WOW!!! Now I'm pissed! Yesterday I was following up with some of my favorite blogs and one of them got me FUMING! It wasn't the blog that pissed me off but the subject matter of the video clip they post.
The folks over at Dog Island Farm are awesome and I'm sharing with you what I watched yesterday. Unlike some of the other videos I have emailed before, the content in the video is suitable for just about anyone. It is the CAUSE that pisses me off, not the actual video!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
What's on my reading list?
I made another trip to the library this week AND my books from Amazon.com arrived. I picked up The Vegetable Gardener's Container Bible, You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail, The Glamour of Grammar, 2 John Sanford books, 2 Janet Evanovich books and for the hubby, Lucifer's Hammer and The Passage.
This should last me a few weeks.
I have 2 of my own reference books in the pile, The Encyclopedia of Country Living and Growing 101 Herbs That Heal. Almost forgot!!! Also on my reading list is an awesome cookbook that my mom sent me If It Makes You Healthy by Sheryl Crow and Chuck White. I'm thinking about trying the Watermelon Margarita.
This should last me a few weeks.
I have 2 of my own reference books in the pile, The Encyclopedia of Country Living and Growing 101 Herbs That Heal. Almost forgot!!! Also on my reading list is an awesome cookbook that my mom sent me If It Makes You Healthy by Sheryl Crow and Chuck White. I'm thinking about trying the Watermelon Margarita.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Making Soap for October!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month! My office always puts together a handout or flier for our patients during October. This year I'm going one step further. I made PINK goat's milk soap ribbons for patients and friends.
The first batch I made was organic Grapefruit Goat Milk.
The second batch is Organic Lavender Goat Milk.
Tomorrow I'm going to make Organic Star Anise soap which will be pink with a clear base. Noticing a trend? PINK! It's been quite a while since I made soap and I almost forgot how much fun it is. I only ever make ribbon soap for October.
It looks YUMMY!!!
To purchase soap or for questions, please send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
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| Cut. |
 |
| Melt. |
 |
| Pour. |
The first batch I made was organic Grapefruit Goat Milk.
The second batch is Organic Lavender Goat Milk.
Tomorrow I'm going to make Organic Star Anise soap which will be pink with a clear base. Noticing a trend? PINK! It's been quite a while since I made soap and I almost forgot how much fun it is. I only ever make ribbon soap for October.
It looks YUMMY!!!
To purchase soap or for questions, please send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
Monday, September 26, 2011
WHAT is GMO?
The definition of GMO according to wikipedia is "an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes. This DNA is then transferred into an organism, giving it modified or novel genes. Transgenic organisms, a subset of GMOs, are organisms which have inserted DNA that originated in a different species."
Want an easier explanation? Check out The Non-GMO Project, "GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods."
Also at The Non-GMO Project,
Are GMOs safe?
In 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered proven safe. In the U.S. on the other hand, the FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale. Many health-conscious shoppers find the lack of rigorous, independent, scientific examination on the impact of consuming GM foods to be cause for concern.
According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is GMO, and there are also commercially produced GM varieties of sugar beets, squash and Hawaiian Papaya. As a result, it is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average U.S. or Canadian grocery store.
According to the Institute for Responsible Technology, a consumer safety organization, “Genetic engineers continually encounter unintended side effects – GM plants create toxins, react to weather differently, contain too much or too little nutrients, become diseased or malfunction and die. When foreign genes are inserted, dormant genes may be activated or the functioning of genes altered, creating new or unknown proteins, or increasing or decreasing the output of existing proteins inside the plant. The effects of consuming these new combinations of proteins are unknown.”
The information provided above is only just the beggining. Several years ago I began researching food and nutrition. It's simple and easy with website like google, using words such as gmo, gmo food and gmo side effects. It is AMAZING the information available and it's down right disturbing! I've learned about rGBH and unsavory charactors within the business of GMO agriculture. Several studies that really caught my attention were about the increase of instances of cancer and the link to pesticides and gmo production and consumption. You can find the article here.
In my garden I plant ONLY non-gmo, open-pollinated, organic seeds to ensure my families health and well-being. I'm not taking any chances with franken-seeds!
Want an easier explanation? Check out The Non-GMO Project, "GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods."
Also at The Non-GMO Project,
Are GMOs safe?
In 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production of GMOs, because they are not considered proven safe. In the U.S. on the other hand, the FDA approved commercial production of GMOs based on studies conducted by the companies who created them and profit from their sale. Many health-conscious shoppers find the lack of rigorous, independent, scientific examination on the impact of consuming GM foods to be cause for concern.
