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Doran

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Everything posted by Doran

  1. Tammy, I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "her bottom area" is swollen and puffy, but my guess is that she's suffering from peritonitis. It is a fairly common condition in laying hens which is brought on by a reproductive malfunction resulting in a bacterial infection. This causes retention of fluids and, sadly, most often death. In all my years of raising birds, this was the most common cause of loss. If she was mine, though, I'd separate her from her flock mate(s). Put her in a cage with lush greens (pull and chop chickweed, dandelion, plantain, etc. from your yard) and protein rich foods like chopped hard boiled egg. Give these to her in very small amounts. See if she'll eat anything. Fortify her water with a vitamin/electrolyte solution if you have it, and see if some TLC will bring her around. Hopefully, she'll recover, but do prepare yourself for that to not be the case. I'm sorry. :(
  2. Writing With Ease: Step by Step to Writing Success Writing With Ease: Old Problem. New Solution. Teaching With Confidence. Writing With Ease. Yes, Virginia, there is a better way. Writing With Ease Writing With Ease: Takes the Writhing out of Writing Writing With Ease: No Kidding. :D
  3. I must preface by saying that I have NOT read the book, so my response is slightly inappropriate given the original question. However, I'm skeptical of most "diet plans" which make blanket statements as if what applies to one person or population would automatically apply to all of them. I don't believe that diets free from animal proteins are *necessarily* healthier for everyone, and I would go so far as to advocate for the health *benefits* of omnivorous diets which include animal proteins from animals raised in environments which most closely mimic their natural instincts (diet, range, etc.). That said, watching a show like this (Frontline: Poisoned Waters) and living on one of the many tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, does leave me contemplating vegetarianism more carefully. :confused:
  4. BTDT! We even had a fence around our little plot when we went off for a week's vacation. Mystery Critter (bunnies is the only thing that makes any sense) came in and devoured all my lettuce starts, four out of five tomato plants, and half my basil. Never have I had a rabbit eat a tomato plant or basil. Crazy. Luckily, there was still time for me to replant that season, so I still got to harvest some goodies after all. This is another small advantage to containers on a deck. It's a little more difficult for a rabbit to get up to the edge of a big pot.
  5. Chris, do you have a deck or patio near your house that gets more sun than the yard? Except for staying on top of the watering (which you'd still have to do in a yard-based garden, but possibly less frequently), having containers near your house might inspire you to be more attentive. I'd suggest lettuces or a mesclun mix in a good sized pot for starters. This will grow with less sunlight than, say, tomatoes and is a good spring plant. Radishes thrive easily now as well. You may be able to get free pots from a landscaper who will have plenty after doing a big project for a [less frugal] customer. Look for something big - like 5 gallon or so. Later, certain tomatoes and other summer crops will also grow in containers, but you'll want to look for those varieties in particular. If you find a sunny spot in your yard that looks promising, lay down the cardboard or thick newspaper, and build a mound of soil up on top of it (you may have to import this from someone, unless you've got compost in your yard already). You can box the bed(s) in, or not, as you wish. Try to avoid pressure treated lumber, though, as it has been treated with less than lovely chemicals which can leach into your growing area. One cherry tomato plant, a yellow squash or zucchini, and a sweet pepper might make your dd very happy, and wouldn't require much room. Basil is also easy to grow. Cucumbers do best with something to grow up, but they're fun and productive. That's probably enough for now, huh? :001_smile:
  6. Aw, Erica...I have been following your posts here and sending healing thoughts to you and your daughter. What a hard, exhausting road. I hope you all sleep soundly tonight and feel a great lightness of being tomorrow now that you have so much weight lifted from your shoulders and hearts. Thanks for the update. I am thrilled for you!
