The View From My Boots

Simple Steps To Natural Living

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:17:00 +0000

“5 Quick-Fix Health Resolutions for 2010”

As we all know, there is no magic solution to getting healthy overnight, but there are a few ways to improve your lifestyle right here, right now. Choose one of these resolutions, or try them all, and enjoy the results of your actions in a happier, healthier new year ahead.

1. I will not eat anything containing high fructose corn syrup.

It's everywhere, and it's making us fat. Soda is a big-time offender, but it's also in flavored water, sweet tea, jelly, ice cream, yogurt, cookies, candy, juice, breads (including fast food buns), cereals, crackers, processed meats, canned fruit, salad dressings, ketchup, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, applesauce, milk, and more. Watch out for “corn syrup” in ingredient lists because it may contain high fructose. You can avoid high fructose corn syrup by reading labels and making different choices—even if they cost a couple of cents more. Your health is worth it.

2. I will get 7 to 9 hours of sleep as often as possible.

According to the latest poll from the National Sleep Foundation, 20% of Americans sleep less than 6 hours a night. Skimping on sleep not only makes us tired, cranky, and less productive; it also increases risk of heart disease, depression, and anxiety. Plus, it throws our hormone balance out of whack, which triggers cells to store fat and lowers the body's ability to burn fat. Sleep deprivation has even been linked to insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. The fix? Declare a bedtime that will allow you enough sleep, and stick to it (skipping caffeine and alcohol in the evening will help you fall asleep and sleep well). I promise, your to-do list will still be there in the morning.

3. I will drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.

Yes, before you reach for the coffee pot, chug water. We dehydrate overnight, and this can mean a lousy start to the day. Even mild dehydration can cause tiredness, achy joints, irritability, headache, forgetfulness, and “fuzzy” thinking. In the long run, frequent dehydration has been shown to increase constipation, dry skin, asthma attacks, kidney and urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and some cancers. Remember, soda, tea, coffee, juices, and sports drinks contribute to our daily fluid intake, but they require our kidneys to filter out the sugar, caffeine, colors, and other additives. It's water we crave, even if we don't realize it. Drink up!

4. I will eat fiber on purpose.

Psyllium, the fiber found in products like Metamucil and Citrucel, is not just for constipation. It can play a much more significant role in our health if we indulge in a bit each day. Psyllium is a powder made of the hulls of seeds from the Plantago ovata plant. Didn't know that, did ya? Me neither. But these hulls form a gel-like substance in water that works wonders on our innards. It not only fills you up, discouraging overeating, it also steadies blood sugar levels, reduces cholesterol and fat absorption, reduces colon cancer risk, sweeps chemicals and other nasty toxins out of the body, and encourages healthy bacterial growth in the intestines. And, yes, it will help with regularity. You can get psyllium fiber in any pharmacy, but I recommend skipping the brands with sweeteners and other additives. Go straight for pure 100% psyllium. Just be sure to follow the directions on the package to avoid stomach upset or interference with medications.

5. I will get at least 10 minutes of sunshine every day.

Sunlight is absolutely vital to our health and happiness. It is essential to our bodies' production vitamin D, which decreases the risk of several cancers, especially stomach, colo-rectal, liver and gallbladder, pancreas, lung, breast, prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers. Plus, it keeps depressive feelings at bay, making us feel more vibrant and energetic. At a minimum, we should spend 10 minutes outside in the midday sun with arms and face exposed (even on cloudy days). If you simply can't get out, sit by a sunny window. It'll make a world of difference.

Learn More, Speak Up: Frac Sand Mining in the Ozarks

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Hello Neighbors,

I'm want to share information with you regarding potential risks to our region of the Natural State. Multiple "frac sand" operations are developing in Izard and several nearby counties in order to extract silica sand for gas drilling. These are open quarry mines that will span hundreds of acres each, affecting neighboring landowners, the natural landscape, water quality, and our local roadways. The State of Arkansas and our counties are NOT prepared to evaluate and manage the risks of this new method of mining.

AIR QUALITY

Concern: Exposure to silica dust around mining site and on haul roads

According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite, and many other minerals. Silica-laden material can break down into particles small enough to inhale when workers chip, cut, drill, or grind it. This is exactly what happens during frac sand mining.
Silica dust less than 10 microns in size is invisible and can travel long distances from its source.
OSHA states that silica exposure is currently a serious threat to nearly 2 million workers in the United States. The seriousness of the health hazards associated with silica exposure is demonstrated by the fatalities and disabling illnesses that continue to occur among workers in mining occupations. Each year in the U.S., 200 workers die from silicosis, and hundreds more become disabled.
Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen. Additionally, breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling or even fatal. Silica dust enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, thus reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen. There is no cure for silicosis. Since silicosis affects lung function, it makes a person more susceptible to lung infections like tuberculosis.
According to a disclaimer from FlexFrac Proppant Sand Suppliers in Richardson, Texas, its products “contain respirable crystalline silica, which is considered by some sources to be a cause of cancer and can lead to death...Failure to adhere to our warnings, MSDS, and handling instructions may lead to serious personal injury or death.” (Source: http://flexfracsand.com/flexfrac_disclaimer_warnings.html)
Local residents (and their children) may be exposed to harmful silica dust from a frac sand mining operation. The risk is not necessarily limited to plant workers; airborne particles may be hazardous nearby homeowners, and the 70-plus trucks driving through the area each day are another potential source of silica exposure.

Resources:

Silicosis: Learn the Facts

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-108/pdfs/2004-108.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/silicax.pdf

Texas Silica, LLC—MSDS Sheet

http://texasfracsands.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/msds_texas_silica.pdf

WATER QUALITY

Concern: Excess processing water will be discharged into the White River watershed—what chemicals and heavy metals will be present in this water, and what are the longterm effects on our waterways?

According to an article titled "Secrets Surround Gas-Field Chemicals" by Joe Hanel, Durango Herald—Denver Bureau (July 20, 2008), the hydraulic fracturing industry has refused to publicly disclose specific contents of fluids employed in the fracturing process. Medical personnel have been inhibited in their treatment of workers injured in fracturing accidents, and have been injured themselves in the course of diagnosis due to insufficient knowledge of specific chemicals involved.
In the United States, a 2004 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study found uncertainties in knowledge of how fracturing fluid migrates through rocks, which warrants investigation into potential pollution of groundwater supplies that may threaten crucial supplies of water used for drinking and agriculture.
Methane contamination of drinking water wells is a common problem in regions where gas production is present. Will blasting from the sand plant affect nearby wells, exposing them to hazardous gases, heavy metals, and other contaminants?

Resources:

Hydraulic fracturing: Environmental impact and regulation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing#Environmental_impact_and_regulation

Does Natural-Gas Drilling Endanger Water Supplies?

