Pantry Challenge: On the Menu this Week

The second week of January I embarked on a Pantry Challenge in which I intend to be intentional about using up what I preserved from my garden last fall and have stocked up in my pantry over the last year.  If you want to know more details about how I plan to accomplish this, check out my post here.

Last week I realized that we are already coming to the end of February.  Yikes!  Where has the last two months gone!  When I look in my freezers and pantry I can see that I have made a dent in what I had stored up, so I guess I can 'see' that the time has passed. :}  So now the question is, to continue or not to continue with menu planning...  and I have decided to continue.  This week I will sit down and re-evaluate my freezers & pantry.  After I have a pretty good idea of what I have then I will print a new calendar & set up a new menu for the next couple of months.  Are you up for joining me?  If you have questions on how to challenge yourself to eat from your pantry or plan a menu, check out my first Pantry Challenge post.

Here is what is on my menu this week...

Meals:
Stone Soup (studying R=rock in school right now :) - frozen veggies & garden potatoes from a friend)
Turkey potpie (frozen veggies)
Hamburgers (not written on my menu but the family is begging; gotta to love up your family once in awhile! ;P)  I'll pull out some garden salsa for chips & I love to use it as relish on my burger.

Snack: We are still eating on the Oatmeal Squash Cookies I made last week, so I won't make anything new this week.

Oatmeal Squash Cookies

I finally got to making these Oatmeal Squash Cookies after having them on my meal plan for two weeks.  That's how it goes for things that are treats and not meals... they get left until there is a little extra time in my day!

I found this recipe in a baby magazine several years when my oldest was a newborn (and I had time to read magazines!).  I have altered it and made it my own since.  This is a yummy and healthy snack for kids or can even substitute for a breakfast bar on your way out the door on 'one of those mornings'.  I hope you enjoy. :)

Oatmeal Squash Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 c soft butter
1 c brown sugar
1/4 c granulated sugar
1 c pureed squash or pumpkin (choose your favorite - a friend even used sweet potatoes!)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 c all purpose flour
1/2 whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3 c rolled oats
1/2 c raisins

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F.  Cream butter and sugars.  Add squash, eggs and vanilla; beat.  Slowly add dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.  Last mix in raisins. 

Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto a well greased cookie sheet.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy.  Makes approximately 2 dozen large cookies.

Note:  If you have a chocolate craving, consider adding 1/4 - 1/2 c mini chocolate chips for a little treat. ;)

Happy Garden Eating! :)

 

Starting Spring Plants Yet?

It is crazy how fast February has flown by!  It is hard to believe that it is already time to be thinking about starting spring planting, but it is true!  In fact, for those of us who have the earliest date of last killing frost (May 12) we are already one week past our first day of planting.  For me, the worst part is I haven't even had time to bring out my plant stand or think about starting any plants, but I'll have to do that in the next week.

Starting bedding plants is a relatively simple and inexpensive way to get your itchy green thumb in the dirt and/or to provide yourself with the satisfaction of providing all your own garden plants.  If you've never done it before, don't worry.  Stick around and I'll do my best to guide you though, but if your endeavor fails you can still go to the local garden center to purchase your plants come spring.  And along the way you will have had a valuable learning experience! :)

Take time this weekend to gather up your supplies if you haven't already and prepare for planting.  Then count out how many weeks you are out from your average last spring frost.  For those of you in North Dakota, check out this NDSU extension link for some guidance.  Once you know the date after which you are typically free to plant, check out my Seed Starting and Planting Guide to see what you can plant now.

If you plan on planting this weekend, check out the seed starting show and tell I shared last year to get you started.  I hope that by next weekend I'll be able to tell you that I have gotten my flowers and coles planted. :}

Have fun and come back & tell me what you have planted.  Happy Gardening! :D

Pantry Challenge: On the Menu this Week

The second week of January I embarked on a Pantry Challenge in which I intend to be intentional about using up what I preserved from my garden last fall and have stocked up in my pantry over the last year.  If you want to know more details about how I plan to accomplish this, check out my post here.

