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Reading Room:  Animal,Vegetable, Miracle Book Club - Interested?  |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 15 2010 : 4:58:31 PM
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I second or maybe it's I third Amy's statement. I haven't been to France(yet)either but even the two trips to England and Scotland opened my eyes about the difference in the way the Europeans view food and eating and the way Americans do. They celebrate food everyday--Good, fresh, wholesome, simple food--and then they take the time to prepare it and sit down together to enjoy it. We Americans DO have a love/hate relationship with food.
It was so sad on our second trip to Edinburgh to see a McDonald's on Princes Street in downtown Edinburgh. I told my daughter that we've exported the worst of ourselves.
"Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other art follows. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization."
Daniel Webster
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Butterscotch Grove
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Melissa
Fairbanks
AK
196 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 08:23:55 AM
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France and Italy are known worldwide for wonderful food. People don't really associate "good food" with Germany; they are more likely to associate "punctual trains" with that country. When I was a student there for a summer, I ate better than I ever had before. Breakfast was not dry cereal - it was fresh bread, wonderful spreads (ok, Nutella is not a locally produced, organic product....), yummy eggs and meats and cheeses. Lunch was not pb&j and a soda; we went to a local restaurant and have family-style meals of fresh veggies and mushroom-smothered steaks or lovely stews. For dinner, we were on our own, and - sad to say - too often we made our way downtown to the nearby McDonalds. At 19, I was an idiot, and a bit homesick. Funny, I've eaten at McIcky's in Germany, Finland and Russia - and always I complained that the food was cardboardy and poorly made. Why did I think it would be better in a foreign country than it was at home?
My blog:
http://ButterscotchGrove.wordpress.com |
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 3:28:56 PM
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Hello Everyone,
I hope your week is going well. Here is the discussion topic for Chapter 16:
In Ch. 16 BK tells of her difficulty in executing the perfect pumpkin soup recipe. Share a story of one of your cooking mishaps with the group.
All the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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patchworkpeace
True Blue Farmgirl
478 Posts
Judy
Jackson
Michigan
USA
478 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 04:28:46 AM
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My dad asked me to make a mulberry pie once when I was a teenager. I felt really proud because he asked me and not my mom. Everyone was sitting at the table ready for me to take it out of the oven,.....I opened the oven and looked at a foamy pie. Come to find out, I mistook the baking soda box for another ingredient, probably corn starch! 
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 10:41:03 AM
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I am so sorry I have not been contributing here lately. DOn't know what happened. I have been reading as much as I can though. I have been trying to work in my garden jungle and it just wears me out big time. It's just too hot already.
I did get 10 Bourbon Red turkey poults last Sat. Lost one already. Hopefully I learned my lesson. I think these are the cutest little creatures ever. I can't wait til they are bigger. Which seems to me to take a long time. They have really not changed much since I've had them. They must be slow growers. Which is fine.
I have had lots of cooking mishaps. The first would be when I got married all I knew how to cook was spaghetti. I got lucky and got the best MIL in the world. And a country one to boot. She was the best cook and taught me all I know now. But she failed to tell me to use self rising flour to make biscuits. I'm sure ya'll know the rest of that story.
And the time we butchered an old hen for company. I fried it. Again, I'm sure ya'll have heard this before. It was as hard as a board. So I have learned as I went. Hopefully alot better now than then.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 1:50:32 PM
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I was cooking a butternut squash from scratch and the recipe said to take some of the soup and puree it in the blender, then return to the soup pot. Well, I poured half of the HOT soup into the blender, covered it, and--forgetting my science lessons--turned the blender on only to have the heat expand and blow the lid off the blender (still whirring away). I had pureed squash all over the kitchen and a lot less soup to serve for dinner!
By the way, the worse commercial I have ever seen on TV (and I don't watch much at all) was the one in which Burger King introduces their burgers to cultures who have never tasted fast food. Disgraceful! Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 7:02:51 PM
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Dianne - I did the same thing with zucchini soup - now I hold the top of the blender on with all my might.
