Urban Farming with Martha

Baby Chicks Are Arriving!

2011-02-21T11:07:00.000-08:00

The baby chicks are arriving at your local farm supply store and this brings back many memories for Mother about the arrival of my sisters and I. Mother kept a baby book for us and I would like to share it with you.

March 2010

It was the 18th of March when we went to our local farm supply store and picked out Martha and her sisters. They were so incredibly small and soft. The children and I would sit and watch them under the heat lamp as they ran around peeping. There is something soothing and therapeutic about watching chickens.

Chocolate

Raising chicks is pretty easy to do but there are things that can go wrong and we experienced that first hand with our littlest chick, Chocolate. She had a "pasting" issue. Basically, fecal matter gets stuck in their feathers (or fluff) and if this is not removed, the chick can die. It is fairly easy to remove with a warm moistened paper towel but there are times when it has to be pulled off, and unfortunately the fluff gets ripped out as you do.

Martha

Chickens are adorable but not super bright. They would poop in their water and food constantly, so I ended up cleaning their water container twice daily. Given the amount they poop each day, it really helped using a "deep litter" for their habitat. I used a 3 inch layer of pine pellets in their box and sprinkled a think layer of pine pellets over their refuse each day. The chicks stayed clean and there was no odor in the garage, which was there home for the first two months. The pine pellets look a lot like the adult feed, so we opted to continue feeding them "crumble" when they became adults.

The girls visit the great outdoors

We started taking the chicks outside for daytime visits when they were about a month and a half old. They would huddle together and explore the yard together. When one was separated from the other, they would all panic. Their sisterhood was firmly established.

The new home

When warm nights were a guarantee, we had their new home built. I went to such great lengths to ensure that it would be just the right size and that each hen would have their own nesting box. It was quite a surprise to find that all three would sleep in the same nesting box together. They use the other nesting boxes to lay eggs. When one hen is laying an egg, another sits sentinel beside her. Their relationship is a beautiful thing to behold.

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-12-29T22:40:00.000-08:00

Santa Claus knows if you've been bad or good...

2010-12-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

The best thing about the holiday season, for mother, is having the right motivation to keep children from getting into trouble. Santa's "Naughty List" is always a great motivator for good behavior but it is amazing how easy it can be to forget and end up on the Naughty List! Luckily, you can redeem yourself by completing three tasks:

1. Do something nice - this could be as simple as picking up litter, drawing a picture for someone, making a gift, or going through your toys and giving something to charity.

2. Say something nice - saying your sorry is a good place to start but sometimes this becomes so automatic that it loses sincerity. Giving a complement to someone is a nice alternative.

3. Help someone - holding the door for someone, help a person carry something, or ask someone if you can help them.

In essence, it is nothing more than good manners and just like they say on Blues Clues, "Manners show people you care" and isn't that a great theme for the holiday season?

Holy Basil and Fevers

2010-11-28T15:48:00.000-08:00

A year ago, Papa had his tonsils removed but before he did, he was often sick. It was common for Papa to run fevers that would reach 102 to 104 degrees, which is pretty serious for an adult. In an attempt to find ways to bring down the fever but still allow the fever to do its important work, Mama started to research alternative treatments on the internet.

Mama had some Holy Basil (Tulsi) in the cupboard that she was told would reduce fevers but she didn't know how. After searching the internet, it turns out that it is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Finding an exact recipe was a challenge because most sights would generically say "In case of acute fevers, a decoction of the leaves boiled with powdered cardamom in half a liter of water and mixed with sugar and milk brings down the temperature."

It turns out that this concoction was able to reduce the fever by 1 to 2 degrees. I know this seems insignificant but it kept Papa out of the emergency room and allowed the fever to do its job. It tastes pretty good, too.

We do not recommend this as a treatment or cure. You should always consult a health care provider before trying alternative treatments.

Chlorella and Autism

2010-11-21T09:33:00.000-08:00

One of mother's favorite biomedical treatments for her son was Chlorella. She first read about it on Dr. Mercola's website. They had a testimonial about the benefits of Chlorella on an Autistic boy. It claimed that Chlorella could remove heavy metals after about 3 months of use and it would improve healing time of wounds and bruises after using for a year. Further research of Chlorella convinced mother that it was a pretty benign product that could potentially produce results.

Mother started giving Chlorella to her daughter and son. After 3 months, her son went from a vocabulary of 3 words to 85 words. The time line coincided with the data from Mercola's website. She was excited to share this information with her child's teachers and their response was, "it is not unusual for a child to have a verbal growth spurt, such as this". So, was it the Chlorella or was it a growth spurt? I guess we will never know but mother has her own opinion on that one.

Mother's son was 2 years old at the time. He was given a combination of Chlorella and powdered probiotics for 2 years. Today, he is 9 years old. He has had the flu once in 7 years and a cold twice. He rarely bruises.

Where the chlorella worked so well for her son, it showed no results for her daughter. As with all biomedical treatments, results vary for every child, even siblings. Consult your health care provider when considering an alternative therapy or biomedical treatment.

