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News and a Giveaway!

Head on over to http://blog.thesingingsparrow.com/ to see what I'm talking about!

August Break

I've been neglecting my blogs recently, but if you want to see what I've been up to, check out my post at LifesSpices.Blogspot.com.

Have a great day!

Things will be a little different around here for the month of August. Head over to Spice of Life to find out what's going on.

Harvesting

...but not from our garden.

While our garden is a little behind, except the peas which have been going strong for a couple months, my in-laws' garden across the street is producing lots of goodies.

We've had a few tomatoes and peppers, a load of purple beans and a nice big zucchini. We've eaten some of the beans and I need to get some frozen. I have plans for the zucchini that include possibly baking muffins in the chiminea.

Our tomatoes are still all green, but so far, look healthy. We had one broccoli plant start to make broccoli. Then we went away for the weekend and it bolted. The others haven't even started making florets yet. I have picked and dried some herbs including rosemary, basil and oregano. I also picked lots of black raspberries - enough for one pie and some to freeze for wintertime. I've only gotten a handful of blackberries so far, but they should be ready pretty soon.

This weekend we're actually going to be home, and I'm going to try to get caught up everything garden.

Organic Food Update

I think the last time I posted about buying organic groceries, I mentioned that I was having trouble finding a few things, particularly dairy products and juices.

It turns out, Walmart actually carries a couple brands of organic milk including Great Value. The problem was, in my store, they don't put it with the rest of the milk, it's a couple doors down near the half and half and whipping cream, in a place I never look. It's still more expensive than regular milk, and they only sell most of it in half gallon cartons, but they do have some of the Horizon Organic in gallon size. And, I decided we're buying it because I can't get over how creamy it tastes even as 2%. If you sign up on Horizon Organic you can download and print out some coupons for $1.00 off two half gallons. There's also a coupon for the singles, but I don't know how much off. It let me print out two coupons before the message came up saying I was at my limit. I'm hoping in the future they add a coupon for the gallon size since that's what we use the most of.

I'm still not finding many options for other dairy products except yogurt which both Giant Eagle and Walmart carry. I'd really like to find an option for cheeses and butter or even ice cream.

I'm still not finding much in the way of organic juices or other drinks.

This weekend, we're heading to Pittsburgh for our anniversary. (I can't believe a year has gone by already!) We're planning to spend some time in the Strip District and check out the new public market. I'm hoping to find some good deals on things I can stock up on, though I also expect a lot of things to be pretty expensive in the Strip.

While we're down there, I'd also like to check out Whole Foods, though again, I kind of see that as busy out of our price range. But, we're also making a trip to the Giant Eagle Market District to see what organic products they have in a bigger Giant Eagle.

Have a great weekend! I'll let you know what we find!

Trends for 2011

This is an old article that I came across on GoodFood World on the Top Organic Food and Farming Trends in 2011. We're now halfway through 2011, but you can see how many of these trends are growing and which ones have stalled out.

Grab a Button!

Going Simple now has a blog button and I'd love it if you'd grab it and put it in your sidebar (or anywhere else you put links!)

<center><a href="http://goingback2simple.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://rlynngraphicdesign.com/blog/images/goingsimple.gif" style="border: 2px #FFCC99 solid;"/></a></center>

Organic Agriculture in the US

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements has released their 2010 Annual Report. (scroll down to 20.05.2011) According to the chart on page one, the United States has the largest organic market size, and yet North America is at the bottom of the continents when it comes to area used for organic production, surpassing only Africa and only in the aspect of agricultural land, not wild or non-agricultural areas.

I take that to mean that not only do we need to import most of our organic products in order to meet the needs of the market, but we're also behind the rest of the world in realizing, as a whole, that what we are putting into our bodies, by eating or even what we're exposed to and breathing in, is causing problems.

So, what can we do?

Spread the word/Live by example. I'm putting these two together, because I think being an example is showing others how to do what you're saying is the best way to spread the word and get others involved.

Request organic. Many stores are beginning to add more organic options at the request of their customers. So, if there is something that you can't find, it can't hurt to ask for it.

Let the locals know too. Requests go for local farmers as well. When you're out at the farmers markets, ask the farmers where the produce is coming from. Some stands ship their produce in from other states. Those that do grow their own produce should be able to tell you exactly what was used to grow it. Don't be afraid to say "no" to foods that were not grown organically or sustainably, and let the farmers know that you would buy the product if it was grown in a healthier way.

