VEGAN VITTLES

Vegan Veggie Kabobs

by Chris Pickens

Feeling the winter doldrums and like spring will never arrive? Fixing these brightly colored, fresh veggie kabobs can help lift spirits and give bodies a boost.

• 1/2 cup of each of the following: broccoli sweet peppers tofu pineapple mushrooms cherry tomatoes onions

• marinade

6 tablespoons barbecue sauce

1 teaspoon liquid smoke or soy sauce

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. As oven heats up, cut each vegetable into 1-inch squares or larger (trying to keep pieces close to the same size). Alternate cubes onto skewers. Combine marinade ingredients. Brush cubes with marinade. Bake until vegetables are tender.

Chris Pickens, a vegan since 2016, is a certified holistic nutrition coach, a health and wellness coach, a holistic health practitioner, and a holistic health coach. To learn more about Pickens, go to https://bit.ly/3FqhEId Email her at momof4chris@gmail.com, with “The Joy of Medina Attn: Chris” in the subject line.

HOME AND GARDEN: CRITTER CRAWL

Axolotl Breeding Controversy

by Paris Deeter

When breeding axolotls, the biggest controversy is whether to raise them together or raise them individually.

There are many pros and cons to these methods, and it causes a large divide in the axolotl community on which option is better.

When raised individually, axolotls are kept in individual enclosures. When kept alone, it ensures that they do not receive any nips. It also allows monitoring of how much each axolotl is eating.

However, due to being kept in their own enclosures, the amount of time that goes into water changing their enclosures is much, much more than when kept communally. This is a massive issue for breeders who have more babies than smaller breeders who raise only a few at a time.

There also have been reports of axolotls being more likely to nip each other as adults due to not being exposed to their siblings when younger.

When raising communally, the axolotls are kept together in one large enclosure.

This allows the breeder to change the water all at once, meaning the amount of time required drops exponentially. There is a slight risk for babies nipping each other, however, this can be combated by providing the babies with excess live food while they are kept together.

All in all, both options have their own advantages and disadvantages. There is not a right or wrong way to raise them, as long as the axolotls are being well cared for.

Paris Deeter lives in Brunswick and has raised a wide variety of critters from spiders to rats. She welcomes questions and column suggestions, which can be sent to Joy@BlakeHousePublishing.com with “Critter Crawl” in the subject line. Deeter also can supply information on where to obtain pets mentioned in her column.

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Observation Makes the Difference

by Michelle Riley

Being under observation changes that which is being observed, science identifies this as the observer effect. This phenomenon is very prevalent in the garden.

Observation or lack thereof can change the way the garden interacts with the environment, which can be life or death for the plant.

I have seen lack of observation happen repeatedly, and I choose to believe it happens innocently enough, but it can cost a homeowner time and money.

One does not have to complete an in-depth experiment to know that plants that are cared for (observed) survive and thrive much better than those who are not.

For example, an 80-year-old oak tree may be tall and mighty but subject it to a prolonged drought and it will suffer repercussions for years to come.

Dahlias are a beautiful addition to the summer garden, but they tend to want to be obsessively observed and fed to bloom well.

Many ornamental pines add a dramatic flare but can become defoliated rather quickly by an array of pests.

Azaleas can be devastated by lace fly and magnolias infested with scale. Iris borer can chow through a field of irises and blight can destroy an apple tree in a single season.

Pest and disease are usually secondary issues brought on by an environmental factor that caused stress to the plant.

When a plant is under severe stress, it loses the capacity to ward off viruses or bacterial attacks, and it exudes a stress chemical which attracts pests.

An entire landscape or vegetable garden can be compromised or even killed by lack of observation.

Want the garden or landscape to thrive? Observe it. Every plant has unique needs, understanding these needs and meeting them is the difference between a gorgeous plant and a dying plant.

Water the garden when it is dry, understand the soil pH and the pH needs of the plants. Be on the offense against pests, understand the foe.

Proper prevention makes gardening a fulfilling experience and it begins with observation.

