A Farm to Table Update
December 15, 2019 Farm News
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Today's Highlights Table of Contents:
Click: Christmas FREEBIES
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Humblest thank you for another beautiful Farm to Table year -- making an impact in lives of friends and neighbors by supporting our local producers, farmers, Farm to School and organic growers.
Christmas Blessings for you---
Love, Bluebird
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These savory, stuffing stuffed apples are made with cornbread muffins, celery, chopped apples, chopped vidalia onions and butter. All combined with thyme, cracked black pepper and chicken bouillon.
5 apples
INCLUDED IN FULL BOX
4 cornbread muffins
1/2 butter stick
1/2 cup of chopped celery
INCLUDED IN BOX
1/3 cup of chopped vidalia onions
INCLUDED IN BOX
1/3 cup green onions
2 cups apples pulp
INCLUDED IN BOX
1 tablespoon of thyme
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1 tablespoon of chicken bouillon
2 cups of apple cider
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Fruit Brandy Basics
This three-ingredient brandy couldn't be easier to make...
Make brandied fruit today...ready next week for Christmas.
2 cups brandy
4 medium apples
1 cup simple syrup (spiced, if desired)
APPLES INCLUDED IN BOX
Pears, apples, grapes, peaches and plums can all be made into brandied fruit. If using berries, optionally additional sugar can be added, as berries are lower in sugar than other fruits.
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Christmas roasted turkey --glazed with apple brandy, maple butter and fresh sage.
Garnishes
Stuffing Stuffed Apples, garnish
APPLES INCLUDED IN BOX
3 Fresh Sage sprigs, garnish
Apple Brandy Glaze & Seasonings
1 tablespoon apple brandy
2 cups apple cider
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh thyme
2 teaspoons fresh sage, snipped leaves
1 lemon, zest only
3/4 cup butter
Turkey & Giblet Gravy
14 pounds turkey, giblets reserved
2 cups chopped onion
INCLUDED IN BOX
1 cup chopped celery
INCLUDED IN BOX
1 cup coarsely chopped carrot
INCLUDED IN BOX
2 cups chicken stock
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
1 small bay leaf
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4 whole Cinnamon Sticks
1/8 teaspoon Ground Cloves
8 whole Allspice Berries
Orange Peel From 1 Orange
Lemon Peel From 1 Lemon
1 sliced apple
INCLUDED IN BOX
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
6 cups Unfiltered (fresh juiced Is Great)
Apple Juice
1/2 cup Dark Rum (optional)
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Use fresh ginger in this week's Christmas boxes
for Gingerbird ornaments.
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Christmas Harvest
5 Ways to bring crops, produce,
berries and greenery inside --
to decorate our homes for Christmas &
share the bounty with family and friends.
1. Apples - Hollow out for candles
2. Oranges - Pomander
3. Veggies, Fruits, Nuts for Wreaths, Mantel, Tables
4. Tree for the Birds (board here)
5. Wheat Sheaves Julenek
One of the prettiest of Christmas customs is the Norwegian practice of giving, on Christmas Day, a dinner to the birds.
Birds are an important part of Christmas in Norway. On Christmas Eve, sheaves of wheat or oats are tied to a post or hung on the door, to feed the birds on Christmas morning. This bundle of grain, the julenek, has become a symbol of Christmas in Norway, and a julenek hangs on nearly every door, decorated with bows and ready for avian visitors. It's good to remember birds and all wild creatures this season! Source: BirdNote
100 year old poem excerpt by Mrs. A. M. Tomlinson
From many a low-thatched cottage roof,
On Christmas eve, 'tis said,
A sheaf of grain (julenek) is hung on high,
To feed the birds o'erhead.
And this was the anthem they sweetly sang,
Over and over again:
"The Christ-child came on earth to bless
The birds as well as men."
"For the Father of all, who reigneth o'er,
His children will ne'er forsake,
When they feed the birds from their scanty store,
For the blessed Christ-child's sake."