Grow it yourself. North America may be behind in organic production, but do you know how easy it is to grow a few things yourself? Salad greens, I've found, are one of the easiest things to grow and can be placed in containers or even in a small patch. Many other fruits and vegetables like patio blueberries or tomatoes can be grown in containers right on your porch.

Educate yourself. This one probably should have gone first, because it is nearly impossible to make a difference in your own life and totally impossible to educate others if you're not well-informed first. Everyone reading this blog also has access to millions of resources in healthy/organic living. Just a simple Google search will result in hundreds of websites waiting to tell you what you need to know. However, it is also important to keep the sources in mind and I always try to verify what I'm reading with other resources that I trust.

Go to the top. If you want to see a change, write to lawmakers and/or contact someone who is currently trying to make changes and see how you can help. Right now there are many campaigns working to make changes in the way this country regulates our food. For a few examples go to http://westonaprice.org/get-involved. There are campaigns listed on the right.

Changes Already

OK, so you might have noticed that I've changed the background, and I'm going to be changing a few more things in the weeks to come. As a graphic designer, I really dislike using a template, but also being kind of a perfectionist, I'm not going to put up something that I've made myself until I'm loving it.

I did make a slight change to how I'm going to be referring to the site. "Going Back to Simple" is rather long and for some reason, I find it annoying to type. So, I'm going to just call it "Going Simple." Don't worry, the blog isn't moving anywhere and you can still use the same links.

One addition I've got for you is the new "Going Simple" page on Facebook. You can find the page HERE, and I'd really appreciate it if you'd "like" it and even pass it along! Feel free to leave comments, and let me know what you're doing to eat organically, be healthier or live a more simple life. I think this would be a great place to start some discussions!

You also might have noticed the options at the ends of posts to either "like" or "send" that post via Facebook. Share the info with your friends and let me know you like what I'm writing!

So, a few changes made and probably more to come!

btw, go get yourself a nice big glass of water. This is very important for your body, and I know I have a hard time remembering to drink enough, so make a conscious move to get your fill!

Links

I've been planning a post of the links that I've found helpful as I'm searching for information and resources online, but the list keeps growing along with the list of links that I've heard about and am meaning to check out. So, I've decided to just post what I've got so far and continue to add to it periodically. I'll also be putting a link to this list on the main page of the blog. If you have anything to add, let me know!!

Organic Information:

Organic.org

OrganicCenter.org

GenerationsOfOrganic.org

HowToGoOrganic.com

Consumer Information & Current Events:

OrganicConsumers.org

OrganicValley.coop

Nutrition:

WestonAPrice.org

GMOs:

Going Green:

GreenAmerica.org

Resources:

LocalHarvest.org - local farms, markets, co-ops and online retailers

Earth911.com - recycling locations

PristinePlanet.com - green comparison shopping online

Campaigns:

WestonAPrice.org/take-a-stand - see list under "Campaigns" on left side.

RealMilk.com

Brand Information:

OrganicValley.coop

HorizonDairy.com

Other Bloggers:

FoodJustSayin.com

MrsTNaturally.blogspot.com

Misc.:

StillTasty.com - shelf life guide

MotherEarthNews.com - covers pretty much everything

GreenReportCard.org - which colleges are doing what to be green

Vitamins

I recently discovered Mrs. T, Naturally while searching for other people interested in organic on BlogSpot. Her post for today is about vitamins and the benefits of making sure that your vitamins are made with whole foods. Check out her post, Guilt Free Shopping Spree, for some information, a link to an online store and $5 off your order!

I'm still working on that list of links, so that will come next week! Have a great weekend!

Wanna Help Me Out?

I've entered in a contest to win a PA roadtrip. You can help me out by clicking HERE and voting. You can vote once per day, and I'd really appreciate it if you pass it along!

I'll be back later this week with some good links I've found for organic info!

Thanks!!!

Does Organic = Expensive?

Sometimes, but not always.

I was definitely a bit concerned, when we decided to buy organic whenever we could, that it would mean spending a lot more money, but so far, I haven't seen a big difference at the checkout. This is what I've been doing to keep the costs down, and really, this could should be done whether your buying organic or not.

