I'm Back, Baby!

If you read this blog for its homestead-related posts, you may just want to x-out and check back tomorrow.  This one is definitely on a more personal note. 

Last February, I ran a 10K on my treadmill for the first time.  It felt great!  I'd run several 5K races, had a PR that I thought was respectable, and was ready to kick it up a notch and try out a 10K.  But, as soon as I stepped off the treadmill I knew that something wasn't right; by bedtime, I couldn't even walk.  The pain in my hip was searing. 

Over the next several months, the pain fluctuated between uncomfortable and unbearable as doctors were perplexed by my condition. 

I wasn't prepared for how much I would miss running.  I'd run track in high school and hated it.  Funny, right?  My track team was actually really good (we won state three years in a row).  Looking back, I've got to give the coaches credit; they really knew what they were doing.  Every basketball player was required to run track in the spring.  It kept us players in shape during the off-season and ensured that we had a track team well-stocked with athletes.  But, I ran grudgingly at times. 

And, then, after my injury, once I physically couldn't run anymore, it was all I wanted to do.  John and I had taken it back up together some time earlier and it was an activity that we could do together.  We'd have some of our best conversations running around the local track in the dark; and one of my favorite runs was a 5K race we ran in the pouring-down rain crossing the finishline together.  I also missed the runs I ran alone, weaving my way through quiet neighborhoods before anyone was stirring and the only sounds were those provided by the nature around me.  God and I got to spend some quality time together on those kind of runs.  And, I confess, I'm a bit competitive.  I loved setting new PRs in races.  For awhile, I'd even get online and check the results of races I'd run in the past to see how I would've placed if I'd been there.  Pathetic, I know.

Eventually, I was diagnosed with a labral tear in my hip that required surgery to repair the cartilage and carve out the abnormal bone structure that had led to the tear.

Further complicating this diagnosis was the benign tumor in the same region that had been discovered during the numerous MRIs I'd had done.  If the tumor wasn't stabilized, I'd be at risk of breaking my hip doing just  everyday activities.

So, I was scheduled to have the labral repair surgery in November, followed by the insertion of the giant screws pictured above in December to stabilize the bone.  2 surgeries in 2 months. 

By mid-January, I was walking again, thanks to lots of physical therapy.

By mid-February, I was allowed to pick up my 2-year-old son again.

And, now, by mid-April, I'm running again.  Yep.  I'm 2 weeks in to the Couch to 5 K program that gets you ready to run a 5K in 8 weeks.  Don't worry.  I'm not signing up for any races just yet; I know there could be major setbacks, and I may not ever make it to Week 8.  But, for now, I'm loving every footfall. 

The inspirational quote on my C25K app today was from Walt Disney: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

I realize that my running again is not impossible.  I realize that people who've been through much worse than me are able to run again.  I've seen awe-inspiring photos in my Runner's World magazine of runners with prosthetic limbs crossing finish lines.  But, look at that photo at the top of this post again.  That is some serious hardware I'm hauling with me! 

Saturday, I set out for a run through a back neighborhood in town.  People were mowing, planting, chatting with neighbors.  Dogs joined me for short stretches.  I saw a woodpecker doing its thing and smelled the distinct scents of various flowers in bloom.  And, it was all set to the steady beat of my feet hitting the pavement.  It was heavenly.  I think I must have said "thank you, God!" 50 times during that run!  It's just so good to be back on the road.

So, if you live around here and see me out on the open road, please smile and wave.  You'll know me by my out-of-practice gait and goofy grin.  I'm just so happy to be doing it!

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day, everyone!  This is the day set aside to celebrate the beautiful earth God has entrusted to our care.  On this day, millions of people will join in the celebration by committing to do acts of green.  The  most popular act of green commitment is switching from standard to CFL lightbulbs.  We went on a hunt and found one standard bulb in this fan upstairs that we could switch out (wouldn't you know, it was already burned out!).  We do still have a few standard decorative bulbs in our bathrooms, but otherwise, I think we're entirely switched over now.