I don't think I ever saw that commercial - probably a good thing!!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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Butterscotch Grove
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Melissa
Fairbanks
AK
196 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 7:19:12 PM
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How 'bout trying to pass off a mock apple pie (made with zuchini) as a proper one, without having followed a recipe? DH said, "Uh, is this squash???"
Still laughing at that one.
Melissa
My blog:
http://ButterscotchGrove.wordpress.com |
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 20 2010 : 08:23:00 AM
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Hello Everyone,
I'm combining two posts in one this time (answer to last question and next question for discussion). It has been a busy week, schools let out and my house is busy busy with the boys and their friends running around.
My biggest cooking disaster was the time I tried to make green and white asparagus with cream sauce for my friends as part of a Christmas dinner. I was all of 23 and living in the city and had invited all of my single friends over to have dinner with me for Christmas dinner. I was certain I would impress them with my homecooking. Well, I learned never try a recipe for the first time when you are having guests. The very out of season asparagus proved very tough and at the time I didn't know enough about the vegetable to use a vegetable peeler to remove the exterior of the tougher ends. My friends couldn't chew through the woody stalks and kept spitting them out! The sauce never made it to the table - I had never learned to make a rue and the whole thing become a blobby, gooey, floury mess in the pan.
On to Chapter 17 - In this chapter BK discusses food as celebration of culture and family. Describe one "food as celebration" meal that you have annually, what it means to you, and the memories that it stirs up.
One last thing (sorry for the long post). My best friend and I spent yesterday at a wonderful event called the PA Lavender Festival. It is held on Willow Pond Farm - a certified organic producer of herbs. The event included cooking classes using local herbs, an amazing lunch of all local ingredients, and an healing herbs workshop. The owners are husband and wife farmers (in their late 80s and two of the spunkiest people I have ever seen). They were so brilliant at farming locally and organically. I am so grateful I had the chance to visit their farm. They have a website - if you have time be sure to take a peek, the pictures on it are lovely.
Talk to everyone soon. Have a blessed Sunday!
All the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2010 : 12:52:38 PM
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It has to be Thanksgiving for me (just like BK). It is my favorite holiday--all about the food, family and simple things in life. I love to cook for holidays and larger groups (every night dinner is a chore to me) so we usually host Thanksgiving at our home with one side of the family. Our families have years of memories about Thanksgiving dinners. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 21 2010 : 5:46:54 PM
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For me it is 4th of July. My little brother was born for the bi-centential year so my family had a large cook-out every year growing up and to this day we have a mini reunion on the holiday. I grew up in Maryland, so 4th of July meant local Maryland steamed crabs by the bushel full and local corn and tomatoes. We always have a family wiffle ball and badminton tournament, followed by fruit and whipped cream or ice cream on the patio.
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 22 2010 : 8:47:42 PM
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In our family Thanksgiving and Easter are it, with some certain things that absolutely must be made for every gathering (green jello salad with cottage cheese, pineapple and horseradish, in a yellow pyrex bowl)
This year I started a new tradition though - my parents took me to France last year for my 40th birthday present so on March 4th 2009 we were in a tiny restaurant on the left bank having fondue and raclette. So, this year on March 4th I had my folks over and we made the same fondue and raclette and we relived the wonderful experience we had together. I'm planning on making it an annual event, the meals that we shared while on that trip were such a huge part of the journey!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 04:37:39 AM
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Hello everyone!
Amy Grace - could you share the green jello salad recipe? I have never heard of one with horseradish in it.
On to Chapter 18:
The cost per meal analysis BK gives in Chapter 18 was very interesting. Let's do a little homework this time around. For one day of your eating, conduct a cost per meal analysis of your food and note the self-raised, locally purchased, and store bought elements in each meal. Compare/contrast how these elements stack up in terms of your cost. Share with the group your results.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
All the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2010 : 6:23:44 PM
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Tina - I will check with my mom, since my grandma is no longer able to make it, mom has become the official keeper of that particular recipe.
