One dress down. One to go. One day left.

This didn't turn out as my favorite dress by far. I will post pictures of Ellery wearing it. It is pretty cute on her. I opted for a different style and color for Callista, because I wasn't crazy about this one.

Science Fair

Science Fair.

I let Ellery put together this project herself. It was such a positive experience. Not a huge time commitment, but a great science introduction. Building blocks for the future.

Those 2 words were the pride and bain of my teaching experience. It was a massive amount of work, but I believe it is was probably the only experience my students will really remember from the class. I was an intense teacher. It took us around 3 months. First they would turn in their question. Next hypothesis. Experimental design. Data. We would learn on how make graphs in excel during class. There was no procrastination.

Last year, I told our brand new principal I would bring the Science Fair to our elementary school. He has really been trying to bring a new degree of excellence to our school. A school which was really struggling. To his credit he has made some very positive changes in his first year and a half. We met with quite a bit of resistance on all fronts. Teachers. Parents. But we decided to push ahead, as several of us feel adamant about the positive learning experience Science Fair can afford. The Fair was tonight, and it was a resounding success. Most of the teachers stepped up and the children did a wonderful job, for the first year.

Adding 1/2 cup xylitol to the lemon water.

Common concerns are the competition element, disgruntled parents, integrity issues. We tried to alleviate some of these concerns. The judging was optional. We are not announcing the winners until tomorrow. No places, just advancers to the District level. (No comparisons by parents, which child had a medal and why theirs didn't...just a celebration of the learning.)

Only the 5th and 6th graders can advance to the District Level. They were the main focus and used the tri-fold boards. But the entire school participated. There were some interesting conclusions I was able to draw from this experience, but they are not appropriate to share on this blog because it is public. Simply put, teachers make a difference. A big difference. Especially if parents are not extremely involved with their child's education.

The three sweeteners Ellery wanted to use. Xylitol, Agave Nectar and Maple Syrup.

Ellery had a wonderful time completing her simple project investigating with natural sweetener would be the sweetest. She loved having all her friends and neighbors taste test. Agave nectar came out the clear winner. Great to keep in mind. Her class begged for her to bring lemonade so they could all try them. My favorite was actually the xylitol sweetened lemonade. None of the children cared for the maple syrup :)

We pulled our Lemonade "stand" around on the wagon, Ellery with her clipboard to keep tally.

Wheatgrass Solution

This is my decorative attempt at wheatgrass. Since I have no utility room and zero room in my kitchen I decided to try my luck with a little shelf in the front room. It actually look okay and my wheatgrass seems to like the climate. I put the place mats, and plastic down to protect the wood.

The effort is a success so far. I am also growing less at one time, than I tried to do before. It helps too, because I have no green thumb. It is all I can do to attempt to keep one tray alive, let alone 3-4 moldfree!

Would God Write a Post Like That?

I think if I have the gall to write post claiming to assume the behavior of God I better be darn careful not to be hypocritical about it. Upon further reflection, even the title reeks of hypocrisy.

While I stand behind the basic premise of the post, I believe the Lord is disappointed in this type of desecration of His Holy day and it is not an activity our family will participate in, I also believe He would not have dealt with it the same way I did. I am ultimately responsible for the posts on this blog.

God nor his servants, do not mince words and condone our actions when they do not please Him. However, He also refrains from sarcasm and condescension. Instead, His language is one of love unfeigned and temperance. If I make any such grandiose claims as the title and content of my Superbowl blog suggested, I will try to do so with more congruence in the future. If I really am trying to model my life after Him, I better do so with exactness.

I stand corrected and will be more vigilant in the future. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Snapshots

Stalking the hen house...waiting for Miriam to emerge and rush in to find the egg. This happens at least 4 times a day. We ended the week with 14 eggs! We gave some away. They are all yours next week EmJ!!

A not-so-horrendously-full "junk jar" this week. But the girls are counting on a huge pay out this week from all the Valentine's festivities!

Angel Emmett, loving the model plane sent to him from Papi. It is the same plane Emmett's Great Grandpa flew in WWII, and this model was actually his. Much to Emmy's chagrin he is not allowed to snuggle with this plane in his crib. Or cart it around by the wing.

Sunday Insights: Faith, THE Way of Knowing

This post, is mostly for my children. Someday, if any of them have a whacky brain like mine (yet to be determined) they will face a similar journey. While my personal journal records the real time pieces, it would take an effort to put it all together, sifting through volumes. I am grateful this blog affords me an opportunity to reflectively write about some of my pivotal religious experiences.

