And here are a couple interviews of Michael Pollan, who I love. He is one of the main documentarists in the movie, and author of several food books, that I have coming my way soon!
I had taken an interest in food back when I first started college but it became even MORE important to me to learn about food when I became a mother. I believe that so often what we eat corresponds directly to our health. I also feel that feeding our bodies is very intimate, so I have chosen to pay close attention to what exactly I am feeding myself and my family. I have been telling Matt all about how important it is for us to eat, wholesome, clean, natural, unprocessed, holistic, organic, local, and in season, foods and he was slowly taking interest, this movie though put him on the band wagon way faster than I was able to! Obviously my spiels about it are not as convincing ;) He is all about the interest of food now, and I love feeling like a team as we try to feed our family the right things. Don't get me wrong, it is difficult, not to eat out, and basically not eat what is easily available, but like this movie talks about.....
To change the American food industry, you, basically have 3 votes everyday. Each time you choose to eat you are voting. The power lays in the consumers hands. So take small steps, baby steps, do what you can, incorporate healthful eating into your life over time. I told Matt that becoming aware and learning about food is the first and most important step. To know where you want to be going with how you choose to eat is key. It is not done in an over night thing, just something you work at everyday.
So this weekend we made the first step. We visited our first local farmers market right here in Tomball to see what they offered. We bought our first grass-fed ground beef and some eggs and veggies. We also are going to try out a CSA that delivers once a week to our doorstep local, organic, farm raised fruits, veggies, meat, cheese, and eggs, through these people here.
I had been wanting for so long to do this and I never just did it. But with this movie, my husband's help and motivation, and my friend Kim's help, I finally went for it! I committed to going, I marked it in my planner and nothing was going to get in my way.
I had every intention of taking a picture of me and Griffin at the market with my close friend, Kim, and her babies but like I have said you can't do it all.
A couple weeks ago I was talking with my friend Kim, about wanting to do things but ultimately waiting for an easier time in life, and she just said, Melanie when Griffin is walking and eating on his own (which is what I was waiting on) there will be something else there making it difficult to get out the door to these farmers markets ( or whatever it is that you are post poning doing) , and she was so right, it may always be hard, so I just started doing these things and it made me so happy!
So here goes my Homemaking 101 Bootcamp!
I finally made some homemade cleaning products that I have been wanting to make for a YEAR now. I used recipes that a friend had shared on her blog and it made me soo so giddy to make them! I love cleaning with them! I look even more forward to cleaning because they are scented with essential oils and the clean, uplifting smell vs. the harsh toxic smells of store bought cleaners makes a difference to my spirit. They were super easy to make as well.
And I have got around to cooking some meals and baking some treats for us as well.
I was waiting for a time, when everything was perfectly scheduled, and our days were not overflowing with undone to-dos, but I have realized that, that may be never be and I don't have to wait for it. I can start doing the things I love right now. Even if the muffins and meals are made at weird times and not everyday I am still doing it and letting it bring me happiness.
And I have learned that I love taking pictures of food too....
Matt finds all of my picture taking of food quite hilarious :) And I for some reason find really large serving amounts quite hilarious. Like this bowl of cereal of Matt's......
And this salad of mine....
I love getting recipes from friends, other mamas, this blog, and this blog, and the internet currently.
This is one of my all time favorite recipes and has withstood the test of many friends and family. They are super easy to make and we added fresh blueberries to them.
I have tried baking a couple of muffins using agave nectar but I am still in search of more recipes where you use agave nectar, applesauce, or maple syrup for the sweetener rather than sugar, and you use whole grain flour over white...any body with some recipes?
On Sunday we ended the weekend with a wonderful visit to mine and Matt's best friends house. They were planting fruits and veggies in their first garden and we were so blessed to be invited to help! It was so much fun, sitting outside in the beautiful weather, digging in dirt, planting seeds, talking together. Griffin LOVED digging in the dirt with his shovel and trowel that they bought him. I was so surprised too!
To Fullness in every sense of the word.
3 comments:
I want the recipes of the pics you posted!! I have become so lazy in cooking and food prep in the past few months. We used Greenlings, a local delivery service, for a while - and I quit because it was too much food for me when Joel is gone. You have convinced me to start again. I love it during the summer - all of the fresh in season veggies!!!
I grew up with an animal science degree. My dad raises cattle for a living. It's how I got to go to college, show horses...and it's the only way of life he knows. My mother is a vegetarian and has been for years for very valid reasons. I get both sides - I believe in local organic - but I also know that to feed the world, local organic is not the most efficient solution. In a perfect world there would be community co-ops, community gardens, etc. to support the area families. Reality is that they don't exist everywhere - therefore we are overproducing. Not to mention our countries laziness...dependent on processed and fast foods, which relies on mass production. It's a very convoluted and complex industry. But you are exactly right - start with baby steps. We will start with our family - and do what we can to 1.) eat the best we can access and afford 2.) support those in our community dedicated to raising healthy food be it veggies or meat 3.) spread the word about where to find healthy local produce and meat...advertise advertise advertise.
I still haven't watched the movie. We started it one night and I couldn't get past the chickens. I'm a hypocrite. I probably had chicken the next day for lunch. But like you, I'm trying. Go get 'em, Davis family!
Lots to say - so little time! Loved the photos - I could tell you had a lot of fun with this post - I had fun reading it.
Great hat - loved seeing Griffin playing in the dirt!
Nicole
Thanks for the support. It is fun and has always been a passion of mine to learn about the food I eat. You bring up good points though Robin. There is something to be said that we are able to fill bellies with very cheap food, but I didn't feel like the major food companies responsible for producing these foods were really doing it to feed the hungry...you know? It seemed more about profit. But I just found out this weekend that my Grandaddy feeds his cows CORN!! haha....and then sells them to feed lots. Breaks my heart to think of these animals on feed lots because they are treated with such disregard to the beautiful creatures that they are. I am no vegetarian, I think we need meat in our diet, I just want the animals I eat from to have been able to live a good life ;)
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