Filling a Man Sized Hunger with New STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen

This STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc.  its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerfulProtein #CollectiveBias

My husband doesn't work in an office anymore. He ditched the cubicle to get back to nature a few years ago. In truth, it was in his blood. He is the 4th generation to work this land and carry on his family's farm.

His daily office "view" changes depending on the weather and what is currently in season. He was raised here on the farm and learned a lot from his Dad, his Grandpa and now his Uncle.

There is a lot of multi-tasking that needs to be done on a farm. One crop may need to be planted while the ground is prepared for another, there are always field crews to direct and, this time of year, hay to keep an eye on. And the hours are rarely steady or predictable.

Farmers are not only skilled at multi-tasking, but also wear various hats throughout the long day. One day my husband may be planting, harvesting or baling while another day he has to be a mechanic, welder or source for the newspaper on a local agriculture piece.

Of course, there is rarely a day that goes by my husband doesn't come home covered in grease, oil, hay or dirt. That all just part of the job.

But the truth is he loves what he does. He loves feeding our community as well as feeding our family. He loves to be outside and watch a simple seed and dirt field turn into the year's crop. He works hard to manage and be knowledgeable about over 60 crops here on the farm.

There is beauty all around us. Simple beauty in the neat little rows, the orchards and the fields of alfalfa.

There is beauty in the hard work and sweat that went into planting this new peach orchard. It has been amazing watching those little sticks mature into young fruit bearing trees. The peaches this year are just amazing!

But hard farm work and long, irregular hours mean my husband often returns after a long day needing to eat fast, or needing to eat later than the rest of us. I am always looking for better ways to keep him fed with a warm and hearty meal befitting his day (and often night) job. You could say that he needs #PowerfulProtein to do this job day in and day out.

Because weather, plants, and perfect growing conditions don't wait for dinnertime, I have to find flexible meal solutions to fill a man-sized hunger.

I have to make dinnertime work for my husband's schedule.

Have you tried STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen meals? These may have been made for busy farmers, or  guys with irregular hours who want something to leave them feeling satisfied. Each variety contains 25 grams of protein or more and takes just 10 minutes to prepare! 

I grabbed the STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita, along with several other varieties, on my last trip to Walmart. You can find them in the freezer aisle with STOUFFER'S® Single Serve Entrées.

My husband enjoys beef, so I knew he would enjoy the STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen Steak Fajita. This one has tender prime rib steak in a smoked red chile sauce with a mix of red and green peppers and seasoned brown rice. 

There are 6 varieties of STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen meals available:

• Steak Fajita
• Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Rotisserie Seasoned Turkey
• Bourbon Steak
• Oven Roasted Chicken
• Monterey Chicken

Now I want to know, which STOUFFER'S® Fit Kitchen meal would you like to try first? Do you have a hard-working man in your life who would love to try them?

Earth Month Ideas - Re-purposing Common Containers For Seed Starts

This  shop, to celebrate Earth Month, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and experiences are mine alone. #NaturalGoodness #CollectiveBias

As the days grow longer and warmer, life here on the farm begins to really pick up. There is the sound of the tractors working in the fields, the chickens scratching in the yard, and children with cabin fever just itching to get outside to dig in the dirt.

Yes, it is time to begin breaking ground on our family garden and get our seeds planted. Despite living on a large fruit and vegetable farm, I want my kids involved in our own backyard garden. It is a great way to make them more mindful of their environment, the food they eat and how all of our choices are connected.

Just across from the house you will find the greenhouses with all the starts. It is fun to peek in and see the onions and watermelon sprouts begin to push through. Here in Oregon we still have a chance of a hard frost and the greenhouse gives us a chance to create optimal growing conditions for the new seedlings.

My husband's family has farmed this area for 4 generations, I hope my children will follow in his footsteps to become the fifth generation. I want my children to be eco-friendly and aware of the needs of the land, along with the crops grown here, so they can carry on the tradition of farming.

Much like making green choices in our lives, learning to be a farmer starts early.

My husband works hard to be the best steward of this land he can be. He uses crop rotation, drip irrigation and even keeps the machinery running for as long as possible to reduce his impact on the environment.

This Allis Chalmer's tractor had a life before our farm, but with regular maintenance and a little elbow grease, it isn't ready for the scrap pile yet.

