The joys of being self-employed are vast and preferred my many. Although, there are always the apprehensions that fall under the category of unpredictable, undependable and slow or nonexistent income. Still, I prefer to draw more from the "other hand "being multitasking, independence and flexibility! Not to mention the ultimate gratification of not "working for the man ". I am a huge self labeled fan of small and local business also and it feels great to be able to (sort of) lump myself into such a group. Doing what I do (childcare worker) for 20+ years now, and just about every facet of the term, has given me such a sense of pride and accomplishment. Creating an environment where ever I am to foster a child's growth through creativity, acceptance, kindness and love. I joke at times saying, "I raise children for a living" but in a way that is exactly what I have done. After all, it takes a village, does it not? Well, at least a couple of parents and myself! :-) I have gotten a tad off course here though…
During my lifetime of work, I have also developed many loves of mine and I've categorized into the HOBBY file. My love of writing is an obvious first. There's also my love of photography in creating beauty within a picture out of every day people and things. A close third to these others has been my love of food. The art of preparing and displaying especially. Keeping true to what is important in my life at the time, always incorporating good quality, helpful, living foods! So it seems fitting that I want to begin sharing this with others as well.
Recently, I had shared a dish of mine with a friend in a bit of a barter style arrangement. Like the good ole days, where money was less important and the mere thought that, "I have something wonderful to offer you and you can, in exchange, offer me something wonderful as well" was a beautiful way to keep the community tied together in a circle of giving and receiving. In this day and age it has become much more difficult to wrap our heads around such a theory. After all, I'm pretty sure a heaping helping of my favorite mushroom and pea risotto would not get me far in line at the local Walmart Supercenter. Seeing I am more of a local shopper, trying my best to keep my support and money in the pockets of my fellow community members, I was able to experience this idea of bartering and sharing personally. After doing so, this dear friend of mine was sweet enough to make me an offer. Raving, quite kindly, about my meal I had prepared for her and suggesting I might begin doing this on a regular basis for her and some others who have previously shown interest in such a thing. Was I ever humbled! My first initial thought was one of self defeat (because no matter how far we have come and how our love for ourselves has grown, there is always that little voice). However, not too long after that, I began to rise to the intoxicating occasion that I could totally do this! I love to cook. I especially love to create for others. I thrive on sharing my love of healthy ideas and purposeful fuels for our bodies. Of course, then the realization that I would need to organize my thoughts on paper, devise some sort of modest yet vital menu and begin a small yet "marketing" plan...oh my! Creative juices and insatiable drive unite!
So here I am in the (very) beginning baby stages of this idea. I am excited to give it a go and see how folks respond. Any support and loving, kind words are highly favorable and readily accepted! :-)
In the meantime, I continue to experiment and create in my own kitchen, just for fun! Well, and for sustenance. My family are always the informal test panel. Last weekend my first true experiment took place. I'm with my dehydrator and leftover juicing pulp (I know… but stay with me on this). Every time we juice, we get the awesome nutrients like a straight shot of vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, by extracting the juices from our gorgeous fruits, veggies and greens(oh how I love thee cucumber and kale). Yet there is still such beneficial properties to the fiber and pulp being left behind. For years I've been wanting to utilize these beautiful leftovers and it pains me every time I open the trash and drop them in. Some save them for soups and stews. Last year we composted every batch and gave them to friends for their gardens. Let me just say, The very best compost full of fresh, wet, living ingredients equals the stinkiest poo smelling barrel you've ever encountered. Tip: when doing so and then transporting to said friends garden, DO NOT travel without sealing entire bin filled with sloshing cow patty-esque smells with a large plastic bag. A-to protect your nostrils and B-to protect the interior of your vehicle from wafting these said smells for weeks after, every time you open a window and fresh air begins to circulate throughout the car. You're welcome.
OK. Where were we? Oh yes, leftover pulp. I decided I would give my trusted dehydrator a chance to work it's magic. After juicing I mixed up some of my usual raw cracker spices into the bowl along with a few different seeds and nutritional yeast and Voilà! I had a familiar spread ready for dehydration.
