Dr. Peter Ward is a paleontologist at the University of Washington, a full Professor of Earth and Space Science.We read Dr. Ward’s Under a Green Sky and Medea Hypothesis and found them entertaining, enlightening and very singular, so to speak.

The Medea hypothesis is a term coined by Dr. Ward for the his hypothesis that multicellular life, understood as a superorganism, is suicidal; in this view microbial-triggered mass extinctions are attempts to return the Earth to the microbial dominated state it has been for most of its history. It is named after the mythological Medea, who killed her own children and in this respect presents an almost anti-Gaian hypothesis, in that nature is not motherly in Dr. Ward’s world, but instead is a mother.

His reasoning is based on paleontological evidence, and among many evidences, particularly and strikingly cites the methane poisoning (3.5 billion years ago), the oxygen catastrophe (2.7 billion years ago), snowball earth (both 2.3 billion years ago and 790-630 million years ago), and 5 separate hydrogen sulfide-induced mass extinctions, including the Great Dying (251.4 million years ago).He also cites the reason that microbes are more efficient at producing biomass, and also transforming inorganic carbon dioxide into organic carbons.His evidence is compellingly told so that even an average person without much scientific training can understand and judge the facts.

His Under a Green Sky closely examines the hydrogen sulfide poisoning.In this book, Dr. Ward goes into depth on the complex mechanisms that led to the death of most of life on earth multiple times before – and relates them to the present situation of global warming that may result in the destruction of our own species.It is not bedtime reading, unless you enjoy nightmares.

According to Dr. Ward, the double threat we face is not only poisoning by hydrogen sulfide, which will gain a critical concentration in the atmosphere from microbial action, but also ultraviolet radiation poisoning from a reduced ozone layer due to the same microbial action.This double threat has in the past destroyed most living creatures and is eminent today as the oceans rise, reducing or stopping the circulation of nutrient required to abate the “bad” bacteria and help the “good” bacteria: like tilling the soil, or cleaning a stall, nature spins the oceans, cleans out filth and encourages “good” bacteria.When the oceanic “tillage” stops, “bad” bacteria thrive under the filthy and less-aerobic conditions.

Dr. Ward says that there is reason to hope, however, that there need be no great dying this time.Humans are not only aware of the situation, its causes and its effects, but have advanced technology to actually alter the atmosphere or preserve their lives, and the lives of other creatures.

This is in line with the warnings of Dr. James Lovelock and other Gaianists.Whether you read his books and agree the earth naturally benefits from multicellular life aside, you will at least gather that there is much concord on the urgency to protect our own lives.

Keep the mud down in your animal pens.Mud is dangerous to animals because the standing water can result in an unhygienic environment that can lead to disease in your animals.If you cannot afford gravel, or sawdust or other celebrated beddings throughout your pen, there are numerous affordable alternatives that you can rely upon.

One easy remedy is newspaper.Whether you shred it or use it whole, the paper soaks up the water very well and can become integrated with the pen ground so that the next time there is a lot of snow or rain, it is less likely to become muddy.Newspaper is harmless if your animals eat it, and is good for compost when you are cleaning out your pens, making it a great affordable alternative bedding.

5 Gallon Bucket - $30 member, $40 non-member…

3.5 Gallon Grocery Sack - $20 member, $30 non-member…

Fill them with whatever you like!

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News from the farm and ranch

Out at the farm, there’s 5-8 feet of snow, but luckily we still have electricity so we can email this, post it to the blogspot, and keep in touch with all of you!It’s amazing how much a modern farm relies on electricity for internet, cellular phone, text messaging, and other telecommunication.

NEW THIS WEEK:

Pine nuts

Cashews

Caraway Seeds

NEW: Firewood and animal feed may be included with your order.

President’s recommendations for the week

This week I highly recommend

* The fresh-picked organic maia-bought avocados make an excellent guacamole, and you can simply add in some store-bought salsa and a squeeze of fresh-picked maia-bought lemons.A glass of fresh-picked orange juice finishes this California treat!

* Still on the must-try list is the eggs from Paredes Farm of Elbert County.

* Give those pine nuts a try, too!They sure are good.

* Our fruity tea is also quite good, as is our pine needle and willow tea.I just tried our Lincoln Park Blend and I liked it a lot.So did the Secretary / Treasurer.Maybe you will too?

* Glazed Mushroom sandwiches - - - rehydrated glazed mushrooms are a breeze, and takes about 10 minutes to make with Maia’s farm fresh olive oil and twist of orange.On your favorite bread (ask for bread to be included if you like) with sprouts and your choice of wild or garden herb blends.Ask Maia to prepare all the ingredients for your kitchen and dinner can be ready in a moment!

* Roasted Tofu or Chicken - - - A bit of wild or conventional spices, some fresh olive oil from California, a few delicious mushrooms… dinner is ready inside an hour or two, and finished inside a minute or two.Ask Maia to prepare all the ingredients for your kitcen and dinner can be ready in a moment!

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Tea mixes

While we encourage you to mix your own, give these popular mixes a try…

* Fruity blend.This one is extraordinarily popular!hibiscus, rose hips, elder berries, raspberry leaves, dandelion root, elm bark.What else do you need?

* Lincoln Park Blend.We love Denver’s parks, and this may have actually come from Lincoln park!Actually, it’s raised by members, but features some of Denver’s favorite landscaping.It’s actually quite refreshing.Dandelion root, chicory root, pine needles and willow.

* Walden Pond blend.Thoughtful, meditiative.Earthy.A blend of wild and cultivated.Peppermint, pine,dandelion roots, elder berries, raspberry leaf, hawthorne berries, rosehips, elm bark, and the secret ingredient: cannellini.Weird, but actually it’s good.

* Limon 5-way.Named for Limon’s five highways, we put in five ingredients famed for their benefits to your blood, liver, stomach, heart and mind.Includes dandelion root, milk thistle seeds, elm bark, fresh willow and pine needles.

