100 mile diet. Could you do it?

I've been a local food advocate for quite a while. There are many many advantages to a local living lifestyle, like being able to talk to a farmer face to face about the use of pesticides, and knowing that your food didn't come from a country that has laws even more lax then ours about the use of pesticides on our food. Another advantage is that many local farms use organic growing methods, but because becoming "certified organic" is so expensive, they cannot advertise as an organic farm without big$$. Also, supporting local farmers, and the local economy, and not to mention locally grown food is just so darn good! I think of tomatoes, picked green, and processed hundreds, if not thousands of miles to the local grocery store. Think about the nutrients lost because they are not allowed to fully ripen. Besides, they have ZERO flavor!

I've been researching the 100 mile diet for quite some time now, and am thinking about doing a "trial run" to see how feasible it would be here. Although the great advantage is that I live in Ag country AND I just planted a veggie garden. I suppose it would probably help that I don't eat meat, and that the eggs I use are local free range, though milk would be a tough one for me for sure.

So the basic rules of the 100 mile diet are (taken from their website)

Rule #1: The Restaurant Rule

No meals at any restaurant unless the restaurant is either participating in the 100-Mile Challenge or is otherwise deeply committed to sourcing locally raised and produced foods.

Rule #2: The Traveller’s Rule(a) When travelling, the 100-mile circle travels with you; that is, you must either bring local food from home or eat foods from within the 100-mile circle of your destination.(b) It is not acceptable to make trips outside the 100-mile circle in pursuit of distant foods.(c) When returning from a trip, it is acceptable to bring home a small amount of food not found within your 100-mile circle. Likewise, if friends come to visit, they are free to bring small gifts of local food from their home areas.

Rule #3: The 99-Percent Rule(a) The foods that 100-mile challengers eat at home should be prepared using only local food products or products acquired under rule 3(b).(b) Food products that are wholly local except for very small amounts of minor additives are acceptable. This is to encourage 100-milers to support producers who are dedicated to local foods but are not as exacting as participants in a 100-mile challenge. Such products might include wine made with yeast, cheese with added rennet, or salt-cured meat, but would not include wines made with large amounts of added sugar, cheese with added ingredients, or meats cured in non local marinades or sauces.

Rule #4: “The Randy Rule”(a) Under exceptional circumstances, 100-milers may break from the challenge rules. Real examples of exceptional circumstances included a conference gala, an uncle’s traditional pancake breakfast, and wines set aside for a 10-year anniversary. The 100-mile challenge is intended to build, not break down, a sense of community.(b) If a 100-miler finds he or she is regularly making exceptions, he or she should should take on an additional challenge that helps deepen the experience, build the 100-community, or support the community at large.

I think it's going to be tough, but a fun learning experience. I think we're starting next week, only because this week have been hectic, and I want to give some real attention to the challenge!

Pillow-blog

It's 1Pm and I'm cozy in my bed. I know, it sounds SUPER lazy, but I've needed this day for months. I'm doing some work, Im-ing some friends, and watching daytime TV, all in my Pj's, dog sleeping at my feet, with cookies and milk... ha ha! I NEVER get days like this! Plus, Our Lap-top was fixed yesterday in perfect time for my "PJ day"! I say it was Divine intervention. I have something to do later, so I won't be here all day...

Yesterday was a tough day. Many of you know that we've had some major family situations as of recent, and yesterday was a day of change for sure. It was a tough day, but it was necessary. However, I think that everyone is going to be in recovery mode for quite some time. Mine started last night. One of my favorite things to do with my husband is lay in bed and watch the Jay Leno Monologue together. Sure, it sounds lame, but because things have been so tough lately, it's nice to end the day on a comedic note. To be honest, the last few nights I've slept like a baby. Praise God!

Family is so important. I think the fact that Matt and I have always had so much family stress has made family that much more important to us. We strive to create good family relations between us, and even though it's just us, we're ok with that. I just notice that many people talk about starting their family, and they mean having a baby. Matt and I wanted to "start a family" when we said our vows, aside from children. I'm so thankful for a husband that sees that importance, stands up for what our standards are, and sees the importance of being a united front, being a family. Even when things around us are uncertain, and crumbling, I always know that we're a team. Oh how God provided me security in him!

Seeing relationships crumble around us has been hard. In fact, we have very few healthy relationships around us. While Matt and I totally struggle at times (who knew communication could be so tough??), for the most part, we feel like seeing those relationships, some of which have crumbled over tiny things that were never dealt with that turned into huge issues, is motivation to consistently work on ourselves, on our relationship, and to seek God's will in our marriage.

Today I'm just thankful for my husband, for my marriage, for what a great leader my husband is. I've seen the alternative, and I'm just so so very thankful. I often wonder with everything that has happened in my life, why God chose to pull me out of the family I had, and provide me with countless opportunities to live my life the right way and serve Him. I don't know why, but I'm so glad I am no longer what I was!

Poli-ticks.

