A Treat

I don't usually promote candy or even prepackaged anything, but I came across something that just seems too good to not mention.  I was given a package of BROOKSIDE Dark Chocolate Goji with Raspberry.  I can't tell you the price, but I have researched and the company claims it to be kosher!

 Back when I did receive candy and eat it, my favorite was the dark chocolate fruit cremes by Russell Stover's.  Something about chocolate and fruit just really appeals to me.  Anyway, I don't usually even eat candy, anymore but . . . "Real" fruit juice pieces covered in dark chocolate was intriguing.

What I found absolutely amazing was the serving size and calories. My chocolate craving was satisfied, without consuming the package serving size, much less the whole package . . . you know what I mean when it comes to a chocolate craving . . .

Just a couple of pieces of these bite sized treats are enough.

We Need to Get Grounded . . .

I read a number of e-mails and comments weekly regarding homesteading and healthy diets.  It seems smoothies are all the rage and coconuts are replacing corn, olives and cows as a source of oil and milk.  Obviously exotic fruit and nuts are wonderful treats, but unless someone is planning to homestead in the tropics, we should be looking for great sources of vitamins and minerals a little closer to home.

Don't get me wrong, enjoy those pomegranates and coconut recipes while we can, but be sure to know about the local produce and what can actually be maintained in the local growing zone.  For all of us homesteaders, this is going to be valuable information, not only for ourselves and family, but for those who aren't yet aware of the potential need to be self sufficient.

This week since winter is here, we are all looking for extra Vitamin C to ward off the common cold.  An orange, which if you're homesteading in Florida, Arizona, or California, will be accessible and contains 82.7 mg. of Vitamin C.  Meanwhile the rest of us can enjoy the fruit that trucked in, but local sources of Vitamin C for those of us in growing zone 7 or less actually contain more Vitamin C than oranges.  Red bell peppers, broccoli, kale, strawberries, and cauliflower actually contain quite a bit more Vitamin C per serving and fewer calories.

Definitely, we should enjoy the variety of foods available, but we can also rest assured that our gracious Creator has made healthy diet and a good supply of Vitamins in many sources that thrive in varying temperatures.

Dietary Information

This is a link to a basic diet plan that can be implemented on most any caloric intake for a simple balanced and healthy diet.

Time to Start Planning

This upcoming garden season is the last one before the Shemitah, the year the land rests, so now is the time to be thinking about a garden.  Even city dwellers, as Terrie has proven, can raise some veggies in the house.  Edible houseplants just make sense.  I realize everyone cannot raise enough food to provide everything they need, and I hate to sound all gloom and doom, but . . .

 Many of us live like we don't know where groceries come from.  What happens if, ready or not, the land does rest . . . ?

Garden Zoning?

http://www.naturalnews.com/043090_vegetable_garden_zoning_ordinance_Florida_couple.html#ixzz2mFAgqlRy

I Know It Seems As If I'm Harping . . .

I'm sure you've seen enough photos, read enough recipes, maybe even tried a few.  By now, you may be asking yourself what else needs to be said or shown about kale?   Kale is hearty stuff!  The ice on the water tubs was about an inch this morning and the kale in the garden was still standing!  I've transplanted some in the green house to enjoy this winter and a new crop that had just sprouted before I inadvertently pulled up a couple of plants.  All are doing well, indoors and out, but the garden kale is coming in today.

We simply must return to living as YHWH created us to live.  He never intended for His people to be materialistic and calling that blessed!

One of the highest values in kale, is Vitamin K, so expectant moms, new breastfeeding moms, this is a great food source to supply a vital nutrient for safe and quick healing circumcision.

Don't take my word for it, check out the graph.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=38

Keeping it Growing

Terrie is enjoying her kale harvest from the seeds she planted just two months ago, and I'm so thankful for the updates she shares.  YHWH has truly blessed her with a talent.  This week I discovered something with the kale I planted last spring in the outdoor garden.  It has been growing so long, the stalk is actually thicker than the roots were able to hold up, when I tried to harvest more leaves.

When I inadvertently pulled up two plants, I transplanted the entire plant, into a bucket for the green house.  I had no idea if this experiment would work, but here are the two plants.

By the way, kale will continue to produce, as you harvest!  As you'll see in the photograph, the stalks are quite substantial with several obvious stem cuttings from previous harvests.  The small lacy edged leaves in the center top of the plant are new sprouts since the transplanting.

Amazing!

This "lawn" became a place of prosperity to the point of abundance to share!  I love the photos of the neighboring lawns.  Let's get growing!

http://www.viralnova.com/lawn-garden/

Assistance With an Answer

Three times this week, the fact of hunger without means has crossed my path.  I'm doing what I can at the moment the situation presents iself, but it's not just a momentary problem.  What was the exception 15 years ago regarding poverty and hunger, is now becoming pretty common place.  When I read and hear of job loss, it's not a recent situation.  Some of these losses go back two and three years without hope of finding another one.

I remember being so stunned and truly grieved when our President proclaimed that we were moving away from being an agrarian society.  I mean we obviously have been moving this direction long before he said it, but the reality of the fuller meaning, hit.  Agrarian societies have a solid economic base.  Everybody needs food!  Industrial societies have come and gone with invention and progress and service societies could become societies of indentured servants, which appears to be the present direction of our society.  I'm really glad he verbalized this, in that the move was so subtle, it could have slipped on away.

Both of my Grandmas had grown up on farms, and they had nothing good to say about living in the country.  They headed for town as soon as they could and didn't look back.  One of my Grandmas did maintain her skills, however; and she put up a few canned goods, always raised tomatoes and peppers.  I grew up in the country and as a kid, I remember thinking she just knew how to do everything.  I watched a lot, but there were a few things I didn't learn . . .

Back to the issue at hand.  If we do not get back to some small time personal agriculture very soon, people are going to be hungry, seriously hungry.  And hungry people become desperate.  I want to extend the invitation and offer, once again to establish and build our "Seeds of Friendship" Plan.  One seed can produce food and many more seeds.  That is the 100 fold increase Y'hshuwah was talking about!

Seeds of Friendship

As Beth and I have been discussing the new column here at Goshen Gazette, somewhere along the lines, the mention of sharing seeds came up.  She commented, "like the friendship bread starters" . . . and so after checking into the legal responsibility, I think we have yet another great idea!

