Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Nutritional Facts About Maple Syrup
From the New Brunswick Maple Syrup Association (NBMSA) website:
Tasty, Nutritious and Natural
Maple syrup does not contain any preservatives or chemicals. This product of nature is pure and natural.Aside from its distinctive taste, maple syrup has a number of qualities that literally puts it in a class of its own. You be the judge...
| Maple Syrup | Corn Syrup | Honey | Maple Sugar | Brown Sugar | Sugar | |
| Manganese | 100 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 9 | 0 |
| Riboflavin | 34 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Zinc | 11 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Magnesium | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Calcium | 6 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Potassium | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
| Calories | 217 | 241 | 258 | 170 | 211 | 194 |
| Sugars (in grams) | 54 | 65 | 70 | 41 | 54 | 50 |
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Maple Syrup: Step by Sweet Step
This is a brief description of how maple syrup is made from the sap of wild maple trees.
Here is a little video for you:
It has been a good season so far. There have been cold nights and warm days, which is good for sap production. Getting close to 20 gallons of sap every day right now. Not much time to update the blog with all the collecting and boiling...
This is where I live...
From Wikipedia:
As stated in the Untied Mine Workers' Journal of 1937, "Nowhere on the American continent, is there a strife which combines the elements of greed, harshness, cold, suffering, and want, as exists [in Minto]."[5]
Minto. Oh, sweet Minto.
As stated in the Untied Mine Workers' Journal of 1937, "Nowhere on the American continent, is there a strife which combines the elements of greed, harshness, cold, suffering, and want, as exists [in Minto]."[5]
Minto. Oh, sweet Minto.
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Friday, March 08, 2013
Time to Save the World!
The industrialization of farming has led to many problems, including global food surpluses and shortages, and the degradation of the environment. This has led to the desertification of the worlds grasslands and to global starvation. Our current model of food production is dependent on chemical based fertilizers and is relies heavily on fossil fuels. The combination of these factors does not optimize the quality of food , or the availability of solar energy. The use of technology has enabled humans to produce more food, leading to expanded populations, at the cost of quality of life and food security. Massive crop failures caused by flooding, drought, and natural disasters are still commonplace. Remember the corn failure in the US last year?
This all leads on to ask: What can be done? Or it leads one to eat a twinky and say "who cares?".
During my time at University, I was often overwhelmed by the impending sense of disaster and panic that the subject matter seemed to contain; every institution was corrupt, every system flawed, every person disordered or needing improvement. This was not equally balanced with solutions to our shared and ongoing global demands for peace, security, and well-being. These requirements apply at the individual level, as well as on a state level. If the individuals of a certain country are starving to death or constantly murdering each other, it doesn't matter what the country's GDP happens to be.
Many of these issues are tied to the food system, either directly or indirectly. As our food system has become more dependent on fossil fuels, this is even more the case. Those pineapples don't fly themselves from mexico!
The problems seem all to familiar, yet effective solutions are few and far between. Instead we use band-aid solutions, like federal buy-outs, farm-aid, massive subsidization, genetic modifications, chemical sprays, food aid to Africa, bombs to Bagdad, pipelines to everywhere, and everything in-between, while the world seems to crumble before us. It is like trying to cover a hole in your boat with one toe, then another hole with an elbow, then you see another one, and you can't cover the first one anymore. You get the picture.
Maybe all the 'problems' are really just consequences of our deeply flawed food production methods, and of a general detachment with our relationship to nature. Perhaps we are denying the essential fact that as humans we are tied inextricably to our earthly environment and to the cycles and forces of Mother Nature. We are trying to force nature to bend to our will, when we need to let go and be guided by the existing natural rhythms. This might sound like cliched hippie-talk from some weirdo in British Columbia, or some other incense-burning tree humper, but it is also the beginning of the answer.
This idea of embracing natural forces to our on-going benefit and not simply harnessing them temporarily for short term gains is crucial to our survival. For example, mimicking natural ecosystems on a farm and tapping into the maximum potential of solar energy on that farm is more sustainable and profitable in the long run, than damming a river upstream for electricity and flooding thousands of acres of forest and farm land for financial gain.
These ideas are not new or original. People have understood these basic principles for thousands of years. Perhaps the 'success' of modern civilization and our mastery of technology has spawned a destructive hubris in mankind which blinds us to our folly. Perhaps our attention is shifting towards little screens and keypads and away from the sunlit fields and streams, which are left to dry up and decay in private. Perhaps there is a global shift in consciousness occurring and we are about to dawn on a new age of prosperity and harmony. Perhaps...
