Food for my Family

We have been busy planting our Spring/Summer garden.  Our oldest sons asked if they could have their own garden space, so not only are we planting seeds and seedlings, but we're expanding.  We (my husband, I should say) put in another raised bed; one that the boys can call their own.  We now have 150 square feet of raised garden bed space, not including our blueberry beds or anything in containers.  We are trying something completely new this season -- corn.  I am a bit nervous to attempt to grow this new {to us} crop, but I'll never know if it works unless I try.  Plus, my kids love corn on the cob.

In the meantime, I came across this video and felt it very appropriate to share.  It inspires me to grow more and more food for my family to eat.

Joy in the Journey

For nearly the last month now my husband has been working 80 hour weeks.  I feel badly that he hasn't seen much of our family.   And then sometimes I shamefully feel badly for myself, even though I would never wish to switch him positions.  My place is here.  It may be the most challenging job I've ever had, but it's raising my people.  Therefore, there is much rewarding and satisfying that comes from my occupation.

Lately, I have been trying to prepare myself and my family better for the Holy Sabbath.  A couple weekends ago I prepared almost everything we would need for the Sabbath day the night before.  Our meetings begin at 1130 on Sunday.  That morning we had some spare time and the kids and I (husband at work) wandered down a trail nearby.  We brought bread for the fish and turtles, a school backpack?, and Perry the Platypus.  We collected rocks along the way.  Boys are so funny.  I always find rocks in the washing machine after I wash a load of their clothing.  So now we have lots of clean, shiny rocks.  ;-) 

The previous week and weekend had been stressful and this little trip into Nature was just what we all needed.  It was quiet and peaceful.  We passed by only one other on the trail. We heard nothing other than our own voices and the birds singing.

We don't like to be uncomfortable, pushed out of our normal schedules, do we?  For some, when the pressure is on we find ourselves performing our best.  Trials, and even simply, change stretch us and provide opportunity to grow spiritually.  I have prayed for increased patience and endurance to make it through these last few weeks and I've felt that added strength.  I didn't want to simply make it through the week - frazzled, disorganized, or angry with my children.  I wanted to make it the best I could for them.  They miss their Dad.  The house remained in decent enough shape, homework completed, Valentines made, and peace (for the most part) was kept - sometimes strictly enforced. Until last night.  I think I suddenly hit my breaking point.  Right before bedtime.  Urgh - hate when I lose it!  I apologized and they did what children do so well: immediately dismissing their hurt feelings and forgiving me without further thought.  They are amazing.  I love them.  
 
"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."

President Thomas S. Monson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Cheap way to eat healthy

Thanks for your responses to my last post, Christy and Emily.  At first I began making a comment in the comment box, but it was a very LOOOOOOOOOONG comment, so here we are.

Em, thanks for sharing!  I'm glad to know which types of coupons you use.  I'll keep an eye out for those healthier coupon options.  When I heard about Bountiful Basket a year or so ago I was so excited.  Then, I went to the website and saw that it wasn't here in Florida.  :(  Bummer!   You know how you mentioned you wanted me to share when I found the answer to eating totally healthy for cheap.  I think I may know the answer!!  But I am not in the position yet to make it happen.  I think I  have to grow the food myself!  It's a huge undertaking, but I'm beginning to do it, starting out small.  I try to incorporate my garden goods into dinner two to three times a week.  I figure it's a start.  And it's not cheap in the beginning.  There are materials, seeds, tools, etc. to buy.  But once you get it going, the cost goes down.  I think I could eventually get to the point where we are able to sustain ourselves (produce-wise) with the food from our backyard.  This point is a ways off though.  Side note: Have you seen this blog?

For now, every year I try to do a little more.  And typically, each growing season I experience a little more success than the previous year.  That's where I'm headed, anyway.  It's my dream.  Am I being realistic?

Christy, thanks for the information!  I have been searching for a co-op here.  Dave has a facebook account, so I will look into that.  There is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm nearby.  There is a membership fee and then a lump sum depending on how long and how often we bring home their produce.  It's very beneficial -- for us and for the farmer.  Essentially, we are paying for their seeds, equipment, maintenance, labor, etc.  And in return, we make a personal connection with the people growing the food that goes into our bodies!  We receive food which is organic, local, less expensive, and it's an educational experience.  I suppose I just need to make the jump!  It's difficult for me to want to pay that much up front, and yet I know it is truly worth it.  First though, I'll check into that co-op that the sisters from church are trying to start up.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and knowledge, Christy and Em.  Keep it coming!

Couponing to save money, but not my health?

I recently attended a budgeting and couponing class.  It motivated me to be wiser with our money.

