Menu Plan Monday - Week of 6/3-6/9

So it's been awhile for my family and actually writing down a menu plan.  A long time ago I explained how I roughly follow a "plan" each week in terms of what type of meat or theme I might have each evening for supper.  Breakfast and Lunch are usually day-by-day, but all our meals mostly come from our kitchen.

I've been inspired by Skinny Mom's Kitchen to begin writing down a menu plan each week.  (If you haven't checked out her blog yet, you should as it is really great!)

As you will see below, I list items that have been purchased locally or are Organic (some are both!)

Breakfast

Cereal, fruit
Organic plain yogurt with local strawberries and locally made granola
English muffin w/ peanut butter, banana
Homemade banana bread

Lunch

Whole wheat tortilla w/ hummus, local tomatoes and local spinach, carrot sticks, fruit
Whole wheat tortilla w/ Organic local black beans w/ combination of some or all of the following: salsa, Organic grass-fed cheddar cheese, local tomatoes and/or organic plain yogurt, fruit
Whole wheat tortilla w/ local bacon, local lettuce and local tomatoes, carrot sticks, fruit
Whole wheat tortilla w/ peanut butter, homemade strawberry jam, local strawberries and bananas, carrot sticks, local snap peas
Green salad w/ local tomatoes, carrots and honey mustard dressing

Supper

Sunday - Chicken kabobs w/ red peppers, local onions and local squash, brown rice, local asparagus and garlic bread.  Homemade strawberry shortcake w/ local strawberries.  (Recipe from Cook-a-Doodle-Doo.)

Monday - Spaghetti w/ Organic Tomato Sauce and Veggie "Meatballs", local green beans and garlic bread.

Tuesday - Hot dog night at the pool, carrot sticks, pineapple, local strawberries and pretzel sticks.

Wednesday - Tostadas w/ Crockpot refried beans, local grass-fed cheddar cheese, local tomatoes, guacamole, salsa and local lettuce.

Thursday -  Vegetable Stir-fry (local squash, local onions, red peppers, local spinach) w/ brown rice, pineapple.

Friday - Local italian sausage w/ onions and whole wheat bun or Veggie burger w/ whole wheat bun, local green beans and local green salad w/ carrots, local tomatoes and local snap peas.

Saturday - Homemade pizza w/ local italian sausage, local onions, red peppers and local Organic grass-fed mozzarella cheese.

I’m an Organizing Junkie is home to Menu Plan Monday.

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here. Tweet

Sustainable Saturday - Book Review: The Way We Eat - Why Our Food Choices Matter

The Way We Eat has dramatically changed how I think about food.  I truly believe that knowledge is power and that the more you read and educate yourself about a variety of topics, the more well rounded you are and the better you are at making important decisions especially when it comes to your family and lifestyle.

In reading this book one of the most thought provoking topics is that of food ethics.  While I have believed for awhile that local food is better from a variety of standpoints, I hadn't really thought about the ethics and economics of the food choices that I make for our family as the primary purchaser of food.  The concept of "Voting at the Supermarket" with your money is a great one because we all have the power to impact change. 

In The Way We Eat, they follow three American families and talk in depth about their food choices.

The first family is what I would call the "typical" American family in regards to food choices.  While they care about what they purchase and attempt provide nutritious meals including meat, vegetables and fruit for their family of 4, much of it is food that comes from factory farming and highly processed foods.

"S.A.D."  or the Standard American Diet is basically lots of meat, eggs and dairy products.  This diet also includes rice and bread in refined forms.  Low amounts of veggies and most fat in this type of diet comes from animal fat.

The second family of four attempts to eat Organically by purchasing food from local farmers when possible and orders meats and fish from a company perceived to be more environmentally friendly.  Some of the choices that this family makes in which they believe are more environmentally friendly are actually worse than the first family's choices.

The third family of four is Vegan which means they eat no animal products.  They also purchase organic produce and really scrutinize where their food comes from including tofu and the ingredients or processes used to process that particular item. 

There are many interesting facts that are shared about food ethics and economics.  Did you know that 5% of the populations creates 25% of emissions which contribute to pollution which impacts the environment?  Aviation alone by 2050 will account for 15% of all greenhouse gases emitted.

The Way We Eat also speaks to the economics of our food.  For instance, the impact of tomatoes growing in a greenhouse vs. tomatoes that were trucked in from Florida.  The tomatoes trucked from Florida actually have less environmental impact than those grown in a local greenhouse if the local greenhouse is using heating oil to foster growth.

We should consider the energy it takes to produce the food we eat.  Cooking also uses energy, so buy eating raw foods, you will reduce energy usage.