Note: For best results, supplements in powder or tablet form are best. Any supplement that comes in a capsule will be most effective when broken open and mixed in food or drink. To make sure you aren't wasting your money, drop one pill into a glass of water and see if it breaks down or breaks open in 20 minutes. Don't waste your money on supplements that will pass through your system unopened.

Equine Therapy for Autism

2010-11-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

One of the therapies that Mother used for Autism was horseback riding. The children loved it and it made Mother feel good to give the children a taste of her own upbringing, having been raised on a farm with Shetland ponies.

The benefits of Equine therapy is best explained by an article Mother found on the Aspen Education website:

"Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding

Hippotherapy, which derives from the Greek word "hippo" for horse, is a physical therapy that is provided under a physician's supervision. It is usually used as part of a comprehensive therapeutic package. This type of program has benefits for children, youth, and adults that have physical and/or developmental disabilities. Therapeutic Riding has many of the same benefits, but it is more of a recreational riding program for the disabled and does not usually involve a physician's supervision.

Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding use the horse's multidimensional rhythmic movement, which resembles the natural walking gait of human's, to achieve specific therapeutic outcomes. Therapists help patients ride the horse in different positions, including sitting or laying forward, backward, or sideways; standing up in the stirrups; and riding on the horse without holding on. Specially trained physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language therapists use this therapy with autistic children and teenagers and kids with a wide range of other types of disabilities.

Hippotherapy is useful for:

relaxing tight muscles
increasing balance
building muscle strength
sharpening hand/eye coordination
gaining a sense of body-awareness
gaining a sense of self-control
gaining a sense of self-confidence
improving communication
improving concentration
improving socialization
improving patience
improving fine motor coordination
improving sensory integration

The movement of the horse moves the rider's pelvis in the correct way, while also stimulating other bones, ligaments, and joints. A horse moves a person in more than one way, by tilting, rotating, and moving the rider, which would take a whole session of difficult physical therapy exercises to achieve. Sitting on a horse improves core muscle strength, muscle symmetry, balance, posture, flexibility, circulation, coordination, and breathing (which also makes it easier to speak). The autistic are unable to integrate their senses and understanding of how their bodies relate to external forces and surfaces; hippotherapy can greatly improve an autistic child's sense of their own bodies in space. Hippotherapy frequently does not use a saddle, allowing the child to receive sensations from the horse's movements, which makes a child aware of where parts of his or her body are in relation to the horse.

The excitement of riding encourages speech when the rider wants to communicate with the therapist and the horse. Non-verbal autistic children have suddenly started talking when they use the horse's name or ask the horse to get moving! The therapy provides a solid yet enjoyable period of time for stimulation and exercise.

The benefits experienced by kids with mental and emotional disabilities are also due to the special relationship they develop with the horse. The horses are specifically chosen and trained to be gentle, patient, and calm. The unconditional, non-judgmental aspect of the bond between the horse and the patient encourages the child to form an attachment and interaction with another living being, which is especially difficult for autistic kids to achieve. One of the greatest benefits of this type of therapy is the enjoyment kids get out of it. They don't even realize that they are participating in a therapeutic activity - it's just a lot of fun!

It should be noted, however, that the first time autistic children are introduced to hippotherapy, they often exhibit the type of behavior that often accompanies changes in their physical environment. This can include crying, screaming, having tantrums, and avoidance behaviors such as flopping down and becoming limp. The behavior almost always stops as soon as the child is on the horse and the horse starts moving, and the initial behavior is usually gone by the second time the child comes for therapy. The tantrums may be repeated every time there is some change, such as when the horse stops walking, but when the child is taught the noise or motion to get the horse to move again, the behavior stops.

Equine therapy gives autistic children a sense of themselves, their bodies, and increased contact and interaction with the surrounding world. The kids' self-confidence is greatly increased and they form a sense of competence by learning how to interact and work with their horse. These children quickly form attachments and relationships with the horse they ride, and this behavior is then expanded to include teachers, trainers, therapists, and family members".

In Lieu of the Flu Shot

2010-11-05T17:08:00.000-07:00

The company Boiron makes homeopathic flu prevention and relief products. You are probably most familiar with OSCILLOCOCCINUM®, which is used when you already have the flu.

Did you know that Dolisos/Boiron makes a preventative flu product that is called Influenzinum 9CH and is commonly sold in Canadian pharmacies? Thanks to the internet, those of us here in America can purchase it from the comfort of our home.

Note: The Boiron Influenzinum 9C, sold commonly in America, are not the same as the Dolisos/Boiron Influenzinum 9CH.

The formula of Influenzinum 9CH changes each year according to the antegenic variations detected by the World Health Organization surveillance network. The complimentary product that can be taken with Influenzinum 9CH is Thymulin 9CH. Thymulin 9CH is made from oligopeptides that protects and supports the immune system from flu.

Dosage:

Take a 1 single dose tube of INFLUENZINUM 9CH per week for 5 consecutive weeks. This treatment may be administered to people of any age. For young children, dissolve the content of one tube in some water. On a different day, take a 1 single dose tube of THYMULIN 9CH per week for 5 consecutive weeks.

A much smaller amount of INFLUENZINUM 9CH and/or THYMULIN 9CH, such as a few granules, can be taken weekly throughout the winter months for those who want to further enhance protection.

