Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent van Gogh | Taxes, Trucks, Trailers, and Taking Care of Sheep Martin survived another round of taxes. And we survived Martin's misery. We're thankful that so many of you love our chicken, but it is requiring us to expand our operation. Consequently, we need more equipment – chicken shelters, feeders and waterers, also a bigger truck and trailer. So far, in their shopping around, James and Martin have found a truck that is perfect for our needs. However, they are still looking for a goose-neck flat deck trailer. Shop till you drop, guys. A farmer must be able to multitask. Besides taxes and truck shopping, the sheep are being given special care. The ewes must be sheered before they lamb, which is the beginning of March. As it turned out, the sheerer came just as the weather turned warmer. Perfect timing. | Carrots Are the New Old Superfood Did you know that carrots are experiencing a revival? We've always known that carrots were good for you – give you lots of vitamin A and are great for your eyes. But now they have become the new superfood. It's been proven that eating raw carrots is very beneficial for our health, none of which has anything to do with vitamin A. Carrots can help lower estrogen, combat bacterial growth, reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, and help excrete bacterial poisons called endotoxins. Other benefits are improved digestion, better skin, and less oxidative stress. "Raw carrots are a unique vegetable in that they are made up of mostly indigestible fibre. This particular fibre can help excrete excess estrogen from the body. "Since estrogen dominance is implicated in a number of serious health issues – systemic inflammation, cancer, and hypothyroidism among them – it's a good idea to take steps to reduce your estrogen levels. "In fact, in his personal research, Dr. Ray Peat found the daily consumption of raw carrots to decrease the incidence of migraines, headaches, PMS symptoms, and allergies. These results were purportedly accomplished by lowering estrogen." Check out this link for more details on how eating raw carrots everyday is so beneficial for your health – The Carrot Hack: Balance Hormones, Improve Digestion & More. And you know where to get the best organic carrots in the country. After all, we are known as the Crazy Carrot Cult. So, we might as well own it! | Healing while you sleep. How hard is that to handle? We've been enjoying the wonderful benefits of Magnetico Sleep Pads since 2006. Dr. Dean Bonlie, inventor of Magnetico, designed and patented a unidirectional magnetic sleep pad that surrounds the body in a magnetic field similar in strength to the earth's ambient levels of thousands of years ago. His sleeping pads provide the benefits of enhanced magnetism in balance with nature. The results have been extraordinary – with testimonials of improvement in many areas including: Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Circulation, Sleep Disorders, Detoxing, Healing of Injuries, Athletic Performance, Energy, Back Problems, and much more. Magnetico Sleep Pads are available in all sizes and strengths (Gauss ratings). You'll find more information at our website and a short video (of a younger Martin and his kids describing his experience): Magnetico Sleep Pad. | Harvest Haven Pasture-raised Boneless Lamb Leg Roast – Harvest Haven lamb is raised on lush pastures, quality, non-synthetic minerals and salts, and Grander Living Water, which produce a tender, flavorful meat you will be delighted to serve. Maison Orphee Organic Old-Fashioned Mustard, 250 mL – This exceptional mustard is distinguished by its crunchy texture, obtained by the partial grinding of several types of seeds, and its slightly vinegary taste. An excellent option for people who like lightly spicy condiments and who enjoy adding a touch of aesthetics to their dishes. Harvest Haven Carrots – This year's carrot crop turned out very nice…large (not huge) and sweet. Perfect for raw eating. And we have LOTS! Filsinger's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (945 mL, 1.89 L, 3.78 L) – Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries to help with a variety of ailments because of its naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic properties. Filsinger's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is made with their own farm-grown, certified organic apples. The vinegar contains no additives or preservatives, and the finished product is raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized and contains a mother of vinegar. Frozen Wild Saskatoon Berries - These wild saskatoons are hand-picked at the peak of ripeness. The sweet, nutty almond flavored berries are high in fibre, protein, and antioxidants. Sprinkle on your hot or cold cereal, bake in muffins, or make a special dessert. Truly a taste of the prairies. Anita's Organic Quick Rolled Oats, 5 lb bag – Rolled oats are great for cooking oatmeal or for adding nutrition, fibre, and flavour to your baking. They're thinner-cut, and therefore quicker to cook than regular oats. A steaming bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal is the perfect way to start off your day, especially if you are trying to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease or diabetes. Studies have shown that oats lower high cholesterol levels and can therefore reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, oats are known to help remove cholesterol from the digestive system that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream. Studies also show that oats can help stabilize blood sugar, proving helpful for people with type 2 diabetes. | Please note, all ingredients in our recipes are organic. | Herbed Boneless Lamb Leg Roast For the Lamb