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| The before. Beautiful, fresh nutrients about to enter my bloodstream! |
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| Mixture created and all ready to be transformed |
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| The results were gorgeously green, thick, crunchy crackers. I actually enjoyed them! Dipped in some hummus or topped with cheese and pickles, they aim to please! I shall name them, "Pulp Fiction Crackers" (maybe) |
My experimenting climbed a couple notches when I decided to take on homemade pickling. I had been wanting to try the quick refrigerator pickles for a while. When dad came over showing off and sharing his jar of homemade goodies I just had to give it a try. A small local farm stand (who we incidentally have named "our little Farmer") had the cutest little cucumbers just perfect for thinly sliced pickles last week. Armed with a basketful of those and a large head of cabbage from our favorite CSA, I began my first and fairly easy process of pickling and fermenting. It is exciting to be able to do so little and have the results of two foods so easily that hold great healthful properties. Needless to say, the family is smiling!
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| My cucumbers all sliced and waiting patiently while the pickling juices are warming |
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| So easy! My version was created using Apple Cider Vinegar (noting the darker color) but leaving behind health properties above and beyond any other vinegar |
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| With a last minute addition to the sauerkraut recipe, our CSA beets made for a pretty mix. Here the veggies hang out waiting for their brine. |
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| (one week later...) And then there was perfectly crunchy Kraut! |
My love of hummus has no boundaries. We will have a minimum of three or four hummus containers in our fridge at any given time. It has recently been brought to my attention (and my esophagus) that I may be experiencing signs and symptoms of acid reflux. With a new medicine in hand, I take to the World Wide Web and begin research for a more holistic, natural healing so that my body can be in a happier state without any Rx masking going on. This brought me to the world of acidity vs. alkalinity. There is so much on this topic to report about and share but I will save that for another time. My purpose here is to tell you, although I will still indulge in my chickpea hummus, there are more favorable beans out there that help support and soothe my insides. And so, my white bean hummus was born! Well, not entirely MINE. I tweaked a found recipe, adding some caramelized onions I had cooked previously to throw in this and that (omg sweet onions in everything! Yum) and here you have it…one of my new favorite bean spreads.
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| Served with rice crackers here, you can spread on rice cakes or with fresh cut veggies too! |
I aim to please, of course. So when I had mentioned in passing that I have been recently introduced and loving a new friend named Chia, my sissy immediately requested a quick raw pudding she has been eager to try. Super simple and almost zero work involved, you let the gorgeous little seeds do all the laboring. When added to a liquid, they plump up and take on an almost gelatinous texture. Choose your liquid, a sweetener and shake it up! That's it. Best if overnight is given to rest however, even an hour or so later this tasty treat is ready for sharing. So many health properties to these tiny guys too. Win-Win!
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| This was in almond milk, vanilla and maple syrup pudding |
In an attempt to continue on the fantastical homemade healthy food trip I was on, I decided to create a new smoothie as well. In between our days of juicing, we also like to fill up with easy on the go liquid meals. Typically you will see most everything I store in a mason jar. From nuts and seeds to juices and smoothies. Even the fridge is full of giant Ball jars for chopped greens, veggies and creamers. We use these babies to hold coffee on the go and even had recently switched out all of our drinking glasses for the (many) Ball jars we had left over from the wedding. Yes, we gave our guests a nice rustic farm feel for their drinks of choice while we celebrated and danced the night away under the tent! :-) Here, I took what we had on hand from the weeks farm delivery and used our fresh basil and some local blueberries to come up with what I think is my favorite new protein shake. We were too eager to drink these beauties and figured we would take the classiness up a notch and serve them in the stemless wine glasses. Meow!
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| A simple recipe of blueberries, basil, almond milk, honey and our favorite superfood |
At the end of the day, I'm just excited to try new things. To share them also gives me such joy. I am not sure exactly what this new endeavor may hold for me. Possibly just making a few nice dishes for some friends. Did I mention my partner in crime and I (that would be my lil tiny sissy) have discussed the idea of a wine pairing/tasting party for those interested in trying out what we make and will be selling?! How cool is that! In the meantime, I continue to try out recipes that bring me joy and make me feel good. I would love to be a greater part of the community and all that it has to offer and receive. It is all about getting to know your neighbors and their wants and needs and then introducing them to a bit of your own. I love my little life and the big love it has to give back!
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| And there is always room for a pretty picture of coffee! What do you do with your leftovers from the morning before? I store them in the fridge overnight, pop it in the blender with my almond milk, french vanilla coconut creamer and ice! Ohhhh I love it a latte! |
For any more information on what you see here or links to some of the great sites I use for recipes and gathering insight, just drop me a line or message me! Sharing is caring y'all! Ta Ta for now.
Be kind. Show love. Be you. Enjoy!
