From the Farm

I wanted to do a post on why I chose to buy directly from the farm instead of supporting the factory farm industry. It is really easy to tell you that I want to support my farmer that I want to build a relationship with the people who are feeding my food. In a lot of ways I wish that was the only reason we switched to farm raised meat and eggs. The truth is that after making the decision to switch did we start to build the relationships. I am glad we did! It has helped me feel like I am part of the puzzle for the first time. By choosing to buy my eggs from http://www.hansonfamilyfarm.com/index.html I know that my money is going to this family, it helps to feed the chickens an organic feed to supplement when the grass is dormant or the chickens need extra nutrition. They are the stewards of the food I eat, they get up in the wee hours of the morning to make sure that the animals are well cared for, and they don’t stop until it is dark and beyond. I am grateful for all that this small family farm does for my family. They deserve the price that they are asking. I will never ask them to lower their costs because they work hard and deserve the fair price they ask for.



When I was part of the problem and buy cheap eggs, and meat I was supporting a different kind of environment. One where chickens are crammed in a cage, each chicken barely has enough space to sit and rest. Chickens that die are left in the cage to be stomped until it is a crinkled mess. I supported the overuse of antibiotics in these animals so that the people in charge don’t have to treat the animals with respect. I was supporting the cutting off of beaks so the cramped birds wouldn’t get board and peck at each other. I supported the manure being spread in improper ways, the cancer that spread to local neighbors through their drinking water, and I supported the way these companies treated their farmers.  By turning a blind eye, by acting in ignorance I was the problem. What do you think you are getting when you spend 79 cents per pound for chicken? You are not getting the word of that farmer because the farmer is turning a blind eye to the problem because he or she is only making pennies on that product. They are barely making it on the money they receive. Did you know that in order for chicken to be labeled as free range they only need a small door on one end of a giant building that allow them access to the sunshine and grass, but because all of the animals’ food and water is inside the building they rarely if ever venture out? Did you know that arsenic was used to get the chickens to eat more, and to counter act the poison they gave the birds antibiotics? Don’t believe me, here is an article written in August of 2011 http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-06-08-fda-chicken-arsenic_n.htm. That is right friends the FDA says arsenic is Okay for chickens that you eat. Would you feed it to your children?



These are a few of the reasons to switch. This is only the very tip of the iceberg. This problem effects the environment. I haven’t even told you the benefits of grass fed beef and why we switched to it. I will be happy to show you my research, to point you to books to read, to the documentaries to watch. This information is out there. Start by googleing factory farms and look at the images. You don’t even have to read the articles look at how those animals are treated. You can google local farmers in your area and see the difference in the pictures. Only you can drive to those farms, or call those farmers and ask if you can see how they are treating the animals. I bet they will let you. That they will be happy to share why they choose to farm the way they do. I was part of the problem for years. Me, I did not know any better. I did not know. That is why I am sharing with you. This is why I am encouraging you, empowering you. Together we can make a change. Together we can change the food system. We can demand better! We can show the FDA that we know better and can do better. They are not protecting us. They are doing tests to see if we can eat small amounts of arsenic, not stopping it. Yes, I know it is expensive. But you can pay the farmer or you can pay the doctor. Let me tell you from my personal experience it is so much sweeter to thank the farmer for their hard work. To hand my money over to them and know the only middle man involved is me because I use the money my husband makes to support this family. I know it is hard to contemplate spending more on food, but maybe it is time we realize as a culture that food is a need and not worth buying cheap quality. Please consider going to a farmers market asking questions. Look into Joel Salatin. You can read his books, watch him on youtube, or find him here http://www.polyfacefarms.com/. His theory on farming is what we should be looking for in farmers. You have the power to change and by changing we change the food system. I am sorry for the lecture. I am very passionate about this topic.



I hope your week is filled with Love and Laughter. Be well friends.

Protein and how to get it without eating meat.

As my family is preparing for lent this year the biggest discussion is what each of us would like to give up. Last year we gave up meat with a loop hole where the boys could eat anything when we ate out. This year around the table Damian asked if we could do it again without cheating. I try to say yes when I am able so that it doesn't sting too bad when I have to say no. We all agreed to give up meat for lent which starts February 22 and ends on Easter Sunday which is April 8. This year it is important to us because on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter) we will be confirmed into the church. I think after almost three years of Mass we are ready to make the commitment.

Really this post is about protein.  I get asked about protein a lot because there is a misconception that protein only comes from animals. Although meat has the densest amount protein per unit it is not the only way to make sure you are getting enough. Here is the link to what the CDC recommends for daily protein intake http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html the chart below is from the CDC. It was easier to follow than the USDA's chart. I highlighted the values my family needs.

