Honey Oat Bread Breakfast on the Farm Dehydrated Sweet Peppers Homemade Pear
No Preservatives Mexican Cornbread, Free Range Marmalade
Eggs, Blue Sweet Potatoes and Organic Tomatoes
I. Why Cook and Bake?
Avoid food additives
Avoid refined and processed foods
Avoid excess salt and hydrogenated oils
Save food dollars
More variety
Opportunity for better nutrition
Unite the family - cook together and eat together
Teach children - a worthwhile skill, responsibility and self-worth, and that good health requires effort
II. Why Preserve the Harvest?
More variety
Better flavor
Save food dollars
Opportunity for better nutrition
Less packaging to discard
Less food miles
Unite the family - work together preserving food
Teach children - a worthwhile skill, responsibility and self-worth
My siblings and I grew up on Uwharrie Farm. Probably at least 75% of our food came from the farm. It seems so senseless to hear that today a large portion of our food travels 1500 miles before it gets to our plate! We were required to help with the daily activities on the farm. Of course we had time to play but we also helped with cooking, gardening, laundry, mowing, cleaning, caring for younger siblings and food preservation. Our family was close; we ate together, worked together and played together. My childhood experience convinces me that children should be required to contribute to the well-being of the family to the extent that age allows. I believe requiring children to be responsible and helpful lifts their self-esteem and sends this silent message; you are a capable person, you are able to do worthwhile things, you are expected to do worthwhile things, you help the family and you are needed. Just think about it . Cooking, baking and preserving food can enhance a family's health in a number of ways.
Recommended reading:
Nourishing Traditions: One of my favorites. A full-spectrum nutritional cookbook. Packed with useful information. Deceptively Delicious: How can average parents ensure their kids are getting proper nutrition and avoiding bad eating habits? This book contains simple secrets to getting your kids to eat good food. Food to Live By: More than 260 recipes make a deliciously persuasive case for using flavorful,fresh, organic foods as often as possible. The Farm to Table Cookbook: A handy guide to what's in season and how to utilize it. Click links below to read more.