Category Archives: Food for Thought
Enjoy your Seabreeze lettuce – it’s grown right here on the farm!

There has been another outbreak of a virus in romaine lettuce and the public has been advised through the media not to consume and to throw away any they might have.
We’d like to assure you the lettuces and the salad mix that we provide to you are grown here at our family farm under our strict supervision (the growing areas surround our home) and we daily walk and supervise all of our products.
In 30 years of growing for our fellow San Diegans, we have never had a single issue with this type of thing or any other health issue for that matter. All of our subscribers are always encouraged to come and see our growing techniques and the care and attention given to all we produce.
It’s a lovely farm and we are very proud of what we do.
As always, enjoy in good health.
Stephenie
Our Farm: People, plants and animals
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Dear Friends,
Whew! What a week it was re-arranging harvest and delivery days for Thanksgiving. I remember one of my grandmother’s saying..’it doesn’t get easier as you get older’. Dang, you’d think that’d be one of the side benefits, like a trade off but sadly, not the case.
And ‘holidays’ bring the onslaught of phone calls and emails about food and I take the time to answer everybody. It’s like an awakening that Thanksgiving is about food and all of a sudden people make the link..ah, food..farm. They want to bring their children to ‘see’ (they’re not shareholders), buy fresh killed turkeys, apple pies made here, but this year, stunningly, half a dozen calls from a certain part of the world (accents) that want duck to eat. I mean honestly, how can you eat something that has a name?
The best one though, was a young man calling from LA in an absolute tizzy because his tech company had contracted with a foreign-based business to do an ad that included a photo shoot on a farm harvesting cranberries! I patiently explained to him we don’t grow cranberries (no bogs in Southern California) and poor thing kept insisting we had to do it for them before Thursday! I referred him, like I usually do, to the SD County Farm Bureau for them to deal with it.
Anyone want to help with transplanting some clivia and Easter lily bulbs (enough to share) this coming Saturday? There’s 3 of us women so far and it’s fun to have a project to do together.
Anyway, we’re busy with fall plantings and cleaning up from the summer and loving the cooler weather after our last heat spell.
Please feel free to call or email me if you have questions or need cooking tips.
May our food this week nourish, comfort and sustain you.
Stephenie
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DELIVERY ITEMS FOR THE WEEK OF November 27th, 2017
*Please note that some substitutions may apply from time to time
Take a stroll through our Facebook page for links to recipes using some of this week’s ingredients.
Shop our Green Store for other healthy products.
For this week’s deliveries, please place online orders by 3 PM Monday.
Do you have a friend or neighbor looking to make better food choices? Recommend Seabreeze, and for every new member you refer, you’ll both receive a $10 Green store credit.
Thank you so much to all of our loyal supporters. We sincerely hope we have helped your health and well-being with our food and brightened your day with our flowers.
Enjoy in good health,
Stephenie
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Eggs
I just watched a segment on the news about “cage free” eggs. I have known the horrors of the so-called “cage free” farms. The end of the segment mentioned that San Diego has chicken farms and so I went online and found your website. I read about your eggs and chickens, and I felt such happiness in my heart that I actually started to cry. Thank you for the care you give your chickens and allowing them to live their full lives out. I I am vegan, but my family is not, so I do still buy eggs for them. From now on I will now only buy my eggs from you. I again thank you from the bottom of my heart.
With respect and gratitude,
M.D. San Diego 2/25/2017
Nutritional rating of 41 fruits and vegetables

From businessinsider.com July 29, 2016
As long as you go easy on the French fries, you pretty much can’t go wrong making fruits and vegetables a focus of your diet.
But which produce is the most worth your while?
Jennifer Di Noia, a researcher at William Paterson University who specializes in public health,ranked a long list of fruits and veggies based on their nutrient density to see which ones should be classified as “powerhouse” foods: those most strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease.
As long as you go easy on the French fries, you pretty much can’t go wrong making fruits and vegetables a focus of your diet.
But which produce is the most worth your while?
Jennifer Di Noia, a researcher at William Paterson University who specializes in public health,ranked a long list of fruits and veggies based on their nutrient density to see which ones should be classified as “powerhouse” foods: those most strongly associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease.
She generated scores using 17 nutrients that are key to our health: potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K.
Each powerhouse food had to provide at least 10% of the daily value of a particular nutrient to be considered a good source, and the more the better — up to 100%. Those fruits and vegetables with fewer calories and more “bioavailable” nutrients (i.e., how much the body can actually make use of a nutrient once it’s been ingested) ranked higher.
While we all have different dietary needs, the items at the top of this list would be pretty solid additions to almost anyone’s dinner plate. One big takeaway? Eat your greens — they’re pretty much all nutrients and water.
Here are Di Noia’s 41 powerhouse foods, with the most nutritious ranked as No. 1.
