GREETINGS FROM

BRIGHTON!

Well, here I am in Brighton, the Apple Capital of Ontario! It has been an eventful few months with some big changes. I am starting to find my way around and everyone has been very helpful and friendly. The area is gorgeous, who would of thought Lake Ontario could look so amazing. One warm day in early September, I looked out over the lake and would have sworn I was looking at some exotic southern sea, beautiful white caps, swans, sailboats and the lake was that mystical blue/green colour of the Caribbean. …..And yes, I did go swimming…a little cool, but magnificent.

The move from Kettleby was eventful to say the least, it took several ‘move days’ to get everything moved down here along with a rather large dumpster and couple of serious days of burning the greenhouse benches once the greenhouses were taken down. There was also a last minute 2 week delay on the actual closing day….this happened after all had been moved out, the place all cleaned, the phone, hydro disconnected etc. etc…so this resulted in a rather chaotic couple of weeks, I kept my eye on the place, while camping out with friends for the duration. Finally, all was successfully resolved at the end of August.

Our temporary facility is right on the lake and very cozy…another word for crowded, with me, the dogs and the business. Most of our stuff is in a nearby storage facility and we spend a lot of time running back and forth. However, it is well set up to allow me to keep things running smoothly. It also has electric heat along with a wood burning fireplace, I am not sure whether I am becoming a good Boy Scout with my fire starting attempts or maybe more like ‘Cinder’ella, cleaning out the ashes.

Construction on my new home/business facility began at the end of September and is progressing despite some weather and permit delays. Framing should start this week and I have been sent out to pick the roof colour…it’s a tough job being the ‘supervisor’. Both Hershey and Bailey (the dogs), love the new property with it’s wooded area and now new pond. We also have acquired a resident Grouse, who appears to be quite tame and loves to play chicken with the lawn tractor, not too fussy about the dogs though. I think Bailey just wants to play with her, but she doesn’t want any part of his games!

Still missing Kettleby and all of you, and really appreciate the good wishes you have sent. I’m sure it will take a while to actually feel like a ‘Brightoner’ and I know a part of me with always be a ‘Kettlebyer’.

STRESS & HERBS

Anytime we experience a major change or event, we have stress……………Trust me I know!

So what is stress? Stress can possibly be best described as a group of body-wide non-specific responses induced by any number of situations or events. Just staying alive creates demands on the body for life maintaining energy. So by this definition even the fundamental part of being alive is stressful and should not be avoided. The trick is to ensure that the degree of stress we experience makes our life a joy, not a drag.

The body’s reaction to stress is the same, independent of the source. Nerve signals are sent from the brain to several glands and these react by secreting hormones to cope with it. So stress is not just worry and strain, it is a keynote of life with all it ups and downs. A new exciting love can cause us a much stress as a major work deadline.

The wide array of triggers that elicit a ‘stress response’ are many and varied-marriage, divorce, death of a loved one, new job, move, etc.-any intense emotion such as fear or anger, fatigue, physical injury, surgery, temperature extremes, noise, crowding, illness. Change is the most powerful of stressors, any kind of change, even one perceived as positive, requires an adaptation of a new set of circumstances. The effects of stressors are cumulative, the more stressors in one’s life at any given time, the higher the stress levels will be.

No two people are exactly alike as to which aspects of daily life will increase their stress levels. What might be a pleasant situation to one person, may be extremely stressful to another. In a general sense, a situation will be a stressor if it is perceived as threatening to well-being or requiring adjustment in any way.

There is a definite relationship between stress and illness, although the exact nature of this relationship is not yet fully understood. The more frequent and severe the life changes, the more likely we are to become ill. Some commonly stress related illnesses include: heart disease-stress often increase blood pressure and pulse along with altering blood chemistry such as increasing cholesterol levels; infectious diseases and cancer-stress reduces the effectiveness of the immune system; digestive disorders-the sympathetic nervous system which is activated during periods of stress, reduces production of most digestive juices, except for stomach acid, and often we tend to over or under eat during stressful periods and probably the most recognized-skin disorders, the most obvious effects are the appearance of rashes and premature aging.

Herbal help for stress depends on four categories of herbs, #1. Adaptogens-these are herbs that demonstrate a non-specific activity-like increase in power of resistance against physical, chemical or biological agents, and it has a normalizing influence, independent of the nature of the pathological state. Examples are Siberian Ginseng¸ Aswagandha, Shitake and Schinzandra

#2 Nervines-aherbs that have an effect on the nervous system in some way-there are nervine tonics like Skullcap, Gingko; nervine relaxants such as Lemon Balm, Lavender, Lobelia and Hops; and nervine stimulators such as kola nut, coffee, rosemary and peppermint.

#3 Antispasmodics-these herbs affect the peripheral nerves and muscle tissues and have an indirect relaxing effect on the body. These include; Black Cohosh, Mugwort, Linden, Damiana and Hyssop among many others.

#4 Hypnotics-this group of herbs aid in inducing a deep and healing state of sleep. (they do not cause hypnotic trances) The mild hypnotics include Chamomile, Linden, the medium ones include Motherwort , Skullcap and the strong hypnotics include Valerian, Hops and Passionflower.

During times of stress and to help us to better handle the stressors in our daily lives, there are a number of things we can do. Along with the Stress Relieving Herbs mentioned above, it is also important to eat well balanced meals-especially foods rich in the B vitamins, get adequate rest along with a moderate exercise program and take time to ‘smell the roses’-relax, pamper ourselves, enjoy quality time with family and friends or enjoying a favourite hobby or past time.

Yes, it really is all about balance!

Sue’s Stress Fighting Tonic

Defense against those daily stressors!

100g Siberian Ginseng-root cut

60g Chamomile-flowers

60g Oatstraw-green tops

60g Skullcap-herb cut

3 litres of water

To Make: Starting with cold water and the Siberian ginseng, slowly bring to just below boiling point, then add remaining herbs, remove from heat, cover and let steep 30 minutes. Then strain out herbs and store in a glass covered container in fridge.

Take 2 Tablespoons (30ml) twice a day. I use this for 6 weeks at a time with 1 week off between repeats.

Emergency Stress Relief Formula

Keep this in a tincture form for those desperate times!

60g Skullcap

60g Valerian

30g Oats

Vodka or other 40% Alcohol

To Make: Place all herbs in a clean glass jar and cover with 40% alcohol-Vodka works well, cover tightly. Make sure that there is at least an inch of alcohol above the herb level. Shake well and store out of direct light for two to three weeks-shaking jar well at least once a day. Strain out the herbs and store in an amber glass bottle out of direct light.

Use during times of extreme stress and take by the teaspoon as needed. If acute stress is accompanied by indigestion and palpitations add 30g Motherwort, 30g Mugwort and 30g Chamomile to the above formula.

So what’s happening at Kettleby Herb Farms?

· The 2006 Catalogue is now ready! It is available on-line on our web site or call/e-mail for a printed copy. Make sure to check out our **NEW ‘Kettleby Seed Pack Combos’ and ‘Kettleby Sprouts’ seed mix!

· Our Basil and Rosemary Oils are now prepared using 100% cold pressed Olive Oil joining the ranks of our ever popular Absolutely Garlic and Pepper Oils

· Christmas is coming……Great gift ideas and Gift Packs. We can even customize one for you and ship it too! (Yes, I too will miss the open house, seeing you all and of course Liz’s great treats!)

· Please note we will be closed from December 16 to Jan 2! (I’m going on a ‘stress relieving’ cruise-no hospital holiday for me this year!)

Wishing you all the best for 2006!

SUE