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!)

It's a process to UNprocess

Remember how I was SO sure I'd like beets? Well, I don't. They taste like cooked carrots, and I just have no use this. Now that I think of it, I do have to wonder if pureeing it with butter and salt would do the trick...or frying it... Nevertheless, if I don't eat it raw, roasted, or stir-fried it really isn't worth buying. (Other cooking options deplete veggies of most nutritional value.)

I have several points with respect to our 2012 eating challenge:

1. We did NOT eat all of our half share of food. We still have two carrots, some celery, the kale (today is the day, my friends,) two sweet potatoes, and some bananas. The bananas will likely be sliced and frozen or mixed into a banana bread. SOMETHING will happen with them TODAY. The rest will be consumed within the next day or two. I do think we'll be ready for another half share on Saturday.
   
2. There are some processed foods that it is hard for us (read: Ryan) to live without. These include yogurt drinks (although I have switched him to Oikos organic) and cereal. Since I don't want to kill him I will be picking up some cereal this afternoon. In the future I may try to make this, but making everything else we eat is enough of a challenge for now.
3. Eliminating processed foods is a HUGE undertaking for a modern family. Well, at least for me...because, frankly, I have been super lazy about cooking ever since Miss R was born. Now I am tasked with baking bread everyday and cooking a full three meals a day from scratch.
4. I have a serious coffee addiction. Although I have always enjoyed coffee, I have become quite the addict since Miss R was born. I am a better person with coffee. Period. VERY SADLY, I ran out of coffee on Saturday. Today I was able to use the last of my Starbucks gift card to purchase a double latte, but the past two days have been rough...and unproductive. On Friday, when I realized this emergency I purchased some bulk fair trade coffee slated to arrive sometime this week. It cost me AT LEAST double what I normally pay per pound, but I did get a much darker roast. (Translation: it might last longer.) I guess shopping with a conscience does come with a cost.
   
5. My two current challenges include finding a new farm from which to purchase dairy (currently on the back burner) and deciding what is "fair" to purchase from Azure foods. It is a mail order company from which you can purchase health foods in bulk. My intention was to purchase baking supplies and dried beans through this supplier, but I am wondering if it is beyond the spirit of my "local" challenge. I will say that making breads and baked goods with 100% whole wheat flour REALLY changes the taste and texture. Recall that this flour is the only "local" flour I have found. More to come on this big decision.
   

Failure? Perhaps.

Today I wanted to hit up the dairy farm prior to the weekend rush. I dropped B at Grammy's house and set off on my way. I was so excited! I planned to purchase raw milk, kefir, mozzarella, butter, and eggs. Since there are some risks associated with raw milk consumption I had done some research. I researched both the farm and the questions to ask. I'm a great planner, as you may know, but I'm consistently thrown by the inevitable hurdles of execution. You could call it naive, innocent, or just plain dumb. After all, I AM thirty-years-old, so I should, perhaps, have a better grasp on reality by now, right? (Ryan would say, YES!)

Anyhow, the farm's website indicated that it spanned thirty-two acres in Tomball, the cows were rotated through the pastures for maximum grazing opportunities, and I was welcome anytime. As I turned onto the property I noticed that there were about ten cows in the front pasture. Two of which appeared to be Jersey cows good for milking. Then the proverbial red flags started rising. As I drove at a turtle's pace to take a closer look at the livestock and their home, I became very aware that these cows were underfed...perhaps even starving. On a lean cow you can see hipbones as their body weight pulls towards the ground, but I could count the ribs on these cows. I looked down at their "pasture" to realize that they were "grazing" on what looked like a dead golf course, sans artificial hills. There was nothing for them to eat. Now, I understand that there has been a drought here in Texas, but if you are in the business of using your livestock for a living, it seems pretty imperative that you actually NOURISH them...even if this does mean supplementing their diet. I was terribly disappointed. This was plan "A," and I was so confident that I had no plan "B." I turned around and left the alleged thirty-two acres (that suspiciously looked more like five) and headed back to the highway.

I was able to find a farmer's market a few exits down, and I needed some garlic for my gardening pursuits that will commence tomorrow. I also picked up some more lettuce, an onion, some eggs, a bell pepper, and a beet (because I've actually never eaten a beet before, but I'm 98% sure I'll love it!) Okay, so truth be told, I also purchased a pint of salsa made right there on site. It would have cost me the same amount of money to make or buy the salsa, and I do have a weakness for the stuff. Hey, it WAS local. (I drank the entire pint within an hour, seriously...good stuff.) Since my next stop was the grocery store to purchase flour for next week I was elated to find flour at the farmer's market! It was whole wheat that was ground at a mill a few blocks away. Of course, the wheat was Texas-grown too. I purchased three pounds. My total bill at the market was $15. Not bad!

