Inspired by our Local Growers and Artisan Market at the Hot Springs, Chef Bill Wavrin shares his favorite recipes usine local, fresh, organic recipes:

Ratatouille is a wonderful, healthy, traditional dish from Provence in the South of France. I love the food from Provence, and I just love the South of France. Of course, I’ve trimmed some of the fat and placed my own twist on it. The marriage of the sweet, smooth roasted butternut squash with the earthy ratatouille and Pomodoro adding a bit of Italy all works very well together. This is a simple recipe, but it requires a bit of chopping (a primer to enhance your knife skills!) and a wonderful medley of fresh produce. If you live nearby or are planning a trip to Glen Ivy Hot Springs soon, we host a fantastic Local Growers and Artisan Market every Wednesday from 3:30-6:30pm in the parking lot – the perfect opportunity to stock up on local, fresh, organic produce! Enjoy!!

Oven Roasted Baby Butternut Squash Stuffed with Ratatouille

by Chef Bill Wavrin

Yield 4 servings

Ingredients:

4 acorn or baby butternut squash
4 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves fresh garlic minced
1 yellow onion chopped
½ red bell pepper seeded and chopped
½ green bell pepper seeded and chopped
1 eggplant cut in ½” cubes
1 Portobello mushrooms cut in ½” cubes
4 ounces white wine, (Pinot Gris is great)
1 zucchini cut in ½” cubes
1 yellow squash cut in ½” cubes
1 cup tomatoes seeded and chopped
2 ancho chiles tem and seeds removed
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
½ cup Pomodoro sauce, recipe follows

Method:

1. Preheat oven 400°
2. Carefully, cut the baby squash in half. Remember these babies are hard and can be slippery if you don’t use a sharp knife.
3. Clean the seeds out of the squash with a spoon.
4. Drizzle the inside of each squash with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of olive oil.
5. Place the squash cut side up and bake for 25 minutes.
6. Turn the squash over and continue to bake for an additional 25 minutes or until soft. Set aside until needed.
7. Place a large sauté pan over medium high heat and add the remaining olive oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
8. Add the garlic, onions, bell peppers with the eggplant and cook 5 minutes, tossing.
9. Add the mushrooms and cook an additional 5 minutes, tossing.
10. Add the wine and toss. Cook 3-4 minutes until the wine has reduced by half.
11. Add the remaining vegetables one at a time, cooking and tossing.
12. Cook until the vegetables have just softened, about 6 minutes.
13. Add the herbs and chiles to the pan.
14. Add the Pomodoro sauce and toss to combine.
15. Simmer for 2 minutes.
16. Season to taste.
17. Place each squash on a warmed dinner plate and fill each with the ratatouille, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Jack cheese over each and place in the preheated oven.
18. Roast for 10 minutes.

Serve the squash on a warmed dinner plate.

Salsa di Pomodoro Passata

By Chef Bill Wavrin

Passata is an Italian concentrated tomato sauce that is used to thicken soups and sauces. This is the vegetarian version of my passata prepared without pork and pancetta the way my Sicilian aunts Armina & Viola showed me in their kitchens cooking rustic dishes from their childhood. Bon Appetito!

Ingredients:

3 pounds plum tomatoes, halved
8 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 carrot, diced
1 onion, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
8 ounces Ruah or a nice Borolo
8 ounces vegetable stock
1 teaspoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Kosher salt to taste

Method:

1. Preheat oven 250°!
2. Place the halved tomatoes in a bowl with the garlic salt and pepper and
3. 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Toss to combine.
4. Pour out on a papered sheet pan cut side down and bake in the preheated oven 2 hours.
5. Place a pan with the olive oil, over medium heat and add the onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring until the onions are slightly golden.
6. Add the red wine and cook 2 minutes.
7. Add the roasted tomatoes with the stock, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook 30 minutes.
8. Add the sugar and simmer very slowly for an additional 5 minutes.
9. Add the fresh basil and set a side to cool.

