Sausage, Carrots, Potatoes, & Onions in a Red Wine Sauce

It's time for a recipe! I have another one up my sleeve too from a couple days ago, but that will have to wait another day or two as my husband is gone with the camera, thus with the pictures :)

Today I was thinking, what do I make for supper? I think that a lot actually. Almost daily. It's sad, because I always say "we should do up a food menu for the week. It would save me so much time and make my life much easier." Say this I do, and do it I do not. We've had a food menu one week out of our almost 3 years of marriage. Oops!

So, back to today. I thought I would be daring and trying to make something without a recipe! Say what? Risky indeed. If you know me, it's that I always, ALWAYS follow recipes...to the T! I hardly ever stray as I'm just not that confident yet, but slowly growing more so. Well, today I walked out onto a limb. I was going to cook supper in a frying pan, like I cook almost every meal I make, but it was at the brilliant suggestion of my husband that I pulled out the crock pot. You know, the one we got for our wedding and we've used just once! Yeah, that one. After tonight, however, I think I'll be making more use out of that bad boy :)

We had purchased some beef smoked sausage from TLC Farms (see their feature here on my blog. They're amazing!) and I wanted to use that. We also had some fresh garden veggies, from a friend, that I wanted to use. So, I placed the sausages in the crock pot, sliced up some onion (market fresh of course), chopped up some of those yummy, sweet garden carrots and some garden baby potatoes. Added some dry bay leaves and oregano (thank you Silk Road), added a bit of water and some red wine! I didn't even measure *gasp*! I turned it on high and left it for a couple hours as I headed out for some frozen yogurt with L and some friends.

As I returned home, I was leary as to what I would find. What met me was an aromatic fragrance that wafted into my nostrils upon entrance to my humble abode. Success! Well, part way. Supper "smelt" good, but did it "taste" good? There was only one way to find out. Feed it to my husband! He's very honest :)

Not only did he say he thought it tasted really good, but he finished his entire plate. *Phew*! Now I can rest easy. So, feel free to try it out and enjoy! I call it "Sausage, carrots, potatoes, and onions in a red wine sauce". I know, so original right? :)

Sausage, Carrots, Potatoes, and Onions in a Red Wine Sauce

In a crock pot combine the following: (serves 2)

2 TLC Farms Beef Sausages

Chunk Approx 5-6 small garden potatoes

Chop Approx 5-6 small garden sweet carrots

Slice 1/2 market fresh onion

dash of crumbled dry bay leaves

dash of dry Silk Road oregano

Approx 1/4 cup water

Approx 1 cup red wine

Turn crock pot on high for 2ish hours or until veggies and sausage are cooked. Enjoy!

Happy Eating!

till next time...

Monday Feature: Halifirien Wood

Todays feature is near and dear to my heart. I'm so pleased to introduce you to the world of wood relief carving and painting done by my oh so talented husband. Located in Medicine Hat, Alberta I give you...

HALIFIRIEN WOOD

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.  ~Martin Luther

Nature is the art of God.  ~Thomas Browne 1635

Hayden working on a piece in his workshop.

The smell of freshly carved cedar fills the air, as I walk into our garage where Hayden has his workshop set up. Little spheres of curled wood lay all over the floor and table. It's the mess of an artist, and it's a beautiful mess. Hayden had been working on a new piece that was just fantastic! Well, every piece is truly fantastic and honestly, I would love to keep them all! But we haven't the room or wall space, and it would defeat the purpose of making a living if we kept every piece that was created. :) However this cedar piece found it's way to our wall for a short time, before it went to the loving home of another, just this past week.

   beautiful cedar piece

(sold)

The endless production of new, creative and beautiful masterpieces, continue to pour into our house, weekly these days, as Hayden has been out at the Millarville Farmers Market this summer, selling his wares. It's been fun watching him come up with new ideas and seeing the excitement that lights up his eyes when he finds a new piece of wood with incredible grains, colors and knots. Hayden in a wood shop is liken to a kid in a candy shop, and it's so fun to be a part of that.

Hayden began his craft only a couple years ago and to see how far he's come and the pieces he's created over this short span of time, is quite impressive. Not just to me (of course I'm going to be a bit biased as his wife) but to all who lay eyes on his work. One would honestly think he'd been honing his craft for several years. To pull a segment of a small bio he had written for one of his shows…

         "Trees surround us everywhere and are very much part of our everyday lives.  Every tree is unique, as different as we are from each other.  Trees are a constant reminder of both the splendor and provision of God.  Rough planks in a wood shop or out in a forest, the creation I see consistently inspires me to create.

