Cast Iron – Rusted To Reseasoned

Cast-iron pans can be a beautiful addition to any kitchen, but they can also a little intimidating. At least they have been to me!

My pans always seemed to rust, and they did not seem “happy” or clean. It just seemed easier to use Teflon non stick pans, which can make you sick if over heated (known as Teflon flu). Since I knew I’d be cooking on a wood stove with no guarantee of temperature control, I decided I’d give cast iron a real go out here. Cast iron cookware (Amazon) is known for distributing heat evenly, which is great for cooking over an open flame or on a wood stove. It’s also supposed to be naturally non stick when treated right. It just takes a little time to season.

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A Kick In The Teeth

Sometimes life kicks you in the teeth. Or Alaska kicks you. Or a 4 wheeler.

Yup. Definitely a 4 wheeler.

After talking about being safe on the homestead, I gained my first serious injury on the beach. Turns out speed + wearing two pairs of gloves (Amazon) because *brrrrrr* + giant flat rock = holy mother-of-pearl that hurts. Continue reading “A Kick In The Teeth”

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When A Hen Is A Rooster Is A Hen

When we started our flock of chickens we had 35, we currently have 8.

Alaska is harsh, our dog, Link, is harsher. We had seven hens, two adult roosters, and one baby rooster until recently, when our adult roosters “The Bobs” disappeared. I mean no trace, just gone. I have no idea what took them, but there have been bears, lynx, coyotes, eagles, and foxes all seen in this vicinity, so any number of predators could be the culprit.

Since our roos absence, one of our hens, Hobbles, has started taking on the characteristics of a rooster. She’s gained a lovely tail, larger and redder comb and wattle, and is now crowing in the mornings! Continue reading “When A Hen Is A Rooster Is A Hen”

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Chaga – The King Of Mushrooms

Have you ever heard of Chaga?

I hadn’t until I moved to this area. Chaga, also known as the King of Mushrooms, is a type of parasitic fungi that is found primarily in birch trees. Luckily, we are surrounded by birch here on our property. Chaga is well known folk remedy for many illnesses including cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. People also swear by it as the reason for their longevity. And it helps that it doesn’t taste bad either, as it’s slightly vanilla flavored. There are several hospitals now conducting studies on this mushroom and how it affects the human body. We were told about it by our friends, and they took Kyle and I hunting for it so we would be able to identify it ourselves. Continue reading “Chaga – The King Of Mushrooms”

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