer.
It has always been my dream to write a book. I don't know if I could actually do it, now that I've seen what it entails, but I feel so blessed to have been a small part of this book. It was fascinating to see the hard work that goes into a book, and I will never look at a book the same way again. The creative process is only the beginning. There are many many details to attend to before a book gets into your hands.
I encourage anyone reading this to buy this book AT ONCE, and not just because my name is mentioned in the Acknowledgements (second page, third paragraph). It is a beautiful journey into a woman's family traditions. You feel you are in the sweet sun-filled air of Italy, taken back in time to a Traditional way of living and cooking. You will be able to make your own ravioli, and get a real feeling of appreciation of family and food. And that's what being Frolic Girl is all about, isn't it?
www.lostravioli.com
Frolic Girl note: Alice, Carolee, and I attempted to make pasta with freshly ground whole wheat flour, and once I remembed to add olive oil to the dough, it worked! After all Frolic Girls read the book, we will have a Ravioli Frolic. Ms. Schenone always got a real kick out of my tales of kitchen frolics and mis-adventures.
The Book Signing, Pasta Demonstration, and Party
3-6 PM, Sunday November 18
The Montclair Women's Club
82 Union Street
Montclair, NJ
Yes, I should have posted this earlier, but you will all be there anyway. I don't know if we have many people following the blog, and I've just figured out how to post here.
Diane here. Alice has been off in London visiting her sisters and the newest addition to the family, Mary Marie. Alice also has two nephews, Finn and Charlie. I have heard that Marisol is having quite the time dealing with her two cousins. I imagine they are getting along wonderfully by now, since Alice is due to come home this week. I hope she brings lots of pictures back and some treats from Harrod's for me.
Frolic Girl Lily and I (along with my trusty Assistant to the Chapter Leader, Ed) attended our first ever Weston A. Price Foundation Wise Traditions Conference in Chantilly, Va, last weekend.
Lily was even an Exhibitor with a wonderful table of D'Artagnan pates, foie gras, smoked chicken breast, and terrines. But maybe she didn't bring any pates. Sally Fallon herself visited Lily's table to sample the foie gras, pronouncing it one of her favorite foods. I have it on good authority that she orders it regularly for herself. It turns out you need a bit of liver every day for Vitamin K. This is advice we Frolic Girls would do well to heed.
I did not attend many meetings or sessions or workshops at the Conference, as I was too busy sampling foods from the Exhibitors (including our own Clearview Farm) and informing myself as to the different products we could all be ordering. The most informative session I did attend was Sally Fallon speaking on "Getting Started", in which she pronounced, DO NOT DENY YOUR CHILDREN OR YOURSELF OF SWEET TASTES!
She got a solid round of applause from three people, yours truly included.
Sally also said she was not obsessive about her food, which really surprised me! I think it's a sign that we should not obsess, that this way of eating should be fun and not a chore. I really needed to hear that.
We also heard Michael Schmidt, from Canada, speak about how his grass-based farm was raided and closed down. He faces huge legal bills, and we can all help him. He also appeared on a panel with Sally Fallon, Pete Kennedy (who helped me with my run-in with the so called Health Department), and some others (careful notes were NOT taken) on the farmer's right to farm and sell directly to the consumer. You can read about him here http://www.realmilk.com/real-milk-canada.html
Speaking of that, Lily made friends with a sweet Englisher who lives in Pennsylvania, distributes jams, jellies and fermented vegetables, and helps some of the Amish farmers in his area. Maybe Lily will add a comment explaining more about him.
Lily also made friends with the O'Brien Brothers, sturdy, handsome builders who use only traditional tools and techniques to build beautiful homes. They brought tools, wood, a beam, and a bucket of glue which I thought they could add some lavender oil to, package differently, and sell as moisturizer. They are considering the idea. Lily kept them well-supplied with D'Artagnan food to keep their strength up.
Other highlights of the conference were Ed's consultation with Dr. Ron, the Japanese Miso Men, so polite and dressed so beautifully, and our Live Blood Testing. Stay tuned for a notice about when I will be hosting a Testing session here at Wit's End, which was the name of our home school back in the day.
Joel Salatin gave a rousing closing sermon to the weekend. His latest book is "Everything I Want to do is Illegal" and I highly recommend....no, COMMAND.....you all to read it. You will understand more than every how hard it is for a small farmer to operate, and appreciate our farmer a hundred-fold. We met Joel and he is a wonderful person to talk to, very funny and animated, and he buttons his plaid shirt right up to the top button. Get your men-folk to do the same. It is a nice, severe-yet-casual look. Of course, I would be happy of our men all wore black pants, a white shirt, and a straw hat, but that's not about to happen. Maybe they can start with the Joel Salatin style and work their way up.
