Anyone ever put a baby bunny in with little chicks to help keep them warm? After thinking it'd be good for the chicks I had to question if it'd be good for the bunny!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Baby Chicks!
This is the first time we've ordered by mail and they arrived this morning. Tony left for the post office about 645, after getting the call that they were here. We have 6 black australorps, 7 gold sex links, and 7 Rhode Island reds. All happily chirping away in their "crib".
I was holding one of the black ones and she crawled into the sleeve of my shirt (not before pooping on my hand though) and went to sleep! I guess for her it was like being tucked under mama's wing.
Anyone ever put a baby bunny in with little chicks to help keep them warm? After thinking it'd be good for the chicks I had to question if it'd be good for the bunny!
Anyone ever put a baby bunny in with little chicks to help keep them warm? After thinking it'd be good for the chicks I had to question if it'd be good for the bunny!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Our First Steer
WARNING! If you're sensitive to what happens to animals raised for dinner, you probably shouldn't read this.
Jasper was born January 24th, 2010 to the first heifer we've ever owned.
We're very grateful to these friends from church for helping out! None of us have ever done this and I'm happy to report that despite it taking longer than they thought, no one got hurt and things went quite well. I was there to gather parts that won't be aged and start prepping the hide.
As much as I felt I had researched and learned what to do when this day came, I was still woefully unprepared. I knew which organs I wanted for human consumption and the parts I wanted for the pig and chickens. I thought we had enough buckets. If you've never done this-take more than you think you need! Take plenty of everything. I saved the tongue, liver and heart for us. I kept the brain because one of the tanning methods I read about uses the brain. We needed a bucket for the scraps of meat that were being trimmed during hide removal and quartering. I was going to take my rubber gloves and don't know why I chose not to at the last moment. I wanted to keep the kidneys, but to our untrained eyes, we couldn't find them. There was a bucket for the fat that I plan to render into tallow.
I had it in my brain that there wasn't much for me to do on butcher day, that all the work I'd be doing would be on processing day after the meat ages. Wrong. All those decisions to make about what to keep and how to package/store it were up to me.
The guys told me the wench pulling him up is rated for 1300 pounds and it struggled to get him off the ground. When the hide was removed, it took 2 of them to carry it outside for me to clean. When they gutted it, again they were amazed at the weight of all the internal organs. Once the quartering was done it was a little easier to estimate weight. Even the smaller sections were at least 150 pounds. Tony can usually lift that alone, but it took 2 to get each hindquarter to the truck to transport to the meat locker. The front sections required a 2 wheeled cart. When there was just one left hanging on the hook, Timothy (the one in the red shirt) tried to counter balance it by hanging on the other arm. He couldn't do it-he was raised off the ground! Even the guy that owns the meat locker said the pieces looked big. Our conservative estimate is 800 pounds dressed. Using national averages, we'll get 500 pounds of meat. Since we plan to use the bones for stock and the fat for tallow, our total yield will probably be greater. So you really can raise a hefty steer on nothing but grass!
My goal yesterday was to get the hide skinned and salted. That part didn't even start until about 530PM! Tony worked with me and at 8 there was still about half the hide needing to be skinned. 5 hours of manpower and we were only halfway done! We stopped at that point (Goober Gus was getting hungry and we still needed to get parts for the hot water handle in the shower that broke the night before-good timing huh?) and decided to go ahead and salt it down and see what happens. We're hoping the salt will dry the remaining fat well enough to make it easier to remove. My hands were so cramped from gripping slippery fat in one and trying to trim it with the other! My back was stiff and for some reason so was the rest of me. Prior to the skinning tasks, it doesn't seem that I did that much, so being so sore afterwards was confusing. I understand now why professional tanners get $500 per hide!
The irony of the whole day was eating at McDonald's at 9PM on the day we'd been working toward for 2 years-the processing of our own homegrown, grass fed steer, so that we didn't have to eat industrially raised beef anymore. Another reason to be better prepared with a meal plan! I think the plan from now on will include yummy, healthy beef several times a week-at a fraction of the cost! My best estimate (if we yield 500 pounds) is about $1.70/pound. The inexpensive cuts from the local ranchers are over $4 per pound. The savings are worth the crazy day we had yesterday. Even if I am still sore and tired!
Jasper was born January 24th, 2010 to the first heifer we've ever owned.
Wasn't he cute? And look at that gorgeous rusty coat!
Here he is at about 6 months.
This one is middle of summer 2011. I think this is the last picture I have of him. He's the one on the left. His coat isn't as rusty as when he was born, but more so than what this picture shows. He's been rapidly growing on a mix of grasses on our pasture, free to roam and do as he pleases. We thought he'd get to about 1050 pounds and were surprised yesterday at butcher time when the 1300 pound rated wench could barely lift him. Our guesstimate is he was about 1275.
My husband is gallant enough to do the hard work and not require my presence. Goober Gus and I arrived in time to see this:
As much as I felt I had researched and learned what to do when this day came, I was still woefully unprepared. I knew which organs I wanted for human consumption and the parts I wanted for the pig and chickens. I thought we had enough buckets. If you've never done this-take more than you think you need! Take plenty of everything. I saved the tongue, liver and heart for us. I kept the brain because one of the tanning methods I read about uses the brain. We needed a bucket for the scraps of meat that were being trimmed during hide removal and quartering. I was going to take my rubber gloves and don't know why I chose not to at the last moment. I wanted to keep the kidneys, but to our untrained eyes, we couldn't find them. There was a bucket for the fat that I plan to render into tallow.
I had it in my brain that there wasn't much for me to do on butcher day, that all the work I'd be doing would be on processing day after the meat ages. Wrong. All those decisions to make about what to keep and how to package/store it were up to me.
