Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Goats, Sprouts, Roots, and Shoots

“All the World's Problems Can Be Solved in a Garden” 
 -Geoff Lawton



I realized I have not said much about our goats lately, probably not since the trauma with Poppy and her leg back in December.  Well, the report is that in the end the break healed well, not so well at first, but with some time and attention she is pretty much her old self again, jumping, butting, and playing with the others.  Poppy responded amazingly to her constitutional homeopathic remedy that was the cataylst for her healing. 

goat and chicken feed combinations stored in 5 gallon food grade buckets

All of the herd is growing rapidly and seem to always be ravenous.  We are finally getting organized with our feed storage and regimen, sprouting their grain, a combinaion of oats, barley, and black sunflower seeds.  (You can see the goat page for our full routine.)

soaked and sprouting goat feed

Fencing has also been a big priortity around here.  So after much waiting, gathering of materials, and a few weekends of work, the approximate 1/2 acre of pasture for the goats to graze is almost completely fenced in. 


Rosemary and Poppy grazing


Poppy getting a hug

Lots of sprouting going on around here these days.  A natural born seed saver, we have a 7 yr old who is obsessed with sprouting everything he can get his hands on from any and all sproutable goods in the pantry to the seeds inside the dinner vegetables.  There is a constant collection of wet napkins full of seeds on the windowsill. 

poppy sprouts on the windowsill
Spring Cleansing
Thinking about spring cleansing, root tonics, and simple home remedies, this recipe for Fire Cider is as easy as it is full of benefit.  Some healing properties of the roots are...

Horseradish:  anti-bacterial, horseradish strongly stimulates the digestion, increasing gastric secretions and appetite.  Also a good diuretic that promotes perspiration, useful in fevers, colds, and flu.  An expectorant and can be of use in respiratory and urinary tract infections. 

Ginger:  valued for it's ability to warm the stomach, to ease vomiting and nausea, and fight off colds, chills, and coughs.  Useful for all types of congestion in the body. 

Garlic:  supports immune function and opens the pores of the skin to lower a fever.  Anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties make it useful in treating bladder and kidney infections, yeast infections, strep throats, and ear infections. 

Cayenne:  useful for increasing circulation and to get mucous flowing.  Anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant.  Used as a digestive aid to to stimulate gastric juices.  Can be used to gain relief from migraines. 

Fire Cider
Ingredients
1 quart organic apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup horseradish root grated
1/8 cup garlic chopped
1/2 cup onion chopped
1/2 cup ginger grated
1 tsp cayanne



Directions:  Place all ingredients in a large, clean, glass jar and cover with apple cider vinegar.  Cover tightly and steep for 8 weeks, preferably on a sunny windowsill.  Strain into clean jar. 


Make this soon so it will be ready for spring colds and sniffles.  (Try diluted in H2O first, it is very spicy!)

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