Dec 01, 2015

DECEMBER SPIRITUAL CHALLENGE:  Forgiveness and the Seeds of Love

 Christmas time is the perfect time to reach out to others and plant the seeds of love.  This month’s challenge is to think of someone you need to reach out to (listen to the spirit) and contact them either in person or on the phone if they live a long way away.  And if you really want a challenge, make it a person who may have hurt or offended you in someway and ask Heavenly Father to help you forgive them.  Remember, Jesus’s atonement is for them as well as for you and He can help you heal if you allow Him to. 

 “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another…” D&C 64: 9-11

 A great resource for understanding forgiveness and relationships is the book by James L. Ferrell: The Peacegiver.  Recommended reading for everyone!

 DECEMBER TEMPORAL CHALLENGE: Nuts, Seeds, and Sprouts

Do an inventory of your stored nuts and seeds to make sure they are usable, then try sprouting some seeds.  You can get a sprouter at most stores that carry food storage items and give it a go.  It is great to have something fresh and green in December that you grow in your own kitchen!  And it is great for your insides too!

 Information on Nuts, Seeds, and Sprouts:

 OILY GRAINS OR SEEDS (Nuts, brown rice, pearled barley, sesame seeds, and flax seeds): Storing can cause quality deterioration. Oily grains or seeds are varieties that have high levels of oils and are subject to rapid rancidity. Rancidity is the oxidation of oils or fats producing volatile aldehydes and ketones that smell and taste bad. Rancid foods are difficult for humans to consume, even under emergency situations. The more unsaturated the oil, the greater the chances for rapid rancidity. So, the better an oil is for you, the more likely it will deteriorate quickly. Consuming these foods in an emergency is safe, just not palatable. 

 Here are a couple of links to other state Extension offices on sprouting:

http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/pdf/8151.pdf

https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-419/426-419_pdf.pdf

 Nuts:

Nuts In shell (unopened) 4 months 

Nut meats, packaged (unopened) 6 months (pantry) 3 months (freezer)

Party nuts 2 weeks (salted) 6-8 months (freezer) (unsalted) 9-12 months (freezer)

 Seeds - from Mississippi State University Extension (http://msucares.com/lawn/garden/vegetables/storing)

 Seed Storage:  Cool and Dry

Moisture and high temperatures cause rapid loss in the ability of vegetable seeds to germinate. Therefore, discard vegetable seeds held in storage buildings, vehicles, and other places with widely fluctuating temperatures and humidities.

The longer seeds are stored, the more important it is to control moisture and temperature conditions. Low moisture content in the seeds means longer life, especially if seeds must be kept at warm temperatures. Seeds can be stored over, but not touching, calcium chloride, dried silica gel, or freshly opened powdered milk by sealing them in air-tight containers.  Bean and okra seeds can be overdried, resulting in hard seed coats and reduced germination. Seeds can be stored successfully at temperatures above 32 ºF. Between 40 and 50 ºF is satisfactory when moisture content of the seed is not too high.  For long-term storage (several months) seeds can be stored in the freezer. Seeds are not harmed if properly dried before storing, but be sure to let them come to room temperature before handling.  Do not store chemically treated seeds with vegetables or other food items that are to be eaten.

 This is a link to an excellent USU Extension publication on food storage:      https://extension.usu.edu/foodstorage/files/uploads/Food_Storage_Booklet.pdf