A Little Handmade

The Things We Put In Our Mouths

2012-02-04T21:46:00.001-06:00

I've posted a few times about how my family's eating habits have recently changed. It has been and remains both rewarding and challenging to each of us in different ways.

For me, I've been a vegetarian of one kind or another for more than 15 years - that is, since I was 14. Most of that time was spent as an ovolacto vegetarian and pescatarian, which is to say I ate fish, eggs, and cheese. I had a few stints of veganism and spent some time as a raw foodist as well. Meat never really figured into things. It had never been part of my cooking life. I didn't need or want it. My worst dietary trait? I am a sucker for pastries and chocolate.

Dh, on the other hand, craves meat. He would eat it every once in a while, and it would make his body feel good and full. He also ate/eats a lot (a lot!) of sugar and processed vegetarian food, especially soy products.

Little N had homemade, hand ground organic veggies and fruits starting around 8 months. Before that, he was exclusively breastfed. Once he began eating real food, he loved carbs and cheese. He was sensitive to acidic food like tomatoes and such, but he loved them. He never had sweets until he was about 3. No dairy or meat except yogurt and cheese. At one point, he nicknamed himself Pasta Man. He has slowly become one of the pickiest eaters I know. If he had his way, it would be sweet candy, tortellini, and pizza every day.

Little A will try pretty much whatever you put in front of him. He began solids later than Little N and has nursed longer. If he doesn't like something, he will spit it out, say he doesn't like it and usually try one more bite just to be sure. He can really pack away the food, and he has always been a big boy, since his 10 lb. 11 oz. birth.

My food preferences have evolved over time, through education, experimentation, and experience. From vegetarian beginnings in smalltown, USA, vegetarian meant cheese pizza and chicken, American cheese, $.25 granols bars, Pepsi, and salad with the ham taken off. When I left for college and began working at a food cooperative, my world opened up dramatically. I met vegans, discovered new foods and began to explore nutrition. I hung out with "foodies" and discovered a world of vegetarian culinary delights. Still, though, I could easily subsist on a good hunk of French cheese and artisan bread. Even today, it sounds like the perfect meal.

Gradually I wandered into veganism and being a raw foodist. And then I found myself suddenly immersed in the world of vegetarian convenience food. Veggie burgers, Tofurkey, veggie bacon, Annie Chun noodles bowls, cans of soup, frozen burritos. This, when dh and I were discussing having a babe.

This has pretty much been the diet here for the past few years. I hate it. Sure, our food was organic, but organic crap is still crap. I missed REAL food, and I loved to have time to cook in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, working full time and commuting doesn't lend itself to dinners with sides and fresh food very often. Dh was charged with most of the menu making and shopping and cooking. He is the convenience food king, and he was managing a toddler and four year old... It just happened.

During this time I had begun collecting cookbooks that spoke to me, including Feeding the Whole Family and Nourishing Traditions. We tried to incorporate some of those meals, but picky eaters all around prevented anything from sticking.

Then Little A's teeth went from bad to worse, and we were faced with the prospect of surgery.

I think, considering that I've been doing long posts with no photos, I should stop here for now. In my next post, I'll talk about some of the challenges we have encountered during this transition (and ask you for suggestions).

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Christmas Crafting Continued

2012-02-03T16:22:00.001-06:00

Sorry for dropping the ball on this. That's it. No excuse. Just sorry.

This was the piece de resistance of my xmas knitting this year. My first attempt at knitting with lace yarn. My first shawl(ette).

I knitted it with some baby alpaca I've had for several years. I ordered it by accident on EBay. Never ever thought I'd use it, until lace shawls started catching my eye on Ravelry.

The pattern is the citron shawl. I love how it turned out. Someday I want to make another one with several more repeats. But, whew! That will have to be a whole season project.

I knitted this for my grandma, and she loves it. I'm so glad!

That's all for now. Chicken broth to tend and winter root soup to make.

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Dental Issues No More

2012-02-03T16:07:00.001-06:00

So, after two weeks of fretting, research, preparation and dietary changes, we were ready for our dentist appointment. Little A was having his temp filling removed and replaced, and we were going to go toe-to-toe with the dentist, telling him that we were going to do nothing more to Little A's teeth except what had to be done on the tooth that was already drilled. I was anxious and ready for battle.

He quickly did the necessary work on Little A's tooth. Then he mentioned something about the surgery, and I began the speech I had been practicing in my head. I told him that we had been thinking about the plan he wrote up for Little A's mouth, and we decided that, if he didn't have a specific objection, we were going to forego doing anything to A's teeth, except what had to be finished in the tooth that he already started. I said we had made significant changes in Little A's diet, and we planned to seek the services of a holistic dentist once I was employed again and go from there, if necessary.

He stared at me, then said he didn't understand.

I said again that, with the exception of finishing what he had already started, we would not be doing the surgery.

He said you want to cancel the surgery?

I said well I understand that we have to finish the tooth that has already been drilled, but otherwise yes, we want to cancel everything else.

He said well, that tooth is done. I just wanted to put a crown on it.

So we don't need to do any of it?

No.

Oh.

That was it. No fight, no argument, no judgment. Nothing.

Relief like a tidal wave.

But, I can't help but feel a little disturbed. I mean, this dentist was willing to put my child under general anesthesia and drill, cap, crown, fill and flouridate my child's teeth, and not one bit of it was necessary.

I think we should worry less about families abusing the system, and worry more about the doctors who prescribe more than is necessary to increase the return they get from the state.

