Watch Food Inc. – Let It Change The Way You Eat

Everyone had been mentioning it to us for a while.  Saying either watch it… or don’t – it is that impactful.  Which is strange for someone to say.  Watch it… or don’t.  Pretty easy to make a decision there… win/win.

But what they are meaning (and after watching, we can vouch)… it isn’t something you can “un-watch”.  In other words, you will NEVER see food the same way again. 

Being an urban farmer, we understand how important it is for us to grow our own food if/when we can – eat local… all natural if at all possible – but seeing this Movie made that choice even MORE of a priority.

We watched it on afternoon, then later that afternoon headed to the store and bought almost 100% organic products.  After watching it, I can honestly say I didn’t want to eat a hamburger for the first time in my life.  And listen folks… I AM a hamburger.  Throw a couple buns around me… I promise half my body weight is bacon already and burgers from the last 3o years of my life (yes I ate Gerber’s burgers I’m sure) – and you got one burger-fied fat boy.  I couldn’t imagine the number of burgers I have ate in my life.  So I’m sure the damage is done… but still, I just can’t picture shoving one of those “ammonia cleansed meat filler” burgers in my face ever again.

Now don’t get me wrong – I will eat a burger if it is known to be all natural or I can verify it – or make it myself…  but those fast food burgers that used to be consumed because it was “easy”… no more. 

I say all that to say this… I finally ate my first burger since watching Food Inc. last night.  We made it ourselves here at the house.  All natural Texas raised beef, bacon, organic cheese, organic lettuce, tomato, anaheim chiles on a whole wheat bun…

Watch Food Inc?  Then You Understand How Great This Burger Is.

Eat your heart out foodies.  It was tasty. 

Have you seen Food Inc?  Some people said one day they watched it online – I’m not buying it… but they seemed like credible sources.  They showed it on PBS the other night on POV – which is awesome.  Everyone should watch it if they haven’t… and we actually watched it a second time when it was on PBS.

Here is a link to the Food Inc. Trailer for those of you wanting to watch Food Inc. online for free (cheaters!) – Food Inc Trailer (HD).  It’s the best we can do for you.

How did Food Inc. change your life?  Did it?  Did it not?  Share your feelings about Food Inc. in the comments section below.

In Honor of Earth Day

Hope everyone is doing something for Mother Earth today – even if it is something simple like picking up a few pieces of trash… or if it is something like recycling a few plastic bottles… maybe planting a tree.  Nothing is too small – so do your part if you can.

Shala snapped some pics  yesterday to show off our garden and to show that we are doing our part for Mother Earth.  In other words… happy Earth Day – ENJOY!

Pictures of Spartium Junceum (Spanish Broom in bloom)

Our Spartium Junceum (Spanish Broom) has just started to bloom… this was an addition last year that has really taken off and smells FANTASTIC.  Which is awesome, since it is at the end of our raised beds and we get to smell it while we toil in the soil.

Pictures of Cuphea hyssopifolia (Mexican Heather)

We just stuck some Cuphea hyssopifolia (Mexican Heather/False Heather) in a few gaps along our fence this past month.  They are barely getting started… and are taking a beating by the BIG WHITE DOG (Izzy).  Still hanging in there and blooming too.

Pictures of Passiflora Caerulea (Passion Vine)

This Passiflora Caerulea (Passion Vine) was added last year as a $0.99 plug – and is now crawling down our fence and check the awesome alien-like blooms!  They are so epic.

Photos of Passiflora Caerulea (Passion Vine)

And it is just starting… look at all the blooms just building up.  This thing is about to explode.  We haven’t seen any Gulf Fritillary Butterflies just yet – but won’t be long.

Tomatoes Planted In Texas - When To Plant Tomatoes In Texas

Lastly – we stuck some tomatoes in the ground last night!  4 different kinds – just 4 plants at the moment.  Better Boy, Rutgers, Large Red Cherry & Beef Steak – we are ahead of the game!  All grown from seed of course… be jealous… be very jealous.

Do something for the Earth today… it is Earth Day for heaven’s sake - we will spend some times planing after work.  Maybe drink a few beers… kick back and relax in the garden.