This passata should be refrigerated in a glass or non corrosive container, and will keep for several weeks covered.

Buen Provecho!!

In this week’s reading selection we meet the women of Savannah, Georgia. Oletta, Miz Hobbs, and Miz Goodpepper each bring their own brand of southern hospitality to CeeCee. On the one hand, CeeCee drinks in all of the love and affection offered by her new friends and family, while on the other she doubts her worthiness and ability to ever fit in. I think this is what makes CeeCee such a likable character; she mirrors the insecurities we all feel at some time in our lives – fitting in, being worthy of love, and having something worthy to contribute amongst people we admire. Some people view children like CeeCee very much the way the Pemberton house was seen by the demolition crew – as not worthy of being saved. Aunt Tootie has the unique gift of looking past the broken places to see the treasure. As with the forgotten mansions of Savannah, Aunt Tootie sees the beauty in CeeCee and is determined to help her see it in herself.

Out of all of the characters introduced in this week’s reading, is there one that you like best? Why? Do you think any of these characters will have a greater impact on CeeCee’s life than the others?

Until next week, enjoy being carried away to the warm breezes of Savannah!

—Seraphina Ashe
Director of Guest Experience Programming
Glen Ivy Hot Springs

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A day at Glen Ivy is a thoughtful gift, perfect for every special occasion and celebration. Here are some important dates and events to remember:

• Administrative Professionals Day – April 25
• Teacher Appreciation Week – May 7-11
• Mother’s Day – May 13
• Father’s Day – June 17
• Graduation
• Bridal Shower
• Baby Shower
• Anniversary
• Birthdays
• Just Because
• Just for you!

12:30 in the Pavilion Terrace

Join acclaimed performing artist and ninth generation Native American/Latino Abel Silvas for educational and entertaining Native American Storytelling.

A historian, mime, actor, comedian and storyteller, Mr. Silvas utilizes his talents in his unique one-man show known as Running Grunion, whose character is a California Native American storyteller known for his funny verbal antics, miming routines, and interactive audience participation.

Mr. Silvas has studied pantomime for ten years with Marcel Marceau School of Mime to enhance his storytelling abilities. His stories reveal what life was like for his family during different eras in California history: Pre-Contact, Spanish/Mission, Mexican/Rancho and American/Reservation periods.  This presentation shows how California Indians adapted through these periods and continue to be a part of today’s society.

Abel Silvas is a Fullbright-Hays Scholar who has traveled to India, Mexico, Chile, and throughout the United States teaching about Native American History.  He was chosen as a finalist for the Four Directions/NBC Native American Comedian Talent Search in New York City for his portrayal of this witty and comedic Running Grunion character.

In the past years we have all become more sensitive to our carbon footprint and how our lifestyle choices impact the environment and our health. As we continue our journey to a more earth-friendly, sustainable lifestyle, we also learn that being “green” can be fun, easy and economical. The following household cleaning recipes are offered in this spirit.

To learn more about the chemicals used in common household cleaning products and their impact on the environment and your health, visit the Environmental Working Group.

Supplies

• White Vinegar: cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up
• Baking Soda: cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours
• Natural Unscented Soap: unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
• New, unused spray bottles
• Water
• Essential oils of your choice:
• Tea Tree antiseptic, antibacterial, anti fungal Stimulant
• Lemon antibacterial, astringent Uplifting, clarifying
• Sweet Orange repels insects, disinfectant, antibacterial, anti fungal Cheery, happy, calms the mind
• Lavender antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial Lifts the mood, calming, analgesic, anti-inflammatory
• Oregano antiviral, antibacterial, anti fungal, repels insects Clean and fresh
• Eucalyptus antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, astringent, repels insect Stimulating, fresh, clears the mind
• Grapefruit antiseptic, disinfectant. Uplifting, stimulating
• Pine strong antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, repels insect Invigorating

Use only good quality, single note, 100% pure essential oils. Fragrance oils, perfume oils or nature-identical oils are synthetic chemicals or chemical blends and do not have the same properties as pure essential oils.

