Currently I am making my own goat milk yogurt weekly. I have decided to use goat milk because the production of goat milk in this country is still done for the most part by conscientious small farmers. I have found a good source at a reasonable price. http://www.everything-goat-milk.com/goat-milk-vs-cow-milk.html There is many good thing vitamins wise for this choice and I get cow's milk benefits with cheeses I eat.
One of the reasons I believe eating yogurt daily is important is because our food supply is has so many GMO plants which also have pesticides and insecticides built into the seeds. This has to do damage to our gut so maybe the daily yogurt helps balance this out.
Using only about a half cup a day I add fruit, a tablespoon of honey and flex seed oil, and nuts or sunflower seeds, plus a teaspoon of Maca. I find Maca a real energy booster for me. It was suggested by a caregiver of Phil's and she talked about taking it daily. After some research I found it something that interested me. It affects me quicker and with more energy that ginseng. By the time all the other items are added to the bowl of yogurt it is a cup of power house to start each morning. I notice a drop in energy if I go a few days without it.
My homemade yogurt is plain and to my taste better than any commercial brand. I enjoy Greek yogurt from the store but my own has to been much less expensive and fresher than any store purchase. My little pouches of frozen fruit from last summer make this breakfast totally my own.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Phil's gift to me
I have been reading some of my brother's Phil gardening and soil books. I would not imagine that a whole book just on the benefits of seaweed could be so interesting.
If the last 50 years, food producers are putting NKP (petroleum) on the soil instead of manure and composting as they had for centuries. The results are that all the trace minerals are missing from our diet. The amount needed of these 50 or so minerals are so minuscule that they a faction sometimes with five zeros but they are necessary for our bodies. The soil growing are food, in another words, is lacking nutrient we need. It makes sea weed very important for us to consume along with flaxseed oil.
If you garden, of course, composting is important but another way is spraying sea weed a few times a year on the growing crops--one gallon per acre diluted in water 100 to one for farmers. That amount shows how little is needed but the results are impressive. I have been spraying the last five years but I have a new understanding of important it is.
Our current American diet is so limited in scope. Count for one week that different foods that you consume and it will surprise you. Ancient peoples ate seasonally, with many little seeds, berries and roots that we do not include that gave them the balance we don't have. Maybe that is part of our disease problems of today.
If the last 50 years, food producers are putting NKP (petroleum) on the soil instead of manure and composting as they had for centuries. The results are that all the trace minerals are missing from our diet. The amount needed of these 50 or so minerals are so minuscule that they a faction sometimes with five zeros but they are necessary for our bodies. The soil growing are food, in another words, is lacking nutrient we need. It makes sea weed very important for us to consume along with flaxseed oil.
If you garden, of course, composting is important but another way is spraying sea weed a few times a year on the growing crops--one gallon per acre diluted in water 100 to one for farmers. That amount shows how little is needed but the results are impressive. I have been spraying the last five years but I have a new understanding of important it is.
Our current American diet is so limited in scope. Count for one week that different foods that you consume and it will surprise you. Ancient peoples ate seasonally, with many little seeds, berries and roots that we do not include that gave them the balance we don't have. Maybe that is part of our disease problems of today.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Onions and Garlic
Onions and Garlic
These are basic for cooking any cuisine so a home gardener has to figure out the best for planting space plus the best for the climate that one lives in. If you think about famous or favorite onions like Hawaii, Sweet Onions from Georgia or the Walla Walla from eastern Washington it relates to long hot growing season. Currently, in Olympia Washington planting onions and expecting good results is like our tomato crop, it may happen but it is to be consider a bonus year.
With the mild rainy winters garlic is my approach to suppling myself with one of the two vegetable. I plant a ten by eight foot area with garlic in the fall of the year. The first winter I was here I did not get my garlic in the ground until December but in June or July the following summer I realized what an easy crop it was for me to grow. The added bonuses include the tops that appear about a month before harvesting. The top in a short week of time does goes to seed in manner of curling and dropping downward. It is important to cut these tops off so the plant does spend it energy sitting seed but instead sends the the energy to enlarging the bulb in the ground. The tops are often sold at farmer's markets for $10 a pound for a good reason. If you have had any stir fried with a little sea salt you would understand. It is a summer treat like the first strawberries.
