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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

New Hog Virus: PEDV

We've been hearing quite a bit about this in the news, but only 218 pigs have been diagnosed in the US so far, though the virus has spread through fifteen states.

Mother Earth News

File:Domestic pigs.jpg
"Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy. Ma. Ma. Ma. Ma.Ma. Ma.... Hi."
From: WikiCommons

Monday, July 15, 2013

Grass-fed Protein Bars

As I'm in search of a better protein powder, this post caught my eye. Not sure it's a replacement for bacon, but might be worth a try.

Epic Protein Bars

Friday, July 12, 2013

A Walk on the Wild Side

Definitely on my to-read list.

'Eating On The Wild Side:' A Field Guide To Nutritious Food

Between foods to eat as fresh as possible, foods to eat organic, foods to avoid all together, the space on my refrigerator for lists is getting pretty limited :-/

But what a gorgeous cover! I'll try foraging just because the cover looks amazing. My great aunt used to gather dandelion greens in the spring, according to my dad. She called it a spring tonic.

Eating on the Wild Side
From NPR Article (above)

Thursday, July 11, 2013

I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo!

I Am Cow, Hear Me Moo!

Too funny!

One True Ingredient: Peas and Carrots


Not all meals are a success. To be honest, it was not the fault of the peas and carrots, it was mine. Just because the roast had been stewing in its own juices for eight hours in the crockpot did not mean that it was warm enough to both heat the cold brown rice through and thaw the peas and carrots. Note to self: next time always thaw the peas and carrots.

The STC spent the night at work, but the chuck roast I’d pulled out of the freezer on Sunday really needed cooked, so I used our new cookwear from GreenLife, available through Walmart, which worked to spectacular effect. I’m totally in love with these pans. Eggs don’t even stick. You fry an egg, flip it, and it slides right out on the plate, no need for oil. Whatever alchemy makes this possible has my devotion.

Anyway, I seared both sides of the chuck roast and threw it in the crockpot with three(ish) cups of water, some beef bouillon, marsala wine, salt, pepper, parsley, paprika, onion powder and two dried red peppers from the garden a couple years ago. Red peppers are always tricky, since they don’t always seem to have the same flavor, but I took a risk. Deglazed the pan with some red wine I had in the fridge (Mommy needs some liquid patience sometimes) and that’s it. Cooked the meat on high in the crockpot for three or four hours and then was heading to town for groceries (go MPerks) so turned it down to low for another four(ish) hours. Turned the meat out over leftover brown rice and the aforementioned doomed peas and carrots and that was where I went wrong.

I repeat, always thaw the frozen veggies first, no matter how hot you think the meat juices may be.

Until next week, and our next food story, eat well, stay healthy.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Scary Stuff on the Farmfront

As Biotech Seed Falters, Insecticide Use Surges In Corn Belt

Western Corn Rootworm 
This is one of those places where traditional farming practices, such as crop rotation for more than two years, and more than just corn to soybeans, seems like it can't do anything except help. It doesn't have to be an either/or question when it comes to the future of agriculture, either commercial or traditional (sustainable? whatever we want to call alternative models) but rather a blend of the two, borrowing the best of both worlds. Compromise doesn't always mean no one gets what they want.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Watermelon Cocktail

Now we're talkin' summer ;)

Focus on Food: Watermelon