yoherbamomma-blog

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Today I got to head up to the farm for another cooking class! I went in to help with the dishes so I was able to watch parts of the class, and it was AWESOME!!! I learned about searing and sauces, and I learned so many new uses for veggie pieces and how to use them for veggie stock for your other recipes. This class focused on building elegant and flavorful pan sauces and how to pan sear duck. I had never tried duck so it was a new experience for me. It was delicious! The menu consisted of Seared Duck Breast, Fig & Red Wine Pan Sauce, Whipped Sweet Potatoes & Sauteed Broccoli Leaves #yoherbamomma #farming #intern #organic #sustainableagriculture #panseared #duck #duckbreast #fig #redwine #culinary #culinarynovice #cookingclass #yum #sweetpotato #food #foodporn #chef (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs9haNmlV71/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e45332vr2p8g

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I headed out to Turner Farm the other day for an interview and got to participate in a class at the same time. The class was for Winter Salads! I had no idea of all the different types of salads that we could make! They were all so amazingly delicious! Stephanie showed us the recipes and demonstrated substitutions that we could use in case a certain veggie was not in season. After the class we had a group interview for a culinary apprenticeship. I was so nervous!!! I never imagined my careeer would head in the direction it's going! If I get this position she will teach me how to cook, and one of the paths I can take is, Food is Medicine!! This would be HUGE for everything I have been trying to do!! My mom has ulcerative colitis and my stomach has something going on so to learn how to cook nourishing and delicious food would be amazing! I would be taught how to do demos for the farmers markets, prep for events, and get to help with the classes!!! There is so much to this role that I could definitely use my farm experience and my culinary experience to help others. Take a chance on yourself! I gave up a good paying corporate job to chase something that made my heart race, and it has totally changed my life! Money is not everything but your dreams and passions are. You never know who you might inspre by taking a chance of your own! #yoherbamomma #farming #intern #organic #sustainableagriculture #cbd #culinary #takeachance #takeaction #nofear #money #dream #turnerfarm #cooking #wintersalad #class #education #ulcerativecolitis #gallbladder (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs0cD8ClvID/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1svt7wqnb6y7j

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Some days you just need a baby lamb in your life to make everything awesome again :p She was born almost a week ago! #yoherbamomma #farm #farmingphotos #farmanimals #lamb #lambs #babylamb #sheep #cagefree #pastureraised #bottlefed #animaltherapy #cute #instalamb #love #turnerfarm (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsyUln8lq5a/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p03n8ibtf0mt

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So, I might be a little bit crazy, but I can't help it! I LOVE Aldi. I may have a problem... I was hooked as a 20 year old when I saw how cheap their prices were. They were great for a broke college kid like me. Then as I grew older I watched the brand change. Now i not only love them for their cheap prices and fast service, I also love them for their organic selection and the small steps they adopt towards sustainability. Today was the grand opening of one nearby and i have been waiting in anticipation for months. This morning I got up and went there to stand in line in the snowy rain for a chance to win a $100 gift card and year's worth of free produce!!! I met some nice people and although I didn't win $100, I did win $25! I got a reusable bag and filled it with some yummy stuff. I thought it would be more but it was even less than my gift card!! FREE!!! WOOOOT! Now, here's crossing my fingers for the year of free produce!!! Thank you so much @aldiusa What's your favorite thing at Aldi? #yoherbamomma #aldi #aldifinds #ilovealdi #organic #glutenfree #nongmo #cheap #foodhustler #everydayimhustling #healthy #kombucha #wonderdrink #cherry (at ALDI USA) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsvULnDFv5L/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7pg41sj2p2yw

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I have never cared for snow. I am a wuss in the cold and I'm the first one to bundle up into a ridiculous amout of clothing, to ensure the non existence of cold on my skin. However, this year something has gradually changed. I went outside this morning at 4:30 a.m and it was so silent and beautiful out there. I stood there to take it in and watch my breath turn into smoky tendrils as it wafted up into the cold sky above. I have been practing my skills of honing gratitute and in this moment I was thankful. It brought me some clarity and it was refrshing. The sky looked so sullen and like it could just dump more snow on me at any moment. But, It still captivated me with it's beauty. I still don't love driving in it, but I will admit that is is beautiful. #yoherbamomma #snow #sunrise #sunset #nature #snowy #cold #breathe #thankful #gratitude #grateful #reflection #clarity https://www.instagram.com/p/BsoVcaQFf3Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kz8knzkcsmx7

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Something strange is afoot... these two never lay together calmly!! Poe (our crazy black Maine Coon) is usually always wanting to play. But this morning she let Ash calmly lay next to her for awhile. I'm gonna blame it on the cold!!! #yoherbamomma #catmommy #meow #ash #poe #ashvsevildead #edgarallanpoe #kitty😻 #kitties #cats #catstagram #catsofinstagram #mew #love #istheworldending #mainecoon #domesticshorthair https://www.instagram.com/p/BslBOUTlRp_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=t1mpea2pet5z