           There are an estimated 100,000 plus species of trees on the earth.  Its this diversity that amazes me, I have only seen just a fraction of what exists. 

            I started off dabbling with making a few jewelry pieces, then amassing a collection of wood that my wife suggested I start doing something with."

And doing something with it he has. Here are a few samples of the different pieces that have come out of Hayden's most ingenuitive mind. There are pieces that are solely carved,  known as wood relief carvings, pieces that are carved and painted, pieces that are painted and then carved, pieces that are solely painted, pieces made out of tile, pieces etched onto marble, well, I think you get the picture. There is a LOT of variety.

 carved piece

 reclaimed hardwood that was carved then painted

(sold)

 painted and then carved

 tree is cut out of the wood

 painting on reclaimed hardwood

marble etching

 close up

 tile mosaic

 painted then carved (large piece)

 (sold)

 carved then painted

 real wood veneer glued onto another piece of wood, then carved

(sold)

 reclaimed hardwood end pieces

 carved then painted

(sold)

 carved then painted

(top and bottom are sold)

 carved then painted

(sold)

unique modern piece with fabulous grains.

There are so many more pieces that this hardly even begins to scratch the surface of what has been produced. To see more pictures please visit Hayden's facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Halifirien-Wood/

Besides these pieces, Hayden also has many lovely necklaces (all hand carved out of wood), and the newest addition are some seriously awesome magnets, smaller versions of what you see above. There are always new ideas floating around inside his head, so who knows what will be the next great thing that is created. Only time will tell!

Hayden also can and does do custom work. At his last market, this past weekend, he had a guy, who already owned some cool wood, ask Hayden if he could carve a picture onto it. This is always an option. Or you can request something, even if you don't own any wood.

"Although I can duplicate, every piece will always be a unique piece as the wood changes.  If you envision a different type of wood, or another size, just let me know. " ~ Hayden

Hayden is also in the process of getting his web page up and running. We hope to have that up very soon, so please check it out www.halifirienwood.webs.com

For pricing and more details, you can also email Hayden at haydenwerezak@gmail.com and he will be happy to get back to you regarding any questions you may have. 

As a special promo for this blog only, if you purchase a piece and use the PROMOCODE: halifirienwood2012, you will receive 10% off your purchases that are directly from Hayden! This promocode expires Dec 31, 2012. You can find Hayden at the Millarville Farmers Market Sept 8th and Oct 6th, but pieces can be purchased from him anytime. His work can also be found in Medicine Hat at The Framing and Arts Centre/The Clay Trade, downtown on 2nd St. (across from the Monarch Theatre) and also at The Hive, also located on 2nd St.

For all you art lovers out there looking for something fresh, unique and local that is sure to wow your guests, Halifirien Wood is your bet. :) Enjoy!

Last Weeks free give-away winner: Jenae Sterkenburg. Congratulations!

Trivia question answer: Bee Venom

next week's feature hint: decadently fluffy sweet

Till next time!

Monday Feature: Sweet Pure Honey

SWEET PURE HONEY

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

I'm quite excited about this weeks growing green feature as it talks about one of my favorite foods...honey.

Sweet Pure Honey is a home business on fire, growing rapidly as people discover their amazing honey, face and body products, candles, and even clothing!

Sweet Pure Honey is located in the prairie community of Porcupine Plain, however Stella now produces the face and body products in Medicine Hat. Owners/beekeepers/artisans Stella Sehn and Sheldon Hill "handpack their natural honey and handmake their lip balms and candles. They have enough bees to occupy 400 hives", which as you can imagine, keeps them quite busy, nevermind making their other products.

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

You may be wondering what is so great about Sweet Pure Honey's honey. What makes it different from any other honey? As someone who has consumed vast amounts of honey over the years, in all forms, let me tell you, never before have I tasted anything so silky, smooth, rich, and exotically delicate. "Sweet Pure Honey is the unprocessed, concentrated nectar of flowers". Never before have you tasted anything of such perfection.

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

Sweet Pure Honey puts their honey through a unique process that I have never seen or heard of anywhere before. The raw honey is extracted and poured into jars by hand. It's then frozen where it naturally sets up to a beautiful, white, spreadable honey butter. The honey "is harvested and packed fresh for their customers", so you can be sure of only the best and freshest in every jar you buy. I had some tonight on a rice cake and it was all I could do to stop myself from digging into the jar with a spoon and eating it plain.

