Thursday, October 24, 2013

Table Talk: Falling for Fall

By Sarah Correll

It’s a wonderful time of year. The leaves are changing, farmers are harvesting corn and soybeans, the air is crisp, and it’s the perfect time for some fun on the farm for you and your family. Check out some of our blogger friends’ autumn adventures!


From picking apples to visiting a pumpkin patch, Krista from Everyday Mom’s Meals and her family have been busy!


Do you have toddlers? Amy from A Latte’ with Ott, A shares how to make the most of the season with them here!
 
 
Katie at Katie Unscripted is spending some time in the kitchen this fall. Check out her apple pie recipe!


This post from Jacqueline at WritRams is full of fun fall ideas! From festivals to outdoor scavenger hunts, she gives us plenty of ways to enjoy the weather!

 


BasilMomma’s Heather and her family visited Kelsay Farms- and it looks like everyone had a great time!

Tell us- what do you and your family do to enjoy the season?

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Celebrating Rural Women

By Sarah Correll
 
 

Today is the International Day of Rural Women. It’s no secret that women are integral part in operating and managing farms and families in the United States and around the world. Meet some of our favorite rural women, and find some great tips, tricks, and recipes in the process!
 
 
 
 
 
Amy and Liz, Two Maids a Milking
 

 
MaryBeth, Alarm Clock Wars
 
 
 
 
Meet the rest of the crew here!
 
Who are some of the amazing rural women in your life?

Monday, October 14, 2013

Why Kids Need Dairy In Their Diet!

Guest Post By DeDe Hausmann of Winners Drink Milk

Milk pourI'm so glad there are research scientists in the field of dairy nutrition that have produced studies that back up the need for dairy in one's diet, including for little ones. Before joining the Indiana dairy industry, I was a Family & Consumer Science teacher and for my nutrition classes I found scientific proven studies to tout the benefit of dairy (and the other four food groups) in everyone's diets.

It's all about bioavailability! The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) said in Building Strong Bones: Calcium Information for Health Care Providers in 2006 (for the Milk Matters Campaign), "Bioavailability, the degree to which the intestinal system absorbs calcium, depends on the overall level of calcium in a food and the type of food being consumed. Calcium in foods such as milk and milk products is highly bioavailable, meaning it is easily absorbed...However, calcium in foods high in Oxalic Acid (such as spinach, sweet potatoes, and beans) or phytic acid (such as unleavened bread, raw beans, seeds, and nuts) may be poorly absorbed. Oxalics are strong inhibitors of calcium." Connie Weaver, PhD, and a Distinguished Professor of Food & Nutrition at Purdue University, also backs up that conclusion with many calcium studies. Google her work and see what she has to say!

As for kids, I found info supplied via Parents Magazine.  Cow's milk isn't easily digested well by babies under 1 year and from 1- 2 years of age, Frank Greer, M.D., past chairman of the American Academy of Pediatric's Committee on Nutrition, stated that whole milk is a necessity. Little ones need the fat in whole milk for nerve and brain development. But if a child is gaining weight too quickly for his height, pediatricians normally suggest switching to 1 or 2% fat level milk. At age 2, kids can drink 1% or 2% milk and will get the full nutrient package of whole milk, with less fat.

Serving-wise, kids from ages 1-4 need 2-8 oz servings of milk or yogurt or 1.5 oz. of cheese (6 dice-sized cubes) daily; kids between 4 and 8 need 2-3 servings daily of dairy. If they don't like white milk, go for flavored milk. The minimal sugar added is off-set by the 9 essential nutrients supplied.

Milk and dairy products are the number one source of calcium and many are fortified with Vitamin D, necessary for the absorption of calcium in the body. Plus, dairy products contain other essential nutrients as in protein, phosphorus, vitamins A and some B vitamins- again, 9 essential nutrients in all!

So do kids need dairy in their diets? Yes they do and there's much researched-based information to back that up.  Got milk for kids?  YES!

Friday, October 11, 2013

An Egg-celant Day

By Sarah Correll


October 11 is World Egg Day!


Indiana farmers- including Bob from Berne, Indiana- care for over 23 million laying hens.


Mentone, Indiana is the self-proclaimed “Egg Basket of the Midwest.” They hold an egg festival every June.


Did you know that stale eggs float in water, while fresh eggs sink? This is because all eggs contain an air cell that gets larger as the egg ages.


What’s the difference between brown and white eggs? Nutritionally, nothing. They are just laid by different breeds of chickens.


Traditionally the number of folds in chefs’ hats represented the number of ways they knew how to cook an egg. Add some folds to yours with these recipes!

Liz’s Quiche Lorraine


Cris’ Oven Baked Scrambled Eggs
 
 
 

 
 
MaryBeth’s Egg Salad