Greenhouse is looking great!

Naked Greenhouse :( 

Working Hard

Today is the day the greenhouse film is going up. 

Weather is cooperating, and there is minimal wind. Tomorrow we may have tornados, so today all the hatches must be shored up. 

All Done :) 

I was even able to sit in my chair and help a bit. It will never cease to amaze me, that my husband can accomplish so much. He not only cut the wood, milled the wood, and constructed the green house by himself, but now is putting the film up. We used UV protect 6 mil greenhouse plastic, that has a 4 year warranty.

Turned out great, didn't it :) 

Now off to planting some summer veggies...

It's Here!!

Batten

Today our Batten Tape came in the mail. We have been waiting for this so we can put of the greenhouse film. We are very excited, because once this is finished, we will be able to put the rest of the plants into the greenhouse.

The living room is looking like a forest at this point. We have 250 tomato plants, 60 kale plants, 54 pepper plants, as well as some other random plants all in our living room. It is well past the time that they need to be planted in soil and not just the pots that they are currently in.

6 mil 4 year film

Today/tomorrow will be quite interesting. Last time we used the plastic we just nailed the plastic into the wood frame. This time we will be adding two batten layers. Normally the plastic is laid out and then the batten tape will go over the plastic and staples will be used to go through the batten, though the plastic, and secured into the wood frame. Since our greenhouse is built with wood from our property, it is not as smooth as a normal greenhouse, so we will be putting down a layer of batten, then plastic, then batten. The hope is that this will protect the plastic from rubbing the rough wood.

The whole family is getting in on the act. Even the chickens are supervising the work being done. They are excited about the greenhouse, as it means more plant scraps for them to fight over.

Chickens Supervising the Work

Spring Planting

Baby Squash plant

My Garden with Trellis

 Our garden in coming along nicely. We finished tilling the ground last week, and have planted the potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, cucumbers and carrots.  We have 2 trellises that are for the peas, beans and cucumbers. We have bush beans as well, but I am very excited about the trellis veggies. I am hoping they are so lush that I can hide between the rows. For the first time I used a garden planning program, and I am quite please. It allowed me to put the veggies in the garden, and it told me how many I could plant based on row/plant spacing requirements. It not only made it easier to plan, but also helped me maximize my plants for the space I have. It also gave me ideas on the "right" date to plant. I am not sure that I followed that very closely but it was nice to have all the information at my fingertips.

Garden Signs

I spent Mother's Day getting my signs ready for the garden. I made some last year, but the weather destroyed them, so this year I am going for much more sturdy signs. I think they turned out great.  Now I just need a nice day (today is pouring rain), so I can post them. I look forward to knowing where my plants are. I usually just go off memory, until I can see their leaves and use the leaves to identify the plants. This will be so nice! In addition, it will be easier for my visitors to see where the crops will be.

Rustic Serving Tray

I made a new serving tray for my family. I am proud to say that I cut down the tree, milled the wood, used the planer to level out the wood, and chiseled out the remainder wood, to make this serving tray. 

It was my first attempt and I am quite pleased.  We served a chip/dip combo on it for Mother's Day and it was quite the hit of the party. I just love having made handmade items that my family can use. 

It is amazing that it started as a tree on our property, and it is a kitchen item that will continue to bring us joy. I wish the photos were better, but you can get the general idea. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! 

To all the moms out there, I wish you a very happy mother's day.

I was raised by a wonderful mom, who taught me so many things. Who demonstrated daily the type of women I hope I can live up to someday. I am eternally grateful for her. She went without so we could have. She worried deeply, so we could be free. She offered us unconditional love, even when she wanted to pull her hair out. I know how truly blessed I am to have had her as a mom, and as a best friend. I love her more and more everyday.

Thanks Mom.  I love you.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Spring has Sprung

 One of my favorite times of spring, is when all the tree's are getting buds and some are even flowering. I have allergies but seeing all the flowers makes all the sneezing, worth it! We have 3 apple trees on our property, and when they bloom there is nothing prettier. It also signals that spring is here! It is a great signal that the growing season has started. Come fall we will gather the apples from the trees and can the harvest for eating during the winter months. It makes the winter only feel like a dream. It is spring again and nature is waking up and sharing her glory with us. As the days continue to warm and the days lengthen, I am reminded how amazing our world is, and how much I love living in my little homestead.

Drip Irrigation

For the first time, we are putting drip irrigation into our greenhouse. I am so excited. I think this will be such a great asset to our greenhouse. I tend to over-water, and this will keep me in check. Plus the water is all delivered to the root system, and not the leaves, which is far easier on the plants. In addition, it drips into the soil, versus the heavy stream of the hose. I was surprised by easy the irrigation lines were to install. I have mostly seed in the greenhouse at this point but I do have some tomato plants that are already seeming to love the drip system.

