Say what you will, I didn't know what a haiku was. Oh, I'm sure I learned it once in grade school but it ended up somewhere back in the dark, cluttered recesses of my brain. Why in the world would I ever need to learn to write a haiku?
To get a scholarship, that's why!
My quest for financial assistance has become borderline desperation, and I now find myself begging friends, family, Facebookers and Tweeps... and apparently blog readers, for votes.
Yes, this is my plea for you to vote for me, or my haiku more specifically in the DirectTextbook Haiku Contest.
The scholarship is for only $500, but in my little world $500 is a BIG DEAL. So this is the part where I beg you to go to DirectTextbook and VOTE for my Haiku!
Then I ask you to tweet about it, post about it on Facebook, and in all other ways rally your forces to come out and support little ol' me with a vote. I would be ever so grateful!
And for the fun of it, I think I'll do a little giveaway. If I win the $500 scholarship I'll give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
Comment here that you've voted and you get one entry.
Comment again that you've tweeted and that's another entry.
Comment again still that you posted on Facebook and that will be yet another entry!
One entry per comment, one comment per entry. You know how it works!
Again... if I win the $500 scholarship I'll pick a winner and give away a $25 Amazon Gift Card. Go now. Vote.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Considering the Journal
I'm so excited about school that I've been working ahead a bit in an attempt to do extra, extra good.
Today I peeked into my "Journaling for Health" assignments. Nothing formal was listed so I just started practicing with the book and started writing. I think I may have an unfair advantage however, because I have this blog and it's sort of like a journal. It's definitely an outlet for my random thoughts and creative spurts. Lately this thing has seemed more and more like a journal even though I share recipes and kitchen experiments along the way. There seems to be less and less "Wilderness" time for this "childe" to enjoy. Truth be told, I would much rather spend my days hunting and foraging, tending a garden, raising children and creating art instead of my current routine of work and school. Not that I don't like my job, and that I'm not excited to be going to school- I do and I am, but it leaves so little time for me to feed my spirit with the other things.
I never really considered myself one to write in a diary exactly. It seems so 7th grade. "Dear Diary, you'll never believe what happened to me today!" I'm not a teenage girl. Why would I need to keep a diary? When I started reading my textbook though, I started to reconsider that position. Could keeping a journal really help me gain insights into my life, and my true self? It's possible.
My first practice journal entry for class is done- identifying stressors. Much to my surprise, I don't have that many! At least for now, that is. That may very well change halfway through the semester. It's funny that I immediately found the journaling to be helpful, even though I seem to do it once or twice a week here. The only difference perhaps is that in my journal I can be as frank as I need to be, since I'm the only one who will be reading it. I do wish I had the guts to write like that here. Maybe I should write like that here, but there's just too much that happens in my mind that maybe the whole world shouldn't know. It's too late for anonymity.
One week until classes begin.
Eight days until my first yoga class.
Nine days until I meet with my trainer to start learning how to lift heavy.
And in the midst of it all, learning how to juggle work, homework, live Primally. For the next 2 years, that's what this blog will be about.
Today I peeked into my "Journaling for Health" assignments. Nothing formal was listed so I just started practicing with the book and started writing. I think I may have an unfair advantage however, because I have this blog and it's sort of like a journal. It's definitely an outlet for my random thoughts and creative spurts. Lately this thing has seemed more and more like a journal even though I share recipes and kitchen experiments along the way. There seems to be less and less "Wilderness" time for this "childe" to enjoy. Truth be told, I would much rather spend my days hunting and foraging, tending a garden, raising children and creating art instead of my current routine of work and school. Not that I don't like my job, and that I'm not excited to be going to school- I do and I am, but it leaves so little time for me to feed my spirit with the other things.
I never really considered myself one to write in a diary exactly. It seems so 7th grade. "Dear Diary, you'll never believe what happened to me today!" I'm not a teenage girl. Why would I need to keep a diary? When I started reading my textbook though, I started to reconsider that position. Could keeping a journal really help me gain insights into my life, and my true self? It's possible.