For all of our readers who are interested in some gardening and raising heirloom produce, I've done some checking.  First, our Creator made most produce very potentially prolific.  One radish produces hundreds of seeds.  One ear of corn usually has at least 200 kernels and each kernel planted has the potential to produce 2 to 3 years.  One tomato or pepper produces more seeds than the average household garden would hold.

Now, here's the deal.  There are laws regulating sales, of course.  And there are laws governing the transporting of plants, but seeds can be given, even mailed, without a problem.  So between now and next spring, we'd like to offer the Goshen Gazette forum board as a place to network and connect so more of us can get "growing" in this upcoming preparation year.

But in the seventh year shall be a Sabbath of rest unto the land, a Sabbath for YHWH: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.  Torah of Holy Scrpture

An End of Convenience

It's getting cooler.  The morning chores have been down right nippy, these last few days.  I wear sandals nearly year round so when the dew is heavy and the temperature is in the lower 40's, it takes awhile for my toes to warm up after coming in.  Socks and gloves are not the topic of an end of convenience, however.  Moving my herbs to the green house is the end of the convenience for the winter season.



It's been so nice to just walk out the front door to pick any of the fresh herbs I want to add to dinner.  The basil has been superb this year, and chives right out the door offers such ease to my cooking.  Now, it's  not that I mind the extra fifty or so feet out the back door, it's that I have to actually plan what I need before I start the project of dinner.





The definition of convenience in our society is usually associated with prepackaged and prepared products, and the term "store;" but the reality is, not having to go to the store is quite convenient.  I've been enjoying fresh produce for over six months now, without even having to put on shoes or start a vehicle, much less operate a can opener.  Now that's convenience!

In the winter months, it's not just a matter of stepping out the door barefoot with scissors in hand.  I'll also have to do without some fresh herbs til next spring.  They are dried and still flavorful, but it's just not the same.  Going out to the greenhouse involves a jacket and some sort of footwear.  Which is the temporary end of convenience by my definition!  Still, much better, however; than having to fight traffic and wait in line for prepackaged convenience!

Say "Punkin"

The Pumpkin Butter was a big hit, so if you didn't get the recipe jotted down, it's really simple.  Your favorite pumpkin pie recipe minus the milk and eggs.  Simmer a few minutes and cool.  May need to add a bit of water if using canned pumpkin.  Here is a photo of our newest fan of Pumpkin Butter!  I was truly honored to know her first taste of real food was her Great G-ma's pumpkin butter.  I'm trying to be humble here in the article, but I am frequently referred to as "G-ma the Great!"  

Now, more about pumpkins featuring my adorable great granddaughter, Zoey.  The photo below indicates the pumpkin crop is plenteous.  We'll be including more recipes for pumpkin as the season progresses. 

 We are not advocating the celebration of any upcoming traditional observances, but I do want to offer the following valuable information.  November 1st, pumpkins will be a definite bargain!  One medium pumpkin yields a canner full of pumpkin butter pints, plus a kettle of pumpkin soup.  

Jalapeno in a Pot

I've been working on an experiment for you non-rural folk.  I planted a jalapeno pepper in a flower pot.  It's not even a large pot, just to see what I'd get.  I realize everyone doesn't have a green thumb, because I don't.  A jalapeno isn't exactly a dietary staple, but for those who would like to eat fresh organic salsa in the winter, or just raise your own spicy peppers, these plants produce quite abundantly.

Two peppers a week has been the average for this little plant and I've included a photo for you to see, there are still small ones setting on.  There are about 8 peppers of various sizes on this plant at this time, and we enjoyed fresh pico de gallo with one I picked the day before.  I plan to maintain this plant as long as I can this winter and will be sure to share any extra care or provision that seems necessary.

I realize we can't raise our entire groceries in flower pots, but we can raise a few things.  I'll be posting potatoes, tomatoes, and other ideas through the fall and winter.  I started this pepper plant in a flower pot, but I've already spoken with people who plan to dig one of theirs up before the frost and bring them in.

The photo below is a regular deck chair, to give an idea of the size of the pot and the plant.  Not only is fresh better tasting and organic better for you, but there is something very calming about tending to the garden, regardless of the area being cultivated.

Homegrown Imperfection

There are several views here of an imperfect tomato from my garden.  Now to be completely honest, I would not buy this tomato out of the produce section of the super market.  Raising it myself, however; I feel completely comfortable cutting out the bad spot.

I know there are no chemical pesticides in my garden, so sometimes pests take a bite, before I catch them.  There are no chemical herbicides in my garden, so a certain level of diligence is required or the weeds will win.  I trust the integrity of my seeds company, so there are no GMOs in my garden, either, which again calls for due diligence in tending.  The vegetables in my garden don't kill weeds and pests!  That diligence of presence is what allows me to know what is going on with the produce I harvest and the food that goes on my table. I like the fresh vegetables, but even more importantly, I'm preserving nature the way our Creator created it.  I take this responsibility quite seriously.

Now, back to my little imperfect tomato.  I looked down one evening through chores and saw that bright red in the middle of the tomato cage.  I cage my tomatoes, rather than stake them or let them travel over the ground. The cage offers a little extra protection, just in case one my goats gains access and it keeps tomato picking from being back breaking work.  So I reached in and picked that pretty little tomato, then saw the bad spot.

I kept the stem on it so the various angles could be differentiated.  I weighed the little imperfect tomato and it weighed in at 5.56 ounces. Not large, but three to a pound isn't a bad size.  I weighed it though, so I could determine how much I lost when removing the blemish.   After removing the blemish, which was only a little more than skin deep, the tomato weighed 5.47 ounces.  Less that 0.10 of an ounce was inedible.  One tenth of an ounce is 3ml.

Homegrown, imperfect produce is still edible, usually.  Common sense and instinct will tell you if there appears to be a larger problem.  Usually the rest of the product is fine!

The thought always goes through my mind, as I am fully aware of the "food chain" in retail.  The absolute best is showcased, and the seconds are canned or used for juice or ingredients. As I considered the little bad spot on my imperfect tomato, I have no idea what the tomatoes looked like before they became ketchup or prepared sauces.  This imperfect little tomato would have never been seen in the fresh produce aisle, but it was truly delicious!