My grocery shopping is done almost entirely at Publix.  Publix is based in Florida, but spreads throughout the southeastern states.  The customer service is excellent.  They are quick to help, walking me to the items I cannot find.  They are always able to answer my questions, and in general, are very courteous.  They employ a number of less-abled {I know that's not a word, but I think it fits better than disabled} people.  Their employees are not only helpful, but seem happy to help.  My kids enjoy their trips to Publix -- always a balloon in hand when we leave.

However, I'd like to cut back on our monthly food allowance.  But Publix is not Walmart.  And I have this vendetta against Walmart.  I really try to not shop there.  I won't go into my reasons, unless you'd like to hear them...  :)

So, how can I continue to shop at Publix and spend less?  For one, Publix has weekly BOGO's and plenty of them-- buy one get one free.  Second, IheartPublix is a great website where someone else has already done the work in locating coupons that apply to Publix's weekly deals.  Publix accepts store coupons and manufacturing coupons.  Sweet!  It's so easy.  You simply go down the list of BOGO items, sale items, and printable coupons.  I am not one to pour hours into couponing.  I never will be.  It does not give me a high.  But, I will do some work to save.  And at IheartPublix someone has done all the research already!  I just have to put my list together for the week and print the coupons.

I was really excited when I learned about this website and decided that I was going to use it diligently to save.  But here is my problem.  So much of it is processed junk -- something in a neat package that has a shelf life of forever.  Much of it comes from the frozen foods section.  Don't get me wrong, we are not perfectly healthy and organic eaters here.  However, I do strongly believe our bodies are meant to eat meat sparingly, which to me, cannot be on a daily basis.  Whole grains are the way to go.  And things like high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners are to be avoided as much as possible!  I did see deals on pasta, rice, yogurt, household products, and diapers too.  So, there are some things I can buy, but not many coupons for me to plan my meals around.  I want whole grain items.  I want fresh produce.  Any suggestions as to where I can find coupons for those things?  Does such a thing even exist?

rainbow carrot harvest begins

One of the boys couldn't wait any longer and started pulling carrots one afternoon, while I was inside.  This is not as bad as the day I left out a can of spray paint and they began painting their fort while I was inside cleaning.  Troublemakers those boys.  ;-)

This is how it goes when school lets out in the afternoon -- They grab a snack when they walk in the door, throw their backpacks and some of their clothing in their room.  I've managed to keep them in shorts or pants most of the time.  But the shirtless thing is not a fight I care to make yet.  They run around the house, play some computer games, wrestle, maybe do a little homework.  And when they begin climbing the walls (I'm almost serious), I send them out to play in the backyard.  I often try to line this up with cooking dinner.  That way I have a little peace and quiet, even if it only lasts ten minutes.

Back to the carrots.  Wish they would have stayed in the dirt a little longer, but they weren't so early.  I think we're onto something -- carrots in containers.  Whatever works, right?  The night these were picked we made roasted rainbow carrots.  Not from our own carrots, but from the farmers market.  Ours were perfect for snacking.  I sliced up the KYV carrots and drizzled olive oil over them, added a little kosher salt, some freshly ground pepper, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. 

Also, this morning I spied a broccoli head.  The size of my pinky fingertip, but it's there! 

Softball lemons

Generally speaking we go to a farmer's market to pick up healthy food to prepare healthy meals.  But, how about dessert?  Last Saturday we took the boys to the St. Johns River Farmers Market.  We visited the KYV Farm booth and picked up some goodies -- kale, rainbow carrots, and softball-size meyer lemons.  At first I thought I was holding a grapefruit.  I had to check the sign twice to make sure I was actually looking at a lemon. 

Although the recipe called for more, it only took one gigantic lemon to make a pan.  They had a perfect balance of sweet and tart. Lemon Bars never tasted better.

Two Months of growth

The kale is almost ready to pick.  One of our favorite things to do with kale is make this soup -- substituting kale for escarole.

BROCCOLI.  Still haven't produced heads yet.  Hoping it's not too warm here.  I know there are others in my area having success growing broccoli.  Hopefully I didn't plant too late.  I have read that broccoli doen't like the heat and the temps have been in the 80s this week.  I'll keep peeking inside and gently pulling the leaves back in the center of the plant.  Perhaps I am just being impatient.

 BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE.  Time for some salad!

RAINBOW CARROTS.  I love to see the vibrant purple head peeking out from the soil.  We're getting close to harvesting carrots.  I wonder what is beneath the soil.  How can you tell when a carrot is done?  

 Curly KALE.  Curly headed baby.  Mouthful of juicy orange.

 Two months of carrot green growth.

 Carpet of parsley. 

There you have it.  Two months of growth.  Time to harvest some things and time to sit back and patiently await others.  I'm thinking about another locavore challenge.  One month of eating one locally grown food each day.  Any takers?