1- 6 lb Harvest Haven boneless lamb leg roast
6 peeled Harvest Haven garlic cloves
Zest from 1 orange
1/4 cup fresh thyme leaves or 1 tbsp dried thyme
2 tbsp fresh rosemary or 1/2 tbsp dried rosemary
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 tbsp olive oil For the Crust
1/4 cup Maison Orphee Organic Old Fashioned Mustard
2 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley In a food processor, combine the garlic, orange zest, thyme and rosemary. Puree, then add the olive oil and blend to make a paste. Smear the paste all over the lamb, place it in a container or deep bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Meanwhile, let the lamb sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes. Season the lamb with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, mustard and parsley, add the bread crumbs and use a spoon or your hands to thoroughly blend. Press the mixture all over the top and sides of the roast, and place it in a roasting pan. Some of the bread crumb mixture will fall off the sides; that's fine, just kind of tuck it in underneath the sides of the lamb. Roast the lamb for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400°F and roast for another hour to an hour and 15 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer inserted into the middle of the roast reads 120°F to 125°F for medium-rare. Let the lamb sit for 20 minutes before slicing and serving warm. | Carrot Salad 1 medium Harvest Haven carrot
1 tsp. Filsinger's Organic raw apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. raw honey (optional)
Sea salt to taste Wash the carrot well. Do not peel it though—there are great nutrients in the peel! Grate lengthwise with a grater. Add oil, vinegar, and salt to the grated carrots. Mix and enjoy the carrot salad DAILY for the most nutritional benefits! | Saskatoon Oatmeal Cookies 3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 Harvest Haven egg
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp almond extract
1 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups Anita's Organic rolled oats
1 1/2 cups frozen wild Saskatoon berries, thawed
1/4 cup medium unsweetened coconut Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using an electric mixer, combine butter, sugars, egg, milk and almond extract until light and fluffy. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter mixture. Add the rolled oats and coconut, mix thoroughly and then very gently stir in the Saskatoon berries. Be careful not to break them - you don't want purple cookie dough! Drop by spoonfuls on to parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool for 3 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. | The Tiny Things of Spring "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." In this statement, Van Gogh captures the essence of life. Think about it. Everything consists of small parts coming together. How amazing! The farm exemplifies this concept, starting in the spring when seeds are planted, chicks are hatched, and lambs and calves are born. Jeannie and Konstantijn start in the greenhouse with seeds that look like specks of dirt. These tiny promises mature into luscious lettuces that are so large they have to be torn into small pieces for a salad. Then, there are the plain little seeds that grow into vibrant flowers for gorgeous bouquets. Martin is raising more laying hens. They start out as an egg that cradles easily in your hand. In 21 days, there's a fluffy little chick that you can still hold gently in one hand. But within weeks, it's grown so much that even two hands can't hold it. In a few months, it's a full-grown hen, laying eggs for everyone to enjoy. When lambs are born, they are so cute and curly. You want to cuddle them in your arms. Give them a couple of months and they are friskily bouncing around the pasture with their moms and not easily captured much less cuddled. Before you know it, another few months have passed and there's a lamb leg roast on the dinner table. As usual every spring, we anxiously anticipate our first calf. Cherry, our milk cow has that honor. Last year's calf was so cute and gentle that she was regularly petted and hugged. As she grew, her name was changed to AP for Annoying Pest because she would always want attention from the farmers and get in the way when they were working in the corral. As AP matures, she'll find herself in the milking stall, supplying the farmers with milk. "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." What are "great things"? Having food produced and served in a pleasant surrounding? Where would we be without good food? What are "small things"? Enjoying the sowing of seeds, caring for a chick, hugging a lamb? Doing the small things that come together for the whole? Life really is amazing. Who says there's no God? It's sad Vincent didn't grasp that. | |