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_47/b4109000334640.htm

TRAFFIC SAFETY

Concern: Impact on our roads and driver safety (semi-trucks of sand shipped from the plant causing wear-and-tear on already dangerous roads and posing danger to other drivers)

Statistics concerning semi-truck accidents from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

In 2000, there were 140,000 people injured and 5,211 people killed in traffic accidents involving large trucks.
In 2000, large trucks accounted for 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes.
In 1999, large trucks accounted for 4% of the registered vehicles in the United States, and they were involved in 22% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths in multiple-vehicle crashes.
One out of eight traffic fatalities in 2000 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.
Most fatal crashes involving large trucks occur during the daytime (68%) and on weekdays (80%).

With these statistics in mind, we must investigate the various ways in which truck traffic may affect people who use frac sand haul routes to access their homes, workplaces, and recreation areas.

INVESTIGATE YOUR LOCAL AREA:
You can also contact the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and voice concerns about your specific area.
* ADEQ Email Form: http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/poa/forms/questions.asp (you can comment anonymously)
* Local Field Office Contact Info: http://www.adeq.state.ar.us/home/field_offices.asp

If you'd like more information, please visit www.friendsoftherivers.org/Frac_mining_Izard.html and pass the word.

Star light, star bright...

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:43:00 +0000

"Ralph Waldo Emerson once asked what we would do if the stars only came out once every thousand years. No one would sleep that night, of course. The world would create new religions overnight. We would be ecstatic, delirious, made rapturous by the glory of God. Instead, the stars come out every night and we watch television."
~ Paul Hawken

More peculiar creatures...

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:59:00 +0000

Don't you love those rare moments when the kid in you takes charge and you dive headlong into completely frivolous fun? It happened to me a few nights ago. I followed my 6 year old daughter's lead, abandoning dinner preparations to create a spur-of-the-moment diorama of the arctic sea. Yes, these are walruses of the yummy yam variety. Quite elusive - never before captured on film. My daughter recognized their potential, and we proceeded to gather an ice berg rock, match stick tusks, a blue t-shirt ocean, and plastic fish for them to eat. Why? Because we wanted to, that's why.

Take a peek at the rare Ozark Pocket Gopher (native to my little corner of Arkansas)...

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:23:00 +0000

"Prior to the 1990s, all pocket gophers in Arkansas were classified as Baird’s pocket gopher (G. breviceps). The new Arkansas species was described through further DNA testing and analyses of cranial morphology...To date, the Ozark pocket gopher has been confirmed to exist in Izard County with an estimated population of about 3,500 individuals. The term “geomys” in the scientific name means ‘earth mouse” . Most of their lives are spent underground so gophers are seldom seen, but their presence is obvious when the excavated dirt from a burrow is deposited in a mound at the surface."

- From Jane Jones-Schulz of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

This guy is actually a plains pocket gopher, but you get the idea. If you'd like to see the real McCoy in action, check out the exclusive YouTube video. For real. Click HERE.

Public Meeting Scheduled re: Sand Mining Permit

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:01:00 +0000

(From The Melbourne Times)

PUBLIC MEETING:

ADEQ (Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality) will hold a public meeting and hearing December 3, 2009, in Mount Pleasant, AR to accept comments on a draft permit for construction of a process water recycling pond for Bluebird Sand, LLC in Izard County. The meeting will start at 6:00pm.

Calico Rock Can Do Better Than Frac Sand Mining

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:40:00 +0000

I am obviously opposed to the sand plant proposal, and I encourage others to investigate this issue. Here's a new resource: FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF PROPOSED ROCKFORT QUARRY.
The assurances of the mining company as to the protection of our heath and natural resources is meaningless to me, considering they stand to profit at the expense of our community. To reiterate what others have mentioned, some of my concerns include:

* Hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to be used per day (what will this do to wells in the area and to the aquifer we all share?)
* Excess water from processing that will be discharged into local creeks that feed the White River. (What chemicals and heavy metals will be present in this water, and how will it affect our waterways?)
* Noise and lights from a 20 hour per day operation.
* Air quality issue (Frac sand is silica sand, which will be released into the air and is hazardous when inhaled.)
* Impact on our roads and driver safety. (70 semi-trucks of sand per day will be shipped from the plant, causing wear-and-tear on already dangerous roads and posing danger to other drivers.)
* Impact on property values. (Personally, if I were interested in relocating my family, I would avoid any community with a frac sand mine. Will our property values plummet because no one wants to come here?)
* False assurances that the employees of the plant will be local citizens. (One of the big selling points about the mine seems to be local employment, but the mining company can not guarantee that its staff will be hired locally.)

Finally, on a more personal note, I can think of numerous better ways to expend our energy as a community. A prison, sand mines, another dollar store – ugh! Are these the kinds of businesses with which we want to define our lovely little corner of the country? How about a bakery, a coffee shop, a bookstore, a sporting goods store, a fitness facility, a gift store featuring local craftspeople, an archery shop, a bait and tackle shop, a garden center, an art gallery?? These sorts of establishments cater to visitors with money to burn (and locals, like me, who enjoy a cup o' culture now and then). They cultivate beauty rather than destroying it. They would employ people – more people than the sand plant – and provide much more pleasant working environments. Think outside the box, people. BUILD IT, AND THEY WILL COME.

"Frac Sand" Mining Threatens Arkansas Ozarks

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:42:00 +0000

From Gene Dunaway of Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers:

"Over the past few weeks it has become clear that a number of 'frac' sand mining and sand processing operations have plans to develop in Izard County. The need for sand for gas drilling, especially in the Fayetteville shale, is driving this development. This particular company is planning a large open quarry mine and already has a stormwater permit for 240 acres in a 1000 acre area they own with a multimillion dollar plant proposed. Unimen, the sand plant that has been in Guion for years has filed for permits to expand. At least one other plant has filed for permits.

People involved with Friends of Mill and Piney Creeks (FMCPC) have been leading an effort, with our partnership to understand and grasp the significance of this development and how it will affect our watershed and the streams in their area which flow into the White River from Piney Creek. The City of Calico Rock is considering drilling 3 wells for this company.

Quarry mines usually become big holes in the ground. Large scale quarry mining could change the entire character of our area. The Quorum Court should take action immediately to slow this process down until they can determine exactly what is going to happen and assure there is no risk to our water and property."

According to an informal poll on the website of the White River Current newspaper, 21 people have voted in favor of the sand mine so far, and 136 have voted against it.

