Supplements & Whole Foods

I have been doing a lot of research lately about dietary supplements and vitamin deficiencies. Although I am FAR from consistent (thus far) I am trying to incorporate more supplements such as organic, food-based multivitamins, DHA, vitamin K, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12. I'm not sure I need the B-12, but it is water soluble, danger-free. I need to keep a detailed log to determine if it is having any effect on me. On Tuesday when I see my endocrinologist I will ask that she tests my vitamin D levels to ensure that the supplement is, in fact, necessary. It will be interesting...I also make Benjamin take supplements: calcium, multi-vitamins, and DHA supplements...
Ryan eats a "men's" chewable...yes, like a gummy bear for men. No comment...

In my quest to explore new flours I attempted to make pizza with my gluten free mix. It tasted like cheese on cornbread. I soon realized that I had accidentally used almond flour instead of baking mix. Oops! Knowing that, the pizza really wasn't too bad! This means I got some protein into the boys and it wasn't too carb-heavy! (Nevertheless, that mistake will not be tolerated by the hubs in the future.)
I have been enjoying homemade almond butter on homemade wheat/flax bread with local honey...ahhh, that makes me sound so dedicated that you would almost forget that I'm 20lbs. overweight...
This is my 20lbs. of organic apples I ordered. I have made applesauce with about 50% of them. Of course the boys eat my apple sauce like it's cookies, so I never have it around for a full 48 hours. I still have some apples to cook this weekend. In fact, I have to use that little green machine to make the baby's food. I do think this was a fantastic buy at only $10, so I will try to order this from Azure every month.
Here's one of the few things I haven't totally screwed up in my kitchen experiments as of late: baked pumpkin oatmeal. I am really loving this for B and me in the mornings. It's a fantastic hot breakfast with no sugar, all whole, nourishing foods! Now THIS makes me feel like a responsible mother...even on days when B won't touch dinner with a ten foot pole!
I will have to give you the final tally on January food expenses next time I log in. As for now, I am trying to re-focus on "shopping my kitchen." There is so much food in my pantry and freezer. I need to eat through that prior to buying much. I am really looking forward to exhausting my meat supply and buying some lamb from a farm out in Cameron. I have a poultry guy in Hempstead, too. I do kind of miss chicken since we have been out of it for a while. Oh, and FISH! I LOVE FISH! There is an independent fish market in Spring that I might visit. As for tomorrow, I will be at the farmer's market picking up a short list of items to round out our needs for the week. Oh, and I will be baking my first loaf of gluten-free bread tomorrow morning. That will be interesting... I'll do that prior to the FM so that I can pick up some wheat flour if necessary... Good eats to you!

Soap Nuts

I am very excited to finally be trying the most natural way of laundering clothes...sans ANY chemicals! This is much safer than the homemade laundry detergent, and it keeps our clothes free of any toxic residue! Ryan is going to freak out about this, but I have been reading about this for YEARS. They had an end of season sale on it which made it comparable to the price it costs to use the homemade detergent, so I knew it was time. I will give an update after our trial.

Sugar

Since I am doing so much baking I have realized how much granulated sugar is required in recipes. This type of sugar has no nutritional benefits whatsoever, so I have been substituting it with surprising ease. I am using both honey and pure maple syrup. The food textures have not suffered, and neither has its taste. I can't believe I didn't learn this years ago!

I finally found a good bread recipe that works beautifully. I replaced the sugar with honey, and I replaced the white flour with a combination of flax and whole wheat. I even halved the amount of "sugar" required. This is a big win for me as Ryan requires bread on the weekends, and PB&J are the easiest lunchbox meals for B.

The other big food success I had was with a pumpkin-oatmeal bake. There was no sugar added, of course. I baked them in muffin tins for portion control, and both B and I love them with some cream and maple syrup. It is nice to have a wholesome breakfast with my coffee every morning, and it is far more nutritious than cereal.

