Two Frog Home

Originally posted on Simple Katie on November 22, 2006.

Yesterday, I went with my good friend to visit a local herbalist/reflexologist. I’ve been to this healer once before though it’s been several years ago when I was having some problems with bone spurs on my feet. She’s a great woman who instantly makes you feel loved when you enter her home. She takes good care of the folks who come to visit her and yesterday was no exception when she talked with my friend regarding her health issue.

We were there about an hour total and during that hour, laughed alot. That in and of itself, lifted my friend’s spirits, perhaps more so then the pratical advice. My friend has another appointment in a few weeks for a full treatement involving reflexology. Having been through this treatment, I know my friend is in for a wonderfully healing and loving experience. Though I already know this to be true, it was driven home for me again yesterday: love and laughter have much to do with healing perhaps more so then the herbs and treatments themselves. (Disclaimer: I’m not saying that medicines, herbs, and other medical procedures aren’t necessary - just that they should be complimented with love and laughter.)

At one point during the conversation - we discussed how the three of us ladies were not “normal” at least not in the mainstream sense of the word and how comfortable we were with that. The herbalist made this statement, “I don’t dabble in normal.” It was an off-hand comment but I thought it was a great philosophy. The more I thought about it the more I realized, the people I’m closest too, the blogs I read and enjoy the most, etc. all don’t dabble in normalcy - instead they live life as it seems most natural to them without apology. I wish that was celebrated more on the news then what celebrity couples sex tape was recently released, or who married who as a publicity stunt. Ok, that may not ever become a reality but it’s a nice dream to have.

In honor of the approaching Thanksgiving Holiday, I’m thankful for all the bloggers who don’t dabble in normal and who in turn give me the inspiration, practical knowledge, and courage to live the simple life I do.

My dear friend, Audrey, recently watched the documentary The Future of Food.  She raved about it to me, knowing how passionately I oppose Genetically Modified Foods.  I hadn’t seen the movie, but she got a bunch of people together and we all bought copies of the DVD (discount pricing for orders over 20).  I told her I’d take two, even though I hadn’t seen the movie, I knew if she was asking it was worth it.  I got one copy for Jeff and I and another for a friend’s birthday.

I watched the movie and I have to say its compelling, frightening, and hopeful all at the same time.  Get a copy of this DVD if you have any question about risks and benefits to genetically modified foods and the role of biotechnology companies in what you put into your body.  You won’t regret the time you spend watching it. 

I’ve written a few posts lately about making educated choices and in one post I know I wrote that sometimes we have no control over choices being made.  Genetically Modified Foods is one such choice for us here in the U.S.A., because we have no labeling laws we don’t know for sure what we’re eating.  That’s horrifying to me.  What’s more horrifying is the cross-pollination of GM crops into non-GM crops, meaning no matter how well intentioned I am in keeping seed or buying heirloom seeds, the test plot 20 miles away could contaminate my garden.  Don’t even get me started on Terminator technology and how that could effect our food supply.

I can’t stress the importance of buying from trusted, local sources whenever possible strongly enough.  In the end, I truly believe we can have a food revolution by simply doing what generations before us have done, grow and eat locally produced foods from growers who are also neighbors and stewards of our communities.  This may be the only way we can stop GM crops from taking over, cross pollination has already begun in things like corn, soybeans, and wheat, lets stop it before it gets into any more of our food supply. 

First, let me just say wow!  My apple spice cupcake post has garnered a lot of attention, the post was mentioned in a popular cupcake blog, and even garnered attention by WordPress (my blog host) in their food section.  I’m honored and a little overwhelmed.  I’m not used to getting so many visitors to this blog, thank you.

All the attention is a very uplifting thing, especially given the strange weather we’ve been having.  It’s snowing again today (after a weekend of snow and wind) and I’m tired of it.  I’m ready to start some serious planting.  However, perhaps the snow is saving me from planting in a garden where we won’t be in a few months.  There’s a potential house / property purchase in the works.  That’s all I’m going to say about that for now, I’m jaded by the whole real estate thing and I don’t want to get my hopes up too much.

Today has also been a good day because I had a wonderful massage.  Its amazing how good a body can feel after all that tension has been rubbed, pinched, and prodded out of a person’s muscles.  I adore my massage therapist too.  Her attitude and welcoming spirit is as uplifting to my soul as her massage therapy is to my body.  I love that when I get close to her office in the building she is in, I can smell all the aromatherapy oils, and as they waft their way up my nasal passages, the entire tone is set for a wonderful, relaxing, and uplifting experience.   I’m so thankful for these extravagances.  I believe a massage is so good for a healthy body, but I’m under no illusions that this is simply a luxury and I’m blessed to be able to have massages now and then.

