Lake Living spring 2013 by Laurie LaMountain

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spring 2013 â&#x20AC;˘ vol. 16, no. 1

Committed to Conservation live well

art underfoot

forever wild

spring cleaning

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editor’s note

Editor & Publisher Laurie LaMountain Contributing Writers Leigh Macmillen Hayes, Loon Echo Land Trust, Sharon Smith Abbott Contributing Photographers Ethan McNerney, Dianne Lewis, Leigh Macmillen Hayes, Richard G. Sandifer, Kelly Rickards, Lee Conary, Kenneth Goldman, Tom Hughes Graphic Designer Dianne Lewis Proofreader/Copy Editor Leigh Macmillen Hayes Lake Living is published quarterly by Almanac Graphics, Inc., 625 Rocky Knoll Rd, Denmark, ME 04022 207-452-8005. www.lakelivingmaine. com e-mail: lakeliving@fairpoint.net ©2013. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Annual subscriptions are available by sending check or money order for $20 to the above address.

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spring 2013 • vol. 16, no. 1

lee conary

According to the American Heritage® Science Dictionary, conservation is “the protection, preservation, management, or restoration of natural environments and the ecological communities that inhabit them.” On a deeper, less scientific level, it’s the acknowlegement of loss. There have always been conservationists, but in this accelerated era of change, it behooves us more than ever to care for what we cherish. Some of us are better at it than others. A lot of us, in reaction to the stepped-up pace of life, choose to look the other way; leave it to someone else to deal with—someone who has more time and money. Then there are those like Connie Cross who wouldn’t sleep well if they didn’t do something, because as she stated in her interview with Leigh Hayes, “I do worry about the kind of world we’re leaving our grandchildren.” It may feel like a runaway train when you listen to the news and read the statistics, but if we all committed to even one thing that would affect positive change, it wouldn’t take long to bring it back on track. One of the things I’ve grappled with in publishing Lake Living is the fact that it may be yet another contributing factor to our environmental distress, but if it can make people think about what they hold dear, and maybe even inspire them to make a difference, then it has served a purpose. I hope you agree and, as always, welcome your comments. —Laurie LaMountain

8 committed to

conservation

by leigh macmillen hayes

12 live well, live wisely

by laurie lamountain

16 art underfoot

by leigh macmillen hayes

18 barn turned kitchen

by laurie lamountain

20 forever wild 22 our kezar

reviewed by laurie lamountain

24 eggs essential 28 another kind of

spring cleaning by laurie lamountain

cover photo ethan mcnerney

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Committed to Conservation by leigh macmillen hayes

Hacker’s Hill

rom an early age, Connie became aware of the environment around her. Growing up in Massachusetts, she spent summers at Camp Wohelo on Sebago Lake in Raymond. She has memories of sitting on the rocks high above the lake and solving the problems of the day with her best friends in the most beautiful place in the world. Following her graduation from Walnut Hill School, an all-girls school in Natick, Massachusetts, Connie’s college career took her to Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, where she received a degree in English. After earning a Master of Arts degree in teaching, it took only a few years in the classroom for her to realize that she’d been there all her life and it was time for a change. So, she became an editor for Houghton Mifflin Company, a Boston-based publisher of educational materials. Life’s next step was to design educational programs at Mass General Hospital. A later move took her to Arizona for another hospital job. While there, she joined the Sierra Club and spent much of her free time hiking and backpacking. Through a casual acquaintance, Connie learned about a relatively new concept: environmental education. This friend spoke about weeklong adventures for school children. That was a turning point for Connie—she too wanted to share the natural world with children. And so she applied for another Masters program, this time at Antioch College in Putney, Vermont. Following an internship on the Maine coast and subsequent graduation, Connie returned to the camp that first brought her to Maine, and started a year-round nature program. Unfortunately, she and the camp directors soon realized that both she and they couldn’t make any money from the program. And so she returned to teaching, this time in Windham, Maine.

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dianne lewis

You may know her as the voice at the start of the Loon Echo Bike Trek. Maybe you’ve signed your name below hers on a petition. Or perhaps you’ve served on a board with her: Loon Echo Land Trust, Lakes Environmental Association, Raymond Waterways Protective Association, Allen Avenue UU Church—to name a few. Despite her involvement in so many causes, Connie Cross of Casco, Maine, is one of the most self-effacing people I’ve ever met. Intelligent, passionate, caring, realistic and humorous also come to mind. That’s when Connie learned of a small group that was meeting to discuss how to protect land. The talk was all about conservation easements. She admits she didn’t know what a conservation easement was. . . nor did anyone else. Still thinking of the lakes region as the most beautiful place on Earth, Connie and the others were scared about the land grab of the 1980s. She joined the group—that was the beginning of Loon Echo Land Trust. One of the most infectious qualities about Connie is her positivity. She believes that small actions can make a big impact. As a passionate environmentalist, she has been a successful campaigner for a healthy watershed. She sees raising awareness and education as the key to protecting the environment in the lakes region and beyond. But don’t put Connie on a pedestal. Above all else, she’s human. I met Connie in 2008, though I knew of her prior to that and envied her local involvement and impact. She seemed to be one of those people who walked the walk and talked the talk when it came to local conservation, so it was with great pleasure that we sat down for this interview. Among other talents, Connie is a photographer and writer who has selfpublished two delightful books. In Potpourri: A Collection of Prose, Poems and Pictures, she writes: It’s not nature that is humdrum. It’s us . . . If there’s a . . . message in all this, it is this: that we give ourselves at least a moment in each day to experience the infinite variety and beauty in the world around us.” I read this to her and she responds, “I try to remember to do that. I don’t always succeed, but I try to keep that in mind. It’s a way of being present—what I’m trying to learn in my Zen practice. Nature has a way of doing

