Raising a healthy Jane (or just being a healthy grown-up Jane) comes from good food and proper nutrition. Grab your aprons, I’m on kitchen duty with food to spare and recipes to share! When time allows, here’s where you’ll find one of my how-to-convert-to-an-organic-diet recipes.
Why does Swiss cheese have holes?
Here’s a short video that answers that question—the most oft-asked cheese question on the Internet—and also tells us that the USDA regulates the sizes of those holes (who knew?)!
Winnie Nielsen says: You are correct, Who knew? But, I find this fascinating because there is always a science lesson attached to almost anything and everything which always captures my attention. I love me a good and useful science lesson!!
Cindi says: I love the SciShow guys and have subscribed to them for some time now. I’m not sure what is more surprising (or funny) ~ the regulation of Swiss cheese hole size or the reason for it!
yeah, only in the USA would we control something like the size of the holes in Swiss cheese! gee whiz !
I knew about the fermentation causing the holes but didn’t know it was caused by a different bacteria. I always wanted to make small batch artisanal cheeses, especially sheep milk cheeses.
Cindi says: You would make good use of MJs Milk Cow Kitchen Lisa! Then call all of us when your first batch is done so we can taste it 🙂
Cindi says: It’s nice that you are posting cookies on a Friday ~ I know what I’m doing this weekend 🙂 What a great presentation idea! So simple yet attractive. Plus, it gives permission to grab more than one cookie without feeling guilty about taking too many at once. We all would like that!
MaryJane says: This way you’re obliged to take a “stack” of cookies.
Winnie Nielsen says: These looks so delicious this morning! I wish I had one to dip into my coffee. I sent you a photo of the ice and snow covered beach so you could see the view outside my balcony. Brrrrrr !! Single digits this morning with a biting wind. High today is 19 !! This Florida Farmgirl is getting a taste of what weather channel calls the Siberian Express!!
MaryJane says: Yes, the pic you sent made me tighten my sweater around me. I’ve never experienced a snowy beach. Do you have a fire to keep you warm?
Winnie Nielsen says: I wish I had a fire close by!! Having to rely on my knitted cowl , hat and gloves to do the trick. Man is that ocean wind biting when you walk outside. The sky is a bright blue and the sun is out in full force but only a high of 19 today so not much warmth. However the coffe is perfect here in Starbucks so life is good!
MaryJane says: Nothing makes a cup of Starbucks coffee better than a chilly scene out the window.
Cindi says: Ooooooh Winnie ~ I’ll send you warm thoughts! We’re quite familiar with the Siberian Express here. Seems we decided share 🙂 Spicy ginger cookies dipped into hot coffee is an excellent way to deal with the cold.
Winnie Nielsen says: Your Heritage Jersey cows have, without a doubt, the prettiest markings of any cow breed I have ever seen.
Cindi Johnson says: Garlic, garlic, garlic! I love garlic. Growing up within the air space of the garlic capitol of the world I know this treasure well. I love the scents of rural living ~ the smells of fresh turned soil, hay and even cows. But that glorious smell that comes from acre after acre of garlic… it just makes me smile!
Winnie Nielsen says: Even though I cannot eat garlic, it is a beautiful sight in that old basket. The fragrance and pretty purple and white colors make it a kitchen hero!
Nancy Coughlin says: Love garlic! So pretty and such a great flavor it adds to foods!
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh those pretty blue eyes! What a beautiful kitty.
MaryJane says: Winnie, I sure did enjoy getting to know your kitter kat. The video you sent me was darling. We are both hopelessly smitten by kittens I’m afraid. Today’s photo is my big guy, Jasper Tomkins.
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh my, MaryJane! With eyes like those, Jasper Tomkins pretty much has reign over the roost so to speak. N’est pas? Who could say no to that face?
MaryJane says: Not me! He has me wrapped around his furry paw. If I’m on the phone too long, he sneaks up behind me, bats my butt and then skitters across the slick floor as fast as he can run (without traction). Hilarious and adorable.
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh the little darlin’!! Mr. Bump likes to swat at my foot and leg as I walk by sometimes. Just making sure I know who is boss, I think.
Cats are such interesting and endearing creatures! My “Silky” (two-year old tortoiseshell also known as “Turbocat”) is something else!
MaryJane says: Love the name Turbocat!
I couldnt live without my 3 kitties . Your Jasper is a handsome devil indeed! Yep ,they know how to get our attention by being ” bad” but making us laugh at the same time. Earl looks you straight in the eye and then bats something off a table or steals something. Duke just does figure eights around your ankles or spins around the laptop when Im working- that gets my attention fast. Frankie is the outdoor kitty ,(who’s spending a lot of time lounging on the couch when he’s indoors warming up- ) he’s very well behaved but will occasionally bat my ankles to let me know he’s hungry . Yep, cats are wonderfully smart and like CJ says, endearing.
Nancy Coughlin says: Love cats. Always have and always will. Lost my Mr. Love Bug in October: he was 2 weeks shy of turning 14! His sister Miss Velvet, who was not the alpha cat, has certainly become one. It has been a joy to see her develop her new personality. And she is always by my side now and it has been a great new bonding time for both of us.
