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Where has the summer gone? …. Here’s the latest

The 2010 winner of the Global Sun Oven was Erik Elmer of Nampa, Idaho!

Erik will be sending me some pictures of him with his Sun Oven. I look forward to sharing them here! Once a year, Yah willing, KCC will give away, via a drawing a Sun Oven. So stay tuned for how to enter next year’s drawing. Maybe it will be you!

There was a day when food was thoughtfully prepared from basic ingredients, most of which came from the local economy if not the backyard itself.

Much of what we call “cooking” consists of opening packages, bottles and cans purchased at the mega low cost food mart, than assembling the ingredients   in a color by number   style and heating up the [...]]]> The kitchen is said to be the heart of the home,

yet many of today’s kitchens function more like the company break room.

There was a day when food was thoughtfully prepared from basic ingredients, most of which came from the local economy if not the backyard itself.

Much of what we call “cooking” consists of opening packages, bottles and cans purchased at the mega low cost food mart, than assembling the ingredients   in a color by number   style and heating up the results.

In this kitchen environment   the conventional range gets very little play time because the   microwave is stealing the show as well as the remaining health in the food being prepared.

Many cooking; shows, books, home party plans and trade shows marketing to middleclass moms, focus not on preparing truly healthy foods but on having family time around the table. That’s cool, but families should eat Well together, not just consume the latest combination of advertised food stuffs that the billion dollar food industry is churning out into the grocery markets.

The major thrust of all this is convenience. Voices, in the market place, are chanting that we don’t have the time, that we need a fast fix for our hunger, a time saver so we can get on with the important things in life like working, shopping and playing.

But seriously, we all still have the same 24 hour day as did  our  grandmothers,

not to mention a battery of labor saving devices at our disposal. So it’s really not about, not having enough time, but rather, what are you doing with YOUR time.

To further make the point that our food industry has gone berserk is all the controversial nutrition disinformation.

Are we really so gullible to believe that food products, created months   ago, in  food stuff factories , hundreds if not thousands of miles from our kitchen, are  really healthy??? So what if it doesn’t contain artificial colors, or artificial preservatives, is low fat,  all natural or even organic. It’s old, processed and there is a reason that it doesn’t spoil on the store shelf and in our pantry cupboard….there is nothing left to decay!  It’s already dead.

It is an empty harvest.. a ruse to make you think that you have when you don’t.. unfortunately you spent your money on their product didn’t you?

The money that you earned being too busy to cook for yourself..

Do you need these types of products??? Is it conceivable to live without cold breakfast cereal or the hot ones in the cute packages that come in all the nifty flavors that you just heat up in the M-wave?  Could you find the time to make your bread from flour you’ve milled yourself?

Are you even a little curious as to how to make it happen for you and your family?

YOU CAN!!!!!!  It isn’t hard. You just need to learn how , understand why and then you are off to creating your own Kitchen Counter Culture.

The mission of this site is to;

Show you the skills necessary in making the transition from grocery shopper to grocery maker,

Equip you with information that is critical for you to make truly informed choices concerning your food purchases.

Empower you to facilitate  health and wellness in yourself and the ones you love through “at home” food preparation.

And to have FUN;  learning ,creating and  cooking with your family, friends and neighbors..

I’m happy you’ve read this far…..  :0)

Now take the next step and

KEEP FOOD REAL!

Email me and we will set a time for you,  your group, or church to learn the why and the how to making delicious, nutritious food at home :0)

Blessings!

Judith Parker,  HN

judith@kitchencounterculture.com

Below is a copy of an email I received…. I am posting it here and I hope that many of you respond :0)

Our LOCAL Farmers need our help NOW!

KEEP FOOD REAL!

Thanks,

Judith

Dear Raw Milk Advocate:

As you may be aware, there are currently proposed legislative rules before the House and the Senate in Boise concerning Cow/Herd Share Programs in Idaho and our ability as Farmers to continue to provide these services to people who wish to use them.  There are [...]]]> Below is a copy of an email I received…. I am posting it here and I hope that many of you respond :0)

Our LOCAL Farmers need our help NOW!

KEEP FOOD REAL!

Thanks,

Judith

Dear Raw Milk Advocate:

As you may be aware, there are currently proposed legislative rules before the House and the Senate in Boise concerning Cow/Herd Share Programs in Idaho and our ability as Farmers to continue to provide these services to people who wish to use them.  There are some good parts to the proposed rules which will help to assure the cleanliness of the milk, such as regular testing of the milk for bacteria counts, etc.  However, there is one proposal which could, in effect, drastically limit the availability of raw milk from Herd Share Programs in the future.  That is that each herd would be limited to no more than three lactating cows or seven goats or sheep.

This limitation, in my opinion, is unrealistic, as it in no way serves to reduce the risk of contaminated milk; safe milk depends on cleanliness. But it does severely limit the amount of milk a single farm can produce for its boarders.  Therefore it will limit the number of consumers who can use the boarding services. 