Timing is Everything

This year the produce has been anything but predictable.  The early things were late in my area, due to an unseasonably late frost and what would usually be mid June produce has made an amazing rally for a second round without replanting, so, although dinners have been unusual in the seasonal timing, the fresh produce is still such a blessing!

Featured this week in our Delectably Kosher section is great recipe accompanied by an artistic photo of "Tomato Pie."  Our very own Beth Rank sent me a PM, sharing this delicious dish, earlier this week and it was an instant hit in the Ozarks!

I literally, could not wait to tell her, everything that went into that pie shell was just now ready, here in the Land of Goshen.  The tomatoes have been late, very late.  A friend of mine who has an orchard and farm market said she just wasn't even dealing with tomatoes this year.  They just didn't work out in the timing.  She's well past 80 and her customers want perfection in appearance and timing, so I don't blame her for just not worrying about it!  She did have a lovely peach crop, but the timing was odd there too.  Now back to tomatoes.

This recipe that Beth shared could not have come at a better time.  My tomatoes are weighing down the staked vines with green tomatoes.  My daughter keeps complaining about the same problem in the north part of the state.  I suggested she put a "grow light" in her outdoor fixture at the back door.  But then, I remembered to warn her, Big Brother follows those grow light orders . . .  So, the Midwest and the Ozarks have been blessed with a late tomato crop, and Beth has blessed us with a recipe for Tomato Pie.

When Beth sent me the recipe, I had just picked enough beautiful organic heirloom tomatoes for the recipe.  It's September!  Don't despair, even if the tomatoes are green on the vine when the frost warning is sounded, we've got green tomato ripening measures as well as green tomato recipes.  Meanwhile, back at the homestead, if you have tomatoes ripening just a few at a time, Have we got a recipe for you!

Before Making a Grocery List

You may want to check out this information.  Some of the vegetables on the "Dirty Dozen" list can be easily grown in a window box or house plant pot.

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/11421-14-fruits-and-vegetables-to-always-buy-organic.html

If At First You Don't Succeed . . .

Try something different.  There are a couple of nontraditional things I've tried as of late, and I'm really excited in the outcome, so I'm sharing avocado adventure, this week.

I've tried several times to get an avocado seed or pit to sprout.  I've attempted the standard method more times than I can count.  That is using tooth picks to suspend the pit in a glass of water until it sprouts or develops roots or something.  I've failed at this so many times, I didn't even know what to be looking for.  I've also tried suspending it both ways, that is; point down, wide end up, and vise-versa.

Every single time, without exception, nothing happened, and I tried for prolonged periods of time, only to serve up an old pit in the chicken feed.  So far, I've seen no evidence of an avocado tree in the chicken yard, either.

Earlier in the summer, I made guacamole resulting in two avocado seeds on the counter just glaring at me, defiantly.  It was at that moment, a thought occurred to me.  It's worked so well on so many other things I've tried, I decided to just stop obsessing over my failure.  That's not an easy decision in any failure in life for me, but, I chose to take a pragmatic approach.  I mean, after all, I'd never personally witnessed this suspended avocado pit success story, so I figured I had nothing to lose!  If my idea didn't work, it was two more avocado pits that didn't sprout, but it if did . . . I didn't even have a conclusion to that thought!

I didn't even give it a great deal of thought.  I had a large square patio pot with an eggplant growing in it, so I took a spoon, dug an avocado pit sized hole in two of the corners tossed in and covered; with two thoughts in mind.  Since they were in with something else, I wouldn't forget to water them, and if they did nothing, the seeds would break down and become soil nutrient.




That was the end of May, I believe.  The first of August, my folks were visiting when Daddy made the comment that I had two trees growing on my deck.  Sure enough!   The avocados were actually taller than the eggplant, which is now vining over the front of the pot weighted down by fruit.

So, if at first you don't succeed, and after too many times to count, you still don't succeed . . .

              try a different method!

Family Business

We, as the people of YHWH need to do what our Messiah said.  We need to be ready.  He also said to "occupy."  When I looked up that word from the parable, it gave indication of being busy, in "the business," which leads me to the concept of a family business.  In most family businesses, the next generation grows up in it, watching the father and older siblings learning the priorities while developing as well as displaying the values of that family and their merchandise or service.  When it comes to the family business of Messiah, it's service unto our Creator.

In this new section here at the Goshen Gazette, it is the fervent prayer of this Editor that this becomes a place of sharing family business.  The family of YHWH.  The first born of the brethren, Messiah, has set an awesome example and given pretty clear direction.  We are to be ready, to occupy until He returns, and to be watching.  His final instructions for Peter was to feed the lambs, and that's what we'll be encouraging and addressing here at Grocery Underground.

I'm not trying to incite fear, but our food supply is already questionable, with GMOs and any variety of strange additives that are clearly not kosher, with many being downright disgusting!  Along with strange DNA in our vegetables, the probability of human DNA in our rice, poison in our grains, and a very strange diet for our meat supply, it's time to really consider what the next generation will be eating.  I realize prophecy appears to be unfolding at a rapid rate, but the truth of the matter is, the developed industrialized countries could find themselves trying to survive at third world status.  I'm not saying that will happen, but even if we maintain our "convenience and comfort level," the food is being altered and the general health of the population is deteriorating.

Scripture makes it pretty clear that diet is important, has been from the beginning.  I realize I'm sound rather preachy, here.  We as believers have been called to follow Messiah, and to feed the lambs.  For the time being we can share our heirloom seeds, but we cannot sell them without some sort of USDA certification.   If you have a seed business, we invite you to contact the editor for great rates on our ad space.  Otherwise, anyone who would like to offer ideas, ask questions, or participate in this exchange endeavor, please visit the forum board and weigh in on the subject!  2chooselife

 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and Elohim saw that it was good.  Genesis 1:12

If You Want Something Done Right . . .

You have to do it yourself!  We've all heard this, our entire lives and there is certainly an element of truth in it.  The fact remains, however; that even the most talented and gifted of humans can't do everything.  Cooperatives and grass roots movements are born of people, each doing what they can do best, and sharing that with others.

