AL - Recording baby steps: Newest Addition

[FarmerDenise]

I have lots of pumpkins and didn't plant one I love volunteers. I'll be playing with pumpkin guts soon. For now everyone is getting raw pumpkin. I tasted it too and found I like the taste of raw pumpkin. Seems the goats don't tho. Guess I'll be cooking some up for them

 

[Wifezilla]

Looking good!!!

I have some squash to cook today too. One big carver pumpkin that I will use to thicken stews, a spaghetti squash that will go in to spaghetti squash lasagna, and a few butternuts that will be turned in to pies or pancakes at some point

 

[AL]

I am roasting pumpkin seeds. The directions only say "10-20 minutes, maybe longer"
how do I know?

Thanks Wzilla! I am having a blast!

 

[Farmfresh]

They are crunchy and smell toasty!

 

[AL]

thanks.... I think they're done ok.
Is there a type of pumpkin that has bigger / better seeds than the sugar pumpkins? These are kind of wimpy

 

[Farmfresh]

There is actually a pumpkin variety called "Snack Jack" that was bred for the seeds!

 

[TanksHill]

Hey there, just dropping by to say hello. Your picture of the pumpkin bread is a classic!!! There is always a slice missing!!!

Glad to hear everything is going well. Keep up the good work.

g

 

[AL]

It is supposed to rain today and tonight, so I am getting things ready for that. I picked a couple of squash. They aren't big enough to amount to much so I will just cut them up for a snack at work.
The meats are growing right along. I think I have slowed them down too much... they are all fat and sassy, but on BYC a guy posted pics of processed chickens someone fed the same way I am, and they were tiny. (20% Dumor chick feed, free range). So today I bought a couple of small bags of game bird feed and I will give them some at their first feedings each day, then the 20% the rest of the time. That'll work?

The Horse Council put Buddy on the "available for adoption" website. I really really want to keep him, but I really really have absolutely no business owning a small, 2yr old horse. *sigh*

My 90yr old neighbor, Mr. B, gave me some potatoes to put away for planting after the first of the year. I am going to try modern_pioneer's potato cages.

 

[AL]

I have plenty to do today, but absolutely no energy. None. At all. Even pulling my t-shirt over my head was exhausting. Other than the fatigue I feel fine so I don't know that I am getting sick.

Anyway - we had some good heavy rains yesterday and last night. It has been a dry couple of months with just a little rain. Hopefully this will jump start my last few squash so I can get that garden finished and cleaned. I sure am ready to do it yesterday! but I just can't bring myself to till under a dozen or more little yellow squash, so I'll wait.

The meats did fine through the rain. I closed them under the shelter and tossed some grass and scratch in for them, as well as their feed. In the next several days I need to go out and figure up where and how we'll do things processing day.

I asked my mom to get some unfiltered ACV for me because I keep forgetting - she said they didn't have unfiltered so she just got regular
I will try to get some today or tomorrow.

Question though - I think I have read that you aren't supposed to give ACV water in plastic.. or maybe metal... waterers? I can't remember which, any help?

 

[AL]

A cousin working towards SS sent me this.... this sounds like it will light up your life!

It is from "The Urban Field Guide"

Fire Cider
Fire cider is a combination of pungent spices and roots that help to fight off respiratory infections, increase immunity and circulation and will undoubtedly keep you warm over the long winter months. It can be used as a tonic to stave off the nasty colds going around. And, it takes not even 10 minutes to make!


FIRE CIDER RECIPE *****
1/2 onion (chopped)

5 cloves garlic (chopped)

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 cup grated ginger

1/2 cup grated horseradish

1 quart organic Apple cider vinegar to cover

Coarsely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Grate both the ginger and the horseradish and place in a quart jar. Add the cayenne and cover with apple cider vinegar. I used all organic ingredients because the ingredients are pretty cheap and I want my medicine to be the best it can be. Before capping the jar I put a square of wax paper on the jar top so the vinegar wouldnt corrode the lid.

Traditionally fire cider is buried in the early fall and then dug up anywhere from 3-8 weeks later.
You can let it brew from 3 weeks to 2 months depending on how strong you want it to be. I think 3/4 weeks is good though. I think fresh turmeric would be amazing in it, maybe some burdock too.
I have mine tucked away with my other medicines brewing and stewing in a dark cabinet.

After letting it brew for a period of time strain the herbs through cheesecloth and wring them tightly to get out any extra cider. Compost the herbs. Its best to keep your cider in a dark colored glass away from heat.


The cider will last for 6 months. Don't forget to label it! You can take anywhere from 1-2 Tbsp daily with some water or straight from a shot glass, you know if youre hardcore like that! It also makes a really good salad dressing. Enjoy and stay healthy!

****CAUTION: if you are on blood thinners, are about to have surgery or have gastrointestinal ailments like IBS or ulcers, fire cider is NOT for you! Dont do it!*****

Im already thinking of variations I want to try next time. I might add honey of course. Lemon zest would be good and also moving for the digestion. Burdock would be a nice liver cleansing herb to help with all of the fatty winter foods. Fresh jalepenos In fact maybe Ill make another jar tomorrow for some new year gifts!


http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/firecider.html