Also, we walked to church today.  We do this nearly every Sunday as it is right next door.  In fact, the kids think it's really funny when we drive to church on rainy days.  When we get to the end of the driveway in the car, John announces, "Okay, kids, we're going to church."  Then, about 3 seconds later, as we turn into the church parking lot, "Okay, kids, we're at church!"  It's a joke that never grows old.  They crack up every time!

Another act of green that we committed to do is to eat more local food.  It hardly gets more local than your own backyard!  This, our root box, has the most things in it right now.

Here's what the garden looks like today.  Lots of things are now in and growing. 

How have you shown kindness to our earth today?

Williams-Sonoma Chicken Tractor

Williams-Sonoma's new Agrarian line of products (ranging from seeds to gardening tools to beekeeping supplies to this adorable chicken tractor) has been met with quite a bit of controversy.  And bloggers are making their opinions known. 

It seems Williams-Sonoma is getting in on the self-sufficiency/local food production craze.  And who can blame them?  Urban farming is a growing trend.  And, many of the folks who are interested in "getting back to the earth" may feel less than comfortable perusing the local co-op or farm store but know precisely how to shop high-end products online. 

Now, the coop and run pictured above will run the consumer about $1400 all told.  That price definitely includes form as well as function.  I mean, it is adorable.  I've read bloggers who've criticized the good looks of this coop as unnecessary and over-the-top, but I'm not about to jump on that bandwagon.  I've personally cringed at the sight of another blogger's make-shift chicken coop, complete with old refrigerator door as a roof.  I admit that I like the look of our cute little red and white chicken tractor.  Now, we paid only a fraction of the cost of the one pictured above, but this is just to say that I do think there's a place for form as well as function around the farm/backyard.

So, what's this blogger's opinion of the new Agrarian line?  Ultimately, the more people who are producing some of their own food, the better.  As Barbara Kingsolver put it in an essay I read just today, "Even if you walk or bike to the store, if you come home with bananas from Ecuador, tomatoes from Holland, cheese from France, and artichokes from California, you have guzzled some serious gas."  Honestly, I take the development of this new line of products from William-Sonoma as a good sign.  I'm sure they've done their market research and wouldn't have bothered launching the line unless they had evidence that people would actually buy it.  That seems like good proof that a growing population of people are developing and acting on an interest in backyard production.  So, if you're willing to pay $65 for a watering can, I may not agree that it's the best use of your money, but I'm pleased as punch that you've got something growing in your backyard that needs watering.   It seems like a move in the right direction.

Ultra-Pasteurized Milk: Who Knew?

I had long ago read that if you could only afford to buy your family one organic grocery, make it  milk.  Kids just consume so much of it, and making an organic choice ensures that the milk in their cereal is both antibiotic- and synthetic-growth-hormone-free.  This may seem bad, but the stuff is so expensive that I switched only the kids' milk to organic.  I guess I figured that for John and I the damage had already been done;  after all we've been drinking our hormones for decades. 

But, my most recent reading has given me even more to think about when it comes to milk choices.  Since we began looking into the purchase of dairy goats, I've become more aware of the debate surrounding raw vs. pasteurized milk.  Most people prefer the safety of pasteurized milk.  I guess this is why the "Ultra-Pasteurized" label on our milk cartons won't even give most of us pause.  If pasteurized is good, then ultra-pasteurized must be even better, right? 

The cheesemaking book I'm reading first introduced me to the problems with ultra-pasteurized (UP) milk. Sometimes labeled as UHT, ultra-high temperature, this milk has reached temperatures of at least 280 degrees for at least 2 seconds at some point during processing.  That's way hotter than the process used for standard pasteurization.  In fact, it's hot enough to break down the milk proteins that make it so good for us.  My cheese-making book tells me to avoid this milk for cheesemaking because it is too dead to support the good bacteria growth necessary to produce cheese.  It claims that UP milk essentially has the nutrictional value of water.  Water?!