My first practice journal entry for class is done- identifying stressors. Much to my surprise, I don't have that many! At least for now, that is. That may very well change halfway through the semester. It's funny that I immediately found the journaling to be helpful, even though I seem to do it once or twice a week here. The only difference perhaps is that in my journal I can be as frank as I need to be, since I'm the only one who will be reading it. I do wish I had the guts to write like that here. Maybe I should write like that here, but there's just too much that happens in my mind that maybe the whole world shouldn't know. It's too late for anonymity.
One week until classes begin.
Eight days until my first yoga class.
Nine days until I meet with my trainer to start learning how to lift heavy.
And in the midst of it all, learning how to juggle work, homework, live Primally. For the next 2 years, that's what this blog will be about.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Oh Nuts!
They go by many names...
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Prairie Oysters
Montana Tendergroins
Cowboy Caviar
Swinging Beef
And the list goes on. No matter what you call them, there's a joke (and with that a certain taboo) about eating testicles. For most Westerners it's the ultimate gross-out. Few foods, except perhaps insects, invoke the reaction people tend to have towards eating testicles.
Enter "The Testicle Cookbook: Cooking With Balls" by Ljubomir R. Erovic. The world's first ever cookbook specializing in the nether regions. (Read the sample version HERE.) It makes me wonder if American eaters ready for this. There has to be some whisper of interest in the foodie culture to spur one to write such a book. Or perhaps it's a case of build it and they will come.
In either case, discovering this book nudged me into finally doing something I'd been curious to do for quite some time. Yep, I've finally eaten testicles.
Now you have to understand, I get a decent amount of ribbing by my family, my friends, my coworkers, and even my butcher for the things I'm willing to call food. The fact that I have now actually eaten testicles may push them over the edge.
You have to keep in mind, this is something people have eaten for thousands of years. In many cultures it's a prize cut, and it was often thought that eating testicles could give men a little boost. Yup, they believed that eating balls made you more manly. What it would do for women, I'm not really sure, but it can't really hurt can it?
And I can just hear you now, "So what do they taste like!?" Some with curiosity and hopefulness and many I'm sure just waiting for a story of complete disgust.
Well, obviously food is very much influenced by how it's cooked, and I sort of have this policy when trying a new ingredient for the first time- let the food be what it is. I want to taste the ingredient undisguised and in its most natural state. That means, in the case of testicles, simply frying them with a dash of salt and pepper.
Thanks to Erovic's digital book I got a quick into on how to skin the nuts before attempting to cook them. It was really easy and I'm convinced it's easier if they're frozen beforehand.
After peeling I simply sliced them into what looked like scallops. A bit of salt and pepper, and into a hot pan with lard. Very simple, very basic the first time through. When they no longer stick to the plan, give them a gentle flip and cook the other side. The result... something that closely resembles a fried scallop. But, unlike sweetbreads, and much to my surprise, they didn't taste at all like scallops!
It's funny really, and I don't mean to ruin fast food for you intentionally (ok, maybe I do take a certain pleasure in that) but... they taste remarkably like chicken nuggets. No, I'm not kidding. Go to McDonald's and buy some chicken nuggets. Peel all the breading off and eat it. That's what goat balls taste like.
I nearly titled this post, "I can't believe they're not chicken nuggets."
They're quite yummy, and lucky for me there are 2 more pair in the freezer! Rest assured, there will be testicle recipes in the future as my imagination allows. Don't wait for recipes though. You don't need to anything fancy, just some salt, pepper and some hot grease. They are balls after all. If anything screams down-home cookin', it's testicles.
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Prairie Oysters
Montana Tendergroins
Cowboy Caviar
Swinging Beef
And the list goes on. No matter what you call them, there's a joke (and with that a certain taboo) about eating testicles. For most Westerners it's the ultimate gross-out. Few foods, except perhaps insects, invoke the reaction people tend to have towards eating testicles.