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Beans

>>>>DRY BEANS<<<<

All dry beans are choose or mix…

Anasazi
Black
Black eyed peas
Cannellini
Cranberry
Fava
Jacob's Cattle
Kidney
Lentil – Brown

Lentil – Black
Mung
Pinto
Soldier Beans

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Eggs

>>>>CHICKEN EGGS<<<<

PRODUCED BY MEMBER MP – ELBERT COUNTY – Paredes Farm Eggs

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Dairy

>>>>MILK<<<<

Still in negotiation for prices and availability.Contact the President to join the Dairy committee and help Maia provide milk and cheese!

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Herbs, Teas and Coffees

>>>>COFFEE<<<<

* Coffee from Don Francisco – choose organic or conventional, house blend or espresso, columbian (not only is drinking coffee natural, some would claim it is medicinal – especially after missing their daily cup)

* Not-coffee (roasted Chicory) (also good to blend with your coffee for a Cajun treat)

>>>>TEAS AND HERBS<<<<

PRODUCED BY MEMBERS – BS & CF and also Group Purchased:

> Alfalfa leaves (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, blood tonic)

> Burdock Root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (cure-all)

> Chamomile flowers (sweet flavor, sleep aid) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase)

> Chickweed (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (peculiar flavor, good for the blood and lactation)

> Cottonwood (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

> Echinacea flowers (earthy flavor, good for immune system) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase)

> Elder berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (fruity flavor, good for the immune system)

> Elm, slippery (bark) (sweet flavor, good for the throat and stomach) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase)

> Dandelion root, dehydrated and cut (refreshing flavor, generally good for you) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase)

> Hawthorne berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very tasty!)

> Hibiscus (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious in any tea, high in vitamin c)

> Horehound (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (generally good for you, green flavor)

> Nettle leaves (refreshing flavor, a blood tonic, generally good for you – like dandelion)

> Marshmallow root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (good for stomach)

> Milk Thistle Seeds (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (tasty, very good for liver)

> Peppermint (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for stomach)

> CF Wild Harvest Pine (needles, bark or twigs – fresh) (delicious, nutritious vegetable, makes great tea)

> Raspberry leaves (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very delicious, good for the blood)

> Red Clover Blossoms (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for the blood)

> Rose Hips (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (sweet fruity flavor, great addition to any tea, good source of C)

> Scullcap (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (sleep aid, good for withdrawal, and more)

> Spearmint (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious! Good for the stomach)

> CF Wild Harvest Willow (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

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Animal Feeds

Feed from member Coastalfields Feed can be delivered with your regular order.Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com for more information and selections.

Container deposits may apply to purchases.

>>>>FORAGES: ARBRE CADABRA (CONVENTIONAL)<<<<

50 gallons (a small “bale”): $10 ($0.20 per gallon) MEMBER.$14 NON MEMBER

1000 gallons (a large “bale”) FOB Agate: $160 (0.16 per gallon) $200 NON MEMBER

* A special blend of tree leaves.Nutrient tested by two independent labs.

* USDA graded “Supreme” (RFV was rated at 200 on a scale of 1 to 185 – off the charts!)

* Better nutrition than alfalfa.

* Suitable for dairy production, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits and all other grazing animals: low sulfur, low copper, high calcium.

* Approximately 10% Protein, with a TDN of 60-67%!

* Sorry, “Organic” and “Natural” blends sold out.

>>>>GRAIN MIXES<<<<

* Numerous formulated varieties to choose from.Please contact Coastalfields directly.Tell them you are a member of Maia to receive your member discount.

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Fruit

Fruit is always in season… somewhere!Try these organic Californian imports, they’re really tasty!

>>>>FRESH FRUIT<<<<

Organic Avocados (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch)

Organic Cherimoyas (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch)

Organic Lemons (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch)

Organic Oranges (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch)

>>>>DRY FRUIT<<<<

Organic Halawi Dates (soft, caramel flavor)

Super sweet raisins (not your standard Thompsons!)

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Firewood and Fuel Oil

Firewood – Cord $200 (4ftx4ftx8ft), 1/8 Cord $25 (4ftx2ftx2ft), Small Bundle $2.50 (1.5ftx1ftx1ft) … Delivered and stacked

Canola Fuel oil - $4/gallon

MEMBER PRODUCED - DP Used oil (for fuel) - $2/gallon

Ask us for free lessons on how to make oil lamps for light and heat!

Ask us for free lessons on using wood for light and heat!

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Flowers and Bouquets

CF Winter bouquets

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Grain

* Barley (Maia group buy)
* Oats (Maia group buy)
* White Wheat (Maia group buy)

* Brown Rice (lundberg – Maia group buy)

* Wehani Rice (lundberg – Maia group buy)

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Honey

* Busy Bee (Larkspur)

* Ambrosia Honey (West Slope)

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Meat

>>>>BEEF<<<<

Beef (group buy from Elizabeth Meat Locker of Elbert County)

>>>>CHICKEN<<<<

Chicken (Redbird) (group buy from Elizabeth Meat Locker of Elbert County)

>>>>GOAT/CHEVON<<<<

PRODUCED BY MEMBER MP – ELBERT COUNTY: quarters, halves, whole, or pieces.

>>>>LAMB/MUTTON<<<<

Out of stock.

>>>>PORK<<<<

Pork (group buy from Elizabeth Meat Locker of Elbert County)

>>>>RABBIT<<<<

CUSTOM BUTCHERED – REQUIRES ADVANCE ORDER

PRODUCED BY MEMBER AA – LINCOLN COUNTY

>>>>TOFU<<<<

Denver Tofu (from non-member the Denver Tofu Company): $2.50 ea

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Mushrooms

Dried portabella

Dried oyster

Dried shiitake

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Nuts and Seeds

>>>>NUTS<<<<

Almonds

Cashews

Natural Cashews

Pine Nuts

>>>>SEEDS<<<<

Caraway (excellent toasted, or in bread!)

Sunflower Seeds (shelled)

Sesame

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vegetables

Sprouts (Maia group buys from Sprouts Extraordinire of Denver)

> Alfalfa

> Clover

> Mung

> Radish

> Wheat Grass (ask)

> Numerous other varieties available upon request: chances are we have it!

