Meet A Farmer: Ulla Kjarval, Spring Lake Farms

by Angela Tunner

Ulla FarmerUlla Kjarval

Farm: Spring Lake Farm Meredith, New York

Tell me the story about how your family got into farming. How did your father and mother become farmers?

My father was sent to spend time on farms as a boy in Iceland. This is an old Icelandic tradition where city kids were sent to farms to work for room and board. His family was pretty large and having one less mouth to feed helped. It was at these farms that he got “the farming disease” which we joke is when you need to be farmer at the expense of reason. Most farmers are this way, actually.

My mother, who is a native to New York met my father in Iceland and they got married and started a family. My father decided that he wanted to farm but my mother was a bit apprehensive about becoming a farmer’s wife in Iceland so they moved to NYC and started to look for farms. They found one in Warwick, New York with a very old Greek revival farmhouse. It was there that I spent my childhood: on a hundred acres, surrounded by sheep, rabbits, geese and cows.

What made you decide to join them?Spring Lake Farm Pond
If you were to tell my 16 year old self that I am currently working with my parents she would not be impressed. I think a lot of farm kids work with their parents and I am excited at working towards doing direct sales in NYC of our grass-fed beef, lamb and pastured pork.

What made you want to become part of the dialogue about grass fed vs. the mass-produced meat system?

For many reasons. I grew you as a farm kid in a community that was becoming suburban. My peers had no idea about farming and were not at all interested in how endangered our farms where becoming. I also saw my father struggle up against issues of consolidation: many of our custom slaughter houses started to close and as we lost neighbouring farms (to McMansions) and our neighbors became less sympathetic toward our animals breaking fences. Basically, it had become an unpleasant place to farm.. This really has impacted my world view, if there is one thing I would like to inspire is that people think about their food and the farmers behind the food and the rural economies necessary to support small farms.

What do you wish people knew about grass fed meats?
Grass-fed meats are very lean and flavorful. I have found that once you introduce yourself to them it is hard to eat anything else. This is a personal preference, but the flavors and leanness are something I love. If you eat pasture raised chicken and pork you will also find this to be true, that flavour is so much more intense. I like flavour. For me it is like the difference between a ripe home-grown tomato and one in the super market. There is so much more to the meat. Also there many environmental benefits to grass-fed meats.

Spring Lake Farm HorsesTell me about your experience as a farm girl in a modern world?

There are certain situations where being a farm girl is funny, I was always the bug killer in college and I am not easy grossed out.

What do you think the future of the grass-fed meats movement?

Grass-fed meats are a whole new food category that is here to stay. Consumers want the taste and environmental benefits. From a farming perspective, it is gaining a lot of traction amongst farmers because it is a low input system that gives a fairer price for producers. We have lost so many small farms because of a system of high input costs and low commodity prices. I foresee a bright future for grass based agriculture especially as water is an increasing environmental concern.

How do you think we can get this movement to be more massive? (the movement which is really just us pushing back against the mass production style of meat production, as opposed to actual farming)

This movement is happening all around us. It is taking the form of cooking, homesteading, gardening, farmers markets and new farms. It is so positive. Will it grow? Yes, because good honest, tasting food speaks for itself. It is about passion for food and it is catching like wild fire. In terms of making it more massive, we need to make it positive, we need to inspire make people garden, frequent their farmers markets and cook! I would love to see more families raising pigs. This movement is growing and it is not going away!

I find when I eat meats that are hormone free and grass fed, I fill up faster. The meat is heartier and it takes less to satisfy. Your thoughts on this?

Yes, I think the flavor of grass-fed beef is very satisfying. I have never thought of it in that way but I do think that flavor does fill you up. Also, because grass-fed and pastured meats are more expensive you might treat it with more diffidence and serve it with more vegetables which I think is also filling.

How can people access this great meat?Spring Lake Farm Cows

Farmer’s markets, online ranchers, and local CSA’s there are also a lot of food co-ops that carry grass fed and pastured meats. My father is letting me sell two steers using social media tools, so if you are in the NYC area, you can purchase some grass fed beef from me!

What can people do to help spread the word about these great meats?

Cook with them! Tell your friends, share recipes, blog about it, create a club where you cook for each and talk about the farm or breed you’re enjoying, simply SAVOR your food.

What is a typical day in the life of a farmer?

In the winter you have to feed the animals hay and make sure they have water. There is always something that comes up on a farm whether it is a fence break or a tractor breakdown. It is a 24 hour 7 day a week job. In the summer we rotate the steers and take the sheep in at night because of coyotes. During the spring there is a lot of lambing and calving so we have to pay attention to make sure everything is going smoothly. Life on a farm is centered on the animals; it is about keeping them safe, fed, watered and healthy. We think our animals are pretty happy too!