Anyway, that's that. Who knows, maybe he was smirking with the receptionist about "holistic dentistry" or laughing about how he will probably see us hippies again real soon. I'd like to think that he was impressed that some patients took control of their own dental health and regained some sense of empowerment in his practice.

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Dental Disempowerment

2012-01-21T16:05:00.001-06:00

I know I haven't finished posting all the fancy things I made for Christmas yet. Here's what has been holding me up: teeth.

My youngest son, Little A, who is 2.5 years old, has bad teeth. We noticed they were yellowing slightly when he was very young, but I have great teeth and Little N has great teeth. So, I didn't keep a watchful eye. I should mention that dh does not have great teeth, but that most of his tooth woes come from a lack of care and poor diet as a teen.

Little A got a horrible fever while we were visiting family for xmas. We made it through, but when we got back, his face began to swell, and we could tell he had a tooth infection.

Since I'm laid off (now permanently - my grant wasn't renewed), we don't have insurance. We had to go to our local dental clinic. We got the first prescription for antibiotics this family has seen. He took it for two days, and his face swelled so much that his eye was deformed. Utterly heartbreaking.

We were told by the dentist we saw at the clinic that the antibiotics would buy us a few weeks before calling the pediatric dentist to whom she referred us. This was to allow us time to apply for our state's health insurance plan for children - a program I am loathe to join for so so many reasons, the least of which is that I find those types of plans basically accept the medical world's word on the source and cure for diseases, with which I heartily disagree. Anyway, I was going to start the complicated and paperworky process the following Monday.

We had to call the dentist that Saturday for emergency service. There, we were made to feel bad for not having immediately called him after leaving the dental clinic (which we were told not to do) and for not having taken him to the dentist before such a problem occurred. Little A had his first trip to the dentist shortly before I was laid off. We knew he needed some work, but we wanted to wait until I was back at work and insured again before we did anything major. We were/are also grappling with the fact that, because of his age, he would have to be anesthetized before having anything done. Not a decision we make lightly.

He then strapped Little A to a board and had dh hold his head so that he could drill into his tooth so that the swelling would be reduced. I believe we should not have done that, but we were scared.

We were told to come in four days later so that he could put "some medicine" in Little A's now-drilled tooth and put a temporary filling on it. I was also asked to hurry with the insurance application, because they are generally a pay-as-you-go kind of place...

SO, I went in the next week with both children sans husband. Little N waited patiently alone in the waiting room while we had the work done. Little A of course, was traumatized the first time we went there, and he was not jumping to open his mouth again for the dentist. Little A cried and struggled as we held him, and the dentist placed the "medicine," some cotton, and a temporary filling. I asked what the "medicine" was, and he told me the long name, but I can't remember it. He said it isn't an antibiotic, but it will prevent more infection...

This, he has to have removed in two weeks. Next week. Thursday.

We also received a "work order" of all the dental surgery he will get at the same time that he has what the dentist called a "nerve treatment" in approximately two months. From what I've gathered, this is essentially a baby root canal. The list included 2 nerve treatments, 4 "surface resins," and 4 chrome crowns, a cleaning and flouride treatment. Total value: $1990.00.

Now, don't get me wrong, I would never not allow my child to get treatment that would help them if they were suffering. But, the thing is, his teeth aren't causing him problems. It was one infection in one tooth. I think that it is ethically questionable and economically questionable for the dentist who will be performing the surgery to also diagnose it.

I also wonder that, if this tab were not going to be on the state, if he would be so quick to make such a long list, including flouride ($85) and cleaning ($65).

So, there's the background. And here is the deal: I am an empowered woman with an empowered family. I have taken responsibility for the health of my family, and we have been healthy without medical intervention for many years. Neither child has been to the doctor for any reason. We have visited the naturopath exactly twice. So why on earth was/am I feeling so disempowered in this situation?

As a culture, we have taken back medicine, diet, herbs, birth, gynecology, and pretty much any medical field. If we want to live a life without doctors, we can pretty much do that using ancient herbal healing and holistic health techniques, accessing modern medicine in true emergencies. We can eat what we want, from pre-packaged mcplastic food to the finest raised organic grass-fed beef to vegetarian pate. I gave birth at home, in my bed and in my living room. But nowhere, NOWHERE is there an ancient tooth-tending practice.

Here's why: We created dentistry. There was no or little need for it before. Now, because of our diet and overall health, our teeth have become an issue.

I certainly didn't think to go to my herbal book to research this. As a kid, I was taught how to take care of my teeth: brush and floss and don't eat soda or candy because it was bad and caused cavities. The end. If you get a cavity, then you aren't doing this well enough.

Well, I did the same damn thing I did with Little N for Little A, and here I am...

The best part - he blamed night nursing for his tooth problems. The worst part - he may have been right, but for all the wrong reasons.

In my quest to provide the best health for my family, I have often run into information from the Weston A. Price Foundation. I find that much of what it indicates resonates with my experience. As I googled and googled and googled this problem, I ran into the book Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel. This is what I'm currently reading.

As I do all things, I am reading with an open but skeptical mind. The premise is that tooth decay does not occur from the outside in, but from the inside out. Our nutritional foundation protects our teeth from letting sugars and other carbohydrates destroy them. If that foundation is weak, then our teeth are more vulnerable to decay because of blood-sugar fluctuations. In order to correct imbalances, it is necessary to change our diet so that the foundation can be rebuilt.

