tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83656059806675210602024-02-06T23:22:17.455-05:00Undone: Stepping into SimplicitySarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-67895632025964410102013-06-12T11:59:00.000-04:002013-06-12T11:59:24.877-04:00It's here!The new blog is here! Thanks for your patience as I navigate the fun new technicalities of WordPress. You can now find me at: <a href="http://www.intuitiveintrovert.wordpress.com/">www.intuitiveintrovert.wordpress.com</a> . See you over there!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-79736299783724563722013-06-11T19:49:00.002-04:002013-06-11T19:49:51.714-04:00Changes AboundWell, school is finally out, and the shape of my days is changing. And that's not all! This blog will be changing over to WordPress on the recommendation of multiple friends and family members. While I am changing all of that, I thought I would change the title of the blog as well. So keep your eyes peeled! Big changes are coming...and they are coming fast. See you over there!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-19038527415599330952013-04-01T07:27:00.000-04:002013-04-01T07:27:10.137-04:00Why I did not go to church on Good Friday<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Today I wrote a guest post on the Living Stones Community Blog:</span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">I spent the majority of my growing-up years in churches where, if you loved Jesus, you showed up "every time the doors were open." If there was a service, you were there with a smile pasted on your face and a Bible under your arm. Let's just say: it was a policy aimed at quantity rather than quality....</span></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">To read the remainder of this post, visit the blog <a href="http://livingstonesweb.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Let me know what you think!</span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #fff3db; color: #29303b; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/normal Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-51871123832150757722013-03-27T19:36:00.000-04:002013-03-27T19:36:22.531-04:00The Tale of a Fateful TripYou may recall <a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2012/03/adventure-comes-without-knocking.html" target="_blank">our trip to Lowe's last year</a>. You would think we would have learned something about small cars.<br />
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Evidently not.<br />
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This year, determined not to make the same mistake, we engaged my sister-in-law and her SUV to transport the wood for our new garden box as well as Adirondack chairs we purchased in order to spend some time actually enjoying our huge back yard this year. All went smoothly in the way of transportation, and we felt quite clever.<br />
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Then we decided to purchase soil for our garden box from a business that sells bulk soil instead of buying hundreds of bags from Lowe's. Again, we basked in the golden sunlight of our cleverness.<br />
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However, in order to move the soil to the actual garden box, we needed some tools. Namely, a wheelbarrow. Which we did not yet own. So off to Lowe's we went again, selected the smallest (and incidentally cheapest) wheelbarrow we could find, loaded it with mushroom compost (to enrich the soil), paid for everything, and headed to the car.<br />
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At this point, it occurred to us. <br />
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We have a small car. <br />
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Perhaps we should have realized this sooner, but...<br />
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The wheelbarrow definitely was not going into the car. We tried it at a variety of angles, in multiple openings. It just wasn't going in.<br />
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After several phone calls to people with larger cars (no one answered), we sat down to think.<br />
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My darling husband decided it was time to take matters into our own hands and Solve the Problem. As it was the wheel of the barrow that stood in the way of our plan, we wondered if we might remove it. After examining it, I found that it was only secured to the axle with a screw on either side of said axle.<br />
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Liam, the Problem Solver, announced that he would borrow a screwdriver. I, of course, scoffed that such a thing would surely not happen. But off he went, confident that there would be a screwdriver to borrow. And, amazingly, there was. We removed the wheel, proud of ourselves for being clever (starting to see a pattern here yet?), and attempted to <strike>shove </strike>place the wheelbarrow into the trunk.<br />
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It still didn't fit.<br />
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However, with the wheel removed, more of it was in the trunk than out. So we decided to cut our losses and get out of there. While returning the screwdriver, Liam found that there was twine by the door that was available for tying down trunks. So we tied the trunk down and delicately drove home, with the barrow bumping the whole way.<br />
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And that is how we learned that cleverness is no match for a small car and a large wheelbarrow. But a small car and a large wheelbarrow are no match for Liam the Problem Solver.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-62301137171825872422013-03-26T08:52:00.000-04:002013-03-26T08:52:20.027-04:00Sarah Returns, Spring Break, and Sunrise Juice<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Long time no see, right?</div>
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I apologize for my terrible blog-posting record the past couple of months. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I was spending all of my energy corralling a large group of extroverted 2nd graders. Yeah. That didn't leave enough energy to put away my clean clothes, let alone write blog posts. So, I am sorry, but it was unavoidable.</div>
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Now it's spring break! And I have a highly efficient aide. So hooray for sleeping in past 4:45. And yippee for reading a book in longer than 10-page increments. A whole week of Saturdays... I am a happy girl!</div>
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Speaking of energy, have you ever tried juicing? I was recently introduced when my sister and I took on this detox diet from Whole Living for the season of Lent. Our first week, the only things we could eat were fruits, vegetables, nuts, and lentils. Our breakfasts were either juice or smoothies. So I borrowed my MIL's juicer for the six weeks, and experimented.</div>
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I stumbled upon this discovery. Although it is not a detox juice, it is a delicious juice. And it will give you an amazing spike of energy. It's very seasonal during late January/early February if you live in Florida. Probably later if you do not. It is beautiful. It is smooth. And if you have a juicer, you <strong>must</strong> try it! If you do not have a juicer, you should make friends with someone who does and convince them to make it for you.</div>
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Without further ado:</div>
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<strong>Sunrise Juice</strong></div>
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<em>Ingredients</em>:</div>
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2 oranges</div>
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12 strawberries</div>
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2 large or 3 small carrots</div>
