Turquoise Thursday: Pioneer Woman Dishes and Cookware

Have you heard yet about Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman's AMAZING new collection at Walmart? I used major online shopping constraint but couldn't resist picking up a couple pieces. Especially, since they are so affordable.

I could not resist this two piece casserole dish set. The whole theme of the collection brings together beautiful turquoises and red along with pretty floral patterns. 

I also thought this turquoise cow creamer was adorable. However, I don't really have an use for it so I only bought the ramekins, which will be perfect for all of the recipes I make out of the Dessert for Two cookbook. 

Ree has also designed some amazing bowls. Big serving bowls and perfect smaller bowls for dessert and ice cream. Some of these are already sold out online however the collection releasing in stores later in September. 

And since it is Turquoise Thursday I can pass up posting this turquoise 7-Quart Dutch Oven. Now what pieces will you be rushing out to purchase? Or maybe you are like me and are anxiously waiting for the mailman to bring you your new pieces. Thanks Pioneer Woman for being all out amazing! Not only do you fuel my love of turquoise, but you fuel people's interest in food and agriculture. I always love watching her cooking show and reading her blog to learn what is happening on her Oklahoma ranch. She allows amazing access to an agriculture lifestyle that most don't have the opportunity to see very often. 

Why We Use Antibiotics on Our Farm

I've wrote about this subject before but I thought I would revisit it because I know antibiotics are a concern for consumers. Also, I feel the media doesn't quite give the whole story and instead tell us no antibiotic use in livestock is best. However, being a farmer I also know that antibiotics (also know as antimicrobials) can heal sick or hurting animals. Healthy cattle make healthy beef that my family and your family can enjoy.

This time, on our farm, the cow needing antibiotics was one of the Boy's favorite cows named Fantasy. About a week ago we notice that she had a serve limp and her foot was very swollen. Poor girl! This is one of the signs of foot rot. It is a very treatable aliment with an antimicrobial, and so Fantasy received a shot.

We work very closely with our vet for recommendations on the correct antibiotics to give to our cattle depending on the symptoms, and we always follow the dosing instruction on the bottle for the amount that should be given. In addition each antibiotic has a withdrawal time. This means that the animal can not be slaughtered and enter the food chain until the withdrawal period is over. As well, the United States government mandates that no beef with antibiotic residues that exceed FDA standards be allowed in the food supply; therefore, all beef sold in the United States is safe from antibiotics. 

We treated Fantasy, and then headed out to the Iowa State Fair the next day to exhibit our livestock. When we got home we noticed that Fantasy had not gotten any better. This time we decided to run her into the cattle chute for further examination, and we were very surprised to see what we found. 

Yes, that is a rock that was wedged up between her toes. Can you image how sore your foot and leg would be if you walked around with a rock in your shoes for several days? We were able to remove the rock, but the area was very infected. Following our veterinarians advice, Fantasy received another shot of an antibiotic. As soon as she got out of the chute she instantly was able to put weight back on her foot. There is no better feeling than knowing that you helped an animal when they are in pain. The antibiotic will also help the sore heal so further problems don't arise. 

Now some of you may say that our misdiagnoses required us to use more antibiotics than necessary. I guess I view it something like this. Recently, I had a serve bladder infection. I went to the doctor and they have me an antibiotic. I thought I got better, but the next week I was back in the doctor's office. The antibiotic they had given me didn't work and they had to switch things up. Sometimes similar situations happen with our cattle. 

The Boy getting the antibiotics ready for Fantasy. We use antibiotics on our farm to help our cattle get healthy again. I would never want to leave one of our cows in pain when I know that an antibiotic could help them.