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Hello from the farm! It's been a tough go around here the last couple of weeks. Babies are being born on what's probably going to be the worst possible days of the year so we're having sleepless nights and a lot of self-doubt in decisions that are being made. Water is frozen (don't worry, only in the house, not the farm 🙄), no hot water, no shower at all yet, dishwasher is down, vehicles won't start and we're constantly cleaning up animal poo as we bring them in to warm up. But, I remain steadfastly optimistic! This should be our last winter of babies being accidentally born in February (the new farm hand is almost hired!) and I get to go to friends' houses to shower and see people again, of course, they might have to come jump start my car first but, you know, it's a good way to find out who your real friends are....I just can't figure out why they don't want me to ride in their car with them. 😂 During these more trying times, it's impossible to forget our tagline of "we're all in this together". I'm just finishing up our taxes and it drove the point home even more of how much we rely on others and have a community that supports us. Here's what I discovered while literally counting my blessings (aka doing taxes):
And that’s only the directly measurable impact, of course, we have people stay in local hotels, stop at local gas stations, visit other restaurants and small businesses while visiting us, so there is a really wonderful ripple effect. So while it can get a bit depressing around here this time of year with frigid temps and seeing how much money we spend, that money is going to businesses and people we want to support and is helping to build a stronger local community with a cleaner environment and healthier people which is pretty priceless. (or at least that’s what I’ll keep telling Andy in order to justify my spending habits! Hahaha!) Thank you for being a part of our community! 💚 Now is also when I NEED super fast meals so I was pretty happy when our beef roasts came back in stock. Try this out if you're a fan of fast, delicious & healthy: French Dip Grilled Cheese 1 TF Grassfed Beef Roast (arm or chuck, arms a little bigger right now0 3 cups TF beef broth 2 Tbsp soy sauce (prefer San-J) 1 Tbsp minced dried onion (or add half a diced onion) 1 tsp garlic powder or a couple cloves of minced garlic 1-2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp ground black pepper 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp ground thyme (or 1 tsp un-ground) 1 bay leaf pinch of red pepper flakes For the sandwiches: Butter (lots, at least 1 stick at room temp), loaf of bread, your favorite cheese Note that you can just eat the roast as a roast and then make the grilled cheese with leftovers the next day or eat like a traditional French Dip sandwich. Slow cooker: Whisk everything together, except the roast. Place roast in slow cooker and pour sauce over. Cover and cook on Low for 8-10 hours or High 5-6 hours, until the meat easily shreds. Once done cooking, shred and return to juice in slow cooker on Warm. Heat skillet. Prepare sandwiches by buttering both outside slices of bread and filling with shredded beef and cheese. Brown over medium heat until bread is toasted and cheese is melty, cover skillet if the cheese is thick or substantial (which it should be!). Serve the sandwiches with a bowl of warm au jus for dipping. InstaPot: Whisk everything together, except the salt, black pepper and roast. Cut the meat into 2x2 inch pieces. Pat dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place the beef in a 6qt IP and cover with sauce. Cook at high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 miuntes, then quick release. Remove roast, shred and add back to IP. Heat skillet. Prepare sandwiches by buttering both outside slices of bread and filling with shredded beef and cheese. Brown over medium heat until bread is toasted and cheese is melty, cover skillet if the cheese is thick or substantial (which it should be!). Serve the sandwiches with a bowl of warm au jus for dipping. Note that this can be a freezer meal - add roast and sauce to gallon-sized ziploc freezer bag, thaw before using and then follow the directions above. I would recommend making one now and freezing one for later! Take time to count those blessings today (and be sure to count your shower three times: 1. shower 2. hot water 3. running water)! ❤ Stephanie Stephanie & the TF Family  www.TogetherFarms.com Eat well & (really) support local! Your Weekly Order Deadline Farm Pic of the Week
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