Will work on my cost analysis - we have a lot of stuff in the freezer so I will have to try to remember what I paid:)
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 27 2010 : 06:16:33 AM
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Hello Everyone,
It is Sunday and that means the question for Chapter 19. Here it goes:
BK discusses the farm education program instituted at her daughter's school. Does your area have any type of agricultural education for children? If not in the local school system, does a community group or individual provide the opportunity? Share this information with the group.
Believe it or not, this Wednesday we will be finishing the book. I have so greatly enjoyed reading with all of you and have looked forward to your company and comments in this discussion. Would anyone be interested in continuing as a group with a new book? I have two options I'd like to suggest 1) "This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader" by Joan Dye Gussor (BK writes the review on this book's cover and sites it in her References in the back of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle) or 2) "Bring It to the Table: On Farming and Food" by Wendell Berry compiled by Michael Pollen (this is a collection of both non-fiction and fiction essays and writings from Berry). Please let me know if you are interested.
Have a blessed Sunday!
All the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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patchworkpeace
True Blue Farmgirl
478 Posts
Judy
Jackson
Michigan
USA
478 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 05:02:02 AM
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I'm not aware of any educational programs for kids in our area. However, I don't have any school age kids at home anymore either. so, hopefully, there is something out there.
Tina, I have looked forward to our "chats" each Sunday and Wednesday. They have been nice respites in the midst of all the summer busyness. I would love to continue on with another book. Both sound interesting, perhaps the first one slightly more so, but either would be great. It's kind of sad AVM is ending, I feel like I know everyone in the group so much better. I've enjoyed getting to know everyone and you've done a terrific job of coming up with questions and leading the group. Kudos to you!!
Judy
Success is measured not by the position one reaches but by the obstacles one has to overcome to reach it. Booker T. Washington |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 6:42:49 PM
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I think that there are some programs in the city where I work, in the town where I live not so much. A lot of the kids are in 4H and FFA through the school though, and many of them raise pigs to sell at the fair.
I would love to read either of those books or one and then the other. I have really appreciated all of your insights - it helps me to further my own thinking.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 11:08:51 AM
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How does everyone feel about starting with "This Organic Life: Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader" by Joan Dye Gussor. Since this book somewhat inspired Animal Vegetable Miracle, it would be a nice follow up for us. I checked online and used copies are available on Amazon.com for just a few dollars. If everyone is game for snagging their copy soon, we could start the discussion in a few weeks.
For kids in my area, we have a few options for learning about agriculture. We have a "living farm" museum called Quiet Valley Farm, that holds classes for kids all summer. Also, there are programs at the local farmers markets, at the local CSA, and with 4H. The schools themselves do not have programs.
On a separate note, has anyone seen the documentary "Gasland" on HBO. It was really disturbing to see the impact natural gas drilling is having on farming and lifestyle in the midwest and I was curious about everyone else's opinions.
Wishing everyone all the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 6:32:06 PM
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I didn't see the documentary but heard an in depth report on the issue on Morning Edition - it's very disturbing.
I will order my book today!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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Butterscotch Grove
True Blue Farmgirl
196 Posts
Melissa
Fairbanks
AK
196 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 7:48:58 PM
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We have this amazing csa in town that has started an great school outreach program - and this in a town where our short growing season and weird light can be a big problem for growing our own. The farm is called Calypso Farm and Ecology Center, and the school programs are The Schoolyard Garden Initiative (http://www.calypsofarm.org/schoolyard_garden_initiative.htm) and EATinG ("Engaging Alaska's Teens in Gardening"). There are schoolyard gardens at many of our local schools, including the middle school my kids will go to, eventually. Calypso has helped build gardens at elementary, middle and high schools, for students in a variety of economic circumstances. The gardens produce some of what the students eat (not much yet) and the children involved can sell the produce at a farmstands near the schools. This has to be largely a summer activity, but the students involved are really enthusiastic.
I'm going to take my kiddos up to the farm to check it out one of these days, as soon as I can get a group together to lower the cost of a tour.
I have enjoyed this book discussion group. I might jump in to the next one later - the Farmer's Market is taking a big bite of my time right now, so I don't want to commit.
