I am proud to be partnering with Princess Cruises to bring you this sponsored post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. See below the recipe for my review and pictures on our Tulum excursion!

When it’s hot and muggy outside, I don’t really want anything to eat. I just want something ice-cold and delicious to quench my thirst. This popular Mexican drink is a great choice!

I had the best Horchata when I visited Tulum, Mexico as part of my Western Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises. I can’t remember ever being as hot as I was that day in Tulum! 

The Horchata I had for lunch after our tour was quite cold and very refreshing on that hot, muggy day. I couldn’t wait to start making my own at home. It takes a bit of time to prepare, but it is so worth the effort to have this delicious drink waiting for you in your fridge!

Did You Know?

Though I think of horchata as a Mexican drink, the original recipe most likely came from North Africa! A horchata-like, grain-based beverage spread from there throughout Spain and Portugal, eventually making its way to Latin America.

There are many different versions, all made with various grains. The Mexican version we are featuring here today is more properly called horchata de arroz, or rice milk.

Ingredients for Horchata

You only need a handful of simple ingredients for this delicious drink recipe:

• Uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 whole cinnamon sticks
• Water
• Evaporated milk
• Milk– whole milk or 2% works best for this recipe
• Granulated white sugar
• Pure vanilla extract

How to Make This Homemade Horchata Recipe

This rice-based drink takes some time, but it’s super simple to make! Plan ahead so you have this sweet horchata waiting for you on the next hot day!

1. First, pour uncooked rice, 2 cups of fresh water, and cinnamon sticks into a blender. Blend on high for one minute.
2. For the next step, add the remaining 2 cups of water and blend again on low for another minute.
3. Allow the horchata mixture to sit at room temperature for a minimum of three hours.
4. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher. Add the evaporated milk, regular milk, sugar, and vanilla. Mix well.
6. Refrigerate until well chilled. Serve on ice and sprinkle with cinnamon, and a touch of freshly grated nutmeg, if desired.

*See list of complete ingredients and full instructions in the recipe card below.

Tips for Making Horchata: An Easy Refreshing Drink Recipe!

• Use uncooked long-grain white rice.
• Use whole cinnamon sticks as ground cinnamon tends to clump and will not mix in as well.
• Be sure to use evaporated milk as opposed to sweetened condensed milk. That will be TOO sweet.
• Adjust the sweetness to your tastes. I originally used a 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, but I thought that was too sweet. I’d cut it back to 1/3 cup from now on. When I had it in Mexico, it didn’t taste similar to the ones I’ve had here in Mexican restaurants in the United States, and I was a bit disappointed. It was a thinner consistency and not as sweet, but it was more authentic I suppose, so I’ll give them that!
• Use a powerful blender if you have it, and blend longer for a creamier consistency.
• After blending, allow the rice mixture to sit on the counter for a minimum of 3 hours so that the water can become infused with the rice. Restaurant-style Horchata usually sits overnight, so you can experiment with a longer soak time and make it the next day.
• This recipe will make about six cups!

Recipe Variations

• Some people like to soak the rice with nuts such as almonds. The nuts help emulsify the rice and water. 
• ​You can omit the cinnamon if you’re not a fan.
• Add a splash of coconut milk for extra creaminess!
• Spanish horchata is made with tiger nuts instead of rice, but the process is similar. 

How long will Horchata last in the fridge?

This drink will last for a week stored in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of cinnamon sticks?

Yes, you can substitute ground cinnamon for the cinnamon sticks, though it does tend to clump a bit. Since 2 cinnamon sticks are called for, use 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon as 1 cinnamon stick is equal to about ½ teaspoon. Enjoy!

If you liked this Horchata drink recipe, then you’ll enjoy these other recipes:

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade– fresh strawberries and lemons make for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. It will be a great refreshing drink for summer or any time of the year!

Copycat Chick-fil-A’s Frosted Lemonade– Part lemonade, part milkshake, it’s sweet, tangy, and creamy all at once! Our version of the delicious Chick-fil-A frosted lemonade tastes just like the original, only with NO added sugar!

Frozen Marshmallow Mudslide– Enjoy this creamy cocktail on a hot summer evening. It’s the perfect drink for a date night at home!

Brazilian Lemonade – even though it contains no lemons, this refreshing limeade is a creamy and ice cold drink that is sure to cool you off when poured over lots of ice.

Frozen Bahama Mama– With a combination of grenadine, orange juice, pineapple juice, dark rum, coconut rum, lime juice, and ice, this tropical delight is the perfect way to cool off.

Pina Colada Milkshakes with vanilla ice cream and crushed pineapple are a cold, refreshing taste of the tropics! Blend up a batch of these to beat the summer heat. 

Coconut Cooler– Want a refreshing drink that will make you feel like you’re in the tropics without the alcohol? This is it!

Coffee Milk is a Rhode Island staple. Made with a sweet coffee flavored syrup and milk, you’ll learn how to make the famous Ocean State drink with this easy recipe!

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Horchata

Horchata is an easy, refreshing Mexican sweet rice drink of rice, water, milk, and cinnamon. I’ve fallen in love with this Horchata recipe, and you will, too! It's a perfect refresher on a hot day!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Horchata

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Resting Time and Refrigeration 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 433kcal

Author Lynne Feifer

Ingredients

• 1⅓ cups uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 whole cinnamon sticks
• 4 cups water
• 12 ounces evaporated milk
• ½ cup milk
• ⅓ cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

• Into a blender, pour rice, 2 cups of the water, and cinnamon sticks. Blend on high for one minute.
• Add remaining 2 cups of water and blend again on low for another minute.
• Allow mixture to sit at room temperature for a minimum of three hours.
• Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a pitcher.
• Add the evaporated milk, regular milk, sugar, and vanilla. Mix well.
• Refrigerate until well chilled. Serve on ice and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Notes

This recipe makes about 6 cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 433kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 1.7mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 0.8mg

This post was originally written on June 9, 2019. It has been updated in format and with photos on April 22, 2024.

I was inspired to make this drink at home when I visited Tulum, Mexico on my Western Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises.
It was SO hot that day, and needless to say, we were sweating quite a bit while walking around the ruins.

The ruins were so fascinating to see. 
Tulum, meaning wall or fence, was built on 12 meter high cliffs on the Yucatan peninsula in the Caribbean Sea. It is located south of Cancun.

It was one of the last cities built by the Maya and was busiest between the 13th and 15th centuries.
Tulum is also one of the best preserved Maya sites located on a coast.

I absolutely love when I take a cruise with Princess Cruises because I can go to different destinations, see incredible things, learn about history and experience the local culture. 
Tulum Mexico was no different. 

I was amazed that these structures built hundreds of years ago have stood the test of time. They’re still in pretty good condition! 
It’s difficult to imagine, but I love to think about what life may have been like back then and what their daily life might have been like.

Pictured below is the Castillo (castle). It is the largest structure on the site and sits on the edge of the property overlooking the Caribbean Sea. In front are steps leading up to the entrance.

Tulum was just one of the four excursions we took on our cruise through the Western Caribbean this past April.

Also included with our tour of Tulum was swimming in a cenote.
Cenote means “Sacred Well” in Mayan and there are over 6,000 of them in the Yucatan Peninsula.

I had never heard of them, but learned that they are natural pits or sinkholes. The limestone bedrock that has collapsed to form the opening exposes the natural groundwater under the earth. They are pretty fascinating.

It was most refreshing after a day of touring the ruins, that’s for sure!

Pictured above (left to right) are Erin of Dinners, Dishes and Desserts, her friend Jessica, Sandra from Dash of Sanity, her daughter Jojo, and my daughter, Emma.
The cenotes were sometimes used by the ancient Mayan culture for sacrificial offerings. They were also one of their only sources for fresh water as there is no river running through the Yucatan Peninsula.

After swimming we canoed to where we would be served lunch – chicken, pork, rice, beans fresh fruit, and THE best guacamole I have ever had! I’ll have to make it and add it to the blog SOON!

The Horchata I had while in Tulum was quite cold and very refreshing on that hot, muggy day. I couldn’t wait to start making my own at home. 

The post Horchata: An Easy and Refreshing Mexican Drink Recipe appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

I am proud to be partnering with Princess Cruises to bring you this sponsored post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

There’s nothing like a delicious frozen cocktail to cool you off poolside. Full of tropical flavor, this cocktail was one of my favorite drinks when we went on our Caribbean MedallionClass cruise with Princess Cruises. I knew, though, that I would have a serious case of the tropical blues and miss them once our cruise was over.

