Our Farmers and Vendors love to hear from you!

As always, feel free to contact a grower or vendor with feedback or questions. All of our grower information is on the co-op site. Just click Our Growers to see contact information.

Upcoming Group Buys

Green Pasture – FCLO- 1/24/14
Great Lakes Gelatin – 2/7/14
Old State Farms- Unrefined Maple Syrup- Spring 2014
Muddy Pond- Sorghum Syrups – Spring 2014

Heart Foods

Website: www.buttercupsbutter.com

Here at Heart Foods are our goal is to produce a healthy version of those basic comfort foods that we all know and love.

What better place to start than with Butter! I love to cook and I’ve always loved butter! Over 20 years ago I started blending combinations that that would produce a more heart healthy butter but was still delicious and totally versatile. ButterCups was the result. I wanted something where every element of my recipe had a high nutritional profile and offered a high smoke point so that it could be versatile just like butter.

I wanted to be able to cook, bake, saute and spread it on my bread! I have taken rBST free European style butter and added Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Avocado Oil and Sunflower Lecithin (the fruit oils and lecithin are non GMO), then plain kefir and sea salt. This created an exquisitely smooth and creamy butter that is spreadable right from your refrigerator.

As time went by friends started asking for my butters and when would I start selling them? Then folks said, “you have to create some great flavors” and so begin that creative process.

I now have 5 flavors that include:

• Sweet Cream with Sea Salt
• Unsalted Sweet Cream
• Honey Butter – using local raw honey
• Olive Garlic
• Lemon Butter

Presently I am creating a sumptuous a new butter that I will be introducing after the first of the year called, Maple Pecan Butter. I use real Grade A Maple Syrup and unrefined Pecan Oil from Oliver Farm in South Georgia.

As we got closer to launching ButterCups we sent off my recipes to UGA to complete our Nutritional Fact Panels, we were thrilled with the results. Without realizing it I had created something I had only hoped for…all my ButterCups are a minimum of 50% less saturated fat, 50% less cholesterol and 50% less sodium than USDA Butter!

Now I have something I can truly offer you that I know is both delicious and healthy, and can be used and enjoyed just like butter. Like you all, I am very health conscious consumer and I plan to transition my products to all non GMO in the coming year.

I am also looking for butter from pastured cows that recieve only a small amount of non GMO feed if needed. It will likely increase the price some, but it will be worth it. Until then I am grateful to be able to offer a European Style butter that is rBST free as the base for my ButterCups!
In the coming year I look forward to offering two great new flavors:
Cinnamon Dolche Butter and Basil Butter!

We have recently established a facebook page and would greatly appreciate your “liking us” there. www.facebook.com/buttercupsbutter

I am excited to be a part of your healthy local food community and thank you for this opportunity to introduce you to ButterCups.
With Many Thanks, Shulamit Duncan your Chief ButterCup Maker

New Payment Option-Pay With Dwolla

In addition to check, cash and credit card payment, we now offer the option to pay with cash electronically ahead of time by using Dwolla.

Dwolla charges only a $0.25 fee. To pay using Dwolla, go to the Market page and enter the amount you’d like to pay in the Dwolla box to deposit your funds. When paying by Dwolla please indicate in the Notes section on your order that you paid with Dwolla. Please deposit funds before Tuesday pick up.

New Items this Week on the Market

New items:
ButterCups-Sweet Cream with Sea Salt,
ButterCups-Unsalted Sweet Cream
ButterCups-Honey Butter – using local raw honey
ButterCups-Olive Garlic
ButterCups-Lemon Butter

Essential Oils: Grapefruit , Juniper Berry , Sage (Organic), Spearmint Essential Oil

Lip Balm – Tallow – Berry Lime
Lip Balm – Tallow – Lemon Butterscotch
Lip Balm – Tallow – Naked
Lip Balm – Tallow – Peach
Lip Balm – Tallow – Peppermint
Lip Balm – Tallow – Tangerine
Lip Balm – Tallow – Tea Tree
Tallow & Coconut Oil Body Whip – Silky Bamboo
Tallow Body Butter – Mama’s Love
Tallow Face & Body Butter – Farm Girl’s Fresh Face
Tallow Face & Body Butter – Naked
Tallow Face & Body Butter – Soothing Lavender
Tallow Skin Care – Peppermint Pedi

