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  • Newsletter contributors for Tip of the Month and Recipe of the Month

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Tip of the Month

This month you get two tips for the price of one!

 

Using Bithell Farm purees:  Fruit purees make very smooth and seedless jam.  Jam recipes can be followed unchanged when using seedless purees.

 

Using agave nectar: Agave nectar dissolves easily, does not crystallize, and may be used to sweeten any food or beverage.  The fructose in agave is also sweeter than table sugar, so less is needed. In most recipes, use 25% less of the Agave nectar than table sugar, reduce your recipe liquids by 1/3, and reduce your oven temperature by 25 degrees.

 

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September, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE:

 Bithell Farms

Our Bithell Farms order will be coming out this month.  Keep your eyes peeled for the details.  Remember members will receive a discount on every item ordered.  The berries and berry purees from Bithell Farms make wonderful jams and jellies.  See our Tip of the Month for ideas on how to use these wonderful products from Bithell Farms.

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Fall Order

 Our fall order will include more opportunities than we have had in the past.  We will be offering a full range of nuts and snack foods, honey, and possibly Agave nectar (a healthful honey substitute you can read more about below).  In addition, many of you have expressed interest in buying different grains and cereal mixes without buying a 50# bag.  We are pleased to announce that this fall we will be offering Bob's Red Mill products (BRM).  BRM produces a wide range of whole grain products, including a full line of certified gluten free products, an extensive line of certified organic products, and low carb alternatives, many of which are in 1.5# bags.  We will be offering just a portion of their product line.  Watch for details in late September.

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Education 

We will be offering two learning opportunities in the coming month - a sauerkraut making class and dry pack canning training.  Here are the details:

  • Sauerkraut making - On 9 September at 10 am, Dawn Shelstadt will be training up to 8 people on how to make delicious sauerkraut.  The class will be held at the Wallin home (8037 Fort Smith Rd; Falcon, CO).  The Wallin's have several cabbages that need immediate processing.  If there is a high demand for this training we may offer it again later in the season.  If you would like to join us, please call 494-1623 to enroll with Treesje or Wade.  Enrollment will be limited to eight people as the Wallin kitchen is not very large.  Apologies in advance to those who are not able to make enrollment.
  • Dry pack canning - Do you have storage items you'd like to pack away in #10 cans?  Phyllis Pollard has a portable #10 tin can sealer from September 4th to 17th.  If you would like to be trained on how to operate the equipment and how to dry pack can, please call Phyllis at 749-2947.  She will help you find out how many cans and other supplies you'll need, and will schedule a time for you to borrow and learn how to use the equipment. 

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Got Agave?  

You may have seen plants like this one in your travels through America's deserts.  Did you know these plants are full of tasty fructose?  But unlike the crystalline form of fructose, which is refined primarily from corn, Agave nectar is fructose in its natural form and does not contain processing chemicals. With a 90% fructose (fruit sugar) content, Agave nectar absorbs more slowly into the body decreasing the highs and lows experienced with sucrose (white table sugar) intake. This sweetener can be very valuable for those who are diabetic, have insulin resistance, or are simply watching their carbohydrate or calorie intake. It has a low glycemic value and is a delicious and safe alternative to other sweeteners.

We would like to gage your interest in agave syrup.  Please let us know if this is a product you would be interested in trying.  If interest is high, we may offer agave products in our fall order.  See Tip of the Month for info on how to use agave syrup.

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Recipe of the Month   

Double Crust Blackberry Pie * 

 

Crust:

2 1/2 cup flour

1 cup shortening

1/2 t. salt

1 egg

1/3 cup cold water

1 T vinegar

 

Mix flour, shortening and salt.  Crumble together until fine.  Make a "pool" in the center of the mixture.  Fill the "pool" with egg, water and vinegar. Mix the pool gently until egg is incorporated.  Mix the "pool" into the flour until the dough forms a ball.  NOTE: Additional cold water may need to be added by the tablespoon until the dough is pliable enough to shape.  Shape into two balls and chill.  Flour board and roll each ball into a round.  Place round into a pie plate.  Trim edge to 1/4 inch beyond pie plate and leave edges loose. 2nd round will be used for top crust when the pie is assembled.

 

Filling:

4 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen)

3/4 to 1 cup sugar

1/4 cup flour (1/3 cup if the berries have been frozen)

 

Preheat oven to 375. Toss blackberries, sugar and flour in a medium bowl. Pour the berry mixture into the unbaked shell.  Place second pie round over the berry mixture.  Trim to 1/2 inch and fold the top pie round under the edges of the lower pie round.  Press them together to form a decorative seal.  Fork the top to vent the pie.  Bake pie for 50 minutes with a foil ring over the edges.  Remove the foil ring and bake another 20 to 30 minutes until edges are golden brown.  Cool completely before eating.

 

* Contact Treesje at 494-1623 or at treesje@earthlink.net for details on how to adapt this recipe for blueberries, raspberries or mixed berries.   

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Financial Corner    

Fixed vs. variable annuity: Which is right for you?

 

Both are long-term contracts that allow you to set aside money now to secure a future income, often for life. Both accumulate and grow tax-deferred until you make withdrawals, usually at retirement. So, what is the difference between a fixed and variable annuity? And more importantly, which is right for you?

 

Fixed annuities - If you need a certain amount of income each month and don’t want to take the risk of losing principal, this may be the right investment vehicle for you. A fixed annuity has a minimum interest rate guaranteed by the company, and it can pay the same amount of income each month.

 

Variable annuities - If you’d prefer to actively manage your investments and are willing to take risks for the potential of greater gains, variable annuities may be a better choice for you. With a variable annuity, you have a chance at greater or lesser gains, depending on how your investments do. Principal and return on principal are not guaranteed; they depend on the performance of the investment options you choose.

 

If you’re considering an annuity as a long-term investment, consider your risk tolerance, and talk to a financial adviser to determine which is right for you.


Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of a variable annuity carefully before investing.  Investments in a variable annuity are subject to market risks, including the potential loss of principal.  For this and other information about variable annuities, obtain a prospectus from your Modern Woodmen representative.  Read it carefully before you invest or pay money.  Early withdrawal from a variable annuity may result in surrender charges and tax implications, including a 10 percent penalty prior to age 59 1/2.

Kristine V. Barager, FIC
District Representative
Modern Woodmen of America
kristine.v.barager@mwarep.org
(719) 532-0570

A registered representative. Securities offered through MWA Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Modern Woodmen of America, 1701 1st Avenue, Rock Island, IL 61201, 309-558-3100. Member: NASD, SIPC.

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