My breastmilk and night nursing may have been contributing to blood-sugar fluctuations, but it was not the milk itself causing tooth decay in my son.

There are many suggestions for dietary changes that can be made in the book. Simply put, it includes no sugar, no grains, more calcium and phosphorus and specific fats. Little A has been taking fermented cod liver oil, drinking raw milk, tons of yogurt and veggies. We have been making soups with broth, eating fish, and organ meats.

I don't know if it will help, but I'm trying. If it doesn't, we will always have the option of dental surgery.

In the meantime, we have to go into the dentist's office next Thursday to discuss our decision with the dentist. Since Little A's tooth has already been drilled, I think that we won't be able to avoid finishing the "nerve treatment" on that one. Otherwise, we are going to wait and see if his teeth improve as a result of this diet. Obviously, if more infections occur, we will move forward, but I think it is irresponsible to go drilling into teeth when it may not be necessary. I'm nervous about the conversation, and I still feel a little like we're over a barrel, since we don't have the money to go to a holistic dentist or to get a second opinion. And I really really hate that. No one should have to feel that way.

If anyone on here has any experience with a holistic dentist or holistic dentistry, I'd love to hear some feedback. Why aren't more people talking about this? What is to be done? Are we alone here?

More Christmas Crafting

2011-12-31T13:30:00.001-06:00

Christmas is over. We had such a wonderful time, seeing and catching up with family. It is so nice to shake up the routine a bit and come into the present. We are so excited to get home and put away and relaxed too. Nearly a week of gift giving, sweets, late or no naps and bedtimes, and the excitement of seeing so many loved ones can take its toll on the boys. And the grown-ups.

In the meantime, I can finally post all the things I've made for the readers in the family!

These are two felted bowls I made for my mother-in-law. It was my first felting adventure, and I made up the pattern as I went. I would definitely make some changes a second time around, but they will serve their purpose. They will hold jewelry she wears frequently.

The boys helped me felt these on an old washboard. It takes longer, but they got to be part of the process, which they appreciated.

For my mom, I made a neckerchief. I love this pattern. I looks like leaves or stalks of wheat.

This is the second time I've knitted this pattern, with the same yarn. I just love the way it looks. I hope it will be snug!

These two hats are for my two sisters. I couldn't quite get the colors right on the Hurricane Hat (variegated yarn hat). The colors are far more organic to me. I think that each goes well with each one's personality.

Well, that is all for now. More to come soon!

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More Christmas Crafts

2011-12-21T14:22:00.001-06:00

Oh, how busy I've been! I've been putting off posting because I had this grand notion of putting up links to all the patterns I used for these goodies, but I'm never on my computer doing these posts. I haven't figured out how to do links on my phone, so it will have to wait...
Until then I'll share a few more projects for the kids.

One of my favorites this year is an apron I made for my niece. Having two boys, I don't have a lot of flouncy things to make (not that I necessarily would with a girl). Regardless, it was fun to get to make something a little flouncy!

I totally winged the pleats.

It is all made from scrap fabric I had on hand. Hope she likes it!

I've made a few eg gnomes for the boys. These will go into an advent box.

Sorry it is a little blurry. These are super simple and fun to make. Dh even wants to try his hand at a few. I think he wants to do sets, like Kiss on tour and others - Ramones, The Clash, etc. I'll stick with kings, queens, knights, and gnomes. Can't wait to see what he does!

This is a doll pillow and quilt I made for Little A. I made it from a crib skirt we never used (because we never used the crib...). It was fun to repurpose it.

I used a basic 9 patch square. No border, and the same fabric for the backing. It was all machine sewn and quilted, so the stitching leaves something to be desired. I just wanted the practice finishing before I do the real deal by hand.

The binding is shameful. I made my own, pressed it properly, but I was in a hurry sewing it. The corners are sloppy, and I didn't take the time to make it pretty. But, it is done and secure, and I learned a LOT doing it, so I'll count it as a win. Little A won't be too hard on me.

That's all for now. Can't wait until the new year, when I can post all the rest of it! Perhaps I can do one more by the end of the week. In the meantime, I'll be wrapping, finishing, giving, travelling, and turning 31. Whoa.

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Crafting Christmas Part Deux

2011-12-11T15:24:00.001-06:00

Today we decorated the tree that the elves delivered last night without a hitch. We even made a few more ornaments, so we have about 7 total to add this year.

I'm also working on a woven paper star for the topper. I think my first might be too small, so we might be getting another ornament out of the deal as well.

On with the handmade gifts! Little A has basically claimed Little N's waldorf doll for his own. He can often be seen carrying it around, bundling it up, nursing it or putting it to sleep. So, I took a pajama top that was too small for Little A, cut off the sleeves, and made pajama bottoms for Thomas the doll. He can still wear the pants too, so I can't wait for the opportunity to take lots of embarrassingly cute photos soon.

In a total sidenote, I got this doll a few years ago for Little N. I got him a boy with short, dark hair. But when he played with it, he always called it a she. It took a while for me to realize that the only person he really knows with short, dark hair is me! Even his grandpa has long, dark hair! And obviously Thomas is a girl's name.

Here are Thomas's pajama bottoms.

I had to hand sew these, as the inspiration struck as the boys were napping, but I think they turned out okay.

I've made Thomas a few other things as well, but they're not completely finished yet.

This is a sweater I knitted for N. I really like this pattern. It was super simple once I realized what I was doing. My constant mantra in those situations where I'm a little lost in the stitches is "trust the pattern. Trust the pattern...".