Naturally, I went to the refrigerator and checked my labels. 

Wouldn't you know it -- the kids' organic milk is ultra-pasteurized!  So, I'm essentially paying $3.20 for a half-gallon of milk, and in return providing the kids the same nutrition as if I had just turned on the faucet. 

Studies show that ultra-pasteurization does nothing to make our milk safer than standard pasteurization, so why is it even being done?  Wouldn't you know it'd be about the bottom line.  Ultra-pasteurization gives the milk a must longer shelf life.  In fact, unopened, this stuff would keep for months in your pantry.  However, marketers quickly discovered that Americans are suspicious of milk that can be purchased unrefrigerated, so they refrigerate it to appease us.  Seems like a waste of energy and resources, right?

That's not the only way this is bad for our environment.  This process which provides milk a longer shelf life, also allows larger commercial dairies to buy out smaller ones and ship to our supermarkets from longer distances.  So, if you make an effort to reduce your environmental impact by purchasing more food generated closer to home, this milk is fighting you every step of the way. 

Further research revealed that 80% of organic milk sold in the US is ultra-pasteurized.  In fact, to buy standardly pasteurized organic milk, you'll probably have to visit an upscale market.  Horizon, for example, actually produces two different varieties.  They send an ultra-pasteurized version to most markets and reserve their standard pasteurized product for Whole Foods and similar upscale markets.

So, as consumers what are we to do with all this information?  I can fill my kids' glasses with synthetic growth hormones and antibiotics or I can give them "milk" that is so dead that those quotation marks are justified.

Whew!  All of this makes me really thankful that we're about to be milking our own dairy goats right in our own backyard. 

Antibiotic free?  Check. 
Growth hormone free?  Check. 
Locally produced?  Check. 
Healthy and wholesome?  Check!

Don't just take my word for it.  Do some research on this for yourself.  This website is a great starting point.

Earth Day is Approaching!

April 22nd is Earth Day -- our opportunity to join with millions of others and do something kind for earth.  Last year,  we took the kids to the local park and picked up litter for Earth Day.  This year, I read about the Earth Day Network's attempt to collect a Billion Acts of Green for Earth Day and decided that would be a fun way to get involved in something green.  So, the girls and I had a little meeting and checked out the website.  After looking over our options, we decided we would pledge to plant a garden (which we've already done, but we are scheduled to put out a few more crops on that day), walk to church (which we do nearly every week anyway), and eat more local food.

Now, in the past, the "eat more local food" pledge would have been quite a challenge.  In our little community, lots of people grow their own produce, but other than the watermelon growers, we've not really had an organized way to make excess produce available to the public.  But, that's all about to change. I'm proud to say that my husband has spearheaded an initiative to begin a Farmer's Market this spring.  Area growers and potential customers are all excited about the possibility of eating more locally produced food.

So, will you check out the Earth Day website?  What will you pledge to do for Earth on that day?

Prepare to Be Disgusted . . .

WARNING:  Before you read this, you will want to put down that bowl of cheese puffs or fruit roll-up or Cadbury egg.

Did You Know . . .

The average American ingests about 14 lbs. of chemicals per year in the form of food additives (colorings, artificial flavorings, preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, hormones and heavy metals).

14 POUNDS!!!  Enough said.

Statistic courtesy of William Powers' 12x12:  A One Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream

Did You Know . . .

American kids today can identify 1,000 corporate logos but less than 10 plants and animals that live around their homes.

Yikes!  But, as a parent, I believe it.  So, if that's not an argument for trading in a trip to McDonald's  for a picnic lunch and nature walk, I don't know what is!   Or perhaps, as I plan to do Saturday, take the kids with you to the garden center to select some great options for filling those garden pots. 

Statistic courtesy of William Powers' 12x12:  A One Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream

Happy Anniversary!

My hubby and I have been married for 11 years today!  So, I thought it seemed like a fitting time to blog another answer to a question I didn't get to at my talk with the Jonesboro MOPS:

"How do you convince your husband to go along with all this?"