"The fields of kindness bear golden grain,"
Is a proverb true and tried----
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Restorer of Health
'Restaurant' Name Origin
The word 'Restaurant' derives from the French verb restaurer, meaning to restore.. describing the thick vegetable soups and bouillon bone broths sold by street vendors that were advertised to restore your health. ... this led to the use of the word restaurant to describe such shops. The first use of the word to refer to a public venue where one can order food is believed to be in the 18th century. In 1765, a French chef by the name of A. Boulanger established a business selling soups and other "restaurants" ("restoratives"). The French word restaurants that described Boulanger's broths is from
the Latin restaurare, meaning "to renew."
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3 carrots
INCLUDED IN BOX
2 celery stalks
INCLUDED IN BOX
3 garlic cloves (crushed)
2 pounds beef, turkey or chicken bones (with marrow)
1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon whole peppercorns
10 cups water
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2 sweet potatoes (Large, peeled and cut into 1 inch by 4 inch sticks)
INCLUDED IN BOX
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 head cabbage a small head
INCLUDED IN FULL BOX
1/2 head red cabbage or radicchio
4-5 stalks kale
INCLUDED IN FULL BOX
1/4 cup fresh organic cranberries
1/2 pomegranate
INCLUDED IN CHRISTMAS BOX
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Red Velvet Truffles
(With Natural Beet Coloring)
Red Velvet Truffles are INCLUDED IN FREEBIE
TODAY ONLY - MENNONITE BAKERY
1 cup dried pitted dates
1 cup peeled & grated fresh beetroot
INCLUDED IN BOX
1&1/2 cups finely shredded coconut
2 tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
2 tbsp chopped dark chocolate (80% cocoa solids or higher is delicious here)
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Red Velvet Christmas Cake
with Natural Beet Coloring,
No-Dye
Cream Cheese Frosting
1-2 tablespoons milk
2 cups sifted confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
Red Velvet Cake
2 ½ cups cake flour
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup beet puree
INCLUDED IN BOX
½ cup + 2 tablespoons orange juice
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
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Red Velvet Christmas Cupcakes
(With Natural Beet Coloring)
6 beets (boiled for 40 minutes, and then cooled, peeled, and chopped coarsely) INCLUDED IN BOX
1/2 cup butter (softened)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vinegar (or lemon juice)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups spelt or plain flour
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Veggies
2 pounds heirloom tomatoes
INCLUDED IN BOX
1 carrot (large, peeled and chopped)
INCLUDED IN BOX
1/2 cup white onion (sweet, chopped)
INCLUDED IN BOX
Oil and Bone Broth
2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
2 cups vegetable bone broth (low sodium)
Herb Seasonings
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 cup basil leaves (fresh and packed)
1 1/2 teaspoons Himalayan salt
black pepper (dash)
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Veggies
2 cups heirloom tomatoes
INCLUDED IN BOX
Butter
8 ounces unsalted butter (at room temperature)
Herb Seasonings
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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Veggies
2 green or yellow onions
INCLUDED IN BOX
2 cups heirloom tomatoes
INCLUDED IN BOX
Cheeses and Crust
1 pie crust (Premade 9 Inch)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Herb & Bread Crumb Seasonings
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Swiss Christmas Heritage
Hometown Georgia Mennonites
Swiss Alps Region
Highlighting Swiss Christmas Heritage:
Swiss Chocolates
Swiss Cookies
Swiss Cheese Fondue
Turnip Root Lantern (räbe, räbenlicht) Caroling Parades
Today's Christmas FREEBIE
Mennonite Chocolate Truffles
1/2 dozen
with 12 week Full & Half subscriptions
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1 bar 300 grams milk chocolate (Swiss Classic, chopped)
1 tablespoon butter (softened)
chocolate shavings (chopped chocolate)
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Swiss Christmas Heritage
Christmas Cookies
1461 Christmas Honey Cookies - Zurich Switzerland
Tirggel are very thin, very hard, Honey Cookies with a slightly raised (wooden moulded) image on top-- originating in 1461, recorded as Dirgel Biscuits in Zürich, Switzerland.
1300's Christmas Spice Cookies - Basel Switzerland
The Basler Läckerli is a hard spice cookie, originally created by local spice merchants over 700 years ago in Basel, Switzerland. It is made of honey, hazelnuts, almonds, candied peel, and Kirsch.