Unfortunately, I only had one skein of each color, and I didn't do a gauge swatch (hangs head in shame). The body is too big around, and too long, and the sleeves are too short.

I think that a lot of the size issues can be addressed through blocking. And, this sweater is meant to be worn with another shirt under it because of the wide neck, so it will look fine in the end (fingers crossed).

Still, lesson learned. Either knit a gauge swatch or knit things that don't require them!

More to come soon!

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Crafting Christmas

2011-12-10T21:13:00.001-06:00

I can't show all of my holiday crafting yet, since I presume that my family reads my blog (then again, I could be wrong!). However, I can show off the things I've made for the kids!

I've been busy knitting and sewing since October. I thought I was giving myself enough time for some slacking as the time draws nearer, but it turns out that I'm a WIP addict, so I just keep adding more and more projects to make, completely neglecting others...

Well, I finally finished enough projects to share a few.

The first is single mitts from the two sets of mittens I'm making for the boys.

I love these little owlets! The pattern I got free from Ravelry. I made each a little different. Little a's have a longer cuff, and I tried his with the extra stripe above the owl. Unfortunately, I agree with most of the comments on the blog - they do look better without it. A's also has a pointier top, because I didn't like how stubby n's looked, when I followed the pattern.

I really wish there were a way to do both at the same time from the cuff up. It would really cut down on the procrastination... Perhaps someday I'll feel confident enough to flip the pattern and go top down on my own.

Here's the progress I've made with n's quilt.

This has truly been a loooong time in the making! Going on 3 years. I don't know if it will be finished in 16 days, but I'm trying. If not, n's birthday will be just fine. More about the saga of this quilt in a future post.

These pouches contain tic-tac-toe ganes. N loves this game, and this would be preferable to wasting a bunch of paper. I also made one for one of n's friend's birthday.

This is what lies inside. I honestly had no clue what I was doing as I designed this, but I like the way the "board" turned out. However, I would make a lot of changes to the Xs and Os.

I think that's all I'll write about tonight. I'm really trying to be more consistent with this whole blogging thing!

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Getting in the spirit of things

2011-12-09T21:46:00.001-06:00

We finally decorated the house today - only to realize that.. we don't really have many winter decorations... Being somewhat of an idealist (no, me?!) I want all of our seasonal decorations to be handmade or passed along. That means no decoration starter kit from (insert box store here), though. So, until we get a few years under our belts, things are just going to be spread a little thin.

Of course, there are the stockings. You'll notice a huge mistake on one, but I think it is so funny that I won't change it. I didn't even notice it the first year!

There's also our wall of snowflakes, which was my way of cleaning up all the snowflakes n was making and freaking out about whenever a came near. They need some work, but it was my first sewing paper adventure.

I think I'll have dh switch column 2 and 4. He's the tall one of the bunch.

Then we have the kitchen scene. It is still a work in progress. I want to have the boys make some felt snowmen, but that may have to wait until next year. Perhaps use up the last of the construction paper instead.

I made the garland today from some cotton and linen scraps and yarn. It is super simple, but very sweet. Let me know if you'd like one. They're fun to make!

Things are moving right along with the advent calendar!

The boys enjoy opening it every morning to see the picture piece that's revealed and see what is inside. Today was a piece of paper that said 'decorate the house for Christmas.' They each got kid scissors the day before. This is one of my favorite items.

It is also the second week of advent, and we have added some items from the plant world - acorn, pine cone, knitted leaf. Next week we will add some animals.

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Of course, the decorations won't be complete until we have a tree, which we plan to get tomorrow. A few years ago, dh and I got one while n was with a family friend. We brought it in that night while he slept, and ever since then, the Christmas elves gave brought our tree during the night, and we decorate it the next day.

We kind of wanted to convince him to help us pick one, until one day he said "I don't want a plastic tree." We were relieved. "I don't want one out of a parking lot either." Our Optimist Club sells the trees we buy in the grocery store parking lot. "I'm glad the fairies bring our tree." How do you say no to that? Sigh. This is going to get complicated. But it is fun. Just challenging.

Here's hoping we can haggle, and that they have a tiny tree that will fit into our (I mean the elves'!) budget!

What are your favorite ways to decorate handmade or upcycled for the holidays?

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Advent

2011-12-03T13:33:00.001-06:00

This is the first year we have been organized enough to celebrate advent in our home. Dh and I stayed up late one night to make an advent calendar based on one that I found online to model ours after.

I had been searching for one that would be just right for our family. Finally, I found one that inspired me on Pinterest (if you don't know, check it out!).

It was made using tiny matchboxes. They were stacked together, a number on one side, and when you pull out the number for the day to see what's inside, the box is put back in backward, and there was part of a picture that all the matchboxes made when turned around. On the one I found, there was a Christmas tree. Inside each matchbox was a teeny gift or piece of paper with an activity.

Here is our version.

We used large matchboxes. Covered it with felt and a paper snowflake we recently received in a swap. On the back, dh drew and watercolored a beautiful picture.

Dh said he got more than a few awkward stares when he bought 24 matchboxes. He was sure they thought he was cooking up something from the anarchist cookbook! Let me know if you need matches. We have plenty!

N and A have been enjoying opening the box every day and seeing what is inside. As I've written, I participated in a group swap, and we have been giving gifts from that so far. We also have some other special treats and activities planned.

We are also celebrating the four weeks of advent, beginning with the festival if stones. I hope to post more about this later, but in the meantime, here are our crystals and stones.