1. Generic Names

I think that most of the time names mean nothing when it comes to food quality, though I know sometimes generics just don't taste the same. For example, I've tried all the brands I could to find a condensed tomato soup that tastes as good as Campbell's. No dice. But, I think a lot of the time buying brand names is a pride issue. It's time to get over that. Many stores are now coming out with their own brand of organics. We have a local Giant Eagle that is stocked with the Giant Eagle (Nature's Basket) organic foods. Here are other stores with their own organic brands:

Safeway (O Organics)

ShopRite (ShopRite Organics)

Kroger/King Sooper (Private Selections)

Albertson's/Jewel (Wild Harvest)

Whole Foods (365 Organic Everyday Value)

Harris Teeter (Harris Teeter Naturals)

Meijer (Meijer Organics)

Publix (GreenWise)

Super Target (Archer Farms)

Food Giant (Nature's Promise)

Food Lion (Nature's Place)

Part of this list was found at http://www.foodjustsayin.com/2011/02/21/affording-organics-part-2-store-brands/

2. Discount Grocery Stores

One of my favorite stores to just wander through is Ollies. You really never know what they'll have and more than once I've seen random organic drinks and things piled at the ends of the aisles. The only problem is these types of stores are never consistent. You know how you hate it when a store gets you hooked on something and then stops carrying it? Well, that happens. A lot. So, if you find something you really like, I'd stock up. 

Another favorite store of mine is Sharp Shopper. Again, you never know what you're going to find, but again some really good deals. I'm talking Cascadian Farms Chewy Chocolate Granola Bars for $.99 a box. You just have to keep an eye on the dates on packaging, but for lots of canned/packaged foods those dates are for optimum taste, they don't necessarily mean if you eat them past the date, you'll get sick. Just use common sense.

3. Stock Up.

If you find a great deal on something that you know you'll use, buy lots. I just bought about 10 jars of organic spaghetti sauce for about $1 a jar, and I should have bought more. We'll use it for pasta and pizza, and it will keep for quite a while. When I found those $.99 boxes of granola bars, I bought 6 boxes. I usually take one to work for a snack in mid-afternoon, and we'll grab a couple to take if we're hiking.

4. Circulars

I know that Giant Eagle has a section in their flyer for organic/natural items on sale. Believe me, it's very small section, and it's easy to miss, but it's only a portion of what they actually have on sale. So, if I see a good price on something I know I need, I make the trip to the store and usually end up finding many of the other things on my list on sale.

5. Perks

I've mentioned a lot of Giant Eagle things today, but that's because that's the closest grocery store we have besides Walmart which I've found to be disappointing when it comes to organic foods. Another thing Giant Eagle has going for it is it's fuel/food perks. It doesn't take long to rack up $50 worth of groceries anywhere you go, and with gas prices going up and down, I like that extra $.10 off. Plus, it builds and you could end up with free gas! Just watch out, because the points expire.

Check to see if any of your grocery stores have perks. It's easy to sign up, and you just have to remember you store card - some even give you cards to put on your key chain and sometimes one for you and another person in your family.

6. Coupons
This is something I'm terrible at. I don't get a paper and I just don't know where to find all these coupons that everyone else seems to have. While on the blog that I mentioned above for store brand generics, I found a post on coupons including links to find them. Check out: Affordable Organics Part 1: Using Coupons. And judging from the two post I've read so far, you might want to check out the other posts in that series.

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There are a few things, however that I've either not been able to find at all or haven't found at a price I'm comfortable paying. Juices, soups and dairy products seem to be the biggest problem. Our local Walmart carries a total of 2 organic juices in tiny little bottles for ridiculous prices. I was able to find some at Giant Eagle for a better price, but still not a very good selection. Larger stores might have better options. I had pretty much the same problem with soups.

When it comes to dairy products, I've found nearly nothing. Last week Matt discovered that our IGA carries an organic milk. Because they seem to be more expensive, I don't shop at IGA very often unless they're having a good sale, or I need something immediately (they're just down the hill, in town, and our big grocery stores are at least half an hour in any direction). The milk was not an exception. I think Matt said it was about $5 for a carton - not even a gallon! Even with just the two of us, we go through a lot of milk. I usually buy two gallons at a time. So, this is where the organic prices could really get us, and I haven't made the commitment yet to the organic milk. But, we ran out of milk a couple days ago, and I had made cookies, so Matt bought a carton. I was surprised at how different it tasted! It was delicious! It was like it had more flavor, and it was creamier even though it was still 2%. I'm thinking if we can find all these other places to save, I may just splurge on the milk, but we'll keep an eye out for better prices.