My Journey of Faith: The Way of Knowing

As I mentioned previously in a Sunday post, I feel I was born with a very believing heart. Faith comes naturally. But there is also another side to my personality which those who are close to me recognize immediately. This is the drive to learn and figure things out for myself in my mind. I like my world to make sense logically. Most notably this trait expresses itself in my voracious appetite for reading and research. And more recently my unwillingness to accept anything at face value.

Ever Studious (1995)

"But What About This Dad?"

I have a distinct memory of reading "Doctrines of Salvation" by Joseph Fielding Smith. I was probably around 12 or 13. My Dad would come into my room at night and I would just ask question after question trying to understand everything about my religion. I came to a section discussing the age of the earth. The book clearly argued the earth was young, a literal interpretation of scripture.

Tulip Time Parade With Mom and Dad. Holland Michigan about 1990-91 (Love the fluorescents!)

For the first time I felt confused. What about the dinosaurs? What about cavemen? What about all those fossils and layers of the earth? For the first time I felt my faith come head to head with my intellect. It was disturbing. My Dad gave me an answer to the effect that we cannot understand everything now, but we will someday. This gave me an inkling of hope, enough that I just tucked this little problem away in a file cabinet in my brain. And it sat dormant.

With My Dad 1992 Rocky Mountain National Park Colorado

During my years at home, faith remained my ultimate way of understanding the world around me. However, immersed in the public schools and soaking up information I started to fill my filing cabinet.

College

Amazingly, the greatest trial of my faith started with my attendance at Brigham Young University. You wouldn't think attending a religious University, of my own faith for that matter, would open or disturb those filing cabinets. My chosen course of study Biology, and several Church History classes, opened the file cabinets in a massive gust my last 2 years of college. I always knew without a shadow of a doubt, who I was, why I was here, where I came from, where I am going...that faith was unshakable. Founded solidly and properly. But all of my understanding of the religious doctrines of my faith did not have such a solid foundation.

The Sciences

You may wonder, how does a religious University teach Population Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, or Geology? The answer...directly how the textbooks have written it. This is where the meat of my concern now lies. Usually my professors would reserve a class period at the end of the semester to briefly discuss how to harmonize all this "scientific reasoning" with the gospel. Mostly the discussions centered on making the doctrine harmonize with science. Common explanations included: "There is no official doctrine on pre-adamites." "As long as you believe Adam and Eve were the first man and woman in God's image, that is enough." "God uses the laws of nature."

My way of understanding the world and my religion began to change. I knew our prophets had testified there is no conflict between true religion and true science. The true somehow got lost in the mix for me. As my intellect grew through immersion into the scientific world, I began to trust more and more in my textbooks and the certainty of "Science as a Way of Knowing."

"Science is the most powerful mechanism we have for obtaining confirmable information about the natural world." (pg 504 Science as a Way of Knowing)

The file cabinets were now in the open, grating on me quite frequently. I knew I didn't understand everything. I needed to figure out how my religion fit with scientific theory. I began to understand the creation, as working through the laws of evolution. The flood was a giant rainstorm, with which the earth was covered with rainfall at once, not that the waters rose above the highest mountains. The parting of the Red Sea was really the "Reed Sea" and there are winds and times of year when this shallow lake naturally divides. I knew the church was true. God had revealed that much to me. So I was determined to make His church fit the world and my intellectual understanding of it. How pompous. When the confusion was too overwhelming I compartmentalized for a temporary salve.

"Science deals not with the gods above but with the worlds below. It does not refute the gods; it merely ignores them in its explanations of the natural world." (pg 503 Ibid)

A couple books from my Capstone Biology class. A group of 7 students and a professor. We

hashed out everything we had learned in all our biological and physical science classes. This class

solidified my "new way of reasoning."

Church History

My BYU courses also initiated my first intense study of early Church history. I was exposed to the 3 different accounts Joseph Smith had recorded of his First Vision. I remember calling my parents "Why didn't you tell me?" I started an in-depth study of plural marriage and other confusing and controversial historical and sometimes doctrinal issues.

Some of the foibles of church leaders began to weigh on me. Professors would mention in passing their reference books written by Mormon, Ex-Mormon and Non-Mormon authors. I wrote down the titles as fast as I could and spent hours in the library hunting them down and researching. It was an interesting journey for me. The way was fraught with feelings of unsettlement, and sometimes frustration at feeling sheltered my entire life.

