Diggin' the Drupes!

Oh, those great tastes of summer fruits and veggies are rolling out at Pathfinder Produce!  Stop by this week at our friendly, convenient market that is open each Thursday afternoon at the Village Commons from 1 to 5 p.m.  We’ve always got something fresh and exciting to share with your family!

As a reminder to everyone, Pathfinder Village will host its annual summer American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, August 9, and we encourage everyone who is eligible to consider donating in their home communities.  Blood supplies are vital to those undergoing surgery, fighting cancer, or who have suffered injuries and trauma.  Donating is safe, doesn’t take long, and a one pint donation can help up to three individuals requiring assistance.  To make an appointment, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit the American Red Cross blood donation website.

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I consider myself to have a good vocabulary, but this week I came across a word I’d not encountered before – “drupe.”  I get excited about new words, probably because I use words a lot at my job.  Or maybe it’s because learning new words is similar to brain exercises, like Sudoku or the puzzles that are popular through various websites.  (Read this article from Scientific American to learn more about how training your brain is beneficial).

Anyhow, “drupe” is a perfect word for Scrabble, which is a game my family loves to play when we’re relaxing and making an effort to turn off the screens.  We typically pack our game when we go on vacation, and it’s just something we do on those lazy summer nights when the fog is rolling in, the peepers are singing, and the fireflies are flashing.  (We have a version with a board that has a built-in turntable, which makes the game easier to play).

So what’s a drupe?  There’s a very specific botanical definition, which indicates that it’s a type of fruit that doesn’t split to release its seeds, that has an outer fleshy body, and has a hardened stone in the center that has a seed inside.  More commonly, it’s used to describe some of my favorite fruits, like plums, peaches, cherries and nectarines.  It also includes things like coffee beans, avocadoes, mangoes, olives, and apricots.

Apparently there’s more to drupes, and they are classified into three main subsets -- there are freestone drupes, where the stones are easily extracted from the fruit; clingstone, a self-explanatory term that once commonly was used in describing peaches; and tryma (another new Scrabble word!) which refers to nut-like drupes that are difficult to categorize, like hickory nuts and walnuts.

August is the month when many drupes mature and are harvested.  Nutritionally, drupes are great, providing a host of different nutrients, phytonutrients, and healthy fats.  Many also have dietary fiber and are low in calories, so they’re the perfect addition to your summer meals or as healthy snacks.

Until next time, dig those drupes and train that brain!

Lori

Stay on Track with the Latest Pinterest Sensation!

Summer is just flying by, and as incredible as that is, the sting is lessened by knowing that Pathfinder Produce offers the best summer flavors at its weekly fresh fruits and veggies market, each Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Village Commons at Pathfinder Village.  Stop by this week to purchase healthy items that can make your summer fun even better!

Our two new hoop houses have been ordered, and we’re grateful for the partnerships that we’ve forged with regional foundations that will allow us to expand on our growing capabilities here at Pathfinder.  Stay tuned for more information on our hoop houses and agriculture programs.

This week’s blog is from Maura Iorio, our Director of Education at Pathfinder School, who guides our students each day in making healthy choices and keeping fit.  As a busy educator, and an even busier community volunteer and mom, she offers some advice on staying organized!

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With smartphones taking over our daily lives, there seems to be an app for just about everything, especially when it comes to your health. Counting calories? Try MyFitnessPal. Want to log your weekly workouts? Give Runkeeper or Map My Run a spin! But with technology becoming so ingrained in our culture, there are many who find it more satisfying to take a step back and track things the old fashioned way (with a modern twist)—Bullet Journaling.

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, it is a quick and easy way to organize your life, track your goals, and remain motivated. The best part? Your journal can become as creative as you want it to be! Check out this article for beginners to see how to get started:

(Think of it as a more efficient way of keeping a ‘to do list’ that uses specific symbols and organizational strategies so that you may more efficiently track your progress through events and chores).

Although this type of journaling was designed with your whole life in mind, many people have used it for meal planning, weight loss goals, and fitting workouts throughout a busy week.  Have you been wanting to eat more fruits and veggies? Do you want to run a 5K for the first time? Creating a chart in a Bullet Journal can help you stay on track and accomplish your health goals! Check out the page ideas below for some inspiration, and there are many websites that offer insights into this great tool!