This question made me laugh.  I  love it! 

Let me start with this.  John often reminds me that "we grow and change."  The idea, of course, is that life doesn't remain the same.  As individuals we aren't static.  We are constantly learning and doing and living and, in the process, we change.  So many couples lose it when they grow and change individually and wake up one day and realize that they hardly recognize the person on the other side of the bed.  One thing John and I have always been pretty good about is conversing.  One of our favorite ways to spend an evening after the kids are in bed is just talking.  I think that when you maintain that closeness in a relationship you are pretty much assured that when you "grow and change," you'll be doing it together -- growing and changing in the same ways, headed in the same direction.  I'd have to say that's how we've approached some of the changes in our lifestyle.  We are largely on the same page with the philosophical concepts behind why we do what we do.

That said, we each have our favorite projects.  The chickens (though they love me because I bring them treats) are largely John's project, and he loves caring for them.  The garden, is largely my domain.  John is always a part of the execution, but I do the planning and researching.  John takes charge of all things related to prepping the house for the goats we'll bring home next month while keeping me informed all along the way.  I am the one who cares for Cocoa Puff, for no other reason than that she has really grown on me.  So I talk to her, feed her, and take her to the backyard for some exercise.  John feeds the worms in the worm bin.  He gets quite excited when he happens upon a big one when working in the yard and gets to add it to his bin.    I am the one who's most excited about the products I'm making in the house, like soap, for example.  But, it's John who's standing there reading me the directions as I stir the pot.

So far, I can only think of a couple areas in which we disagree when it comes to developing our little homestead. First, I refuse to care for a bee hive.  I love honey, and I don't mind if John eventually adds a hive, but I personally will not be working it.  Though I appreciate the great work they do pollinating my flowers and helping produce the food we eat, they just freak me out.  Also, we've disagreed about what to do with our unfenced field behind the house.  John would like to fence it, but I'm not sure it's necessary to what we're doing.  The topic comes up a lot.  But, the key is, we talk about it.  Eventually, we'll figure it out.

So, today on our anniversary, I'm so thankful for my true companion on this journey.  We may not always know what's around the bend, but there's great joy in discovering it together.

1000 Visitors in 1 Month!

Yep, if you don't believe me, just scroll to the bottom of the blog and check out the counter.  Today, this blog is 1 month old, and it has already had more than 1,000 visits.  I love it! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear readers! 

So, let's have some feedback.  What topics have you most enjoyed over the past month?
I'd love to know so that I can tailor future topics to the interests of my readers.

Once again, thanks so much for reading my little blog.  It makes me happy to write it and even happier to know that others are reading it!

Where do you find the time?

When I spoke to the Jonesboro MOPS last week about Homesteading, I handed out little slips of paper for audience members to write questions on.  My plan was to collect them at the end of my talk and answer them aloud -- that way even the most reserved among the audience could voice her question without fear.  You know what they say about the best laid plans, though.  Several audience members just wanted to voice their own questions, which was great, and we never got back to the question slips.  After the presentation, I found a few question strips left on the tables.  Most of them contained questions that I'd answered, but there were a few that went unanswered.  For example:

"How do you find time for it all?"

It's a very good question. I'd just spent 45 minutes talking about growing our own food, tending chickens and the rabbit, making fresh juice for breakfast every morning, canning food, making cleaning supplies, etc.  Just hearing about it is enough to wear anyone out.  

It reminds me of back in college.  I dreaded the first day of a new class.  The professor would distribute the syllabus and go over EVERY SINGLE PROJECT I'd have to turn in during the course of the semester.  It was overwhelming.  But, that was, of course, because I was looking at it all at once.  Taken one day at a time, it was actually a very manageable workload.  That's how our lifestyle is.  Yes, the garden has to be tended and the bread baked and the soap made and so on, but that doesn't all happen at the same time.