Clinical Evaluation In Influenzal Infection:

A clinical study done on 100 patients followed during 2 winters tested the preventive effect of INFLUENZINUM 9 CH. The treatment was given in the fall with one single dose tube administered per week for 4 weeks, and one dose one month later.

Results: Before the treatment, 82% of the people involved had one episode of influenza each winter, or a similar infection.

1^st winter: 78% had neither influenza nor a cold, 11 % had a slight winter rhinitis with no influenza and 11 % had influenza or a cold.

2^nd winter: 85% had neither influenza nor a cold, 9 % had a slight winter rhinitis with no influenza and 6% had influenza or cold.

Excerpt from FLU: Alternative Treatments and Prevention
by Randall Neustaedter OMD, North Atlantic Books, 2005

In 1998 the French Society of Homeopathy conducted a survey of 23 homeopathic doctors concerning their use of Influenzinum as a flu preventive (Coulamy, 1998). The survey included use of Influenzinum over a 10 year period (1987-1998) in 453 patients. The protocol for the frequency of doses varied considerably among these doctors. Weekly doses were used by 26 percent of participants and monthly dosage by 23 percent. Another 16 percent used a weekly then monthly dosage plan, and 35 percent applied some other dosage protocol. 80 percent of respondents began treatment in the fall (September through November) and ended between February and April. In this French survey 70 percent of participants used a 9C strength of Influenzinum. (In the US one would assume a higher proportion of practitioners use a higher strength because of the different prescribing preferences between the two countries.)

Results of the survey were remarkable. In approximately 90 percent of the cases no instances of the flu occurred when Influenzinum was used preventively no matter what the dosage protocol. Among the physicians the effectiveness was deemed good to very good in 90 percent of the cases. In 5 percent there was no protective effect. Of the patients, 98 percent expressed a desire to take the same preventive treatment the following year. Certainly this confidence in homeopathic prevention among physicians with many years of experience and their patients speaks to the effectiveness of Influenzinum as a flu preventive. It should be noted that a clinical study that approaches statistical significance evaluating the preventive effects of any homeopathic preparation would probably be prohibitively expensive.

Autumn Soup - Good for the Immune System

2010-11-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

During the cold weather season, it is important to eat lots of orange vegetables. They are rich in Vitamin A and boost the immune system. When you make homemade soup, be sure to add sweet potato, carrots, orange bell peppers, and squash. Throw in beans for protein. Yummy!


mmmmMmmm, good!

Washing Laundry on a Limited Budget

2010-10-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

Mother once said that there is nothing more alarming than running out of laundry detergent and having no money to buy more. Well, lucky for her, she was able to purchase vinegar and baking soda with food stamps until she could save enough to buy the essentials. She quickly learned that she could get her laundry just as clean and save money with the following recipe:

Supplies:

1 Gallon cheap white vinegar

1 Box of your favorite powder detergent (Mother uses powder because liquid removes the waterproof coating on rain pants and coats)

1 Box Borax (or Oxyclean)

Large to Extra Large Load:

1/2 to 1 cup Vinegar

1/8 to 1/4 cup Powder Detergent

Mother uses a separate container to mix the two; they foam and dissolve, then she adds:

1/4 to 1/2 cup of Borax (or OxyClean)

Clothes come out cleaner and the supplies last much longer. You can make a box of detergent last 4 to 8 times longer than normal. Mother has to wash laundry for 5 people, so her loads are nice and full but not too full. If you are using a top loading machine, you should see the top holes of the barrel after it is filled. This gives the clothes enough room to clean well.

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-10-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

Whole Grains: Yes, but...

2010-10-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Ah, man...just when you think you're onto something healthy, there's always some kind of glitch. The whole grain craze is great in theory but one vital piece of information was left out. Whole grains contain phytic acid that is explained best in the following quote from mother's favorite cookbook, Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon (page 452-453).

"All grains contain phtyic acid (an organic acid in which phosphorus is bound) in the outer layer or bran. Untreated phytic acid can combine with calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and especially zinc in the intestinal track and block their absorption. This is why a diet high in unfermented whole grains may lead to serious mineral deficiencies and bone loss. The modern misguided practice of consuming large amounts of unprocessed bran often improves colon transit time at first but may lead to irritable bowel syndrome and, in the long term, many other adverse effects. Soaking allows enzymes, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phytic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.

Soaking in warm water also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, present in all seeds and encourages the production of numerous beneficial enzymes. The action of these enzymes also increases the amounts of many vitamins, especially B vitamins.

Scientists have learned that the proteins in grains, especially gluten, are very difficult to digest. A diet high in unfermented whole grains, particularly high-gluten grains like wheat, puts an enormous strain on the whole digestive mechanism. When this mechanism breaks down with age or overuse, the results take the form of allergies, celiac disease, mental illness, chronic indigestion and candida albicans overgrowth. Recent research links gluten intolerance with multiple sclerosis. During the process of soaking and fermenting, gluten and other difficult-to-digest proteins are partially broken down into simpler components that are more readily available for absorption.

