It is mid fall and most the leaves have dropped from the trees. Here in Minnesota, we just received about 6 inches of snow. I am hoping it will melt so we can finish up the fall yard projects! Anyway, it is still fall and apples are a staple of this time of year. Read on to discover a bit more about apples.
Potassium bromate is a white crystal powder, powerful oxidizing agent, and one of the cheapest dough improvers. It was patented in 1914 for use in baking bread. It is considered a “slow acting” oxidizer so works great during the mixing, fermentation, and proofing stages of the baking process.
Chives are one of the most readily available herbs and can easily be grown in most gardens. I personally have five clumps of this herb growing in my garden. Chives have been cultivated since the middle ages but there have been signs that it may have been used as far back as 5000 years ago. The plant is native to Asia, Europe, and North America but now is found all over the world.
This week we are on vacation in Northern Michigan. This is our first time to this area. When we vacation, we have a couple of goals: visit museums to learn the history and explore nature in the area. For us, experiencing the outdoors renews our spirits and souls. With COVID no museums are operating so this vacation there has been more outdoor time.
Tarragon is a perennial herb in the sunflower family. Its botanical name is dracunculus which means little dragon. It is a sweet, aromatic herb with a note of licorice flavor. I really like the flavor and smell of this herb. It is a flavor that people either love or hate. When using it in cooking, use cautiously if you don’t know the palate of the individuals who may be eating it. There are two common varieties: French and Russian. French is the flavorful variety of the two.
September is National Preparedness Month. It was founded three years after the 9/11 disaster. September was also chosen because it is the height of the hurricane season in the United States. You may not live in an area that experiences hurricanes, but anywhere can experience some kind of disaster. Having a plan for these situations can help you better survive them. I am not talking about prepping for the end of the world, but there is common sense in planning for disasters or challenges that we may face in our lives.
Sulfur dioxide is one of the chemicals of greatest concern in our air. The largest source of sulfur dioxide is from the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities. Exposure to sulfur dioxide can harm the respiratory system, making breathing difficult so you might wonder why would it be in our food? It is a preservative for processed foods. It can extend the shelf life of products, kill bacteria, maintain color, and has a softening effect. It became widely used in the 1970s.
I had the opportunity to venture out again to visit another farm. I think one of the most fun things about these posts is visiting the farms. Today I’d like to introduce you to Graise farm; this farm is operated by Tiffany and Andy in Faribault, Minnesota. The name of their farm is an acronym for Grass-fed Raised Humanely Animals in a Sustainable Environment. Tiffany and Andy started the farm in 2012 on over 20 acres of land. Tiffany actually grew up on this farmstead when where her family raised dairy cows.
What exactly is metabolism? Metabolism is the chemical reactions in the body’s cells that change food into energy. We need this energy to do everything: moving, thinking, growing. The challenge for some can be a slower than desired metabolism which often happens when we age. Our metabolism actually decreases 2% to 3% every decade after the age of 18. Genetics can influence metabolic rate, but it is not the only determinant. Let’s look at some metabolic disrupters and activators.
Exercise is something that has been a challenge for me, I start but can’t stick with it for the long haul. I started in the 80s doing aerobics classes in college and from there I have done weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, and a boot camp program. They all have pros and cons, but the best exercise is the one you will do consistently. For me, this has been walking.