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Cut carrots and oranges into smaller pieces so they will fit into the juicer. Push all of the fruits and vegetables through the juicer. Mix the juices together and drink immediately (if you like it chilled, add some ice). Don't forget to clean your juicer before everything gets crusted on!</div>
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If you try it, let me know what you think!<strong></strong></div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-79716520949916070522013-02-03T06:52:00.002-05:002013-02-03T06:52:35.143-05:00Waiting: A Liturgy<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;">Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<br />And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.<br />Amen.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;"><br />***</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: 'Goudy Old Style', serif;">The raw beauty of the liturgy gripped me that day. I was present in church in a way I never before had been, my feet rooted to those wooden boards, my knees gravity-tugged to the ground. When I stumbled into the sunlight afterwards, disoriented, I could hardly answer the question: "How did you like it?" I knew then. God was there.</span></div>
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View the rest of this guest post on the Living Stones Community blog <a href="http://livingstonesweb.blogspot.com/2013/02/waiting-liturgy.html" target="_blank">here</a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-10722157818678041152013-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-01T06:00:10.604-05:00You Need This in Your Pantry!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Let me introduce you to an ingredient that will <em>change your life!</em> I am not even kidding you -- you need to buy this right away.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2cviV-5xaI9bK1JCc3r7q8pUOeC4vNdn2LOHSb6XC1ha5VYF23Lu6SOx78db_v9ySmZolTLLZaO5dn0ssHeWvGhG8TstcEriowTCmL3022jX9fRWnxZCS2un9V9vW4KpODNOD619oZA/s1600/raw+cacao2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2cviV-5xaI9bK1JCc3r7q8pUOeC4vNdn2LOHSb6XC1ha5VYF23Lu6SOx78db_v9ySmZolTLLZaO5dn0ssHeWvGhG8TstcEriowTCmL3022jX9fRWnxZCS2un9V9vW4KpODNOD619oZA/s320/raw+cacao2.png" width="205" /></a></div>
<strong>Navitas Raw Cacao Powder</strong><br />
It is a raw version of a cocoa powder that does not have the nutrients cooked out of it. It is categorized as a "superfood," but that's not why I love it!<br />
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The taste is amazing! It is a rich chocolatey taste, deeper and more nuanced than a regular cocoa powder.<br />
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Use it in ice cream! Use it in cookies, hot cocoa, brownies, cakes...it will kick up the taste several notches. If you love chocolate, you will adore this. If you like healthy foods, you cannot live without this any longer.<br />
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It is not sweet, but it is the ultimate in chocolate taste.<br />
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I buy mine at <a href="http://vitacost.com/">vitacost.com</a>, but you can probably also find it at a health food store. Go forth and find it! You won't be sorry!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-64991244217663378472013-01-30T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-30T06:00:05.023-05:00Wherein We Ask, Who Is My Neighbor?A man in Jacksonville, Florida, got on his motorcycle one beautiful spring Sunday morning, and headed toward I-95. He was totally looking forward to a visit at St. Augustine National Park....<br />
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Read the rest of this joint writing effort with my mother, Susan Price, on her blog <a href="http://inmysecretgarden.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/wherein-we-ask-who-is-my-neighbor/" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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Be sure to let me know what you think!<br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-68979827282426275842013-01-28T06:00:00.000-05:002013-01-28T06:00:14.590-05:005 Reasons to "No 'Poo" Your 'DoBesides the fact that you get to say "No 'Poo Your 'Do" with a straight face, I've been considering whether there might be advantages to giving up shampoo. Now that I'm a month into my "farewell to shampoo," I have some insight for those of you who might consider trying this. And also for those of you who would never consider trying this. Maybe even for the occasional person who doesn't care either way. So read on...<br />
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5. If you get some of this "shampoo" in your eyes, it will still sting, but they won't get as red as they would with regular shampoo, and they will recover sooner. This reason may sound rather lame to some of you coordinated people out there, but to someone who always used to come out of the shower looking like the morning after overindulging in alcoholic beverages, this is a big deal. <br />
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4. Build upper arm strength! You may not think so, but holding your arms above your head long enough to thoroughly massage baking soda solution into your hair will require more muscle tone than you already have (unless you're a body builder or something). Now you can be buff and have gorgeous hair at the same time!<br />
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3. Apple cider vinegar is apparently great for eczema. If you have sensitive skin, you might be surprised by how much it clears up when you use this shampoo (or lack thereof) routine. I was.<br />
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2. You get a head massage every time you wash your hair. True, you have to give <em>yourself</em> the massage, but hey...it kinda beats lazily relying on suds for their cleansing power. Also, it is said to stimulate blood flow to your brain cells. I can use all the help I can get!<br />
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1. You could have a volcano in your shower -- every day! That's right! You get to use the very same ingredients used to make an elementary school volcano model to clean your hair. Not that you <em>would</em> make a volcano...but it's nice to know you <em>could</em>.<br />
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All of this <em>and</em> soft, shiny, chemical-free tresses? It's all true.<br />
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Intrigued? You should be. If you are completely convinced that you must rush out and try "No 'Poo" this very day, be sure to read <a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-farewell-to-shampoo.html" target="_blank">my original post explaining how to do it here</a>. Then revel in your coolness. Go forth and enjoy your head massage!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-4446112533278399272013-01-26T19:06:00.002-05:002013-01-26T19:09:51.715-05:00I get a little carried away...and my husband rescues me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54NeQoKG0oGBLcXqaoHfRObLVg6LaUMp9A4Csnt9mxi5xmUKcU-akL6xABTTFD85-Ks3enL4moIMbRTAkCL2NFm3EJkq8S10Bh8riP09HLdmyDOxCNB7HK34LJ3qg0MIqiTRnY0srU9E/s1600/100_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54NeQoKG0oGBLcXqaoHfRObLVg6LaUMp9A4Csnt9mxi5xmUKcU-akL6xABTTFD85-Ks3enL4moIMbRTAkCL2NFm3EJkq8S10Bh8riP09HLdmyDOxCNB7HK34LJ3qg0MIqiTRnY0srU9E/s320/100_0245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I've loved food pretty much as long as I've been alive.<br />
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My mom likes to tell stories about how I started eating table food so young (to supplement my diet of breast milk) -- I wanted broccoli before I was supposed to have it (and she gave it to me... I loved it then and still do). My first word was a food word ("bread" in Portuguese), not Mama or Binky. I was messing in the kitchen as soon as I was old enough to stand on a chair to reach the counter.<br />