Grains fall into two general categories. Those containing gluten, such as rye, barley and especially wheat, should not be consumed unless they have been soaked or fermented; buckwheat rice and millet do not contain gluten and are, on the whole more easily digested. Whole rice and whole millet contain lower amounts of phytates than other grains so it is not absolutely necessary to soak them."

When buying bread, mother chooses sour dough because of the fermented culture that it is made with and she also looks for cracked wheat bread. When making bread or serving grains at home, mother will soak grains or sprout grains to break down the phtyic acid.

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-10-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

Early Signs of Autism

2010-10-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

"Looking back, I should have known something was amiss when she wouldn't sit still to have a book read to her. It wouldn't be until the age of 3 when she would allow a book to be read just before she fell asleep. Even then she wasn't interested, she just "allowed" it to happen"

Mother first found out that her children had Autism when her pediatrician expressed concern about her daughter's lack of speech at the age of 2 years. It would be another year before he would refer her for a speech evaluation. At the age of 3 years, her daughter was diagnosed with Autism. Her son was 2 years old, at the time, and he also showed all signs of Autism.

After much research, experimenting with diet & supplements, and educational intervention, it would be the 2 year old that would make the greatest and fastest leaps in recovery. Her daughter would also recover but at a much slower pace and with some residual symptoms.

Wearing a weighted vest and completely oblivious of the other children.

Early diagnosis made the difference. As mother researched Autism, all experimental treatments that she considered came with the same advisory, "a child under the age of 3 can reverse the diagnosis and a child over the age of 3 will see great improvements." The advisory proved true and that is why it is essential to get an early diagnosis and start working with a child right away.

Here is mother's 3 year old and 2 year old "playing" with toys. They would pull all the books off the bookshelf and throw them in the center of the room. Then they would pile all of their toys on the floor and strip the bedding off and throw it over the toys and then jump from the bed onto the pile. No imaginary play. No talking. Just destruction and jumping. All day. Every day.

There are several signs to look for in babies and young children that include the way they play with toys and interact with others but speech is very important and can be a sign of other problems aside from Autism. With this being said, the following article comes from the Revolution Health website:

Although speech and language continue to develop through adolescence, children usually reach major milestones in predictable stages by 6 years of age. The exact pace at which speech and language develop varies among children, especially the age at which they begin to talk.

Communication skills are often categorized as receptive language and expressive language. Receptive language is the understanding of words and sounds. Expressive language is the use of speech (sounds and words) and gestures to communicate meaning.

Details of the developmental milestones can be evaluated according to age.

Birth to age 1:
- Babies begin to process the communication signals they receive and learn to vary their cry to communicate their needs. During the first months of life, they are usually able to recognize their mother's voice and actively listen to language rhythms. By 6 months of age, most babies express themselves through cooing with vowels and one or two consonants. This progresses to babbling and repeating sounds.
- By their first birthday, babies understand and can identify each parent, often by name ("mama," "dada"). They repeat sounds they hear and may know a few words.
Ages 1 to 3:
- After the first birthday through age 2, a toddler's speech and language foundation grows rapidly. During that time, 1-year-olds learn that words have meaning. They point to things they want, and often use one- or two-syllable sounds, such as "baba" for "bottle." By age 2, children usually can say at least 50 words and recognize the names of many objects, including those in pictures. They also understand simple requests and statements, such as "all gone."
- Many 2-year-olds talk a lot. They usually can name some body parts (such as arms and legs) and objects (such as a book). Not all their words are intelligible; some are made-up and combined with real words. In addition to understanding simple requests, they can also follow them (such as "put the book on the table"). They should be able to say at least 50 words. They usually can say between 150 to 200 words, some of which are simple phrases, such as "want cookie." Pronouns (such as "me" or "she") are used, but often incorrectly.
- Some children are naturally quieter than others. However, a child who consistently uses gestures and facial expressions to communicate should be evaluated by a doctor. These children are at increased risk for having speech problems.
Age 3 through 5:
- More sophisticated speech and language develops from ages 3 through 5. By age 3, most children learn new words quickly and can follow two-part directions (such as "wash your face and put your shoes away"). They start to use plurals and form short complete sentences. And most of the time their speech can be understood by others outside of their family. "Why" and "what" become popular questions.
- Most 4-year-olds use longer sentences and can describe an event. They understand how things are different, such as the distinction between children and grown-ups. Most 5-year-olds can carry on a conversation with another person.

Free Food!

2010-10-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

Nothing tastes better, when you are on a tight budget, than free! We are lucky enough to live in a college town with many alleys that have an abundance of fruit growing over fences. Mother was lucky enough to find concord grapes, pears and apples. With the economy the way it is, many homes are sitting empty with yards full of ripe fruit begging for someone to harvest them. Many neighbors would be glad to have people harvest what is left before it turns their yards into carpets of mush.

Mother spent the day canning grape juice and applesauce. Never canned before? Well, this is a good place to start. Let's start with super easy grape juice:

Grape Juice

Use a pot large enough to cover your canning jars with 2 inches of water. It takes a long time to bring a huge pot of water to a boil, so I put my empty jars and lids in the pot while it is heating up. By the time you rinse the grapes and pull them off the vines, the jars are ready to be filled. In a separate pan, bring water and raw honey to a boil. Remove jars and lids from pot. Put enough grapes in the jars to fill them 3/4 full. Pour hot water and honey mixture into jars, leaving 2 inches of headroom. Wipe rim of jars with clean towel. Center lids on each jar and apply rings. Put jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside. You will hear the lids start popping as they seal. Let jars sit undisturbed until cool. When you are ready to use your juice, just strain the fruit before serving.

