One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for the Smith-kind

We made a big decision here at Casa de Smith.  It was over a year ago that I watched Food Inc. and others of the like.  I was of course, inspired, grossed out, wanting to change our eating habits and quit my job to lobby for better food practices (ok, maybe not that far).  There is no denying, it is pretty horrific what happens to our food.  But, change is expensive and not easy.  And with our major debt diet, how do you fit that in.  So therein lies the rub.

But things are relaxing a bit (just a bit, mind you) budget wise and recently our company had a health and wellness fair where lots of health affiliated companies come out, set up booths and chat with the employees.  We (meaning Neil and I, we work for the same company) also got our blood pressure taken, sugars and cholesterol checked.  The results, for me they were ok.  For Neil, not so much. It scares me, I just want him to be healthy for our family and for himself.  But that is for another post. We signed up to get some information from a company called Fresh Foods Direct.  They specialize in all organic, free range, hormone free, organic, wild caught whatever else you can think of meats.  This is something that is hard to affordably come by unless you shop at Whole Foods (which is not affordable for us) or some other specialty stores.  But even then there are loop holes as to what they can call "organic".

So, a representative came out to our house.  He was really nice, I knew most of the stuff he was talking about already, but I must say we were very impressed. It is the hybrid we have been looking for. I have long talked about wanted to buy a 1/4 or a cow and pig so that we know what it ate and how it was raised.  But that too, is expensive and laborious. And truly organic, free range chicken is hard to come by. So this idea is delievering in bulk, all trimmed and pre packaged, sans all the salt water, hormones, antibiotics and other yucky stuff. 

While we are by no means an all organic family, I would like to try and move more towards a homespun, organic lifestyle. I/we cook probably 6 days a week, I don't allow frozen stuff (i.e. dinners, pizzas, hot pockets etc) in our house.  But if you go through our cupboards, you will find a box of Apple Jacks bought as a treat and a few cans of Pringles, cause they are my favorite.  But, for the most part, we aren't huge into processed, pre-prepared food.  Maybe like 85% of the time being really good is what I am shooting for.  I think the ramification of what is in our food will compile over the coming years and we will come to find out that it is the culprit of many modern day diseases and disorders. Especially having a girl.  We have been advised by our late pediatrician, if we can afford to feed our kids one organic thing, it should be meat.  The increase in disease and how early menstruation is happening in young girls now is astounding.  So, we take one step at a time. We take it with a grain of salt.  We have to live in the real world too, but we can adjust some of our choices. Both Neil and I want to set a healthy example for our kids and also fuel them with the best food we can.

So, gulp, we took the leap and signed up.  It ain't cheap.  But it is far less than shopping organic at main stream grocery stores.  We got a fairly size able package.  It should last us around 6 months.  We got to pick from all kinds of choices.  We have everything from ground beef, to ground turkey, to steaks, a TON of chicken, wild caught salmon, halibut, mahi mahi. Organic chicken sausages, frozen organic veggies and nitrate/hormone free bacon.  Seriously, a TON of food. We took the hit up front and will end up really the same cost wise in the end I think.  Since it is portioned and trimmed, it really limits waste.  And forces us (which we already do) to eat in all the time and use up our restaurant grade, organic meat at home.  It is hard for me to write a big check, but Neil calmed me down and talked me through how it really is in the best interest of our family and our health. And he is right.  In the end, it may cost slightly more, but it is worth it.  Gotta put our money where our beliefs are.  And it STILL is cheaper than eating out (that is a fact).

We should have our shipment in early July.  We need a deep freezer and that is pretty much it.  I am excited to try it out.  I am hoping as I have more time to focus on our family health and get back into shape post partum, that I will really hone in on health.  This is a start though.  One major staple covered.  I am hoping to grocery shop with $30.00 a week now, since our major food cost is covered.  Hoping for some new, fresh, healthy recipes and an overall lifestyle change to come..... one step at a time!

