Sometimes when I’m following a farm page on Facebook, or a homesteading blog…it’s easy to think they never make mistakes. We bloggers so often only share the victories. After all, mistakes are embarrassing, and who wants to be judged, especially when you’re already feeling 2 inches tall? But, mistakes are important and inevitable, just like victories. In fact, some of the most memorable lessons are learned through oopsies, not successes. ::cough::GOATS::cough:: So here are 3 of my mistakes for March.
Continue reading →
All posts in The Food
3 Mistakes I’ve Learned From in March
Super Easy, Homemade Pancakes from Scratch
Let me start by saying who these pancakes are NOT for…if you’re paleo, gluten-free, a chef or sourdough only, these aren’t going to satisfy you. (But not to worry, we’re planning on testing recipes for you guys too!) Who is this for? The person that doesn’t really like to cook, doesn’t have a ton of crazy ingredients in their kitchen, but doesn’t want to feed themselves or their family the chemical BOMB that is Bisquick. These are JUST AS EASY! Promise. Ready to be a kitchen hero?
Fermenting Your Chicken Food 101
Yes. It looks GROSS, doesn’t it? But, oh…your chickens will love you for it. And, according to the experts, your pocketbook will smile too. The benefits of fermentation in a nutshell? Wet feed is more filling than dry, the good bacteria help keep your chickens healthy and the fermentation changes the nutritional components of your feed to the better. We currently aren’t feeding organic (I’m sorry ladies!) due to budget, so it’s the least I can do to try and up the nutritional bang-for-the-buck. So how do YOU do it?
Farm Snapshot: Snowy Eggs
We had just a little bit of snow left on the coop when I went to check eggs this morning, and wouldn’t ya know…snow makes the perfect cushion while collecting eggs (and it gets extra points for being pretty, yes?).
The Egg: Your New Healthy, Cheap, Go To Snack
Tight budget? Going Paleo? Suffer from mid-afternoon slumps? Vegetarian? Avoiding carbs? Not a big fan of cooking? Not a problem. This snack even comes in its very own packaging! Yep, we’re talking about the incredible edible EGG. Baked or boiled (recipes below), these bad boys are easy to prepare and good for you. Make them on Sunday, and your snacks are covered for the week! Bored with just salt and pepper? Check out our topping suggestions below.
Continue reading →
StoveTop Stuffing Vs Homemade Stuffing
OK, so I went into this thinking that while homemade would be preferable to the boxed variety, that StoveTop would have some redeeming factors. After all, we’re talking about a product that is DESIGNED to be yummy, tinkered over for years by scientists and food experts. Instead? I’ll be honest, I thought it was gross. However, it IS faster and slightly cheaper (because of the spices for the homemade, but those spices will come in handy for future challenge items). So, let’s get cracking!
Why You Should Stop Feeling Food Guilt.
Since starting this blog, I have found that I am not alone in my food guilt. Our club of “not doing enough, not good enough“ is wide and varied, with thousands upon thousands of members. And the funny thing is that no matter where you are in your food journey, or your long term goals…we all find a way to beat ourselves up about our current choices. Which means it’ll NEVER be good enough, and that, my friends, is NO way to live. Let’s flip the dynamic on its head, and celebrate each step we make in the “right” direction. You in?
The “Un-Boxed Challenge” Candidates
Here they are folks, the candidates have been announced! We have entries from Pillsbury, Duncan Hines, General Mills, Kraft and more. But out of the 22, only 12 shall step forth into “from scratch” glory. So how do you make your voice heard, and support your favorites amongst the bad-of-the-processed-bad? Go to the Blue Yurt Farms facebook page (here), click on The “Get Un-Boxed Challenge” photo album, and click “like” on the product images you’d like to vote for. It’s as easy as that. OR.
I Need Your Help.
I’ve had an IDEA kicking around in the back of my head for awhile, and I thanks to some enthusiastic Facebook peers, I want it to exit and become part of reality. But first, I need your help. You see. My idea involves taking a classic packaged/processed food (i.e. bottled alfredo sauce or anything Kraft), and showcasing the ingredients, cost, time from start to finish and nutrition for that packaged item…and, then, making a from-scratch version with the same information. I will also include a video of me making that from-scratch item from start to finish (eep!)…which will hopefully make it a little less overwhelming for non-cooks. This would be a four part blog series for each canned/boxed/bag item. So where do you come in?
Baby Steps Really DO Work.
Let me ask you something. Do you find yourself reading about some DIY thing you SHOULD be doing, how-could-you-not-it’s-so-much-better? Do you feel excitement, yes-yes-of-course-I-will? And, then that jolt of enthusiasm is followed by what-was-I-thinking-I’m-too-busy-already? Followed by, for me at least, I’m-such-a-loser-why-can’t-I-be-bad-ass-like-so-and-so-blogger?? Well, I had an epiphany this afternoon, and I wanted to share it with you guys. These skills take TIME to develop, but anyone CAN do them. Yes, you. I’m talking to YOU.