The guys told me the wench pulling him up is rated for 1300 pounds and it struggled to get him off the ground. When the hide was removed, it took 2 of them to carry it outside for me to clean. When they gutted it, again they were amazed at the weight of all the internal organs. Once the quartering was done it was a little easier to estimate weight. Even the smaller sections were at least 150 pounds. Tony can usually lift that alone, but it took 2 to get each hindquarter to the truck to transport to the meat locker. The front sections required a 2 wheeled cart. When there was just one left hanging on the hook, Timothy (the one in the red shirt) tried to counter balance it by hanging on the other arm. He couldn't do it-he was raised off the ground! Even the guy that owns the meat locker said the pieces looked big. Our conservative estimate is 800 pounds dressed. Using national averages, we'll get 500 pounds of meat. Since we plan to use the bones for stock and the fat for tallow, our total yield will probably be greater. So you really can raise a hefty steer on nothing but grass!
My goal yesterday was to get the hide skinned and salted. That part didn't even start until about 530PM! Tony worked with me and at 8 there was still about half the hide needing to be skinned. 5 hours of manpower and we were only halfway done! We stopped at that point (Goober Gus was getting hungry and we still needed to get parts for the hot water handle in the shower that broke the night before-good timing huh?) and decided to go ahead and salt it down and see what happens. We're hoping the salt will dry the remaining fat well enough to make it easier to remove. My hands were so cramped from gripping slippery fat in one and trying to trim it with the other! My back was stiff and for some reason so was the rest of me. Prior to the skinning tasks, it doesn't seem that I did that much, so being so sore afterwards was confusing. I understand now why professional tanners get $500 per hide!
The irony of the whole day was eating at McDonald's at 9PM on the day we'd been working toward for 2 years-the processing of our own homegrown, grass fed steer, so that we didn't have to eat industrially raised beef anymore. Another reason to be better prepared with a meal plan! I think the plan from now on will include yummy, healthy beef several times a week-at a fraction of the cost! My best estimate (if we yield 500 pounds) is about $1.70/pound. The inexpensive cuts from the local ranchers are over $4 per pound. The savings are worth the crazy day we had yesterday. Even if I am still sore and tired!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Limeade
We made some today. Cranberry limeade too. It was easy. It's yummy! 1 qt is already gone. Limes are on sale again. Hmmm. Here's what we did if you're interested:
In another quart jar I put about 1 1/2 cups of the cranberry mixture and 1 cup of syrup with the rest filled with water.
I still have a full quart of cranberry limeade concentrate to use for more or to flavor club soda. I love bubbly drinks and have grown used to straight club soda, but I sure enjoy it more with flavor! Tonight we polished off a qt of the limeade mixing it with club soda.
This would have made a great festive punch for a Christmas party-a bowl of sparkling limeade (or even a pretty glass pitcher) with chopped cranberries floating in it.
- juiced all the limes we had in the juicer-cut into quarters first, but tossed in peel and all
- made a simple syrup of 1/2 cup evaporated cane juice to 1 cup water-I think I ended up doing this 3 times
- tossed 1 cup of cranberries into the first batch of syrup-they were frozen and that was a quick way to thaw, as well as cool the syrup
- ran the cranberry & syrup mixture in blender to chop them up
In another quart jar I put about 1 1/2 cups of the cranberry mixture and 1 cup of syrup with the rest filled with water.
I still have a full quart of cranberry limeade concentrate to use for more or to flavor club soda. I love bubbly drinks and have grown used to straight club soda, but I sure enjoy it more with flavor! Tonight we polished off a qt of the limeade mixing it with club soda.
This would have made a great festive punch for a Christmas party-a bowl of sparkling limeade (or even a pretty glass pitcher) with chopped cranberries floating in it.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Operation Christmas Child 2011-Processing Center Day One
Tony and I just got back to our hotel after working a day at the processing center for Operation Christmas Child. It was my second time to be here and Tony's first. I taped boxes until we stopped for lunch around 1PM, and Tony was the heavy lifter. That's the only job I haven't done and probably won't this year. After lunch I moved to inspector and worked on the same aisle as Tony, so he helped me when I'd get a little backed up. I like to work quickly and that's how it was last year, since we (mom and I) were first timers with seasoned veterans. Today I was the "seasoned" veteran working with first timers. At one point there were two ladies checking the boxes for monetary donations while I was the sole inspector looking for inappropriate items. I could keep up until there'd be a box with stuff I had to take out, or a box would be so full I couldn't get things back in, but it was more exciting that way.
Inappropriate items include anything liquid (bubbles, lotion, liquid body soaps, mouthwash, etc); any food item (except candy-seems the rats won't eat that, so why do we?); chocolate because it can melt; anything breakable (think mirrors, picture frame glass); war related items like army men; pokemon and Harry Potter items; aerosol items; used/damaged goods; medications or vitamins.
At first it feels like you have to remove everything to be able to tell if it's all allowed, but after a while I develop a pretty good ability to spot those things without even really "seeing" all of it. You might be wondering what happens to those things that can't be sent or maybe even why some aren't allowed. Anything pulled from a box goes to a local Christian ministry that will use it in their outreach. So don't feel bad if you filled a box and put something in that I had to take out-it's still going to a good cause. As for why certain things aren't allowed, either the item has the potential to leak and damage many boxes; attract rodents that will destroy boxes; break and be a hazard; or has the potential to cause harm in the community where the box is given. I trust that the powers that be at Samaritan's Purse have given this careful thought and much prayer.
If a box doesn't have very much in it, we have trinkets available to add to the box, so all kids get a good variety.
Some ideas of what NOT to do, just to make the processing of hundreds of thousands of boxes easier:
Inappropriate items include anything liquid (bubbles, lotion, liquid body soaps, mouthwash, etc); any food item (except candy-seems the rats won't eat that, so why do we?); chocolate because it can melt; anything breakable (think mirrors, picture frame glass); war related items like army men; pokemon and Harry Potter items; aerosol items; used/damaged goods; medications or vitamins.
