Sprouts

We have sprouts, well almost. We started sprouting this weekend and I am just amazed at how easy it is. A $5 Jar from Harry's and some sprouting seeds that's all it takes to start. Now the seeds from Harry's were 4.99 but I am told that the prices are much better online at places like sprouts people. They do variety packs which is very cool.  Well anyway after freaking out all weekend thinking I was going to screw it up I just went for it and it is so darn easy. A pack of seeds and three times the water in a sprouting jar, soak overnight. By the morning the seeds are already broken open now I just rinse and drain twice a day for 5-6 days. Oh and keep the jar in a darker area of your kitchen till day 4, then move it to a sunny area! I have to say so far sprouts super easy and a great project for you and the kids. A little side note if doing broccoli sprout  (yes they taste like little broccolis and are the only sprout my family will eat) know that on day 4 something interesting happens. This is where I panicked thinking I ruined $5 worth of sprout seeds. This seeds mold (not really) but they look like it, then I read this on sprout peoples website. Root Hairs- A thin hairlike outgrowth of an epidermal cell of a plant root that absorbs water and minerals from the soil. These microscopic roots are often mistaken for mold by new sprouters. If you take a magnifying glass you can see them for what they are. Root Hairs are usually only visible when the sprout is at it's driest - just before Rinsing. The Rinse will push them back against the main root. Root Hairs are generally only visible on certain sprouts; Brassicas (Broccoli, Radish, Mustard, etc.) and Grains (Oats, Barley, Rye, Wheat, etc.). New sprouters that would be me, but all in all super easy and fun, now lets just hope they taste good! Blessings Laur

Market & Harvest

We are so blessed to have been asked to be a part of Cumming Harvest. This is a wonderful opportunity for us and we are so happy to be involved. You can now visit the Cumming Harvest website to order our baked goods to be picked up on Saturday mornings. They have a wonderful group of local farmers and growers that also have goods available for purchase. Visit http://www.cumming.locallygrown.net/ for more information. We are also so excited to announce that Brookwood Market has been extended through the month of October and we will be there!  God just amazes me everyday and he reminds us of his blessing in the most incredible ways. As I drove home yesterday I was graced with the most beautiful rainbow I had every seen. Thank you lord for all that you do! Blessings Lauren

Batteries

I hate batteries, to be fare they are not exactly green and if you have kids you know you can't live without them. I need to apologize in advance to anyone who has ever given my child a toy that needs batteries but since the batteries that come with the toy if the manufacturer even includes them usually only last a day, as a result my child has a mountain of battery operated toys that do not currently work. Why because batteries are a fortune these days and it is an endless cycle. She came to me this morning with her camera (battery operated) that was not working so I started the battery hunt fully knowing there was none. The tantrum started and I end up playing the you got to wait till daddy comes home card. So feeling like a terrible mom I went and bought the Costco size battery box and had daddy change out all the toys. Blessings Lauren

No Impact Man & Organic Milk

So I finally got to watch it and I was amazed. No Impact Man is a writer and his family (Wife and baby daughter) that set out on a year with no impact on the world. This means no cars, electricity, no shopping and only local foods (with in 250 miles) and the list goes on. I was amazed because they were normal people like you and me and they did it for a whole year. Now I am not about to go without toilet paper but the movie did make a lot of interesting points and did make me think. The most interesting was a trip he and his family made to a local dairy farm. He questioned the farmer as to why he was not certified organic, the farmer replied by saying his cows were part of his family and he could not watch one of them die because if they got sick and could not be treated under organic regulations. Hmmmmm I am a huge animal lover and this made me wonder if I was making the best milk choice for my family. Not just because I want fair treatment of all animals especially ones producing food for my family (unhappy cows equals unhappy milk!)but because I don't want to be mislead in this crazy consumer world thinking just because it is organic it is good for you. I have just begun my research but I will keep you all posted on what my findings are. Yes most organic milk is better than regular milk but it is which organic milk you buy and some major milk companies treat there cows better than some organic farms. Also keep in mind that most local farms follow organic rules i.e. no mass antibiotics or growth hormones but they will remove a sick animal from the herd treat it and return it back when it is well. Sounds like the best option to me, only problem most local milk in GA is raw milk. I don't know why I can't wrap my head around raw milk but I am getting there. That's a story in it self! Blessing Laur

Diapers

SO I have to admit I have been off and on cloth diapers for a week now. A WEEK!!! I do have an excuse but no excuse is a good one right. I was visiting family in NJ and had trouble traveling with cloth. Then I got home only to discover that I was exhausted and did not want to do wash, lazy lazy girl. Well after only one week of disposables I discovered something. MY TRASH HAS TRIPLED!!! You read that right, I was shocked but for everyone that doesn't think disposables make an impact on our landfills come check out my trash, you are more than welcome =) So I washed everything and first thing this morning we went back to all cloth and it feels so good. For baby too!!! My trash has thanked me and I challenge you to at least try cloth every once. It is not only better for the environment, it is better for baby (no chemicals or plastic on their lil bottoms) and easier on your wallet. Oh p.s. if you are trying the "it costs more in utilities route" I want you to know that after we started cloth diapering my water bill went up a whopping, wait for it .40 cents. OMG and I only do two extra loads a week, oh plus you only use 1/4 the recommended detergent for each load. So every two weeks I use one extra scoop. Hmmmm got you thinking right. Well if you ever want to try I would love to help!!!! Seriously!!! Happy diapering Laur