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Wild Harvests

From Coastalfields Farm

> Cottonwood (twigs, buds or roots – fresh) (delicious, nutritious vegetable.Cook at low temperature for antiinflamatory and pain reducing medicinal herb)

> Pine (needles, bark or twigs – fresh) (delicious, nutritious vegetable, makes great tea)

> Wild Harvest Willow (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

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Oil (cooking and eating)

Olive Oil (produced for Maia to Maia standards by Oils of Paicines of California).Sold in 50ml bottles – about enough for a week for most users

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Prepared foods

Some of our members sell prepared farm fresh foods from their own farm and ranch, using their own and also other Maia products.We purchase these at a bulk discount for our members!

>>>>BREAD FROM AA FARMS <<<<

* White

* Potato

* Wheat

* White Winter Wheat

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Garden Seeds and Trees

Seeds and trees for planting can be included in your regular order.Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com for more information and selections.

Packets of seeds begin at less than $0.25 ea.

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Cloth and Fiber

Price of purchase deducted from bucket or sack value

AA Dish cloths: hand crochet, 100% cotton. Choose white and blue, yellow and green, white and muted green, white and pink, white and red, yellow and orange, pink or green). Non-members $5 ea, members $3 ea. (Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

CF Raw alpaca fiber.$1.50 per oz (member)

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Crafts

Price of purchase deducted from bucket or sack value

>>>>LOTIONS<<<<

AA Farms: Vanilla Pear Lip Lotion 16 @ $1 member. Contains avocado oil, shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, stevia and flavor oil.

>>>>SOAP<<<<

> AA Farms: Soap: lavender, wild chamomile and geranium.$3 ea member Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, oil, castor oil, water, lavender, wild chamomile and geranium essential oils

> AA Farms Soap: Apple blossom & peony.$2.50 ea member.Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.

> AA Farms Soap: Peach orchard.$2 ea member.Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.

> AA Farms Soap: Aqua reef (like old spice).3 bars at $1.50 ea member.Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil

> AA Farms Dish cloths: hand crochet, 100% cotton.Choose white and blue, yellow and green, white and muted green, white and pink, white and red, yellow and orange, pink or green).Non-members $5 ea, members $3 ea.(Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

>>>>CANDLES<<<<

> AA Farms: numerous scents. $2.50

5 Gallon Bucket - $30 member, $40 non-member…
3.5 Gallon Grocery Sack - $20 member, $30 non-member…
Fill them with whatever you like!

* if you are a meat eater, to try the chicken. At $2 per pound, this is a good deal on natural chicken. A bit of wild or conventional spices, some fresh olive oil from California, a few delicious mushrooms… dinner is ready inside an hour or two, and finished inside a minute or two.

* If you are not a meat eater, or even if you are, the President’s favorite this week was the tofu. Denver Tofu, a landmark for nearly a hundred years in Denver, uses imported ingredients from Japan for an authentic taste that can’t be beat.

* Also on the must-try list is the eggs from LaChona Farm of Elbert County. Their kids have been learning lots of good tricks at 4-H on raising chickens and eggs, and it really shows. The brown (and sometimes white) eggs make the very best donuts when you use Maia white wheat.

Finish it off with some organic herbal tea, or fresh squeezed OJ. These oranges are picked Monday in California by Pedro, and delivered to your door Friday by Maia. Can’t be beat. Especially at $1.10 per pound.

~=~=~=~ READY FOR THE COOK ~=~=~=~ Glazed Mushroom sandwiches - - - rehydrated glazed mushrooms are a breeze, and takes about 10 minutes to make with Maia’s farm fresh olive oil and twist of orange. On your favorite bread (ask for bread to be included if you like) with sprouts and your choice of wild or garden herb blends.

Orangeaide - - - this is a favorite around the farm. Combine 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup lemon juice, with sugar to taste

Roasted Tofu or Chicken - - - Fresh natural goat meat with your choice of natural wild spices or more traditional recipes. Includes mushrooms and fresh oil. How can you g wrong?
Try some herbal tea: this week’s special blends include

* Fruity blend. This one is extraordinarily popular! hibiscus, rose hips, elder berries, raspberry leaves, dandelion root, elm bark. What else do you need?

* Walden Pond blend. Thoughtful, meditiative. A blend of wild and cultivated. Peppermint, pine, hawthorne berries, rosehips, elm bark, and the secret ingredient: cannellini. Weird, but actually it’s good.

* City Park blend. We love Denver’s parks, and this may have actually come from city park! Actually, it’s raised by members, but features some of Denver’s favorite landscaping. It’s actually quite refreshing. Dandelion root, chicory root, elm bark, milk thistle seeds.

* Limon 5-way. Named for Limon’s five highways, we put in five ingredients famed for their benefits to your blood, liver, stomach, heart and mind. Includes dandelion root, milk thistle seeds, elm bark, fresh willow and pine needles.

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ BEANS ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
CF Anasazi CF Black CF Black eyed peas CF Cannellini CF Cranberry CF Fava CF Jacob's Cattle CF Kidney CF Lentil CF Mung CF Pinto CF Soldier Beans
NEW Denver Tofu (from non-member the Denver Tofu Company)
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ EGGS ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ Availability unreliable. Order early through Maia from various non-members.
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ DAIRY ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
&gt; NOT YET AVAILABLE &lt;
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ HERBS, TEAS and COFFEE ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~

&gt;&gt;&gt;COFFEE&lt;&lt;&lt;
&gt; Coffee from Don Francisco – choose organic or conventional, house blend or espresso, columbian (not only is drinking coffee natural, some would claim it is medicinal – especially after missing their daily cup)
&gt; Not-coffee (roasted Chicory) (also good to blend with your coffee for a Cajun treat)