In fact, a lot of farm work involves creativity and re-purposing. Parts and implements are re-used when possible or adapted to be more efficient.

Now, we drink a lot of coffee in our house. It might have something to do with the long hours involved with farm life. I hate that I throw all those coffee pods out after a single use. So I decided to give them a new life as seed plugs. They are the perfect size and already have a hole poked in the bottom for easy drainage!

Instead of buying myself new seed trays for planting our Summer garden seeds, I turned this tray of coffee pods into seed plugs.

Tips For Re-Purposing Coffee Pods

• Remove the foil top and discard
• Let the pods sit and dry out for 24 hours or more. Shaking out dry grounds is much easier
• Compost the coffee grounds for garden mulch to use all Summer long
• Pull the paper filter out of each pod and discard
• Fill with seed mix or potting mix to support and nourish your seedlings
• Plant seeds in the pods that have smaller root needs

After trying to shake out several wet coffee pods, I found letting them dry out ahead of time was much easier! And coffee grounds are great to add to your compost pile so don't waste them.

Once my tray was filled with empty coffee pods, we were ready to start planting.

There is just something about kids and dirt. Planting seeds is a yearly chore that my kids really look forward to.

Since our pods are small, I wanted to plant items that didn't require a lot of room for the roots. We finally decided on lettuce and salad mix. Another great idea would be succulent seeds. We plan to plant some of those next to make indoor container gardens in the playroom.

I love the sense of pride my children take in the food they grow. You could say this was a double win for our family. We didn't have to buy any seed trays for our garden, instead we used containers we already had on hand.

We were also able to plant a variety of lettuce and salad mix seeds so we will have to buy less of those packaged salad mixes this Spring and Summer, reducing our container waste.

There are so many ways to get the kids involved with this project. They helped me pick out the seeds, plant them, and every day after school they check on their seedlings' progress. Later this Spring they will also be involved with harvesting their heads of lettuce from the garden for dinner.

Seedlings thrive when they have the right temperature and humidity. We re-purposed these salad containers to hold the coffee pods in. There are small vent holes in the plastic, so they do a great job  keeping the soil moist for the seedlings.

These little greenhouses are a great way to re-use these packages.

Another way I am teaching my children to care for their environment is by making smart product choices. I love using the Tom's of Maine products with my family because they don't contain preservatives, artificial colors, flavors or fragrances.

We switched to Tom's of Maine toothpastes a few years ago and we all have our own favorite flavor. You might remember that we switched over to using the deodorant last year. This is a brand that fits my family well.

We have several of the Tom's of Maine products in our bathroom cabinet, but I picked up the Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry™ Fluoride Toothpaste, Antiplaque & Whitening Peppermint Fluoride Free Toothpaste, Whole Care® Peppermint and Spearmint Fluoride Toothpaste, and Unisex Long Lasting Apricot Deodorant on my last trip to Walmart. You can find these products in the toothpaste aisle and deodorant aisle.

Grab a  $1.00 off any Tom's of Maine product purchase coupon to use on your next trip to Walmart. 

Happy Earth Month! Does your family have any special eco-friendly activities planned? Or what green choices have you made recently?

Farm Update - Finally a Wet Fall

Seems like forever since we have had a wet Oregon Fall. It used to be something people joked about... but would grin and bear. My freshman year of college it rained for so many days straight students from out of state dropped out or transferred at an alarming rate.

Our kitten Lou-Lou has had a hard time adjusting to the wet weather. She darts in and out of the door, shaking her paws at the standing puddles getting in her way.

Oregon's wet weather may be an acquired taste.

But the past few years have been dry. No big Spring rains, no long Fall rainy weather stretches. Just dry. So while I hate the muddy tracks now appearing in my entryway, the never ending vacuuming and sweeping my floors require, it is nice to be "normal" again.

Finally those rain coats and boots are being put to good use. Yes, I buy them every year like clockwork, but the past few years they have barely been worn.

So the farm is one dirty, muddy place right now. Everyone keeps asking if things have slowed down much. Despite U-pick being done, visible farm work seemingly slow, there is still much that needs to be done!

My husband claims that the last corn of the season is some of the sweetest, and I have to agree. It has developed slowly and built up a sweet surprise for anyone still in the mood for fresh corn.

