What Are Traditional Foods?

The simplest way to say it is; Traditional Foods are foods consumed in the way our ancestors ate them and in a manner that is as close to the way they were created by the creator. Traditional Foods are as nutrient dense and as nourishing as possible.  Choosing Traditional Foods goes way further than just avoiding packaged and processed foods. It's all about choosing the best foods available for your budget,  sometimes that's organic and sometimes not as long as you are choosing nourishing foods.  Remember that each hour after picking your fruits and vegetables loose nutrients.  Buying local can be better than buying organic in some circumstances.

Below are some basic thoughts that we will be addressing in later blogs.

Here are some basic thoughts:

What Kinds of Fruits and Vegetables Do We Grow?

Our

 

Fruit and Vegetable list

above

 

is now available along with where you will find our products in 2013

 

 

Creating Goals for 2013 - Making My 20 Wishes List

According to squidoo dot com, the Top Ten New Year Resolutions are:
 

1. Stop Smoking
2. Get into a Habit of being Fit
3. Lose Weight
4. Enjoy Life More
5. Quit Drinking
6. Get Organized
7. Learn Something New
8. Get out of Debt
9. Spend More Time With Family
10. Help People

Sound familiar?

Budget Saving Menus

Saving money in your budget doesn't only mean cutting back but it mostly means being good stewards of the resources that God has provided.  That's why when I begin to plan the next week or two of meals I take a look first at what I have on hand.

Sometimes planned meals just don't work out and I have to do a quick substitution so I often have a few things purchased that I didn't use.  Menu plan below.

As I go through this post please remember that we grow all our own grass-fed, free-range meats and our freezers are generally full of anything we might need.

This week I have some things in the frig (or will have after Christmas Day) that need to be used up:

Wine-Braised Short Ribs with Vegetables

3 medium carrots peeled
2 medium parsnips peeled
2 stalks celery
2 pounds beef short ribs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oilive oil
1 large onion chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup red wine
1 cup diced tomato
4 cloves garlic
9 inches fresh rosemary sprig
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pound Broccoli florets

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Julianne carrots, parsnips and celery in 3 inch lengths.
3. Sprinkle short ribs all over with salt and pepper.  Heat olive oiil in 6-8 quart pot over med-high heat.  Brown ribs in oil in skillet on both sides, 5 minutes per side.  Transfer to roating pan.  Pour fat from pot and reserve.
4. Add 1 tablespoon fat or olive oil to skillet.  Add onions, stirring often, until lightly browned (8-10 min).  Spoon over ribs.  Add additional tablespoon fat or olive oil to pot with vegetables.  Cook, stirring often until golden (5-6 min).  Spoon into seperate bowl with uncooked broccoli, sprinkle with chopped parsley, salt and pepper.
5. Pour wine, tomatoes and remaining parsley into skillet.  Be sure to scrap the bottom.  Bring to boil over high heat. Pour over ribs, Scatter garlic cloves and rosemary on tip.  Cover tightly.  Braise in oven for 2 1/2 hours, turning meat every hour.
6. Add vegetable mixture to rib mixture in pan.  Cover and bake 25-30 minutes.

This is great served with mashed potatoes and Horseradish Beet Sauce.

Beef Cauliflower Casserole

1/2 head medium cauliflower
1/2 lemon
1 pound grass-fed ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon Ketchup
1/4 cup hot water
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
salt and pepper
1 cup Parmesan Cheese

1. Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets.  Put in pot with half lemon.  Cover with water and boil until florets are tender, but not mushy (15 min usually works).  Drain and reserve.
2. Place gound beef in skillet with a little oilve oil and the onion and pepper.  Stir and cook until meat looses it's pink color.  Add tomato.
3. Mix the Ketchup with the hot water.  Pour into skillet, cover and cook for 10 min.
4. Add salt and black pepper.  Corr for additional 10 minutes.
5. Prehet oven to 350 degrees.
6. Place cauliflower into baking dish when they are still hot.  Toss with 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.  Allow cheese to melt into cauliflower.
7. Ladle ground beef mixture over cauliflower.  Bake 20 minutes.
8. Cover with remaining cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Spicy Marinated Pork