Hurry home, Alice, I expect we will have a lot of work getting your house back in shape after Jesse being there alone for a couple of weeks.
IT'S SNOWING! WHAT'S A FROLIC GIRL SUPPOSED TO DO?
Frolic Girl Lily and I (along with my trusty Assistant to the Chapter Leader, Ed) attended our first ever Weston A. Price Foundation Wise Traditions Conference in Chantilly, Va, last weekend.
Lily was even an Exhibitor with a wonderful table of D'Artagnan pates, foie gras, smoked chicken breast, and terrines. But maybe she didn't bring any pates. Sally Fallon herself visited Lily's table to sample the foie gras, pronouncing it one of her favorite foods. I have it on good authority that she orders it regularly for herself. It turns out you need a bit of liver every day for Vitamin K. This is advice we Frolic Girls would do well to heed.
I did not attend many meetings or sessions or workshops at the Conference, as I was too busy sampling foods from the Exhibitors (including our own Clearview Farm) and informing myself as to the different products we could all be ordering. The most informative session I did attend was Sally Fallon speaking on "Getting Started", in which she pronounced, DO NOT DENY YOUR CHILDREN OR YOURSELF OF SWEET TASTES!
She got a solid round of applause from three people, yours truly included.
Sally also said she was not obsessive about her food, which really surprised me! I think it's a sign that we should not obsess, that this way of eating should be fun and not a chore. I really needed to hear that.
We also heard Michael Schmidt, from Canada, speak about how his grass-based farm was raided and closed down. He faces huge legal bills, and we can all help him. He also appeared on a panel with Sally Fallon, Pete Kennedy (who helped me with my run-in with the so called Health Department), and some others (careful notes were NOT taken) on the farmer's right to farm and sell directly to the consumer. You can read about him here http://www.realmilk.com/real-milk-canada.html
Speaking of that, Lily made friends with a sweet Englisher who lives in Pennsylvania, distributes jams, jellies and fermented vegetables, and helps some of the Amish farmers in his area. Maybe Lily will add a comment explaining more about him.
Lily also made friends with the O'Brien Brothers, sturdy, handsome builders who use only traditional tools and techniques to build beautiful homes. They brought tools, wood, a beam, and a bucket of glue which I thought they could add some lavender oil to, package differently, and sell as moisturizer. They are considering the idea. Lily kept them well-supplied with D'Artagnan food to keep their strength up.
Other highlights of the conference were Ed's consultation with Dr. Ron, the Japanese Miso Men, so polite and dressed so beautifully, and our Live Blood Testing. Stay tuned for a notice about when I will be hosting a Testing session here at Wit's End, which was the name of our home school back in the day.
Joel Salatin gave a rousing closing sermon to the weekend. His latest book is "Everything I Want to do is Illegal" and I highly recommend....no, COMMAND.....you all to read it. You will understand more than every how hard it is for a small farmer to operate, and appreciate our farmer a hundred-fold. We met Joel and he is a wonderful person to talk to, very funny and animated, and he buttons his plaid shirt right up to the top button. Get your men-folk to do the same. It is a nice, severe-yet-casual look. Of course, I would be happy of our men all wore black pants, a white shirt, and a straw hat, but that's not about to happen. Maybe they can start with the Joel Salatin style and work their way up.
Hurry home, Alice, I expect we will have a lot of work getting your house back in shape after Jesse being there alone for a couple of weeks.
IT'S SNOWING! WHAT'S A FROLIC GIRL SUPPOSED TO DO?
Monday, October 29, 2007
Daddy lessons with some table talk
Diane's kids are all just as fascinating as Diane. Tovi rejects all that is considered good health by her mum and happily frolics with chemicals and all this preserved. She happens to be a fantastic beautician so whilst Maryanne was getting her hair all wonderfully glamorised, Diane found some time to give me a little more advice. Interestingly she gave some advice to Jesse which I enjoyed.
Jesse gets abit flustered when Marisol cries, he simply calls out for the 'mummy'. Often I am quite happy to take her but I don't think it is a good habit. Marisol and Jesse have to find their own balance together and by doing so they have to work on the whinging periods. Queen Diane quickly summed up the situation and did not let Marisol come to Mummy but let Jesse realise how just by a little distraction she can forget about her whinging and even mummy.