The key to getting large garlic bulbs, I believe, is by starting with large cloves and secondly stopping all watering of the garlic for the weeks right before harvest. I love the rhythm of gardening and one of my favorite times of the year is to pull out my bulbs and lay them to dry on a side patio with the weather forecast is clear of rain. A few weeks later, my skill from childhood of braiding comes into play and I quietly sit under the grape arbor twisting and weaving the stocks of garlic into long ropes I can hang on the side of my tool shed to dry more. The routine of annually doing this connects be to the cycle of gardening in a way that I particularly enjoy.
Saving garlic changes each year for me. All the years, I pull out the largest cloves for seed to use in the fall. Of course, after two years all sense of what varieties are now being planted are lost on me, even though the first year I have six different kinds. Following that separation, the remaining bulbs are sometimes stored in a refrigerator, some are skinned and frozen as cloves, some are put into oil and frozen and a few are roasted and them frozen. Keep them fresh, I find difficult because you get the little green in the center growing and they become strong or bitter like the ones in the grocery store. I use garlic almost daily so I treasure my ability to grow my own and have it available most of the year for cooking.
These are basic for cooking any cuisine so a home gardener has to figure out the best for planting space plus the best for the climate that one lives in. If you think about famous or favorite onions like Hawaii, Sweet Onions from Georgia or the Walla Walla from eastern Washington it relates to long hot growing season. Currently, in Olympia Washington planting onions and expecting good results is like our tomato crop, it may happen but it is to be consider a bonus year.
With the mild rainy winters garlic is my approach to suppling myself with one of the two vegetable. I plant a ten by eight foot area with garlic in the fall of the year. The first winter I was here I did not get my garlic in the ground until December but in June or July the following summer I realized what an easy crop it was for me to grow. The added bonuses include the tops that appear about a month before harvesting. The top in a short week of time does goes to seed in manner of curling and dropping downward. It is important to cut these tops off so the plant does spend it energy sitting seed but instead sends the the energy to enlarging the bulb in the ground. The tops are often sold at farmer's markets for $10 a pound for a good reason. If you have had any stir fried with a little sea salt you would understand. It is a summer treat like the first strawberries.
The key to getting large garlic bulbs, I believe, is by starting with large cloves and secondly stopping all watering of the garlic for the weeks right before harvest. I love the rhythm of gardening and one of my favorite times of the year is to pull out my bulbs and lay them to dry on a side patio with the weather forecast is clear of rain. A few weeks later, my skill from childhood of braiding comes into play and I quietly sit under the grape arbor twisting and weaving the stocks of garlic into long ropes I can hang on the side of my tool shed to dry more. The routine of annually doing this connects be to the cycle of gardening in a way that I particularly enjoy.
Saving garlic changes each year for me. All the years, I pull out the largest cloves for seed to use in the fall. Of course, after two years all sense of what varieties are now being planted are lost on me, even though the first year I have six different kinds. Following that separation, the remaining bulbs are sometimes stored in a refrigerator, some are skinned and frozen as cloves, some are put into oil and frozen and a few are roasted and them frozen. Keep them fresh, I find difficult because you get the little green in the center growing and they become strong or bitter like the ones in the grocery store. I use garlic almost daily so I treasure my ability to grow my own and have it available most of the year for cooking.
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Lemon Pot
It occurred to me while reading a gardening magazine sipping tea at a bookstore the other day, there is little new in this magazine for me to learn. I guess that comes when you get older and have garden for a life time, at less that is how it seems. I decided then and there I should spend a month writing about the little habits I have formed for myself over a life time of trying to do is successful in an easy manner. So this is the first.