41 | White grapefruit |
40 | Sweet potato |
39 | Leek |
38 | Blackberry |
37 | Turnip |
36 | Rutabaga |
35 | Pink grapefruit |
34 | Lime |
33 | Orange |
32 | Winter squash |
31 | Radish |
30 | Strawberry |
29 | Iceberg lettuce |
28 | Lemon |
27 | Tomato |
26 | Carrot |
25 | Cabbage |
24 | Cauliflower |
23 | Kohlrabi |
22 | Scallion |
21 | Brussels sprout |
20 | Pumpkin |
19 | Broccoli |
18 | Arugula |
17 | Red pepper |
16 | Dandelion green |
15 | Kale |
14 | Chive |
13 | Endive |
12 | Mustard green |
11 | Turnip green |
10 | Collard green |
9 | Romaine lettuce |
8 | Parlsey |
7 | Leafy lettuce |
6 | Chicory |
5 | Spinach |
4 | Beet green |
3 | Chard |
2 | Chinese cabbage |
1 | Watercress |
Fruits and Vegetables to enjoy this summer
From businessinsider.com
Watercress has a peppery flavor and makes a great addition to any summer salad. Watercress tops the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s list of “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables because it was found to be the most nutrient-dense food.
Watercress has only 11 calories per 100 grams and is an excellent source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), containing a denser concentration of vitamin C than an orange. It is also an excellent source of calcium, iron, folate, and vitamins A, B6, and K. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating a daily portion of watercress could significantly reduce DNA damage to blood cells that is considered an important trigger in the development of cancer.
Fava beans are a healthy summer delicacy. These legumes, also known as broad beans, are a great source of lean protein and are a good source of potassium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins B1, B6, and K. They are also rich in fiber and have no cholesterol or saturated fat. Fava beans can be served raw or cooked, though the pods must first be blanched.
Watermelon is almost 92% water, making it a great source of hydration in hot weather. It has only 88 calories in a two-cup serving and one gram of fiber, which slows digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. It is a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that may help protect cells from damage.
Swiss chard is a leafy green vegetable that is also included on the CDC list of powerhouse fruits and vegetables for being packed with nutrients and vitamins. Studies have shown that chard can be especially beneficial to diabetics because it has unique benefits for blood-sugar regulation. The vegetable contains syringic acid, which inhibits the activity of alpha-glucosidase (an enzyme that usually breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars). Swiss chard also has a good amount of fiber (3 1/2 grams per cooked cup), protein, antioxidants, calcium and Vitamin K. As an added bonus, a cooked cup has only 35 calories. Swiss chard can be eaten raw in salads or cooked and sauteed.
Passion fruit is a great summer treat, with a long list of health benefits attributed to it. Native to South America, passion fruit is a source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. One serving of this fruit will also give you two times as much potassium as a banana.
Radishes are very good for you. This root crop is low in calories and has a high water content (about 90%). Radishes are also a great source of vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and folate. They are natural diuretics and are very filling. They are also good for the liver as natural detoxifiers and can even be used to treat bee stings and insect bites because of their antipruritic properties. Radishes are also included on the CDC’s list of powerhouse fruits and vegetables.
Arugula is a leafy green that is in season from late spring through September also found on the CDC’s list of powerhouse fruits and vegetables. It is part of the cabbage family and has a mild peppery, spicy taste. It has just 4 calories a cup while being an excellent source of folate, fiber, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K. In fact, it contains 14% of your daily vitamin K requirements. This popular green also contains lutein, an antioxidant that helps maintain healthy eyes, skin, and heart.
Peaches are a pretty tasty and healthy summer snack: They are low in calories (with a typical peach containing only 68) and a great source of fiber. The fruit also contains 10 different vitamins, including vitamin C, an antioxidant and tissue-builder, as well as vitamin A, important to healthy vision. Peaches are also a good source of vitamins E and K, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Peach season is at its peak in July and August. Try grilling them to make an extra-special treat.
Zucchini and other summer squash can be served raw, grilled, rolled, or diced. It has only 20 calories a cup and no fat or cholesterol while providing 35% of your daily-recommended vitamin C. It is also a great source of fiber and potassium. Try making “zoodles” this summer with a spiral slicer that transforms zucchini into a healthy substitute for pasta.
Raspberries are a great source of fiber: one cup has 8 grams of fiber, some of which is soluble in the form of pectin, which helps lower cholesterol. They are also a source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including potassium and vitamin C. A cup of raspberries has only 64 calories, and the fruit can even possibly help fight inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.
Why consume local food?
From thegrownetwork
Why Does Local Food Matter?
Here are 10 reasons why you should consider putting more local produce in your diet right away:
- Supports Local Farms: Buying local keeps local farms healthy and creates local jobs at farms and in nearby food processing and distribution systems.
- Boosts Local Economy: Food dollars spent at local farms and food producers stay in the local economy, creating more jobs at other local businesses.
- Less Travel: Local food travels much less distance to market than typical fresh or processed grocery store foods, therefore using less fuel and generating less greenhouse gases.
