A great pot of beans!

I have always loved beans. I loved the little squash as you bit through the thin skin and the flavor burst into your mouth. Oddly enough what I loved most about beans is exactly the thing my mother detested about beans. Consequently beans very rarely graced our family table–thank God for church potlucks!

As an adult I began experimenting with beans. Adding canned beans to dishes like chili and trying to make my own black bean soup. Then I discovered dried beans. My early attempts were not very good, pretty bland but adding them to dishes it was OK.

When I was pregnant with Two I craved black beans, tortillas and root beer. I continued to try and perfect my bean recipe.

Last year we farmed with a wonderful and inspiring woman named Paula. She started a farm as a 2nd career and decided to focus her farm on heirloom beans. Learn more about her farm at Encore Farm. I had never considered growing dried beans before but she encouraged me to give it a try. We did and grew Tiger Eye heirloom beans purchased from Seed Savers. For our first try it turned out pretty good.

This time around with my pregnancy I am craving bean buritoes ala Chipotle. However we could easily grow broke doing that so instead I make a big pot of beans and today we will have homemade buritoes. Here’s a picture of our beans getting ready for the pot.

I like to cook my beans in the crock pot. I had bad luck with burning my beans on the stove top–i always seemed to forget them during the 1 1/2 -3 hour cook time. So instead I put them in a crock pot, add a extra cup of water (or 2 from what the recipe calls for) and cook on high overnight. Do not add salt until the beans are finished cooking as this can make them hard.

I have also found a great recipe for beans from The Seven Secrets Cookbook available from Country Life. I have adjusted it somewhat to fit my taste.

Cuban Black Beans

2 1/2 cups dried beans
7 cups water
1/2 cup diced green or red peppers
1 cup chopped onions
2 Tbsp yeast flakes
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp Chicken-Like Seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp garlick powder
3/4 tsp sweet basil

3/4 tsp salt added after cooking

Put all ingredients except salt and cook on high overnight. When cooked add salt. Great in burritoes, taco salads, or over rice.

Ecotheology and God’s nonhuman creations

I am a Seventh Day Adventist Christian, born and raised in the church but it wasn’t until having my own children that I had my own real conversion experience. Since becoming a Christian it is often hard for me to see the inconsistencies in the church especially when other non Christian groups seem to grasp the truth of behaving like Christ more then Christians do. Two areas have really bothered me–how children and family are viewed in the church and how the environment is viewed.

I was overjoyed to receive this weeks copy of my denominations national magazing yesterday. Here’s the cover.

In the cover story article Sigve Tonstad of Loma Linda University calls Adventists and other Christians to “mercy.” “We have to hear the plea of nonhuman creation, be sensitive to the abuse that is happening,” Tonstad says. He goes on to say that he believes there are humane was to produce and consusme meat,”the issue is not so much that the animal has to die, but that is hasn’t had a chance to live a normal life in any way.” Tonstad uses frequently the term “ecotheology” which I love. 

When we got the mail yesterday I was so excited to show Proeun. It was the first positive sign I have seen that the Adventist church has an interest in the environment and our negative effects on it. I plan to write a letter to the editor in appreciation of the article. To read the whole article go to, What Are We Really Doing to God’s Creatures?

Julie and Julia The Movie

I love food. That is why I farm and cook and do so much in my life. I love any kind of food. a couple weeks ago our local church school hosted an international food festival. The parents of the students make the food and sell it. This is one fund raiser I try never to miss. This year the offerings included African flat bread, Guatelman tamales, Vietnamese spring rolls, Korean eggrolls, Hmong fried noodles, potato pancakes and much more. I was enjoying my finds when another church member asked me what kind of food I would cook at home. I looked at my plate and realized I have and do cook recipes from each of these regions on a regular basis. I happen to love new and interesting flavors.

Proeun injured his back this Saturday and has been home ever since. After 2 days he was in need of some alternative entertainment. Off to the library I went to select movies. While there I decided I wanted one for myslef–Julie and Julia. When we first saw a preview for this movie Proeun said, “who would want to watch that?” I enthusiastically said, “I would!” It has everything– food, history, cooking, travel, writing, food.

Since Proeun is still laid up (we are going to venture out this evening) he was my captive audience. But in the end he saw the beauty in it, of pursuing something passionately, and eating well along the way. While we may be pursuing a different passion the end result is amazing food. Even Julia Child knew the importance of fresh food. There is a scene in the movie where she goes to the markets and says something to the effect that she finds shopping for food more fun then shopping for a dress.

When I journeyed to Paris in my college days I remember going to the markets and just wishing and praying for a kitchen I could rent or something. I didn’t know then that someday I would be a farmer growing my own food.

If food is also your passion or a passion, Julie and Julia is a great way to spend an evening. You might be like me and seriously think about trying some French cooking.