What are you doing for advent?

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Holiday Swaps

2011-11-22T21:17:00.001-06:00

So, since the holidays are coming, and it doesn't look like I'll have work by then (but things are looking hopeful for January - wish me luck!), I've decided to post some stuff here I've made to sell/trade if anyone is interested. Leave a comment or email me if anything strikes your fancy!

The first 4 are leftover from a swap I did. I just couldn't stop making these finger puppets!

A sweet little knight.

A lady gnome.

Another lady gnome.

A fella gnome.

I think I would sell these for around $8 each. They are all wool and cotton and completely hand sewn/embroidered.

I also have a cotton wash cloth, approximately 6 x 6 inches. This would be around $6.

A wool "postcard" at about 2.5 x 2.5 inches for $6.

Finally for tonight, I have a fabric carrot with wool greens and stuffed with hypo-allergenic poodle hair for $8.

I'll try to post things as I come across them. Let me know if you're interested!

For swapping, I'm looking for things appropriate for wee boys (between 2-5) who live in a Waldorf influenced home, especially warm woolens or yarn or fabric (for mama).

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Advent Swap

2011-10-30T14:43:00.001-05:00

Since I'm home now, I've been trying to get myself back into the creative spirit. That includes knitting, sewing, and reinvigorated interest in embroidery.

Of course it includes the inevitable handmade Christmas list. I feel the holiday urgency already for some reason...

By far the biggest project I'm working on is Nico's quilt. I started it about three years ago... Now, thanks to some help from an amazing quilting friend, I am doing the quilting part. Fingers crossed to finish by Christmas!

We have also been busy soaking up the last of the sunshine. I've been working on a small play shelter for n&a as well. I have no building skills to speak of, so let me know if you see glaring errors.

This will be a work in progress for some time. And a lovely pea trellis in the spring!

I have begun doing craft swaps again. I am participating in the advent and stocking stiffer swaps. I've finished my pieces for the advent swap.

I have 3 slots. The first I made needle felted birds on nests of eggs. These took longer then I thought they would! I am not completely satisfied with the birds, but they'll do.

Next I made little cloth napkins/hankies.

Hence the embroidery. Can't wait to tackle a more challenging embroidery project!

Finally I made little gnome/santa finger puppets. They were fun!

Finally, a picture of our autumn decorations.

What are you working on?

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Knitting WIPs

2011-06-05T21:41:00.001-05:00

I've wanted to post my knitting WIPs for a while. Finally got around to taking pictures today.

The first is a sock update from my "I'm going to knit 12 pairs of socks this year" blog. Well, I was working on March and April in January, but I broke my size 1 circular needle, so I was SOL as they say. Needles are now replaced, and I've finished the heel flaps. Hooray!

I look forward to finishing this pair and the other pair on the needles so I can move on to a couple pairs for the wee ones to catch up!

Next I'm working on a sweater vest for myself. It's fairly simple, but its my first actual garment, so I didn't want something too complicated. I was tempted to do one with colorwork, but then I found this one, and I was smitten.

I'm also working on a rug for our house. I bought a huge, beautiful jacket a hundred years ago. It was hand knitted and gorgeous. However, I didn't have the foggiest idea about how to care for it, and it was not in great shape. I took it apart and unravelled it. With the gigantic ball of yarn I got from that, I wanted to make a rug. Unfortunately, the yarn is worsted, and the log cabin rug I had in mind wasn't working out. So, I frogged it, decided to put it with a tapestry yarn I was.given, and I really like where it's going! I'm a little concerned about all the finishing (I loathe finishing), but I'm excited to see how it turns out!

Finally, I wanted to mention the best present dh has ever gotten me. I haven't mentioned them before now because we really can't afford them, but I just couldn't find the strength to send them back! They're positively gorgeous!

What are you working on?

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Meal planning

2011-05-30T22:41:00.001-05:00

In an effort to scale down our monthly food bill, this family of four has turned to meal planning.

We have been doing some version of meal planning for more than a year now - when we were living on my student loans and dh's retail job and realized that our food spending was WAY out of control. Seriously.

We are pretty good at sticking to the plan, but we definitely have our off weeks. It has gotten easier, the more regularly occurring meals we incorporate. We notice and flounder when we don't have a menu made out.

When I tell people we plan our meals, sometimes I'm met with "I don't know how you do that!" or "I'm not that organized!" But really, we are too unorganized to not do it. Our lives are hectic enough without having to scrounge for what's for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every day.

I have come across websites that offer menu making tips, and many of them create one monthly menu to be repeated every month. Granted, that's four different weeks of meals, I prefer to be a little more seasonal, since we tend to stick with local, organic and seasonal foods as much as possible.

So, I thought I'd post what our week in meals generally looks like.

Breakfasts in the spring so far have been raw milk yogurt that I make and rice cakes with fresh ground bulk peanut butter and local honey from Richard Bean for the boys/dh. You gotta love the guys at the farmers market who dress up like bees and wear top hats. Love them.

I have a kefir smoothie, with peanut butter, honey, frozen berries or bananas and cocoa. I make the kefir from raw milk. It is intense stuff! I hope to be able to put less in it eventually, but homemade kefir is definitely an acquired taste!

In the autumn and winter, we have oatmeal for breakfast.