We've begun an experiment here at the Goshen Gazette and we're hoping to start a "grocery roots" movement.  Genetic modification and engineering in a laboratory isn't the only opportunity to experiment with a food supply!  I've done a bit of checking through these past few years and the idea of founding a food co-op is overwhelming to me, so that's not my gift.  Jumping in with an idea and creative improvisation is more along the lines of my gifting.  In speaking with the executive administrator earlier this week, I shared with her my idea of the ideal fellowship.

Well, ideally we'd all be in the same geographical locale, but here's the gist of our conversation.  If everyone involved made the simple statement.  "I can't do everything, I can't be in charge, but YHWH gifted me to do this __________, and I can help in another area."

With that, YHWH has been leading each of us to "bloom where we're planted."  As Americans, as believers, we talk way too much about what "hinders" us.  I've heard people complain about the genetic engineering, but then proceed to explain why they are victims of it and can't avoid it.  I realize homesteading isn't for everyone, right now, but I also know apartment dwellers can have house plants, so here's where we are.  The DEA believes there are closet pot farmers all over the US and have been allocated a budget of $2B to bust them, based upon that belief.  My thought is, if the DEA is willing to make fools of themselves, and the federal government is willing to borrow money to finance the DEA, small time gardening of legal plants is definitely possible!

While I'm experimenting and offering ideas for homesteading and business, Terrie will be sharing with us, her amazing talent of interior landscaping, in her endeavor toward healthier eating.  We hope you'll join us in trying something, even if it's just one thing; toward establishing sustainable healthy food.  We need to implement ideas before the only choice is to "shut up and eat our frankenfood!"

All ideas and photos are welcome as we endeavor to "Bloom where we're planted!"

Perhaps it's Time for a Basic Ag Class

I've mentioned the big raid and bust on the Garden of Eden, in another article, but it inspired the foundation for this article.  As our nation moves away from being an agrarian society, people are not going to be able to recognize the various plants.  We have a clear case of grown men not knowing the difference between tomato plants and marijuana.  Do we really want this to be the direction of our society?

Whether it's city ordinances or abusive authority and SWAT teams, do we want to be so ignorant as to not recognize plants?  How is that even considered progress?  What society takes pride in not knowing the difference of the indigenous vegetation, much less the foliage of the vegetables we eat?  How did this ignorance become respectable?

I saw a photo of a friend's arm after coming into contact with poison ivy.  If the powers that be want to really do something to make our lives better, out law poison ivy and send in the SWAT team!  Seriously, we cannot continue to allow our population to be so far removed from nature that those in authority do not recognize where vegetables come from.  We need to teach some Basic Ag to everyone.  The headlines indicate, it isn't just farmers who need to know what will grow.  As you can plainly see from the photos, these plants should be readily recognizable, even when standing behind a badge.


                                                       
         MINT                                                         BEETS

                                                                                                                                  KALE
               
    SQUASH
 

All delicious and all perfectly legal . . .

  

Edible House Plants

It's time to start thinking about a fall garden or even raising something indoors.  I'm delighted to announce, I have actually harvested a pattipan squash having raised the vine from seeds in a flower pot.  It's beautiful, no blemishes, full size and the plant is covered in blooms.  Only one problem with raising vining produce in a pot, and I've now resolved it, I think.

The produce is heavy and will break the vine if it doesn't have a good strong place to settle.  It will settle back into the pot fine, or as I've now discovered, just make sure the vine is headed for the floor or patio and as it grows, it is already beyond the pot and on the same structure that is supporting the pot it's growing in.

 Commercial hanging planters are great for light fruit and veggies like strawberries or cherry tomatoes.  For those with cats and have avoided potted plants, a small piece of fence over the top when first planting prevents kitty from digging in the soil and the plant will grow right up through the webbing of the fence.   Anyone who enjoys house plants or eating, should consider raising edible house plants.  I've got eggplant in pots, peppers in pots, and potatoes in buckets, not to mention a plethora of fresh herbs in small planters and pots.

Indoor gardening and a patio harvest are both possible.  I've included a link for non genetically mutilated seeds for your autumn growing needs!

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/06/the-monsanto-free-seed-company-list.html

Inalienable Rights

I'm kind of on a Rights Rant this week and I've already mourned the loss of the real meaning of the Bill of Rights, but I'm going to address . . . again, that our rights are not from our government, but our Creator, for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Seems practically a no brainer, that poison is bad for life, so the fact that I choose to not poison my food should fall under that inalienable right.  The fact that I should be able to do that freely, without fear of Big Brother or Big Corporation or USDA, FDA, should fall under some sort of protection of liberty here in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The pursuit to keep these values and rights alive for the next generation brings me happiness.  Shouldn't I be able to pursuit something so simple as to enjoy the following:  Fresh eggs from free range hens, beef from home grown fatted calf, fresh greens and freshly pulled radishes.

Shouldn't everyone have the choice to be able to harvest and celebrate before our Creator, the First produce of this season?  HalleluYah!

Pests and Parasites

I'm going to share two very reliable pesticides, that as far as I can tell do not harm the pollinators, but care must be taken.  First, I use Diatomaceous Earth as a natural pesticide against the hard shelled insects.  I do take care, not to dust the blooms, though.  I've searched and read both warning and safety comments regarding honey bees and DE, so I avoid dusting the blooms.

The other pesticide I use, first came about by accident.  I had planned to make my own Tabasco sauce last year, but wasn't real sure about it, so I just bought a couple of bedding plants at a local nursery.  As it turns out, they were mislabeled.  I thought the peppers seemed an odd shape compared to the pictures on Tabasco sauce bottles, but I figured, "What did I know?"  So, I put a few of those almost round, with a point, red peppers in the blender with some water.  When I removed the blender lid, my eyes began to water.  I knew this was not Tabasco sauce in the making.

I had thought they looked like habaneros, and sure enough, a quick Google search showed images of habaneros that looked exactly like the hundreds of peppers that were growing in my garden.  Well now, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with these peppers, but I knew I had no intention of eating them.  Last year was a particularly difficult year due to drought.  It seems the only thing really thriving were the grasshoppers, and they were making short work of my garden, when I noticed something.  The habanero plants were beautiful!  There were no leaves missing, no hoppers jumping!

