Heirloom Meals: Savoring Yesterday's Traditions Today

Tuesday February 22, 2011

Tabletop Tuesdays:
Daffodil Bouquet

Daffodils are the surest sign of spring.  However, I don't expect to see any signs of daffodils until April as our hillside is still covered with snow.  However, I can't resist the bunches of daffodils that are sold in the grocery stores.  Just a touch of spring, the bright yellow color, the scent of their fragrance are enough to bridge the gap until our daffodils bloom!!

Monday February 21, 2011

Ms Murky Mondays:
Food as Medicine

Many years ago,1972 to be exact, my Uncle died of cancer. I distinctly remember his juicer and carrot juice, in particular. He was using food as medicine! My grandmother got Prevention Magazine and, by and large, we ate real food. 

Fast forward to now. I am passionate about eating only food from where I know the source, or is organic or grown locally;  we avoid processed foods like the plague. Agribusiness pisses me off (yes I said it!). Between the antibiotics, pesticides, water contamination, e coli breakouts etc, I could scream. And here I am, a foodie, per se, and I am frustrated and confused. I go to the grocery store and get depressed by the abundance of crap and want to yell - "People - BUY THE VEGGIES!! Eat Beans! Only buy the organic meats. Eat less!!"

So, my hope with Heirloom Meals is that, while we explore our cultural connections to our food, I also understand the health benefits of certain foods and suggest alterations to tried and true recipes if they are unhealthy. I truly believe that cultural foods from our ancestors were grown locally, biodynamically and sustainably; that religious rituals such as the fastings that occurred after winter were for both health and spiritual beliefs; and if we embraced local, in-season foods, we would celebrate our past food traditions and increase our health.

Check out the list on Eat to Defeat's website of the foods we should be eating. Wouldn't you rather have a handful of grapes than a handful of pills?

Monday February 21, 2011

Life at Boulderwood:
Whitey the Rooster

The first time in 6 weeks that the snow had melted enough for Whitey to make it to the back porch.  I threw him the indian corn that I had sitting on the table as his reward!!

Monday February 21, 2011

Carole’s Concoctions:
Maurice’s Menu

There is nothing that gives me more joy than cooking for friends.  Here's the menu that I made for my dear friend, Maurice Peterson's birthday party.  An evening of love, laughter and fun was had by all!!

(Maurice and Jim)

Appetizers

Guacamole and Chips

Hot Artichoke Dip

Cheese Board

Main Course

Chicken Divan

Spicy Chicken Cacciatore

Brown Rice

Salad

Dessert

Heirloom Flourless Chocolate Cake

Drinks

Maurice Martini - made with homemade ginger simple syrup and Absolute Citron

Red and White Wine

Boulderwood Spring Water - sine and con gas - gas a la sodastream

Thursday February 17, 2011

Heirloom Breeds & Seeds:
Lambing in Full Swing!

Triplets, twins, triplets - lambing is in full swing! Thank goodness no
bottle babies (yet). I'm not getting much sleep, but then again I don't
expect to this time of year. Twice nightly barn checks, then work all day
either cleaning the barn, feeding, fixing or dealing with what comes my way.
The warmer weather is nice to a point, and now that the snow is melting we
are dealing with flooding in the barn/ice at night when it refreezes.

The forecast for spring is wet and wild - Oh boy!!!

Page 1 of 4 pages  1 2 3 >  Last ›