So I figured, why not make them at home? It turned out to be the perfect remedy!

What does a Bahama Mama Cocktail taste like?

A Bahama Mama drink combines pineapple and coconut into a tropical flavor. It’s very similar to a Pina Colada but has added cherry flavor.

What’s in a Frozen Bahama Mama?

• Rum: It’s a tropical drink, after all, and what better alcohol to take you to the Caribbean than rum? For this, you’ll use two different rums, a dark one and a coconut rum.
• Juices. We use what I think is the perfect blend of juicy pineapple and orange flavors by using a little of each juice. I also added a bit of lime juice because I like the extra flavor, but it’s not a necessary ingredient and can be omitted. 
• Grenadine. It will add a touch of sweetness and a fun bit of color.
• Most important, if you’re going to be making a Frozen Bahama Mama, is the ice. If you don’t want it frozen, leave it out and just use a drink shaker to make it.

Tips for the perfect Bahama Mama Drink

Use dark rum. It will give you just a bit more flavor than white rum.

Instead of combining the grenadine with all of the other ingredients, pour a little bit into the bottom of each glass. This will prevent the whole drink from turning pink, and you’ll have two different colors instead.

Use a blender. This is the one I have, and I love how it crushed the ice so easily.

How to make a Frozen Bahama Mama

This easy recipe makes two slushy frozen cocktails.

1. First, prepare two glasses by pouring a splash of grenadine into each one.
2. Place the remaining ingredients (orange juice, pineapple juice, dark rum, coconut rum, lime juice, and ice) into a blender. Cover and blend until smooth and slushy.
3. Gently pour the frozen slush into the prepared glasses and garnish with fresh pineapples and cherries.

Does a Bahama Mama have to be frozen?

No, it doesn’t. It tastes just as delicious when it’s poured over ice.

Can I make a larger batch to serve to my friends?

You can double or triple this recipe! Use the handy feature in the recipe card for exact ingredient amounts for a larger batch!

How do I make a non-alcoholic Frozen Bahama Mama?

You’ll need to use a different liquid to replace the rum. My recommendation is to use coconut water to mimic that coconut rum taste. You could also use sparkling water.

Ideas to garnish your drink:

• Add some sticks with fresh pineapple and maraschino cherries to make your drink a bit more festive.
• You can even add a cute little cocktail umbrella too!
•  With the massive campaign to reduce and/or omit plastic drinking straws, I purchased some colorful reusable ones. They’re fun, festive, and you’ll be helping to save the environment in the process. Score!

If you like this Frozen Bahama Mama recipe, take a look at these recipes inspired by my past Princess Cruises:

Double Chocolate Malted Milkshake– my daughter and I had these at the ice cream bar on board, and of course, I had to re-create the chocolatey goodness at home!

Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Bites– we had this tasty appetizer on our Alaskan cruise. Made with goat cheese, honey, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and fresh herbs, these are slightly sweet yet savory, and downright delicious!

Braised Short Ribs– inspired by a dinner I had onboard my Western Caribbean cruise, these ribs are a hearty and flavorful meal. They are perfectly seared and then slowly cooked in a sauce of Nebbiolo wine, beef broth, tomato paste, onion, carrots, celery, and more.

Are you looking for more cocktail recipes?

Make one of these tasty drinks for your next backyard pool party or gathering:

• One of the alcoholic beverages I enjoyed immensely during our cruise (besides my all-time favorite Mojito) was this Blue Ocean drink. It’s a frozen Pina Colada with Blue Curaçao, and it’s tremendous!
• You might also enjoy this Pineapple Coconut Rum Slush. It is the perfect hot summer day cocktail! Made in minutes with just three ingredients, these easy fruity cocktails will be a big hit at pool parties or any gathering with a tropical vibe.
• Make a Frozen Marshmallow Mudslide and enjoy the flavors of coffee, chocolate, and marshmallow with your Irish Cream liqueur.

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Frozen Bahama Mama

One sip of this Frozen Bahama Mama and you'll feel like you're in the tropics! Grenadine, OJ, pineapple juice, rums, lime juice, and ice, make this tropical delight the perfect way to cool off.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Caribbean

Keyword Frozen Bahama Mama

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2 people

Calories 93kcal

Author Lynne Feifer

Equipment

• Blender

Ingredients

• splash grenadine syrup
• 2 ounces orange juice
• 2 ounces pineapple juice
• 1 ounce dark rum
• 1 ounce coconut flavored rum
• juice half a lime
• 1 cup ice
• fresh pineapple pieces for serving
• maraschino cherries for serving

Instructions

• Prepare two glasses by pouring a splash of grenadine into each.
• Place the remaining ingredients – orange juice, pineapple juice, dark rum, coconut rum, lime juice and ice into a blender.
• Blend until smooth and slushy.
• Gently pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with fresh pineapple and cherries.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 94mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 17mg

This post was originally published 6/9/19. It has been updated in format and with pictures on 5/12/23.

When you book a MedallionClass cruise with Princess and you wear your complimentary Ocean Medallion, you can have food, drinks and more delivered right to you anywhere on the ship! 
No more having to get up and stand in line. Just order what you’d like from the app and your server will bring it to you in a matter of minutes.
Pretty nice, right?

On this Western Caribbean cruise, my daughter and I had so much fun zip lining with friends in Belize. On one of our excursions we were served a delicious lunch of chicken, dirty rice and coleslaw.
Then we changed into our bathing suits to go cave tubing!

The caves were seriously “UnBelizable!” as our tour guide, Big Bruce was heard saying throughout the day.
There was a cool river which flowed gently through the cave and we could see stalagmites and stalactites throughout. 

The stalagmites and stalactites were fascinating and some were HUGE!
Both are pointy formations found in limestone caves. When water flows into the ground and down into the cave, it dissolves a mineral called calcite which is a major component of limestone.

As the calcite drips from the top of the cave a stalactite is formed. You can remember that a stalactite comes from the Ceiling because of the C in the word.
This one was stunning because it sparkled so brilliantly when the light hit it just so.

As the calcite dips from the end of the stalactite, it begins to form a pile on the floor. Gradually it builds up to form a stalagmite. Again, easy to remember because of the G as this one is formed on the Ground. 

Needless to say, when we returned the the Caribbean Princess, I was in the mood once again for a Bahama Mama tropical smoothie. And yes, I wanted the rum in it, too.
I knew though once our cruise was over that I was going to be missing them, so I figured why not make them at home.

The post Frozen Bahama Mama appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

Farmers have a deep passion and commitment for what they do.
They know that their sustainability and profitability is determined by the crops they grow, and the animals they raise.

I am proud to be partnering with the United Soybean Board and BestFoodFacts.org to bring you today’s post about sustainable farming.

I encourage you to visit Best Food Facts to read more about sustainable farming, sustainability, farming practices, the technology being used, and other interesting information about the food you eat and where it comes from!

One of the things I love most about what I do is meeting people and hearing their stories.
I’ve been very fortunate to visit and tour pig farms in Iowa, Michigan, and South Dakota.
I’ve been to a micro farm in Arizona, a corn farm in Iowa, and a soybean farm in Maryland.
I’ve also had the pleasure of talking to doctors and scientists while doing a video series about CRISPR for Best Food Facts.

Yet, no matter where I go and whom I speak to, I am always humbled by each person’s passion and desire to make the world a better place.

Recently via Zoom, I had the opportunity to speak with two soybean farmers in Iowa, Brent Renner, and Dave Walton on farming sustainability.
Also on the call were Janet Helms, Global Sustainability Developer of the Inter IKEA Group, and Shannon Tolliver, Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability Manager for White Castle System, Inc.

It was wonderful to hear what sustainability means to each of them, what they’re doing individually, and for their farms and companies.

Good farming practices, technology, and good stewardship all have their part in sustainable farming. 

Good Farming Practices 

There are different methods farmers use when planting, growing, and harvesting crops as well as raising animals.
What works in one part of the country may not work in another region because of soil, temperature, weather, and other variables.

No-Till and Strip-Till

Many farmers across the country as well as Brent and Dave have adopted no-till farming.
This means that crops are planted into already existing crop residue without turning the soil over.
This allows the soil structure to remain intact.

Allowing the organic soil matter to improve naturally by leaving it undisturbed means that earthworms, bugs, fungi, bacteria and microorganisms can do their thing working the soil.
This helps increase water infiltration which in turn decreases soil erosion.
Decreasing the runoff also prevents pollution from entering nearby water sources. 
In other words, no till allows nature to do what it does best.

