Our Father's Farm
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Blog
    • Shipping Info
    • Farm Hours
    • FAQ's
    • Why Eat Organic Food?
  • CONTACT
    • Survey
    • Contact Us
    • Wholesale Inquires
  • Store
    • Bitter Apricot Kernels
    • Extremely Bitter Kernels
    • Ground Kernels
    • More...
  • CSA Program
    • Featured Product
    • FAQ's for CSA >
      • Gifts Baskets by Ariel!
  • Shipping Info
  • Horse Boarding
Our Blog

Waterdown Market Update

6/25/2014

0 Comments

 
These past few weeks at the market have been an absolute blast! Thanks for all those stopping by just to say hi! We've been enjoying catching up with friends and meeting new faces. Come stop by our stall at the Waterdown market this week. Ask about our CSA, our grass-fed beef, and check out our organic seedlings!

The market is open every Saturday in June until October and we're located at the Royal Canadian Legion, 79 Hamilton St, Waterdown ON!

Thanks for the support! We love being apart of this community :)




0 Comments

Last Saturday at the Market!

6/16/2014

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Waterdown Market Saturday June 7th, 2014!!!! 

6/7/2014

0 Comments

 

What a blast!!

0 Comments

Aquaponics 2014

4/5/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Great news!  Our Hydroponics > Aquaponics Greenhouse is being set up to grow the freshest, tastiest, organic veggies this season!  By mid-June we should have a lush variety of local food to supply to our local community.

Please see our Veggie Basket page for more info!


Picture
0 Comments

E newsletter

3/11/2014

0 Comments

 

Our bi monthly newsletter was sent out today! Be sure to receive it by simply sending us your email address to: gotb17@gmail.com

By signing up you will receive discounts, giveaways, and valuable information?

0 Comments

When will winter end?

2/26/2014

0 Comments

 

Here we are nearing the end of February and Spring is nowhere in sight!! The weather forecasters tell us that March will be cold and long.

Thankfully we were able to get away for a family vacation to the sunny south to break up the winter monotony. Farmers can't vacation in the summer as you know.

However, we were hoping to come back and set up our greenhouse. We still have to cover it in plastic so we can start seeding.

This spring we plan to start with a nice variety of salad greens, baby tomatoes and delicious non gmo cucumbers. Of course all of our produce is non gmo. We wouldn't have it any other way.

If you don't know the dangers of Geneticallly Modified Foods GMOs, be sure to do some research. Or like us on Facebook as we often post relevant and educational links pertaining to your health.

Looking forward to seeing you at the farm soon!!

Many blessings,

Our Fathers Farm

0 Comments

A Vegan Adventure - Day 21 (Last Day!)

1/22/2014

0 Comments

 
This is it...the LAST DAY of my 21-day Kickstart to Vegan Challenge! For those of you who have been following the blog over the past 21 days you may have noticed that I had a difficult transition. However now that this lifestyle has become the norm for the past 3 weeks it has become something I am considering adopting on a more permanent basis. There are pros and cons when considering this diet and I've compiled a table of all that I've come across in the past 3 weeks. I think its important to fully evaluate these kinds of choices because I myself do not want to make any drastic decisions without weighing the cost. This approach makes goals a lot more realistic to accomplish. This comparison discerns between my previous and current diet which I consider to be relative to the average person.

Pros

  • I have felt more energy throughout the day! (more energy from whole foods that are nourishing and long-lasting)
  • the protein, iron, and calcium that has been associated with animal products can be found in higher concentrations in vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and kale
  • I get to eat more often throughout the day, meaning my metabolism is keeping active, and my blood sugar steady.
  • I have fallen in love with organic almond milk--specifically vanilla flavoured--did you know we are the only species that drinks the milk of another species...weird!

Cons

  • I was suffering from ongoing drowsiness (rely on carbs and sugars to keep the body going throughout the day)
  • limiting our intake of protein, iron, and calcium
  • I was sticking to "3 square meals" per day, and finding that my cravings for sugar in the afternoons and evenings were becoming unbearable
  • Before the challenge I really did not drink milk much milk, in fact I was not much of a dairy person to begin with...with the exception of CHEESE! (I have missed my cheese)
In addition to the above pros and cons that I have discovered over this 21-day process, I will also include the fact that I have been getting quite a few compliments as of late on my eyes and skin. I remember doing a cleanse at the beginning of 2013 and the number one difference I noticed was people began complimenting my eyes all the time. It was always the same, "Your eyes are soooo clear!" or "The colours are so beautiful!". I experienced these same results during my challenge this year. In part I attribute this to the abundant amounts of water I now drink  (which definitely has a clarity effect on eyes, and skin), but also eating well will have that affect on a person's whole body. Our body is one unified organism and so when we begin cleansing one aspect (ie nutrition) it seems to often manifest in different ways (ie physical, emotional, mental, etc).