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

You can get their honey in three flavors. The original, white honey butter, a cinnamon honey butter and a cocoa honey butter. I've sampled all of them and they are fantastic and a must try. I guarantee you will love and become addicted to this extraordinary honey.

On top of this honey being so delicious, Sweet Pure Honey supports the Fair Trade Movement and ensures their farmers "are all paid fair value for their crops". So many times we only think of Fair Trade as being connected to those working in a third world country, and I am just as guilty of this. But rest assured, Sweet Pure Honey has thought of our local farmers' wellbeing and supports them accordingly.

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

In addition to making honey, Sweet Pure Honey also uses the beeswax to make heavenly scented candles.

The raw beeswax is collected right from the hive and "is unfilltered and not refined. It contains pollen, traces of honey, and propolis" and has all it's natural properies intact. I don't know about you, but I love burning beeswax candles. The aroma is near intoxicating. To reveal a little secret, I find it hard to resist just sitting and sniffing beeswax candles. It's a little weird, I know, but we all have our vice right?

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

Now let's talk about Sweet Pure Honey's Face and Body line. They take two natural ingredients that we all love, coconut oil and beeswax, and gently blend them together to make the most amazing lip balms and body balms. I use the tinted lip balm everyday, which is also filled with natural MICA minerals to create a nice sheer color. My lips have never felt so moist!

I also swear by the body balm. My little baby girl had some dry, red cheeks forming due to teething, and I used the body balm on her cheeks. By that night all the redness was gone and by the next day her cheeks were back to their smooth, moist and perfect self with no sign of dryness. Plus she then had a faint fragrance of honey that wafted around her all day, which I didn't mind in the least.

 

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

Sweet Pure Honey also makes lovely organic perfume sticks which use coconut oil and beeswax along with tantalizing essential oils to create a fragrance you'll be sure to love.

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

And they have soap too! Made with creamy coconut oil, glycerin and essential oils, a bath turns into something special and your skin feels oh so lovely.



photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

Sweet Pure Honey is growing and it's exciting to see something local gaining vast popularity. I encourage you to check out Sweet Pure Honey's website www.sweetpurehoney.ca for their history, full detail on all their products, price list and how to order. You can also find Stella at the Medicine Hat Farmers Market selling her products alongside the most amazing honey you will ever eat.

Now all I need is some fresh, warm bread made with gluten intolerant friendly wheat and smather it, yes smather, with some delicious, white honey butter.

photograph by Giselle Nerlien*

Stella and Sheldon and their 3 beautiful children



Now for something fun and FREE! That's right! I have some Face and Body products from Sweet Pure Honey that I'm giving away for free. Simply follow the instructions below to have your name entered into a draw for some awesome products to try out! (This is for Medicine Hat residents only as I'm unable to mail these products).

1. Answer the following question via email to growing.green27@gmail.com

 -There is a new facial cream that has effects on your skin similar to that of botox. What is the secret ingredient that causes this effect? hint - the answer has to do with those responsible for today's feature.

2. Comment below and tell me your favorite food, recipe or thing you like to eat with honey or use with honey. I always like to try out something new :) (everyone can do this, no matter where you live!!!)

next week's feature hint: A wide expanse of woodland located in Rohan

*Note: All photographs were taken by Sweet Pure Honey's photographer and consulting partner Giselle Nerlien. If you are interested in her work please email her at photoartbygiselle@ymail.com or check out more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gisellenerlien/

Happy Eating!!!

Monday Feature: TLC Farms

Here is the first Monday feature in my new series. I've decided that I will post just one a week. The goal is to do this every Monday. I think that will be a nice way to start off the week, don't you?

The local business for my first feature is from the Medicine Hat area. TLC Farms is located out on Hwy 3 right by the town of Whitla (just past Seven Persons) and is owned and run by Alastair and Lynn Olsen. They are a local farm selling many types of meat and poultry, such as beef, pork, lamb and even buffalo! You can also purchase chicken in many forms and the most delicious free range eggs (I get a dozen almost every week), as well as in season fruits, veggies, and herbs. They have beef and pork variety packs to keep your freezer stocked and even pre-made meals to help you on those busy work days, when you just don't have time to make a good home made meal.

"So what", you might be saying. I can get all that and more at the grocery store. If you like your processed, artificially colored and flavored, chemically altered food, then the grocery store is for you. However, if you're ready for something wholesome and natural, here's what sets TLC Farms apart from what you buy in the major grocery stores.

