Eating Clean, Fresh and Local… A New Plan
Pastured, grass fed cows = happy beef.
As I have shared in another post, Matt and I have been doing our best to follow a Paleolithic eating framework for about over a year now. We have been able to get into a pretty good groove with what we buy and prepare at home, with some freebies and cheats here and there, of course (usually when we are out to eat). 
The one thing that has been really bothering me about our diet is that we are buying regular meat from the grocery store. We try to get all natural or organic when we can, but sometimes the cost is just too high. And Matt has to have his bacon, no questions asked!
I am opposed to the factory farm system, and am not okay with supporting it through my purchases. I also know that local, pastured meat is much more ethically treated, and better for the environment. It is also healthier. If I am not eating grains in my diet, why would I want to eat grain-fed beef? It doesn’t make sense.
Last weekend I went to the West Nashville Farmer’s Market with a few friends, and found a farm called Peaceful Pastures that does a 6-month CSA for beef, poultry, pork, goat and lamb. So we are going to participate this summer! The cost is $675 for 6 months, and you receive 20-22 lbs each month. This comes out to around $100/month, which is doable for us on the food budget we have now. I am so excited!
So the new plan is as follows… for our meat we will participate in the CSA, and just plan our meals around what we receive each month in our share. For produce, I will stop by one of our local Farmer’s Markets once per week to pick up some fresh, seasonal items. My dad also just planted a big garden, so we will hopefully be reaping the rewards of that soon! For the staples and pantry items, we will hit up Costco once a month, and for the incidentals, we will go to Trader Joe’s and Kroger. (I have to have some dark chocolate in my life, and a few coconut milk products). I am really excited about this new step in our eating habits, and I will keep you posted on how this plan works out!
Becoming Who We Already Are
There is a lovely quote by e.e. cummings that has been on my mind alot recently:
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
When I was little I wanted to grow up and be many things, but mainly a singer and dancer. I just loved dancing, and how free and beautiful it made me feel. I loved singing, even though I never had the best ear. I took ballet lessons, hip hop classes, and joined the high school choir. I even got the lead role in the high school musical. But now that I am 31, I can look back and see that I never longed to do those things for a living. If someone asked me what I do now, I certainly couldn’t say with confidence that I am a singer and dancer.
A few weeks ago, my parents brought over some of my schoolwork that they uncovered when they moved from Cincinnati to Tennessee. One of the items was a book that I wrote in 1st grade- our teacher had them bound and we illustrated them, so it seemed like a real book. The story was called the “Two Kingdoms”, about two kings who couldn’t get along, but found a way to make peace- all in six pages. My husband and I sat and read it together, chuckling at the funny names I picked, and the childlike simplicity of the story. But then it hit me. I loved to write, even back then. I loved to tell stories.
Every day, I come up with ideas for blog posts. Ideas for screenplays. Ideas for stories to tell. My mind is constantly filled, and it’s only when I can sit down and write that I am truly fulfilled. But it is so hard to make time to do it. I don’t know why- I feel such relief when I can get my thoughts out, but I put it off until everything else is done. It takes courage to become who I know I really am. It is scary to sit down in front of a blank page.
I will always love to dance and sing, but I can do that at home when nobody is watching. God is calling me to something, and I can’t keep it to myself. I have to step out and become who I really am- who He created me to be. I hope I have the courage.
What does this quote mean to you?
Evie: Four Months
She:
Is rolling over like a champ now. Before she hated “tummy time”, but now I turn around twice and she is on her tummy and loving it. (see above photo for tummy time adorableness)
Sticks everything possible in her mouth, which can be quite hilarious and a little scary at times. This also involves copious amounts of drool I don’t think she’s teething just yet, but I know she likes to feel things on her gums.
Is sleeping on her tummy now as well- one night she just rolled over in her crib, and I stayed up until 4AM just staring at her! I was convinced she wouldn’t make it through the night! But she did. And now she is sleeping 9-10 hours straight in her crib most nights, which has made me a much more alert and happy mom!
Loves to “talk” and babble to us- it is so entertaining to sit there and have a “conversation” with her. You can tell she takes it very seriously!
Weighed in at 12.5 pounds at her 4 month appointment, which puts her in the 13th percentile for weight- despite her bigger birth weight (8lb, 8oz), she has turned out to be a tiny little one.
Is becoming more and more fun every day! We are seeing her little personality begin to blossom, and it is so cool.
I:
Am finally getting the hang of pumping at work, after a pretty rough week where I was seriously low and was running feedings home at lunch. I got a better pump and reached out to some friends who gave me wonderful advice and support. (you know who you are 
Am enjoying a few weeks in between semesters without homework, which has made me itch to start some new projects- I can’t seem to ever just enjoy the down time- always have to have something going on!
Have started back to the gym a few times per week doing kettlebells and yoga, which has been wonderful. It’s great to have that sore-from-working-out feeling again.
Feel like I’m finally coming out of that “newborn haze”. Now that she is sleeping better, Matt and I have a chance to connect after she goes to sleep (most of the time- sometimes it takes her a while to get there.) I’m also just feeling more “awake” in general, which is lovely.
Cannot wait to take her out and do some hiking in this beautiful weather! We got the Ergo as a gift, so I am raring to go.
Evie: Three Months
She:
Is really starting to engage people now- smiling, cooing, gurgling, and making so many different faces and reactions. It provides us with an endless supply of laughs and entertainment. She is so expressive! We are convinced she will be talking within a few weeks. Hehe.
Can hold her head up now, and sit up with some help. We are definitely using the Bumbo!
Has started to roll over with help too– no more leaving her on the couch for a minute without looking!
Has become completely obsessed with her hands as of late. She can almost stick her entire fist in her mouth. Not sure if this is a good thing.
Took her first road trip with my parents and me to Virginia Beach for grad school! She was a trooper, and did really well. We brought her bassinet, but she mostly slept with me in the hotel bed. My parents got an adjoining room, and watched her in the mornings while I was in class. And she got to see the ocean for the first time! Not sure she actually realized it, but still…
I:
Am adjusting to working part-time. It’s getting easier, but I must admit, pumping and making sure I have enough milk for her has been a challenge. I just really don’t like pumping, but I know I have to if she is going to get nourished the way I want her to be. Next time I have a baby, I am going to remind myself to pump and freeze like a CHAMP before I go back to work so I have a stockpile.
Have only one semester left of grad school, which is SO exciting. It’s been an interesting balancing act with work, school, and the babe, but just knowing that I am so close to finishing keeps me going. Can’t wait to enjoy the latter part of the summer with NO homework! What will I do with my time?
Am SO grateful to have both my parents and Matt’s parents here in town. The Grandmas rotate with watching her while I am at work, and I could not think of a better set up next to me being with her. They both absolutely love being with her, and can’t wait to push me out the door to work so they can have quality time! We are so blessed.
Am trying to balance some quality time with Matt- we try to go on date nights every few weeks if we can, even if we have to take the babe with us. So far she has been really great out and about! I’m sure that will change when she becomes mobile.
Am still in awe that I have this little precious life in my world. I can’t imagine life without her. She has brought so much joy to our family already.
