Friday Foods: Bountiful Baskets

Many have had to tighten up their belts the past couple of years. With rising food prices and lower incomes, feeding our families fresh fruits and vegetables has become a want rather than a need. It's frustrating to spend money on fresh produce, only to have it "go bad" within a few days. Growing a garden is a viable alternative, but some lack the space, the time, and the know-how. Besides, growing a garden can take months before you reap the rewards. Plus, if you live in a climate like mine (cold for most of the year), there are only a few critical months of a growing season.

If you enjoy eating a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables then Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op may be an answer for you. Every Monday the site opens for orders. The time varies but it's usually around noon and you have until midnight on Tuesday to place your order. A basket is 50% fruits and 50% vegetables and costs $15 for $30-$40 worth of produce. You can also order an organic basket for $25. They also offer organic bread (5 loaves for $12.50), tortillas, and other seasonal items that are reasonably priced. Every week is different, and it's a surprise when you get it, but it is usually staples like lettuce, tomatoes, apples, oranges, bananas, and other yummy surprises. 


You pick up your basket the following Saturday at your pickup location (you choose that when you order) so make sure you are going to be around that weekend. You will need your receipt and something to bring your order home in. Many people use boxes, reusable grocery bags, or rolling carts. Also, this is a volunteer-based business so they ask that you volunteer at least once every 6 weeks, but it's not a requirement. 

 
Our total pickup this week was:

• 1 - watermelon
• 1 - head of lettuce
• 1 - head of cauliflower
• 1 - bundle of spinach
• 6 - bananas
• 6 - ears of corn
• 11 - oranges
• 5 - tomatoes
• 4 - green bell peppers
• 7 - mangoes
• 12 - apples

I have actually found that I am spending less at the grocery store. When we want a snack we eat something fresh, which is good for my bank account and my waist line. I love that my kids have so many choices to eat something healthy. Also, since the food is straight from the farm, some is ready to eat when we pick it up, and some isn't ready for a few days. This ensures there is something fresh all week long. They also do their best to order produce from small, local farms so it's better for the environment.

Homeschool?!?

Even though educating your children at home is becoming more acceptable, and dare I say, trendy. I still cringe when it comes time to share that tidbit of information about myself to others. It's not that I'm embarrassed about it, in fact I love it, but once the words leave my lips, I brace for impact. There are many ideas about "homeschoolers," ranging from support, to ignorance, all the way to prejudice. Most people, regardless of how they feel about it, are very polite. Many tell me about family members they have that homeschool, others ask questions, and some are in awe. They can't imagine being home all day with their kids, or not working. To me, these are fair reactions. I don't expect everyone to be like me. Individuality is one reason why I educate my kids at home. But just like in everything, sometimes the bad can overshadow the good. I can't speak for all, but I assume I am not alone in the fear of expression. Here are some responses I have received throughout the years.

"You do teach them? You're not one of those that sits around all day." This is offensive to me. I made a huge commitment deciding to spend all day, every day with my kids. I work hard at it. I am in charge of three different educations at three different levels. I cook three different meals every single day, plus snacks, and cleanup the mess. I have completely given up alone time. What have I gained? Mornings. No rushing around frantically trying to get everyone where they need to be. Evenings. No homework and bath time. That's all done during the day. Self-motivated kids. For whatever reason, my kids enjoy learning most things. Granted, occasionally there are some grumbles, but for the most part my kids enjoy school. Close family. You don't have to be a homeschool family to enjoy this but I think it makes it easier. We all work together maintaining our home, and I think this teaches a valuable life lesson.

"You do teach science, right?" This one is quite comical. According to the  Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) study done in 2010. The US ranks 17th in science. Are there homeschool parents not teaching their kids science? Probably. Are there public schools not teaching kids science? Obviously.

"It's important for kids to experience bullies. It's good for them." This is heartbreaking. How many children have been traumatized by bullying. Some never recover and some end up taking their lives. No thanks. I'll let my kids skip this.

"You'll never be able to keep up with this one." This was referencing my outgoing child when he was 8 years old. He loves throwing around his vocabulary to anyone with ears. It's adorable. But to assume I can't keep up with him is absurd. First off, I've obviously done a pretty good job so far and he was only in third grade. Second, we share genes. I hope that some of his smarts come from me.

There are many reasons why I choose to homeschool. My reasons are probably drastically different from others. Thankfully, educating your children at home is becoming more accepted and many are dropping their prejudice. It doesn't matter where you go to school because there are many excellent options. People do what they feel is best for their family and we should respect that.

Quick Quote: Gregory Millman

This pretty much sums up why I educate my kids at home. 

“We want our children to become who they are--- and a developed person is, above all, free. But freedom as we define it doesn't mean doing what you want. Freedom means the ability to make choices that are good for you. It is the power to choose to become what you are capable of becoming, to develop your unique potential by making choices that turn possibility into reality. It is the ability to make choices that actualize you. As often as not, maybe more often than not, this kind of freedom means doing what you do not want, doing what is uncomfortable or tiring or boring or annoying.”
― Gregory Millman, Homeschooling: A Family's Journey 

 

Friday Foods: Chicken Stock

Chicken stock is incredibly easy to make and nutritious to boot.  I have been making my own chicken stock for years but just came across this idea from TheNourishedKitchen.com for Perpetual Stock. The idea is that there is so much nutrition in stock that we should be enjoying its savory goodness every day. Here's how it works:

1. Take a roasted chicken frame or leftover chicken bones. You want to find a chicken that was able to eat a natural diet and didn't spend its life in a cage. Organic is best. Not only is it more humane but chickens raised in this setting will be much more nutritious. I also added the giblets, minus the liver.

2. Stick it in your slow cooker and fill it with water.

3. Add veggie scraps (onion, celery, garlic, parsley). *This is optional

4. Set it on low and simmer.

The stock will be ready to use within 24 hours, but if you replenish the water you can keep it going all week. Whenever you need stock, run it through a sieve or a reusable coffee filter and enjoy. Today I filled a pot with stock, threw in some bowtie pasta, added the leftover chicken and Viola! a quick, and easy lunch.  I also added some to my doggie's bowl and he ate two servings and begged for more.

What's the difference between broth and stock? Not much. Broth is usually made from meat and veggies and stock is made from bones. But these terms are used interchangeably. Since you are cooking the bones for such long periods, the bones will soften, and seep all the nutrition into the water.

People suffer from malnutrition for two reasons. One, they aren't eating nutritious foods, either from lack of available healthy foods or a poor lifestyle. Two, they have intestinal damage that prevents them from absorbing nutrients. The gelatin in stock coats the lining of the intestines which heals and protects from further damage. This is especially helpful for people with celiac's disease, food allergies, or inflammatory bowel disease. Also, stock is loaded with easily digested minerals like calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, etc.  It also has collagen, which not only promotes skin health, but may improve joint and bone health.
   
So even if you are not keen on stock simmering away all week long, at least throw those bones into a slow cooker for 24 hours and enjoy one batch. You can also freeze any leftovers for those chilly days when only soup will do.