And The Encore Garden Giveaway Winners Are…

Geeze… this is going to take me forever.  I hope you guys appreciate what we do for you… :)

I’m not going to talk a lot this time just pull a sh!tload of winners and make a sh!tload of people very happy this Monday morning.  So let’s get to it!  Oh and just so you know, I am not going to make the image w/ the comment & random number laid on top – because honestly… that would take me 9 mths, and I would rather deliver a child that to do it – so trust that we will keep it fair & clean!

Winner #1 (Authentic Haven Brand Natural Brew 3 Pack) - Kathleen Zeman

Way to go Kathleen!  You did it!  You really did it!

Winner #2 (Authentic Haven Brand Natural Brew 3 Pack) - Breno

Wait… are you a model or something?  Only one name, Breno – that’s hip.  YOU WON!

Winner #3 (Authentic Haven Brand Natural Brew 3 Pack)- Travis

Travis called his shot like Babe Ruth, saying in his comment… I JUST WON YEAA!  Indeed sir… you did.

Winner #4 (Annie’s Goat Hill Soaps) - Steisy

Now you can wash your garden hands w/ some awesome Goat’s Milk Soap!  Way to go Steisy (also a model apparently).

Winner #5 (The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Composting) – Colleen Vanderlinden

I know I am going to catch hell for this one, as Colleen & I both joked about her winning so we could win a Mousie – but I swear I use Random.org to pull the numbers.  Congrats Colleen!

Winner #6 (Fiskars PowerGear Bypass Pruners) – Ellen Lief

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!  Good Job ELLEN!  Hope those come in handy!  Handy… get it?!

Winner #7 (Fiskars PowerGear Anvil Super Pruners/Loppers) – Andrew

Ok – this being my personal favorite giveaway item – just cuz I’m in love w/ my loppers – Andrew… do us proud w/ it!  Congrats!

Winner #8 (Fiskars UpRoot Weed & Root Remover) – Erin Walsh

Have never tried the UpRoot Tool – but I hear it is awesome, glad we could put it in the hands of Erin.  Congrats!

Winner #9 (Annie’s Annuals $25 Gift Certificate) – Jimbo

Gladly give this one over to a guy name Jimbo!  Congrats – hope this helps grow your garden in the right direction.

Winner #10 (Annie’s Annuals $25 Gift Certificate) – Wheeler

Wheeler – you won!  Now you just have to figure out how to spend your money!  Congrats!

Winner #11 (Corona Pruners) – Alexis N. Clark

Alexis – You did it… the unthinkable… YOU WON!  Congrats!

Winner #12 (Corona Pruners) – Susan Crawford

THE Susan Crawford – congrats, hope you can use these pruners to your advantage.

Winner #13 (Corona Pruners) – Matt Moore

Matt Moore – winner.  That is what the headline would read… if I made a newpaper for this?!?  But I don’t.  Congrats.

Winner #14 (Corona Pruners) – Kathy Nunes

You WON Kathy!  Are you excited?  It is not every single day you win a set of Corona Pruners!

Winner #15 (Corona Pruners) – Dianne Warren

Oh no… when I pulled this one… I immediately though, crap – another one I am going to catch hell on.  THIS IS MY MOM!  Congrats mom, you made me… Corona gave you pruners – I think we are even!

Winner #16 (Ethel Gloves) – Catherine MacPhail

Who gets awesome gloves – Catherine!  Congrats Catherine – hope these keep your hands safe!  Good luck & good gardening.

Winner #17 (Felcos Hand Pruners – from GardenShoesOnline.com) – Heather

Mr. Cotter has picked you, WINNER!  Thanks for playing and hope these Felcos made your day!

That is it… :(

Wish we could do more but haven’t we done enough!  We have to give a BIG shout-out to all our sponsors, you guys have really went above & beyond on this whole giveaway-a-thon.  We are so proud to be involved w/ you guys and happy to help spread the word when it comes to your awesome products!  We hope everyone had a fantastic time, and even if you didn’t win – you will hop on this comment thread and show some love to our spons0rs.  They really did a great thing for the online gardening community and in hopes to inspire more gardeners to get involved.

Thanks to everyone who participated too – we really do enjoy giving this stuff away – you wouldn’t understand unless you had read the emails and saw the pictures of everyone having fun w/ their winnings!  Expect a “winners” post soon w/ pictures!  Until next time – have a fantastic day and an awesome gardening season!