The First Awakening

My inquiry into Church history led to my first awakening of truly understanding the meaning of faith. Resolving my historical and doctrinal concerns was a much simpler road than the one which faced me in the Sciences. The underlying problem was the same. I missed the connection. I was able to clarify my understanding and testimony in my mind. My prayer and research led the way to increased understanding.

"I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm."

2 Nephi 4:34

The problem I discovered was my tendency towards an authoritarian way of assimilating knowledge. A dangerous and tenuous road. Such a path opened me to disappointment resulting from human frailties. If I was to have true faith, authoritarian thinking was inadequate. I learned I could not put my trust in any man, only God. My testimony must be based solidly on the doctrine, both ancient and revealed through the Lords servants his prophets. No man is perfect, but I can have perfect faith in the words of a prophet of God, when he is speaking as the mouthpiece of the Lord. The Lord has always used prophets as his mouthpiece on earth.

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken. Whether by mine own voice, or the voice of my servants, it is the same." Doctrine and Covenants 1:38

Prophets are never been perfect. None has ever made such a claim. His Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is perfect, it is only us the members that foul things up. Our failure to understand or to fully live our religion can bring questions and confusion. The doctrine as revealed through his servants the prophets. I don't have to share the same political, historical, financial, nutritional, or economic views as anyone else. I found profound peace with this discovery. It is unfortunate I was blind at the time to how this authoritarian view was causing the remainder of my confusion.

The Second Awakening

Unfortunately my second awakening didn't come until much later. I spent 3 years filling the minds of young impressionable teenagers all the "doctrines of men" I had come to accept as nearly infallible. Doctrines my textbooks all agreed on. Textbooks with historical characters I revered as giants. Darwin. Watson. I fearlessly taught evolution and extolled the virtues of Genetics and pounded into my students that "All good Scientists agree that manmade Global Warming is real." All the while I had a lingering discomfort I couldn't put all the pieces together with a religion I knew was true. But of course the doctrine would fit somehow.

Provo High School 2000. On the board is written "Celebration" under the agenda. I had to smile

that was my word for "test." Also, you can barely distinguish me from a student. No wonder I

always got asked for my "hall pass!"

I remember one day I started to talk to Brent about some of my concerns. We talked much less then, than now. How grateful I am we eliminated distractions in our home and inescapably deepened our relationship. I was explaining to him my version of the flood. He looked at me with disbelief and . "So you are telling me the earth was baptized by a sprinkling instead of immersion?" A light turned on inside of me. What was I thinking? Did I have so little faith in God to believe He couldn't cover the earth with water?

Books, Books and more Books

About 2 years ago, Brent and I began a serious overhaul of our world view. We began to question the stories we had been told as history. "The Biography of Ezra Taft Benson" by Sheri Dew, catapulted our quest for truth. Pres. Benson seemed to understand the world so differently than we did. We wanted to know why. We read and read. Our book list included "None Dare Call it Conspiracy," "The Naked Communist, " "The Naked Capitalist," "The Creature from Jekyll Island," "The Five Thousand Year Leap," "Free to Choose," "An Enemy Hath Done This," "Dumbing Us Down," "The Great and Abominable Church of the Devil," "The Road to Serfdom," "The Revolution" "Foundations," "The Rockefeller File," "The Fearful Master," the list goes on and on. We also began reading as many doctrinal books, and more fervently studying the scriptures. All in an attempt more deeply understand and apply our religion. The sum (ongoing I might add) of this reading has been revealing.

What we learned was the story presented in history books, and the mass media is often carefully crafted by a group of powerful individuals with an agenda. Good people, like myself, mistakenly take hold of this "doctrine of men" and teach and indoctrinate others. I learned how Scientists like Charles Darwin and James Watson were interested in using their knowledge to force a system of Eugenics on the world. Global Warming is a political and scientific fraud. The earth is cooling. The data the 2007 IPCC report on climate change, is fraught with bad science and blatant lies. Do a google search. The mass media is owned and operated by a select few individuals.

I discovered my authoritarian dependence was grossly ingrained into everything I believed. I trusted the work of men, whose intentions and characters are at best unclear, and at worst blatantly satanic. What we learned was enough to rid ourselves of television, movies, network news, and pursue homeschooling. We now search out myriad ways to interpret current events based on what we know to be true. We interpret everything we encounter in terms of God's written and revealed words.