At first it feels like you have to remove everything to be able to tell if it's all allowed, but after a while I develop a pretty good ability to spot those things without even really "seeing" all of it. You might be wondering what happens to those things that can't be sent or maybe even why some aren't allowed. Anything pulled from a box goes to a local Christian ministry that will use it in their outreach. So don't feel bad if you filled a box and put something in that I had to take out-it's still going to a good cause. As for why certain things aren't allowed, either the item has the potential to leak and damage many boxes; attract rodents that will destroy boxes; break and be a hazard; or has the potential to cause harm in the community where the box is given. I trust that the powers that be at Samaritan's Purse have given this careful thought and much prayer.
If a box doesn't have very much in it, we have trinkets available to add to the box, so all kids get a good variety.
Some ideas of what NOT to do, just to make the processing of hundreds of thousands of boxes easier:
- No tissue paper in the box, UNLESS it's shorter than the height of the box. Trying to stuff all that tissue back into the box slows things down.
- A full box is fabulous-one that requires a master packer to get it all back in is not.
- Do not wrap the entire box-it has to be inspected, so it's going to be opened. You can wrap the lid and box separately, making it possible to get into the box without unwrapping it though.
- Some of the boxes had been wrapped with flannel material. It makes a great presentation and I'm sure the child that receives it will be thrilled with the added gift. However, if you do this, PLEASE don't overfill. The fabric makes the taping difficult because it doesn't stick very well, and a stuffed box is just that much harder.
- Color coordinated items in the box, especially for girls. It's visually appealing and in my opinion, adds to the thrill of the gift.
- Boys and girls age 5-9 get the most boxes. Consider packing your box for the 2-4 year olds, or the 10-14 year olds.
- Get together with a group to craft some of the items. I saw little bears that had been cut from material and stitched. Knitted hats. We made yarn dolls to go in some of our boxes.
- Pez dispensers. When I saw these I kicked myself for not buying the box of vintage ones we saw recently at a flea market that would have been inexpensive and a great combo gift.
- Baseball mitts. Soccer balls (deflated and with hand pump-I think).
- We're told that the older boys often have jobs and need tools. Consider packing duct tape, screw driver, hammer, or other basic supplies along with a few fun things.
- Shop the back to school sales. Crayons, markers, paper, pencils and sharpeners, etc are all very cheap during those sales.
- Always check the clearance racks when shopping. The little JC Penney near me often has off season clothing marked down at least 75%.
- If you frequent fast food restaurants, buy the kids meal and keep the toy for a shoebox (if your kids won't get upset!)
- Use coupons to purchase personal care items greatly reduced.
- Ask your dentist to donate toothbrushes and toothpaste.
- Ask your insurance agent if they have coloring books or other goodies that would be fun filler.
- Buy trinkets and candy the day after any holiday for deep discounts.
Monday, November 14, 2011
A River Runs Thru It
OK, it's really just a creek, but on days like today, it looks like a river. I think this is the first time it's been high this time of year. Usually it's January before we see it this high, but it's sure fun.
It's Monday again and normally that means a new menu plan. However, since the challenge is over and there's no link up, I'm not sure I'll keep posting it. If it's here, I have to log in to see it, as I don't take the time to both write and type it. Although, I've been using my Nook Color for things like that more lately, and it might be a good idea. Just not today, cuz I haven't planned the week yet! I did think it might be fun to compare what I planned with what we actually ate. I had to keep a record for my naturopath, so I could easily copy and paste. OK, I will. First is the planned meal, then what I actually had.
MONDAY
Smoothie #1: Eggs, bananas, milk, yogurt & cacao powder: S1 with maca root powder
Breakfast: oatmeal, milk: oatmeal with butter, raisins, cinnamon and sugar
Lunch: leftover noodle casserole: noodle casserole with mozzarella
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce: organic chocolate chip granola bar
Dinner: Shredded chicken in the rest of the leftover noodle casserole, baked sweet potato and garden salad: the last of the noodle casserole with chicken and cheese and baked sweet potato fries, can of Hansen’s soda
Pretty close this day!
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1: S1 and Traditional Medicinals Detox Tea
Breakfast: something baked to take to the park ???: baked oatmeal squares
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens: cheese crisp (We’re out of mayo, so no tuna salad)
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce: nada
Dinner: Goat meat chili, shredded cheese and diced onions with a salad: goat meat chili with shredded cheese and sour cream
Quick adjustment for no mayo, and then never had a snack
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries: S1 w/o cacao
Breakfast: bacon & eggs: bacon and eggs, slice of sourdough bread
Lunch: Peanut butter and celery and a salad: celery & peanut butter
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce: 1 slice sourdough bread with olive oil/balsamic vinegar
Dinner: short ribs with roasted butternut squash: rockfish with artichoke tapenade, sm chunk butternut squash and salad with ranch
Clearly not getting my quota of greens; had to switch to rockfish, as short ribs are in freezer at work and Tony came home before I could have him take them out on Tuesday.
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1: S1 w/o cacao or eggs plus teaspoon of peanut butter (not in the smoothie)
Breakfast: butternut squash pancakes, milk: pumpkin pancakes
Lunch: eggs salad: sandwich with bacon, colby, tomato and avocado on sourdough bread (still no mayo, but oh boy was this sandwich GOOD!)