Happy Journaling!

Maura (and Lori)

Blueberry Happiness

It’s the height of summer, and our friendly market has some great produce to share with you, including lots of Pathfinder grown items directly from our Hoop House.  We hope to see you at Pathfinder Produce at the Village Commons, this Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m. 

Also, we extend our heartiest congratulations to all our regional athletes who competed this past weekend in the Gus Macker Tournament in Norwich, and the Boilermaker road race in Utica.  Way to go, everyone!

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Blueberry Happiness  

"I found my thrill, on blueberry hill .... " kept rolling through my head this Saturday as I put up 20 pounds of fresh blueberries.  It’s an annual tradition in my family to freeze berries, so that we may enjoy muffins, pancakes, and other treats in the depths of winter.  Although food preservation is work, it's satisfying work, and I always enjoy a few delicious berries as I sort out the "smushies, softies, splitties and stems."

Blueberries have gotten a lot of positive press over the past few years, as they are a great source of antioxidants, those compounds that help fight oxidative stress in the body caused by free radicals.  According to the American Heritage Dictionary, free radicals are groups of atoms that have unpaired electrons, are highly reactive, cause cell damage, and accelerate the progress of cancer, cardiovascular disease and age-related/inflammatory diseases.

According to the World’s Healthiest Foods, blueberries contain antioxidant substances called phytonutrients, which stop damaging chain reactions, reduce inflammation, and protect many body systems.  Blueberries are considered a super food, as they are one of the best sources (and best tasting sources) for antioxidants.

Of course, after putting all those berries in the freezer, I felt accomplished, but even while I was washing, and sorting berries, I was feeling fine, as I knew my family would enjoy the berries.  Being engaged in tasks and being socially connected is important, and researchers have been studying how cultivating happiness may make us healthier, according to an article in the latest The New Yorker.

Writer Will Storr discusses the work of Psychologist Brian R. Little at Cambridge, who studies the projects that all of us pursue during our daily lives (purposeful puttering).  Little has found that “in order to bring us happiness, a project must have two qualities: it must be meaningful in some way, and we must have efficacy over it.”  Little’s work relates to Aristotle’s concept of eudemonia, through which the philosopher theorized that happiness is realized through activity, and exhibiting virtue or excellence in accordance with reason.

Storr also shares some interesting human genome research on how happiness affects our body chemistries. Back in 2007, John Cacioppo, (University of Chicago), and Steve Cole, (University of California, Los Angeles), found that people who are lonely exhibit higher indicators for inflammatory diseases in blood samples.  Cole and Barbara Fredrickson (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill), went on in 2013 to show that people who are engaged socially and lead purpose-driven lives exhibit fewer signs of inflammation and have stronger immune systems than those who suffer from isolation.

So, in a way, scientific research is bearing out what we’ve always known -- keeping busy, “finding meaning” and being socially engaged are all part of attaining lasting happiness and keeping healthy.  So, whether it’s freezing blueberries for your loved ones, volunteering for a non-profit, or pursuing a hobby that allows you to meet others with similar interests, you are improving your health.

Until next time, stay connected, get busy, and be well,

Lori

Independence Day Thoughts

Our growing season is in full swing, and our Pathfinder Hoop House is increasing its production each week.  We recently have been successful in obtaining several grants from our Foundation and Community Service Partners, and plans are in the works to install two new hoop houses soon.  We’re looking forward to growing more and greater varieties of terrific veggies to put on sale.

Come on down to Pathfinder Produce at the Village Commons this Thursday, July 7, from 1 to 5 p.m. to this week, to see all our great fresh fruit and veggie items.  We’ll be looking for you!

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Happy belated Independence Day!

This past weekend went by in a whirl, with my niece’s graduation party, and a gathering with my folks for July 4^th fireworks.  There was lots of great food, including different fresh fruit and veggie dishes – we tried a non-mayo German potato salad recipe and grilled asparagus this weekend.  The potato salad was zesty, and I can’t say enough about the asparagus, which had a slight smoky flavor … I highly recommend it!