Please visit these websites for more information:
Friends of the North Fork and White Rivers blog
Article from The Baxter Bulletin newspaper, October 19, 2009: Applications almost ready for new mine site near Calico Rock
Article from The Baxter Bulletin newspaper, October 8, 2009: Sand mining consultants meet with Calico Rock Residents

TAKE ACTION:

Contact the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and voice your concerns:
ADEQ Email Form
Teresa Marks, Director
5301 Northshore Drive
North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317
(501) 682-0744
For Local Field Office Contact Info, click HERE.

Calico Rock Mayor and City Council Members:What about the air we breathe

Ronnie Guthrie 297-8786

Lynna Stanley is 291-3769

Greg Hamby 297-8879

Charles Francis at the paper 297-3010

Darrell Brown 297-8556

Cindy Wildhagen 297-8542

Steve Marsee 297-2756
Fred Blickle 297-4244

Natural Food Delivery in Harrison, Arkansas

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Azure Standard, an Oregon-based company specializing in bulk natural food, recently added Harrison to their midwest delivery route. Azure's goal is to provide once-a-month delivery of items they offer in their extensive catalog, including: bulk dried goods (beans, grains, baking supplies, and livestock feed); a large selection of non-perishable groceries; and even frozen, refrigerated, and fresh produce items that are not available via standard UPS delivery.

Lori Tauer of Harrison is coordinating a regional cooperative of people who are interested in taking advantage of this unique opportunity. Tauer reports that the first delivery on September 24^th went well. “I think everyone that was there to pick up their order was satisfied,” she says.

If you're interested in learning more, contact Azure Standard representative Diane Pennington for detailed information and ordering instructions. Her email address is penningtonfam@yahoo.com, and her phone number is 1-417-296-0052.

Pennington is enthusiastic about the success of this venture, and foresees expansion if order volume continues to grow. “Hopefully, in the near future we will be able to include Mountain Home on the delivery route too.”

The order deadline for the next delivery is October 20^th. Visit Azure Standard's website to browse their online catalog at www.azurestandard.com.

Tell the USDA GE Frankenfoods & Nanotechnology Aren't Organic!

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:29:00 +0000

A report issued by the USDA Foreign Agriculture Information Network, "The Unexplored Potential of Organic-Biotech Production," argues that "Governments should change their regulations to allow producers to gain organic certification for biotech crops grown with organic methods."Please take action to (1) oppose the USDA's attempt to promote genetic engineering as potentially organic and (2) push the National Organic Standards Board to take a strong stand against the use of nanotechnology in organic. Genetic engineering and nanotechnology aren't organic!

You can contact Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack or use the Organic Consumer Association's handy form by clicking HERE and scrolling through the "Action Alert."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE (arguably absurd) USDA REPORT

I Bought Some Kool-Aid...

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:15:00 +0000

Yes, I really did buy a whole spectrum of powdered Kool-Aid packets. Shocked? Well, we didn't drink them. MaryJane Butters recently asked my girls and I to experiment with a fun use for Kool-Aid that has nothing to do with actually ingesting it: tie-dyeing! No joke, you can actually dye fabric with the likes of “Great Bluedini” and “Purplesaurus Rex,” and you don't have to worry about harsh dyes that might be hazardous to handle. Apparently, this psychedelic super-fruity-scented pigment creates fantastic steadfast colors on materials such as wool, silk, and untreated nylon. Unfortunately, it doesn't work very well on plant-based fibers like cotton. We tried a couple of cotton t-shirts, and they rinsed out until only pale hues remained (which might be okay if you're going for a very light pastel look). The kids wanted bright colors, though, so we scrounged up a few silk scarves and shirts, and the results were positively rainbow-liscious.Take a look:

If you'd like to try your hand a tootie-truity tie-dye, check out MaryJane's complete instructions at DownToEarthNW.com.

Repurposing Old Paper

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:35:00 +0000

The kids and I took on another new craft project the other day. This time, we were inspired by the mess in their art room, which looked a lot like the aftermath of a tornado. As they cleaned up the disaster debris, I had them bag up a bazillion bits and pieces of scrap paper—everything from notebook paper to colored construction paper. No tape or staples were allowed, but marker or crayon were okay. Our goal was a recycling effort that would be lots more fun than taking their paper to the bins behind the elementary school. Instead, we intended to “repurpose” it, or make whole new sheets of paper from the old scraps. It turned out to be as fun for me as it was for the kids. I love the textured look and feel of handmade paper. It's great for cutting into cool shapes, layering in collages, painting, and creating homemade greeting cards. Here's how you do it:

1.Remove the backing and glass from an old wooden picture frame (5x7 or 8x10). Tack a piece of screen to one side of the frame, completely covering the opening. Or, you can slide a pantyhose leg around the frame, careful not to tear, and knot to secure it.

2.Separate your scrap paper into basic color groups (if you mix them, you'll get a brownish result), and tear big pieces into shreds.3.Put some shreds in a blender with a little water and blend until liquefied.

4.Keep blending more paper and water till the blender is full of thick pulp. For more intense color, add unsweetened Kool-Aid powder or food coloring.

5.Pour the pulp into a sink or bin that's ½ full of water, and stir.

6.Dip the frame into the sink, catch the floating pulp, and shake gently to distribute the pulp evenly over the screen or pantyhose.
7.Lift the frame full of pulp, keeping it horizontal, and lay it outside in the sun to dry. (Drying may take 2 days, depending on thickness of pulp and outdoor humidity).

8.When dry, gently peel the “brand new” paper from the picture frame. It's ready to use, just like that!

Labors of Love

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:25:00 +0000

I always enjoy reading Megan's Musings *, but I can really relate to her last couple of columns. A) I, too, have ALWAYS dreamed of being a cowboy, and B) I'm feeling rather restless right now, almost aimless. I have all sorts of creative energy, but I can't figure out where I want to put it exactly. So I end up baking and eating way too many chocolate chip cookies, and I find myself fretting over all sorts of things that may or may not ever matter. Seeing as how I'm a whole lot older than Megan and in a different phase of life, I am beginning to realize that these little rough spots in the road are not something that anybody grows out of. I guess the only good thing about being my age and coming to this realization is that I know the road is likely to smooth out again. Soon, things will start making sense, and I'll resume my travels in some kind of purposeful direction.

But as a mom, I now tend to scrutinize the subtleties of life's journey with an eye on the future—my children's future. Obviously, they will also experience moments, days, weeks of floundering. It's the human condition. But how will they deal with it?

I want them to have what people call “moral compasses,” the spiritual strength to know the basic differences between right and wrong, but let's face it, compasses can fail even the best of us at times. Things aren't always black and white. Occasionally a gray fog drifts in that makes it hard to figure out which direction to go. That's why I also want each of my kids to have what I call a “well-stocked tool box” full of skills for them to fall back on when they flounder. It has been shown time and again that people who grow up with positive outlets for their energy aren't as apt to crumble onto crutches like drugs and drink. They don't break easily, you see, they build.