  7. I managed and sold at a local farmers' market for almost 10 years. We have had a variety of baked goods available from different vendors over the years, and each has had varying degrees of success with their products. I would offer the following suggestions: 1. Make a few things very well (someone else said this above). It may take a few weeks, but you will, eventually, become known as "The Muffin Lady" or "The Bread Lady" and people will tell others about you. It takes time to build a reputation, and it's important to be consistent with what you offer in the beginning so that people know what to expect. One of our earliest bakers made cookies, sweet breads, and some loaf breads. If you wish, you can offer muffins or sweet breads, for example, and vary the ingredients with the seasons. Berries in spring and early summer. Peaches. Zucchini. Apples. So you always have some kind of muffin and people can look forward to seeing the ingredients change as the fruit at the stands changes. Or, you can be more exotic, and offer combos: corn-blueberry, fig-lavender, cranberry-walnut. 2. Doing the above will also help you streamline your home production. You will know to buy X amount of flour, X amount of muffin tins, etc, and won't have to second guess your prices so much. 3. Don't undercharge. Fifteen years ago, I worked at a natural foods store. A woman made muffins (the big ones) and we sold them for $1.50 each. They were always popular. Explain that you've used the freshest ingredients (use key words like local, organic, all natural -- whatever works), and charge according to what you'll need to make a profit (or, to at least, break even). 4. Take a poll. Draw up an informal poll for customers at market. Hand it out or ask people as they come to your table. Explain that you are new and you'd like to see what customers would most want. That might help you fine tune your selection. We have a French baker at our market now who makes more than any other vendor in one Saturday. He's phenomenal (the real deal) and his products are not something that could be matched in a home kitchen. But, the deal is, people are willing to pay a bundle because his stuff is so good. You can build up a following, too - in time. (Oh, another idea is pizza dough. Not baked. Keep it cool and sell it in Ziplocs for $3.50 each. NO baking for you, and a welcome product for customers! :D)
  8. I'm so sorry this has happened!!! I can't even imagine the fear. I checked for her on the Amber Alert site and didn't find her. Do you think that's because it's not yet clear that she was actually abducted (ie: may have left voluntarily?). Do you have any idea whether she could have been seeing someone in secret? No matter -- I will keep this family in my thoughts. This is every parent's worst nightmare. :grouphug:
  9. I've had related thoughts fairly often. Nearly anytime I am part of what I deem a cultural experience (Native American Festival, for example) I find myself in kind of a place of envy over "not belonging". I long for the wisdom of the ages which seems to run in the blood of older countries. I admire my friends who have carried into adulthood the traditions of their Swedish grandmother, or their Irish father, and I wish for something similar in my own life. But, I guess the collective experience of all those other cultures here on American soil, in combination with our attitudes and inventions, our ideas and ambitions, is what makes us American. We are a unique blend, and that uniqueness is our culture. I think I like how mcconnellboys said it: rather than culture-less, we are culture-full.
  10. ;););) I am the proud owner of a new car. For six years prior, I drove a 1988 Volkswagen, so for me, driving an older car wasn't a big concern. Things I'd consider: 1. Do you have a cell phone? If so, calling for assistance is an option. We got cell phones only a little over a year ago, so yes, I did break down with kids and w/out cell phone access more than once, but... 2. What kind of city do you live in? Ours is small, not particularly dangerous, and finding trustworthy help is not all that difficult. Within moments of our first-ever breakdown, a friend saw us on the side of the road and stopped to offer help. Another time, I was able to flag down some bicyclists and borrow their cell phone to.... 3. Call AAA. Having a roadside assistance plan pays for itself the very first time you use it. Might be worth considering should you decide to go with the older car. 4. Of primary concern, for me, would be which car has the better safety or fuel economy? If I was the one doing the bulk of the driving (w/ kids), I'd choose the car with the best safety and mileage ratings overall probably weighted toward safety. Aesthetics would come secondary. HTH!
  11. To see this post come back up again just made me smile, because (are you ready?...you know you are!) YES!, I have now had a visit from The Creepy Meat Man. It took almost a year before the circuit made its way to my neck of the marsh, but there he stood, at my door, with his pick-up idling in the driveway. And, it was my husband who answered the knocking. I was too busy rolling on the floor in the next room to speak at all! :lol::lol::lol:
  12. Nothing special about pasta water -- in fact, some of it might be too starchy for all but the larger pots that get lots of water (we're talking potted tomatoes and such) -- but rinse water (like the stuff you use to wash potatoes, or lettuce) and blanching water (beans and such) make for great water supplies. My most reliable potted plant recycled water is bottles of water that aren't empty after the end of an excursion. Toss it right on and feel great about it!