Spring Lake Farm WheatDo you have any farm family traditions that center around food?

My mom is an excellent cook and a very talented gardener. Summer was filled with amazing vegetables. I really never realized how lucky I was. Meal time was a big deal on the farm. We actually have 6: Breakfast, Coffee, Lunch, Tea and then Dinner. On a farm you need breaks and lots of fuel because you are running around all day. So food would be the most important part of our farm.

Do you have a favorite recipe grass fed meat to share?

Cooking and home cooks are just as important as farmers in this movement. Cooks that are willing to use non-prime cuts are heroes in my book because they like the challenge and support us. Less than 20% of a finished steer is center meat, so there is a lot of non-prime cuts. It really is important to eat the whole animal! There are ways of making tough cuts elegant enough for a dinner party, one of my favorite recipes is Irish Beef Stew. This recipe feeds a big party of 8-10!

IRISH BEEF STEW

Ulla Kjarval

Ingredients:
4 lbs stewing beef
5 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper
3 large onions coarsely chopped
1 can tomato paste or 2-8 oz cans of tomato sauce
2 cans of beef stock or two boullion cubes with water
1 bottle of Guinness stout
3 cups carrots
5 stalks of celery
3 portabella mushrooms, or 2 cups of another type of mushroom
handful of chopped parsley and chives.

Preparation:

1. Toss stewing beef in flour and one tablespoon of oil season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat remaining oil in a stew pot at a high heat, brown beef on all sides then add onions, garlic and tomato puree.
3. Cover and cook gently for about 10 minutes.
4. Add half of the Guinness bring to boil making sure to get all the beef scrapings on the bottom of the casserole, add the rest of the Guinness, carrots, water and beef stock.
5. Cook at a low heat for 1 hour.
6. After an hour add celery and mushrooms and chopped herbs for another 1-2 hours at a very low heat.
7. You can also place the casserole in the oven at 300 for 2 hours.
8. Enjoy with Irish Style mashed potatoes called champ!

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Guest Post: Yoga Detox

by Angela Tunner

by Gaylene Thoeny, Registered Yoga Teacher

New Year’s is a natural time to think about detoxing. Generally we ate and drank too much over the holidays. The new year is also a natural time to think about a new, clean start as the next calendar year begins and spring is just around the corner. Yoga in general is detoxifying. Yoga gets more blood & oxygen to flow through the body, cleaning stale air out of our lungs, loosening muscles, and creating positive thoughts .

There are numerous ways to detox the body, by nutrition, drinking more water, brushing the skin, fasting and many, many more.

One basic way to detoxify through yoga is twists. Twists oxygenate & feed the internal organs in the abdomen & pelvis delivering fresh blood to the spinal nerves, blood vessels and tissues. Twists loosen muscles freeing toxins that may be stuck in knotted muscles and increasing the circulation through the whole body. Twists stretch and contract the muscles in the back, feeding the vertebrae and creating a healthy back.

Mentally & Physically twists make “ things” flow better through the body. Once things are flowing freely through the body the body is able to rid itself of toxins faster & easier.

A very simple & gentle twist is a Reclined Twist (this pose also works wonders on a hangover) :)

Reclined Spinal Twist

Getting Into the Pose: Lying on your back, with your arms at your sides, bringing the soles of the feet to the floor the width of the mat (or hip width apart), knees pointing towards the ceiling.

Holding the Pose: Exhale and let the knees fall down to one side, inhale the knees up to center, exhale the knees down to the other side. Repeat for 6 breaths.

Benefits: Improve digestion & circulation, reduce backache & sciatica, relieves menstrual discomfort, stimulates the lymphatic system, relieves stress & anxiety, massages the internal organs, feeds the vertebrae in the spinal cord.

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Fireplaces, Food and Farms

by Angela Tunner

My fireplace is ablazeMy fireplace is ablaze

Ahhh! The fireplace in the family room.  THE destination in my home when the weather turns colder. A real wood burning fireplace, one of the gifts handed down because we live in an older home. It is more than just the heat, and the beauty of the flickering flame, it is the heart and hearth of our home, a place to gather, get closer and nest around.

Think romance, hot chocolate, warm blanket, tasty snacks, laughter, conversation, hugging, quiet moments, naps and generally just being together basking in the glow of the flames and the great moments spent together.

