Before the Season of "Everything Pumpkin" - Take time to Savor the Apple

I do adore pumpkins. Soon enough it will be the Season of Everything Pumpkin. But for me, September is the season of the apple.


Apples are the glorious gifts of late summer and early fall. There are so many varieties to choose from, and in New Jersey we have a plethora of pick your own farms. Some apples, like Cortlands, are on the sweeter side. Empires are great for eating raw and have a bit of tartness. Fuji's are wonderfully sweet and last a very long time. Granny Smiths are lovely if you prefer the tartness of apples. Jonathans are great for making applesauce, but not for baking because the mush. Yorks are great for baking. I could go on and on, since there are over 100 types of apples grown for commercial use. Actually, there are over 7,000 types of apples grown world wide, but that would take us rather far afield.

There is so much that apples give us. Not just for eating and cooling. On these first cool nights as summer fades to autumn, there is nothing like some warmed apple cider with a cinnamon stick in it. Around here, Delicious Orchards has the best cider. A great place for pick your own apples is Terhune Orchards. They also make some yummy apple wine. And of course there are the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar.  We use it in many of our products because it is so good for you on the inside and on the out. Ooh - and I've recently discovered the fun of hard cider, but that again is another story.

Apples are packed with nutrition and fiber. They contain lots of vitamins like A, B, and C. They have antioxidant components, quercetin, collagen, and elastic which make then wonderful for your skin, boost your energy, and aid in digestion.

Applying apples to your outsides might seem strange - but your skin will certainly appreciate it. Here are a few quick tops to try:

• Take a nice fresh apple and run it through the blender with just a little water or green tea. Take that fabulous smelling mush and rub it in to your skin after a hot day. Rinse with cool water and you'll be washing away the heat and damage you've imposed on your face.
• Kick the apple treatment up a little by blending apple mush with honey and make yourself a skin loving face mask. It will brighten and soften your skin.
• Use a little apple mush or gently run a slice of apple under your eyes to help alleviate those dark circles. 
• After shampooing, pour some apple juice through your hair and then rinse. It will help with dandruff and add some nice shine.
• The pectin and tannin in apples helps soothe bug bites. Rub a piece of apple on a bite or apply a little mush.

Of course the best thing you can do with an apple, especially fresh and in season, is eat one a day. It may help keep the doctor away, and it will definitely taste great and make you happy.

In the Season of Everything Pumpkin ... It's all about the Spice

Although Halloween has past, the Season of Everything Pumpkin continues. After all, a staple of the Thanksgiving meal is the luscious rich finish with Pumpkin Pie. 

  Everywhere you turn you find Pumpkin Spice everything: Pumpkin Chai, Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin spice muffins and breads and cookies, puddings, marshmallows, ice cream, yogurt, gum.... you name it and there's a pumpkin spice version of it. It makes you wonder though - is this frenzy really about the pumpkin? Or is it about the spice?

I love pumpkin, don't get me wrong. I have pumpkins all over my yard. Some turn into jack o'lanterns for Halloween. Others get roasted and then frozen. A few get chopped and added to stews or sauteed like other vegetables. Several of them get sliced and dried and ground to be used in some of our products as well as tossed into sauces and such.  Pumpkin is full of vitamins and nutrients, but on it's own it is not a strong flavored fruit. It needs a little something. These autumn gourds handle savory flavoring very well, like rosemary, garlic, and sage. But the biggest draw is for that sweet spicy zing.

 I really believe that most people aren't enamored of pumpkin so much as the spice blend typically associated with it. Most blends are a balance of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger. Maybe a dash of allspice or cardamom. Below is a basic recipe for Pumpkin Spice.

PUMPKIN SPICE BLEND
1/3 cup ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground clove
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg (or a mix of nutmeg and mace)

Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. Use the blend whenever pumpkin pie spice is called for. Or even apple pie spice.  Mix a teaspoon or two with some sugar or maple syrup and sprinkle over pancakes and waffles. Yum!

This blend is so warming on a chill autumn or winter night. These spices are part of so many things we associate with the warmth and coziness associated with the season. They help with digestion, ease pain, and improve circulation. All of those are important for the more insular, colder time of the year. Even the fragrance is a spirit lifter.

