FAIR TRADE REQUIRES FAIR PLAY

FAIR TRADE REQUIRES FAIR PLAY – MAY 31, 2012

Donating to a cause to benefit others is heartwarming, and let’s be honest— isn't that why we do it a lot of the time, to make ourselves feel good?  Well, there are better ways to help than just throwing money at a problem like hunger, poverty or the lack of clean drinking water. 

Giving to an organization that empowers others to accomplish something—like creating a marketable product—can not only boost your own good feeling, but will boost the receiver of your good will as well.

  Threads of hope is an organization that our family has worked with to raise money, as well as do something fun that shares the love of Christ with others.  Ordering their handmade “friendship” bracelets is easy, click here for their order page.  You can find their fundraiser opportunities here.

The equal exchange coop is an organization that works to support farmers around the world, through cooperative organizations, using sustainable farming methods.  Visit the equal exchange site and see all the products they offer for purchase.  You can also read their side of the fair trade debate.

There is a lot to be said for the rules of the playing field, and keeping it level for everyone is essential.  There are several stories about the fair trade industry where coffee is concerned, and i wanted to share multiple sources to allow you to draw your own conclusions.

KFVS reported this story from the associated press:

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/18662657/fair-trade-purists-cry-foul-at-including-big-farms

The semissourian has this story:

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1854937.html

Fair trade products are available at local retailers.  If you would like to purchase fair trade certified products, you need to look for these logos on the container:

 Enjoy your coffee!  Guilt free.

WHAT THE CAT CAUGHT

WHAT THE CAT CAUGHT - MAY 30, 2012

WHAT THE CAT CAUGHT:

This morning, while pouring my coffee, I let the dog in and the cats out.  Just a few minutes later, I heard a dreadful squeaky-squeal.  I thought perhaps it was a bird that one of the cats had caught—baby birds seem to find their way into my cats’ mouths easily.  Alas, no.  It was definitely not a bird.  As I walked to the garage, I saw the cat toying with a rodent…a rodent too big to be a mouse.  The other cat caught a mouse last week.  I scurried on my way, but decided to look it up when I got to the office.  Here is what I am assuming she had captured:

Prairie Vole:  The mature prairie vole is reddish brown to gray and is larger than a field mouse but smaller than a rat (Figure 1). The ears of a vole are very small. The prairie vole has a torpedo-shaped body about 4 to 5 inches long with small ears and a short tail.

I am quite certain I will not need to find a “rodent control method”—as outlined here in the Missouri Agriculture Extension Department newsletter—the cats are all the pest control we have ever needed. http://ipm.missouri.edu/newsletters/meg/archives/v14n5/v14n5.pdf.

Perhaps I should send a warning message to the family?  Mine, not the vole’s.

HEALTHY SNACK ALTERNATIVES

HEALTHY SNACK ALTERNATIVES-MAY 29, 2012

5 Alternatives to High Fat Chips:

Edemame:  If you like going to Japanese restaurants, you’ll probably 
recognize them as a common appetizer. You can buy bagged, frozen 
edamame and steam or boil them quickly. 

 

Kale Chips:  Light and crispy, and surprisingly delicious.  
These are a treat you have to try to believe.

  

Pita Chips:  Sometimes a sweet treat is needed every now and 
then, but with these cinnamon sugar pita chips, you can 
decide how much sugar to use!








Popcorn:  Everyone loves popcorn, but microwave popcorn 

or theatre popcorn is incredibly high in fat and calories 
from the butter and oil added.  Make your own popcorn 
–from the bag of kernels with olive oil—and dump the 
calories so low, you can eat more!   Try this Kettlecorn recipe!

Fresh Veggies and Hummus:  There are a wide variety of 
hummus flavors available, and Sabra even makes single 
serving sizes for on the go.  Add some fresh veggies or 
whole wheat crackers for a healthy snack at work
—no microwave required.

be listening for more healthy lifestyle choices!
we are going to be doing some fun things!

GRILLIN' WITH MY HOMIES

MAY 24, 2012 - GRILLIN' WITH MY HOMIES

Grilling is one of the most popular cooking methods worldwide. A wide variety of equipment is used for grilling, ranging from the simple to the elaborate. An outdoor grill may be as straightforward as a homemade device in which a grate is placed over an open fire or it may be as sophisticated as a commercially produced charcoal or gas unit, providing inventive methods for controlling heat and maintaining uniformity in cooking. Electric and gas models, designed specifically for indoor use, allow food to be grilled within the home when outdoor grilling is not possible.