"look marisol, look what is up there in the trees!" and ever so quickly she has forgotten her gripe and onto her next port of adventure.
Then we sat down to a yummy hearty lentil soup. Marisol guaged herself on it and managed to get it all over her face. Diane pointed out that if you don't clean their face after their meal then they will get used to a dirty face and later on when you try and get rid of it they will get annoyed. Mashi, Diane's grandson, is the king of clean. He is about 18months and has impeccable manners. Whilst he is eating at the table he will dab at the corner of his mouth if there is food there. I can no t believe it but I like the idea.
That being said there is also then the thought of respecting your food. Teaching Marisol that it is food time. A nice clean table where we all sit down and enjoy our meal together. No playing with food, no coochie coochie coos but a fun time to eat lots of yummy food that we all enjoy. I think it is very important to have at least one meal where you all sit down together. Diane also pointed out to me that if you give Marisol food whilst she is on the go she will use it as play food. If, instead, you let them sit at the table and they learn, ok now is time for food, then they will eat and naturally learn the value and joy of meal times.
Jesse gets abit flustered when Marisol cries, he simply calls out for the 'mummy'. Often I am quite happy to take her but I don't think it is a good habit. Marisol and Jesse have to find their own balance together and by doing so they have to work on the whinging periods. Queen Diane quickly summed up the situation and did not let Marisol come to Mummy but let Jesse realise how just by a little distraction she can forget about her whinging and even mummy.
"look marisol, look what is up there in the trees!" and ever so quickly she has forgotten her gripe and onto her next port of adventure.
Then we sat down to a yummy hearty lentil soup. Marisol guaged herself on it and managed to get it all over her face. Diane pointed out that if you don't clean their face after their meal then they will get used to a dirty face and later on when you try and get rid of it they will get annoyed. Mashi, Diane's grandson, is the king of clean. He is about 18months and has impeccable manners. Whilst he is eating at the table he will dab at the corner of his mouth if there is food there. I can no t believe it but I like the idea.
That being said there is also then the thought of respecting your food. Teaching Marisol that it is food time. A nice clean table where we all sit down and enjoy our meal together. No playing with food, no coochie coochie coos but a fun time to eat lots of yummy food that we all enjoy. I think it is very important to have at least one meal where you all sit down together. Diane also pointed out to me that if you give Marisol food whilst she is on the go she will use it as play food. If, instead, you let them sit at the table and they learn, ok now is time for food, then they will eat and naturally learn the value and joy of meal times.
Love them apples
The three of us became united in force by the indirect help of the Amish and Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions. Our frolic today is out to get a bushel of organic apples. Carolee just told me this morning that fruit and vegetables have more nutrients if they have imperfections because they have to fight off the bugs and insects which makes them create more anti oxidants. So it seems to be a reasoning of uglier is best, I like that. Why wear make up if you are only going attract the rodents?
Friday, October 26, 2007
Keeping up appearances
Putting the artisan into housework
Think of the old English proverb, Monday is laundry; Tuesday is for cooking and so forth; ending with Sunday is a day of rest. This is another whiz bang idea from Diane. Things get organized and structured. Laundry, I am a mess with laundry, no bloody idea; stains on clothes, clothes all crinkled, and clothes everywhere. Laundry is always done at the last possible moment and then dragged out into a long arduous process. Diane comes in and is the whiz bang wonder lady. Diane advocates:
Different piles for laundry, a revolutionary idea for me! Towels are always kept apart, why? Because they are wet and stinky and can keep the other clothes damp. Separate his and hers and then babies clothes. Hers will be done obviously more frequently and you want to check on the ones that are damp as they will stay wet and moldy which won’t be good news for the rest of the clothes. Wow, I just thought laundry was about separating colors.
Then of course you have to think about how many laundry baskets do you need and what kind. Diane suggested the wooden ones with a lid on the top because they look nicer, meaning they are tidier as a lid can be put on top.
Thinking about laundry has helped me to think about the messy kitchen which is all so common for me. Diane has really helped to set that up. Diane is so excited about these things that as I am cleaning up I think, “bet Diane would be proud”, which boosts my efforts. Jesse does not even notice, which I think is all too common and if I rely on him coming home and saying something it inevitably leads to a let down for me, whereas Diane ALWAYS notices.
KITCHEN
I buy a lot of things in bulk or from the local market so they are not packaged like items from a regular supermarket. I was, of course, just chucking them into the pantry without a care in the world, feeling as though I was “putting the food away”. Diane came over and sorted me out.