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce: nada again
Dinner: Lunch box from Wild Flower Bread Co at the Sinfonietta: turkey, cheddar, lettuce & tomato sandwich, grapes, sm cookie & water (from Wild Flower Bread Co)
Closer than I thought for these days. Looks like I’m mostly missing a healthy afternoon snack and plenty of greens. I have good intentions-like juicing a bunch of stuff to freeze in ice cube trays and use for afternoon smoothies, but that takes time and energy that I just don’t seem to have. Then, the $7 carton of organic salad mix I bought that had a “Best If Used By” date of 11-11 was starting to get slimy on 11-9. I was really irritated over that! It took me about 15 minutes to hand wash (already washed lettuce) enough of it to serve that night, and even then I still found slimy lettuce in my salad and that’s a big turn off for me. The rest went to the goats. I’m glad it got used, but I can’t afford $7/pound goat food!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Nov 7-Nov 13
I thought I should confess that I have not once had my afternoon snack as planned. No green smoothie with breadstix and olive oil dipping sauce. I have breadstix in the freezer-homemade even-I just forget to take one out to thaw and rise for fresh baking. Maybe I'll see what's available at the store...I did however, have a veggie smoothie one day last week. I juiced 3 small beets, 3 stalks of celery, 2 small apples and a wedge of purple cabbage and put that into the blender with a bunch of lettuce. The lettuce didn't get chopped up small enough, so it was hard to drink, but flavorful.
MONDAY
Smoothie #1: Eggs, bananas, milk, yogurt & cacao powder
Breakfast: oatmeal, milk
Lunch: leftover noodle casserole
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Shredded chicken in the rest of the leftover noodle casserole, baked sweet potato and garden salad
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: something baked to take to the park ???
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Goat meat chili, shredded cheese and diced onions with a salad
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries
Breakfast: bacon & eggs
Lunch: Peanutbutter and celery and a salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: short ribs with roasted butternut squash
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: butternut squash pancakes, milk
Lunch: eggs salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Lunch box from Wild Flower Bread Co at the Sinfonietta
FRIDAY
Smoothie #2
Breakfast: bacon & eggs, milk
Lunch: green salad and goat cheese, milk
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: orange chicken and fried rice
SATURDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches and green salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Pizza and salad
SUNDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Eggs & bacon before church
Lunch: hot dogs @ fundraiser, then to Su Casa with OCC team
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
MONDAY
Smoothie #1: Eggs, bananas, milk, yogurt & cacao powder
Breakfast: oatmeal, milk
Lunch: leftover noodle casserole
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Shredded chicken in the rest of the leftover noodle casserole, baked sweet potato and garden salad
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: something baked to take to the park ???
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Goat meat chili, shredded cheese and diced onions with a salad
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries
Breakfast: bacon & eggs
Lunch: Peanutbutter and celery and a salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: short ribs with roasted butternut squash
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: butternut squash pancakes, milk
Lunch: eggs salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Lunch box from Wild Flower Bread Co at the Sinfonietta
FRIDAY
Smoothie #2
Breakfast: bacon & eggs, milk
Lunch: green salad and goat cheese, milk
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: orange chicken and fried rice
SATURDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Cinnamon rolls
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches and green salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Pizza and salad
SUNDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Eggs & bacon before church
Lunch: hot dogs @ fundraiser, then to Su Casa with OCC team
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Oct 31-Nov 6
Wow! It's Tuesday night already and I haven't made a meal plan. Haven't hardly made a meal either! Tony will be gone several nights this week (tonight being one) so I probably won't cook much. We have a lot of chicken and various leftovers I'm going to use up.
MONDAY
Smoothie #1: Eggs, bananas, milk, yogurt & cacao powder
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal, milk
Lunch: Nachos with chicken and green chilies
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Baked whitefish topped with leftover Bearnaise sauce, baked sweet potato and garden salad
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: pumpkin muffins
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Cheese, leftover potato salad, tortilla chips
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries
Breakfast: Steak & Eggs
Lunch: Peanutbutter and celery
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Chicken soup
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Sourdough waffles, milk
Lunch: Sliced cheese and veggies with ranch dressing
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Chicken quesadillas and refried beans
FRIDAY
Smoothie #2
Breakfast: Frittata, milk
Lunch: Grilled chicken on a bed of greens, milk
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Beef shortribs, zucchini, salad
SATURDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Cinnamon roll pancakes
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches and green salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Pizza and salad
SUNDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Eggs & meat
Lunch: Leftovers
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: pumpkin muffins
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Cheese, leftover potato salad, tortilla chips
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries
Breakfast: Steak & Eggs
Lunch: Peanutbutter and celery
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Chicken soup
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Sourdough waffles, milk
Lunch: Sliced cheese and veggies with ranch dressing
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Chicken quesadillas and refried beans
FRIDAY
Smoothie #2
Breakfast: Frittata, milk
Lunch: Grilled chicken on a bed of greens, milk
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Beef shortribs, zucchini, salad
SATURDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Cinnamon roll pancakes
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwiches and green salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Pizza and salad
SUNDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Eggs & meat
Lunch: Leftovers
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Here and There in the Blogger World
I read a lot more blog posts than I write. I probably even comment more at other blogs than write original posts on mine. This week I was quoted at SteadyMom. She had written a brief story about achieving peace. My comments were quoted in her next post about What Choosing Peace Does Not Mean. I was pretty excited about that!
Then there's the grain debate that's so popular right now. I've read a bit on both sides. I whole-heartedly agree that processed white flour should be avoided, but I don't come to the same conclusion with whole grains. I know that gluten intolerance is on the rise and many people are avoiding wheat and other gluten containing grains. I don't notice any symptoms though, in myself or my family. The debate regarding whether humans should even eat grains is a very interesting one and you can find a lot of info on both sides. I have an online friend that removed all grains from her diet (and subsequently her family's diet) and they are all doing wonderfully. But they had issues prior. One blogger has tried a few of the grain free approaches and still has the same symptoms, so it clearly isn't a one size fits all resolution. I appreciate her willingness to take up the pro-grain side of the story and show that it's not a demon for everyone. I encourage you to read her post, but be warned-there are nearly 300 comments!
There's also Kelly the Kitchen Kop writing a story in support of healthy grains. I left a comment that sparked interest for another commenter and we had a respectable discussion that I found refreshing and interesting. You can read it here. It seems rare (for me anyway) to be able to present and discuss opposing viewpoints without it breaking down into heated debate. In my experience, people don't like to have their opinions questioned. I say-how do you learn something if you don't ask questions? I ask nicely, never resorting to name calling or belittling, but I still get those that get all riled up simply because I asked to know more about their point of view. Oh well, I digress. Take the time to read the other posts and let me know what you think on both of the issues.