Also, I'll say this.  If something seems like it isn't worth the time, then it may not be.  I feel like it's so trendy right now to eat organically and make your own cleaning products and so on.  But, that doesn't have to be a part of your experience of motherhood or life.  If those things don't seem worth your time, that may be a clue that you simply don't value them.  If that's the case, then those things just may not be for you.  Don't do it just because everyone else seems to be.  Life's too short.

But, back to finding the time . . . I am a Type-A personality who makes lists daily and crosses things off, grinds my teeth in my sleep because I cannot relax, and usually only sits down during the course of the day to blog.  It seems I am not happy if I do not have a project underway.  (I sound a little bit insane, don't I?  I am working on slowing down and just being in the moment more.  The ability to do so is a trait I often envy in others.)

Also, we do not own a television.  Yes, you read that right.  Once again, I sound insane.  We do occasionally watch shows online or rent movies that we watch on our computer.  But since the latests findings are that the average American watches about 151 hours of TV per month (or about 5 hours per day), you can see how the absence of a television would free up some major time for other activities. 

So, I am a certifiably insane Energizer Bunny who doesn't stop for TV time.  Maybe that's the most concise answer to the audience member's question.  Perhaps it was best that she didn't get to ask.  :)

MOPS!

Today, I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the Jonesboro chapter of MOPS.  My friend, who's been following my blog lately, invited me to come talk about our homesteading efforts, and I was so excited about the opportunity to talk about my gardening efforts, compost, rabbit, chickens, household cleaners, and such.  After all, my mom says my blog reads like I am a "frustrated teacher," so having a captive audience for 45 minutes or so was right up my alley. :) 

They may have thought I was borderline crazy, but to their credit, no one expressed it.  In fact, I enjoyed answering lots of their questions, and I must admit, they were a much more engaged audience than I suspect my sophomore English students would've been this week -- the week before spring break.

One of the MOPS members brought the recipe and all the supplies for everyone to make her own spray bottle full of Veggie Wash.  I've never used a fruit or veggie cleanser, so I'm excited to give it a try.  Once I give it a good trial run, you may find the recipe here on the blog!

I did have a couple of questions that I wasn't able to answer today, so I did a little research and would like to offer some resources here, in case any of today's audience members happen to check the blog. :)

1.  On the heels of my talking about how rabbit manure is garden-ready and need not compost, one MOPS member asked whether llama poo had the same qualities.  Well, according to this article, yes, llama poo can also be added immediately to the garden without the need to compost.  In fact, it's an excellent fertilizer, and I found several websites that are actually selling it by the bag.  So, dear MOPS member, maybe you should open up a little side business and allow that llama to earn her keep!  :)

2.  Another MOPS member brought up what I thought was an excellent point about how so many Crock Pot recipes are dependent upon store-bought canned goods such as Cream of Whatever soups.  She asked whether I knew of any resources for healthier recipes.  I didn't, but now I do.  :)  Eating Well has a ton of Crock Pot recipes that I look forward to trying out.  Another MOPS member mentioned Skinny Crock Pot which seems to have lots of great stuff as well.

So, thank you, Jonesboro MOPS, for allowing me the opportunity to step back into the role of teacher for a few minutes and for teaching me through the questions you asked and the helpful recipes you shared.

Some Random Snippets on Food

Some statistics to ponder from this month's World Ark,  Heifer International's amazing publication:

* Hunger is the world's No. 1 health risk, killing more people than AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.

*At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of illnesses related to being overweight and obese.

*There is enough food in the world today for everyone to have enough to eat.

Hmmmmm.



Also, this:

"The United Nations declared Oct. 31, 2011, the 'Day of 7 Billion,' a world population milestone.  Within about 35 years, more than 9 billion people will need access to adequate food.  Indeed, in May 2011 the U.N. raised its estimate of the peak populaion to 10 billion by the end of this century.  But the number of people is the smaller part of the problem.   The critical issue is what the people do:  how much do they consume, in what ways, and what environmental damage do they cause?  Without some needed adjustments, a return of the world food problem is threatening."