Dog Bones – Trimmed Ribs – Water Buffalo
Pork – Pastured Berkshire Boston Butt WHOLE
Water Buffalo – 2 Bone-in Rib Steaks
Water Buffalo – 2 Boneless Chuck Roasts
Water Buffalo – Bone-in Rib Steak
Water Buffalo – Brisket – 5 lbs
Water Buffalo – Cross Cut Shanks – Medium
Water Buffalo – Cross Cut Shanks – Small
Water Buffalo – Cubed Steak
Water Buffalo – Garlic Bratwurst
Water Buffalo – Kielbasa
Water Buffalo – Liver, Sliced
Water Buffalo – Marrow Bones
Water Buffalo – Meat for Jerky or Stir-fry
Water Buffalo – Premium Ground
Water Buffalo – Premium Ground – 2 pounds
Water Buffalo – Premium Ground – case
Water Buffalo – Premium Ground – Hamburger Patties – 4 pack
Water Buffalo – Soup Bones
Water Buffalo – Tenderloin Filet – Medium
Water Buffalo – Tenderloin Filet – Small
Water Buffalo – Top Sirloin Steaks – Medium
Water Buffalo – Top Sirloin Steaks – Small
Water Buffalo Jalapeno-Cheese Sausages
Water Buffalo Longaniza
Water Buffalo Zesty Italian Sausage

I need your help!

You may have noticed that it’s getting a little cramped in my garage these days. I am absolutely thrilled that so many of you support the co-op! It’s evident that this food movement is here to stay! We’re getting close to reaching 100 produce boxes delivered and I’m already planning on adding a couple more growers. I was offered another refrigerator and was so disappointed that I had to turn it down due to lack of room. And I really could use 1 more refrigerator.

Since I want to continue to grow and serve more people in the community I think it’s time to start looking outside my garage. If you know of a church, community center, or other venue in Suwanee that may be willing to host us please let me know. If you could help me get my foot in the door that would be so helpful. I’m looking forward to exciting new opportunities in 2014!

Nutrete Wellness

Speaking of new opportunities and the new year, one of our fellow co-op members, Melissa Gauna, is starting a weight loss group in Suwanee. She currently has classes in Cumming and Duluth.

Melissa is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner & Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant and her philosophies are aligned with those of Weston A. Price.

About The Program

The objective of the program is to get the body healthy. As your body gets healthier, the weight will naturally come off until you reach your ideal, healthy body weight. This is not a low-calorie, low-fat diet. It is not about restricting calories and therefore nutrients. The body needs good nutrition to properly function. This program is about giving the body the proper nutrients it needs for its metabolic and hormonal processes. By doing this not only do you feed your body good nutrition, but your body gains health, diminishes food cravings and you gain energy while losing the unwanted body fat.

The GET AT THE ROOTS WEIGHT LOSS 12-WEEK PROGRAM addresses the underlying root causes of excess weight gain such as hormonal imbalances, deficient brain chemistry (causing stress eating), digestive problems, food sensitivities, and more.

The GET AT THE ROOTS WEIGHT LOSS SYSTEM gives each person a specific daily amount of protein (in grams) based on their individual lean body mass. The amount of carbohydrates will be different each day based on activity level. In addition, it is extremely important to the program that you eat the right kinds of fats in the appropriate amount. We will be dispelling the myth that fat makes you fat. The right kinds of fats will actually help you to reduce overall body fat. You will learn how to eat to get your body into biochemical balance – balancing brain chemistry, hormones, and blood sugar. This is key to your long-term success.

The program includes a Workbook, nutrient cards, recipe cards and a support group, not to mention access to a Nutritional Therapist for the duration of the program.

Melissa Gauna, who is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and a co-op member, will be leading the 12-week program starting in January. The locations include: Choe’s HapKi Do of Cumming/Suwanee (3020 Old Atlanta Rd, Cumming, GA 30041) and Vitality Method Pilates Studio (2590 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite D, Duluth, GA 30097).

The cost of the 12-week program is $250, that’s only $20 per session and you’ll have access to a Nutritional Therapist during that time. .

If you’d like to know more about Melissa, you can visit her website, www.nutretewellness.com or contact her directly at 404-941-6069 or melissa@nutretewellness.com.

Contact Melissa directly for registration details, space is limited!

New Items this Week on the Market

New items:
Cilantro- Certified Naturally Grown-Finch Creek Farms

Green Pasture Detail info

GREEN PASTURE INFO:
Here’s some information about Fermented Cod Liver Oil and its health benefits:

Why choose Green Pasture Products?

