Homemade Season Salt

Most seasoning salts contain MSG a known neurotoxin (toxic to the nervous system), irradiated spices, and other harmful preservatives. The key to this recipe is purchasing good quality, organic spices. We relish the savings and flavor of Azure Standard’s spices. We added Rosemary since it has been shown to break up the potentially cancer causing compounds that can form when meat is cooked (especially grilled meats).  We love this season salt for steaks (esoecially pork chops), hamburgers, and potatoes. In the past we purchased Redmonds Organic Seasoning Salt which is a great option for convenience. Redmond’s product does not contain Rosemary. Continue reading “Homemade Season Salt” →

Avoid Toxic Chemicals and Fragrances and Save Money

Continue reading “Homemade Natural Laundry Care” →

Ever wonder what to do with those cured ham hocks? I used to just throw them to the dog until I discovered ham and bean soup. The key to excellent flavor is sourcing good quality pasture raised pork. The nourishing bone stock is the most important step in making this soup.  Properly prepared stocks are high in nutrients and contain collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin sulphates, and amino acids. They were a staple in traditional kitchens and they are quickly gaining in popularity again. Make this inexpensive soup any time, but especially on those cold winter days while you await spring! Continue reading “Ham and Bean Soup” →

Introduction

Did you know that pastured meats contain more nutrients and have less fat and calories than meat from grain fed animals? As we grow our beyond organic, pasture based farm, we continue to see the benefits of a pasture based system. We have reaped the health benefits and relish the testimonies of our customers’ health stories and compliments on flavor, texture, and even the smell of the meat.  As our family reads the Bible, and we look into sustainable animal husbandry practices of the past along with God’s design in nature, we see very similar systems.  Because we live in a fallen world, we will never enjoy perfect health for ourselves or for our animals, but by seeking God’s wisdom, we believe we can improve the quality of life for ourselves and our customers, as well as our animals. With chronic diseases and cancer rates soaring, contaminated water becoming the norm, increased antibiotic resistance, and wildlife suffering, we must stop and ponder, “What has changed with our food, environment, and lifestyles that could potentially be to blame?” Continue reading “Benefits of Our Pastured Meats” →

Spring is a time of new life on our farm. We all enjoy the birth of new animals and look forward to caring for new babies, spending more time outside, garden produce, flowers, and green pastures. Today is a cloudy, cool spring day. We had a nice shower overnight and the grass is beginning to green up. There is excitement as we think about what we will be planting and the projects we hope to accomplish. We are constantly praying and seeking guidance and wisdom. Spring is a time when we set very high goals and sometimes think we can accomplish more than our time allows. Unfortunately, something always suffers in the heat of the summer, but each year seems to improve. Continue reading “Happenings on the Mentink Family Farm in March 2018” →

By Angie Mentink

A Thanksgiving tradition that our family embraced several years ago is to take the day before Thanksgiving off of school and prepare food for the next day. I relish this time with our children working side by side in the kitchen, listening to music, and thinking of the great food that will be enjoyed by many, along with the numerous undeserved blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us. Continue reading “Family Traditions” →

By Angie Mentink

We enjoyed a leisurely walk to the dam on Sunday afternoon. After about an hour of visiting, skipping rocks, relaxing, soaking up the sun, and taking advantage of the pleasant temperatures a strong north wind began to blow. We decided we better head home quickly. As we were walking briskly, watching the leaves whirling far distances from the trees, it occurred to all of us that winter was near. The summer flew by faster than any summer in the past and none of us feel ready for the cooler temperatures. The kids do Continue reading “Gathering in the Harvest and Baby Number 7 Arrives!” →

By Alena Mentink

Inside our house, everything is cool and quiet. The shades are pulled down, the fans are swirling, and only a couple of lights are on. Although we rarely run the air conditioner, by blocking the sun and keeping the air moving with the help of a few fans, the house stays nice and cool (at least by our standards). However, as soon as we step outside the door, we realize that summer is indeed here. Continue reading “Summertime on the Farm” →

By:  Kailey Mentink

We have had a wonderful spring, and so far have had at least four lambs born. We had one ewe who had two lambs and excepted one of the lambs but refused the other one. After keeping them in the barn for a few days, and helping the baby, Continue reading “An early spring on the Farm” →