Garden Fresh Tabbouleh

The garden here is overflowing with various greens right now so I am constantly trying to come up with tasty ways to eat them. I have found this tabbouleh recipe is a great way to  use up all the parsley and mint we have growing here. Traditionally, tabbouleh uses bulgar wheat as the grain but I prefer the snap & protein pack of quinoa. I also like the idea of kicking out wheat here and there when its convenient. This nourishing side dish has a wonderful fresh flavor that makes "getting your greens in" no trouble at all. 

Garden Fresh Tabbouleh

1 cup cooked quinoa (cooled)

1 1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced

2/3 cup fresh mint, minced

1/2 cup fresh onion, chopped

1/3 cup dice tomatoes

3 tbsp lemon juice (or more to taste)

3 tbsp olive oil

salt to taste

Mix together all ingredients together in large bowl & serve. Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated. 

Top 5 posts of 2011

I know I'm a little late. My internet connection here in the jungle isn't very good so I often can't get online or only get a few minuets. I finally got a chance to get together my end of 2011 post. 

These are the top 5 viewed post of 2011 on this lovely little blog. Apparently I was heavy on the diy/urban homestead/frugality this past year and didn't give as much love to bikes as I could have. Being here on the farm without my bike is making me really want to get out on another tour. Hopefully I'll have some great tour/bike posts in 2012 for you all. I feel big things coming in the year ahead.

These are the top 5 most viewed posts on Girl on Bike in 2011

#5 Using Egg Shells In the Garden

 My list of 5 uses for egg shells in your garden

#4 Repurposing Ugly Tote bags in to a Messenger Bag

How I turned my "bike to work day" tote bags in to something more usable

#3 Trades -How I've been feeding myself on a budget

A little bit of an insiders peek on how I have been increasing homemade/homegrown food trades in order to feel myself well on little money.

#2   Cinder Block Planter

A cheap & creative way to display your succulent collection in your yard.

1) No More Shampoo - my 5 week update

My most popular post of the year was about my experiment in cutting back on factory made hair care products. I have since switched up my routine a bit and will have to make another update post for 2012

End of week 2 at the farm in photos

"Farm Day"

Pulling Weeds

Dan cutting Comfrey

The Kitchen & The Clubhouse

One of 8 resident cats on the property

Paths lined with papaya trees

Jungle Huts

Our outdoor shower

Cacao pod

Soursop - taste like sour candy

Where we grow our veggies

Thimble Berry

Christmas Eve at the beach

"Red Sands"

Hiding in a cave while the rain passed by

Christmas morning treats

Last night of Hanukkah Latke prep

Latkes with guacamole 

End of week one on the "farm"

The past few days I have been taking tons of pictures documenting our time here. Then...I realized the memory card wasn't in the camera :( wah wah

We finally made it out to the beach. The BEACH! In DECEMBER! The sun was out & the water was so warm.  Somehow we magically didn't get burned. It was  pretty great playing in the water. One of those "feel like a kid again" moments that lasted for quite a few moments. Ocean water that is warm enough to get right in to without cringing is so indescribably wonderful. I can't wait to make it out to the beach again.

I REALLY wish I had a bike out here. It is not very fun having to rely on hitchhiking to get around. Some people seem to have great luck with us but Dan and I don't seem to be those people. With all the moisture in the air apparently bikes (and everything else) break down pretty quickly. Our computer, ebook reader, and cell phone all have a bit of trouble as well. Sometimes they freak out a bit or wont even turn on. This causes some delays in updates but I'll keep at it.

My job on the farm is mainly baking. The farm has a farm stand where they sell various fruits, coffee, breads, candies, jams, & hot sauces almost all made here on the farm. Sometimes I help make the other products, work the farm stand, or help clean up as well. It's nice to mix it up a bit.

