Get in Your Kitchen!

I had never heard of a Dutch Baby Pancake until recently (watching Food Network, of course).

As soon as I heard it described as part pancake, part crepe and easy to make - I knew I had to try making one! So, I did. (Here’s the link to the recipe that I used).

This post isn’t necessarily about making Dutch Baby Pancakes, but more about getting out of a rut!

How often do you find yourself making the meals over and over or hitting up the same restaurants? What I want to do today is just encourage you to try something new this week!

And if you don’t already make a habit of cooking regularly for yourself - get in the kitchen!  There is something so very satisfying about getting in the kitchen and taking ingredients and turning them into a beautiful, delicious, satisfying meal!

Always remember in the kitchen - there are NO mistakes! So, don’t be afraid to get in there and have some fun. If your omelet doesn’t work… turn it into scrambled eggs. (Or if only one of your poached eggs turned out perfectly, leave the other one off the plate until you put the camera away, then eat that soft boiled egg!)

Go with the flow. Start with good ingredients and let them work for you!

I’m terrible with recipes. Combine ADD with mild dyslexia and perhaps a dash of natural aversion for following the rules and what you get is a recipe for Plan B.

This recipe, for instance, calls for 2 Tbs of sugar, but I somehow had thought that it called for 1/2 cup.  Oooops. But, no worries!  I scooped some of the sugar out and added a little extra flour. The pancake was slightly flatter than it should have been, but the extra sweetness made up for it! ;) 

Being creative is one of the best parts of being in the kitchen (for me). For my dad, the obsessive rule-follower, cooking from a recipe is his jam. Whatever your style, the kitchen needs to be your favorite room in the house! 

To round out my brunch. I made a potato and bacon hash - don’t forget the onion! I used the “bacon ends and pieces” from Savannah River Farms. It’s a tasty and inexpensive way to incorporate pastured meats into a meal. I topped it with a poached egg that was given to me by a friend who keeps chickens. 

One of my favorite things to use in the kitchen is fresh herbs from my own garden. In this dish, I topped with fresh dill and chives. 

I encourage you to get in the kitchen this week and cook up something fabulous!

Brunch, anyone? Dutch Baby Pancake cooked in skillet and topped with blueberry compote. Bacon and potato hash with poached egg and topped with garden-fresh herbs. Refreshing beverage of orange juice, ginger ale and a squeeze of lime.

The Second Best Thing About Gardening

My favorite part of gardening and growing food is, of course, the harvest!

But in at a close second is planning! Winter is the perfect time to dream of gardens and come up with plans for future plantings. Seed catalogs start arriving and they are all the spark that is needed to warm the heart on a cold winter’s day.

I have been dreaming today and planning my future “secret garden”. 

I read The Secret Garden as a child and it truly captured my imagination. My lifelong obsession with walled gardens was nurtured by the beautiful courtyards and walled properties that were common in the area of Mexico where I grew up.

So, I have plans for converting one small section of my yard into my own secluded space. I won’t be building any stone walls, unfortunately, but I plan to create a living fence made of fruit trees and shrubs that will enclose the space that currently has fence on two of the four sides. 

This is how the space looks today. Love, isn’t it?

I hope to have it completed in a few years. This year, my focus will be on planting the living fence. The fence will include a variety of espaliered citrus trees interspersed with apple, pear and pomegranate (a mix of evergreen and deciduous). 

The space already includes a well-established loquat in one corner and several blueberry bushes along the existing fence. Along the fences there is also a well-established ground covering of oregano and mint.

The finished garden will have a paving stone path, a swing, a multitude of kitchen and medicinal herbs, strawberries, blackberry vine (but not the wild ones that are growing there now), a climbing rose and no grass!

Inspiration - growing a citrus fence

I hope to be able to fill the area with ground-covering plants and possibly a checkerboard area with paving stones and plants. I already know that oregano and mint do well here (perhaps too well), and I hope to have some small patches of strawberries. But I’m still searching for some other good ground covers. I’ve read that thyme is great, but it never seems to last more than a season for me.

If anyone has any experience with a good ground cover, preferably one that is edible or has a medicinal purpose, that does well in our Southeast Georgia climate - I would love to hear about it!

Inspiration - edible ground cover

The goal is to have fruit trees that will bloom and produce fruit at different times, so that it will always be a space that is full of beautiful aromas and tasty things to snack on! During the winter, I love to dream of the finished space and imagine myself sitting on the swing enjoying some fresh picked loquats while engulfed in the scent of orange blossoms! 