&gt;&gt;&gt;TEAS AND HERBS&lt;&lt;&lt;
FROM BS, CF and Group Purchases:
&gt; Alfalfa leaves (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, blood tonic)
&gt; Burdock Root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (cure-all)
&gt; Chamomile flowers (sweet flavor, sleep aid)
&gt; Chickweed (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (peculiar flavor, good for the blood and lactation)
&gt; Cottonwood (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea. Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)
&gt; Echinacea flowers (earthy flavor, good for immune system)
&gt; Elder berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (fruity flavor, good for the immune system)
&gt; Elm, slippery (bark) (sweet flavor, good for the throat and stomach)
&gt; Dandelion root, dehydrated and cut (refreshing flavor, generally good for you)
&gt; Hawthorne berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very tasty!)
&gt; Hibiscus (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious in any tea, high in vitamin c)
&gt; Horehound (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (generally good for you, green flavor)
&gt; Nettle leaves (refreshing flavor, a blood tonic, generally good for you – like dandelion)
&gt; Marshmallow root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (good for stomach)
&gt; Milk Thistle Seeds (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (tasty, very good for liver)
&gt; Peppermint (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for stomach)
&gt; Pine (needles, bark or twigs – fresh) (delicious, nutritious vegetable, makes great tea)
&gt; Raspberry leaves (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very delicious, good for the blood)
&gt; Red Clover Blossoms (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for the blood)
&gt; Rose Hips (dry) (sweet fruity flavor, great addition to any tea, good source of C)
&gt; Scullcap (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (sleep aid, good for withdrawal, and more)
&gt; Spearmint (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious! Good for the stomach)
&gt; Willow (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea. Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)
&gt; NOT COFFEE (roasted chicory root)

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ FEED ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
Feed from Coastalfields Feed can be delivered with your regular order. Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or <a href="maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com</a" rel="nofollow">mailto:%6d%61%69%61%63%6f%6f%70%65%72%61%74%69%76%65%40%67%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d">maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com</a> for more information and selections.

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ FRUIT ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
&gt;&gt;&gt;FRESH FRUIT&lt;&lt;&lt;
NEW Organic Avocados (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch): $2/ea
NEW Organic Cherimoyas (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch): $3/lb
NEW Organic Lemons (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch): $1.10/lb
NEW Organic Oranges (from non-member Pedro’s Avacado Ranch): $1.10/lb

&gt;&gt;&gt;DRY FRUIT&lt;&lt;&lt;
BS Organic Halawi Dates (soft, caramel flavor): $6/lb members
BS Super sweet raisins (not your standard Thompsons!): $4/lb members

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ FUEL ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
Fuel not included in any bucket or sack… purchased separately

Firewood – Cord $200 (4ftx4ftx8ft), 1/8 Cord $25 (4ftx2ftx2ft), Small Bundle $2.50 (1.5ftx1ftx1ft) … Delivered and stacked
BS Fuel oil - $4/gallon
BP Used oil (for fuel) - $2/gallon

Ask us for free lessons on how to make oil lamps for light and heat!
Ask us for free lessons on using wood for light and heat!
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ FLOWERS ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ CF Winter bouquets ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ GRAIN ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ &gt; Barley (Maia group buy)&gt; Oats (Maia group buy)&gt; Sunflower (Maia group buy)&gt; White Wheat (Maia group buy)
&gt; Brown Rice (lundberg – Maia group buy)
&gt; Wehani Rice (lundberg – Maia group buy)

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ HONEY ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
Ambrosia Honey Co. (Maia group buy)
Soon… fresh from East Slope!
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ LIVESTOCK ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
AA: Male rabbits. $10 ea.
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ MEAT ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ AA Rabbit: $20/rabbit for member
Goat (group buy from Albrecht Farms of Elbert County)Beef (group buy from Albrecht Farms or Elizabeth Meat Locker of Elbert County)
Chicken (Redbird)
NEW Denver Tofu (from non-member the Denver Tofu Company): $2.50 ea
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ MUSHROOMS ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ BS Dried portabella $2.25/oz members (about 1 cup)BS Dried oyster $2.25/oz members (about 1 cup)
BS Dried shiitake $2.25/oz members (about 1 cup)

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ NUTS &amp; SEEDS (EATING) ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~

&gt;&gt;&gt;NUTS&lt;&lt;&lt;
BS Almonds $12/lb
BS Natural Cashews. $10/lb

&gt;&gt;&gt;SEEEDS&lt;&lt;&lt;
Sunflower Seeds (shelled) $8/lb
CF, BS Sesame

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ OIL ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
Fresh Natural Olive Oil (grown for TwoInTents in California) ($2.50 for a 50ml bottle – about enough for a week for most users)

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ SEEDS (PLANTING) AND TREES ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
Seeds and trees for planting can be included in your regular order. Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or <a href="maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com</a" rel="nofollow">mailto:%6d%61%69%61%63%6f%6f%70%65%72%61%74%69%76%65%40%67%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d">maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com</a> for more information and selections.

Packets of seeds begin at $0.25 ea.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;PRESIDENT’S NOTE: JOIN THE SEED COMMITTEE TODAY!&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt; ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ VEGETABLES ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ Sprouts (Maia group buy from Sprouts Extraordinire)
&gt; Alfalfa $3/lb
&gt; Clover $3/lb
&gt; Mung $1.25/lb
&gt; Radish $3/lb
&gt; Wheat Grass (ask)
~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ WILD HARVESTS ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ FROM CF FARM ($1.25 per bundle, about the size of a standard sandwich bag)
&gt; Cottonwood

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ CLOTH AND FIBER ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
AA Dish cloths: hand crochet, 100% cotton. Choose white and blue, yellow and green, white and muted green, white and pink, white and red, yellow and orange, pink or green). Non-members $5 ea, members $3 ea. (Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

CF Raw alpaca fiber. $1.50 per oz (member)

~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~ CRAFTS ~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~

&gt;&gt;&gt;LOTIONS&lt;&lt;&lt;
AA Farms: Vanilla Pear Lip Lotion 16 @ $1 member. Contains avocado oil, shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, stevia and flavor oil.

