back to basics

I have decided to get back to basics around here. Lately I have fallen out of rhythm per say. I am not sure where I lost my path or way but I feel I am getting it back together. I fell into the easy quick fix meals and processed foods. Not shopping organically or for whole food type items. Mr. Miller and I had both not been feeling so great and we had noticed especially with Cameron more behavioral issues. Last week I saw and read several articles about artificial colors and the link to ADHD, not that it causes it but that is increases the symptoms. That was my "post it note". Got it God, check! Get this Mama back on path. The first question was how can I get back to buying from Whole Foods again instead of Aldi, Walmart, etc? Well you know I had to go to my "University of Google" and there were several sights with helpful tips. Tips such as these:

1. Go to www.wholefoods.com and print their sales fly er. Plan your menu for the week based off of that.


2. This leads me to on of the most important things a family can do in these hard times, PLAN A MENU and stick to it. It makes your grocery list so much easier.


3. Use their printable coupons, again available on their website. Be careful though, just because a label has a coupon it still doesn't mean it is the best value


4. Buy the 365 label brand. Great value and we find it to be just as good.


5. Buy fruits and vegetables that are in season.


6. Stick to the outer perimeter of the store.


7. Buy in bulk. I found this true on buying flour and dried beans this week. Even though the packaged items were on sale it was still cheaper to buy in bulk.

I found I still spent more money than I had but I think that was due to the initial bulk buying. We will be charting and seeing how it goes. I had been spending $120 a week and we still ate out about 2 times a week, which for a family of 4 is an easy $25 per meal. I spent $160 and we didn't eat out all weekend and I figure with that alone I am ahead by $5. Please note that I didn't just throw all the food that I already had in the pantry and freezer out. We are replacing the items as we use them. If you have any additional tips please share!

I also made the decision to get back to baking our own bread. Have you read the label on a simple loaf of bread from the mainstream store? Crazy! For about $1.50 I just pulled out a beautiful loaf of sandwich bread. I used my bread machine to do the kneading and rising and then put it in a buttered loaf pan, let it rise for another 30 minutes. I baked it for 40 minutes and my house smells like a bit of heaven right now.

In the next couple weeks our Farmer's Markets will be open again. This is a great way to buy locally and save money too.

I am making Black Bean and Spinach Enchilada Casserole tonight and I started soaking my black beans this morning and this meal will make great lunches for Mr. Miller and I all week.

Eat your leftovers! Don't let any go to waste. Yes, I think I have found my way again. I am hoping to see a difference in Cameron too.

not my original post idea...

So today I am not doing my original thoughts because I cannot find my camera cord to upload pictures, so I am going to pat myself on the back and do a little celebrating.

Here it goes, I started doing the Farmer's Market about 6 weeks ago and have been having a blast. In the last few weeks some really great and positive things have happened with this adventure. I have been contacted by a Natural Parenting Store that has interest in wholesaling my diapers and I have a Mama that would like to have a registry with me for her upcoming baby shower. I never thought that this would even be possible. Now I know it is just some small steps but they are very exciting for me and well Green Acres.

I started this Blog to chronicle a simpler life, and well it just gets better every day. Our garden is in full swing, I have been helping some wonderful friends care for their children and I get to sew and answer to me and just my boys. Life is good and full of many blessings.

On Sunday we sang this Psalm. Little did I know how perfect it was for me and things that are happening here at Green Acres.

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,

for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave ; you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;

weeping may remain for a night,

but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said,

"I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me,

you made my mountain stand firm;

but when you hid your face,

I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called;

to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction,

in my going down into the pit?

Will the dust praise you?

Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;

O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

What blessings have been bestowed upon you lately? Look around I promise they are there.

the store is back open

 

I have been feverishly working on diapers and such, not only for the Market but for my etsy sight.  Green Acres Closet finally has a few items in it.  I even figured out how to put a window on the side of my blog.  Not bad for the girl who still has issues sometimes with the computer.

I have really found a love for sewing again.  I am enjoying that creative side that had been buried so deep for so long.  Sewing is my therapy.  I talk about time outs and such during the day with the boys but truth be known sometimes Mama needs a timeout herself.  That is when I escape downstairs to my room.

I know I won’t make millions with my sewing but if it brings in a few dollars here and there then that is good with me.  It truly is an inexpensive form of therapy.  If you get a moment take a peek and let me know what you think.

weekending

We spent Sunday Morning at the City Market instead of church.  There I said it, don’t you always feel better after you admit your guilt.  I guess I could look at it as we spent time in the Sunshine with my Sister’s family enjoying all that the Lord has given us.  OK so that makes me feel better. 

If you are in KC and have not been to the City Market on Sunday morning you should go.  It is not as crowded and they have vendors with vintage items for sale.  I did find the boys some matchbox cars which they loved and at .50 each I felt I could splurge.  I also found a beautiful set of Pyrex Nesting Bowls and Cast Iron Pans, but after much deliberation Mama decided that those were definitely a want and not a need.  If there is anything I have learned in my search for simplicity it is the difference between wants and needs.  Now some of you will say the cars were wants, maybe so, but I will give up things to get treasures for my boys especially when they didn’t even ask for them.  They had so much fun on the side walk with them.

So forgive me as I indulged in my black and white button while we cruised for vintage treasures and just had a wonderful morning together.

what a good day

 

Well we survived my first experience at the Topeka Farmers Market.  Gail force winds were trying to send Dorothy back home, but we prevailed.  Good times, great people and wow what a lot of flowers, veggies, baked goods and homemade items.  This was combined with an incredible live music stage.  I think this is going to be a very good thing.

I met some amazing people.  One of which has a Green Parenting Blog.  Melissa writes from the heart and you should check her blog out here, you won’t be disappointed.

I didn’t sell a lot but I consider the connections I made, time spent with my sister and mom make the success of the day.

Henry enjoying his first fresh squeezed Lemonade.

A few of my produce bags.  The wind was working against us, but as Mr. Miller says “don’t curse the wind” especially on hot days.   I am not cursing it and I like it but not when it makes me feel like Mary Poppins and her umbrella.

Henry and Monkey taking a much needed nap.  We used Aunt Erika’s umbrella to shade him after we about lost the tent due to the wind.

Finally, you know how I love bread.  We had the pleasure of being next to the Cornucopia Bakery.  They are a local family in Hoyt, Kansas that has a commercial kitchen on their land and makes the most beautiful bread and to my delight they have Gluten Free also.  It is great.  If you are at the market check them out.

Be looking for some excitement this week at Green Acres as we celebrate 1 year on the blogosphere.  Our anniversary is tomorrow and we are going to have give a ways throughout the week.  You know me your birthday isn’t just one day it is for a whole week.

to market

 

I am in the process of getting ready for the market.  I am very excited and very busy making wool covers, bibs and produce bags.  I am looking forward to Saturday mornings with my sister in Topeka.  I will be back tomorrow with this moment.