You buy organic food? haha

 
I began buying organic, local, and food without antibiotics well before it became a mainstream idea. I remember my family and some friends making fun of me for driving out of my way, spending extra money, and demanding organic and local items at restaurants and grocery stores. I ask a lot of questions.  For some, I can be a little bit embarrassing to shop with when buying food or eating at a restaurant. (picture me with a huge smile) Over a decade later, they have jumped on the movement and even proudly proclaim when they are able to find this or that item locally and grown organically. I no longer have to battle with them over the importance of eating healthy and being green. Now I often receive emails, texts, and Facebook messages asking for my opinion on certain items.

I read a lot. My favorite place is in the library but I cannot deny that there is a wealth of information on the internet. The internet makes it easy to read both sides of the story, helping me to understand the entire problem. I also love to watch documentaries. Again, I watch documentaries from both sides and I often will search related articles to supplement and support/reject their main point further. There is more than enough scientific evidence to support my ways and this growing movement today. I enjoy watching others change their life entirely to make this a way of living. My dream is to one day be able to do the same thing. For us that would mean living in one location and traveling less. Until then, I will continue making friends with farmers all over the USA.


You might enjoy

Eating Alabama  (this link will take you to the Eating Alabama website)

       I watched this documentary on PBS. PBS is my favorite channel!

Food Patriot  (this link will take you to the Food Patriot website)

       I have not been able to see this documentary but I am going to be looking for it as we travel back home. Maybe it will be shown at Bear Tooth Pub in Anchorage some day!

Have a great day!

Free e-Book

   The one thing I love most about the internet today is being able to get free stuff and fast! I love to read and cook so this free book from Amazon is just perfect for me. Most free books are only free for a few set hours so don't wait! If you do not have a kindle all you need to do is download the app for your i(device) and you can read kindle books.

Enjoy!

Easy Paleo Slow Cooker Meals by Arsy

Goat Cheese and Spanish Meatloaf

You pretty much can make meatloaf with anything. Why not goat cheese and spinach? 

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes

Nutritional Options: low carb, keto, paleo

Servings: 3 adults

Ingredients:

1. 1 pound grass fed beef
2. 1/2 onion
3. 4 cloves garlic
4. handful of organic spinach
5. a small tube of goat cheese (I used herbed goat cheese) 
6. 2 tablespoons italian seasoning
7. 6 turns of himalayan rock salt 
8. 1/2 teaspoon pepper
9. 1 egg 
10. 1/4 cup pasture raised whole milk 

Directions:

1. preheat Oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit  
2. mince garlic ( I always do this first)
3. chop up onion and slightly beat egg
4. combine meat, egg, garlic, egg, onion, milk, and spices
5. lay out a piece of cling wrap and spread meat 
6. spread goat cheese in the center and add spinach
7. use cling wrap to roll meatloaf together
8. place in pan and form into a loaf- make sure to close ends
9. place in oven and bake for 45 minutes (grass fed beef is naturally leaner, don't overcook) 

Tips:

• during cold and flu season I cook with more onions and garlic. I actually made this meatloaf with an entire onion
• the original recipe had a tomato based topping. I omitted it to have fewer carbs, I wanted to save them for dessert! 
• I found this recipe on the blog "Wicked Stuffed" but I modified it to fit our needs. 
• the next time I'm going to use Blue Cheese! 

Wander mobile

  Thanks to Jason's hard work, the wander mobile is almost completely polished.  He began polishing the airstream on January 13th and has put in a good months worth of sweat and elbow grease to make it shine. Drivers will need to wear shades when we wander down the road! 

Today

A week ago

Farmers Market

 

     Now that we are in Florida it's been easy for us to find raw milk. We drive to town every Saturday to visit the local farmer's market where we buy direct from the farmer. The fresh milk comes from a half jersey half holstein cow named Beauty. She produces 45 gallons of milk every week and is out at pasture all day long eating fresh grass in the warm Florida sun. Doesn't that sound wonderful?  The farm is run by several generations of farmers and I usually deal with the young boys that are eager to learn the ropes of running a farm as a business. I am able to buy 4 half gallons for $16.00 which we consume in one week. In Alaska I was only able to purchase organic "grass milk" for 6.70 a half gallon. Since being on the road I have found the same milk for $2 cheaper but I definitely prefer raw milk over pasteurized milk. I now use raw milk to make Ella's formula and we use the cream in our coffee. It's so delicious and the way God created it!

    We have learned to arrive at the farmer's market within the first 2 hours of it being open as many items sell quickly. Some farmers even pack up and go home by 10 am. I try to buy from the same farmers each week but that is not always possible. Ya know, life happens! Lately, I've had to scramble around to find bread, eggs, fruits, grass fed meat, bacon and vegetables. Thankfully, we've never come across a low supply of milk. 