&gt;&gt;&gt;SOAP&lt;&lt;&lt;
&gt; AA Farms: Soap: lavender, wild chamomile and geranium. $3 ea member Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, oil, castor oil, water, lavender, wild chamomile and geranium essential oils
&gt; AA Farms Soap: Apple blossom &amp; peony. $2.50 ea member. Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.
&gt; AA Farms Soap: Peach orchard. $2 ea member. Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.
&gt; AA Farms Soap: Aqua reef (like old spice). 3 bars at $1.50 ea member. Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil
&gt; AA Farms Dish cloths: hand crochet, 100% cotton. Choose white and blue, yellow and green, white and muted green, white and pink, white and red, yellow and orange, pink or green). Non-members $5 ea, members $3 ea. (Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

5 Gallon Bucket - $30 member, $40 non-member…

3.5 Gallon Grocery Sack - $20 member, $30 non-member…

Fill them with whatever you like!

This week, butterball the alpaca made friends with Tom the turkey.Tom loves butterball and the two are inseparable.With snow again, there’s mud again, and that means happy ducks this week too.The ducks love the mud, and the biggest “duck” of all, Izzy the Goose (who thinks she’s a duck) loves mud the most too.Mud is good for waterfowl, who gain significant minerals from eating the mud, and who derive some benefits from the dirt when it’s wet.Besides, it’s better to bathe when you’re dirty.

This week we feature new products from AA farms of Lincoln County including hand-made dish cloths, live rabbits, soaps and lotions, and BS farms of Arapahoe County, with some excellent dried fruits and nuts.Also new this week, correcting a major oversight, we list out all our herbs so you can mix your own tea blends!

NEW THIS WEEK:
These herbal blends are made from organic and natural herbs and are very tasty, formulated by CF Farms.These are inclusive in the cost of your bucket or sack.Choose from:

> Improved cold buster (fresh pine, fresh willow, elder berries, elm bark, nettle leaves, rose hips, alfalfa, Echinacea, dandelion root, nettle, burdock, milk thistle seeds)

> Stomach and throat (peppermint, spearmint, elm bark, marshmallow, raspberry leaves, dandelion root)

> Blood (dandelion root, chickweed, nettle, rosehips, hawthorne berries, alfalfa)

> Fruity blend (hibiscus, rose hips, elder berries, raspberry leaves, elm bark)

OR BLEND YOUR OWN:

> Alfalfa leaves (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, blood tonic)

> Burdock Root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (cure-all)

> Chamomile flowers (sweet flavor, sleep aid)

> Chickweed (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (peculiar flavor, good for the blood and lactation)

> Cottonwood (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

> Echinacea flowers (earthy flavor, good for immune system)

> Elder berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (fruity flavor, good for the immune system)

> Elm, slippery (bark) (sweet flavor, good for the throat and stomach)

> Dandelion root, dehydrated and cut (refreshing flavor, generally good for you)

> Hawthorne berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very tasty!)

> Hibiscus (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious in any tea, high in vitamin c)

> Horehound (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (generally good for you, green flavor)

> Nettle leaves (refreshing flavor, a blood tonic, generally good for you – like dandelion)

> Marshmallow root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (good for stomach)

> Milk Thistle Seeds (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (tasty, very good for liver)

> Peppermint (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for stomach)

> Pine (needles, bark or twigs – fresh) (delicious, nutritious vegetable, makes great tea)

> Raspberry leaves (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very delicious, good for the blood)

> Red Clover Blossoms (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for the blood)

> Rose Hips (dry) (sweet fruity flavor, great addition to any tea, good source of C)

> Scullcap (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (sleep aid, good for withdrawal, and more)

> Spearmint (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious! Good for the stomach)

> Willow (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

> NOT COFFEE (roasted chicory root)

From new 4^th Class and 3^rd Class Member BS Farms in Arapahoe County:

Natural dry Oyster, Shitake and Portabella mushrooms.Non-members: $3/oz Members: $2.25 / oz (an ounce is about a cup).(Maia members may reduce the $2.50 from the cost of your bucket or sack).This is a great deal, as dry mushrooms elsewhere may cost five times more!

Natural Cashews.Non-members: $0.80/oz, members: $0.70/oz.(for comparison, a can of nuts is typically 10 oz).(Maia members may reduce the $0.70 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

Super sweet raisins (not your standard Thompsons!): non members: $5/lb, members $4/lb.(Maia members may reduce the $1 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

ORGANIC Halawi Dates (soft, caramel flavor): non members: $7/lb, members: $6/lb

From new 4^th Cass Member AA Farms in Lincoln County:

Vanilla Pear Lip Lotion 16 -AT- $2 ea non-member, $1 member (Maia members may reduce the $1 from the cost of your bucket or sack).Contains avocado oil, shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, stevia and flavor oil.

Soap: lavender, wild chamomile and geranium.4 bars at $5 ea non-member, $3 ea member (Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, oil, castor oil, water, lavender, wild chamomile and geranium essential oils

Soap: Apple blossom & peony.3 bars at $4 ea non-member, $2.50 ea member (Maia members may reduce the $2.50 from the cost of your bucket or sack).Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.

Soap: Peach orchard.3 bars at $3 ea non-member, $2 ea member (Maia members may reduce the $2 from the cost of your bucket or sack).Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.

Soap: Aqua reef (like old spice).3 bars at $2.50 ea non-member, $1.50 ea member.(Maia members may reduce the $1.50 from the cost of your bucket or sack).Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil

Dish cloths: hand crochet, 100% cotton.Choose white and blue, yellow and green, white and muted green, white and pink, white and red, yellow and orange, pink or green).Non-members $5 ea, members $3 ea.(Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

Male rabbits, live.$10 ea.

READY FOR THE COOK:
Sprout stuffing - - - wheat, barley, sprouts and fresh olive oil meet a delicious blend of secret spices for a filling stuffing!

Toasted Sesame Snack - - - honey, sesame seeds, toasted.WoW!What else could you ask for?

Roast Chevon - - - Fresh natural goat meat with your choice of natural wild spices or more traditional recipes.