Feeling a Bit Alone

Most of my family does not look at, or understand the world the Brent and I now do. In fact, I think their opinion is that we are off the deep end. Conspiracy nuts. But then again, they haven't looked at the other side as we have. They haven't read. So I understand and can accept their perceptions. Sometimes it feels lonely. But remembering it is a path to truth is solace.

My goodness he is a handsome brute!

Resolving my Concerns

And so finally I am able to apply what I learned so many years ago about understanding religion, to understand the physical world in which I live. I cannot trust in the authority of man. I do not think that all Science is evil. True Science testifies of Christ and is beautiful. Now I understand, someday the world may catch up to God. But probably not until the Second Coming when He spells it all out to us!

I understand what my Dad meant when he said "We don't understand it all now, but we will someday." What he forgot to add was: "We cannot put our trust in the arm of flesh. Faith is the highest way of knowing. The knowledge we seek from the world with our minds is tempered, twisted and tangled by men. Trust first in the Lord. Lean not to thine own understanding."

Does everything in the world make sense to me now? Of course not. Do I still have questions? Yes. What I understand is I must use all of my faculties to search out the truth. Read, study, pray, ponder. Ultimately though, faith in the revealed word of God, both written by his prophets and spoken from their mouths, is the way of knowing.The highest and truest way of knowing. This has brought me peace. I no longer have to compartmentalize. Instead I bide my time and wait for the world to come around and finally understand the Lords way, or for more revelation.

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear to my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." 2 Nephi 28:30

The faith I had as a child is different from the faith I have now. How grateful I am again, that we

have the power to change.

If you made it through...thanks for taking the time to read. What is your journey of faith?

Does God watch the Superbowl? Should We? (Brent's Musings)

Does God watch the Superbowl? Does he care? Should we watch? Should we care? Why is our culture so involved in watching the television? Don't we have anything better to do?

A Lesson From History

Millions of Americans find immense pleasure in watching overpaid, grown men play children's games, often on the Sabbath day. This opiate bears striking resemblance to the grisly, yet highly entertaining "sports" the Roman Rulers provided their people during the decline of the Roman Empire. The stadium sports were one of many distractions that kept people from revolting against the Roman government's de-bassing of the currency, inflation, and wars of aggression. All the former were factors contributing to the downfall of the once dominant Roman Republic. The stadium sports provided a perfect outlet for the universal cravings of decadence, violence, and entertainment. We the people of the USA have an obsession with "bread and circuses" much like the Roman people and our rulers, as theirs, have the ability to gratify the neurosis, thereby distracting us from the de-bassing of our currency, inflation, and wars of aggression.

A Lesson From the Bible

Then, there are those pesky 10 Commandments. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy". I do not claim perfection. I'm just one seeking to live my beliefs better each day. To my chagrin there have been a few years I watched the Superbowl. I can't remember any of them. I don't feel enriched because I watched them. I certainly didn't feel the Sabbath day was kept holy by my indulgence. Certainly we can find alternative ways to spend positive quality time with our family, while serving Him to whom we owe all.

Wait! There are those great commercials. You all know them, the "best of the year." Who can forget the simi-nude women playing in the lingerie bowl? Or perhaps we relish the more memorable, humorous advertisements aimed at enticing us and young teens to purchase beer? Or possibly we feel glued to the set drawn in by the busty woman promoting some new ".com" company? Isn't it interesting how we remember the important things, the sexual undercurrents, the crude commercials, or the "wardrobe malfunctions."

In many respects these are the things the world considers to be holy. So in one sense we are keeping the Sabbath day holy by partaking of the Superbowl. Who's Sabbath day is the question, and our personal decision. We make simple choices like this everyday. It is the sum of all these diminutive decisions that determine our divine destiny. This has become an easy decision for me.

Reasons to Watch

Here are the top reasons I believe God watches the Superbowl. Or maybe not.

1) The commercials are hilarious.

God likes humor. He wants us to be happy.

2) A wonderful time to have a family get together.

God loves families. He can't think of another more edifying reason to congregate.

3) It's a day of rest to sit and watch the pre game, the game and the post game.

God enjoys of bit of rest from labors. In fact we are commanded to rest.

4) Hey, there are some Mormon announcers, players, possibly coaches in the Super bowl.