100 Things - #10. Breakfast is my favorite meal.

I love a good hearty breakfast.  It’s definately my favorite meal of the day to eat, while not always my favorite in the way of cooking.  I don’t put a ton of creative energy into breakfast most days, but I always have it.  Weekends sometimes get a little more creative but not terribly so, we keep breakfast low key.

My favorite and most common breakfast is two eggs over easy and a slice of homemade toast with just a smidge of butter.  Coffee at breakfast is a given around here, too.  Our breakfast routine doesn’t change much: eggs, oatmeal, granola, maybe cheerios with fruit.  That’s about it.  On days where I know the morning will be especially busy or full of hard work, eggs are the must have food, they just keep me full of energy until lunch. 

I only use local free-range eggs.  We’re blessed with about 4 different sources for eggs and seem to always have some even in the darkest days of winter, we’re able to get some from our various sources.

100 Things - #9 I never leave home without my coffee mug.

I do always take my coffee mug with me whenever I leave home.  We have coffee every morning, but sometimes there’s just need for more and I like to have my travel mug with me instead of using the disposable cardboard and/or styrofoam kind.  There are several gas stations in the area that sell coffee refills for 50 cents a cup, too, making my travel mug a slightly more frugal choice, because the same places charge 99 cents or more if you use their disposable containers.  There are several gas stations that sell my favorite locally roasted coffee too for 50 cents a refill, the roaster’s cafes sell the exact same thing for $1.50 a mug.  I know how to bargain hunt. 

On weekend yard sale trips or scenic drives, Jeff and I both take our mugs along and these are the times when we splurge on fancier drinks like a latte, occasionally.  Though we’ll drink plain drip gas station variety as well.  Like my cloth shopping bags, I’m just glad to know there is a coffee mug in the car, just in case.

Ok so, it was after noon not after midnight, but the song’s been on my mind today.  Given that I’m on no particular schedule and that spring like weather is upon us, I’ve been taking afternoon walks everyday lately.  Today, I walked down to Harvest Health Shoppe to visit and pick up some needed items.  I hit the bulk spice shelves, first.  I had specific needs, but always take a moment to look at the spices and herbs in all their rich colors to make sure there isn’t something else I want to try, or something that just catches my eye.  The great thing about buying my herbs and spices this way, besides just supporting a locally owned business is that its way cheaper than buying them at the grocery store.  I save jars like crazy and have plenty to store these treasures without having to buy pre-filled jars for twice the price.

It was a cool but bright afternoon and I passed many other folks out walking around enjoying the sunshine and signs of impending spring.  I spotted these lovely beauties during my walk:

It is nice to know that winter is more or less over, and there’s a new season to enjoy.

One of the best things about canning, in my opinion, is that it makes for relatively fast dinners on busy days.  There’s no thawing involved, just pop the top, pour, heat, and with very little other preparation dinner is ready!

Tonight we’re having picante chicken, which is leftover shredded chicken baked with some home-canned salsa, served with some home-canned pinto beans & rice (leftover rice), and some home-canned & homegrown green beans. 

It’s satisfying to know that the work that went into canning is a quick-fix meal later in the year.  It’s even more satisfying to know that I supported local farmers in the preparation of my canned goods.  Perhaps most satisfying of all, is that this dinner from a jar comes without all the chemicals, preservatives, and additives that would come from almost any jarred dinner I’d buy at the grocery store.

I adore my massage therapist, Cheryl.  I’ve been going to her for about 5 years now and just can’t say enough good about her.  I don’t go extremely often 3 or 4 times a year maximum, but I treasure those sessions.  She’s an all-around great person that I just plain enjoy knowing.  Today I went for an hour session and she tipped me with a bag of apples from her orchard.  I was blessed doubly by today’s visit.  (Cheryl’s also selling her weaving business, should anyone be interested.)

I tend to be a very loyal customer and this is a prime example of why.  Once I find a store, service, etc. that I like I tend to stick with it unless something really dramatic happens.  I try hard to find local businesses that suit my needs and the owners suit my personality.  It’s a wonderful thing when you find one that works.  I was reminded of that when I received a call reminding me it was time to order my local turkey for Thanksgiving.  I was so pleased with the call, that I ordered two (one of the big day and one for later).  Sometimes it takes a little work and a lot of time to find the right match - but honestly its so worth it in the end.