What's the final conclusion?!?!!

I've decided to stick with a lot of the great recipes I've come across and incorporate them into my weekly meal plans. I'm going to continue to stay away from dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter...but perhaps will crack down and have an egg every once in a while. I'm going to continue going meatless in every way I can, however I was raised in a culture where 'you eat what you are served' and so I won't feel bad if I don't follow this religiously ;)     Cheers!
Thanks for joining me on this adventure!!!!
I'll leave you with one of my favourite recipes that I have come across.

Falafel Sliders with Avocado Hummus
Serves 4

Make-Ahead Tip:
Uncooked Falafel Sliders can be made in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to cook. Tahini Sauce can be made in advance and kept refrigerated.

FALAFEL SLIDERS
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, divided
½ red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, quartered
5 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
½ cup packed fresh Italian parsley
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ cup garbanzo flour (or other flour of choice)
2 tablespoons olive oil

AVOCADO HUMMUS
¼ cup chickpeas, reserved from sliders
1 avocado, pitted and peeled
1/3 cup packed fresh Italian parsley
¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne

TAHINI SAUCE
½ cup tahini
½ cup water
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon salt

14 mini buns or dinner rolls sliced in half, toasted
2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced


To make the Falafel Sliders: Reserve ¼ cup chickpeas for the Avocado Hummus. Place remaining chickpeas, onions, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, and flour in a food processor and pulse until combined, stopping frequently to scrape down sides. Using the palms of your hands, form mixture into 2-inch by ½-inch patties.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat and pan-fry patties in batches, letting cook about 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Do not crowd the pan. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.

To make the Avocado Hummus: Combine ¼ cup chickpeas, avocado, parsley, oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne in food processor and puree. Adjust seasoning to taste.

To make the Tahini Sauce: Puree tahini, water, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.

To serve: Layer the Falafel Sliders, Avocado Hummus, Tahini Sauce, and sliced tomato on the buns.

Enjoy!
0 Comments

A Vegan Adventure - Day 16

1/18/2014

0 Comments

 
I am over half way through the challenge, and feeling great! Despite the fact that a new semester has me even busier I am feeling an increase in energy and focus throughout the day. In my research I have been coming across some very interesting facts about eating vegan and vegetarian. This challenge is really forcing me to turn to alternative dairy products. I have found a true love for almond milk, and tomorrow I'll be opening my first carton of rice milk. I have not yet found a delicious alternative for cheese, however I'm becoming much more creative with snacks. Smoothies have become an excellent source of nutrients for me, as I start off every day with one (recipe below). I would encourage anyone considering trying a vegan or vegetarian diet to just go for it. Set yourself up with the proper knowledge--and prepared pantry--that will ensure success. Ultimately I would encourage you to not be too hard on yourself if you slip up a time or two. Over these past 16 days I know I have, but I just forgive myself and continue choosing healthy options. We have to allow ourselves time to adapt to this lifestyle...AND not have too high standards that it is impossible to achieve the goal.
Ariel's Get-Out-Of-Bed Smoothie!
1 cup of frozen fruit (this is fruit that I prepare and freeze myself so that I know where it has come from and how it was grown, etc)
1 teaspoon of Hallelujah Acres Berry Barley Max
1 cup of Almond milk - plain
a pinch of organic sea salt (said to bring out fruity flavours)
a few more pinches of cinnamon
1 heaping teaspoon of my own ground mixture of hemp, chia, flax, and apricot seeds

Blend and Enjoy!


