Friday, February 24, 2012

I like wearing aprons and other facts.


The more I grow as wife and mother, the more I crave simplicity.

I dream of getting all our food directly from farmers (knowing their names!), making most of our food and drinks from scratch--all in order to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful ingredients that are added to most processed, store-bought foods.

Even Ben is on board and keeps saying "I can't wait until we can make all our own bread."

Lately we've really started kicking our healthy eating habits into high-gear. 

We've joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where we get in-season, local fruits and vegetables directly from a farm.  I like knowing exactly where my food comes from.

And we're going in with a group of friends to buy half a cow.  We'll be storing about 40 or so pounds of meat in a deep freezer to eat on for a year (we don't eat much meat, but like it occasionally.)

I don't like ranting about health stuff (I know I have me tendencies!), but I'll just say that the nutritional benefits of pastured, grass-fed beef who are slaughtered in a humane way doesn't compare with the products of industrial farming feed lot meat found in most grocery stores and restaurants. 

But I have been able to find grass-fed butter in my local grocery store (although strangely enough it's with the cheeses in the deli and not even with the organic butter...odd!). 

We also joined a natural and organic foods co-op where we order (online) with a group of people from our town to have foods delivered once per month.  This where I get things in bulk!  Everything from oats, quinoa, beans, nuts, raw cheese, frozen fruits, etc. and many things (like organic raisins) that can be pretty pricey in a grocery store are much more inexpensive when bought in bulk through this co-op! 

So, yeah, maybe it seems like we're becoming Amish or going back in time and, in a way, that's the goal. 



Thursday, February 23, 2012

New Project


Can you guess what we've started?

A composting bin!

Yay for using most of our food scraps!!

I love reducing our waste,
so the idea of turning smelly fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grinds, etc. 
into rich dirt for our garden really excites me.

We just fill a bowl in the kitchen throughout the day
and then take it out to our bin each evening!


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What's On My Plate: Lunch Time


I'm always curious to know what do people actually eat, so I'd thought I'd share my lunch...

Sourdough bread, shredded chicken breast, mayonnaise, spicy mustard sandwich
Mixed greens salad with sunflower seeds, raisins, and homemade dressing
Almond butter with raw celery and carrots


Delicious!

I'm on this sourdough bread kick lately and crave a sandwich for lunch daily!  And I've also been craving meat {about which I've been told to follow those cravings, because likely my body and baby need those nutrients} and this past weekend I made a roast in the crock pot for the first time in years!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Monday, February 20, 2012

One and FUN!

{On Friday at the grocery store}

Within the past couple weeks I've felt like my baby is becoming so much more of big boy.

The way he looks and how he acts.

And even others have commented how he's changing.

Thankfully, along with those changes is the fact that he's sleeping so well recently:  3-hour naps, 8-hour stretches followed by 2 to 3 hours more at night.  Ahhh, sleep!

He's becoming so verbal. Of course, I can't understand all that he says, but one things for sure--he has a lot to say!

And he's so curious.  He points and asks about everything he sees and he loves exploring.  He's a climber for sure.  In our house, yard, and at the park the stairs are a favorite. 

He's constantly on the go and unless he's sleeping, eating, or reading he's on the move!

It's wonderful seeing him grow, change, and develop and it really is true to the old saying, "they grow up SO fast!!"


Saturday, February 18, 2012

Saturday Afternoon Snack: Kale Chips


Crispy. Salty. Crunchy.
And easily snack-able.
Without the guilt of eating a whole bowl full.

Just wash & dry kale leaves.
Arrange on a baking sheet.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake 10 minutes at 350.
Drizzle with olive oil.
And snack away!

It's seriously good.
And packed with some serious nutrients!

Happy weekend!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

We're In!

We're all moved into the new house.
And in the process of getting settled.
We had issues and just finally got Internet access today.
I've felt so disconnected {but it was actually pretty nice!}.
A "welcome committee" lady came by today and gave us a
basket of goodies,
including certificates for restaurants, a free haircut, etc.
It's nice feeling welcomed.
And it felt really good today when I nailed the
first piece of art to a wall.
Starting to feel more and more like home!!