Buying local and seasonally is the best policy!  In the off-season, you should consider supporting the World's poorest farmers in lieu of local.  The economic impact of the dollar you spend for a farmer in another country, may have more economic benefit to the actual grower than buying it locally.  This concept could relieve poverty in the poorest countries.  Buying from least developed countries, transported by boat not plane, may have the most economic impact.

Pesticides have been detected in children's urine who eat a typical America diet vs. an Organic diet.  This is something that absolutely disturbed me and I guess I never really thought about it in this way. 

Currently there are no labels that are required on genetically modified foods!  Anything that contains corn or soy, unless Organic, are genetically modified.

We have always purchased Organic milk for our kids and more recently have transitioned to organic milk for my husband and myself in addition to organic or grass fed cheeses, cream cheese, yogurt, etc.  Horizon Organic milk has been a staple in our household for years.  So what I am about to share was enlightening to me regarding the "good" choices I thought I was making for our family.

Horizon is owned by Dean Foods and has been a staple company that we have purchased primarily milk individual serving boxes from for years.  Horizon along with Aurora Organics which is sold at Trader Joe's, may be Organic, but do not necessarily raise their cows in the way in which we all probably visualize.  Not all farms who produce milk for these two companies are not raising their cows on pasture.  Horizon buys from 300 local farmers in addition tot heir 5400 acre Idaho "main campus" farm which is much like a factory farm.  Organic Valley on the other hand is still owned by a Local farmers and is not a corporate entity unlike the other two listed above.

As I finished reading this book, another idea that really stuck in my mind is that "If you want to make change, you have to make it easier for people."  That is true on so many levels and is really a reason why I am writing this blog and sharing my knowledge.  There is so much information out there and it can be incredibly overwhelming.  As shown by the examples of the three families in this book, even when you think you are making "good" choices, there may be better alternatives.  However, giving some thought to where your food comes from and the economics of where it has traveled from is a great start!

 Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here. Tweet

Sustainable Saturday - Update on our Year

I have been absent from the blogging world for quite some time now.  Periodically I have been updating with interesting articles and events on my facebook page for both Saving Family Green and Suburban Family Garden.  I have big goals for this year to have both blogs up and running, unfortunately some serious family health issues have required much of my time in 2012.

I am here.  We are here.  We are continuing to live our lives the way we believe is best for our family and the environment.  I have not stopped reading, growing and sharing.  These family health issues have further affirmed for myself that our health is dependent on the food we eat and the air we breath.

That all said, here is a look into what we've been up to so far this year:

Saving Family Green

There are big goals for this year.  Hope to be sharing more in the coming weeks.  Since this month is Earth Day, my goal is to start our "year" then.

We've been cooking and baking from scratch more than ever.  Our freezer is full of local fruits, vegetables, beans, meats and baked goods made from scratch.

Homemade pizza has become a regular event.  I love being able to control the ingredients including grass-fed mozzarella cheese from a local farmer.  The meat is local, the vegetables are local and we are loving it!  For now, the sauce is store bought, although Organic, due to my freezer episode last year.  We have many, many tomato plants started though to make enough sauce for the entire year.

We've been eating more beans this year.  (Pictured top left to right are Kidney Beans, Lentils and Pinto Beans).  We've found a local source for Organic Black Beans with Shagbark Seed & Mill. 

We've made refried beans (using Pinto Beans beans pictured above) using a recipe from Skinny Mom's Kitchen, which is a new favorite blog I'm following.   You can find many of the recipes we've used this year by following me on Pinterest.

Suburban Family Garden

Goals for 2012:

1. Front Yard Garden - Inspired by the Edible Front Yard
2. Produce enough produce to last 12 months
3. Community Awareness
4. Giveaway and/ or donate produce
5. Year round gardening

The seeds are started and we will be planting more soon in the ground.  The weather here in Ohio has been unseasonable warm and has allowed us to get the seeds started early.  

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here. Tweet

Sustainable Saturday - Bulk Foods

Today we visited an Amish Bulk Foods store that is about 45 miles from Central Ohio.  We have visited before and enjoy purchasing flour, raw sugar, brown rice, cheese, etc. in bulk.  We buy 2 lb, 5 lb and 10 lb quantities of these items.  You can also purchase 25 lb and 50 lb bags of a variety of types of flour, oats and sugar.

If you are interested in visiting a Bulk Foods store, I can recommend a few.  If you live in other parts of Ohio or another state, I've found a great way to find Bulk Food Stores is to search Google.

Yoder's Bulk Foods Store
OH-314 N
Chesterville, OH

The Homestead Store
13877 McBeth Rd  
New Hampshire, OH 45870
419-568-2855

Country Variety Store & Bakery
6263 US 68 N
Bellefontaine, OH 43311

Previously I have posted information about Produce Auctions, organized by State.  You can also find this information under Coupons.

Photo Credit:  Amish America and Amy Lloyd.

