I just returned The Omnivore's Dilemma to the library last week. While I didn't get all the way through, due to a, quite frankly, disGUSTing chapter about feedlots, it most definitely had an impact on me. The fascinating side of these books/documentaries/articles/etc. is learning how utterly out of the loop I am when it comes to knowing where our food comes from. The unfortunate side of these books/documentaries/articles/etc. is their serious ability to overwhelm me. Anytime I read stuff like this, I just think "how can we do what's right/healthy/sustainable/etc. without totally retreating from the "world"? I tell Andy often that I want to move to a farm, grow all of our own food, and teach yoga. He usually laughs, which proves how nearly impossible that dream is. But, it seems like a pretty reasonable way to eat/live in a responsible/healthful way. So, as I continue to figure stuff out for my small family, I'll try to share tips and ideas. I'm about to be jobless soon, so I imagine I'll have a good amount of time on my hands.

Our first line of business is making the switch to organic/close-to-organic as possible. I blogged a few months ago about this and we have continued to make important moves toward this kind of living. When I first wrote about this, Andy was totally uninterested. Then, as we made our first trip to the grocery store in CR (that's a whole other story...talk about a weird experience; we don't know how to live off campus :-) ) and suddenly he was talking about organic meat and veggies, eating healthy as preventative medicine, etc. I was jumping for joy, to say the least. So, now if I can just keep him on that kick... It's fun to have him as my partner in crime with this kind of stuff!

Of course, my biggest concern with "organic" is the price. Not only the dollar amount, but also the time and energy it takes to either coordinate trips to the farmer's market, research recipes that use in-season items (the grocery store has duped us into thinking that EVERYTHING is ALWAYS in season), to finding places that even sell "organic" or no hormones, no antibiotics meat, etc. The initial footwork is impressive. And, since we've just moved to a new town, it's even more daunting. I realize it will just take a bit of up front work and then everything will fall into place, but the initial task is overwhelming, to say the least. And, once all of that is taken care of, we have to remember that we're operating in a very strict budget. Kinda takes the fun out of it, huh?

I find The Dirty Dozen information to be pretty helpful when navigating the produce isle. Now clearly, it doesn't take a genius to figure any of this stuff out. But, if you hate being overwhelmed and want to avoid the frustration that comes with trying to pick the best without spending an entire afternoon in the store, this guide is for you. Hopefully the linked page takes you to a document with a wallet-sized sheet that you can cut out, laminate, and throw in your bag, so you don't have to cart the full sheet with you to the store every time.

While our preference would be to buy all things organic, at this time in our lives, we have to prioritize. As of right now, we really want to be committed to buying hormone free/for the most part antibiotic free meat and dairy products. We'll buy organic produce when the price is comparable/cheaper (because, at least in Iowa, it sometimes IS cheaper to buy organically) and will support local farmer's markets as much as possible (because we can actually get to KNOW the people supplying the food). Now the question is, can we do it on a budget just over $100 a month? I'll keep you posted!

Pictures of our new place

Don't have much time to type, as we're getting ready to head back up to CR, but wanted to give family and friends an idea of our new digs. It's a pretty nice place. Older, but with some character and charm. My favorite feature is turning out to be the basement, because there's a ton of extra storage down there. I was so happy when I kept clearing the apartment by sending Andy downstairs with boxes. How two people have so much stuff is beyond me. But, mark my words; we won't have this much stuff in a year, when we move again!

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine
"Amazing Grace", Chris Tomlin version

After an interesting apartment search in the CR area yesterday, we both decided on the apartment above. It's a "4-plex" and has two bedrooms, 1 and 3/4 bath, washer and dryer in the basement, with private storage, a 1 stall garage, a dishwasher, and even a wood-burning fireplace! It's definitely not as new and updated as the apartment we found in GB, but it will serve us well. There's currently a yellow stove (hehe) that's in fine working order, but the landlords are willing to replace it, for aesthetics. The apartment is also at the end of a col-de-sac, so it's nice and private and doesn't have the big apartment complex feel.

I'm still on the job-hunt but am faithful that something will come up. I'm so happy to be able to stay in CF through July and am excited for the possibilities in CR.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strength you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. " - Isaiah 41:10

Nevermind, Green Bay; Hello, Cedar Rapids!

So, on Sunday, Andy's regional manager mentioned the possibility of Andy going to the Cedar Rapids store, instead of the GB store, because of some things that came up last minute. Since Sunday, we've been on pins and needles waiting to hear where we'd be going (b/c we were originally scheduled to move to GB tomorrow!). Last night, the RM called and told us, we're going to CR!!! We're VERY excited!! This store is a higher volume store, which makes the earning potential more; the manager has a reputation for loving to teach, which will prepare Andy well and hopefully quickly to move into the store manager position and get his own store, AND, we get to stay close to the wonderful friends we've made in CF. The best of all worlds! Thank you, Lord, for providing! And thank you, Lord, for reminding us not to worry...

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6 and 7

Scotcheroos (an Iowa dessert)

These things are absolutely amazing! I got the recipe from a friend, who has a wonderful blog called They Call Me Old Fashioned . She's incredibly talented and always coming up with recipes, crafts, etc. Anyhoo, I've been buying a scotcheroo from her every week at the Farmer's Market and finally decided to try her recipe. It's below:

1 stick butter

1 cup light Karo Syrup

1 cup sugar

1 cup smooth peanut butter

6 cups Rice Krispies

1 pkg chocolate chips

1/2 tbsp oil (I used canola but you could use vegetable)

Combine butter, syrup, and sugar together. Once it comes to a rolling boil, remove from heat, add peanut butter, and stir until well combined and smooth. Stir mixture into rice krispies. I split the peanut butter mixture into three smaller pours instead of dumping the entire thing into the rice krispies. Once the rice krispies and the peanut butter mixture is well combined, put it into a 9x13 pan and spread out. Then, melt the chocolate chips in a bowl, add the oil, stir again, and pour over rice krispies. Couldn't be easier; couldn't be more delicious! I got about 18 bars out of this recipes, and spent right around $6, so that's only $0.34 per bar. You could easily split the batch into 24 smaller pieces, but I don't like to skimp! The next time we have family or friends up, I'm definitely going to make these scotcheroos for them, because it's something I hadn't ever heard of until I moved to good ol' Iowa.

Another new home...

Well, it's official. Andy, Spike, and I are moving to Wisconsin! Andy recently received a promotion with Sofa Mart and starts at the Green Bay store later this month. Earlier this week, we went up to WI to search for a place to live. After seeing lots of apartments, we went with the first one we saw. It reminded me of shopping for my wedding dress. I went to the store with a picture of the dress I had chosen from online...after trying on five dresses total, I went with the one from my original picture. Same with this apartment. We had this one in mind when we headed north and, as we were heading back to Iowa, we got the news that the apartment was ours! It was a nice ending to a quick but fun trip. While we were in Green Bay, we got to see Lambeau Field, downtown Green Bay, Bay Beach Amusement Park, and of course, Andy's work.

If anyone ever said moving was easy, they're off their rocker. It is REALLY difficult to coordinate a state-to-state move! Especially when the final dates change, you have one day to find a place to live, you don't know anything about the area, etc. It gave me a new appreciation for those folks that move all over the country (or world, for that matter!) every few years. I pray that, eventually, we have the opportunity to "settle down". Where that will be, I don't know. Home is where you make it, so we'll just have to wait and see, right?