Ever get that feeling that something’s slipped your mind? Now, imagine that “something” could be anything from what you had for breakfast to a memory from three years ago! About a year ago, I was dealing with just that – the foggy head, scattered memory, and all. But thanks to my amazing farm crew (big shout-out to them!) who kept the Drunken Duck Farm rolling, all our residents stayed happy and healthy while I tackled the memory mystery.
After some twists, turns, and a few “surprise!” family emergencies around Thanksgiving, I did not have a chance to get checked out untill early this year. My doctors were rockstars, and for the most part, I’m back to my usual quirky self. But the bloodwork? It threw me a curveball! Cholesterol: fabulous. LDL (the “bad” one): superb. But my HDL – the “good” cholesterol that helps keep memory sharp – was alarmingly low at 44 mg/dL, just under the healthy range for women. So began my journey to boost my HDL, which, as you might’ve guessed, brought the Goth Spices to life!
From Brain Fog to Beetroot: How the Spices Began
To raise HDL, I was already doing the usual – eating the right foods and all. But, oddly enough, my HDL kept falling! Research led me to anthocyanins – those fabulous antioxidants found in dark-colored veggies and fruits like blueberries, black carrots, and, yes, beets. As much as I love most anthocyanin-rich foods, there are some that… let’s say we have a complicated relationship, like beets, radishes, and eggplants. But I couldn’t let that stop me.
Cue the idea: could I transform these tricky veggies into something magical, like spices? After a few experiments, I had a eureka moment – drying and blending them into earthy, spicy mixes. And the best part? They weren’t just healthy but actually delicious.
“Goth” Theme? Well, Here’s the Thing…
One day at lunch, with my newly beet-based black and purple “spice of the day,” a coworker quipped about my “Goth Diet.” And there it was – the theme! Dark, moody, and full of darkly colored charm, the Goth Spices were officially born.
These spices are no ordinary blends – most ingredients are grown right here at the farm with nothing but the love of our rescue animals and all natural goodness. For things like beets and radishes, which we didn’t grow ourselves, we sourced from organic farms nearby in Germantown and Carlisle. A few items, like vanilla and cloves, hail from tropical climates, but we make sure they’re as pure and organic as possible.
Our new gothic blends do look fabulous and taste even better! But those rich, vibrant colors? They’re all thanks to the beautiful, natural ingredients we’ve packed into every blend. No artificial coloring agents here—and there never will be. Just pure, lively hues from Mother Nature herself, making sure every sprinkle not only tastes amazing but looks like a masterpiece on your plate. 🌶🌱✨
Drumroll, Please: Meet the Spooky Lineup
Each spice brings a bit of mystery and magic to your cooking, a nod to the darker, richer side of farm-to-table.
All our spice blends are officially bottled up and ready (though we’re always open to a dash of constructive feedback!). We’re working hard to get every last blend listed on the website as fast as our farm fingers can manage. But between gathering crabapples, tucking the garden in for winter, getting our aquaponics up and flowing to keep those fresh herbs coming all season, and—most importantly—making sure our rescue animals are cozy for the unpredictable Ohio winter… well, let’s just say it’s a spicy time around here! Thank you for your patience as we bring a little more flavor to your world. 🌶🍎🌱
The HDL Update
Fast forward a few months and, with a little help from my Goth Diet, my HDL’s back up! I’m now in the 40s, aiming to hit that golden 50 by next year. And, just because Halloween is the Goth Spice’s debut, don’t expect them to vanish after the season – they’ll be here year-round, because sometimes, a little touch of magic is just what the pantry needs. 🖤