An Open Fire

OPEN FIRE AN

BY LISA S.T. DOSS

“Nearly every culture on every continent, from Tasmania to South America to Ancient Greece, attributed their existence to fire,”

~ Scottish anthropologist, James Frazer

Five thousand years ago in the Italian Alps, a man equipped with a quiver of arrows, a knife, an axe, and a fire-making kit walked until he succumbed to his injuries and fell in the snow. In 1991, anthropologists and scientists received the perfectly preserved “iceman” to study. The most fascinating item he possessed was a tinder kit, comprising of highly flammable fungus, flakes of pyrite, and embers wrapped in maple leaves, all stored in a birchbark cylinder. No matter the plight or location, the people of that day had the technology to produce fire. Today, we are equally mesmerized by creating and maintaining a well-stoked blaze, whether it’s intended to heat the home or cook a meal! Fire continues to be essential in our lives.

The Perfect Match

Fortunately, the days of unstable combustible matches that produced harmful fumes are long gone. While the tip still mixes red phosphorous and potassium chlorate, the wooden stem contains a fire-retardant element to ease the rate of burning.

TIP: Make your own waterproof matches by dipping strike-anywhere match sticks into a thin coating of melted beeswax!

Building a Fire

When a flame reaches a fuel source, such as pine needles, kindling, or paper, it takes time to dry out the material and produces mostly smoke. The greater the source, the faster the material reaches the maximum heat needed to combust into growing hot flames. One basic model is the “fire triangle,” which includes oxygen, heat, and fuel. But tossing a lit match onto tinder and witnessing it burn out illustrates the frustration in balancing appropriate amounts of all three.

Tap into your inner caveman or woman!

• Collect tinder, such as dead grasses, fallen pinecones, leaves, cattail fluff, dandelion seeds, and newspaper. Conifer needles directly from the node will contain a sticky-sap substance to enhance your fire!

• |Gather pencil-sized sticks and sticks the diameter of a quarter. (Resin-soaked sticks called “fatwood” are a convenient pre-made source of kindling.)

• Use only dried wood of varying sizes, gradually working up to large logs.

Twenty twigs have more surface area than one big log; therefore, the smaller bundle has a greater chance of igniting; so, organize sticks in the formation of a teepee, a log cabin, or pyramid. Each method allows oxygen to enter from underneath and produce an even flame at a point or in a square.

FIRE STARTERS: Coat a cotton ball in Vaseline, ball-up dryer lint, or add vegetable oil to a Frito corn chip!

Cooking Tools

For two million years, humans have cooked animal flesh and vegetables over an open flame. The evolutionary connection between fire, cooking, and eating continues to excite the palate in anticipation of a steaming, hot meal. Cast-iron cookware easily withstands the heat of flames or when food is placed on, or in, a hot layer of oil. Great recipes are found online and in books.

• Aluminum foil, enveloping corn-on-the-cob or meat, potatoes and vegetables, is ideal for a convenient cooking option. Buried deep in the coals, a baked potato needs 30 to 40 minutes. Fish, only five minutes, for a small catch.

• A roasting spit is a primal method. Prepare a rod at least three times the length of the animal.

“Y-shaped” sturdy branches or metal can serve as the crook. You’ll need a drip pan, great for sauces and marinades with a pinch of seasoning and a few tablespoons of wine.

• Dinner on a stick continues to be a favorite cooking style. Whether it’s kabobs, hotdogs, or marshmallows, the technology is simple, fast, and fun!

The Eternal Flame

Stars overhead. The sound of crackling wood. Sparks. A drink in hand, and a plate containing the remnants of sauces, a napkin, and fork. The mere pleasure of sitting around a campfire creates a powerful calming effect, including lessening levels of anxiety. It’s an innately satisfying experience. Woven into our DNA is a message that acknowledges a feeling of safety, warmth, and the ability to sustain our lives when near the dancing flames. Its art is our past, our present, and our future!

The FEAR of Having Kids Far Apart

BY GENEVIEVE CONDON

Some of us wait eagerly for those two pink lines, the flashing word “Pregnant” to come across the little stick. I remember finding out that I was pregnant with my son. I looked at my 13-year-old, and while my husband and I so badly wanted a baby, fear crept in.