Wee one on a pumpkinWee one on a pumpkin

Wee one and I love to visit local farms, bring home some bounty, and warm ourselves by the fire and talk about our adventures. Mama and Me adventures are a weekly event and much anticipated. On this adventure, we headed out to one of our favorite near-by farms open year round and enjoyed their display of pumpkins and baked goods. Hmmm! We ate lovely asparagus bread with butter and talked about the great pumpkins that he sat on!

That farm just re-opened for the holiday season and we have been excited for the last 6 weeks, each time we pass, counting down the days! I wondered what they’ll have this year?  Gingerbread cookies, pies, hot chocolate, breads, buns, cookies, shortcake…oh boy!!! This is part of our food traditions. Last year it was our place for outings of hot chocolate, shortcakes, gingerbread cookies and reading stories by their fireplace in the rocking chair and bringing home goodies and general deliciousness from their lovely country store.

We were some of the first people to go in and experience the wonder of the holiday decorations and brought our appetites for their yummy food. We can’t wait to go there again…maybe after I pick him up from school??

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Destination: Wikaninnish Inn

by Angela Tunner

Voted by Travel + Leisure readers, their Ancient Cedars Spa as their favorite in the World’s Best Awards, The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, British Columbia is a beautiful mixture of rustic setting with sophistication, flavor and atmosphere. From a great spa, food, the breathtaking views, even storm watching, this picturesque inn seems to have it all. Even if you can’t leave home, visit their website for a view and sample of this fantastic destination. 01-25-2010.

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Cooking Gets Toasty

by Angela Tunner

Frustrated after once having 6 burner stoves and three-deck ovens at my disposal, I felt woefully under equipped in my home kitchen. I stopped in my tracks when I gazed at my new toaster oven. With capacity for a 9-inch pie plate and better heat controls I began to put it to good use. This was many years ago and I have not stopped using it consistently yet. Did you know they are a home kitchen’s best friend and when used properly can produce amazing meals? I am so glad that I rediscovered mine!

These handy and energy saving appliances have come a long way technologically and are incredibly underused. When used often they are amazing tools for fast meals and can increase the cooking capacity in your kitchen which can help get a meal tot he table, faster. They can be used to cook things you may have never imagined. The key is to use each to cook foods to the best of their abilities and with the proper techniques.

Use the microwave for WET cooking like steaming and use the toaster oven for DRY cooking like roasting and baking for browned and crispy dishes. I have used mine to cook:

  • brownies
  • cookies in small batches
  • salmon
  • chicken breasts
  • cakes
  • small pizzas (new 12-inch models fits a full sized pizza!)
  • pies
  • chicken pot pie
  • scones
  • in short – anything a standard oven can take as long as it fits in the door and will splash little grease

These appliances are also a more green way to cook and use around 75% less energy than the standard oven. 01-25-2010

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Lazy Workout

by Angela Tunner

While nothing beats an invigorating walk in the fresh air, I was pleasantly surprised by the results of this compact machine. It is called the Chi Machine. I call it my ‘French Workout’, since I learned that French women prefer to get their exercise with the least amount of exertion, and that sounds good to me! I leave mine on the floor by my desk and take delicious breaks during the day.  This device certainly makes me feel good  and leaves you with a lovely all over good feeling! 01-25-2010

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Pondering Tranquility

by Angela Tunner

Have you ever noticed how delicious tranquility is? I have and I crave it! There is something soothing, renewing and restorative about bathing oneself in silence. Wee one, we you know basically works in my office space (otherwise known as our home!) and the sometimes constant interruptions have me thinking more about being tranquil.

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom ~ James Allen

Isn’t that a lovely quote? I remember when all I had B.C. (Before Child) was tranquility and I guess I took it a little for granted. The joys of a child’s laughter and energy in a home is priceless and irreplaceable, but with the air waves at times being bombarded by sound, I appreciate tranquility more than ever. He joins me in the silence sometimes, and is a good exercise for him to practice being still and silent. Sometimes we lie side by side on the floor and feel ourselves relax. At first, Wee one tells me, he feels all tingly and he can feel his heart beating. Then, it slows and there is a warm melty feeling as the body relaxes. We close our eyes and have a contest to see who can be the quietest the longest. Those moments are precious and terrific.

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Decorative Chalkboard

by Angela Tunner

Decorative ChalkboardWhile in a local shop with Wee One, I spotted this pretty black and white item. Curious at these images of ornate frames I walked over to the display. I was delighted when I picked it up to discover that it was a peel-and-stick chalkboard by Kikkerland (R) ! Lovely!! I bought two, the oval (pictured above) and the rectangle shaped ones. It was the perfect solution for me at my desk, which tends to move, as I like to take my WiFi laptop wherever I please and set up to work where I feel comfortable (which from month to month will be different spots in my house). Now I can put up a pretty chalkboard anywhere I want to and not mar my walls! Fantabulous!!

