putting on the info filters

There is so much information available to us anymore that it is hard to discern what is truth from what isn't.  What is fact from what is opinion.  What has been spun to one perspective and what is spun the other.  I have been doing so much reading, trying to make sure that I am as informed as I can possibly be in order to make the best decisions that will benefit not only myself but my whole family.  I have been reading lots of blogs that are filled with very good information and a lot of it is, in my opinion, trustworthy based on the sources that were cited.

This week I read about the pros and cons of sprouting your own grain and found compelling arguments on both sides.  I read a blog about "salad in a jar" which was super interesting and I can't wait to try it.  I found an easy Tiramisu recipe from Jamie Oliver (via Twitter).  

I went ahead and decided to try the sprouting thing.  Wheat berries themselves are pretty inexpensive and if you have a jar handy, then you're ready to go.  One thing to keep in mind is that they swell while soaking!  I did not think of this and filled my jar probably too full so hopefully they don't get any larger.  They are on 48hrs now and if I have time tomorrow night I will dry them out in the oven (just be careful not to burn them).  I guess after that I will just keep them in the fridge because I don't have a mill to crush them in.  So much for fresh flour!  I'm not even so sure after reading arguments on both sides if sprouting my own grain is worth the wait.  Given the time that sprouting requires, I am not sure it is something I will continue in the future.

Now the whole salad in a jar thing had me interested from day one.  I couldn't for the life of me figure out what it was.  It was literally just that, salad in a jar.  If you vacuum pack your lettuce in jars, it will keep for much longer than those bags from the store and the cut edges will not turn brown.  It seems that oxygen is the culprit.  I do not have a vacuum sealer or jars and at this moment, I do not have lettuce either!  The start up costs for me don't fit my budget at this time.  I guess this is one thing that can wait a little bit but I will definitely give it a try.

I have been reading about raw milk vs store milk.  I'm not so sure that the government had our best interests in mind when they instituted the whole process that brings us our milk at the store today.  Fresh, in my opinion, is truly best in this case.  One day soon, I do hope to try raw milk.

If I have a spare moment while sifting through blogs and get a chance to make fresh homemade bread (this is a whole other story in itself!) this weekend I will definitely take pictures to share.  I'll share anything else I have time to come up with.  I still have asparagus in the fridge and spinach, vying for my attention every time I open the door!