If you agree, and you would like to help protect the right of consumers to drink raw milk please contact the legislators listed below and let your voice be heard IMMEDIATELY!

The House and the Senate work simultaneously to hear the rules. Below are each of the committee members of the Senate Agricultural Affairs Committee and their email addresses:

Senator  Tim  Corder (R), Mountain Home – Chair, tcorder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Chuck  Winder (R), Boise - Vice Chair cwinder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Gary  Schroeder (R), Moscow,   gschroeder@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Brent  Hill (R), Rexburg,   bhill@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  John  McGee (R), Caldwell,   jmcgee@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Leland  Heinrich (R), Cascade,   lheinrich@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Melinda  Smyser (R), Parma,  msmyser@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Edgar  Malepeai (D), Pocatello,  emalepeai@senate.idaho.gov

Senator  Les  Bock (D), Boise,  lbock@senate.idaho.gov

We have learned that the representatives of the House Agriculture subcommittee that will study the rules are as follows (with links to their e-mail addresses):

Rep. Ken Andrus, (R) Lava Hot Springs, Chairman, kandrus@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Mack Shirley, (R) Rexburg, mshirley@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Dennis Lake, (R) Blackfoot,
dlake@house.idaho.gov

Rep. Donna Pence, (D) Gooding. dpence@house.idaho.gov

You can email members of the House Agricultural Affairs Committee at the following website: http://legislature.idaho.gov/about/contactbycommittee.cfm.

If you or others wish to have your voices heard, you must act now! If you believe that people should be able to drink raw milk if they wish and that producers should not be limited by unreasonable low herd size limits please email each of the above legislators immediately or it will be too late to make your voice heard.

Sincerely,

Luana Hiebert
Heritage Farms
PO Box 247
Cocolalla, ID  83813
208-683-4410

When you purchase from Heritage Farms you support a local farmer, sustainable agriculture, and thus, the very environment in which you live!

I had a fantastic conversation yesterday with my good friend Deborah Cameron!

We are going to move ahead with….

Boise has the Boise Co Op and Nampa, the second largest city in Idaho, needs a Food Co OP to serve the west end and central valley residents.

We are going to try for a grant and also secure pledges from potential members. This is an [...]]]>

I had a fantastic conversation yesterday with my good friend Deborah Cameron!

We are going to move ahead with….

our dream project of a Real Food Co Op for our end of the Treasure Valley!

Boise has the Boise Co Op and Nampa, the second largest city in Idaho, needs a Food Co OP to serve the west end and central valley residents.

We are going to try for a grant and also secure pledges from potential members. This is an exciting project for both of us.

I welcome input from my readers as I embark on this journey. I am a firm believer in the power of collaboration and co facilitation… Like minded people can achieve more together than alone.

Deb Cameron had the very successful Henny Penny Market in south Nampa. She will be managing the new Co Op . Her management style is one of a team builder who has the gift of bringing out the talents of her employees. I have learned a lot from Deb over the years that I have known her. Her entrepreneurial spirit is based in integrity and a love for this community.

Deb has an eye for beauty and a passion for real food. I look forward to working and growing alongside this strong, gentle woman as we bring our dream to reality.

The Real Food Co Op will…

• Be a viable source for REAL FOOD  in the Treasure Valley area
  

• Provide wholesome food to low income people by accepting the Idaho Quest Card.

The Co Op will also offer educational programs such as….

• Eating healthy on a budget
  
• Artisan Bread baking
  
• How to prepare Grass Fed Beef
  
• Dinner from your back yard
  
• Cheese making
  
• Gluten Free Baking
  
• Raw Foods
  
• Organic and Sustainability….the truth
  
• Green Cleaning
  

And more….

To stay up to date on the progress of the Real Food CoOp become a Fan Of “Future REAL FOOD CoOp, Nampa Idaho” on FaceBook .

photos taken by me in Klamath Falls, Oregon At Night Fire Natural Foods (thanks guys)

Our dear neighbor, Bill passed away of heart attack two mornings ago. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who with his wife were raising four terrific grandchildren. Us neighbors rallied and began to prepare that evenings meal.

I thought what would the kids want? …..what would bring comfort?…homemade mac and cheese was the choice. I would bake it in their oven.

My daughter helped tidy their house… Bill’s [...]]]> Comfort foods….I have gained a fresh perspective on this phrase.

Our dear neighbor, Bill passed away of heart attack two mornings ago. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who with his wife were raising four terrific grandchildren. Us neighbors rallied and began to prepare that evenings meal.

I thought what would the kids want? …..what would bring comfort?…homemade mac and cheese was the choice. I would bake it in their oven.

My daughter helped tidy their house… Bill’s wife, Evelyn, had been up into the wee hours the night before, baking holiday cookies… and the kitchen had been left undone..

I thought a tidy kitchen and the smell of good food cooking would bring a bit of sanity to their day.

The dinner: Roasted Chicken, Mac and Cheese, a lovely green salad with homemade ranch dressing, hot fresh bread, and a beautiful, homemade, apple pie for dessert.