To quote TLC Farms from their website "(we) offer the choice of buying meat that was raised outdoors, without the use of chemicals."

All of their livestock (with exception of the buffalo) is raised on location and is free range (raised in a field, not in a stuffy barn or a feed lot). "...through the summer, (their cattle) are grazed on grass and, in the winter, are brought closer to home for protection… All of the feed rations are grown and processed by (TLC Farms)…" The Buffalo are raised in Northern Alberta where grass is abundant.

TLC Farms boasts of being chemical free. They have full control of all their products. They know who is handling the meat, how it is handled and processed and know that all those who are in contact with their products are thorough in cleanliness and adhere to the strict standards that are in place. Because of this, and also because of the natural feed they give their livestock, there is no need to bathe their meat in ammonia or other harsh chemicals that are hazardous to those of us who eat it. One has no idea who has handled the food at a grocery store, whether their hands were cleaned properly beforehand or what has been in contact with that meat. Also, with TLC Farms' ground beef, you can be assured of no "pink slime". There are no animal by-products added to their ground beef. Just pure, delicious meat, which is so lean there is no need to drain any excess fat after cooking. I pick up some ground beef almost every week as we go through it so fast. It makes the most delicious burgers, meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and anything else you can conjure up.

Another thing I LOVE about TLC Farms, is all their livestock are antibiotic and hormone free! This is a rare find indeed as you can be almost guaranteed the meat you buy at the store is chalk full of antibiotics and hormones. Another unnecessary thing we consume with our food. I'm discovering that these additives are effecting people and causing reactions similar to that of allergies. TLC Farms goes back to the roots of raising livestock, like in the olden days, and nothing is injected into their meat.

My husband and I have purchased eggs, chicken breasts, bacon, sausage, steak, and ground beef and have enjoyed it all. I personally would much rather support this local farm, knowing I'm helping them out, but also knowing I'm making a more healthy choice for my family and myself. Every step counts. Are their prices higher then you find at Costco, Superstore and the likes? They are. However, TLC Farms has a motto "You can have it good or you can have it cheap, but you cannot have both". This could not be more true. It's like comparing making burgers at home from scratch or buying a Big Mac from McDonalds. Which is cheaper, but which is better?  There is no comparison between the two and wholesome is always the best choice, even if it is a bit more expensive.

To all you Hatters, TLC Farms products are a must try! I challenge you to step away from the mass produced abundance of the big chain stores and try out the vast variety of what TLC Farms offers. Take a leap of faith. I promise you won't be disappointed. As for my family, we have become a loyal TLC Farms customer and supporter.

You can find TLC Farms at the Medicine Hat Farmers Market every Saturday (go early as they sell their products quickly) and they also do free delivery into the city on Wednesdays if you put in an order ahead of time. They also encourage people to visit their farm, to see how they run it and to purchase products right there. Alastair and Lynn are open and honest and absolutely friendly. You will always find a smile when you visit them.

For more information on TLC Farms, contact information, to read their history in full and for their full product and price list, please visit their website: www.tlcfarms.ca

Happy Eating!

Next weeks feature hint: Something Sweet! Plus a free give-away! Follow me and stay tuned!

Going Local: The Challenge has Commenced!

In the past year or so, my husband and I have become very fond of "supporting local". This comes with a price, as small businesses have no way to compete with the large scale, over produced mass of clothing, food, etc that you can get at any of the large stores like Costco, Superstore, Walmart….well you get my drift. Don't get me wrong, I still shop at all those places, but I'm starting to become aware of, and seek out, what is made and grown around me and how I can make a difference by supporting my neighbour, in a sense. Not only that, but with the growing media surrounding our food these days, what is sprayed on it  (those delicious pesticides), put in it (pink slime anyone?), where it comes from (thanks China for making almost….everything), or who's making it (let's support those 6 years olds!) can kinda make you sick to your stomach. I'm not saying this to offend, but let's face it, this is what we are deciding with every purchase we make, whether we realize it or not.