Pots that are sold in the spring have always been a big temptation for me. The rustic Italian Terra cotta look that is featured in the movies, in the glossy pictures with the vineyards in the background and the bountiful gardens are stage pots. I have found them to be more work and trouble than they are worth.
In the heat of the summer terra cotta dries out very quickly and it becomes a twice daily job of watering any plants that are in them. Oh, I understand that some very expensive imported varieties are better because they are sealed on the inside but the cost puts those out of my budget. Terra cotta is also much more delicate about freezing weather. As the years has passed the weight of pots are an issue to be considered very carefully.
The first year I moved to the west coast I found a woman in the warehouse district of Tacoma selling pots there made in Vietnam. It took be a few minutes of walking around to decide the color that I was going to live with for the future. Then there were the shapes and how I was going to use them in my yard.
I now have five yard pots of turquoise color with a wash of navy blue under it, all different shapes and mostly placed near my grape arbor sitting area.
After couple years I have used two of the pots for the same thing each years, mint and lemon.
Mint is a weed, a delightful weed but a weed and it must be contained. For a period of 15 years, I was digging it out of my perennial bed as it accidental come with a transplant from my mother's garden. On a couple of those occasions I actually totally removed very plant in the bed and when though it on my hands and knees pulling out roots of mint. Alas, to see it reappear, again. Mint belongs in a pot, probably on a strong metal stand at less 24 inches off the ground.
Mint can survive the winters anywhere, I believe. A couple years, I thought I lost it but wait long enough and with warmth of the sun it will not fail to reappear. Over the years, I have leaned to cook using mint and I value it more than just the green leave that goes into summer drinks.
As to the favor of lemon, oh, I love to use that in the summer. I create a herb pot with only lemon scented herbs. Lemon thyme, lemon balm, lemon basil and lemon grass. I walk out there in the afternoon and cut a few inches off a plant that is getting a little too wild and in the salad or on the vegetable it goes. Time to time, a pinch of it makes it into a glass of my ice water while I read on the lounge in arbor. Actually, I find it is very handy to have lemon herbs just feet from the back door.
Pots that are sold in the spring have always been a big temptation for me. The rustic Italian Terra cotta look that is featured in the movies, in the glossy pictures with the vineyards in the background and the bountiful gardens are stage pots. I have found them to be more work and trouble than they are worth.
In the heat of the summer terra cotta dries out very quickly and it becomes a twice daily job of watering any plants that are in them. Oh, I understand that some very expensive imported varieties are better because they are sealed on the inside but the cost puts those out of my budget. Terra cotta is also much more delicate about freezing weather. As the years has passed the weight of pots are an issue to be considered very carefully.
The first year I moved to the west coast I found a woman in the warehouse district of Tacoma selling pots there made in Vietnam. It took be a few minutes of walking around to decide the color that I was going to live with for the future. Then there were the shapes and how I was going to use them in my yard.
I now have five yard pots of turquoise color with a wash of navy blue under it, all different shapes and mostly placed near my grape arbor sitting area.
After couple years I have used two of the pots for the same thing each years, mint and lemon.
Mint is a weed, a delightful weed but a weed and it must be contained. For a period of 15 years, I was digging it out of my perennial bed as it accidental come with a transplant from my mother's garden. On a couple of those occasions I actually totally removed very plant in the bed and when though it on my hands and knees pulling out roots of mint. Alas, to see it reappear, again. Mint belongs in a pot, probably on a strong metal stand at less 24 inches off the ground.
Mint can survive the winters anywhere, I believe. A couple years, I thought I lost it but wait long enough and with warmth of the sun it will not fail to reappear. Over the years, I have leaned to cook using mint and I value it more than just the green leave that goes into summer drinks.