Despite my satisfaction with these unprocessed foods, I need to increase the amount of proteins and veggies consumed throughout the day. That will be my big push over the next week. It should go a long way to keeping stable blood sugar and energy levels.

Spending Dollars

Here's the update on food and money for the week...

I still had a few veggies from last week to sustain us. I went to the grocery store on Monday for my dairy: milk, mozzarella, yogurt, and butter. Since we had no fruit and the farmer's market wasn't open I had to pick up some apples for B too. Total cost: $15.

Yesterday I had to send Ryan back to the store for a couple of things:

1. Dry black beans. I'm not sure about finding this "locally" grown. I don't use many beans, so I'm still learning about them. (I will be using these to make some magnesium-rich BROWNIES!)
2. Yeast. I have more coming next week, but I will also be making a "starter" for sourdough. Fermented foods are easier to digest, so I will be doing what I can to include some in our diets.
3. Cocoa power. I ran out an needed a little bit before my shipment arrives next week.
4. Almond flour. They didn't have any, so Ryan got me flax meal...LOVING IT!
5. Toilet paper. No way around it.
6. Infant Tylenol. After the day I had yesterday...I had to wonder if she was teething. Still not too sure. I only gave her a drop, but it's good stuff to have on hand for emergencies.

Ryan purchased deodorant, contact solution, and Q-tips (this is like T.P. - irreplaceable!) He spent $50.

On Monday I also placed an order with Azure Standard. Here's what I ordered...

QP162  Fresh Produce Ginger, Organic           1 lb. appro 1       $5.95   $5.95
QP324  Fresh Produce Fresh Garlic, Organic     1 lb.       1       $5.70   $5.70
QP230  Fresh Produce Apples,  "In Season",     20 lbs.     1      $10.00  $10.00
QP018  Fresh Produce Onions, Yellow, Organ     3 lbs.      1       $3.45   $3.45
FL160  Gifts of Nature All Purpose Flour B     10 lbs.     1      $32.35  $32.35
FL192  Bob's Red Mill Almond Meal Flour        5 lbs.      1      $19.20  $19.20
OL174  Nutiva Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin, O     29 ozs.     1      $17.40  $17.40
BP252  Earth Circle Organics Raw Cacao Pow     1 lb.       1      $11.70  $11.70
BP078  Red Star Yeast, Dry Active              2 lbs.      1       $9.30   $9.30
BP082  Let's Do...Organic Cornstarch, Orga     6 ozs.      1       $2.70   $2.70
NU113  Bulk Almonds, Raw, Organic              5 lbs.      1      $36.60  $36.60


Sub Total: $0.00
Estimated Total: $154.35

Here's why...

1. There's no local ginger. I will look into growing this.
2. We eat a LOT of garlic, and I can't get it at my co-op right now. The local farmer's market this is open is a bit sketchy as they don't disclose too much about where they get their produce. This time of year I think the only thing that is local is greens. I am trying to grow some.
3. Onions, ditto about the garlic.
4. There are no local apples. This is B's fruit of choice, and my family LOVES apple sauce. I will also use this ration to make a big batch of puree for Bekah.
5. The flour is a gluten-free mix. I have been reading about whole wheat not being as digestible as we have been led to believe. Either way, I think it is a healthy choice to vary our grains. I will be using this in the break maker.
6. Almond meal will be a flour replacement to increase the protein values in our baking.
7. Coconut oil is the "new" superfood. I will use it, EVOO, and butter as our exclusive fats.
8. Cacao. Look, I'm a chocolate addict, let's be honest. I am actually thinking that in the future I will buy this from the Fair Trade company from which I purchased my coffee...hmmmm...coffee...maybe just one more cup...
9. Hopefully this is the last time I'll buy yeast.
10. I will use the corn starch for gravies...although I don't often make gravies...OH, I might use it for diaper changing too.
11. I will make almond butter with the raw almonds. I believe it's much healthier than peanut butter, and in true DIY spirit I thought I'd make it.

