As a veterinary technician I learned to abbreviate a lot of things. Like any other industry, veterinary medicine has it's own language. And an alphabet of acronyms for all the things handled in a veterinary hospital. Vaccines are one of the most basic things you can do for your pet. Each letter in the alphabet … Continue reading Pet Vaccines Explained
Fox Pines Meat Rub
This is my favorite dry rub for meats - great on ribs, steaks and chicken. It's both sweet and smoky and a bit spicy. This will make about 1.25 cups. 1/4 cup smoke paprika 1/4 packed brown sugar 1/4 cup ground cumin (if you grind your own, so much the better) 1/4 c coarse sea … Continue reading Fox Pines Meat Rub
Enameled Cast Iron Pros and Cons
What's the Difference? Enameled cast iron has both benefits and drawbacks as compared to "naked" black cast iron cookware. It's the basic black dressed up with enamel paint, and looks prettier! Benefits: it's easier to maintain - the enamel coating doesn't require the process of seasoning it gets hot and stays hot just like plain … Continue reading Enameled Cast Iron Pros and Cons
Bacon Grease Is Liquid Gold
My mom always had a grease container in the fridge that we poured bacon fat into. It was just a give, something that tasted great could be reused in other ways. Since then, fats have been banned as unhealthy, but really animal fats are a healthy kind of fat, especially compared to some manufacturer fats … Continue reading Bacon Grease Is Liquid Gold
Americans Waste Too Much Food
I read a disturbing fact recently about wasted food - almost 40 percent of the food produced in the USA is wasted between the time is is grown and harvested and then spoils or goes uneaten. Homesteaders and farmers are close to the land. We grow a lot of what we eat. And precious money … Continue reading Americans Waste Too Much Food
Buying and Using Cast Iron Skillets & Pots
I love cast iron skillets. At least one of mine is always at home on the top of the stove. I have little ones small enough for individual servings, up to a large 15.5" Lodge that will feed a dozen people. I have a set that was my grandmothers - so well seasoned the inside … Continue reading Buying and Using Cast Iron Skillets & Pots
Is your Homestead Prepared?
Everyone, from individuals to businesses to your homestead, should have an emergency preparedness plan. Don't think you will have any emergency? Consider items beyond what we normally consider "emergencies" or disasters, like flooding, a hurricane, a tornado, or the like. The Red Cross has a list of emergencies. Here in the Adirondacks heavy icing can … Continue reading Is your Homestead Prepared?
Scalloped Potatoes and Corned Beef
Family Recipes are one of the best things passed down through generations. Usually they are not too fancy or complicated - just good down home food best served family style. When that dish is put on the table everyone dives in. Such is the case with my mom's Scalloped potato and corned beef casserole. Potatoes sliced … Continue reading Scalloped Potatoes and Corned Beef
Pets need all that fluffy hair in winter!
Pet people are used to hair. It's on our clothes, on the bed, and hair balls float around anywhere in the house. We pick it off the table and out of our food. And we wouldn't change a thing. But all the hair has a purpose and a value to the pet. In this season, … Continue reading Pets need all that fluffy hair in winter!
Can you handle a Pet Emergency?
Whether we like it or not, things happen. A pet emergency is no different. Many things are seemingly unpreventable - When a dog dashes into the road, or a cat eats tinsel - but are they? Just as with children, we have to be aware of items in our homes that have potential danger. So … Continue reading Can you handle a Pet Emergency?