Menus and Bellies

30 weeks today!  Two more months! I feel like this pregnancy has gone so fast yet at the same time I can't remember what it was like NOT being pregnant!  My belly is growing right along with my little one and I am feeling great at the moment!  I am trying to walk as much as possible and doing my yoga routine more frequently!  And nesting....that is already in FULL effect!  For the next two months...I plan to send some "organic" pregnancy tips your way.  Maybe I will even keep doing it after the baby is born!  The pregnancy and birth world has really become a passion of mine and I LOVE to talk and share information about it.  Since I am working on becoming a doula, I feel writing on here about pregnancy and birth will only expand my knowledge about it!  So stay tuned in the next week for some awesome organic pregnancy talk!

My belly at.....28 weeks!

Sorry the lack of posts the past week or so.  This spring weather has kept me outside...planting, walking, playing, enjoying!  I am not going anywhere though.  My blog is staying and soon with a fresh look to it.  I am excited to share it with you all!  On to my menu for this week!  We have quite a few simple recipes for the week and then some fun ones for the fun weekend we have ahead!  Since this is Earth Week.....remember that one of the biggest things you can do to help our Earth is to cook and eat organic, local, and sustainable foods.  The foods we choose determine the health of the earth and our bodies!

MENU:

MONDAY:  Baked salmon, sauteed asparagus, and brown rice

TUESDAY-  Vegetable Stir Fry over brown rice

WEDNESDAY-  Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

THURSDAY-  Dinner at a good friend's house

FRIDAY-  Happy Earth Day!  Light & Creamy Asparagus Pasta (We will be adding local sustainably caught shrimp to this dish).  I am also making Kale Chips as an appetizer. Recipe to follow!

SATURDAY-  Green Pizza with homemade dough

SUNDAY-  Happy Easter!  Having a family dinner at my aunt's house.  Making and bringing a Broccoli & Garlic Quiche!  Recipe to follow!

For more meal planning inspirations, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie every Monday.

What are you cooking this week?

Peacefully,
Alyson

"Eating Is An Environmental Act." -Alice Waters, Restaurateur/Environmental Activist

Music for the Soul- Ziggy Marley

If you walk into our house music is usually playing and you will find that a lot of the time that music is reggae or a form of reggae. We absolutely love to shake our booty to some reggae!  Shorty after our son was born, we were given a CD by Ziggy Marley called "Family Time".  A CD full of family and kids songs all by Ziggy Marley.......YES!!!!  The moment we heard the whole CD, we knew it would be a family favorite for years and years.  Just like most of Ziggy's music, this album is filled with messages of love, unity, generosity, compassion, fun, and peacefulness.  In my opinion, the perfect recipe for great encouraging childrens music!  Plus this CD really opened up the world of reggae music to my son and he loves it.  When asked what music he wants to listen to he either says "Ziggy" or "Rock N Roll."  And when we play Ziggy, my son knows every single word! 

It's so hard to pick a favorite Ziggy song, especially from this album.  So I had to pick two to share with you all.  Enjoy these great songs with your kids....or even if you don't have kids!!!!

The first one is called "Family Time".  We absolutely love this one, since it really enhances how special family time really is! 

This one is called "I Love You Too".  This is our absolute family favorite song of all!  It's all about love....what more would we want!?  As a family we are constantly telling each other that we love each other (like probably 100 times a day) and this song just helps express that when we sing and dance to it.  LOVE....LOVE....LOVE! 

Enjoy the music,
Alyson

"I think Americans should have a policy of love. That should be the foreign policy, love. Export Love."- Ziggy Marley

One Small Change- April

It's Earth Month!  The celebration and communication of our love for the planet is circulating this month!  Which in our household is EVERY month but this month always has an extra focus on the earth, with planting and being outside more.  We have a lot planned this month for our changes that will lessen our carbon footprint.  I can't wait to get to it.  

For those who are new to my blog...I am part of a campaign that challenges people to make a eco-friendly change monthly.  It doesn't have to be big, just something that will lessen your carbon footprint.  Check my first One Small Change blog here or the One Small Change Blog to read more about it. I just learned that the blog who hosts One Small Change has chosen to end One Small Change blog to allow more time for herself and her family.  I am sad to see it go but totally understand where she is coming from, I have felt the need to do this a few times.  I think I will continue my own little version of One Small Change, because it helps me to write and share about my goals and wishes for this planet.  I might call it something different but I will keep you informed with it in May. 