I had some initial issues at the end of the tape lines. The water was not being "stopped" by the end crimp. So I called the manufacturer and they were super helpful, and walked me though the problem. Always makes me happy when the customer service folks actually know their product.

So all in all, a great experience, and now I get to reap the benefits. No more standing in the greenhouse watering each and every plant. I just turn on the water, and then I can go off to another task.  I received my drip kit from Drip Works, but I would imagine any DIY center would have something similar.

Happy Planting! 

Tips to a Non-GMO life

One of the big things that has changed in my life over the past few years, is the way I eat. My family decided in 2007 that we will not choose to eat GMO's. This means that restaurants are out (for the most part). It means that we will spend more at the grocery store. It means that we make a lot of our foods from scratch at home. It also means that we grow a lot of our own food, so that we truly know how our food has been grown.

I know how blessed we are. We have time that we can make our foods from scratch. Many families are so strapped for time, that a drive thru McDonald's meal feels like the only option. I also know that many families are strapped for cash, and going to the grocery store, and seeing the prices of organic/Non-GMO foods, deters many people. We have been able to balance the extra cost, with a organic garden, and preserving those veggies, can save us enough to allow to spend a bit more at the grocery store.

Tips to a Non-GMO life

• Grow your Own: By having a garden you can ensure that you are an active particpant in the food you feed to your family. You can ensure the exposure that your garden has to GMO seed, pesticides, processing, etc. Plus getting outside, and playing in the soil is good for the soul, and a great family bonding activity. 
• Preserve your Harvest: If you garden (or go to farmer's market), preserve your harvest, in season, by canning, freezing, or dehydrating.
• Choose Non-GMO: As discussed in an earlier post, looking for the Non-GMO project verified lable, or the USDA Organic seal is the best bet for avoiding GMO's. 
• Limit eating in restaurants: There are more and more restaurants that offer Non-GMO and Organic options. Go to those that offer Non-GMO options, and make sure to thank them for their commitment to their customers. 

Not only is living Non-GMO possible, it is doable. I have a lot of friends ask "how do you live without treats". I have treats. In fact, far too many. Just because something is Non-GMO, or Organic, does not meat it is a twig and berry. There chips, pizza, burgers, soda... all that are Non-GMO. Just look around at your local store, and you will start to see all the options you have. You will be pleased. I live in a teeny-tiny town and I have so many options. I have never gone hungry.  Let me know what you find, and what you wish you could find. I am sure you will be pleased. 

Image courtesy of Carlos Porto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Natural, Non-GMO or Organic

Natural, Non-GMO or Organic 

What is the difference between the labels. Is there a difference between "Natural", "Non-GMO" and "Organic"? Are they the same? 

There is a difference and although all Organic food is Non-GMO, the reverse is not true. So lets look at the definitions.

Natural
A label that reads natural means...nothing. There are no standards for this label, and maybe is being used to mislead the public. The FDA states that "the  FDA has not developed a definition for use of the term natural or its derivatives. However, the agency has not objected to the use of the term if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors, or synthetic substances." 


Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Non-GMO
Non-GMO means that the product does not contain any ingredients that were genetically modified. It also means that animal based ingredients were not fed GMO feed. Currently, there are two ways for a product to be labeled as Non-GMO. 

Non-GMO labeling options:

1. Non-GMO Verified Label- This is a 3rd party testing and verification process. It is managed by the Non-GMO Project. Testing is done on an ongoing testing process to ensure that GMO's are being avoided in the ingredients, and final product. 
2. Company labels read "Non-GMO". This label means that the company itself has opted to add the words to the label. This is not tested or verified by a 3rd party, nor is it legally enforceable. 

Therefore, for obvious reasons, the Non-GMO verification label is the best bet to limit your family's risk of exposure to GMO's. 

Organic

Organic products do not contain GMO's. In addition the products do not have ingredients that were exposed to synthetic pesticides. According to the USDA (who tests and verifies for Organic lables) defines Organic as: "Organic agriculture produces products using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, such as pesticides and antibiotics".  To read the full standards behind the Organic label visit the USDA's Organic Agriculture website.  




"Made with Organic Ingredients" labeling
The USDA Organic seal should be displayed on the packaging. If you see a product that does not have the seal, but has claims such as "made with Organic ingredients" beware! This is can mean that as little as 70% of ingredients are Organic. If you do not see the USDA Organic seal, you do not have any basis to believe the product are truly organic.

I know it is kind of confusing. But this is your and your family's health. So learn these terms and shop accordingly. If you have questions, feel free to write me and I will do what I can to help, or point you in the right direction to more information.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) have been in the news lately, and I think it is a great thing! Don't get me wrong, I am totally opposed to GMO's but I think the fact that people are becoming more aware and interested in the ingredients in foods that they are eating is a great thing, and a conversation that I welcome.

