The Perfect Savory Summer Treat!

Hello everyone!  We invite all our friends and neighbors to come down to the next yummy Pathfinder Produce, set for the Village Commons on Thursday, July 27, from 1 to 5 p.m.  We’re just bursting with healthy, crunchy, fresh veggies and fruits!  Plus, our produce from our very own Pathfinder Hoop Houses is now being harvested by members of our Adult Day Services … it’s simply delicious!!

Our Summer Concert Series is still in full swing for another month … come down to the Pathfinder Pavilion this coming Saturday evening, July 29, at
7 p.m., to enjoy the sounds of hammered dulcimer virtuoso Dan Duggan, along with guitarist Peggy Lynn, who will present songs inspired by New York's North Country and other folk tunes. 

The Summer Concert Series is made possible with public funds from the Chenango Arts Council’s Decentralization Grants Program, a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.  The series is also made possible with funds from private donors, Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Program, and WGY’s Christmas Wish.

Below, my colleague Maura Iorio offers some thoughts on yummy grilled summer meals!

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Summer is in full swing, and although it seems many days have been rainy and overcast this year, it only makes us appreciate the warm sunny days even more!

One of my favorite things about summer is using the grill to make quick and simple dinners. Although hamburgers and hotdogs may be the first things that come to mind when we think of BBQs and cookouts, grilled vegetables can add some much needed color and flavor to your meal!

Any fresh veggies, in my opinion, are great on the grill, but here are some recipes to get you started:

 Grilled Fajita Vegetable Skewers

Pair these with some grilled chicken or steak for the perfect Tex-Mex dinner!

Click here for the recipe!

Mediterranean Grilled Zucchini Boats

Summer is usually filled with an abundance of zucchini and yellow squash! Switch it up by grilling these Mediterranean-inspired zucchini boats—perfect as a side dish or on top of a light salad!   Click here for a step-by-step tutorial!

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Portobello mushrooms are my favorite vegetable to grill! This recipe from Rachel Cooks is packed with flavor and easy to make! Click here for the recipe and video tutorial. 

Whatever recipe you try, grilled vegetables are guaranteed to be a delicious (and nutritious) addition to your summer meals!

Until next time, enjoy all the summer flavors!

Maura (and Lori)

Black Caps and Bicycles

Greetings, everyone! Our summer is flying by here at Pathfinder Village, and we invite all our friends and neighbors to come down to Pathfinder Produce this week to get the best flavors of the season. We're open on Thursday at the Village Commons, from 1 to 5 p.m. Our friendly and courteous staff is looking forward to helping you with your fresh produce needs.

We want to say hello to our current week of Camp Pathfinder campers … this is a great program that has been happening for seven years here at the Village, and through it we meet some wonderful young adults from throughout the country. This is our third week of one-week camp, and we're having a great time welcoming back some of our veteran participants, as well as some new friends.

Also, our 20^th annual Summer Concert Series is going strong! We invite everyone to come to the Pavilion this coming Saturday night as Pathfinder welcomes a new group, Crow Ridge, this year. The four-member band specializes in a unique repertoire of modern country, alternative country and Americana, and provides high-energy, danceable cover songs.  You can bring your lawn chair, kick back and enjoy the music!  

The Summer Concert Series is made possible with public funds from the Chenango Arts Council’s Decentralization Grants Program, a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.  The Series is also made possible with funds from private donors, Stewart’s Shops Holiday Match Program and WGY’s Christmas Wish.

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This weekend our family took advantage of the dryer weather to catch up on the mowing and trimming. As we were whacking weeds, I noticed we have some wild grapes growing through the hedgerows, and that the raspberries and black raspberries are nearly ready to pick. We don't have enough to collect, so we generally just grab a few here and there as tantalizing samples.

The black raspberry or black cap, aka rubus occidentalis, is different from the blackberry, also of the rubus genus, in several key ways. First, it is generally smaller, has some small hairs, and when one picks the black raspberry, the berry is hollow. The black raspberry is also not as tart as the blackberry.

Black raspberries are similar too to red raspberries, but their stems tend to have more barbs. Black raspberries' taste is different from the red ones … here are some thoughts on black raspberries and some recipes from simple good and tasty. 

According to another website, the black raspberry buzz, black caps offer a lot of health benefits: “Black raspberries are one of the healthiest berries on the planet.  They are lower in sugar than most berries and also contain a lot of fiber (around 8 grams per cup). They contain large amounts of anthocyanins, and around three times the antioxidants found in blackberries.  They are also one of the most well-researched berries, especially in the area of cancer prevention.”