Being a punctual girl, "Island Time" is a bit hard for me to grasp. There have been a few times where someone has told me something like "we will be leaving in about 20 minuets". I now know this actually means an hour and a half. This, I don't much like. I have noticed myself slowing down a bit though. I walk slower, take more naps, take longer to clean up, and just move a little slower in general. I think its just because I actually have the time to do these things.

The food situation is interesting. The kitchen here is stocked better than our kitchen at home. There are regular items they buy every week and we are allowed to make special requests as well. All these things that Dan and I consider special occasion  or every now and then foods are always in stock here. I have to make sure to resist the urge to have cream cheese on my bagels every morning.  We have been chowing down on all the fruits our little hearts desire. Smoothies, fruit & veggie juices (we have a juicer here) ,  fresh fruits, it's wonderful! The other residents here are really good cooks too. We have many communal dinners. I am loving the break from cooking and getting to taste other peoples creations. Some amazing things have filled our plates since we've been here.

Alright, I've got the memory card in my camera. I promise more pictures next post.

WWOOF-ing in Hawaii

I'm in Hawaii!
Maui to be a bit more specific. Dan and I have decided to skip winter this year and head for the tropics. We will be WWOOF-ing for the next three months at a small farm in Maui. Today is day 4 and I think we made the right choice when we choose this particular farm. I am very excited for the months ahead.

Our first night in Maui we were lucky enough to stay with friends of friends. They were so amazing and we are so grateful for their help. We really didn't want to attempt hitching the Hana Highway at night. They picked us up from the airport, cooked us dinner & breakfast, & gave us a comfortable room & bed to sleep in. So much more than we would have ever expected.

The second day we had some breakfast, picked some fruit, then started hitchhiking. It took 3 hours but someone finally picked us up. We had a lot of locals drive past us holding up their thumb & index finger (like when you are saying "a little bit"). After about the 4th time we worked out that they were telling us they were only going a short distance and that it must be a well known symbol around these parts.

Dan with our Hana sign

 The ride to the farm was winding, long, & rainy but we arrived in one piece. Everyone at the farm has made us feel welcome. Our work/trade hours are minimal and we have plenty of time to explore. In exchange for our hours we get free room & board which includes a nicely stocked kitchen & all the tropical fruit we can eat.

Our cabin at the farm

 

Ocean view from our cabin

The mosquitoes have gone nuts feasting on my poor arms & legs but I expected no different. I knew what I was getting in to and have gone in to town today for some anti itch cream.  Dan is getting bitten pretty bad as well though hes attempting the" stay covered up at all times" tactic. It's hot and I love to feel the breeze so I am choosing to endure the bites. Everyone here on the farm is telling me your body gets used to it after a few weeks and the bites stop itching and swelling nearly as much. It's so awesome here I'm willing to wait out the discomfort & slather on my anti itch cream for now. 

Just a fraction of my mosquito bites

 I'll try to get on every few days with pictures & updates. Have a good winter everyone, I know I will :)

Leafs, bikes, & explosions

One of my favorite things about riding my bike in Autumn, is the leaves in the streets & pathways.

I like to pretend they are targets and my bike is armed with a laser. As I run over them, the crunch of the leaf is the explosion of my laser hitting the target.

<3

Sign the petition to help pass Cottage Food Laws in California

I got this email from one of the folks over at SELC and wanted to pass it on to all of you. Currently 23 states have Cottage Food Laws. The most recent states to enact these laws are Arizona, Arkansas, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, & Florida. Help make the cottage food laws a reality in California. 

"The Sustainable Economies Law Center is launching the Cottage Food for California campaign!

As part of a growing movement to localize food systems and stimulate small-scale food production, we are proposing that the California State Legislature allow for the sale of certain home-made food products, namely: baked goods (but with no cream or meat fillings), jams and jellies, candy, granola and other dry cereal, popcorn, waffle cones and pizzelles, nut mixes, chocolate covered non-perishables (such as nuts and dried fruit), roasted coffee, dry baking mixes, herb blends, and dried tea.

To sign the petition, go to 
http://www.theselc.org/cottage-food-laws/

They need support to make this happen!"