Creating an Abundant Life: Buffalo Mountain Kombucha Tea

There is much to learn at the Buffalo Mountain Kombuchery.

"in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so--for others as well as myself;" of the 4th paragraph in the National FFA Creed.

This is a business and a product of land and cultural legacy. What's more?
The wisdom of making Kombucha tea brings health to the spirit and our living bodies.

meet Cassie & Scott, artists, farmers, story tellers and tea makers -

When I asked Cassie "why kombucha?" she responded with warm simplicity, "to create abundance in our lives."

Learn about kombucha tea (and fermentation) and their kombuchery on their awesome website here. It does a wonderful job explaining #kombuchaflow

Inside the walk-in fridge Cassie let me photo the "mothers" (have you ever had apple cider vinegar with 'the mother'?).

My favorite part?
There are mantras on every brew. Here are some photos of the tea before it is bottled.

Buffalo Mountain Kombucha Tea has been commercially inspected by VDAC for three years. 

I asked Cassie if she had any advice for young people trying to incorporate sustainable design for creating universally conscious and responsible business ethics? Because, let's be serious, we live here AND we all like environmental well-being, economical well-being and having happy friends that are people. 

Cassie explained, 

Don't make rash decisions. Do what makes you happy. It has everything to do with your INTENTION. Awareness doesn't come easy. Beware of the ego mind and let go of the fear that is created within it.  

The world would do well to listen to more businesses like this one. 

Cheers to another product that is good for the planet, the economy and human society. 

Want to try fermentation? We have objective info and fermentation crock selection on our website.  

The three flavors of Kombucha tea will be available in our stores early next week. 

GET EXCITED. We will post a deal to our facebook page. 

Neighbors: Order Local Pastured Turkey for Until June 22

Your local holiday turkey can be ordered until June 22 -

Pasture turkey farmer Andy from Breezy Oaks Farm in Mebane, N.C. will be raising your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. Order today, because we can fill only 50 orders this holiday season.

You won’t regret ordering your Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey in June, with a $50 deposit. So, click (or call 800-251-8824) and order your local turkey.

Go ahead, check turkey off your holiday to-do list.

No use of antibiotics, hormones or arsenic. 

Free range, and kept on pastures free of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. 

Salsa from Red Hill's tomatoes, green peppers and hot peppers

19 pints of tomato salsa were canned last week by Michelle, our manager. She sent this photo and following recipe using foods from Red Hill General Store hoping to help share the art of old-fashioned home-preservation.

I asked her if that's why she made it in the first place. "No," she replied laughing, "I make it because my family loves it and I love them."

Michelle's Recipe - 

1/2 bushel tomatoes scaled, peeled and diced
6-8 large green peppers, diced
6-8 habanera peppers, diced
5 large onions, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 Tbsp. Cilantro
1/2 cup white vinegar
2 tsp. salt
2 cans tomato paste

Mix all ingredients in large sauce pan, heat until warm. Ladle salsa into jars and process in an open kettle for 20 minutes. 

We're also trying this project for the second year - 

Check out the biggest flea market on the east coast!

Cool Afternoons & The Sniffles

The evenings have a nice cool feeling to them, but unfortunately with all the leaves falling, some people are having sinus issues.  So I decided to cook a nice big pot of chili for the family.  I always have to double my recipe to feed everyone, as it is definitely a popular dish at home this time of the year:

 

It is especially delicious with shredded cheese and sour cream on top.  For my double recipe chili I have to use a big pot to fit all the ingredients in.  I currently use an 8 quart stockpot for my chili:

I do wish I had thought and bought the ingredients for cornbread. Cornbread is my favorite side to go with my chili. It always tastes perfect when baked in my cast iron skillet. I love cooking with cast iron.

But without the cornbread the chili is a little healthier. My chili is half lean ground beef, and half lean ground turkey. So far no one has complained about this mixture. I also go half and half on the beans, half kidney beans, half pinto beans.