Applesauce

If you have a food mill, you can chop up and use all of the apple. Mother does not have a food mill, so she removes cores and stems. Once the apples are cut up, you can throw them in a large pot with about a half cup of water and cook over medium heat until they get soft. As the apples soften, stir, cover and simmer for a couple of hours until completely soft and broken down. You can blend or mash the apples and put them in hot jars, leaving about a half inch of headroom, apply seals, rings, and boil for 5 minutes. Having cooked the applesauce, and having it piping hot when added to jars, cuts the processing time down.

One bucket of apples yielded about 11 pints of applesauce.

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-10-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Eating Nutritious on a Budget: Beans

2010-09-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

Not only are beans cheap but they can be very nutritious when properly prepared. Canned beans are prepared in high temperatures and pressures that reduce the amount of proteins and other nutrients. Homemade beans taste better than canned and they are rich in minerals and B vitamins. Beans have phytates that are hard for the body to digest. Soaking beans in whey reduces phytate content. For people on a casein (dairy) free diet, you can substitute whey for apple cider vinegar and achieve the same results.

This is another recipe from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook by Sally Fallon. In the cookbook, the author talks about the reasoning behind careful preparation of beans, "Traditional societies whose cuisines are based on legumes prepare them with great care. Beans are soaked for long periods before they are cooked. The soaking water is poured off, the beans are rinsed and the skins picked off. As the legumes cook, all foam that rises to the top of the cooking water is carefully skimmed off. Sometimes water is replaced midway during the cooking process. Such care in preparation ensures that legumes will be thoroughly digestible, and all the nutrients they provide well assimilated because such careful preparation neutralizes phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors and breaks down difficult-to-digest complex sugars."

Mother makes a large batch on "cooking day" (Sunday). They can be frozen and taken out the night before needed. Eat them with celtic sea salt and cheese, use them for tacos or burritos, or mash them up for refried beans.

Basic Beans

2 Cups Beans (kidney, pinto, black, or white)

2 Tbl Whey (or apple cider vinegar)

4 cloves garlic, peeled and mashed (optional)

Celtic sea salt and pepper

Cover beans with warm water. Stir in whey (or apple cider vinegar) and leave in a warm place for 12-24 hours depending on the size of the bean. Drain, rinse, place in a large pot and add water to cover beans. Bring to a boil and skim off foam. Reduce heat and add optional garlic. Simmer, covered, for 4-8 hours. Check occasionally and add more water as necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Note: do not add salt during cooking process as it will make the skins tough.

Shelf Life of Eggs

2010-09-26T09:07:00.000-07:00

Mother Earth News had an article in 1977 where they conducted research to find which preservation method produced the longest shelf life of eggs. Enjoy!

Mother Earth News
November/December 1977

We went out and bought ourselves 30 dozen guaranteed fresh, washed, uniform-sized, agribiz-type, unfertile, supermarket eggs from a wholesaler ... and we also rounded up another 30 dozen fresh, unwashed, nonuniform, homestead-type, fertile, non-supermarket eggs.

20 CONTROLLED BATCHES OF 36 EGGS EACH

We suspected from the beginning that there might be a difference in the keeping qualities of fertile versus unfertile eggs. (Our tests have since shown that there is ... and that difference is weighed heavily in favor of the fertile eggs, but perhaps not for the reasons you might have thought.) So we started right off by dividing our 60 dozen hen fruit right down the middle, with 30 dozen fertile eggs on one side and 30 dozen unfertile eggs on the other.

Each set of 360 eggs was then further divided into 10 separate batches of three dozen each: [1] a control group that was left sitting out at room temperature, [2] a batch that was kept under "controlled refrigeration" . . . that is, 36 eggs which were put into an airtight container and stored at a constant 35° to 40°F, [3] a group that was completely covered by a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part sodium silicate, also known as "waterglass", [4] a group that was submerged in a 16 parts water/2 parts lime/1 part salt solution, [5] a batch that was packed in lard, [6] a group that was merely coated with lard, [7] three dozen that were coated with vaseline, [8] 36 eggs that were packed in dry sand, [9] three dozen that were packed in wet sand, and [10] 36 eggs that were packed in dry sawdust. Except for the refrigerated batch, all the groups of eggs were stored at a room temperature which varied from 65° to 70° F.

AND ONCE A MONTH ...