Brent also uses strip-tillage. 
Conventional thought was that tilling land would warm the ground and help a crop flourish when planted in the Spring.
This is no longer the case.

Brent is guided by GPS to implement a strip only 8-10 inches wide, and doesn’t interrupt the 20 inches between each strip.
Once the strip has been created, he turns the planter around and plants the seeds into it.
At the same time, fertilizer is applied on the strip at an exact rate. 

Sort of kills two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Having done no-till and strip-tillage with soybeans, Brent has seen that strip tillage really helps the seeds to thrive.

Cover Crops

Cover crops have proven to be very beneficial for both the the land and animals raised on them.
These are crops that are planted to prepare the soil for the next important crop.
They just aren’t harvested.

At Dave’s farm, cover crops can be grazed by sheep and cows which saves him from feeding them the harvested hay.
After the grazed cover crop is eaten, it’s naturally turned into meat, wool, and milk.

Thus the cycle of continually recycling nutrients and finding a way to benefit from it.
Sustainability at its’ best right there!

Farming Technology

On his farm, Brent is able to use a camera mounted high up on his Hagie which is a tall crop applicator. It can drive through tall corn and apply fertilizers, herbicides, and/or insecticides through spray without running over the crop.
This camera has the ability to take a picture of the crop 60 ft. ahead, and in real time is able to “talk” to his monitor. By doing this, it helps him to regulate the amount of product he uses in order to fine tune the application process.

With this ability in the future, people will be able to identify a weed and apply herbicide directly to it as they pass over top of them instead of having to apply it to the larger area around it.
This is much better for the environment, and more cost efficient.

Farming Technology is becoming so precise that instead of managing land acre by acre, things can now be measured foot by foot. 
Every year, I am amazed at the different things men and women are using on their farms to help with sustainability.

Good Stewardship

What farmers do on their land can have a direct impact both on the land, and society around them.
Therefore it is important that good farming practices are used that will enable them to improve and retain the land.

It’s important to Brent that he instill the importance of being a good steward in his immediate family and the next generation.
He wants them to understand the importance of it and that by doing so they can be profitable enough to make a living.

Dave sees himself as “a link in a chain” where on his 120 year old family farm, each generation has learned from the generation before and has done their best to improve.
His family philosophy is to “ to leave the land in better shape than the way we received it.” 
He also said that because people are more concerned, farmers put great thought into what they can do with the land that they have than they ever have in the past.
They still need to maintain a profit level, but they also have a strong desire to do what’s best for society.

Sustainable Farming from a Company Perspective

Things we do to preserve our planet aren’t just a concern for farmers.
More and more companies are becoming involved, too. 

In fact, many have hired their own sustainability managers. 
I had no idea this was even a thing.
People have titles who are specifically responsible for this.
They make sure that their business is implementing the best practices, reducing carbon footprints, recycling, capturing data to track electricity usage, and improve what isn’t working, and more.

White Castle System, Inc.

White Castle, a family-owned 100 year-old company, is creating goods and services by generating less waste and pollution with fewer resources.
They also work with their suppliers to improve each other’s sustainability.
Once a month, Shannon meets with other restaurant sustainability managers to talk about the things being done in their industry and where improvements need to take place.
She stressed the importance of everyone in the food industry being on the same page to move forward with different practices even though it can take time.

Inter IKEA Group

Janet believes that, “plant health, human health, animal health, wildlife health is all connected. We have an obligation to ourselves, our children, and the planet to leave this planet better than when we started.”

Ikea wants to be as efficient and effective at manufacturing as possible, so they can pass those savings on to their consumers.
They’ve adopted a people and planet positive strategy. 
Working to reduce its’ carbon footprint, using a healthy and sustainable living platform, capturing food waste and sending it to a co-generation plant, as well as recycling mattresses and furniture are IKEA’s sustainable steps.

They also provide loans to their suppliers if they’d like assistance incorporating alternative energy banks such as solar panels or methane regenerators.
In Africa, the company contributes to the community surrounding the small farmers who supply its’ coffee and cocoa, so that there will be growth and development.

It is important to Brent, Dave, Janet, and Shannon that we keep moving forward in our discussions on sustainability and the things we can do to make the planet better for future generations.
The lines of communication need to be kept open in the supply chain between end-users, suppliers and  producers.
I think Shannon said it best, “It takes a village to make everything work, from farming, from recycling to sustainable sourcing. It’s humbling that I can’t change one thing, but if I work with a group of people to work together to move toward a goal then we can make it happen. It may take some time…(but it will happen).”

I want to thank each of them for taking the time out of their busy days to provide me with more insight, and also to the United Soybean Board and Best Food Facts for making it possible.

The post What is Sustainable Farming? appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

The other 99% is field corn which is used to make various food items, animal feed, fuel and other products we use nearly every day.
I learned all about that and more when I had the opportunity to join the Iowa Corn-Fed Tour with some other food bloggers earlier this month.

The best part, I was able to meet incredible people who make corn their life. 

I am proud to be partnering with Iowa Corn to bring you this post and share with you all that I’ve learned on my recent trip to Iowa. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

I’ve been to Iowa a few times since I’ve started blogging.
And I seriously am in love with the state – it’s farmers, scenery and abundant cornfields!

Until I went on this trip though, I had absolutely no idea how important this crop is to our everyday life.
It’s another source of food that I have taken for granted. 

SAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL IOWA CORN TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

Iowa Distilling Company – 

On our first night in Iowa, we had the pleasure of going to the Iowa Distilling Company for dinner catered by Cyd’s Catering. While there we talked with Gary Petersohn and his wife, Teena about the farming they’ve been doing over the past 50 years. 
We also enjoyed some cocktails with bourbon and whiskey made at the distillery.I enjoyed the Distillery’s Cider Fire (pictured below). It was delicious! The drink was made with their Prairie Fire Cinnamon Whiskey.

Did you know?
Whiskey is made from a blend of fermented grains? It is called a “mash bill” which is comprised of corn, barley, rye, and wheat.
Whiskey officially becomes a Bourbon when the mash bill is comprised of at least 51% corn.
Who knew? Not me, that’s for sure!

American Lung Association – 

We enjoyed a lunch and a conversation with Angela Tin from the American Lung Association.
She explained to us that mobile sources of air pollution are the most dangerous, and it is where we need to see the most improvements.
This pollution largely comes from exhaust and the refilling at service stations.

These air pollutants are asthma triggers, and asthma is an extremely serious lung condition.
Yet, bad air quality affects everyone and what we can’t see hurts us the most. 
It’s the little particles that are the most dangerous. 

How are corn and air pollution related?
Field corn is used to make ethanol which is a Flex Fuel.
If we all make a conscious choice to use the 10% ethanol blend gasoline found at the gas stations throughout the United States, we can improve our air and make it cleaner.

Steve Kuiper – 

Steve is a 4th generation farmer on his century-old farm in Marion County, Iowa.
His favorite part of farming is the planning and harvesting.
Every year he wants to improve his farm so that he can provide consumers with the best quality product. Therefore, he uses less insecticide by choice.

He wants people to understand that they’re being the best stewards they can while at the same time being the most profitable. 
Steve’s desire is to make the farm better for his sons, therefore making it more sustainable.

When is corn ready to harvest?

As a whole, corn farmers can tell if their crop is ready to harvest largely based on the picture below. 
See the corn standing up on the stalk? That means it’s still wet. 
If the corn has dropped like one in the forefront then it’s dry and ready for harvest.
The dropped corn will take less time to dry which means less time in the dryers, and less gas the farmers have to pay for. 

Steve uses grid sampling so that he knows the fertility of each area, enabling him to plant different corn seeds for different soil types. 

He is also a big proponent of no-till farming which minimizes erosion, and leaves residue of the previous crop after harvest. 
This makes the soil the best it can be both for profitability as well as for years to come for sustainability.

Dr. Ruth MacDonald, PhD, RD – 

On the last day of our trip, we had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Ruth MacDonald. She is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University College of Human Sciences.

Dr. Ruth explained to us that there is a general skepticism about science, and that people need to take into consideration that agriculture is a business. 
When discussing GMO’s, she said there have never been any diseases associated with GMO crops. 

We all have to be aware that everyone has an agenda. Therefore, the consumer looking for information, must be wary of many internet sites as they might be funded by companies and/or food boards looking to sway our opinion. 
Some of the unbiased sites she recommended are Best Food Facts and GMO Answers.
If you’re interested, you can also go to the National Academy of Sciences and download the GMO report.