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here. Tweet

Saving Family Green: 2012 Goals for the Year

As we enter into 2012, I have been thinking a lot about what can we as individuals do better in the year that lies ahead.  Some of this has been prompted by my recent reading of No Impact Man, however some of these ideas are just reemerging for me as I think about the new year and what I would like for my family to challenge ourselves with.

For 2012, I really want to share more about where we are in terms of Sustainability.  As I've mentioned before this blog is not really intended for deals related to Organic or Natural foods.  There are many great bloggers out there who detail how to purchase more healthy options while maintaining a budget.  The intent of this blog is really to chronicle where we are as a family, how we got here, how it has been done on an average family's budget and really share ways in which anyone can really change the way in which we do things.

A lot of these ideas are counter cultural.  We live in a disposable society of convenience everything.  The big question for myself is, how can I change that perspective for my little family in Suburban Ohio?

So, here is what I've come up with.  Ways in which we can lessen our impact on the environment, but still keep some modern conveniences.  Ultimately my goal is to keep my children healthy in terms of the food I give them and the air they breath (indoor air quality).

In the book, No Impact Man, Colin Beavan speaks towards the next great person who will make a difference in terms of idea of Sustainability.  The more I think about it, why can't my family be an advocate for living a different way.  We are truly embedded in it.  I have shared here before that I work in Construction, building "Green" Schools (United States Green Building Council - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certified) in the State of Ohio.  I am an advocate for better learning environments, good indoor air quality, day-lighting and overall building efficient school buildings for future generations.  My husband, while an Architect by trade, has become an Energy Auditor spending his days analyzing homes to determine how they might make a home more energy efficient by additional insulation for example.  Prior to becoming an Energy Auditor, he was on the forefront of Sustainable Architecture specializing in residential design.  He continues to provide these services through his company, Symhome. 

I jokingly say that we are raising little "Teenie Weenie Greenies", but I think we have impacted them already at 6 and 3.  My son, the 3-year-old, informs me constantly about things wasting energy.  The kids know that when they are finished with their fruit, the remnants go in the compost bin.

Saving Family Green - Goals for 2012

For 2012, I have broken down the goals we would like to accomplish as a family into 3 areas of concentration.  They are as follows:

1.  Rethink Food Choices.  This will include where food comes from.  We will strive to eat foods that are grown and/ or processed within 500 miles of our home.




2.  Reduce Waste.  How can we better reduce the abundance of waste that is such a huge part of our culture?

3.  Cook and Bake from Scratch.  This also ties into reducing waste.  We will be figuring out ways to cook and bake from scratch with local ingredients (again, 500 mile radius) and to reduce waste by reducing packaging from items that we would typically purchase (i.e. bread).

Next week I will share the Goal for each month for each of these categories.  To give you an idea, the following is what we have already been up to this month (January).

January Goals

Rethink Food Choices:  Eat only Ohio grown produce.  With the exception of bananas, mandarin oranges and some grapes, we have maintained this goal since January 1.

Reduce Waste:  No Fast Food.  For the entire year.  If it has a drive-thru, it is not an option.

Cook and Bake from Scratch:  Bake bread. 

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here.
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Sustainable Saturday - It's All About Food! (and Local Resources)

This week I am sharing an article and resources which focus on Local Eating, Growing and Self-Sufficiency.  Next week I hope to share on Saving Family Green our Family's Goals for 2012 and specifically those related to Local Eating, Growing and Self-Sufficiency.

A Deliciously Resourceful Town Aims For Total Food Self-Sufficiency Within 7 Years

Admittedly, it sounds like the most foolhardy of criminal capers, and one of the cheekiest, too.  

Outside the police station in the small Victorian mill town of Todmorden, West Yorkshire, there are three large raised flower beds.  

If you’d visited a few months ago, you’d have found them overflowing with curly kale, carrot plants, lettuces, spring onions — all manner of vegetables and salad leaves.

Read more of this article here.  About Incredible Edible:  We grow and campaign for local food.  Our growing around town is organised by our community growers’ group: find out about that here.  From our beginnings with herb gardens, we’ve taken to planting and growing veggies and trees round town we’ve planted several orchards and there are more to come, and we’re working with public bodies round town to use their land – like the fire station and the railway station – or to work with them on their own Incredible ideas – like social landlord Pennine Housing.  Every school in the town is now involved in growing with us and we promote food-based learning for the community as a whole.

Here in Central Ohio we have some great local resources available on the topic of Local Eating and Growing: 

Local Matters has put together 'Growing Our Own' Free Workshop Series.  "Growing Our Own" is a FREE workshop series packed with opportunities to learn exciting new things, network with growers and other members of the community, eat delicious foods and get some free giveaways!  