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What can I say? One of my favorite TV shows is <em>Chopped</em>. I read more nonfiction books about food than pretty much any other subject. And the list of food blogs I follow grows and grows.<br />
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So it's no surprise that the list of recipes I want to try keeps getting longer and longer. And with teaching as my main job, I don't have a lot of free time, which means my only day to experiment is Saturday. Sometimes, when I've been really busy, my desire gets pent up until it bursts -- I spend my entire day planning and executing projects of cookery.<br />
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Like today.<br />
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I started off with roasting some beets for next week's lunches. Meanwhile, I also baked an acorn squash that had been moldering in my fruit bowl for over a month.<br />
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I the made my first foray into homemade ice cream. I got an amazing deal on an ice cream maker early in December, but with the cascade of junk food that bombarded the Christmas holidays, I had not done anything with it yet. I made my ice cream base, and put it in the fridge to cool. Then, I realized you are supposed to freeze the ice cream bucket <em>before</em> you make the ice cream. Whoops. Oh well, ice cream, to be continued.<br />
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At the same time, I cleaned and started to roast brussels sprouts from my Farmer's Market trip to make <a href="http://peasandthankyou.com/2013/01/24/crispy-brussels-sprouts-with-caramelized-orange-vinaigrette/" target="_blank">this recipe</a> from Peas and Thank You. Chocolate creme anglaise and brussels sprouts might seem like an odd combination, but the smooth, sweet velvet of the ice cream base, and the crispy outside, soft creamy inside of the salt-and-pepper-and-oil sprouts were a perfect compliment. I went right from licking out the pot from the chocolate back to "taste-testing" the brussels sprouts (I taste-tested about half the pan!).<br />
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Then to make the vinaigrette/glaze for the brussels sprouts. By this time my feet were aching and I was getting slightly cranky. Also, the romance of the kitchen was wearing off a little. I may or may not have snapped at my husband, who was only trying to make dinner.<br />
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Then I had a minor meltdown over a perceived slight (not to mention the fact that dishes were piling up, and I still had one kitchen project to go).<br />
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My husband, who is sweet, did not get mad. No -- he washed the dishes. Then he washed the dishes again. And folded the towels. And washed the dishes again. And told me it would be ok.<br />
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I worked my way through my last project, healthy rice krispy treats (made with brown rice syrup and brown rice krispies and almond butter -- see the recipe <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2011/06/24/almond-butter-rice-crisp-treats/" target="_blank">here),</a> a long awaited birthday present promised to my father (who celebrated 60 years on January 7 -- yes, I'm just getting to his birthday present -- I told you teaching keeps me busy).<br />
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As I coated the cereal with sticky, gooey yum and coated the sticky, goey yum with warm chocolate and almond butter mixture, I breathed deep. Yes, I got a little carried away.<br />
<br />
But my day was sweet...bitter...salty...tangy. And it ended in peace.<br />
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<em>*This post is dedicated to the patience and practicality of my husband, without whom it surely would not have materialized as I would be a melted puddle of boohooing on the kitchen floor, and my father would have to wait another week for his birthday present.*</em>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-19344849345432244352013-01-15T17:22:00.001-05:002013-01-15T17:22:14.254-05:00Roasted Veggies? Yes, Please!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At long last, the first of the promised recipes! This has been one of my favorite ways to eat veggies this winter. The difference roasting makes in the flavor is amazing. Broccoli that has been roasted is like candy -- I bet you can't eat just one. And the other veggies are beautiful, too. This week, I roasted my purple cauliflower, but you can also use this recipe for broccoli, carrots, eggplant, etc.<br />
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You need to make this today! You won't be sorry...<br />
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Roasted Vegetables<br />
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1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.<br />
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2. Cut the roasted vegetables into similarly sized pieces.<br />
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3. Lay the vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet.<br />
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4. Spray them with olive oil spray.<br />
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5. Sprinkle them with the seasoning of your choice (tasty ones are salt, pepper, garlic powder, season-all, rosemary, thyme, etc.)<br />
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6. Roast them in the oven until they are slightly brown and crispy around the edges. This will be between 10-20 minutes, depending on the size of your pieces and the type of vegetables. If you are not sure if the veggies are done, taste one -- if it is incredibly delicious and you want to eat just one more, they're done.<br />
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*Note -- watch them carefully after the 10-min. mark because they will burn quickly.<br />
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7. They taste best when they just come out of the oven, but they are also good cold or reheated. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.<br />
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Enjoy your veggies!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-86466201900567744462013-01-14T20:06:00.001-05:002013-01-14T20:06:27.293-05:00Week 2: No CouponsThe experiment continues! Saturday was very busy, so I am a bit late this week. I am also very ashamed to confess that I backslid a bit this week. I actually used 3 coupons at Publix this week. However, we also did quite well at the Farmer's Market.<br />
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<br />
We got:<br />
1 half gallon raw goat's milk<br />
1 head hydroponically grown organic purple cauliflower<br />
1 bunch hydroponically grown organic bok choy<br />
4 hydroponically grown organic kirby cucumbers<br />
2 heads organic broccoli<br />
1 bunch organic green onions<br />
2 lb. organic carrots<br />
2 baking potatoes<br />
2 locally grown navel oranges<br />
1 avocado<br />
3 limes<br />
1 gardenia bush<br />
<br />
...and a partridge in a pear tree! Just kidding about that one, but we spent right around $25.<br />
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At Publix, as I confessed, I couldn't quite stay away from the coupons this week. Back in my Weight Watchers days, I became shamefully addicted to the WW novelty ice creams. They were BOGO this week with a $1 off coupon, which made them about $1.50/box. Too good to pass up. Yes, I know they are terrible, and no, I did not read the ingredients list, nor do I care to. We all have our vices. This is mine.<br />
<br />
I also got a banana, some apple cider vinegar, some dijon mustard, and several boxes of tissues (a necessary casualty of my violent sneezing cold last week).<br />
<br />
Ah well. Coupon recovery is not as easy as it seems. But I'm looking forward to using those yummy veggies this week. Stay tuned -- more to come!<br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-32059705069901684192013-01-08T19:33:00.001-05:002013-01-08T19:33:11.388-05:00A Farewell to ShampooMy name is Sarah, and I have not used shampoo for three weeks.<br />