Our experiment was set up on February 4, 1977 and was designed to run for a full year of regular monthly "look, sniff, taste, and texture" tests. It very quickly became apparent, however, that some of the "preservation" methods we were trying were worse than no attempts at preservation at all. The eggs (both fertile and unfertile) buried in both the wet sand and sawdust looked bad, smelled bad, had lost their taste, and had runny textures just one month after being "preserved". Even the control groups-eggs which were just allowed to lay out at room temperature with nothing done to them—were better than that. Conclusion after only four weeks: Trying to store eggs in either wet sand or dry sawdust is counterproductive. Forget it. Anything else—even nothing at all works better.
Surprisingly enough, the control eggs—although slightly mushy and musty—were still edible a full eight weeks after our tests began. Except for one El Stinko waterglassed egg (which must have had an unnoticed crack in its shell at the beginning of the experiment), however, the other seven batches still in the running were all much better. Which meant that the "preservation" methods they represented really were preserving the hen fruit to one extent or another.
Believe it or not, our controls (both fertile and unfertile) were hanging in there yet after another full four weeks had passed. If we'd had our druthers, understand, we'd have eaten something else ... but, under survival conditions, we could have lived on the completely unprotected 90-day-old eggs if we'd have had to. Some of the other groups, on the other hand, were becoming a little disappointing. Most of them (even the refrigerated ones) had more or less runny whites, one of the refrigerated store-boughts smelled bad, all the vaseline-coated eggs were marginal, one of the fertilized eggs packed in dry sand had a bad sulphur taste, and a store-bought kept in waterglass was very definitely bad.

By June (120 days after the experiment was begun) all the supermarket and all the homestead control eggs had gone completely rotten. The dry sand groups (both fertile and unfertile) were also terminated at that time ... as were the store-boughts that had been coated with vaseline (the vaseline-coated homestead eggs were only marginally better). The fertile and unfertile eggs packed in lard were getting pretty "iffy", the ones coated with lard were doing a lot better, the lime water groups were still edible (although, in the case of the supermarket eggs, barely edible), the refrigerated eggs seemed to have firmed up and were nearly as good as fresh, and-while the waterglassed groups were, in general, doing far better than average-one of the fertile eggs covered with waterglass was very definitely bad.

The ranks of the still-good eggs began to thin considerably 150 days into our test. By July, the supermarket eggs packed in lard weren't making it anymore (while the fertile eggs packed in lard were runny but edible). Likewise the waterglassed eggs. The lime water store-boughts, on the other hand, were still "good" (except for the one we didn't even open, since it floated), while the lime water homestead hen fruit was only "edible". Both the agribiz and the down-home eggs coated with lard were "good enough to eat for breakfast". While-maybe just by contrast-the store-bought refrigerated cackleberries were "good, like fresh" and the homestead refrigerated hen fruit was "excellent".
August, of course, was more of the same. The lard-packed fertile eggs were still "OK", the waterglassed fertiles were still "OK", the lime water homestead eggs were barely edible and the lime water store-boughts were rotten. The lard-coated hen fruit (both fertile and unfertile) all looked weird ... but could be eaten. Which really only left the refrigerated supermarket and refrigerated homestead eggs as "good" and "looks almost fresh".
The fertile eggs packed in lard, coated with lard, preserved in waterglass, and covered by lime water were still all "OK" in September. The store-boughts coated with lard were not. Leaving, again, as the Big Winners the refrigerated fertile eggs ("good") and the refrigerated unfertile eggs ("good, almost fresh").

CONCLUSIONS

At the end of seven months (all of our experiment that was finished and processed at the time this issue went to press), then, we had drawn these conclusions about our egg preservation experiment:
[1] Unwashed, fertile homestead eggs seem to store much better than washed, unfertile agribiz eggs. Why? Probably for the simple reason that they're unwashed ... and not because they're fertile. Hen fruit, as it comes from the chicken, is coated with a light layer of a natural sealing agent called "bloom". And, while a good wash may make a batch of eggs look more attractive, it also removes this natural protective coating ... leaving the eggs more subject to aging and attack by the air and bacteria in the air.

[2] The very best way we've found to stash eggs away for long-term storage is in a sealed container at a temperature of 35° to 40°F. Their whites may become somewhat runny looking over a period of time, but even after seven months—the cackleberries stored in this manner smell good, taste good, have a good texture, and—in short—seem "almost fresh".

[3] The widely touted idea of covering eggs with a solution of one part waterglass (sodium silicate) mixed with nine parts of boiled and cooled water does indeed seem to work better than any other "room temperature" preservation method we tried. If our experiences are any indication, though, it's really good for only about five months and is a distant second to controlled refrigeration.
Another point: As good as some eggs kept in waterglass were, almost every batch we opened seemed to contain one real stinker. Which makes it a superior idea to open any waterglassed egg (or any egg, for that matter) separately into a cup ... where it may be inspected before pouring it into a skillet, pan, or dish with other food.
[4] Unwashed, fertile eggs submerged in a solution of 16 parts water/2 parts lime/1 part salt, packed in lard, and coated with lard seem to keep at room temperature almost as well as unwashed fertile eggs that have been given the waterglass treatment. Washed, unfertile eggs do not.
[5] Unwashed, fertile eggs packed in dry sand or coated with vaseline and stored at room temperature keep a little longer-but not much-than unwashed fertile eggs that are just left lying out at room temperature. Washed, unfertile eggs exhibit the same characteristics ... with all storage times running a few days less across the board.
[6] Forget packing any kind of eggs in wet sand or sawdust! Our tests show that such methods of "preservation" can turn eggs rotten within a month and are worse than doing nothing at all to the hen fruit.