It seems that we here in the US want our food to be readily available, no matter how far it has to travel to get to our markets, and plentiful.  And, perhaps most harmful, we want it cheap.  The average American family spends only 7% of its income on food.  Compare that to 36% of a Guatemalan family's income and 45% in Kenya.  In fact, "a poor family in a poor country spends as much as 70% of its income on food." 

By passing on the twin gifts of livestock and education, Heifer is doing its part to bring food to the table and to lessen the financial strain felt by families all over the world.  This is why I'm so glad to be able to support Heifer International's efforts, even if it is just on a small scale. 

Now, that we have our own chickens in the backyard, our kiddos are better able to understand what a gift of chicks to a family far from here will actually provide them.  And, thanks to Heifer's new interactive kid-friendly video, kids can hear from Sarah, the talking goat, and learn in kid-friendly terms about how Heifer works to alleviate hunger and poverty. :)

Goats' Milk vs. Cows' Milk

If you've been following our blog, you know that we will soon be home to some adorable Nubian dairy goats.  In preparation, we've prepped a pen (which I finished painting just today), built a milking stand, and done lots and lots of reading.  A few months ago, I was oblivious to the health benefits of goats' milk.  We originally chose dairy goats over dairy cows for several reasons:
1.  goats are more easily managed (especially with young kids around)
2.  goats are fun and interactive (almost like dogs)
3.  cows produce much more milk than our family could possible consume
4.  goats can be milked either once or twice a day whereas cows must be milked twice daily

Notice that the amazing health benefits of goats' milk is nowhere on the list.  So, I was pleased to discover yet another reason that goats were probably a better option for us.

Goat milk is becoming a bit of a craze in the "Whole Foods" circle.  In fact, on a recent trip to the market, I priced a 1/2 gallon of goat milk at $7.69.  Yep, you read that right. . . and for a 1/2 gallon!  We opted for the 1/4 gallon ourselves, and the kids drank it all up happily.  I am a bit finicky about my milk, but I found that the goat milk had basically the same taste as cow milk.  The texture seemed a bit different to me, but that could just be that I'm accustomed to skim cows' milk.

Below are some excerpts from an article explaining some of the health benefits of goats' milk, for those of you who are not, just as I wasn't, already "in the know."


While cow’s milk remains one of America’s most common daily drinks, it is interesting to note that it may also be the reason why many Americans experience gas, bloating, mucous and other forms of indigestion.

source

Moreover, in a world where the common cow is pumped full of growth hormones, antibiotics, GMO feed, vaccinations and exposed to toxic conditions, it is no wonder that many humans experience negative effects of consuming pasteurized cow milk.
Goat’s milk is a much healthier alternative, especially if it is consumed raw and from a good organic source. The most common form of milk used on a global scale, it is estimated that around three fourths of the milk consumed worldwide comes from goats, not cows. And most of the people drinking this milk are not fat and do not have allergies or digestive complaints.

The Benefits of Goat Milk

Goat’s milk offers a wide variety of health benefits, with very few of the negative side effects of drinking regular cow milk.
1. Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Some research suggests that one of the main benefits of goat milk is that it may hold anti-inflammatory capacities. Another reason why it is easier for people with bowel inflammation to drink goat’s milk, instead of cow’s milk.
2. Environmentally Friendly
Goats require far less space and food than cows. Typically, you can comfortably raise six goats on the same acreage as two cows.
3. Metabolic agent
Studies done at the USDA and Prairie View A&M University, link goat’s milk to an increased ability to metabolize iron and copper, especially amongst individuals with digestion and absorption limitations. Besides drinking goat’s milk, you can also take a digestive enzymes supplement to help with this also.
4. Bio-availability
Another main health benefit of goat milk, is that it is closer to human mother’s milk than cow’s milk is. Because it has a chemical make up that is much closer to human milk, it is easier to digest and assimilate in the human body.

