Back Home. At 50 pounds less my flight home was far less cramped on the regional air jet. Those planes are not my favorite. I spend those two hours with a woman who had managed 3 bloody Marys prior to the flight. Normally I don’t speak with people on the plane but since this wasn’t going to be an option with her we chatted. She didn’t like kids--her life was too hectic--she drank a lot and -- preferred not to call time off a vacation, since to her it should be called a holiday. (Planning out a schedule for your holiday makes it a vacation). GREAT IDEA.
That holiday thing sounds really good to me so I'll adapt that to my thinking --the lord works in mysterious ways. This new philosophy will meld very good with -- Tourists bring back souvenirs explores bring back stories.
Tillie Telle Time has been suggested for Julies new you tube video career. Shes famous amongst her friends and family now. This weekends project I think will be Rye Bread and Beet Juice.
I was so happy to get my beet juice when I got home I cant even tell you.
Still no red tomatoes and since no one picked the cucumbers while I was gone .. I shudder to think what mutated 12 pounders I have out there ... we shall see this evening I guess. Hello weekend
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday
Blahh blaah blaah
Me ? Lots of book smarts not practical application. It's been a humbling 8 months on the self sustained / eating locally/ survival skills side of my mini hybrid lifestyle experiment. I am getting the results I need though.
I know food comes from the garden plants and chicken comes from a dead bird but when do you harvest them. How do you know. How do you care for the plants? How do you kill those damn cabbage munching moths? Does this look right? why didnt that can seal? why is this bread different then yesterdays good grief
.... If your idea of prepping for an event is reading good luck. If youre interested in growing food and you think your ready because you read a book good luck. If your ready for a cultural melt down because you watched a tv show, read a book and have an emergency first aide kit in the bathroom, good luck. If you think your going to heaven because you own a bible good luck. So much to learn so little time.
The garden.
I’m sure to some extent, from a hobby point of view; experimentation in the garden is good if you have the room. If not Gardening is not at all about wonderful exotic beans, Okra and the rhubarb crisp you were dreaming of the day you planted. It is instead completely about what foods can sustain you and foods that you can preserve. Also one needs to consider the output of a plant vs. the space it takes. At least I think that’s right-- I’m still wiping “stupid drool” off my chin.
Planting is not about choosing 8 rhubarb plants where beans could have gone. It is not an experiment in red OKRA where a tomato could have gone. It is not about 16 large cabbage and broccoli plants where corn could have gone. It is not about pride and conversation pieces it is completely about -" thank goodness I’ve got food." Next year we rethink our strategy.
On the upside I have wonderful cabbage and okra, more cucumbers that I can ever pickle or eat and just the right amount of tomatoes. As an afterthought I put in a watermelon where a cucumber had failed. I have 7 watermelons and this will be enough. I all ready know going forward each year I will plant a single watermelon vine to remind me enough is a feast.
Midstream Mainstream
I’m not home this week I’m in the great state of Texas. This morning my yogurt came in a plastic tube. It sure was sweet- almost like candy it had lots of sugar and gelatin and some artificial flavors. They place them out for you to take. You could take a bunch and toss them in the fridge in your room. They taste good and it takes nothing to throw a few in your laptop case for later. It takes me 13 hours to make mine and I’m carful about portioning it out into reusable jars so I’m sure it stretches through the week for the whole family. Two extremes on the yogurt scale, which is better? My way is better for my body but the other feeds the masses. Maybe it’s not about pass fail and changing the world but instead doing what’s right for you. As long as you arent being a sheep and have thought it through its your own dang bussiness
I’m more curious also as I eat in restaurants this week.
I’m enjoying the eye rolls from the restaurants when I ask if the vegetables are locally grown and if the fish is farm raised or wild caught. I think I have a new label. Instead of angry white conservative I think people are seeing me as a environmentalist tree hugging bean sprout eater. I have to laugh. Im not sure what I am anymore I do know now the fuel waste it takes go get the Chinese grown tomato to my plate instead of the one grown 8 miles down the road. This understanding causes me to pause.
Sure is a lot of waste in the world. I saw the Book of Eli with Denzel Washington a few weeks ago. They used this line
Eli: People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now.
Me ? Lots of book smarts not practical application. It's been a humbling 8 months on the self sustained / eating locally/ survival skills side of my mini hybrid lifestyle experiment. I am getting the results I need though.
