Tag: Natural Health

Imperial Star Artichoke

Imperial Star Artichokes, August 1, 2014

Last fall Susan and I were roaming Old Montreal when we discovered several artichokes plants alive and thriving. I couldn’t believe it. So I did a little research.

Lo and behold, I discovered that the Imperial Star hybrid is able to grow and produce as an annual even this far north. So, in addition to the Cuore Di Bue tomatoes, Imperial Star artichoke are on my “Must Plant” list for summer 2011.

Burpee offers the seeds, so I’ve just placed the order. Here’s how they describe Imperial star artichokes:

“Grow your own artichokes and enjoy the large, edible flower buds at their prime. Attractive plants with grey-green foliage grow 4′ tall with a similar spread.Grows best in full sun. Produces buds the first year. High yields of sweet, mild tasting flower buds, 4-1/2″ in diameter, which are very slow to open when mature.”

Starting next month I’ll be germinating my first ever homegrown artichokes to be propagated this summer in Rosslyn’s vegetable garden. Optimism abounds!

January 27, 2010
Cuore di Bue Tomato

Cuore di Bue Tomato (Source: Ewa Fournier le Ray)

I’ve started ordering seeds for my vegetable garden this summer, and Cuore di Bue Tomato (aka Coeur de Boeuf or Oxheart) is new to me. I tasted these tomatoes grown in a friend’s garden and decided to add Cuore di Bue to my “Must Plant” list.

Cuore di Bue Tomato

Here’s what they have to say over at Territorial Seed Company where I placed my order:

“This curious and striking tomato is guaranteed to turn heads as well as satisfy appetites. Its name is simply Italian for oxheart, although this selection (Riviera) is an exotic twist on the oxheart tomato type. These big tomatoes have a bottom-heavy shape reminiscent of a pouch with a gathered top. They measure 3 1/2 inches wide and 4 inches long and weigh in just under 1/2 pound each. Cuore di Bue is one of the tastiest saucing types with dense flesh and lustrous, orangey-red skin.”

Can’t wait to plant, harvest and eat, eat, eat these Cuore di Bue tomatoes!

January 27, 2010
Organic Box Springs
Dissecting Organic Box Springs…

After another toss-turn-twist-roll-toss-turn night I spent some time trolling the web for organic mattresses and organic box springs. It’s truly amazing how much this marketplace has changed over the last year or two. There are literally too many options to sort out!

I’m hoping to inspire Susan to look into a few and see if maybe she’d be willing to try out something new… A couple that look promising:
- Home Green Home Organic Box Spring
- Abundant Earth Organic Cotton Box Spring
- Earthsake Organic Box Spring
- Royal-Pedic Double Diamond Box Spring
- Rawganique Organic Box Spring
I’ve come to suspect that our problem with the bed/mattresses we’ve been sleeping on since moving into Rosslyn might have less to do with the mattress and more to do with the box spring, or lack thereof. The mattress sits on a rigid platform that was built for us. I’ve read in several places that heavier bodies (I’m usually around 205 pounds) are better supported by mattresses with springs in conjunction with box springs.

“Sleepers over 175 lbs. especially will appreciate the increased flexibility of a box spring compared to a rigid slatted platform.” (Home Green Home)

Worth a try? Susan’s found it incredibly hard to sleep soundly on this mattress/bed as well, so we’re both looking for a smart solution rather than trying new mattresses every few months…
October 20, 2009
Farmhouse Furniture Wax: Green Product with a Nostalgic Feel

Farmhouse Furniture Wax (Source: Sweet Grass Farm)

We’ve had good luck with using Earth Friendly Products’ Furniture Polish on unsealed wood such as cherry and walnut furniture that hasn’t been varnished, lacquered, etc. Because the grain is open and receptive to oil, the furniture polish works nicely to brighten the natural pigments and grain while maintaining the requisite moisture in the wood. But this product is decidedly unsuitable for our mahogany dining room table, leaving behind unsightly smears and swirls from the applicator.

My current quest to source a green furniture wax connected me with Betsy at Farmhouse Wares, a user-friendly online purveyor of the sort of essentials you might have found at a general store in the distant, slightly idealized past. Betsy’s goal complements our own ideals nicely: the marriage of classical elegance and healthy, ecologically responsible design. So the website was an obvious match for me this morning when I was dredging the web for a non-toxic wax to maintain our French polished and lacquered antiques.

Farmhouse Furniture Wax

Farmhouse Furniture Wax from Sweet Grass Farm promises to be exactly what we need. More once the wax arrives and we’ve had a chance to test drive it…

Sweet Grass Farm

Update: Time for a re-order! It’s been eight months since I first posted, and I’ve just placed another order for more Farmhouse Furniture Wax, and this time we’re trying the lilac as well as the lemon scent. Lavendar is not likely to be a big hit with Susan’s who’s sensitivity to fragrance tends to rule out lavendar. A shame since I love the smell; reminds me of Provence…

Verdict is that this product is a good, reliable hard wax for highly finished wood furniture. We’ve been using on finicky antiques with great results!

February 19, 2009