The moral of the story is you don't have to double your budget to buy organic foods.

I was not compensated in anyway by any of the stores mentioned above. These are just my opinions and observations as I'm trying to find the most inexpensive ways to eat organic.

Welcome!

I've been blogging for a few years now, but only recently did my husband, Matt, and I begin a journey to pay more attention to what we eat and what we support in purchasing and to move into a simpler way of living. This new blog is going to be my space for sharing the things we're learning along the way and encouragement and information for anyone else who chooses to embark on this adventure. I'll also probably be including some of the recipes and things I share on Spice of Life as I'm trying out organic ingredients.

I've brought over the previous posts from SOL that I wanted to include in this blog with their original dates, so they'll appear before this post. The first two posts give a very clear picture of what convinced us to make these changes and what our goals are. Check out: Making Changes and What's Different?

And, of course, I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone else!

Have a great day!

Organic?

So, I've been posting about healthier lifestyles and eating organic foods, but what does that mean? Organic.org is a great website for educating about organic and healthy eating.

First, what exactly is organic? The Organic.org FAQ pages says this:

"The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows: Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too."

So, how do you know if something is organic? Well, there's a labeling system, because there are actually a few levels of organic. There are products made with 70% and less organic, 70%-94%, 95%-99% and 100% organic. Check out this guide. Also, remember that right now, there is a lot of paperwork and expense that comes with being certified organic. So, just because something isn't labeled, doesn't mean it's not organic. This is especially true with small local farmers, so when you go to the farmers markets, make sure you ask!

And finally, why should you go organic? This article is a list of some of the reasons to consider, but ultimately, it is a personal decision. For me, it's about health - about my health and the health of my husband and the health of the environment. Genesis 1:26: "Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." I believe this creation was entrusted to us, by God, and we are to be stewards of it - taking care of the land so that it will not only support us and future generations, but that we can continue to enjoy our lakes and rivers and see wildlife return to places where pollution had once wiped it out.

Simplify This Life

Just a warning: this post may seem to wander, but I hope it will make sense at the end. And, if you don't want to go through the whole thing, please read the last paragraph anyways.

As my husband and I are moving toward healthier eating and being more conscious of what is in our foods, I've also found myself with a desire to rid ourselves of the junk that clutters our lives.

I moved into a apartment with two other girls the fall after graduating from high school. I lived in that building for two years while both of my roommates were replaced and things came and went. I had enough furniture and things to fill my space and help fill the spaces we shared. Then, I moved into a 2-bedroom apartment in which I lived by myself. And, I lived there for two years, expanding my possessions to fill that space.

When we got married last July, Matt moved into my apartment, bringing only a few things with him, because we'd be moving again that September when my lease was up. We then moved into a house where we have lots of space to spread out, and he moved some more things in, but the majority of our possessions came from my life between high school graduation and marriage. We've bought a few things together, mostly furniture and appliances.

I feel like we need to start anew with our possessions. A lot of what I have, I don't use anymore, and I'm pretty good at having stacks of papers that need sorted and/or thrown away. We currently have a room that is supposed to be the office area, but is more of a storage area for things that I don't know what to do with. Papers that need sorted, things from school, art supplies and just general junk.

A few months ago, we watched a movie on a trip taken to Patagonia (180° South), the places seen and the people met and a conservation project going on there. We talked about it briefly. We talked about taking a month and just going. We talked about selling a lot of our stuff a taking a lot of time off of work and going. Then, we starting thinking about what that would mean. I would probably have to quit my job - not that this would be terrible for me, but our goal is to build a house and to get a bank loan, they like you to have two years at a job. It would mean some money. The cost to actually do the project is very minimal, meals and lodging when your not camping a few days at a time at the job site are included, but the airfare to get there was a bit more than we could handle.

We hadn't told anyone about this dream that we had. We kept it to ourselves, and slowly the talk subsided, and without a word being said, it was "cancelled" - not forgotten, by any means, at least not by me, but there seems to be an unspoken, "impossible."

I'd still love to participate in the conservation project in Patagonia. It's really not a plausible idea for us right now. Where would Ajay stay? What about this house we're building? What about the machine shop that Matt's family owns and runs that has been blessed with an overflow of work? Someday, maybe.