Michelle Riley is a local horticulturist, landscape designer, and consultant. She is the founder of the gardening subscription service, the Plant Shorts Posse; https:// michellerileyhorticulturist.com ; and https://neohiogarden. com . She also is the president of All About You Signature Landscape Design, Inc. Learn more about Riley at https://bit.ly/3BavKLk Riley can be contacted at Info@ MichelleRileyHorticulturist.com or by calling 234-678-8266

HOME AND GARDEN: BITE ME!

Sage and Sausage Gravy

by Jordin Bragg

It is cold outside. If you are in Ohio, then just about every day lately is the perfect weather for some hot sausage gravy over fresh biscuits. If you are not in Ohio, well just about every day is perfect for sausage gravy over fresh biscuits!

● 1 pound ground sage pork sausage (see tip below)

● 3 tablespoons butter

● 3 tablespoons flour

● 3 cups milk (adjust for consistency)

● small bundle of fresh sage leaves or 1/2 teaspoon ground sage

● salt and pepper

One important fundamental of being a good cook is being organized and prepared. Start by gathering all ingredients and tools necessary to prepare this dish. Brown sausage over medium-high heat in a large skillet or saucepot. Once the sausage is cooked, add the butter, stir until melted. Lower the heat to medium once the butter is added to avoid the pan becoming too hot and browning the butter. Once the butter is melted with the sausage, add flour, preferably through a fine sifter. Using a whisk, mix and cook for 4 to 5 minutes. (Combining equal parts butter and flour and cooking is called a roux, how long this combination is cooked will determine its thickening capabilities and flavor. For this recipe we are making a white roux, so we are cooking the mixture just enough to combine the two.) Next add the milk and whisk together over medium heat. Add fresh sage and simmer for 20 minutes. When cooking with a roux, it is advised to cook it for at least 20 minutes to cook it thoroughly or it could taste like flour. Once the dish has simmered for the proper time, add salt and pepper to taste and serve over fresh-made biscuits. To elevate this dish to the next level, add some eggs and top with fresh chopped sage and parsley.

Tip: If you do not have sage sausage or fresh sage or just do not want to buy it, add some ground sage to the sausage when browning it. Ground sage will not go bad as fast as fresh and it can be used for other recipes in the future.

Jordin Bragg is a classically French-trained chef who spent years in the restaurant industry as a professional cook. His recipes are his original creations. Bragg’s recipe and menu writing services can be found at https://writers.work/ thewritingmarine or he can be emailed at jordin.bragg@snhu. edu for any food-related requests or questions.

HEALTH: HEALTHY TRAILS Riding in Late Season Chill

by Robert Soroky

Even when there are not 6 inches of snow and bitter cold temps to deal with, rain and a chilly breeze can still make for a challenging afternoon.

So, here are a couple tips to help you stay warm, dry and safe out here.

1) Layer up: Face it, riding in wind and rain is the worst, but if you layer your clothes, you can fight off the wetness and the chill.

Start with a base layer that has moisture-wicking properties, like a standard cycling jersey, to ensure sweat is pulled away from you and not trapped against your skin.

Next, for colder days, wear a thermal layer. This should be a material that can trap warmth but also has some moisturewicking properties to continue to pull that sweat away from your body.

Finally, be sure to have a barrier layer, which can repel the wind and rain, but is also breathable.

Nothing is worse than having all that sweat wicked through the base and thermal layers, only to get trapped just inside the barrier layer.

For all of these, I recommend using cycling-specific clothing. The materials are specifically designed for the aforementioned conditions, are significantly lighter in weight, and very packable. This matters when it comes time to shed some of those layers throughout the course of your ride.

2) Be visible: Fall and winter months tend to be cloudier, drearier and shorter, so wear bright colors, especially if you ride on the road.

As motorists, we know how hard it is to see other cars when it is raining, so imagine how invisible you are as a cyclist.

You may not necessarily be a fan of that “screaming yellow” safety vest color, but it is a color that can save your life.

Cycling jackets, jerseys and helmets will come in these brighter colors and, in some cases, also will have reflective material to enhance visibility.

Finally, consider lights on your bike, both front and back. Flashing lights catch people’s attention, so spend a few extra bucks and get a nice set of head and tail lights that have high lumen (brightness) numbers.

Be safe, be warm, be dry and have fun!

Robert Soroky is a lifelong cyclist who regularly participates in long-distance charity rides.

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