It's getting cold outside, well okay today was pretty nice, but still it should be getting cold soon. While I love snow and wish we could have it nine months out of the year, not everyone has my affinity for the cold. I hope to persuade you to see all the fun to be had in the cold.
First, who doesn't love a white Hanukkah/Solstice/Christmas/Kwanzaa? There are songs and movies all the depicting the classic image of white, snowy holidays. Second, deep down inside all adults lives the timid past child who dreams of snow days. We might not be able to miss work any more, but we can still enjoy the excitement of winter weather while we go to work. The chance for a terrible blizzard. . . Read More
Pumpkin Cookies
| 2 1/2 cups flour | 1 cup pumpkin |
| 1 tsp baking soda | 1 egg |
| 1 tsp cinnamon | 1 tsp vanilla |
| 1/2 tsp nutmeg | 2 cups powdered sugar |
| 1/2 tsp salt | 3 tbl milk |
| 1 1/2 cup sugar | 1 tbl butter |
| 1 tsp baking powder | 1 tsp vanilla |
| 1/2 cup butter |
1. Combine flour, soda, powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and sugar.
2. Beat butter in.
3. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Mix well.
4. Add spoonfuls to cookie sheet and bake in 350F oven for 15-18 minutes.
5. Mix powdered sugar, milk, butter and vanilla for glaze.
6. Cover cool cookies with glaze. Top with slices of candied giner for extra spice.
More cooking ideas can be found on our
Recipe page.
*Collect pine cones to dip in first peanut butter and then seeds to make oornaments for outdoor tress. Birds like Christmas trees too!
*Keeping indoor plants during the winter can help keep your home's air smelling fresh and cleaner.
*String Wisconsin Cranberries or popcorn up using a needle and strong thread. It's a fun activity for older kids on quiet nights.
*Try wrapping your christmas gifts in reusable bags. Giftees then get two gifts instead of one!
What does Wheatgrass really do?
Perhaps you've stopped by our site because you saw our wheatgrass at your local co-op juice bar. Maybe you just want to find a local source of wheatgrass for your own juicing needs at home. More likely, though, you are here because you heard some crazy story about people drinking grass and curing cancer. Let's clear the air a bit about what wheatgrass is and what it can do for you.
Wheatgrass at BlackSheep Enterprises is grown in small flats with organic soil from a mixture of premium seed developed by our agronomist Les Niles. The flats reach completion in about two weeks depending on temperature. During that time they are given fresh water, plenty of air circulation, and sunshine in our greenhouses. We are able to grow throughout the dark winters and humid summer without mold. We deliver the wheatgrass to our co-op partners fresh in the flats. That way they are still growing right up until your juice bar cuts it and juices it before your eyes. This is important in order to give you all the nutrients and benefits that you expect from one of nature's most surprising plants.
Drinking shots of juiced wheatgrass is the typical way you see the product. This is like drinking a bowl full of vegetables. There are many of the vitamins and nutrients that you need and get from vegetables. It just tastes better! People focused on their health have proclaimed for many years that wheatgrass is a sure fire way to make you feel better. It's true because most people don't get all the nutrients they need in their diet. Recently, many have claimed that wheatgrass is so great that it can even cure cancer. The scientific verdict is still out on this, but the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and others have started pilot research projects that show favorable results for wheatgrass' benefits. There just isn't enough evidence to say for sure what does or doesn't help when fighting terrible diseases like cancer. Either way wheatgrass is sure delicious and a good source of the things your bodies needs to be strong and healthy.
If you have any questions, please shoot us an email. We have more research available than what could be put here, and we love answering questions. To try wheatgrass head over to our Products page. Finally, you can get a discount if you are a CSA 2.1 member. This is perfect for people who already love wheatgrass and would like a local source to find its way into their kitchens.
2012 Production
We are taking time this month to look back on the year and make plans for the next one. We want to thank all our co-op partners and csa members for being so great this past year. Here's your chance to let us know what went well and what went poorly. Take this short survey to help us understand your experience with us in 2011. We'll keep all information private. It will just be used to help us make changes for next year. The production plan is an important part of keep our farm healthy and our customers happy. Thanks for your help!
Holiday Celebrations
Whatever your holidays might entail, remember that it doesn't have to be fancy to be memerable. Our family has a simple tradition that we'd like to share with you; hopefully it will inspire you.
A week before Christmas we have Tree Day. Many years we, or more often in the later years, Les and Danni, would go to our local Christmas tree farm and pick out a tree. Even though Les has allergies to most pine trees, there are a few species that don't cause problems and allow us to have that beautiful natural smelling tree. Some years we have a puzzle tree. We take branches and pin or wire them together. For us, it's more about having some small reminder in our house that there is more to life than the darkness of winter. There is the life and love of family and friends.
So, no matter how big or small your celebrations this holiday are, remember all the small symbols that show us the deeper messages of the holidays.