  13. She may also have to go to the audition alone - as in, you may or may not be allowed to go in with her. You might want to check into their policies on that, and whether they stick to them for every candidate (even one so young), just so you and she know what to expect. She could also sing something that she's done in church, if she knows her previous solos by heart. Any favorite children's songs? Abbey's right, what is less important than how. :)
  14. I'd eat it if had sat out overnight. I know some folks would find that a risky choice, but I'm just not so easily dissuaded from food! :lol:
  15. Funny. I haven't posted more than a quick reply here in ages, yet tonight I stop by and discover Robin in TX and Eliana among the crowd. I'm not sure if I am an "old poster" or not, but I did spend a great deal of time here in previous years. Like you, I found many of the conversations engaging and enriching, something I seem to see less of now. I figured I was just out of the loop, not being so much a part of the community as I once was. Perhaps not. Generally, I'd suggest the shift has occurred for a variety of benign reasons: more people are working, some have aged out (kids in school or grown and gone), and there are competing sites vying for attention. As for me, my kids are no longer homeschooled, so I have less reason to spend time here. But, my disengagement began months before my kids entered school. I was among those who grew disheartened at the harsh tones and divisiveness which developed during the election process, so I began to visit less. Eventually, I found other outlets for my online conversations (Facebook among them). I think this site still offers benefits that other discussion boards do not, the diversity and curiosity of its members among them. And, I believe the Curriculum and High School Boards still have a bit more of that old flavor that you seem to be missing. Maybe, along with the more life oriented possibilities, the General Board is suffering from some post-election-stress-disorder which may take awhile to heal. :confused:
  16. Agreeing with and echoing these sentiments. I'm rarely here anymore, but how nice to see both of you here at once! :001_wub:
  17. I'm sprouting all over! Hips, bum, thighs, and...ahem... the proverbial "other". :D Seriously, I do/have sprouted seeds. Had the best success with radish sprouts, and enjoyed alfalfa for awhile as well. Some tips I didn't know about when I first started: (1) Don't put your seeds in direct sunlight or in a place that is too warm or you'll end up with moldy sprouts. (2) Sprouts are actually at their MOST nutritious when they are only just sprouted. By the time they are leafy, they've lost some nutritional value but gained a more useful composition. Just something to keep in mind, particularly as you sprout larger seeds like mung beans and peas. Enjoy!
  18. On the ACV recommendation, here's a link that should help: http://www.ehow.com/how_2076940_use-apple-cider-vinegar-colds.html I was just in conversation the other night about using ACV as both preventive and cure, and they swear by a tsp./day. On dairy, there are conflicting reports for sure, but those that recommend against it note that dairy is mucous producing (not to mention the fact that we're not baby cows!) and is, therefore, not the best thing to consume if you're fighting congestion. For some, the health benefits of raw milk seem to outweigh the potential negatives, but I guess that's a whole "nother" topic. ;) If I were you, I'd do much of what you're already doing: Loads of warm liquids, particularly a "broth" I like to make when I'm sick: 2 cups water or homemade chicken stock 1/2" fresh ginger, sliced thin 3 scallions, cut into chunks 1 clove garlic, sliced thin Bring to a boil together, and simmer for about 10 minutes. Salt to taste. Drink (and eat - yes eat those goodies!) Zinc lozenges Steam tents with eucalyptus oil (towel over head, head over hot bowl of water+oil) More sleep than usual Super-good diet (leafy greens in particular) Hope you feel better soon!!
  19. The nutritional benefits from most oils, particularly these, are significantly decreased if the oil has been highly refined. I'm pretty sure the Lou Ann CO is a refined product, and I'm certain that the palm oil in your Skippy is a refined palm oil. Do some reading on health benefits of red palm oil (unrefined) and likewise for unrefined coconut oil to see if the answers to your questions become any clearer. If you are using refined versions of these oils, you would probably be better off to seek out another brand or product. Do you happen to have a Trader Joes near you?
  20. I cook greens much like what has been described below. Wash, stem and chop the greens. Sautee onion and/or garlic in olive oil (believe it or not, for kale I often use coconut oil), then add in the still wet greens. Toss greens in the oil just enough to coat with oil and cook them down just a little, then add water (generally only about 2 cups per large pot. I don't always add bouillon, but it does add to the flavor. I increase the salt if I don't use bouillon. Cook to the tenderness of your liking. Add red pepper flakes, lemon juice and additional salt and pepper at the end, to taste. I've never added sugar to my greens, but I think part of the reason for that is that I'm usually fortunate to be able to cook local greens purchased at the farmers'market, so they aren't bitter to begin with . We amend with vinegar at the table, not while cooking. My Dad, who was a ham hock kinda guy ;) even enjoyed greens cooked this way.
  21. I get all that. I truly do. And, I understood that about these pots from the moment I first laid eyes on these discussions. But, I still can't sort out the relative risk when looking at all the toxins in all the products with which I am in contact every day, and whether I'd be better off spending my time researching replacements for my traditional home furnishings (on which my children sleep, and play and read, and...let's just say that cumulatively, they spend loads more time on the furniture and carpets than they do ingesting foods which were prepared in my crock pot.) than on whether I should deep six my slow cooker. Even though we're comparing apples to half lives here, I think you get the point. Yes, sometimes it feels good to act on that which we can act. Other times, and for me increasingly so, as I narrow and eliminate more and more choices from my life, it feels reactionary and a tad foolish. I haven't quite figured out where I fit on this particular topic, that's all.
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