Winnie Nielsen says: Hot pink and light green are a favorite color combination of mine and these berry clusters(?) are beautiful. Wow! They sort of remind me of blueberries in the very early stages but most likely these are not blueberries.
MaryJane says: They ARE our blueberries from early last spring. Winnie, my dear, shipment going out to you today.
Winnie Nielsen says: Bingo! I guessed it right and Yay for Farmgirl Mail to me!!
Winnie Nielsen says: Oh man, does this look fantastic! As a lover of oatmeal for breakfast, this recipe is a must try for me. I’ve been creating my own dry mixed oatmeal with various nuts, dried fruits and spices which is an easy morning fix with minimal cooking. However, your recipe is so different that this oatmeal lovin’ Farmgirl has got to give it a whirl.
April says: Yummmmmm! I am going to have to try this! 🙂
Susan says: So does this come out more as a solid, non-slimy consistency. I can’t eat oatmeal because of the gooey, slimy consistency with milk, etc. This looks as though it would be kind of crunchy instead? Maybe more like a granola? I could handle that. I want to eat oatmeal because it is so good for you. Thanks,
MaryJane says: Hi Susan, I ate some of it later from the pan after it had cooled off and there was none of the “slimy” you talk about. It was so good I couldn’t quit nibbling and I’d just eaten.
You really pushed my ‘like’ button with this. I love both oatmeal and blueberries! I plan to be smelling this in my kitchen soon. Thanks.
Pat Gstalder says: Do you have nutrition info for this? There are so much good stuff in this but it would be helpful to know the fat and fiber content along with the calorie count. Weight Watchers, you see.
Thank you.
So believe in your philosophy of getting back to the land and being “natural” in all!
Keep up the good work!
: )
MaryJane says: I’m sure there’s an app for that so you can plug in amounts from the recipes that interest you and calculate for your specific purposes. It seems everyone has something different they’re shooting for.
Pat Gstalder says: Ah if only I had a phone I could do that on. I have one of those dumb phones. : ) But you are right I can calculate each ingredient to come up with that. Thank you.
Laurie says: Wondering about the coconut milk? Is there a difference between the canned coconut milk and say the cartons like the “Silk” brand?. Thinking there must be a reason you chose the canned coconut milk?! Thanks
MaryJane says: Yes, there’s a big difference. You have to use what we recommended.
Heather (nndairy) says: Can’t wait to try this – Almonds, coconuts, and blueberries are some of my favorite foods. I also LOVE the purple napkin in the photo 🙂
Jeri-Lyn Walsh says: Made this recipe over weekend. It is positively one of the most delicious oatmeal recipes ever! I only had regular cut oats and one can of coconut milk so I was concerned it would be dry but I forged ahead anyway. It came out really well and was so yummy. Definitely making it again! Thanks for a wonderful recipe and an awesome magazine
Winnie Nielsen says: What a handsome face with that dashing red halter! I love how the eyes are surrounded with white and then black hair. It makes them stand out along with the muzzle colors.
Cindi Johnson says: She knows she’s a pretty girl, I can tell. Such wisdom in those eyes.
Terry Steinmetz says: I love the halter. Does he/she have a bell too?
MaryJane says: Her name is Rose Etta. She’s not quite a year old. No bells on my cows, just their toes:)
MaryJane says: Meet Rose Etta, 11 months old. She’s my pride and joy, a result of my concentration on breeding for certain traits. I love the more red coat on a Jersey and the white outlined, black velvet eyes. And she has a mellow, dreamboat personality to match. I’m just heading out to pamper all my cows. I’ll pass along your compliment.
Heather (nndairy) says: Love those jerseys!!
Karen(old cowgirl) Montoya says: However, is taking the pictures, especially the animal one’s, are so life like. I feel I can reach in and touch them. Rose is just beautiful. Those “doe” eyes are so expressive. If you look into those eyes it almost feels you can see her soul. Love it.
Thank You
Kay
If you had a chance to glance at Mom’s Hygge post on the 20th, then you’ll know what I mean when I say my Mia has recently perfected her hygge while snoozing on the couch with her favorite teddy bear and cozy blankies.
And while sleeping next to me in bed.
Winnie Nielsen says: Mia has Hygge down pat!
too sweet, yes children know how to be warm and loved and comfortable
Buy props used in MaryJane’s books and magazine!
5% of profits will benefit www.firstbook.org, a non-profit that provides new books to children from low-income families throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s how:
MaryJane will post a photo and a description of a prop and its cost along with a few details as to its condition here: https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/MaryJanesCurations. It’s a playful way to be the new owner of a little bit of farm herstory.
I love potatoes and all the yummy ways they can be fixed. They are a good source of nutrition as well which makes them even better.
I Love growing potatoes! If there is one tiny bit of explorer in you, then potatoes is a must-have crop. Even the pests are fascinating little discoveries. Such a good bonding opportunity with kids, too – everyone crawling around peeking under leaves to see if there are any eggs attached underneath, and the competition to see who gets more bugs in their jar. Then a thorough examination of the critters to explore nature’s artwork. (Pesky bugs can be quite beautiful – why is that?) Of course the greatest fun is digging for the treasurer. I can’t wait!