A Love Affair with Paper

Ok I realize this makes me slightly obsessive and a tad OCD but I love all things organizational and paper related.  As a child, school supplies we my most favorite thing.  Nothing like freshly sharpened pencils and cracking a fresh notebook, right?! Ok, maybe that is just me.  But, you can't fault me for needing  wanting an o so sassy way to keep my meal plans, work plans, yoga, budget stuff, date nights (what are those?), Porter stuff all in one place.  So, upon examining one of my other obsessions, blogs (particularly blogs that have to do with DIY house decorating or organization), I discovered Erin Condren  and her super popular "life planner".  She is a girl after my own heart.  She gets to sit around and design paper and school supplies (among other things) all.day.long! Wish I knew that job existed when I was little! But I love her bright, airy and personalized style.  SO, I obsessed about it for about a week and then dove in and ordered it. I love the family picture and the laminated cover with our names on it.  So cute!  Hey, this busy mama has to keep it all together in style!

My Budding Foodie......

I know what people will think, that this is probably a first born only thing, but I am super super picky about what goes into Porter's diet.  Knowing the childhood obesity rates and struggling with food myself my whole life, I want to put my best foot forward in regard to my children (and husband's) health.  So, I exclusively breast fed him till almost 7 months and fully weaned him at 8 months. I would have loved to have nursed him a full year, but pumping at work became very difficult and I just couldn't keep up. Next baby I will though.  But, I am hoping that it set him on a path for a healthy childhood.

Our Satuday Morning Score!

We belong to a food co-op here in Arizona called Bountiful Baskets.  It is a way that we get local produce in large quantities at a good price.  It is a really neat thing.  It is a 50/50 split of fruits and veggies that changes every week, depending on the season.  We take an empty laundry bucket and it fills it all for about $16.00.  We sometimes get "add-ons" line an Italian Pack (eggplant, herbs, garlic, onions, etc).  This week we got 22 LB of Utah peaches (for $15.00) and 5 loaves of homemade Ciabatta bread (for $10.00), and we made out like bandits. I.love.them. Keeps me on my toes to try new recipes and Neil and I hate throwing food away, so needless to say.... we eat our veggies.  What has been really great though, is using much of our basket to make Porter's baby food. He hasn't had typical jarred baby food.  That stuff is loaded with preservatives and chemicals and has probably sat on a shelf for 5 years. Yuck.  No thanks. I am sure, in time, he will get plenty of the bad stuff, but for now, freshest is bestest. Especially when baby food is so easy and more affordable.  I find it kinda fun actually!

Neil helped me with this part

I get most of my baby recipes from wholesomebabyfood.com, and I modify as I see fit.  Most times, a few hours two Saturdays a month, yields me a whole month's baby food.  I roast everything in Pyrex in the oven for about 30 minutes, sprinkle some cinnamon and vanilla over the fruit (babies like tasty food too!), throw the fruit, veggies and all kinds of mixes in my food processor and VOILA baby food! I use ice cube trays, freeze it and store in labelled Zip Lock bags.  When needed I just microwave and it is good to go.  Works great for taking to the baby sitters too.  I am hoping that I can do this for all my babies.  It is such a great thing to share with your children.  Porter gets all sorts of combinations.  Tonight, I made him papaya/plum/peach, chicken/peach/carrot/organic yogurt, banana/avocado/peach/plum and lots of different stuff.  I like exposing him to all kinds of flavors.  Plums are his favorite.  After baking, I can even leave the skin on and it processes right down perfectly.  All in all, it is fun and easy.  We are working on tooth number four now so more complex finger foods and "meals" are on the horizon. 







So, there is a glimpse in our weekly food making ritual.  So far, it has worked out as our almost 8 mo old baby has ate and drank his way to 20 + healthy, beautiful pounds! Love that chub-ba, chub-ba!



Pick me up Mama



I love my Sophie Giraffe



Posting on the New and Improved Blog!

Here goes nothing.  I have decided to actually use and contribute to the blog I created two weeks before Porter was born. I had grandiose ideas of blogging his every movement, but here I am, eight months later, at square one.  Can you tell I have been a little busy?? Anyway, this is my attempt at, well, I am not quite sure yet.  This will be a great tool to use to keep friends and family updated, as well as get my thoughts out there.  In life of a young wife and mother, there is never a dull moment.  I love reading my friend's blogs, so I figure what the heck? Can't hurt. Another great way to connect to people!  So here goes nothing....