Here are a couple of videos that have inspired these thoughts. Watch them and think about the different perspectives and how their ultimate goals are the same.
" This can't be done industrially, it takes warm bodies, and you can't just leave it to a computer and go off and sip coffee and let engines and machines run it all. It's hands on , it's craft, it's artisinal, it's the potter wheel. We have this cultural stigma against an agrarian existence, that's only good enough for the D and the F students, the redneck-hillbilly-trip-over-the-transmission-in-the-backyard-tobacco-spittin-graa, the grammar assaulting hillbilly; that's the farmer...When was the last time you heard a soccer mom say 'My son's gonna be a farmer!'? We don't do that!"-Joel Salatin
Here is the more 'academic' Ted talk by Allan Savory. Notice he doesn't mention the need for birds and boars, or chickens and pigs, to follow the herding animals and clean up and help finish the cycle. He also ordered the execution of 40, 000 elephants, so I'd listen to the farmer before the professor...Still a great talk. Enjoy!
And farmer Sepp Holtzer, who said:" Co-operat with nature, don't confront it."
This all leads on to ask: What can be done? Or it leads one to eat a twinky and say "who cares?".
During my time at University, I was often overwhelmed by the impending sense of disaster and panic that the subject matter seemed to contain; every institution was corrupt, every system flawed, every person disordered or needing improvement. This was not equally balanced with solutions to our shared and ongoing global demands for peace, security, and well-being. These requirements apply at the individual level, as well as on a state level. If the individuals of a certain country are starving to death or constantly murdering each other, it doesn't matter what the country's GDP happens to be.
Many of these issues are tied to the food system, either directly or indirectly. As our food system has become more dependent on fossil fuels, this is even more the case. Those pineapples don't fly themselves from mexico!
The problems seem all to familiar, yet effective solutions are few and far between. Instead we use band-aid solutions, like federal buy-outs, farm-aid, massive subsidization, genetic modifications, chemical sprays, food aid to Africa, bombs to Bagdad, pipelines to everywhere, and everything in-between, while the world seems to crumble before us. It is like trying to cover a hole in your boat with one toe, then another hole with an elbow, then you see another one, and you can't cover the first one anymore. You get the picture.
Maybe all the 'problems' are really just consequences of our deeply flawed food production methods, and of a general detachment with our relationship to nature. Perhaps we are denying the essential fact that as humans we are tied inextricably to our earthly environment and to the cycles and forces of Mother Nature. We are trying to force nature to bend to our will, when we need to let go and be guided by the existing natural rhythms. This might sound like cliched hippie-talk from some weirdo in British Columbia, or some other incense-burning tree humper, but it is also the beginning of the answer.
This idea of embracing natural forces to our on-going benefit and not simply harnessing them temporarily for short term gains is crucial to our survival. For example, mimicking natural ecosystems on a farm and tapping into the maximum potential of solar energy on that farm is more sustainable and profitable in the long run, than damming a river upstream for electricity and flooding thousands of acres of forest and farm land for financial gain.
These ideas are not new or original. People have understood these basic principles for thousands of years. Perhaps the 'success' of modern civilization and our mastery of technology has spawned a destructive hubris in mankind which blinds us to our folly. Perhaps our attention is shifting towards little screens and keypads and away from the sunlit fields and streams, which are left to dry up and decay in private. Perhaps there is a global shift in consciousness occurring and we are about to dawn on a new age of prosperity and harmony. Perhaps...
Here are a couple of videos that have inspired these thoughts. Watch them and think about the different perspectives and how their ultimate goals are the same.
" This can't be done industrially, it takes warm bodies, and you can't just leave it to a computer and go off and sip coffee and let engines and machines run it all. It's hands on , it's craft, it's artisinal, it's the potter wheel. We have this cultural stigma against an agrarian existence, that's only good enough for the D and the F students, the redneck-hillbilly-trip-over-the-transmission-in-the-backyard-tobacco-spittin-graa, the grammar assaulting hillbilly; that's the farmer...When was the last time you heard a soccer mom say 'My son's gonna be a farmer!'? We don't do that!"-Joel Salatin
And farmer Sepp Holtzer, who said:" Co-operat with nature, don't confront it."
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Lots of fish and a Joke...
What was wrong with the Arctic explorer who had reached both the north and south poles on foot?
