As quickly as peach season passed, so did apple season. Usually apple picking is a September/October ordeal, but we must've had a different weather situation this year to make it come early. Unfortunately in the beginning of the summer we had to cut back over two thirds of our apple trees due to a common local bacterial disease called Fire Blight. That left us with about 7 trees to harvest this year instead of the 30 we normally would have. Nonetheless, it was a blast picking the apples and turning them into apple butter and apple sauce that will last us through the winter. Fun fact- apples can stay good and crisp throughout the entire winter when given the right conditions! So we are also saving a bunch of fresh apples as well to be able to enjoy throughout the fall and winter. |
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Fun Happenings & New Discoveries |
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This month really felt like summer because we had lots of friends over to go swimming in the pool and have epic game nights. Other things that captured our attention this month were: Installing a new kitchen faucet from old crusty silver to a classy matte black Photographing and then identifying the number of medicinal flowers we already have growing on the farm before planting new ones. Turns out we have echinacea (purple coneflower), hibiscus, roses (yes they are edible), plantain and vervain! Time to make some tinctures! We are starting to look like a real homestead with our rainbow of apple, cherry, and peach butters and jams and sauces in our newly renovated pantry We celebrated my 29th birthday with friends. We catered Chipotle, enjoyed chocolate fondue, and conveniently made a bunch of apple sauce with all the extra hands since we had an abundant harvest the day before! We took a "stay-cation" for our 4th anniversary to discover some of the local favorites. We hiked two waterfalls at Hanging Rock State Park, enjoyed a picnic by the lake, bought fresh produce at two of our local farmer's markets, visited a local farm called Horne Creek that has continued on since the 1800's, had a spa day, and visited the historic district of Winston-Salem to gain some history of the area when NC was just a colony. So relaxing and it truly felt like we were guests in our own home.
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Local Spots to Visit & Vacation in North-western North Carolina |
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| | We visited Old Salem, the historic district of Winston-Salem. It was so nostalgic with all brick streets and buildings, a local shared water pump and many interactive exhibits. |
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| | On our staycation, we visited Hanging Rock State Park and had a picnic by the Lake Trail in addition to the gorgeous waterfalls and mountain hikes. |
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| | We visited a local winery called Sanders Ridge Vineyard and winery. We will definitely be recommending our future guests to enjoy the many wineries in our local area. |
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Edible Flowers on Our Farm |
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| | The hibiscus plant is entirely edible, but the flowers can be used to make a delicious tea. |
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| | Roses contain vitamins A, B3, C, D, and E and are anti-inflammatory. They make a great tea or cake topper. |
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| | Purple Coneflower, also known by its medicinal name echinacea, has immune-modulating benefits when made into a tincture. |
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The day before my birthday, we had our first real pet. E found this adorable baby bunny when he was mowing the apple orchard. Our neighbor's dog (who is also very adorable) gets very playful so he unfortunately started "playing" with a nearby bunny's nest. Two of baby bunny's siblings died, but E saved our little guy and brought him to me immediately. His little back leg didn't work but he wasn't bleeding anywhere, so we tried to give him food and water. We held him all day long and I even went out and bought him a cage. However, throughout the day he started to have seizures that ended up lasting longer and longer. Sadly, he passed away late that same night. Nonetheless, that little bunny was a true joy and the best tiny birthday gift to me even if it was only for a day. We can't wait to get more animals on the farm! |
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In case you missed it...FARM PHOTOGRAPHY |
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My very dear and delightful friend Marissa Wu stayed with us this summer. We had a two-part, two-week just-for-kicks photoshoot with the goal of photographing the farm as it currently stands, and also to do a little old school farm portrait series. Here's some of our favorites below. See the full page of photos here. |
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Holistic Nutrition Counseling |
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For those of you who have received and/or are interested in nutritional guidance and health support, I am working 100% via telehealth until I open my physical office here in North Carolina. If you are curious about what my monthly health coaching services or one-on-one consultations entail, feel free to reach out to me at 925.315.7032 and I'd love to chat more with you about your health needs. |
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A Recent Holistic Nutrition Testimonial |
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"When I came to Lindsay a few months ago, I was suffering from SIBO and had many difficult symptoms, including inflammation and itching. After an elimination diet lasting about three to four months, and a planned gradual reintroduction of foods, my symptoms are largely gone, my digestion is feeling solid and strong, I’m absorbing and utilizing food better, and my energy is back. Moreover, I feel that I have a clear plan for maintaining that good condition. Lindsay is extremely knowledgeable, easy to work with, thorough, and caring. She goes above and beyond, writing and sending detailed meeting notes, often with accompanying links, contact info and recipes. I feel very well taken care of by Lindsay, and I give her my highest recommendation. She has a passion for getting her clients well." - Bob, July 2022 |
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