The best means I know of to stock a kid's tool box is to start them out young, working from the get-go on labors of love. I don't mean like sitting here at the computer, pecking at the keys. Sheesh—as much as I love writing, it's enough to drive a person mad after awhile. I'm talking more about physical labor, the kind that gets your hands dirty and makes you sweat, the kind that wipes the brain slate clean and sets you straight. The kind of labor that, if you do it right, you can love for a lifetime. Creative skills and a good work ethic stick with a person, even though sometimes you might feel you've misplaced them. Lately, I've been looking for mine—I know I put them someplace—because I'm just not comfortable with the concept of crutches (even if mine may be as innocent as chocolate chip cookies).

The tough part, as a mom, is learning to lead by example. When I'm feeling unfocused, it's a real challenge to channel my chaos so that I can inspire my kids to do the same. I get tired, and I don't feel like being a role model for anybody. But it's my job, for better or worse. Even though I'd rather crawl off with a good book than set a shining example, my own tool box is bringing me back on course. What I need right now is some real work, and all the rest will fall into place.

So, I broke out my saw, drill, and sand paper. Literally. There is so much promise in the raw surface of an uncut board. I don't have any training or finesse as a woodworker, but I like winging it. As I suspected, it has felt good to put my hands to work, making toy boats and birds, finding my way to clarity in the grain of cedar and pine. And it hit me, like a hammer to the thumb, that this is what my kids need too. This is what all kids need. Whether it's wood, farming, sports, or music, they need something they can put their hearts—and hands—into. We all need a labor of love to lean on when the world seems to tilt the wrong way.

As my fog began to lift, I placed wood and files into the hands of my girls. Even my toddler took to sanding and sorting drill bits. We've been scraping knuckles, kicking up dust, and cramping from being stooped over too long (well, okay, I'm the only one with a backache). But we've also been sharing tools, learning from one another's mistakes, and complimenting each other's creations. We've been working together, building a surefooted family with sensible skills. I can only hope that for all my shortcomings, I will be able to give my little ones the tools they need to stand strong in the years to come.

* "Megan's Musings" is a column in my local newspaper written by an insightful-to-say-the-least college student .

Saving Seeds

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:52:00 +0000

Another year, another garden, another squash bug...or another zillion squash bugs, cucumber beetles, worms, and weeds, as the case may be. Arkansas gardening has been an adventure for me. (Adventure, I tell my kids, is the often miserable experience of going out on a limb and living to laugh about it later.) The trouble with me and gardening here in the South is that I'm committed to organic gardening, which means not using an ounce of chemicals, but I always seem to be too busy (or is it too lazy?) to keep on top of the pests that plague my plants.

Tiger Lily and Flopsy - 2 of our major garden "pests" (hence the chicken wire around the tomatoes)

This year, though, has been better by leaps and bounds than the last two. First of all, we scaled down our efforts and switched to “container gardening” in 16 big pots. The easy-access pots allowed us to do hard-target fertilizing and watering, and it helped keep the blasted Bermuda grass at bay. Plus, when we watered, the resulting pool in the pots floated squash bugs and caterpillars into view for easy picking. Encouraged by our success with squash bug patrol, we waged battle on the next wave of pests—tomato beetles and those fat green tomato worms. Pick and squish, pick and drown, pick and chuck to the chickens. So far, so good! We've actually harvested multiple armfuls of cucumbers, zucchini, and peppers. And, oh, the tomatoes...

Okay, I guess we really have enjoyed a smidgen of success this year, and I'm thankful. Hopefully, we can take the lessons we've learned and sow them into a more substantial garden next year. We admittedly don't have much in the way of winter food; we're eating it all fresh. But even though we aren't stocking the pantry, we are at least going to try and save some seeds. Seed saving is becoming more of a necessity than a hobby. From what I hear, we may be hurting for time-tested heirloom seeds in the future if more of us don't commit to saving them, what with companies like Monsanto lurking out there.

As usual, I'm floundering around trying to figure out the best ways to accomplish my latest undertaking, and I'm eager to share what I'm learning with you. So, here's the skinny on saving seeds.

Selecting Seeds
1.Beans, lettuce, pea, pepper, and tomato supposedly offer the beginning seed saver the best chance for success. Corn, cucumber, melon, radish, spinach, squash, and pumpkin require a little more attention because they're susceptible to cross-pollination which can create sterile seeds. Still, I think it's worth a shot.
2.When saving seed, always choose from the best plants (i.e. vigorous growers that are disease-free and hearty producers). A plant that has even a mild bacterial or fungal problem at the end of the growing season can pass the problem to its seeds, and the disease can wreak havoc on next year's crop.
3.Harvest seeds from mature fruit. For example, cucumbers at the eating stage aren't actually ripe, and so their seeds won't germinate if saved. If you're not sure when to harvest, check out the easy reference chart on this website: www.kidsgardening.com/growingideas/PROJECTS/aug04/pg1.html
4.Wait until near the end of the season to save fruit for seed because letting the fruit mature fully reduces the vigor of the plant and discourages further fruit production.

Preparing Seeds for Storage
The Dry Method
1.Beans, peas, onions, garlic, carrots, corn, most flowers and herb seeds are prepared by a dry method. Allow the seed to dry naturally on the plant. Once picked, spread them on a screen, paper plate, or piece of cardboard in a single layer.
2.As for corn, remove the husks when the corn is fully ripened and continue to dry on the cob in paper grocery sacks indoors. When thoroughly dried, you can twist them in your hands to remove kernels.
3.Garlic can be braided and hung from nails or stored in open-weave bags while drying.

The Wet Method
1.Seed from moist, fleshy fruits like tomatoes, melons, squash, and cucumber require a bit more care. Scoop the seed masses from the mature fruit and place them in a small jar of warm water (don't mix seed types).
2.Let the seeds soak for 4 or 5 days, stirring daily. This handy fermentation process may make some smelly mold, but it also kills viruses and separates out the good seeds.
3.After a few days, the good seeds will sink to the bottom of the container while the pulp, mold, and “dud” seeds float.
4.Pour off the water and muck, and then spread out the good seed to dry.

Storing Seeds
Keep your seeds in a well-ventilated, dry location. (I store mine in the fridge in brown paper lunch sacks that are folded, stapled, and labeled with the seed variety and year saved). Seeds shouldn't mold if they were sufficiently dry before storage. Seed viability decreases over time. Most seed should be used within three years, but I read that parsley, onion, and sweet corn must be used the next year.