God roots for Mormon's, right?

5) There will be plenty of meat, processed food, and soda served at your neighbors party.

These are certainly the kinds of foods God loves to partake of and they are prepared and processed with thanksgiving.

The Duty of a Father

Men are leaders of their family charged with providing, presiding and protecting. Acting in this role, how can we allow this type of influence into our homes? Does this type of Sunday worship bring us closer to God or mammon? We cannot serve both (Matt 6:24). What are we teaching our children through our modeling? The Sabbath day is holy only until Superbowl Sunday, playoff Sunday, or big game Sunday comes around... Are we educating ourselves, our children and our spouses, or letting the media do it for us?

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11 Are we men? Or are we weak creatures who cower and seek after the lusts of the flesh?

Let us use this Sunday, not as a day to celebrate men running around after a ball, or enjoying beer advertisements or to view scantily clad women; rather let us use this Sunday to rest, to spiritually recharge, to enlightenment our families through education and service, to help others and to be better people.

Does God watch the super bowl? No, he doesn't, but many of the members and leaders of his church do. Where do you stand? Let's not participate/support in the greatest commercialization the Sabbath day has ever seen.

Brent's Musings

The Cholesterol Myths: Book Review Cont.

My Biggest Issues with "The Cholesterol Myths"

Here is the conclusion to the post I began last week, about exploring alternative opinions to the nutritional value of plant based diets. It is based on my complete reading of The Cholesterol Myths by Dr. Uffe Ravnskov and the review of various other books, websites and proponents of this alternate diet.

Illogical Premise of Theory

"One of the proponents once accused me of pointing only to studies that do not support the diet-heart idea and, thus, of using a technique similar to the one the proponents use. He was right. What he failed to remember is that, if a scientific hypothesis is sound, it must agree with all observations...if there is only oneproof against it...the hypothesis must be rejected." (pg. 12)

Dr. Ravnskov here identifies the entire weakness of the argument pushing a diet high in animal products. To his credit, he clearly presents the case against fat and cholesterol being the causes of heart disease. He presents convincing evidence that lowering saturated fat and even meat consumption show no correlation to reducing heart disease.

The connection which alludes Dr. R in all the studies is simple: the amount of animal products (milk, cheese, white meats..) was not reduced, and whole grain, whole fruit and vegetable consumption was notincreased.Where his argument crumbles is his attempt to unravel any connection between diet and heart disease. He clearly lacks the burden of proof. The underlying message of the book is clear. Eat as many animal products as you want. With this he makes an illogical and dangerous jump, even according to his own words (as sighted above).

Emotional and Unprofessional Statements:

"For many years, millions of people have endured a tasteless, tedious diet...because of the diet-heart idea." (p 11) In his only reference to a vegetarian lifestyle study (conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish) Dr. R says,

"It is laudable to try prevention without drugs, and we already know that it may be health-promoting to to avoid being overweight, to exercise a little and to avoid smoking and mental stress, but with such weak evidence, why inflict a diet that only rabbits may find tolerable on millions of people? Perhaps the results would have been better if the patients' inner sense of peace and well-being had been strengthened further by allowing them to eat more satisfying and nutritious foods." (emphasis mine, pg 224)

In a book touted to draw conclusions based on research alone, I feel the emotion-laden statements above are detracting, unprofessional and completely unfounded. If his premise were, "this book is about my opinion why we should all not care about what we eat" he could rightfully include value-judgements. On a side note, in reference to the latter quote, I think the use of the word "may" was a huge stretch. I also felt he dishonestly interpreted the study and made no mention of the ongoing results of the Lifestyle Project. (I am not a huge fan of Dr. Ornish, I think things get conflicted when a person tries to profit so much from their research. For example his line of food products.) Too bad Dr. R did not mention any of the work of Dr. Esselstyn or have access to the research of Dr. Campbell.

Lack of Evidence for Healthy High Animal Product Diet

With an underlying theme of diet doesn't matter for your health, I found he presented no positive correlations to this. His only examples were the primitive civilizations of the Masai and Samburu. But these people don't eat whatever they want, they don't have access. They also exercise far beyond any other people. I could only find neutral results mentioned. In other words, the "low-fat" diet proposed by the American Heart Association which includes high amounts of animal protein, compared to control groups.

