Andrea

I need to stop "buying" these! I've got so many books right now, that they're hard to find on my Kindle! Thanks for all of your hard work!

(((Momo)))

Or, as the case is with Con Agra foods here in Central Cali, the makers of Marie Callendar frozen products, most of the ingredients are grown here, shipped to China for processing and packaging, and then shipped back here. China doesn't have the environmental restrictions and the labor laws that California has. Even with shipping, it's far more cost effective to send everything over there for processing. But I know what you mean, Momo. My MIL likes to shop at Raley's, the expensive store in town. And since she's 89 and no longer drives, I take her shopping there once a week. I spent a long time in one of FIVE freezer aisles myself. It was kind of cool though, I found a brand of potstickers that don't contain things I'm allergic to! They cost a pretty penny, but they were potstickers!!! (and they were good!)

Hope you're having a wonderful day!

So, my painted mountain corn has already germinated. I need to get out there with some sluggo until the plants are too big to be affected by snails. I'm going to send dh up the ladder to harvest some more elderberries when he gets home from work and I have several zucchini that are waiting to be picked for tomorrow night's dinner. I'm a bit behind on the dehydrating. I injured my shoulder somehow and have been taking it easy. Hope your gardens are growing well!

(Shhhh, don't tell anyone, but I picked my first tomato and ate it out in the garden where no one could see . . . )

Wow, so glad you're safe!

@ CGA

Posted 16 August 2004 - 11:59 AM Zuccini Bread and Pumpkin Seed Butter - Recipes Adapted from The Classic Zucchini Cookbook, by Nancy C. Ralston, Marynor Jordan, and Andrea Chesman (Storey Books, 2002). Many gardeners turn to quick breads when they are overwhelmed by an abundance of zucchini. Simple Solution: The virtues of zucchini bread are many: It can be made with freshly grated zucchini or frozen and defrosted (and drained) zucchini, it is quick to make, extra loaves can be frozen and enjoyed later, and, most important of all, it is delicious. Pumpkin seed butter is delicious on zucchini bread, and you can find this recipe below. INGREDIENTS 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup canoloa oil 2 1/2 cups sugar 3 large eggs, beaten 2 cups grated zucchini 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon black walnut extract (optional) 1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grase two 4- by 8-inch loaf pans. 2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. 3. Combine the oil and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat unitl light. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the zucchini, vanilla, and black walnut extract, if using. Add the dry ingredients and stir just long enough to combine. Divide the batter between the prepared loaf pans. 4. Bake the loaves for about 1 hour, or until a tester inserted in the centers comes out clean. 5. On wire racks, cool the breads in the pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto the wire racks and cool completely. Makes 2 loaves. PUMPKIN SEED BUTTER Combine 1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds*, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 3 cloves of garlic in a blender or food processor and process until combined. Add 1/3 cup softened butter, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Process to mix. Store in the refrigerator, but serve at room temperature. *TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS 3/4 Tbsp. peanut oil 3/4 Tbsp. melted butter 1 c. pumpkin seeds Wipe fibers from pumpkin seeds but do not wash them. Coat seeds with mixture of oil and butter.. Spread seeds on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt to taste and toast in a slow oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes or until they are crisp and golden. (recipes from post #8)

Adding this here. It's on the menu this week! http://www.5dollardinners.com/aleas-vegetarian-enchilada-stuffed-zucchini/

I picked some zucchini today to be made into bread for my dd's camping trip and filled the dehydrator up with horehound. I also discovered that I am out of dried oregano, so that will go into the dehydrator tomorrow. The only thing I'm eating out of the garden today are some onions and fresh oregano that I used to season my spanish rice. (storage food dinner tonight - rice and bean burritos) I have some tomatoes that are orangish! Woohoo! I also thinned out the walking onions and planted a bunch among the squash plants. And I threw in a load of finished compost into the purple potato bed and planted some heirloom corn that I picked up at the Bountiful Gardens store called Painted Mountain Corn. Sounds fun if I can get it to grow in my 4'X6', 3' deep raised garden beds! I need to rescue one of my beds from the New Zealand Spinach and get it ready for Fall. It will probably take us that long to eat that much of it! LOL

(By the way, Sharknado was AWESOME! We were in hysterics the entire movie! )

