September Happenings

 

Hello Friends. Welcome to our September Udate. 

Well, we got settled in our work place and things have kind if slowed down a little. We'll, for me anyway. 

I am so enjoying my vacation spot. 😌 

I can choose where I want to sit and relax. I think the critters are getting use to me being here by now. If you are just tuning in, you can catch my  post for last month on August Update on the Farm. 

The critters get so close I swear I think I'm being watched. 

On Sundays, I get to watch our church services back home thanks to live streaming. And I can do it at the lake. I was playing it loud enough that I hope these guys heard it too. 😀

 One night dear hubby let me rest and he cooked supper. I love it when he cooks. 

I have been meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning,  recording videos, and blog work. At least I'm staying busy. This is what I do on work trips. 

However, I sweet talked (more like begged) dear hubby to take me somewhere I have been wanting to go forever. And since we were this close, I was not passing up this opportunity.  Was he excited about it? Nope! But there was no way he was going to let me go by myself. He took me to Washington, DC. 

We were in awe of all the things we saw. 

This is a few of my favorite pics of dear hubby 😘 

I had forgotten that when he was only two years in the Marine Corp, they offered him two MOS'. One was being a security guard at Camp David and the other being artillery. Well, he chose artillery and it landed him in Desert Storm. 

We made it onto Arlington National Cemetary. If walking through this cemetery doesn't move you, you are not alive. It was a very humbling experience. I can not believe how many acres it covered. 

We were determined to find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Audie Murphys gravesite. 

We made it to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and let me say, it is humbling all in itself. 

We found Audies gravesite. I grew up watching him and he was one of my Mommas favorite actors besides Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, aand Gene Autry. I had to send her a picture 

We saw so many other gravesites and beautiful scenery. We found John F. Kennedy and Jacquelines too. 

The eerie thing about the day, is there were planes flying over all day. It was September 13th. 

The bad thing is, by the time we walked through the cemetery, I was swelling and I was getting to where I just couldn't anymore. My sugar was dropping and I was getting light headed and nauseous 🤢 

Dear hubby was extremely patient with me. 

We made it out of there and found our vehicle. He had to take me somewhere to get something to eat and get a little tea with my sugar. I finally got my composure. 

Next we were headed to see the Memorial Wall, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial.  The frustrating thing was, we could not find any parking anywhere. There was so much construction going on everywhere that it was just bad. We circled around 4 or 5 times and just got disgusted. We didn't really know how everything flowed and just got frustrated. We were sweaty, and exhausted. We just decided to call it a day. I did manage to take a few pics as we drove by them 😳 

Needless to say, I had to recover the next day. When I say I could not move, I am not exaggerating. I decided to get some heat water therapy. 

I was sore for two days. 

If we come back here in a couple of years, I will ask to go again, even if I have to get a guide. There is no way you can see all those sights in one day. 

Dear hubby showed me some grace and its a good thing we had some leftovers. 

I was still recovering from being sick before we left home and battling a cough still. Finally got over it and I'll be dog gone if dear hubby didn't get sick. He ran fever one night and some of one day. He would come home from work and just lay on the couch and not eat. All I could do was take care of him. When he did get his appetite back I made his favorite. Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies 

A few weeks later, dear hubby found me an Amish store that he thought I might enjoy. So I left the lake house one day and went toward the hills. 

It did not disappoint. I already started getting some Christmas presents 🎁 

They also had a little petting zoo outside and if could not resist. 

These are just some of the meals we have been enjoying. 

I have been doing a different Bible study.  I got this book before we left home and brought it with me. 

It is a Bible that is in chronological order. It makes it so much easier to read the Bible because of the way it is put together by the way the events happens in time. 

If you have really been wanting to read the Bible this way, this book is great. You can find it in my Amazon Storefront on my Books and DVDs list. The link to my Storefront is below. 

Well, the time came when we have to pack up, load vehicles and get to the next place. 