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-09-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Martha's List of Toxic Plants

2010-09-22T17:35:00.000-07:00

Mother found a website that provides a list of toxic plants for chickens. She was surprised to find onions on the list. This is good information for mother to have on hand before she gives us the garden compost at the end of the growing season.

Here is the link to the article:

Toxic Plants and Their Effects

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-09-18T10:01:00.000-07:00

Beet Kvass: Liver Tonic

2010-09-15T21:04:00.000-07:00

Once a week, mother gives us left over beets that she uses to make Beet kvass. What is Beet kvass? It is a slightly effervescent lactic acid fermented drink. It is another cheap way to make your own probiotics with the addition of medicinal properties. Beets are rich in vitamins and minerals. Beet Kvass is an excellent liver tonic. Grandmother drinks 4 oz everyday to improve the residual side effects of the chemotherapy and radiation she underwent for breast cancer. She also drinks it to keep kidney stones at bay. This recipe comes from the Nourishing Traditions cookbook by Sally Fallon.

Beet kvass
3 medium or 2 large organic beets,
peeled and chopped coarsley
1/4 Cup Whey (refer to Making Whey post)
1 Tbl sea salt
filtered water

Place beets, whey and salt in a 2 quart glass container. Add filtered water to fill the containter. Stir and cover securely. Keep at room temperature 2 days before transferring to refrigerator.

Chopped beats, whey and salt

Note: Do not use grated beets in this recipe. They exude too much juice resulting in a too rapid fermentation that favors the production of alcohol rather than lactic acid.

Martha's Video of the Week

2010-09-11T13:48:00.000-07:00

Muesli (aka Yummy Oatmeal with Stuff in it)

2010-09-10T13:01:00.000-07:00

This tasty treat doesn't come our way often but mother makes a really yummy muesli for breakfast. Growing up, mother couldn't stand oatmeal and its weird texture but when times are tough it is very economical and (when prepared properly) extremely nutritious meal.

Muesli

1 Cup Rolled Oats (See note below for GF/CF)
1/4 Cup Almond Slivers (Optional)
1/4 Cup Dried Unsweetened Coconut (Optional - see note below)
2 Tbl Fresh Whey (GF/CF can substitute 2 Tbl Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon - see note below)
1 1/2 Cups Filtered Water

Combine all ingredients, cover and let soak for 7 to 24 hours (I make mine before I go to bed).

1 Can Coconut Milk (or your favorite milk/milk substitute - see note below)
Strainer or Large Sieve

The next morning, take a strainer lined with cheesecloth (or a large sieve) and rinse the oatmeal mixture. Put the ingredients back in the pan, add coconut milk and bring to a boil. Once it starts to bubble, cover and turn the burner off. Let sit 3 minutes while preparing toppings:

Coconut (see note below)
Chopped pecans
Chocolate chips (Look for GF/CF)
Pure Maple Syrup

Have fun with the toppings. Papa is the one who came up with the toppings listed here and it tastes just like a cookie. It was the only way to get mother to eat it!

Mother used to practice the GF/CF diet and, back in those days, oatmeal was on the "cannot have" list. Today, oats have been approved for the GF/CF diet, so long as the oats are guaranteed by the manufacturer not to be cross contaminated by gluten.

The following recipe uses whey. For people on a strict Casein Free (Milk Proteins) diet, this recipe can be used with apple cider vinegar or lemon as noted in recipe (Apple cider vinegar is mothers favorite. If you haven't read it yet, check out my post "An Apple A Day...").

This recipe includes coconut and coconut milk. Coconut has saturated fat but being a medium chain fatty acid, the body utilizes it right away vs. storing it in fat cells.

It took mother a while to find unsweetened natural coconut but it can be done. Mother stores it in the fridge to extend the shelf life.

note: Mother's son hates shredded coconut, so she doesn't put it in unless he is at grandma's; however, she does still use the coconut milk and he doesn't even know it! If you or your child hates shredded coconut, try omitting it and try using the coconut milk. If it doesn't work, you can use your favorite milk substitute.

Trying to find coconut milk with simple ingredients was a challenge but it can be done. The ingredients in "A Taste of Thai" are: coconut, water, and guar gum.

If you are wondering why the oats are soaked overnight, there are two reasons for this. The first, is that the oatmeal cooks faster and the second is best explained in a direct quote from Sally Fallon's book "Nourishing Traditions":
"Soaking allows enzymes, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralize phtyic acid. As little as seven hours of soaking in warm acidulated water will neutralize a large portion of phytic acid in grains. The simple practice of soaking cracked or rolled cereal grains overnight will vastly improve their nutritional benefits.
Soaking in warm water also neutralizes enzyme inhibitors, present in all seeds, and encourages the production of numerous beneficial enzymes. The action of these enzymes also increases the amounts of many vitamins, especially B vitamins".

An Apple a Day...

2010-09-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Mother once heard from a friend that if you wait until the first frost to harvest apples, they will taste even better. Fall is fast approaching and along with it apple harvesting will begin. I can almost smell the warm apple cider right now!

When mother was researching biomedical treatments for her children, she came across the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. She used to prepare a glass of water with one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and a teaspoon of raw honey and serve it to the children twice a day.