What do you think? Is the Season of Everything Pumpkin about the pumpkin? Or is it about the spice?

We're back - at the Cape May Wine Festival!

This is in our top 10 festivals each year and we're thrilled to be back. Plan a special weekend and join us at:

The Cape May Wine Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 8 & 9, 2011
Noon to 5 pm
Cape May - Lewes Festival Terminal in Cape May
Tickets are $25 per person if you are sampling wine. Free if you are not.
Under 21 is free. Advance ticket purchase discounts available.

The view is amazing. There are over 20 vineyards providing samples and award winning wines for sale. Food for every craving. Fantastic music playing all day. And vendors - like us! - with a wide variety of gift buying options.

It should be a beautiful weekend. What a great way to welcome in fall. And if you mention this post when you shop at our booth we'll give you a gift!

Skin Care Switch Up

Autumn has arrived in its full, beautiful and chilly glory. The trees are in various states of their color show. Some have even lost their leaves already. The crisp air has us turning up the heat inside and bundling up to get cozy.

But let's face it, as beautiful as it is, and however glad we may be to stop sweating after a very hot New Jersey summer, all these temperature changes are wreaking havoc on our skin. So, just as we change out our shorts, flip flops and tee's for long pants, boots and sweaters, it's time to change up our skin care routine a little.

There are certain staples to your skin care routine just as there are to your year round wardrobe. That perfect fitting pair of jeans works no matter what the season. To keep your skin in the best condition possible - staying well hydrated is important year round. Good hydration helps to remove toxins from your body and keep things nice and properly moist from the inside out.

Even if we're diligent with applying sunscreen, our skin can get damaged during the summer. As the days grow shorter, it's more important to exfoliate and remove those dead skin cells. This removes the yuck (OK, that's not a technical term but it does describe it well) and allows new skin cells to show and glow. Our Honey Pumpkin Face Mask is a gentle exfoliant and toner for your face. Sugar Scrubs works beautifully on the rest of your body while leaving a light moisturizing oil to provide protection from harsher temperatures.

Hands take a real beating in cold weather. Keeping them protected with a good wax based moisturizer. Our Lotion Bars are excellent for providing that protection while soothing dryness and itchiness that can occur in the fall.

Another part of our skin that seems to suffer through the cold months is our lips. Keep them moisturized and protected to prevent cracking and dryness. Our Sweetest Kisses lip balm provides that barrier to the elements and adds the softening sweetness of honey. Should you catch a cold or just have a bout of really dried, cracked lips, Tingles will really help. They'll protect and provide essential oils known for their healing benefits. And it will make your lips tingle.

In the fall and winter, I also change my face moisturizer. Before I go to bed, I use a little Jazzy Lavender Body Butter on my face, especially on those laugh line around the eyes and the nasolabial folds (there's a technical term - those are the lines that go from your nostrils to the corners of your mouth). It gives a little extra softening and extra protection from the dry air.

I always like the seasonal switch up, for my skin care and my clothes. A rediscovered favorite sweater and that pair of jeans and a great skin care routine. That's a great Autumn.

The Colonial style Pumpkin Pudding Experiment

Well, it happened. The pumpkin fever has come over me and the experimentation has begun. I warned you.

The other day I had picked up a little sugar pumpkin, about 3.5 to 4 pounds, nicely shaped. It has been sitting on the table, reminding me that Halloween is fast approaching.

Last night was the first night of the full moon and there was a definite chill in the air. As I walked by the little pumpkin, I remembered my Colonial Pumpkin pudding recipe. Perfect! I thought, scooping up the little fellow and dashing to the kitchen.

Husband, cats and dog were wise enough to clear the way.

It didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped, but check out the recipe and results below to see for yourself.

Colonial Whole Pumpkin Pudding

• One 4 to 6 pound sugar pumpkin
• 6 eggs
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp molasses
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 2 tbs butter

This is the basic recipe. Usually, when I find a new recipe I stick to it the first time around. Then, if I like it enough, I'll play with it the next time to make it a little more me. I like playing with my food, but more about that another day.

Prep the pumpkin as if making a jack-o'lantern.

In a separate bowl or large measuring cup, mix all of the ingredients except the butter.