Unfortunately this time it is in a hotel. It's ok. I got us covered. I always travel with a kitchen box and a folding table. In my box is my air fryer, instant pot and an electric skillet not to mention, alot of my accessories. I can still cook and perform my homemaking duties. My dear hubby does what he does best and as do I. 

While we are in the next place, there are some things I want to do and places I want to visit. That might be in next month's post. 

As for now, I hope you have enjoyed this update. 😊 

This post contains affiliate links to which 4D Farms LLC. participates and earns a small commission on purchases you make when visiting our links at no extra cost to you. 

If you enjoy our blog and content, be sure to sign up to receive emails when a new post is published so you don't miss a thing. We would love it if you would join us. Enjoy your reading. 

If you are curious about any products you see in our images or that we use in our home or on the farm, please feel free to visit our Amazon Store where everything is organized into lists for each category. 

Visit our Amazon 4D Farms Storefront here 

4D Farms LLC. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Our storefront link is an affiliate link that earns our farm a commission at no additional cost if you click through and make a purchase. You can trust that we recommend products that we use in our own home and love and maybe some we wish to have. Our storefront is designed to help you locate items easily by specific, organized, and titled lists. 

Thank you for your support. 

If you like video versions of our content here on our blog, you can visit our YouTube Channel here 

We hope you find something that you enjoy. We also have our channel designed by playlists so you can find your favorite topic to search for certain videos easily. We hope to see you there also. Subscribe to our channel so you can be notified when new videos are uploaded. Be sure to turn your notification bell on too or you will miss them. 

We also have a Novelty Merch Store for 4D Farms where you can find apparel, housewares, and novelty gifts for yourself, friends, and loved ones. We hope you like our custom-made designs by me and one of my daughters-in-law. They are our own and copywritten. 

You can visit our store here 

Other affiliate links for your shopping experience:

Dollar Tree:

I love Dollar Tree and in case you didn't know, you can order from their website online. This is a great feature for anyone who might need to order multiple quantities of something. Perfect for Schools, Daycares, Churches, Nursing Homes, etc. You can find all you need in one place and have it delivered right to your door and you can shop in the comforts of your own home. You can get to their website by clicking here

Nutri Mill:

Nutri-Mill: Stand Mixers and Grain Mills: ( use Code: 4DFARMS20 at check out) If you are interested in grinding your own grain into flour to turn into the most nutrient-dense bread ever, then you need a grain mill. I love my Nutri Mill Classic Mill. They also have the best stand mixers. You can also purchase grains from them or you can find some on Amazon too. I have a few companies in my Amazon Storefront , who carry Non-GMO grains. You can order any size pounds you like and have them delivered to your home. Look for them on my Kitchen Essentials List along with all of my bread-making utensils, pans etc., that I personally use in my own kitchen to make delicious bread with. Link to my Amazon Storefront is above. 

Smokers and Grills for the guys:

PIT BOSS Outdoor Smokers and Grills: are the smokers and grills my guy uses to smoke and grill all of our meats. He even has some videos on our YouTube channel of how he smokes and makes a lot of our meats. He has even smoked eggs before. Yes, EGGS. They were so delicious. One of these bad boys is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to grill or smoke meats. Check them out. 

Bentgo:

If you are into lunch-making and meal-prepping for you or your kiddos, you have to check out Bentgo for all your lunch making needs. Lunch boxes, water bottles, backpacks, utensils and other lunch making accessories: They are not just for kids, They have a line of adult items as well and you can have then personalized now. This is awesome. I have a playlist of Lunch Making Videos on our YouTube Channel. Link is above. 

TideWe:

If you are the hunter or huntress in your family, check out TideWe for all your hunting gear for guys and gals: Most of our hunting seasons are in the fall and winter and their line of insulated hunting gear is one of my favorites. We also love their hunting blinds for ultimate concealment. Be sure to visit them. We have a Hunting Playlist on our channel as well. 

Optics Planet, Inc.:

Since we are avid hunters, we rely on ammo, gun parts and scopes to be accurate and on point. You can visit their website here and find all your essentials 

Garden Tower Project:

If you are a gardener and love those flowers, herbs or veggies, but you don't have the garden space, then consider going vertical on your porch or balcony to save space. You can check out Garden Towers here I know you will find something there you like. 