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, which means it grows like a weed! I don't know how cold it gets in the winter where you are at, but depending on your zone, I would be happy to send you some baby plants once the weather is cooler. Or, you could just go to a nursery/hardware store. Most places carry it in their garden section. Or, you can go to any health food store and buy either a tincture or capsules. I used to buy these: http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Melissa-Capsules-100-Count/dp/B00020HQU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403890220&sr=8-2&keywords=lemon+balm but now I'm experimenting with making my own. Lemon balm is very aggressive in the yard so I am able to harvest more than enough for my needs! I also make my own tincture. My favorite herbal tea is a mixture of chamomile flowers, dried raspberry leaves, and dried lemon balm. It's very calming and soothing. You know, you might also try making a super concentrated cup of chamomile tea and cool it in the fridge. Then, lightly dab it on your inflamed areas, but be careful about trying to many things on the area. Good luck! P.S. I almost forgot, chamomile can also help regulate your blood sugar levels. It might be worth experimenting with drinking a cup of chamomile tea (straight, no sugar! ) with your meals. http://www.naturalnews.com/025330_chamomile_sugar_blood.html#

*Headsmack* Duh, why didn't I think of that?!?! I also have a juicer which I use at least once a week and I haven't juiced a single zucchini yet this season. Where is my head?!? Thank you for the suggestion!

(((Denise))) Been there, done that. Not sure if it's the same thing as you had, but it sure sounds familiar. Mine was definitely brought on by stress and poor eating habits because I was so busy and stressed out. I cured it by only eating whole foods - no meat or dairy (eggs are fine) - and limiting sugar. I started with a juice fast - mainly vegies - and getting my system cleaned up of the crap I had been putting into it. I kept the affected areas clean and dry (under the breasts and in the groin area, and yes, I'm overweight) and I found that cortisone creams helped a LOT, as in cleared up affected areas within a week. Because of your diabetes, I would keep a close eye on the area because of potential complications. BUT, I've dealt with a skin disorder for years and when I treat it from the inside out (by eating mostly vegetables and unprocessed foods) it clears up almost miraculously. I would also suggest drinking chamomile tea - it's a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral and when coupled with a bit of lemon balm, a wonderful mood enhancer and relaxant. Prayers and Hugs headed your way.

My elderberry plants which I grew from seed a few years ago (they are not native to my area), are growing like MAD! I'm actually getting quantities of berries that I can do things with now! So, in my research, I thought I'd post some of the more useful links I've found here and then come back and give reviews of some of the recipes/techniques I try! http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/elderberry-recipes-zmaz73jazraw.aspx?PageId=2#ArticleContent http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FN_252.pdf http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/homemade-cough-syrup-zbcz1311.aspx#axzz35mSsG2yr

I just harvested, cleaned & de-stemmed 6 cups of elderberries (while streaming Dr. Who on my Kindle ) Now, to figure out what to do with them. Since I originally planted them for medicinal purposes, I'm thinking about making them into syrup (like Sambucol) and freezing it in one dose portions in ice cube trays, since the syrup shouldn't be stored for more than 2 weeks in the fridge. I'm thinking of using this recipe: On the other hand, elderberry jam would be a safe way to can them up and would provide a shelf-stable product with plenty of antioxidant properties. Any thoughts? Or, I may just toss them all into the dehydrator and store them in the freezer. (The bugs really liked the ones I dehydrated last year that I stored in a canning jar.) In the meantime, I've got several zucchini that need to be picked. I'll probably saute them and then throw them cold into my daily salad. Speaking of salad, I've got the indoor lettuce project off and running! If it turns out, I'll post some pictures. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm super excited for this to work.

Thanks, lovinit! I'm going to give it a try.

THANKS! Looking forward to the recipes for inflammation book. I feel so much better when I mainly stick with anti-inflammatory foods!

How is Violet? I haven't seen her post in a long time. Hope she's okay . . . (I'm off to send her a pm)

Way to go everyone! I've been bad about posting here, but I did get my purple potatoes dug up. I'm guestimating that I got 20-24 lbs out of my 3lbs of seed potatoes. Not a great haul, but considering I mostly container garden, I was happy. The little fingerling potatoes aren't ready yet. Lots of stir-fries for us. I've been picking yellow and green summer squash, onions, celery, and lots and lots of new zealand spinach. (If anyone would like some seeds, send me a pm.) My tomato plants are loaded but no red ones yet, I'm anxiously awaiting them! My elderberries are also about ready to be picked. I think I'm going to turn them into elderberry jelly - those little stems are such a pain to separate! I also need to keep moving on dehydrating my herbs and spices. I've been a slacker in the dehydrator department lately. Happy growing!

I've been behaving and have been averaging a mile/day on the elliptical and four to six miles a day on the exercise bike.

Can you build raised beds and fill them with purchased top soil and compost? Not the cheapest way to go, but it might give you a fighting chance!

Last week was a looooooong time ago, am I really supposed to remember that far back?!? I was somewhat bad last week but I'm making up for it this week! Lots of time on the elliptical, exercise bike, and garden. I'm guessing last week was no more than 10 miles, if that. This week is definitely better!