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Last night a friend and I headed to the Cincinnati Civic Garden Center for a class on sustainability! They are starting a year long course and man... I learned SO much in such a short time. We talked about reducing our carbon footprint and how we as an individual can make a difference. We learned about the Green Cincinnati Plan, which is a policy centered around citizen action to reduce emmisions by 2058. They told us about a few companies who are practicing sustainability like: @greenumbrellacincy @terracycle who is running the #lightupavondale project, #betterbuscoalition which provides a volunteer run bus service in the city, (look for the blue benches!) and @gozeroservices a food waste courier! A few fun facts that I also didn't know is that @amazon will take your used boxes back! All you do is print off a return label, and they will reuse your box! @rootedjuicery offers classes sometimes too, and they are currently offering a Zero Waste Kitchen class. @rumpke has a state of the art recycling center and they will give you a free tour! And lastly we touched on vermicomposting. This is the practice of using Red Wiggler worms to compost. At the end of class we had to make a pledge of something we wanted to change. I said that I was going to continue to educate myself, and I want to try to eat 3 locally sourced meals per week. If we stick to our pledge, we get entered into a drawing for a free bus pass, a free class at the Civic Garden, or a free share of food from @ourharvestcoop ! This class is free if anyone is interested in going next month!! What steps are you taking to be more sustainable? :) #yoherbamomma #sustainableagriculture #agriculture #farming #sustainability #civicgardencenter #freeclass #education #greencincinnati #earthday #greenumbrella #terracycle #food #shelter #mobility #goods #services #transportation #rooted #amazon #compost #vermicompost #redwigglers #gozero #rumpke (at Civic Garden Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsflf0tlFt3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kxrqmmvbefo1

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I saw so many caterpillars and wooly worms at the farm. Later in the season Melinda had set up a display for Monarch Butterflies. I had never seen the Monarch Caterpillars (or most of the others) and it was so neat watching the caterpillars go through the stages of becoming a butterfly! #yoherbamomma #farming #butterfly #caterpillar #monarch #monarchbutterfly #nature #naturenerd #blackandyellow (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsOlJ-KFN2-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ky65zzibdl1n

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I got to visit Turner Farm yesterday so I had to go pay the sheep a visit. I wanted to see if they had missed me as much as I missed them!!! :) #yoherbamomma #farming #ilovefarming #ohio #sheep #lambs #baby #baaa #turnerfarm #imissthis #imissthem (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/Br7fBuZlc1l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1udm7525vwb3c

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Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and I hope everyone has had the happiest of holidays! Yesterday was one of my best days ever, full of much needed family time <3 Looking forward to round 2 with my love's side of the family! Everyone be safe! #yoherbamomma #merrychristmas #happyholidays2018 #christmastree #christmastree🎄 #family #seasonsgreetings https://www.instagram.com/p/Br0C0QvlK-O/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zpx9prfh6nn6

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I feel like i start so many of my posts with, "Before I started at the farm..." But, it's the truth on so many things, because the farm expanded my horizons in such a HUGE way. I always thought I hated peppers. I am a wuss and i just cannot stomach hot or spicy stuff. I wouldn't even have considered eating them. Well, go back to this summer, when we had harvested so many different varieties and I fell in love with them, at least by appearance sake. The colors were so magical! Bright Yellow, Glowing Orange, Firey Reds, Fresh Greens and even Pretty Purples!! I was still very hesitant to try them, and we all liked to play jokes on each other, so I was afraid they would slip me a hot pepper! Finally my day came. I reluctantly tried a bright red lunchbox pepper, with the promise of how mild they were. I took a nibble and waited for the heat to come... but it never did, instead a small peppery sweetness spread over my tastebuds. I was in LOVE! Lunchbox peppers quickly became a new favorite of mine and I'd pop them in my mouth often throughout the season. The day when we had to tear the plants out to prepare for the end of our season I was truly sad!! I am waiting in giddy anticipation for next years harvest! What are your favorite peppers and what do you use them for? #yoherbamomma agriculture #farming #growyourownfood #peppers #lunchbox #lunchboxpeppers #red #yellow #orange #gardening #womenwhofarm #crops #farmlife #turnerfarm #organic (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrsTRatFdL3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jmunp45cjxyh

