Blueberry Jam

I love canning. For some reason making food and putting it in a jar is so much fun to me. It is very exciting to think that you have your own little food stash that you made yourself.  When people are eating apples and nasty commercial canned fruit in the winter I love the thought of just reaching for a jar of real peaches.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to go blueberry picking earlier in July. I was than able to make my favorite blueberry jam recipe! In to the jar it went before I ate it all. I look forward to eating it this winter with homemade yogurt, whole wheat biscuits or toast. 

  

Blueberry-Lime Jam

4 ½ cups blueberries

1 package powdered pectin

5 cups of sugar

1 tablespoon grated lime peel

1/3 cup lime juice

Crush blueberries on layer at a time. Combine crushed blueberries and pectin in a large saucepot. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Stir in grated lime peel and lime juice. Return to a rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. Ladle hot jam into hot jars, leaving ¼-inch headspace. Adjust two-piece caps. Process 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner.  Makes about 6 half-pints. 

Recipe From Ball Blue Book.

Happy Canning! 

Nothing like Tyson...

..and all of the rest of the big meat-packers for that matter. Just when I think that I have heard it all than I read another article about how the big four (Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and Smithfield) have committed another sin which  consequently is overlooked by most of the public and the government. Honestly, the abuse of animals is not even the half of it. Try human rights! If some one asked me why I don't eat meat from the store I would tell them that it was because I believe in human rights!!

Okay, enough of my rants. Just read it for yourself.


How the meat industry turned abuse into a business model 

Big Meat vs. Michael Pollan

The Spam Factory's Dirty Secret

So if all of that has you all depressed you can read about a Zero-Packaging Grocery Store. See, there is still some hope after all.

Happy Wednesday,

CCosner

Recipe: Naan (Indian Flatbread)

I am currently trying out  this recipe. I added some whole wheat flour to it to make it a little healthier. I will see how it goes. Pictures? Maybe? 
-C 

Source: All Recipes

Naan

Ingredients

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 1/2 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand about 10 minutes, until frothy. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside to rise. Let it rise 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in volume.
2. Punch down dough, and knead in garlic. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball. Roll into balls, and place on a tray. Cover with a towel, and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
3. During the second rising, preheat grill to high heat.
4. At grill side, roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle. Lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until puffy and lightly browned. Brush uncooked side with butter, and turn over. Brush cooked side with butter, and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from grill, and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared. 

Famers Market!

Today was the first farmers market of the season! Hurray!! No more going to the store if I can help it except for the necessities. I am thrilled!

 Beautiful Radishes! I could not resist them. Far better than anything store bought.

 Lettuce, radishes and goat-milk soap, all local. :D

 Middle-school band provided the entertainment this week.

 

I have been working on my Senior Project, trying to finish my BA in the Theatre Arts this spring. I have been neglecting my blog and it makes me sad. More later?

Happy Saturday
CCosner

An Ode to Popcorn

It has lately come to my attention that I do not eat enough popcorn.

Now, lest you chastise me and say, "Shame on you, popcorn is so buttery salty and unhealthy", I would like to give myself a chance to defend myself.

You see, I was raised an a household in which the one evening snack was popcorn. My parents found it highly economical to purchase a 25 pound bag of popcorn from Costco and pop it over the course of several months. Because of this my evenings are rarely complete upon my return to my parents house without the popcorn I love so dearly.

And then....I had a revelation. No one eats popcorn or makes it the traditional way. Unbeknownst to many, you can acctually purchase the seeds bulk and pop them without a microwave or a fancy popcorn popper. All you need is a pan with a lid.

I am learning that popping popcorn on the stove top does take a degree of skill. The oil has to be the proper temperature and the have to be the right amount of kernels. I just look at it as a work in progress. Overall it is so much healthier than microwave popcorn bags or movie popcorn. Yes, there are a few burnt ones but it is so worth it.

Here is to you Popcorn...and your awesomeness!

-C

Lifestyle Choices

With my new found ideals of minimalism and eating I am making some personal lifestyle choices.

The first of these changes is to remove unnecessary things from my life. Things I don't use, things I don't wear and things I don't need I have been selling, donating or giving to other people. It is such a liberating feeling to do this. My wardrobe has gotten smaller, my desk cleaner and my bookshelf thinner. But what this leaves me with is a respect for what I have. I am lucky that I live in a place where wealth is so accessible. There are many who own far less than I.

There are many ways to execute the minimalist ideals. Some go so far as to get rid of most of their possessions leaving them with a few cloths, a toothbrush and a laptop. I do not think I will be this extreme. As a student I always will have a endless supply of paper, pencils, notebooks, textbooks, and office supplies. I really see nothing wrong with this. These are tools that are expendable. Another thing that I cannot completely weed away is my kitchen and its supplies. I am a foodie and therefore I cook a lot. Whatever I have I use. I have to be able to cook things adequately with the right spices, pans, and tools. But there are some things I am working to narrow down and simplfy.