that—helping us stay present and appreciate that moment of wonder.” hayes (h): You’ve been involved locally with Loon Echo Land Trust and the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) for numerous years and have played key roles in both organizations. What’s motivated you to stay involved for so long? cross (c): I just feel so strongly that both organizations are doing wonderful work and I’m so proud to be a part of the work that they’re doing. I can remember when Loon Echo did its first project, which was Bald Pate Mountain and LEA graciously granted us the use of its data base for one time and LEA never does that. But we needed to know who our friends were and LEA’s friends were probably going to be our friends. The Bald Pate Mountain project was scary for us. We had to put everything on the line, raise $180,000, which seemed like a huge amount at the time and we had to put down everything we had in our land purchase fund and raise it in three months or something. It was crazy. But when we accomplished that, it was the greatest feeling of pride. It was like the little engine that could had reached the top of the mountain [Laughs]. We were so proud of ourselves and so proud of what we’d been able to do and that gave us a lot of confidence going forth. It’s not like teaching English, where you don’t know whether these kids are really loving what you’re doing or whether they’re just learning it for the test. When you’re saving land, it’s very tangible. The land is there. You know it’s going to be protected. When you’re protecting water you can say this is what the people of Maine, this is what the people of our region want us to do. They want clean water. This is the source of our economy. So . . . these things make a difference to people and it just fed into my passion from the time I was eight or nine years old, coming to camp in Maine that these things have to be protected and having sent my grandchildren to camp, and seeing how much they love Maine and love camp and love being here in the summertime, it’s rewarding seeing that cycle continue. I want everybody’s cycle to continue. I want all of our grandchildren to come back and have the kind of environment we grew up in. h: What is your role in the Tar Sands movement? c: I volunteered. I got an e-mail from Environment Maine, which I’m sure was

blanketed out to everybody in the lakes region. “We need somebody in Casco to do a coffee to introduce the whole issue of Tar Sands and what’s going on.” And I thought, “Do I really want to do this? No, I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to do coffees, but dammit, somebody’s got to do this. Probably no one will come. It’s the week before. How can the word get out, but what the heck.” So . . . I e-mailed back and said, “Alright, I’ll do it.” After that, my name was on their list. There was a big meeting in South Portland that I went to and there was another big meeting in Raymond and I said to Todd Martin, the contact at Natural Resources Council of Maine, “You know, this reminds me a lot of the nuclear waste issue back in the ‘80s.” I related how there was a big meeting at Lake Region High School and the gym was filled with people wearing red and black checkered wool jackets and Hancock Lumber hats and parading up on the stage were the suits from Washington, all carrying briefcases. There must have been five or seven of them all looking very official and very scary. I’m sure they looked out at this sea of red and black checkers and thought, “This is going to be a piece of cake. These people are bumpkins.” One by one, those bumpkins got up to

I still think the power of local organizations to mobilize and speak their piece and make their voices heard, go to Washington if necessary, is something that you can’t just sneer at.

the microphone and totally demolished them. These local people had scientific background; they knew what they were talking about. By the end of that hearing, those Washington suits slunk off the stage with their tails between their legs. I’ve never forgotten that. I said the power of local organization is definitely where it’s at and that’s what has to happen here or this thing is going to be defeated. I think it’s going to be more difficult than that because the pipes are already in the ground and the permit allowing oil to go from one country to the other has already been signed. It’s going to take a new Presidential Permit. It’s a tougher issue this time around and we’re against Exxon Mobil. It’s one thing to be up against the Department of Energy. It’s another thing to be up against Exxon Mobile, so I don’t have too many illusions but I still think the power of local organizations to mobilize and speak their piece and make their voices heard, go to Washington if necessary, is something that you can’t just sneer at. And there was a big rally in Portland. They asked me to speak at that because Casco, Maine, is the first town to pass a resolution. They said they couldn’t find anybody else, so I thought to myself, “Oh my.” I said my one-minute piece, but I had heard that they were expecting 500 people and 1,500 people showed up. People from Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and all over New England. Jill Stein, who had run for president, spoke. She came up from Philadelphia. People are concerned about this and it’s not just because of the threat to Sebago Lake and Portland’s drinking water. It’s the whole Tar Sands thing back into Alberta and what that’s doing to our environment. People are concerned about that. I think we’re all hoping that Obama means what he says when he says climate change is one of the most important issues. We’re hoping that he turns down Keystone. Chellie Pingree has been great about supporting our cause and saying she’ll work for us in Washington. I have no doubt that she will. I know that she will. We just have to hope that all of this works. h:What impact do you think the Casco Tar Sands Resolution will ultimately have? c: What we’re hoping is if every town along the pipeline route, and I even go farther than that and I say every town in the State of Maine needs to say, “No Tar Sands in this state.” I don’t think that will happen because lakelivingmaine.com

people up in Aroostook County probably feel it’s not their issue. I think that the more towns passing these resolutions are a way of saying to Washington, “Everybody along the pipeline route has spoken in opposition to this plan. What is a democracy if you’re not listening to what the people have to say?” I think that’s a beginning anyway. We know that the Natural Resources Defense Council is working on this in Washington. The big guns, like Bill McKibben of 350.org, are hot on this thing. You just have to hope that enough voices, loud and obnoxious, make a point. h: Were you always an activist? c: Nooooo. I don’t even think of myself as an activist. I mean, it’s not really my choice or my desire to get out there. I guess I get involved in these things because I think they’re important and I would feel like a hypocrite or I hadn’t done what I was suppose to do if I didn’t do something. I’m much happier sitting home reading a book. Although, I have to say the rally was a lot of fun. [Laughs] It really was. I loved the signs that people brought and the musical instruments and the whole feeling of camaraderie. We’re all in this together. It’s exciting and energizing when a whole big group of people gets together for a common cause. There’s that group energy that takes over. It can be used for good and for bad, I think. h: What keeps you motivated, then, to continue doing this? c: As I get older, I’m not working for money any more, but I really don’t want to just be a person of leisure. I want to keep being useful and doing things that contribute. And I do enough sitting around on my rear end. And I enjoy that too. I enjoy sitting and playing on my computer and doing stuff there and reading, but if I weren’t out doing something useful, I think I’d feel like, “What’s the point?” There wouldn’t be much point in taking up space on this planet, I guess. h: How do you build community to make sure that young and old are involved in actions or movements? What could you do to further activism among youth? c: That’s a really good question. [Pause] I think most people have a desire to do good, to be responsible people. We don’t always act that way, but I think most people do want to contribute. And it’s how you motivate that, how you get that out, which is always the challenge. I think in some

