Things at the farm are going well. I’ve just planted about 425 fava seeds and have 25 lb on order at a health food store. We finally received a little rain the last couple of days and I hope it was soon enough to save the fava seeds that were sprouted and planted Monday. The ground was so dry and they were calling for rain on Monday and Tuesday, but we never got any of it ( though it rained hard just 5 miles away). I carried jugs out and tried to hit the rows, but it is hard when no plants are up yet.
We just called a couple of well drilling companies to see how much it would be to dig a well for irrigation purposes. They both estimated $6,000 in our area. which, right now, is not within my budget. So, I will continue to catch rain water from the barn roof in rain barrels and carry to individul plants.  EXERCIZE is good for PD ! Maybe next year will be easier.
**I have been on the fava tincture for 9 full months now and have decided to get a CBC blood draw and check my blood levels to compare it to what I was a few years ago. I am curious to see if the tincture has changed anything. I feel well….but am curious. My daughter is a nurse practitioner and I will be able to discuss results with her over the phone….as I still have no interest in giving money to a doctor for what I can figure out on my own.
I believe we are responsible for our own well-being …not a doctor. We have a place called “Any Blood Test Now” where you can go and request a blood draw for any condition without a doctor’s order / and they send the results to you (and also your doctor if requested).  Pretty convenient, huh?
Oh, we have a grape arbor with grapes starting to ripen and I am trying to find out if I can make my own grapeseed extract or anything else medicinal from the grapes…(new project). Also, there are hundreds of chicory plants blooming on the property and I am going to try making flower essence and tincture from them….Lots to do…no boredom on the farm.
Now one of my friends is calling me …..
Blessings to you………..
Aunt Bean (Sandra)
P.S. But….still no name for the farm, any ideas?
All posts by Parkinsons Recovery
Update from the Fava Bean Farm
Dad has plowed the unplanted portion of the garden area & disked it. It is ready for planting more favas for fall. I received 4 lbs of Windsor Favas from Fedco Seed Company this week (the last of their stock) and was blessed to find out at the local health food store that they could order me a 25 lb bag of organic favas…and will call me to let me know if they are still available. God is good.
I have big hopes that the fall crop will receive more rain than the spring crop had.  We are still in drought conditions and I have only watered a plant if it wilted over (the kushaw pumpkins and melons had to be watered 3 times now) and I have watered tiny plants and newly planted seeds, which is a lot of walking with heavy buckets.
The tincture is still all I need for support…in October my “non-clinical trial” will have gone on for a year. Oh, the mucuna beans I planted on the back side of the barn are now about 11 feet tall! Incredible!!
Blessings to you all…..
Aunt Bean
Fava Beans are Growing
Hi Robert,
Just wanted to let you know that the fava beans are growing . The second planting has bore beans even in 90 degree heat and drought conditions. I have started my 3rd batch of tincture and should be able to pick more tops in a couple days to start another. We are blessed with soil that has only been in hay for years. Otherwise it could not have supplied the needs of the plants….so the plants can in turn supply our needs.
We had our support group meetig at the farm June 15th. About 34 people came…some new PD’ers we had never met before. Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening, even though we had a storm and the electricity was off from 6PM to 9PM. We used a flashlight in the bathroom and could still see well in the rest of the house.
Tincture is still working well for me …since taking it since October. I have had to increase drops to 6 & now take it several times a day…but that is not a problem and keeps me functioning.  I am still anxious to find a research person interested in the project to work with , who could do in depth studies on the plant and products we have developed.
God bless your work.
Sandra
Growing Fava Beans for Parkinson’s
We have picked about 2 1/2 gallons of young favas now. I landscaped an area in the garden for cookout/ campfire for the support group meeting on the 15th. It will be a permanant addition to enjoy anytime we have company.
The wheelchair paths are coming along nicely…I even picked some favas from an old wheelchair we had in the barn, just to see if it could be done.
Sandra
Fava Beans and Parkinson’s – We are Harvesting!
Picked my first beans of the season yesterday and today. Some were as big as my thumb already and I didn’t know there were any out there.
I have about a quart and a half steamed and in the freezer and the big ones ready to juice. Will let you know how the raw juice experiment goes.
My friend is improved already in her movement and mood since yesterday…she has been with out fresh beans for several months and it has been hard on her. I am depending on the tincture still, but the fresh beans are quite a treat for me.
PD Support Group picnic is June 15 at the farm, so all my energy is going into finishing the raised beds/ planting/ making the garden paths wheelchair and couple walking friendly for all.  God Bless.   Sandra
Honey Bees and Fava Beans
The beans are growing well despite not having rain (probably because the ground is good). I am concerned because there have only been a couple honey bees seen around. No Bees/No Beans.
Hopefully they are just later than usual showing up.
The farm is shaping up and I am making as much as possible wheelchair accessible and two people can stroll together through rows.
We had our support group meeting last night and everyone is excited about coming out for a picnic for our June meeting.
Take care,
Sandra
Fava Beans on the Farm
The farm is going well, lots of hard work, but the tincture is still making it possible to get the job done. I planted over 7 pounds of favas (and seven varieties this year). They are beautiful.
We are having our PD support group meeting at the farm the third Tues of June. I am making the gardens handicapped accessible/ and two people can walk easily down the rows to pick or just exercize or push a wheelchair. God is Good.
Sandra
PD Support Group Meeting happenning
At our local support group meeting on 3/16 one of the members “froze-up “and was unable to hardly walk with help. He stretched his arms with help up to the doorframe and let his feet dangle…in a few seconds he was able to walk freely again…..the “monkey” was off his back!
He seems to have the same results I get from stretching my back muscles beyond the normal range. I wonder if along with the tightness & pain, that there is an energy flow blockage that occurs in our spinal column that inhibits movement?? I need to ask him next meeting if he has also had spinal injuries..(I sure did!)  .Will keep you updated on this>
Fava Research Farm update 3/17
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to you all. We had a PD Support Group meeting last nite and are planning our June get-to-gether at the farm. Everyone is excited about the research. The husband of a PD patient has volunteered to help disk up more of the ground dad plowed with the tractor. He has been unable to work, because of taking care of his wife…and is bored. They can both come to the farm ,enjoy the country and I can work with her while he helps dad….sounds good to me. I am hoping to start soaking fava seeds the end of next week. Lord willing, the first ones will go in the ground March 29th.
Fava Bean Farm
Still moving bit by bit to the country home with four acres. A friend with PD came over and helped put the disk on the tractor. My 84 year old dad managed to disk some of the land he had plowed up last week. The soil looks wonderful. Can’t wait to get started planting ! So much to do.
Sandra