Monthly Newspaper by Food & Thought

No.1

March 2010

www.foodandthought.com | 239. 213.2222 | 2132 Tamiami Trail N. Naples , FL

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FREE

Frank Oakes“Everything is gonna be alright”

After our editors (Amanda & Lisa) rejected my well written first article Titled “The Rarely Understood Advantages of Disorganization & Procrastination, I found myself with just minutes before the deadline to get this first issue of“Home Grown” to the printer.

And so for now just let me say Welcome! I hope you get to know more about each of the wonderful people helping youhere at Food & Thought. They have, as you have, become part of our family.

It’s with a servant’s heart that I thank all of you for making all the hours spenthere so rewarding.

“Never does Nature say one thing & Wisdom another.”

-Juvenel

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

FINDING BALANCEWritten by Connie Oakes, Our Seasonal Blessing

Being humbled by the generations who did the earth no harm Who listened to Mother Nature and were sustained by a farm

A garden spot is perfect to find a peaceful easy feeling From the seeds of knowledge planted there for healthfulness and Healing

Living proof it is not too late to be the change we need To make the world a better place for the children we must feed

A place to sit and feast on the fruits of the earth And to share some understanding is a gift beyond worth

Nourishment of mind and body is an ever present goal United with the invariable fulfillment of the soul.

Consciousness is the soil in which to cultivate a plan Where responsibility is taken rather than acceptance or demand

Every life would be enhanced if here balance was sought In a splendid little garden of Food & Thought

Can you guess who the our featured employee is?

Hints:Lived for 13 years without electricitySpent a week in jail for passing out biblesWorked in a hotel casino

Local produce is in full swing in the month of March. We are enjoying the yield from our own Farm, which includes multiple varieties of lettuces, greens, eggplant, spinach, beets and assorted other yummies. Green beans will be coming on strong for the whole month. Strawberries should be straighten-ing out from the winter freeze damage, so supplies should increase and prices should ease. Lady Moon in Arcadia and Little Cypress in Immokalee, are two local organic farms that are also bringing in the goods,

BOOK OF THE MONTH:

SOUTHWEST FL’S PRODUCE along with fresh Honeybells and other citrus from Green Horizon Organic Farm on Pine Island. We always have the best prices in town, often less than the poisoned stuff. And our bounty from our own farm is picked fresh everyday! (Usually arriving around 9:30 am) We believe a stroll down our produce aisle puts you in the middle of the very healthiest food you can find anywhere on earth. Getting your fresh fruits and vegetables at Food and Thought does yourself and us a favor!

Written by Preston Pylinski, The produce guy

THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS By: Peter Tompkins & Christopher Bird

“Reading the THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS takes you on a journey into the "unknown" world of plants. Yes, to some it sounds out therethat the common houseplant could take such a liking to Brahms, or such a disliking to hard rock music. Yet, according to scientists, stranger things have been proven. For example, plants who were the subjects of numerous tests and studies in a laboratory were proven to have "human-like" feelings for the people that they were introduced to. In fact, the relationships progressed to the point that when one of the participants in the study nearly got run over by public transporta-tion on the street, the participating plant was recorded reacting in alarm to the peril that the human subject was put in! This wasn't all. Plants are also proven, in this book, to respond to human sexuality in a very powerful (if not anthropomorphized) manner. This book is one of the most educational books pertaining to biology and symbiotic relationships between plants and humans that I have ever read.” - Amanda Woodward

Painting your walls? Although color has an effect on your mood, the type of paint plays a “drastic” role in personal health and comfort within a space. Conventional paint contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a class of carbon based chemicals that have the capacity to rapidly evaporate. The VOCs in the paint cause poor indoor air quality which can contribute to headaches, fatigue, depressed immune system, asthma and even more serious illnesses like cardio-vascular disease and cancer. Once you’ve painted with this kind of paint it will continue to emit toxins months, or even years, after the paint has dried. VOCs pollutant levels increase with Florida‘s high temperature and humidity levels so imagine the indoor pollution in your home around summer time.

So what do you do if you are moving or want to give your space a fresh coat of paint? The answer is to look for low or no-VOC paints!

Here are two we’ve tried in our own stores...

The Real Milk Paint Company’s paint is made with milk protein, lime, clay and earth pigments. If you looking for examples of

Milk Paint, you don’t have far to go just look at the walls at Food and Thought. Lick it, it’s just milk! (just kidding please don’t lick our walls) We also sell all 20 colors, if your interested ask an employee.

Harmony by Sherwin Williams is completely VOC free. Also it is available in a wide range of textures, glosses and hues. Some colors are so natural they're even made from safe and sustainable materials like soy and sunflower oil. Sherwin Williams donated a portion of the paint for the interior of Thoughtful Threads.

Other companies have jumped on the green bandwagon: Benjamin Moore’s Aura, EnvioSafe Paints (family owned), and AFM Safecoat paints to name a few. Which ever one you choose make the right choice for you, your friends and family.

GREEN IS NOT JUST A COLOR ANYMORE!Written by Amanda Woodward, In - House Designer

At 26, Freedom has lived and experienced far more that many people twice her age. Finding herself in Belize at age 8 with parents who were early raw foodist, pursuing her love of cooking took some ingenuity while living in a Mennonite community. Freedom’s early perseverant nature had her covertly making a fire outside to cook by, while learning new recipes from friends and neighbors every chance she would get. With such an inquiring mind and innate talent, she became adept at diverse cuisines and if you need an animal butchered, she can even do that. After 7 years in a Mennonite community, 19 year old Freedom came back to Florida to see what life would be like here. Quite naturally she became part of the Oakes team, joining her sister Jen. Although Freedom loved cooking for Alfie (Frank’s son), she always made it clear that she was “promised” to Frank whenever Food & Thought opened. Of course that is what happened and the story goes on. Being the oldest of nine children (just like

OUR FEATURED EMPLOYEE IS...