Orchards still need tending, carrots are being harvested, ground as well as machinery must be prepared for Spring. There are still many types of squash going strong in the field, and the weeds never stop their constant attempt to choke out the blueberries, strawberries and other annual crops.

Getting out for our daily walks has held less appeal to me, but I think it is time to break out the rain gear and suck it up. My youngest doesn't mind being bundled up in the stroller, and we both need the fresh air between downpours.

The older kids are already starting to get a little stir-crazy, AND it isn't even Winter yet!

So the farm keeps on going, and as always I am dreaming of the first strawberries of the year. No amount of wishing will bring them on any faster, but at least I can find comfort in knowing that they are getting a much needed rain. And finally, it feels like Oregon again.

Has Fall hit your area? What does Fall look like around your home?

Zucchini Spice Cookies

I may love a good oatmeal cookie, a spice drop or a molasses cookie, but this time of year when the squash becomes plentiful, I really get hungry for a zucchini spice cookie.

Soft baked and full of nuts and dried fruit, it is a humble cookie with much to boast about. It is a cookie that over the years, in it's absence, my heart has grown fonder for it. Sadly I may never be able to find the original recipe I grew up with, but this is as close as I can remember.

I grew up with the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook as a constant kitchen companion. There never seemed to be recipe I couldn't find in there. Well, until I moved out of the house. I remember that I purchased my own paperback version of the cookbook and was ready to dig in when I started to notice missing recipes. Just little things... little things like the soft zucchini cookies.

I guess the cookies just weren't as fashionable as say, mango salsa. The mango salsa in question was a new addition to the new edition and one I have whole-heartidly falled in love with. But, I still miss my cookies.

Like a fading memory from childhood, I still remember the basic ingredients. Of course the big star are the shredded zucchini.

Now as an adult, I can't help but wonder if the cookies were more of an attempt to utilize a bumper crop (who doesn't have a bumper crop of zucchinin?). My Mom always had it in her garden. It grows well and can easily be left to it's own to grow and produce insane amounts of squash. It doesn't even require much water.

No matter how the cookies came to be a staple in my childhood, they were. Super easy to make, soft and flavorful, I think you will enjoy adding these little cookies to your baking rotation.

Just grab a sturdy box grater and go to town.

I seem to remember the cookies plain, but seem to remember some with nuts. I happened to be all out of the usual walnut, so instead grabbed some pecans. A little orange zest goes a long way in adding another layer of flavor.

Now, my husband is strictly a "no raisins" sort, so I have updated my little cookies with craisins.

Don't worry if the dough seems soft. It is. Just grab a cookie scoop and plop down about a tablespoon of batter. They will puff up a little, but don't spread on the baking sheet.

I love to grab a few to take as a snack. They don't contain chocolate, so they don't melt. They also are great with a glass of milk, but don't require any cookie solvents. They are just stand-alone good cookies.

Zucchini Spice Cookies

You Will Need:

• 1/2 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 c. packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 c. flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• zest of 1 orange
• 1/4 c. milk
• 1 1/2 c. grated and drained zucchini
• 1/2 c. toasted and chopped pecans
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter and brown sugar in a stand mixer for 3 minutes. Add the egg and mix. 

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add half the dry ingredients to the mixer, stir. Then add the milk and then the remaining dry mix. Stir, just till combined. With a spoon, fold in the zucchini, nuts and dried cranberries. Using a cookie scoop, drop the soft dough onto a cookie sheet and bake for 12 - 15 minutes. The tops should be dry and the edges lightly browned when done. 

Enjoy!

Do you have a favorite cookie recipe from childhood?

Keeping Life Fresh and Natural with Tom's of Maine

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FreshNaturally #CollectiveBias

Here on the farm there is always something to be done. Summertime is no exception! Things are in full swing. Strawberry and cherry season is already over, but now we have beans, blueberries, squash, peaches and more. Top that all off with the demands of Fall planting and a busy house full of kids and my husband and I work up quite the sweat everyday. Since so much attention goes into what we eat, it only makes sense that we would look for a long-lasting deodorant with natural ingredients like Tom's of Maine.

Deodorant doesn't grow on trees and neither do stores in the country, so when I decided to try Tom's deodorant I turned to my favorite online option, Amazon.