How am I going to do this entire Mom thing again? What will his relationship be like with his sister when they are 13 years apart? Will she resent him? Resent her stepfather? Me?

Diapers

Sleepless Nights

Driver’s Ed

High School

Teething

Dating

College

All at the same time. All drastically different points in life.

Every fear, every doubt ran through my mind. Then, he came, and it was time to face the music.

I held my breath.

It was beautiful.

My daughter cried when she saw him. Her fear of holding him wasn’t even a thought, as she swept him into her arms and stared loving at him. As I was healing from a C-section, she did far more than I expected—getting bottles and burp cloths. Reading him stories and rocking him when his daddy and I needed a break. She even changed a few diapers and always offered to help wherever she could.

Not much has changed; if anything, their relationship has gotten stronger. He just turned one and adores his sister. When she gets up from her teenage slumber, he laughs and reaches out for her, and her eyes beam with joy as she sweeps him in her arms, smothering his face with kisses. He hugs her back and coos, and my heart melts.

That fear should be gone, right? There are still days when the fear creeps in, and I wonder if I am doing enough. On rough days, I can’t help but wonder, did I spend enough time with my daughter today? The guilt creeping in from ordering pizza, instead of making a home-cooked meal. From propping the baby in front of Sesame Street much longer than anticipated, so I could get some much-needed work done.

But then, I peek in the living room and my teenager is on the floor, playing cars with her brother. Lying on the floor so he can crawl all over her, and tickling him. The laughter vibrates through our home and that fear, those doubts, are gone as quickly as they came.

My children may be at different stages in their lives and knowing how to juggle their needs will always be a worry, but the fear of having children far apart in age is just that—a fear. An irrational thought that perhaps they won’t get along. That maybe they’ll resent each other.

Their bond is beyond measure. Their love for each other solidified with each smile, each laugh, each hug.

I hope that as the years go by and they each find their own lives and I am gone, that no matter what, they remember the days of playing cars in the living room, the sacrifices that each makes for the other as I struggle to find balance in being a mother to two wonderful children.

I hope that as close as they are today, they will remain so as time goes by.

So, the fear of having kids far apart? Don’t fear it. Embrace it. Because you will be giving them the greatest gift, each other, and that will last a lifetime.

THE Fancy Fork

BY LAUREN SEPHTON

The combination of artichoke hearts, spinach, Parmesan cheese, and creamy farmer cheese gives the best flavor for a light, yet satisfying, Spinach-Artichoke Stuffed Chicken. It’s low-carb, easy to make, and a comfort food at its finest! October is bringing in all things fall, including some of the tastiest seasonal produce. A few include cauliflower, cabbage, mushrooms, potatoes, lettuce, pumpkin, persimmons, apples, grapes, and pineapple. But this month, we’re focusing on two of the most nutrient-dense ingredients, spinach and Jerusalem artichokes. Spinach is incredibly healthy for the digestive system with it being high in insoluble fiber, high in Vitamin A and C, and an excellent source of Iron to help bring oxygen to your body’s tissues. Artichoke hearts are loaded with nutrients, as well. First, they may lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol. They may also help regulate blood pressure, improve liver health, and lower blood sugar, while also being delicious.

Spinach-Artichoke Stuffed Chickens

PREP TIME: 10 MIN | COOK TIME: 25 MIN | TOTAL TIME: 35 MIN

INGREDIENTS 1 lb. Chicken Breasts, about 2-3 chicken breasts 1 Tbsp. Dried Italian Seasoning/Herbs ¼ tsp. Sea Salt ¼ tsp. Black Pepper 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil FOR THE SPINACH-ARTICHOKE STUFFING: 1/3 to ½ cup Frozen Spinach, thawed, 2 oz. ½ cup Farmer Cheese, 4 oz., lightly strained to remove excess liquids* ¼ cup Artichoke Hearts, finely chopped 1/3 cup Parmesan, grated, or

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese 2 Garlic Cloves, finely minced ½ tsp. Red Pepper Flakes ½ tsp. Sea Salt INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. • In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the thawed spinach, farmer cheese, chopped artichoke hearts, Parmesan, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. • Make a slit in each chicken breast ¾th of the way into the center, so that it will still fold over the stuffing. Season with the Italian dried herbs, sea salt, and black pepper. • (Optional) Lightly pound the chicken. • Evenly distribute and stuff the inside of the chicken breasts with the stuffing. Fold over the top of the chicken, the press down to set in place. • Heat up the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. • Add the chicken to sear on both sides for 3-4 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. • Transfer the oven-safe skillet into the preheated oven to bake for 25-35 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. It is fully cooked when chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5-6 minutes, then enjoy warm! *Can be substituted with cream cheese or ricotta cheese Now that you’ve mastered the art of cooking with spinach and artichoke hearts, it’s time to grab our forks and enjoy the seasonal comforts of the Fall produce!