Herb Affair:

If you want to save money on supplements and want to make your own like I do, you can find all you need here at Herb Affair Here, you will find an array of powdered herbs and spices for medicinal use, Capsule It Machine to make your own capsules and an assortment of different size capsules to fill with your herbs. This machine is so easy to use and has clear and easy instructions to follow. 

Have a Blessed Day

Tracy 

Keeper of the Home 

How To Make Cornsilk Tea Benefits of Cornsilk

 

Hello Friends. Join me today as we learn about the benefits of cornsilk.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, nor do I have a degree in medicine. This advice is given as a result of my own research and experience in using these natural remedies in my own body and home. Please do your own research and talk to your doctor before adding any natural supplements or remedies to your regimen. 

All my life, I helped my grandparents plant, grow, and harvest corn from the garden they raised. I remember having to shuck all that corn and silk it. I thought those strands of hair were the most annoying thing ever created because they stuck to you like crazy when you were already hot and sweaty. It was not until just recently that I was enlightened about the benefits of  something as simple as cornsilk. 

Let me help you understand. 

This is just a few things that cornsilk helps do:

* Helps lower cholesterol. 

*Stimulates blood circulation, which helps distribute oxygen where it is needed, especially to the brain.

*Reduces blood sugar levels. Very helpful to diabetics.

*Relieves gout pain.

*Treats kidney function, painful urination (UTI), inflammation, kidney stones, etc. 

*Prostate disorders

*Diuretic- which means it detoxifies the body.

*Stimulates the secretion of bile by the liver. 

*High in Vitamin C

*Great source of Beta Carotene, Riboflavin, Selenium, Niacin, and Limonene

*Anti-inflammatory

Now do you see? Something as simple as strings in corn can be beneficial to our health and well-being.

I can't help but think of all the corn silk I have wasted over the years. But not anymore. I have learned how to save those precious strings and make wonderful things with them since we grow our own corn. 

There are several ways you can preserve these for medicinal purposes. 

First, find yourself some handy dandy little helpers like we have

As you shuck your corn, pull the silks out and save them.  Bring them inside. No matter how I am going to use these, I want to start with clean strings. I know bugs and worms have been crawling all over them. I gently rinse and strain. 

 

First thing I am going to try is a simple tea. I take a small pinch, add it into the little filter that fits into my tea steeping cup. 

I pour boiling water on top and set it aside to let it steep for 10 minutes. 

After it was done steeping, I strained the silks and removed the filter. Sweetened with a little honey and drank. 

It was surprisingly good. 

I reserved the remainder of the tea and stored it in the refrigerator for later use. 

I can get it out, heat it up, and drink again. If you are going to drink the tea, since it is a diuretic (which means it flushes out the system, makes you urinate a lot), I would drink it first thing in the morning or afternoon, not at night. 

I use this teacup all the time for my medicinal teas. It also microwaves very well. It also has a steeping lid, but unfortunately, I broke it. 😢😢

I do have this cup and accessories in my Amazon store on my kitchen essentials list. Link to my store is below. 

The next thing I did was make a tincture. I started with clean and dry silks. You do not want water in a tincture. It can turn the contents moldy over time. I stuffed corn silk down into the jar, but did not overcrowd it. Preferably to the neck of the jar. 

I poured apple cider vinegar into the jar, making sure the contents were completely submerged leaving a one-inch headspace. 

If you want to use alcohol, you most certainly can. Just make sure it is 100% proof alcohol, like Vodka. 

Place lid and band on fingertip tight and store in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. 

After 4 to 6 weeks, strain the silks and pour the tincture back into the jar. You can also pour some into little amber glass bottles with a dropper. 

Since I use apple cider vinegar to make my tinctures, I don't really like the taste of the vinegar, so I disguise it in something like an already acidic juice. I can take a dropper full up to two times a day. Doses may vary due to a person's ailments or what they are using it for.