The World's Healthiest Foods website says that wild raspberries’ origins are obscure, and they appear in different forms on five continents.  Humans began cultivating raspberries in Europe at about the time of Christ.  Today, cultivated raspberries rank third in popularity for berries, and Russia, the U.S., Serbia, Poland, Chile and Mexico are among the top producers.

It’s funny how just picking a few black caps can bring about lots of fun memories. When I was about ten, we would go berry picking with my older cousins on their dairy farm in Columbus, near the Chobani plant (which was then owned by Breakstone and started off as the Phenix Cheese Company plant).  We'd never end up with tons of black caps, but our moms would have enough for a pie or two, and we’d just eat them by the handfuls too. They were well worth the bug bites and scratches from the brambles.

Another memory from those summers’ past is of riding around on some ancient single speed, coaster-braked, balloon-tired bikes my cousins owned.  They dated from the early ‘60s, were really heavy, and could withstand the bumps of country roads.  We just always had to make sure the tires were full of air, which of course meant removing the black caps to the tire stems and using my uncle’s handy compressor.  That smidgen of bike mechanics set me on the path to later attempt more-involved repairs through the years, including a couple of modest rebuilds.

Our knowledge of bike safety in those days was nil – no bike helmets, and we would do things that today would make me blanch if my kids did them – like riding down really steep hills onto major roads.  But ever since those days, I’ve loved casual bike riding for exercise and will be taking a few “upcycled beach cruisers” I’ve cobbled together on our summer vacation.  Thanks to my analytically minded son, we’ve finally figured out what was wrong with a “forever flat front tire” … a small staple, which you couldn’t see on the outside, had penetrated the tread and kept puncturing pin-holes into the tubes as they were pressurized.

Until next time, enjoy some berries, and keep cruisin’!

Lori

The Need is Constant ....

Ah … summertime.  There’s so much to do in just 24 hours a day!  Isn’t it good to know that Pathfinder Produce is here for you to help with your produce purchases?  Fresh fruits and veggies are always a big hit for summer meals, adding color, flavor and zest.

Our market in Morris is on hiatus for the summer, and our Edmeston market – only a short drive away – is open at the Pathfinder Village Commons on Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m.  We look forward to seeing you this week!

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In just a few short weeks, on Tuesday, August 1, Pathfinder Village will host its annual summer American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Pathfinder Gym.  We encourage everyone who is able to take part.  It’s never been easier to sign up for a local blood drive -- just click on this link to find a drive near you and go through the online sign-up process, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  The Red Cross also has a new RapidPass online health history questionnaire which can reduce the time it takes to donate.

According to the NY-Pennsylvania regional office, the American Red Cross is facing a nationwide critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types.  Overall, the summer months are challenging for the Red Cross to receive enough blood donations, as regular donors delay giving while they go on vacation.

“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed to give as soon as possible.”  Blood donations are needed for patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease.

To donate blood, the American Red Cross has criteria it follows, to help ensure that donors have good experiences and to ensure that blood supplies are safe.  In general, you must be:

·      17 years old (some states allow 16 year-olds to give with parental consent),
·      weigh at least 110 lbs.
·      be in good general health and feeling well.  (If you have a chronic condition, you can still donate, as long as your condition is under control).

But you can actually do a lot before you come to your local blood drive to make sure you have a good experience:

·       Eat lots of iron rich foods before you give and cook in cast iron pans, to ensure that you have enough iron in your blood.  The Red Cross tests every donor for their hematocrit levels before they give.

·       Drink plenty of water!  Dehydrated donors can have a harder time donating, so be sure to keep your fluid intake at appropriate levels.

·       Make sure you eat a healthy meal before you donate, as having proper blood-sugar levels can make a difference as you recover from donating.

·       Be sure to schedule enough time to donate.  It isn’t a long process, but it generally takes at least 30 to 45 minutes.

·       Bring your donor card if you are already a donor.  New donors should bring a valid driver's license or two other forms of current ID.

·       Bring the names of medications you are taking.

·       Schedule a low-key day for after your donation, to give your body time to readjust. 

Thanks for considering donating!  Your donation of one pint of blood may help up to three individuals needing blood, and can bring great relief to their loved ones.

Until next time, consider giving the gift of life!

Lori

Swim for your Life!

Hello!  Summer is in full swing here at Pathfinder Village, and our first campers at Camp Pathfinder are enjoying a full week of experiences at area attractions and here at the Village.  This Saturday night at 7 p.m., we’ll also be kicking off our 20^th annual free Summer Concert Series at the Pavilion with one of our favorite bands, the Blues Maneuver.  Come on down to enjoy some great summer fun! 

With its harvest plenty offered at local veggie stands, summer means we’ll be changing our produce market operations as well.  Our Morris Market is on vacation for the summer.  Our Edmeston market will be open during its usual hours, on Thursdays, from 1 to 5 p.m.  We hope to see you tomorrow!

