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The Thistle Hill mob….
….well the follow-on generations….grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We get together every Christmas Eve though it becomes harder and harder with significant others and their competing schedules. This year four grandchildren were AWOL but it is still a fair-sized crowd to feed. (Our children made for eight more but they were out of camera-range.)
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Thistle Hill food co-editors named….
….well not really, but sometimes I think it would be nice to have a Food Editor and, while I’d apply for the job, it would probably have to go to Tom Garnett of Boonesboro, Maryland. And his wife, Brooke, would have to be the co-editor because she does the job of documenting his work. Not long ago we reported—with photos by Brooke—on Tom’s special pork chop recipe. And after I bragged about my ham, Tom set out to do me one better for his family. He did not share the food but Brooke shares the recipe here: I wanted to report back on our Thistle Hill ham. Tom did an…
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Now here’s a Christmas story….
….we often get requests for standing rib roasts….particularly at Christmas time. But we fear we would cheat too many of our regular customers so we are resigned to disappoint….even ourselves. But just to understand what we’re missing, British TV chef (and Devon farmer) Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s salute to a real Christmas decoration! http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/dec/09/foodanddrink.recipes2 Hugh F-W, as many of you know, has written the premier book on preparing all meats: “The River Cottage Meat Cook”. A gift idea for your favorite chef. He doesn’t call it a Cook-book because it is more than a collection of receipes, it is an appreciation of meat in all its varieties. All vegetarians should read it!…
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Clearing up the confusion….
….or trying anyway. One of the common misconceptions in that somehow organic beef is superior to grass-finished beef. In fact, the only real assurance you’re receiving the full health benefits of the beef you’re eating is to be sure it’s not only grass fed but grass finished! It’s the “be sure” part that’s the trick. For that you have to know the source of your meat and to a large extent depend upon the integrity of the farmer. We’re aware of many so-called grass farmers who feed “just a little” grain to finish their steers. And Dr. Joseph Mercola makes the point that even that “little” is enough to rob…
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Everybody knows that….
….it’s clear that cows communicate with each other but there’s not been much research on it; at least as far we’re aware. But here’s some confirmation from England. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-30484034 Thanks to Juliet Cleave in our Cornwall bureau for the link. But we are sure communication takes place throughout the herd….not just between cows and their calves. And we see signs that it’s not just “moo-ing”. Information about food—and danger—flashes through the herd quickly and not always with a “moo”. It’s fascinating to watch cows circle to protect their calves from a coyote. Older heifers and even cows without calves are sent out to challenge the threat while the main body of the…
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Maybe a conspiracy…..
….hamburger prices at the supermarket keep climbing….and the supply of beef keeps dropping. Where will it end? It’s up to the half dozen major suppliers. And keep in mind….this isn’t real ground beef….but trims gathered up for 20 or so different places here and around the world. It ain’t 100% pure, unadulterated local Thistle Hill grass fed beef! http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/ali-meyer/420-pound-price-ground-beef-climbs-another-record You also should keep in mind that Big Ag and Big Government are continuing their war on the little guys producing pure product….that despite supposedly tight budgets Congress just passed a trillion-dollar budget with more money from Big Government to Big Ag. Could the US ever face food shortages? Ya think?…
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My morning coffee….
….”Bulletproof”, but am I protected against terrorists? At least it’s low carb! http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/style/the-cult-of-the-bulletproof-coffee-diet.html?ref=health&_r=0
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Love and friendship on the farm….
(there’s sound) http://www.wimp.com/labradorox/
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Some things just have to be seen….
….just as some things are hard to explain. But watch this 5-year old girl try! http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/outdoor-living/girl-cuddles-with-cow-video?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1453_117634869 Thanks to Church Matthews for the link.
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Don’t let this get around….
….an explosive statement by a Boston University professor- physician-cancer expert: A low carb-high fat diet is as effective in treating cancer as chemotherapy. So why isn’t it prescribed? According to this man, simply because “there’s no money in it.” If Dr. Thomas Seyfried is right, we’re going to have to add Big Cancer to our villains list of Big Ag, Big Government and Big Chemical Companies. As he puts it: “There are more people making a living off cancer than dying of it!” Read the whole thing: http://www.examiner.com/article/low-carb-ketogenic-diet-beats-chemo-for-most-cancers-says-dr-thomas-seyfried