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I hope they grow up in a world that’s more peaceful than the one we are in right now, that we’ll come to grips with some of these environmental issues that will prevent the kind of global climate catastrophe that I think could easily be on the horizon if we don’t get it together pretty soon. ways as we become more individualistic in the sense of retreating into our homes and playing with our computers and so on, texting instead of getting together in groups and enjoying each other’s company, it’s sometimes hard to get that community sense going. There are some people who are very good at motivating others to come forth for that purpose and oddly enough, ironically, I think Facebook, for all people say it just enhances communication by computer instead of by face-to-face communication, I think in some ways it can build that kind of community. I know that in the run-up to the big rally in Portland, there were so many pieces that I got from Facebook, encouraging turnout, articles that stressed the importance of opposing the Tar Sands, why it was important to show up, and the result was this amazing community event that I think was energizing and people participated together doing something positive and so I think sometimes these technological gizmos that we use, as much as they can send us into our little hidey-holes, can also inspire us to get out in community. h: How do you minimize your impact on the environment? c: I don’t think any of us in this country, with very few exceptions, do a very good job of minimizing our impact. I drive a Prius, but on the other hand, I live in a place where I’m either going to Portland a lot or Bridgton a lot. I’ve already put almost 15,000 miles on the car since April. This is crazy. I have a garden in the summer and try to grow as much as I can. I try to observe good conservation practices at the lake as much as possible. I try to minimize trips to the grocery store. Let’s do it on the way somewhere else. I try not to take long, long showers. We keep our house at 68° during the day and 60° at night. I’d like to say that using a wood stove is good, but it’s not, really. It spews a lot of crap into the air, so it may cut down on our oil use a little bit, but everything seems to be a trade off. You do one thing and it has another effect. I don’t know. I buy organic food when I can afford it. Every time we have a power

outage, I realize how totally dependent we are on these things and how much I appreciate electricity and heat. Running water. We’ve become totally spoiled. We’re just extraordinarily fortunate and spoiled in this country to have what we have here. How sustainable it is, is another issue. I don’t know how long we can keep this going. I do worry about the kind of world we’re leaving our grandchildren. h: What legacy do you want to leave for your grandchildren? c: Well, it’s easy to say I want them to grow up in the same world that I did, but that’s no answer because it’s not going to be the same world. I guess the values. I’m not sure they’ll get this from me, but they seem to be the kind of kids who are already smart and wise beyond their years and I hope the intelligence and wisdom will sustain them in leading a good life. They may not have the same set of material goods that we grew up with. I don’t know. I just don’t know. I hope they grow up in a world that’s more peaceful than the one we are in right now, that we’ll come to grips with some of these environmental issues that will prevent the kind of global climate catastrophe that I think could easily be on the horizon if we don’t get it together pretty soon. It sounds pretty depressing. h: What do you know that you wish everyone knew? c: I don’t know that I’d be so presumptuous to say that I know something that I wish everybody knew. [Pregnant pause] I agree with Einstein about this, that there are two ways of looking at the world. One is that nothing is a miracle and that everything is a miracle. I think that if we regard the world that everything is a miracle, we’d be more respectful of both our environment and the people in it. I think that’s a good way to look at the world. If you look at things closely, you realize it’s a miracle. A blade of grass—how did this get here? This is incredible. Everything that has life in it to me is just incredible . . . which isn’t to say that I don’t kill spiders in the house. I’m not that respectful. [Laughs] R

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Live Well, Live Wisely

with the home, garden & flower show

“

get small business,” says Karla Ficker, and she should. Karla and her former business partner, Cynthia O’Connor, have operated their own New Englandbased business for more than twentyfive years, developing and producing trade shows for corporations, and later establishing their signature home and garden shows to showcase small business products and services throughout Maine and New Hampshire. Their first experience in the trade show arena was an Ingenuity Fair they produced for North Country Council, Northern New Hampshire’s regional planning commission and economic development district. It was an opportunity to promote small, truly unique regional businesses and the partners quickly discovered they were good at it . . . good enough to establish three very successful home shows of their own. A little more than a year ago, the partners made the decision to sell the two shows they co-owned, and Cynthia used that as a springboard to retirement. Karla, on the other hand, has funneled her energy into the third show—one which she established and owns solely. Now in its twelfth year, The Northern New England Home, Flower and Garden Show has earned Yankee magazine’s pick as one of the top twenty events in Maine. Held each May at the Fryeburg Fairgrounds in Fryeburg, Maine, the Home, Flower & Garden Show is an excellent way to celebrate the arrival of spring and kick start all those home and garden projects on your to-do list. What sets the show apart is that Karla makes sure it’s filled with a variety of interesting and innovative offerings—many of them produced right here in Maine. With seven buildings and five acres of outdoor displays, the fairgrounds

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can accommodate everything from timber framed arbors to patio displays to power equipment. In recent years, the artisan offerings have expanded to make the show an ideal one-stop shopping spot for unique gifts for any occasion. Add to this the fact that it takes place on the site of Maine’s largest agricultural fair and it would feel like a fair even without the fish and chips, french fries and fried dough, but thankfully there’s plenty of fair food available as well. Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the three-day show to take in 300+ home products and services and get

expert advice from the pros through demonstrations, workshops and seminars. All Things Growing seminars are presented by the Maine Landscape and Nurserymen’s Association and the Northeast Organic Farmers Association of New Hampshire. Meet the Chefs cooking series features guest chefs from some of the most popular kitchens in Maine and New Hampshire. Audiences pack the studio kitchen to watch the chefs prepare culinary delights and to sample the results. Michael Jubinsky from Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School, and Krista Lair from Krista’s Restaurant

are just two of the chefs from Maine in the line-up this year (a complete Meet the Chef schedule appears on page 14). And whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, the Garden Marketplace has something to offer. Here you’ll find everything from zone-hardy, readyto-plant perennials, annuals and vegetable seedlings to flower pots and containers. Garden Green Products of Falmouth, Maine, manufactures the Boomer Bed®, a lightweight, collapsible raised bed system that makes rooftop and small space gardening a breeze, and Wooden Wonders of Unity, Maine, offers a truly unique line of Woodshire Hobbit Holes including chicken coops and garden sheds.

While All Things Growing, Meet the Chefs and the Garden Marketplace are about growing your own food and living well, many of the exhibits are about living wisely. Energy saving, eco-friendly, cost efficient and state-of-the-art products for green living abound. If you’re looking for ways to shrink your carbon footprint and your fuel budget, you’ll find dozens of alternative energy solutions—from inflector window inserts that reduce heating and cooling costs to residential wind turbines that actually produce energy. As a means of paying it forward, Gagne & Son, with eight locations throughout Maine, will use their hardscaping design expertise to raise funds for a local