1) My personal care routine: The amounts of lotion, bath gel, bubble bath, shaving cream, bath salts, shampoo, conditioning agents, face wash and perfume, that I own are astounding. I rarely use it, which should be evident, and I cannot really get rid of it on a clear conscience. To throw it away seems wasteful. So I have gotten rid of some of it and am working on using the rest bit by bit. In the end I think that I will only purchase one at a time, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, razors, and a face wash. My soap will be in bar form and all of listed items will be made locally or at the very least, domestically.     

2) My wardrobe: I never wear certain things but I hate to get rid of them. I tossed them in a bag anyway. I usually get cloths from other people who don't want them or I purchase them at a thrift store. That will be the trend that I will continue. I will just make sure to weed more regularly.

3) My bookshelf: I feel like this is a bit of a sin but I do have books that I won't reread anytime soon or that I don't really care about so I have been selling them to a local and independent bookstore for in-store credit. I will turn around and use the credit to by birthday gifts or purchase more books for myself. I don't see it as much of a loss in that respect.

There is more too it than that but I hit the high points. It has been a good exercise for me to do this. It really loosens my attachment to "stuff".

My other personal quest is that of eating. I have made some diet choices as well. I am currently not shopping at a grocery store but once a month so I can eat up the last of the food in my pantry. Then I will start over fresh. Here are my new guidelines.

1) No shopping at Wal-Mart or Safeway if I can absolutely help it.
2) No food in cans except tomatoes, beans, and soup.
3) No out of season produce. Must be from Pacific Northwest or California at the worst.
4) This goes for other food as well, local is a must.
5) Organic if possible. But not fake organic like Amy's Organic TV dinners. Gross.
6) Simple foods such as veggies, fruits, whole bulk grains, and yogurt.
7) Eco-friendly packaging.

Now as I said before, these are guidelines. If I can hit all of these points than it would be wonderful but that can be very challenging. But right now I am in transition. We will see where I am in a few months.

These new lifestyle choices will take time. They are not something that happens overnight or in a month. I am gradually shifting to them which I think is healthier than going cold turkey.

For your personal enjoyment I found a great essay series by the acclaimed food writer Alan Richman on the ethics of eating. It is both humorous and enlightening. Enjoy.

Weekly Hall of Shame

Weekly Hall of Shame: Dedicated to the sad reality of our culture. 

According to a study by University of Central Florida, nearly half of the 3- to 6-year-old girls said they worry about being fat. About one-third would change a physical attribute, such as their weight or hair color.

Normal healthy people are still being called "Plus Sized Models" on the runways of New York Fashion Week. Just because her thighs touch does not mean she is fat! As least there are a few that agree.

Two more reasons not to eat factory farmed meat, both confined swine and chickens.  Both are have higher disease risk and chickens are becoming genetically mortified. Save your money and your health. Purchase your meat from local ranchers.

Speaking of food, this blog brings up the same questions I have. Why do we not make healthy food affordable?

Viagra is covered by many insurance plans while birth control still seems to be left out of the picture. I do not get this! Having an erection is more important than preventing a pregnancy it seems. The article above is a few years old. This one is newer and not much has changed. 

-C

Work

I work a lot. It is safe to say I am a workaholic. I am a full time student and I have three less-than-part-time jobs. You know, little things that added up make me about $350 a month. It covers rent. Doesn't help that I can't make any more than $9 an hour in this town. The Recession sucks.

About that...I remember three years ago when I was a wee little freshman and I said to myself, "Thank goodness I am in college now because when I get out the Recession will be over and I will be able to get a decent job." Oh man. What was I thinking?

I went to the store today. I have spent $20 on food this year. Its a good damn thing because I don't know how I am going to feed myself once I graduate. At least I am good at starving.

Better sign up for more work hours.

Happy Monday.

High court rejects farmer who tangled with Tyson

By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Mark Sherman, Associated Press 

