Well, we did it again! How are we doing here at the end of 2024? I heard that the Oxford word of the year is “brain rot.” If the infant world of 2024 would have made a destination plan I don’t know that brain rot would have been on the itinerary. However, if we look at the ingredients being poured into the pot, our educated guess should have been like my brother who always knew what was in his wrapped Christmas gifts.
The Oxford University Press said that the term ‘brain rot’ is used when talking about, “low-quality, low-value content found on social media and the internet, as well as the subsequent negative impact that consuming this type of content is perceived to have on an individual or society.” With a description like that, it seems like it’s a gift we would be better off leaving wrapped and languishing under the tree.
“Bah!” laughed my wife as we pulled the truck into our destination. “Did you see that guy?” We were outside of a gym with a sign sporting a huge, bulging, horned animal holding weights in the air. What she had seen was a very well bodied man walking to his car and pausing by the busy road to grace the world with a purposeful flex of his well shaped body. I was feeling stronger already and we hadn’t even entered the building!
Now before you set your expectations for my, soon to be, Captain America physique. I was not seeking out a place to dispel more calories. I was here to buy a beef freezer from the owner of this nice establishment. Sometimes I do wonder if I should pump some iron, but by the time I’m done hauling wood, carrying pails of feed, pushing cows, and shoveling sand, I don’t feel like I have much left to give to the battle against the insatiable diet those weights have for going up and down.
The Oxford University Press, in talking about brain rot, goes on to say that it results in the, “deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material considered to be trivial or unchallenging.” Thank you “social” media! I’m not sure that we can call it “social” anymore when it is the spearhead of isolation.
I was recently in a group setting that was designed for social interaction and I took note that the draw of, so called, “social media” was nigh unto impossible for some to deny. As most of the group was interacting and laughing about the game we were playing, others were overtaken with an irresistible compulsion for the finger swipe of doom.
Alright, time to go into this imposing gym. As I stepped into the place where muscles are built, I felt like I was in a movie. I took in the pounding music, dim lights, the smell of rubber, rippling muscles, and the impressive power working those machines. I dreamed for a moment, “what if we used some of those muscles around the farm?”(Would you like to milk cows with me? You don’t even have to be like a rippling rhino!)
The guy behind the desk had muscles in places I didn’t know they made muscles. I stood there absorbing the sounds and smells of rubber and music that made me want to run really fast or lift something heavy and I blurted out, “I’m here to see Jason.” After my ever so elegant introduction, he pointed through the machines and said, “he’s lifting a fridge.” It was fun to see those muscles put to some good use. He not only looks like a fridge. He can lift my new freezer into my truck like a champ! I wanted to congratulate him on his accomplishment but thought that would be juvenile.
How did they get that strong? Well it wasn’t with the help of brain rot! He had a plan and he took action.
I love the strategic planning idea of finding a picture of the “mountain” where you’re going. Once we have our picture, we can determine the next five steps that will take you in that direction.
What if the word for 2025 could be the opposite of brain rot?! Let’s do that together!
As the rest of you start January by racing off to heft some weights and wear out the treadmills, I’ll be at home carrying pails and lifting calves back in their pens. If you want to work with me, just send me an email.
Meet your farmer – Jonathan Gerdes. He and his wife run a farm-to-table raw milk dairy and farm airbnb in Caledonia, Minn. If he isn’t in the barn, you can find him dating his wife, playing with his kids, leading youth group, or flying in the sky. Visit gerdesfreshfarm.com for more info.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
For the crust:
24 Oreo cookies, finely crushed
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For cheesecake filling:
2 lb. cream cheese, room temperature
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoon cocoa powder
4 eggs at room temperature
10 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or semi sweet chocolate
chips)
For chocolate topping: (optional)
3/4 cup heavy cream
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
To make the crust: Preheat oven to 350º F, grease a 9-inch springform pan and set aside. Finely crush the cookies in a food processor, add melted butter and blend until it’s all moistened. Press crumb mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool while making the filling.
To make the filling: Melt 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate and set aside to cool. Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth, mix in cocoa powder Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed and do not overbeat it. Add melted chocolate and mix on low speed to combine. Pour the filling over the crust and smooth the top.
Bake the cheesecake until the center is set and the top looks dry (about 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes). Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes, then run a thin knife around the sides of the pan and set the cake in the refrigerator (uncovered), for at least 8 hours, or better, overnight.
To make the topping: (or skip this step and top with whipped whipping cream!) In a medium saucepan stir together cream, chocolate and sugar on low heat until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool and pour over the cheesecake. When the topping is set and cooled again, run a thin knife around the sides and remove the springform pan sides.
This cheesecake can be prepared up to 2-3 days in advance just stored covered in the refrigerator. Garnish with chocolate curls (optional).
This is a rich and decadent triple treat!
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