1 pound pork shoulder
1 cup fresh salsa
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 pounds potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 green chile peppers (jalepenos), seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded cheddar
Cilantro

1. Cut meat into 1-inch pieces.  Plce meat in a zipper bag, top with salsa.  Refrigerate overnight.
2. Grease oval 4-quart slow cooker with oil.  Place onion in cooker.  Add pork and marinade mixture, potatoes, green chile pepper and garlic.  Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 6-7 hours.
3. Top with cheese and chopped Cilantro.

Makes 6 Servings

Turkey, Ham and Swiss Casserole

8 ounces Gluten-Free Pasta

3 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup chopped celery

1 cup diced ham

3 tablespoons Grandma Farmer's Gluten-Free flour blend

2 1/2 cups milk

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf marjoram or thyme

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

2 cups diced turkey

1 cup frozen peas and carrots, optional

 

Heat oven to 350°. Grease a 2-quart baking dish.

Cook pasta in boiling salted water following package directions. Drain and rinse; set aside Heat butter in a large skillet and saute the onion and celery over medium-low heat until softened. Add ham and stir in flour until well combined. Gradually stir in the milk until thickened. Add marjoram, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cheese, turkey, and peas and carrots, if using. Add the cooked pasta and blend thoroughly. Spoon the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. **NOTE**  We will cook half of this and the other half will be placed in a zipper bag and frozen for another meal.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly and topping is browned.
Serves 4 to 6.

Gluten-Free Cranberry-Orange Cakes

I could win Cupcake Wars with this recipe!  Your friends will never know these are gluten-free.

1 3/4 cup Grandma Farmer's Gluten-Free Flour Blend
1 heaping teaspoon Guar Gum
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup softened Butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
1 tablespoon orange peel
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped cranberries
2 tablespoons very finely chopped crystallized ginger
Orange glaze (below)
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped (opt)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease 12 cup muffin tin.
3. In a bowl combine flour, guar gum, cinnamon, soad, powder and salt.
4. In a large bowl beat butter and sugars until fluffy.  Beat in yogurt, sour cream, egg, orange peel, orange juice, vinegar and vanilla.
5. Stir in flour mixture and beat for 1 minute.
6. Fold in cranberries and ginger.
7. Fill muffin cups and bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.  Coool in pan 5 minutes. 
8. Remove; cool.  Sppon on glaze and sprinkle with nuts.

ORANGE GLAZE

1 cup gluten-free powdered sugar
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons melted butter and 1/2 tsp shredded orange peel.

Sweet Potato Fries with Lentil Chili

Sweet potatoes are among the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. And so good! We eat them most often as "fries," using the simple recipe below. These make a good accompaniment to a bowl of chili or any kind of burger or sandwich.

Sweet Potato Fries

Preheat the oven to 425. Scrub four large-ish sweet potatoes (about 2 pounds) and then cut them into strips or wedges. Put them into a broiler pan or 1-2 sheet pans. If the sweet potatoes are spread into a single layer they will brown more readily. They are good either way.

Sprinkle on 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika, if desired. Sprinkle with 1 t. salt. Drizzle on 2 T. vegetable oil and 1 T. olive oil. Use a spatula to toss until the sweet potatoes are coated.

Bake for 15 minutes, then turn the sweet potatoes over. Bake another 10-15 minutes until tender.

Serve immediately.



Lentil Chili

1 pound grass-fed ground beef

3 cups homemade chicken bone broth

2 cups lentils, rinsed

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon pepper

sea salt to taste

 

In a Dutch oven, cook turkey over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Cranberries

8 servings

16 Ounces frozen brussels sprouts
6 bacon slices
1/2 cup Diced Red onion
1/2 cup white grape juice
1/2 cup Chicken Broth
1/2 cup dried Cranberries

1. Cut bacon into small pieces and cook until crisp in a large skillet over medium heat. Remove and reserve.
2. Cook onion in pan until transluscent. 
3. Add brussels sprouts to the pan and cook until they are heated through.
4. Add juice, broth and cranberries.  Cook until cranberries are soft.

