Tuesday, July 27, 2010

A Mouthful

I've been reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver this summer and was personally challenged to think more about what I put into my body.

The book is all about how her family challenged themselves to grow their own food, eat local fare, and try their best to consume organic food for one year.  As I read more and more about heirloom seeds, the seasonal growing pattern, and just how very far many of the foods we consume and buy from our grocery store travel (millions of miles) I wanted to see what how the Mister and I could shape up our kitchen.

I started by really studying and reading what kinds of produce were available at my local chain grocery store.  I specifically paid close attention to those little stickers you find on tomatoes, bananas, etc.  Sometimes I could find out where the little guys came from, other times there was no sign and one could begin to wonder if it just appeared miraculously...(we know better then that!) 

We also did some comparison shopping between our regular chain grocery store and 2 of the organic grocery stores in our area.  Our comparison focused on quality, if it was locally grown (ie in the US? a state close by?), prices, and generally how the food tasted to us.

So far...the organic market is winning.  We have noticed a significant difference in the taste of the chicken as well as the vegetables and fruits.  The flavors are much more robust.  I also appreciate knowing that my money is going towards supporting local farmers.  In addition, I've been reading lots of labels and found out the the organic market does not carry any product that contains high fructose corn syrup (the yucky stuff!).


Now the big question I'm sure many of you are asking...how do the prices compare?  To be honest, when you are simply a family of 2 and don't have to purchase TONS of food each week, we did not see a huge inflation in our grocery bill.  You will find that most of the cost is from your meats, but for the Mister and I find this is a fair price to pay for getting much greater quality and a much tastier dining experience at our table every night.

And considering how often we cook - which we believe is greater then the average couple ...we are willing to challenge ourselves to see that what we are putting into our bodies is stuff that is actually good for us!

What do you guys do to try to eat healthy??? 

p.s. one last final thought...vegetables and fruits really are little miracles.  have you ever stopped to ponder all of the little processes that take place so that can savor these delicious flavors!  I tip my hat to farmers!!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Faith Journey

I had the blessing of attending the memorial service of a very inspirational man, Dan Kuban.  Although I didn't know him well, his life still had touched mine over a spaghetti dinner I had with his family over a year ago.  Before the memorial service in the evening, my husband and I went to a Habitat House Dedication in his honor.  Him and his family donated their time, talents, and resources to building multiple habitat homes built both in Knoxville as well as in Mexico.

This man was a true example of what it means to be Christ like.  Dan decreased so that Christ could increase in his life.  Whenever people commented on his ever cheerful disposition or the work that had gone into building the homes, Dan always answered "It's Jesus."  In addition to the memorial service, before we departed the church notes from Dan's journal entry entitled "What's the one thing I'd leave?"  His entry was all about  spending time in the bible.  It speaks specifically to how the bible can answer all of our life's questions.  It has the corresponding verses about: how to work, how to interact with our boss, co-workers, how to make decisions, how to handle money, how not to handle money, how to be a spouse, how to raise children, how to pray, how to take sorrow, how to be joyful, how to be healthy, how to preach, and how to follow the Lord.

I'm planning on my own personal bible study with his journal entry and do further reading on the verses he specifically points out.  I may share my reflections on here.

As I continue my journey of faith I am constantly reminded of the importance to read and study the bible.  This is what Christ left us so we can follow his example most closely.  If we love Christ, it is our responsibility to express that love to him through understanding and obedience and continually to strive to live like he did, and there is no better place to learn how to do that then from the bible. Man has certainly taken things and twisted and woven them into his own, and it is my responsibility as a Christian to examine and re-examine what the bible says about how to live and how to worship and praise him and to do these things in the spirit of truth.

I must decrease so that He may increase.   

Thursday, July 15, 2010

27 Before 27

So I was inspired by Mytopography to come up with a list of 27 things before 27. 

Since technically that is only 5 months away, I will make an acception to this list, to try to accomplish at least 5 things from it (that would mean 1 each month).  Then the remaining items can carry over to the next years list 28 things before 28, and so on.

I'm going to try my best to just brainstorm some ideas and not get too bogged down in the logistics or the details on how these things will be accomplished.

To start:
1. Go camping with the Mr.
2. Ride a bike
3. Take more photographs
4. Attempt to make homemade cheese
5. Do a little bit of public speaking again -- I have 2 work projects that could provide opportunity for this
6. Weight train
7. Make a homemade wreath for the front door
8. Send a care package to someone
9. Map out a plan for landscaping the backyard
10. Go to the farmers market regularly
11. Attempt to write a chapter for the book
12. Organize our photos and put in album
13. Make s'mores this summer

To be continued....

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Long Lost Blog

I am a neglectful blog writer.

It's been quite awhile...hasn't it my dear friend.

Let's blame it on summer and playing.  This summer my DH (dearest husband) and I have been on the hunt for furniture, mattresses, etc.  We have been enjoying organic fruits and veggies, and loving home cooked meals.  Gibson is great as always, and our siblings are all officially done with college and onto the working world!  It's been fun to watch.


Life is good.  I hope your summer is great!
Love,
E