                                                          

Farmer's Market Costs for one week 

1. 4 half gallons of raw milk with cream on top $16.00
2. bunch of carrots $3.00
3. 2 loaves of Sourdough bread and 1 bag of English Muffins $15.00
4. 2 dozen pasture raised eggs fed organic feed $12.00
5. 3 pounds grass fed organic ground beef $21.00

I spend anywhere from $50 - $80 depending on the selection of fruits and vegetables available. Unfortunately, with the recent freezes in the southeast this selection has almost completely disappeared. 

Do you enjoy the benefits of buying direct at the Farmer's Market? Are you able to find raw milk? 

Sausage Beer Cheese Soup in the Crock Pot

  

    I love making meals in the crock pot! Usually, prep time takes only a few minutes but you will smell the meal cooking for several hours. And if there are any left overs you can place the inner container in the fridge and pull it out the next day to reheat. All of this means that there is less clean up!

Nutritional Options: Low Carb, Paleo, Gluten Free, Keto 

Servings: 3-4 adults

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low

Ingredients:

1/2 package of Sausage (smoked or spiced how you like)

1/2 onion diced (I like using yellow or white)

4 garlic cloves diced

1 cup celery diced

1 cup carrot diced

16 oz bone broth or Beef or Chicken Stock (like this one)

1 12oz beer (I prefer dark beers) You can choose a Gluten Free beer to make this meal Gluten Free 

8 oz of heavy cream (I use the cream that floats to the top of our raw milk) 

1 package cream cheese

2 cups of cheese (I use what I have left in the fridge, today it was one cup cheddar and one cup mozzarella. You can easily mix this recipe up each time. Add more cheese if you want a thicker soup) 

2 tablespoons of Red Pepper Flakes 

1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and onion powder 

pinch of Rock Salt  

pinch of pepper 

Directions:

1. place onion, celery, sausage and carrot into crock pot. 
2. add bone broth (or stock) and beer. (Make sure to leave a minimum of an inch space from the top)
3. cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours
4. whisk in cheese, cream cheese (it's easier to add in if it's at room temperature), and cream. 
5. I also choose to add garlic at this time. I like to taste the garlic. 
6. taste and add more spices if needed.
7. cover and cook on high for another 1-2 hours or low for 2-3 hours. 
8. I like to turn off the crock pot and let the soup sit for 10-15 minutes before spooning into a deep bowl and enjoying with a large spoon.

Cost:

     about $6.00 for four servings 

Eating in is so affordable!

Tips:

• Be careful to not scratch your slow cooker by using a spatula or wooden spoon when stirring.
• I often add in already cooked meat that I have left over in the fridge thirty minutes before I turn the crock pot off. This is when meal planning comes in handy! 
• I believe that an Immersion Blender (like this one) would be very handy in making this soup creamier. 

Disclosure: 
“The Wandering Ravens is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to (“The Wandering Ravens” (amazon.com, or endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com).” 

Super Easy Bone Broth

  I made my first bone broth the other day and now I'm hooked. Not only is it easy to make, but it's also good for you and cheaper than buying stock. I will no longer throw away bones without first making a broth!

Servings: depends

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 8-24 hours

Ingredients:

1 chicken carcass, you can also use beef bones, and the bones of other animals

2 tablespoons of organic Apple Cider Vinegar (I use this item almost everyday!)

enough water to cover all bones

you can also add several cloves of garlic and salt to taste  *optional

Directions:

1. remove as much meat as you can from the bones. I give the left over meat to Gordo.
2. place bones in a crock pot
3. cover with water (this is where your serving size will differ. Add more water if you need a larger serving, have more bones or have a large crock pot) 
4. add the apple cider vinegar and optional items
5. place lid on and set to low. I do this around 8pm and check the water level before I go to bed. You may add more water if needed. All bones to should remain submerged. 
6. After cooking for 8+ hours (24 max) turn the crock pot off.
7. at this time skim off any particles that are floating, you may even have a film ring along the edge. Remove what you can without removing too much broth. 
8. then when you can safely handle the container, pour the contents through a mesh strainer or through cheese cloth and collect the broth into a large bowl.
9. at this time you can either pour the broth into glass containers and store in the refrigerator or pour the broth into ice cube trays and freeze.
10. once the broth is frozen, simply place the cubes into a container you can seal. Use the cubes whenever you want to add a bit more flavor to your meals or in place of bouillon cubes. 

Small chicken carcass 

Items submerged in water 

Finished product- Mineral rich Bone Broth

  Today I am making Beer Cheese Soup with the fresh broth! (recipe will be posted later) 

  Many Traditional Diets consume bone broth on a daily bases.

  I use the broth to make soups and homemade baby food and I also consume it as a drink. 

  It's an easy way to add minerals to your diet.

Disclosure: 

“The Wandering Ravens is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to (“The Wandering Ravens” (amazon.com, or endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com).”