I know food comes from the garden plants and chicken comes from a dead bird but when do you harvest them. How do you know. How do you care for the plants? How do you kill those damn cabbage munching moths? Does this look right? why didnt that can seal? why is this bread different then yesterdays good grief
.... If your idea of prepping for an event is reading good luck. If youre interested in growing food and you think your ready because you read a book good luck. If your ready for a cultural melt down because you watched a tv show, read a book and have an emergency first aide kit in the bathroom, good luck. If you think your going to heaven because you own a bible good luck. So much to learn so little time.
The garden.
I’m sure to some extent, from a hobby point of view; experimentation in the garden is good if you have the room. If not Gardening is not at all about wonderful exotic beans, Okra and the rhubarb crisp you were dreaming of the day you planted. It is instead completely about what foods can sustain you and foods that you can preserve. Also one needs to consider the output of a plant vs. the space it takes. At least I think that’s right-- I’m still wiping “stupid drool” off my chin.
Planting is not about choosing 8 rhubarb plants where beans could have gone. It is not an experiment in red OKRA where a tomato could have gone. It is not about 16 large cabbage and broccoli plants where corn could have gone. It is not about pride and conversation pieces it is completely about -" thank goodness I’ve got food." Next year we rethink our strategy.
On the upside I have wonderful cabbage and okra, more cucumbers that I can ever pickle or eat and just the right amount of tomatoes. As an afterthought I put in a watermelon where a cucumber had failed. I have 7 watermelons and this will be enough. I all ready know going forward each year I will plant a single watermelon vine to remind me enough is a feast.
Midstream Mainstream
I’m not home this week I’m in the great state of Texas. This morning my yogurt came in a plastic tube. It sure was sweet- almost like candy it had lots of sugar and gelatin and some artificial flavors. They place them out for you to take. You could take a bunch and toss them in the fridge in your room. They taste good and it takes nothing to throw a few in your laptop case for later. It takes me 13 hours to make mine and I’m carful about portioning it out into reusable jars so I’m sure it stretches through the week for the whole family. Two extremes on the yogurt scale, which is better? My way is better for my body but the other feeds the masses. Maybe it’s not about pass fail and changing the world but instead doing what’s right for you. As long as you arent being a sheep and have thought it through its your own dang bussiness
I’m more curious also as I eat in restaurants this week.
I’m enjoying the eye rolls from the restaurants when I ask if the vegetables are locally grown and if the fish is farm raised or wild caught. I think I have a new label. Instead of angry white conservative I think people are seeing me as a environmentalist tree hugging bean sprout eater. I have to laugh. Im not sure what I am anymore I do know now the fuel waste it takes go get the Chinese grown tomato to my plate instead of the one grown 8 miles down the road. This understanding causes me to pause.
Sure is a lot of waste in the world. I saw the Book of Eli with Denzel Washington a few weeks ago. They used this line
Eli: People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Enough Is a Feast
Overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport.
They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said,
''I love you, and I wish you enough.''
The daughter replied,
''Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed.
I wish you enough, too, Dad.''
They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry.
I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking,
''Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?''
''Yes, I have,'' I replied. ''Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?''
''I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,'' he said.
''When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say,
''I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?''
He began to smile. ''That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone..''
He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more.
''When we said, 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said,
''I love you, and I wish you enough.''
The daughter replied,
''Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed.
I wish you enough, too, Dad.''
They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry.
I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking,
''Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?''
''Yes, I have,'' I replied. ''Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?''
''I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,'' he said.
''When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say,
''I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?''
He began to smile. ''That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone..''
He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more.
''When we said, 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.'' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pickles
OK... 5 jars of pickles.. let’s keep our fingers crossed. Originally I was going to put the in the crock but I decided that i needed that for a new batch of sour kraut so in the jar they went. I had to quarter some of them into spears and that was kind of disappointing but I'm sure that will be good when they finally get ready to eat.
Nutrition wise I’m not sure its worth the time and effort since pickles are pretty cheap. These have garlic and peppers so the zesty will be the pay off.
Nutrition wise I’m not sure its worth the time and effort since pickles are pretty cheap. These have garlic and peppers so the zesty will be the pay off.