Dr. Ruth also emphasized that organic and conventional food suppliers need to come together so that everyone can afford to have a good nutritional diet.
I couldn’t agree more! 

Science is always changing and always making improvements. 
This means we can be confident that we’ll continue to provide our families with food that will both nourish and sustain them.

I am so very grateful to Iowa Corn for providing me with the opportunity to meet more incredible farmers.
Every farmer we met emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship and how important it is to them that they provide consumers with the best product possible while at the same time they improve their soil for sustainability.
They and many others are the backbone of America. For without farms there would be no food. 

Keep an eye out for more corn related recipes as well as more insights on this incredible crop to come in the next few weeks!

The post Iowa Corn-Fed Tour 2019 appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

A whole protein is a protein food source that contains the adequate proportion of each of the nine essential amino acids that are necessary in the human diet and this one little bean is it!

I am proud to be partnering with Best Food Facts to bring you this post about soy. I have been compensated for my trip and this post, and as always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to bring you this post.
At the end of last month, I was able to visit a soy farm, the Perdue Oilseed crush plant and talk to a registered dietitian.
It was fascinating and so informative.
Did you know that just one little soy bean can be made into three different products? I’ll tell you about that in just a little while.

Up until this point, I hadn’t ever really given soy much thought. 
Sure I’ve used soy sauce in a a few of my recipes like this Easy Chicken Marinade, Pad See Ew, and my favorite Pork Potstickers.
I’ve even added soy milk to my Dairy-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Waffles, and this delicious Pineapple Coconut Silk Smoothie. You can even use it in these Cranberry Pancakes with Orange Cream Cheese Drizzle,
However, it’s been another food source I have taken for granted until now.

SAVE THIS SOY-ONE LITTLE BEAN CAN DO SO MUCH POST TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

Knowing I was going on this trip, the following questions popped into my head.

How is soy grown?
What is made from soy?
What are the health benefits of soy?
Can soy foods cause cancer? 

And I was given the answers to all of them and more with the help of Best Food Facts.
Last year, I partnered with them to do a video series on CRISPR technology and learned so much doing those as well. 
They are a great source of information about anything food. If you have any kind of question about food or if it’s food related, chances are that they’ll have the answer and if not, they’ll find it for you using their more than 200 food experts!

How is Soy Grown?

To answer this question, we were taken to Lazy Day Farms in Vienna, Maryland.
Owned by father Joseph Layton, Jr. and his son, William Layton, they have been working together on their generational family farm since 2003.
The can produce 35 thousand bushels of soybeans a season which is harvested every November.

3/4 of their beans grown are used for mill feed and oil production.
The remaining 1/4 of the crop is grown are non-GMO (genetically modified organism) high-protein beans for human consumption – tofu, snack beans and other food use.

Did you know…
Soybeans are legumes, so they produce their own nitrogen!
This means that soy farmers don’t need to add any nitrogen to the soil when the crop is growing like they might with other crops. Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll which is essential for the conversion of sunlight to energy.

Lazy Day Farms is a no-till farm, meaning they never turn the soil over so as not to disturb it when preparing for crop planting which is much better for the soil overall.
It greatly reduces the soil run-off on hilly areas, allows the water to move through the soil more easily, and the earthworms are more productive.
No-till farming is less expensive and more economical because horsepower isn’t needed for plows. It also decreases soil impaction. 

The Layton’s also use cover crops to ensure that their soil remains healthy and sustainable every year.

What is a Cover Crop?
A cover crop is a crop that is not harvested, but planted to prepare the soil for the next important crop.
These plantings help provide nutrients for the next yield.
They stay as organic matter on the soil, and the physical covering is a benefit to the soil as well, especially when colder temperatures settle in.
Joe and William plant things such as peas, and radishes with a long tap root that helps aerate the soil. 

The Layton’s are taking better care of the ground with the use of site specific soil sampling, leaf tissue sampling, fertigation, and soil moisture testing.
Their precision farming method tells them when they need something and where. 
By using these methods and documenting what has and hasn’t worked each and every year, they are ensuring that their farm is productive and sustainable for generations to come.

What is Made From Soy?

To answer this question, we visited the Perdue Oilseed Crush Plant. Here, at this largely automated soybean crush plant we discovered how they process soybeans grown for mill feed and oil production.
I was amazed to learn about the derivatives of soy.

Remember how I said in the beginning that one soy bean can become three different products?
Well, from one tiny bean comes the hulls which are the outer coats of the bean.
These soy hulls are made into mill feed which is used primarily as cattle feed.

Soybean meal is made from the cracked beans.

Some of the cracked beans are flattened into flakes from which soybean oil is extracted.

Some of this oil is made into biodiesel.

Through the oil refinery process, soy lecithin is extracted which is the gum of the oil.
Soy lecithin is an emulsifier and stabilizer, and is used in many products, such as soap, to combine water and oil so that they don’t separate.
It’s functional additive.

Also, did you know that the cooking oil or vegetable oil that you buy at your local grocery store is made of soy?
I didn’t know that either! But sure enough, looking at the label, it says soy.

Can I use Vegetable Oil if I’m allergic to soy?

Yes, you can!
Soybean oil is highly refined which rids it of all the protein that gives the allergic response. 
Therefore, it does not need to be listed as an allergen.

What are the Health Benefits of Soy?

During our trip, we also spoke with Julie Garden-Robinson, a registered dietitian about soy in regards to health.

She said that legumes, including beans are one of the healthiest things you can have in your diet. 
Soybeans are higher in protein and higher in fat which is why they are used to feed animals.
So, of course it makes sense that we enjoy the health benefits are well, right?

Soy is listed in both the vegetable and protein food groups. 
In order to have a healthy, well-balanced diet though don’t eat one serving of soy or soy beans and be happy you “killed two birds with one stone” so to speak. 
You want to make sure you have soy as a vegetable accompanied by a protein or vice versa. 

Soy is heart healthy, safe and sustainable.
It is the only protein that has an FDA claim for heart health! 
Isn’t that remarkable??

Can Soy Foods Cause Cancer?

There have been concerns in regards to the estrogen in soy and that consuming it may cause cancer.
In fact, research has shown that breast cancer survivors can safely consume soy and that they may actually improve their prognosis by doing so.
Did you know that a cup of soy milk could also possibly prevent breast cancer?

I’ve discovered that the health benefits of soy are significant, so you can bet I’ve already incorporated it into my daily diet!

While I don’t know and don’t claim to know all the answers, I encourage you to do your research on soy and bust those myths.
Talk to a registered dietitian in addition to speaking with your health care provider. 
Read and discover documented information on websites such as the following:
Best Food Facts
United Soybean Board
Soy Connection
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
and the USDA Food Composition Databases

Coming soon, I’ll be making a recipe using soy and talking about how we can incorporate more of it into our daily diet.

The post Soy – One Little Bean Can Do So Much appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

Cruising has never been so much fun!

I am proud to be partnering with Princess Cruises to bring you this sponsored post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Have you heard about the Princess Cruises Ocean Medallion?
I’m so very excited to share it with you because it’s a cruise experience you’ll never forget, and will want to do again and again.

If you’ve never been on a cruise and want to learn more about it, Princess can answer all of your questions and you’ll be planning your next adventure in no time.

SAVE THE PRINCESS OCEAN MEDALLION TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

What Princess Ships Have the Ocean Medallion and the MedallionClass? 

As of this date, three ships currently are MedallionClass ready. They are Caribbean Princess which I sailed on this past April to the Western Caribbean, Regal Princess and Royal Princess. Over the next two years, Princess will be adding the MedallionClass to eight more ships.

The Ocean Medallion is available on Princess cruises all over the world. 

Do I have to pay extra for the Ocean Medallion?

No, you don’t pay extra for it. 
Everyone sailing on a MedallionClass cruise will receive an Ocean Medallion.

What does the Ocean Medallion do?

Actually, maybe it’d be easier to say what it doesn’t do for you on your cruise, like your laundry. haha
But seriously, going on a Cruise with Princess MedallionClass and wearing your Ocean Medallion throughout will allow you to have a most wonderful vacation.