Medieval Swiss Monasteries, Lebkuchen Christmas Cookies - Berne Switzerland
2 signature varieties of lebkuchen cookies are made by Bernese bakers.
1-- Berner Haselnusslebkuchen- Bernese Hazlenut Gingerbread are cookies made from ground hazelnuts, honey, almonds, cinnamon, candied lemon and orange peel, egg white.
2-- Berner Honiglebkuchen- Bernese Honey Gingerbread are cookies made with elaborate sugar decorations from dough of honey, milk, butter, flour, leavening & spices --coriander, anise, star anise, cloves, ginger and nutmeg.
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6 ounces dark chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
granulated sugar (for dusting)
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1 clove garlic, minced
1 lb. Gruyere cheese, shredded (or 1/2 lb Gruyere + 1/2 lb Emmental cheese)
3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
A splash or two of kirsch (opt)
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Emmental Swiss Cheese
Gruyere Swiss Cheese
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British Christmas Heritage
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French Christmas Heritage
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Scandi Christmas Heritage
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How Swedish use Crops and Produce to Decorate for Christmas
Swedish Christmas Traditions
-Highlights-
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cookie dough (Molasses-Gingerbread)
flour for dusting (All-purpose)
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The Song of Wandering Aengus first appeared in William Butler Yeats’ collection of poems, The Wind Among the Reeds, published in 1899. It was voted Ireland’s 4th most popular poem by the Irish Times. The central folklore theme is a lifelong search for unconditional love.
I dropped a berry in a stream
And caught a little silver trout.
Though I am old with wandering
Through hollow lands and hilly lands
And walk among long dappled grass
And pluck till time and times are done
The silver apples of the moon,
The golden apples of the sun.
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BOGO 50% Savings Today
Sign Up
for 12 week
Farm to Table
Subscriptions
Half only $15/week
Full only $25/week
receive 1 FREE Baked Good
baked in local Mennonite kitchen.
Week ENDING 12/15/19:
[Fuji apples (One of best all around heirloom eating apples, top on sweetness index. They can be baked into crisps, crumbles, tarts, cakes, galettes, and breads. Apple slices may also be cooked down into preserves and butters, or pureed into sauces and soups.) — in FULL shares] heirloom assorted orange, grape and red tomatoes & chocolate heirloom tomatoes, sweet collard sprouts, sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots, beets, celery for stuffing, yellow onions, Romaine lettuce and more…
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December Greetings
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Regional Strawberry Season
Begins in December
Free Winter Berries when Available
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2 cups natural Greek yogurt
5 strawberries (chopped into small pieces)
INCLUDED IN FULL CHRISTMAS SHARES
1 tablespoon dried cranberries
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Good morning,
Bluebird's convenient online ordering window will be closing for this week's farm box orders today, December 15, 2019. If you have not yet placed your order,
you may log on and place your order today by clicking here:
Bluebird
11th Anniversary 2008-2019
Celebrating 11 Years of Local & Organic
Affordable Healthy Fresh
with Bluebird
...like being first in line at your favorite farmers market
Order by the week
- ONLY $15 QTR SHARE
- ONLY $30 HALF SHARE
- ONLY $50 FULL SHARE
Order by the season 50% savings!
- ONLY $180 QTR SHARES (only $15/week)
- ONLY $300 HALF SHARES (only $30/week)
- ONLY $600 FULL SHARES (only $50/week)
- Begin any week you like. Skip any week you like. Year round.
50+ Convenient Pickup Locations. Find one near you.
"People who eat seven or more portions of fresh fruits and vegetables
each day may reduce their risk of dying from a wide variety of diseases
by as much as 42 percent over people who consume less than one portion"
Skip Any Week You Like
bluebirdmarket@gmail.com or Text 706-938-8829. Automatic roll over.
Steady as Rain, Year Round
Dependable. Convenient. Farm Fresh Harvest. Year round.
Friends of Family Farms
Caring. Local. Organic practices.
Thank you for Communicating any Issues
Happy to make adjustments. We welcome all feedback. bluebirdmarket@gmail.com
or Text 706-938-8829
Weekly farm updates
Fun place for healthy, fresh Recipe Ideas.