As I looked at my calendar this week, I realized that we are over half way through Feb & the time I designated for this pantry challenge is almost over as well.  It is time to evaluate my pantry & see if I need to extend my challenge or maybe incorporate this intentionality into my life for the long term... hmmm, will have to think on this.  Next week will be the last week of Feb, so I'll have to have a decision by then.

So, let's move ahead with this week... here is what I have on the menu plan for this week: 

Meals:
-Lasagna- using homemade spaghetti sauce I made last fall (I also 'sneak' some minced frozen zucchini into the sauce... it is too small to be noticed but adds some more good veggies to the mix. ;P  My family doesn't do chunky cooked veggies of any sort well, but this works for us.).  I have a couple of pre-made lasagnas in the freezer that I made up extra last time I made lasagna... I love being able to pull a full meal out of the freezer!
-Cheesy Ham & Potato hotdish (another freezer meal) & Baked Candied Squash - over the weekend I cooked up the last of the squash that I had in cold storage and prepared it for freezing.
-Enchiladas- I make my own enchilada sauce using frozen garden tomato sauce & I'll also bring out canned salsa to enjoy with the meal

Breakfasts/Snacks:
Oatmeal Squash cookies - (This is a great kid snack that I cut out of a baby magazine a few years back.  I'll try and post it when I get it made!) Made cake & had a birthday party last week instead of making this so I'll try again this week.

Happy Garden Eating! :)

Local Gardening Workshops: Spring 2012

Spring must be right around the corner. Gardening workshops and events are starting to appear on calendars and you all have been telling me about them!  I LOVE it!  Thanks to you all for passing on information that I can share with everyone! :D

Here some local events for those of you in eastern ND & west central MN.  No matter where you live, be sure to check out your local county extension agency and master gardener programs to see if there are any gardening events or workshops that interest you.  Also check out local home improvement stores & nurseries for gardening events and seminars (many of which are free!).

1)  High Tunnel Workshop for Home Gardeners & Commercial Growers 
Sponsored by NDSU Cass County Extension & U of M Extension
March 6, 2012 at Clay county Family Service Center, Moorhead, MN
Cost: $20 registration fee (includes lunch) if pre-reg by March 1 ($25 at the door)
(thanks to reader Becky for sharing this event!)

2) Moorhead Area Public Schools Community Education has several gardening related classes coming up. See their page for information on individual events.
-A Day on an Organic Farm (thanks to reader Sheila)
-Make Your Own Rain Barrel
-Make Your Own Compost Tumbler
-Gardening Seminar 2012
-Rain Gardens: Capturing the Rain of the Plains
-Composting: Give Your Soil A Boost and Conserve Water

3)Third Annual Todd County Gardening Education Day
Sponsored by the Todd County Master Gardeners
March 10, 2012 at First Baptist Church, Long Prairie, MN
Cost: $20 registration fee before March 1/$25 after March 1 (includes morning refreshments & lunch)
(thanks to reader Jessica)

4) Baker Garden & Gift Center has several workshops every Thursday now through then end of May.
University Drive, Fargo ND
Contact them for more information/times and to register.
Cost: FREE!
-Fairy Gardens (May 10)
-Plant by Numbers (Annual Container) (May 3, 17)
-Kindergarten (May 24 {4pm}- bring your children)

5) Bergeson Nursery has several workshops on Thursdays & Saturdays in April.
Fertile, MN
Cost: FREE (no registration necessary)
For more information on individual workshops check out their website.
-Growing Fruit in the North (Apr 5,7)
-Trees and Shrubs for Your Yard (Apr 12, 14)
-Perennials and Hardy Roses (Apr 19, 21)
-Growing Beautiful Annuals (Apr 26.28)

(thanks to reader, Sheila)

6) University of Minnesota Extension 
This site lists many of the Garden/Horticulture Days that they sponsor/co-sponsor this year.  Check out their list, descriptions and registration information here.