According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is GMO, and there are also commercially produced GM varieties of sugar beets, squash and Hawaiian Papaya. As a result, it is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average U.S. or Canadian grocery store.
According to the Institute for Responsible Technology, a consumer safety organization, “Genetic engineers continually encounter unintended side effects – GM plants create toxins, react to weather differently, contain too much or too little nutrients, become diseased or malfunction and die. When foreign genes are inserted, dormant genes may be activated or the functioning of genes altered, creating new or unknown proteins, or increasing or decreasing the output of existing proteins inside the plant. The effects of consuming these new combinations of proteins are unknown.”
The information provided above is only just the beggining. Several years ago I began researching food and nutrition. It's simple and easy with website like google, using words such as gmo, gmo food and gmo side effects. It is AMAZING the information available and it's down right disturbing! I've learned about rGBH and unsavory charactors within the business of GMO agriculture. Several studies that really caught my attention were about the increase of instances of cancer and the link to pesticides and gmo production and consumption. You can find the article here.
In my garden I plant ONLY non-gmo, open-pollinated, organic seeds to ensure my families health and well-being. I'm not taking any chances with franken-seeds!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Peach Jam and Orange Marmalade!
Do I have your attention now? My water bath canner and supplies arrived yesterday and I am itching to get started.
I purchased my supplies for a very reasonable price. I bought a large pot with a lid and canning rack, stainless steel jar funnel, jar lifter, 12 1-quart Ball jars AND the Ball Blue Book canning guide.
I've spent quite a bit of time perusing articles and recipes on Food in Jars and I found a few that I really want to try. I already made Refrigerator Pickles which were a HUGE success in my house. Next on the list is Peach Jam and Orange Marmalade.
I purchased my supplies for a very reasonable price. I bought a large pot with a lid and canning rack, stainless steel jar funnel, jar lifter, 12 1-quart Ball jars AND the Ball Blue Book canning guide.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Toads in my garden!
About 2 weeks ago I planted Little Gem Lettuce and it looks oh so cute reaching for the sun growing bigger every day. At the same time, I transplanted huckleberry into pots also on the patio. This morning I went out onto to check on my little greens and there are big divots in the dirt and a little toad jumped out! One of the huckleberries is laying on it's side. UGH!
I'm not sure what I'll have to do to keep the toads out but for now I gathering dead leaves to mulch the containers. I love Mother Nature but she can be a nuisance on occasion.
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| Toad's horny butt |
I'm not sure what I'll have to do to keep the toads out but for now I gathering dead leaves to mulch the containers. I love Mother Nature but she can be a nuisance on occasion.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Acorn Squash...MM MM Good!
Acorn Squash for dinner...Happy birthday to me!!!
Today a received a package from my sister with a beautiful wind chime and a homegrown acorn squash. It must be my birthday! I was so excited about trying another recipe that I cut it in half (no, the hubby cut it in half because I don't need an ER visit on our budget) and added proper seasoning and in the oven it went.
I found a great recipe online, of course and I've included it below.
SWEET and SPICY!
Acorn on the right : Sweet. Acorn on the left: Spicy.
Sweet recipe:
1 tablespoon butter spread over acorn half
1 tablespoon brown sugar sprinkled over acorn half
Spicy recipe:
1 tablespoon butter spread over half acorn
1 pinch of sea salt sprinkled over acorn half
1 pinch of pepper sprinkled over acorn half
Paprika sprinkled over acorn half
Preheat the over to 375 degrees. Add 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the pan so the skin doesn't burn. Cook for 50 minutes or until flesh is soft.
Today a received a package from my sister with a beautiful wind chime and a homegrown acorn squash. It must be my birthday! I was so excited about trying another recipe that I cut it in half (no, the hubby cut it in half because I don't need an ER visit on our budget) and added proper seasoning and in the oven it went.
SWEET and SPICY!
Acorn on the right : Sweet. Acorn on the left: Spicy.
Sweet recipe:
1 tablespoon butter spread over acorn half
1 tablespoon brown sugar sprinkled over acorn half
Spicy recipe:
1 tablespoon butter spread over half acorn
1 pinch of sea salt sprinkled over acorn half
1 pinch of pepper sprinkled over acorn half
Paprika sprinkled over acorn half
Preheat the over to 375 degrees. Add 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of the pan so the skin doesn't burn. Cook for 50 minutes or until flesh is soft.
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