Of course, you can dehydrate them.  Spread your corn silks on a dehydrating tray, careful not to overcrowd them, and dehydrate them at 95 degrees to completely dry. You can also do this same method in your oven. Spread them onto a big baking sheet and dry on the lowest setting in your oven until they are all dry. 

Store dried cornsilks in an airtight container or jar.   When you want to make a tea, take out a small wad or pinch and place it in a cup. Pour some boiling water over the silks and let them steep for up to 10 minutes. Remove silks, sweeten to your liking, and drink. I have not dried any yet, but I will be in the future. 

I hope you have found this information and research very informative. Please use your own discretion. 

This post contains affiliate links to which 4D Farms LLC. participates and earns a small commission on purchases you make when visiting our links at no extra cost to you. 

If you enjoy our blog and content, be sure to sign up to receive emails when a new post is published so you don't miss a thing. We would love it if you would join us. Enjoy your reading. 

If you are curious about any products you see in our images or that we use in our home or on the farm, please feel free to visit our Amazon Store where everything is organized into lists for each category. 

Visit our Amazon 4D Farms Storefront here 

4D Farms LLC. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Our storefront link is an affiliate link that earns our farm a commission at no additional cost if you click through and make a purchase. You can trust that we recommend products that we use in our own home and love and maybe some we wish to have. Our storefront is designed to help you locate items easily by specific, organized, and titled lists. 

Thank you for your support. 

If you like video versions of our content here on our blog, you can visit our YouTube Channel here 

We hope you find something that you enjoy. We also have our channel designed by playlists so you can find your favorite topic to search for certain videos easily. We hope to see you there also. Subscribe to our channel so you can be notified when new videos are uploaded. Be sure to turn your notification bell on too or you will miss them. 

We also have a Novelty Merch Store for 4D Farms where you can find apparel, housewares, and novelty gifts for yourself, friends, and loved ones. We hope you like our custom-made designs by me and one of my daughters-in-law. They are our own and copywritten. 

You can visit our store here 

Other affiliate links for your shopping experience:

Dollar Tree:

I love Dollar Tree and in case you didn't know, you can order from their website online. This is a great feature for anyone who might need to order multiple quantities of something. Perfect for Schools, Daycares, Churches, Nursing Homes, etc. You can find all you need in one place and have it delivered right to your door and you can shop in the comforts of your own home. You can get to their website by clicking here

Nutri Mill:

Nutri-Mill: Stand Mixers and Grain Mills: ( use Code: 4DFARMS20 at check out) If you are interested in grinding your own grain into flour to turn into the most nutrient-dense bread ever, then you need a grain mill. I love my Nutri Mill Classic Mill. They also have the best stand mixers. You can also purchase grains from them or you can find some on Amazon too. I have a few companies in my Amazon Storefront , who carry Non-GMO grains. You can order any size pounds you like and have them delivered to your home. Look for them on my Kitchen Essentials List along with all of my bread-making utensils, pans etc., that I personally use in my own kitchen to make delicious bread with. Link to my Amazon Storefront is above. 

Smokers and Grills for the guys:

PIT BOSS Outdoor Smokers and Grills: are the smokers and grills my guy uses to smoke and grill all of our meats. He even has some videos on our YouTube channel of how he smokes and makes a lot of our meats. He has even smoked eggs before. Yes, EGGS. They were so delicious. One of these bad boys is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to grill or smoke meats. Check them out. 

Bentgo:

If you are into lunch-making and meal-prepping for you or your kiddos, you have to check out Bentgo for all your lunch making needs. Lunch boxes, water bottles, backpacks, utensils and other lunch making accessories: They are not just for kids, They have a line of adult items as well and you can have then personalized now. This is awesome. I have a playlist of Lunch Making Videos on our YouTube Channel. Link is above. 

TideWe:

If you are the hunter or huntress in your family, check out TideWe for all your hunting gear for guys and gals: Most of our hunting seasons are in the fall and winter and their line of insulated hunting gear is one of my favorites. We also love their hunting blinds for ultimate concealment. Be sure to visit them. We have a Hunting Playlist on our channel as well. 