Broccoli, Mushroom, Ham Frittata

24 servings

12 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/4 cup flour (or your gluten-free blend)
4 cups chopped broccoli
2 cups sliced mushrooms (or more broccoli)
4 cups diced ham
4 cups shredded cheddar

1. Whisk the eggs, milk and flour in mixing bowl until combined
2. Cook the broccoli for just a few minutes and drain completely.  Pat Dry.
3. Add the broccoli, ham and cheese to the egg mixture and mix well.
4. For 2-3 servings scoop 2 cups into a zipper freezer bag, and for 4-6 servings 4 cups.  Seal, label and freeze.

To Serve:

1. Thaw egg mixture over night in the refrigerator
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a pie pan or spray with cooking spray.
3. Pour egg mixture into pie pan.  Bake for 30-35 minutes for small or 45-55 minutes for large.  Egg mixture should be set (a knife inserted in the center of the dish will come out clean).

Hot Orange Mocha

1 Orange (organic please)
5 cups hot strong coffee (I used espresso)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup whipping cream

1. Remove the peel from the orange in strips.  Don't go down into the white.
2. In a large saucepan combine the orange peel and the hot coffee.  Let stand over med-low heat for 5 minutes.  Remove the peel and discard.
3. In a small bowl whisk together the cocoa, sugar and cinnamin.  Whisk the cocoa mixture into the hot coffee.  Stir in cream or if you have a mini-blender froth the cream and then add.  Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

Apple Pie Smoothie Recipe

Are you trying to get some healthy cultures in your menus?  Here's a recipe even the kids will enjoy.

Ingredients: ¼ cup Unsweetened Applesauce (best if frozen or chilled) ¾ cup Yogurt, Kefir, or Buttermilk Honey (optional) Dash of Vanilla Extract Dash of Cinnamon Dash of Nutmeg Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

New Grandbaby, MIA

Sorry we've gone MIA!  Our 18th grandchild was born and we're even doing some babysitting already.  We should be back on track shortly after Christmas with lots of great Backyard Homesteading articles, Gluten-Free Cookbook reviews and much more!

Slow Cooker Sausage Breakfast Casserole

                    

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. (26-32 ounces) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
  1 pound cooked sausage
  2 cup (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
  1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Parmesan cheese
  1/2 cup julienne cut  dried tomatoes (or 1 cup diced fresh tomato)
  6 green onions, sliced
  12 eggs
  1/2 cups milk
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Oil a 6 quart slow cooker. Layer 1/2 of the potatoes on the bottom of slow cooker.
2. Top with half of the sausage, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, tomatoes and green onion. Repeat layering.
3. Beat eggs, milk salt and pepper in large bowl with a wire whisk until well blended.
4. Pour evenly over potato-sausage mixture.
5. Cook on low setting for 8 hours or on high setting for 4 hours or until eggs are set.

***NOTE*** This is a perfect meal for freezing.  I combined all the ingredients instead of layering, and divided into three bags.  Use a smaller crock pot.  For over-night cooking I like to use a timer to start the pot.  OR, thaw and cook in the oven in the morning.




 

Act of Kindness Day

This is the perfect time of the year to instill the real spirt of giving into your children or have great fun with it yourself.

Here's some ideas that would work well

• Drop quarters on a playground for children to find. (And stay around to hear the squeals of joy!)
• Go through the Drive-thru and pay for the person behind you.
• Purchase a Gift Card at the grocery store, then turn around and give it to the person behind you.
• Place notes of wishing people a good day on their car in the parking lot.
• Help people load their groceries into their car.
• Leave coins in an envelope on the vending machines at the hospital.
• Bake bread or cookies and put it in various mail boxes in your neighborhood.  You can include a card or not.

Money Saving Tips for Christmas

Christmas Cards

1. Send Post Cards or letters on pretty paper instead of store bought cards
2. Cut your old Christmas cards from years before, cut them and half and sent the pretty side as a postcard.
3. Remember that post cards require less postage than a regular card!
4. Note for next year.....Christmas Cards go on sale in December and deeper discounts are applied after Christmas so plan ahead for next year. 