Since the dairy farm couldn't provide me with what I needed (at least on a moral level,) I was forced to go to HEB wherein I purchased two cheeses, milk, butter, and yogurt. It cost me about $25 which is probably close to half of what I would have paid at the dairy. Having said that, my goal is to support the local producers, so I will re-open my search for a good farm.

The whole wheat was definitely a deviation from the white flour I had been used (though unbleached, of course.) Here is the bread I immediately baked. You'll notice that the flour comes in these cute little bags...awe...


The big failure of the week is that I did, in fact, step foot in a grocery store despite my goal not to. Having admitted that, I'm sure you'll appreciate that it was a mere consequence of the moral injustice suffered by my bovine friends at the dairy.

Recall that I have two more goals this week: to eat all of the produce from my food share and to plant some garlic. Stay tuned for the final assessment tomorrow!

My Produce Challenge

So, as you may recall, one of my weekly goals was to use all of the produce from our half-share of produce. Here is what we received in this "half" share:

• three tomatoes
• three zucchini
• two cucumbers
• one pineapple
• 5 apples
• 5 pears
• celery
  
• two avacados
• four lemons
• bok choy
• red leaf lettuce
• spinach
• kale
• one pound of carrots
• one kiwi
• about seven bananas
• grape tomatoes
• parsley
• three oranges
• two grapefruits
  
• two sweet potatoes

YES! THAT MUCH FOOD! It cost me $47, by the way, and it's all organic.

First, I decided that I needed to make some smoothies. Perhaps I could actually get the boys to drink them...

I kept adding more which was a good idea up until I decided to throw in an entire grapefruit...
Yes, the darn grapefruit took over the entire batch of smoothies. I'll omit that step next time and have a more salable produce.

Since I seriously dislike zucchinis I decided to...drum roll please...FRY THEM! I served zucchini latkes with dinner last night. Ryan ate two. That's impressive...so basically, they weren't so bad...definitely the way to go with this veggie around here...at least until I work up the nerve to try to shred it and sell it as a pasta replacement.

The other veggie that I don't really care for is cucumber. They're just boring. I used them and the tomatoes to make tabouleh this morning. Now I have lunch for the rest of the week; however, there is little chance that R or B will enjoy it with me :(
Tonight I'll just serve a salad and some chicken soup I have in the freezer. I'll throw in some frozen croissants for good measure...and because I'm out of flour for the much-preferred homemade bread.

Tomorrow I'll serve kale chips (VERY excited about this,) ragu bolognese, and polenta. The polenta will replace pasta since I served that last night and am running low. Oh, and the bolognese sauce will include several veggies and my ground deer meat.

I will still have so much produce to use! I guess I can juice the oranges for B and force feed him the apples and pears. I have already frozen half of the pineapple. More ideas to come!

First Days

The upside of this challenge is that I can ease into it, and I spent months preparing for its execution. Consequently, the last three days have not tossed too many hurdles our way. Our house is still full of holiday junk foods, and our pockets are still flowing with gift cards. We haven't felt too challenged...yet. Having said that, on Sunday I was tasked with providing Grammy's birthday cake. Given all of my "to-dos" (that rarely seem to get done no matter the circumstances,) I was not too enthusiastic about baking a German chocolate cake from scratch. Nevertheless, B pulled up his stool and we got to work. After all, buying anything pre-made is not on the agenda for the year. Admittedly, what we created was FAR superior to anything we could have purchased at the local grocery store bakery.

The only other real challenge was when Ryan wanted lunch. You see, he eats out every day with his work buddies, so on the weekends our house is always void of his favorites. (I can't even get him to tell me what those are...) On a "normal" weekend we may have packed up the family and headed off to Freebird's. Yum. I'm craving it already. But we couldn't. We had to find something to eat at home. Ryan, already disgruntled with my fanaticism, pouted and ate PB&J for lunch on Sunday. Of course, this catapulted us into a "discussion" about how his jelly would be replaced. I'll take care of it, Honey...but you'll never get that brand again. Red dye will kill you (kind of.) Monday I was able to produce some nice round steak, cornbread, and salad for lunch, so no more complaining. (Of course I was the only one to eat the salad.)

Minor challenges so far.

Yesterday I used my last disposable coffee filter. Today I had to use this...
It is a reusable filter that I will have to wash daily. One more thing to add to my list, right? I'm curious to know if I can wash this cloth in the dishwasher.

I have three goals for the week:

1. stay out of the grocery store
2. eat all of the produce from our food share (this will be VERY difficult...more to come on that)
3. plant garlic...on Saturday (this doesn't come in our food share, but I will probably die without garlic)
   

Why?

