Archive for the ‘Home & Ranch’ Category

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Job Opportunity: Gardener at Kootenai Lodge Estates

Friday, April 12th, 2013

by Catherine Haug, April 12, 2013

Thanks to Linda C, who forwarded this information to me concerning a job opportunity in the Bigfork area. Please pass on this information to anyone interested in this great opportunity.

For those who don’t know about the Kootenai Lodge Estates, it is a large private property, originally the Kelley-Evans Estate, along the Swan River just north of where Swan Lake becomes Swan River. The turnoff from Hwy 83 is less than 1/4 mile north of The Terrace Restaurant.

From Pat McGlynn, MSU Extension (406-758-5554), April 11, 2013

Pam Morton, from the Kootenai Lodge Estates, is looking for a full time gardener. The location is north of Swan Lake in Ferndale. The position would be from May 1 through fall. Please call Pam at 837-4121, if you are interested to set up an interview.

 

Posted in Community, Gardening | Comments Closed

Kitchen Hint: Keeping Asparagus Fresh with Water

Monday, April 8th, 2013
Asparagus

Asparagus

by Catherine Haug, April 8, 2013

(photos from Wikipedia)

It’s asparagus season, not only in the groceries, but also soon it will be sprouting up in neighborhood fields. Don’t know what wild asparagus look like? See photo, below.

Wild Asparagus

Wild Asparagus

However, if you find it like this, it’s too late. You want to pick it when the shoots first come up. All is not lost, however; take note of where you saw this plant, then watch for the shoots next spring.

Keeping Asparagus Fresh

Today’s hint comes from Jean H. When you buy/pick asparagus, the best way to keep it lasting fresh is to place them upright in a glass container with a couple inches of water (asparagus tips pointing up), and place in the fridge. If there is still asparagus after 5 or 6 days, change the water. It keeps very well.

This also works well for leafy herbs like parsley and chervil. Like a bouquet of flowers, put the stems in a glass of water and place in the fridge.

When root veggies like carrots, and stem veggies like celery begin to wilt, place them in a bowl of ice water; they will crisp right up!

Posted in Food-Nutrition-Health, Kitchen Hints | Comments Closed

Kitchen Hint: Chopping Nuts

Sunday, April 7th, 2013
Whole walnut kernel

Whole walnut kernel

by Catherine Haug, April 7, 2013

Thanks to Jean H. for this kitchen hint.

(Walnut photo, right, from Wikipedia; knife photo, below, from Amazon)

How do you chop nuts?

If you use a food processor, you know that they can quickly be reduced to a paste, as the processor extracts oil from the nuts.

Most chefs use a Chef’s Knife in a rocking motion over the nuts on a cutting board or counter. But this requires holding your fingers on the nuts as you chop – risking bits of finger in the nuts….

If you use a knife on a board or counter, you know that they tend to scatter all over the counter as you chop. To minimize scattering, use a bread knife – the kind that has a scalloped serrated cutting edge, as in photo, below.

Wusthof Bread Knife

Wusthof Bread Knife

For more ideas on chopping nuts by hand, see:

Posted in Food-Nutrition-Health, Kitchen Hints | 2 Comments »

GMO Alfalfa in the Flathead?

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013
Alfalfa

Alfalfa

by Catherine Haug, April 3, 2013

(photo, right, from Wikipedia)

Two years ago, on January 27, 2011, the USDA approved Roundup-Ready GMO alfalfa for planting. You can view this history and read pertinent documents on the USDA’s Roundup-Ready Alfalfa website.

Originally, USDA Chief Vilsak had assured Organic growers that there would be restrictions on how close this new crop could be planted to Organic alfalfa fields, but he did not follow through with that promise; instead, he gave a green light to unrestricted planting of this crop. See Grist: In a stunning reversal, USDA chief Vilsack greenlights Monsanto’s alfalfa from Jan 2011.

What does this mean for Flathead farmers and ranchers? What does this mean for those who raise a dairy cow or goat for the family milk? (more…)

Posted in GMO, Home & Ranch, Livestock, Organics | Comments Closed

Kitchen Hint: Storing Produce to Last

Monday, April 1st, 2013

by Catherine Haug, March 28, 2013

Soon we will be planting our gardens and before you know it, we’ll be harvesting our bounty, or receiving our live CSA dividends. But then what do you do with all that produce? How do you store it for use in the near future, or to last through the winter?

Experts say the average American wastes $2000 worth of food during the year, simply by not storing it properly or not using it before it needs to be added to compost. (more…)

Posted in Food-Nutrition-Health, Home & Ranch, Kitchen Hints | Comments Closed

“Trashed” – 20 minute documentary about trash

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

by Catherine Haug, March 24, 2013

Dedicate 20 minutes of your valuable time to watch this documentary with your family. I know I’m ‘preaching to the choir,’ as our ESP community is very aware of the problems of our throw-away society. But this short film really brings it home, and I urge you to share this with others who are not as aware.

You can view it here >> Snag Films: Trashed.

Or scroll down to the embedded video player.

NOTE: the film takes 2 short breaks for a Pillsbury ad…

Next month – April 22- is Earthday; this year’s theme is the Face of Climate Change. Our overwhelming burden of trash has a lot to do with climate change, as a major portion of our everyday trash is plastic, and the manufacture of plastic is a major contributor to atmospheric pollution that fuels the greenhouse effect.

Is recycling the solution?

(more…)

Posted in Ecology, Home & Ranch, Recycle, Repurpose, Simplify | Comments Closed

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