Wrapping Paper

1. For small gifts use pretty pages from magazines.
2. Comic Pages work well for wrapping gifts of all kinds, not just Chrismas.
3. Get a reem of wrapping paper and create your own wrapping paper....better yet let your children create the wrapping paper.  The recipent will recieve a gift plus the gift of art from your child.
4. Make your own gift tags by cutting a small piece of matching wrapping paper and folding it in half.  Write the “To and From” on the inside of the paper and tape it to the wrapped present. This is also great for scraps of paper that are too small to wrap a gift, but too large to toss away.
5.  Cut up old Christmas cards make wonderful gift tags too!
6.  If you sew,  use material scraps as wrapping paper or better yet sew a gift bag and give two gifts in one.

Decorations

1.  Decorate with nature! Painted or unpainted pinecones, string popcorn (add some cranberries for color), make chains from construction paper.
2.  The stores have incredible sales every year for decorations, buy close to the holiday or even better, after the holiday! 
3.  Save your children’s (or grandchildren’s) holiday crafts and artwork from school  you’ll have a houseful of free and beautiful decorations! 
4. Give the gift of one new ornament each year for each child or grandchild. 

Entertainment

 

1. Christmas movies are great, but renting videos or using Netflix is a more budget friendly option.
2. Drive around your town or another nearby town to see the Christmas Lights.  End the night with Hot Cocoa and some cookies.
3. Kids love Board Games.  If you don't have many, borrow some from friends.  Better yet trade games and both families will have a fun new holiday game to play.
4. Next to Board Games, kids love card games! 
5. Dominos is a favorite at our house!
6. SING!  Churches and groups have Christmas plays, caroling get-together and more in December.
7. Check out a Christmas book from the library and read it together as a family.  Add some songs and Hot Cocoa and it's great family fun!
8. Have a Cookie Exchange with your friends, or gather with family to decorate grandma and grandpa's house and tree, share cookies and other goodies and holiday cheer.

I think the very best thing to do as a family is to decide what you can do for others.  Vollenteer at Homeless Shelters, do something for an elderly or handicapped neighbor.  We always made gift trays of goodies for the neighbors and put it in their mail boxes!  There is no better way to teach a child the importance of Christmas!

Most of all remember that GOD sent his only son, JESUS CHRIST THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, to save us from our sins and redeem us.  The price has been paid, JESUS, paid it on the cross for you!  Remember it is HIS coming so that HE could pay the ultimate sacrific for you and for me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS YOU EVERY ONE!
 

Starting a New Garden

Planning is the most important task you can do in your garden whether you are starting a new garden or planning next years garden in your current spot. Fall is the perfect time to do this so if you don't have snow on the ground or your ground isn't already frozen, get to it, there is still time.

The Basics of Garden Preperation is:

• Turn the Soil. Remove all the previous vegetation from your annual planting areas and turn the soil or, if you are using the Lasagna or Back To Eden plan skip the turning and just remove all the previous vegetation.
• Test the Soil. Your soil test will tell you what admendments must be done to the soil and fall is the BEST TIME to do this. That way any admendments have time to meld together and further compost into your soil. Turn the Soil again after you add your admendments. My favorites are manure and Kelp.
• Level the Beds. Get your beds all nice and level.
• Cover the Beds. We just got done with a record drought and I'm wondering about next year. Either way I'm going to cover my beds now and be ready. This will save me mountains of time later. You want to first cover your beds with a layer of three sheets of newspaper (no color and soy ink please) then cover that newspaper with 3-4 inces of wood chips and leaves. Don't worry you are still going to be able to plant in this in the spring. Just think how awesome it's going to be!!!