Whole Farm Planning

This weekend we had another training session through the Minnesota Food Association. Two representatives from the The Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings Program came to speak to us about Whole Farm Planning. Honestly I wasn’t too sure about the class. Proeun and I have been planning and dreaming for years now and I didn’t really think that we needed the class. However there is something to be said about being with like minded people. Over 12 farmers gathered together–ranging from young people wanting to return to the land, to older retired couples that are looking for the peace hard, physical labor brings. All of the farmers, except me were immigrants.

I wish I had brought my camera. There was so much brainstorming and creative juices flowing. We started out talking about why we farm. For me the answer was easy, “for our children.” Other answers were for healthy lifestyle, peace and my favorite answer from a young man named Tou “For me farming is an art–it’s more art then work.” Of course we all know that farming is work but different then the mentally draining work so many of us engage in. Art fulfills us, gives something back to us. In this way farming definitely fits the bill.

Nick from LSP said, “If you only plan for this year you will never move ahead.” So our main task was planning where you want to be in 5 years and then identifying the steps to get there–most importantly the next step. We were all given big sheets of paper and markers to draw our “dream farm in 5 years.” it was great getting it all down on paper, dreaming and color always helps. Another Tou in our class included a paintball field, ceramic house and the children he hopes to have in 5 years. He defintely taught me a few things about dreaming outside the box.

Even if you don’t want to farm, knowing where you want to be in 5 years and the steps to get there is really valuable. Recently we asked some friends of ours where they wanted to be in 5 years. They are the same age as us but just shrugged their shoulders and said, “I don’t know I guess still working.” Dreaming really set you free. Think about your “Whole Life Plan.” What do you want to change, what don’t you want to change and how will yiou make your life what you want it to be.

Spring Rolls

On the weekend we like to treat ourselves to special meals. This doesn’t mean extravagent but more something we don’t have time to cook during the week, a dish we want to make sure we have time to enjoy or a dish that Proeun especially likes to make.

Spring Rolls are a really popular treat at many Asian stores. They are also a really great and fun way to get your veggies and not very difficult to make. The trick is working with the wraps. For these wraps purchase rice paper wraps. The come dried and stiff as a board in a flat round container about 1/2 inch thick. To rehydrate these just put them one sheet at a time in a bowl of warm water. I discovered last night when all my other bowls were used that an 8 inch round cake pan works perfectly. When they feel soft and supple they are ready to roll.

For noodles we use soba noodles (Japanese buckwheat noodles) rather then traditional rice noodles. A restaurant down town Saint Paul introduced us to this and it adds a nice complex layer. Also chop lettuce, grate carrot and juliene cucumber (as we did this weekend) or add herbs, cilantro, green onion and mint are really nice. For meat sometimes deep fried tofu is added, steamed or barbequed chicken or pork and shrimp. You want all the ingredients to me room temperature or cold though–not hot. 

To wrap lay the softened rice paper out on a plate with a dish towel on it to soak up extra water. Take a very small handful of cooked noodles (try pinching between fingers and thumbs) and place a little lower then the center. Layer on the veggies, then fold over each side and begin rolling away from you. Sometimes they rip but you will develop the right touch.

Serve with Hoisin (Chinses barbeque sauce) and chopped peanuts. A lighter sauce of boiling together vinegar, sugar and garlic is also traditional.

I was surprised at how much Two liked these, he kept asking me to roll more and even asked for one with “just the veggies.”

Food Budget and Household Duties

We are a family of 5 living on one income, with the expenses of starting a new business and trying to save money to buy a farm. We watch our money very closely. One thing we learned early on is that food is an easy place to loose control of your budget and also a little less easier place to cut spending. For months and months we have had a very tight food budget. We try to gorw as much of our food as possible, and preserve it for when fresh isn’t available. We buy grains, dried food, and pasta in bulk once a month from Country Life Natural Foods. We try to grocery shop no more then once a week and occasionally stretch it as far as every 2 weeks.

Then I got pregnant and everything changed. Not only am I more aware of nutrition and the needs of a growing baby (I admit I had gotten lazy in my own nutrition) but I just feel like I am eating much more. I have been trying to stay in budget, but have the complication of a budding foodie in my household. Whenever we get any extra money Avril wants to go grocery shopping, even when her grandparents gave her a monetary gift her first thought was going grocery shopping.

This week I went grocery shopping, a series of events meant that I was actually able to go by myself. I went to Trader Joe’s one of my favorite spots (just wish they had a few more interesting veggies like collards and Japanese eggplant). Honestly I went a little crazy. In addition to thinking how good everything would taste I thought about what my children would like and what could be prepared simply while I am still battling morning sickness. I am very happy with the food, but not its effects on the budget.