Anyways,  I've been thinking about simplifying since seeing that movie. And, I know that's something we can do now, even if we're not flying thousands of miles away to spend a month in a foreign land. Who knows, maybe it will make it that much easier if that opportunity does come.

A close friend of mine, along with her husband and kids, moved to Ohio to start a church plant, last fall. She's recently started a blog about the journey her family is on, as well as her desire to simplify their lives. Simplify This Life is that blog. Stop on over and let Jessica introduce herself, and while your there, tell her, "hello!" She's giving me the motivation I need to sort through and get rid of some of our stuff, and she might just give you some inspiration too. Or, maybe you can give her some tips!

Others Making Changes

I'm finally getting caught up on some of my blog reading. Today, as I was reading a blog I follow regularly, I came to a post from a week ago about eating healthier and the weight problems facing the U.S.. It fits right along with the lifestyle change we're making in our family and I'd like to share it with you.

Dear Anonymous

Just click the link above to be taken to Low Tide High Style, and while you're there, check out the lovely photos that Kat takes.

A Little Disappointed

Update: My comment has now been approved, so I'm less disappointed.

I recently left a comment on a post about substituting xylitol only to find that it was never approved by the blog owner. I find this a little disappointing, myself, as in the comment, I was neither supporting xylitol or not. Since it never appeared, I'm taking this post to express my thoughts on that post and also to expand. While, I do not have exactly what I said, this is basically it:

While I have never used xylitol and don't know much about it, I recommend doing some more research before completely making the switch. Also, keep in mind that while a product "occurs naturally," the process by which it is refined might not be so healthy.

After doing a little searching online, I've found that "xylitol is a naturally occuring carbohydrate. It is found in fibrous vegetables and fruit. It also occurs naturally in our bodies..." (from xylitol.org) The site also states that xylitol is used to fight tooth decay/cavities and as an alternative sweetener for diabetics. It has also been used as a sweetener in gum for years.

From most of what I'd initially found, xylitol seemed to be a "safe" alternative to anyone looking to control blood sugar or tooth decay or if your thoughts are to reduce calorie intake. Many sites didn't list any adverse thoughts at all. Knowing that this is hardly ever the case, I looked a little deeper.

A few sources mentioned that Xylitol is a sugar alcohol and a laxative and that some people's bodies do not tolerate it. This site advises you to check the grade, because a lower grade may also contain other sugar alcohols that may cause some issues.

Looking further still, I found a couple of sites with arguments against xylitol and other alternative sweeteners including this blog, which comes at it from a slightly more personal diet preference standpoint, and an article on diabeteshealth.com that contains an excerpt from a reference glossary on alternative sweeteners.

I also discovered this site, which explores an article found in Wise Traditions, a Weston A. Price Foundation magazine, about agave nectar and xylitol. I had never heard of the foundation or the magazine, plus I wanted to read the full article, if it was available, so that prompted me to expand my search. I'm not sure if this is the exact article: Agave: Nectar of the Gods; but it is the same author and expands on both agave and xylitol even going so far as to explain the manufacturing process. (The xylitol portion starts about 2/3 of the way down.) The article also argues against the claim that it can be used to prevent tooth decay and gives the cons of using as a diabetic alternative. It also lists sources, so if you're intrigued, feel free to read the article and check them out.

As for the Weston A. Price Foundation, I've learned that the goal of the foundation is to educate people so that, through awareness, we can began to eat more nutrient-rich foods. They advocate a diet change for Americans, moving towards healthier foods and lower cases of diseases and even cancer.

The conclusion I've come to is that xylitol isn't for me. Knowing the struggles that come with finding ways for diabetics to enjoy something sweet, I think that this may work well for some. However, since the transition to organic has begun recently in our house, I'd be wary of using xylitol because of many factors from the possibility of a GMO base, to the manufacturing process and chemicals that may be used. The Emerald Forest Xylitol site states that, currently, there is no known source for organic xylitol, and until there is, I know I have other organic options for sweeteners.

What's Different?

So, yesterday I told you about what got the gears turning and why my husband and I are making some lifestyle changes. Today, I'm going to share some of the things we're doing differently.