•Whole Food Form
•Wild, as Provided by Nature
•Natural fatty acid complex, nothing removed or changed
•Full, deep range of Vitamins A, D, E, K; CoQ enzymes; and other Quinones
•Non-industrialized & Historical Processing Methods
•Clean, Pure, and Extensive Third Party Tested (NO PCBs, Lead, Mercury, Arsenic or other Heavy Metals)
•Family owned business
Why is FCLO better than regular fish oil? •Green Pasture uses wild caught cod in and around the Arctic region (A substantial amount of today’s cod liver oil is produced from farmed fish)
•FCLO higher in nutrients than regular fish oil
•Double the amounts of vitamin A and D as regular cod liver oil
•Goes rancid less quickly
•No synthetic vitamins added
•Most salmon oil has one-fifth the potency of cod liver oil
•1/2 TBS of FCLO provides the amount of elongated omega-3 fatty acids found in twelve 1,000 mg fish oil capsules

What are the benefits of Fermented Cod Liver Oil?
•Rich in Vitamins A & D which are crucial nutrients that are lacking in most modern diets
•Vitamin A- vital for a healthy immune system and healthy vision and is important for proper development in children
•Vitamin D- improves insulin function, protective effect against multiple sclerosis,
•May help prevent flu (lack of vitamin D synthesis during the winter as one explanation for high rates of influenza infection during cold season)
•In women, higher levels of vitamin D from cod liver oil improve bone mineral density
•EPA- Eicosapentaenoic acid (Omega 3 Fatty Acid) anti-inflammatory and necessary for prostaglandin production
•DHA -docasahexaenoic acid, a nutrient absolutely vital for a healthy brain and nervous system
•Fights inflammation associated with heart disease and heals the lining of the arteries
•Reduces the size of atheromas clogging arteries and improves blood vessel function
•Studies have shown cod liver oil can protect against diseases like cancer and leukemia
•Effective in treating arthritis
•Helps maintain soft skin and minimize wrinkles

How does it benefit my child’s health?
From conception through adolescence, cod liver oil can provide developing children with what they need to thrive. Mothers who take cod liver oil during pregnancy and nursing protect their children from disease while providing them with important nutrients and fatty acids. For growing children, cod liver oil is important for healthy bones and teeth, as well as preventing common problems like ADHD. It’s also an excellent treatment for diaper rash and other skin conditions if used topically.

Synergy of Butter Oil and Cod Liver Oil
Research shows that butter oil and cod liver oil, taken together, provide complementary factors leading to proper essential fatty acid balance. High-vitamin butter oil contains arachidonic acid (AA), an omega-6 fatty acid, while cod liver oil is rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3. Moreover, the saturated fatty acids in the butter oil promote efficient utilization of the unsaturated fatty acids in the cod liver oil. Finally, butter oil contains a broad and deep range of important quinones including Vitamin K, E and CoQ enzymes while cod liver oil is rich in Vitamin A and D.

Green Pasture’s High-Vitamin Butter Oil is extracted from dairy milk produced by Guernsey and Devon cows (high butterfat producers) that graze exclusively on irrigated grass in the northern Great Plains. This specific combination of climate and irrigation produces a rapidly growing specialized forage, ensuring optimal levels of Activator X as discovered by Dr. Price. Activator X and other nutrients are then further concentrated by putting the butterfat through a specialized low-temperature centrifuge process

Here is a link to an article about the benefit of cod liver oil and why it’s best taken with a high vitamin butter oil http://www.westonaprice.org/cod-liver-oil .

I’ve been taking FLCO since October 2011 and I can honestly say that I have seen an improvement in my own health. My hair and nails are stronger than they’ve ever been. My hair hasn’t been this thick since my last pregnancy 6 years ago. My skin feels and looks better. I usually have small bumps on my upper arms and they have virtually disappeared. My hormone level seems more even and no mood swings. One member told me her vision has improved since taking FCLO. My son thinks it’s helped him learn how to read! He loves it and actually requests it. My daughter, on the other hand, takes it only because she knows it’s good for her.

I have heard and seen several testimonies about FCLO increasing HDL (the good cholesterol) and have experienced it myself. My doctor has been tracking my HDL (and LDL) for the past 5 years and noticed that my HDL has been going up since 2011. The only significant dietary change I have made is adding FCLO to my diet. One of my closest friends has been taking the infused coconut oil that includes fclo and skate oils. Her HDL skyrocketed almost 50 points and her LDL lowered. Ironically we have the same doctor and she is now very interested in Fermented Cod Liver Oil.