I told Proeun, “If we want to stay on budget don’t send a hungry, pregnant woman to the grocery store.” I asked Proeun if he would do the grocery shopping knowing that this had been his duty when living with his family before our marriage and trusting that he would make wise decisions. Still I honestly felt like I would be adding another burden to his already cramped schedule. Then yesterday he said to me, “So when do I get to go grocery shopping?” Obviously it is not the burden I thought and will hopefully be a good change for everyone.

Making Brothers and Sister Best Friends

We always wanted our children to have a good relationship with each other. My sister and I do but that didn’t really develop until she was 12 and I was 16 and I had a broken leg making my 12 year old sister my primary care provider for one really long summer. At one point she told me with maturity beyond her years, “Amy I love you but if I spend one more minute with you I am going to go crazy.”

Proeun and his family were close in the way that really extremely difficult circumstances tend to bond people. Whether it was fleeing imminent death in your home country, surviving in a refugee camp, moving across the world to a neighborhood and country that didn’t understand you and sometimes didn’t want you or growing up with no money and not enough food to go around, these circumstances tend to bond people. But even then when conditions got better school friends began to take the place of family closeness. For his next youngest brother with really bad consequences of bad friends and situations that seemed innocent enough at first.

After moving to Minnesota the brothers became closer and Proeun’s family has been an example to me of sibling closeness. But all around me I see siblings that are distant at best and openly hate each other in the worst cases.

This weekend it really hit home for me how important it is to develop and maintain healthy relationships in the immediate family early as this will be the support system that will carry them through the rest of their life.

I think we are off to a good start. They love each other, play with each other, fight and forgive each other. They are really excited about another sibling joining our family.

One book that really helped me was Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

This book is written by 3 siblings ranging in age from 20 to 12 at the time of the writing–including one adopted sibling. This book helped me see that not only is it possible for siblings to get along but to be best friends! I really wish I had read this as a young woman before moving out of my family home. Even though I was older when I read it it helped me see my relationship with my sister in a new light and make steps to repair some of the damage to our relationship. I highly recommend it. It can also be read aloud as a family with older children.

Seeding Begins

With the warm weather it is easier to think about farming again. I do have to admit thinking about warmer weather to come and all the good food to come from our fields has helped get me through a long cold winter. Now the actuality of my dream seems closer. A little over a week ago we still had nearly a foot of snow on the ground. Now it is all but gone. Over the weekend we set up one of our 2 portable greenhouses to begin onions. Yes our first seeds are in the the trays and it feels really good.

My soul mate did most of the work getting the potting mix the right conisstency and putting it in trays. This was one job Two really enjoyed helping with.

The girls enjoyed the greenhouse more.

Starting seeds has always been a nervous time for me. Waiting and waiting till that first green pops up and then anxiously watching it until they are ready for the ground.

Now that the actual farming tasks have begun rather than planning and paperwork the children are getting really excited. When I had to take my father-in-law to an appointment I asked my mother-in-law to watch the children. They had a great time playing with the leftover potting mix and pretending to plant seeds. Now Avril asks, “Can we go outside and work on our crop plants?”

The Census has arrived

After nearly a year and a half of hype the 2010 Census arrived at our house today. This is my first census with a family and house of my own. Last time around my parents were one of the “lucky” ones who received the long form–this has been done away with this time around.

The Census gave me an opportunity to review my past 10 years. Over the past 10 years things have changed a lot. Not only have I become a wife and mother but I have become intimately aware of the complexities of race in Minnesota and our nation. For instance minority communities really need to be counted but often resist for fear of unscrupulous government tactics. Many of these ideas come from their countries of origin where the government was not an entity to be trusted.

For the past year and a half I have been working in the minority press to try and get the word out. Now that the Census is finally here I wonder if all our efforts will pan out.

Even for mainstream Americans filling out the Census ensures representation in government. Our House of Representatives is based on population and my state is not the only one who risks loosing a seat.

The slogan for the Census is “10 questions, 10 minutes” for me it took less then that even with 5 people in our household. I urge everyone to fill it out and if possible think back 10 years ago and what has changed.

Spring has Sprung

The day after we all had to “spring forward” spring decided to appear in a much more pleasant way–with 60 degree weather. Living in a climate with more extreme seasons allows for a phenomena of good feeling not so easily experienced elsewhere. After a long cold, snowy winter all it takes is a day of unseasonably warm weather to put literally everyone in a good mood.

Two who has been cooped up all winter can’t get enough of the great outdoors. Even Avril was game for a walk around the block with her bike removed from the basement just minutes before.

It felt wonderful to be able to take out the stroller again also. Last year walks still consisted of Mavis on my back, so it is a welcome relief for both of us to have a little more freedom. She got boots from her uncle for Christmas so she is all set to stomp through the puddles with her siblings.

Two apparently decided it was warm enough to dip in the pool. Even if it was just melted snow.

Proeun asked me if I though winter would come back. I said yes, but is was great today.