MARINADE FOR STEAK

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup olive oil 1/2 cup soy sauce 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard 1 onion, sliced (optional) 2 cloves garlic, minced

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl, combine the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, ground black pepper, mustard, onion, and garlic. Mix together well, and use to marinate your favorite meat.

Tips for grilling veggies:

• Vegetables should be grilled over a medium heat. 
• Prevent vegetables from drying out on the grill by soaking them in cold water before cooking.
• Use skewers or a grill basket to prevent small chunks of vegetables from falling through the grate.  Remember to soak bamboo skewers for 30 or more minutes before using to prevent them from burning.
• Before placing on the grill, brush oil onto vegetables to prevent them from sticking to the grates. The vegetables must be dry before applying oil or the oil will not stick.
• There are some fabulous grill clips for asparagus in Country Living magazine this month-or was it Better Homes and Gardens?

Find many more tips at grillingtips.com.

Enjoy...and save me some! 

PLAY SAFE/STAY SAFE

MAY 23, 2012 PLAY SAFE/STAY SAFE

“There is a growing epidemic of preventable youth sports injuries that are dismantling kids' athletic hopes and dreams at an early age. In response, the STOP Sports Injuries campaign was created by a coalition of organizations and corporations to help prevent athletic overuse and trauma injuries in kids. In addition, a Council of Champions has been established that includes business, sports and medical leaders to bring this message to and actively engage youth sports parents, coaches, athletes and healthcare providers.” –Stop Sports Injuries

SSI lists some tips to keep young athletes in the game for life include:

• o    Warm up properly by stretching, running, and easy, gradual throwing.
• o    Rotate playing other positions besides pitcher.
• o    Don't play year-round.
• o    Develop skills that are age appropriate.
• o    Emphasize control, accuracy, and good mechanics.
• o    Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about softball injuries or softball injury prevention strategies
• o    Return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional.

Maximum Pitch Counts

Age	Pitches/Game	Pitches/Day Days 1 & 2	Pitches/Day Day 3
8-10	50	80	0
10-12	65	95	0
13-14	80	115	80
15-over	100	140	100

Click HERE for the link to the sports injury information that was used for the Trivia Question.

Protecting youth physical health is the responsibility of all adults involved in their lives, and teaching them to watch and report their symptom is vital.  Get out and enjoy some youth athletics this summer—support local sports!

CARDBOARD SIGN SAYS YARD SALE

MAY 22, 2012 - CARDBOARD SIGN SAYS YARD SALE

Yard-sale shoppers will be out along Highway 25 this Memorial Day weekend in search of bargains at the 100-Mile Yard Sale, but MoDOT is concerned about safety, and will have message boards up along the highway to alert drivers of traffic congestion and promote safe driving. The sale is along the road from Jackson to Kennett, with multiple sales and traffic around many towns on the route…be cautious, DO NOT STOP IN THE ROAD… pull off to a safe stopping area.   For more information and a map to the route visit 25yardsale.com/.

Hurricane Audra’s Almanac:

How to yard sale shop:

1)  Plan:  decide when you will go, then check the classifieds and Craigslist

2)  Gather your supplies:  cash, grocery bags, newpaper, snacks, drink

3)  Decide and map your route

4)  Buying:  define your budget for certain items

5)  If you are looking for furniture, etc, take a bigger vehicle

6)  Take the kids/grandkids: teach them value and decide whether it’s worth it

7)  Don’t buy for others—not without a text message photo

8)  Sing-a-long with the radio  in the car—make it fun!

Trivia:  Where did the “garage sale” originate?  Hint: French word

The word "rummage" is said to come from the French "arrumage" --to pack with cargo – [circa 1520–30;  aphetic alteration of Middle French arrumage,  equivalent to arrum ( er ) to stow goods in the hold of a ship (< ?) + -age –age] and the concept of rummage sale seems to have developed when ships' captains sold excess and unclaimed cargo on the wharves.  It is not too great a stretch to get from rummage sales on the wharves to the idea of a private garage sale when a family was moving or just feeling overwhelmed by all the junk it had accumulated. The classic garage sale began as people started moving to suburbs in large numbers in the post-WWII period, when they actually had garages and yards available for the purpose of selling all the things they did not need or had just grown weary of moving around in the garage.

Most of all--have fun with the family!