People Can't and Won't Change

The reasoning goes, "why impose a diet no one will live by." I can't buy this argument. I believe people can and will change. However access to accurate nutritional information, and to the satisfying ways of living on a majority plant based diet are crucial. "One criticism that is constantly leveled at the dietary argument is that patients will not make such fundamental changes...This criticism is not only wrong and insulting to patients; it is also self-fulfilling. If doctors do not believe that patients will change their diets, they will neglect to talk about diet, or do it in an off-hand, disparaging way. There is no greater disrespect a doctor can show patients than that of withholding potentially lifesaving information based on the assumption that patients do not want to change their lifestyle." (pg 131, The China Study) This sums up how I feel.

The Weston Price Foundation

I also felt it was critical to address the Weston Price Foundation, the publishers of this book. The WPF promotes a high animal product based diet. Their reasoning is based on the work of a Dentist for whom the foundation was named. He studied the teeth of primitive societies with raw animal based diets, with superb dental health. Dr. Price then drew many conclusions about the benefits of this lifestyle based on his expertise in Dentistry.

The WPF launches the majority of attacks against plant based diets. They argue the mass farming of grains destroys the environment. Clearly I find this logic skewed. I disagree with their arguments living a plant based diet is not healthy or nutrient dense. I disagree with their interpretations and reviews of The China Study. My research and faith, find it very difficult to believe we can eat animal products as frequently as we wish and suffer no ill consequences. What I agree with are their views on sustainable farming, pasture raised animals, raw dairy, and only fermented soy products.

Their website is full of articles trying to convince vegans and vegetarians to see the light and start eating their way. However, I find solid rebuttals for each of their arguments. There is a great local store called Real Foods, where we buy our raw dairy. All of their produce is organic and sustainable. They also offer great classes. Their store is built around much of the philosophies of the Weston Price Foundation. In fact, just a couple days ago, a helpful employee tried to sell me on their "X factor" butter. It is $60 per pound. I always start to struggle with a company or philosophy who begins to sell a "must have" product for health. I think this becomes a slippery slope very quickly. It often leads to the murky world of MLM's, and I don't need to explain how much I DESPISE those! Sally Fallon's, founder of WPF, book Nourishing Traditions is full of product pushing for MLM companies. I also find it very telling, her book has a glowing endorsement from the late, and infamous "Dr. Atkins."

In summary, the WPF has bits and pieces of excellent nutritional information. However, in my opinion, they are confused on the main premise of unlimited animal products.

How I Changed our Diets

Interestingly enough, I decided to reduce our overall fat intake by this current research. It is clear that not just animal fats are the culprits. All added fats seem to have a detrimental effect on our health. What I am trying to decrease are the added fats like oils. In my baking I am learning to substitute for oil. These include apple and banana purees. The Cholesterol Myths book, made it clear I needed to reduce our fat intake. Dr. Campbell in his lecture was also very adamant about this. However, I didn't feel the message came out so strongly in his book. I will not limit whole food plant fats. But extracted oils like olive oil, and coconut oil, I am on a quest to reduce.

So there it is. A great journey. I love everyone's thoughts and opinions and questions. Questions always help me clarify my positions and beliefs.

Double Trouble

I searched the internet, and apparently this is extremely unusual. But our Miriam lays 2 eggs every time. We are certain of it. In 4 sittings she alone has produced 8 eggs. Prolific. She may calm down in a month or two who knows. But with her fluffy behind hard at work, the eggs are building up fast!

They also have ravenous appetites. My hens ate an entire 8x10 pan of vegan enchiladas. Does that let you know how much we enjoyed them, that they got the entire pan? Also their favorite treat in the morning is left over Multigrain hot cereal. They are producing some serious vitamin packed eggs.

Most nutritionists argue the way to tell how healthy an egg is by the color of the yolk. The darker orange the yolk the healthier the egg. However, not all sources agree. Commercial egg producers claim there is no nutritional difference. It is also controversial because some commercial producers use chicken feed laced with dye or feed their hens marigold leaves to get the dark coloration.

Most agree the darker color is a result of higher levels of xanthophyll a pigment obtained from carotenoids and in conjunction with chlorophyl. This would indicate to me a healthier egg.

Teddy Bear Bread and Whole Grain Bread Recipe

Who can resist a warm loaf of "Teddy Bear Bread." This one is armless. The possibilities are endless. I know some people despise wheat and gluten in the health food world but I still faithfully make bread every week and family devours it.

