Heath-conscious consumers frequently monitor what goes into their bodies, keeping careful account of what they eat. However, most of us are not nearly as aware when it comes to what goes on our bodies. With our skin being our largest organ, this is an issue.
Saratoga Farmers’ Market vendors Chris and Chrissey Eberhardt of Joy of the Journey Farm have developed a solution with their all-natural (“mostly organic ingredients”) handmade soaps and body products. Their products are free of harmful chemicals, GMOs, and ingredients too long to pronounce.
Joy of the Journey Farm sells goat milk soap and body butter, lip balm, tick repellent, mosquito repellent, massage oils, make-up remover, as well as free-range duck eggs and free-range chicken eggs. The goat milk that is used to create the soap and body butters is from six goats kept in a picturesque, spacious, and animal-friendly backyard garden.
In 2006, Chris and Chrissey cleared and developed their farm in Greenfield Center, Saratoga County. The goal when the two originally began their farm was to grow and produce enough to be able to be self-sustainable. Now, they are able to sustain themselves as well as provide goods to the Saratoga Farmers’ Market and several other locations.
Chris and Chrissey became farmers “on accident” after retirement, but have always been believers in living sustainable, organic, and healthy lives. They incorporate this philosophy into their farming by using organic ingredients and organic feeds for their livestock.
Joy of the Journey Farm sells its products every Wednesday and Saturday at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. On Wednesdays the farm’s table is located on the south end of the center pavilion and on Saturdays, it’s on the north end. Chris Eberhardt truly loves to educate his shoppers and give customers all the information they desire regarding what they are buying.
Joy of the Journey Farm is growing more each day as the two owners prepare to launch a new product: liquid body soap. They are also installing solar panels that will power their farm, and are experimenting with new products in order to provide customers with what they need to clean their bodies in the healthiest way possible.
Looking for a delicious dessert to bake? Try Chrissey Eberhardt’s Flourless Chocolate Cake! What’s the secret? Using Joy of the Journey Farm’s duck eggs will make the cake rise to double its size.
Flourless Chocolate Cake
*Items available at the market
Ingredients
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate
4 chicken eggs* or 4 duck eggs*
13.5 ounce can coconut milk, or equivalent cow’s milk*
2 heaping Tbsp. honey*
1/3 cup coconut oil
2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
½ cup raw cocoa powder
Directions
Melt 8 oz of bittersweet chocolate in a double boiler with 1/3 cup coconut oil.
When it’s all melted, remove from heat and add one 13.5 oz can of coconut milk, 2 heaping tablespoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons vanilla extract.
Mix well then add half a cup of raw cocoa powder. Mix well.
Add four eggs, and mix well.
Pour in a slightly oiled 8-inch round baking pan and cook for 45 minutes in an oven preheated to 300 degrees.
It can be eaten warm, although it is better after it has cooled for several hours.