As usual, I am doing more than just one small change.  I just find that there is so much to do that I can't pick just one thing!  Here is my long yet fun list of changes for the month:

• Making my own green, toxic free, all purpose cleaner and bathroom cleaner.  We only buy toxic free and green cleaners in our home but I thought I would try making my own.  It will be less packaging and better for our bodies & the environment.  I am in the middle of researching the best way to do this.  Before April ends, I will post my recipe, pictures, and how it went.   Once I get these done, I will move onto other cleaners and household products.  My goal: removing most or all toxins out of my home! 
• We are doing two tree plantings!  One is in my parents backyard.  The other is at a local park.  My son will be involved with both.  I strongly believe that children should be a part of helping our beautiful earth at an early age.  They are our future!  We have already done one planting in February and he loved it.  
• The city is also putting on a Nature Walk at a local park for 3 and 4 year olds.  My son and I will go check it out! 
• Attending an awesome Earth Day celebration, that City Repair puts on every year.  The event will be full of booths with sustainable living information, music, food, kids activities, community art projects, and community service projects.  We will make this a family day and enjoy the celebration of our earth and all that live on it. 
• For Easter, we will be making our own natural toxic-free color dye to decorate our eggs with.  We will definitely take some pictures and post them.  
• I am also continuing my "green" spring cleaning.  I am actually going to dedicate a whole blog about this, because its a fun subject with a lot to write about.   

Wow....that is a lot!  I like keeping myself busy, as long at it involves my family!  On top, of all of this we are also doing most of our planting for our backyard garden and our co-op farm.  Planting and waiting for the seeds to sprout is my favorite part of gardening....well besides eating the fresh produce that you grow yourself!

What changes are you making this month to lessen your carbon footprint?

Happy Earth Month,
Alyson

"I'm not an environmentalist.  I'm an Earth warrior."  ~Darryl Cherney

Menus and Organics

My mama rocks and I think it is funny that the way of living that I want for myself and for my children is what she has taught me all along.  It wasn't until I had my own baby that I realized this.  I cherish everything she has taught me and continues to teach me.  Especially in the way of loving our earth, our fellow humans, and ourselves.  She is a smart lady!  My mother and I spent some time together yesterday going to some maternity/baby shops around town and we stopped in two sustainable living shops.  These shops were pretty much exactly what I had been wanting to find for some time now.  I didn't buy much, but got some good ideas for my home and how to reuse things I already have.  My husband and I are really doing our best to bring sustainability to the way we live and eat.  It is refreshing to be living this way and we know that this is a lifestyle that we will continue for the rest of our lives.

I found this poster at one of the stores I went to, and I want to share it with you.  I will get some photos of it soon.  I love what it has to say about "growing and becoming organic".  It pretty much sums up our belief on being organic!

Going organic takes patience, curiosity, open-mindedness and humility. Organic growing acknowledges a cooperation with nature and a collaboration with its intrinsic balance. When we commit to a non-aggressive approach, we begin to view nature, not as a foe, but as a friend and partner in our garden.

Imagine Your Garden
Cultivate the Earth
And Our Connection With It
Greet the Sun
Feed the Soil*Let It Breathe
Welcome Earthworms
Thank busy soil organisms hard at work
Compost
Cherish The Treasure of Stones
And Bones and Broken China
Practice Non-Aggression
What Works in the Garden May Work in the World One Day
Bless the Seed You Sow
Observe weather
Welcome the Gifts of the Seasons
Weed Early And Often
Leave Wild Spaces
Mulch
Feel Your Whole Body
Know the Cycles of the Moon
Keep a Garden Journal
Charm Fairies
Explore Companion Planting
Flowers & Herbs Love Fruits & Veggies
Welcome Beneficial Insects
Discourage Foes
Work in Harmony With Nature
Don’t Use Chemical Herbicides,
Pesticides, or Fertilizers
Take Pleasure in Your Garden As
A Gift to the Birds, The Bees,
And the Children
Dance In The Fields
Teach And Learn
Save Seeds*Tell Stories
Look At Stars
Rotate Crops*Rest The Earth
Observe* Adapt*Enrich
Sustain*Preserve
Savor The Abundance
Share the Harvest
Give Thanks

-Melinda Matzell

Our backyard winter garlic that will be ready in a month or so!