I had the afternoon off. This allowed me to do my normal weekend chore early. Yogurt granola kvass sprouting dehydrating all was finishing up this morning. That means I get an extra day for education this week. That’s never a good thing my wife gets really nervous when I learn new things. Perhaps I will make sausage this weekend.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Dinner
I had some bread with butter and honey and two wonderful delicious pickled eggs for dinner today washed down with some beet Kavass. This was my second batch of Kavass. I used some red sugar beets and some candy cane beets. I wasn't sure if I had to use the red beets but the farmers market only had what it had --so away I went. Along with mixed beets I cut the salt in half. I am thinking they use the salt more to pull the juice and not to preserve. Since its a lacto fermentation process and I'm using whey I didn't see the need for the extra salt so "thwap" I cut it in half.
The result was wonderful I still got a lovely deep red color and the taste was far less like revved up gator aide, The results are immediate. My energy is up and well other things are very regular almost text book.
Beets will be a staple in the garden process. It seems if I get the soil right it will be a good crop and will be easy to store into early winter. I don't much like them but they make me feel great.
I think there needs to be a video on this stuff. I'm sure Julie wont let me put her in the next one so I guess it will be me. Maybe Ill sing too ... they're gonna put me in the movies ... they're gonna make a big star out of me .. I think thats Buck Owens actually ..hmmm. Stay tuned
and here you go ---- I am learning how about that
"Salt inhibits putrefying bacteria for several days until enough lactic acid is produced to preserve the vegetables for many months. The amount of salt can be reduced or even eliminated if whey is added to the pickling solution. Rich in lactic acid and lactic-acid-producing bacteria, whey acts as an inoculant, reducing the time needed for sufficient lactic acid to be produced to ensure preservation."
The result was wonderful I still got a lovely deep red color and the taste was far less like revved up gator aide, The results are immediate. My energy is up and well other things are very regular almost text book.
Beets will be a staple in the garden process. It seems if I get the soil right it will be a good crop and will be easy to store into early winter. I don't much like them but they make me feel great.
I think there needs to be a video on this stuff. I'm sure Julie wont let me put her in the next one so I guess it will be me. Maybe Ill sing too ... they're gonna put me in the movies ... they're gonna make a big star out of me .. I think thats Buck Owens actually ..hmmm. Stay tuned
and here you go ---- I am learning how about that
"Salt inhibits putrefying bacteria for several days until enough lactic acid is produced to preserve the vegetables for many months. The amount of salt can be reduced or even eliminated if whey is added to the pickling solution. Rich in lactic acid and lactic-acid-producing bacteria, whey acts as an inoculant, reducing the time needed for sufficient lactic acid to be produced to ensure preservation."
Monday, July 19, 2010
And then you wake up open your bible and
1-It's better to be poor
and live right
than to be a stupid liar.
2-Willingness and stupidity
don't go well together.
If you are too eager,
you will miss the road.
3-We are ruined
by our own stupidity,
though we blame the LORD.
and live right
than to be a stupid liar.
2-Willingness and stupidity
don't go well together.
If you are too eager,
you will miss the road.
3-We are ruined
by our own stupidity,
though we blame the LORD.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Things are changing
Julie and I have spent the last 7 months trying to find a balance between the world we live in and the world everyone dreams about. It seems that cultures can only hold so much at once. They are a living and breathing things within themselves and as the new is introduced the old is archived. The people who are bridging the gap between pre and post internet, cable TV and Internet world are starting to look around. We see how we have begun to trade anticipation for instant satisfaction in all parts of our life's. It's not a new story the mature of days gone by had the same rant but the speed of change is gaining momentum and the velocity of the culture along with it.
Instant satisfaction is like a drug. People seem to need it now its kin to an addiction. I wonder if this leads us to pick and choose our belief structure as well. I hear "I'm spiritual" now more than I hear the word Christian. I'm all for a self check on the major Christian religions but at what cost. Will we begin to pick and choose what parts of the scriptures we enjoy and ignore the rest or perhaps worse yet will we morph scripture to fit our needs. I hope not.
Anyway like I was saying we have spent months learning about nutrition and prepping and being prepared. Things are starting to pay off. We rode out the storm last night by grabbing a quick pack I made a few months ago. Just a few things like flashlights, first aide, batteries, a weather radio, games, snacks etc. The sirens went off the power was effected but we were ready. We had communication entertainment and have stocked enough food and water to get us through a small event. We didn't have to look for anything.