Then there's the grain debate that's so popular right now. I've read a bit on both sides. I whole-heartedly agree that processed white flour should be avoided, but I don't come to the same conclusion with whole grains. I know that gluten intolerance is on the rise and many people are avoiding wheat and other gluten containing grains. I don't notice any symptoms though, in myself or my family. The debate regarding whether humans should even eat grains is a very interesting one and you can find a lot of info on both sides. I have an online friend that removed all grains from her diet (and subsequently her family's diet) and they are all doing wonderfully. But they had issues prior. One blogger has tried a few of the grain free approaches and still has the same symptoms, so it clearly isn't a one size fits all resolution. I appreciate her willingness to take up the pro-grain side of the story and show that it's not a demon for everyone. I encourage you to read her post, but be warned-there are nearly 300 comments!
There's also Kelly the Kitchen Kop writing a story in support of healthy grains. I left a comment that sparked interest for another commenter and we had a respectable discussion that I found refreshing and interesting. You can read it here. It seems rare (for me anyway) to be able to present and discuss opposing viewpoints without it breaking down into heated debate. In my experience, people don't like to have their opinions questioned. I say-how do you learn something if you don't ask questions? I ask nicely, never resorting to name calling or belittling, but I still get those that get all riled up simply because I asked to know more about their point of view. Oh well, I digress. Take the time to read the other posts and let me know what you think on both of the issues.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Words I Thought I'd Never Say
"Got a hatchet?"to my husband, as I hold a hen caught eating an egg, standing just outside the door. We've got a broody hen whose chicks are due to hatch any day now, so I was watching out the window, having seen her out looking for food. Then I saw her getting aggressive and not letting any other hens into the hen house. I went out to investigate and she was up on a pole squawking at the egg eater in her nest! It wasn't a fertilized (or maybe just not developed enough yet) egg, but we've been having a problem and I was glad to catch the culprit. Tony is plucking and cleaning her right now.
Yep, we've come quite a ways on this journey-had we written out a 5 and 10 year plan when we got married, raising animals for food wouldn't have even crossed our minds, let alone made it to the list!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Blustery Day
Defined at http://www.dictionary.com/:
blus·ter /ˈblÊŒstÉ™r/ 1.to roar and be tumultuous, as wind.
After reading the definition, I'm not so sure it fits, but since Winnie the Pooh likes it, I'll keep it. It's been cloudy and a bit windy, with rain two different times. The cloudy sky makes the various colors of the leaves seem more vibrant.
We were outside unloading pine branches from the truck to the goat pen when it finally occurred to me why Molly and Annie have been crying, despite having food and water, and it not being milking time. They're both in heat! We just got back from delivering them to the pasture to hang out with Boots, and they all seem very happy about the situation.
As I was milking, I thought once again about the fact that I haven't kept very good records this year in regards to who was taken to see Boots and when. I've got my milk/egg record calendar here with me and as I go thru it for clues, I'm going to give a report!
Now to go calculate costs associated with keeping the steer thru winter vs butchering next month.
blus·ter /ˈblÊŒstÉ™r/ 1.to roar and be tumultuous, as wind.
After reading the definition, I'm not so sure it fits, but since Winnie the Pooh likes it, I'll keep it. It's been cloudy and a bit windy, with rain two different times. The cloudy sky makes the various colors of the leaves seem more vibrant.
We were outside unloading pine branches from the truck to the goat pen when it finally occurred to me why Molly and Annie have been crying, despite having food and water, and it not being milking time. They're both in heat! We just got back from delivering them to the pasture to hang out with Boots, and they all seem very happy about the situation.
Boots, summer 2010
Molly, winter 2009
Annie, spring 2010
As I was milking, I thought once again about the fact that I haven't kept very good records this year in regards to who was taken to see Boots and when. I've got my milk/egg record calendar here with me and as I go thru it for clues, I'm going to give a report!
- Cream gave birth to Sugar and Spice on Jan 24th. She never did become the milker I thought she'd be.
- We bought 6 Cinnamon Queen chicks on April 7th, and 2 turkeys. See this post about disappearing poultry.
- Yodelady went to Boots on April 16th. Hmm, she must not have gotten pregnant right away, as gestation is 155 days and that would have been September 18th. Better tell the neighbors to keep an eye on her. Or bring her back from their house!
- Our first chicks hatched on May 4th.
- Peaches had twin bucklings on May 16th.
- Annie had a buckling and doeling on May 18th.
- Molly had a single doeling on May 24th.
- Belle went to see Boots on June 10th. She's due as early as November 11th. Better tell the people we gave her to in trade for the pig.
- A bull was brought to Elsie on July 1st. She'll be due April 11th.
- On September 12th we got the pig and gave Patches and Belle away. Peaches went to Boots that day.
- I have no notes about Sugar and Spice and when they went to meet Boots, but it seems like it was before we got the pig. Some time in July, I think. Actually it probably wasn't until after August 1st, since that's when the bull was moved back to his pasture. Although since the goats also use the neighbors pasture, it could have been before. Eek!
Now to go calculate costs associated with keeping the steer thru winter vs butchering next month.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Oct 24-30
My parents visited this weekend. I mentioned to my mom that she could use my menu plans to encourage them to eat out less often. She told me she didn't understand my code. Oops. I did that because I don't like to type repetitive stuff. I'll spell it all out this week and just make changes each week to the things that actually change. I think I'll do away with the bullets too-they mess up the formatting when copying and pasting! I also think I'm going to start making the plans on Saturday, even though they don't get posted until Monday.