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Ok, I know it sounds gross. You may already be thinking, "Who knew Sarah was some kind of crazy hippy chick??!?"<br />
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Before you click off and go read the blog of someone with impeccable hygiene, wait a sec. I am not being gross (at least not purposely), and I'm definitely not a hippy chick (my husband would have a cow).<br />
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I simply have opted out of the world of shampoo craziness. My love-hate relationship with shampoo proceeded as follows.<br />
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1. I used whatever cheap shampoo my mom bought for me and didn't care how my hair looked because I just wasn't like that (ages 8-12).<br />
2. I spent large sums on various types of shampoo, switching every couple of months because they seemed to stop working after a certain point (ages 13-26).<br />
3. I stocked up about a dozen bottles of various types of shampoo -- whatever was on sale with coupons that I could buy for around a dollar a bottle. I used them all with varying success (ages 26-28)<br />
4. Finally, I got fed up with all the craziness -- the expense, the lack of effectiveness, and worst of all, the super-scary ingredient lists, and started researching natural shampoo alternatives.<br />
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I came across something known as (no joking), the "no 'poo" method, involving the use of baking sode for cleaning the hair and apple cider vinegar for rinsing/conditioning the hair. Some of the more extreme proponents use this is a springboard to go totally "no 'poo," using only water to clean their hair. I'm not going there.<br />
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After working through some logistics, I decided to give this baking soda/apple cider vinegar hair cleansing method a shot. And surprisingly, I kinda liked it. My hair has been much more balanced without the build-up that certain shampoos make so much worse (I'm looking at you, Pantene), and I feel much better about what I'm using to clean my hair. Not only that, my sensitive skin that is prone to eczema has cleared up about 90%.<br />
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So, in case you're crazy like me and want to give it a try, here's the routine.<br />
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You'll need:<br />
1 box baking soda<br />
1 bottle apple cider vinegar<br />
Some essential oils (I use lavendar)<br />
1 cup measuring cup<br />
2 bottles, one with a spray top (plastic is ok -- I bought some aluminum bottles)<br />
<br />
First, put a tablespoon of baking soda in the measuring cup. I usually eyeball this, but if you are uncomfortable doing this, feel free to measure.<br />
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Second, put 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar in the bottle without the spray top.<br />
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Third, in the shower, fill the measuring cup to the top with water. Swirl the baking soda around with your finger until it dissolves.<br />
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Pour a small amount on your scalp. I like to start at the top, then do the sides, then the back. You will want to concentrate on your most oily spots. The baking soda/water combo will not sudse, but it will feel a little slippery or slimy. Massage it into your scalp <em>very thoroughly</em>. You can leave it in your hair for a couple of minutes, then rinse. Your hair will feel <strong>very clean</strong>.<br />
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Then fill the vinegar bottle with approximately twice as much water as vinegar. Swirl it around to mix. Rinse your hair with the mixture, concentrating on the ends. Your hair will feel smooth at this point.<br />
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Leave the vinegar in for a couple of minutes, then rinse it out.<br />
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After you dry your hair with a towel, you can put several drops of essential oil in the spray bottle. Dilute the oil with water until the level of scent is comfortable for you. Use the spray top to spritz your hair. This helps cover up the smell of the apple cider vinegar, which will linger until your hair dries, but not after.<br />
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So there you go. You, too, can be a crazy hippy chick. Just don't tell my husband....Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-4310028453591447502013-01-06T19:26:00.002-05:002013-01-06T19:26:35.215-05:00Inhabiting a Habit (...or "An INFP is Converted")I've been thinking about habits a lot lately. Thinking being the key word, I guess. You see, over Christmas break, I read this book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/1400069289/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357514298&sr=1-1&keywords=the+power+of+habit" target="_blank"><em>The Power of Habit</em></a><em> </em>by Charles Duhigg.<br />
<em></em><br />
<em>You have to read this book!</em><br />
<br />
It was a truly eye-opening exposition on how habits are formed, why starting one good habit can lead to other good habits, and how to get rid of bad habits.<br />
<br />
If you 've been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably remember <a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2011/06/routines-vs-spontaneity-aka-randomness.html" target="_blank">my original post about routines,</a> in which I ranted about how difficult it is to enjoy routines as an INFP because they can be, well...boring.<br />
<br />
This guy made the point that habits are not controlled by the same part of your brain as thinking and memory -- they are located in the more primitive part of your brain. So doing something like putting your coffee cup instead of the cream in the refrigerator is just a result of your brain being on "auto-pilot" without input from your higher-level thinking.<br />
<br />
In other words, if you are bored by a routine it's your own fault. Rethinking routines lets me see them as an opportunity to let my body and lower brain automatically do what needs to while my higher-level thinking processes pay attention to something much more interesting. Win-win, right?<br />
<br />
I just have to stick with the habits long enough to let them become automatic...ah, there's the rub.<br />
<br />
I am starting simple with two things. 1: Making the bed every morning. 2. Putting my things away when I come home from somewhere.<br />
<br />
Sounds simple, no? We shall see. I don't know how many times I've gotten to the end of the week and found piles and stacks all over the kitchen table (because it is right by the door and the first convenient place to dump things when I walk in). And it's been a long time since I've been a regular bed-maker.<br />
<br />
But I am looking forward to the day when I won't even notice that I am doing these bland chores because my mind will be off cavorting somewhere pleasant... like admiring a sunrise...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKfUdDw1HnFo_O4ycAm61kQ2GDxnK9kRTMMkbiEKe8b4Nxy5he05vsh31gHI7lowVeD9InIscvXLedXaZSlOgSi_1KUuOxmpqpwlymy7O7YTQygZQ28IAj2ya6likXklsya13HVRY2tc/s1600/100_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKfUdDw1HnFo_O4ycAm61kQ2GDxnK9kRTMMkbiEKe8b4Nxy5he05vsh31gHI7lowVeD9InIscvXLedXaZSlOgSi_1KUuOxmpqpwlymy7O7YTQygZQ28IAj2ya6likXklsya13HVRY2tc/s320/100_0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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...while my lower-brain limbic system slaves away unnoticed. </div>
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Poor thing...</div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-86985737710895147642013-01-05T11:04:00.004-05:002013-01-05T11:04:28.489-05:00Week 1: No CouponsDue to an <a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-coupon-mishap-redeemed.html" target="_blank">unfortunate coupon incident,</a> I am taking the month of from couponing and focusing on buying local, healthy food at the Farmer's Market as much as possible.<br />