International Seed Saving Institute
Find links to specific seed saving instructions for many common vegetables and lots more good info at www.seedsave.org/issi/issi_904.html

S'mores Revisited

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:04:00 +0000

Before summer's over, I must mention homemade marshmallows for the sake of the most sumptuous s'mores you can imagine. This recipe, perfected by MaryJane Butters (www.maryjanesfarm.org), makes such pillowy melt-in-your-mouth marshmallows that you'll never be able to go back to the styrofoamy storebought variety. Plus, it's just too cool to be able to make these mysterious little wonders all by yourself (or with the help of sticky kid fingers). They're very easy (and, yes, messy) to make; the only tricky part can be finding organic ingredients - especially corn syrup. I like Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Light Corn Syrup, available from www.wholesomesweeteners.com.

MARYJANE'S MARSHMALLOWS

Powdered sugar for dusting
2 1/2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin*
1 cup water, divided
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. water
2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Lightly coat an 8x8x2-inch pan with cooking spray. Heavily dust with powdered sugar; set aside. Stir unflavored gelatin and 1/2 cup of the water together in a large bowl of a very sturdy stand mixer; let stand 25 minutes while preparing syrup mixture (mixture will be set).

2. Meanwhile, mix remaining 1/2 cup water, granulated sugar, syrup, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Cook and stir over low to medium-low heat until sugar has dissolved. Cook and stir over medium-high until mixture boils. Clip a candy thermometer to side of pan. Reduce heat to medium; continue boiling at a moderate, steady rate, stirring frequently until thermometer registers 244° (about 15 minutes). (Watch carefully to prevent mixture from boiling over. If necessary, reduce heat to medium-low.) Slowly pour hot syrup into gelatin mixture with stand mixer on low to medium-low speed. Increase to high speed; beat 15 minutes (mixture should be thick and about triple in volume). Add 1 tablespoon water and vanilla extract; beat until combined.

3. Spoon mixture (it will be sticky) into prepared pan. Let stand, uncovered, overnight. Loosen mixture from pan by lifting around edges with a knife. Invert onto a cutting board dusted with powdered sugar. With a hand sifter, dust marshmallows with additional powdered sugar. Cut into 1-inch squares with a large knife dusted with powdered sugar. Dust with additional powdered sugar. Makes about 64 marshmallows.

*NOTE: MaryJane now prefers to make marshmallows with her new ChillOver Powder, a vegetarian alternative available at www.maryjanesfarm.org.

Just finished...

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:17:00 +0000

Inspired by the local library's upcoming "Food in Art" competition, I dusted off my supplies and wrestled this portrait out of my artistically atrophied soul. I wanted to allow the watercolor base to shine through, but the colored pencils took over. I worked and reworked, and now I think I'll just let it be. Not sure if I'll enter it in the contest, but I'm glad for the impetus to put my 3 lovely little berry pickers on paper.

Food Combinations for Better Digestion

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:31:00 +0000

I was talking with some folks at the farmers market recently. Naturally, the subject was food, and it led us along a path of ideas, exploring the hills and hollers of our diets—what makes us feel good, what doesn't. We talked about what a shame it is that our diets have gotten so out of whack since we became grocery shoppers instead of hunter-gatherers. The way we eat is so misguided, in fact, that many of us end up suffering from digestive upsets on a regular basis—and we resign ourselves to this discomfort as if it's just a natural part of life. Well, it isn't. And neither are the grouchy, drowsy, moody, depressive feelings that often accompany unhealthy eating habits. Digestion is intimately linked with our health in ways that modern science is ever-so-slowly catching up on. The gist is this: if we don't listen to our “gut feelings” of rumbling and pain, we're stressing our digestive systems, and digestive stress can compromise our health as a whole.

So now there's a brand new branch of the trendy diet tree which deals with pain-free eating. Combining certain foods, they claim, will alleviate bellyaches, creaky joints, headaches, the works. And I believe it's true. What I don't buy is that you need to spend a bunch of money trying to figure out a pain-free eating plan. The concept is relatively simple. These diets propose that proper food combining will help us completely digest our food (so that we're not left with the bloating, gas, and other woes caused by poor digestion). The trick is knowing which foods will digest well together and which ones clash, requiring too much work to be broken down easily.

I did a little research, my favorite source being a book called Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford, and I came up with a basic list of food combinations that'll give your belly a break. It's pretty radical when you consider the way most everybody eats, but if you're ready for a change, this is a place to start.

How to Combine Food Groups

At meals and snack times:

Only eat protein with non-starchy vegetables (this is the #1 most important combination for easing digestive stress)
Starches can be combined with non-starchy vegetables, fats, and oils.
Fats and oils can be combined with non-starchy vegetables, starches, and acid fruits.
Acid fruits can be combined with fats, oils, and sub-acid fruits.
Sub-acid fruits can be combined with acid fruit or sweet fruit.
Sweet fruit can be combined with sub-acid fruit.
Green and non-starchy vegetables can be combined with protein, starch, or fats and oils.

Food Group Examples

Protein (meat, cheese, yogurt, eggs, milk, beans, tofu, nuts, seeds)
Starches (grains, bread, pasta, potato, sweet potato, beet, parsnip, carrot, squash, and corn)
Fats and Oils (avocado, coconut, olives, butter, cream, lard, and all vegetable oils)
Acid Fruits (lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, tomato, strawberry, pineapple, and kiwi)
Sub-acid Fruits (apple, berries, pear, apricot, peach, grapes, plum, cherry, mango, and papaya).
Sweet fruit (fig, banana, dates, melons, and all dried fruit)
Non-starchy vegetables (leafy greens, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, celery, cucumber, onion, garlic, green beans, and peas)

A Few More Tips

Limit sugar and white flour foods to an occasional treat, or drop 'em like a bad habit.
Stop eating before you're stuffed.
Don't eat a darn thing within 4 hours of going to bed at night.
Ditch artificial flavors, colors, fillers, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup
Do some sort of exercise every day (I love yoga, but that's another column...)

Summer Fun

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:49:00 +0000

The kids wanted to build toy boats, so we went wild with the idea. Each of us designed one on paper, then I transferred the designs to wood. It was a kick to watch their puzzled faces when I drew shapes on the wood that looked nothing like their sketches. They were amazed when all of those funny pieces came together, bringing their boats to life. They helped glue and tack, and then we painted them and jazzed them up with sails, flags, and anchors made of river rocks. I finished mine for my littlest, who loves to pull it around by the anchor. Check out our maiden voyage...

