Jack's Harvest

Being of Lebanese descent my family has always used mint in just about everything. I will actually share the top secret salad dressing my grandmother and mother make later in the post just don’t tell them I told you – it will make you crave salad!

Mint is well known for its properties related to indigestion, stomach cramps, menstrual cramps, flatulence, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and colic in children. Make a tea out of fresh or dried leaves for a tasty and refreshing after-dinner stomach soother. For the younger crowd, it can also be heated with milk for the same effect (and they will like it).

Mint also can be used as an appetite stimulant. It reduces hunger for a short time, but when the effects wear off the hunger returns stronger than before. For those lucky enough to need to gain a few pounds, a tea might be tried 30 minutes before a meal for appetite stimulation.

For a refreshing and cleansing facial wash, place a handful of bruised Mint leaves (any kind) in a quart-sized pan of cool water. Let sit for an hour or so, then chill in the refrigerator and use as desired. Mint combined with Rosemary in a vinegar is reported to help control dandruff (place the sprigs in a bottle that can be tightly sealed, and let sit for at least a week out of direct sunlight).

New research indicates that mint oil used externally in a cold compress or rubbed directly into the skin can significantly reduce pain in cases of arthritis and chronic joint pain, with few if any side effects.

Lastly, any of the mints make a good addition as far as taste when making herbal teas, and as such, having a few mint plants growing in the garden is a must for anyone serious about herbs and their medicinal uses, as a many of the other herbs have objectionable tastes that can be masked by the addition of one of the mints.

BTW we planted mint in our garden this year and if Jack’s Harvest doesn’t work out we plan on becoming mint farmers as it is EVERYWHERE and requires absolutely no intervention from us at all.

We use mint in our More Peas, Please. The cool of the mint offsets the “green” flavor of the peas. We find that even kids who HATE peas love ours. They are fresh and vibrant and delicious!

Sittie’s (Lebanese for Grandmother) Salad Dressing
These amounts are estimates because my grandmother and mother don’t measure anything – they are intuitive cooks and just KNOW what is right-

2 Tablespoons good olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/2 clove garlic
1/2 tsp dried mint

In a mortar bowl combine the garlic and salt and smash into a paste with pestle. Add rest of ingredients and stir well, taste and adjust as needed. I promise you – you will start having salad with breakfast!

Some great tips for making your own baby food at home if you are so inclined, if not, just let JH take care of it for you!

1.  Use organic produce

2.  Soak all produce with skins in water for 5 mins and rinse well.

3.  Cook until heated through, but not overcooked.

4.  Use only stainless steel no aluminum cookware.

5.  Utilize the cooking water for processing.

6.  When in doubt process again – you do not want lumps for beginning eaters.

7.  Don’t be afraid to experiment.  Babies will eat a lot of combos we wouldn’t think about trying.

8.  Try some no cook purees like avocado.

9.  Make sure you are not freezing the food in plastic trays.  They expel BPA when frozen.

10.  No microwaving in plastic either – use glass or ceramic.

Connie and I wanted you to know how valuable we feel all of the comment, questions, suggestions and encouragement are to us at Jack’s Harvest.  Whenever we are having a tough day it seems like we will get a note or call from one of our Jack’s parents telling us how much your baby likes our food or telling us how important you feel organics are for babies and it really is buoying to our spirits.  We want to make sure that you know that we really do read and personally respond to all Facebook posts, email, phone calls and tweets.  Keep ‘em coming!  xoxo

Heather

1. Buy Biodegradable Garbage Bags for your home.
2. Start using dish towels instead of Paper Towels
3. Clean your fruits and veggies in a bowl of water instead of running the tap water and make sure that you promptly fix any leaking faucets which can wast up to 6,000 gallons of water a year!
4. Compost kitchen waste – you don’t need to buy anything special, I just put mine in a bowl and take it out to the compost heap at night.
5. Use only all natural products in your home to cut down on indoor pollution.
6. Use your dishwasher – it uses water much more economically.

Ahhh cinnamon, how do I love thee!  Not only does cinnamon taste and smell amazing it is a powerhouse when it comes to enhancing your health.  Here is a list of the benefits cinnamon can provide.  Your baby can get their daily dose of cinnamon in our Papplesauce, Sweet on Broccoli and Lip Smackin’ Sweet Potatoes.

• Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.
• Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.
• In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.
• In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
• It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.
• In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief inarthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.
• When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.
• One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.
• Researchers at Kansas State University found that cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.
• It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Alpharetta Harry’s Farmer’s Market

6-7:30 p.m. $5 — All proceeds will benefit The Drake House

Ladies take a night for yourself!  We know you’re always searching for something new and different to do for a great Girls Night!  Join us for makeovers, massages, mini-facials, yoga, relaxation techniques and even tips on how to look and feel 10 years younger!  This is an event that you don’t want to miss and we promise that you won’t get stuck with cleaning up afterwards!  Goodie bags and decadent Hors d’œuvre provided by Bella Cucina and sparkling wine will be served!  Call 770-664-6300 to register.

OMG – it is soooo hot in the kitchen today and that isn’t just a figure of speech.  The AC is broken and I am sitting here blogging and sweating and sweating and blogging.  So if this rambles, sorry, but it’s HOT!  Makes me wonder how people did it back in the day – can you imagine Scarlett O’Hara out on the verandah in those ridiculous hoop skirts in this HEAT?  So glad I wasn’t born before AC!  Since it is so hot I am going to make this short and if you are an Atlanta parent and you are reading this go to the link below and make a guess at what is in the tin.  If it helps, I know what’s in it and if you are reading my blog, you do too!!!

http://atlanta.momslikeme.com/members/JournalActions.aspx?g=753421&m=6966543

Cooking for Monkeys

This recipe comes courtesy of our friend Pam at Cooking for Monkeys http://www.cookingformonkeys.com. Pam is a mommy blogger of the highest pedigree and she has great ideas for healthy meals for your kids especially the Bento Box.  She also sells Bento Boxes on her site that are so cute your kids will eat WHATEVER you pack because it looks so good!

Happy Day Smoothie Recipe:

• 6 cubes of Yummy Bunny Carrots
• 3 cubes of Sweet on Broccoli
• 1/2 cup kefir yogurt drink
• 1/2 cup green juice (more if needed)
• 2 TB flax seed (We use ground which adds texture, you can also use flax seed oil. Flax seed is an excellent source of omega-3)
• 2 TB sunbutter
• 1 cup frozen mixed berries
• 1 banana
• sometimes wheat germ

Add all to blender and buzz until smooth.  Makes 3 to 4 servings

My poor cousin worked at K-Mart for one summer in 1987 and we still to this day call her Blue Light Special, but that is completely off point.  The point is that we want to make sure that you get to your closest Whole Foods Market in the Southeast and take advantage of our sale.  Since it goes in the freezer, this is the time to stock up on your favorites and don’t forget all of the wonderful sneaky chef recipes you could be making to keep your big kids on the right track nutritionally during the school year.  Go, Run, Buy!

We had a wonderful time at the Buckhead Whole Foods Market this weekend doing a cooking demonstration of some of our favorite sneaky chef recipes for back to school.  We had a field day with the Yummy Bunny Carrots.  They mix so well in so many things that we were having a ball coming up with new ideas on the fly and the audience for the cooking demo were coming up with their own recipes as well.  We added carrots to mayonnaise and made turkey, cheese and lettuce with whole wheat wraps.  We added carrots to ranch dressing and served as a dip with carrots and celery sticks and we added the carrot puree to hummus and served with Stacy’s Pita chips.  Everything was so good we had shoppers coming back for more, over and over again.  Our one hour cooking demo turned into a 4 hour sneaky chef marathon.  We had a great time and were so happy to see adults and kids of all ages gobbling up their veggies in such an easy and painless way!

Great Yummy Bunny Carrot Ideas

• Add to hummus and serve in lunches with carrot stick, pita chips or whatever your kids like to dip.
• Add to spaghetti sauce – delicious for making pizzas, cheesy bread or just over noodles.
• Add to smoothies – the carrots will just make the smoothie sweeter and a little orange.
• Add to macaroni and cheese – no one will be the wiser as it just make the color a little more vivid.
• Add to salad dressings.
• Add to your pancake or brownie mix.
• Add to your kid’s sandwiches and wraps by mixing into mayo or mustard.