Pour into the pumpkin, careful not to over fill (that's something I learned by overfilling last night).

Top with the butter in a few pats and put the pumpkin top on.

Place in a large baking dish and place in the oven.

Bake at 350F for about 1 1/2 hours until the mixture has set.

Let stand and cool for about 10 - 15 minutes.

Serve from the pumpkin, scraping up the pumpkin meat to go along with the pudding. Should serve about 6 people.

The project wasn't a complete success. It took longer for the pudding to set then indicated. I took the top off for the last 1/2 hour and that seemed to do the trick. I did overfill which made for some spillage.

And it really wasn't very pretty....
But it was pretty yummy! Especially with some ice cream!


More experimentation to come.

Next up - carving!

Welcome to Pumpkin Time!!!!

I LOVE pumpkin!!! I just love how bright and cheerful they look. Seeing them begin to populate the grocery stores and farmers markets tells me that Halloween is coming soon with all it's mystery and spooky goodness.

I guess you could say I'm a Pumpkin head - although I prefer Pumpkinaholic. I love to carve pumpkins for decoration, cook them for everything from appetizers to dips to dinner to dessert, make

Honey Pumpkin Face Mask, and just have them around to look pretty and bright.

I also enjoy experimenting with these favorite Autumn squashes. Last year I tried make pumpkin jelly, but it didn't really work. It never really jelled and had a rather slimy and gloppy consistency. It did make a great Halloween prop though!

This year, I'm going to expand my pumpkin experimentation by trying something Native Americans did with pumpkin skin. Native Americans would take the skins, cut them into strips and dry them and weave them into mats.

My other experiment will be the predecessor of pumpkin pie. During the Colonial times, they would scoop out the seeds of the pumpkin, then add milk and spices and place the whole pumpkin in the hot embers to cook. This makes a type of pudding, which is basically the filling of pumpkin pie. In fact, the Colonials used to use pumpkin mush as an ingredient in their pie shells. I don't know if I'll be that brave, but when Pumpkin fever strikes, you never know what can happen! I'll keep you posted!

This Saturday Join Us At the Allaire Annual Fall Crafters Market

Annual Fall Crafter's' Market
Saturday Sept. 25 (Rain Date Oct.2)
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
$2/Adult Under 12/Free
Historic Village of Allaire
Farmingdale, New Jersey

There is nothing as lovely as Autumn in Allaire Village. We'll be returning there for the Annual Fall Crafters Market. This is the largest of the craft fairs in this wonderful location.

Over 100 crafters will gather to bring in the fall season with unique crafts like hand thrown pottery, beautifully designed jewelry, home decor and more. We'll be on the main path across from the General Store, with all our goodies and maybe a few surprises.

Stop by and say hello! Mention this blog post and receive a thank you gift.

Welcome Autumn with us at Allaire!

Huzzah! Time for the Lakewood Lions Renaissance Faire!

Lakewood Lions Charity Renaissance Faire

The shire of Pine Park recreating Renaissance since 1981
Saturday and Sunday, September 18 & 19, 2010
Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Adults - $10, Children under 5 are free
Pine Brook Park, Lakewood, NJ

Stroll the shires Village and browse the many merchants with wares from the corners of the world. Partake of the numerous food purveyors that will please anyone’s taste and thirst. Keep the young ones amused with games and activities, ponies and knighthood. Test thy skill with bow, axe, or knife.

Throughout the day, poets, minstrels, and jugglers will wander the grounds, amazing you with their skills.

Partake in raffles, contests and all manor of outstanding entertainment. See the rousing joust and cheer on your champion!

Return on Sunday to witness the crowning of the Faire’s King and Queen chosen from amongst those aged 10 or younger that have dressed in appropriate Renaissance attire.

It is always a wonderful weekend at the faire! We hope you'll come and visit us there and celebrate the waning summer days with all those wonderful knights!

Flu Fighting

It seems to be a hot topic of conversation - how to prevent the flu, how to fight it if you've got it, who has it. Colds and flu are an inevitable part of winter. But there are ways to help keep the little beasties at bay. These are very simple, common sense things that we can all do with little effort.