Below I've included some recent facts I've come across, comparing carnivore and human traits...
Carnivores
  • Have sharp jagged teeth, perfect for cutting flesh and muscle
  • Have short, straight digestive tracts for the quick exposition of meat before going rancid in the body
  • Have strong stomach acids used to break down tougher foods
  • Will eat up to 25% their own body weight
Humans
  • Have relatively flat teeth and strong molars, perfect for grinding nuts/seeds and breaking through the soft skins of roots, fruits and veggies
  • Have digestive tracts of up to 30 feet, for maximum nutrient extract from foods that take longer to decompose
  • Have stomach acid that is 10% the strength of the average carnivore
  • Cannot digest up 25% their own body weight in meat

0 Comments

A Vegan Adventure - Day 13

1/14/2014

0 Comments

 
It seems that this "vegan thing" is finally starting to get easier. I've begun experimenting with my own recipes as oppose to following the diet plan step by step. This has allowed a lot more freedom in the sense of eating what I have available instead of running to the grocery store every few days. For those considering the 21 day challenge I would advise you to keep with the plan fairly strictly for the first week or so in order to get an idea of what kinds of foods you should be eating, portion sizes, nutrition, etc. However after this first week and a half I've found fun in experimenting with quinoa dishes, healthy popcorn tricks, and vegetable/fruit smoothies.

Here's a a few interesting facts I came across in a recent health magazine (by Hallelujah Acres):
Did you know?!?
For those who think that meat is better for your bones and muscles than vegetables, a recent study found the following results when comparing these foods in 100-calorie portions...
Picture
Broccoli

Has 2X as much protein as steak!
Picture
Romaine Lettuce

Has 11X as much iron as steak!
Picture
Kale

Has 204x as much calcium as steak!
Picture
Sirloin Steak

Has 550% more cholesterol than any of these!
(5.5mg versus 0mg)

Self-Evaluation

I am feeling great!
  1. Physical--No noticeable changes (yet).
  2. Emotional--I have been feeling optimistic and motivated!
  3. Mental--Relatively alert, feeling very 'clear-minded'.
  4. Energy--Surprisingly a lot (considering I am functioning on 4-5 hours of sleep)!
  5. Digestion--Good.
0 Comments

A Vegan Adventure - Day 9

1/10/2014

0 Comments

 
It's hard to believe that its been 9 days since the start of my challenge. The first thing I've learned in attempting this...thus far...is that the transition period is the hardest part. Once I established a bit of a routine it became much easier. Secondly I've learned that there are animal products in EVERYTHING!!!! While that may be a slight exaggeration, I had not realized how much of a commitment it takes to really stick with a plant-based diet. And in saying that...I have a bit of a confession to make. The I recently broke down and had some chocolate (the really-good-but-really-bad kind of chocolate)! I used all the excuses in the book to justify my actions and in the end what did I learn you may ask?! Interestingly enough you may have noted I haven't really been seeing much of a change as far as health is concerned over the past week (see prior self-evaluations). However, immediately following my little chocolate escapade my body began reacting in an unusual way. Now keep in mind this is coming from a chocolate addict! Immediately following, I began to feel nausea, and discomfort in my stomach. As the day continued I began feeling drowsy, tired, and craving more sugar...as if it was the only solution to staying awake. I had not realized how much of a difference cutting out sugar had been. My intention was not necessarily to cut out all sugars and sweets, but to stick with vegan options. In doing so I've eliminated a lot of things that wouldn't normally be a big deal.

This brings to mind a quote by
Henry Wheeler Shaw (humorist writer and lecturer) “Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.”  Similarly I hadn't noticed any health changes until it was a simple indulgence that woke me up to the reality of what is taking place. Health is a process of daily choices forming a lifestyle. Everyday I choose the plant-based diet but the immediate affects are not always so apparent, and my eyes remained unopened until I got a stomach ache from a little chocolate. Not to fear though...I still have 12 days (or more) of healthy choices ahead of me!

Today the diet has me eating...

Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Loaded Salad
Snack: Oranges and Raisins
Supper: Bean Tacos and Mexican Corn Salad
Desert: Berry Mouse
....Delicious Berry Mousse....
1 package of reduced-fat extra firm tofu, crumbled
2 3/4 cups thawed frozen unsweetened berries of choice
3 tablespoons sugar or 2 tbsp of agave nectar

Blend until smooth. Refrigerate. Serve chilled.
Makes approximately 4 servings.

