All About Soybeans

With all this recent talk about tempeh, let’s get back to what tempeh is all about: SOYBEANS!!

I grew up on a small, family-farm in Southcentral Minnesota, so the soybean industry is something I have a strong connection with.

This farm has been in my family for 3 generations, and currently my parents raise pork, corn, and soybeans on their 600 acres of land. Having these three commodities optimizes the rotation of the crops and protects their livelihood from potential low markets of one particular commodity. (i.e. If the price of pork is really low for an extended period of time, they can fall back on the corn and soybean markets for sustained income.)

This is a picture after an 11-mile run with my sister (on the left), and the best picture I have of my parent’s farm in Minnesota. You can see a storage shed (of many!) for machinery off to the left and a couple grain bins (of many as well!) off to the right.

Check out my mom’s R.E.A.L. (Responsible Ethical Agricultural for Life) story here to learn more about their operation.

The article highlights my parent’s farm and the true passion they have for their livelihood. Here are a couple of quotes from the article:

Farmers are the professionals and experts at what they do, and they are important to everyone because they grow the food that feeds the world.

If farmers do not educate the public, there will be more misconceptions about farming and how we care for the land and animals. We as farmers need to get the accurate story out to the public and consumers.

Growing up, I had no idea about the misconceptions people have about certain farm-related issues: inhumane treatment of animals, GMOs, growth horomones, etc. I just saw how hard my parents worked to care for their animals and raise a safe, quality product!

I could spend great length sharing my viewpoints about these issues, but I will save that for a future post!

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The Minnesota Soybean website has a ton of interesting information about soybean farmers and the products they produce!

If you are a foodie and want to give some new soy-based recipes a try, check out this page.

I’m interested in this Peanut Butter Spread—tofu + peanut butter. . . interesting?!?! I wonder what it would be good on—any ideas??

Also, the Rigatoni with Zucchini and Onions sounds delicious!

One of my favorite soy-based dishes I created in my own kitchen:

Thai Peanut Tofu Noodles

Curious to know more about soy lecithin?

Ever wondered  how your miso soup is made?

Or what natto is?

Go check it out here.

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Today’s Run:

Distance ~ 8 miles

Time ~ 1:07

I was so psyched to go running this morning because even though it had snowed yesterday, the roads were dry last night, so I knew it wouldn’t be slippery in the morning.

My run started out fabulous! I felt good, the roads were dry, it wasn’t too windy, and I had taken half of a Clif shot for some energy before I set out. However, about a third of the way into the run, little white things started to fall from the sky!! 😯

NOOO!!! Not more snow!!! I wasn’t pleased, but I wasn’t about to cut my run short either.

In the end, it was still a good run—although I almost ate it several times!! GRRRR!!

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After work today, I plan on attending a yoga class and then eating a huge salad because that’s all I crave after a hot, sweaty yoga session! 🙂

Hi, I'm Michelle

I love running around the lakes of Minnesota, running after my two boys, and racing anything from the 5K to the marathon. I have been blogging here since 2010 when I ran my first marathon. I finally secured my sub-3 hour marathon after trying for 8 years.

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12 Comments

  1. 4.6.11

    Wow, I couldn’t even imagine running in the snow. Awesome job girl, I mean I have never run in a white out before but obviously when the snow is pact on the ground. I have tripped so many times on ice though running. More of slid and hit the ground time movement.

  2. 4.6.11
    lifttorun said:

    Interesting info above. I learned something new today.
    (:

  3. 4.6.11
    Liz said:

    I had no idea you were from a farmer family (my dad’s family has farmer roots in MN too). I can’t wait to read those future posts with your perspectives on things!

  4. 4.6.11
    Amanda said:

    I don’t eat a lot of soy, but I do love tempeh! So yummy!

  5. 4.6.11
    Sarah said:

    that’s so cool about your family’s farm 🙂 i have a huge respect for family farmers and kinda wish we had one in our family 🙂

  6. 4.7.11
    megan @ blackberries for jam said:

    So interesting! It must have been an adventure growing up on a farm! Farming is huge industry here as well and there is a big emphasis on supporting local agriculture. My awareness of food production and seasonality has expanded so much since I’ve lived in Vermont. I’m looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts!

  7. 4.7.11
    Meg said:

    You’re amazing!! Running in the snow and that beautiful peanut noodle dish! Yummy!

  8. 4.7.11

    Peanut butter + tofu sounds amazing! Thanks for all of the soy bean recipes! I love them!

  9. 4.8.11
    mom said:

    Thanks, Michelle, for the post on our farm and soybeans!!