MONDAY
Smoothie #1: Eggs, bananas, milk, yogurt & cacao powder
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal, milk
Lunch: Nachos with chicken and green chilies
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Baked whitefish topped with leftover Bearnaise sauce, baked sweet potato and garden salad
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Boiled eggs and apple slices, milk (park day, need something portable)
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Chicken chili verde and beans, green salad
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries
Breakfast: Pumpkin pancakes and milk
Lunch: Egg salad, crackers and celery
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: ? It's beef night and I think we're all out! I have a butternut squash to use for something though!
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Fritatta, milk
Lunch: Sliced cheese and veggies with ranch dressing
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Swordfish, sauteed squash and salad
FRIDAY
Smoothie #2
Breakfast: Eggs & meat, milk
Lunch: Peanut butter and celery, milk
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Orange chicken, fried rice
SATURDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Cinnamon roll pancakes
Lunch: Ham sandwiches and green salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Pizza and salad
SUNDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Eggs & meat
Lunch: Leftovers
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
MONDAY
Smoothie #1: Eggs, bananas, milk, yogurt & cacao powder
Breakfast: Baked oatmeal, milk
Lunch: Nachos with chicken and green chilies
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Baked whitefish topped with leftover Bearnaise sauce, baked sweet potato and garden salad
TUESDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Boiled eggs and apple slices, milk (park day, need something portable)
Lunch: Tuna salad on greens
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Chicken chili verde and beans, green salad
WEDNESDAY
Smoothie #2: Coconut milk and berries
Breakfast: Pumpkin pancakes and milk
Lunch: Egg salad, crackers and celery
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: ? It's beef night and I think we're all out! I have a butternut squash to use for something though!
THURSDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Fritatta, milk
Lunch: Sliced cheese and veggies with ranch dressing
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Swordfish, sauteed squash and salad
FRIDAY
Smoothie #2
Breakfast: Eggs & meat, milk
Lunch: Peanut butter and celery, milk
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Orange chicken, fried rice
SATURDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Cinnamon roll pancakes
Lunch: Ham sandwiches and green salad
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Pizza and salad
SUNDAY
Smoothie #1
Breakfast: Eggs & meat
Lunch: Leftovers
Snack: Veggie smoothie (any assortment of fruits and veggies available) with breadsticks or crackers and olive oil dipping sauce
Dinner: Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Oct 17-23
I'm enjoying my new Menu Framework. I wish I could paste the spreadsheet of the details. Anyone know how to do that? With the Framework, breakfast and lunch basically remain the same from week to week unless I want to change it, and dinners are generically planned, as in Monday is chicken, Tuesday is soup, etc. That allows for variety without the need for detailed planning all the time. Snacks and smoothies are the same too.
Monday-
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-
Sunday-
This post is part of the Plan It, Don't Panic series at Keeper of the Home.
Monday-
- S2*
- pork and scrambled eggs
- GS (green salad) and hot dogs
- VS (veggie smoothie) & sourdough crackers
- herbed chicken, spaghetti squash & GS
Tuesday-
- S1
- sourdough waffles and milk
- tuna salad and goat cheese
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- beef barley soup and GS
Wednesday-
- S1
- veggie & cheese omelet
- GS, garlic bologna sandwiches
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- steaks, yam, veggie, GS
Thursday-
- S2
- baked oatmeal
- ham sandwiches
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- whitefish, veggie & sweet potato
Friday-
- S1
- beef & fried eggs
- GS & goat cheese
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- tacos
- S1
- pumpkin rolls
- egg salad
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- pepperoni pizza & GS
Sunday-
- S1
- eggs & meat
- leftovers
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It, Don't Panic series at Keeper of the Home.
I just realized I've never explained my abbreviations! S1=smoothie made with bananas, eggs, milk and cacao powder. S2=smoothie made with coconut milk and frozen berries. VS=veggie smoothie. GS=green salad.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Oct 10-16
I'm a day late, but I've had it written out since yesterday, if that counts! I wish I could insert a table in Blogger. Over the weekend I worked on what I call a Menu Framework. I blogged about it Sunday, but can't paste the spreadsheet of the details. I'd appreciate your thoughts on that post too!
Monday-
Monday-
- S2
- pork and scrambled eggs
- GS (green salad) and nachos
- VS (veggie smoothie) & sourdough crackers
- diablo chicken, corn & GS
- S1
- sourdough waffles and milk
- tuna salad and goat cheese
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- butternut squash soup and GS
- S1
- southwest omelet
- GS, celery with peanutbutter
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- salmon, soaked brown rice, veggie, GS
- S2
- baked oatmeal
- egg salad
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- beef shank, veggie & sweet potato
- S1
- beef & fried eggs
- GS & goat cheese
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- chicken enchilada casserole
- S1
- pumpkin rolls
- lasagna casserole
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- pepperoni pizza & GS
- S1
- eggs & meat
- leftovers
- VS & sourdough breadsticks with olive oil dipping sauce
- leftovers
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Precursor to Monday Menu Plan
I just completed what I'm calling a Menu Framework. It's a basic outline of what to serve daily so that I get all the nutrients I'm trying to get to heal from adrenal fatigue. The Too Tired eCourse I've been studying has a list of various foods I need to eat every day. Rather than wing it and hope that I've consumed all that I should, I made a plan. Or an outline, more precisely. Hopefully it's a broad scope of what to have when, with the flexibility to keep meals from becoming mundane. It's structured enough to take the majority of the work out of the way so that I can just plug in favorite meals or even new recipes when I choose.
It takes into account our commitments away from home so that meals will be simple for those times. Tuesday night is a good example. Goober Gus and I like to go to the library in the afternoon to spend time there, and afterwards we go walk with a friend. That puts us home right at dinner time, with no allowance for prep time. It's also a night that Tony goes to a men's Bible study. Sometimes he's hungry before, but most of the time prefers to eat after. So Tuesday night is soup night. It can be simmering in the crockpot all day and ready to eat at any time. It will be accompanied by a salad and either sourdough bread or sourdough crackers.