Enter "The Testicle Cookbook: Cooking With Balls" by Ljubomir R. Erovic. The world's first ever cookbook specializing in the nether regions. (Read the sample version HERE.) It makes me wonder if American eaters ready for this. There has to be some whisper of interest in the foodie culture to spur one to write such a book. Or perhaps it's a case of build it and they will come.
In either case, discovering this book nudged me into finally doing something I'd been curious to do for quite some time. Yep, I've finally eaten testicles.
Now you have to understand, I get a decent amount of ribbing by my family, my friends, my coworkers, and even my butcher for the things I'm willing to call food. The fact that I have now actually eaten testicles may push them over the edge.
You have to keep in mind, this is something people have eaten for thousands of years. In many cultures it's a prize cut, and it was often thought that eating testicles could give men a little boost. Yup, they believed that eating balls made you more manly. What it would do for women, I'm not really sure, but it can't really hurt can it?
And I can just hear you now, "So what do they taste like!?" Some with curiosity and hopefulness and many I'm sure just waiting for a story of complete disgust.
Well, obviously food is very much influenced by how it's cooked, and I sort of have this policy when trying a new ingredient for the first time- let the food be what it is. I want to taste the ingredient undisguised and in its most natural state. That means, in the case of testicles, simply frying them with a dash of salt and pepper.
Thanks to Erovic's digital book I got a quick into on how to skin the nuts before attempting to cook them. It was really easy and I'm convinced it's easier if they're frozen beforehand.
After peeling I simply sliced them into what looked like scallops. A bit of salt and pepper, and into a hot pan with lard. Very simple, very basic the first time through. When they no longer stick to the plan, give them a gentle flip and cook the other side. The result... something that closely resembles a fried scallop. But, unlike sweetbreads, and much to my surprise, they didn't taste at all like scallops!
 |
| Goat testicles, after peeling the outer membrane off. |
 |
| Sliced, still frozen. |
 |
| Fried in hot lard with a bit of salt and pepper. |
It's funny really, and I don't mean to ruin fast food for you intentionally (ok, maybe I do take a certain pleasure in that) but... they taste remarkably like chicken nuggets. No, I'm not kidding. Go to McDonald's and buy some chicken nuggets. Peel all the breading off and eat it. That's what goat balls taste like.
I nearly titled this post, "I can't believe they're not chicken nuggets."
They're quite yummy, and lucky for me there are 2 more pair in the freezer! Rest assured, there will be testicle recipes in the future as my imagination allows. Don't wait for recipes though. You don't need to anything fancy, just some salt, pepper and some hot grease. They are balls after all. If anything screams down-home cookin', it's testicles.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Magic Mushrooms
A week or two ago I decided on a whim to poke some seeds into some dirt and see if I could create food. I had spinach seeds, lettuce seeds, and radish seeds.
This week, imagine my surprise and Witchy delight to also found a fairy ring growing in my spinach!
That's not all. I look over to my radish sprouts to find a whole colony!
This week, imagine my surprise and Witchy delight to also found a fairy ring growing in my spinach!
That's not all. I look over to my radish sprouts to find a whole colony!
I'm quite sure they'll do no harm, even though they're definitely NOT edible. It's just so neat, and weird, to be having mushrooms growing inside the house.
Has anyone else had this happen?
Sometimes it rocks being a Witch.
Has anyone else had this happen?
Sometimes it rocks being a Witch.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Getting Oriented
I attended orientation for college last night. I have my schedule, my student handbook, my ID and my parking pass. It's official. I'm going back to school.
I'm attempting to work full time while also attending school full time. In numbers that means 40 hours (or more) of work, 12 hours of classes, and 24 hours of study time. 8 hours of sleep a night is a must, and of course there's commute time to work and classes. And then there's the blog. Needless to say, life is about to get very, very busy.
