I picked 5 strawberries from my three brave strawberry plants that survived our harsh winter. What can you do with 5 strawberries? The simple answer is--just eat them! Thanks to strawberry farmers, I bought fresh strawberries this weekend and can combine them with my five to try Fruit Salsa Yogurt Parfait from the recipe collection of Dairy Makes Sense.
Fruit Salsa Yogurt Parfait
Ingredients:
1 can (15 oz) peach slices in juice
1 can (8oz) pineapple chunks in juice
2 kiwi, peeled and chopped
1 cup strawberries,chopped
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon and ground ginger
1 carton (32 ounces) non-fat vanilla yogurt
Preparation:
Drain peach slices, discarding juice. Drain pineapple chunks, reserving juice. Chop peaches and pineapple.
Toss peaches, pineapple, kiwi, strawberries, brown sugar, spices and reserved pineapple juice in a medium bowl.
Layer 1/2 cup yogurt with 6 tablespoons of fruit salsa in each of 8 parfait glasses or dessert dishes. Serve immediately.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Memorial Day Remembrance
When I look at these old pictures of my dad, the Navy boy, and Ryan's dad, the Army guy, I find it hard to imagine how the world really was when each enlisted to serve our nation. As I placed the flowers on their graves yesterday for Memorial Day, I felt fortunate to have known and loved such great men that served their country and instilled a love for our nation in both Ryan and myself.
I'm grateful for the men and women who have given their all for our country for the freedoms we enjoy. Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to remember the sacrifices made for all of us.
God Bless America!
Friday, May 23, 2014
Saturday's Sweet Treat
If you're needing a quick, easy and delicious fresh fruit recipe for a busy schedule, I suggest Berry Brownie Pudding. What better way to enjoy fresh local fruit and nutritious milk!
Berry Brownie Pudding
Ingredients:
4 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 packages (4 serving size each) vanilla pudding mix
1 cup of 1-inch low-fat brownie pieces
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup blueberries
Preparation:
Add milk to pudding mix and prepare according to directions on box (instant pudding may be substituted).
Place half of brownie pieces on bottom of a medium glass bowl and layer with half of vanilla pudding, 1 cup of strawberries and 1/2 cup of blueberries.
Repeat layers with remainder of ingredients. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Substitution Idea: If fresh berries are not in season, you can also use frozen berries, thawed.
Berry Brownie Pudding
Ingredients:
4 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 packages (4 serving size each) vanilla pudding mix
1 cup of 1-inch low-fat brownie pieces
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup blueberries
Preparation:
Add milk to pudding mix and prepare according to directions on box (instant pudding may be substituted).
Place half of brownie pieces on bottom of a medium glass bowl and layer with half of vanilla pudding, 1 cup of strawberries and 1/2 cup of blueberries.
Repeat layers with remainder of ingredients. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Substitution Idea: If fresh berries are not in season, you can also use frozen berries, thawed.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Dairymom's Thankful Thursday
Benton County Farm Bureau Women's Committee brought Farm Expo to Russell Jones Elementary in Rogers on Monday. Students rotated through stations to learn about Arkansas agriculture from farmers, University of Arkansas extension agents, Arkansas Farm Bureau and Arkansas Beef Council staff.
I'm thankful for the students and teachers who allowed us to share about...
how seeds germinate and farmers raise crops,
the life cycle of a water drop and the importance to agriculture,
how farmers raise healthy chickens that included
poultry terminology bingo,
how dairy farmers work to provide high-quality milk,
the benefits of beef and beef by-products we use every day,
safe food handling,
cotton farming and ginning,
rice production,
including milling the rice.
It was a win-win day for students and volunteers---
the students had a fun learning experience and the volunteers passionately shared how agriculture impacts our everyday lives!
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Chick Whispering
It was all in a day of fun learning about Arkansas agriculture that Russell Jones Elementary fourth and fifth grade students turned into chick whisperers!
As the students held the chicks, we provided information about how farmers care for the chicks to provide food for our families. It's pretty amazing that even though we don't have any formal education for chick whispering, the students are experts!
One observation about chick whisperers--they always smile when holding a baby chick!
Friday, May 16, 2014
Arkansas Dairy Supports Ditch the Rule
After little rain in the month of April, mud puddles and water standing in the pastures and fields is a welcome sight. This has always been a very expected outcome after a good rain in Northwest Arkansas!
Normal Arkansas weather outcomes could become costly if the Environmental Protection Agency, lovingly known as the EPA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) get there way in proposing the rule to change the definition of "waters of the U.S." and expand the range of waters that fall under federal jurisdiction.
Can you imagine needing a permit for a mud hole? Sounds silly, but under the proposed rule change, it's not impossible. It goes deeper than just water--it would impact common farming practices that have existed for years. The rule change would make it more difficult for private landowners to farm and ranch, build homes or make changes to the land--even if the changes that landowners propose would benefit the environment.
Even if you live in the city, you can be affected by this rule change because cities and counties would be subject to new rules or standards that will increase the cost to citizens by requiring increased permitting of more ditches that will be more time-consuming and expensive for local and state governments.
You can learn more about the impact of this law change and how you can help oppose this law at Ditch the Rule.
We already follow rules enacted by the Clean Water Act and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and use best management practices that help us to protect our natural resources for our cows, our family and our community.
I support Ditching this Rule!
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Dairymom's Thankful Thursday
Rain and chilly weather lingered most of today in Northwest Arkansas.
Wearing coats and gloves this afternoon while feeding calves was a sure sign of "blackberry winter" on the dairy farm.
I'm thankful for the late afternoon sunshine and the spring rain that we so desperately needed
to refresh our grass for the cows to enjoy
and
lift our spirits with new surprises of color in the garden.
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