Gardeners “Bee” Careful

Honeybees have made the news. American Agriculturalists are alarmed at the disappearance of the ancient flying insects that pollinate blossoms on fruit and nut trees and fruit and vegetable crops throughout the world. Years ago researchers discovered that when cats were removed from fields of clover, the crop failed. Why? Because the mice destroyed the honeybees nest. Today, honeybees suffer “Colony Collapse Disorder” and the international firm “Beeologics” is dedicated to restoring bee health and protecting the future of honeybee pollination. But Beeologics has just been bought by the agricultural genetic engineering seed company Monsanto, triggering fears that they will manipulate Beeologics research. Beeologics has been studying what role genetically engineered crops might have on the honeybee’s collapse.

Suellen Ocean is the author of Gold River. Available here:

Gold River: http://www.amazon.com/Gold-River-Suellen-Ocean/dp/1484094042

eBooks and computer downloads available through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean

Go Ahead Get a Little Egg on Your Face, Make Dumplings!

Making egg dumplings doesn’t require much effort or ingredients. They’re also hard to mess up. Because it requires little resources, if you mess it up you haven’t wasted much food. Dumplings can be dropped into any soup or stew. They would also be good dropped into simmering Italian sauce and there is no end to how you could get creative with dumplings. Because they are made with flour, it’s a quick way to add carbohydrates to your meal without making biscuits or bread. Here is a simple recipe:

1 & 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup of milk (I experimented with water and it worked so try soy, rice or almond milk)

1 beaten egg

salt to taste

In a small bowl, beat the egg with the milk and no more than 1 teaspoon salt. With a wooden spoon, mix in the flour. Drop by spoonfuls into your choice of simmering stew or soup and cover with a lid, cooking about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and serve.

Variations could include adding spices and experimenting with different types of flours.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the vegetarian cookbook, Poor Jonny’s Cookbook. Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Poor-Jonnys-Cookbook-Suellen-Ocean/dp/0965114031

eBook or computer download through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260122

eBook through Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-jonnys-cookbook-suellen-ocean/1102338251?ean=2940016618609

The Depression or the Recession. Something’s Gotta Change. Us?

“Some jobs of a few years ago no longer exist. A good example is blacksmithing. There are very few blacksmiths left. The reason is clear. Since the automobile was invented the general use of horses and mules has been greatly reduced. Trucks, buses, and pleasure cars have taken the place of wagons and buggies, and in many cases tractors haul even the old-fashioned farm machinery – plows, cultivators, etc. So there is much less need for horses and mules. The blacksmith who earned a living by shoeing horses and mules and fixing simple farm machinery has little or nothing to do. His shop has given way to a garage or a service station for automobiles, trucks, and tractors.”

Sound familiar? In 1933 President Roosevelt approved the Reforestation and Relief Bill which brought about the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), a national chain of forest camps in which unemployed young men could be placed in temporary jobs to protect and improve our millions of acres of forest land. The CCC provided emergency conservation work and financial rehabilitation, giving a man, “work and paying him for it when he has neither work nor money…”

The times they are a changin’. I hope this change brings America and the rest of the world into new technologies that conserve our resources and bring about peace.

Suellen Ocean is the author of Gold River. Available here:

Gold River: http://www.amazon.com/Gold-River-Suellen-Ocean/dp/1484094042

eBooks and computer downloads available through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean

Minestrone Soup… Also Called Italian Vegetable Soup

When I was young my father always took us to the best Italian restaurants. One of my favorite dishes was hot Minestrone soup. The red beans and saute’d onions cooked in fresh tomatoes along with other vegetables and topped with grated Parmesan cheese … well, makes my mouth water just thinking of it. Here are the ingredients that you need to make a great Italian vegetable soup:

dried beans (my favorite are red beans)

olive oil for sauteing herbs and spices: garlic, onions, green and red pepper, celery, parsley, thyme, freshly ground black pepper and a little salt.

Vegetables like cooked potatoes, zucchini, cabbage and of course those fresh tomatoes I mentioned above.