Firstly she categorized everything and then she made sure all the lovely glass jars I love to collect were put to use, labeled, dated and sparkling with all the lovely food that was lying around waiting to be eaten by some kind of vermin.
Next she went to town on making sure the surfaces of my kitchen were clean. Not just once a week, but all the time. The surfaces even included giving the sink and the strainer a good clean with baking powder to get it brand spanking new. I thought it a bit f a bore to do all the time but I have incorporated it into my cooking, which I do love to do, and low and behold, it is a much more pleasant experience cooking with a clean kitchen. I also hardly notice I am cleaning up after myself because I do it as it is all happening.
Much easier as well when at a moments notice there is a little baby squealing for attention which requires drop everything and attend.
SLEEPING
This is I think one of the trickiest parts of looking after a baby. Definitely I have wrangled with this and Diane and I have had numerous conversations about this. All of Diane’s kids slept in their crib, apart from her youngest who did so after he was one year old. They had their spot, they were told, ‘this is your bed, and this is your area just for you.’ I, on the other hand, co sleep, should I say all 3 of us co sleep and though it is very lovely at first for everyone at one year old I am wanting to get her out of bed but finding it difficult, very difficult.
Co sleeping, along with breast feeding was a lovely thing to do when Marisol was first born, it made sense. She liked it, mummy liked it, and daddy liked it. As time goes on it becomes more and more evident how much she likes it and how much less mummy and daddy like it. I still love waking up in the morning and seeing her in bed with us, smiling and so happy, ready for the day’s adventure. I just feel it is time for us, as in, husband and wife, to have time together. Marisol knows she is loved and cared for, she also needs to begin to understand that mum and dad need their own time. This, I think, is a long term learning idea but something she can grow up with.
Diane has suggested to encourage Marisol by when she puts her head on the floor or makes a gesture of feeling tired, to speak about that gesture to her, ‘oh Marisol is tired now, look how tired Marisol is, do you think you would like to sleep?’ So there is a constant affirmation of sleep and that sleep is a good thing.
When Marisol was very little I let her sleep downstairs during the day and managed to get her to sleep in her own crib downstairs. Diane kept encouraging this as if it can be done just once then she will do it again. Babies are taught by us, they know what to do by us showing them; we just have to show them!
PRESSURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Yucky words really. There are daily pressures and responsibilities all the time for everyone whether we like it or not, it is just a question of framing it well.
Diane: Good pressures are when something is encouraging us to be better then we are. Bad pressure is when….
LOVING A CHILD
Everyone loves their child, that is a natural instinct as a parent. I do not understand why you have to teach the child to tell you all the time that you love them; for whom are you asking? Love, I believe, is so much deeper than those 3 words you are always waiting for when you are 15 years old with your first girl crush, I love you.
Babies want to learn how to manipulate you as much as possible. They want to be able to get their way all the time, fairly natural as I like to get my way all the time as well, wouldn’t the world be great if it was like that for all of us! As Diane keeps on reinforcing, they know they are loved, you do not have to remind them all the time, and therefore they can not use this to manipulate you by.
As mums we are now constantly questioning whether or not what we do is right for the baby. The pressure to ‘teach’ the baby everything is a constant in the American society. By the age of five she/he should be bale to read, name the colors blah blah blah. I am not denigrating education I just believe this happens to some extent by itself and that the most important thing a child can learn is imagination and creativity. When you really think about it, reading and writing is something taught by rote; everyone, well mostly everyone, at some learn how to do this…not everyone is taught imagination. This seems not to be encouraged.
Think of the old English proverb, Monday is laundry; Tuesday is for cooking and so forth; ending with Sunday is a day of rest. This is another whiz bang idea from Diane. Things get organized and structured. Laundry, I am a mess with laundry, no bloody idea; stains on clothes, clothes all crinkled, and clothes everywhere. Laundry is always done at the last possible moment and then dragged out into a long arduous process. Diane comes in and is the whiz bang wonder lady. Diane advocates:
Different piles for laundry, a revolutionary idea for me! Towels are always kept apart, why? Because they are wet and stinky and can keep the other clothes damp. Separate his and hers and then babies clothes. Hers will be done obviously more frequently and you want to check on the ones that are damp as they will stay wet and moldy which won’t be good news for the rest of the clothes. Wow, I just thought laundry was about separating colors.
Then of course you have to think about how many laundry baskets do you need and what kind. Diane suggested the wooden ones with a lid on the top because they look nicer, meaning they are tidier as a lid can be put on top.