Melissa
My blog:
http://ButterscotchGrove.wordpress.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 7:53:12 PM
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Our elementary school had a program where they got to plant veggies. I don't know how well it did though. It was a few years ago. I don't know of any others.
I have the book This Organic Life. Now I just need to find it. I would like to read it again. It's a very good informative book.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jun 30 2010 : 05:24:07 AM
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Good Morning Ladies,
Well, here it is - our last discussion question for Animal Vegetable Miracle:
In Chapter 20, BK discusses everything she learned over the course of the year eating locally. What have you learned over the course of reading this book?
For those of us moving on to This Organic Life, I would like to suggest a start date of Friday, July 9th if that works for everyone (just keep me posted if you don't have the book yet and we'll move the date). Does everyone agree with that start date? Let me know.
Have a wonderful day everybody!
All the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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textilelover
True Blue Farmgirl
557 Posts
Dianne
Middletown
NY
USA
557 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 04:08:32 AM
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Good Morning, Friends! I have been out of touch for a few topic questions, as we were in Florida helping our newly married daughter and son-in-law move into a rental house, clean, paint, unpack, decorate, etc. And you know what that means--eating on the go! I feel like I need detox, though I'm sure I sweat most of the toxins out because it was 100 degrees there. Anyway, I have been reading and I'm surprised we're done already. I so enjoyed the book and the discussion questions and meeting everyone online. I would love to be part of the next book discussion. Please give us time to buy the book and start reading.
The questions I need to answer are about cost analysis (can't figure that one out right now), children's gardening programs (there is one just started in our elementary, but as my youngest is in middle school, I don't know much about it), and reflecting on changes prompted by the book (I have become so much more aware of what we eat and I am committed to buying organic, local foods and growing some of our own).
Thank you so much for doing this, Tina and for everyone who offered such wonderful advice! It has truly been a life-changing project. Dianne
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." --Leondardo da Vinci |
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dreamingofafarm
True Blue Farmgirl
157 Posts
Tina
Bangor
Pennsylvania
157 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2010 : 05:24:19 AM
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Hi Everyone,
We can take a little more time in between books so everyone can get settled and buy the new book, This Organic Life. I leave for vacation with my family on July 10th and will be back July 17th, so it will be a little bit hectic posting questions that week. Would everyone like to move the start date back to July 18th for the new book? Please let me know your opinions.
As far as the last question goes for AVM, I learned so much about where food comes from with this book. It has changed how I shop, what I order in restaurants - and, it has even inspired me to take up container gardening in my very small yard (allbeit with limited success!).
All the best,
Tina
Farmgirl Sisterhood #1355
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones afterall." - Laura Ingalls Wilder
"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort" - Jane Austen |
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Celticheart
True Blue Farmgirl
811 Posts
Marcia
WA
USA
811 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2010 : 09:42:51 AM
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We do have some programs for kids in our area. 4-H and FFA as Amy Grace said. My son raised pigs to sell all through grade school and high school. Sometimes I miss those pigs, but not often.
This year we started a community garden in our town and one of the focuses is on educating kids about gardening. The daycare kids have a bed in the community garden and they are having so much fun! They planned their garden, started their seeds and then transplanted them into the raised bed. Not many survived the transplant--small, eager hands--but it's a 'miracle' garden that was revived by a couple of generous people and some rain at the right time. The kids so far don't know the difference. They also have a pumpkin patch. Our plan is to expand into the lower grades in the elementary school and go from there.
This first year all of the food from the raised beds(except the kids bed) goes to the food bank and the senior round table lunch program. Even when we open it up to people to apply for a plot in the community garden, they will also be encouraged to donate a small percentage of their produce to those two programs.
AVM changed the way I shop for food. I'm much more aware of where our food comes from. We were already focusing on becoming as self sufficient as possible and this book only increased my desire to produce more of our own.
Looking forward to the next book. I will order it today.
"Let us never forget that the cultivation of the earth is the most important labor of man. When tillage begins, other art follows. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of civilization."
Daniel Webster
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Reading Room: Animal,Vegetable, Miracle Book Club - Interested? |
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Animal,Vegetable, Miracle Book Club - Interested?