<br />
This week, I cheated a little. My husband and I had previously agreed that we would visit the grocery store for his father's weekly banana (long story). This week, we had to get not just the banana, but the month's worth of cat food cans, and some brown basmati rice for a chicken and cabbage meal we'll be making later this week (recipe to come). So we ended up spending a total of $9.67 at Publix. Also, my sister is picking me up some blueberries and blackberries from Aldi for a total of $2.50.<br />
<br />
Now on to the Farmer's Market! We spent a total of $24.50 on the following:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp6CZQkZjhcFzAjkMbui8CuNltd4l61EE6KrwwdBXwb056tyNzaFl4_5QeP5aKKLp5ByWybBbz3Ap3BBJRu0oJPBWRV98dXav-U3mkB2aKrBbJ_Lum2-rvdBElSYNaWM0SThmNild7-A/s1600/100_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp6CZQkZjhcFzAjkMbui8CuNltd4l61EE6KrwwdBXwb056tyNzaFl4_5QeP5aKKLp5ByWybBbz3Ap3BBJRu0oJPBWRV98dXav-U3mkB2aKrBbJ_Lum2-rvdBElSYNaWM0SThmNild7-A/s320/100_0225.JPG" width="320" /></a>1/2 gallon of raw goat's milk<br />
1 bunch organic celery<br />
1 head organic hydroponically grown cabbage<br />
1 head organic hydroponically grown butter lettuce<br />
1 bag organic hydroponically grown spinach<br />
5 organic hydroponically grown tomatoes<br />
2 organic sweet peppers<br />
1 box organic grape tomatoes<br />
3 organic parsnips<br />
3 organic baking potatoes<br />
1 head organic broccoli<br />
1 avocado<br />
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So far, so good. Now to use all of that yummy produce!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5pR-ds5s2crq6r3sidj0t3YNUAy7FBwuY5LGu3DwN10ICUx1gmCEYn1GtoLL206fVPS0eTSLpEcw1uGlyrNGlYrfMoSx8k2s5tyCY7mIYiYxKGk5e2gUaYndg3EjDzv7zudK0axTcFc/s1600/100_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5pR-ds5s2crq6r3sidj0t3YNUAy7FBwuY5LGu3DwN10ICUx1gmCEYn1GtoLL206fVPS0eTSLpEcw1uGlyrNGlYrfMoSx8k2s5tyCY7mIYiYxKGk5e2gUaYndg3EjDzv7zudK0axTcFc/s320/100_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
And it was actually easier on the budget than doing a full shopping with coupons. (Let me just take this moment to say that this would obviously not be possible without a small stockpile created by the use of coupons. I am not totally against the use of coupons. This month is just for taking a break from the craziness and trying to eat a cleaner, less-processed diet without spending a lot of money. *commercial over*).<br />
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<br />
Later this week, I'll share how we used some of this produce. See you then!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-17163076873266414572012-12-31T07:00:00.000-05:002012-12-31T07:00:03.669-05:00Triumph Over a DoritoAs I mentioned in my previous post about <a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-coupon-mishap-redeemed.html" target="_blank">couponing,</a> I've been making some changes in how we eat around here.<br />
<br />
Aside from the obvious reasons (Getting married? The freshman 15 has nothing on you!), I've been reading a lot about food -- where it comes from, what's in it, etc. Let's just say it has been rather eye-opening.<br />
<br />
But change is difficult, and I had to start small. In fact, as small as a tiny triangular chip coated with a bright orange cheese food product.<br />
<br />
Let me be very clear. I was never under the impression that a Dorito was health food. I did not, in fact, give it much thought, to be honest. I just found them irresistible.<br />
<br />
When I was in college, my roomie and I would wait anxiously for the Doritos to go on BOGO at Publix. We would then buy two bags and smuggle them back to our dorm room. We would fill our plastic orange bowls to overflowing repeatedly, reveling in the cheesy crunchiness while we studied or watched TV. The bag would never survive the night.<br />
<br />
Later, when I got married, I remembered those magical nights and bought the BOGO Doritos once again. Not surprisingly, my self-control was not much improved, and a bag of Doritos would not last much past the weekend in which they were bought. My addiction continued...<br />
<br />
One fateful day...I actually read the ingredients list on the bag of Doritos. What was this?? Hydrogenated oils...and MSG?? Be still my soul!<br />
<br />
I finally decided to. just. stop. buying. the. darn. things. Not that I did not love them still -- I just didn't see that the trade-off was worth it.<br />
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As of this month, it had probably been a year since I had eaten any Doritos whatsoever. A thought of them had not even crossed my mind.<br />
<br />
Then, I was out to lunch with my husband and in-laws and ordered a sandwich that came with chips. Lo and behold, arising from the waitress's hand was the once-coveted red bag adorned with a fiery logo -- my long-awaited Doritos. I considered whether to eat them or not, but I thought since it was too late to change the order, I might as well give it a shot. One bag would not kill me.<br />
<br />
As I popped the cheesy orange triangle into my mouth...I couldn't believe what my tastebuds told me. "Ew"??? They were certainly not as good as I remembered.<br />
<br />
"Maybe you really can change your tastebuds..." I thought. <br />
<br />
And then I proceeded to eat the whole bag of chips.<br />
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Next lesson: "You don't have to eat it just because it's there..."Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-16228310616985979922012-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-29T19:23:04.225-05:00A Coupon Mishap... RedeemedOnce upon a time, I was an avid couponer. I would routinely spend at least 30-60 minutes per week scanning ads, making lists, and clipping coupons.<br />
<br />
Many circumstances conspired to interfere with this hobby. <br />
<br />
For one, it became a bit less thrilling as time went on. Then, the downward spiral of the economy combined with the rising popularity of couponing began to affect the value of coupons that were available. (For example, when I first started couponing, I could at least once per year find a coupon for 1.00 off chocolate chips. Now the most common one is 1.00 off 2, and .25 ones have also been found). Finally, I embarked on a journey to change the way we eat, and it really worked. We hardly buy the processed foods that are profitable for couponing these days.<br />
<br />
In any case, I somehow ended up with almost my entire coupon collection scattered across my office floor in an extremely disorganized fashion. Even an INFP can only put up with so much!<br />
<br />
Today, my long-suffering husband agreed to assist me in organizing the office. As he sorted through the coupons, I exhorted him to look at the fold of the coupon inserts to see the date they were published. Somehow, to him, this translated as "Look at the fold of the coupon inserts to see when the coupons expire." <br />
<br />
Alas, my entire collection of coupon inserts made its new home in the dumpster before I realized what was happening!<br />
<br />
On the plus side, my office is now very clean.<br />
<br />
Faced with a range of possible reactions, I chose not to freak out in this instance.<br />
<br />
I will look at it as a new start. A chance to begin again and really evaluate how I spend my time and make my shopping lists. A chance to actually keep things organized.<br />
<br />
We will begin by rebuilding the coupon stash and avoiding shopping at regular supermarkets for the month of January. We will stick to the Farmer's Market and the health food store, hitting Publix only if we really need to. And no, chips do not count as an emergency.<br />
<br />
2013 beckons... I'm not much for resolutions, but I saw someone posting intentions the other day, and I like that idea. But instead of just intentions, I will be more intentional. <br />
<br />