These herbal blends are made from organic and natural herbs and are very tasty, formulated by CF Farms.These are inclusive in the cost of your bucket or sack.Choose from:

> Improved cold buster (fresh pine, fresh willow, elder berries, elm bark, nettle leaves, rose hips, alfalfa, Echinacea, dandelion root, nettle, burdock, milk thistle seeds)

> Stomach and throat (peppermint, spearmint, elm bark, marshmallow, raspberry leaves, dandelion root)

> Blood (dandelion root, chickweed, nettle, rosehips, hawthorne berries, alfalfa)

> Fruity blend (hibiscus, rose hips, elder berries, raspberry leaves, elm bark)

OR BLEND YOUR OWN!

~~~BEANS~~~

Anasazi
Black
Black eyed peas
Canellini
Cranberry
Fava
Jacob's Cattle
Kidney
Lentil
Mung
Pinto
Soldier Beans

~~~EGGS~~~
Next harvest estimated in Spring

~~~DAIRY~~~
Goat milk from Carmel Apple Farms will not be available until springtime.However, advance reservations are required as milk is sold out fast.Milk is raw, and sold by share to individuals.Because our delivery drivers are also shareholders of the herd, you may request Maia to purchase a share on your behalf, and also deliver it for you.

~~~HERBS AND TEAS~~~

> Alfalfa leaves (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, blood tonic)

> Burdock Root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (cure-all)

> Chamomile flowers (sweet flavor, sleep aid)

> Chickweed (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (peculiar flavor, good for the blood and lactation)

> Cottonwood (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

> Echinacea flowers (earthy flavor, good for immune system)

> Elder berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (fruity flavor, good for the immune system)

> Elm, slippery (bark) (sweet flavor, good for the throat and stomach)

> Dandelion root, dehydrated and cut (refreshing flavor, generally good for you)

> Hawthorne berries (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very tasty!)

> Hibiscus (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious in any tea, high in vitamin c)

> Horehound (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (generally good for you, green flavor)

> Nettle leaves (refreshing flavor, a blood tonic, generally good for you – like dandelion)

> Marshmallow root (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (good for stomach)

> Milk Thistle Seeds (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (tasty, very good for liver)

> Peppermint (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for stomach)

> Pine (needles, bark or twigs – fresh) (delicious, nutritious vegetable, makes great tea)

> Raspberry leaves (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (very delicious, good for the blood)

> Red Clover Blossoms (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious, good for the blood)

> Rose Hips (dry) (sweet fruity flavor, great addition to any tea, good source of C)

> Scullcap (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (sleep aid, good for withdrawal, and more)

> Spearmint (dry) (Organic, Maia bulk purchase) (delicious! Good for the stomach)

> Willow (bark, twigs, leaves, buds) (fresh) (delicious, sweet vegetable, good in tea.Cook at low temperature or luke warm for antiinflamatory and pain reducing properties)

> NOT COFFEE (roasted chicory root)

~~~FEED~~~

Feed from Coastalfields Feed can be delivered with your regular order.Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com for more information and selections.

~~~FRUIT~~~
Dates – fresh from California, conventionally grown

Dates – fresh from California, organically grown

Raisins – fresh from California, conventionally grown

~~~FUEL~~~

Fuel not included in any bucket or sack… purchased separately

Firewood – Cord $200 (4ftx4ftx8ft), 1/8 Cord $25 (4ftx2ftx2ft), Small Bundle $2.50 (1.5ftx1ftx1ft) … Delivered and stacked

Fuel oil - $4/gallon

Used oil (for fuel) - $2/gallon

Ask us for free lessons on how to make oil lamps for light and heat!

Ask us for free lessons on using wood for light and heat!

~~~FLOWERS~~~
Winter bouquets

~~~GRAIN~~~
Barley
Oats
Sunflower
White Wheat

Brown Rice (lundberg – Maia group buy)

Wehani Rice (lundberg – Maia group buy)

~~~HONEY~~~

Ambrosia Honey Co.

Soon… fresh from East Slope!

~~~ LIVESTOCK ~~~

AA Farms: Male rabbits.$10 ea.

~~~MEAT~~~
AA Farms Rabbit: $20/rabbit for member

Goat
Beef

Chicken

~~~MEDICINAL HERBS AND TEAS~~~
Coffee from Don Francisco – choose organic or conventional, house blend or espresso, or decaf (not only is drinking coffee natural, some would claim it is medicinal – especially after missing their daily cup)

Pine needles (delicious, nutritious, revitalizing!)
Rose Hips (delicious, vitamin C)
Thistle Root (supports liver)
Winter willow, aspen and poplar (antiinflamatory, powerful painkiller - use like aspirin)

~~~MUSHROOMS~~~
BS Dried portabella $2.25/oz members (about 1 cup)
BS Dried oyster $2.25/oz members (about 1 cup)

~~~NUTS, DRY FRUIT & SEEDS (EATING) ~~~

>dry fruit

BS ORGANIC Halawi Dates (soft, caramel flavor): $6/lb members

BS Super sweet raisins (not your standard Thompsons!): $4/lb members

>nuts

Almonds (out of stock right now)

BS Natural Cashews.$0.70/oz members(for comparison, a can of nuts is typically 10 oz).

Cinnamon Sugar Almonds (of stock right now)

Mustard

Peanuts (out of stock right now)

Pistachios (out of stock right now)

Pine Nuts (out of stock right now)

Sesame

~~~ OIL ~~~

Olive Oil (grown for TwoInTents in California)

~~~ SEEDS (PLANTING) AND TREES ~~~

Seeds and trees for planting can be included in your regular order.Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or maiacooperative@gmail-DOT-com for more information and selections.

Packets of seeds begin at $0.25 ea.

~~~VEGETABLES~~~
Sprouts – alfalfa, clover, radish, mung bean

Wheat Grass

~~~WILD HARVESTS~~~
Cottonwood

~~~ CRAFTS ~~~

AA Farms: Vanilla Pear Lip Lotion 16 @ $1 member. Contains avocado oil, shea butter, beeswax, vitamin E, stevia and flavor oil.