He was Bi-Polar!
The fishing has continued to be good around the Grand lake area, although our morale is sinking as winter wears on. People are talking about how nice and close spring fishing is, and how tired of ice fishing they are.
A friend and I went out and got some pickeral at a little island we like to fish. There were lots of big fish and a lack of yellow perch. The biggest one must have been over two feet long, and escaped once it was half way out of the hole. We also picked up a tiny, mini, baby, butbot out in the front lake. Lots of fun fishing, and lots of greasy snacks were eaten, by us and the fish.
Here are a few pictures...
He was Bi-Polar!
The fishing has continued to be good around the Grand lake area, although our morale is sinking as winter wears on. People are talking about how nice and close spring fishing is, and how tired of ice fishing they are.
A friend and I went out and got some pickeral at a little island we like to fish. There were lots of big fish and a lack of yellow perch. The biggest one must have been over two feet long, and escaped once it was half way out of the hole. We also picked up a tiny, mini, baby, butbot out in the front lake. Lots of fun fishing, and lots of greasy snacks were eaten, by us and the fish.
Here are a few pictures...
 |
| First fish of the day. |
 |
| His twin sister. |
 |
| Their slightly obese 2nd cousin. |
 |
| Warm camp fire. |
 |
| Greasy bacon wrapped tube steaks doubled up on a bun. |
 |
| A ruffed grouse on the side of the road. notice the fanned tail feathers and ruffed neck. |
 |
| I got a fish too. On a swedish pimple. The actual name of the lure. Swedish pimple. |
Sunday, March 03, 2013
Catch of the Day: 2 Burbot
 |
| 27 inches and 22 inches |
 |
| Burbot, Ling, Cusk, Lawyer, Eelpout, all means the same thing: Dinner! |
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Catch of the day!I
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| "I am Quato, You must open your minds...OPEN YOUR MINDS!" |
 |
| "Let that one go. He's my cousin" |
Top Ten Beer Guts Online!
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| Balance, Pride, and Poise. The full package. |
 |
| You don't want to see the rear view. |
 |
| My Gut is SOOOO Big. My Gut is SOOOO Full. Mmmmmm, I'm the Biggest Guttiest Man Around! |
 |
| "Ah shit... this is DEFINITELY ending up on the internet." |
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| "Just contemplating where my belly button went" |
 | |
| "Make sure it's a DOUBLE BURGER...with BACON...hot greasy bacon to shine up my mullet" |
That is only 6 guts, but I believe that may be too many. Far too many. Let these guts be a warning to you all out there. Or an inspiration. I'll let you decide.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Top Ten Cuban Buffet Delights...
- Mayo/cheese combo after two hours in the heat and a nice protective film has formed. Chunky and shiny and creamy...Yum.
- Hairs. If it grows on the human body, you will find it in the buffet. You may be lucky enough to find a few different colours and types in your breakfast. Omelets with ginger pubes and black beard hairs anyone?
- Surprise Casseroles. Do you like to know exactly what you are eating? Well, avoid the surprise casserole, because it is a mix of several previous meals, usually enhanced with sliced hotdogs and re-hydrated with suntanning oil and pig's blood.
- Fruit. Perhaps it is the lack of American supplied super-fertilizers, but the fruit tends to be very bland and dry. Just how some people LOVE their fruit: bland and dry. YUM. The oranges and grapefruits were better, but usually covered in beard hair...
- Solid blocks of salt. Have you ever seen a salt shaker with rice in it so it doesn't clump? Well, nobody in Cuba has. I recommend just pouring sea water over the food to enhance the flavours.
- The tap water. You may be carefully drinking bottled water all the time, but at the buffet it is in everything. Maybe it is safe to drink, maybe you get worms. Either way, make sure you try some of the food swimming in water.
- Fried fish. This was freshly grilled right in front of you and it was usually really good. Fresh and tasty. Most of the fresh grilled food was really good and provided lots of sandwich material. So don't despair.
- Greasy breaded sausage balls. I didn't know that sausages grew balls, but these little treats were a decent sponge for mid morning alcohol.
- A mountain of hard boiled eggs, covered in katchup and mustard, artistically sprayed in overlapping patterns on top of the egg pile. What a sight to behold!
- Sliced hotdogs floating in water. It may have been some other liquid, but I never found out. This dish reappeared daily, usually after the outdoor hotdog grilling station closed, so you can draw your own conclusions.
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