charitable cause. Last year, Gagne & Son raised close to $7,000 from a raffle for one of their patios, 100% of the proceeds of which went to the Maine Children’s Cancer Fund. Michael Michaud, home show coordinator for Gagne & Son, was at last year’s show when a family from Fryeburg, Maine, was drawn to the booth by the sign for the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. All members of the family wore Superman shirts, including the three-year-old son with cancer. Mike says, “You don’t know how many tickets were sold just on the basis of this family’s presence.” In an odd twist of fate, the same family was on hand when it came time to draw the winning ticket and it was the three-year-old who drew it. This year, Gagne & Son is designing an even larger natural stone patio with built-in brick oven. All of the proceeds from the raffle will help raise awareness around another life-threatening disease—diabetes. Miranda Leavitt was an athletic thirteen-year-old when she was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes and just twenty-two years old when she lost her life to it. In the nine years between her diagnosis and her death in 2007, Miranda dedicated herself to teaching others about the disease. Her greatest dream was to find a way to assist and help fund families in need, especially in NH and Maine. Through The Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Fund, which was lovingly founded by her mother, Brenda Leavitt, Miranda’s dream and mission live on. The Miranda Leavitt Foundation and Maine Children’s Cancer Foundation are just two organizations to realize the power of community within the collaborative concept of the Northern New England Home, Garden & Flower Show. The Mountain Garden Club of Mount Washington Valley, New Hampshire, awards annual scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education in plant science disciplines such as Horticulture, Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Science, Land Management and other related fields of study. The Home, Flower and Garden show is their biggest annual fundraising venue. So, mark your calendars for an event that can not only help you live well and wisely, but can give you an opportunity to help others do the same. The show runs from May 17-19. For more information visit: www.homegardenflowershow.com or call 800-359-2033. Become a friend of the show on Facebook. R lakelivingmaine.com

Meet the Chefs Cooking Series friday, may 17 11:30 am 12:15 pm

The 1785 Inn & Restaurant North Conway, NH www.The1785inn.com

12:30 -1:15

True Brick Ovens Sweden, ME & Wolfeboro, NH www.truebrickovens.com

1:30 - 2:15

White Mountain Cider Company, Glen, NH www.ciderco.com

2:30 - 3:15

Café Bon Appétit Cafe at Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, Standish, ME www.sjcme.edu

sunday, may 19 10:30 am 11:15 am

Krista’s Restaurant Cornish Village, ME www.kristasrestaurant.com

3:30 - 4:15

Taste of the Mountains Cooking School, Bernerhof Inn, Glen, NH www.bernerhofinn.com

11:30 am 12:15 pm

Snow Village Inn Easton Center, NH www.snowvillageinn.com

12:30 - 1:15

Chef Dana Moos www.danamoos.com

1:30 - 2:15

Maine Lobster Promotion Council, Portland, ME

saturday, may 18 10:30 am 11:15 am 11:30 am 12:15 pm

Riverside Inn

12:30 - 1:15

Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa, Whitefield, NH

White Mountain Cupcakery North Conway Village, NH

www.whitemountaincupcakery.com

www.mountainviewgrand.com

1:30 -2:15

Stone Turtle Baking & True Brick Ovens, Lyman, ME www.stoneturtlebaking.com

2:30 - 3:15

Cabot Creamery Cooperative Cabot, VT, Waterbury Center, VT , Quechee, VT, Portland, ME www.cabotcheese.coop

www.lobstersfrommaine.com

dana moos’ sour cream coffee cake 2 sticks plus 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened 2 c granulated sugar 1 c sour cream 2 eggs 1 tbsp vanilla extract 2 c flour 1/4 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp cinnamon 6 tbsp dark brown sugar 6 tbsp chopped pecans 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. Combine the two sticks of butter and sugar in a mixer and beat with a paddle attachment for about a minute. Add the sour cream and eggs and mix until smooth. Fold in the vanilla, flour, salt, and baking powder. Pour just under half of the batter into a well-greased Bundt pan. 3. Melt the remaining 3 tbsp of butter. Mix it together with the cinnamon, brown sugar, and pecans, Pour the mixture on top of the batter in the center. Layer the remaining batter. 4. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan. (If you’re making muffins, reduce the baking time to 30 to 35 minutes.)

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lakelivingmaine.com

eviving a lost art, Paula Hughes of Lovell, Maine, creates original canvas floorcloths that are vibrant, practical, durable and fun— functional art for any home. Some of her designs are traditional, while others are simply whimsical. All are striking. It is believed that floorcloths originated in France during the 1400s, though the first written reference is a 1722 receipt for “oyl cloth” in Britain. Known as floorcloths, floor canvases, painted canvases, painted carpets, wax cloths, grease cloths or crumb cloths, the craft was brought to Colonial America. As rugs became less expensive to create, floorcloths disappeared. In the late 20th century, the market for historical restoration renewed their popularity. Creating floorcloths is a new endeavor for Paula and her husband, Tom. She’s worked in Corporate America, owned an antique shop, painted and stenciled furniture and fabric and refinished steamer trunks. For as long as she can remember, she’s been drawing and sketching. So . . . while on a road trip with Tom last year, they visited friends in Missouri’s Ozark region, who were making floorcloths that had the wow factor for Paula. “I don’t recall ever having something grab me the way these floorcloths did,” she says. On

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the way home, she went from telling Tom, “I can do this” to “I really want to do this” to stopping to purchase materials to do it. That was April 2012. Their company, Art Underfoot, LLC, was formed. Paula is naturally fun to be around; she sparkles, she animates any group she’s a part of, she’s full of life. And she takes that same vivacious quality, mixes it with her artistic flare and produces floorcloths that will suit traditional as well as modern interiors. Her workshop is a converted garage

nestled into the surrounding forest. While she is the artist, Tom handles the business and promotional end. He even built an 8 x12-foot table for her to work at so she can roll around its perimeter in her comfortable director’s chair on casters, moving from one cloth to the next. The time-consuming craft includes laying out the 14.5 ounce 100% cotton canvas, cutting it for multiple floorcloths, shrinking the canvas, priming each piece with an acrylic primer, letting it dry between

applications, applying two coats of base color, allowing time to dry, marking and folding the hem, creating mitered corners and gluing the hem down. All of this before she even gets to the design. It’s the design and color that catches the eye. Though Paula works on 8-10 floorcloths at a time, they aren’t all the same. In fact, no two are actually the same. Her original intention was that all would be unique designs, but has since learned that there are certain ones people really like. Instead, though she may repeat one, there’s always a variation—in color, pattern or line. The choices are endless. “The design is the fun part,” says Paula, with obvious enthusiasm. Sometimes she knows exactly what she’s going to do, but other times the background color seems to speak to her. “I’m sure a lot of it is how I’m feeling that day and if I want to experiment.” Paula creates traditional designs, but also likes the contemporary and whimsical motifs. She employs various techniques ranging from working with store-bought stencils and her own stencil creations to marbling and freehand painting. Some include a combination of styles. For a floorcloth featuring flying geese, Paula first used a stencil and then added intricate details within that framework. The result is stunning as the geese seem to fly off the cloth. Her inspiration comes from a variety of places: the surrounding forest and wildlife; artwork hanging in her home; geometric designs; even drapes on a television show. Ideas are everywhere. One cloth features six fish swimming around a rectangle filled with aquatic plants and bubbles (Tom works with the Lovell Invasive Plant Prevention Committee so they are quick to assure me that the plants are non-invasive). These aren’t your ordinary freshwater fish. Paula’s inspiration came from a fish made of wire and stained glass that hangs above the kitchen sink. She recalls having a tremendous amount of fun creating this seascape design by freehand and the fish look incredibly similar to their prototype. Another matches a frog stained glass piece that their daughter created as a gift to Tom. The stained glass hangs in the bathroom window while the frog floorcloth sits in front of the bathroom sink. The only difference—Paula added a dragonfly to her whimsical piece.