Purchase essential oils that are packaged in small, (4oz or less), dark colored or opaque glass bottles. Beware of plastic bottles or glass bottles with rubber eyedroppers; plastic and rubber will degrade and contaminate the oils.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 cups water
7 drops essential oil of lavender, tea tree, pine, grapefruit, oregano or eucalyptus

Combine ingredients in a clean, unused spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

 All Purpose Cleaner II

1/2 cup vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
1/2 gallon of water
10 drops lavender oil
10 drops grapefruit or eucalyptus oil

Combine ingredients and store in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

 Kitchen Scouring Cleanser

1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon vinegar
6 drops lemon or grapefruit essential oil

Mix ingredients to make a paste. Use to scour microwave interior, sink and other hard surfaces in the kitchen.

Bathroom Scouring Cleaner

1/4 cup baking soda
1 Tablespoon Natural Soap
7 drops lavender oil
7 drops tea tree oil

Add enough white vinegar to make a thick, creamy texture.

Mix ingredients to make a paste. Use to scour bathroom surfaces.

Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner

2 Cups Water
1/4 Cup White Vinegar
1/4 tsp. Tea Tree Oil
1/4 tsp. Lavender Oil

Combine and store in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Use where ever a disinfectant spray is needed.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda

Pour both ingredients in to toilet bowl and allow to soak for about 10 minutes. Swish with toilet brush. A few drops of lavender and tea tree essential oils may be added to disinfect.

Window Cleaner

1 cup White Vinegar
10-15 drops of Lemon oil
Water

Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

Floor Cleaner I

1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
14 drops of your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend

Add all ingredients to a bucket of warm water.

Floor Cleaner II

1/4 cup white vinegar to a bucket of water
5-10 drops lemon, pine, spruce
1-2 squirts natural dish soap

Add all ingredients to a bucket of warm water. A plain water rinse may be needed after mopping to avoid stickiness or slipperiness from the dish soap.

Carpet Freshener

1 cup baking soda
16-20 drops of your favorite essential oil or essential oil blend

Combine ingredients in a glass bowl and mix well. Cover and allow to sit overnight so that oils can be completely absorbed by the baking soda. Sprinkle over your carpet the next day and then vacuum.

Warm water wishes,
Seraphina Ashe,
Guest Experience Program Director

As our Spring Book Club reading opens, we meet CeeCee, a young girl forced to be caretaker and overseer to her mentally ill mother. It is easy to instantly like CeeCee; while possessing the innocence of a child, much of her life is spent performing very adult tasks; the blend of naivety and wisdom that results in an undeniable appeal. CeeCee herself sees that her life circumstances have a positive side: “…in a strange, upside down way, Momma’s craziness helped me learn more and rise to the top of my class.” Camille, too, is easy to like, despite her inability to care for CeeCee. Although deeply flawed, Camille still has the charm and gentility of a southern belle gone slightly askew.

Less easy to feel fondness for is CeeCee’s absentee father, who, despite warnings from his daughter and neighbor about the state of Camille’s health, chooses to look away. While not an uncommon reaction to mental illness, CeeCee’s father becomes so detached that he is completely unaware of his daughter’s love of books, reading and her academic achievements. This fact seems to hurt CeeCee even more than the countless escapades involving her mother’s bizarre behavior, as she develops a deep hatred for her father.

Salvation for CeeCee comes after her mother’s death, when she is taken in by her Aunt Tootie, a well-mannered and kind southern woman who resides in the heart of Savannah, Georgia. While deeply moved by Aunt Tootie’s kindness and genuine warmth, CeeCee remains apprehensive about the move until Mrs. Odell offers this wisdom: “When a chapter of your Life Book is complete, your spirit knows it’s time to turn the page so a new chapter can begin. Even when you’re scared or think you’re not ready, your spirit knows you are.” It is this truth that CeeCee clings to as she takes the leap into a life she could have never before imagined.