Now, this lifestyle is not a foreign concept to me. Some of you probably know that I grew up on a farm. We had cows and horses and chickens and dogs and cats. And, we had a garden (or more!) every year. I remember every year snapping beans to can and eating fresh corn on the cob for supper and tomatoes right out of the garden. I remember tall shelves in the basement filled with jellies and peaches and other canned fruits and veggies. And, I remember a huge chest freezer filled with beef from our farm and venison and turkey that Dad hunted.

We got three channels and Mom limited our time in front of the tv. We had acres of land to explore and lots to do outside. I'd say we lived pretty healthy. We were hardly ever sick - I don't think I missed a day of school for illness between 5th grade and almost to the end of my second year of college - I think it's pretty safe to bet that the way we lived had a lot to do with it.

So, you see, I already have a pretty good idea of what we needed to do.

We started with this year's garden. Last year, we made a compost bin that one of these days, I promise, I'll get around to posting about. We've been filling it up all winter with scraps from the kitchen and the worms are going to town. On top of this, we've bought organic dirt to do all of our edible planting as well as manure for compost, and we'll be looking into getting some more manure from local farmers when the frost danger is gone and we start planting the rest. Like last year, we've also started most of our plants from seed, but this year, we're planning to stay on top of the garden a little better and hopefully get a better harvest so we can can and freeze as much as possible to last through the winter.

We're also trying to locate sources of organically growth meats. I've found a farm about 45 minutes away that, starting Memorial Weekend, has a farm stand every Saturday with organic produce and meats as well as some cheeses from a local Amish farmer. This farm even goes as far as to use horses to do the work in order to cut down on environmental impact. They already have some eggs for sale and a couple weeks ago, we made the trip to pick up 3 dozen. At $2.50/doz. for organic eggs, it's a pretty good deal and I figure 3 dozen should last us about a month. For now, we'll plan on driving up about once a month to stock up, but hopefully in the future we can find someone a little closer.

For my regular grocery shopping, I've been slowing finding the products that have the organic seal. Grocery shopping is taking me a little longer while I'm searching the isles for the healthier alternative to what we usually buy, but I'm making the switch a little at a time.

In the past, I've done most of my shopping at Walmart. It's the closest and most convenient. The only other grocery store in the area being Aldi's which has terrible hours for working people, and our town's IGA that is generally more expensive. A little further away we have a Giant Eagle, and recently I made to trip to see what they had in the way of organic.

I have to say I was kind of impressed. Giant Eagle now has their own brand of organic foods, and I was able to find most of the things I was looking for, including pastas and juice. Giant Eagle is a little more expensive, but I signed up for the Giant Eagle card to get all the discounts, plus I'm getting some fuel perks, which I think will be worth it now that gas is at $3.99/gal. Giant Eagle also has an insert that we get in our PO Box so I can keep an eye on the sales and make the trip when I know it will be worth it to me.

I'm sure I'll be finding more changes we can make to live healthier lives, and I'll be posting what I'm finding along the way!

Making Changes

We don't have tv. Well, we have tv's but we don't pay for cable or anything, so we might get a couple channels on a clear day. I figure since we already pay for internet, and you can watch almost anything online, we don't need to spend the extra money for cable only to find that there's nothing to watch anyways. We do have Netflix on our Wii. I like being able to sit down and pick from thousands of movies and tv shows and watch them anytime. Plus, at only about $10/month I can justify it a little better.

Anywho.

I've mentioned before that we've been watching documentaries. Most recently we saw Food, Inc., which I thought was very eye-opening on what we are actually consuming along with our food, what goes into the production and what effects it has on the environment. I definitely recommend checking it out, along with The Gerson Miracle, which explains juicing and eating healthy, wholesome foods and the benefits that lifestyle may have for people battling cancer or other diseases. While I will not be totally conforming to this way of life (for one thing, I happen to LOVE meat, of any kind), it is interesting to learn what's behind it, and it's worth it to hear the compelling stories of people who have practiced it.

We also watched the first season of Eco Trip. I'm not sure if there are other seasons out there, but this series basically took a product for each show and showed you how what steps that product takes to get to the consumer. For example, one show explained the process for a cotton t-shirt, from growing the cotton to wearing it and also investigated the health factors on both the environment and those who came in contact with the process, whether it be a factory worker or someone who lived next to a cotton field where pesticides are sprayed.

Needless to say, we've begun to educate ourselves further on exactly what we are eating, buying, cleaning with, and supporting, and I think that may be the direction this blog will be headed. I want to share with you what we've learned and let you know what we're actively doing to make a change.