Despite all the social fun, I also worked in the garden and finished my lawn clean-up project -- the unruly pile of soil has been conquered.  As one works in the soil, it’s easy to reflect on the agricultural past (especially as I found an old horseshoe), and I've been reading more history too.  I'm re-visiting David McCullough’s "1776," and I'm up to July, when Washington's army first hears the “Declaration of Independence.”  That moment 240 years ago brought the colonists’ fight into sharper focus and solidified the idea of America as a somewhat cohesive, sovereign nation.

Of course, that means in just a decade, our nation will be celebrating 250 years of independence.  I remember the year-long Bicentennial celebration, with its specially minted coins, the red, white and blue everything, the great fireworks displays, and the tall ships sailing into New York harbor.  Groups are already gearing up for July 4, 2026, including USA250.

I think that you can play on the red, white, and blue theme anytime, and it’s always fun to dress up your food for picnics and parties all summer long.  Here are a few ideas from around the internet for patriotic flair.

•        Red, White & Blue Potato Salad
•        Grilled Chicken with Red-Blueberry Salsa
•        Red, White & Blue Salad
•        Summer Fruit Salad with Mint & Almonds  (I’d probably reduce the sugar for this).
•        Red, White & Blue Fruit Kababs

Until next time, enjoy these great days of summer!

Lori

More on Screen Time

Congratulations to all our grads!  It’s been a busy few weeks with lots of parties to celebrate the accomplishments of our students.  If you’re having a graduation party or a July 4^th get-together, come on down to the Village Commons for Pathfinder Produce, this Thursday, June 30, from 1 to 5 p.m.

We’ve got a great variety of fresh produce and other items, and our staff is ready and waiting to help you with your purchases.  We hope to see you then!

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A while ago, I wrote on reducing one’s screen time, and I’ve been taking my own advice to heart.  I’ve tried to look at electronic screens less, not be so hooked into my social network feeds, and become more physically active at home.

To that end, I took on a job I’d put off for too long … leveling out a large pile of soil that sits out back.  The soil, taken from an old barn, was carted in a few years ago for garden beds and fixing spots in the lawn.  I cut back all the wayward weeds, and this Saturday, I started the task in earnest, screening the dirt so that I could use it where it’s needed.  I must say, it was a “grate” work out!

My tools for the task were simple, and all are treasured “friends” that have been relied on many times.  There’s the large wheelbarrow and the sturdy shovel and rake, used on many gardening and concrete jobs.  And the old pick and straight clawed hammer, which I used like a geology hammer to break up compacted soil.

I also used my grandfather’s old cultivator to level the pile and ferret out rocks.  As I used it, I could hear the voices of my grandparents, talking about how dry the weather has been.  But because it has been dry, it made the screening job go much easier – no clumps.

My actual screening tool, though, is a bit of a wonky idea.  I used a beat up tennis racket, which was supported over the wheelbarrow.  I took a half-shovel of dirt, put it on the racket, and sifted out the stems, roots, and stones.  The old racket did a great job in creating a fine, rich soil, although it took time to make a full load.

If you take on a job like this, you will encounter creatures, like mealworms and night crawlers, ants and spiders, and even an occasional millipede (ugh).  But, like an archeologist, you may also find some artifacts -- I found glass and pottery shards, nuts and bolts, baling twine and an old cow’s tooth.

Physically, the sifting provided a sustained workout for my legs, mid-torso (lots of steady twisting), and upper arms.  I got a bit sunburned and bug-bit, and I had to drink lots of water to keep hydrated.  By the end of the weekend, I was sore all over, but I felt mentally relaxed and satisfied with the progress made.

Until next time, unplug, get moving, and enjoy the outdoors,

Lori

Coming Full Circle at Pathfinder School

Coming off of the recent Residents’ Formal, and our Family & Friends Day, our celebrations of summer continue at Pathfinder Village with our school’s Moving Up Ceremonies at the Pathfinder Gym this Wednesday, June 22, starting at 1 p.m.  All are invited to attend this joyous ceremony, which celebrates hard work and achievement, and is a fun way to cap off another year of learning.

We also hope that in preparation for your family celebrations and parties, you will come on down to Pathfinder Produce, at the Village Commons this Thursday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. to pick up all your FRESH fruit and veggie items!

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Our students amaze me.