As to the favor of lemon, oh, I love to use that in the summer. I create a herb pot with only lemon scented herbs. Lemon thyme, lemon balm, lemon basil and lemon grass. I walk out there in the afternoon and cut a few inches off a plant that is getting a little too wild and in the salad or on the vegetable it goes. Time to time, a pinch of it makes it into a glass of my ice water while I read on the lounge in arbor. Actually, I find it is very handy to have lemon herbs just feet from the back door.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
State of affairs
I found this and it is too good not to share--written by Prudens Speculari
if things were getting worse would anyone recognize the signs it was even happening?
- the almost universal market bullishness of CNBC pundits.
- municipal pension promises that can never be met.
- so many rats jumping ship on this administration. re: Paul Volker
- the universal belief by 'smart money' that not only do you not fight the Fed but that the Fed can fix all.
- an education system that leaves the holder in debt and holding a sheepskin which is about as useful as a 3 legged chair.
- how you can create what just over 100k jobs which doesn't even keep pace with population growth and yet the unemployment rate falls from 9.6 to 9.4%
- how many of those 100k + jobs that were created were of the 'burger flipper' and barrista type?
- how 40+ million can be on food stamps with numbers increasing yet we can call it a recovery
- how adding $4 trillion to our nations debt has resulted in the weakest recovery in post war history.
- how long can the charade of the tail - FIRE (finance, insurance and real estate) economy - wagging the proverbial dog - the real economy (manufacturing)- go on?
- why is everyone jumping ship on this administration? Paul Volker anyone?
- state and municipal governments that are flat broke.
- how will things be when denial dies and sobriety returns in the form of the realization that municipal pension/benefit promises can never be honored. How will this affect the annual neighborhood block party?
- how the smart money set rejoices at retail sales numbers when know its a direct result of not paying the mortgage?
- how long can we pretend that this pre-meditated mortgage payment avoidance has no repercussions.Oh yeah the Fed fixes everything.
- how long can we ignore the transgressions of fraud and malfeasance in the mortgage and finance arena by the too big to fail banks?
- how long can we go ignoring laws already in place content to act surprised by all that occurs when we refuse to enforce of said laws?
- was the congresswomen, who quite frankly many had never heard of before the tragic news, the target or was the federal judge John Roll the target? my sympathies go out to all the families involved.
if things were getting worse would anyone recognize the signs it was even happening?
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Traveling a different sky
A few years ago, I heard about this woman that gave a speech in Texas but being in labor, she needed to hurry home, it so important that her child be born in Alaska. She got on a plane. On the long stop in Seattle (my territory) surprisingly with this being her five or sixth pregnancy this woman had to have known the risks, she still needed to travel. There is top medical care in TX or WA. still she was going to spent the time on planes. She wanted his baby born in her hometown with little medical care.
Maybe it is my age, maybe it is given birth to two babies, maybe it is flying and airports or maybe it is being in labor but this woman lose my respect. Nothing made sense after reading that story. She is a very selfish woman.
Now years later, I have not changed my mind.
Maybe it is my age, maybe it is given birth to two babies, maybe it is flying and airports or maybe it is being in labor but this woman lose my respect. Nothing made sense after reading that story. She is a very selfish woman.
Now years later, I have not changed my mind.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Own IT
I would like to see individuals/leaders own their words and actions.
Jesse Kelly own your words
Dramatic increases in infant mortality, cancer and leukaemia in the Iraqi city of Fallujah, which was bombarded by US Marines in 2004, exceed those reported by survivors of the atomic bombs that were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, according to a new study. US forces later admitted that they had employed white phosphorus as well as other munitions.