How We Buildt our Raised Bed Garden Area

• We first purchased a roll of black greenhouse flooring.  This heavy-duty, woven plastic allows water to seep through while discouraging weeds.  Over time there will be some weeds that you'll deal with but this won't happen as often if you keep the covering clean of dirt and debree, anything that would allow a tiny seed to take root in.  Another issue is that this flooring is anchored with u pins and whenever you puncture a hole, weeds tend to grow through.
• After deciding on the area of your garden.  Roll and staple the flooring down on the entire area.  No need to till as that would make it harder to handle.

• Now it's time to building your frames.  We chose 2" x 8" cedar.  Not cheap but the wood should last a good long time.  Had I the opportunity to do it again I might choose Cinder/Concrete blocks instead.  Lay out your plan and contruct your boxes.
• After constructing the boxes we cut the fabric inside the boxes and began filling them with: organic compost, organic soil and organic manure fertilizer to two inches from the top of the box.  The remaining inches reserved for a layer of wood chips/mulch material.

• Today our garden boxes are filled with herbs, perinals (asparagus, strawberries, etc) plus the normal garden produce.  You can see that we've added plastic hoops for plasic covering to extend the seasons and even used hog panels purchased at your local farm store bent and stapled on the outside of the boxes in the ally ways to for a arbor/trellis for cucumbers and other vine plants to grow on.
• This last year (3 years after planting) we had to add more adments of soil, compost and mulch to the beds as over the years the soil has settled.

Christmas/Winter Decorating for Your Home

Don't have room for a tree or even money for a tree this year?  No worries.  There are ways to decorate your home to create the festive beauty of the season.  I'm just going to share with you a few ideas that I've done to get your creative juices started.  The bonus is that most of these items were purchased at a second hand store.

This is a vine wrapped with lights and some red/gold beads.  Ornaments are hung on down the vine and I even put some flowers here and there that had fallen off their pics.  I used twist ties to attach it to the stair rail.

This composition sets on a buffet in my entry way.  A nativity set I had, a Tea Server decorated with cinnamon ornaments done by my grandchildren (see how:  http://glutenfreeforjen.blogspot.com/2011/12/cinnamon-ornaments.html) some great little decorations from the second hand store, some cinnamon oil scented pinecones and a piece of greenery.

In a living room window I moved my collection of tiny oil lamps aside and added a centerpiece and a few snowmen (my favorite).  The wreath was hung from the curtain rod but I may take my DIL's idea (http://www.forhimandmyfamily.blogspot.com/) of hanging ornaments from the curtain rod instead.  That would be beautiful.

Another short piece of greenery, some stray flowers a bird pick and a ball ornament.  Instant festive decor over a dining room clock.

Winter flower stems placed in a basket in the corner just adds a warm winter touch.  I leave this basket here year round and just change out the flowers.

Finally a entry way focal point that I created with several pieces of furniture, a lamp that was left in the house, a wreath, old window door from a cabinet, a swag, cute bear and a 'Faith' reminder.


Go shopping, no matter what kind of store you choose, and you can create a winter wonderland in your home with a few simple techniques.

Is There a Healthy Gluten-Free Flour?

Can There Be a Healthly Gluten Free Flour?

Today we offer you 20 Wheat Flour Alternatives along with my Latest Flour Blend, BETTER THAN WHEAT, ingredient list.

Below is a run down of flour options for those of us who are Celiac or Gluten-Intollerant.

- Almond Flour

From skinless, raw and unbleached almond nuts plant. Almonds are finely grounded into flour/meal.Almond flour is a plant based flour. Commonly, used in Paleo Recipes cooking, frying and baking. Healthy nutritious source of calcium, magnesium copper and selenium. Contains vitamins A, vitamin D and vitamin E. Every part of the almond (except shell) is used in Paleo Cooking. Additionally: Almond Oils, Almond milk, Almond Yogurt and Almond Cheese. Almond flour is gluten, soy and grain free.

- Amaranth Flour

Made from the seed of the Amaranth plant. The Amaranth plant is a green leafy vegetable. The seeds are rich in protein. Amaranth flour is a wheat flour alternative used in baking. Alternative names: African spinach, Chinese spinach, Indian spinach and elephant ear. Amaranth is high in protein, calcium, lysine and iron. 