Truly, each and every day has brought with it a new smile, a shining success, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment for our students. As I reflect on this last year, I feel so grateful that I have had the privilege of being a part of our students’ education.

A piece of me still cannot believe that it is June already! How is our Graduation Ceremony this week? What will we do without our graduating seniors greeting us each day? But another piece of me is just so incredibly happy for our students, especially Pathfinder School’s Class of 2016. Our students have worked so hard this year—they deserve this honor and I know that each of them is going to change the world in his own way.

With the sunshine out more and more in these last few weeks, I have found myself taking some time to admire our Hoop House. Months ago, with the help of our Transition Coordinator Stephanie Jones and agriculture expert Brian Belknap, our students readied the raised beds, planted seeds, and cared for the seedlings that sprang up from the ground. Each day since, our students have weeded, watered, and harvested the literal fruits of their labor. How proud our students are to see their hard work displayed up at our weekly Produce Market, where it can be purchased and enjoyed by the entire community! A truly “full circle” experience!

To our graduates — Jesse, Nicholas, Maddie, Michael, David, Cassie, Glenn, and Joe — how lucky we are to have had you in our lives and as a part of our community. Pathfinder School is truly a better place because of each and every one of you. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished, and we wish you nothing but well-deserved happiness for the future!

Our 2016 Graduation and Moving Up Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 22^nd in the Pathfinder School Gymnasium at 1 p.m. All are welcome to celebrate with us!

Thanks for letting us be a part of it all!

“Mrs. I.” (and Lori)

Above:  Jonny tending to the the Hoop House.

Roots

We hope that everyone will come down to Pathfinder Produce this week, Thursday, June 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., for our next delicious and well-stocked market.  Our Pathfinder Produce Hoop House “home grown” items are now available, and we offer a wide selection of other fresh items, just brimming with flavor and nutrition.  Try to add some fruit and veggie splash to your Father’s Day fun!

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Recently, my co-worker Martha and I were discussing the recent re-make of the mini-series “Roots” and how it compared to the ABC-TV blockbuster series from 1977, which both elevated LeVar Burton to stardom and created huge interest in family history research. Afterwards, I found my copy of the novel, and now I am tearing through it.  It’s well worth a revisit and offers some great comparative agricultural and food history.

In the early chapters of the book, Author Alex Haley intertwines the farming practices that were prevalent in the pre-European conquest era of West Africa into the narrative:  The story offers insight into land usage and ownership, the seasonality of food, the division of labor, and illustrates how humans both adapted to and manipulated their environments.  Gambian River Basin crops mentioned include rice, which the village women grew in marshy lands; couscous, a product made with semolina wheat that was another staple crop; groundnuts, which I believe are the same or similar to our peanuts, and yams, which are a distinct species from our sweet potatoes, which are Central American in origin.  Corn, another product out of the Americas, is mentioned briefly, but it wasn’t an important food until later; non-fictional sources indicate that it became an important crop in Africa after the mid-19th century.

The “Roots” tale then segues into Colonial American agriculture, as the young protagonist is brutally enslaved at about the time of the War of Independence.  The southern plantation system was firmly entrenched by that time in Virginia, the Carolinas, and the other southern colonies.  Tobacco and cotton, rice and indigo were commercially grown, and were labor and land-intensive. Tobacco and cotton were planted in large fields, wore the land out quickly, and made it necessary to clear new fields in a never-ceasing cycle that encroached on Native lands and further entrenched slavery.  This brief essay by History Professor Timothy Silver from the website of the National Humanities Center further discusses how three main cultures -- African, English and Native – intersected in the South during this era and impacted the landscape through agricultural activities.

Today’s interest in southern style cooking is revealing its roots in slave cookery, and offers glimpses of how staples – like rice (Oryza glaberrima) -- migrated from Africa to the American South.  More and more upscale restaurants and food historians are re-discovering these cultural ties.  According to the website of membership-based non-profit Southern Foodways Alliance, “African traditions have had the most impact on the flavors and the methods of Southern cookery.”  I also think this resurgence is woven into the current real food and slow food movements, through which ordinary folks celebrate pure, non-processed ingredients and home preparation over commercial processing.

So until next time, savor the stories of the foods you eat, and maybe even trace back some of your favorites’ historical roots.  You just never know what tales there are in the larder!

Lori