Local Source for Non-GMO Animal Feed

A friend posted this on Facebook.  Since there are mostly email readers to this blog, I thought I would post her plea in this post.  If you are a "chicken keeper" please consider buying your feed from the Little Rock Farmers' Association. - Julie

If you or anyone you know is interested in having a LOCAL source for Non-GMO animal feed from Hiland Naturals Feed, would you please contact the Little Rock Farmers' Association (on Stagecoach) and tell them that you are interested in buying it from them? They have tried it before but did not move it quickly enough. I have a call in to the manager and he is considering it again since Hiland has just opened a new mill in Harrison, AR. I have told him I think there is enough demand to justify him carrying this - PLEASE help me convince him! I've been getting Non-GMO through Azure Standard, but it is just not economically viable. I suspect many others are in similar situation - PLEASE let Danny Naegle at Farmers' know!! Let your chicken keeping friends know!! Thanks so much!

--Penny Farrell Simmons

Booritos $3 at Chipotle

On Thursday, October 31, Chipotle will treat customers dressed in costume to a burrito, bowl, salad, or order of tacos for only $3 from 4 p.m. to closing.

Proceeds from the fundraiser of $1 million will benefit the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation.

Quick Lunch Idea

These are kind of like open-faced quesadillas.  They're shredded cheese on corn tortillas baked till cheese is melted.  Eat plain or with a dollop of sour cream and a probiotic relish or banana peppers.

I like the taste of the corn tortillas from Whole Foods, but the ones from Kroger aren't too bad.
-Julie

Kraut Pounders

My kids jumped in on the sauerkraut pounding action tonight. 

We used a wooden French sytle rolling pin (or fat dowel rod). I've also found that using some "starter juice" from store bought Bubbies brand sauerkraut imparts a more delicious flavor than simply using whey. 

-Julie

One Dish Wonder: Chicken, Potatoes, Green Beans

There are two ways to make this dish, both explained below.  

Life with three small children seems to zip past at break-neck speed.  I meant to pull a chicken out of my freezer last night.  Laying in bed, I vowed to do it first thing in the morning.  It was 11:00am when I finally remembered and took action.

Fearful the slow cooker would not cook the 4.5 pound frozen-solid chicken in time for dinner, I opted for using my 5.5 quart dutch oven or stock pot. [Max temps in a slow cooker are 200-250*.]  Turning my oven to 290* I plopped the frozen bird in the covered pot and set to peeling potatoes.  For a woman in the kitchen without children, peeling 5 potatoes takes mere minutes.  For this woman with 3 needy children under foot, it took the better part of an hour.

So, frozen chicken in the pot [check], 5 peeled and cubed potatoes [check], one pound frozen green beans [check].  These aren't magical numbers per se, it's what I had on hand and what would fit in my pot - other root veggies would be delish as well. 

For the seasonings you can use whatever fits your fancy.  Lately, I've been loving Good Season's Italian Dressing.  You can buy a packet in the spice aisle or whip up your own concoction (minus the sugar.)  In all, my one dish wonder of chicken, potato and green beans were in the oven about 4 hours at 290*.  You know it's all done when the meat pulls easily away from the bones and the potatoes are tender.  If you aren't in a rush - or if you remember to start your one dish wonder earlier in the day - this would be a perfect slow cooker meal.  A frozen bird and veggies would have cooked just fine in 8 hours on high.

If a whole bird still makes you squeamish below are pictures of how to make it with boneless breasts in a 9x13 pan in a bit over an hour.

You can also use cutlets but I had breasts in my freezer.  I don't think arrangement of the food matters much, I tried to make it appear a bit balanced.  Once the breasts and potatoes were in the pan, I sprinkled mightily with my homemade Good Season's Italian Dressing without sugar.  Don't be stingy. It's what really gives the yum to this dish.  Last of all, I sprinkled about a pound of my mom's frozen green beans on top and decorated with a stick of butter and more seasoning.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for at least an hour.   If you are using boneless skinless breast, you will need the extra fat, moisture and seasons from the butter.

My family of 4 eaters (baby is only eating yogurt these days) gobbled up this 9x13 pan and why I decided to use a whole bird today.

'Cuz if I'm gonna be making a mess in the kitchen I want enough for left overs, amen?

-Julie

Probiotic Relish

Today's ferment: radishes, banana peppers, a carrot, 2 jalapeños, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup whey (or juice from a previous ferment) and 1 T sea salt. After 3 days on my counter I will refrigerate the jar. 

Fresh, radishes are not my favorite but I absolutely love them shredded and fermented, like in this relish. My family will eat this relish on salads (potato salad included), Mexican dishes, and now soups since the season is upon us!  When you chose to eat lacto-fermented foods with your meal, be sure to add them when your food is cool enough to eat.  You don't want to cook (and kill) the probiotic power.

-Julie

Other ferments of interest, as well as the why:

radish relish (with turnips)

radish kohlrabi and carrots

jalapeno peppers

banana peppers

TIE Fighters for Lunch

Star Wars fans will recognize this: if using your imagination as a nine-year-old boy, you will see a TIE Fighter.

On a toothpick, I folded salami (or ham or pepperoni) and stuck cheese cubes on the end. 

My son says all the kids want to trade with him at lunch. (I'm not sure that's a good thing.) He asks for them all the time.  The first time I sent them for lunch, I marked the container with masking tape, labeled "TIE Fighters" just in case he couldn't see my attempt at creativity. 

-Julie

Free Webinar for Rhythmic Movement & Reflex Integration

Free Webinar!  Thursday, October 3, 2013, 9pm Central Time

Learn how Rhythmic Movement and Reflex Integration 'wake up the brain' and why these movements are key for sensory processing, learning, and optimal brain function.

Reflex integration has been proven effective by research and clinical evidence. Read this brief article about the importance of neurodevelopmental movement for learning and see more research references.

You are invited to a free, 60 minute webinar introducing Rhythmic Movement Training™ and why it works to promote better physical, emotional, social, and learning skills.

Rhythmic Movement Training™ (RMT) was developed by Harald Blomberg, MD and Moira Dempsey, co-authors of the book, Movements That Heal.

RMT is a system of gentle rhythmic movements and reflex integration activities for developing brain maturity that leads to a variety of skills such as: emotional regulation, speech, learning ability, strength, stamina, coordination and sensory integration.

Come and discover why so many OTs, PTs, parents, educators, and counselors are excited about the outstanding results they are seeing for children with challenges. The movement activities are excellent for teens and adults too.

October 3rd, 7 pm, Pacific Time (9pm Central Time)

Directions to access the webinar here.  You will be prompted for your name and email address.
The password is: RMT4BrainHealth  You will login with your email address and password.

For more information about the upcoming Rhythmic Movement Trainings go here and here.

--Lisa Lipe
Integrated Learning Connections