Wednesday, March 31, 2010

One Small Change Update and Farewell March


On this last day of March I think back through so many memories and there are a lot that come from our One Small Change.
I really focused on slowing down, planning and thinking ahead so my family may eat more whole foods in our ONE SMALL CHANGE rather than those quick fixes in flash that are so easy for this on the go Momma to grab.


Our Small change list
  • We make all our own bread now. I found this Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and am hooked...it is really that easy and I just found out that they have a new cookbook Healthy Bread in Five...on my wish list. We started with the basic recipe to get the rhythm, now we are using the Whole Wheat recipe soo good!
  • The Farmer's Market opened, so we have an abundance of local produce and have plans to get there every Saturday morning. There is also a neighborhood market on Wednesdays we caught today.
  • We have created a weekly meal rhythm that has helped me plan and prepare. It has also helped with stocking of the pantry and fridge...
  • All veggie trimmings are saved for stock
  • New rule...all left overs are to be eaten...I try and come up with creative ways to use them up...now with how much care we put into our food, we want zero to go to waste.
  • Pizza night (Sat.) all from scratch. this moment
I think getting organized was the most difficult, but have made some small changes and am having fun making connections with the farmers' weekly at the market. A big change is we are eating less meat at our table. We are meat eaters and have only been consumers of grass fed beef and organic poultry for some time ...my last stage of the change will be to buy our meat from Afton Field Farm. We did buy an organic pasture chicken from a different local farm at the market week before last and I have made 4 meals from that one bird, and have two gallons of chicken stock in the freezer for more to come.

Maxx and I have been feeling under the weather and the other night after our bike ride we made chicken noodle soup and had tea. It was such a joy to both work on this project and sit down and enjoy the comfort. Maxx said very excited that he, "...L-O-V-E s peas and noodles" -the bonus of making our own...we get to add in extra :)


I am really loving living more simply and am looking forward to April's small change.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

In Training

It is official Maxx is in training.








Our first ride was to the grocery store to pick up some missing ingredients for soup. Success. He is a natural.

Friday, March 26, 2010

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...



This is a sweet weekly tradition in my blogging rhythm inspired byAmanda of SouleMama

Gratitude Friday

It is Friday, again? ...Already!?!



What a fantastic week! It started with a *:BANG:* and it is going to end with some needed rest.
What I am thankful for this week:
  • Spending a beautiful day with and getting to know my new friend Lisa
  • Being inspired by so many things
  • Maxx's sense of humor
  • My friend's near and far who have beautiful animals... they have created so many memories for us
  • Friends who want to play and share their time with Maxx
  • Cooking and enjoying all the fresh food from the Farmer's Market ALLL week
  • My new school journey...how much I have gained in just four weeks
  • This beautiful new Spring season!!!
What are you grateful for?


Saturday, March 20, 2010

The New Season!


It was a BIG day!!!

The first farmer's market of the SEASON!!!
We packed a lot in and are going to sleep good Tooo-night!



Beautiful tarts, sweets and brownies!!!

Rhubarb and Strawberry Jam

He made Maxx a lion

Pasture Free Range Organic Eggs... colorful... beauties!

Bountiful ...OH nooo!!! We dropped our sample.

Energy booster. Montreal style bagels with dill cream cheese.

Red POPPIES!!!

And we left... Happy Campers!!!

Friday, March 19, 2010

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember...Amanda

Gratitude Friday



Whew!
It has been one great bundle of days!!!
Here are some things I am thankful for this week:
  • Fun spring traditions that involve green and little leprechauns
  • The beeeau-ti-FUL weather
  • Making fresh bread three times this week at home
  • Cooking with fresh whole foods is so rewarding Pizza with crust Maxx and I made, and the sauce we made two days before, grating cheese is a blast..."snowing cheese!!!"
  • Red wine and tahini dressing
  • Laughing with my peers after work over frito pie and spirits
  • A clean car and house even if it is for just today
  • Having breakfast with Maxx
  • For constructive criticism and the growth
  • I have the day off to enjoy the first farmer's market of the season!
I gotta run so I can get outside!!!
What are you grateful for?