I look forward to reading your insights on these first few chapters. Here are a few conversation starters:

• How would CeeCee’s life be different if Mrs. Odell had chosen to avoid Camille’s mental illness, and therefore any interaction with CeeCee?

• Were you able to feel any compassion or understanding for CeeCee’s father? Do you think CeeCee should forgive her father?

• By CeeCee’s account, her home surroundings reflected the disorder and messiness of Camille’s state of mind; however Camille’s prom dresses were neatly arranged by color, “like a worn-out tattered rainbow.” Why could Camille order and arrange dresses but nothing else?

Happy reading!

—Seraphina Ashe
Director of Guest Experience Programming
Glen Ivy Hot Springs

The votes are in! This year we received over 250 votes from fans casting their vote for who they think should be crowned our March Mudness Grand Prize WINNER!  And the winning photo is: Swamp Man!

This eerie creature (who we caught lurking in Club Mud during the second week of our contest) has won two Swedish Massages to enjoy! Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who participated in March Mudness and even voted for their favorite photo. It was another fun (and mud) filled March Mudness and we couldn’t have done it without you. While the contest may be over, there is still plenty of mud just waiting for you to enjoy in Club Mud. See you there!

For more Mud Photos, visit us on Facebook.

Go green this Easter by making your own naturally colored Easter eggs! Making your own egg coloring is fun, easy and economical – nearly any vegetable or herbal tea can be used to make beautifully colored Easter eggs, and kids will enjoy making the dyes just as much as coloring the eggs!

Here are some tips and what you’ll need to create different colors of natural egg dye at home:

After hard-cooking (boiling) your eggs, simply place the eggs in a bowl with the desired natural dye.

The longer you let the eggs soak, the deeper and more vibrant the color will be.

To give your Easter eggs some extra flair, try drawing designs or writing inspiring words on the eggs with a crayon before playing them into the dye mixture.

Red

Boil the skins of a red onion in water
Pomegranate juice
Boil beets in water

Orange
Boil the skins of a yellow onion in water
Boil carrots in water

Yellow
Boil ground tumeric in water
Boil lemon or orange skins in water
Chamomile tea

Brown
Coffee
Green
Boil spinach leaves in water

Blue
Canned blueberries (with juice)
Violet
Diluted purple grape juice
Red Zinger Tea

Pink
Juice from canned beets
Cranberry juice
Red grape juice

It’s that time again fans! It’s time for you to cast your vote for your favorite March Mudness photo!

Wondering how to cast your vote? Check out each weeks winners  and pick your  favorite. Simply click on the photo to see it larger and then click “vote” for who you think should win. Yes, it’s that easy! The 4th Annual March MUDness grand prize winner will win two Swedish Massages to enjoy.

Voting ends Friday, April 6 at 10 a.m. so make sure you cast your vote now! We will be announcing the grand prize winner later that afternoon right here on the blog!

As a parent and chief of the Glen Ivy Gardens I want to express the importance of clear communication. My children behave better when I clearly state my expectations of them and so do my plants. You only get one shot at raising them so providing them with a loving and well-defined foundation is very important. With this in mind, here are my expert tips for a few conversations you should absolutely have with your plants:

Don’t drink too much - Water is so important and it’s a drought year.
Choose your friends wisely - That cactus is gonna get you into trouble!
What’s that noise your listening to? – Country builds character so turn down that punk rock.
You can’t be seen in that! - Terra cotta is classic and suits you much better; that plastic pot isn’t fit for a plant as beautiful as you.
Eat your vegetables - There are carrots in your compost and they are good for your eyes.
Get plenty of exercise - You don’t want to grow up with weak limbs, do you?
Respect your elders - That’s an old growth forest, you know.
Do your homework - You will be tested on biology.
Cleanliness is next to godliness - Stay out of the mud!
Are you feeling okay? You’re looking a little green. - Good for you!

-Patrick Mitchell
Director of Landscapes & Sustainability