AA Farms: Soap: lavender, wild chamomile and geranium.$3 ea member Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, oil, castor oil, water, lavender, wild chamomile and geranium essential oils

AA Farms Soap: Apple blossom & peony.$2.50 ea member.Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.

AA Farms Soap: Peach orchard.$2 ea member.Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil.

AA Farms Soap: Aqua reef (like old spice).3 bars at $1.50 ea member.Contains: lard, coconut oil, shea butter, lye, olive oil, castor oil, water and fragrance oil

AA Farms Dish cloths: hand crochet, 100% cotton.Choose white and blue, yellow and green, white and muted green, white and pink, white and red, yellow and orange, pink or green).Non-members $5 ea, members $3 ea.(Maia members may reduce the $3 from the cost of your bucket or sack).

What’s wild in your box?

In your box today you’ll notice some delicious wild herbs.  Wintertime is not known for its tremendous variety, but at least the mainstays are easily welcome to the plate again and again.  Pine nuts are delicious wild foods – they have not yet been brought under cultivation, although Maia has recently begun planting an orchard – but this week are be accompanied by locally harvested pine needles and willow, and can be combined with rice, locally grown barley and wheat, California raisins and garden herbs for a delicious stuffing. 

Recipe for the week: pine nut stuffing

1/2 cup pine nuts  
1/4 cup raisins    
1/4 cup wheat   
1/4 cup rice    
1/4 cup barley
1/8 cup herb mix
Herb mix includes: garlic, rosemary, onion powder, sage and black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a pot with 1.5 to 2.5 cups of water (depending on how “gravy” you like it).  Raise to a high boil, then reduce to a simmer for about an hour to two hours, or longer if you like it very soft.  Add water if it dries out!  Serve hot or cold, add salt if desired (most people like salt).  (Salt not included)

Recipe for the week: pine tip mayonnaise

If you’re adventurous, give this one a try.  It’s from Laurie Constantino, “Mediterranean cooking in Alaska.” http://medcookingalaska.blogspot.com

1 cup mayonnaise (homemade or store-bought)    
1/4 cup minced spruce tips (or fir or pine)
2 teaspoon lemon juice

Thoroughly mix all the ingredients. Let flavors blend for at least 1 hour before serving.

5 Gallon Bucket - $30 member, $40 non-member…

3.5 Gallon Grocery Sack - $20 member, $30 non-member…

Fill them with whatever you like!

This was an interesting week out at the farm.The winds came and blew away all the water and mud, and now we have begun that most pleasant time of year in Colorado: December!Most immigrants to Colorado don’t realize that December can be the nicest time of year.November is usually shocking for its brutality, and there are merciless and endless winter conditions in January, February, March and sometimes April too.But December is usually pleasantly warm, never too hot, refreshingly cool at night, and entirely without flies or mosquitoes.Except for one fly, which I saw yesterday!

December is a great time in Colorado to do some gardening.We are always turning and turning our aisles in the winter, preparing for springtime.The soil becomes richer in the winter, as the microbes can work without interruption improving the soil.A thick mulch over the beds helps the worms put in some unpaid overtime.And in the spring, you’re ready to plant in last year’s aisles, and begin to convert last year’s beds to aisles I the summer.

NEW THIS WEEK:

Mung Bean sprouts

Wheat Grass

Mustard Seeds

Sesame Seeds

Honey – from Ambrosia Honey Co.

Goat Milk – from Carmel Apple Farms

Raisins – fresh from California, conventionally grown

Dates – fresh from California, conventionally grown

Dates – fresh from California, organically grown

Coffee from Don Francisco – choose organic or conventional, house blend or espresso

Firewood – Cord $200 (4ftx4ftx8ft), 1/8 Cord $25 (4ftx2ftx2ft), Small Bundle $2.50 (1.5ftx1ftx1ft) … Delivered and stacked

Fuel oil - $4/gallon

Used oil (for fuel) - $2/gallon

READY FOR THE COOK:
Sprout stuffing - - - wheat, barley, sprouts and fresh olive oil meet a delicious blend of secret spices for a filling stuffing!

Cold buster tea - - - Willow twigs, pine twigs and thistle root.Great with a bit of lemon or honey!

Toasted Sesame Snack - - - honey, sesame seeds, toasted.WoW!What else could you ask for?

Roast Chevon - - - Fresh natural goat meat with your choice of natural wild spices or more traditional recipes.

~~~BEANS~~~

Anasazi
Black
Black eyed peas
Canellini
Cranberry
Fava
Jacob's Cattle
Kidney
Lentil
Mung
Pinto
Soldier Beans

~~~EGGS~~~
Next harvest estimated in Spring

~~~DAIRY~~~
Goat milk from Carmel Apple Farms will not be available until springtime.However, advance reservations are required as milk is sold out fast.Milk is raw, and sold by share to individuals.Because our delivery drivers are also shareholders of the herd, you may request Maia to purchase a share on your behalf, and also deliver it for you.

~~~FEED~~~

Feed from Coastalfields Feed can be delivered with your regular order.Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com for more information and selections.

~~~FRUIT~~~
Dates – fresh from California, conventionally grown

Dates – fresh from California, organically grown

Raisins – fresh from California, conventionally grown

~~~FUEL~~~

Fuel not included in any bucket or sack… purchased separately

Firewood – Cord $200 (4ftx4ftx8ft), 1/8 Cord $25 (4ftx2ftx2ft), Small Bundle $2.50 (1.5ftx1ftx1ft) … Delivered and stacked

Fuel oil - $4/gallon

Used oil (for fuel) - $2/gallon

Ask us for free lessons on how to make oil lamps for light and heat!

Ask us for free lessons on using wood for light and heat!

~~~FLOWERS~~~
Winter bouquets

~~~GRAIN~~~
Barley
Oats
Sunflower
White Wheat

~~~HONEY~~~

Ambrosia Honey Co.

Soon… fresh from East Slope!