With the Ocean Medallion you can  – 

•  get on and off the ship with ease like you’ve never experienced. 
• open your cabin door without the need for a key card.
• order food and drinks which will be delivered to you ANYWHERE on the ship. 
• stores all of your cruise information including your id/passport, and credit card.
• navigate your way around the ship
• communicate with your fellow cruisers and locate them.
• have fun family time and play interactive games at various kiosks around the ship.
• easily order any items you might have forgotten to pack or purchase souvenirs to take home and have them brought to your cabin
• access the BEST Wi-Fi at sea with MedallionNet
• have your cruise information at your fingertips including the ship’s itinerary, dining information, and even your stateroom account
• watch original travel shows
• play games for cash anywhere on the ship, not just in the casino

Pretty cool, eh? 
That Ocean Medallion packs a lot in just a little quarter-sized (ITEM)

Do you need to charge the Ocean Medallion? 

No, you don’t need to charge it.
I’m a food blogger with a little bit of travel sprinkled in. I don’t know anything about technology, so I’m not even going to take a guess at how they power the thing up. 
Let’s just say it’s magic.

Are there Princess Ocean Medallion Accessories?

Yes, there are multiple accessories to choose from for an additional price.
When you register for your cruise, you’ll fill in all of your necessary information, including the address as to where the Medallion should be shipped. Make sure you fill this information in at least 12 days before your cruise departs. 

The Medallion will arrive with a complimentary lanyard that you can wear throughout the cruise.
You also have the option once you board the ship to purchase either a bracelet, wristband, pendant or clip.

Is the Ocean Medallion waterproof?

Yes, it is waterproof!
It is also sand and salt proof, so you don’t have to worry about swimming with it in the pool, hot tubs or even at the beach.

Are there Apps that work with the Ocean Medallion?

Yes!
There are 6 apps and they are truly a cruising game changer. 
These apps are available to both Android and iOS users and easy to use.
Make sure you’re OceanReady and download them before you board.

OceanReady – 

With this app, you’ll upload your security picture, passport and other travel documents and create an ocean profile.
It will allow you to by-pass those long check-in lines that you might dread if you’ve cruised before. Your embarkation will be faster and easier as will disembarking and getting on and off the ship for each of your excursions.

OceanNow – 

Using OceanNow, you’ll be able to order drinks, food, retail items and more and have them delivered to you anywhere on the ship.
Yes, you read that correctly, I really said anywhere.

Lounging by the pool, want something to drink, but don’t want to go stand in line? No problem! 
Order the drink of your choice and maybe some food to go with it and a server will bring it right to your seat poolside.

With the information in the Ocean Medallion, it will be charged to your room and your server knows your location, so you can be sipping in the sunshine in just a matter of minutes. 
Talk about relaxation, hunh?

Forgot an SD card for your camera and need it for excursions? Order one with the app!

Need a more hangers for your cabin? Forgot to request the bathrobe when setting up your reservation? You can order those, too!

OceanCompass – 

Have you lost track of those you’re cruising with and want to be sure they know to meet you at Sabatini’s for your 6:30 reservation? 
You can all communicate through the OceanCompass and not have to worry about using your phones. 

Talk to each other in a group chat, find the location of family and friends and even be directed step by step on where you can all be together again. 

I did this with Sandra from Dash of Sanity. It was cool to watch the app direct me as I moved about the ship and I was able to locate her in just a matter of minutes.

OceanView – 

OceanView gives you the opportunity to watch Ocean Originals TV series. You can view them in your stateroom on your TV or anywhere on the ship using using the app.

PlayOcean – 

Want some interactive fun time with family or friends? PlayOcean lets you play games on large screens on different floors of the ship. 
Like a scavenger hunt? They’ve got that, too!

You can also create your own digital companion, an Ocean Tagalong that will appear and interact with you whenever you’re near one of the PlayOcean portals. 
Your Tagalong will also be useful when playing Games Under the Stars and competing against other players on the ship.

Did you guess the correct answer?
It’s Florida!

OceanCasino – 

As with PlayOcean there are various locations around the ship where you can play games for cash using your Ocean Medallion, so you don’t even need to go into the casino.
Also, without a keycard and all of your cruising information stored in the Medallion, playing in the casino is easy, too. You’ll just hold your Medallion up to the disc at any machine or table, wait until it turns green and you’re ready to go!

The Princess Ocean Medallion will make your next cruise one of your most relaxing ever.
I can’t wait for you to experience it!

If you’ve enjoyed this information about the Princess Ocean Medallion, take a look at more of my Princess Cruises posts…

Cruise with Princess MedallionClass

What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise

Things to Do and Activities Aboard the Coral Princess

The post The Princess Ocean Medallion appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

Are you ready for the cruise of a lifetime?

I am proud and honored to be partnering with Princess Cruises to bring you this sponsored post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

I mean seriously, you’re in for a real treat!
I had the opportunity to cruise with Princess MedallionClass on a recent trip through the Western Caribbean and I loved it!

If you have never cruised before, have been thinking about planning one or are even a seasoned cruiser, I highly encourage you to book a MedallionClass cruise with Princess Cruises.
It will be a cruise you will never forget!

SAVE THIS CRUISE WITH PRINCESS MEDALLIONCLASS POST TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

See that blue disc in the wristband in the above picture?
That little piece of technology puts everything right at your fingertips (or wrist, or wherever you choose to carry it)!
It is a game changer for cruising and you might just never go back to “regular cruising” again.

Why Cruise with Princess MedallionClass?

• Every passenger who sails on a MedallionClass cruise receives this complimentary Ocean Medallion.
• Your OceanMedallion makes it easier to embark and disembark the ship not only the beginning and end of your cruise, but for every excursion as well.
• There’s no keycard to open your cabin door, so you won’t have to worry about losing it or having the magnetic strip deactivate.
• It stores ALL of your cruise information. Any time you make a purchase on board the ship, you just present your OceanMedallion and BOOM, it’s yours!
• There are 6 apps you can download to your smart phone, available to both iOS and Android users, which will make this cruise an absolute breeze and spoil you, too. And come on, who doesn’t want to be just a little bit spoiled on a cruise??
• You have THE BEST Wi-Fi at sea. No more buffering when streaming your favorite shows or movies, and you’ll see clear pictures and have speedy service when staying connecting with the loved ones you made stay home. 
• One of the best features is that you can order food, drinks, and store purchases right through the apps on your phone and have them delivered to you anywhere, yes, I said ANYWHERE on the ship! Talk about relaxing!
• And there’s even more!

Booking your cruise with Princess MedallionClass – 

Your cruise has been booked aboard a Princess MedallionClass ship. How exciting!!
As of this date, there are three ships in the Princess fleet that are MedallionClass ready and sail to various destinations all over the world. They are the Caribbean Princess, Regal Princess and Royal Princess with more coming very soon.

You can begin your process of getting OceanReady at home.
If you live in the United States, have the OceanMedallion shipped directly to your home. Make sure that you fill in your shipping information at least 12 days ahead of your departure date. This way it will arrive in plenty of time.
For people living outside of the U.S., you are still able to get OceanReady by downloading the apps to your phone and you’ll be able to pick up your Medallion when you get to port.

When your OceanMedallion arrives at your home, it will come with instructions as well as a complimentary lanyard.
You can choose to keep the Medallion in the lanyard or once on board purchase an accessory for it such as a wristband, pendant, clip or bracelet for an additional fee.

The Medallion is waterproof as well as sand and salt resistant, so you don’t have to worry about going to the pool or beach with it. 
You don’t need to charge it either as it’s always on. 

Embarking and Disembarking on a Princess MedallionClass ship –

When you are wearing your Medallion, it is such a breeze to both embark and disembark the ship.
We arrived at the port the day of our departure and I seriously couldn’t believe how easy and fast we were able to board.
It was amazing and it’s all because your cruise information is stored in that quarter-sized little gem.

Also, all of your credit card, driver’s license and passport information is in it as well so you don’t need to carry those around with you on the ship. Although if making purchases during excursions, you will want to bring a credit card and your license.

And get this, when you walk up to your cabin door, it automatically unlocks for you! Then you can press down on the handle to enter hands-free! Makes it so easy when you’re tired and your arms are full after a day off the ship!
No more worrying about losing your key card or having that magnetic strip deactivate if you’ve been holding it near your phone.

OceanMedallion Apps – 

There are six apps available for both Android and iOS users that work right along with your Medallion.
Even though you won’t be able to use them before your trip, you’ll want to make sure your OceanReady by downloading them beforehand. It will just make things that much easier. 
I put them all in one folder as well as the Mobile Passport app so I wouldn’t have to search for them throughout the trip. The Mobile Passport app allows you to fill out customs forms before arriving at customs making it much easier to pass through. 