Last year, for the Fryeburg Fair, she created numerous floorcloths with an agricultural theme. Several months later she received phone calls for two of those that were hallway runners. One client asked her to replace a cow with a brown Standard Poodle and add a Kubota tractor and the name of the farm. Paula even made sure to replicate the professional font when she wrote Kubota on the tractor. Another wanted her to add an apple orchard and Rhode Island Red Chickens, plus apples around the border of a farm scene. She welcomes custom orders, including patterns, designs and sizes. As we talk, Paula works with a black marker and draws lines and swirls on top of geometric shapes she had previously painted. Designs also include my favorites: animal tracks, scattered ferns and autumn leaves. Some of her other compositions feature sunflowers, willow trees, pineapples, flower pots, birdhouses on a fence, colonial stars, black and white marble, quilt patterns and geometric shapes. Once all the work is completed and Paula has meticulously inspected the floorcloth, making sure it is absolutely perfect and has no paint smudges or stray marks, she signs and dates it. The next step is to apply six coats of polycrylic sealant, allowing drying time between each coat. The layers of polycrylic protect the cloth from wear and tear, giving it maximum scruff and scratch resistance in high traffic areas. Finally, she hand rubs a finishing coat of non-yellowing Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax onto the piece, buffing it to an even sheen. Durability is a key factor of floorcloths. Paula and Tom say theirs will last 8-10 years, though numerous people have told them they will last longer. They are easy to care for with a damp mop and soapy

water. Another feature that appeals to customers is the fact that they are dust free and don’t attract insects, so for those who are environmentally sensitive, these are hypo-allergenic. And with no rug pile to contend with, people using walkers and wheelchairs can easily maneuver over them. Well constructed, the craftsmanship of these conversation pieces will protect floors and enhance homes of any style. The floorcloths are meant to be used anywhere in a home that you might use an area rug, but the Hugheses caution that they need to be placed on a hard surface— concrete, wood floors, linoleum and tile. Placing this canvas artwork on top of carpeting means they’ll be too flexible and may crack. You’ll most often find floorcloths in front of sinks, under coffee tables, in the entryway or hallway, in the kitchen—almost anywhere you would like to add a splash of color or a hand-crafted work of art. The Hugheses are creating floorcloths in two standard sizes—2 x 3 feet and 3 x 5 feet, as well as custom orders up to 8-9 feet. They also create floor and table runners to fit your space and personal décor. The floorcloths created by Art Underfoot are intended to give you years of pleasure. Like Paula, they’ll add style, color, sparkle and animation to any room. They’re decorative and utilitarian with a durable finish and lasting beauty. R

To view, visit Gallery 302, Bridgton; Lisa-Marie’s Made in Maine, Bath; Arts and Artisans Fair, Lovell; Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg; Patriot-News Artsfest, Harrisburg, Pa, and their Web site: www.artfulfloorcloths.com.

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Before renovation

Barn Turned Kitchen text by laurie lamountain • photos by ethan mcnerney

They love the lines of their old farmhouse and didn’t want to lose them to precision, and, more importantly, they wanted the new kitchen and great room to complement the traditional New England farmhouse design of the rest of the house and look as though they’d been there all along.

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efore it was a kitchen, it was a barn. A barn “with more porcupines in it than anything else,” notes Gregg Seymour of Seymour Construction, who has been in charge of the restoration of Choates Hill Farm since the owners, Jill and Carmen, purchased it several years ago. Restoring the 1800s farmhouse was comparatively straightforward, but the barn was a different story. Converting the attached barn into living space meant constructing a new kitchen and great room within an old, out-of-square antique barn frame. Framing within the exterior structure to create interior walls provided an opportunity to bring things somewhat into plumb, but the end result can be viewed as gentle compromise. The reward for such behavior is that pretty much everything within the space is new—sills, subframe, walls, windows, trim—but doesn’t look it. In fact, that has been the guiding principle of the entire restoration project for Jill and

Carmen. They love the lines of their old farmhouse and didn’t want to lose them to precision, and, more importantly, they wanted the new kitchen and great room to complement the traditional New England farmhouse design of the rest of the house and look as though they’d been there all along. At the same time, it needed to meet their 21st-century lifestyle, so Jill and Carmen

opted to live with a makeshift arrangement of plywood counters and floors, untrimmed walls and temporary cabinets for several years, while they worked out the design details and sourced architectural elements and suppliers. “They wanted the space to be over the top without being over the top,” says Gregg. He credits the couple with having a knack for finding small, back road businesses for custom services, such as milling and stone cutting. Oak flooring, harvested from trees on the property and then milled on-site and carefully stored in one of two other barns, was meticulously laid out with 1/8” gapping between boards to give an authentic feel. Instead of polyurethane, tung oil was applied for a furniture-style finish. Because they are not “shoes-off, dogs out” kind of people who often have a house full of children, grandchildren and dogs, the floors will take on a nice, lived-in patina with time. “Probably the biggest challenge was working around changes in elevation in the room,” says Gregg. He points to molding that is a good one inch higher on one end of a cabinet than the other. New England Cabinets crafted and scribed the spare, but stately cabinets that line two walls of the kitchen. The dishwasher and trash

compactor are discreetly hidden behind cabinet doors. Another challenge was combining the various materials Jill and Carmen wanted to incorporate in a design that would seem both natural and traditional. The island counter top, made of cherry wood milled locally, is the focal point of the kitchen area and is seamless in its beauty. The soapstone farmer’s sink and countertop and marble surface for the baker’s counter were cut and installed by Stone Surface Granite & Marble of Bridgton. Despite the range of colors and materials, the overall effect is unified and harmonious. Period pendant lights suspended over the island and kitchen sink area, and the mantlepiece surround for the great room fireplace that was found in one of the barns, are added restoration elements. Despite the fact that they are all new, the windows, including a large picture window that frames ever-changing views of the White Mountains, feel like they are original to the space. In its transformed state, the barn-turned-kitchen at Choates Hill Farm is a wonderful example of thoughtfully adapted architecture . . . proof that good things take time. R lakelivingmaine.com

Forever Wild a collaboration in conservation

Community Forests and Their Benefits

A community forest is a more robust version of the historical practice of a town forest or communal lands; where the land is protected and kept open for the use of the citizenry, but additional safeguards are put in place to protect the integrity of the forestland. Community forests are owned and managed by either a municipality or other group such as a land trust for the benefit of the population. Participation from the public is encouraged on creating a management plan for the property. The property is protected through a conservation easement and a sustainable forestry management plan.

