After a temporary shortage, we’ve finally received a brand new stock of organic olive oil from Kibbutz Ein Harod. This excellent-quality oil is made from Barne’a olives. Order a tin of one or two liters via our order system.
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Reminder: This week and next, Shoreshei Tzion Raw Veggie Seed Crackers are on sale at a special 10% discount! Enjoy these delicious hand-prepared crackers, gluten-free and sugar-free, made from sprouted seeds & organic veggies dehydrated at low temperatures (less than 46 degrees) to preserve their nutrition. Now just 24 NIS (instead of 27) per package!
Choose from 5 delectable cracker flavors, as well as many other amazing products thru our online ordering system.
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First, a great big thank you to Moshe, Yael, Bat-Chen, Uri, Zohar and Ariel who joined us last Friday to lend a hand in weeding the field. What a great sunny day and wonderful company! True, we encountered nettles, thistles, and beetles as we breathed lots of green into our lungs. Yet this immensely helpful task had ready results: the scallions and fava beans are now breathing in relief, joining us in our gratitude to these hearty volunteers.
Those of you who missed it – hopefully we’ll have an opportunity in springtime to invite you to yet another fun party at the field.
…Something must be reassuring to the almond, in the evening star, and the snow-wind, and the long, long, nights, Some memory of far, sun-gentler lands, So that the faith in his heart smiles again And his blood ripples with that untenable delight of once-more-vindicated faith, And the Gethsemane blood at the iron pores unfolds, unfolds, Pearls itself into tenderness of bud And in a great and sacred forthcoming steps forth, steps out in one stride A naked tree of blossom, like a bridegroom bathing in dew, divested of cover, Frail-naked, utterly uncovered To the green night-baying of the dog-star, Etna’s snow-edged wind And January’s loud-seeming sun…
(from “Almond Blossom” by D.H. Lawrence)
In perfect timing with Tu B’Shvat, all the surrounding almond groves in the Ayalon Valley have burst into bloom. On Friday I saw many visitors who came to breathe fresh air, enjoy the winter sun and smile in the shade of the gorgeous trees, so diligent and quick to blossom. The almond bloom is quite conspicuous due to its early arrival and its being among the first to add color to the wintery green (along with the pink Judas Tree). But also because the almond tree blossoms before its leaves flourish, which is why it is all pinkish-white (or whitish-pink). What a great birthday for nature!
The beautiful photos are of course Chana’s, our in-house photographer.
Perhaps it’s the blossoms of Tu B’Shvat or last week’s spring-in-the-air feeling that made you think of us. Over the past week, we received a flurry of texts and photos that touched us, which we want to share now with you all. So this week, from all sorts of places, reflections on nature, life, growth, signs of blossoming and green, and lots of beauty – from you – through us – and right back to you.
First and foremost, from Roni, our neighbor at Kfar Bin Nun, a chef and gardener, and in my eyes – an artist of food and words and spot-on thoughts, author of the blog “Wooden Spoon” (Hebrew). Some of you met her on our Open Day when she hosted a seasonal tasty and beautiful cooking workshop.
Roni sent me her contemplations on seasonal cooking and an excellent recipe for a unique beet spread. Take some time for yourself, prepare this great beet creation, spread it on a slice of bread, and sit and read Roni’s simply beautiful thoughts on food, nature and people. Pamper yourselves with some spiritual and physical food. Chag Sameach!
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Amikam from Jerusalem shared his expertise in calligraphy with us a while ago. He finally accepted my request and sent us all a little holiday gift – a gentle and charming calligraphic placard in the spirit of spring, land and abundance. Just take a look at this beauty!
To contact Amikam or order copies of his beautiful calligraphic artwork, email him at [email protected] or write to Amikam Tavor, POB 11475, Jerusalem 9111602.
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Some keenly wise, funny and sometimes sad observations were sent to me from Liran of Tel Aviv. I found myself nodding the whole way through, smiling at the unconventional similes, and being touched and even comforted by his words (check out some of his previous posts as well). He also wrote some beautiful things about us:
“Winter is at its last stages, space heaters are on sale, melons and squashes are being planted in the fields, the sun gives another minute per day every day till it reaches its climax at the end of June. On February 3rd (today) it will set at 5:15 and the very next day, on February 4th, it’ll set at 5:16. A month ago it set at 4:48 and next month it will set at 5:40. Tiny but significant changes for those of us who need just one more minute outside… a fresh addition from the field…” Here are the three dimensions of growth from Liran’s point of view. A personal and special point of view on Tu B’shvat. Enjoy reading about it! (Hebrew)
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And last, but super not least – Bat-Chen and Uri of Givatayim, who told me about their porch garden and I begged for a glimpse, finally sent me these charming photos. A few weeks ago they ordered a “Derech HaShatil” seedling kit through us (remember?) and planted a beautiful blooming green garden on an old surface and in a padding-less armchair. Look at the abundance and vitality this urban-domestic farm contributes to a city porch in Givatayim. This made my Tu B’Shvat! What joy!
We love to have you share with us all this talent, fertility, readiness, diligence and emotion. We wish you and ourselves many more Tu B’Shvat’s of togetherness, loyal community partnership, and continued good friendship!
Chag Sameach to us all, and to the trees, plants, insects, winged creatures and those who walk on fours and twos. May you have a great wintery-springy week!
From all of us at Chubeza,
Alon, Bat Ami, Dror, Yochai and the entire Chubeza team
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WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S BOXES?
Monday: Parsley/dill, lettuce/“baby” mesclun mix/arugula, leeks/fresh onions, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichoke/peas/fava beans, potatoes, kohlrabi, carrots/beets.
Large box, in addition: Celeriac, fennel, cabbage.
Wednesday: Parsley/dill/cilantro, lettuce, leeks/fresh onions, cucumbers, cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, Jerusalem artichoke/peas/fava beans, potatoes/celeriac, kohlrabi, beets/fennel.
Large box, in addition: Spinach/broccoli greens/arugula, red or green cabbage, carrots.
And there’s more! You can add to your basket a wide, delectable range of additional products from fine small producers: flour, fruits, sprouts, honey, dates, almonds, garbanzo beans, crackers, probiotic foods, dried fruits and leathers, olive oil, bakery products, apple juice, cider and jams, dates silan and healthy snacks and goat dairy too! You can learn more about each producer on the Chubeza website. On our order system there’s a detailed listing of the products and their cost, you can make an order online now!