Frank Robinson, Bluebird CSA Director, grape harvesting.
What's in my weekly farm box?
Daily Harvest varies, sweet corn, green beans, summer squash, Vidalia onions, apples, red slicing tomatoes, sweet potatoes, greenleaf lettuce, heirloom cherry tomatoes and more...
Certified Organic items last week:
organic red grapes...
Green Smoothie Shares
Farmers Choice, Seasonal:
Shares vary according to daily harvest.
When available, Free Bonus regional or Certified Organic fruits may be added.
Early Summer Harvest of peaches, yellow squash, zucchini, sweet corn, strawberries, blackberries, green beans, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe, grapes, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, sweet onions and more!
This Week's
Quick & Easy
Recipe Bee
This week's Christmas recipe ideas!
Ingredients
2 stalks celery (chopped)
INCLUDED IN BOX
1 apple (chopped)
INCLUDED IN BOX
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 cups low sodium chicken stock
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Farm to School
Inspired for healthy living and well-being.
1/3 cup pecans (almonds, or cashews)
1 tablespoon peeled fresh ginger INCLUDED IN BOX
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon each of, cloves, and nutmeg
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Ask about Delivery to your Door
Call 706-938-8829 to add your school or business for weekly Farm Box Deliveries.
Milner: Zoe Pediatrics, Home Deliveries
Barnesville: Mahindra Tractor,
Sign Co., Dance Studio, Children's Shop,
United Bank Operations Center,
Manley Photography, Farm Bureau,
Trends Hair Salon,home & farm deliveries and more...
Griffin: 2nd Time Around, Farm Bureau,
Upholstery, Griffin Gallery, Griffin Imaging, Dr Kirkland Dentist,
Waypoint Veterans, Trophy & Embroidery,
Southern Styles, Illusions, Dollhouse, Spalding Regional, Orthopedic Solutions, home deliveries and more...
Thomaston: DART, U-Haul, Split Endz, Rescue Me, Aqua Unlimited, Paw Spa, Rose Petal,
5 Star Tire, Pickled Pear, Providence Nursing Home, French Kiss, home deliveries and more...
Concord: Home deliveries
Colloden - Home Deliveries
Zebulon: City Pharmacy, Pike Depot, Ranger Petroleum, Farm Bureau, Tax Accountants,
Rita's Salon, The Salon, 19 North Salon and more...
Woodbury: Lemon Cattle Farm, home delivery, Sandbox Antiques, High Cotton
Molena: Storytellers Antiques
Brooks: Brooks FUMC
Senoia: Garden Shop
Courtesy Text Alert and Priority Contact:
706-938-8829 Time-Saving, Free Text Message when your farm box has been delivered and is ready for you to pickup. bluebirdmarket@gmail.com 706-938-8829.
Fun Place for Fresh Food Recipe Ideas 48,000+ Followers.
How might we better serve you? We welcome all feedback: bluebirdmarket@gmail.com
Please txt 706.938.8829 if you need immediate or priority assistance. Bluebird is at your service!
Thank you for supporting Georgia farmers and organic producers year round in 2018
with Bluebird CSA!
Kindest regards,
Patti Robinson
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Cranberries Freeze Well.
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½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
⅓ cup coconut or granulated sugar
⅓ cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
½ cup dried cranberries INCLUDED IN FULL BOX
½ cup grated orange peel
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Free Download for Bluebird Members
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1 1/2 C heavy cream
1 1/2 C whole milk
1/4 C granulated sugar
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1/4-1/2 tsp peppermint extract
whipped cream
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1 1/2 cups balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons brown sugar
12 ounces grape OR cherry tomatoes
INCLUDED IN BOX
10 ounces fresh mozzarella balls
4 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
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Homemade Apple Butter (No Sugar Added) Apples & Spices only
Organic apples INCLUDED IN FULL SHARES.
Makes 16-20 ounces
Ingredients:
1-3 lbs. apples INCLUDED IN FULL BOX
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup water
Directions:
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Core and chop the apples and place them in the bowl of your slow cooker. Add in the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and water then cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or until the apples are tender enough to fall apart with mashed with a fork.