So, these are pretty much baking items that I would otherwise purchase at the grocery store. This way I am getting a much better value on 100% organic products that I cannot (as of yet) find locally produced. Often, I cannot even get onions and garlic at my produce co-op.

The Azure order will last me at least a month. Realistically, I think it will last two or more. So, I've spent $220 on food and grocery items this week. I like to keep track of things to see if we can eat a higher quality diet for the same price or lower than the mixed diet we ate before. I'd love to see it even out to about $100 per week. I think it will.

"Use It Up" Mentality

One of the biggest perks of moving towards whole, local foods is that I am forced to dig through my pantry and freezer for inspiration. (Although, I will tell you that I have found some amazing blogs that really inspire me as well!) We have really been diversifying our eating around here, and what started as a burden has become a great joy. For example, last week, in an effort to use up some veggies I made a shrimp and brown rice stir fry. It was AMAZING! I was pretty skeptical, but I ended up LOVING IT! And, frankly, I think it was pretty healthy. I will work on reducing the amount of oil in the future, but 4T isn't too bad for two nights of dinners. (I usually try to double what I'm cooking and store the rest in the freezer for a second meal.) Monday night I made sweet potato crusted talapia that Ryan actually enjoyed! He's my toughest crowd member! Of course I have been cooking every night, but these were two of my favorite new dishes.

Last night I went through all of my grains and decided to use some stash. I have had a can of rolled oats FOREVER! I have never used it well but always been inspired by its nutritional value. I found a very interesting recipe, modified it a bit, and made cookies...NO sugar and NO flour! I used chocolate chips instead of raisins, and I will reduce the amount next time I make these. Having said that, I think this cookie is a grand alternative "treat" for Benjamin!

This is an adapted recipe from naturallyknockedup.com:
1.5C rolled oats
1C unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2t salt
1/2C flax meal
1/2C walnuts
3 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1/4C melted virgin coconut oil
1T vanilla
Mix and bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes.
I had to make some hummus for lunch and realized that we were short on crackers. This is the year to make them! I found this recipe for wheat-thin-like crackers. B LOVES them and calls them "cookies" even though there is only 1T honey in the entire batch! I don't know that they're the ideal companion to hummus, but I will be sending them with peanut butter for B's lunch tomorrow.
As you can tell, I am also experimenting with different flours right now. Currently, flax meal is my wheat replacement of choice. I have also ordered some almond flour that is due to arrive next week. I'm very excited!

How simple is life?

Yesterday I had the bright idea of recording a "day in this life." I wouldn't say this is "normal," but I wouldn't say we have a consistent "normal." The kids are growing and changing. Their needs vary. Our commitments vary. Take it for what it's worth...