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday turned down an appeal from a former Tennessee poultry farmer who sued Tyson Farms after losing his contract to raise their chickens.
The justices did not comment in turning away Alton Terry, who said Tyson cut him off because he helped organize area farmers and complained about the company's practices. Lower courts had previously dismissed the lawsuit.
Terry, essentially, argued that he lost his contract to raise chickens on his 12-acre farm, because he squawked too much.
Terry was a poultry farmer who brought together a group of area farmers and told them they had the right to complain about Tyson's practices. He also raised concerns directly with Tyson, among the world's largest meat companies.
Terry says Tyson and other big companies have too much sway over farmers, and federal courts also have bowed to agribusiness interests by setting too high a standard for the farmers to succeed in court.
He casts his fight as a "struggle between those who grow our food and those who process and market it."
Tyson, a unit of Springdale, Ark.-based Tyson Foods, Inc., had urged the court to stay out of the lawsuit, arguing that the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati properly dismissed it.
The 6th Circuit ruled that Terry not only had to show that he was harmed by Tyson actions, but that he also had to prove the company diminished competition by ending Terry's contract and sending a signal to other farmers. Terry didn't even claim anticompetitive behavior by Tyson, much less prove it, the court said.
At an earlier stage in the case, the Bush administration's Agriculture Department sided with Terry. Since Barack Obama became president, USDA has proposed rules that would limit the control chicken companies have over the farmers who raise birds for them and would make it easier for farmers to file suits under the 90-year-old Packers and Stockyards Act. The proposed changes would make clear that farmers don't need to prove industry-wide anticompetitive behavior to sue under the act.
Last year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the law has not kept pace with the marketplace, where consolidation has strengthened the hand of the big companies in their dealings with farmers. "Our job is to make sure the playing field is level for producers," Vilsack said.
USDA said it is reviewing the 61,000 comments it received about the proposed changes.
Tyson contracts with farmers to raise broiler chickens. Under the contracts, the company supplies the chicks, feed and know-how to get the birds up to a weight where they can be slaughtered. Growers are paid under a formula that measures weight gain in the birds relative to how much feed has been provided.
Terry bought his farm in 2001, but only after getting assurances from a Tyson manager that the farm he was buying had a first-rate reputation. He says he was led to believe that he would not need to make major investments in the poultry equipment anytime soon.
The following year, he said, he began to learn about problems other farmers were having with Tyson. After a while, he formed an association of area farmers and forwarded complaints about Tyson to USDA.
His growing conflict with Tyson came to a head after he was three times denied permission to watch his birds get weighed by the company, as he claims is his right under federal law and the contract.
By March 2005, less than four years after Terry bought the farm, Tyson told him it would no longer provide chicks. According to Terry, the company said it ended its arrangement with him because the farm needed costly equipment upgrades and his behavior had become confrontational.
But Terry said the real reasons for the termination were his efforts to organize the farmers and his complaints to USDA.
He filed suit in 2008.
After losing the Tyson contract, Terry tried to sell the farm but couldn't, he said, because Tyson's demand for expensive upgrades scared off potential buyers. Eventually he lost the farm to foreclosure.
The case is Terry v. Tyson Farms, 10-542.

A not so starving artist.

I wish I could keep and up to date and riveting blog like so many other bloggers in the wonderful land of the world wide web. But alas, I do not.

I am a proud patron of the "Happy Money Saver" Yes, that is the name. I kid you not. It used to be blog but now it is more a website. But if you ever want to see some extreme money saving, coupon wielding ladies than this is the place to go.

Now as a general rule it is not often that you see a student with with a hand full of coupons, a sale flier and a shopping list. This is usually a common sight for a woman with two kids stuffed into those plastic trucks on the ends of shopping carts. She is out for the best deals because her family relies on it. Plus she manages to squeeze the time out of her day to scour the weekly ads for the best deals. But this fall I have become much more thrifty in my grocery shopping thanks to the inspiration of this website. 

I live in a little town. We have four grocery stores. One is a discount outlet and the other three are major retailers. My system is as thus: get the ads for the major stores and look for the best deals. Make a list of things that I need. Compare prices with the discount grocery and see which is better. It is usually a safe bet to go there every trip. In the end, I probably scrape off about $5-$10 per trip.

Now honestly, this is not that much not compared to these crazy Money Saver women who go to the store and manage to pay $1.50 for $40 worth of stuff. ( I am not joking).  However, I am lucky enough to have been born with a very thrifty mentality and so I can do the math. This kind of savings over the course of the year adds up to be between $210 and $420. Not bad for a student. To extend this even more I cook at home and rarely eat out. When I eat out it is for lunch which is the cheaper alternative. To top that all off I often can get organic food at my discount grocery for the same price as the regular stuff at say Safeway. Unbelievable right? Yet very few students ever shop at this place.

Okay, yeah, I know I am weird. Most people that are under 25 do not think like me. But really, it is not that hard to do this kind of thing. I wish more people would do the same. We would be healthier, have more money in our bank account and feel that sense of homemaker accomplishment that comes from getting dinner on the table for under $10. That sentiment died in the 1950's. Too bad.

Fall Shenanigans

I do not think that there are many more fun things to do than hang out with theater people. From the borrowing *cough* of a Safeway shopping cart to the stealing of the Costume Shop mannequin for the perfect prank, playing with nerf guns, or dressing up as flappers for the Homecoming parade, and everything in between. Pure shenanigans!

Fall has caused an explosion of color. It is beautiful here. It always is. So many colors to create one glorious palate.

I have found a good restaurant lately. Foley's Station has $6 lunches and Friday Bar bites at very reasonable prices. Their dinner menu is more pricey but that food is wonderful. It is mainly north west cuisine that is served but there are a few exceptions. Beautiful atmosphere and it is less than a block from my apartment. I am in love.

I am going to New York this winter after all. I payed my first installment last week. There will be six people going on this trip. I am looking forward to it more and more everyday.

Happy Wandering

CCosner