So, here's the rest:

Monday:
Lunch - quesadillas
Dinner - a chicken meal

Tuesday:
Lunch - pasta and sauce
Dinner - open; should be a triple batch for meal sharing

Wednesday:
Lunch - open
Dinner - pizza and movie night (cheap pizza night at Rudy's. Wednesday is and hopefully will always be family night for us. LOVE this night!)

Thursday:
Lunch - open/leftovers
Dinner - meal sharing meal from another family

Friday:
Lunch - open
Dinner - pasta bake

Saturday:
Breakfast - when pennies aren't too tight, we eat at Mirth or Global Cafe after farmers market. Otherwise, its something from the market. I think n personally funds the Peace Paw market!
Lunch - usually something light. Sometimes just munching on market veggies. Sometimes leftovers.
Dinner - meal sharing meal from another family

Sunday:
Breakfast - waffle day! We love waffle day!
Lunch - usually something light and possibly leftovers
Dinner - rice and beans

This seems like a lot and a bit redundant, but think of all the things you can do with rice and beans (burritos, plain, with seasonal veggies, etc.), and how many variations of quesadillas can you think of?

The most important thing is to be flexible and balance each family member's personal preference with economical bulk items, seasonal vegetables, and meals that everyone loves. If dh loathes peppers (ahem) don't plan to have stuffed peppers. Ever. If it is merely a dislike that can sometimes be compromised, do it once in a while. We don't want an example set that disliking a meal gets us a new meal.

On a weekly basis, we strive to make our own kefir, butter, yogurt, tortillas, and bread. It doesn't always happen, and that's okay. However, when we do, we see a dramatic reduction in our food bill!

We try to incorporate new meals now and then. We have several meals that we don't have weekly but maintain consistent rotation. Our favorite cookbooks include Feeding the Whole Family, Nourishing Traditions, and How It All Vegan. All of this information is just lessons learned. Situations differ for each family.

I do not believe that, just because a family is poor, they have to eat food that is unhealthy. I am amazed when I'm judged for buying organic food when I discuss money. And it galls me to hear people criticize people who use food stamps who buy organic food. In fact, we should applaud them for caring about their family's well being rather than buying them preservatives, partially hydrogenated oils and refined sugar.

So, there you go. A menu and a rant to boot. Enjoy!

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Sewing

2011-05-29T21:35:00.001-05:00

Lately I've been on quite the sewing jag. Mostly, I've been working on things for little a, whose birthday is in July. Like I said, n received an apron for his second birthday. Here is a's, finished, washed, ready for ironing and wrapping.

I love the fabrics I found! Here is a better picture of the chickens.

I also started an art smock for him. I'm making my own binding, so it's taking a while. This is also my first experience with using binding, aside froma little practice potholder I made for the boys' play kitchen. I'll post pics and the (many) lessons learned once it has been washed.

It still has a way to go. The pattern came from the sew mama sew blog a friend introduced me to recently (thanks Angela!). Tons of great tutorials on there!

I also wanted to put up my version of the Living Crafts blog tutorial for a spring/easter picture.

This was a lot of fun to make!

Finally, I recycled an old pair of adult pajama bottoms into little boy pajama bottoms. So cute! They are a little big. I hope to make adjustments.

With every project, I learn a little more. I know I still have quite a way to go, but I feel like I'll have the hang of it by the time the boys are old enough to judge my work!

I got an Oliver + A pattern when I was last at Sarah's Fabrics. I bought a skirt pattern there a while ago, and as it was my first, it was a failure. I hope this turns out a little better. Here's hoping I get brave enough to start it sometime soon!

Knittingwise, I've been working on a few things, and I hope to have an update with pictures soon!

What are you working on?

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Weekend

2011-05-22T22:00:00.001-05:00

This weekend we went asparagus picking at Pendletons Farm. We got a little over two lbs.! Today we made yummy asparagus risotto (Rolling Prairie Cookbook, by Nancy O'Connor - a mentor phenomemom of two amazing men). We will be eating a lot more throughout the week, including asparagus/dill soup and steamed asparagus.

I also got some sweet fabric this weekend from Sarah's Fabrics to make an apron for little a's second birthday. N got one for his second as well. Can't wait to get some pictures of it up! This one is going 10 times faster with half the mistakes. Mine was first, and while it still functions, it is full of messups. Now all that's left, after this one is one for daddy! He wears mine, but he'd like one of his very own. And, of course, it will probably be perfect.

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Peas and carrots

2011-05-19T22:31:00.001-05:00

These are my latest creations. Peas and carrots. The peas are needlefelted, and the pod is an upcycled sweater.

The carrots are my first attempt at creating a pattern. The funny thing about these particular carrots is that they are not stuffed with wool. I have been out of clean, undyed, scoured wool for stuffing for a while. I used poodle hair from a haircut a friend gave her standard poodle to see if I could spin it. It was perfect for stuffing the carrots because its fairly firm. Also, added bonus, it's hypoallergenic!

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Enough is enough.

2011-05-08T22:18:00.001-05:00

One time I had to find a notary to send in my bar application (thankfully just one time!). N was with me, all of 3 and adorable.

We first went into the post office. There was no notary there. But, the employee let n pick out a sticker before we left. He was overjoyed! He put it carefully in his pocket as we went to the bank they recommended up the street.

Of course, as any toddler will do, n immediately charmed the two women working the front of the bank. One of the women, the older one with grandchildren, came out from behind the counter with a huge bucket. In it were hundreds of stickers.

The older woman asked if n wanted a sticker, and n said he already had one and moved on to look at something else. He wasn't rude or anything. It was just a simple statement.