• Wash your hands - often. It's a mantra you've heard over and over again, but it's a valid point. Wash you hands to be rid of germs and bacteria you pick up through out the day. If you're worried about over drying your hands, just keep a moisturizer like one of our Lotion Bars near by to keep hands clean - and soft.
  

• If you work in an office, wipe it down at least once a day. At my office, I wipe down my phone, keyboard, stapler, tape dispenser, mouse, desktop, pen, arm rest and anything else that not only I but others may have touched. I use a disinfectant wipe, or a little hand sanitizer on a napkin. I do this at least once a day - sometimes twice if it's been one of those hectic crazy days.
  

• Wipe it down at home too. At home, I have white distilled vinegar infused with mint and citrus. I use this to wipe down doorknobs, phones, keyboards, pens, cabinet handles, latches, remotes and other things we're all grabbing without thinking. Just be careful with electronics. I spray the dust cloth, not the keyboard.

• Use a tissue. Some people are handkerchief people. It has a certain convenience to it and is perfectly suitable for a single sneeze or a little wipe. But if you're fighting flu or flu season - go for tissues. And pitch them out as soon as they are used. There's nothing quite as yucky as a used tissue lying around on tables.

• Eat Right. Simple, and sensible. Adding beta-carotene rich foods (those orange colored goodies like orange-colored vegetables, including carrots, squash, pumpkins and sweet potatoes) have lots of vitamin C and help build your immune system.

• Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire - or in stew or salad. Chestnuts, those holiday gems fabled in song and story, are low fat and high fiber. They are and excellent source of potassium, folate, vitamins B6 and C, and bolster the immune system to fight infections and stave off the flu.

• Get your sleep. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night (8 is better) helps maintain your immune system and keeps your body working at it's best. After just 3 nights of reduced sleep, studies show your immune system function can drop as much as 60%. So go to bed.

And that's just what I'm going to do. After all, I don't want to catch the flu - I prefer to just talk about it.

It's Grand Harvest Festival Time at Alba Vineyards

Autumn, the time of harvest and celebration. Cool, crisp days that may require a sweater of light jacket, but don't chase you in side. These are days to revel in natures beauty. How best to celebrate? Does sitting on the grounds of a vast vineyard, enjoying an amazing selection of award winning wines, listening to terrific music while enjoying a variety of yummy food offerings and browsing fine crafts and vendors sound good?

Then join us at the

GRAND HARVEST WINE FESTIVAL
October 3 & 4 from noon to 5:00 p.m.

at Alba Vineyard, Village of Finesville, Milford, NJ

This is one of the most fun filled wine events of the season. It takes place at the lovely Alba Vineyards in Hunterdon County. Entertaining the crowd with be the always lively and entertaining VooDUDEs. The event is sponsored by the Garden State Wine Growers Association, and over 20 vineyards from around the state are expected to participate. Admission is $20, which gets you a wrist band and wine tasting glass. If you aren't planning on drinking, admission is $10.

We're excited to be going to this wonderful all out party. And even if it rains, we'll be there having a great time. Hope you'll join us!

Crafts and Wine = a Fun Filled Weekend

The weather is cooler - but the fun is just heating up. It's going to be a busy weekend for Celtic Chairde Creations - and we hope you'll join us!

First up is The 27th Annual Giant Craft Fair in Ocean Grove. It's held on the Ocean Pathway in front of the Grand Auditorium, and the beach is right there. This fair features over 100 crafters and artisans with an amazing array of unique items. From jewelry to hand sculpted pottery, children's items to Celtic Chairde body products, you'll find something that will delight you. The Craft Fair is from 9 am to 4 pm and has free admission.

But that's not all...

Allaire State Park, one of our favorite venues, is home to the Jazz It Up Wine Festival on the 5th and 6th. Admission is $20. From noon to 5, you can sample the award winning wines from over 20 of New Jersey's own vineyards. Plus you can listen to some amazing Jazz from the Gambone Project and Jazz in Pastel. We'll be joining the festivities on Sunday, but what ever day you can attend - you should.

Summer isn't over yet, so join us celebrating the sea, some jazz, and a nice glass of wine.

And if you mention this post - this weekend only we'll give you 10% off your Celtic Chairde order of $10 or more. Let's keep that summer fun rolling until the last possible moment!