Written by Lisa Maras, Outside Secretary

If you guessed our “chef extraordinaire” Freedom, you are correct!Sister Amber & Chef Freedom

Frank), Freedom became quite early, a willing care giver. She tells of preparing the food for everyone and taking great pleasure in their enjoyment of it, while waiting to eat until everyone had what they wanted. This has all contributed to her even-temperedness and her ability to improvise at a moments notice. She runs the kitchen with a calm capability that is something to marvel at. Her patient spirt is perhaps only surpassed by her delightful person-ality. Whether she is making her signature salmon cakes or creating a dessert too delicious to say no to, her talents are a daily treat and blessing.When Freedom isn’t in the kitchen at Food & Thought she is with her handsome and charming husband Carlos and their adorable 3 year old son, Carlitos. To see them is to love them. Freedom is exceptional. She reminds us that from a generous heart and a willing spirit, anything is possible.

Finally, a certified organic whey protein powder! Food & Thought is proud to introduce Tera’s Whey, sourced from a small organic dairy farm and artisan cheese makers in the state of Wisconsin. Whey is a normal by-product of cheese-making; it is the liquid that is left when

the solids in milk come together and are pressed into solid form. It used to be discarded or used for animal feed until researchers later realized its incredible benefits for humans. In fact, whey is one of the world’s oldest health foods.

All the way back in 420 B.C., Hippocrates, known as the “Father of Medicine”, recommended the health boosting benefits of whey.

In Europe during the middle ages, whey was touted as a health tonic. The first protein source we were designed to eat as a newborn is a mother’s breast milk and the most important nutritional protein in breast milk is whey protein. Mother’s milk is 70% whey. In fact, whey protein is widely considered to have the highest quality rating among all protein, containing all the essential amino acids in their proper ratios. Its benefits are many and varied. Not only is it popular among athletes and body builders for its ability to build lean body mass by

increasing the body’s production for muscle protein, it also aids in endurance and recovery as well. It boasts energy, supports beneficial gut bacteria and supports your body’s optimal metabolic rate and fat burning level. Perhaps among its most important benefits, however, are the antioxidant and immune-boosting proper-ties. Antioxidants are very important for healthy immune function because they neutralize free radical activity. Glutathione acts as your body’s master antioxidant and detoxifier. It’s a tri-peptide made up of the amino acids cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine. Our bodies produce glutathione when we have adequate amounts of these critical components, and properly processed whey supplies them. Glutathione not only does a masterful job at detoxifying your liver but strengths your immune system by aiding lymphocytes, cells vital for your immune response, in their proper function and replica-tion. Immunoglobulins, proteins used by immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria viruses, are also prevalent in whey. When it comes to consuming dairy products organic is important. It ensures that the animals were not given copious antibiotics, growth hormones or fed GMOs or pesticide laden and nutritionally deficient diets. You want whey from cows that had access to pasture land where they can consume grass that produces vital CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), a potent antioxidant that helps with immune function as well as normal insulin and cholesterol levels. BGH free, full of vitamins, and able to sustain you for hours, try jump-starting your morning with a Tera’s Whey smoothie in delicious blueberry or vanilla flavors.

IT’S THE ONLY WHEY!Written by Micheal Montelone, Our Supplement “Guru” & Buyer

From my often “perch”, I have the fortu-nate vantage point of looking into Food & Thought, unobserved. I am able to witness the inner workings of a place that is abuzz with activity that is remarkably, mostly self initiated. There is a flurry of activity from the kitchen where there is an incredible balancing act between food in and food out. The stars that make that happen are a precious team. What delicacies they create.

The guys who keep the store stocked and well ordered are tireless and raise excellence to a new level. They move at a pace and exhibit strength that is Olympic. Only to watch them is to know the full extent of their commitment. The gals in front and behind the scenes are dedicated and passion filled for whatever task they are doing. Although there is a seeming effortlessness to their actions, there is enormous energy expended of body, mind and soul. Their smiles are contagious.

All of this made possible because of the example Frank sets, day after day, year after year, of a work ethic that is unparalleled. He is there as the day dawns and as it ends. A man truly living on purpose. He has made a home for so many of us.

How fortunate we are, employees and customers alike, to have a place where we know we are contributing to the greater good and healing of this planet. Blessed be.

THE PERCH

Write a letter to the editor: Amanda@Thoughtful-Treads.com

Written by Lisa Maras, Outside Secretary

What would you like to see more of in Home Grown? We want to know your thoughts & ideas!

INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTSWritten by Vicky, Our Raw Talent

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Health - Organic Living, Proper Nutritional Choices, Exercise (Body & Mind), Proper Rest, Positive thought choices and actionsForgiveness - Practice forgiveness on yourself and others... do not harbor resentmentsGiving - Give of yourself unconditionallyGratitude - Be in a Constant state of thanksLove - Love yourself and others unconditionally ( we are all one)Faith - “Fear ends where faith begins” UnknownRespect - Practice self respect, respect for all lifeand respect for our home “Earth”Happiness - Practice all of the above and laugh a lot!

Rosemary quickens the senses and increases memory. The leaves and branches were burned in houses to clean the air. Rosemary tea was a remedy for gallstones and jaundice and was often cooked with meats to make them more digestible. Rosemary leaves were used in preserving meat as an antioxidant preservation. The flower water was sprinkled on the head “to cool the brain” and relieve headaches.

Why Rosemary was my first love?

(organicvicky@yahoo.com)