These apps are pretty incredible and you can do so much with them. I’ll go into more detail about each of them in an upcoming post.

Cruise with Princess MedallionClass and have the very best Wi-Fi at sea in MedallionNet – 

Today, having fast, reliable Wi-Fi is everything.
Having it just as fast out in the middle of an ocean as it is right in your living room is even more than everything!

On previous cruises with Princess, I’m not going to lie, sometimes the internet connection was frustrating. It was slow, and when doing my live videos or FaceTiming family was fuzzy.
Not. Any. More!!

With MedallionNet, access to the internet is instantly at your fingertips. 
Streaming your favorite movies, tv shows, or videos is seamless as is talking to the family who misses you so very much when you’re away.

Yes, I am on of “those people” who had to FaceTime our pup, Logan the Golden Dog, while I was on the cruise. 
He missed me, what can I say. ? 

Not only did I FaceTime the dog, but I was also able to wish my daughter, Alex who’s living in Berlin, Germany, a happy birthday. 
Ironically enough, her sister, Emma (who I brought with me on) and I went zip lining on her birthday just as she and I had done two years before on our Panama Canal cruise. 

See how clear that picture is? We were in the middle of the Caribbean Sea and she was thousands of miles away in Berlin, Germany. 
Amazing!

Princess MedallionClass puts food, drinks and shopping right at your fingertips – 

With your OceanMedallion and the Medallion apps on your phone, you can order food and drink and have it delivered to you anywhere on the ship.
Relaxing at the pool and don’t want to go stand in line for something to eat or drink? No problem!
When you order it through the OceanNow app and are wearing your Medallion, crew members will know your exact location, charge it to your room and deliver it right to your chaise lounge.

Also, if you want to take some souvenirs home from your trip or if you’ve forgotten to pack something, ordering items through the app is the way to go. You can have them delivered right to you in your cabin.

I’m not gonna lie, we were spoiled wearing our OceanMedallions. 
I know it’s hard to believe when cruising is so relaxing, but this MedallionClass cruise was the easiest and most relaxing way to go.
I’m not sure if I could go on another cruise without it now. 

Interested in learning more about the MedallionClass and the OceanMedallion? You can watch videos explaining all about this great way of cruising here.
So, where will you go on your next cruise with Princess MedallionClass?

If you’ve enjoyed this Cruise with Princess Medallion Class post, then you’ll enjoy more of my posts about cruising with Princess Cruises.

Alaska Cruise Excursions

Dining Options Aboard the Coral Princess

And for recipes inspired by my Alaska, Panama Canal and Western Caribbean cruises, take a look at these – 

Pineapple Rum Cake

Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Bites

Double Chocolate Malted Milkshake

The post Cruise with Princess MedallionClass appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

Do you realize that EVERY meal on our plates contains ingredients grown on a farm?
Therefore, sustaining the agricultural backbone of America is vital and everyone can help.

I am proud to be partnering with Farmland in association with American Farmland Trust to bring you this sponsored post. I have been compensated but as always all opinions are 100% my own.

It is always a great honor and privilege when I get to visit a farm.

Each time I visit one, the work ethic and dedication of each farmer never ceases to amaze me.
It is their way of life, their livelihood. Some are born into it, and others such as Erich Schultz of Steadfast Farm, a market and micro farm in Mesa, AZ, choose to embrace it wholeheartedly as a new vocation.

SAVE THIS STEADFAST FARM – A FARM TOUR TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

Years ago, Erich, who has a career background in high-end residential and commercial landscape design, became involved in designing a few projects for Agritopia. It is a residential community surrounding 22 acres of working farmland in Gilbert, AZ.
After completing those and wanting a life change, he decided to take over the Agritopia farm, working to make it more efficient and productive.

Throughout the years, he was able to do just that.
Eventually, he decided to scale down for a simpler life, leasing just two acres of land in another community.
Ultimately, this organic, micro market farm called Steadfast Farm was born.

When I think of  Phoenix, AZ and the cities and towns that it encompasses, a “farm” is definitely not the first thing that pops into my head. I’m thinking dry, hot asphalt, plenty of big office buildings and lots of homes really close together.
A farm? No way.

But Erich’s done it and right in the middle of Mesa, Arizona surrounded by what is to ultimately be 15,000 homes and the largest community park when completed.

Pretty cool, huh?
There’s just something so wonderful about visiting Steadfast Farm. It’s a peaceful, profitable and living piece of property smack dab in suburbia!
It’s amazing and I’d love to see more of these micro farms incorporated into many communities around the U.S.

Erich has worked very hard to make this “the smallest farm with the highest yield” and one that “specializes in baby vegetables”.
It was built in two months and uses no large mechanized tractors, only one which you can walk behind.
A big John Deere would dwarf this little bit of land, and they use minimal tillage so as not to disturb the soil.

Using the walk-behind tractor pictured above, 10 rows of carrots are able to be planted in a 30-inch bed as opposed to a mechanized farm tractor planting just two rows in the same space.

Consequently, because of such efficient systems and methods, they can do 10-20 acres of production on just a two-acre lot!
Pretty incredible, right??

Soil health is extremely important and Erich is aware of that.
“Nature’s doing things this way for a reason.”
He works with nature, not against it, paying close attention to the needs of the soil. It is fed accordingly with compost, fish fertilizer and compost chicken manure.

He grows micro-greens which are greens harvested about two weeks after planting. They include (pictured below and from the bottom going up) pea, sunflower, arugula and kale, and broccoli.
Once planted, they are placed under a 24 hr. grow light, and at harvest one rack will produce $500 worth of greens.

Gorgeous, aren’t they?
Not only that, but they were super delicious!

It’s in Erich’s nature to solve problems, so using the proper tools and machinery to be more labor-saving and cost-efficient is important, too.
When it came to harvesting the micro-greens, he discovered that one man in 20 minutes could harvest what it took 2 people 4 hours to do just with the purchase of one particular machine.

They say that necessity is the mother of invention and it’s definitely been put to use here!
There are two horse water troughs, but no horses in sight.
In each of these, there is PVC piping with small holes to create an “air bubble bath” to gently wash the produce.

The greens are then placed into one of the two full-size washing machines that have been reconstructed with large, holed plastic tubs. On the spin cycle, they drain the water much like your salad spinner at home does.

I thought these were SO cool!
A mega salad spinner.

After they’re spun, they’re placed on these racks where box fans built into the rafters above gently blow to completely dry them off.
Customers have told Erich that because of his methods, the salad greens can last up to 3-4 weeks in their refrigerator!
MUCH different than what you might purchase at your local grocery store, right?

Conservation is important here on the farm, too.
Only 1/10th the amount of water is used by the incorporation of a drip system, and micro sprinklers which water the crops from above.

With a detailed plan, Erich can rotate 6-7 crops each season.
There is a Fall/Winter season and a Spring/Summer season with the peak being April.
Because of the triple-digit temperatures and cost to water during the summer months, the farm is closed during July and August.

This downtime is also important so that he can spend quality family time with his wife and three children.
A farmer can work 24/7 because there’s so much to do and the dedication they have to their farm is exemplary. Time away is imperative.

To Erich, personal balance along with having a good strong work ethic is extremely important. He is honored to be growing food for people to eat while at the same time being able to provide for his family.

Here, they grow vegetables such as red and green leaf lettuce, carrots, radishes, baby kale, Mizuna which is an Asian green, baby turnips and more. These are crops that there is a demand for and can do well in an Arizona climate.

They are able to provide produce each week for 4 farmer’s markets and 25-30 Phoenix-area restaurants. One of which, the Handlebar Diner, is located right next door to the farm.
It serves delicious salads (I know, I ate one!) and food using Steadfast Farm produce.

Steadfast Farm is also funded by a Community Supported Agriculture or CSA.

What is a CSA?

A CSA is an arrangement where people pay a fee in advance of the season to provide the farmer with capital to run the farm.
In return, the farmer then supplies those members with a portion of the harvest.

At Steadfast Farm, there are 100 families who participate.
The curated box which is based on the freshest availability is given to them on a weekly or bi-weekly basis and can be picked up at 17 different locations throughout the Phoenix area.

To me, a CSA is a win-win, and I’m going to join one!

Micro Farming in growing communities is definitely an option for those farmers who want to do what they do best. Leasing smaller areas of land can prove to be more profitable.
Erich is also a consultant, giving his knowledge to those who want to build a small-scale farm and/or use a portable/modular farming system. He’s helped a few farmers around the country.