What If?

presents the Battery BY LISA S.T. DOSS

“What if…?” those worrisome words arrive in the conscious spinning topics in our minds, from safety and financial security, to loved ones and pet health. Asking, “What can I do?” leads to a proactive decision to invest time in the ultimate insurance policy—valuable life skills pertaining to security, shelter, food, water, and medical care! In any emergency, from extreme weather to a personal disaster, you have the power to take charge of your fate by making plans and taking action!

We all want to be well prepared when the lights go out! Beyond generators, solar panels, and hydroelectric concerns, thinking outside the box with the batteries we have on hand can light the way!

How Batteries Work

A, AA, AAA, C and D cell batteries have the same voltage rating and are interchangeable. The power supply in each equal 1.5 volts. Three batteries powered together will total 4.5V; however, they differ in amperage; therefore, each produces a different number of watt-hours (Watts are voltage x amperage or the total amount of energy contained in the battery, explaining why batteries come in different sizes).

• Always use a voltage meter to see how much power remains in your battery; don’t assume it’s dead. You’ll save money and batteries, replacing one instead of three or all six.

• Try this test: Hold the battery roughly two inches above a hard surface and drop. A dead battery will bounce higher than one fully charged. This method won’t work for rechargeable batteries.

• Clean the connection points of a battery to improve conductivity!

• Do not place batteries into the refrigerator or freezer. If a battery becomes too cold, condensation can occur, which leads to corroded battery ends, leakage, and other damage; instead, store at room temperature.

• Use the same brand-name batteries. Mixing old with new can increase the strain on new batteries and result in an accelerated drain.

• Always remove the batteries when a mechanism is being powered by a plug-in source. This will prevent an unnecessary loss of battery capacity.

Hack Your C-Cell

Sometimes the stash of batteries is depleted of the ones we need most. Yes, you can use a C-cell battery in place of a D-cell with this handy trick. Place four quarters into the space between the terminal and the contact! (In cases of emergency, keep a small bag of quarters in your battery box! You’ll be glad you took the time!)

Another hack is to tightly wad up tinfoil to fill the space of a C-cell battery. Place it next to the flashlight’s lid!

Hack a 9V Battery

With a pair of needle-nose pliers, snip along the crease of the Energizer case and open. You may need to use a screwdriver to help in the endeavor. Contained inside are six quadruple or six AAAA batteries, each holding 1.5 volts. Remove the batteries and the metal tab which connects the batteries. Since they are smaller than AAA batteries, fold over the sensor tab to provide extra space. You can do this for use in any device.

Hack a Cordless Drill Battery

Most drill batteries labeled as 18v use 21 volts; the first step is to convert to a standard voltage, such as 12v. “Boost” or “Buck” converters make it easy to regulate energy to convert items from a light to an energy source. (Need electrical know-how.)

Solar, Batteries, and the Hand Crank

Solar power blocks, radios and battery-based chargers are an inexpensive means to ensure your electronics remain powered. Look for items that may have a multi-function option LED flashlight, radio, and multiple USB ports.

• Some models of crank-powered flashlights and camp lights can serve multiple functions, such as a flashlight and backup chargers!

• Flashlights are an inexpensive safety measure.

Consider placing one in your vehicle; each bedroom; bathrooms; in drawers, such as those of nightstands and side tables; the kitchen; and near exits!

• Stick lights are an excellent item to have on hand, especially for children!

The Emergency Exit Plan

A good plan only works well if it’s either discussed or practiced; so, sit down and talk about maneuvering through the home with and without a flashlight. Start practicing today! Children will recall the exercise, remembering the number of stairs and perhaps steps through rooms and descending stairwells. It may seem simple until the lights go out! Bonus points are given to those individuals who can locate their flashlight in seconds!