That's when it occurred to me, to at least try it.  So, the concoction in the blender went into a spray bottle and out to the garden.  It didn't take long for the grasshoppers to move on.  Now, I make a point of raising one habanero plant on my deck.  It keeps the pests from the other plants and produces enough peppers to make my pesticide!

Jerusalem Artichokes

This site definitely promotes the concept of purposefully providing food for ourselves and our families, but we also want to take the time to point out and remind our readers that YHWH may already have some pretty amazing things already planted in your neck o' the woods.

I'm including a couple of photos of Jerusalem artichokes.  The edible part is the root, but they are just beginning to bloom in the Ozarks, which means everyone north of the seventh growing zone probably still has time to be watching for these lovely bunches of yellow flowers.  The blossom itself, to me, resembles a daisy in size, but much larger and all yellow, not just the center.  Some have compared their appearance to miniature sunflowers, as they do often stand quite tall.


The appearance of the root is something of a small potato in color, and very tuberous looking.  The texture is similar to that of water chestnuts, with a mildly nutty flavor.

I'd urge you to do a bit of research, then be watching.  We just never know what special treat our Creator has placed in our path.

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	304 kJ (73 kcal)
Carbohydrates	17.44 g
- Sugars	9.6 g
- Dietary fiber	1.6 g
Fat	0.01 g
Protein	2 g
Thiamine (vit. B1)	0.2 mg (17%)
Riboflavin (vit. B2)	0.06 mg (5%)
Niacin (vit. B3)	1.3 mg (9%)
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.397 mg (8%)
Vitamin B6	0.077 mg (6%)
Folate (vit. B9)	13 μg (3%)
Vitamin C	4 mg (5%)
Calcium	14 mg (1%)
Iron	3.4 mg (26%)
Magnesium	17 mg (5%)
Phosphorus	78 mg (11%)
Potassium	429 mg (9%)
Link to USDA Database entry Percentages are roughly approximated from US recommendations for adults

Getting it Together

If we could just get the folks in the second link connected with the entrepreneur in the first link, we'd be accomplishing something!  "Nuff said!"

http://www.growingpower.org/  This site has some fascinating information!

NO GMO

Make Something Grow

I usually speak in rather broad terms, as I never want to indicate everyone must be limited to specific foods or specific methods.  Grocery Underground is aimed at using our talents for the glory of our Creator, being creative in moving away from worldly system dependence, and protecting ourselves from "frankenfood."  We, here at Goshen do not proclaim dogma, nor do we try to stir fear, but today I have to make a specific suggestion.

Our food is costing more while offering less nutrition.  We get caught up in busy schedules, falling back on instant and prepackaged.  Most people, even apartment dwellers have a house plant and at least one window.  Many even have balconies.  Here's the plan that provides an instant snack with actual nutrition.  Make a vegetable or fruit a house plant or use a window box for raising a mini garden.

See what you are good at and see how quickly something will grow.  I have actually kept fresh lettuce and salad fixin's growing all winter in a sunny window, before I got my greenhouse.  My favorite handy snack are radish pods.  One radish will produce hundreds of them and they are snappy tangy little snacks along the lines of sugar snap peas.

I'm not suggesting you'll raise your entire food supply in a window box, but fresh snacks are a definite option!

Long Term Shelf Life without Artificial Preservatives

Many of our natural groceries can be stored for prolonged periods of time without unnatural preservatives.

Winter squash will stay good for two to three months in a cool dark place, as will onions, beets, and cabbage.

Dried grains and herbs will remain good for several months, as long as bugs cannot infiltrate the packaging.  I keep rice, flour, herbs, and spices, etc. in glass jars.  I still use red peppers I dried several summers ago.  I am seeking ideas away from rice, as I haven't yet perfected the growing process.  By the statement "not yet perfected the growing process"  I mean, so far it's been a dismal failure, but I'm not giving up, just looking into alternatives.  I know I do not want to eat GMO rice that contains the DNA of human liver.

Potatoes will keep quite awhile, but lime sprinkled on them keeps them even longer.  When our society was agrarian, potatoes were a definite staple on the family dinner table, and the last of them in the root cellar toward the end of winter became the seed potatoes of the next year's crop.

Depending upon the growing season for your region, many vegetables can be planted for a second harvest.  Green beans are very quick to mature, so a second crop can be planted after the first one has died out.  When I plant a second crop of green beans, I have to get the seeds in the ground by late July.  I enjoy most salad produce a second time around, replanting lettuce and radishes when the days begin to shorten and cool in late August.

Spring gardens are in and yielding produce by now.  The full on canning season isn't quite here, yet, so do a bit of checking.  You'll be amazed at how much food you can plant later in the summer to enjoy this winter.

What to Do When Healthy isn't So Good

Many parents are switching from soda to juice for their kids and that's good, but . . . prepackaged fruit products that do not contain preservatives can come with risks, as explained in the included link below.

We are going to have to face facts in this nonstop, always on the go world, we've made for ourselves.  When we eliminate preservatives, which is a great idea, prepackaged becomes much less desirable.  Preservatives and prepackaged tend to go hand in hand, and did from the onset.  I, personally, would not want to serve my kids or grandkids something that was prepackaged, that I could not see the contents, yet contained no preservatives.

As one who cans and preserves everything from fruits and vegetables to milk, I use natural preservatives, and excessive heat and pressure.  My natural preservatives are salt or vinegar, sometimes both, and heat not only serves to kill anything that could potentially "grow," it also serves as the catalyst to the vacuum process of canning.  In this process, however; I am using jars I can see through and lids that clearly indicate a good seal or the lack thereof.

These boxes with plastic liners, although I'm sure meet all the high tech standards, do not afford the simple checkpoints most moms and grandmas have always relied upon.  We truly have no idea of the process used that somehow manages to keep liquid in a plastic bag in a cardboard box through temperature changes and shipping.

The simplest way to avoid any chances of contamination while still providing healthy preservative free snacks is to make snacks at home, keep them in the freezer if time is an issue and it always is, or fresh for after school snacks and outings.  As for beverages, filtered water or spring water is always best, especially if there are sports activities.  The body needs plenty of good fresh water and salted nuts or seeds are a great source of protein as well as providing the salt that can be lost in summer activities.  Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are easy to grow, easy to roast and do last quite awhile when stored ahead, when salted in the roasting process.