Most likely a lot of my blog content for oh... the next 2 years will have a lot to do with school- what I'm learning, what I like, what I completely disagree with, and how getting a degree in Health Education & Wellness Specialization meshes (or clashes) with my wonderful Primal lifestyle. This is sure to be an adventure, and I hope you don't mind riding along, and maybe even giving advice?
So far things look good. I need to re-take algebra since I've forgotten so much of it since high school a decade ago. I'll be taking yoga 2 mornings a week and I'm sure I'll love it. My other three classes include Consumer Health, Women's Health, and Journaling for Health.
Of the three it looks like Consumer Health may be my biggest problem. I skimmed the book and it's packed full of "conventional wisdom." I have to decide whether to tell the professor what she wants to hear, or be an honest thinker. It will definitely be an exercise in choosing my battles.
And speaking of exercise! We have a new state-of-the-art fitness facility! Granted it's only open a few hours that I'm not at work, which really kind of sucks, but I'm really looking forward to checking it out and spending some free time there. One of the staff members specializes in strength and conditioning and I'm looking forward to working with him to create and meet my own fitness goals.
These next couple of years, and this first semester especially, is going to be a bit of a trial for my Primal lifestyle. With working 12-hour shifts I've gotten used to eating only within a 5-hour window (between 5 and 10 pm) and this may come in handy very soon. The trick will be not turning to convenience foods- though it is helpful that I don't own a microwave. This means there will have to be more planning and preparing food ahead of time... or eating a lot more eggs.
I still have a couple weeks left before classes begin. I'm both excited and nervous about it, but I'm also looking forward to sharing the experience with you all from a whole foods, local foods, Primal lifestyle perspective. :)
I'm attempting to work full time while also attending school full time. In numbers that means 40 hours (or more) of work, 12 hours of classes, and 24 hours of study time. 8 hours of sleep a night is a must, and of course there's commute time to work and classes. And then there's the blog. Needless to say, life is about to get very, very busy.
Most likely a lot of my blog content for oh... the next 2 years will have a lot to do with school- what I'm learning, what I like, what I completely disagree with, and how getting a degree in Health Education & Wellness Specialization meshes (or clashes) with my wonderful Primal lifestyle. This is sure to be an adventure, and I hope you don't mind riding along, and maybe even giving advice?
So far things look good. I need to re-take algebra since I've forgotten so much of it since high school a decade ago. I'll be taking yoga 2 mornings a week and I'm sure I'll love it. My other three classes include Consumer Health, Women's Health, and Journaling for Health.
Of the three it looks like Consumer Health may be my biggest problem. I skimmed the book and it's packed full of "conventional wisdom." I have to decide whether to tell the professor what she wants to hear, or be an honest thinker. It will definitely be an exercise in choosing my battles.
And speaking of exercise! We have a new state-of-the-art fitness facility! Granted it's only open a few hours that I'm not at work, which really kind of sucks, but I'm really looking forward to checking it out and spending some free time there. One of the staff members specializes in strength and conditioning and I'm looking forward to working with him to create and meet my own fitness goals.
These next couple of years, and this first semester especially, is going to be a bit of a trial for my Primal lifestyle. With working 12-hour shifts I've gotten used to eating only within a 5-hour window (between 5 and 10 pm) and this may come in handy very soon. The trick will be not turning to convenience foods- though it is helpful that I don't own a microwave. This means there will have to be more planning and preparing food ahead of time... or eating a lot more eggs.
I still have a couple weeks left before classes begin. I'm both excited and nervous about it, but I'm also looking forward to sharing the experience with you all from a whole foods, local foods, Primal lifestyle perspective. :)
Monday, August 8, 2011
Donation Complete
Here you go Boarfest Attendees & Donors! YOU did this!
This was the original goal for Boarfest- to not only roast a pig for us to eat, but to raise enough money to buy a pig for Heifer International...
Not only did we succeed in doing that, but we had enough left over ($170 in fact) to donate it to a Heifer International Project. Attendees voted and decided on Nepal.
As I get updates from Heifer International on this project, I will keep you updated.
