Jerkey

To save money my partner and I often buy meat in large quantities. This can have mixed results depending on my level of effort in the kitchen. Lately I have taken a liking to making jerky. 

     Jerky is amazingly easy and is great for snacking in between meals or on the go. I have yet to find a meat that can't be dried and saved. The two important things to consider when making jerky at home is flavor and sanitation. 

      You can buy curing mixtures or you can create your own. Choose seasonings that compliment the protein. Just the way you would when cooking. I love teriyaki beef jerky and BBQ salmon jerky. A lot of salt and acidity are used in curing because they are natural preservatives. 

      When crafting jerky for fun it is best to pick the leanest protein you can. When making due with what is available it is important to remove as much fat as possible from your cuttings. Fat will cause the meat to go rancid much quicker. It is a buffet for bacteria and other unwanted yuckies. You want to keep your work space and tools very clean if you hope to keep your jerky for a long time. 

    When dehydrating your jerky review sanitation guidelines. Certain proteins need more attention because they more commonly contain contaminants. There are so many combinations of temperature and time cooked to achieve different textures. Store your jerky in an air tight container. It will keep better in the fridge but well made jerky can be kept in dry storage for months. 

      Let me know of any protein/seasoning combinations you have found to be delightful :)

Worm Compost

Compost is a beautiful full circle sustainable hobby. There are many options and the compost can be used to feed your gardens that in turn feed you. 

      The most common household composts are boxed compost and red worm boxes. You can get a box that is sealed against rain and pests that will allow you two basic options. You can get a box that loads at the top and as it ferments you can pull compost from the bottom. Or you can get a box that turns so that everything inside ferments together and is used at a later time. There are so many different variations on each style that it all depends on how much effort you want to put in and how quickly you want the compost available. A red worm box has three or more drawers or sections separated most often by a wire screen. The worms start in the bottom and the drawers are filled from the bottom up. The worms eat their way up the set and leave behind rich compost. 

      I have chosen to purchase a worm box from a local man who builds them. I chose a worm box because I can load my yard waste into it and a portion of my kitchen waste. The compost can be used to feed my garden and extra worms can be fed to chickens I hope to own in the future. 

      A worm box is a little more sensitive than other composting because you can kill the worms but the castings they leave behind are called black gold for a reason. 

Worms can eat most natural products including cotton clothing and paper towels. They are sensitive to acidity so when using orange peels a lot of yard debris needs to be mixed in as well to balance them out. Some people do not put coffee grounds or egg shells in their worm boxes but I believe a well established box can handle these as long as they are diluted with leaves and other neutral/basic items. As a basic rule dairy and meat are not used in compost because it attracts pests and develops bacteria that are a threat to human health. 

     I hope to have peaked your interest in a home compost. It is a great way to reduce your waste and save money on your garden. Research more to find a suitable system for your home.