Vegetable Geeks: a short-lived incarnation.

My first attempt at blogging came when I was invited to contribute to the Little Village website under the moniker, Vegetable Geeks. I wrote a couple of decent posts and then let it drop to the wayside like so many other projects. Click the links if you're interested in reading what I had to say back in 2010.

1.

Featured on the front page. :)
Broccoli Casserole Recipe: http://littlevillagemag.com/vegetable-geeks-my-comfort-food/

Dearly departed, Yoyo. 

2.

Woodland booty. 

Chicken of the Woods Noodle Soup.

http://littlevillagemag.com/vegetable-geeks-chicken-of-the-woods-noodle-soup/

3.

Baklava
http://littlevillagemag.com/baklava-for-the-sweet-tooth/

The Bent & Dent in Kalona, IA

My sister-friends, Sandy and Lisa.

I went on a glorious grocery shopping spree in Kalona, IA. The place is called Central Discount and it's such a fun place to hunt for awesome deals. It's mainly meant for the Amish community but people from all walks of life are drawn to this place for it's low, low prices. That's where the nickname the Bent & Dent comes in. Everything in the store is either damaged in some way or past its 'sell by' date.

There was a wide assortment of products and brands. I ended up finding many organic brands and food stuffs I see at the Co-op which I snatched right up. I personally avoid canned goods but found many other items of interest, mainly beverages and snacks. It's going to be so much easier packing my lunches for work now!

Central Discount is ran by Amish people and therefore only accept cash or check. The store is open three days a week Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Get there right at 10 a.m. to try and beat the rush.

Other noteworthy stops in Kalona, IA: Stringtown Grocery and SISTERS GARDEN! 

My $37 haul:

Glug glug glug.
Look for oddities like this bottle of cashew fruit nectar.

.25¢ - $1.25

Haven't seen these since Puerto Rico.
YUM!
.50¢ 

Nice package.
.75¢ 

Sprouts: A How-To Guide.

Lentils: First Stage. 

So far, I have sprouted mung beans and lentils but there are various other beans and seeds that can be sprouted. My next sprouting adventure will be broccoli seeds from the New Pioneer Food Co-op. 

Even if you don't have much of a green thumb, sprouting beans is pretty much foolproof. What I love most about sprouting is the easiness and the quick yield. It's especially great having fresh food stuffs in the winter time.

Mung Beans

What you will need:

cheesecloth 

rubberband

mason jar / large jar 

1/4 C lentils or mung

1. Rinse your beans and soak them overnight or for at least 4 hours. Fill jar so that the water covers all of the beans. 

2. Drain the beans through the cheesecloth and fill the jar again. Shake and drain the water.

3. Repeat the rinsing every morning and every night for about 5 days or until desired length of 

sprouts.  

4. Remove cheesecloth. Store in fridge in an airtight container, preferably glass.

5. Cook sprouts in stir fry, throw them on salads, sandwiches, etc. 

Mung Beans: Day 2

Mung Beans: Day 3

I switched to a bigger jar!

Mung Sprouts! Day 5 

mini- adventure time!

Dragonflies, seaweed, kayaks, OH MY!

Are you looking for an adventure? Look no farther than Terry Trueblood Recreation Area which is just 2 miles south of Iowa City! 

Fin & Feather H2O opened it's concession and boat rental stand up one year ago (June of 2013). The land was originally bought in 2006 and according to the icgov.org page, the area was once a sand and gravel quarry. Its most recent improvements have been F&F H2O and a lodge that can be rented for special events.

The lodge is destined to become the next hot wedding venue. Seriously check it out.

The area also sports a playground and several new shelters that are positioned at different points of the lake. The Iowa River Corridor Trail will lead bicyclists to Terry Trueblood (the name is so fun to say) which loops around the lake or it's a quick drive outside of city limits.

Usually I ride my bicycle or in-line skate around the lake but this week, I have gone both kayaking and paddle boarding. (I just can't get enough!) They also offer canoe and paddle boat rentals. 

Make sure you have your receipt sent to an email, this is how you start a digital punch card. The 10th punch offers a discount on your next rental! 

For more information about the rentals: 
https://www.facebook.com/FinFeatherH2o

"Weeds" in my garden.

Wood Sorrel (Buttercups) and Lambs Quarters

Wild edibles is a more accurate name for these weeds I found in my garden. I don't pull them up! I eat them in my salads. 

I grew up eating buttercups (wood sorrel) all summer long. I would eat the flowers, the heart shaped leaves and the seedpods that we dubbed pickles. They are wonderfully sour. Only eat a small amount at a time due to oxalic acid. 

Lambs Quarters are a wild mineral-dense treat I learned about as an adult. It can be eaten raw but not too much because it contains oxalic acid. Cooking the greens removes the acid and thus makes it safe to eat large quantities. The flavor is comparable to spinach and kale and can be used interchangeably.  If you like those greens, you'll like lambs quarters. This plant was introduced to the U.S. by British settlers and was once highly regarded as food for humans and livestock.

Source: http://www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Summer2011/Lambsquarters/tabid/1929/Default.aspx

Iowa Native Plant Society

The Iowa Native Plant Society (INPS) teamed up with Brenda Nations (Iowa City Sustainability Coordinator) and UI Biology Emeritus Professor Diana Horton on a spring wildflower and plant identification walk at Ryerson's Woods. The park is just south of Iowa City and is the most untouched land in Johnson County. It was a healthy turn out of over 75 people. We were split into 5 groups and my friend, Gloria and I went to a beginner group with Linda Scarth. She is the President of INPS and is also a distinguished nature photographer. Here is her website: http://www.scarthphoto.com/

Center: President of INPS, Linda Scarth, a notable nature photographer.

I learned how to identify many spring flowers and the importance of protecting the native plants from human predation which is their biggest threat.

Bloodroot is the earliest spring flower which later turns into an interesting lily pad shaped leaf. I bought this flower at the Project Green Plant Sale a few years ago and just love it! The flower is pictured below next to a mayapple. I learned that mayapples must have two leaves to be able to produce a flower.

Bloodroot and Mayapple.

Wild Geranium

Trout lily.
Named for the spotting on its leaves.

Dutchman's Britches. Photo taken at Lake MacBride.
Close relative to Bleeding Hearts. 

The INPS (website) is a forum for plant enthusiasts, schedules field trips and plant sales, and promotes education. Students can join the Society for just $5 a year.

I can't wait to go on another field trip with this group!

The tour was a delight! 

My favorite Linda quote: eenie, meenie, middley, might, what shall I go? left or right? 

Product Review: Daiya Cheddar Cheese: The best vegan cheese on the market to date!

Taken from product website.

I have spent many years without cheese. It's fine, you get used to it! I have dabbled with cashew cheese recipes which have fared well except when it comes to meltability. My friend had an Irish themed dinner and served vegan shepherd's pie and soda bread plus other options. She turned me onto daiya cheese. It's not something I crave or need very often but it sure makes the pie shine! It probably constitutes as vegan junk food but a little bit every blue moon is fine, in my book! 

Explore other great daiya products at: daiya website

Here is the link to the shepherd's pie: Click for Recipe