Well, they thought this was the cutest thing ever, and they giggled at his naivete and what a "good boy" he was. They said, "but you can have more than one!" And continued to badger him until he was willing to take another sticker. So, n walked over and took another, after the older woman pulled out sheet after sheet of stickers, each more gaudy than the last.

Well, n ended up walking out of there with two sheets of stickers. He completely forgot about the original one in his pocket.

This isn't the only time something like this has happened. Strangers do it, relatives do it, and I've even caught myself doing it. We just can't accept someone having "enough."

Are you sure that's all you want? Why don't you get another just in case? You CAN have more so why not? Just a little extra something special. It galls me.

It is no surprise that we are such a gluttonous culture. From our smallest years, we are taught that enough actually isn't enough. "Enough" Has become.synonymous with "as much as I can get."

N is already showing signs of this influence. He gets a snack one night after dinner, and suddenly it's a right, not a special occasion. He asks for another popsicle before he's finished the first. He used to be content just walking around looking at things at the toy store. Now he's experimenting with want and desire.

Of course, I know that people are simply trying to be nice or show that they care, but I have a hard time accepting that "I care" is synonymous with "here, have some cheap crap that I picked up at the dollar store. It's cute." It's watered-down caring. The amount of caring that's equivalent to $.25. Facebook era caring?

It is materialism at its core. I would rather have kind words, good food (not candy, for goodness sake!), or connection any day. Then I don't have to feel guilty later when n forgets about whatever junk it may be, and I toss it in the thrift store sack (if I'm lucky and it's not already broken) or the trash. More plastic, paper, slave labor to add to the mass. And for what? Superficial connection at best.

I am guilty of wanting more than my share, too. Clearly, with food, as evidenced by my waistline. But I also spend more time than is reasonable staring at patterns and yarn in Revelry, despite having plenty of yarn right at home. I always want more time. NEED more time. And don't get me started on money...

But I don't need more. I have what I have. It is enough. My goal is to learn to see it that way and to live that way and to be an example for my children. That is enough.

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Little Revolution

2011-04-21T22:07:00.001-05:00

I just finished reading Raw Milk Revolution by David Gumpert. It was pretty well balanced, and I appreciate that. The author worked closely with the Weston A. Price Foundation, and that had me wary. Not that I think they're wrong, but they freely admit bias. I learned a lot from this book, especially that there are some risks associated with raw milk and that the government does seem to be strangely obsessed with these small risks, yet they'd never ban spinach or cigarettes, both of which carry higher potential health risks.

We recently began getting a gallon of raw milk a week. I've made yogurt, whey, butter, and even soft cheese. This evening I got kefir granules so I can also make my own kefir. I am so excited about this. Baby steps.

One thing the book certainly made me think about was that I should have taken some kind of ag law class. So many small farmers are being pushed out of their businesses only to be replaced by megacorp farms that destroy ecosystems, health, and our future. That is not ok. And so few attorneys specialize in this kind of law who aren't out for money, so they certainly aren't defending bankrupt farmers. Why oh why couldn't I be independently wealthy so I could do this? Sigh.

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A little bit of this. a little bit of that.

2011-04-05T21:22:00.001-05:00

This is the only photo I have of anything I've been working on lately. It is a spring themed wall hanging. I hope to make a series for each season, but we know how that goes... Right now I'm delighting in spring!

I am completely amped about cooperative meal sharing! It turns out that lots of people have done it all over the country. It seems most feasible with about 5 families. One family takes a night of the week and delivers their food by a specified time. They identify likes and dislikes and what kind of food will be used (in my case, local and/or organic). Rest: we only have to cook one big dinner a week! Bliss!

There are lots of lambs on the farm right now! Things are really hopping, literally and figuratively. The farm can always use volunteers, so if you're interested, contact me.

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Out on a wire

2011-04-02T21:53:00.001-05:00

Perhaps I've gone off the deep end. I am positively obsessed with 1. Having a 3 month food supply built up with bulk foods and food that we make. 2. Spending as little as possible on an uncompromisingly healthy (organic, local) diet for our family of 4.

Truly, I have been doing the math to observe what we eat most of that would cut costs most quickly. These are: bread, tortillas, and yogurt.

I am close to finding a source for raw milk for the yogurt - no I won't be posting who it is here. It is illegal to sell raw milk where I live. We made our first batch of practice tortillas tonight. (uhh... We need a few more batches of those before we make enough to freeze some...). I am still learning on the bread. It's hard to get it right.

Once we have those down, we will tackle a few more. Baby steps!

I'm also interested in creating a group of families willing to cook a double meal once or twice a week to split with another family, who will return the favor another day of the week. They wouldn't eat together. Just lovingly prepare a meal and make a double batch to either deliver or have pick up from another family. I love this idea!

So many of us are so busy that we don't have the time to hang with friends. But I could if that social time was also spent cooking 1-2 meals to take home with us at the end of the time...

I guess I'm curious if anyone else is on this path, or if I'm a lone bird out here on this wire.

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Life on the farm

2011-03-12T20:15:00.001-06:00

While my role on the farm is extremely limited because of time, I love the work I get to do with the sheep. I say this after taking care of them during a blizzard and after chopping their water with a metal rod every day for weeks. I think I mean it.

It's pretty cool, to go from them being nervous around you to baa-ing with expectations of good things when I walk out the door. Not so much because of my sparkling personality, but because I bring these soon to be mamas delicious treats like chestnuts and grass clippings and I am the gatekeeper, escorting them to a new paddock every week or so to keep their hay supply up.