JANUARY 21 — 12:00–2:00PM 

Art and Gardens

Artists and growers, don’t miss this opportunity to connect creatives with gardeners who are interested in having creative input and art in their gardens. Artists Melissa Vogley-Woods and Elena Harvey Collins will discuss planning, funding and shared visions. Lunch provided. 

FEBRUARY 11 & 12 — 8:30AM–4:00PM

Growing Communities Free Weekend Workshop 

In this award-winning 2-day workshop designed by the American Community Gardening Association you’ll gain skills and strategies to work with the most important aspect of gardens—people.

Attendees will learn proven strategies to build dynamic leaders and create strong gardening programs, using a participatory approach to community building. Delicious food provided!

*Remember, this workshop will NOT be located at The Godman Guild. Check back for an update about the location TBA!* 

FEBRUARY 25 — 9:00AM–12:00PM

Grow Year-Round: Hoop Houses, Low Tunnels & Cold Frames  

Learn how to grow food and herbs year round! Join us for an information session on the wide range of ways that we can all extend the midwest seasons. Featuring a presentation from Hal Green with OSU Extension greenhouses. You'll leave the workshop with inspiration and building plans. 

MARCH 3 — 9:00AM–1:00PM

Planning and Seeding Your Garden

Join Pam Bennet from OSU Extension for essential garden planning tips and learn how to grow your own seedlings. Growers can increase diverse, healthy plants in their gardens, adding more to our kitchens and plate. Learn about heirloom plants and gain successful growing tips for lush gardens. All attendees will also receive free seeds!  

MARCH 24 — 9:00AM–1:00PM

Fruits and Berries 

Mark Meckling and Mark Langifeld of OSU extension will lead this two-part workshop about fruit and berries, the most in-demand local crop. Learn the basics of fruit tree growing and care and, plus

ways to include healthy, delicious berries in your meals. You’ll also learn about the best sources to purchase fruit trees and berries in Ohio. Includes a tasting of local fruits for all attendees. Yum!  

APRIL 14 — 10:00–12:00

Mushrooms!

Join the owners of Green Edge Gardens to learn how to grow your own mushrooms from start to finish. We’ll conclude by sharing a delicious mushroom and local herb pizza! 

MAY 19 — 9:00–12:00

Irrigating Urban Gardens

Dr. Larry Brown and Angelica Huerta from OSU will lead this hands-on workshop to learn how to build irrigation systems that will allow you to grow higher-yielding crops with less labor!  

JUNE 2 — 10:00–12:00

Water Harvesting: Methods, Care and Resources

Local experts Rain Brothers and FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed) will talk about programs for discounted or free rain barrels, how to care for rain barrels and cisterns, winterization and other helpful tips.

You’ll also receive free materials for planning and planting rain gardens to direct water for your individual garden needs.

TO REGISTER: Please RSVP to Cole Wardell via email at cwardell@local-matters.org or by calling the Local Matters office at 614-263-5662.

The Worthington Library is also sponsoring a Series, New Directions for Suburban Gardeners.

New Directions for Suburban Gardens

This six-part series will challenge your concept of suburban gardening. Learn more about beekeeping, urban farming, growing not-usually-found-at-the-nursery plants, the benefits of using native plants, intensive vegetable growing and spring flowers. Call 614-842-6320 for more information.

October 20: Jayne Barnes of Honeyrun Farm will discuss beekeeping and how to make honey and honey products. Items will be available for purchase.

November 17: Native shrubs and small trees play an important role in the ecology of suburban landscapes. Peter Lowe, a public garden horticulturalist at The Ohio State University, will explain more.

February 16: Don't miss the planting time! Don Humphrey, lifelong gardener and Worthington resident, will discuss how, through intensive gardening, you can grow a wide variety of vegetables for nine months of the year.

March 15: Welcome the arrival of spring wild flowers, a sure cure for the winter blues, as Sue Stevens talks about the principles of shade gardening.

April 19: Veteran hobby gardener Dave Marsolo grows plants you may not find in local nurseries and explains how you, too, can become a certified "plants person."

May 17: Urban farms? Yes! They are happening across the United States. Clintonville farmer Joseph Swain shares his experience with this new phenomenon. 

Where:  Griswold Center, 777 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085

  

Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here. Twee

health freedom alliance: 7 Foods You Should Never Eat

7 Foods You Should Never Eat

Although this article was published almost a month ago, I just happened to stumble across the other day.  I thought it was worth sharing.  Some of these ideas I will be sharing when I publish our Family Goals for 2012.

Here is article which shows why a toxicologist won’t eat microwavable popcorn or why a farmer will not eat non organic potatoes or why a fishery expert stays away from farmed salmon. Read on to learn why, as well as other foods you should stay away from.


 Note:  Some of the links referenced in this post are my referral links.  You can read Saving Family Green's Material Connection Disclosure Policy here. Tweet