Here's mine, Nacho Libre: The Luchador
(named by my toddler captain)

The Black Pearl pirate ship
created by my 6 year old

The Bove, a luxury party pontoon boat
created by my 8 year old

Just Say No to GMO

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:53:00 +0000

If you're anything like me, you're a little mystified by the whole genetically modified food thing. I mean, I try to stay informed about stuff that affects my family's health, but the only thing I've really gleaned about “GMO” is that it's bad news. Maybe I've resisted looking into it further because I didn't want to hear any more bad news (sometimes ignorance really is bliss). But I had a nagging feeling that I should dig deeper into this Franken-food issue. So, I did. And for better or worse, I'll share with you what I found. I warn you, though, it isn't pretty.

What does GMO mean?

GMO stands for “genetically modified organism.” It also goes by the alias GE, or “genetically engineered.” Genetic modification is a psycho-scientific process that takes our God-given food from the field to the laboratory where it is twisted into various monstrosities that are designed to make big corporations richer at any cost to public health.
Completely different than natural cross-breeding, genetic modification means that genes are removed from one species and inserted into another. For example, genes from an arctic flounder which has "antifreeze" properties may be spliced into a tomato to prevent frost damage.

Pesticide Overkill
GM crops are often manufactured to produce their own pesticides. Appetizing, yes? One such pesticide, the Bt toxin, kills many species of insect larvae indiscriminately, not just crop-damaging pests. Imagine the implications of mass insecticide—insects may be annoying, but they make the world go 'round.

Health Hazards
On May 19th of this year, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine called for a moratorium on GM foods. They stated that "several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food," including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin regulation problems, and changes in major organs. Ohio allergist Dr. John Boyles said, "I used to test for soy allergies all the time, but now that soy is genetically engineered, it is so dangerous that I tell people never to eat it."

When GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks, compared to a 10% death rate among the control group fed natural soy. The GM-fed babies were also smaller, and later had problems getting pregnant.

Corporate Control
Genetic engineering giants like Monsanto are out to make a mega profit by patenting GM seeds. The idea is that all the seeds have identical genetic structure, so they can be patented as corporate property.
Get this:
In 2001, a Canadian court ruled that farmer Percy Schmeiser had to pay Monsanto over $15,000 plus damages after his fields were found to be contaminated by the company’s genetically engineered canola. Pollen from neighboring fields was the source of the contamination. Monsanto company investigators trespassed on Schmeiser’s land and found the company’s genetically engineered canola growing in his field. The court found that because Monsanto owns patent rights on the genes used in the altered canola, the farmer was liable for growing the crop, even though he did not intentionally plant the engineered seed.
True story. And it's just one example of how corporations (and no doubt the government) will take our food from us altogether if we let them.

A Fragile Food Supply
Perhaps the worst news of all is the genetic engineering ultimately threatens our entire food supply. Insects, birds, and wind can carry genetically altered seeds into neighboring fields and beyond. Pollen from these plants can cross-pollinate with natural crops and wild relatives. Not only will supposedly safe plants start harboring strange and even dangerous potential, but they'll all become susceptible to the same diseases. In one fell swoop, a simple fungus could wipe out fields as far as the eye can see.

Some GM seeds are even engineered to be sterile, making them impossible to replant. How do you like that? No more saving seeds to save money and beloved varieties—we'd have to buy new ones every year.

How Can You Spot GMOs?
When we buy GM food in the grocery store—and we do, all the time—we can't see any sign of foul play. No Frankenstein bolts or scars, not even any labels to let us know what we're buying.

Here are the primary suspects:
-Soybeans and anything that contains soy derivatives
-Corn and anything that contains corn derivatives
-Canola (oil)
-Cotton in the form of fabric or food oil
-Potatoes and anything that contains derivatives
-Dairy products, meat, and eggs due to animal feed (toxins build up in milk and fatty tissues)

Standing Our Ground
As of right now, certified organic foods and other products are “safe” because organic regulations do not permit GMOs. But I say our best bet is to grow our own food from organic/heirloom seeds, put up food for the year, and share what we can spare with our neighbors. We may not be able to fix the nation or the rest of the world, but there is value in standing firm and holding tight to our precious roots. In a community like ours, we can band together and keep GMOs from creeping in and taking over.

Remember this, my friends: every snowflake in the avalanche pleads not guilty.

Vote For Our Farmers Market

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:32:00 +0000

Calling all Calico Rock food lovers!

LocalHarvest has partnered with Care2 to create a summer-long contest called, "Love Your Farmers Market." Here's how it works: everyone is invited to cast one vote for their favorite farmers market. Voting registers our farmers market for weekly $250 prize drawings, and receiving a lot of votes will win one lucky market the top prize of $5,000. To encourage a "get out the vote" effort, there are also prizes for the top recruiters - people who ask their friends to vote. So spread the word!

When you vote you can write a short review of our farmers market, which you can choose to have posted on the LocalHarvest website. Here's what I wrote:

"Our little hideaway river town may not show up on many maps, but the people here uphold a strong tradition of growing their own food and sharing it with their neighbors. At the Calico Rock Market, growers get to connect with the public and with each other. Good food is bought and sold, gardening secrets are shared, and smiles are given for free. Our market nourishes our whole community!"

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE:

"We love farmers markets for all these reasons, and because we think they are important. In a world of anonymous food, it does a body good to stand across a table loaded down with vegetables, and look at the face of the person's whose labor brought this food into being. This person, those hands, that strong back all worked the soil on a particular farm near here, under sun and rain to grow this food. This food that we will take home, prepare, and feed to our families for their nourishment. For me it's nothing less than this: shopping at the farmers market can bring your heart back to your food." ~ Erin Barnett, Director of LocalHarvest

Footloose and Fancy Free

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:54:00 +0000

Did you know that walking barefoot is healthy for you? It is! The soles of our shoes, even the comfy ones, are keeping us from feeling the good ground beneath our feet. Earthly lumps and bumps that we encounter when we walk barefoot actually massage a zillion nerve endings on the bottoms of our feet, in essence offering a foot massage that benefits the whole body.

Walking in shoes forces us to move unnaturally, which ends up causing cramps and misalignment of bones and joints from the feet up through the rest of the skeleton. An article in Podiatry Management reported that “it took 4 million years to develop our unique human foot and our consequent distinctive form of gait, a remarkable feat of bioengineering. Yet, in only a few thousand years, and with one carelessly designed instrument, our shoes, we have warped the pure anatomical form of human gait, obstructing its engineering efficiency, afflicting it with strains and stresses and denying it its natural grace of form and ease of movement, head to foot.”

I'm a fine one to spout off on this subject, considering my favorite shoes are a pair of Dansko clogs that boast about 2 inches of super solid sole between me and the dirt. Granted, they don't bind my feet at all, and it's not like I'm teetering atop treacherous heels like some women, but still I'm far removed from the walking experience for which human feet have evolved. So, I've decided to try going barefoot more often at home, around the yard and such. I'm admittedly a big sissy when it comes to stepping into grass unshod. Some people relish the thought of wiggling their toes in a carpet of “cool green”, but not me. All I can think about are bugs and pricklies and chicken poop. Seriously—who wants to step on any of those things? But I've mustered enough bravery to tippy-toe across the grass to the big stone circle of our backyard fire pit. There, on the uneven slabs of glade rock, I can happily meander around, practicing natural footfalls and believing I'm getting a boost from doing it.