You’ll need to soak and cook your favorite beans, using lots of water. You’ll saute your herbs and spices separately. Drain the beans after they have been cooked, leaving enough liquid for the vegetables to cook in and to have a soupy consistency, being careful not to dilute the flavor with too much water. Throw a huge spoonful of cooked macaroni in with the beans and veggies (one cup each vegetable) and add the herbs and spices. Simmer long enough to cook the vegetables. I suggest you let it cool then put it in the refrigerator overnight, it will be much tastier the next day. After reheating, don’t forget to add the Parmesan cheese on top unless you’re going Vegan.  Suellen Ocean is the author of the vegetarian cookbook, Poor Jonny’s Cookbook. Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Poor-Jonnys-Cookbook-Suellen-Ocean/dp/0965114031

eBook or computer download through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260122

eBook through Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-jonnys-cookbook-suellen-ocean/1102338251?ean=2940016618609

Poor Jonny’s Fruit Salad

Fruit Salad

2 oranges

2 peaches (or nectarines)

2 bananas

1 cup strawberries, grapes or any other fruit

¼ cup chopped walnuts

2 Tbs milk (rice milk works great)

few drops of fresh lemon

1 heaping Tbs honey

pinch of cardamom spice

Peel oranges and bananas. Hull strawberries and slice peaches and remove the pits. Cut up the fruit (except grapes) into ¾ inch size pieces and toss into a bowl. Squeeze a few drops of fresh lemon onto the fruit. Mix the fruit together in a bowl and add walnuts. Add the milk, honey and cardamom. Mix and refrigerate.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the vegetarian cookbook, Poor Jonny’s Cookbook. Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Poor-Jonnys-Cookbook-Suellen-Ocean/dp/0965114031

eBook or computer download through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260122

eBook through Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-jonnys-cookbook-suellen-ocean/1102338251?ean=2940016618609

Radiation Exposure? Try Some Kelp Salad Dressing

Always keep a shaker of kelp on the table. It’s available at health food stores, buy a little at a time, there are different varieties, some varieties tastier than others. Kelp is loaded with trace minerals and vitamins. Due to kelp’s iodine content, it is reputed to be advantageous in the event of exposure to radiation.

Kelp Salad Dressing

1 cup olive oil

1 Tbs dried kelp

1 Tbs seasoning salt

1 tsp each of: sage, basil, tarragon

Suellen Ocean is the author of the vegetarian cookbook, Poor Jonny’s Cookbook. Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Poor-Jonnys-Cookbook-Suellen-Ocean/dp/0965114031

eBook or computer download through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260122

eBook through Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-jonnys-cookbook-suellen-ocean/1102338251?ean=2940016618609

Bluejeans: Where Did the Word “jeans” Come From?

We love our bluejeans. The French have given us many words and two of them are denim and jeans. It all starts when Levi Strauss began making trousers for Goldminers during the 1800’s. The sturdy trousers were made from hemp that Strauss obtained from Nimes, France. The French called their cloth, “Serge de Nimes” which eventually became de Nimes which evolved to denims. This same hemp fabric, when it came from Genoa, Italy came to be called “genes” because the French called Genoa “Genes.” So today, we call our “denim” pants “jeans.”

Suellen Ocean is the author of the satirical novel Gone North. Available here:

Gone North: http://www.amazon.com/Gone-North-Long-After-Summer/dp/1484094360

eBooks and computer downloads available through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean

What is Belladonna?

During the Middle Ages women used belladonna to make eye drops because it made their pupils dilated, giving them a young doe look. Belladonna means “beautiful lady.” But beware, the plant is poisonous and can be deadly. It isn’t called “Atropa belladonna” for no reason. Atropos was the Greek God, one of three fates who cut the thread of life.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the historic novel The Celtic Prince Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Prince-Before-After/dp/1484086392

eBooks and computer downloads available through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean

eBook through Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/celtic-prince-suellen-ocean/1102338307?ean=2940016618968

Cooking With “New World” Foods

America added new foods and flavors to diets everywhere traders could deliver. We’re still finding creative ways to cook with foods from the New World, some of which are: peanuts, avocado, potatoes, vanilla, pepper, corn, Jerusalem artichokes, papaya, wild rice, green beans, pinto beans, pineapple, and last but certainly not least tomatoes.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the vegetarian cookbook, Poor Jonny’s Cookbook. Available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Poor-Jonnys-Cookbook-Suellen-Ocean/dp/0965114031

eBook or computer download through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/260122

eBook through Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/poor-jonnys-cookbook-suellen-ocean/1102338251?ean=2940016618609

And God Gave Us Hemp

Ancient Chinese legend has Cannabis Sativa as the solitary plant that God gave humans to fulfill their every need. Cannabis has been grown for thousands of years; archeological digs reveal the plant was etched upon pots. It is no wonder cannabis was revered. Throughout history, hemp oil was used in lanterns and the fiber was made into fishing nets, strong rope and articles of clothing. Medicinal properties are also associated with cannabis albeit other strains.

Suellen Ocean is the author of the satirical novel Gone North. Available here:

Gone North: http://www.amazon.com/Gone-North-Long-After-Summer/dp/1484094360

eBooks and computer downloads available through Smashwords:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ocean