Top 5 reasons pasture raised turkey is better for you

IT’S TURKEY SEASON! It’s here, the season of over indulging and being thankful. There are inevitably left overs and turkeys are notoriously big! There are some tips to getting the best turkey and making best use of it.

One thing to note is that farmers who raise turkey on pasture can only grow them through summer months, so they need to be thinking in March and April how many turkeys to raise. There are also regulations on how many farmers without quota can raise in Ontario. This will limit accessibility and may mean that when you ring up in late September to find a pasture raised turkey for thanksgiving they may all be spoken for. One way to combat this it to let your farmer know well in advance so they can plan, this makes it better for you and for the farmer, as the risk is lower and you know you’ve got your thanksgiving dinner sorted!

Another thing is unless the farmer gets the turkey sexed, there will be a mixture of males and females.  The males will be much larger and will yield much higher meat ratio, which may or may not be what you’re after. This may be a good opportunity to utilize the extra. At Vibrant Farms we try to sell only the females and utilize the males (Toms) for smoked turkey necks, and gluten free turkey sausage.


Here are some of the top reasons why you can be grateful for turkey and indulge in the season while it’s here. It’s great for your health and it’s a locally grown product!

better ratio of omega
lower calories for those looking to manage calories
low Glycemic Index and highest protein per serving
High in Selenium - Ontario soils are lacking this, and therefore many people are lacking this element
B vitamins - These are super important and if you have ever experienced being low in Vitamin B, and then getting a vitamin B shot, you’ll know how amazing it is for your energy and mental clarity.
 

If you find yourself with extra turkey, here is an idea to spice things up and change it up a bit from the typical turkey pie, or turkey stew, or turkey sandwiches, or turkey stir fry or turkey soup, or turkey... everything!

Recipe for Turkey Jerky
http://www.backcountrypaleo.com/gobble-up-some-turkey-jerky/

Resource for Nutrition
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=125

Make your own air freshener - CHEAP!
This ticks all the boxes in my mind:
Cheap
Effective
Accessible
Clean
Sustainable
EASY!

you’ll need water - can be found usually at a local tap near you (you don’t need special water, unless you want, distilled would make the scent stronger

1 litre bottle with a spray nozzle, either pick up a new one or use an old bottle that had cleaner or other products in it and clean it thoroughly a few times

your favourite essential oils - I use lavender and peppermint and maybe citrus

you’ll also need Tea Tree oil - this is the antibacterial agent.

1 litre water
15 drops of Tea tree
5 drops of each of the other oils
(get creative)

This is great for fabrics or carpet, stuff you can’t clean or wash, like upholstery. I come from the farm and dirty greasy dusty pants on couches were a regular (also sweaty bodies), so I reduced the amount of fabric and carpet I had in the house to a bare minimum but there is always SOME! It also works on curtains that are in your kitchen, that absorb the smells of whatever your cooking (fish is the killer)

3250 basics for a simple wardrobe, washroom, cosmetics cabinet, laundry, medicine cabinet and cleaning cupboard.
inspired from an article a friend of mine sent me ages ago about wardrobe basics regardless of whats in style. I know there are more, what are YOUR basic, gotta have, can't do without items. Those things that come in handy EVERYWHERE!


I hate clutter  - minimalism comes in many forms, aka I never throw out books, it’s just my thing.
here are some things I never travel or go with out. From wardrobe - to laundry, I kept a large farm house clean with this list (as well as myself, well some days that was debatable). Having done a bit of travel as of late, I've also started to realize some essentials that always tend to be my first go to items. Enjoy, and cheers to living a simpler life!

 1) Apple Cider Vinegar  (health/digestion, cleaning, baking, make sure it’s raw, and you can make your own too, aka simple, accessible - cheap), use on your hair for conditioning, this is also really good for bringing down a fever. (Please do your own research here, don't take my word for it)
 2) hydrogen peroxide -disinfects everything...actually everything, some people find it debatable in terms of how it's used in your health. At a very low (30 ppm). I would take a bath in it, it's brilliant for muscle relaxing and also helping you move through a cold or the flu. Also cleaning whites, whitens your teeth if you swish it in your mouth (again LOW concentration).

3) Black tights - bamboo, versatile, thick, breathable, sustainable, durable
4) cowboy boots (or your version)- durable, versatile, classy (when you get the right kind)
5) white t-shirts - bamboo, easy to clean, durable,
6) pearls, amber, and rose quartz- pick your stones, pick your sustainable jewellery, maybe pick it based on healing stone qualities or just what colours look good on you
7) black heels - enough said
8) A good pair of jeans -I wear the shit outta my jeans, I like a little stretch, a nice dark wash, do what suits you, but fit it to the body you have and the lifestyle you have. The link will take you to the directory where there are links for some custom made jeans
9) Yarok mousse- find a way to simplify your hair regime, determine minimal acceptable standard or get ok with rocking the tossled hair look. It’ll make you happier, and what’s better than being exactly you and being ok with being in the skin you were given
10) baking soda - health - hair, teeth, cleaning.. just so much
11) a good sports bra
12) a good non sports bra, nude, fits well, proper padding or lack of (which ever end of the spectrum it fits on, get properly fitted, know your size, then go again and ask someone to fit you, there are lots that do it wrong). I also add in the adjustable, can be worn 100 ways from sunday and still looks good. Also trick, get the bra so it's proper fitting on the LOOSEST setting, and as it stretches out you'll still be able to wear it.