Tonight for dinner, cucumber salad and beans from the garden. Bread from flour we ground and bread we made. An almost free meal. The feeling of confidence we had started to trade for ease of the world we live in was being nurtured and it feels wonderful.
Seek don't wait to be sought
Waste less
Keep less
Connect more
Find your strength in the simplicity of God and your peace in the nation of family.
Instant satisfaction is like a drug. People seem to need it now its kin to an addiction. I wonder if this leads us to pick and choose our belief structure as well. I hear "I'm spiritual" now more than I hear the word Christian. I'm all for a self check on the major Christian religions but at what cost. Will we begin to pick and choose what parts of the scriptures we enjoy and ignore the rest or perhaps worse yet will we morph scripture to fit our needs. I hope not.
Anyway like I was saying we have spent months learning about nutrition and prepping and being prepared. Things are starting to pay off. We rode out the storm last night by grabbing a quick pack I made a few months ago. Just a few things like flashlights, first aide, batteries, a weather radio, games, snacks etc. The sirens went off the power was effected but we were ready. We had communication entertainment and have stocked enough food and water to get us through a small event. We didn't have to look for anything.
Tonight for dinner, cucumber salad and beans from the garden. Bread from flour we ground and bread we made. An almost free meal. The feeling of confidence we had started to trade for ease of the world we live in was being nurtured and it feels wonderful.
Seek don't wait to be sought
Waste less
Keep less
Connect more
Find your strength in the simplicity of God and your peace in the nation of family.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Holy Red Stuff !
Wow .. next year I grow BEETS ! Did you ever wonder whats in a beet ?
Vitamin
A44.9IU1%Retinol0.0mcg Retinol Activity Equivalent2.7mcg Alpha Carotene0.0mcg Beta Carotene27.2mcg Beta Cryptoxanthin0.0mcg Lycopene0.0mcg Lutein+Zeaxanthin0.0mcg Vitamin C6.7mg11%Vitamin D~ ~Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)0.1mg0%Beta Tocopherol~ Gamma Tocopherol~ Delta Tocopherol~ Vitamin K0.3mcg0%Thiamin0.0mg3%Riboflavin0.1mg3%Niacin0.5mg2%Vitamin B60.1mg5%Folate148mcg37%Food Folate148mcg Folic Acid0.0mcg Dietary Folate Equivalents148mcg Vitamin B120.0mcg0%Pantothenic Acid0.2mg2%Choline8.2mg Betaine175mg
Minerals
Amounts Per Selected Serving%DVCalcium21.8mg2%Iron1.1mg6%Magnesium31.3mg8%Phosphorus54.4mg5%Potassium442mg13%Sodium106mg4%Zinc0.5mg3%Copper0.1mg5%Manganese0.4mg22%Selenium1.0mcg1%
So that in mind it was time to make some Beet Kavass this morning.
1 Large Beet - Fresh Firm
1/8th cup whey
1/2 Tb Sea Salt
1 Quart Mason Jar
Cut Beet into one inch chunks. Place in jar. Dissolve salt into whey and add to jar. Fill jar with filtered water leaving one inch headroom. Seal the jar and place it on your counter for 24 hours to ferment. Place jar in refrigerator. 4 ounces in the morning -- 4 ounces at night. When the jar as a few ounces left fill and repeat the process. This can be done one.
I also sprouted some wheat berries and they were dehydrated again this morning so I jarred those up and put them in the freezer.. I keep them in the freezer so when I mill them the flour doesn’t get to hot.
Vitamin
A44.9IU1%Retinol0.0mcg Retinol Activity Equivalent2.7mcg Alpha Carotene0.0mcg Beta Carotene27.2mcg Beta Cryptoxanthin0.0mcg Lycopene0.0mcg Lutein+Zeaxanthin0.0mcg Vitamin C6.7mg11%Vitamin D~ ~Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol)0.1mg0%Beta Tocopherol~ Gamma Tocopherol~ Delta Tocopherol~ Vitamin K0.3mcg0%Thiamin0.0mg3%Riboflavin0.1mg3%Niacin0.5mg2%Vitamin B60.1mg5%Folate148mcg37%Food Folate148mcg Folic Acid0.0mcg Dietary Folate Equivalents148mcg Vitamin B120.0mcg0%Pantothenic Acid0.2mg2%Choline8.2mg Betaine175mg
Minerals
Amounts Per Selected Serving%DVCalcium21.8mg2%Iron1.1mg6%Magnesium31.3mg8%Phosphorus54.4mg5%Potassium442mg13%Sodium106mg4%Zinc0.5mg3%Copper0.1mg5%Manganese0.4mg22%Selenium1.0mcg1%
So that in mind it was time to make some Beet Kavass this morning.