I think you'll find the linked article very informative.  Why I Stopped Buying Juice Boxes

When "Life" Hands You Lemons

Say Thank you!  Lemons have so many useful purposes.  Our Creator made a real gift in this bright yellow fruit.                                                       

The rest of the old saying . . . "make lemonade."  Life handing one lemons used to be a metaphor for difficulties and yet lemons contain many valuable properties.    Lemon is acidic, so it has wonderful antibacterial properties.  It is also very soothing for sore throats as well as the nervous system. 

Here are 45 reasons why you might be glad to have lemons on hand.

When life hands you lemons; there are so many more options beyond making lemonade.

Organic farming

Organic farming takes a bit of a vision . . . and as it turns out you have to outsmart goats and chickens. You may laugh at that, and a few years ago I would too, but critters have an amazing ability to strategize their way through life. At the other place, I had a nice little herb garden and strawberry bed that the goats simply could not access. Now chickens on the other hand were a bit of a problem until I got one of those "bird nets" to put over them. It seems the bright red berries draw birds and turtles. Goats love any kind of fruit leaf, but they weren't the problem at EinGedi.

When the strawberries began to ripen, I just had to pick them and let them finish ripening in my kitchen window. I was amazed that they still surpassed store bought in flavor and fragrance. Then I moved to Goshen, and it's been a new experience in being outsmarted every year, regarding my attempt at a strawberry bed. This year, by the grace of our Creator, I have a special little tucked away spot that the chickens don't know about and goats can't reach, and I have two cats that love the orchard and their presence serves as a real deterent to birds and traveling turtles. I feel blessed!

I didn't realize this new strawberry bed would be productive at all this year, but so far I've picked a dozen strawberries. That's where the visionary part comes in. As I planted each of those little bedding starts, I pictured them spreading out and becoming a full fledged strawberry bed that would provide enough for preserves and a couple pies a year. A dozen might not seem like much, but it's 1200% more than I expected! And, so far, no buddy is beating me to them.

This is a homestead harvest berry, and I thought setting it next to the measuring cup would give a perspective. I'm excited! I couldn't believe the fragrance of a vine ripened organic strawberry.

Healthier Living

It's not too late to get a few groceries started in the garden. In many places it's just now time to set out tomatoes and peppers, both of which are very high in Vitamin C. With a cooler, later spring, I'm sure there are still many plants that would thrive in many of the growing zones.

Not only does gardening provide a healthier diet, but also a reduced food cost, as well as exercise. i want to specifically mention cabbage in this article because cabbage is one of the latest "frankenfoods" being offered. The DNA of scorpions is added to the cabbage to serve as a pesticide against caterpillars that like cabbage. The scorpion venom literally serves to eliminate the caterpillar. I have no idea what that does to humans who consume the cabbage and I doubt that that information will be released any time soon, if it's ever even researched.

What I do know is this. Cabbage is very easy to grow, year round. It requires no pollination and will literally come up from seed in fairly cool soil. Broccoli is also being tampered with, as is cauliflower. I have discovered kale to be a wonderful hearty leafy vegetable that some folks say is interchangeable with spinach. I, personally like it better for cooking than spinach, but it's not as good fresh for salad as spinach is, so there's my two cents worth on that. Kale grows rapidly and abundantly, and will keep producing if the roots are not pulled when the leaves are harvested. It is available in heirloom variety seeds.

If space is an issue, kale and spinach will grow quite nicely in a window box. There is still a little time to "Get Growing."
Just came across an interesting page about kale.

Calcium

Many dark green leafy vegetables contain a relatively high level of calcium. The calcium in spinach however, is somewhat poorly absorbed, probably because of the high concentration of oxalate. The study revealed that kale, a low-oxalate vegetable, is a good source of bio-available calcium. Kale is a member of the same family that includes broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens and mustard greens. These low-oxalate, calcium-rich vegetables are therefore also likely to be better sources of available calcium.

I want to include this link, specifically for this time, because kale and broccoli are quite easy to raise and will produce through most of the summer months. These dark green vegetables are delicious steamed which is the next best thing to raw, and they can be eaten raw as well. Both freeze beautifully, also.

They grow in a relatively small area, and can even be raised in pots and window boxes. If you are new to gardening, limited on space, or feel you have a "brown" thumb, I encourage you to give these two a try.



I am not promoting globalism, but this is a pretty nice link, loaded with valuable information
Global Healing Center

High Calcium Leafy Greens

Magnesium

We're going to try to focus on various vitamins and minerals in which a deficiency may actually be causing many to experience various syndromes and diagnoses in which a simple boost of these elements by diet or supplement may improve overal health and eliminate symptoms.

Included are three links addressing magnesium.

http://www.calmnatural.com/magnesium-deficiency

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-magnesium.php

http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-high-in-magnesium.php#magnesium-rich-foods

Good and Bad

I've got some good news and some bad news.

School will be out soon and it's still not too late for a garden. Here's two links that have some valuable information as the routine changes to "The Good Ol' Summer Time" Some of the snacks would be great projects to include the kids!

First the list of bad news.
Bad Stuff

Here is the good news!
Good Snack Ideas

Registering Seeds HR 193

Today we are sounding the WARNING as planting season blooms across the nation.
Please find included the latest legislation regarding the possibility of registering "saved seeds" that bear a patent. Also included is a list, although not complete, a list of already patented bedding plants. That is not to say these bedding plants are GMO, but rather that the seeds may at some point be reclaimed by the distributing company or require registration. Article

Here are a few seed companies listed on the internet that offer heirloom seeds. I have actually purchased seeds from several of these companies and replanted my harvested seeds.

www.heirloomseeds.com
www.edenbrothers.com
www.gurneys.com
www.rareseeds.com
www.sustainableseedco.com

Included in this next list are the trademark names of what could potentially become seeds that must be registered or returned. I'm not suggesting every back yard garden could be confiscated, but then again, I'm just offering the list in the link below.

Owned Heirloom Seed Names

Time to GET GROWING!

The Food Solution . . .