~~~MEAT~~~
Goat
Beef

Chicken

~~~MEDICINAL HERBS AND TEAS~~~
Coffee from Don Francisco – choose organic or conventional, house blend or espresso, or decaf (not only is drinking coffee natural, some would claim it is medicinal – especially after missing their daily cup)

Pine needles (delicious, nutritious, revitalizing!)
Rose Hips (delicious, vitamin C)
Thistle Root (supports liver)
Winter willow, aspen and poplar (antiinflamatory, powerful painkiller - use like aspirin)

~~~MUSHROOMS~~~
Dried portabella
Dried oyster

~~~NUTS & SEEDS (EATING) ~~~

Almonds

Cinnamon Sugar Almonds

Cashews

Mustard

Peanuts

Pine Nuts

Sesame

~~~ OIL ~~~

Olive Oil (grown for TwoInTents in California)

~~~ SEEDS (PLANTING) AND TREES ~~~

Seeds and trees for planting can be included in your regular order.Contact Maia at 720-722-FARM or maiacooperative-AT-gmail-DOT-com for more information and selections.

Packets of seeds begin at $0.25 ea.

~~~VEGETABLES~~~
Sprouts – alfalfa, clover, radish, mung bean

Wheat Grass

~~~WILD HARVESTS~~~
Cottonwood

It is the season when every young man’s fancy turns to mud.A man grows tall in the country in the winter, about 5 inches taller, to be precise.Spring showers bring may flowers, December snows bring January mud.Wow it’s mucky!

This week we have some delicious sprouts to try from the Maia cooperative.They are grown in Denver hydroponically, which is different from how we grow them – while we grow them in the soil, the key to delicious sprouts (and mushrooms) is actually the sunlight they receive.The sunlight helps the young plants develop not only vitamins and minerals, but all kinds of flavor!Sprouts are alive, and it is best before you eat them (or if you eat them at night, the afternoon before you eat them) to put them in the sun for about 15 minutes.They’ll be much better for it… and so will you!

We are also excited about a new batch of olive oil from our friends in California who raise their olives for us with organic methods free of chemicals.What are we to do except combine sprouts and oil with some delicious lo mein or stir fry?

But don’t forget us when you get your winter cold.We have a coldbuster tea just for you!It’s really tasty, so even ifyou’re not sick, give it a try!

And for our meat eaters out there… please don’t forget that Thomas Farms has chicken, and a student trip to Washington, DC to fundraise for!And we still have a few sausages left from our own farm.Try these in your lo mein if you’re not into tofu.

NEW THIS WEEK:
Chicken from Thomas Farms

Mud. Fire sale prices!Come out for a visit and come back with pounds of it on your shoes…

READY FOR THE COOK:
Sprout stuffing - - - wheat, barley, sprouts and fresh olive oil meet a delicious blend of secret spices for a filling stuffing!

Cold buster tea - - - Willow twigs, pine twigs and thistle root.Great with a bit of lemon or honey!

Sausages - - - traditional recipe from Europe. Hot or mild.

Roast Chevon - - - Fresh natural goat meat with your choice of natural wild spices or more traditional recipes.

~~~BEANS~~~

Anasazi
Black
Black eyed peas
Canellini
Cranberry
Fava
Jacob's Cattle
Kidney
Lentil
Mung
Pinto
Soldier Beans

~~~EGGS~~~
Next harvest estimated in Spring

~~~FRUIT~~~
Next harvest, estimated in Summer

~~~FLOWERS~~~
Winter bouquets

~~~GRAIN~~~
Barley
Oats
Sunflower
White Wheat

~~~MEAT~~~
Goat
Beef

Chicken

~~~MEDICINAL HERBS AND TEAS~~~
Pine needles (delicious, nutritious, revitalizing!)
Rose Hips (delicious, vitamin C)
Thistle Root (supports liver)
Winter willow, aspen and poplar (antiinflamatory, powerful painkiller - use like aspirin)

~~~MUSHROOMS~~~
Dried portabello
Dried oyster

~~~VEGETABLES~~~
Sprouts – alfalfa, clover, radish

~~~WILD HARVESTS~~~
Cottonwood

RESPONSE TO COMMENT:

The ducks and geese just don't know what to do with ice. They want a bath and try to dive into their frozen pond, but for whatever reason these days, the water is as hard as ice.  We dump out the ice and pour in water, and they enjoy it a lot.  But if they take a break from splashing, it freezes up again. 

Bathing and splashing keeps our birds healthy: it allows them to clean their bodies and their mouths and noses, and large quantities of water ensure that they stay healthy with adequate water in their diet.  Healthy birds are more productive birds, they are happier birds and produce with higher quality. 

We wash our other animals periodically too: our cows, horses and camelids get a bath every month.  Our goats get a brush down or a bath then too, but the goats are our cleanest animals.  They are also our most hardy.  Cleanliness makes animals stronger.  That's why we also clean out pens every week.  While some farms simply pile up manure in a corner, we take it out for composting, either in the ground in the gardens, or in compost bins for aging.  This is better for the gardens and better for the animals (and the reason why we put our gardens so close to the animal pens - we don't have to carry manure so far!). 

In the wild, ducks and chickens would be eating not only vegetable matter and seeds, but plenty of bugs.  We have very few bugs in the summer because we have so little manure hanging about.  What few bugs there are usually get eaten by the ducks and chickens who, though they are free to roam, like to hang out in the pens where they stand the best chance at getting the odd fly or mosquito.  Sometimes a duck will chase a fly dozens of feet (and usually will catch it).  In the wild, most animals don't have a need to bathe, but ducks and geese and other water birds do.  And cattle and horses do when they are kept in a pen.  It's important to keep in mind the needs of animals to make sure they are healthy, happy and productive.

Truck the rooster got stuck in a snowdrift while out on an adventure today. He wanted to get to the other side, walked right in until he was stuck up to his belly. We went to rescue him, but before we could some persistent flapping got him free and he managed to fly to the other side. Just goes to show that sometimes we are truly stuck, other times we have to simply try harder.