I would also be interested to know, if I made Heifer, or perhaps another charity a regular recipient of donations from this blog, would you support it?
Congratulations to everyone who attended and supported Boarfest this year! I'm really very proud of you all. <3
This was the original goal for Boarfest- to not only roast a pig for us to eat, but to raise enough money to buy a pig for Heifer International...
Not only did we succeed in doing that, but we had enough left over ($170 in fact) to donate it to a Heifer International Project. Attendees voted and decided on Nepal.
As I get updates from Heifer International on this project, I will keep you updated.
I would also be interested to know, if I made Heifer, or perhaps another charity a regular recipient of donations from this blog, would you support it?
Congratulations to everyone who attended and supported Boarfest this year! I'm really very proud of you all. <3
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Boarfest 2011 Complete
Boarfest 2011 is complete!
What a crazy, crazy week it's been. Not only was I waist deep in the midst of planning, arranging and running Boarfest, but the gods also dealt me a funeral, a benefit, and a heap of expected bills that I just wasn't quite ready to handle. There was good, there was bad, and there was ugly. All in all, it was nothing short of chaos, and I will admit I did have something of a meltdown somewhere about Friday afternoon. I swear if I had been given a camera crew, we could have made a fairly decent reality show!
Wednesday was pig day. After a long day at work the family and I jumped in Dad's truck to head down to Pennsylvania to pick up our live boar. We went a little smaller this year and landed a 150-pound female. Pennsylvania state routes being what they are, we got a bit turned around but finally found the place. The "farm" we buy from is 35 acres of forest, with a handful of automatic feeders to bait the boar when one needs to be acquired. The farmers were kind and quiet. Many people would be taken aback by their rural nature, but I like them, and could relate. However my appearance is far from "country" so I'm quite sure they didn't know how to take me. The transfer went smoothly, everybody shook hands and we all made suggestion of doing business again.
My pig turned out to be rather content in her wooden box and much more mild in temper than the feisty male from last year. She went to the butcher on Thursday morning, and we picked her up, cleaned and butterflied on Friday morning.
Friday was set-up day. The first task was to begin brining the pig. There was a bit of a snag in that the pig was longer than the barrel we intended to use. Plan B. Use the bathtub! It worked like a charm and the method will be repeated in any future pig roasts.
We attempted yet again to construct a home-made canopy to provide shade. Through some trial and a whole lot of error, we aborted the mission. Though not after erecting a very functional frame, using a whole lot of duct tape, evading the wind, dodging flying ladders, and yes... a meltdown from one too many guest cancellations. Eventually (and by eventually I mean Saturday morning) we did get everything in place for the roast.
Early Saturday morning we removed the pig from the brine, loaded her onto the roaster, wrapped her delicate parts in foil, and set her cooking. 7 hours later, mouthwatering deliciousness in the shape of a pig. Pork, watermelon, coconuts, fiddlehead salad, grilled daikon and an assortment of adult beverages were enjoyed by all.
Also, there were plenty of goodies and prizes donated to us by our wonderful sponsors: Primal Blueprint and Tropical Traditions.
Primal Blueprint sent me lots of goodies to give away including blender bottles, t-shirts, Primal Fuel and a copy of their latest cookbook, Primal Blueprint: Quick and Easy Meals. Guests enjoyed reading many of the most tasty recipes allowed while others Mmm'd and Aww'd.
Tropical Traditions also gave us an amazing goodie bag to sample and try. Lip balms, insect repellent, an assortment of soaps, and a whole gallon of coconut chips! My guests dug in and enjoyed the prizes, and one lucky attendee won a gift pack of ALL of these items. Congratulations Glenn!
I also have to thank Walmart for helping me score a crap ton of young Thai coconuts. While typically not a huge fan of big box stores, Walmart did help me out in a good way with this one. Maybe they're not all bad.
But really I just want to get to the good really part. I bet you were thinking the boar was the good part, but no. No THIS is the good part...