- Less Waste: Because of the shorter distribution chains for local foods, less food is wasted in distribution, warehousing, and merchandising.
- More Freshness: Local food is fresher, healthier and tastes better, because it spends less time in transit from farm to plate, and therefore loses fewer nutrients and incurs less spoilage.
- New and Better Flavors in Each Season: When you commit to buy more local food, you’ll discover interesting new foods, tasty new ways to prepare food, and a new appreciation of the pleasure of each season’s foods.
- Good for the Gene Pool and the Soil: Local food encourages diversification of local agriculture which preserves genetic diversity and reduces the reliance on monoculture – single crops grown over a wide area to the detriment of soils.
- Attracts Tourists: Local foods promote agri-tourism — farmers markets and opportunities to visit farms and local food producers help draw tourists to a region.
- Preserves Open Space: Buying local food helps local farms survive and thrive, keeping land from being redeveloped into suburban sprawl.
- Builds More Connected Communities: Local foods create more vibrant communities by connecting people with the farmers and food producers who bring them healthy local foods. As customers of CSAs and farmers markets have discovered, they are great places to meet and connect with friends as well as farmers!
May 30, 2016
On what rests the hope of the republic? One country, one language, one flag!
Alexander Henry
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Dear Friends,
On this Memorial Day, I remember and honor my father, James Daniel and his two brothers that served in World War II as well as my uncle and cousin from Viet Nam era. May they all be long revered and remembered.
Please don’t forget we have very deserving and in need military families asking us for donations. Even signing up for once a month food baskets for them makes a big difference. Feel free to email or call me if you’d like more information. So far we have 2 shareholders that are contributing on a weekly basis and thank you to those on vacation that have allocated your share. Last week we were able to give our good food to 5 families that greatly appreciated it.
Hope you’re enjoying and benefiting from your deliveries. A lot of old fashioned hard work and planning makes it possible. And grown with love and care..of course.
Call or email me if you need cooking tips. Happy to oblige.
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DELIVERY ITEMS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 30th, 2016
*Please note that some substitutions may apply from time to time
Shop our Green Store for other healthy products.
For every new member you refer, you’ll both receive a $10 Green store credit.
Thank you so much to all of our loyal supporters. We sincerely hope we have helped your health and well-being with our food and brightened your day with our flowers.
Enjoy in good health,
Stephenie
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May 16, 2016
The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t still be a farmer.
Will Roger |
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Dear Friends,
Last week I wrote about the calls and emails I receive from locally based military families seeking donations from our farm to supplement their food budgets. We have had one shareholder so far commit to a regular size every other week and for that we, and the family are grateful. The photo above is the family that will be receiving. Now we do what we possibly can all these years to help out everyone that contacts us for charity donations, raffles, visits from dis-advantaged children, school tours at a discount, Girl’s and Boy’s Scouts and many many more. But everyone, we are a small family farm fighting the odds as it is to produce good healthy food the right way and it’s not easy. Can we do better as a community to show our military families the support they deserve? I think so. Please be generous and share if you can.
One of this week’s items may be new to you – the amazing French Sorrel. It’s in a bunch, green of course, kind of sort of ‘spinach’ looking. It has a fresh lemony flavor to it and adds so much to a variety of recipes. The main thing is, don’t use aluminum cookery as it causes it to turn a dark unappetizing ‘goo’. Here are several great suggestions and easy recipes for use:
Hope you’re enjoying and benefiting from your deliveries. A lot of old fashioned hard work and planning makes it possible. And grown with love and care..of course.
Call or email me if you need cooking tips. Happy to oblige.
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DELIVERY ITEMS FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 16th, 2016
*Please note that some substitutions may apply from time to time
Shop our Green Store for other healthy products.
When your order is $25 or greater this week, we’ll include 1/2 dozen farm-fresh eggs!
For every new member you refer, you’ll both receive a $10 Green store credit.
Thank you so much to all of our loyal supporters. We sincerely hope we have helped your health and well-being with our food and brightened your day with our flowers.
Enjoy in good health,
Stephenie
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Welcome to the Food for Thought
Welcome to the Food for Thought Blog! We will be sharing ideas about food, farm life and Community Supported Agriculture. We welcome your comments and feedback. Please register for a DISQUS account below and join in the conversation. It’s quick, easy and secure.
This is exactly why ‘Know Your Farmer’ is so important…
The Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog, has released an in-depth review of the proposed changes to the policies and procedures governing the organic industry’s regulatory board. ..“These new changes, cloaked in the minutia of ‘government-speak,’ represent a wholesale hijacking of the authority Congress vested in the NOSB,” said Will Fantle, Cornucopia’s codirector. “Congress gave the NOSB—a 15-member expert advisory body—direct authority over what nonorganic ingredients and materials would be allowed in organic food production. Lawmakers also mandated that the USDA Secretary seek input and advice from the NOSB into how the federal organic regulatory law is executed.”