- Arrowroot Flour

The root of the arrowroot plant is ground into flour. Arrowroot flour is a bland and fine powder that becomes clear when cooked. Used mainly as a sauce thickener but used in some bread recipes Great thickening for clear sauces. Arrowroot is a herb.

- Brown Rice Flour

Brown rice flour is heavier than white rice flour. Ground from unpolished brown rice has high nutritional values. Has a grainy texture. There is a heavier texture with brown rice flour as versus to white rice flour. May be a source of arsnec. You should investigate your source of Brown Rice and Brown Rice flour to be sure that it has not been grown in arsnic laced soils. Do not rely on Organic Certification as currently Arsnic is not part of any Organic testing.

- Buckwheat Flour

Buckwheat is a herbal plant. Buckwheat is not a cereal or grass.

- Chick Pea Flour

The chick pea is ground into flour. Has a nutty taste. Usually combined with other wheat flour alternatives.

- Coconut Flour

Flour grounded from meat of coconut plant. Contains: calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. There are small amounts of vitamin C and vitamin E.. Contains lauric fatty acids which aids in artery blockage. Coconut flour used in cooking and baking. The coconut was called “monkey face” by early Spanish explorers. The three eyes and the hairy shell resembles a monkey. For generations “monkey face” has been a nutritional and medicinal source around the world. A tropical plant that has gained popularity with nutritional enthusiast. Coconut tends to have a slight sweet, nutty and vanilla taste. Coconut flour and meal is vegetable based gluten, grain and soy free. A versatile plant Paleo Recipes uses Coconut Oil, Coconut Butter and Coconut Milk.

- Corn Flour

Corn Flour is ground corn. The grain is a fine, white powder used as recipe thickener. Typically Corn Starch is a GMO product and one I do not use.

-Cornmeal

Ground from corn and heavier than corn flour. Used to make cornbread. Again, Cornmeal purchased in the store could be contaminated plus is likely a GMO product unless it's ground from Popcorn which, at this date, is typically a non-GMO product.

- Flax Meal

Has a nutty taste and ground from flax seeds. Rich in Omega 3, Omega 6 fatty acids, protein, linoleic acid, potassium and folic acid. Suggested eating flax seeds grounded whole seeds are so small may not be digested. Grounded flax seeds give the body the full nutritional benefits. Polyunsaturated fats (good fats) helps reduce blood cholesterol and reduces risk of heart diseases. Only contains 10% saturated fats. Also a fiberous plant good for bodies digestion. Bacause meal rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 good source to replace fish foods for these fatty acids. Store in refrigerator in opaque air-tight container.

- Maize Flour

Maize flour is heavier than corn flour. Maize flour is ground from corn. Probably a GMO product.

- Millet Flour

Millet is from the grass family. Cereals used in African and Asian countries. Can be used to thicken soups and only in certain types of baking. Millet contains a well rounded base of nutrients.

- Potato Flour

Potato flour is not the same as potato starch flour. Potato flour is a heavy flour with a strong potato flavor. Also a possible GMO product.

-Potato Starch Flour

Potato starch flour is a fine white flour. Potato flour and potato starch flour are both made from potatoes. Also a possible GMO product.

- Quinoa Flour

Has been used for hundred of years as a cereal. The Incas called it, “The Mother Seed”. Related to the plant family of spinach and beets. The seeds of the quinoa plant are ground into flour. Quinoa flour is a good source of vegetable protein. High in fiber and calcium.

- Sorghum Flour

Staple used in Africa and India. Used in soups and unleavened breads. The flour is ground from sorghum grains. Sorghum is nutty in flavor and contains some important nutrients. It is popular amoung those gluten-intollerant BUT if you have issues with your thyroid you should know that it can mess with thyroid function.

- Soya Flour

A successful alternative flour when combined with another wheat alternative flours. Can be used as a thickener or taste enhancer. Probably a GMO product and NOT used in this household as we consider Soy a bad food.

- Tapioca Flour

Made from the root of the cassava plant. Ground is a light and fine white flour. Adds a chewy texture and thickening agents.