Providing farmers with the resources to work their farms efficiently thereby creating the most profit, preserving their land and encouraging conservation are ways to ensure that America will continue its’ sustainable agriculture.
This is where American Farmland Trust comes in!

What is American Farmland Trust?

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is an organization that began in 1980 to protect farmland, promote quality and efficient farming practices, and to keep the farmers on their land.
They are also strong advocates for conservation and are determined to preserve land, soil, and water.

Did you know that “over 175 acres of U.S. farm and ranch land are lost every hour“?

175 acres, every hour!!
YIKES!!!
That’s 3 acres every. single. minute.

Frightening, isn’t it? It scares and saddens me to think that farmers are losing the precious land on which many not only work but live. It is their livelihood and for many, has been in their families for generations.

The incredible connection farmers and ranchers have with their land, good farming practices, and the work they do is all intertwined. AFT is the only national organization which recognizes that.

Sustainability is SO very important.
How can farmers who are running out of land and resources continue to provide not only for the consumer but for their own families as well?
How can the needs of society continue to be met when there’s such growth in population?

As I see it, farmers are truly the backbone of America.
They nourish us and I hate to think where we’d be without them.

I encourage you to:

• Learn more by visiting American Farmland Trust to see how you can help.
• Support your local farmers by participating in their CSA.
• Visit your local farmer’s market.
• Take a farm field trip and see all that’s done on a farm and learn more about how the food we eat goes from farm to table.
• Purchase specially-marked Pure Farmland items so that you can help Farmland save American farmland and help American Farmland Trust further their mission.

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I’d like to thank Erich for allowing me to visit his farm and share his story.
Also, many thanks to American Farmland Trust for the work that they do throughout the U.S. for our farmers and ranchers, and Shawn Shepherd, the West Coast director of AFT, for accompanying me to the farm.
And last, but not least to Farmland for giving me this great opportunity to learn more about farming here in my own backyard.

Be sure to look for some upcoming recipes with Farmland, with one inspired from my visit to Steadfast Farm!

The post Steadfast Farm – A Micro Farm Tour appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

Have you discovered South Lake Tahoe?
My husband and I visited for the first time when we met our son while he was thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and I can’t wait to return!

I am pleased to be partnering with Mazda in exchange for this post. Thank you to Mazda for providing our transportation so that we could visit our son on his PCT thru-hike. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

May.
Kinda seems like forever ago, doesn’t it?
I’ve been so very busy with travel which is why I haven’t been able to post this until now. We’ve had a couple of hectic months here at the 365 home, but it’s been fun.

SAVE THIS PICTURE FROM THE TALLAC HISTORIC SITE IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

In the middle of May, my husband, Kurt and I went on a cruise to Alaska. It was something I thought we’d never do, but when the opportunity came up, we jumped at it and was so very glad we did! It is a trip that I think needs to be on everyone’s bucket list.

From that trip, we arrived home on a Wednesday and flew to Sacremento, CA to spend a few days with Cameron, our son who had been thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
He began his solo trek in Campo, CA at the border of Mexico on March 19th. We had stayed in touch with him through cell service and had also received messages from him via a tracking device.

In April, we met up with him when he arrived in Wrightwood, CA. It was a cute little mountain town in the Sierras with tall pines, ski resorts, and a laid-back feel.
One of the things I enjoyed about his hike was that Kurt and I were able to travel a bit and see places that we hadn’t been to before while spending some quality time with Cameron in the process.

I was so very excited to meet Cameron in South Lake Tahoe. I had missed him so much and couldn’t wait to hear more about his adventure. I was also excited to visit somewhere we had never been. as I’d heard a lot about it. I don’t ski or snowboard anymore because every time I go I injure myself, so I thought Spring would be the perfect time to enjoy it.

Upon our arrival, we met Cameron Then we went to lunch at Azul Latin Kitchen. And OMG was it AH-mazing!! I had the Pork Carnitas Bowl pictured below. It was topped with a slow cooked egg and those red things aren’t tomatoes, they’re pickled peppers. They were SO unlike anything I’d ever eaten. They weren’t spicy, just really doggone delicious!

After we ate, we drove down to Lakeside Beach. It was a bit chilly while we were there, but the skies were a brilliant blue and I seriously fell in love with the tall pines and the snow-covered mountains. There were some pretty spectacular views and we didn’t even see the whole lake!

The water was too cold to enjoy, but there were a few kids that were swimming. BRRRRrrr!!!! Kids always seem to be resistant to cold water temps, don’t they?
The three of us walked the beach, listened to the waves and were in awe of the scenery. I really wanted to go kayaking on the lake while we were there, but it was too chilly to do that as well. I was told that the best time to kayak on the lake is in the morning as the wind can pick up in the afternoon. So, that’s a good thing to know if you plan on doing that in the future.

That night I made some Chicken Picatta for dinner at Cameron’s request. He’d been missing some home-cooked meals while out on the trail and I was more than happy to oblige.

The next day we took a drive to the Tallac Historic Site and passed the Renaissance Faire. Years ago I’d gone to the one in Arizona with my daughter and knew it wasn’t something Kurt or Cameron would be interested in, so I didn’t suggest we stop.

The Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe is made up of three family estates built between 1894 and 1930. It was the summer retreat for three of San Francisco’s socially elite families. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and on them, you can tour the residences, view the servants quarters, and take a look inside the boathouse.

As we visited each site, I could only imagine what life must have been like there at the lake in the early 1900’s. It took us about two hours to reach the lake from Sacremento. Looking at the cars on display I found myself wondering how long the drive must have been for them from San Francisco, especially in those early cars that didn’t move as fast as they do now!

I was so enamored with the green grass, blue skies and beautiful pines that I didn’t even take any pictures of the buildings!
Trust me though, they’re there.

Back then, South Lake Tahoe must have been the perfect vacation to escape city life and just relax at the lake during the summer. Many people do it now as well.
I think we picked a great time of year to go since the winter months are crowded with skiers. We heard the summer months, and especially the 4th of July can be really busy, too.
We later enjoyed some ice cream from Camp Richardson’s Ice Cream Parlor as I’d heard it was THE place to go for ice cream. I ordered two scoops – coffee and vanilla. It was tasty, but I’ve had better, not gonna lie.

We finished our day with a short drive around the lake to Emerald Lake before heading back to our Airbnb where we relaxed, played cards and watched some baseball games.

Before we dropped Cameron off at the trail the last day, we had breakfast at the Red Hut Cafe. They have many locations around the Tahoe area and when we saw a line to get in I knew it was a good sign! Kurt ordered the special which included eggs, bacon, and pancakes. I had the strawberry waffle – they’re known for their waffles since they’ve been making them for over 50 years. I didn’t take a picture because I was just so gosh darn hungry after we waited. And of course, Cameron devoured his French toast – probably because he wasn’t sure when his next real meal would be. haha

We drove around South Lake Tahoe in style! This 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD, compliments of Mazda was so comfortable. It also had plenty of room for all of us along with our luggage and Cameron’s large trail backpack.
I find that road trips are so much better with family because we’re able to see and do new things while we’re spending quality time together.

Once again, I really didn’t want to say goodbye to him and watch him head off into the wilderness. He’d been struggling both physically and mentally with the snow in the Sierras up to Lake Tahoe and we knew there was more ahead.

The challenges Cameron faced during his hike make him more confident, self-reliant, and appreciative of life. Seeing mom and dad along the way most definitely picked up his spirits and he was beyond grateful that we did that for him.
I’ve said to many of our friends that if you want your kids to grow up, send them off on a PCT hike. It is most definitely a life-changing experience.

After we said our goodbyes, Cameron ran into some more issues with the snow, post-holing (stepping in snow and falling in past your foot up to the ankle, knee or hip), cold temperatures and just overall aggravation. He was tired: tired of the daily grind, tired of the crappy food he was living on, tired of the challenge and tired of the snow.

He ended his trail hike at Truckee and we booked him a flight home to Phoenix. I have to say it was great to see him walk through those doors at the airport when he arrived!
I was fearful he’d regret his decision and want to go back. Which he did, want to go back that is not 12 hours after he arrived home. I couldn’t believe it. I told him to at least sleep on it and then give it a few days.

Re-entry is hard. He was just going, going, going and the only time he relaxed (if you could even call it that) was at night in his tent. He was always “on” and when he got home it took him at least a week to finally work into a new routine and be a bit more relaxed.

Cameron now lives in Philadelphia with his sister. He’s going to job interviews while working part-time for me and writing about his PCT experience, and short stories here on his blog that he started.