As a Prime customer, I found options for getting my new deodorant delivered in just 2 days. This time though I tried the Prime Pantry box. I was able to get a flat rate for the whole box and could fill it with as much as it would hold. We also use Tom's of Maine toothpaste in our house and I order that through Amazon on a monthly subscription. Now I can combine all my ordering on a monthly schedule. This saves me a lot of unwanted trips into town.

I ordered the Naturally Dry Antiperspirant and the Long Lasting unscented for myself. Chasing the kids and weed control in our family garden can leave me a dripping mess on a hot day. For those days I plan to use the Naturally Dry. But for date night or trips into the city I can use the Long Lasting option.

When I mentioned I was going to try Tom's of Maine deodorant, my husband had me grab some for him. There is a long lasting men's deodorant option. My husband has just started using it, but I am curious to see how it holds up to the demands of a busy farmer. That will be a true test.

Living on a 5-generation farm means there is a lot of old equipment.. It also means that some of the methods used have been passed down from generation to generation, just like this old tractor. Simple and natural solutions work on the farm, and we don't have a need for artificial colors, flavors, fragrances, or preservative in the food we grow. I like the idea of leaving those out of my body with natural personal care products. I like to stay #FreshNaturally.

All I ask from a deodorant is that I smell like... well, it doesn't have to be flowers, but at least it shouldn't smell bad. There is no shortage of work to be done around the house and farm. These Gerbera Daisies are desparate for a good weeding, but I know that will be one dirty and sweaty job.

Don't worry. It's on the to-do list.

Everyday there are things to be picked, processed and enjoyed. We like to embrace each season and fully utilize what is available. I pick while I can and preserve things to get us through the long Winter.

Kitchen work, with lifting and stirring over a hot stove, always works up a sweat. Do you watch any reality TV cooking competitions? We love watching "Chopped" on Food Network. The contestants are constantly wiping their brows as they slave over the grill or stove. Some days my kitchen feels like that when I am processing canned goods and keeping my family of 5 fed and happy.

We moved out here, just a short distance from where my husband and his family grew up to give our kids a memorable childhood. I wanted them to be able to collect bugs in the yard and play catch with a dog. There are some real pro's to living outside the city limits.

Looking inside a squash blossom today I noticed both a helpful insect right alongside a harmful one. That is a lot like living out in the country. Natural means we get dirty, and sometimes a little stinky working out in the garden. It is a lot of hard work and to keep cool my body tries to compensate.

I like being natural, but letting body odor or sweat stains hold me back from socializing seems unnatural.

Things are not going to stop growing around here. (At least for the next several months!) From the kids to the squash, growing is busy, dirty, fun business. Keeping everything healthy and happy keeps me busy.

And when I can do it all and stay dry I have more time to enjoy the simple pleasures of country life like a rainbow over the alfalfa field.

And now, don't mind me, but I have to get back to work. For a peek into my busy/dirty day, check out my Instagram video:




Have you tried Tom's of Maine products? Which deodorant would you like to try?

Passing Down the Growing Gene

I like to say that gardening is in my blood. My grandpa was a gardener, my Mom and her siblings all had the urge to grow things, and now I have the pleasure of passing it down to my kids.

The truth is, they just like to play in the dirt... but at least it is a start.

Today we finally got (most of) our plants in the ground. The big starts we purchased are planted and we just have a few trays of seedlings to transplant tomorrow. Those can wait a little while longer. The lettuce blends can get a little bigger before venturing forth from the greenhouse and out into the ground.

The best part of gardening for me isn't the extra vegetables in our salad or on our dinner plates. No, it is the sense of pride we all have in growing our own food.

My husband is a farmer and doesn't quite understand my need for a garden. Yes, he grows more than enough vegetables for all of us. The big difference is we didn't plant those. My kids helped me plant all the seeds. We watered the trays of dirt every morning as we walked to the bus stop. My kids counted and reported to me every single new sprout that showed up in the past day. And my kids will be helping me pick and prepare those veggies.

Zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, lettuce, chard, tomatillos and bok choy.

No, it isn't about the vegetables. It is all about the hard work you put into that one ripe tomato.

For that reason I am proud to be raising two little budding gardeners. I am working hard to pass down the growing gene for future generations.

Do you have a garden this year?