Health

Grateful for A Family Farm

/ still a dreamer / 8 Comments

One of the best things about living where I do is that there is a family farm just 2.5 miles from my house – Phillips Farms. They once were a small roadside stand, but expanded and built a much bigger store in a more accessible location.

They grow everything they sell, and it’s all fresh and delicious. They have over a dozen variety of apples, including my favorite macouns.

Plus every fruit or vegetable imaginable as the months roll by. We are often advised to eat foods that are in season, and Phillips Farms makes that easy. Plus they offer apple and pumpkin picking in the fall, berry picking in the spring and summer.

When they expanded, they built a kitchen on the premises. They bake pies, doughnuts, and fresh breads, and make their own jams and pasta sauces, all these items with their own produce

They offer fresh flowers in every season in pots or cut to make your own arrangements. This year they added eucalyptus.

New Jersey is known as the Garden State, and my county is the highest agricultural county within the state. Living here does mean some sacrifices in that a trip to go see art or other events in NYC or Philadelphia is a bit of a trek, but a good life with fresh and delicious food all year-round just 7 minutes away seems a pretty good counterbalance.

Relief

/ still a dreamer / 12 Comments

One of the things I did not expect after getting my second COVID vaccine was the degree of relief I felt. I knew I’d be glad to have it done, knowing that in two more weeks I’d be as protected as I could be, but it was almost a mild euphoria. The start of a new day!

The pandemic is not over by any means, but COVID is on the run. I can now finally meet with my vaccinated friends or family at outdoor eateries with confidence. Or just hang out with them outside without a mask so long as we’re not cheek to cheek. It really IS a relief.

And a big change. I had not realized the degree to which I have been stressed over the last year, emotionally holding my breath, knowing that COVID really could be anywhere. It’s a lot about degree.

The facts – My state is 46.8% fully vaccinated as of today. And 50% of those with COVID continue to show no symptoms. The vaccine is 94% effective (Moderna). Clearly, there are still risks. However, the more people that get vaccinated, the safer we will all be.

That’s what I look forward to … good health and being safe … for you, for me, for all of us.

No Ho-Hum Oatmeal

/ still a dreamer / 2 Comments

Are you an oatmeal fan? I actually love almost any good hot cereal, but McCann’s Irish Oatmeal is my favorite. It’s warm, nourishing, and while delicious with the simplest of accompaniments – a touch of brown sugar and a small dab of butter – there are so many ways you can dress it up to make it even more delicious. Plus, McCann’s is non-GMO, an extra bonus.

Here are a few ideas to change your oatmeal from ho-hum to yum. Try crumbling a gingersnap or two and toss that with some chopped pecans into the bowl. Or, add them to the pot when the oatmeal is just shy of boiling for chewier results. That’s also the best time to toss in raisins or cranberries.

Fresh fruit is, of course, always an option. For another delicious take, consider chopped apples and walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. You can also sweeten the pot by changing the cooking liquid, and use 75% apple juice to 25% water. When I make oatmeal, I do alter the liquid, but I use 50% organic soy milk and 50% water. It makes for a creamier dish, and also adds more protein.

Oatmeal is such an inviting food, and good quality oatmeal doesn’t lose its flavor with additions stirred in. Plus, it’s heart healthy! Something else to consider – oatmeal will stick to your ribs longer the more whole the grain. Eating instant oatmeal will leave you hungry soon after because the oats are chopped extremely fine to speed up cooking, but are also digested much more quickly. I use McCann’s Quick-Cooking, steel cut oatmeal for more heft, but the regular steel cut, while taking longer to cook, will stave off hunger the longest.

Start your day with a steaming hot bowl of oatmeal, and stir in plenty of your creativity!

* Post Updated: 8/7/2026