source

5. Lower in Fat
Goat’s milk is a great option for people who want to lose weight. It has less fat, but still maintains the high levels of proteins and essential amino acids found in cow’s milk.
6. High in Fatty Acids
While cow’s milk has about seventeen percent fatty acids, goat’s milk averages thirty five percent fatty acids, making it more nutritionally wholesome. In fact, up to 50% of people with lactose intolerance to cow’s milk find that they can easily digest goat’s milk, especially if it is raw.
7. Calcium-rich
Many people worry that they need to drink cow’s milk for calcium intake and the prevention of bone loss. Goat’s milk also offers high amounts of calcium.
8. Anti-Mucousal
While drinking cow’s milk is a common reason for allergies and excess mucous, goat’s milk is not. Cow’s milk is high in fat, which may increase mucous build-up. Moreover, the fat globules in goat’s milk are one ninth the size of those found in cow’s milk, another possible reason why it does not produce irritation in the gut.
9. Ultra-nourishing
In Naturopathic medicine, goat’s are referred to as bioorganic sodium animals. They are also associated with vigour, flexibility and vitality. Cows are calcium animals known for stability and heaviness. Bioorganic sodium is an important element in keeping joints mobile and limber. Goat milk has traditionally been used in medicinal cultures to nourish and regenerate an over-taxed nervous system. Goat’s milk is also extremely nutrient dense. It has almost 35% of your daily needs for calcium in one cup. Extremely high in riboflavin, just one cup of goat’s milk offers 20.0% of our daily needs. Add to that high amounts of phosphorous, Vitamin B12, protein and potassium. In fact, Ghandi himself restored his own health after extremely long periods of fasting through drinking raw goat’s milk.

10. Less toxic than Cow’s Milk
Whereas most cow’s milk is pumped full of bovine growth hormones as well as a substance known as bovine somatotropin, a hormone specific for increasing milk production in an unnatural way, goat’s are rarely treated with these substances. Because of its use on the fringes of big agriculture, goat’s milk is not only more nutritious for you, but also less toxic.
11. May Boost Immune System
Goat’s milk has the trace mineral, selenium, a key essential mineral in keeping the immune system strong and functioning correctly.

For the full article, see The Global Healing Center: Natural Health and Organic Living

I Make Home.

I make home.


I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to stay home this year. And, because my surgery scheduled for October 10th didn’t happen, I am currently enjoying the gift of time I didn’t think I’d have on my feet.

One of the things I’ve done a lot of is reading. Little Boy and I attend the children’s time at the library every week, and I’ve begun a bit of a love affair with the library. I’ve been reading a lot of things about old homemaking crafts, gardening, and homesteading. I really enjoyed the book Radical Homemakers, and I’m trying to make my own, more natural versions of lots of household things (i.e. body soap, laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, bread, juice).

We are making plans to do gardening differently this coming year and are working toward having some laying chickens in the backyard come spring. I am really enjoying getting my hands dirty. I love to make things, especially when making them means that I am avoiding being a consumer, doing something green, or providing a better product for my family. I am loving the idea of making our home as self-sufficient as possible, using a lot of the old homestead traditions.

While I am enjoying these various projects, relishing a slower pace, and loving my time with my little man, I do admit I’ve had a bit of an identity crisis. “What do you do?’ It’s a question I don’t get asked a lot around here, but John and I recently attended our college reunion, and it was the first time I stumbled over my answer. For the past 10 years, my I’m-a-teacher answer has been at the ready. Now, what do I do? It’s certainly not nothing. “I stay home.” Well, not most days. “I’m a homemaker.” It sounds like such a label, that brings with it so many other stereotypes. Today, when John popped in to say hello at lunch, he smelled the baking bread and said, “It smells like home in here.” I like it. That means I’m doing my job today. So, what is my job? “I make home.” I like that answer. It’s active. And I am active. I actively nurture Little Boy; I actively create things to support our family; I actively make a home that’s warm and nice to return to for the three of our brood who are away during the day.