Pickerel Pond

eautiful by Nature” is the motto of Denmark, Maine, and in June of this year Denmark residents will have a chance to insure that it stays that way. At the annual town meeting they will be offered the opportunity to own and manage a portion of one of the last and largest undeveloped tracts of forestland in the lakes region—the Perley Mills Community Forest.

“

Loon Echo Land Trust is working in partnership with the Town of Denmark to protect over 1,600 acres of land that spans the towns of Bridgton, Denmark and Sebago, and was put under contract between Loon Echo and seller K&W Timberlands in October of last year. The property has been owned by K&W Timberlands since 2002, and prior to that by SD Warren Company since 1951. The purchase and sale agreement gives the town just over one year to fully fund this regionally significant project. The purchase will protect pond and brook water quality

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and abundant wildlife habitat. The wetlands support wading birds and waterfowl. The parcel is also home to deer, moose, fisher, coyote and bear, as well as two federally threatened species, the Canada Lynx and small whorled pogonia, a rare species of orchid. The property includes Pickerel Pond, Willett Pond, Willett Brook and Sucker Brook. It has a history—of seeing the Narrow Gauge railroad pass through it and serving as a source of revenue for timber. The forest project is an effort to expand multiple-use outdoor recreational offerings that all members of the community can enjoy—

snowmobiling, ATVing, hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. The desire to protect this forest stems from Loon Echo’s goal to accelerate the pace and quality of land protection in partnership with municipalities and from Denmark’s interest in owning a forest for the benefit of the public. For nearly five years, Denmark’s Board of Selectmen and Conservation Commission have sought an opportunity to own a forest to preserve quality of life, rural character, access for recreation, and to support the local economy. The project will strengthen the community’s capacity to build a vibrant economy while protecting and enhancing the forest system. At the town meeting in June, Denmark residents will be offered the opportunity to own and the responsibility to manage this natural resource effectively and

In addition to protecting local resources, these important lands can act as a buffer or connecting link to other conservation properties. They are also economic drivers in the way of providing revenue from timber harvesting and other forest products to the town. These important properties act as outdoor classrooms, provide open space and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and most importantly, connect people back to the land by offering a place to interact with nature close to home. For more information on community forests, visit the Community Forest Collaborative Web site at www.foresteconomy.org.

Perley Mills Community Forest

to enjoy the benefits of that responsibility. They’ll oversee the Denmark portion of the property, as well as the Bridgton parcel, subject to a conservation easement held by Loon Echo. The two neighboring parcels are divided by town line, but their natural qualities are very much intertwined. The contiguous forest and large wetland and stream complexes will benefit from having one owner who can set and implement comprehensive management goals. By owning forestland, the town may guarantee public access, as well as have long-term income from sustainable forest management operations. This income stream will support the management of the property as well as benefit municipal programs and projects over decades to come—making it a win-win proposition. Ephrem Paraschak, Denmark’s Town Manager, is optimistic that the project will become a reality. “The Town of Denmark is very excited to be partnering with Loon Echo Land Trust to implement Denmark’s long

term comprehensive plan goal of preserving large tracts of forest. The property will not only be preserved for the citizens of Denmark, but also for future generations of the lakes region.” The towns of Bridgton and Sebago will also benefit from the Perley Mills Community Forest Project. Besides public access and the economic development opportunities that a regional trail network provides, Bridgton’s drinking water source will be safeguarded. The Bridgton Water District taps the Willett Brook aquifer. The 135-acre Sebago property lies along both sides of Swamp Road. The land is perched above Hancock Pond, and the protection of the gently sloping forestland will help maintain the water quality of the great pond. “Securing the contract to purchase this land is one of Loon Echo’s largest commitments to regional, collaborative conservation. It’s a bold but attainable project that will advance the organization’s goal of protecting high quality natural

The purchase will protect pond and brook water quality and abundant wildlife habitat.

resources in partnership with municipalities,” stated Loon Echo Executive Director Carrie Walia. To explore the forest, turn from Route 117 onto Hancock Road. Look for the dirt road on the left just after Perley Pond. You can make the journey on foot, bike, motorized vehicle, horse, etc. Within seconds you’ll be at Pickerel Pond, where you can cast a line or enjoy the contemplative setting. This is only the beginning; there is plenty

more to discover in the forest. Contributions are encouraged to help fund this project and are necessary to meet the terms of the purchase agreement. Gifts of all amounts can be sent to Loon Echo Land Trust, 8 Depot Street, Suite 4, Bridgton, Maine 04009 and note the gift is intended for the “Perley Mills Community Forest.” Additional information will be made available on Loon Echo Land Trust’s and the Town of Denmark’s Web sites. R

You-Pick Strawberries in Late June, Fresh Vegetables, Baked Goods Gluten-Free Options 803 Waterford Road Sweden, ME 04040 (207) 647-9419

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homage to a lake

kelly rickards

by lee conary, kenneth goldman, kelly rickards • reviewed by laurie lamountain

Summer fun

rranged like Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” Our Kezar is a photographic compilation that represents Kezar Lake and the Lovell, Maine, area throughout the year. A collaborative arrangement of three photographers brought together by their mutual love of a lake and a region, the 145-page hardcover book relies mainly on the strength of the images to convey its message—from red tractors parked along a road, to the gently rusting remains of farm machinery in a field, to morning mist rising on autumn-colored hills.