Americans OWN IT
Iraqis Displaced Inside Iraq, by Iraq War, as of May 2007 - 2,255,000
Iraqi Refugees in Syria & Jordan - 2.1 million to 2.25 million
Iraqi Unemployment Rate - 27 to 60%, where curfew not in effect
Consumer Price Inflation in 2006 - 50%
Iraqi Children Suffering from Chronic Malnutrition - 28% in June 2007 (Per CNN.com, July 30, 2007)
Percent of professionals who have left Iraq since 2003 - 40%
Iraqi Physicians Before 2003 Invasion - 34,000
Iraqi Physicians Who Have Left Iraq Since 2005 Invasion - 12,000
Iraqi Physicians Murdered Since 2003 Invasion - 2,000
Average Daily Hours Iraqi Homes Have Electricity - 1 to 2 hours, per Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq (Per Los Angeles Times, July 27, 2007)
Average Daily Hours Iraqi Homes Have Electricity - 10.9 in May 2007
Average Daily Hours Baghdad Homes Have Electricity - 5.6 in May 2007
Pre-War Daily Hours Baghdad Homes Have Electricity - 16 to 24
Number of Iraqi Homes Connected to Sewer Systems - 37%
Iraqis without access to adequate water supplies - 70% (Per CNN.com, July 30, 2007)
Water Treatment Plants Rehabilitated - 22%
These displaced people were living life in Iraq until the US military invaded. They had families, they had dreams for their children and had no choice in the matter of the future.
Cost of the Wars
http://costofwar.com/en/
The lesson of history is that, in the long run, super-elites have two ways to survive: by suppressing dissent or by sharing their wealth.
Jesse Kelly own your words
Gifford opponent, Tea Party favorite and former Marine Jesse Kelly, had organized an event inviting supporters to join him in firing M16 assault weapons as part of the campaign to “help remove Gabrielle Giffords from office.”
In the course of the election campaign, right-wing protesters would gather weekly near her office carrying signs with slogans such as “It’s time to reload” and “One way or another, you’re gone.”
During the campaign, former Alaska governor Sarah Palin put up a web page that included Gifford among 19 other Democratic members of Congress whose districts were shown with a sniper sight’s crosshairs super-imposed upon them.
At the time, Giffords condemned the tactic, warning “When people do that, they have got to realize there are consequences to that action.” In response to such criticism, Palin replied on twitter, “Don’t retreat, reload.”
After the Tucson shootings, Palin’s web site removed the page, while an aide claimed incredibly that the crosshairs were not meant to represent a rifle sight, but rather a “surveyor’s symbol.”
Beck - Own your words
Beck wants to shot Micheal Moore or maybe hire an assassin and look him in the eyes to do it. Or poison the wine that Nancy Pelosi drinks. His list is so long I have no interest in going on.
U. S Military own your Action
Americans OWN IT
Iraqis Displaced Inside Iraq, by Iraq War, as of May 2007 - 2,255,000
Iraqi Refugees in Syria & Jordan - 2.1 million to 2.25 million
Iraqi Unemployment Rate - 27 to 60%, where curfew not in effect
Consumer Price Inflation in 2006 - 50%
Iraqi Children Suffering from Chronic Malnutrition - 28% in June 2007 (Per CNN.com, July 30, 2007)
Percent of professionals who have left Iraq since 2003 - 40%
Iraqi Physicians Before 2003 Invasion - 34,000
Iraqi Physicians Who Have Left Iraq Since 2005 Invasion - 12,000
Iraqi Physicians Murdered Since 2003 Invasion - 2,000
Average Daily Hours Iraqi Homes Have Electricity - 1 to 2 hours, per Ryan Crocker, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq (Per Los Angeles Times, July 27, 2007)
Average Daily Hours Iraqi Homes Have Electricity - 10.9 in May 2007
Average Daily Hours Baghdad Homes Have Electricity - 5.6 in May 2007
Pre-War Daily Hours Baghdad Homes Have Electricity - 16 to 24
Number of Iraqi Homes Connected to Sewer Systems - 37%
Iraqis without access to adequate water supplies - 70% (Per CNN.com, July 30, 2007)
Water Treatment Plants Rehabilitated - 22%
These displaced people were living life in Iraq until the US military invaded. They had families, they had dreams for their children and had no choice in the matter of the future.
Cost of the Wars
http://costofwar.com/en/
The lesson of history is that, in the long run, super-elites have two ways to survive: by suppressing dissent or by sharing their wealth.
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