Art | Resources
My Thanksgiving Organic Heritage Turkey—A Shining Example of a Toxic Free Product
On 6 November I wrote a whole post about the different types of turkeys available and announced at the end of the post that I had decided to pre-order a heritage turkey, grown by local Sonoma County 4H club members and sold through the Slow Food Russian River Heritage Turkey Project.
Well I did pre-order that turkey and it was an amazing experience. I went to a local family farm the day before Thanksgiving to pick up my turkey. I wrote a check directly to the farmer. It was the best turkey I have ever eaten. It had a lot more fat, so it was moist and juicy and tasty, but not fatty (it all drips away during roasting). The flavor was turkey x10. And the aroma was incredible. Well worth every dollar.
But what I want to tell you about in this post is about this heritage turkey as a nontoxic product.
First of all, this turkey did not come from a factory farm, or any kind of agribusiness. It was raised on a family farm through a 4H program.
I want to encourage you to read all about the Heritage Turkey Project.
It began in 2001, when Slow Food USA started a project to reintroduce heritage turkeys to American consumers. The local Russian River chapter was encouraged to be turkey pioneers and order a Thanksgiving bird from a breeder in Kansas, which, including shipping, was very expensive.
And so an effort was made to find local small farmers who were raising turkeys and get them to raise heritage breeds.
The first year, or so, a well-known grower of turkeys, Willie Bird, raised 200 heritage turkeys. But then—get this—“the fact that the heritage breed turkeys could fly and had more spirit made them harder to raise and transport to where they went to be slaughtered made Willie ready for us to move on.”
The local chapter of Slow Food USA then began working closely with 4H families to raise 200 heritage turkeys per year. People in the community pitched in to make this program a success.
After a few years they switched to organic feed. So my turkey was local, organic and heritage.
When I went to pick up my turkey I told them that next year I wanted to meet my farmer, meet my turkey, come and visit and follow the whole process from local farm to my table. And they were delighted.
The Heritage Turkey Project
celebrates community,
our beautiful landscapes,
bountiful farms and ranchland,
and the people who grow the food and make the products
that nourish both body and spirit.
This is truly toxic free, healthy, and inspiring food. This is the food each one of us should be eating, at every meal, every day.
Do You Have Experience With Dental Materials? Please Share
Question from Sharon
Hi Debra,
I just had a cavity fixed and I had a reaction to the dental bonding material – mouth got really extremely dry and burning sensation, hard to swallow, one part of my lower lip a little swollen -just from the fumes after she put the bonding agent in my tooth. It will be 3 days tomorrow since the work was done.
I have been using the same materials for several years with a little swallowing problems, but goes away after a day. I took just a little bit of antihistamine last night and woke up with a really dry mouth and sore throat. Very concerned. I see a holistic dentist but they just told me to gargle (??) I have done that a few times, flushed the mouth several times while I was there, brushed my teeth, gums, upper mouth, all over the tongue – still an issue.
Wondering if I might need to have this stuff removed. But not sure what I would put in place of it. I don’t want to go to urgent care, they will just tell me to take antihistamines. I did the dental testing. I am sensitive to everything.
Have you heard about any non-toxic glues/dental materials? Or, what do other people with MCS do or use? Thank you.
Debra’s Answer
Dear readers, I need your help answering this question.
I can research from online materials, however, the best answers come from real experience.
I am fortunate to have not needed cavities filled and other dental work, so I don’t have experience in this area.
But I know many of you have because you have given bits and pieces of information in other comments.
I’d love to put together a really good resource for getting nontoxic dental work done.
If you have knowledge or experience with this, please comment.
Thank you.
Heritage Foods USA
Slow-growing, pasture-raised heritage breed meats are the most flavorful meats on the market. While they are not organic, they are real meat as nature intended and not hybrid breeds. Chicken, turkey, duck, goose, beef, pork, lamb, goat, plus bacon and charcuterie. “Heritage Foods USA was founded in 2001 to preserve endangered species of livestock from extinction. Endangered foods are saved when demand increases and farmers have the incentive to raise them. Slower growing pedigreed breeds are rare but chefs around the country swear by their superior taste. All our meats are raised on pasture by our network of family farmers and never fed antibiotics.”
Sewak Smile
Natural “miswak” tooth-stick from the Peelu tree. Comes three to a box with color coded BPA-free carrying cases.
Linen Woman | Flax
Linen clothing for women, sizes petite to plus. I found the FLAX brand of linen clothing in a local shop and fell in love with it, but they didn’t have my size. So I went online and found this site that is the #1 online shop for FLAX clothing. Lots of loose-fitting and tailored styles and colors. Simple. Classic. All are made with linen, some are combined with other natural fiber fabrics. And the prices online are much less.
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
More than 700 varieties of heirloom and certified organic seeds for vegetables, herbs, flowers, grains and cover crops, many particularly suited for the Southeast USA. Also seeds to grow your own organic cotton. “It takes many farms to grow a collection of seeds like what we offer. We’re proud to work with a network of over 50 small farms in various parts of the US who grow seeds for us.” Try their free Garden Planner software.
Salad Girl Organic Salad Dressing Company
“Salad Girl Organic Salad Dressings come in 7 delicious garden inspired flavor combinations. Our dressings are made with fresh, cold ingredients and never, ever cooked.
At Salad Girl, we truly believe in the integrity and the safety of Certified Organic Foods. Salad Girl Organic Salad Dressings are: Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Dairy Free, and Soy Free. Our dressings do not contain Cane Sugar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, or any water, and of course, our dressings are Certified Organic.”
The Buffalo Wool Co.
Gloves, socks, scarves and hats made from bison wool. “Have you ever seen a shivering bison? There is a reason for it, the downy undercoat that protects the largest land mammal in the western hemisphere warm and cozy in temperatures down to -40f. Bison fiber is ultra-insulating, wicks moisture away from your skin, and really is soft and amazingly comfortable. our family has been raising bison for almost 30 years, and we are passionate about bringing you the best quality bison products. The last ten years we have been developing a supply chain incorporating small mills, local designers, and large ranches, and along the way, it is our belief that together we can preserve one of America’s great symbols, and help bolster the U.S. economy by focusing on American Made products”
Wooly Moss Roots
Handknit wool cowl with wooden buttons. They also sell pattern and handmade wooden buttons to make your own.
Danish Woolen Delight
“Delightfully soft & soothing organic clothing and accessories that promote the health & well-being of those who wear them, those who produce them, and, ultimately, to the well-being of our Mother Earth!” This website imports high quality organic woolens from Europe for babies, children, and adults, made from various varieties of wool. Hats and headwear, long underwear, socks—also clothing and outerwear for babies. Plus blankets and mattress pads.