They will be sheared next weekend. Lovely sheets full of the fresh smell of lanolin. Beautiful fleeces, ranging from Annie's curly white locks to the darkest brown. I'm kind of glad they aren't mine. I would be giddy with indecision about what to do first! Dye? Spin? Which fleece!? Yes. It's probably best this way.

From the beginning of April on, they will be lambing. I'm hoping to have some role in that process. Clearly, I'm not experienced enough (at all) to be of any real help, but I'll be satisfied watching and carrying and bringing whatever needs to be brought.

I have ambitions, of owning my own small flock someday, of being able to do a little subcontracting work on the side to make up the difference, as I do most of my work with my sheep and their wool... Pipe dreams, yes, but I have a tendency to meet my goals, if I want to. And if it's meant to be, it will. Sometimes the fantasy is enough - and often it is better.

Dream away, mama. It's going to be a while. In the meantime, I'll enjoy the 14 ladies I do have the pleasure of tending.

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WIP - April socks?!

2011-02-15T00:32:00.001-06:00

Evidently I can't have just one pair of socks on the needles at a time. I find it's best to start a new pair right before starting the instep... At this point this method has staves off the dreaded one sock syndrome. I do have a pair of two at a time on the needles, so we will see if that theory holds up.

This is my new obsession.

This new pair is the Sanquhar pattern from Toe Up Socks for Every Body. Such a terrific book! I hope to own it someday and let someone else have a stab at some of these beauties at the library.

This pair was the pie in the sky pair, after the fancy yarn pair that I started last week. Since I'm already working on what is technically April's socks, I thought I'd give myself a challenge. We shall see!

Here's the bottom. These are going to be SO cosy!

My next pair is probably going to be a pair of aran socks for dh. I hope. Then a couple scrappy pairs to clean up all these little balls running around here!

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2011-02-05T22:01:00.001-06:00

See that? That's 2 at a time toe up. My first pair, in Dream In Color Smooshy. All hail super fancy birthday yarn! (and wish me luck...)

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Pretty little things

2011-02-02T21:06:00.001-06:00

For my birthday (in December) Dh gave me permission to splurge. So I finally did!

The yellow fabric I got a half yard of. I am just a sucker for those cotton linen blends! It's positively beautiful, and the feel is just so substantial. I don't know how else to describe it. Warm and sturdy and soft. Love it! The moons are so sweet, the yellow so soft... Sigh. The price is a bit difficult to swallow; hence the half yard.

I plan to use the moon fabric with the purple to make pajama pants for the boys. The purple is also cotton linen blend by Echino. Love their stuff! And I'm not the only one - the guest Blogger at the Living Crafts magazine blog was waxing about their beautiful fabrics. Check out that phenomenal blog - and Echino fabric.

This is some Cascade 220 I got to make myself a sweater vest. I've wanted a sweater vest for some time now, and I've been hearing the praise of the economy and quality of Cascade 220, so I decided to take the plunge. I haven't started or decided on a pattern yet - although I originally wanted to do Bookworm (I think) from Folk Vests. It was either buy the book or buy the yarn, though, so it will depend on whether or not I can find it at the library...

I also got some Dream in Color Smooshy to knit a super fancy pair of socks for myself. Can't wait to get a good pic of it up here. So beautiful! They will definitely be my March socks!

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Needle Holder

2011-02-01T22:03:00.001-06:00

I love Naptime. I get to hide away in my office and do whatever I'd like, so long as it doesn't put an end to naptime. Today, I finally made something to hold my knitting needles. Hooray!

This pattern was from One Yard Wonders. It was so simple! I have so much to learn about sewing before I'm any kind of proficient, but I'm learning. These projects are good for beginners like me - although I could use a few more pictures showing me along. That way I wouldn't have to do pretty much each step more than once.

I used coordinating fabric I found at a little fabric store in Garnett, Kansas. I try to make a habit of finding hole-in-the-wall fabric and yarn stores in the small towns I go through and supporting those small businesses. And generally you'll meet the nicest - or at least most interesting - people! At this particular store, the boast was that none of the fabric was more than $7 per yard. Sure, there was no Amy Butler, but the selection was good and the shoppers were entertaining.

All wrapped up! And it holds my needles without my having to constantly worry that they'll snap or get away.

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January socks!

2011-02-01T18:46:00.001-06:00

I did it! I finished my January socks last night before going to sleep. Hurrah! The color in this picture is way different from the ones below, but I have a hard time deciding if they're blue or grey.

There are a ton of mistakes, but it's my first lace pattern, so I'll learn to live with it.

Here's my favorite view!

The gusset and heel.

Close-up of the lace.

This was the Rosebud pattern from Toe Up Socks For Every Body. Love it!

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Care to knit along?

2011-01-23T21:57:00.001-06:00

I am well on my way to knitting 12 pairs of socks this year - or one pair a month, which is saying something considering that I get about an hour a night to knit, if I'm lucky. I wish wish wish I had pics to post, but I knit at night, and that just doesn't provide a nice picture. I will try to change that in the near future.

I've seen several sock of the month clubs online, and I've been tempted to join one, but I just can't justify the price at this point. So, it will just have to wait until I get that high paying law job... I'm going to be waiting a while...

Until then, I'm happily checking out books from the library and knitting my last 3 balls of fingering yarn. That should get me through to Mother's Day, and hopefully a gift certificate for a certain yarn store. :)

So, anyone care to join me?