- Teff Flour

From the grass family and used as cereal grain in Northern Africa. Used to make sour flat bread. Teff flour is highly nutritious. It is very high in fiber and is thought to benefit people with diabetes as it helps control blood sugar levels.

- White Rice Flour

Ground from white rice. Does not have nutritional value compared to brown rice flour. White rice flour gives a light texture. Can be used in a variety of recipes. No worries about arsnic with this one as the arsnic deposits in the outer layer that is polished off.

Basic Better Than Wheat Flour Blend

Sorghum grain
 Brown Rice grain
Potato Starch
White Rice grain
Sweet Rice grain
Tapioca
Amanarath grain
Quiona grain
Teft grain


The grains are ground in my home grinder so that it can reach a very fine consistancy.  This blend can be used cup for cup in most recipes.  You will have to add your choice of Xanthan and/or Guar Gum to this mixture. Keep refrigerated.

BETTER THAN WHEAT FLOUR BLEND
is now available through

Heritage Harvest Home


If  you don't want to go through the work or don't have the equipment to grind your own flours we can grind it for you.  We sell our flour in 2 pound bags for just $7.60 when picked up at the farm. CONTACT US for orders and pick-up times or for shipping details.

Avoid Colds and Flu



 

1. Eat 2 cloves pickled garlic per day.
2. Reduce your sugar intake.
3. If you feel the flu or a cold coming on drink our  Cold and Flu Tea or Herbal Immune Builder Tea twice a day.
4. Wash your hands throughout the day.
5. Every time you shake someone's hand, wash yours.
6. When you go to the store wipe the cart with sanitizer wipes.
7. When you use a public bathroom do not touch anything with your hands or skin. When you flush....RUN! The germs are spewing through the air. Use sanitizer wipes throughout process. 80% of people who use public restrooms don't wash their hands. That means there is probably urine and fecal materials on all public surfaces including toilet seats, stall handles, toilet handles, sink knobs and exit handles. Use a towel to touch these objects.
8. Avoid touching your face with your hands. A cold or flu virus can easily be transmitted through your eyes or nose.
9. Dip your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide regularly. This will kill potential germs plus if you have a cold or flu, it will helpyou not to re-infect yourself. Remember to rinse your toothbrush in water before thouching any fabric. The hydrogen peroxide will bleach out your towels.
10. Wipe your cell phone, computer key board, doors and door knobs/handles with damp sanitizer cloth inside your home and vehicles.
11. Increase your vitamin C to 2000 mg daily for adults and 500 mg a day for children. I use Vitamin C Ascorbate.
12. Take 1-2,000 units of Vitamin D daily, especially in the winter.
13. Increase your Vitamin B complex by adding it in addition to your whole food Multi-vitamin

ATTENTION: Information given herein is for informational purposes only. We do not pretend to be physicians. Please see your physician for a medical condition your may have.

Knitting for Preemies

Giving Back, I can't think of anything I would rather do.  Several of my grandchildren have had issues as infants so I've been knitting hats to be taken to the closest hospitals that have Neonatal Units.  The pattern is below for three infant sizes.  You too can be a blessing to a family with a baby in the Niku.

 

 

 Sizes:  2-4 pounders, (5-7 pounders and 8-10 pounders)

Needles:  4, (6, 8)

Yarn:  approximately 1-2 ounce sport or baby yarn

 

Cast on 50 sts

 

 

Pickled Garlic

Now here's a great way to preserve your garlic for the season.  Stored properly your garlic should last awhile.  If they start to get small little green tails it means they are starting to grow and the garlic will begin to taste bitter.  Then it's time to get it preserved in a different way or used up!

Pickled Garlic

Ingredients:

12 large heads garlic

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons sea salt

2-4 tablespoons whey

**The quickest way to get whey is to place a cup of plain yogurt in a cheese cloth and hang in a jar. Let the whey drip from the yogurt overnight in the frig. You should have about 1/4-1/2 cup of whey and what remains is yogurt cheese which is a low fat version of cream cheese with all the goodies (probotics and enzymes).