Optics Planet, Inc.:

Since we are avid hunters, we rely on ammo, gun parts and scopes to be accurate and on point. You can visit their website here and find all your essentials 

Garden Tower Project:

If you are a gardener and love those flowers, herbs or veggies, but you don't have the garden space, then consider going vertical on your porch or balcony to save space. You can check out Garden Towers here I know you will find something there you like. 

Herb Affair:

If you want to save money on supplements and want to make your own like I do, you can find all you need here at Herb Affair Here, you will find an array of powdered herbs and spices for medicinal use, Capsule It Machine to make your own capsules and an assortment of different size capsules to fill with your herbs. This machine is so easy to use and has clear and easy instructions to follow. 

Have a Blessed Day

Tracy 

Keeper of the Home 

How To Ferment Different Vegetables

 

Hello Friends.  Welcome to today's post. 

Today, we will talk about fermenting vegetables. 

The only thing I have ever fermented is saurkraut.  As I researched more and more, I knew I wanted to try more. 

By all means, you can ferment vegetables the old way, but Dear Hubby made this process so much easier for me by gifting me a new fermenting kit by Masontops. It comes with pickle pebbles, a vegetable tamper, a pickle pipe, an instruction and recipe book.  I have this in our Amazon storefront on my Canning and Preserving Essentials List. (link to my storefront is below).

There are so many benefits to fermenting. It produces the lactic acid that creates good bacteria for healthy gut flora. We all know what happens when our guts are out of whack. It causes so many health issues. 

There are so many vegetables that you can ferment. I tried Ginger Carrots for the first time and, surprisingly, they were so delicious. 

I followed the directions in the recipe book, and it was so easy. The only hard part is waiting for them to ferment. The spice from the ginger gave a little hint of heat that was just the right tone. 

I used just regular long carrots to make these. I peeled and cut into French fry form and packed them into my jar. Not tight, just filled. 

Added the ginger

Filled with water to the neck.

Carefully placed the weight in because I did not want to push any water out of the top of the jar. 

Placed the pickle pipe on the jar, then screweed the band on fingertip tight. You do not want it too tight.

Set it in a cool, dark place to ferment for up to 4 weeks for the best results. The longer they ferment, the better. 

Then I wanted to try the Kurry Kraut. The curry in this kraut was out of this world. We could use this on deli sandwiches as well as a side dish to any meal. 

For this recipe, you can use all green cabbage and shredded carrots, but I wanted to add more color so I cut up purple and green. Didn't turn out too bad if I say so myself. 

 You pound your cabbage and carrots down a little at a time until they start releasing their juices. 

Fill a little more and repeat the same process. Keep filling and pounding until the brine reaches the top and can cover the cabbage and carrots. You do not want any above the water, or it can spoil. 

After all the juice is at the top, then place the weight on top, making sure no cabbage particles float to the top and no spillage of water. Place the picle pipe over the rim and add the band fingertip tight. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 4 weeks. 

I have never had Kimchi before, but so wanted to give it a try.

I used the same colors for this as I did for the kraut. Isn't that pretty?

You add all your ingredients and use the same pounding process as the kraut. 

Place the pickle pipe on and screw the band on fingertip tight. Again, store in a cool, dark place for up to 4 weeks. 

At any time in the 4 weeks, you can do a taste test if you like. If it is to your liking, go ahead and use. If you think it needs more time, store it back in its place. After opening and using, store in your refrigerator. It keeps for quite a while. 

Here is a video of the final product and taste test. 

We used the kraut and the kimchi on fish and shrimp tacos, and it was so delicious. You have to give fermented vegetables a try. 

 This post contains affiliate links to which 4D Farms LLC. participates and earns a small commission on purchases you make when visiting our links at no extra cost to you. 

If you enjoy our blog and content, be sure to sign up to receive emails when a new post is published so you don't miss a thing. We would love it if you would join us. Enjoy your reading. 