Click here to go to the Kikkerland website

This is not a paid endorsement. It is simply something that I love.

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Looking Back at 2009: Reflection of a Year

by Angela Tunner

PAUSING TO REFLECT

As the year draws to a close, I ponder the 12 months that have past. Summing up the year for me has as I get older has far less to do with what I’ve I accomplished and more to do with how I lived and what I’ve enjoyed.

Yes, I am ambitious and passionate about what I do, I am a passionate person. What I strive for professionally is what I ‘do’, but it is not entirely who I ‘am’…work is a discipline and how hard I work is the standard but work is not the entire focus of my life. So… what is? What’s more important to me is living the good life: Tastes to experience, scents to smell, clouds to watch drift by, laughter that needs to get out, moments to share and savor and a wee one to be engaged with as he grows up right before my eyes. So as another year draws to a close, I tally up the year’s moments.

THE BEST RESOLUTION IS TO RESOLVE TO LIVE THE GOOD LIFE

I stopped making new years resolutions years ago because they only created disappointment. Tired of this feeling, I decided to make living a good life my priority, instead developing the habit of pleasure seeking and living with great ‘joie de vivre’.

COUNTING THE LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH & LUXURIATE MOMENTS

There were countless weekend afternoons spent on adventures with wee one, picnics, cloud watching, lounging in the grass, eating together trying new things and savoring local fare making each venture out for something delicious an event; much laughter with friends, glasses of champagne just ‘because’; lots of afternoon teas and tea times spent during work hours to pause, reflect and regroup over a hot beverage; lounging in bed on a Saturday with wee one, watching a movie, sipping coffee, reading and in no hurry to do anything or go anywhere except to the kitchen to make breakfast and then to lounge again to digest while we read papers, play on the floor and laugh some more; walks around our wooded acres, searching for the magic of nature, weaving stories about little bugs lives, marveling at the complex simplicity of a spider web, the light as it falls on the trees, treks for fire wood, lighting those fires and curling up in front of their amber warmth with mugs of cocoa, cookies and enjoying the sheer pleasures of good food, a warm embrace and connecting while listening to the crackle of the fire and enjoying the glorious scents that swirl around us.

Yes, there were many idyllic moments that were experienced in this year that is about to pass: too many more to mention, all floating in my memory making me smile at the idea of them. Life was not always like this; I chose to live this mindful way, but I am so glad that it is. It is a life of my own doing, my own creation and for that we in our household are all very glad. No matter the struggles, craziness, or other negative moments that may permeate if you let them, we are carried by the things that we do to keep us together and create some magical feeling in our lives. Deliciousness and beauty enhanced inspired by all that surrounds us and are found in the simple things in everyday life

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What To Pack to Travel in Comfort & Luxury

by Angela Tunner

When it comes to travel, there is one thing I don’t like to be is uncomfortable. For me, comfort is not just the outfit I wear to travel in that does not bind and looks good no matter how long I have been stuck on a plane, but a few select items I carry with me that are cozy-comforts that offer sheer pleasure. I enjoy them at home to luxuriate with and while traveling, ensure I can create that same at-home atmosphere while I venture to places unfamiliar. Of course, they also have to be stylish! So, while the list is small, their impact is big. Here is are a few things that I am sure to pack to ensure comfort and have me traveling in style!

Shawl with pockets

Nothing is better than traveling with something comfortable from home. those travel blankets have nothing on this travel must. Keeps you warm, acts as a blanket and if you use one with pockets, offers a place to keep your things like eye glasses, Kleenex, gum, lip balm and other necessities, all at your fingertips.

Book or magazine

I love to catch up on my reading while flying! The perfect escape and since there is nothing but time, I dive in to a book and magazines with great abandon

Earplugs

Oh these little babies are a travel-must! Teamed with a sleep-mask they are the perfect comfort duo to block out noise of the plane and other white noise, especially while reading, this is bliss!

Sleep Mask, Pillow and Earplugs

Sleep Mask

A sleep mask is something I cannot do without especially while traveling, not just to block out the light but provides a little refuge behind this simple, inexpensive and luxurious item.

Pillow

A travel pillow for me is a travel must. I love the ones that you can blow up and come with a plush cover. Just be sure not to blow them up completely or they are too hard!

MP3 player or iPod

While away, it is great to have a little favorite music or something to watch on a iPod while journeying. The music adds to the trip and provides some atmosphere of your own and of course, having your private selection at your fingertips adds to the entire luxurious comfort package!

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