Recommended Dietary Allowance for Protein
	Grams of protein needed each day
Children ages 1 – 3	13
Children ages 4 – 8	19
Children ages 9 – 13	34
Girls ages 14 – 18	46
Boys ages 14 – 18	52
Women ages 19 – 70+	46
Men ages 19 – 70+	56

We eat farm fresh eggs that come from grass fed chickens. One egg has 6g which is about 12% of the daily protein that is recommended. Here is a great link to a family farm that explains the benefits of grass fed, free range chickens. Plus to be totally honest this is where I buy my beautiful eggs. http://www.hansonfamilyfarm.com/eggs.html They have a lot of great information on the benefits of grass fed animals too. I recomend that you check them out and then maybe find a local farm that can help you, while you help them.

1/2 a cup of dried oatmeal contains 5g of protein. Peanut butter has 7g of protein in two tablespoons. Milk has 8g in an 8oz serving. One slice of whole wheat bread has 4gs of protein. For 1/4 cup of beans it ranges from 7g-9g depending on the type of bean. I only looked at about 4 kinds of beans.

Now for the surprising facts on Vegetables Are you ready? Here is the link to an excellent chart on vegetable nutrition http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vegetables-nutrition-chart.html I am only going to chose some of our favorite fruits and vegetables and some really common vegetables.

Vegetables                                                                                             Fruit

1/2 cup Asparagus = 2.16g                                                            1 Apple = 0.47g

1/2 cup beets = 1.7g                                                                      1 Avocado = 4.02g

1/2 cup Broccoli = 1.86g                                                               1 Banana = 1.29g 

1 cup Brussels Sprouts = 3.98g                                                      1 cup blackberries = 2g

1/2 cup Cauliflower = 1.14g                                                           1 cup Blueberries = 1.57g  

1 cup Celery = 1.25g                                                                      1 slice Cantaloupe = 0.58g

1 ear of Corn = 4.02g                                                                     1 cup Dates= 3.6g

1 cup French beans = 12.48g                                                          1 cup Grapes = 1.04g

1 cup Kale = 2.47g                                                                         1 cup Mulberries = 2.02g

1 cup Leeks= 1g                                                                             1 Orange = 1.23g

1/2 cup Mushrooms = 1.08g                                                           1 Peach = 1.36g

1 cup Okra = 3g                                                                             1 Pomegranate = 4.71g

1 cup Peas = 8.58g                                                                         1 small box of Raisins = 1.32g

1 medium Potato = 4.33g                                                                1 cup Strawberries = 0.96g

1 cup Summer Squash =1.87g                                                        1 Tomato = 1.08g

1 cup Swiss Chard = 3.29g                                                             1 Slice Watermelon = 1.74g

As you can see there is protein in almost all of the fruits and vegetables that we eat. Wait there is more ways to get protein in our meatless diet. There is cheese too.

1 Cup Cheddar Cheese = 28.14g                                  1 cup Cottage Cheese = 13.37g

3 oz Cream Cheese = 5.04g                                          1 Goat Cheese = 21.58g

1 cup yogurt = 8.5g                                                        1 cup low fat Yogurt = 12.86g

These are all meatless ways that we can easily get the reccomended daily protein. Seeds and Nuts are also high in protien you can look here for more information on nuts http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/nut-seed-nutrition-chart.html This website has some really great charts to help educate people of the nutrition of food.  I also want to give a shout out to Tofu which I like to cook with. Half a cup of Tofu has 10 grams of protein. 6oz of beef has 49.2 grams of protien which is my daily value and more then double what the boys need. Here is a sample menu that I found on a vegan website http://www.vrg.org/nutrition/protein.htm.

		Protein (grams)
Breakfast:	1 cup Oatmeal	6
	1 cup Soymilk	7
	1 Bagel	9
Lunch:	2 slices Whole Wheat Bread	5
	1 cup Vegetarian Baked Beans	12
Dinner:	5 oz firm Tofu	11
	1 cup cooked Broccoli	4
	1 cup cooked Brown Rice	5
	2 Tbsp Almonds	4
Snack:	2 Tbsp Peanut Butter	8
	6 Crackers	2
TOTAL		73 grams

Although we will be eating eggs and dairy it is an excellent example of how a person can get protein into their diets. Anyways I hope that this post helps people understand more about protein. I am sorry it is so long, I wanted to explore the subject to the fullest. Thank you for reading.

I hope that your week is filled with unexpected learning, Love, and Laughter. Be well my friends.