I watch my kids enviously as they clamber around creek banks on their bare tootsies, padding across pebbles and sand with equal ease. It's as if they have little paws instead of their mama's tender, shoe-sheltered hooves. I was very conscious of their feet when they were babies, and never put any semblance of a shoe on them until they started learning to walk. Even then, it was soft-soled slippers or nothing for years. It just didn't seem right to confine their developing feet to the rigidity of so much rubber. And it's true: kids who go barefoot more often actually develop stronger, healthier feet. I figure that also leads to healthier knees, hips, and bodies in general.

According to an article in New York Magazine last year, “Normally your foot would roll very flexibly through each step, from the heel through the outside of your foot, then through the arch, before your toes give you a powerful propulsive push forward into the next step.” Shoes just don't allow our feet to work that way. Even flip-flops have been blamed for altering people's gait to the point of creating aches and pains all over the body. Wearing shoes of any kind, we're more likely to hobble or tiptoe, lumber or stomp.

Now, I'm not insinuating that we should all start barefootin' it to the bank. Let's be reasonable. I'm simply suggesting that if you find yourself wearing shoes around the house 24/7, or if you never wear anything softer than a steel-shanked Vibram sole, you might consider setting your feet free more often. What better season to start than summer?

And in case you were wondering...

In the U.S., it is NOT illegal to drive an automobile barefoot. (But, driving a motorcycle barefoot is a no-no in Alabama.)

Neither state nor federal governments prohibit the public from entering places of business without shoes (or shirts). Apparently, those kinds of health codes apply to employees only. However, individual businesses have every right to refuse customers they deem “under dressed.”

For those of you flip-flop fans out there, there's a new brand that's supposed to be better for your feet. It's called the Yoga Sandal. You can order a pair online at www.yogasandals.com.

We All Scream For Ice Cream

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:34:00 +0000

No matter how you scoop it, ice cream is simply one of summer's tastiest treats. I love it all year long, but it takes on even greater significance come summertime. You know what I mean. It's one of those rare foods that you can happily eat outside, in spite of the heat. And it is the perfect complement to those delightfully tart wild blackberries that are starting to ripen in fields around the county.

But as much as I enjoy ice cream, I'm not indiscriminate. I have no interest in brands like Blue Bunny that pack their cartons with a lot of fillers and dare to call it ice cream. The big cheater corporations can keep their high fructose corn syrup, fractionated palm kernel oil, artificial flavors, titanium dioxide, potassium sorbate, and propylene glycol monoesters. Talk about Franken-food! And that's just a short list of all the weird stuff that shows up on carton labels. Why do they use all of that jibberish junk? Because it's cheap. Cushy on the wallet, maybe, but don't let them fool you. Cheap food cheats our health, and ice cream is no exception.

If you've ever made your own, you know how simple ice cream really is. At its heart are cream and sugar, period. And to fancy it up, we need look no farther than the fruits of nature. Vanilla beans, peaches, berries, and cocoa are the flavors we dream of, so why accept anything less? Right now, there's one brand of ice cream available in our corner of Arkansas that I'll buy without question—Alden's Organic (at Nature's Way in Mountain Home), but since they only offer a few flavors, you have to get creative and add your own. You can get decent ice cream from Haggen Daz, Breyers, Starbucks, and Ben and Jerry's at Wal-Mart, but not all flavors are free of unsavory additives, and each of those companies are known to be unscrupulous in one way or another. As always, my favorite option is homemade all the way. If only I had a cow...

Anyway, over the years, my family has gone through a handful of ice cream makers. Since we don't like to skimp on quality food, I admit that we skimped on these machines instead. We'd grab whatever sale-priced electric machine was offered at the local Wal-Mart, and by the end of the season, the machine wouldn't work anymore. I'm betting that if we'd originally bought a decent model, we might still have it. And if I intended on buying one now, I'd search out a reputable hand-powered churn, skipping the electricity altogether. But since an ice cream machine isn't in our budget this summer, I looked for a way to make ice cream without one, and I found a method that's so simple it's almost silly. Kids get a kick out of this nifty low-tech technique, and you can even do it while camping. Since it only makes about a quart of ice cream, it might be fun to let each person make their own—great for a birthday party activity. Dig in!

Easy Homemade Ice Cream-in-a-Bag

Here's what you need:

1 cup whole milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream (or half-and-half if you want to lighten up)

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

¼ cup sugar (or more to taste)

About 4 cups ice

1 cup coarse/rock salt

1 cup cold water

1 quart-sized freezer bag that seals

1 gallon-sized freezer bag that seals

Mixing bowl

Mixing spoon

Towel or gloves

Here's what you do:

1. Mix milk, cream, vanilla, and sugar in a bowl.

2. Pour the mixture into your quart-sized bag.

3. Carefully squeeze out the excess air, and seal the bag.

4. Put the quart-sized bag into the gallon-sized bag and gently pack it in with ice, water, and salt.

5. Squeeze the air out of the big bag and seal.

6. Gently toss the bag up and down for about 10 minutes (pass it around to share the work). Use a towel or gloves—the bag gets cold!

7. When the ice cream has thickened, serve it. Homemade ice cream doesn't fare well for long in the freezer, so it's best to eat it quick.

Once you've made this basic vanilla recipe, you can go wild with additions like blended fruit, chocolate chips, a pinch of peppermint extract, unsweetened cocoa powder (¼ cup or more according to taste), or cookies (Newman-Os, the organic version of Oreos work perfectly). I suggest adding already chilled goodies to the quart bag, then sealing the bags back up and tossing a bit longer to firm up again.

Wash and re-use your plastic bags to save money and precious planetary resources.

Related News:

Organic Dairy Family Farmers Need Support

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has called for a boycott of bogus organic dairy brands such as Horizon and Aurora (suppliers to Wal-Mart, Safeway and other giant chains), who have inundated the market with misleadingly labeled "organic" milk produced on factory farms. Recently, the situation has worsened as organic feed prices have increased and recession-pummeled consumers have cut back on the amount of organic milk they are purchasing. The result is a surplus of organic milk, depressed milk prices, and an increasing number of organic dairy farmers across the U.S. being driven into bankruptcy. Consumers can support ethical organic dairy farmers and preserve organic integrity by boycotting Horizon and Aurora products and instead supporting local organic farmers and dairy cooperatives like Organic Valley (whose milk, butter, and cheese is available at Nature's Way in Mountain Home). Learn more online at: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_18096.cfm

A multi-year research study by The Cornucopia Institute created a scorecard, posted on its website (www.cornucopia.org/2008/01/dairy-report-and-scorecard), rating all 110 organic brands based on their ethical and legal approach to milk production. The study indicates that 90% of organic milk, cheese, butter and yogurt marketers are clearly subscribing to both the "spirit and letter of the organic regulations."