And I think this is a good place to start.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-33472049630376092502012-12-27T18:41:00.002-05:002012-12-27T18:41:30.541-05:00Awake, my soul!There's something about the Advent season that awakens me, a cold, brisk wind pushing across my soul. Maybe it's the change in liturgy. Or the change in seasons. Or just <em>change</em>.<br />
<br />
I find myself wanting to write again. I look for the beauty that swells just beneath the surface during this season. The anticipation is ripe, full, bursting with color and flavor.<br />
<br />
This really has not much to do with Christmas as it is celebrated here. Not shopping and crowds. Lights and decorations only tread lightly, leaving not much of a footprint. No, this is a mystery, full-fledged, waiting to break forth.<br />
<br />
In Advent, we wait for what has already come, and we wait for what is yet to come.<br />
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And in that sense, Advent is not over yet. Though Christmas has come, and Advent is another year away, still we wait.<br />
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<em>Even so, come Lord Jesus.</em><br />
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Amen.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-16104889934003661362012-09-08T20:00:00.002-04:002012-09-08T20:00:47.943-04:00Peace from ChaosCleaning has never been my thing.<br />
<br />
Cooking, yes. Making a mess from art projects, definitely. Sitting amidst the clutter lost in a book -- oh, yeah.<br />
<br />
But cleaning has always seemed boring, repetitive -- something to be put off--indefinitely, if possible. Dust seems to gather, dishes pile in the sink, a dark ring of dirt build-up forms around the rim of the sink, whether or not I attack it with the weekly or daily prescription of cleaning.<br />
<br />
And what more important things I could be doing with my time!<br />
<br />
Since I've had my own house, though, I've found some rhythm in the dailiness of these tasks. True, I'm no model housekeeper, but there is something soothing about putting things where they belong, cleaning surfaces till they shine, sweeping away the crumbs from the meals of our lives.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Quotidian-Mysteries-%2522Womens-Spirituality/dp/0809138018/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1347148440&sr=8-4&keywords=Kathleen+Norris" target="_blank">Kathleen Norris</a> echoes in my mind as I learn the liturgy of folding and putting away clean towels. A sweet Sabbath peace settles over the house.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, the piles will slowly begin to reappear, the dust will start to settle, the dishes will pile up in the sink once more....<br />
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But tonight... <br />
<br />
we will rest.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-71794386950451310252012-07-13T07:15:00.001-04:002012-07-13T07:15:21.235-04:00The Lost Are FoundI may have mentioned before that I am an INFP.<br />
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In other words, I can be scattered. I am good at coming up with big ideas, but not necessarily following through on little details. I get inspired. Very inspired. Then I get depressed when reality does not seem as inspirational as it should.<br />
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Also, I lose things. Many things.<br />
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When I was very young, I would get stacks of books out of the library. In classic INFP fashion, I would then straw them from one end of the house to the other, reading as I went. Perhaps it is no surprise that on the day the books were due, I had some difficulty collecting them all to return to the library.<br />
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After that, my mom limited me to two books at a time. I could usually keep track of both of them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdptZp5kmPfc7azmZZUvSGJkLO3LA-fZbUhj_lDVZcnsxDyxjV0LsduOq6FcBtQ8zAGknQM-L4ovgmb3i1ETX3eRHiOznDOrPVNXD4qE40Bhyphenhyphen9iydl4Vsxr_hZRT8j3KasLqof94wU2I/s1600/100_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdptZp5kmPfc7azmZZUvSGJkLO3LA-fZbUhj_lDVZcnsxDyxjV0LsduOq6FcBtQ8zAGknQM-L4ovgmb3i1ETX3eRHiOznDOrPVNXD4qE40Bhyphenhyphen9iydl4Vsxr_hZRT8j3KasLqof94wU2I/s200/100_0045.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Remember the <a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-camera-is-back-and-so-am-i.html" target="_blank">camera</a>? Yeah, me too. Well literally, not a week after I wrote that post, I was packing for a beach vacation, and what did I find wallowing in the bottom of my closet among flip-flops and sneakers and sandals??? MY CAMERA! Yes, the very same camera that was thought to have been lost in New Hampshire was really only lost in my closet. And no, numerous interrogations have not yielded any information as to why it was there. I literally had not seen it since that trip...<br />
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Then there was my J hook. For those who do not crochet, crochet hook sizes are labeled in letters. So a J hook is just a hook for crocheting that is medium-sized.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjt6LrDCAhAQLrqhvzPE6pfM9L9Z4b5Qzkf3j3OYQnhL_Vc7YknSB9Q3ZKjJ9E67q8oj_U5XtNV4HsBTTX10GSxkr5uFTeVwuFEtvr5up-Egua_Mn6EtwDZFRH0xLhFjVGrNKXOYNiM4/s1600/100_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPjt6LrDCAhAQLrqhvzPE6pfM9L9Z4b5Qzkf3j3OYQnhL_Vc7YknSB9Q3ZKjJ9E67q8oj_U5XtNV4HsBTTX10GSxkr5uFTeVwuFEtvr5up-Egua_Mn6EtwDZFRH0xLhFjVGrNKXOYNiM4/s200/100_0043.JPG" width="200" /></a>Anyway, last year sometime, I took a notion to teach myself to crochet. Again. (Another classic sign of an INFP -- starting projects and not finishing them. Yeah.) Well, the crochet pattern that I found required a J hook and some thick yarn. I found the thick yarn. But the J hook had mysteriously disappeared from my case of crochet hooks. I vaguely remembered taking it out to do some project, but who knew where it had ended up after that....<br />
<br />
I went to the craft store to buy a new J hook. I ended up buying an I hook by mistake. Then I gave it up and just used a K hook. Alas...<br />
<br />
Just yesterday, my J hook was resurrected from the bottom of a bag containing materials for loop weaving with a plastic loom. Who would have guessed?<br />
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Rereading my blog posts, I noticed my enthusiasm at the beginning of the summer. How much writing I would do with so much time in which to do it!<br />
<br />
My last post? A month ago!<br />
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Apparently, stress motivates writing more than lack of stress. Who knew?<br />
<br />
I think perhaps it is too late to change my personality. I will always lose things.<br />
<br />
But the sudden inspiration of finding lost things is all mine. And I am OK with that.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-82781803911419854172012-06-19T09:46:00.002-04:002012-06-19T09:46:28.153-04:00My Camera is Back... and So Am I!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkRhqJEKqO0V7gVtcqXeUOrkmv3DrE9H7G6NspEfKoyxFK8OiGDx0Xe0rquXwRXi_4RPyvGfvxz2JtJWer0sixy88iwBUfqdrOT2jPTLl-zq_pwvpXYYPr_qhIXo_Dc4G7wPJ6hFeUlU/s1600/100_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkRhqJEKqO0V7gVtcqXeUOrkmv3DrE9H7G6NspEfKoyxFK8OiGDx0Xe0rquXwRXi_4RPyvGfvxz2JtJWer0sixy88iwBUfqdrOT2jPTLl-zq_pwvpXYYPr_qhIXo_Dc4G7wPJ6hFeUlU/s320/100_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you may recall, I left my camera in New Hampshire last September.<br />
<br />
So, to punish myself, I had to wait until I could save up enough to get a new one. Thus, my mostly picture-less posts up till now.<br />
<br />
Fortunately for me, a lovely deal site called <span id="goog_1871822357"></span><a href="http://www.plumdistrict.com/moms/discount/everywhere/deals" target="_blank">Plum District<span id="goog_1871822358">,</span></a> offered an amazing deal where I could get a very basic camera for less than half price.<br />
