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Featured Item: Local Eggs

2/26/2016

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​Not all eggs are created equal, and deciphering the meaning of labels at the store can be tricky. Cage-free, brown-eggs, natural, free range, soy-free, pasture-raised, local? How to choose! And does it really matter?
 
Yes it does! Eggs coming from confinement operations are more likely to contain growth hormones, antibiotics, and present a higher risk of salmonella. Currently about 95% of eggs produced in the US come from confinement operations and it’s important to know what alternatives there are. Cage-free means that hens are not confined to cages, but does not ensure that they have access to the space or conditions necessary for the birds to thrive. Free-range or free-roaming similarly do not guarantee that hens will have adequate space or humane conditions, simply that they have access to the outdoors. Labels to look for in a store include Organic, Animal Welfare Approved, and Certified Humane which are certified by outside organizations that have high standards for animal welfare. Another common label is pasture raised, or pastured eggs. Pastured often hens live in mobile chicken coops in pasture where they have access to fresh air, grass, and bugs and produce healthier eggs. The pastured label is not well regulated, so be sure to purchase from a farmer you know! Local pastured eggs are the best!   
 
Nutrition fun facts:  “Eggs are quite possibly the world's perfect protein source. The six grams of protein in each egg has the highest biological value—a measure of how well it supports your body's protein needs—of any food, including beef. The yolks contain vitamin B12, deficiencies of which can cause attention, mood, and thinking problems.” Studies have shown that eggs from pastured chickens have twice the amount of vitamin E and more than 2.5 times more omega-3 fatty acid levels. (1)

Recipe: Kale Potato Frittata 

​Ingredients:
  • 4 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 medium Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 3/4-inch cubes
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
  • 6 eggs
  • Salt and pepper
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Preparation:
  1. Pour the olive oil into a large cast-iron skillet set over medium heat. Add the onions and potatoes. Cook, stirring carefully and occasionally, until the onions brown and the potatoes are tender. This should take about 15 to 20 minutes. Toss in the kale and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and whisk together. Pour the eggs into the skillet. Smooth mixture out with a spatula.
  3. Preheat the broiler. Turn the heat back on to medium. Cook for a few minutes, until the edges are cooked but the middle is still runny. Then place the skillet underneath the broiler and cook for a few minutes until the top is golden brown. Be careful not to let it burn.
  4. Remove the frittata from the pan and let cool on a plate for a few minutes. Then slice up and serve.
Recipe:www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/12/potato-and-kale-frittata-recipe.html
 
Egg facts: www.rodalesorganiclife.com /food/free-range-eggs
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A Happy ValenSwine! 

2/3/2016

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PicturePigs on pasture at Lick Creek Beef and Pork
Say I love you this Valentine's day with a home cooked meal with local meats, veggies and sweet treats. Lick Creek Beef and Pork will be offering a ValenSwine's day special of a free breakfast sausage with the purchase a two pork chops or steaks. There will also be a discount on their grass fed beef as well. This special is available only at the Community Farmers Market on February 6th and 13th. Plant a Veg Seed will be baking up some Gluten Free valentine treats (including red velvet cupcakes!), and Mario's Mama will have valentine themed treats for you fur friends.  

Unfamiliar with heritage breed pork? With all of the negative press surrounding processed meat and pork recently, what's there to love about heritage breed pork? Here are four reasons. 
  1. Better for the environment:  Heritage breeds are not suited to confinement settings so you can be assumed that the pig's quality of life was better than 'the other white' meat you are purchasing in the store.Pastured pork has a much smaller environmental footprint than concentrated animal feed operations (CAFOs). Waste is not concentrated and has a lower risk of contaminating water supplies. 
  2. Healthier, Happier Pigs: Pastured pigs are less likely to be over crowded, reducing the risk of illness and need for antibiotics. Pastured pigs have a more varied diet and increased exercise which leads to healthier, happier pigs. 
  3. Support small farmers supporting breed conservation: Heritage breeds were selected over several generations to preserve desirable traits that were suited for the geography and taste preferences of a specific region. Commercial pork comes almost exclusively from the White Pig, which was bred for industrial production, not flavor. Heritage breeds are raised almost exclusively  by small farmers who take the extra time and care to tend to these breeds. Buying heritage breed meats helps support the farmers who make that happen. 
  4. Taste better, better for you: Unlike the bland 'other white meat' you see in the store, heritage breed pork come in a variety of textures, flavors, and marbling to suit any taste buds.Heritage breeds are often more nutritious, containing more desirable fats and nutrients thanks to a healthier diet and better living conditions. 

To find out more about heritage breed pork check out the following websites or chat with our pork producers at the Community Farmers Market. 
  • Why Red Wattle: The Ethical Butcher 
  • 8 Reasons to Buy Heritage Breed Meats Despite the Higher Price Tag: Hobby Farms
  • Heritage Breed Animals and Heirloom Crop Varieties: The sustainable table
  • Demand GrowsHigher for Hogs That Are Raised Humanely: New York Times
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