 

With that being said....let's move on to my menu for the week!  I am moving over two recipes from last week because our weekend got busy fast and our dinner were rearranged a little. 

MENU:

MONDAY: Veggie and tofu stirfry with brown rice

TUESDAY-  Spinach Enchiladas (recipe posted soon)

WEDNESDAY-  Homemade pizza with homemade pizza dough and a green salad

THURSDAY-  Mustard-Crusted Salmon and Potato Casserole (recipe posted soon)

FRIDAY-  Leftovers and a fresh spinach salad

SATURDAY-  Poached Cod and Asparagus

SUNDAY-  Family Dinner @ my aunt's house.  I am making Creamy Spring Asparagus Soup to bring!  (Side note: We use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth)

For more meal planning inspirations, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie every Monday.

What are you cooking this week?

Happy eating & cooking,
Alyson

"Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food." -Hippocrates

Cod with Fennel Butter

I want to share this recipe that I prepared a couple weeks ago.  It is a wonderful light dish that goes well with any vegetable.  I served roasted potatoes and steamed artichokes with it.  The recipe is from "The Cook's Encyclopedia of Four Ingredient Cooking"  by Joanna Farrow.   I did change it slightly though, it called for Haddock fish, which is expensive and hard to find.  I instead bought cod fish for it.

A note about buying fish:  Overfishing and trawling have drastically reduced the number of cod in the Atlantic Ocean and destroyed its sea floor. A better choice is Pacific cod (a.k.a. Alaska cod); it is more sustainably fished and has a larger, more stable population, according to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.  I always try and buy sustainable seafood.  Marine Stewardship Council is a great organization that provides labels and information on fishery companies that are operating in a environmentally responsible way.  When you buy seafood with the Marine Stewardship Council blue ecolabel on it, you will know that this fish was caught in a sustainable and ocean friendly way.  I am also very blessed with a brother who is a fly fisherman and occasionally brings me fresh caught fish.  He of course catches his fish in a sustainable way too! 

COD WITH FENNEL BUTTER (The Cook's Encyclopedia of Four Ingredient Cooking by Joanna Farrow)

Ingredients:  (4 servings)

1 1/2 pounds cod fillet (or haddock), skinned and cut into 4 portions
1/4 cup of butter
1 lemon
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fennel

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°F.  Season the fish on both sides with salt and pepper.  Melt one-fourth of the butter in a skillet, preferably nonstick, and cook the fish fillets over medium heat briefly on both sides.

Transfer the fish to a shallow ovenproof dish. Cut four wafer-thin slices from the lemon and squeeze the juice from the remainder over the fish.  Place the lemon slices on top and then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked.

Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in the skillet and add the fennel and a little seasoning.

Transfer the cooked fish to plates and pour the cooking juices into the herb butter.  Heat gently for a few seconds, then pour the herb butter over the fish.  Serve immediately!

Enjoy!

Happy Cooking,
Alyson

Menus, Babies, and Bellies!

As most of you know my husband is a professional photographer (and my personal photog tutor) and we have decided to throw a really fun mini-session portrait party!  SO...for all you Portland mamas out there check this out!



This is a great opportunity to save over 50% off regular session fees!  I will be there assisting any moms or kiddos that need it!  I will also be providing light snacks as well as discount coupons and information on local companies who support local mommas!  There is limited space available, so please book your session time NOW!!  I hope to see all you glowing mamas there!


On to some pregnancy musings.  I have been researching a lot about cloth diapers the past few days.  We did cloth diapers with my son and loved it.  When we first started, so many people said it was too hard and we wouldn't be able to do it.  HOGWASH, I tell you!  It was much easier than anticipated!   We had a cloth diaper service for the first couple months that my son was born, which made it SO incredibly easy.  But even when we no longer had the service it was just as easy.  With the easy factor comes the green and toxin-free factor.  Happy babies, happy planet, happy mamas!  Cloth diapers have little to NO toxins, which protects our precious little one's bottoms!  Keeping disposable diapers OUT of the landfills, helps our beautiful planet....our home!  The average child goes through 6,000-10,000 diapers from birth to potty learning and these diapers sit in landfills for over 300 years!   GROSS!