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Needless to say, I jumped on it.<br />
<br />
So now I have a camera again, finally! *cheering* It is not a great camera, but it is a camera.<br />
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Not only that, but I am about two weeks into summer, which means I will have much more time to write. Hooray!<br />
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Now, on to the story!<br />
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My sister, niece, and I went blackberry picking on Saturday.<br />
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Ellie was excited for her first time picking berries!</div>
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And also a little silly!</div>
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But very excited!</div>
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We had a great time wresting the berries from the bees and other crawly bugs. Ellie alternated between running up and down the rows of bushes and finding berries that she could reach, announcing with gusto, "Here's a <strong><em>BIG, fat </em></strong>one!"<br />
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What else to do with delicious, fresh-picked blackberries but make a superb dessert for Father's Day?<br />
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I call it...<br />
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<strong>Sarah's Famous Berry Crisp</strong></div>
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(adapted from a Blueberry Crisp recipe from <a href="http://www.peasandthankyou.com/" target="_blank">Peas and Thank You</a>)</div>
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<strong>Ingredients</strong></div>
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3 1/2 cups of any berries (I used strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and, of course, blackberries)</div>
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2 T. brown sugar</div>
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1/2 t. cinnamon</div>
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sprinkle of nutmeg</div>
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1/2 c. oats (can use gluten free)</div>
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2 T. almond flour (made from ground almonds -- you can use whole wheat flour if you like)</div>
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1/4 c. toasted almonds (I used the slivered almonds and toasted them in the toaster oven)</div>
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1/4 c. brown sugar</div>
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1/4 t. salt (optional)</div>
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2 T. butter</div>
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<strong>Instructions</strong></div>
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1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wash and drain berries and place in a small casserole dish or 8 x 8 baking pan. If you are using strawberries, quarter them before placing them in the pan.</div>
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2. Sprinkle berry mixture with two tablespoons of brown sugar, the cinnamon, and the nutmeg. If you like, you can also sprinkle some vanilla or almond extract over the berries at this time. Mix well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNKSeMFButS-Sr7lvtrL3WTjG6YRx_W3PWTq6M877YBHZmImxE_O1sMC5QXUrLwJh8j0u27RdTxBYToN7ruwliaVM1Z2_vvg5gpFOCgSzsfxxosNcpxIoemY_57S0l5o7PKB-w0oGqvQ/s1600/100_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNKSeMFButS-Sr7lvtrL3WTjG6YRx_W3PWTq6M877YBHZmImxE_O1sMC5QXUrLwJh8j0u27RdTxBYToN7ruwliaVM1Z2_vvg5gpFOCgSzsfxxosNcpxIoemY_57S0l5o7PKB-w0oGqvQ/s320/100_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, almonds, remaining brown sugar, and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces. Use a pastry cutter to mix in the butter until the mixture has small chunks.</div>
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4. Sprinkle topping over berries.</div>
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5. Bake for 35 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.</div>
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Delicious!</div>
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Indeed, it was well received by the Patriarch. And also his loyal subjects.<br />
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So ends a blackberry adventure well begun.<br />
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</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-39827538229566444092012-04-16T19:36:00.000-04:002012-04-16T19:36:27.233-04:00The Center Holds<div style="text-align: center;"> <em> "Turning and turning in the widening gyre<br />
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;<br />
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold..."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>--W.B. Yeats "The Second Coming"</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am an introvert; my mind is always busy. It rushes and chatters, a waterfall over rocks, leaving me desperate for silence.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For something like seven years, I have practiced <a href="http://www.centeringprayer.com/" target="_blank">Centering Prayer,</a> a Christian contemplative practice somewhat akin to meditation. I have practiced, I should say, in hopes that some day I might get better at it, might access that mind-peace that so many claim they find in it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To no avail. Instead, I spend countless minutes chasing mind monkeys, and occasionally stumbling upon a smooth lagoon of soft waves and sweet breezes. But only occasionally.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This morning was no better. Amid the background noise of my darling hubby watching Sports Center in the next room, and my cat purring loudly at my side, I settled down for prayer. The kitty then decided that my prayer period could only benefit from her methodically sticking her claws into my leg as she kneaded my thigh. Finally, fascinated by some video or other on the computer, my loving partner began to blast some sort of mechanical noise over the murmer of the TV.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I could only laugh to myself and attempt to refocus. Surely, Lord, you are in the midst of things falling apart.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I felt the prayer period was a mega-fail. I spent more time refocusing than focusing. Just how was I to meet God when I could not even hear Him?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, well, try again next time, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I headed off to work. I was surprised to find, though, that the time of day when I usually start to get a bit frazzled, hadn't arrived quite on schedule. I kept looking over my shoulder, expecting it to appear any moment. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But it did not. By the end of the day, when I checked my state of mind (this only sounds strange if you've never taught in an elementary school classroom -- you do not have time to check your state of mind during the day!), I dipped deeply into a clear calm in the core of my soul.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And where did that come from?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Many teachers of Centering Prayer say that there is no "wasted" prayer session.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Perhaps they are right, after all?</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-72805030811474305982012-04-16T06:24:00.001-04:002012-04-16T06:24:00.860-04:00What I'm Reading...I have always been an avid reader, from the time my chubby hands could barely hold the book that I had memorized and was now "reading" to anyone who would listen, and it amazes my husband how I can read multiple books at the same time. It amazes me how he can not read multiple books at the same time! Here is a peek into my current bookshelf.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Slow-Reading-Time-Honored/dp/0325037310/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334442432&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><em>The Art of Slow Reading</em></a><em> </em>by Thomas Newkirk.<br />