It reminds me to get more veggies into our diet and makes me think about how. Our afternoon snack, which prior to now has been very hit or miss, but which I think is vital to consuming enough nutrients and helping to avoid the afternoon crash, is a veggie smoothie and sourdough breadsticks with an olive oil dip. That came about for two reasons.
Another habit I want to develop is cooking once and eating twice or more-making a double batch of whatever I'm preparing and freezing the extra for another time. You know, one of those days where nothing goes right and suddenly it's dinner time and there's nothing prepared (despite having a plan). I will either be sure to use my glassware that can go from freezer to oven or perhaps buy some disposable aluminum pans for that purpose. I haven't decided yet. There's always the option to freeze it in the pan, using a liner of waxed paper, then take it out of the pan and wrap in plastic to return it to the freezer. At least then the pan would be available to be used.
Now, can I get in the habit of eating a green salad every day? Funny thing is, I like salads, I just rarely think to eat them!
How about you? Do you have a plan in place for eating and getting all the good foods in you want to eat? Do you have a green smoothie recipe you'd like to share? I need ideas for those!
It takes into account our commitments away from home so that meals will be simple for those times. Tuesday night is a good example. Goober Gus and I like to go to the library in the afternoon to spend time there, and afterwards we go walk with a friend. That puts us home right at dinner time, with no allowance for prep time. It's also a night that Tony goes to a men's Bible study. Sometimes he's hungry before, but most of the time prefers to eat after. So Tuesday night is soup night. It can be simmering in the crockpot all day and ready to eat at any time. It will be accompanied by a salad and either sourdough bread or sourdough crackers.
It reminds me to get more veggies into our diet and makes me think about how. Our afternoon snack, which prior to now has been very hit or miss, but which I think is vital to consuming enough nutrients and helping to avoid the afternoon crash, is a veggie smoothie and sourdough breadsticks with an olive oil dip. That came about for two reasons.
- I should get some olive oil every day. Other than cooking with it on occasion, I don't really get much, so planning to have breadsticks to dip into an olive oil dip will take care of that.
- I need two servings of leafy green vegetables every single day. I might get two every single month! So-a veggie smoothie with leafy greens in it will cover one of those servings.
Another habit I want to develop is cooking once and eating twice or more-making a double batch of whatever I'm preparing and freezing the extra for another time. You know, one of those days where nothing goes right and suddenly it's dinner time and there's nothing prepared (despite having a plan). I will either be sure to use my glassware that can go from freezer to oven or perhaps buy some disposable aluminum pans for that purpose. I haven't decided yet. There's always the option to freeze it in the pan, using a liner of waxed paper, then take it out of the pan and wrap in plastic to return it to the freezer. At least then the pan would be available to be used.
Now, can I get in the habit of eating a green salad every day? Funny thing is, I like salads, I just rarely think to eat them!
How about you? Do you have a plan in place for eating and getting all the good foods in you want to eat? Do you have a green smoothie recipe you'd like to share? I need ideas for those!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Bad Year for Poultry
This year has been hard on the poultry on our farm. Our first year we lost 11 birds over a 1 year span and then went a very long time with no losses. This year we're seeing a rise again. These are the ones I can recall, we may have lost 1 or 2 prior to the loss of the first juveniles in the spring.
The one lost to the pig happened today. Probably when we were at the park late afternoon. I don't know how she got in there, but there are feathers all over and the backbone and wings. It's not the loss that bothers me as much as which one-it'd be nice if it were one of the older hens on the downside of their laying career rather than one that just entered that stage, but it's in God's hands, right? I hope the other hens were watching so they'll not try to go in the pig pen!
EDIT! That darn pig got another of the juvenile hens!! Guess whose life will be cut short, despite making good growth gains since coming to us?! I'm off to research roasting whole pigs, as she's not big enough to take the time to butcher. We can't figure out how or why the chickens are getting into her pen, but suspect it's to scrounge after food she hasn't eaten. They could be flying over, as the fencing isn't very high, but more so than the hens usually go.
Also, I forgot that we lost 2 ducks shortly after they came to our home, so with today's attack, the total is now 11 poultry birds lost this year, making it worse than the first year.
- 1 young turkey due to exposure
- 1 young chick due to 5 year old boy's curiosity
- 1 young turkey cause unknown
- 1 adult hen from accidental poisoning
- 1 juvenile hen due to illness
- 1 rooster due to hawk attack (assumed hawk)
- 1 adult hen simply disappeared
- 1 juvenile hen eaten by pig
The one lost to the pig happened today. Probably when we were at the park late afternoon. I don't know how she got in there, but there are feathers all over and the backbone and wings. It's not the loss that bothers me as much as which one-it'd be nice if it were one of the older hens on the downside of their laying career rather than one that just entered that stage, but it's in God's hands, right? I hope the other hens were watching so they'll not try to go in the pig pen!
EDIT! That darn pig got another of the juvenile hens!! Guess whose life will be cut short, despite making good growth gains since coming to us?! I'm off to research roasting whole pigs, as she's not big enough to take the time to butcher. We can't figure out how or why the chickens are getting into her pen, but suspect it's to scrounge after food she hasn't eaten. They could be flying over, as the fencing isn't very high, but more so than the hens usually go.
Also, I forgot that we lost 2 ducks shortly after they came to our home, so with today's attack, the total is now 11 poultry birds lost this year, making it worse than the first year.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Oct 3-9
Last week I published my menu plan here along with the link to Keeper of the Home, but I think I forgot to actually link the post! I'll try to remember that step this time!
This is going to be quick and not very imaginative, but it will be better than winging it!
Monday-
This is going to be quick and not very imaginative, but it will be better than winging it!