Last year, my dentist told me I had a small “soft spot” on one of my molars that he wanted to keep an eye on. I doubled up on my fish oil and at my next visit he said it was no longer there! I have been told by others that using this product can help re-mineralize your teeth and reverse tooth decay and now I believe it.

My neighbor just started taking FCLO recently. She is also a breast cancer survivor for almost 14 years but has suffered from lymphedema (swelling in arms and hands). She told me shortly after taking fermented cod liver oil blend gel she has seen a significant reduction in her swelling and sense of well being she hasn’t felt in years!

If you have a testimony you’d like to share, please email me. I’d love to know how others in our co-op have seen the benefits of taking this wonderful product!

Christmas Items and Teacher Gift Baskets from My Daily Bread

Christmas Items such as cookie platters, teacher’s gift baskets, and gingerbread boys will be available beginning December 7th. If you would like to pre-order one of these items you can order starting this weekend. Any pre-order gift items ordered this week will be available for pick up the following Tuesday (Dec 10th).

Also My Daily Bread wants to make sure everyone is aware that yeast breads are affected by the weather, especially rain and cold front combos like we had this past week. Occasionally they have to pull products that are affected off the market. They try to notify everyone in advance if they have to remove an item. They do this to ensure you get the best quality product.

Goat Milk will be available this week

Rusty is back and so is his goat milk! Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers as his father continues to battle cancer.

Last Week for Workshop reservations

This will be the last weekend we will take reservations for the Soap Making and Yogurt Making Workshop on *December 7th from 2pm to 4pm at BeeBerry Farms in Cumming until it is sold out. The address is 5595 Ranch Drive Cumming, GA 30041.

Workshop Details:
This is a beginning-level soapmaking and yogurt making class designed to teach students to make soap and yogurt by hand at home.
Soapmaking:
The main focus of this class is the “cold process” soapmaking method. After learning soapmaking safety, students learn to formulate soap recipes and calculate lye quantities using a “lye calculator.” The objective of this class is to have students understand saponification values and be comfortable creating their own soap recipes at home. Cold process soap making will be demonstrated during the class session. Each student will receive at least one bar of soap made during class.
Class topics include:
• Brief history and basic chemistry of soap making

• Necessary materials, supplies and equipment

• Safety considerations when working with sodium hydroxide

• Taking accurate measurements & proper mixing temperatures

• Using pure essential oils to scent your soap naturally

• Preparing your molds and molding options

• Insulating, cutting, curing and storing your finished soap

Yogurt Making:
• A brief discussion on the different types of yogurt cultures and preparation methods- We will focus on mesophilic culture (low heat process)with no special equipment needed.

• Learn the cost savings of making your own yogurt at home

• Detailed demonstration of how simple it is to make yogurt using all the dairy products on the co-op market with no expensive equipment

• You will leave with a starter culture and the knowledge to make your own yogurt at home

and ample time for questions and answers

The cost of this workshop is $35 for paid members and $45 for non-paid members.

New Items

Bakery Holiday Cookie Platter LARGE
Bakery Holiday Cookie Platter MEDIUM
Bakery Holiday Cookie Platters SMALL
Bakery Holiday Cookies Happy Gingerbread Boys
Bakery Holiday Gift – Homemade Chocolate Pecan Biscotti in a decorative Coffee Mug
Bakery Holiday Mini Loaf
Coffee – Holiday Blend -Whole Bean or Ground
Coffee – Holiday Gift Bag (No charge with any coffee purchase)
Lavender (Bulgarian) Body Butter 2 oz
Lavender (Bulgarian) Body Butter 4 oz
Veggies – Kale Dwarf Siberian
Veggies – Mustard Green ‘Chinese Red’
Vinegar – Orange Balsamic Vinegar
Vinegar – Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar
Vinegar – Strawberry Vanilla Balsamic Vinegar
Vinegar – White Balsamic Vinegar

Upcoming Group Buys

To help you plan and budget here is the tentative calendar of upcoming Group buys.

Green Pasture (Fermented Cod Liver Oils)- December 13th

Vital Choice Seafood (Wild Caught Shellfish, Sardines and Canned Albacore Tuna ONLY) – December 13th