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Just some food for thought... Most of us go through our daily lives in a fast paced and robotic way. We dont make eye contact any longer but avert everyone's gaze as we tick off items on those never ending to do lists in our heads. We are oblivious to our surroundings and each day, moment, second, is precious time slipping through our fingertips. We wake up thinking that we will be granted tomorrow. We don't visit, call or even text those who are supposed to mean everything to us. Time is not infinate and although I know that I have been the guiltiest of all. I started to realize it about 5 years ago and I started taking the steps to live a conscious life. I wanted to LIVE. I started with yoga and it opened my eyes. I began to see who I was again and I left a corporate job to pursue happiness. I threw caution to the wind and started working at a farm. The farm blew my mind in EVERY way possible. I learned about real food, how to be me and never be more proud. I am still a work in progress but progress is key. My long winded point to this is that when I started to see these things I made small conscious changes. I started to make eye contact again, and to smile over even the tiniest of things. I became greatful and thankful for more. We went to the grocery store and a lady and I made eye contact. I smiled a huge beaming smile. She smiled back a little cautiously and then complimented my bright orange hair. I complimented something about her as well and then we were laughing and joking with one another. As I was walking away she said "Hey, thank you for smiling. That really made my day. People don't even acknowledge one another anymore, so thank you!" That truly warmed my heart that day and I decided to do it more often. Since then, I have had 3 other ladies thank me and make comments about my smiling and how it made their day. Be the change you wish to see in this sometimes dreary world. It's simple to begin... start with a smile <3 #yoherbamomma #farming #life #love #bethechange #smile #selfcare #yogaeverydamnday #yoga #wish #makeeyecontact #kindness #grateful #puppies #kitties #andeverythingnice #:p https://www.instagram.com/p/BrpesYrFWUb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m3um6hvglt6m

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Some of my favorite mornings at the farm started out like this! We got to do yoga by the pond and it was SO peaceful! Kate would go through a yoga routine with us and teach us some breathing techniques. The best mornings were when the morning dew would still be sparkling all around us. We would be finishing up and as we lay on our backs with our eyes closed the sun would shine down ever so slightly. The bright warmth would spread across my cheeks as I laid in peace. It was a wonderful way to start the day <3 #yoherbamomma #farming #farmyoga #turnerfarm #yoga #yogaeverydamnday #iloveyoga #childspose #downwarddog #savasana #pond #nature #namaste (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BroRq0blHPI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fv3x4j64h6ax

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This image is very symbolic to me. I LOVE potatoes and would eat them every day in some capacity if they were super healthy. :) Digging them up though, whew that's another story! We had forks to dig them out of their hilled rows and it was quite the challenge. It was so hot those days but eating the delicious new recipes that I came up with made it more than worth it! I made my version of scalloped potatoes with dill and fennel added in and zomg it was amazing!! Oh potatoes, I love you so! #yoherbamomma #farm #farmingphotos #gardening #agriculture #organic #potatoes #dill #fennel #organic #williturnintopotatoes #eatthemeveryday #yum #recipe (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrgNvxal8ui/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dp11kv8mkvsd

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Tis the season! Last night we had 2 Ugly Christmas Sweater parties to go to :) We of course, had to deliver! My love found the ultimate sweater with a fuzzy cat face on it. When he tried it on at the store I laughed so hard.. Man I love him, he never fails to keep things fun!! I joined suit and got a one piece sweater jumper type thing. Guys, I felt like I was wrapped up in a big ol yarney sock. It was amazing! We had such a great night with awesome friends!! Happy Holiday!! p.s. did you guys join the ugly sweater ranks this year too?? #yoherbamomma #uglychristmassweater #cat #jumper #santa #sweater #holiday #happyholidays #happyholidays2018 #merrychristmas #merrychrismahanukwanzakah #orangehair #orangehairdontcare #love #thisislove https://www.instagram.com/p/Brc7Mafllkx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17lsbbltt4d6x

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We hand mulched A LOT over the summer. I think it was one of the only things I didn't love. However, we all still know how to have fun and Kestyn and I joked that we should start a farm calendar! This was one pose of many over the season. He jumped in the leaves and this was one of the results. It was rarely a dull moment! haha What month should this one be? :) #yoherbamomma #farm #farmingphotos #farming #leaves #leafmulch #leafmulchmodel #farmcalendar #transgender #friendstilltheend #intern #organic #fall (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrXJekKFRUv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1osqyak9b93v5

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I had never thought about where melons came from until I worked at the farm. They were definitely a labor of love! We had to clear the winter rye cover crop from the field, which was no easy task. We raked it into large rows and made hills in the soil to plant the seeds in. When the plants start growing they vine out to produce the little melons. Over time we hand weeded each row and mulched them. When they are ready, they smell like sweet melons and they are delicious! It was so neat to pick them up right from the vine after they were warmed by the sun. #yoherbamomma #farming #organic #tryfarming #farmingisfun #farmlife #melon #melons #nature #gardening #gardentools #fruit #agriculture #womeninag #womenwhofarm (at Turner Farm) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrSspBDFc7y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v15wvqbw0qxc