Comfort Food From the Field
If you grew up in the south you probably have a special place in your heart for fried potatoes, fried okra, greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread.
Our fields have always been a source of delicious dishes.
It’s only going to get better!
Get ready to pass the soybeans!
The nutritional profile of whole soy foods is both encouraging and hopeful. I have learned that, in many cases, nutrition can trump genetics.
How could I have missed this?
Maybe I dozed off in a nutrition class or two or three. Saturated fat is a critical issue in relation to weight management and prevention of diet-related chronic diseases (that run through my family). It is empowering to know that we have choices.
These past six months I have had the opportunity to visit with people from all walks of life who want to improve their health and still eat well.
We are all still learning about the power of nutrition to impact our health and longevity.
This is a good thing.
There are additional options.
Word has it there are some new comfort foods coming to town. Comfort foods that both satisfy and help to sustain a healthy weight.
What a deal!
More to come on that front.
On a personal note, August was a month of heartfelt hellos and goodbyes for me.
I am pleased to share that Ginger Ellison has joined B & B to provide business and research development support. Ginger has an Agribusiness degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and brings 24-years of experience in the food industry. Ginger’s experience includes food marketing and sales, logistics, and trucking distribution with Pilgrim’s Pride, OK Foods, and a family-owned trucking company. Ginger and I worked worked together for six years as colleagues at the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture. Ginger is someone that you look forward to working with each day because of her high energy, intellect, sense of humor, and commitment to service to others.
This month I also said goodby to a tremendous mentor, Dr. Pengyin Chen. Dr. Chen passed away at the age of 64 on August 1st in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Dr. Chen was an early supporter of youth education about vegetable soybeans in Arkansas. Dr. Chen provided edamame seed through the Soybean Science Challenge to school and community gardens across the state, expanding hands-on educational experiences to thousands of students and teachers.
He was a nationally recognized research scientist as well, but he cared about our students and always asked about them. His vision and heart were both large. He was a tremendous leader. Dr. Chen’s rare blend of character, intellect and kindness will forever be what I remember about him.
In a nutshell, relationships matter.
I have been blessed to be surrounded by people that deeply care about others. It is a gift that I am grateful for each day.
We will see where this takes us.
Thanks for following our journey.
~Karen
P.S. Your photos from the farm and August fields are provided below.
During August on the farm, the heat wave and dry conditions persisted for much of the month. A substantial rain provided relief for a bit.
The flowers that we are admiring this month include those growing on our soybean plants. With over 2500 soy varieties, there are a range of flower and bean colors, sizes, and maturation dates!