Scripture tells us if we are obedient, we will have rain in it's season and we will eat the goodness that the land produces. We are also told what will happen if we are not obedient. I didn't realize until just now what we have already chosen to do. I noticed when I was traveling abroad in ministry that even false religions with "many gods" realized bad weather and crop conditions meant a an unhappy deity. I made the comment when I returned to the states, how odd it was that a so-called Christian nation didn't consider G-d in the failed crops or drought. Now, we hear several comments, usually jokes when the rains begin, but we have the promise, next time it won't be water, it'll be fire.

The last two years of drought in the cropland, clearly indicate we are not getting rain in it's season, and the poor harvests, as well as the reduced cattle herds should tell us the land is not producing as much goodness. We can also go to the grocery store and see that our wallets cannot afford what goodness there is, if in fact it is goodness at all. I seriously did not realize we've made the choice to override Scripture as we continue to be the consumers of the products of genetic modification, chem-trails, cloud seeding, etc. We may make a bit of noise and even give some lip service, but when it really boils down to it, even the new generation of Bible-thumpers says, "G-d knows we're doing the best we can."

Are we doing the best we can? When Monsanto is blatant? When our government has practically given cart blanche power to the FDA? How about when the USDA tells land owners what can and cannot be sown and the method which should be used? What about Sabbaths for the land? As I researched and prayed about this article, I'm realizing, we're long past the point of making a decision. We would literally have to go back several steps in this journey upon which we've already embarked, as a nation.

Before there was genetic modification, chemical herbicides and deadly pesticides. Before there weather alteration, crop dusting, chem-trails, etc., when agricultural problems arose, there was this old fashioned solution called; repentance. As a nation we don't do that. It would seem the solution is now to be determined on an individual basis. I don't have the power to stop the chem-trails, but the G-d of Israel is a covering for those who trust Him. I don't have the power or the money to go toe to toe with Monsanto, but the G-d of Israel is bigger, and He's provided me with enough money to buy heirloom seeds, and land on which to plant them. I don't have the land to run a herd of cattle, but I have enough land to feed a couple of goats for milk and I can share that milk with a bottle calf that can then graze with the goats.

As a society, we have taken entirely too much into our own hands and if we don't make an individual choice to do things differently, we are complicit. We were created to tend the garden and have dominion over the animals. The term, tend, does not mean alter or engineer. Dominion does not mean crossing species. We were not created nor given dominion over the land and the air. We were given the Instructions and the promise for seed time and harvest and the choices to be made that we can enjoy life and truly provide life and sustenance for our children.

Some Piggies Don't Make it To Market . . .

I'm going to add a note from the editor here. We shouldn't have to have government regulation force us, to do what is right before YHWH.


This Little Piggy Went To Market. This Little Piggy Went...
by Linda Marte




"Workers say they are overwhelmed as they attempt to drag nearly 7,000 pig carcasses from a river in Shanghai...
"Meat producers in China sometimes sell animals that have died from disease, instead of disposing of them, amid lax food safety laws.
Around half of the world's 1.3m pigs slaughtered annually for meat are raised in China, many of which are reared in intensive farms which have been accused of promoting the spread of disease.
In 2007, an outbreak of high fever blue ear disease in pigs in China affected 50 million animals."
(Photo image and news credit: news.sky.com)


And this coming on the heels of discovering more than 3,300 dead pigs in the Shanghi River within a matter of days before this! We are blessed to live in a country where laws are enforced to prevent such things from happening here in the US... Right? And our laws protect us, because they are enforced, from the effects of such news stories that we are seeing happening in other parts of the world like China...Right?

"10.1
DISPOSAL OF DEAD ANIMALS
Commercial livestock operations are normally subject to mortalities and therefore generate many carcasses for disposal. Proper disposal of dead livestock is extremely important to protect the health of both people and livestock. Any animal carcass may contain bacteria and other disease organisms that can infect humans directly or through contamination of a residential water supply. Disposal of dead livestock must be in accordance with the Waste Materials Disposal Act. Mortalities must be kept in a secure and frozen state if not disposed of within 48 hours of the time of death. A secure state would be one where scavenger animals such as coyotes, wolves (in Labrador), dogs and birds are prevented from access to the mortalities. Disposal is specified to be by delivery to a rendering plant, burial, composting or incineration. Leaving mortalities outside for scavengers to feed on is not an acceptable method of dead animal disposal. Rendering Delivery of the carcasses to a rendering company is the preferred method for disposing of dead animals..." (source nr.gov.nl...)

"6 Any animal that has a separate hoof that is completely divided and also chews the cud, these animals you may eat. 7 But you are not to eat those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof. For example, the camel, the hare and the coney are unclean for you because they chew the cud but don't have a separate hoof; 8 while the pig is unclean for you because, although it has a separate hoof, it doesn't chew the cud. You are not to eat meat from these or touch their carcasses." Deuteronomy 8 CJB

From 1980 to 2011, the number of hog operations in the U.S. dropped from 666,000 to roughly 69,000, yet the number of hogs sold remains almost the same.

About 70% of U.S. beef cattle come from farms with at least 5,000 head of cattle.

Ten large companies produce more than 90 percent of the nation's poultry.

"Giant livestock farms, which can house hundreds of thousands of pigs, chickens, or cows, produce vast amounts of manure, often generating the waste equivalent of a small city. A problem of this nature and scale is tough to imagine, and pollution from livestock farms seriously threatens humans, fish and ecosystems....

Facts about Pollution from Livestock Farms
Giant livestock farms, which can house hundreds of thousands of pigs, chickens, or cows, produce vast amounts of manure, often generating the waste equivalent of a small city. A problem of this nature and scale is tough to imagine, and pollution from livestock farms seriously threatens humans, fish and ecosystems. Below are facts and statistics that tell the story.
Livestock pollution and public health
California officials identify agriculture, including cows, as the major source of nitrate pollution in more than 100,000 square miles of polluted groundwater.

In 1996 the Centers for Disease Control established a link between spontaneous abortions and high nitrate levels in Indiana drinking water wells located close to feedlots.

High levels of nitrates in drinking water also increase the risk of methemoglobinemia, or "blue-baby syndrome," which can kill infants.

Animal waste contains disease-causing pathogens, such as Salmonella, E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and fecal coliform, which can be 10 to 100 times more concentrated than in human waste. More than 40 diseases can be transferred to humans through manure.