Monday-
- S1
- scrambled eggs with mozzarella and sd toast, milk
- celery and peanut butter
- bean soup
- S1
- soaked apple raisin muffins and milk
- pepperoni and carrots
- gulash
- S2
- mini egg muffins
- tuna salad
- hosting a visiting missionary, may prepare what he desires
- S1
- sd waffles and milk
- egg salad and carrots
- fish and wild rice
- S2
- fried eggs
- carrots and cheese
- beef roast and veggies
- S1
- pumpkin bread
- grilled pork
- green salad with boiled eggs
- S1
- eggs and sd toast
- leftovers
- leftovers
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Sept 26-Oct 2
Yes, it's Tuesday already and I haven't made a meal plan for the week. On Saturday Tony decided to rearrange the furniture in our tiny house and as of this moment it's still not all back in order. We didn't get around to having most of the dinner items last week, so I'm improvising by adjusting last week's plan a bit.
Monday-
Chocolate Banana Smoothie (AKA S1)
Sourdough waffles Did we ear breakfast?
Egg salad pepperoni and SD crackers
Beef short ribs Turkey soup
Tuesday-
Coconut Milk Smoothie (AKA S2)
Boiled eggs and fruit with goat cheese Apple muffins
Quesadillas hot dogs
Bean Soup ??
Wednesday-
S1 It's Goober Gus's birthday so he gets to choose.
Coconut flour pancakes
Goat cheese, SD crackers and carrots
Pulled pork
Thursday-
S2
Scrambled eggs and SD English muffins
Peanut butter and celery
Frittata
Friday-
S1
Baked oatmeal
Goat cheese and tomatoes
Homemade hot wings
Saturday-
Berry Smoothie
Bacon, eggs and SD toast
Goat cheese and crackers
Meatza pizza
Sunday-
S1
Baked oatmeal
Leftovers
Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
Monday-
Chocolate Banana Smoothie (AKA S1)
Tuesday-
Coconut Milk Smoothie (AKA S2)
Wednesday-
S1 It's Goober Gus's birthday so he gets to choose.
Thursday-
S2
Scrambled eggs and SD English muffins
Peanut butter and celery
Frittata
Friday-
S1
Baked oatmeal
Goat cheese and tomatoes
Homemade hot wings
Saturday-
Berry Smoothie
Bacon, eggs and SD toast
Goat cheese and crackers
Meatza pizza
Sunday-
S1
Baked oatmeal
Leftovers
Leftovers
This post is part of the Plan It-Don't Panic Challenge at Keeper of the Home.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cracker Map
I was baking crackers yesterday. A triple batch so we'd have enough to snack on this week with plenty left over for Goober Gus's birthday party Saturday. As I was preparing to take the first batch off the tray, I noticed that it kinda looked like a map of the US. Not that I was trying, but do you see it?
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Do you know...
what a screaming raccoon sounds like? We just found out! Tony was playing chess with our son on the new Nook Color I got for my birthday (yeah, it's supposed to be mine, hehe) while I was searching for new apps for the Nook when we heard this horrendous screeching outside. I ran out as fast as I could but didn't grab the flashlight. My first thought was something was attacking chickens, but when I got outside the few that sleep under the stars seems unruffled so I thought maybe something jumped into the pig pen and was attacking her. Tony grabbed the light and came out, but went toward the creek from the other side of the goat pen, so I still couldn't see the pig. He said it was raccoons and could see them up in the giant cottonwood tree by the creek. We heard splashes from the beaver but it wasn't adding up for me.
Once we confirmed the pig and goats were OK, he tried to scare the 'coons off. They did run away, but we don't know where. All I can say is that's an AWFUL sound and if the raccoons are going to fight, they need to do it somewhere else!
Once we confirmed the pig and goats were OK, he tried to scare the 'coons off. They did run away, but we don't know where. All I can say is that's an AWFUL sound and if the raccoons are going to fight, they need to do it somewhere else!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Monday Meal Plan, Sept 19-25
I decided to participate in the Plan It, Don't Panic meal planning challenge hosted by Stephanie at Keeper of the Home.
I like making plans. I'm not so good at following them though. Whether they be meal plans, housekeeping plans, homeschool plans-any plan. My excitement comes with making it, not following it! I learned why a couple of years ago, but that's another topic for another time. The challenge doesn't actually start until next Monday, but my family and I will be better off starting it now. My son and I will actually eat lunch!
So here it is (Smoothie, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, in that order)
Monday-
- Chocolate Banana Smoothie (AKA S1)
- Sourdough waffles
- Egg salad and SD crackers
- Beef short ribs
Tuesday-
- Coconut Milk Smoothie (AKA S2)
- Boiled eggs and fruit with goat cheese
- Quesadillas
- Bean Soup
Wednesday-
- S1
- Coconut flour pancakes
- Goat cheese, SD crackers and carrots
- Pulled pork
Thursday-
- S2
- Scrambled eggs and SD English muffins
- Peanut butter and celery
- Frittata
Friday-
- S1
- Baked oatmeal
- Goat cheese and tomatoes
- Homemade hot wings
Saturday-
- Berry Smoothie
- Bacon, eggs and SD toast
- Goat cheese and crackers
- Meatza pizza
Sunday-
- S1
- Baked oatmeal
- Leftovers
- Leftovers
I'm also going to try making some coconut oil fudge for snacks, and I usually have coconut bark to nibble throughout the day too. Each morning I hope to brew some herbal teas to sip on also. One is high in vitamin C, the other in calcium. I've got another that I brew a couple of quarts at a time and keep in the fridge. It's not the best tasting, but is supposed to be good for adrenal fatigue so I'm trying it. This plan is obviously fairly bare bones, but that's more than I usually have to go on. I want to stop at the farm stands up the road and get some fresh veggies to add to meals, and I forgot that my parents gave us a couple of packages of raspberries that I'll likely serve with freshly whipped cream. There may be some homemade ice cream happening at various times too. It's been a long week, a fun filled weekend and I'm tired, so there aren't links to where some of my recipes are found, or other posts that explain some other things, but maybe later in the week I'll come back and add them in. Can you tell we have a large, steady supply of goat milk? [The smoothies and goat cheese both utilize this wonderful commodity!]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)