7) West Otter Tail Garden Day
March 31 (registration begins at 8am, first workshop at 9am)
Over 48 speakers and LOTS of topics covered. See their website for details.
Cost $25 (no per-registration)

8) Grand Forks Home Design & Garden Show
March 23-25 at the Alerus Center
Admission charged at the door

9) Fargo's Annual Tree Care Workshop
March 31, 2012 at Rheault Farms
Cost: FREE
(Thanks to reader, Sheila)

 Do you know of a local gardening event?  Feel free to share it in the comments.

Plant of the Week: Cauliflower

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) photo credit

The Brassicaceae family (common names: cabbage or mustard family) holds many common garden plants like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and kale.  Interestingly, all of these plants are cultivars developed from one wild species according to my botany professor (years ago now ;)).  A different characteristic was selected to produce each unique plant accounting for their very different looks and characteristics.  In gardening circles these plants are often referred to as coles (as in 'cole'slaw).  This week we will examine cauliflower.

The flower head, leaves and stem of cauliflower are all eatable, but it is the immature flower head that is typically eaten.  To preserve the nutritive value, it is best to consume cauliflower raw or steamed.  It is suggested that cauliflower has cancer fighting properties that are progressively destroyed if it is boiled over 5 minutes.

Cauliflower is a cool season crop that maintains the best flavor and eye appeal if temps stay below 70F and it receives even moisture throughout the growing period.  Cauliflower can be started indoors 6 weeks before the average last spring frost and transplanted into a prepared garden as much as two weeks before the last frost.  It can also be planted as part of a fall garden if started about 75 days before the average first fall frost.  Plant in full sun about 18 inches apart and maintain about 1inch of water per week.  Once the flower head begins to develop, loosely gather the leaves surrounding the head and tie them together with a rubber band or twist tie.  This is called 'blanching'.  Blanching protects the flower head from expose to the sun, keeping the head snowy white and helping to maintain flavor.  The head is fully mature when it reaches about 6 inches in diameter.  Use a sharp knife to cut it off the plant about 2 inches below the head and store it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. 

Happy Gardening! :)

Pantry Challenge: On The Menu This Week

The second week of January I shared that I have embarked on a Pantry Challenge in which I intend to be intentional about using up what I preserved from my garden last fall and have stocked up in my pantry over the last year.  If you want to know more details about how I plan to accomplish this, check out my post here.

As I sat down today, I not only looked back at this last week, but also glanced back at the last several weeks of this pantry challenge. I noticed a pattern that has emerged in my meal planning... I don't think there has been more than one week in which I completely stuck to my planned menu.  This is not terribly surprising as 'life happens' every week and that is ok with me.  It did make me thankful that I intentionally build a lot of flexibility into my menu plans.

How is your meal planning going?  Have you had to adjust your menu to fit your life better now that we have been doing this a few weeks?  Are you accomplishing the goal of being intentional about using what you raised & preserved from your garden?  I am beginning to see empty space in my freezer and pantry.  It makes me happy to know that my energy/time last summer & fall are being put to good use and feeding my family. :D


Here is what I have on the menu plan for this week: 

Meals:
-Spaghetti - using homemade spaghetti sauce I made last fall (I also 'sneak' some minced frozen zucchini into the sauce... it is too small to be noticed but adds some more good veggies to the mix. ;P  My family doesn't do chunky cooked veggies of any sort well, but this works for us.)
-Homemade pizza- uses homemade pizza sauce I made last fall (This next year I need to freeze some sweet bell peppers to have for homemade pizzas!)
-Slow cooker Pork loin & baked candied buttercup squash 

Breakfasts/Snacks:
Oatmeal Squash cookies (This is a great kid snack that I cut out of a baby magazine a few years back.  I'll try and post it when I get it made!)

Happy Garden Eating! :)

Pinteresting...

