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Food For Thought: Those “Last Time” Moments

You know what they say, life is a journey, not a destination. And as a small family farm and parents of 3 amazing girls, we’re all about enjoying the ride.

As farmers and parents, we also must acknowledge that to “enjoy the ride”, we must be mindful of the most important asset we have, and that’s time. It’s not cars, homes, tractors, livestock, or other material things.  At the end of the day, the most valuable thing we have is time, and It’s the one thing we can never get back.  We often take it for granted, not realizing that we may be experiencing something for the last time without even realizing it.

This idea came to mind when my youngest daughter recently changed the way she says her bedtime prayers. For as long as I can remember, she would say “insure-name-we-pway-amen,” as if it were all one word. But the other night, she ended with “in your name we prway, amen.” It was a small change, but it marked the last time I would ever hear her say those 4-year-old words again.  It’s so easy to take things for granted and not realize when something might be the last time we experience it.

It was one of those moments in life where a profound realization hit me.  She (They) will never be as young again as they were this day.  Watching them grow up to be all they can be is my dream, but a sadness came over me about all the “last time” things I’ve missed with my girls.  Moments I’ve missed because I was mowing the lawn or building a farm structure, or some other task that seemed important at the time.  Countless times where I’ve asked them to “wait a minute” while I’m doing something on my phone.  What moments did I miss while researching a farm project or burying myself in work that looking back seems pointless now.

Luckily, they are still young and many of the “last time” moments are yet to come.  It made me really realize how important it is to cherish every moment.  That’s a common phrase on cards or wall decor that tell you how to live or feel (“Don’t tell me what to do sign!”), but it’s never had meaning like it does now.

Hopefully this will give you the same perspective I’ve been given, or maybe you’ve known this all along and are thinking, “welcome to the club buddy”.  Either way, I thought it was an experience worth sharing.  It’s my belief that experiences are what life is.  Good, bad, and all in between.  When I think of what the purpose of life is, for me, it’s to collect experiences.  They are what makes us who we are.  Don’t let those “last time” experiences go unnoticed.  When that “last time” does happen, be thankful that you were present and got to be a part of it.  Then take comfort in knowing that one of many new “last times” is just beginning.

Jewish American Pot Roast

Chuck Roast Recipe You’ll Love!

Do you want to impress your friends and family with a delicious and comforting meal? How about inexpensive ingredients like Beef Chuck Roast or Beef Short Ribs.  Look no further than our juicy and tender pot roast recipe.  We’d like to thank one of our loyal customers at the Charlottesville Farmers Market for providing this recipe.  Credit goes to Mimi Sheraton and adapted by Julia Moskin from the New York Times cooking website.  We’ve also added a few twist of our own that elevates this classic dish to a whole new level.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pound chuck roast or 4-5 pounds short ribs
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3-4 cups beef broth
• 3-4 stalks of celery, chopped

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Season the beef generously with salt and black pepper.
• In a Dutch oven or large ovenproof pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown on all sides. Remove the beef from the pot and set it aside.
• Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until they are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
• Add the paprika, turmeric, thyme, and a pinch of salt to the pot and stir until the spices are fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add the beef broth to the pot and stir to combine.
• Return the beef to the pot and spoon some of the onion mixture on top. Cover the pot and place it in the oven.
• Bake for 2-3 hours, until the beef is tender and falls apart easily. Add the chopped celery in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Remove the pot from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
• Serve the beef and gravy on top of a bed of mashed potatoes.

That’s it!  Give it a try and let us know what you think.  You can find Beef Short Ribs and Chuck Roast at our online store and rest assured that the meat you’re getting is top quality and raised with care.  We can’t say it enough, Thank you for your continued support of our small family farm!

Thanks for following us and allowing us to serve you.  If you have questions or would like to share your thoughts, give us a shout!  Have a  wonderful week!

With Our Appreciation,

Jason, Lexi, and Family