Natural Dental Care

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Two weeks ago, at a dentist's office in Springfield, life's comfy rug was yanked out from under my feet. There I was, totally off kilter, listening to a woman with tiny torture tools tell me that my toddler son had multiple cavities. MY son. The boy who eats organic sprouted grain bread and has never tasted a sip of soda. As the dentist fired off a list of possible causes for his tooth trouble, the pit in my stomach reminded me that this was yet another lesson in humility. Maybe I had fed him too many homemade desserts. Maybe I hadn't brushed his teeth often enough. And flossing? Well, I think I did it once, just because he thought it looked like fun. Who knows what went wrong, or if I could have prevented the problem at all. The only thing I can say for sure is that fretting over what I might have done wrong doesn't matter nearly as much as finding out what I can try to do right from now on. So, I've been researching dental care — natural, of course — and I thought you might be interested in some tidbits I found.

Wait to Brush
After eating, our mouths experience a drop in pH (which means they become more acidic), and our tooth enamel softens. So, it's best NOT to brush teeth for about an hour after eating to avoid damaging our enamel.

Brush at Bedtime
If you can only brush once daily, the best time is when you go to bed.
Native “Toothpaste”
Strawberries have long been used to clean and whiten teeth. Cut a fresh strawberry in half and rub your teeth and gums with it. Leave on for 15 minutes, then add some warm water and gently brush. This supposedly promotes clean, white teeth and healthy gums.

Fresh Fluoride
Chewing fresh parsley, coriander, or mint leaves gives teeth a natural, food-based fluoride treatment as well as disinfecting the mouth and sweetening the breath. Fluoride hardens the outer surface of the teeth, but the form of fluoride in toothpastes and city drinking water has questionable effects on health, and too much fluoride is toxic.

Clean Your Toothbrush
Rinse your toothbrush in salt water to disinfect it.

Forgo the Fizz
The acid in fizzy drinks, even diet varieties, may contribute to enamel erosion that can weaken teeth.

Food for Thought
According to Ramiel Nagel, author of the book “Cure Tooth Decay, “When our blood chemistry is out of balance, primarily from the consumption of processed foods (especially sugars), the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in our blood deviates from normal. When this happens, minerals are pulled from the bones causing tooth and other bone loss. So, sugar causes tooth decay because it depletes nutrients from the body, not because bacteria eat it and produce acid. In order to restore the ratio of calcium and phosphorus in our blood, and to enable minerals to bond with our teeth, it is usually not sufficient just to avoid eating too much sweet or processed foods. One must also eat health building foods, containing potent amounts of minerals and vitamins to create a chain reaction that will build glassy hard tooth structure in place of decayed tooth structure.”

Perfection in a Peel?

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:18:00 +0000

This week, credit goes to Jill Easton for bringing bananas and all their wonders to my attention. Of course, I had to share them with you. I've never been a big banana fan, but my kids love them, and every once in a while I'm mysteriously compelled to eat one out of the blue. My husband gets incredibly itchy ears after eating a banana, and we finally found out that it's an allergic reaction weirdly related to ragweed (hayfever). It only happens if he eats raw bananas, so if he eats banana bread, he's fine. So, anyway, whether you go monkey for bananas or not, you might find this information interesting too. And remember, if you're going to buy bananas, BUY ORGANIC.

A banana gives an instant, sustained, and substantial boost of energy. Research has shown that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout (the banana is the number one fruit among the world's leading athletes). But energy isn't the fruit's only benefit. Take a look at this list of purported health boosts from the beautiful banana...

Depression:
Bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood, and generally make you feel happier.
Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure:
This fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power:
Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so, if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. (This is one I've GOT to try).
Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Ulcers:
The banana neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control:
Many cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature.
Smoking:
The B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium found in bananas help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Strokes:
According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine," eating bananas regularly can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

P.S. I was still feeling stressed after a miserable migraine yesterday, so I started my day with a banana, and who knows if it's just the power of suggestion, but it felt like a soothing breakfast for my tense tummy. Worth a try!

Make Your Own Granola Bars

fieldstories@gmail.com (Jennifer Bové) — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:18:00 +0000

Eons ago, back when I worked for the Forest Service in Washington State, a friend of mine introduced me to a great little recipe for energy bars on the back of the Grape-Nuts cereal box. During long days in the field, food was quite the commodity. The trick was packing enough to get you through, but not more than you could comfortably carry. And living on a seasonal paycheck made scrimping a priority as well. Those energy bars were just the right snack because they saved me money, gave me a boost, and tasted good too.
As it turns out, circumstances are not so different today, except now it's my kids I have to feed in order to sustain them through long days in the outback (well, okay, school). Of course, I want to provide healthy food for their lunches, but I cringe every time I buy a box of organic granola bars that costs too much and creates a bunch of trash in the process. So, the other day I was flipping through my jumbled recipe box and happened upon that old energy bar recipe, ripped right off the cereal box so many years ago.
While the Grape-Nuts recipe is good, it begged me to make it better. For one, it calls for corn syrup, which these days generally contains high fructose corn syrup (a nasty no-no). It also calls for an additional cup of sugar, which I don't think it needs, and “reduced fat” peanut butter. Reduced fat just rubs me wrong. If nature made something fat, leave it that way. So, I did some tinkering and came up with a tasty snack bar recipe—for kids and grownups alike—that can be made in bulk and frozen. If you hate any of the ingredients, just substitute the same amount in cereal or something else you like. And feel free to double or triple the recipe to save time later on.

Jen's Super Snack Bars
1 cup honey (preferably local raw)
¾ cup peanut butter (preferably organic)
3 ½ cups cereal (Grape-Nuts, Rice Krispies, Ezekial Sprouted Grain cereal, or a mixture of whatever you like)
½ cup chocolate chips (mini-sized chips are fun) or dried fruit pieces
¼ cup finely shredded coconut
¼ cup chopped almonds

Bring the honey and peanut butter just to boiling in a saucepan, stirring frequently. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients and then add the honey/peanut butter. Stir to coat the dry stuff well. Press the mixture firmly into casseroles dishes, pie pans, etc. I make them about an inch and a half thick. Cool and cut into bars. Freeze individual bars in Ziplocks, foil, or containers—and try not to eat them all at once!