There were three households involved in creating this gift. You could feel the love in the room when they sat down to eat their first meal without Bill.

I realized the importance of healthy real food during the grieving process.

The need for REAL food to nourish the body and the soul is what is called for.

The entire family felt the compassion and love that went into that very poignant meal. As the days have passed friends and the congregations meals team has kept the stream of home made meals streaming to their door.

What a precious offering of love this is; to bring food into healing situations such as this one.

The blessing of a gift real food is one that should never be taken for granted…and it should always be the first choice when sickness or crisis is the need.

When a friend said that she was sorry that this happened right before Christmas, Evelyn replied sincerely, “I have to stop myself from being selfish… Bill is having his best Christmas ever..”

Don’t worry Bill. We will make sure your family is well fed and loved through this holiday season and beyond…

~ Blessings ~

And ALWAYS

Keep Food REAL!

Judith

I have always had a food stash…. but a  way to cook  was never an issue before.

In my old home we had a wood stove that we were able to cook on.

We have the propane camp stove but I found a very good addition to emergency food prep a Global Sun Oven.

We use the Solar Oven  as long as the sun  is shining (we [...]]]> We are trying to get our act together and become better prepared.

Prepared for what?

• economic trouble
• winter weather
• civil unrest…

I have always had a food stash…. but a  way to cook  was never an issue before.

In my old home we had a wood stove that we were able to cook on.

We have the propane camp stove but I found a very good addition to emergency food prep a Global Sun Oven.

We use the Solar Oven  as long as the sun  is shining (we have 200+ days of sunshine) . It’s a great alternative cooking source. 

I have a friend that likes to take his Solar Cooker  hunting when they have a ban on fires.

I can even use my Sun Oven for canning.

Take a look at the deal I’m offering on Global Sun Ovens….

I want to share the fun and advantages of cooking with free energy..

Order through my blog site to get the bonuses and free shipping.

Another way to be green and

Keep Food REAL!

Get Your Sun Oven TODAY!!

SunOvenCooking .com

Here is an excerpt fromMSGTruth.org.

I wish every every family in America would get this garbage, MSG, out of their home pantries and take out food stuffs.

——————————————————————————————————————————————–

MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate is a salt of the amino acid – Glutamic Acid (glutamate).  A salt is the chemical name for a molecule held together by opposite charges.   Basically one (mono) sodium atom is “stuck” to the amino acid glutamate.

Body Systems Affected

My 4 year old grandson informed his mother that he didn’t like the “dead” milk that she was purchasing from the grocery store. He said “Safta’s (that’s me) milk tastes better and is real NOT dead.”

If you ever wonder if kids are listening..this is proof. I have never sat my grandson down and schooled him on the benefits of raw milk verses ultra pasteurized confinement produced milk..

He has been listening to [...]]]> I had to share this with you…..

My 4 year old grandson informed his mother that he didn’t like the “dead” milk that she was purchasing from the grocery store. He said “Safta’s (that’s me) milk tastes better and is real NOT dead.”

If you ever wonder if kids are listening..this is proof. I have never sat my grandson down and schooled him on the benefits of raw milk verses ultra pasteurized confinement produced milk..

But he knows!

He has been listening to me chat on the phone with Raw milk enthusiasts and over hearing my rant about Raw milk “guidelines” being  perpetrated by big dairy in our State of Idaho.

I’m glad he has been paying attention.. and that he been such a little activist… Now his Mom is a raw milk enthusiast too..

Here’s to protecting our food freedoms…

the right to real food …

Blessings,

Keep Food REAL!

Judith

that the insidious bill HR2749 passed the HOUSE… It was good to see decent men and woman, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (VA) and Virginia Foxx (NC) to name two work so hard on behalf of the PEOPLE. They put up  a good fight. They must be getting tired under this current quasi communist regime.

Now it’s off to the Senate and we can hope that this administrations idea of food/safety policy won’t erode further into the [...]]]> It’s too bad…..

that the insidious bill HR2749 passed the HOUSE… It was good to see decent men and woman, Representatives Bob Goodlatte (VA) and Virginia Foxx (NC) to name two work so hard on behalf of the PEOPLE. They put up  a good fight. They must be getting tired under this current quasi communist regime.

Now it’s off to the Senate and we can hope that this administrations idea of food/safety policy won’t erode further into the dreaded food supply controls that are the hallmark of past socialist leaders.

In the mean time….

I am putting together my new site for solar cooking. On this site Solar Chefs can share ideas, other solar cooking blogs, recipes, building plans etc.

Big OFFER Coming!

I will feature products, including solar ovens that will complement our green cookin’ ways.

My goal is to put 100 solar cookers into operation!

Baking bread in my solar oven ...

To make that happen  I am going to be offering the first hundred solar ovens at a really great price. I MEAN A REALLY GREAT PRICE!!!

Better get back at it…

Keep Food REAL!!

Blessings,

Judith