1 Large Beet - Fresh Firm
1/8th cup whey
1/2 Tb Sea Salt
1 Quart Mason Jar
Cut Beet into one inch chunks. Place in jar. Dissolve salt into whey and add to jar. Fill jar with filtered water leaving one inch headroom. Seal the jar and place it on your counter for 24 hours to ferment. Place jar in refrigerator. 4 ounces in the morning -- 4 ounces at night. When the jar as a few ounces left fill and repeat the process. This can be done one.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Breakfast
Yogurt and Granola ... mmm had enough for breakfast I think Ill beg for poached eggs tomorrow. I should grind me some of that breakfast sausge too get er done. Today I also had a piece of rye toast made from sprouted grain that I milled down myself. Julie would not allow a photo of an imperfect loaf. I thought it was great but then Im guy what do I know.
Prolixic Spew
You're all dying to find out whats on my mind Im sure.
I find what started out as being able to live simpler and praying more is turning into a modified Prepper /Self Sustained Living'er meets Life off the Grider meets Tree Hugopotamus. It’s an interesting mix and completely unexpected. I was so far from the sprout and granola crowd I could have been a spokesperson for Ding Dongs and Cake Rolls. The waste in my life was and I can see now still is enormous. That being said should we cut down forests? Yes. Should we build power plants? Yes. I think what I advocate – I’m still working on this- is a sensible blend of the two worlds. You can live off the grid but take a chain saw. I understand the romance of a hand saw but thinking like that should lead to abandon the say and chip an edge to a rock to make an axe. Like they say you can’t fix stupid.
I have pain daily along with other stuff I took pills for. I spent years trying to regulate it all with pills. Now I just live different- or try to do my best. When I fall off the wagon and eat pizza or fast food or boxed food because I didn’t prep correctly the pain goes right up. The fatigue comes slamming back instantly. So I now make my food fresh and control what goes in it. I eat meat and am just fine with chickens hooked up to a feeding machine. What I’m not ok with is buying twelve eggs and then tossing 6 because the sell by date is 3 days past.
You want to lose weight but still watch TV? Make your own food. And I mean make it not microwave it. I eat less because I appreciate the effort it takes my wife and I to make a loaf of bread and when I think about making one I eat a piece instead of 6. I eat smaller more often not because that’s what’s best for me but because I want to make it last.
I had a salad at a restaurant on Saturday; I was out celebrating a birthday with a friend. They brought me two dinner rolls to go with it. They were processed grain enriched and bleached. Not very good for me it will spike my sugar and has not real food value for me. When we were done I looked around at was remaining there were buns grizzled meat hunks half eaten fries. We had more than we needed and it was second nature to walk away. That second nature lends itself across barriers from food to electronics to three showers a day to credit cards and on and on. I hear stories of the filthy rich being sad and the poor being so very happy. I see kids with everything say they are bored. Instant communication fast food and microwave dinners all combined into a live style removes the appreciation for a thing. I wonder how this crosses over to family. There sure is a lot of divorce, me included. I guess if I knew now what I didn’t know then.
I’m not going to live without my cell phone but I turn it off. I recycle but I’m still going to use plastic trash bags. I’m going to combine the things we have advanced to with the things we built our foundation on. Too much of anything is a bad thing but everything can be good in moderation. So I’ll continue to weave the things that make life good into the fabric of my family and when I’m done I think I will have been better for it.
I fed the dinner rolls to the birds.
I find what started out as being able to live simpler and praying more is turning into a modified Prepper /Self Sustained Living'er meets Life off the Grider meets Tree Hugopotamus. It’s an interesting mix and completely unexpected. I was so far from the sprout and granola crowd I could have been a spokesperson for Ding Dongs and Cake Rolls. The waste in my life was and I can see now still is enormous. That being said should we cut down forests? Yes. Should we build power plants? Yes. I think what I advocate – I’m still working on this- is a sensible blend of the two worlds. You can live off the grid but take a chain saw. I understand the romance of a hand saw but thinking like that should lead to abandon the say and chip an edge to a rock to make an axe. Like they say you can’t fix stupid.