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Each section is prefaced with a short description of the season captured in the images that follow. Spring is when “heavy rains mean mud season;” summer is punctuated by “the slamming of the screen door at the end of the day;” fall is “down to the last few flavors of ice cream;” and winter is seen in “the footprint of an animal in the snow.” Aside from the introduction to each section, there is little text in Our Kezar. A list of the photo titles with their page locations appears at the back of the book, so there’s nothing to distract you from the images

themselves. In the photo “Summer Fun,” two young men are caught in a freeze frame jump off a bridge. One is suspended above the water in a frog-like sprawl. The other has just barely touched the tips of his fingers to the water. The image of his jackknifed body is reflected in the water beneath him. “Remnants of Summer” features the carcass of an old canoe filled with snow that sits on the shore. “Little Boy Looking at a Very Big Mountain” shows a toddler in a snowsuit, his back to the camera, as he looks toward the mountains from the vast snow-covered surface of Kezar Lake. In the foreword to Our Kezar, Tom Henderson of the Greater Lovell Land Trust writes, “What attracts us to Lovell and Kezar Lake, is an incomparable landscape of expansive forests, lush fields, pristine waters and inspiring mountains. These are a resource that provide an experience that is in globally diminishing supply.” The photographers, in recognition of this fact, have graciously agreed to donate a portion of sales from books purchased through their Web sites to support the following organizations: Greater Lovell Land Trust www.gllt.org Kezar Lake Watershed Association www.klwa.us Lovell Historical Society www.lovellhistoricalsociety.org Lovell Invasive Plant Prevention Committee www.lovellmaine.us/officers-committees/ invasive-plant-prevention

lee conary

lee conary kenneth goldman

Remnants of summer

Little boy looking at a very big mountain

Our Kezar can also be ordered directly through the Web site www.ourkezar. com, and will be available for purchase locally at The Center Lovell Market, Kezar Lake Marina and Bridgton Books. $39.95. © 2012

Douglas M. Griffin, VMD, CVA Andrine D. Belliveau, DVM Diane Shively, DVM

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eggs essential S

pring. Easter. Eggs. It’s a logical association, though I have to admit that as a child I found it mildly confusing that it was a bunny, rather than a chicken, who was running around distributing eggs in baskets. I wasn’t sure if he (?!) had stolen them or produced them. Genetic improbabilities aside, the egg really is one of nature’s most versatile foods. Combined with cheese, it creates a near-perfect union, although that brings to mind my continuing confusion as to why eggs are located in the dairy (milk products) section. In the end it matters not. What does matter is that a perfectly soft-boiled egg needs nothing more than a dusting of salt and a pinch of pepper to provide an ultimately satisfying meal. Following are a handful of relatively easy recipes that have eggs as their essential ingredient, but there are dozens (pun intended) of ways to prepare eggs for which no recipe is required. Poached, scrambled, coddled, fried or baked, the egg may just be the perfect food.

simple spring supper

4 farm fresh eggs, soft boiled spring greens (arugula, watercress or purslane) 4 thick slices Borealis multi-grain bread, toasted 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 1/3 cup Greek yogurt 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil juice from 1/2 lemon 1/2 cup packed freshly cut herbs (chives, parsley, basil, dill) salt, pepper and paprika to taste Prepare eggs by placing them in a saucepan with water to cover. Cover, bring to a boil and remove from heat immediately. Allow eggs to rest in water for exactly four minutes. While eggs are resting, toast bread. Prepare dressing by pulsing mayonnaise, yogurt, olive oil and herbs in a food processor until smooth. Pulse in lemon juice to taste. Brush warm toast with olive oil and spread with dressing to taste. Top with spring greens. Drain eggs, remove from shells and halve them lengthwise over greens. Season to taste with salt, pepper and paprika. Serves 2.

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asparagus and spring onion quiche 1 tablespoon butter

3 well-washed, thinly sliced spring onions 1 bunch (1 pound) asparagus, tough ends removed, thinly sliced on the diagonal coarse salt and ground pepper 4 large fresh eggs

deviled eggs

6 hard-boiled eggs 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 1/4 teaspoon cider vinegar 1 1/2 tablespoons drained, prepared horseradish 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard splash of Worcestershire sauce splash of Tabasco Peel eggs and slice in half lengthwise. Carefully remove yolks and place in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mash with a fork until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Using a spoon or pastry bag, fill the yolk mixture attractively into the whites. Season with paprika, chopped chives or herbs of your choice.

1 1/4 cups half-and-half freshly ground nutmeg

single pie crust, fitted into 9-inch pie plate, well chilled 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (4 ounces) 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in lowest position. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spring onions and asparagus; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until asparagus is crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes; let cool.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, 1/2 teaspoon salt, teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Place pie plate with chilled crust on a rimmed

baking sheet. Cover the bottom of the pie crust with cheese and evenly distribute asparagus mixture on top of it. Pour egg mixture over all. 3. Bake until center of quiche is just set, 50 to 60 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

spinach strata

1 (10-oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion (1 large)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing the baking dish 4 shallots, minced

1/2 loaf French or Italian bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick 6 oz coarsely grated Gruyère (2 cups) 1 3/4 cups half-and-half 6 large eggs

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Salt and pepper

1. Dry bread slices in 225°F oven on a large baking sheet, 20 minutes per side. Spread 2 tablespoons of the butter on one side of the dried bread slices. 2. Finely chop spinach. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and cook until softened. Stir in spinach, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper and cook until spinach is heated through. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. 3. Spread one half of the bread, buttered-side up in a buttered 3-quart gratin dish or other shallow ceramic baking dish and top evenly with one half of spinach mixture. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the Gruyère. Repeat layering again. 4. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, mustard, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and pour evenly over strata. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour and up to overnight (placing weight on top ensures even distribution of the custard). 5. Preheat oven to 325°F. Let strata stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Bake strata, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed, golden brown, and cooked through, 50 to 55 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4-6

Stirring Time Wells of receding snow at the bases of tree trunks signal the rising sap. Drops on the bare tarmac from the maple branches above hint at winter’s softening. Clusters of robins forage, decorate the old apple tree with pale orange against the hanging fruit. Beneath the tree, deer tracks galore. Good to see some use of those punky apples left unharvested season after season. Chickadees, crows and squirrels feel their sap rising also. Much calling and dashing among the reddening maples. Weeks remain, however, before true Spring. Best not get too softened up by mushy expectation. Keep the shovel handy. —sharon smith abbott

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Another Kind of Spring Cleaning by laurie lamountain

ixteen years ago, life took a challenging turn for me and I began a journey that I continue to take each spring and fall. My first and, sadly, now deceased, husband had been diagnosed with cancer and I sought information on health wherever I could find it. One of the places I stumbled upon was a journal of natural health that extolled the benefits of fasting. It provided two options: the first, a five-day cleansing diet and the second, a five-day juice fast.