Not only did we raise enough money for Heifer International to buy them a pig too, but we raised enough to send $170 to THIS project in Nepal! That is an amazing, amazing accomplishment for what turned out to be a very small crowd. I am really impressed with the attendees of this year's Boarfest. They are all absolutely amazing.
I deposited the last-minute donations today and once the account clears, I can't wait to hit the "donate" button on Heifer International's website. Because we're helping to fund a project I will receive occasional updates on the project in Nepal, and as I do I will update here on the good we've done together.
Way to go Boarfest Attendees! You all rock hard! I'm really, really proud of you!
A few more photos from the event:
What a crazy, crazy week it's been. Not only was I waist deep in the midst of planning, arranging and running Boarfest, but the gods also dealt me a funeral, a benefit, and a heap of expected bills that I just wasn't quite ready to handle. There was good, there was bad, and there was ugly. All in all, it was nothing short of chaos, and I will admit I did have something of a meltdown somewhere about Friday afternoon. I swear if I had been given a camera crew, we could have made a fairly decent reality show!
 |
| This is the capture shed where the captured boar is housed until pick-up. |
 |
| Preparing to herd the pig into the crate. |
 |
| Dad & the farmers loading the crate onto the trailer. |
 |
| A sneak peek into the boar crate to see our lady. |
Friday was set-up day. The first task was to begin brining the pig. There was a bit of a snag in that the pig was longer than the barrel we intended to use. Plan B. Use the bathtub! It worked like a charm and the method will be repeated in any future pig roasts.
 |
| If you don't have what you need, use what you have. Brining in the bathtub. |
We attempted yet again to construct a home-made canopy to provide shade. Through some trial and a whole lot of error, we aborted the mission. Though not after erecting a very functional frame, using a whole lot of duct tape, evading the wind, dodging flying ladders, and yes... a meltdown from one too many guest cancellations. Eventually (and by eventually I mean Saturday morning) we did get everything in place for the roast.
 |
| Dad & Adam carrying her out to the roaster. |
Also, there were plenty of goodies and prizes donated to us by our wonderful sponsors: Primal Blueprint and Tropical Traditions.
Primal Blueprint sent me lots of goodies to give away including blender bottles, t-shirts, Primal Fuel and a copy of their latest cookbook, Primal Blueprint: Quick and Easy Meals. Guests enjoyed reading many of the most tasty recipes allowed while others Mmm'd and Aww'd.
 |
| Danielle, Rockin' the Grok. |
 |
| Grok On! |
 |
| Our official Tropical Traditions Wash Station |
I also have to thank Walmart for helping me score a crap ton of young Thai coconuts. While typically not a huge fan of big box stores, Walmart did help me out in a good way with this one. Maybe they're not all bad.
But really I just want to get to the good really part. I bet you were thinking the boar was the good part, but no. No THIS is the good part...
Not only did we raise enough money for Heifer International to buy them a pig too, but we raised enough to send $170 to THIS project in Nepal! That is an amazing, amazing accomplishment for what turned out to be a very small crowd. I am really impressed with the attendees of this year's Boarfest. They are all absolutely amazing.
I deposited the last-minute donations today and once the account clears, I can't wait to hit the "donate" button on Heifer International's website. Because we're helping to fund a project I will receive occasional updates on the project in Nepal, and as I do I will update here on the good we've done together.
Way to go Boarfest Attendees! You all rock hard! I'm really, really proud of you!
A few more photos from the event:
 |
| Setting up. I helped! |
 |
| Gettin' the roaster ready. |
 |
| Our lady after her day at the spa. |
 |
| Those highlights are gonna look gorgeous! |
 |
| That's one sexy beast. |
 |
| Removing the skin to expose the delicious fat beneath. |
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| Connor with his watermelon. |
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| Even little Connor loves roast pork! |
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| Thanks Adam for remembering to get some food porn. I forgot! |
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| We let the boys do the de-boning. |
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| These guys are pros. |
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| Nom... nom... nom... |
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| The End. |
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