I have pain daily along with other stuff I took pills for. I spent years trying to regulate it all with pills. Now I just live different- or try to do my best. When I fall off the wagon and eat pizza or fast food or boxed food because I didn’t prep correctly the pain goes right up. The fatigue comes slamming back instantly. So I now make my food fresh and control what goes in it. I eat meat and am just fine with chickens hooked up to a feeding machine. What I’m not ok with is buying twelve eggs and then tossing 6 because the sell by date is 3 days past.
You want to lose weight but still watch TV? Make your own food. And I mean make it not microwave it. I eat less because I appreciate the effort it takes my wife and I to make a loaf of bread and when I think about making one I eat a piece instead of 6. I eat smaller more often not because that’s what’s best for me but because I want to make it last.
I had a salad at a restaurant on Saturday; I was out celebrating a birthday with a friend. They brought me two dinner rolls to go with it. They were processed grain enriched and bleached. Not very good for me it will spike my sugar and has not real food value for me. When we were done I looked around at was remaining there were buns grizzled meat hunks half eaten fries. We had more than we needed and it was second nature to walk away. That second nature lends itself across barriers from food to electronics to three showers a day to credit cards and on and on. I hear stories of the filthy rich being sad and the poor being so very happy. I see kids with everything say they are bored. Instant communication fast food and microwave dinners all combined into a live style removes the appreciation for a thing. I wonder how this crosses over to family. There sure is a lot of divorce, me included. I guess if I knew now what I didn’t know then.
I’m not going to live without my cell phone but I turn it off. I recycle but I’m still going to use plastic trash bags. I’m going to combine the things we have advanced to with the things we built our foundation on. Too much of anything is a bad thing but everything can be good in moderation. So I’ll continue to weave the things that make life good into the fabric of my family and when I’m done I think I will have been better for it.
I fed the dinner rolls to the birds.
Monday, July 12, 2010
GRINDER YES !
Kitchen Aid Mill has arrived I went right to it I took my sprouted grain out of storage and ground it up. So how did it go. It was slow but the temp was low. The guide says I can do 10 cups before I have to rest it. I did two it was working pretty hard so I didn't push it
The garden put out two more cucumbers that went right into the bowl, you can see them in the photo above. I also pulled out enough bush beans for a side dish. Looks like chicken and barley with rice for dinner. It smells great.
Cucumbers and onions in vinegar as a side dish, it's like heaven. So I'm feeling pretty cocky today making my own food. One step closer... One step closer
I think it worked like a champ I ended up with three cups of rye flour. Julie went right to work baking. Perhaps we will have results tonight. She made half a loaf and will make large sandwich buns.
The garden put out two more cucumbers that went right into the bowl, you can see them in the photo above. I also pulled out enough bush beans for a side dish. Looks like chicken and barley with rice for dinner. It smells great.
Cucumbers and onions in vinegar as a side dish, it's like heaven. So I'm feeling pretty cocky today making my own food. One step closer... One step closer
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A good Sunday
And my wife drove off with the camera. I was so proud
Started the day with yogurt and granola still working on the cranberries so again this week it will be cranberry granonla but Ive switched to blue agave nectar. It's runnier than honey so the moisture content seemed to be up so I had to bake a bit longer however it has a lower GI so overall better for us.
I used 1% milk today for the yogurt also something new. The yield was much more than I expected -- at least as much as with the whole milk -- and I had much more whey it doesn't make sense Ill have be more attentive next week and do some measuring. The texture was also different much more like a curdle until i got the whey out. I used a had mixer to blend it down to a smoother less lumpy consistency but it tasted OK so again better for us overall.
I had extra eggs so I picked 9. Yup with red pepper flakes and other hot secret spices, I think I will love them however Julie did shake her head at me but heck its a protein snack I figure.
I also took some time today to make farmers cheese with cranberries. Breakfast food perhaps.
I did some research on nut butter and made some spread today. So I can see now how stupid it was to by almond butter last time I went to the store. OY ... I made mine out of cashew for about 50 cents -small batch. It was almost better than anything I have ever made and has great omega fats.
