ilkfolk

[ilkfolk]

I have a confession.

I like buying things. I love thrifting and going to yard sales. But I am a minimalist by choice, and therefore, it is my choice to not go shopping as much as I would like.

Here are some ways I avoid splurging:

If I buy an item, it must be functional. No ornamental items.

If I buy an item, I must need it. No shopping sprees.

If I buy an item, I must have thought about it for a while. No impulse buys.

I have a growing list on my phone of things that I need, so when I go out, I have a list with me. Since I have a growing list, that means I can go out less.

When I want something that isn’t functional or on my list, I hold it. I touch it, think about it, sometimes I carry it around. Then I put it back. If I leave and can’t stop thinking about it, I put it on my list, but that’s rare.

If I go places like Times Square, a shopping outlet, or a market, I browse. I sit and people watch. I look as if I might buy something, but I don’t. I might buy something that’s on my list, but I often leave empty handed.

In bookstores, I am shopping FOR my list. I take pictures of any book that catches my eye. Then, I go on amazon and read about the book. Sometimes I add it to my goodreads list. Sometimes I delete the picture.

When I travel, I buy a postcard. I have a few post card frames and I rearrange them from time to time. Once in London, I bought a sunflower necklace. I wear it every day. In El Salvador, I bought a wallet. I use it every day. You can find fun, functional things everywhere you go.

Sometimes I impulse buy. Today I went to a yard sale and I bought a romper. However, it fit and I loved how I felt wearing it. It was $2.00, so it was cheap. And, it’s functional.

[ilkfolk]

Ooooh!! 

[ilkfolk]

Sourdough crackers, as per the recipe given previously.

[ilkfolk]

These are a great way to use up excess sourdough starter.

[ilkfolk]

I would love to try this!

Apple Scrap Vinegar!

The final product! This homemade elixir started out as apple scraps (including peels, cores, seeds, and stems), water, and a tbsp of cane sugar. Daily stirring aerated the mixture to help the fermentation process. Such an easy DIY with so many applications! I love apple scrap vinegar–honestly is there anything you can’t use it for? You can get it going in a salad dressing, in warm water with a little lemon in the morning, to balance out a soup… What all do you use vinegar for?? You can find the full recipe here: https://closedloopcooking.com/apple-scrap-vinegar/ ! Let us know if you try it out #closedloopcooking

[ilkfolk]

Herb Scraps Chimichurri

No longer shall you painfully watch as that cilantro bundle you bought for the two sprigs of garnish withers and turns into a mushy green slime in your fridge. Because now we’ve got an awesome, use-it-up herb scraps chimichurri that is perfect for that excess cilantro or just about any other leftover herbs you have. It is incredibly flavorful, a little spicy, acidic (this gal LOVES vinegar) and perfect to top off roasted veggies, pasta, as a marinade, maybe a spoonful by itself… you get the idea.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cups approx finely chopped cilantro or 1 bundle, stems included (or similar herbs like parsley, mint, basil / try mixing and matching)

½ medium shallot

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

½ cup olive oil

¼ tbsp salt, more to taste if needed

1 tbsp red chili pepper flakes

TO-DO’S

1. Wash and separate out any brown / wilted pieces of your herb. Finely chop (stems included) and drop into large bowl.

2. Finely chop shallot and garlic and add to herbs. Add the red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and chili flakes. Mix well.

3. Pour mixture into an airtight container and let chill for 1 - 2 hours before serving. (Optional.) Enjoy on just about anything! This will keep in the fridge for about 1 - 1.5 weeks or up to 3 months in the freezer. Try freezing in a covered ice cube tray!

What all can we slather this on? Let us know! #closedloopcooking

[ilkfolk]

Good to know!

Week 12

This week was very dry, very sunny and no rain at all. Great weather for hacking and weeding - which is basically the two thing we did the whole week. But I learned about a recipe from the second main gardener, Eva. This recipe is called the Vampire preparation which we spray onto the cabbages against the cabbage moth and other crazy pests that ate up our cabbages. It is made out of 5 kg garlic, 5 kg onions, 60 l water. We just have to mix it up and leave it for 60 hours, covered by plastic on a spot where morning sun shines on it but it is shady the rest of the day.then on needs to sift it and spray it on the plants - it confuses the pests for they think they see cabbage but it smells and tastes like garlic. One has to repeat the spraying twice or three times a week - depending on the circumstances. 

[ilkfolk]

‪To work in partnership with nature, in a garden, is one of life’s most amazing opportunities. ‬

Maurice Small (via soilthesimpletruth)

[ilkfolk]

This is also good way of using an over-proved sourdough! 

My first attempt at sourdough focaccia turned out better than expected!

Keep reading

[ilkfolk]

Everyday sourdough loaf. Learn how to make this on our Sourdough Tales workshop, Sunday 6th October 3-5pm. East Sussex

[ilkfolk]

Honeybees, from www.wayward-bee.com

[ilkfolk]

[ilkfolk]

9 ways you can reduce ocean plastic

1. Boycott single-use plastic.

2. Join the reusable revolution.

3. Shop local & request plastic-free packaging.

4. Minimise bathroom & cleaning products.

5. Purchase second hand instead of buying new.

6. Buy fewer, high quality items made to last.

7. Choose products made from recycled materials.

8. Consider sharing or hiring instead of owning.

9. Lead by example to inspire others too.

(This was made my me please just reshare)

[ilkfolk]

Berries & Cherries

500g morello cherries

300g raspberries

100g loganberries

100g jostaberries

Juice of 4 lemons

1kg sugar

Destone the cherries and mix with the other fruit, lemon juice and sugar. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar and then bring to a rolling boil. Keep at this heat without stirring for 15 minutes, then check for set. Once setting point is reached, decant in to hot, sterilised jars.

This is a great way to remember meeting up with friends who have fruit, where there is inevitably picking rot be done, and containers to be shared. Freeze small batches until you have enough to make up a kilo of mixed fruit.

I don't use jam sugar as it makes it too set, and in any case if it turns out runny, just use it in ice cream!

[ilkfolk]

Fruit from friends