FamFav Med Bowls, Simple Squash Soup & Local Pork
life is hard; food doesn't have to be #62 [vol2, 8.4]
Wednesday I made one of my family’s favorite meals: Mediterranean bowls. We layer rice, lentils and protein (meatballs or shredded chicken). Details and recipe here.
I also made a super simple squash soup. If you have broth on hand, it comes together fast. Squash is easy to digest and onions are great for boosting the immune system.
Ingredients
1-2 onions*, rough chopped
Garlic, chopped
3-5 yellow squash, or more, cut in 2 inch chunks
1 cup broth**, give or take
½-1 block cream cheese
Sea salt to taste
Instructions
Saute onion, sprinkled with salt, in fat of choice until translucent. Add garlic and squash with a bit of broth. Add about an inch of broth in the bottom of the pan. You can always add more broth later. Too much will produce a watery soup. Cover and steam for 3-5 minutes. When squash is tender, blend. I have an immersion blender which makes this an easy job but a regular blender works, too -- just be careful working with the hot soup. Lastly, add cream cheese and let it melt. Taste and adjust flavors.
*Onions are so good for healing! Read this post I wrote for all the reasons to eat more onions.
**Learn to make broth! It is simpler than you think; all the details in this post. Homemade is not the same as store bought.
What They Said
I love your weekly letters. Your name is pronounced at least once a day in this house. I have either done some of your suggestions or change what I am doing based on your advice and you cannot believe how it has changed in this house since that “lunch and learn,” in your home [before the pandemic]. Whenever there is whining about a new change, I tell them: “According to Julie Majors…” so they have to stop the whining! —Julissa B.
I think the Countertime is marvelous. My face feels so different...and the night cream is the best. — Susan R.
Love the mascara so far! — Christy W.
Why Local Meat
I know too much and grocery store pork grosses me out. Not all pork is created equal. If you’re eating pork, consider a healthier option.
I buy local pork particularly for the vitamin D. As you may be aware, vitamin D stores are a predictor of how easily one recovers from Covid. At this point, it’s not IF we get Covid, it’s WHEN…
Lard rendered from pastured pork can contain upwards of 1,000 i.u. of vitamin D per tablespoon! Here’s a study that points to the fact that sun exposure in pigs increases the vitamin D nutritional quality of pork. I love that food can be medicine.
Travis with FarmGirl Meat explodes the standards, anywhere. You won’t find pork, beef or chicken as good as this from Butcher Box, not from Grass Roots or Whole Foods. His animal husbandry practices and the breed of animal is THE BEST.
Let me reiterate: grocery store meat is not the same quality.
Last week (on Instagram) I asked if locals wanted to purchase a half hog. Those were scooped up in record time. I’ve started a wait list for next month. Reply to this email if you want details on bulk purchase.
Meat shares provide a smaller amount of meat in frequent increments. I’m a fan because:
No need for a deep freezer.
It’s a brainless way to eat quality meat & easy baby step for eating healthier. Often I encourage people to change eating habits by starting at the top of the food chain: meat, eggs and milk are easy to replace. However, nutrient dense food costs more.
MeatShares are more economical for the consumer, usually 25% off farmers' market prices.
The meat is in my freezer, I just need to remember to thaw it. No running to the store for protein. Tip: shop your freezer (thaw) when you meal plan for the week.
FarmGirl has super amazing animal husbandry standards. This meat is higher quality, more nutrient dense than anything else you can buy.
Picky eaters? Usually picky eaters don’t want veggies but will eat the meats. If the pickies will eat meat, be sure to give them the highest quality meat you can afford.
If you eat pork on a regular basis, I plead with you to switch to local pork. Grocery store pork never sees the light of day. Vitamin D is supplied by pork grown in sunshine. In fact, local pork is one of the best food sources of vitamin D which is also needed for bone synthesis & to keep osteoporosis at bay.
Meat shares support the local economy = Travis and his girls + he donates generously to the food pantry in Perryville.
Local meat shares are better for the earth. Have you ever driven past the nasty smelly feedlots en route to Colorado? It’s enough to make you want to hold your breath for 20 miles. Local farmers give their animals room to roam. Their smell is spread out, and actually the soil loves animal deposits in small increments.
FarmGirl has options for your family size and budget. Don’t want to go to the market twice a month for pickup? Find a friend and take turns, essentially splitting a meat share. Note: the deposit is only if you don’t pay the full amount up front.
Chicken and a ground - The most economical of the packages and supplies a whole chicken and a pound of either ground beef or pork, twice a month. I did this last January because I had a half side of beef in my freezer already.
Half Share - example portion: 2 pork chops, 2 chicken thighs, and a pound of ground beef.
Full Share - example portion: a whole chicken, jowl (neck) bacon, ground beef, beef roast, ham hocks, and a choice between chicken legs or wings.
Premium - example portion:
-two 4 lb whole chickens
-2-3 lb roast
-1 lb ribeye steak
-1 lb bacon
-1 lb deli ham
-2 pounds chicken breasts
-2 pounds drumstick
-1 lb sausage
-1 lb ground beef
Pick up locations: The Argenta Market, Main St, NLR. Saturdays 8-10am or The Whitewater Tavern Market, 2500 W. Seventh St, Little Rock (near Children’s Hospital), Saturdays 11-1pm.
Online options for weekly or haphazard ordering: Arkansas Local Food Network (LR), Russellville Online Market, and Farm Girl Online Order.
Batch Cooking
I’m driving to Kentucky today to batch cook and fill my parents’ freezer using recipes found in this post.
Life is hard, food doesn’t have to be,
Julie
PS - While it’s never easy to lose a friend to cancer, this was the best obituary I’ve ever read. Can I say that? I met Jennifer in the summer of 1999 when we both joined the staff of Cru. The last two weeks have been very sad ones for me, thinking mostly of her 5 young children being left behind. Somehow, when I read her obituary yesterday it gave me closure, a great sense of peace, as well as motivation to share my love of Jesus without abandon. What will your obituary say? Read Jennifer’s story and be inspired. She did not waste her life.
Julie, I just love your heart and ease with how to optimally fuel our bodies, minds and spirits. You are one of a kind! I agree that Jennifer's obit was one of the best I've ever read. She truly exemplified how to be a living vessel for God. No matter the crack in her vessel, she poured from it graciously and often. I look forward to meeting her one day!