4:15am - Bekah wakes. I flip her back to her stomach and re-insert the passifier. (This was unusual, but you will soon see that she must have been having some teething issues...)
4:45am - see above
5:15am - see above
5:45am - Ryan's alarm wakes me and Benjamin. I try to ignore B's whines and tell myself he will go back to sleep. I was delusional.
6:15am - Ryan's alarm clock wakes me again.
6:30am - I hear Ryan curse and leave the house. I assume it is because I haven't paired his socks from the wash. My bad. Starting the day with guilt...
6:45am - I hear some scampering around and hope it is Olsen and NOT Benjamin.
7:15am - Bekah wakes. I try to put her back to bed. I see Benjamin sitting on the couch. I get angry and turn on the Disney Channel anyways. It is just now becoming light outside.
7:30am - Bekah wakes. I throw in the towel on that evasive fantasy you call "sleep."
7:45am - I serve everyone breakfast...everyone but me.
8:00am - I debate is to whether I can possibly get Benjamin to school on time this morning. I decide to get up and make his lunch.
8:20am - I go back to my bathroom to put on a sweatshirt and a baseball cap. That makes me "ready" enough to drive carpool.
8:25am - I bribe Benjamin to get dressed by promising him that he can wear his rain boots to school.
8:35am - I load the kids in the car. I realize that Benjamin's boots are on the wrong feet. Since we are already running late I decide that I will play "dumb" and let it slide. I hope that the teacher will notice and make him switch feet. (She never did.)
8:40-8:55am - I drive to school trying to convince Benjamin to have a positive attitude towards the ladies that unload him and walk him to class. Epic failure.
8:55am - I pull out of the school carpool line feeling successful and timely. I had ten minutes to spare before he would have been "late." I guess I should have switched his boots to the correct feet... I call a friend to check on her while I drive home.
9:15am - I take Bekah into the house, unload her, and let out the dogs.
9:20am - I realize that coffee is the only thing that will get me through this day. I make it STRONG.
9:30am - I sit down to eat two mini muffins, drink my coffee, and feed the baby.
10:00am - I realize that Bekah isn't tired, so I take her into her room to sort clothes and have some floor time.
10:20am - I try to feed her more. No dice.
10:30am - I change her diaper and give her a bath.
10:45am - I dress her wherein she spits up all over her outfit as I am pulling it over her.
10:50am - I try to feed her again. Nothing.
10:55am - I try to per her down for a nap. Not happening.
11:00am - My cousin calls. I recognize that this could be my only adult conversation until 9pm, so I am elated. I talk to her as I jostle the baby, bounce her, make faces at her, and stick toys in her face.
11:25am - She finally goes to sleep!!!
11:30am - I go into the kitchen to dig out some lunch (frozen whole wheat veggie calzone I made last week.) I put it in the toaster oven to heat.
11:34am - I go into the bathroom to shower. I wonder why there is no soap in the shower. I pick out a fresh bar from the closet but then decide it is too feminine for Ryan to approve. I put it in the bath instead. I grab my bottle of Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap to avoid further soap-related decisions.
11:39am - still in the shower...I start to worry. What if the house is burning down due to the toaster over catching fire? What if my geriatric dog is counter surfing?
11:43am - I get out of the shower, throw on some sweats, and comb through my hair.
11:48am - I walk into the kitchen to make sure it's not burning down. I check lunch. Since it doesn't burn my finger, I am sure it isn't hot enough. I open the freezer to make a decision about dinner.
11:51am - I throw some chicken breasts and green chili into my Le Creuset and pop it in the oven all the while debating the appropriate temperature.
11:54am - I sit down to write and wait for lunch.
12:02pm - I hear the baby crying. NO WAY! She normally takes a two hour morning nap... Not today...

Okay, well, you get the idea. The rest of my day fell into fifteen minute increments as well. I have it logged until 3:12pm at which time the final naps were over and the dinner/laundry/bedtime rushes began. Ahhh, this simple life...

Side effects and Oopses

Now that R is working out of the corporate office he actually gets home around 4:30pm everyday. THIS is luxurious living! We he arrives he is able to take a kid or two while I cook. This affords me about one leisurely (not really...) hour per night to whip up something. Since I have had so many veggies from the co-op and the farmer's market I have been discovering new ways of delivering them to the boys. One night last week I served whole wheat pizza (though the boys didn't eat the veggie toppings) and kale chips...I think B was on the verge of crying or gagging in this picture. We did ask him to TASTE the kale. Not sure if he really did, but there was much melodrama...
In other food news for the week I forgot that the farmers' markets were closed on Mondays...so we are starving... Not really. But I did have to buy a couple of apples at the grocery store to keep B alive until I get more produce on Wednesday.

In my inspiration book the family didn't actually begin their local food challenge until spring. Now I have a first hand understanding of why: you just aren't prepared in the winter! Most fruit and tomatoes are inaccessible this time of year. I did, however, see a man on the side of the road selling big bags of Texas oranges today. I'll get some cash tomorrow and try to hunt him down again. Sadly, it is a fight to get B to eat oranges. I have juiced several in the past few days with poor results. It is very tasty, but he puts up a big fight to drink it. Oh heck, you know I'm probably going to buy the oranges anyways and just keep fighting!

(Did I mention that my yeast went bad? I'm going to have to get creative for B's lunch tomorrow!)