<strong>Bought for me by my principal as a "professional development" tool, this book surprised me in the first few pages. It graduated almost immediately to a "reading for fun" book. (Shhh -- don't tell my principal -- I don't think we're supposed to enjoy "professional development.") Newkirk begins with the premise that when it comes to reading (and many other things), speed is not necessarily an advantage. He proceeds to demonstrate in voice-laden exposition six practices that help readers to literally wallow in good writing. If you are a reader or a teacher of reading, this book will inspire you!</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Dressmaker-Khair-Khana-Remarkable/dp/0061732370/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334442656&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><em>The Dressmaker of Khair Khana</em></a><em> </em>by <span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112"><span style="color: black;">Gayle Tzemach Lemmon</span></span></span><br />
<span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112"><strong>I've enjoyed reading several accounts of life in Afghanistan and have been amazed by its troubled history and the immense personal strength of its citizens. This story, told by an American journalist, displays the beauty of bravery in the most powerless citizens as the Taliban conquered the country. This book courageously lays bare the facts but weaves a thread of compassion throughout the narrative. I am still early in the book, but I am looking forward to developing a relationship with it as I continue to read.</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gospel-according-Moses-The-Friends/dp/1587430487/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334443112&sr=1-1-spell" target="_blank"><em>The Gospel According to Moses</em></a><em> </em>by Athol Dickson</span></span><br />
<span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112"><strong>This is my second attempt to read this tangled mass of exposition and narrative. I had to get about fifty pages in before I could sense the rhythm of the book, but now I am determined to finish this time. Dickson tells the story of his visits to a Jewish Torah study (Chever Torah) and the insights it provided him about his faith. Although the prose is clumsy in places, I applaud his open mindedness to questions and ability to tie together the threads of Judaism and Christianity.</strong></span></span><br />
<br />
<span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0826419062/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details" target="_blank"><em>Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness</em></a><em> </em>by Nan C. Merrill</span></span><br />
<span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112"><strong>This book makes me a bit uncomfortable in a sense, but I figure that in discomfort there is growth, so I push ahead anyway. This is not the Psalter, and I cannot read it as such. But there is beauty in what it is -- a reimagination of the Psalms from a certain point of view. I take issue with certain key phrases that Merrill uses, like "ego," which I feel has no place in poetry. However, she does manage to capture much of the rhythm of the original psalms with a certain contemporary flair. Not a read for the faint of heart or even for people whose roots are deep in fundamentalism.</strong></span></span><br />
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<span jquery1334442708925="113"><span class="contributorNameTrigger" jquery1334442708925="112">So there you have it -- a tiny taste of what I'm reading. What are you reading this week?</span></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-45032485808448234252012-04-14T13:53:00.001-04:002012-04-14T14:18:14.708-04:00Alas! A Failure Already...<a href="http://simplestepping.blogspot.com/2012/04/great-farmers-market-experiment.html" target="_blank">The Great Farmer's Market Experiment</a> is going well...that is, it would be going well if I were actually doing it.<br />
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Unfortunately, I fell prey to the high gas prices (almost $4/gal., thank you very much). <a href="http://www.publix.com/" target="_blank">Publix</a>, our nefarious local grocery store, offered $10 off a $50 gas card if you buy $25 in groceries.<br />
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The temptation was too much for me, and I caved. I bought ice cream and frozen-meals-in-a-bag and Cape Cod potato chips -- vast numbers of highly unhealthy things with <em>so-not-local-or-humane-ingredients</em>.<br />
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I guess that's why they call it a process; I shall forgive myself and begin again next week!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8365605980667521060.post-81091225873225220622012-04-12T19:14:00.000-04:002012-04-12T19:14:37.636-04:00The Great Farmer's Market Experiment...otherwise known as "A Break from Couponing Never Hurt Anyone."<br />
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A little background -- I've been a mildly avid (as opposed to extreme) couponer for almost two years now. I follow two different deal blogs, pretend to organize each week's coupon inserts from the newspaper, and manage to usually save right around 50% on my groceries each week (on average).<br />
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Lately, I was surprised to find that my stacks of coupons I brought to the grocery store were getting smaller and thinner. And the sale ads were looking less appealing.<br />
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Perhaps the ads and coupons had changed. Or perhaps I had changed.<br />
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Recently, I've begun reading a several books about our food -- where it comes from, what is in it, how it is grown.<br />
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And with that growing knowledge has come a sense of responsibility. See, I'm not <em>really</em> liberal, and while I care about the environment, I'm not extreme in that sense either. But it struck me that stewardship means <em>taking care of and being responsible for the plants and animals around us</em>. Even though Jesus didn't say "Thou shalt not eat factory farmed food," I think the compassion we are called to live into extends to more than the <em>people</em> around us. Indeed, if we are to be truly a loving presence in this world, we must be more aware of the ongoing effects of the actions we take.<br />
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That being said, I have also realized that being aware, being present must be practiced and walked out...day by day. I cannot find change all at once.<br />
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With that in mind, we have embarked on The Great Farmer's Market Experiment. This is our way of hopefully changing what we buy a little bit and being more aware of what we eat and where it comes from. <br />
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<strong>Resolved</strong>: we will shop mainly at the Farmer's Market during the month of April with the exception of certain items that cannot be bought there (mainly dairy products). We will work towards saving our extra food budget money to be able to buy humanely raised meat from a local farm.<br />
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So, with much patience for steps backward and much hope for steps forward, we are working towards more simplicity in our food supply.<br />
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And may our efforts make us more loving as well.<br />
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Amen.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09601572469394706378noreply@blogger.com1