Mushrooms were on sale ! so I also pickled a little over a pint for three dollars. Ill get a mushroom in my martini for the next week or so.
The Kraut is moving along well. It smells though so I had to turn it. I used an onion in this batch as well so that's probably why but I can tell its going to be very tasty.
I found a recipe for beat juice and whey. Its suppose to be the king of king tonics .. Ill try it. It will make me feel better to since I tossed today's whey I have way more then I can use now.
Today was goto the store any buy meat day. Im sure they have some study that tells them they should print a flyer of cupons instead of just marking the item down but it would seem they could save any difference by not paying for printing and cart guy clean up. I guess that's why I don't own a grocery store.
What I found odd was that I was angry at the waste created by the fliers. Im so far from liberal and tree hugging it caused me to pause. I was angry because it was stupid wasteful and not necessary. I can see I will have to meditate on this. Perhaps this is a part of the change consuming my life. It started with a pot luck where someone brought home made kraut one year ago. Today I made my own cheese to put on the crackers I made after I picked the broccoli I grew.
Any way all topics for when I get back into this blogging thing, for now Ill just focus on the day when I'll be eating my pickled eggs.
Started the day with yogurt and granola still working on the cranberries so again this week it will be cranberry granonla but Ive switched to blue agave nectar. It's runnier than honey so the moisture content seemed to be up so I had to bake a bit longer however it has a lower GI so overall better for us.
I used 1% milk today for the yogurt also something new. The yield was much more than I expected -- at least as much as with the whole milk -- and I had much more whey it doesn't make sense Ill have be more attentive next week and do some measuring. The texture was also different much more like a curdle until i got the whey out. I used a had mixer to blend it down to a smoother less lumpy consistency but it tasted OK so again better for us overall.
I had extra eggs so I picked 9. Yup with red pepper flakes and other hot secret spices, I think I will love them however Julie did shake her head at me but heck its a protein snack I figure.
I also took some time today to make farmers cheese with cranberries. Breakfast food perhaps.
I did some research on nut butter and made some spread today. So I can see now how stupid it was to by almond butter last time I went to the store. OY ... I made mine out of cashew for about 50 cents -small batch. It was almost better than anything I have ever made and has great omega fats.
Mushrooms were on sale ! so I also pickled a little over a pint for three dollars. Ill get a mushroom in my martini for the next week or so.
The Kraut is moving along well. It smells though so I had to turn it. I used an onion in this batch as well so that's probably why but I can tell its going to be very tasty.
I found a recipe for beat juice and whey. Its suppose to be the king of king tonics .. Ill try it. It will make me feel better to since I tossed today's whey I have way more then I can use now.
Today was goto the store any buy meat day. Im sure they have some study that tells them they should print a flyer of cupons instead of just marking the item down but it would seem they could save any difference by not paying for printing and cart guy clean up. I guess that's why I don't own a grocery store.
What I found odd was that I was angry at the waste created by the fliers. Im so far from liberal and tree hugging it caused me to pause. I was angry because it was stupid wasteful and not necessary. I can see I will have to meditate on this. Perhaps this is a part of the change consuming my life. It started with a pot luck where someone brought home made kraut one year ago. Today I made my own cheese to put on the crackers I made after I picked the broccoli I grew.
Any way all topics for when I get back into this blogging thing, for now Ill just focus on the day when I'll be eating my pickled eggs.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Green Plants
Last night I started to sprout some rye. Let the sprouted grain experiments begin
The lillies are in full bloom
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wow time flies ..
Where were we. I’d say at this point we have been able to purge 45% from the house however I have indulged my fantasy of a Man room and so more on that another day.
I’m down 50 pounds now that we eliminated almost all food that is pre-packaged. I’m looking at for a small grain miller now so I can make some sprouted grain flour. It seems to be my new obsession. Boy once you start learning what’s bad? Yikes!. I’ve updated my granola recipe. I only use honey at this time no other fluid. Its nicer not so heavy and it doesn’t cluster up.
My first garden ever -- is on the grow. I learned an awful lot about it I didn’t do to well however. I will have cucumbers tomatoes cabbage and broccoli.
The raspberries are also coming in well. The beans not nearly enough and way to much rhubarb. For the first year though the asparagus is really nice looking lots of ferny tops not near enough room .. I think I will have lots of watermelon.
So any help on grinding sprouted grain would be good ... will it be worth the investment?
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