13) essential oils - tea tree oil and lavender for me, air freshener, teeth, relaxation, laundry
14)Dr. Bronners soap - laundry, shower, dishes, floors... concentrated (then dilute and get foaming pumps)
15) a dress that fits you well, that you feel a million bucks in
16) leather jacket
17) scarf - more decorative than practical, but get a colour that looks lovely around your face, highlights your colours, fits into your wardrobe's colour palet
18) jack knife
19) one good book at all times -proper book, in actual book form, real paper made from real trees....
20) PH test strips (always just be checking in, cheap, affordable, easy to transport
21) mascara - good clean, green mascara
22) lip gloss
23) aloe vera for face- the good stuff, not this rubbish stuff that is green. Get a plant, that will hit 2 birds with one stone, clean your air and also firm your face, and heal your burns, and digestive tract
24) mineral makeup
25) coconut oil - oil pulling, health, balms, moisturizing
26) black bamboo tank
27) one good proper sweater - grey wash, hooded, can cozy up in or wear out with jeans, goes with everything.
28) white nail polish, clear nail polish, and remover - and a brush -(self manicure kit)
29) sewing kit... no use in wasting money on replacing buttons on your fav items
30) wrap dress or 50 ways dress
31) little black dress
32) long sleeve t-shirt, neutral
33) Get your colours done - know what colour palet you are working from. It will make your wardrobe choices easier, you won't have to worry about matching, it will generally always go well together.
34) jersey cotton or silk pj’s (black) - black because cleaning, black because... sexy, black because depending on your period, nobody likes a little red polka dotted white nightgown, or a nightgown you can only wear on certain weeks in the month.
35) proper soft bamboo towels
36) house coat - this is super helpful especially when staying at other people's houses, it's not a towel, but it's not clothing, it's also really good for around home, when moving from room to room, or when you're just plain old too lazy to get dressed.
37 ) SOCKS!! if you have cold feet like me, this is essential. I've gotten everything from possum, merino, alpaca, micro fibre... find the socks that work for you.
38)  sunglasses - I do the aviator, perfect accessory, better for your eye sight, can frame your face nicely. I don't spend a lot on mine because I tend to sit on them, I've lost a few to the sea, and the lake.. (sorry mother nature, I'm clutzy sometimes)
39) Watch. so you don't have to check your phone and you can sit in the meadow with the cows
40) Biz cards - simple ones that just communicate the essence of you (you never know who you’ll meet)
41) good pair of sexy underwear...
42) diva cup - if you haven't gotten ok with this yet, well... it's your body, it happens every month. Might as well get right up close and personal. It's cheaper, better for the environment, better for your body, also it can be quite worry free... less leaks, less changing, no Toxic Shock Syndrome, no irritation... the list is actually quite extensive
43) micro fiber cloths - face cleaning, sink cleaning, toilet cleaning.. versatile, durable, wash by boiling water, sustainable, just plain old brilliant! Also some of them have silver in them so Anti-bacterial as well!! 
44) one good knife - chopping safely and easily is one of the keys to making cooking easier and fun
45) enough elastics for your hair (the good kind)
46) runners - having a good pair of running shoes, will allow you to go for a walk, easily. I like the one's that are more like you are walking on bare feet. I'm all for building neuro pathways to the muscles in your feet. If you want to go fancy and get the toe shoes - rock on sista! Go hard!
47) good pair of shorts and workout top - shorts you feel comfortable in, workout top that fits you well, allows you to move (is not at risk of a wardrobe malfunction), doesn't have to be a fashion show, but you have to feel good in it, and even better if it's machine washable on cold!
 48) a little colour in your wardrobe... a tank or a blouse that make you feel amazing
49) a swim suit that makes you feel amazing, fits your body, accentuates and highlights the parts you love. Life is too short to be in your full length maxi dress under the umbrella... see # 23
50) giant water bottle with closing lid... stainless - because water is super important, and having it on hand will allow you to be reminded to drink more often. This can also serve as a vessel for smoothies, or various other drinks. There are bottles that are also for hot drinks. Anytime you can get multiple uses into 1 item. I'm all for that!

BONUS
1 good simple and impressive recipe to cook for your friends or someone special.
3 meals you won’t get sick of, this is for you. To keep your health up, food doesn't have to be interesting, it needs to be healthy. Don't fret over the making of different things for yourself, get a few good go to's and focus on spicing it up when time and budget allow

Breaking News
Chicken Farmer’s in Ontario get a break- finally!?
First step in food freedom for consumers
So I’m sitting on facebook and I get a message from a farmer friend of mine. This guy is a huge advocate for farmers. I’ve often said if there is a way farmers could get on the same page there is SO much they could accomplish. I also think that if there is a guy to do it, this guy might be it!

Chicken enjoys a very regulated and supply managed system in Canada. An insurance agent friend of mine said that if he could come back in life again he would come back as a chicken farmer or a dairy farmer, he said “they are the only happy farmers”.

There is a reason for that, chicken farmers can buy quota and produce masses of chickens and have a guaranteed market for it. There are some things that are not too helpful about this system from a health side of things - read about Chickens and getting them locally in Ontario here

Or read about Heritage Chicken here - why you'd choose it

Or read about the supply management system and some of it's downfalls here

“Chicken farmers of Ontario called me today to tell me they've decided to allow small farmers to raise 3,000 birds with out quota now”- Sean McGivern, Practical Farmer’s of Ontario (Grain farmer)

Raising only 300 chickens limited the amount of free range chicken because it simply wasn’t viable in Ontario. This opens the gate for more farmers to make a proper living on raising healthy sustainably raised poultry that the consumers are demanding.

This has been a huge effort headed by Sean McGivern, a huge voice for young farmers and ecologically responsible farmers.

“CFO said they decided to personal call me cause I've been the only [one] to work on this steady for 10 years”- Sean. McGivern