I have to say that I’m glad he stopped when he did. There was more snow accumulation in the upper elevation of the Sierra’s than had been anticipated and the fires along the way in Oregon have also been an issue. Momma’s mind is not at ease that he doesn’t have to deal with the elements anymore and that he’s at least in a place I can be with him should he need us and not somewhere up in the mountains.

He says he’ll go back though. He left his mission unfinished and is determined to complete it or start again from the beginning, probably in 2020. I can’t say that I blame him. I know this is something he has to do for himself and I fully support his decision.
And once again, I’ll be looking forward to the new places we’ll visit when we meet him along the way.

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I bet you can’t wait to go!

I have been sponsored by Princess Cruises to bring you this post about what to pack for an Alaska cruise, the fifth in a series sharing our Alaska cruise. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
**This post contains an affiliate link(s).

I couldn’t either and was literally counting down the days until we were in cooler weather this past May. For the most part, I really can’t stand being cold, BUT with the temperatures in the triple digits the week before we left, I was SO ready!
Kurt and I were really excited about going on our 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers. We were departing from Vancouver and although I knew the weather was getting warmer up north I knew we’d still need to bring winter clothing.

SAVE THIS ‘WHAT TO PACK FOR AN ALASKA CRUISE’ TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

You are absolutely going to LOVE this cruise! The Alaska scenery is beyond beautiful.

When my daughter, Alex and I went on our Panama Canal Cruise last year, it was easy to pack because we were going to warmer weather. Sandals, shorts, etc. were at the top of that list. This time, what to pack for an Alaska cruise was a little more challenging because for one, we just don’t own winter jackets or thermals and two, the weather can be so uncertain.

Tips for What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise

• Make a list. Before I leave on a trip, no matter where I’m going and whether it’s business or pleasure, I always make a list. I want to make sure I remember everything, especially the essentials. Granted, I’m usually not too far from a store, but most times I don’t want to spend the extra money if it’s already something I can bring with me from home.
• I think the key to packing for Alaska is layers. Layers, layers, layers.
  You never know what the weather’s going to be like and it can change quickly, so it’s best to be prepared.
  For our first excursion on the Zodiac, I knew we were going to be out on the water. It was chilly when I stepped outside onto our balcony to check, but the day really warmed up and was in the mid-70’s. It was MUCH warmer than we had anticipated. I was happy that I had so many layers on and only kept on what kept me comfortable under my jacket, sticking the rest in my backpack.
• Very Helpful – bring a carry – on with you that has your immediate essentials like a change of clothes if you’ve been traveling all day, toiletries, swimsuit, and anything else you might need. That way you’ll be able to freshen up once on board the boat as there’s no set time when your luggage will be delivered to your cabin. Also, this carry-on is extremely handy because you’ll place all of your checked luggage outside your door on the last night and will need it to pack your hairdryer, toiletries, jammies, etc. the next morning.

*First and foremost –
Passports, boarding passes, and luggage tags – of course, you’ll need your passports. You’ll also want to print out your boarding passes for the ship and luggage tags which can be done after your account is completed in your cruise personalizer on Princess Cruises. You’ll also need to add a credit card that can be on file for any purchases as you won’t be using your credit or debit card on board, just your key card which will contain that information.

Clothing –

• Pants – a couple pairs of jeans and/or hiking pants
• Leggings – while I didn’t bring them, Jenn from Princess Pinky Girl brought some similar to these fleece-lined leggings and was really happy she did, especially since she scaled a glacier!
• Short sleeve shirts
• Long sleeve shirts -I brought one thermal. Never wore it, but I was glad I had it just in case.
• Dresses, skirts or pantsuits – you’ll need at least two for the two formal nights.
  Formal nights are fun. Some women opt for fancy cocktail dresses, others a little less so, but you will not be admitted into the dining rooms unless you’re appropriately attired for the evening.
  Just make sure you BRING your garment bag full of the clothes you plan to wear for the formal nights. It doesn’t do you any good if you remember after you’re through security at the airport that you’ve left it hanging on the closet door. It wasn’t a good feeling. Fortunately, Holly from Spend with Pennies‘ sister and her husband were kind enough to let us borrow some dresses and a suit jacket. PHEW!
• Tuxedo, suit or jacket and tie  – men need to be fancy on formal nights, too. They do offer formal wear rentals, but if this is something you’re interested in you should take care of the details before embarkation (departure).
• Raincoat and small umbrella – it will rain.
• Winter coat – I brought one similar to this. It was plenty warm enough but light enough and not bulky so that it was easy to pack and didn’t take up much room.
• Hangers – there are quite a few hangers in each cabin, but I like to bring extras.
• Bathing suits – when I cruise I always bring two because I don’t want to put a wet one on. And even if you’re cruising in Alaska it’s nice to relax in the hot tub while looking at the snow covered mountains.
• Sneakers and/or Hiking boots –  you’ll want a comfortable, yet sturdy pair of shoes as you might be walking a lot depending on the excursions you choose. Also, there are opportunities to do some sightseeing in the towns that you visit, so you’ll want to be prepared.

Try to pack clothing that is wrinkle-free for the most part as there are no irons in the cabins. However, there is one in the ship’s laundry rooms, but who wants to be ironing on vacation? Not me! You can also do laundry if you choose, too.

Equipment to pack for an Alaska cruise –

• Camera – for the blog, I shoot with a “big girl camera”, a Canon DSLR. It’s a bit big and cumbersome, so when I travel I use this Panasonic Lumix Camera. It’s smaller, definitely not as heavy and takes great photos. The pictures I took on our Alaska cruise were either taken with that camera or my iPhone 7 Plus.
  Along with your camera, you want to make sure you bring SD cards as well as the battery charger.
• Waterproof iPhone case – Since I didn’t want to take my camera our on our Zodiac tour and wasn’t sure if it was going to be raining on any of our excursions, I purchased this waterproof phone case and I absolutely LOVED it! It’s not only waterproof from rain but can go underwater and is snowproof, shockproof and dirtproof as well.
  I honestly didn’t have to worry about my phone at all on any of the excursions or as I was doing the lives on Facebook of the glaciers.
  What I really liked about this case, too is that it had a loop that I could slip my hand through in case I lost hold of the PopSocket. I thought that was really important since we were going to be doing so much around water and it was nice to have that extra step of security.
• Binoculars – this is one item you’ll definitely want to pack for an Alaska cruise, and they don’t have to be large. We didn’t and we both regretted it. Holly’s husband Ken let us borrow a small set for the trip and I was so grateful! It made it much easier to see the bears on the beach from our cabin one morning. I was SO happy that we had them. You will be able to purchase them on the ship, but they do not rent them.
• Waterproof Backpack – for your excursions, a backpack is pretty much essential as carrying a purse won’t cut it. I bought this waterproof one because I wanted my camera and belongings to be protected from the rain. It’s small, but yet big enough to carry a couple water bottles, sunscreen, camera, passports, wallet, and an article of clothing that you might need to remove.
• Power Strip – this is important! There are a few outlets in your cabin, but if you’re bringing multiple phones, hairdryer, curling iron, Kindle, iPad, laptop, you’re going to need more than just the outlets provided.
  I’ve made it a habit to pack one WHENEVER I travel be it vacation or business because it just makes it so much easier and I don’t have to worry if my phone is going to run out.
• Portable Phone Charger – remember to keep this charged and bring it with you on excursions. It’s also great to have when the viewing the glaciers. If you’re videotaping them, you don’t want your phone to die just as one of the glaciers calves!
• Over Door Pocket Shoe Organizer – while there are drawers, cupboards, and shelves to store your items, I ALWAY bring my shoe organizer when I’m cruising as it’s super helpful to keep items organized. I’ll keep most of our small toiletry items in it along with the curling iron, sunscreen, etc.

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Toiletries to Pack for an Alaska Cruise –

• Sunscreen – yes, even up in Alaska you’ll need the stuff, so bring it.
• Dramamine, Motion Sickness Wristbands – generally, people don’t get seasick while on an Alaska cruise because the some of the waters are surrounded by islands and it’s calmer. There was one day when we were on the open water and encountered a bit more waves. A few people started feeling a bit nauseous and needed something to settle their stomachs. You never know, so it’s just good to have. They also sell it in the store on board and there is a medical facility as well, should you need that.
  There are also plenty of ways onboard to relax and stay fit which will also aid in your health during the trip, so do take advantage of those. It’s good to take care of yourself no matter where you are!

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