Fresh Fruit Juice - Blackberry Cherry-Plum Juice

 Today I noticed some apples coming in well and began to wonder what would be a good use for them.  This led me to making apple juice.  It turned out to be a surprisingly easy process.  After trying an apple I realized they aren't quite ready yet.  However the cherry plum trees and blackberry bushes are abundant with ripe fruit.   Wanting to try what I had just learned, I proceeded to pick a fair amount of cherry plums and blackberries.  Following the instructions online I mashed them up a bit, then simmered them for about 5 mins.  Put in threw a strainer, added water to taste and had some homemade blackberry, cherry plum juice!  Compared to what you buy it the store, it tastes a bit less sweet put makes up for it with fruit flavor.

I'd encourage you to try this with extra fruit you have around.  It's an easy way to make an enjoyable treat to share with family and friends.  I'll go over the process as it appears similar with most fruits.  Cut or mash the fruit, depending on softness.  Put in a large pot and add water till the fruit is covered.  Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally.  Once most of the content of the pot are soft, pour through a strainer.  Use a spatula to squish more out of the pulp.  Once it has cooled off add water to your liking.  If it comes out too sour or tart add sugar or honey to balance it out.  Try mixing different of your favorite fruits for your own fruit punch blend.

Thanks for reading.

Summer update

Greetings,  the summer has arrived and it shows in the garden.  The jalapenos and strawberries wilt down, needing water just about daily.  They are in partial shade.  With enough water everything grows much quicker.  I pulled a few red onions yesterday, now I'll let them dry for about a week.  They look and smell good.  The corn is growing well, some of the oldest plants have cobs growing.  Also the tomato plants are doing great.  There are maybe up to thirty tomatoes growing on one of them.  Some of the garlic is doing really well while others aren't growing as well.

It has been hot, I've been drinking so much ice water.  Mixing it with a bit of cranberry or raspberry juice for extra flavor.  Also got a sun hat to help protect against the sun's rays.  Now I'm working more often so it's tough to allocate the time efficiently.  There are a few spots this aggressive crab grass has grown in.   It doesn't appear to be affecting the plants too much.  I've been focusing on watering.

Thanks for reading!

Apples on Ice

I haven't always been a huge fan of apples,  until recently.  I began slicing them up and putting them in ice water.  It gives the water a bit of flavor, and there is a nice cold apple to munch on.  Eating more slowly helps you absorb the most out of food as well!  This way the apple wont turn brown and will become ice cold after a few mins.  

While on the note of apples, they are great for you.  They provide both types of fiber, aiding digestion greatly.  Which helps your over health.  They appear to reduce the risk of getting various types of cancer.  Also containing a natural form of sugar which is easily absorbed and a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth craving!   There are many other benefits I haven't listed here. 

So with summer coming on, make sure you stay cool and hydrated.  If you get bored of ice water, add an apple and enjoy!

Thanks for reading

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002136.htm

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apples.html

Chickens

Greetings, so this article will be about my experience of getting chickens.  I got them with hopes of getting some eggs and using their droppings as fertilizer to help the garden.   I found an area in the backyard and moved some old wood and pipes.  Then I put up a fence with chicken wire at the bottom and converted half of a bike shed into a chicken coop.   I used an old rabbit cage to to make some nesting boxes, and lined them with grass clippings, hay and alfalfa.

After a few days of working on that, I got two Rhode Island Red chickens.  I found out this morning they can get over a 4 ft high fence, so I'm going to get some hardware cloth to put over the top.  I'm planning on getting a few more chickens of different breeds.  Aracanas lay blue or green eggs or maybe some that lay white eggs, like Leghorns.

I got pullets for multiple reasons.  Pullets are about three to four months old and haven't started laying eggs yet.  While they are a bit higher priced than baby chicks, they don't require special heating lamps and feed.  They also had laying hens from one and a half to two years old.  I decided against getting them because chickens usually live to ten years and their peak laying age is about three years.  I'd rather pullets.

It's been a fun experience, the chickens looks pretty awesome too.  I got a bag of 'Egg Maker' chicken feed,  they seem to like it and it appears to have a good amount of nutrition for the birds.  They also eat grass and bugs, which there is plenty of in the outside area.  Check your cities ordinances on chickens and if they are allowed I would encourage getting a few.  They don't need a whole lot of space and they are far more interesting than a cat.  Thanks for reading, enjoy yourself.

Why Fitness and Nutrition?

What is fitness? Similar to health in some ways, it is the state of being fit.  Able to do the given task well.  Having the body composition you want.  What is nutrition?  The process of taking in materials and using it for growth and cell regeneration.  What have they got to do with each other?  The fitness would be the what and the nutrition would be the how.  Which leaves only the question of why?  Wellness!  I'll quote thefreedictionary.com/wellness on this one "The condition of good physical and mental health, especially when maintained by proper diet, exercise, and habits."  Sounds nice right?  Stick around with the people you love for awhile and being sane and healthy while spending time with them.  Being able to work enough for yourself and to be generous as well.  I suppose there can be many reasons.  Small steps and curiosity help keep it interesting.  If you run into one of those days where motivation isn't there, try putting on the biggest smile and keeping it there for the next 15 mins, or telling a light-hearted joke to your co-worker.  Be creative, paint or draw something.  Blast you're favorite song and dance to it like today is the best day of your life.  That's all for now folks.