Self Evaluation

(post chocolatey extravaganza)
  1. Physical--Tired, drowsy.
  2. Emotional--No noticeable changes here either besides the effects of fatigue.
  3. Mental--Drowsy, absent-minded.
  4. Energy--Little-none.
  5. Digestion--Stomach ache.
...So this is the result of giving in to the temptation of chocolate. Suddenly this puts it in a different perspective and I think next time I will definitely think twice. Especially with so many vegan options available like NibMor, Mahalo, Buccaneer. Below I've included a recipe for Raw Vegan Brownies for all you chocolate lovers out there!


0 Comments

A Vegan Adventure - Day 5

1/6/2014

0 Comments

 
Well it seems that the days are getting harder and harder as I'm having to become more creative in what I eat. Today I counted the remaining days and realized that I'll have two weeks left this Wednesday. I can't say that this left me overwhelmed with joy and excitement. In fact I'm going to be completely honest, this is a very hard transition! It is much more difficult than I had expected, but I have a feeling that it may be worth it. I guess we'll find out two weeks from Wednesday!
Today the diet has me eating...
Breakfast: A Fantastic Fruit Smoothie! (see recipe below)
Lunch: Curried Lentil Soup
Snack: Edamame, and Hummus
Supper: Today is a dine-out day!!!! A vegan option for the mexican-food-lovers is the bean burrito without the cheese or sour cream, and loaded with veggies.

Self-Evaluation

  1. Physical--There are no noticeable differences at this point.
  2. Emotional--No noticeable changes here either.
  3. Mental--Feeling fairly alert, but no more or less than a normal day.
  4. Energy--I've been yawning all day but I don't really feel tired. In fact yesterday I had a lot of energy and was able to get a lot of stuff done that I've been putting off.
  5. Digestion--No noticeable changes at this point.

Fantastic Fruit Smoothie

1 frozen or fresh banana (break into pieces)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened fruit juice of your choice
1/2 cup sliced fresh or frozen unsweetened fruit or berries
1/2 cup plain, vanilla or fruit-flavoured soy yogurt

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth...then serve!

0 Comments

"A Vegan Adventure - Day 3"

1/4/2014

0 Comments

 
Its Day 3 of my 21-day kickstart to veganism challenge! So far I've experienced extreme frustration as I've been visiting my parents place and finding that I cannot eat anything in their fridge. However this has caused me to become creative in finding things to eat. I am sure that once I am back at my own house life will become easier as I can then follow the grocery list provided by the 21-day Kickstart program and follow along with the diet...but when you're visiting family you have to get more creative!!!!!
Dilemma: Its another family movie night and you find yourself unable to eat ANYTHING available on hand.
Solution: Instead of caving in for that buttery cinema-style popcorn, try a-different-kind-of-cheezy popcorn. To make: pop 1/2 a cup of popcorn kernels (PLAIN), and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, for an almost-popcorn version of that movie night favourite!
Today the diet has me eating...
Breakfast: Cereal of my choice---I chose Vector and sprinkled ground chia, hemp, and Extremely Bitter Apricot Kernels over top of it, served with almond milk...delish!
Lunch: Leftover pesto pasta from last night's supper, with a side of organic sesame seed breadsticks.
Supper: Curried lentils!!!!!

Self-Evaluation


  1. Physical--There are no noticeable differences in the physical as far as I can tell at this point.
  2. Emotional--No noticeable changes here either, apart from the added frustration of not being able to eat leftover birthday cake!
  3. Mental--Feeling a little foggy, but this could be due to the lack of sleep that often accompanies family get togethers.
  4. Energy--Very little energy at this point...which is no more or less than usual, but it is that time of year too when the cold has you wanting to do nothing but curl up in warm pjs with a cup of tea. On a side note: a recent tip I've found in regards to sleeping is ditch the pillow! I gave up sleeping with a pillow and forced myself to sleep on my back, and I cannot tell you the difference it has made as far as comfort, aching neck/back, and sound sleeping is concerned!
  5. Digestion--Nothing out of the ordinary, besides less bloating when I eat. This could be due to the fact that I am eating smaller portions, but more often--which I have heard before is better for you.
0 Comments

" A Vegan Adventure"

1/2/2014

0 Comments

 
   I guess I should start off this blog by introducing myself. Then again, if you’ve stopped by the store in the past 3 months you’ve probably already met me. My name is Ariel and I am the newest employee here at Our Father’s Farm.