So let's start the conversation. I will start at the very basics, so jump ahead if you already know this.

What are GMO's? 

GMO's are Genetically Modified Organisms. Okay, well what is that? GMO's are organisms, or products, that have been altered by scientists. Basically scientist find organisms that have desired traits (such as pest resistance), and take the DNA that contains that trait and splice the DNA into a different organisms. The hope is that the altered organism will then exhibit those traits. For example: Currently when you bite, or cut, into an apple it starts to brown. That can be less appealing. So scientists take a gene that can suppress the enzyme that causes the browning, and insert it into the DNA of the apple. Then presto, you have an apple that does not brown (technically it will still eventually brown, but much slower than a Non-GMO apple). Seems like a great idea to me!  But wait. Are we SURE?

I think the answer to that is...

The GMO industry and their fancy scientist will tell you that it is completely safe. That they have tested the GMO's and they prove to be as safe as the unaltered product. Huh. Well, that sounds fair. People much smarter than I are saying it is all good. So why do I still have reservations. Unfortunately there is a ton of  misleading information that has been put out (from both sides of the debate).  This makes the research process even more difficult. If you are interested in all the science behind the debate, there are a couple sites that will go deep into the topic. On the pro-GMO side there is the Grocery Manufacturer Association or the Non-GMO Project for the Con side of the issue.  I hope you can make sense of all the crazy allegations and mud throwing. I cannot. However, this has made the answer to the question of "Are we sure GMO's are safe?" really easy for me. No! Maybe one day there will be adequate testing, retesting, and long term studies showing GMO's are safe, but until that day...

I know for me and my family the answer is...No!

Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Greenhouse

The greenhouse is getting a face-lift. It is very exciting! Two years ago when we put the greenhouse cover over it, I chose plastic that was not UV rated. So, it did not hold up. Nothing like learning the hard way.

Now I have done all my research and are going to purchase the appropriate plastic early next month.

To prepare my husband had to remove all the plastic from the greenhouse, and then will reinforce some of the beams.  Sure looks odd.

Free Ranging Again

I cannot believe that we have already opened up the coop for the chickens. 

Seems like last year it was May before they were able to get outside. They are just loving it!  

Today I threw out a little extra feed and it was even more exciting. They have a bucket full of feed in their coop, but acted like they had not seen food in years. 

Too Cute.  

Maple Syrup Season

This is one of my favorite times of year. It is maple syrup season!! The first 3 days were very slow, but yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all set to be amazing. For those of you who have never tapped maple trees, it is such an amazing experience.

The trees to most of the work, but once all the sap is collected, the torch is passed and it becomes a lot of work for us. The sap gets boiled, boiled and more  boiled.  For every 10 gallon of sap we get it only becomes about a quart of syrup.  There is a lot of cooking, and in the end, the most scrumptious sweetness. It is divine. It always amazes me that such wonderful nectar can come from the trees.

Hope you are able to get some pure maple syrup this year. I know I am looking forward to my first plate of waffles.

Water Kefir

Water Kefir Grains

I am a big fan of kefir. We have a small glass every morning. We had been buying a non-GMO kefir that has fruit in it to cut the tang of the kefir. However, not only is the kefir expensive, there is some debate on the verification of Non-GMO status. Once I moved past feeling very betrayed, I decided I would make it myself. We had done milk kefir in the past, but finding organic milk, or raw milk, was very difficult in my area. So I decided to try Water kefir. 

Water kefir is a probiotic beverage made with water kefir grains. Although it is called grains it really is not a grain, and is gluten free. The kefir can be grown in sugar water, juice, or coconut water.  Like yogurt, Water kefir contains bacteria that are very beneficial for the gut, in addition Water kefir also has yeast which is also very beneficial. 

I ordered a starter grain from Cultures for Health. 

Finished Lemonade (dark color is
due to turbinado sugar)

When I received my kefir, I immediately started re-hydrating the grains (per the provided instructions). After re-hydrating for 4 days, I was ready to start the first fermentation. I had run out of our organic sugar so I used organic turbinado sugar instead. This ended up being a great alternative. I made the sugar water, let it cool and added to my kefir grains.  I then waited a couple days and then strained the kefir out, saving them for later. I added a bit of lemon juice to the water, and put into the fridge. I then used the grains to start another batch.  

Once the kefir water cooled I poured a glass of my lemonade kefir.  I love it. I cannot taste the kefir at all. Just a nice glass of lemonade, but teaming with fermented bacteria. 

This time, I did not choose to do a 2nd ferment which would have produced a "carbonated" soda type drink. I will try that later. 