Thinking about laundry has helped me to think about the messy kitchen which is all so common for me. Diane has really helped to set that up. Diane is so excited about these things that as I am cleaning up I think, “bet Diane would be proud”, which boosts my efforts. Jesse does not even notice, which I think is all too common and if I rely on him coming home and saying something it inevitably leads to a let down for me, whereas Diane ALWAYS notices.
KITCHEN
I buy a lot of things in bulk or from the local market so they are not packaged like items from a regular supermarket. I was, of course, just chucking them into the pantry without a care in the world, feeling as though I was “putting the food away”. Diane came over and sorted me out.
Firstly she categorized everything and then she made sure all the lovely glass jars I love to collect were put to use, labeled, dated and sparkling with all the lovely food that was lying around waiting to be eaten by some kind of vermin.
Next she went to town on making sure the surfaces of my kitchen were clean. Not just once a week, but all the time. The surfaces even included giving the sink and the strainer a good clean with baking powder to get it brand spanking new. I thought it a bit f a bore to do all the time but I have incorporated it into my cooking, which I do love to do, and low and behold, it is a much more pleasant experience cooking with a clean kitchen. I also hardly notice I am cleaning up after myself because I do it as it is all happening.
Much easier as well when at a moments notice there is a little baby squealing for attention which requires drop everything and attend.
SLEEPING
This is I think one of the trickiest parts of looking after a baby. Definitely I have wrangled with this and Diane and I have had numerous conversations about this. All of Diane’s kids slept in their crib, apart from her youngest who did so after he was one year old. They had their spot, they were told, ‘this is your bed, and this is your area just for you.’ I, on the other hand, co sleep, should I say all 3 of us co sleep and though it is very lovely at first for everyone at one year old I am wanting to get her out of bed but finding it difficult, very difficult.
Co sleeping, along with breast feeding was a lovely thing to do when Marisol was first born, it made sense. She liked it, mummy liked it, and daddy liked it. As time goes on it becomes more and more evident how much she likes it and how much less mummy and daddy like it. I still love waking up in the morning and seeing her in bed with us, smiling and so happy, ready for the day’s adventure. I just feel it is time for us, as in, husband and wife, to have time together. Marisol knows she is loved and cared for, she also needs to begin to understand that mum and dad need their own time. This, I think, is a long term learning idea but something she can grow up with.
Diane has suggested to encourage Marisol by when she puts her head on the floor or makes a gesture of feeling tired, to speak about that gesture to her, ‘oh Marisol is tired now, look how tired Marisol is, do you think you would like to sleep?’ So there is a constant affirmation of sleep and that sleep is a good thing.
When Marisol was very little I let her sleep downstairs during the day and managed to get her to sleep in her own crib downstairs. Diane kept encouraging this as if it can be done just once then she will do it again. Babies are taught by us, they know what to do by us showing them; we just have to show them!
PRESSURES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Yucky words really. There are daily pressures and responsibilities all the time for everyone whether we like it or not, it is just a question of framing it well.
Diane: Good pressures are when something is encouraging us to be better then we are. Bad pressure is when….
LOVING A CHILD
Everyone loves their child, that is a natural instinct as a parent. I do not understand why you have to teach the child to tell you all the time that you love them; for whom are you asking? Love, I believe, is so much deeper than those 3 words you are always waiting for when you are 15 years old with your first girl crush, I love you.
Babies want to learn how to manipulate you as much as possible. They want to be able to get their way all the time, fairly natural as I like to get my way all the time as well, wouldn’t the world be great if it was like that for all of us! As Diane keeps on reinforcing, they know they are loved, you do not have to remind them all the time, and therefore they can not use this to manipulate you by.
As mums we are now constantly questioning whether or not what we do is right for the baby. The pressure to ‘teach’ the baby everything is a constant in the American society. By the age of five she/he should be bale to read, name the colors blah blah blah. I am not denigrating education I just believe this happens to some extent by itself and that the most important thing a child can learn is imagination and creativity. When you really think about it, reading and writing is something taught by rote; everyone, well mostly everyone, at some learn how to do this…not everyone is taught imagination. This seems not to be encouraged.
Diane's Laundry Advice
Did you know that you can clean out the dryer with a brush? That is if it gets in the funk and all those grubbly bits that get stuck in the dryer actually go beyond the catcher and invades the machine which slows it down and makes you believe that you need a new machine! Well wonder Diane came to the rescue with her lovely chimney sweep brushes.
Our morning Frolic.
Our morning Frolic.
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