Manure from dairy cows is thought to have contributed to the disastrous Cryptosporidium contamination of Milwaukee's drinking water in 1993, which killed more than 100 people, made 400,000 sick and resulted in $37 million in lost wages and productivity.

In this country, roughly 29 million pounds of antibiotics -- about 80 percent of the nation's antibiotics use in total -- are added to animal feed every year, mainly to speed livestock growth. This widespread use of antibiotics on animals contributes to the rise of resistant bacteria, making it harder to treat human illnesses.

Large hog farms emit hydrogen sulfide, a gas that most often causes flu-like symptoms in humans, but at high concentrations can lead to brain damage. In 1998, the National Institute of Health reported that 19 people died as a result of hydrogen sulfide emissions from manure pits.

Livestock pollution and water pollution
Huge open-air waste lagoons, often as big as several football fields, are prone to leaks and spills. In 1995 an eight-acre hog-waste lagoon in North Carolina burst, spilling 25 million gallons of manure into the New River. The spill killed about 10 million fish and closed 364,000 acres of coastal wetlands to shellfishing.

In 2011, an Illinois hog farm spilled 200,000 gallons of manure into a creek, killing over 110,000 fish.

In 2012, a California dairy left over 50 manure covered cow carcasses rotting around its property and polluting nearby waters.

When Hurricane Floyd hit North Carolina in 1999, at least five manure lagoons burst and approximately 47 lagoons were completely flooded.

Runoff of chicken and hog waste from factory farms in Maryland and North Carolina is believed to have contributed to outbreaks of Pfiesteria piscicida, killing millions of fish and causing skin irritation, short-term memory loss and other cognitive problems in local people.

Nutrients in animal waste cause algal blooms, which use up oxygen in the water, contributing to a "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico where there's not enough oxygen to support aquatic life. The dead zone fluctuates in size each year, extending a record 8,500 square miles during the summer of 2002 and stretching over 7,700 square miles during the summer of 2010.

Ammonia, a toxic form of nitrogen released in gas form during waste disposal, can be carried more than 300 miles through the air before being dumped back onto the ground or into the water, where it causes algal blooms and fish kills. (source: NRDC)
I think this is "why" and I think it is safe to say all of the above information is the "cause & effect" of "Torahlessness." We were given all the "safe handling" and the list of "clean and unclean meats" according to YHWH's Laws. Will the US make teshuva (repentance)? Will the Chinese and the rest world repent? I think it is a pretty "safe guess" if we can say, No.

For more information regarding; "Facts about Pollution from Livestock" visit:
http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/ffarms.asp

Shalom in the Garden

I didn't realize until today, just how much confusion and sadness, I really want to "lock out" of the garden. As I see the end of days coming into place, in the midst of the confusion and fear, I must sound like a broken record. We need to begin a sustainable food supply. I'm not talking about hording canned goods, although a few canned goods on hand to share isn't a bad idea, but I'm talking about gardening. It has value far beyond just food.

A couple of years ago, I got a question from people who were just beginning to think about gardening and growing their own food and they wanted to know while they were making plans, where was the best place to store their seeds. That's the great thing about gardening! It doesn't take a great deal of planning. It takes some dirt, and it takes some work, prayerfully G-d supplies the sunshine and rain. So, in response to the question, I told these folks the best place to store seeds was the ground . . . Even if you're not ready to go "big time" yet, the "dividends" of one row of beans or a single tomato plant will yield food as well as multiple increase in seeds for next year.

With this idea of starting something, even if it's small, keep something very important in mind. We do reap what we sow. So we don't want to plant what we don't want to harvest, and that of course has been a valuable metaphor for years, but I have something to add, as these end of days unfold in our instant gratification society. Without sowing, there is no harvest. We have become so dependent upon cans on the shelves of the super-marts, many of our young people don't even know that groceries, well some groceries are actually grown in the soil.

Getting started is important and to begin with, the size of the plowed ground is not the point, however; the soil we sow into and the seed we sow is imperative to the harvest. It's truly time to take this truth literally as well as metaphorically. Just as GMO has proven that we can eat empty calories without nutritional value, we can also sow bountifully into poverty. We've been programmed to raise the wrong kind of green for too long. We may refer to money as green, but even economically it has no real value, and it certainly will not sustain our bodies. It's time to grow some real green, and that happens in the garden. To get your feet wet and your hands dirty, a.k.a. to begin with, the garden can be a window box, a flower pot, a bucket, or a small section of the back yard. If you have a place for a house plant, you have a place to raise something of nutritional value.

I want to take this time to share something I'm doing and I'll be honest, there is a degree of laziness involved in my latest endeavor, so be that as it may, I'll share what I'm learning. I do not like to dig potatoes and I'm not a huge fan of potatoes. I mean I like them, but if I had to choose between mashed potatoes & gravy or salad, I'd choose salad. If I had to choose between french fries and squash, I'd choose squash, and how often does anyone make home made french fries anymore, anyway? Yet, I digress . . . back to my plan.

I'll address the metaphor of sowing and reaping in next week's edition. This week, is the practical application of a literal space contained gardening option and you can grow something with it. Here's my way to have potatoes without digging them. I have a 5 gallon bucket with a few holes drilled in the bottom, filled with soil. I planted 4-5 potato eyes and covered them. Now, picture this, the potato eyes are about 2 inches beneath the rim of the bucket, so there is over a foot of soil beneath, which is where the potatoes will grow. I water it regularly and at the end of about 4 months, when the tops have died away, I simply empty the bucket and pick up the potatoes. I'm trying to figure out the timing, so I can just have a fresh bucket of potatoes every few weeks and rotate the growing cycle of each bucket. I tried this last year and there are more intense and complicated methods, of this potato bucket project, but this one worked well for me. Now all I have to do is time it so I have a bucket of potatoes ready every month.

This isn't exactly the most compact of patio gardening ideas, but half a dozen buckets rotating is a pretty nice crop of potatoes, and there is no digging! And, since the potatoes grow under the soil, you can raise chives, cilantro, dill, or many herbs in the bucket as well. There are many vining vegetables that will also grow in buckets on the patio. Just because you're not farming 40 acres, is no indication you can't grow something where you find yourself planted!