I strongly recommend checking out Water kefir. An easy way to add healthy bacteria into your system. For more information check out Cultures For Health they offer great videos and recipes. 

Homemade Organic Yogurt

We recently took a trip to my parents house and in their fridge we found fruit on the bottom yogurt. I have had an aversion to yogurt most of my life. However, I felt a cold coming on and they didn't have kefir, so I decided yogurt would be the next best option. OH MY, so good. My husband also loved it.  So when we went back home, we wanted to get some yogurt for the house. I went to the store, and was disappointed that the only options were organic plain yogurt, or conventional fruit yogurt. I was also shocked by the price. The organic yogurt was over $1.50 per tiny 6 oz package. Well, that was that, I ordered a yogurt maker from Amazon. I was happy to find a maker that used glass jars, so no BPA issues. 

Did you know that Yogurt is:

• High in Protein
• High in Calcium
• Can lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• Probiotic yogurts decrease total blood cholesterol levels while increasing HDL
• Good for gut health

Things to consider when ordering a yogurt maker: 

1. On/Off button with timer
2. Glass jars versus plastic 
3. Number of jars - ours fits 7 jars, which is perfect for us
4. Budget - Like all things you can spend a small fortune or stay inexpensive. Our maker cost $22, and it has all we needed. 

Other thoughts

We read a lot of recipes and took the best of what we wanted. We did not order a starter, but are using an organic store bought yogurt for the cultures, which worked well. At some point I will order a starter so that we can be yogurt-self-sufficient. We added blueberry jam to the bottom of the jars. It was a great way to naturally sweeten the yogurt.  

Yummy!!!

Snowing Again

"Seriously...what happened to our free range grass?"

More Snow?!?!?! 

Today it has been snowing all morning. I am really quite ready for spring. I love the winter, but it seems like each year it gets longer and longer.

We have been blessed by less snow than many of the NE portions of the US, and I am grateful.

So are my chickens!!  But they are very ready for spring.

Spring has Sprung

SPRING... 

Maybe not outside, but in my house!!  I was feeling stir crazy, so what better way to feel like it is spring...grow some plants.

I am quite thankful for the invention of grow lights. So with my husbands ingenuity, we have started an indoor garden.


We currently have about 25 tomatoes, 20 carrots, 12 kale and 12 leafy greens seeds planted. We have already done one thinning, so this should be the final numbers. All are proudly Organic!!

Every time another little sprout pokes up through the soil, I can feel my heart smile.  Life is good, especially with little splashes of greenery :)

Kimchi

Have you heard about Kimchi (aka Kimchee). I have never tried it and I think that is crazy. It has so many amazing health benefits I have decided this needs to be part of my daily life. So I am in the process of making my first batch of Kimchi. 

For those that do not know what Kimchi is... It is traditional fermented Korean delicacy which is made from vegetables including cabbage and a range of spices and seasonings.

Benefits: 

• low calorie

• low fat

• high fiber 

• vitamin A

• vitamin B1

• vitamin B2 

• vitamin C. 

• High in eessential amino acids and minerals such as iron, calcium, selenium. 

• powerful antioxidants 

• probiotics  -  lactobacillus bacteria. 

• Also contains capsaicin, chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids and isothiocyanates 

Great Health Benefits: 

• Digestive health

• Cholesterol

• Antioxidants

• Atopic dermatitis

• Anti-obesity 

• Immune system

• Anti-aging properties

• Cancer

• Diabetes 

• Gastric ulcers

My first batch has turned out to be very bland. I am going to spice it up. I also used green cabbage, and think I should have used Napa cabbage, so I will use that next time. I will pass on the recipe I have once I am happy with it. Until then... back to kefir. 

Hello to 2015

I say hello, because it will take some time. It is not really here yet...in my mind. I am still in 2014. Technically 2013, but hey, the only real problem it causes in writing checks. Otherwise I can live like it is 2013 ;)  Sounds like a Prince song.

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday. It was very low key. We decided to not do presents this year, and we didn't do them. I was quite proud of us. Usually we say we will limit it to... but then at the last minute, all hell breaks loose and takes the budget with it. This year, any presents we gave were hand made. We did our usual crocheted blankets, hats and scarves. We also did a lot of canning of our wonderful organic garden surplus, and gave that to people as well. I have to say it was one of my favorite Christmas holidays.

I didn't spend time feeling guilty for spending too much or too little, picking the wrong gift, picking the wrong color, etc. I also didn't spend all of January trying to figure out how to pay off everything. Without all this chatter in my brain I was able to spend the holidays doing what I should be...Celebrating the birth of Jesus, spending time with my amazing family and friends, and enjoying all that is Christmas. Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday, and welcome to 2015.