Whole Wheat Bread Recipe (Makes 6 Loaves)

Combine in Bosch (or similar) Mixer:
8 cups White Whole Wheat Flour* (Or any combination of wheat, kamut and spelt)
3 T Yeast

Add:
6 cups Warm, almost hot, Water

Mix, until a paste-like consistency. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes.

Add:
2 heaping T Vital Wheat Gluten**
6 T raw apple cider vinegar ***
2 T Real Salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (optional)
1/2 - 1 ½ cups Honey (adjust to your families taste, we like 1 cup)

Turn mixer on to speed 1. Add whole-wheat flour until dough just begins to pull away from the sides of the mixer. (Usually around 5-9 cups) The dough will still be fairly sticky. Mix on speed 1 or 2 for 5 minutes. Cover mixer to prevent dough from climbing out of the bowl.

Grease pans, with real butter. Butter your hands and form dough into 6 loaves, kneading several times. Place into pans. Cover and let rise until they have doubled in size. This will take anywhere from 30-90 minutes depending on the temperature of the room. In the summer it is great to let them rise outside.

Place pans in a cold oven. Turn oven on to 350°. Bread will cook 25-38 minutes depending on your oven. When bread tops are golden brown remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Butter tops of bread. Remove from pans and continue to let loaves cool on racks.

When cool, put loaves in bread bags and freeze immediately what you will not eat in the next day or two. Do not store in the fridge. Bread stays very fresh in the freezer for quite a while.

*I use the hard white wheat also called “Golden 86.” It has the same high protein content as the red wheat but has a lighter color and a less bitter flavor. (Grocery stores also have this type of flour bagged if you don’t have your own grinder. However, I think the freshly ground wheat has a nicer flavor.) Grind your wheat to the finest texture your machine will allow. I usually use almost exactly a #10 can size of wheat. Sometimes there is a cup or two of flour left over.

**Gluten is available at the Bosch Kitchen Store, and some health food stores. Gluten makes your bread less crumbly. Gluten also increases the nutrition of your bread adding protein. Do not add this if your family has a gluten sensitivity.

***The acid helps prevent the bread from going stale and softens the texture.

www.waltonfeed.com This is a great place to buy wheat and other nutritious whole grains like spelt and kamut.

I haven't posted this recipe for awhile, and I am always tweaking it. Lately I am drastically decreasing the oil and honey. Trying to make it a bit more nutritious. I also removed the potato flakes. Only because they had more additives and preservatives than I was comfortable with. I am ultra fussy. You know that by now though! But add a cup or so if you like, they do add fluff!

Squawk Box

It started about 7 am and continued incessantly for the next 5 hours. I turned to Brent "If this is a new habit they are gone!" Our docile little chickens were raising a huge hullabaloo. About what? We couldn't figure it out. They kept running in and out of their coop, fighting inside of it... I fed them. Watered them. Checked for eggs. What else could I do, except grumble?

I did notice our little Miriam (the blond) was the most feisty and kept disappearing with the most frequency.

And then they stopped. I looked out and all 3 hens were peacefully pecking around in their yard. So innocent, as if they hadn't surpassed the annoyance level of the yappy dogs behind the fence. Huh??? I decided to investigate.

Low and behold, inside the nesting box were 2 colorful eggs. One peach. One blue. Our little Miriam decided to finally lay. And 2 eggs in one day! They were covered in some blood smears. The poor little hen had quite a time with her first egg-laying experience. I think she was mad trying to keep the other hens out of the coop. And it probably hurt. Hopefully it isn't so traumatic her next go around.

The peach and blue were Miriam's. She must have been a bit bottled up to lay 2 in one sitting. I guess that was why there was so much squawking. The speckled egg is Naomi, and Anna lays a straight brown.

Callista was ecstatic. She has been on pins and needles waiting for her hen to finally lay.

I decided I love my backyard chickens. We have a new tradition of scrambled eggs for Sunday dinner. I love it. Truly, Sunday can be my day of rest, with no meal planning and no prep. If our supply of eggs start to outgrow our Sunday evening needs, let me know if anyone wants to try some eggs. And these are healthy eggs. (We've removed all insulation from their diet.)

Small Gratitudes

I am so grateful I didn't have to prune my fruit trees. The first 2 years, I did it myself. It took hours! Thankfully, their is a neighborhood pruner, who works our street every year.

Finally I figured that out. I love having trees, but my time was worth paying someone else to prune them!