If you are curious about any products you see in our images or that we use in our home or on the farm, please feel free to visit our Amazon Store where everything is organized into lists for each category. 

Visit our Amazon 4D Farms Storefront here 

4D Farms LLC. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Our storefront link is an affiliate link that earns our farm a commission at no additional cost if you click through and make a purchase. You can trust that we recommend products that we use in our own home and love and maybe some we wish to have. Our storefront is designed to help you locate items easily by specific, organized, and titled lists. 

Thank you for your support. 

If you like video versions of our content here on our blog, you can visit our YouTube Channel here 

We hope you find something that you enjoy. We also have our channel designed by playlists so you can find your favorite topic to search for certain videos easily. We hope to see you there also. Subscribe to our channel so you can be notified when new videos are uploaded. Be sure to turn your notification bell on too or you will miss them. 

We also have a Novelty Merch Store for 4D Farms where you can find apparel, housewares, and novelty gifts for yourself, friends, and loved ones. We hope you like our custom-made designs by me and one of my daughters-in-law. They are our own and copywritten. 

You can visit our store here 

Other affiliate links for your shopping experience:

Dollar Tree:

I love Dollar Tree and in case you didn't know, you can order from their website online. This is a great feature for anyone who might need to order multiple quantities of something. Perfect for Schools, Daycares, Churches, Nursing Homes, etc. You can find all you need in one place and have it delivered right to your door and you can shop in the comforts of your own home. You can get to their website by clicking here

Nutri Mill:

Nutri-Mill: Stand Mixers and Grain Mills: ( use Code: 4DFARMS20 at check out) If you are interested in grinding your own grain into flour to turn into the most nutrient-dense bread ever, then you need a grain mill. I love my Nutri Mill Classic Mill. They also have the best stand mixers. You can also purchase grains from them or you can find some on Amazon too. I have a few companies in my Amazon Storefront , who carry Non-GMO grains. You can order any size pounds you like and have them delivered to your home. Look for them on my Kitchen Essentials List along with all of my bread-making utensils, pans etc., that I personally use in my own kitchen to make delicious bread with. Link to my Amazon Storefront is above. 

Smokers and Grills for the guys:

PIT BOSS Outdoor Smokers and Grills: are the smokers and grills my guy uses to smoke and grill all of our meats. He even has some videos on our YouTube channel of how he smokes and makes a lot of our meats. He has even smoked eggs before. Yes, EGGS. They were so delicious. One of these bad boys is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to grill or smoke meats. Check them out. 

Bentgo:

If you are into lunch-making and meal-prepping for you or your kiddos, you have to check out Bentgo for all your lunch making needs. Lunch boxes, water bottles, backpacks, utensils and other lunch making accessories: They are not just for kids, They have a line of adult items as well and you can have then personalized now. This is awesome. I have a playlist of Lunch Making Videos on our YouTube Channel. Link is above. 

TideWe:

If you are the hunter or huntress in your family, check out TideWe for all your hunting gear for guys and gals: Most of our hunting seasons are in the fall and winter and their line of insulated hunting gear is one of my favorites. We also love their hunting blinds for ultimate concealment. Be sure to visit them. We have a Hunting Playlist on our channel as well. 

Optics Planet, Inc.:

Since we are avid hunters, we rely on ammo, gun parts and scopes to be accurate and on point. You can visit their website here and find all your essentials 

Garden Tower Project:

If you are a gardener and love those flowers, herbs or veggies, but you don't have the garden space, then consider going vertical on your porch or balcony to save space. You can check out Garden Towers here I know you will find something there you like. 

Herb Affair:

If you want to save money on supplements and want to make your own like I do, you can find all you need here at Herb Affair Here, you will find an array of powdered herbs and spices for medicinal use, Capsule It Machine to make your own capsules and an assortment of different size capsules to fill with your herbs. This machine is so easy to use and has clear and easy instructions to follow. 

Have a Blessed Day

Tracy 

Keeper of the Home