Inspiration - paving stones

While I’m dreaming of this future space, I’m confronted with its current reality. It could be easy to get discouraged. But one thing at a time. One day at a time. One plant at a time. I’ll get there eventually! 

But for today, the dream lives on!

What are your garden dreams?

Happy Earth Day!

It seems rather appropriate to be celebrating Earth Day while so many humans are tucked away in their homes across the globe.

What does it say about us as a species that the natural world is flourishing in our relative absence? From stories of dolphins playing in the cleared waters of the canals of Venice, to sea turtles having successful nesting seasons on empty beaches, and bears frolicking in Yellowstone… nature rejoices as humans recede into the background.

Sometimes, we can look at the world’s problems - pollution, animal cruelty, food insecurity, climate change, etc. - and we easily get overwhelmed. But each of us has a role to play and we need only be responsible for our own part.

There is quote by Gary Snyder that I like that helps me turn to action when anxiety wants to take over. “Find your place on the planet. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.”

So, on this Earth Day, I’ll continue to make my little corner of the world a safe place for wildlife. I’ll keep supporting the farms and businesses that I believe take their stewardship responsibilities seriously. And I will keep doing what I can to make a positive impact on the world around me!

How will you celebrate Earth Day?

I spent the morning doing a little wildlife photography in the yard, I hope you enjoy! (Notice the female Cardinal is missing a foot, but she has adapted quite well!)

For such a time as this

This blog runs a little on the long side of things, but please stay with me to the end!

You may be familiar with the Biblical story of Esther … I won’t take the time to go into it here, but it’s a story that I’ve known since my childhood. The main theme of this particular story is that Esther is in the right place at the right time with the right experience and the right attitude in order to take advantage of an opportunity to save her people, her world.

At one point when she is weighing her decision she is asked, is it possible that you are here for just such a time as this?

That’s a phrase that has come back to me throughout my lifetime, most notably when I was first starting Southern Soil. I had such a seemingly strange path in my life that had taken me in what seemed to be so many random directions and through some very difficult times that were hurtful and frustrating.

Yet many of those experiences are exactly what brought me to that place two years ago that culminated in bringing this magazine to life. Perhaps all those experiences had been just what I needed to be able to do the work that I do today. And perhaps the timing was just right as well.

As I have spent the last two years getting to know many of you through interviews and conversations, I have heard your struggles and gotten to know a bit about how you arrived in the places you are now, doing what it is you do within our food system. I have heard the frustrations and shared the vision and the hope for what our food systems could be.

And during this unprecedented time of uncertainty and upheaval, it seems that perhaps each of us is here for such a time as this.

I’ve had conversations with many of you over our shared concern for the direction of this country and our increasing dependence on industrialized farming systems - heavy chemical usage for produce and the inhumane practices for producing meats - and the high cost of that type of “food” production on our environment and collective health.

It was with a sense of urgency that I started Southern Soil, hoping to help provide a way of educating consumers and encouraging small, sustainable farming operations.

For such a time as this.

Over the last several weeks we have begun to see unprecedented demand from consumers for locally produced foods, we’ve seen Big Ag stumble, we’ve seen small farms step up. Not only here, but all across the country.

For such a time as this.

Seed companies are selling out of seeds as people are turning to their own yards as a source of food and are planting gardens in record numbers.

For such a time as this.

We have a golden opportunity right now while the world is paying attention to what is happening with our food supplies, so let’s not miss it.

Sometimes it feels like the local sustainable food movement here in rural Georgia is more of a dance than a march. Two steps forward, one step back, half a step to the side and do-si-do … everybody switch partners aaaaaaand go back to square one!

Let’s keep dancing, but let’s move it forward this time! 

Farmers, seize this opportunity to connect with your community. They are looking for you, make sure they can find you! It has been exciting to see the ways in which you have embraced ingenuity and found creative ways to pivot your businesses toward more direct sales to consumers. Keep up the great work!

Consumers, as always, support your local food system every chance you get!

For our dear friends in the restaurant business who are struggling, hold on and come back stronger than ever!

As our communities are beginning to see the importance of our local food system, we need to be ready and able to show them that local food can meet their needs, that bigger doesn’t always mean better and that local food produced with care and passion is attainable.

I hope that on the other side of this, our communities have smaller yards and bigger gardens. I hope to see fewer regulations standing in the way of local food production. I hope to see more farmers markets. I hope to continue to see consumers searching for local food. I hope there are more stores that carry locally produced items. I hope that our farmers continue to make sales to consumers a priority. I hope that our independent restaurants are back open and booming with business. 