For this week’s blog, my colleague Martha Spiegel offers some thoughts on one of her favorite activities, swimming.

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To have some planned time together and to get some exercise, my husband and I joined the Norwich YMCA a few weeks ago and are hitting the pool! We try to swim three times a week, and are really enjoying it.

We started out swimming for 30 minutes, and are increasing that time by 3 minutes every week, with a goal of 45 minutes. My once-textbook swimming strokes are not what they used to be, so right now I’m doing a combination of walking in the shallow end and modified strokes in the deep end until my muscles catch up with my muscle memory. In addition to getting my heart pumping and my body moving, I also find it relaxing and de-stressing.

Swimming is a great workout, and is easy on the joints since the water supports you all around and you feel buoyant. My dad, now in his 80s, swims every day for an hour and consequently has little arthritis pain.  The strength in his legs helped him bounce back very quickly from knee replacement surgery this past year. Even if you don’t feel comfortable in deep water, walking or running in waist-deep water is a great low-impact activity.

I have always felt at home in the water. Dad taught me to swim when I was very little, and I took swim lessons for several years. My children took lessons as well, and later both became life guards and joined the high school swim team. Now my grandkids are taking lessons through the Norwich Youth Bureau’s summer program. The oldest two didn’t love it their first year, but now with a couple of summers under their belts, they are much more confident. This year all of my son’s children are in lessons; even the one-year-old is enthusiastic and all smiles at her parent/child sessions.

Not everyone is as comfortable in the water, and some are even afraid of it. Even so, it’s important to learn at least some swimming basics to be safe around water. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 360,000 people globally died from drowning in 2015, and drowning is one of the top five causes of death for children through age 14. It’s never too late to learn to swim, either, and many aquatic facilities offer adult swim lessons. Many communities have public pools that residents can use for little or no cost, so see if there is one near you.

Even the best swimmers need to remember safety rules in and around the water. Never swim alone—use the Buddy System, and swim where there is a lifeguard whenever possible. Always wear a life jacket while boating. Never leave children unsupervised around water, even if they are strong swimmers. Wear water-resistant sunscreen and reapply often if you swim outside. There is a great list of safety tips here from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Until next time, cool off, have fun, and get fit!

Martha (and Lori)

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends!

We hope that everyone has had an enjoyable June, with lots of gatherings with family and friends. Many recent graduates will be celebrating their new status with parties over the next few weeks, and of course, Independence Day is always a great reason to have a cook-out or picnic. No matter what the reason, the fruits and veggies at Pathfinder Produce are always in season!

Our Edmeston market is at the Village Commons on Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m., and our Morris Market, which has been going strong for over six months, is on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. Stop by and check out all fresh and tasty produce, including the just-picked items from our Pathfinder Hoop Houses!

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A few weeks back, there were lots of media stories about the 50^th anniversary of the Beatles' “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, and what a pivotal moment in musical history that was. The second track on the album, “I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends” was the story of the Grace garden beds this year.

 

Given the weather we'd had in May and other delays, I was late in cleaning out our three raised beds, and that pushed everything back a few weeks. To help things grow better, I added some new soil to the mix this year, about four bags per bed, which raised the soil level a few inches. The additive we used is made from composted produce scraps, mixed in with some other organic materials. I mixed it well, and deep rooted any of last year's roots using my stone rake, garden weasel, and Grandfather's high-wheeled cultivator, a tool I truly love.

(I decided against growing wild strawberries in one of the beds, as they didn’t really produce last year, and the fruits are very, very tiny.  My strawberry experiments may have to move to a new variety and system to grow).

I stopped by Hoyt’s, our local hardware store, and got a nice selection of lettuce and cucumber seeds, and put them in two weeks ago. And, thankfully, a friend of ours was able to spare a few tomato plants, and the family that runs a small plant business still had pepper and Brussels sprouts plants this past weekend. Everything is now in, and is acclimating well.

This year, I'm trying a weed barrier around the plants, to cut back on the grass and weeds that always gets out of hand. I did see that weeds are actually growing under the black cloth, but they should be less successful in taking over the 4 x 8 foot growing spaces.

I did see a really cool gizmo online, the Tertill, a small solar powered robot that continually weeds your beds. I would love to try one out and may get one if they're not too expensive (early Christmas present!). Apparently, you put a wire collar around the plants you wish to keep, and the little bot cuts anything off not protected by a collar. Brilliant -- think Roomba, but for the garden.

Until next time, get outside, get your hands dirty, and eat well!

Lori

Bittersweet

Hello!  This week we’ll be celebrating lots of area high school graduations, and here at Pathfinder Produce, we can assist you as your family gets ready to celebrate your special young adult.  We have a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and our own Pathfinder Produce hoop house greens for your party needs.