Awhile ago I was asked, "Do you pinterest?".  My completely honest response was "Do I what?  What is Pinterest?"  My friends immediately informed me about this "wonderful" new social media outlet in which you could 'pin' a picture of an idea, article, recipe, whatever onto a virtual pin board with a link to its online location.  They shared how they loved that these pin boards kept their ideas contained and organized.  The benefit, I was informed, was great but one needed to be careful not to get lost in browsing and waste a lot of time.  Well, I recently succumbed to curiosity, requested an invitation and signed up.  I have found that I too enjoy the vast array of ideas and information that can be gathered and stored in this one place. 

I have come across some inspiring landscaping and gardening ideas that I have gathered onto a pin board and invite you to check them out.  Join me each Friday on The Full Circle Gardener Facebook page for  "Pinterest Friday".  Come and share your favorite Pinterest idea for the week. This week the idea that has most inspired me is for landscaping along our chain link fence.  Check it out here or check out my gardening pin board here for lots of gardening inspiration.

What 'pinterests' you this week?

Happy Gardening Inspiration! :)

Pantry Challenge: On the Menu this Week

The second week of January I shared that I have embarked on a Pantry Challenge in which I intend to be intentional about using up what I preserved from my garden last fall and have stocked up in my pantry over the last year.  If you want to know more details about how I plan to accomplish this, check out my post here.

Last week went pretty much like planned until the end of the week.  I didn't need to make the Beef Burgundy Stew as we ate out with family and used up leftovers at the end of the week.  It's been so long since we last had it that I'm replacing an item this week to keep it on the menu! ;)

Here is what I have on the menu plan for this week:

Meals:
Beef Burgundy Stew - uses garden potatoes & root veggies we were given by a friend this fall

Baked Ziti - uses home canned spaghetti sauce
Taco Soup -  uses canned tomatoes, peppers and frozen corn


Breakfasts/Snacks:
Zucchini Bread - Ha! This is still a repeat since I haven't made it yet... I really do want to get to it!

Happy Garden Eating! :)

Plant of the Week: Broccoli

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) in flower (photo credit)

The Brassicaceae family (common names: cabbage or mustard family) holds many common garden plants like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, and kale.  Interestingly, all of those plants were developed from one wild species according to my botany professor (years ago now ;)).  A different characteristic was selected to produce each unique plant accounting for their very different looks and characteristics.  In gardening circles these plants are often referred to as coles (as in 'cole'slaw).  This week we will look at broccoli.

It is the large immature flower head of the broccoli that we harvest as a vegetable.  Broccoli flowers develop on branching stems giving it the look of a green tree.  It is this tree-like appearence that will entice some young ones to give it a try.  (Have you ever fed your young ones a raw 'broccoli tree'?)  For those of us in the northern parts of the country, broccoli is a wonderful addition to our diet, especially in the winter, as it is high in both vitamin D and A.

Broccoli tolerates cool soil and air temperatures and so can usually be planted a couple of weeks before the average last spring frost, and is among the first vegetables that can be started indoors in preparation for spring planting.  See my spring Seed Starting & Planting guide to help you know when you can first start cabbage or other plants in your area. Not only do broccoli tolerate cool early spring temperatures, but most varieties do not like hot summer temperatures (starting between 75F & 80F and up) and will bolt (flower).  If you anticipate that your plants will be exposed to warm temperatures plan ahead and plant bolt resistant varieties. 

Plant broccoli in full sun and well drained soil.  If you plan a fall harvest and have a long enough growing season, you can directly plant seeds in the soil, or started broccoli can be hardened and transplanted into the garden 2-3 weeks before the last spring frost.  Individual plants should be placed about 18inches apart or one per square for a square foot garden.  Be sure that the plants receive the equivalent of 1 inch of water per week for the best production.  Harvest when the heads are full and compact.  If the flowers begin to show signs of opening, harvest immediately.  Side shoots will develop smaller heads after the primary head has been harvested, extending the season for several more weeks.

Happy Gardening! :)