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Musings about Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the Farm at IL Fiorello, and good eating.

Ciao Ann

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Stick Your Neck Out Chick

May 2020 When you write blogs you find interesting things. Because I work on a Farm and there is dust and dirt and sweat and chickens. I often resort to Halls cough drops and lots of water for a “restorative”. Sort of. Has anyone ever had the time to read the Hall’s cough drop labels? […]

Sustaining our Souls During Difficult Times

April 15, 2020 We all know that this time is very bad. We are all in this together, but the good news is that we do not have to do our taxes today! Hardly a bright note but not staying up late over tax data is ok by me. We can defer that headache until […]

DO NOT WASTE ANYTHING—EVER

A RECIPE FOR TODAY’S CHALLENGES DO NOT WASTE ANYTHING—EVER STOCK AND CHEESE STOCK, STOCK, AND MORE STOCK TO STOCK UP ON FOR YOUR PANTRY All the tidbits of vegetables that are hiding out in the back of your refrigerator make excellent stock. It cooks itself and makes the house smell great. I think vegetable stock […]

Spring Has Arrived

April 1, 2020 If you cannot come to us, we can ship to you! Or we can meet you at the front steps. Call ahead please so we can be prepared to help you. This is a difficult time for everyone. Let us all try to flatten the curve. If you are local and if […]

GROWING VALUABLE FOOD

March 24, 2020 Today am sitting at home in the midst of a rainstorm. Yesterday I worked in the yard, pruning, cutting, digging, feeding citrus and planting more seeds. All with the intention of growing food for my family and my Farm. I have been corresponding with an Italian Physician friend in Vancouver, Canada, and […]

IRISH SODA BREAD RECIPES , FOLKLORE AND FACTS

Even though IL Fiorello is Italian and makes olive oil, part of my family, on my Mother’s side is Irish, through and through. My mother believed in the “little people” and I heard a wonderful piece of music on the way home last night, called Ode to the Fairies of Ireland. It brought back lots […]

PI DAY RECIPE FROM IL FIORELLO

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TART WITH ST. GEORGE’S RASPBERRY LIQUOR I had a fantastic visit and tasting at St. George’s Distillery in Alameda. Their delicious Raspberry Liquor was the impetus for my Pi Day entry at IL Fiorello. So I wanted to share it with all of you. The day started well , with all four of […]

FOOD AS THE BEST MEDICINE

March 2020 In the Spring all thoughts turn to green: green trees, green grass, weeds, and green vegetables. This picture says it all. Eat well and be well. Your Pharmacy is your grocery store and your garden. Get out in the fresh air, take a walk. Watch less television and most definitely less computer/phone time. […]

EVERYBODY, IT IS TIME TO PRUNE THE OLIVES AND DO IT SOON

March 2020 It is time again to prune the olives – but didn’t I just do that. A whole year has passed so quickly. Italian Proverb “Prune each tree so a swallow can fly through the tree without touching its wings.” Get those shears sharpened. Clean the blades, Grab a good hat, a flexible pair […]

WHAT IS GOOD OIL AND WHAT IS BAD OIL

GOOD OIL CURES ALL and BAD OIL MAKES YOU SICK – Italian Proverb What is good oil? Good oil is fresh, new, well stored, bottled in dark bottles, and is extra virgin certified in California; passing both chemistry and taste panel certification. What is bad oil? An oil that does not pass the certification standards […]

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