So, why am I researching cloth diapers if I already know about them?  I want to learn about all the different cloth diaper products that are out there.  Let me tell you....there are LOTS!!!!  We used Bummis and BumGenius diaper covers with organic cotton diaper prefolds!  We really loved both products and kept them all.  We plan to use the ones we kept but I want to add to my cloth diaper stash.  I want to try a different brand!  So my research continues.  If any of your mamas out there recommend a different cloth diaper brand, send it my way.  I plan to put together a whole blog about cloth diapers, how to use them, and tips for all you mamas out there!  Keep an eye out for that! 

And for our menu this week!  I hope everyone is taking steps towards a healthy organic way of eating for your body and our planet!

MENU:

MONDAY:  Vegetable Polenta Bake (moved from last week) with a green salad

TUESDAY:  Egg Salad Sandwiches with a green salad

WEDNESDAY:  Shrimp Tacos with black beans

THURSDAY:  Spaghetti with homemade veggie/tomato sauce and steamed kale

FRIDAY:  Veggie & Tofu Stir fry with brown rice

SATURDAY-  Vegetarian Cobb Salad and leftovers

SUNDAY-  Potato Casserole (*recipe to come) and Mustard Crusted Salmon

For more meal planning inspirations, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie every Monday.

Peace, love, and understanding,
Alyson

"The best medicine in the world is a mother's kiss." - Anonymous

Menus and Greenhouses

This past weekend we spent some time at our farm.  We almost finished our greenhouse.  All we have left is a small part of our roof and the shelves to build on the inside.  Our goal is for it to be done by the end of this month.  Our seeds should be here in a few days and we will immediately get some of those started in starter trays!  We have added two other families to our co-op farm this season.  We now have 6 families total and very excited for them to be joining us.

The greenhouse plastic use to be huge industrial plastic bags.  One of the families we work with on the farm had it stored in their garage for a long time, so we decided to cut the huge bags and use the big plastic sheets for our greenhouse!  I am proud of ourselves for keeping the plastic out of the landfill and thinking of a great way to reuse it!!!!  We have been so conscious about our carbon footprint and impact on this earth, that it is starting to just come natural to us.  Reducing our impact on this earth has fit its way into our daily rhythm, that it is just a part of our lives now.  That is how it should be and what I hope for everyone on our earth.  It's not hard work to nurture our planet!

 

Our neighboring farmer's bees!  They are working hard!

Our neighboring farmers torn down their shed and told us we could use any of the wood!  We got way too excited over wood!  This wood is perfect for making shelves for the inside of our greenhouse!  Again, we were happy to be recycling and reusing this wood! 

My husband being cute!

Ready to drill!!!

It was quite muddy out there!  I am surprised I could get this picture around my big pregnant belly!

Meet Chalo!  He is awesome!  He works for the farm we lease land from.  He is always stopping by to chat, see if we need any help, or take the kids for a ride! 

The kids exploring and having fun in the mud!

Bringing me the pitch fork!  Yes, I know he is barefoot!  Have you ever walked in mud barefoot?  It feels so good!  Don't worry I made sure there wasn't anything dangerous he could step on.

 

 Our greenhouse almost done!  Just need to finish the roof and put up shelves!  

More farm adventures to come!

On to our menu for this week.  We are doing so well with our menu planning and continue to try new things!  We do everything we can to eat healthy, organic, local, and sustainable food!  It is harder in the winter months but we are getting better and better at it.  I am glad my son is growing up learning the value of healthy food and knowing where his food is coming from!  This is a big life lesson that I am glad he is learning now!

MENU:

MONDAY:  Vegetable & Barley Soup with a green salad (moved from last week.)

TUESDAY:  Angel hair pasta bake

WEDNESDAY:  Vegetarian Cobb Salad and leftover pasta bake (*recipe to come)

THURSDAY:  Creamy Spinach Asparagus Soup and baked lemon-pepper salmon (substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth)

FRIDAY-  Dinner with some good friends!

SATURDAY-  SOLV's Beach Clean-up! Eating at one of my favorite little restaurants on the Oregon Coast.

SUNDAY-  Polenta & Vegetable Bake and a green salad

What are you cooking this week?

For more meal planning inspirations, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie every Monday.

Happy cooking,

Alyson

"We have forgotten who we are, we have lost our sense of wonder and connectedness, we have degraded the earth and our fellow creatures, and we have nowhere else to go . . . " - Earth Charter