Yes, we can buy organic foods now, free trade labels are popping up everywhere, and thank goodness for that health food aisle that makes us feel good. I like to buy those things as well and you're more then likely to find me wandering up and down that aisle. Those products can be more expensive, but quality usually is. However, how is this helping those around me who are making, growing and selling those very same things? And how do we really know where it's all coming from? What are those ingredients that I can't pronounce? I'm tired of filling my body with food that is filled with unnecessary ingredients and sometimes paying more for it. Corn is in everything and made into almost every form. Antibiotics and hormones are injected into our meats, corn is fed to these animals, thus causing the meat to need ammonia baths, sugar and high fructose corn syrup are rampant, artificial food coloring and flavors ravage foods of all kinds, fruit and vegetables are picked early and then chemically ripened after the fact. These are just a few of the things that we can easily avoid.

Thus I've decided to begin a new series. How long or how short it is is slightly dependant on you, my readers. There are local businesses, around Medicine Hat and beyond, that I would like to feature and support and my challenge to you is, try them out! I dare you. Will you pay more for what you're getting? Only a little. Is it better then what you'd get in a chain store? Absolutely. Is it healthier and more delicious? Yes. Is it worth it. Heck yes! Your wellbeing and health is ALWAYS worth it. But the problem is that I only have just a few businesses thus far.

With that said, here's my other challenge and proposition to you. If you know of a local business (someone who grows or makes something and sells it locally, not a chain store), that you think is amazing, does their best to be original, healthy, organic, not adding sprays or toxins or anything else to their products, and is looking out for the wellbeing of us all, tell me about them so I can look into their business and then maybe do a feature on them to help support their business and get the word out. I don't care where you're from. I have readers from all over the world and I want you to all find businesses around you who are trying to make a difference for the better in our world. Nominate someone who you think should be featured on my blog, or direct those businesses to my blog, so we can help spread the word about their business. I've become quite passionate about this and about being healthy and eating healthy and watching where I put my money. It has especially stirred up since I've become wheat intolerant. Interestingly enough, however, I've discovered it's only the altered, new strains of wheat that affect me (which is what is in most everything you'll find at the store). Where there used to be 3 or 4 varieties, there are now 30 - 40 different varieties. Gluten levels have increased in most of them to allow for lighter, fluffier breads and protein levels have decreased in many of them. They are still safe to consume, and delicious to boot, just not for me. The original strains of wheat I can eat! There is a business that sells it, and I hope to feature them soon.

So with all that said, I end this entry with this proposition in your hands. Help me spread the word and help me share these often looked over little gems. Message me at growing.green27@gmail.com to tell me about your favourite local businesses and why you love them.

Stay tuned for my first local business feature: TLC Farms

coming soon!

Enjoy these last weeks of summer, head out to the market, and bask in the warmth of the summer sun.

Welcome!

This is it! I'm so excited to be branching off and launching a new blog that is geared specifically to supporting fun, unique and fantastic local businesses. This has become such a passion for my husband and I over the past short while, as we have discovered so many wonderful small businesses that are in our area. Many can be found at Farmers Markets, some have store fronts, others are home based. Which ever it is makes no difference, as they are still local no matter location and we, as consumers, should support our local businesses and help them thrive.

Too easily are these small businesses over-shadowed by the large companies selling cheap items for cheap prices. However, that is just what they are….cheap. You pay for quality and that's what I'm hoping to share with you. Local businesses that give you the best quality in whatever their craft, be it food, art, or everyday life products. I want to promote and support those who encourage a healthier, greener lifestyle.

Of course, I'll also be sharing some yummy recipes here and there, because let's admit it, what's a blog without good food.

In addition, you can also find info on what I'm looking for if you own a small business and would like to be featured, and also info on past businesses I've featured (web sites and contact info). This is a daring venture, and one I would like to continue to pursue for years to come. There are a plethora of small businesses just waiting to be discovered and explored and I want to help shine the light on them. Let's do this together!

As this is a topic specific blog, if supporting local and going green is something that you're also passionate about and/or interested in finding out more about fantastic local businesses near you, please subscribe to my blog and also follow me! Then you can get all the newest, updated information as soon as it's posted.

And last but not least, let's get out there and support these businesses and help sustain our own, while feeling good about it too. And keep an eye out for promos and free give-aways as they are sure to appear within my posts :) You won't want to miss those!

You'll notice that the first few blogs after this one are a repeat from my other blog www.scribeofbeauty.blogspot.ca This is to ensure I get my initial vision and first few featured businesses on here :)

I hope you'll follow me and come along on this journey and maybe make some new friends along the way! Always feel free to comment, whether you've tried the products I'm featuring, what you like, your thoughts on the feature etc. The more I hear from you, my readers, the better we all are! Thanks for tuning in!

Happy Reading!