These are strange times we find ourselves in, but they are also full of opportunity.

Are we here for such a time as this? Is this the moment that many of us have been waiting for when we can help tip the balance back toward more sustainable and healthy food systems?

Let’s embrace this opportunity as a chance to grow the local food movement and let’s continue to grow together!

LeeAnna Tatum, editor/publisher

Immunity as a Practice: building up your body's defense by Jovan Sage

Jovan Sage is a friend and contributor to Southern Soil. She is an herbalist and wellness coach with her own line of products available through her business Sage’s Larder.

For a full list of products, visit www.sageslarder.com

Immunity is a daily practice and what you eat can have a huge impact on your immune system. That daily practice encompasses: staying connected to our bodies, our spirit, our family and chosen community; staying hydrated, rested and incorporating nutrient-dense, immune boosting ingredients.  As I work with clients to help them manage their overall wellness goals these are the things that should rise to the top of your daily practices. 

Hydration

Water, water everywhere… Drink it. On average, men should drink about 3.7 liters (15.5 cups) and women about 2.7 liters (11.5 cups) of water each day. This total is from all beverages and foods consumed in a day. For women, that number should increase when pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get exhausted with plain water you can add fresh mint, berries, lemon wedges or brew a cup of herbal tea. 

Eating For Immunity

When thinking about vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support the immune system you will want to include: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc and selenium. The South is well prepared as beans and dark leafy greens are essential to building a healthy body and immune system. Greens are very high in calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. They’re also packed with fiber, folic acid, chlorophyll, and many other micronutrients and phytochemicals. Black beans, black eyed peas, chickpeas and kidney beans - these are loaded with iron, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, and soluble fiber. 

As a firm believer in kitchen table medicine I encourage people to raid their cabinet and fridge for healing herbs and foods. For example: sage is antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory herb that great for sore throats; thyme is aromatic herb that helps release excess mucus; garlic is good for stimulating your immune system. Add in some delicious broths packed with immune boosting onions, garlic, mushrooms, ginger, herbs and spices. For those who are interested in additional herbal support for immunity you can check that here. 

Fermented foods play a great role in supporting your health and dressing up your dinner plate. So break out that jar of kimchi and sauerkraut, drink that bottle of kombucha or eat that bowl of yogurt with local honey and dark berries (also immune boosting). 

Unpopular but important note, alcohol and sugar can suppress your immune system. 

Stress + Sleep 

This is definitely the time for deep breathing, for thoughtfulness and also compassion - with ourselves and with one another. Finding ways to reduce stress, center and ground ourselves is a big key to our full health. It’s important to take the time to reflect, meditate, or simply make quiet time for yourself. Exercise is a great way to blow off steam and keep your body healthy. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing down five things you’re grateful for each day can keep your spirit healthy. Find ways (6 feet apart or virtually) to stay connected to friends, family that keep you grounded, inspired or filled with laughter

Jon Jackson on Stewardship and the Value of Life

Jon Jackson is a decorated Combat veteran who served as a US Army Airborne Ranger. He founded STAG VETS, Inc. in 2014 and Comfort Farms in 2016 to assist homeless veterans, veterans in need, and veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury. For more information, please visit their website!

We are stewards of this amazing land and due to aboundance it's easy to forget that what we consume was once a living breathing thing. We have a responsibility as stewards of this land to not only give back... but to also return and restore the dignity to the food that we consume.

To our farmers who work tirelessly to produce the best quality food, to our chefs who pay attention to carrying on the dignity and honor to the center of the plate ... But most of all... To the animals themselves... Life is constantly a transfer of energy going back and forth to sustain... "Life"...and the best way we can honor and respect the food we consume... Is to go out and do something amazing in this world.

Remember... Our Livestock gave it's life for us to live and progress in this world. To simply consume and not transfer that energy into something useful is a waste.

We cherish life. And it's emotional to transfer our livestock so that we can sustain life. It's the one reason we ensure that they live the best possible happiest life they can to the end.

We know that those who support us... Understand our mission.

It's deeply entrenched in the warrior code that most of us Combat veterans have had to endure... When we see the value of our own lives cheapened through death.

This project through the Spirit of Captain Kyle A Comfort has given us a new understanding on how we look at loss to sustain life. We bless our food for a reason and it's in this reason that we succeed in life. Thanks for your continued support.