AgriMissouri

Friday Fixin's

This week’s recipe is courtesy of Persimmon Hill Berry Farm. Blueberries are going strong now so be sure to get out to your local u-pick blueberry farm or farmers’ market to get the freshest blueberries Missouri offers.

Blueberry Smoothie

1 1/2 cups Frozen Blueberries
1 cup milk (skim or 2 percent)
2 T. Splenda (or sugar)
2 T. nonfat vanilla yogurt

Pour milk over frozen blueberries. Add Splenda, vanilla yogurt, and blend. The frozen blueberries make the mixture slushy and ice cold - a great drink for hot days. Most of the time, we don't bother to blend at all, but stir it together and eat it with a spoon, like ice cream. Delicious!

Episode 46: Wine, food and spa!

Picture yourself at a winery, drinking wine, enjoying delicious local foods where there's a full-service spa! Picture yourself at Chaumette Winery & Vineyards in Ste. Genevieve. Chaumette Winery Chef Adam Lambay tells Julie Harker all about the exciting things going on at this special destination.

Download audio

Celebrate the 4th at the Wine & Food Festival

This Saturday, July 4, the United States will celebrate Independence Day. What better way to celebrate than by sampling Missouri local foods and wines! This Saturday from noon to 9:00 pm Missouri wineries and AgriMissouri members will be featured at the Wine & Food Festival at the Elms Hotel and Spa in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

AgriMissouri members, Herb Gathering and Van Till Farms, will provide cooking demonstrations on the main stage as well as selling their products throughout the festival. Cassie and I will be under the AgriMissouri tent promoting local foods and farm destinations. Stop by and say hello, we love to meet readers.

In case you are curious about which wineries will be participating, here is a list.
Fence Stile Vineyards and Winery
Indian Creek Winery
Jowler Creek
Mount Pleasant Winery
Riverwood Winery
St. James Winery
Stone Hill Winery
Wenwood Farm Winery

I think there will be something for everyone, including a fireworks display around 9:00 pm. Find more information about the Wine & Food Festival from their web site.

A Cheesy Experience

Along the rolling hills of Galena, Missouri is Lorenae Dairy. Visitors have the opportunity to experience the taste of fresh from the farm cheese curds. Watch our video to see a bit of how the process works.

Specialty Crop Grants Available

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking grant applications from organizations or groups of individuals interested in solely enhancing the competitiveness of the state's specialty crop industry. Grant applications are due on July 31, 2009. Applications will be considered on a competitive basis. Selected applications will be included in the Missouri specialty crop state plan and reviewed by the USDA.

http://mda.mo.gov/abd/financial/specialtycrop.php

Grand Valley Farms and Route A Country Store

There’s nothing like a nice road stop to make a long trip a little more exciting. Grand Valley Farms in Moberly, Missouri is a must see farm and shop! I made the trip this past week and had a great time! This family farm is home to alpacas, goats, cats, dogs, a peacock and chickens. Their on site country store features pecans, sauces, pickles, farm fresh eggs and even antiques. There is no doubt that Grand Valley Farms is worth the trip, you won’t be disappointed.

-Cassie

   

Inn at Clover Hill

If you’ve been searching for a place to host the office retreat, a family reunion or maybe just a girls weekend… Inn at Clover Hill is sure to be the place for you! This beautiful farm house, owned by the Carpenters, has been in the family for over 100 years. Fred and Cathy Carpenter purchased the house from a family member in 1980 and converted it from the family home to an agriculture experience bed and breakfast only one month ago. Presently under construction is the Carriage House and Wagon shed which will offer the perfect place for large get-togethers by about August. Until then guests can enjoy the three cozy rooms, beautiful flower garden, charming patio, peaceful sun porch, delicious food (made with produce from their personal garden) and the welcoming owners. I hope you get the chance to take a trip to Sumner and stay to enjoy their home as much as I did!

-Cassie

  

Sycamore Valley Farm

If you’re looking for the perfect kid friendly B&B, then I’ve found your solution! This past Tuesday I traveled to Brunswick Missouri to check out an AgriMissouri member. The Reichert family started Sycamore Valley Farm Bed & Breakfast in 1994 and have been welcoming guests into their home ever since! Guests who stay on their family farm get the chance to take hay rides, get dirty in the garden, can produce (when in season), help bake homemade bread, swing from their swimming rope swing and fish in the family pond. And if you are looking for the perfect after dinner dessert, they’ve got you covered! Kaitlynn Reichert, daughter of Matt and Tina, makes amazing cheesecakes that have been featured in local fairs and food shows! Sycamore Valley is a great place to spend some time outdoors while enjoying some small town hospitality. Sharing an agricultural experience is a hobby of the Reichert family and they would love for you and your family to stop by and stay awhile!

-Cassie

Kaitlynn’s Cheesecakes can be ordered by calling (660) 548-3283.

       

Friday's Fixins

Fruit Salsa and Homemade Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 kiwis, peeled and diced

2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced –

8 ounces raspberries (try yourlocal u-pick farm)

1 pound of fresh strawberries

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor

10 (10 inch) flour tortillas

butter flavored cooking spray

2 cups cinnamon sugar

 

DIRECTIONS

 

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.

4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture

 

(with help from www.allrecipes.com)

 

4 Common Health Misconceptions

1.  Drink 8 glasses of water. Over fifty years ago the U.S. food and nutrition board gave advice that in order to stay healthy people need to consume 8 glasses of fluid daily. Many believe that this fluid has to be water when in reality you are getting fluids from your everyday diet that will fill this requirement. Now, I’m not bashing water drinking, it is very beneficial, but things such as fruits and vegetables have high water concentrations too. These concentrations will help to be sure your body gets its required fluid intake. Don’t forget to visit your local farmers’ market or u-pick farm to find the freshest fruits and vegetables.

2. Reading in the dark causes bad eyesight. When reading or focusing in dim light people tend to squint and strain to read the words. Yet this does NOT cause permanent damage, you may give yourself a headache and cause a slight blur in vision.  But it is nothing a good night’s rest can’t fix!

3. No pain, no gain. When starting an exercise program, many feel the pain in their muscles (this is normal) but some pain such as bone pain or pain in the tendons and ligaments is not a good thing. These pains won’t go away and will need to be treated. It’s important to remember to start slow and gradually work your body into a workout routine.

4. Drinking too much water can cause cramps during exercise. This is a myth that dates way back! The actual cause of cramps? Dehydration! The body needs plenty of water to balance out the fluids lost in sweating. So keep drinking that water!

These misconceptions can really hinder your healthy objectives! It’s important to do research into what is true and false about losing weight and staying healthy!

Thanks Cassie, for this week’s healthy tip.

(with help from www.webmd.com)