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To make applesauce, use an immersion blender to puree the cooked apples. (If you chose to peel your apples, you can just use a fork or potato masher to break down the apples.) You could stop here, and enjoy this delicious spiced applesauce, but you’ll need to keep cooking it down to create apple butter.
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Loosely cover the pot with the lid, leaving a vent for steam to escape, and set the slow cooker to cook for another 6 to 8 hours on low, or until the applesauce has reduced by nearly half. Alternatively, you could heat the applesauce on high 45 minutes, then reduce the heat to low to quicken the process, but be sure to not leave it on high too long, or you’ll risk burning the apples on the bottom.
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Once the apple butter is nice and thick, transfer it to a glass jar and store it in the fridge for up to two weeks. (You can also freeze any extra for a longer shelf life!) Serve the apple butter over your favorite toast, pancakes, meats, salads, or simply enjoy it by the spoonful!
Recipe Notes
*Since you have to leave the pot slightly uncovered while cooking, you may want to place some towels around your slow cooker to catch any splattering.
Notes:
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, feel free to make apple butter over a stove top– just make sure to keep the heat low and stir often to prevent burning.
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A nutrient-rich, healthy quick bread made with shredded carrots, apples, bananas, whole grain & almond flours, with a walnut oat topping.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 ¼ cups oat, whole wheat pastry, whole wheat or all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup almond flour
- 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ¾ tsp. baking powder
- ¾ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. coarse salt
- 2 medium ripe bananas (about 1 cup) INCLUDED IN FULL FARM BOX
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 medium carrots, shredded (about 1 ½ cups) INCLUDED IN FARM BOX
- 1 medium apple, shredded or diced (about 1 ½ cups) INCLUDED IN FARM BOX
Streusel:
- 3 Tbsp. melted butter
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together oat flour, almond flour, flax seed, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- In another medium bowl, use a hand mixer to whisk together bananas, brown sugar and oil until fluffy. Whisk in egg, then vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. Slowly add dry ingredients to the banana mixture while whisking on medium speed, just until combined. Fold in shredded carrot and apple. Pour mixture into the loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together streusel ingredients. Evenly coat top of bread batter with the streusel mixture. Bake for 50-55 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool, then slice and serve.
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Christmas FREEBIES
Personal EDU use only.
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More Christmas
FREEBIES
Personal EDU use only.
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Etsy
to support a local Poet
who likes to pray for people's needs...
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Healthy Goodness to Your Door!...
Varies with Daily Harvest
Carrots - Evidence suggests that eating more antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, can help reduce the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Carrots are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.
Organic Gala Apples - According to research, apples may be the most healthful food a person can eat. Benefits may include improving brain health, reducing the risk of stroke, cancer and heart disease.
Greenleaf Lettuce - low in fiber, it has a high water content, making it a refreshing choice during hot weather. ---anti-inflammatory properties that help in controlling inflammation. ---lettuce possesses anxiolytic (antianxiety) properties. --small amounts of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and sugars. The minerals and vitamins found in it include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc along with B-vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin C, A, E, and vitamin K.
Beets - remedy to activate liver enzymes and increase bile, which helps the liver's detox function. It's high in betalains and other compounds that have been shown to reduce inflammation, protect against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of liver damage.
Sweet White Corn- Besides helping with weight loss, the insoluble fiber in corn feeds good bacteria in your gut, which aids in digestion and helps keep you regular. Throw in a healthy amount of B vitamins, plus iron, protein and potassium, and you've got one sweet package.
Green Beans- good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, folate, vitamin K and silicon (needed for healthy bones, skin, and hair).
Yellow & Orange Sweet Bell Peppers - packed with vitamins and low in calories! They are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. Bell Peppers also contain a healthy dose of fiber, folate, and iron.
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America * Liberty
-- the humble birth of a farming nation.
Strength| Fitness| Nourish| Soundness| Self-Reliance| Prosperity| Abundance| Health| Peace
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Bluebird Recipe Ideas
3 Popular Places for
Farm to Table Recipe Ideas
48,300+ Followers, 240+ Boards
Bluebird Goodness on Pinterest, Yummly & Recipe BEE
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Farm-to-School
Seed Bank, Edible Schoolyard Gardens
TEACH
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