2014/2015 What We've Been Up To!

          Hi from troop 6003! We have had a busy year of learning new handy resources to share with you. Over the holidays we learned some sewing techniques everyone should consider learning. Some of which include: how to reattach a button, how to hem pants, and how to operate a sewing machine. Using   these techniques we even crafted our own seeing kits! During the winter season, we learned about the art of photography. We learned which opportunities were best to take a picture and which device to take it with (phone vs. camera). After learning this information we then took various pictures around our town to then put into a book and we will give to our local library to share with our community. Over spring season we learned extremely important skills on car care. Some helpful things we learned were how to open the hood, the importance if the coolant system and what to fill it with and how it effects your car, to check your oil, how to safely jump a car battery, and to check the tire pressure. Also some handy tips on street smarts at the mechanic, handy tools or objects to always keep with you in the car, and safety tips when driving alone (especially for females). Finally in February we celebrated world thinking day by going On a Roll (shushi) to help support our new restaurant in Long Beach. 

What we have learned from our Sow What journey.

• We have learned about eating healthy, and what kind of healthy and delicious options we have in meal preparation.  Thank you to our dietian friend Amanda Woodruff.  She really helped us learn about reading labels and what to look for when shopping  Also, how to make substiutions for healthier meal preparations and planning.  

• We really learned about the different foood sources in our area by exploring and interviewing at our local farmers market. We also, learned about the work involved in our food production, planting, harvesting, and selling.  

• We explored ways to preserve local harvest and produce.  We shared this with our family and friends. As we gathered recipes and used our lemon confit in our meals.  We learned how to use our food sources and not be wasteful.  

• We explored food preparation in different cultures, explored new recipes, and tried new dishes.  

This highlights just a few of the adventures we shared this year as we've journeyed through Sow What!!

Cooking with Confit!

We made Chick Pea Salad with our lemon confit.

Here is the recipe:

1 large can of chick peas well drained

2 T. of finely chopped onions

freshly chopped parsley

Black Pepper to taste

1 T. chopped lemon confit (rind only)

1 to 2 T. of olive oil to taste

Mix well and serve.  May be refrigerated.

Here is another recipe you can try.

Making Lemon Confit

What do you do when you have lots of locally grown free Meyer Lemons? You learn how to make Lemon Confit!!  What is Confit you ask? Confit means preserved in its own juice. This is a method used in France. To do this with lemons, you need serveral sterilized jars with lids, a bowl full of lemons, canning salt, and pepper corns. Lemon Confit can be added to sauces, meats, and vegetables for seasoning.

First we quarted the lemons. Next, we layered the lemons and salt in the jars alternating layers. Finally we topped it off with a few pepper corns and sealed the lids on tightly. Every three days we flip the jars.

The day we made them.  

One month later…  Almost ready!

Our Trip to the Farmer's Market

These are the items we selected to sample. It was yummy! We selected flatbread which we toasted with fresh goat cheese.  Some tomales, fruit pies, and a mint lime cooler (homemade soda.)

We learned quite a bit about the locally grown and homemade items that are available in our town. 

We also learned that each vendor had to have a state issued food and beverage permit, as well as vender permits from our town. It was a nice morning. 

Sow What? Our Journey.......

  10/5/13

           We are excited for our up coming events.  Our new journey book is called Sow What?, and we will be learning about agriculture, food, and how to eat and make healthy food choices.  One of our local Dietitians will be teaching us how to read food labels to help us learn how to eat healthier.  She will also be helping us remake a holiday dish with healthier choices. We will also be going to our local farmer's market to interview the local farmers about some of their issues and concerns about growing locally.  We would like to make a calendar for when local produce is able to be harvested and when local produce is able to be grown/planted.  Check back with us along the way and follow our journey!

             

Our Town

Because of budget cuts in our city, we noticed our parks needed some care.  We have pride in our hometown and need fun, clean, and safe city parks.  Long Beach citizens enjoy our parks for parties and fun events.  We wanted to help, so we developed our project titled, "Our Town."  We decided that we could make a difference.  We also learned some very valuable leadership and life skills.  We developed our public speaking abilities, and how to work together with city officials to get the job done.  We had to learn about compromise because our vision had to help our city meet their goals and needs as well.  Making the world a better place, is something we can all take small steps toward accomplishing, if we work together.  You can start in your hometown.