Wanting to know more about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar, mother read the book "Apple Cider Vinegar: Miracle Health System" by Patricia Bragg. It provided a lot of useful information and mother recommends it to anyone wanting to learn more.

Below is an article that mother found on the internet that highlites the benefits that can be found in Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple Cider Vinegar - Linda Paul

"I am sure we have all heard the old saying , “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This could well have a lot of merit. Apples are among the most health-giving fruits available to us. They contain a host of beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and many trace elements as well. And, they are the central ingredient in apple cider vinegar.

Cider vinegar is a powerful detoxifying and purifying agent. It breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body. By breaking down these substances it improves the health and function of the vital organs of the body, such as the kidneys, bladder and liver, by preventing excessively alkaline urine. It also oxidizes and thins the blood, which is important in preventing high blood pressure. This powerful potion also promotes digestion, assimilation and elimination, all the while neutralizing any toxic substances that enter the body. Cider vinegar has been found to neutralize any harmful bacteria that may be found in certain foods. When a mixture of cider vinegar and water is taken before a meal (particularly food served in restaurants or at picnics where the preparation or duration of food left uncovered and not refrigerated is questionable), it seems to prevent diarrhea or digestive upsets.

Apple cider vinegar contains a potent supply of potassium which researchers feel is helpful in easing the effects of common colds and allergies, including mucous formation, watery eyes, sinus and catarrhal problems. Cider vinegar can also be beneficial for symptoms such as tooth decay and splitting of the fingernails, which are symptoms of potassium deficiency. Potassium is essential for the replacement of worn-out tissues within the body. This mineral is also important to soft tissue repair, as calcium is to the bones and teeth. A deficiency of potassium within the body can produce callous formations on the souls of the feet, insufficient replacement of worn tissue, and hair loss.

Tests have proven that soil deficient in potassium will produce anemic and undersized plants, but when potassium is introduced into the soil, the plant becomes healthier and increases in size. When potassium, in the form of cider vinegar is fed to livestock their appearance improves and their stamina increases. This can also prove true on a human level for those who have potassium deficiency. A few teaspoons of cider vinegar taken with water each day has been known to produce amazing results. Cider vinegar can be taken alone or used in cooking. It can be used as a salad dressing, for pickling, in making mayonnaise or sprinkled on potato chips or French fries. It can used as a hot or cold beverage sweetened with honey. The best method of using apple cider vinegar is in its natural liquid form.

When the body is lacking certain minerals or salts, ill health can be the result. Toxic build-ups with the body can cause boils, blisters, acne, etc. Cider vinegar detoxifies and helps with the cleansing and clotting processes of the blood, by helping along the blood oxidation process.

Cider vinegar is thought to be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, as a beverage or with compresses soaked in hot vinegar applied directly to the joints. It is also thought to be helpful when used to treat asthma, nose bleeds, osteoporosis, cancer, candida, high cholesterol, colds, constipation, muscle cramps, colitis, diabetes, diarrhea, depression, dizziness, ear discharge, eczema, fatigue, gallstones, kidney stones, hay fever, headaches, heartburn, hiccups, indigestion, insomnia, kidney and bladder problems, metabolism, nasal congestion, sore throats, stiff joints, ulcers and weight loss.

Please check with your physician before starting any new treatments, including dietary changes. Alternative or holistic health procedures are meant to be complimentary process to traditional medical practices, and not used in place of them".

Curds & Whey

2010-09-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

My mother loves to give my sisters and I leftover curds and whey. Fresh whey, when properly prepared, is a great natural probiotic. Whey is good for chickens and humans. Whey is the most beneficial when prepared from raw milk but I realize that not everyone has access to good quality raw milk. Luckily, it can be made from good quality, unsweetened, plain yogurt. The following recipes for yogurt whey and raw milk whey are from mother's favorite cookbook, "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon

Homemade Yogurt Whey

Unsweetened, unflavored (preferably organic) plain yogurt

Strainer

Cheesecloth

Bowl

Put a strainer in a large bowl and line the strainer with cheesecloth. Pour yogurt into cheesecloth and allow fluid to drip into bowl (This fluid will look like lemonade and may have some white cloudiness to it). Allow to drip for several hours then gather the cheese cloth and (Don't squeeze!) hang above bowl until the bag no longer drips. The entire process can take around 7 hours. The remaining yogurt is now called curds or kefir cheese or farmer cheese. The flavor is a bit pungent for my mother's tastes but when mixed with Ranch Dressing mix people gobble it up! The curds and whey can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months. Yes, that's right...when properly prepared it has a crazy shelf life!

Homemade Raw Milk Whey

Good Quality Fresh Raw Milk (1 Gallon)
Yogurt Starter Culture (1 Packet)

Strainer

Cheesecloth

Bowl

Pour yogurt starter into raw milk, mix well, and set out at room temperature for 1 to 4 days until the milk separates. When the milk separates, put a strainer in a large bowl and line with cheesecloth, pour milk into cheesecloth and allow fluids to drip into bowl. After a few hours, gather the ends of the cheesecloth and hang above bowl until dripping stops. This can take 7 to 14 hours. Refrigerate when complete. Shelf life of 6 months.