Plant based lifestyle, education and cooking classes

 I have recently launched my Plant based lifestyle, education and cooking classes!

The first two classes were free just to give an intro to what I do and what is't like to work with me.

We had a great turn out for both classes, they filled to capacity!

I would like to talk a little about what I do and why.

I do not consume animals or animal products for two reasons:

I believe it is wrong.

There is a great deal of scientific evidence the supports plant based living is good for your health and good for the planet.

I don't try to "convert" anyone in to being a "Vegan" a "Vegetarian" or any other labels.

What I do is educate and support anyone who wants to live this way.

My beliefs are one thing, but science is another matter. Scientific studies that are not funded by the meat, dairy, egg and alcohol industries are to say the least, eye opening.

So, I no longer support those industries to the best of my ability!

Want to come along for the ride? Give me a shout 😃 nannyopgaard@gmail.com

 It's winter on the mountain. We have all been through a lot. And, it looks like we're in for more before things settle down.

Or maybe they won't. Maybe things won't settle down. Maybe we will be facing new challenges monthly, weekly, some of us daily.

I don't mean to sound defeated, not at all. In fact, for me, the sooner I accepted that this could be my reality, it gave me energy to make change, to do things I've avoided.

I think anxiety can be used as a catalyst, rather than a disabler.

Changing long term habits can be difficult, but not impossible. If you think about your habits as a road traveled and each time you traveled down that road, you created an indentation in the ground, just a little at first. But over the years it got deeper and deeper. Then one day you decided you didn't want to go down that road anymore, and now the road is a six or eight foot deep trench. You can try to climb out. Some people can. But most need to create a new path. The only way to do that is to not go down the old path in the first place. Sounds simple. But that old path is so familiar, so easy, you keep choosing it.

Let me ask you this. Is there much sunlight on the old path anymore? Can you see the beautiful countryside? The flowers, trees, birds? Or are they blocked by the walls of your creation?

Be brave my friend. You must be the champion that Joseph Campbell talks of in mythology. It can be done, you can do it.

Listen to your heart. Go in to training. Like an athlete or fine musician or dancer. Re-train the subconscious. It will respond.

Peace, Love and Gratitude.

Random Musings From the Mountain

We are still gripped by the strong hand of winter. 
Many cold, dreary days & nights. 
We've lost a few loved ones over the last few months. 
Otto and Yumyum continue to have health issues but are still with us and are not in any pain.
My Yoga classes are small and get cancelled a lot because of the weather. Clients too, who wants to drive on treacherous roads if you don't have too?
As I write this, mercury is in retrograde and has demonstrated his power by bombarding me with missing checks and miscommunications between friends and colleagues. So, I work harder at something I already work hard at!
(Hmmm, this all sounds a little depressing, but I am not! I am actually starting to "feel" spring!)

Spending so much time alone up here on the mountain, I get to thinking about things. 
This particular thought/question, keeps coming back up:
"What would you do, if your one true love, the one who completes you, in a way that can not be described, but is understood by everyone who has experienced it. That knowing that this is THE one and only for you. That one other that can make you smile when they are not around, just because of the overwhelming love you have for them. What would you do if that person were to come back as the opposite gender that you are naturally attracted to?"
That's what I have been thinking about lately.

August Blues

I don't know why I get a little sad at this time of year, but I always do. It's kind of silly because I think August, September & October are my favorite months. Except for May, when all the birds are nesting. Oh, and December, when it really snows for the first time! But summer has the dirtiest months. The windows are open, so dust & pollen get all over everything. You're always dragging in grass & dirt on your boots from the garden. The kids are running in and out, with God knows what on their feet. And the wet bathing suits dripping all over the place! The dogs shed a little more and there is an endless stream of company, making incredible amounts of laundry. Which must be hung on the line, because I can. Then there's the canning and pickling. Pots of boiling water, jars everywhere, the kitchen never seems to get clean, or stay clean.

                                                      But you can't beat those sunsets on the deck, hanging out with the kids and the dogs and now the grandchildren.

 I guess I just don't want it to end. 

Cold May nights, Piggy helps out!

So much is happening I don't know where to begin! So I'll start with today. I had a cancellation this morning so I have some time to fiddle around with the blog.
We are getting some mighty cold weather for May over the next fews days and I was concerned about the more delicate veggies. Turns out, so was Piggy.
Well, he insisted on helping protect them. And then, he insisted on having his picture taken at the first greenhouse. So, here he is, farmer Piggy. You'll be seeing more of him in the coming months. He may even get his own Facebook page. What do you think? Isn't he cute?

He is a very proud Pig.

My Little Dumpling

Look who came to our house for my birthday!
She is such a little dumpling, I could just eat her up.
They surprised me, my husband, my kids, some of my family and even Junior's future father-in-law!
It was a very nice evening. I like low key.
I have been working hard on the "Stilla" project. Should be up and running by spring.
I CAN'T WAIT!
Stay tuned .....

Hot and Sweet Green Tomato Chutney

It seems like all I do these days, in between teaching and massaging, is put up food.
Yesterday I blanched and froze about 3lbs. of green beans from a neighbors garden. 
Today it was green tomato chutney.
I got this recipe from a fellow blogger named Andie. The blog title is "Books, Cooks, Gadgets and Gardening"  I did make a few minor changes and this is the recipe I used. I love the bite in this one!

4lbs. green tomatoes
3 large firm fruit. I used apples.
3 large yellow onions
3 jalepeno peppers with seeds
1 cup golden raisins
2 cups brown sugar
3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh ginger
2 Tbs. pickling salt
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
4 cups apple cider vinegar

Core and peel fruit.
Chop all fresh ingredients into small dice.
Place vinegar, sugar, salt, ginger, spices and raisins into a large non-reactive pot. Bring to a boil.
Add all remaining ingredients and stir well.
After liquid returns to boil, continue to cook for 30 minutes.
Reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If mixture gets too thick add a little boiling water ( I didn't have to do this ).
2/3 of the way through the cooking time, remove a small amount to a dish, taste and adjust flavors as you like.
Ladle into sterilized jar and water bath process for 15 minutes.
I love harvest time!