I have a friend, a VERY religious friend, who recently began running her household with the goal of creating as little waste as possible. It took some questioning for me to learn that this was her underlying goal. Was she trying to increase health? Save money? No, she said. But those were byproducts. Although I'm not sure she ever quoted this expectation to me, I have come to understand that her purpose was to be a good steward of God's resources, a biblical concept, of course. As time has gone by, I have begun to wonder if part of her inspiration to pursue this path was the impending threat of the Highway 6 Landfill. After all, she is from Navasota.

I would like to be a better steward of God's resources. But this was not what has inspired our 2012 goals. (Interestingly, of course, it appears that this friend and I will share many of the same DIY methods in attempt to keep out of the stores.) This is OUR "why"...

First is health. Eliminating pesticides, GMOs, and world-travelling foods will increase the nutrients and reduce the toxins introduced to our bodies.

Second is empowering our dollars. Sending our dollars to local producers of goods and foods has a far more powerful effect on our community than spending on items produced elsewhere.

Third is self control. Especially after the excess of the holiday season we are in awe of the STUFF we consume. I remember Benjamin's first birthday. He would open a gift and had no desire to open another. Why would he? He wanted to enjoy the new item, to explore it, to engage it. In only two years that attitude has done a one-eighty. Now he tears through gifts asking for more. I wonder how this could be the same child that used to appreciate such simplicity. I am embarrassed. It is my failure. The consumerism and marketing in this country has become too powerful a force to resist...well, almost. We will flex those resistance muscles this year.

Fourth is time. We can spend it consuming more or enjoying what we have. It is our most valuable resource. I want to put it to work actually generating the happiness that the marketing companies falsely promise their products will create.

So why write about it all? It will keep me honest and focused. I believe it is a challenge worth taking. Perhaps I will glean something valuable that is, as of now, still unknown. I want our family and friends to understand our choices and respect that they are well intended. Should this "project" become a long-term lifestyle, I want our children to understand its origin.

New Year, New Approach

or so I resolve...

I read this quote this morning, and I hope I will refer to it often...

“Be always at War with your vices, at peace with your neighbors,
and let each New Year find you a better person.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Sadly, prior to reading this, I sent off a not-too-peaceful email to my neighbors regarding all of the illegal fireworks they set off last night. May I request a do-over? Even though today was supposed to be the "do-over" of the year? We'll just shove that under the rug and move forward.

Resolutions...ahhh...I normally resolve to lose weight. Somehow after all of the goodies of the holiday season it sounds so simple. Who needs more sugar? I've already had such an overload that veggies just sound more appetizing. Of course, weight loss is more than that...probably about some sort of self discipline that I have always lacked. This year, however, I have a different goal with respect to food.

Eat locally. Eat organically. Eat responsibly.

I have been reading the best book on food culture that I've ever read: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It has changed the way I understand food. It has made me want to garden. (That will be a super-huge challenge this year for a number a reasons...a post - or twelve - of its own.)

Here is the brief: I will be purchasing all of our meats from local farmers. All fruits and veggies will be local, co-opted, and/or grown at The Levy Casa. I will try to reserve grocery store visits for dairy and baking ingredients purchases. I would actually like to mill my own flour, but those mills are costly. Perhaps next year? Beans will also be purchased via mass-market, but I select organic and BPA-free varieties. Obviously baby foods will be of the same homemade standards. Did you notice that I never mentioned paper products or household cleaners? Well, I will be buying toilet paper as needed...hard to get around that one. Diapers are also on the list, and you know I buy the organic variety. Household cleaners, however, must be made. I do have a bit of a stockpile (imagine that,) so I will ease into that transition. Nevertheless, all other paper goods or grocery store extras will be made or forgone. It will be a challenge...especially since R is very dedicated to his paper towels...the disposable ones. No more, my dear, no more.

Our second family goal created by me and suffered by Ryan is to stay away from retail. No toys, no clothes, no NOTHING from retailers. Clothes will be made or thrifted. I do have three exceptions:

1. Shoes.
2. Underwear.
3. Gift card purchases. I have a number of these and will be using them as needed.

For me, a big draw is Etsy.com. I will NOT be making purchases that route either.

Gifts will be handmade. You may consider this a warning.

Date nights and vacations will be exceptions to rules. This is a lifestyle decision. These matter.

"How to spend money" is a big time-waster. I want to re-allocate our time to the things that really matter: more outdoor time, more craft time, more reading, more music, more dancing, more baking.

However, it is not a goal to save money. It is a goal to live more simply, more wholely. The irony is that we will embark on this journey in the same moment that R got his big promotion. We will make commitments that will, in effect, save us very much money at the very time we can afford so much more. Funny how life works...

Stay with me as I offer frequent and detailed updates of our journey! Happy 2012!