D-Day at Our House

Last Sunday was D-Day. Not for everyone, just four. Plus it was our first time. We didn't want to make the task over bearing or so long that we became vegetarians before the night was out. The Cornish Game Hens were about 2.5 to 3.0 lbs at this point and according to every source the optimal size to begin to take for meat.
ugh. REALLY?!

Even Jim wasn't sure he was prepared for this. It's hard to take little lives. We did it though. And here is our process.

The hardest part was to choose who would be the ones. Jim said four, while we're doing this, we'll try to take enough to last a bit. We got a huge pot for boiled water (180 degrees), a table with a chopping block to kill the chicken, a hanging beam to hang them to bleed out, then finally another table to remove the feathers and gut them. I've spared you the gross stuff for the most part - here is a photo after the heads have been removed but before feathers are removed. 

At this point, I've begun to question the rationale behind my quest. My son was crying and understandably upset, as were Jim and I. It is so much easier to just buy them at the store. This process will change our view of meat forever. 

This is me, taking the feathers off the bird. 

It's not entirely a bad process, it's just not easy. Raising them, you can see they are living, breathing, feeling beings. I believe the term is satient? Not fully sure, but it's hard to not feel for them. 

We kept the other birds completely in their coop so they were not exposed to the trauma of what was happening. But they know their companions are gone and are a bit nervous when I or Jim come out. 

To fully embrace this day, this moment, I froze two of the chickens and put two in the roaster. Quite honestly, it was a little hard to eat, BUT it was GREAT tasting chicken, extremely lean, tender, and juicy. 

Dressed and ready for the oven!

So, We did it. We raised our own meat. We even slaughtered our own meat and sat down together and enjoyed the meal. Jim and I have both decided we wouldn't mind waiting a few more weeks before taking the rest of the Cornish Game Hens though. I think the kids are on board for that too. 

It feels good to know the meat is healthy and strong for my son and for my husband and I and I can truly say I know where it comes from before it's on my plate. 

For that part, the health coach in me is deeply satisfied. The Mom in me is deeply satisfied. The animal lover is a little confused. 

In vibrant health and happiness,

Tammi Hoerner

www.thenourishedlife.net

P.S. If you've enjoyed this article, you might enjoy my meal plans! Be sure you opt in for the One Month FREE Gluten and Dairy free meal plans at the top of my blog! 

3 Day Old Chicks, The Saga Continues

There was never a dull moment in my home to begin with, but these little ones sure have brought a lot to talk about! Over all, we've lost 5. Of 52, that's not too terrible, given most we lost in the first day. I did lose one yesterday to an obstruction in her throat. I cried when I buried her this morning. (Uh-Oh, I'm already attached, not good for the prolonged intention.) It just didn't seem fair. I guess really, none of it is if you think about it. 

Most of them are growing quite well, full of spunk and are quite funny. There are a few cockrels who have HUGE attitudes already and when they see me they come running. I don't think because they like me, but rather to see what I'm doing and decide if I'm going to do anything of interest. 

There is one little one who seems to not be growing. I can't tell if she's eating at all, most of the time she's sleeping. I've decided to offer her food and water each time I go out. Sometimes, it's followed by interest but mostly not. I don't think that is a good sign for what is to come. So far, though, she peeps a lot and is hanging in there. She's the small one in the picture below. 

The tiny one in the bottom of this photo is about two inches in length - still the size of an egg.
Not much of an appetite, but lots of spirit if she's disturbed.

This is one of the cockrels. He's really pretty and you can see is developing feathers on his wings.
He's getting a few tail feathers as well, as are quite a few of them.

What an amazing opportunity to learn more about life and to grow as a person. I'm so grateful for these little ones and that I can be such an active part in caring for my self and family. In overseeing these chicks, I am able to control cleanliness, water quality, food quality, and the quality of life they live. In a farm to table type approach, I can't see a better way to provide! 

In vibrant health and happiness,

Tammi

http://www.thenourishedlife.net

Get out that Grill for Skewers!

I love the ease of grilling - No pans, hardly any prep tools = very few dishes! YAY!

PLUS - you can grill just about anything. 

Today I've featured an easy way to provide a balanced meal, skewers! 

Using skewers, you can mix and match vegetables, fruits, and meats. 

These skewers are amazing tasting and pretty easy to put together. If you like em, let me know!

Thai Chicken Skewers & Rice

1 small can coconut milk
1 ½ tsp curry paste
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into 1” pieces
1 orange bell pepper
2 green zucchini
12 small white button mushrooms
1 cup dry basmati rice, soaked for 1 hour minimum

You’ll want to be sure you have skewers, wooden ones should be soaked in water before using.

In a small bowl, whisk together coconut milk and curry paste. Pour a small portion into another container to brush on vegetables. Place chicken cubes in first bowl, tossing to coat all chicken, set aside.

Begin rice by straining then adding 2 fresh cups of water. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 20 minutes – until all water is soaked up. Remove from heat, fluff, and set aside.

While rice is cooking, cut all vegetables into skewer size chunks, about 1”. Try cutting zucchini into coins, then cut coins in half, mushrooms leave whole, and peppers, simply remove seeds and cut into cubes.

Begin to fill your skewers, alternating vegetables and chicken. Each skewer should contain more vegetables than chicken.  Brush with remaining coconut and curry mixture.

Cook on grill medium to medium high heat until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender.

Serve on a bed of rice.

Serves 4

In vibrant health and happiness,

Tammi Hoerner, CHHC, AADP, MH

The Nourished Life