   I am a student, employee, daughter, sister, friend, and wanna-be-vegetarian who simply cannot resist a juicy homemade burger fresh off the BBQ—no I am not a southerner, I was raised in Cambridge, ON. I’m 22 years old, and a healthy weight according to my doctor. My blood levels are fine, and apart from a minor deficiency in iron I am in great health.

 
My reason for wanting to try out the vegan diet is not that I want to fit into my 16-year old sister’s clothes (though she does have great style), but rather I want to feel healthy. By that I suppose I mean, I desire more energy, I want to kick my brothers’ butts in volleyball this summer, but most importantly I want to really put to test all these great testimonies I hear about plant-based diets. I am curious what kinds of improvements a plant-based diet will have on my already relatively healthy lifestyle, and who’s body better to experiment with than my own. I chose the 21-day challenge, because I know I can stick to anything for 21-days. If it really conflicts with my schedule than I will simply return to normal after the 3 weeks is up.

  The question remains whether vegetables are really what its all about or if the whole 'gotta eat your broccoli' mentality is just a result of dictatorial mothers wanting to inflict pain and torment on their young impressionable children...
...Join me on my quest to find out!
Today the diet has me eating...
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal for breakfast. Bruschetta, breadsticks, and cous cous salad for lunch. For a snack I get toast with almond butter (or something of the like). My supper tonight is a kale salad with beans and veg...which I will be substituting for a kale/avocado juice smoothie because of time restraints.
I'll also be including a Self-Evaluation section of the blog in order to track any/all progress.
This section will look at:

  1. Physical--where I will take note of any physical changes such as weight, skin, hair, vision/hearing, etc.
  2. Emotional--this is where I will evaluate levels of stress, anxiety, optimism, etc.
  3. Mental--here I'll take a look at my focus ability, mental fatigue, etc.
  4. Energy--this will include drowsiness, dizziness, and fatigue levels.
  5. Digestion--here I will evaluate any stomach, bowel and/or cramp issues/progress

  1. Physical--I'm beginning this challenge in relatively good health, just a minor iron deficiency, slightly blurred vision (because I refuse to wear glasses), and my teeth and nails could be stronger (brittle/weak).
  2. Emotional--I can't say that I suffer from significant anxiety or stress...though I'm still coping from my week of 7 exams just before Christmas. I would rate my mood as generally optimistic and good-natured, but after 10pm I get cranky (and my roommates know to watch out!).
  3. Mental--I have some difficulty with focusing for long periods of time. In the evenings I generally find I crash.
  4. Energy--I have been suffering from some minor dizzy spells recently, when getting up suddenly...or in the hot tub too long ;) Drowsiness and fatigue usually hit me in the evenings, when I become more or less useless.
  5. Digestion--I have often found that I get severe bloating after eating ANY foods, and this occasionally comes with drowsiness as well.
Now that we have established a basic starting point, let the challenge begin!
0 Comments

It's time for a fresh new look!

12/19/2013

0 Comments

 

How do you like our new website design?

0 Comments

It's time for a refreshing new look!

12/16/2013

0 Comments

 
Well after a few short month of the Flash website, we decided we needed to upgrade our site, we've added some new features and we will be introducing some new and exciting projects in 2014.  Let us know what you think of the new look!  Be sure to follow us on Facebook and sign up for our e newsletter to stay informed!
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture

    Author

    Farmers are certainly multi-taskers.  We have a million things to do and not enough time in the day to do it all.  But did you know that we are bloggers too?


    Check back here regularly for farm fresh finding and thoughts that we want to share with you.  

    Archives

    August 2018
    February 2017
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    view

    All

    RSS Feed

Our Father's Farm - Organic Farm Hamilton 1050 Hwy 5 Hamilton, ON L9H5E2
Photos used under Creative Commons from Mataparda, Kristine Paulus
  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • Blog
    • Shipping Info
    • Farm Hours
    • FAQ's
    • Why Eat Organic Food?
  • CONTACT
    • Survey
    • Contact Us
    • Wholesale Inquires
  • Store
    • Bitter Apricot Kernels
    • Extremely Bitter Kernels
    • Ground Kernels
    • More...
  • CSA Program
    • Featured Product
    • FAQ's for CSA >
      • Gifts Baskets by Ariel!
  • Shipping Info
  • Horse Boarding