Despite my Catholic upbringing, I’d never dedicated myself to giving anything up . . . especially not food . . . so I chose the lesser of two evils and embarked on the cleansing diet, which consisted of fresh fruits, steamed vegetables and abstinence from caffeine, alcohol, sugar, wheat products, dairy and meat. The second day of my fast I brought my steamed vegetables doused in flax oil with me to Maine Medical Center, where my husband was scheduled for the first of six in-house sessions of chemo (sorry, I can’t tag the word therapy on there). On the way home, I experienced the only migraine of my life. Half my vision was blacked out and I drove home on Route 113 with one eye closed while trying to navigate. Pretty powerful stuff. I made it through that fast and decided from then on to go with the juice fast (I blamed that foul-tasting flax seed oil for the migraine). Following are

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some of the things I’ve learned about fasting: 1. It gets you in touch with yourself in a way that few other things can. 2. It recharges your body in ways you won’t believe. 3. Your body has an innate memory that will amaze you with its capacity. After years of juice fasting, I swear my body begins to detox as soon as I set the intention. 4. It’s easier than you think. Spring naturally lends itself to a cleanse or fast. We tend to eat heavier meals in winter to fortify us from the cold. Spring fasting allows the body to rid itself of buildup from months of “comfort” foods. The question most often posed when I tell people I can’t come to dinner because I’m fasting is, “You don’t need to lose weight, so why are you fasting?” The answer is that fasting has almost nothing to do with losing weight and everything to do with getting in

touch with your body in its original state; before years of processing food on a daily basis. Beyond giving your digestive system a break, and thereby stimulating other organs of elimination, you’ll also be eliminating acid-producing and allergenic foods that are irritants and of which you may not even be aware. One of the most prevalent allergens is wheat, but dairy foods, nuts, tomatoes, citrus fruits (with the exception of lemon) and corn are other common irritants to the

Fasting has almost nothing to do with losing weight and everything to do with getting in touch with your body in its original state... digestive system. Eliminating them during a fast and then reintroducing them one at a time will help you identify which foods may be creating an on-going cycle of irritation in your body. Things you can expect from fasting include, but are not limited to mental clarity, physical energy, a sharper sense of taste and

smell, better sleep, clearer skin, emotional elimination, oh, and, better elimination of other stuff. Less obvious benefits include a chance to reconnect with the natural cycles of life and nature and, most importantly, self. If you think of yourself as a computer, it equates to emptying your trash on a regular basis. Your hard drive, which in the human body corresponds to the immune system, will function so much better and more efficiently if given an opportunity to rest and reboot. For the faint-hearted, I recommend starting with a gentle three-day cleanse. Devote three days to eliminating everything but fruits, vegetables, juice, water and herbal teas from your diet. Three days is nothing. That’s another thing fasting will do for you; it will change your concept of time. With all the extra time you don’t have to spend planning meals, shopping and cooking, you’ll have time to read, write and explore your creative side. Did I mention that television, radio and magazines should also be eliminated? Fruits can be fresh (avoid citrus) or stewed and vegetables steamed. It’s best to keep portions small and intersperse two (or three, if needed) servings a day with lots of water and herbal teas. Whether you’re cleansing or juicing, taking a dose of psyllium with water each morning and night will greatly facilitate elimination. For the more-adventurous, I recommend stretching your cleanse to five days, and for the really adventurous, I recommend juicing. Juices are powerful elixirs, concentrated sources of vitamins and nutrients that additionally provide fiber to cleanse the colon of excess buildup. The best juices are those you make yourself. Lemon juice taken with water first thing each morning will really kick start your elimination. Fruit juices are best consumed in the morning when your body is better able to process and benefit from their natural sugars. Vegetable juices are better during the day and, in general, should not be combined with fruit juices. All juices should be slightly diluted with filtered or spring water. It probably goes without saying that all fruits and vegetables should be organic, but I’ll say it anyway. The first couple of days of a fast can be challenging, especially if you’re a big eater or have never fasted, which is why it’s good to start on a weekend, or on days off if you work weekends. Though your energy may be low at first, try to get some exercise

daily, even if it’s just a walk in the woods. If you can schedule a sauna or massage, all the better. If you can’t, exfoliating in a hot shower is a good alternative. If there are medications you take on a regular basis, continue to do so, but if you have chronic health issues you should definitely check with your doctor before embarking on a fast. If you are in great health, but in the habit of taking supplements, eliminate them during the juice fast.

habit I refer to as “food porn” to satisfy my cravings. It consists of curling up on the couch with cookbooks and tagging all the dishes that I plan to eat post-fast with Post-It notes. Interestingly enough, I almost never get around to making them. Also interesting is that what I crave during a fast has evolved over the years. In the beginning it was mac ‘n cheese and Oreos; now it’s things like parsnip and onion tarte tatin and oatmeal cranberry cookies. Natural Health, the magazine that initiated my fasting habit had this to say about Day 5: “Now’s a good time to resolve to make some permanent changes in your daily habits—what and how you eat, of course, but also how you manage stress and other ‘toxic’ things in your life.” Fasting can be an effective means to pinpointing and eliminating “those other toxic things,” but it can also reveal some beneficial things you may have been missing in your life. Despite the ill effects of a fast leading up to a healing crisis, once it has passed you’ll be amazed by how good you feel—and look. You might even decide to make it an annual ritual, one that I can attest to will get easier with each fast. Santé! R Following are a few of my favorite cleansing and juicing combinations, as well as some favorite teas: Stewed prunes, pears and/or apples for breakfast.

My migraine was the result of a healing crisis, which is not at all uncommon when fasting. Other possible signs of a healing crisis are itchy skin, blemishes, bad breath, headache, foggy headedness, muscle aches and congestion. All more reasons to hit your healing crisis when you’re not obliged to be working and around people! Think about it—if your body is used to years of uninterrupted consumption, it’s bound to react to an interruption. For that reason, it’s good to ease into and out of a fast. If you’ve chosen to juice, it’s a good idea to take a couple of days before and after to prepare your body. Smaller meals and the elimination of meat, dairy, sugar, flour, alcohol and caffeine will make it easier to embark on a juice fast. In fact, returning to your earlier eating habits too quickly following a fast can seriously stress your digestive system. I once broke a fast with a heaping plate of spaghetti and meatballs, a dish I often craved in the early years of fasting. Not good. I’ve since developed a

Steamed turnip, beets, greens (chard, kale, collard greens), potatoes and carrots for lunch/dinner. Arrange the vegetables in the steamer so that those that take the longest to cook are on the bottom.

Grape, apple, pear and cranberry for morning juice. I find that a handful of fresh cranberries really cuts the sweetness. A chunk of fresh ginger will also do the trick. Carrot, apple and ginger root for mid-day juice (despite my earlier statement about avoiding mixing fruits and vegetables).

Beet root, carrot, cucumber, celery and parsley for afternoon/evening juice. Beet juice is great for stimulating liver function. Teas that facilitate elimination are dandelion root, raspberry leaf, burdock root and licorice, and are sold loose or in bags at Morning Dew Natural Foods in Bridgton and Spice & Grain in Fryeburg. Tulsi Sweet Rose tea is wonderful before bedtime.

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