Stop by the Edmeston market at the Village Commons on Thursday, from 1 to 5 p.m., or the Morris market at the UMC Hall on Friday, from noon to 5 p.m.  We look forward to serving you, and hearing about your student’s accomplishments!

In this week’s blog, Sr. Director of Education Maura Iorio shares her thoughts on graduation at Pathfinder School.
Good luck and well done to all our area grads!!!

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This Wednesday, five of our Pathfinder School students will be graduating. Our Graduation and Moving Up Ceremony is always bittersweet for me. I absolutely love it because it showcases our students and their many talents and accomplishments, but it will also be sad to say "so long" to our Class of 2017!

This year's theme is the Wild West. Our graduates helped select this theme and I think it's very fitting. It represents their hard work and their determination to keep pushing forward despite any hardships that may stand in their way. We are so proud of the five young men graduating this year!

As we have worked to turn our school's gymnasium into a scene from a John Wayne western, I have had the opportunity to read up on cowboys and the Wild West. One article that I found of particular interest was about how difficult it was to find enough fresh produce in the harsh desert climate.  (An interesting blog post on modern day desert growing strategies is at the Prairie Homestead website).

Having your own western homestead garden was precarious at best, as crops were often lost to drought, pests, storms, or wildfires. For soldiers and cowboys posted on the frontier, gardening wasn't an option and too often they would develop scurvy. One solution to this problem was the prickly pear.

Part of a cactus, the prickly pear fruit was covered in bristles that needed to be carefully removed. They were then peeled and boiled with sugar to create an applesauce-like food. Although the men complained that it tasted more bitter than sweet, the ingenious concoction contained enough Vitamin C to keep men on the frontier healthy. Even today, the prickly pear is sought after for its high amounts of fiber and antioxidants! 

Although I can't promise that there will be any prickly pears, stop in at Pathfinder Produce this week and stock up on some fresh produce to keep you and your family scurvy-free! 

 

And like those cowboys of the Wild West, Pathfinder School's Class of 2017 will get to show off their tenacity and grit this Wednesday at our Graduation and Moving Up Ceremony. We can't wait to celebrate with our staff, students, families, and community! 

Thanks for an awesome school year,

Maura (and Lori) 

Give Peas A Chance!

We are in the cook-out and picnic season, which means we’re ready here at Pathfinder Produce to help you with all your outdoor foodie fresh produce needs!  Keep watching our produce list for new items coming in, and we’ll be sharing lots of just-picked items from our Pathfinder Hoop Houses too.  We already have some wonderfully tasty greens to share with you; they’ll make a great base for any green salad you might like to put together.

We hope to see you this Thursday at our Edmeston market, at the Village Commons from 1 to 5 p.m., or on Friday at our Morris market, at the UMC Hall on Church St., from noon to 5 p.m.  Ask about our Buyers Clubs to learn about more ways you can save on fresh and yummy fruits and veggies!

Fresh peas are an early favorite of many; below, my colleague Martha recalls her transformation from “ugh to WOW!” regarding these seasonal veggies.

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When I was growing up, no one in our family was a great fan of peas, so except for appearing in an occasional casserole or pot pie, they were not often seen on our dinner table. My memory of peas from that time was grey-green balls of mush that came from a can. No wonder no one was excited about it!

Flash forward several years: When my children were little, we moved into a house that had a flowery vine growing on the front fence, and one day I discovered little sweet pea pods growing on it. When they looked matured, I picked them—there were probably a dozen altogether, so not exactly a bumper crop—and we had a tiny sampling with our dinner that night. They were much different than the grey-green balls of mush from my childhood! These peas were brighter, firmer, and much more flavorful.

Later on my family discovered sugar snap peas, and they became a dinner-time favorite. Sugar snap peas are eaten with the pods on, and are a cross between snow peas (the flat pod variety often seen on salad bars and in stir-fries) and sweet peas. As the name suggests, there is a bit of sweetness to this variety. We get them from farmer’s markets or Pathfinder Produce when they are available, and purchase them frozen in the off-season. You can boil them or eat them raw, but I prefer them steamed until they are tender-crisp.

Peas are typically classified as a legume, although I did find some references that said they are a fruit since they contain seeds produced from a flower.  There is consensus, however, that they are packed with vitamins and minerals, making them a power food. There is a graph on The World's Healthiest Foods website which details the large amount of Vitamin K, Manganese, B Vitamins and many other nutrients found in peas.  They are also very filling, making them helpful for weight management.

If you were not a fan of peas in your youth, consider trying them again. Try a different variety or a different preparation. You might be surprised!

Until next time, eat well and savor those fresh flavors!

Martha (and Lori)