I'm really not a fan of politics. Interested-sure. Like-nope. I think that being a Christian makes it really tough. Maybe not the "act" of being a Christian, but the pressure from other Christians to vote for the "Godly" thing. Sadly, most Christians have a different viewpoint of what "godly" is. Sure, pro-life is biblical, but so many of the other "issues" really have no clear-cut solutions. Or have so many angles that it is hard to decipher what exactly God would want from it.

My biggest issue is that Christians continue to say awful things about Barack Obama. This angers me. Mostly because if we REALLY believe that God is in control, and we have faith, then we should also know that regardless of who is leading our country, God is still God.

So many people are complaining that Obama is not a Christian. I for one, refuse to judge his heart. To be honest, I don't really know where his faith lays. But what good are we doing as Christians, bashing the man to death about our own religious beliefs? Are we showing him that Christians are caring, and encouraging, or that we're a group of harpies that dislike anyone with beliefs other then our own? That we're constantly critical. I'm not saying we have to agree with things that are blatantly against what we believe. I'm simply saying that hurling insults at him, and always saying he's so "un-American" because he doesn't believe exactly what we do, will not bring him any closer to God. It's just really stupid. And considering that he's here for at least the next 4 years, maybe we should rally around him with prayer. Not the fake prayers for our country because we think that Obama is taking it to hell in a hand basket, but real prayers for his administration, for his family, for his leadership. He is a person, he has a soul and that soul matters to God.

I could take the argument further and say that Barack Obama is in office because Christians do a lousy job of representing Christ, so people don't realize that importance of Christian values in our country, and vote accordingly. I could say that people are anti-Christian because a lot of people have very negative experiences with Christians, and Church, so they refuse to entertain anything a Christian has to say. Of course, by saying that I would be saying that President Obama is not a Christian, and again, I don't know that.

I'm just learning that it is not the Gospel of Christ that I'm ashamed of. However, I am increasingly ashamed to be associated with Christians that demonstrate such public hatred to people that believe differently then they do. Would God be caught saying nasty things about our President, or would he be loving him into the kingdom? Just a thought.

I love our country, and will continue to support the ones that lead it. It's not like there is much to complain about here. I am SO thankful for my birthplace!!

"What Now?" Saturday...

Today is my favorite day of the year. I know, it sounds a little crazy. The Easter season has many different days of significance. There is Ash Wednesday the kick off for the season of Lint. There is Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and then Easter Sunday (which also marks the end of the season of Lint.)

Yesterday was good Friday. Our church does a service and it's always packed. What they do is beautiful. It makes you think about what Jesus had to go through. It's always hard to think about what he endured because I can't keep it together and needed his sacrifice. While I'm incredibly thankful for His gift to us, it still saddens me. I to this day, cannot watch a Crucifixion scene without bawling.

Of all of the "Holy" days mentioned, today is not one. The day between the crucifixion and the Resurrection. I can picture the disciples sad and confused, awaiting some sort of sign from their savior. Praying that the Man they were following wasn't a lunatic. I imagine the disciples faced some public scrutiny. There was no doubt about it, the man they loved, respected and ultimately worshiped, was dead and in the grave. I would imagine there was anger and doubt. I also imagine that there was some faith that Jesus was still in fact, the Messiah.

Caedmon's Call describes today well in their song "Valleys Fill First"

"And it's like that long Saturday your death and the rising day When no one wrote a word, wondered is this the end. But you were down there in the well, saving those that fell. Bringing them to the mountain again".



So I call today "What Now?" Saturday. The church is empty today. However, it's A day of faith, for our Lord is to rise tomorrow. A day to reflect on the times that we doubt and remember how God proves to us over and over that he is there despite what we feel.

Have an awesome day!

*Yawn*

I'm feeling better then I did in my last post. I notice that when I take a break from our insane families, that I feel much much better. Matt and I have been spending extra time together, and it really does help. Because we've had so much on our plates lately, it seems like the only time we see each other is when we crawl into bed at night. It's getting better though, we just have to make sure we're taking the time to just relax with one another.

So last weekend we took a few trips to Lodi Lake so Scout could swim (he loves it!), and took some long walks. We got Chinese food, watched movies, and slept in. It was lovely. Not to mention, we've really needed the extra rest! Matt has taken up running, and can run quite fast. I think he feels more relaxed after he runs, plus it's good for him, so I'm glad! Then yesterday, we got up early for Sunday School, which we've just recently started going, and are doing the series "vintage Jesus" which I love! Then went to "big church" for worship, and left before the sermon... ;-0 we were both feeling a little bit ADD, and had to get out of there! Then we headed over to Vine and Branches for their grand re-opening. After that, we went to Lowe's, and picked up all of our gardening stuff, and planted our veggie garden. It was a great weekend, and I'm glad to be able to say I'm feeling refreshed! Being outside always makes me feel good!

Hopefully the "relaxed" trend continues for at least a little while before the next storm hits!

Get me my running shoes....

Sometimes I wish Matt and I could live in a cave, away from the rest of civilization. That is so awful! I know. I know I just can't seem to get the whole "relationships with other people" thing right. Like I really do try to do the right thing by people in my life. I fail sometimes, and there are times where I'm not as good of a friend as I could be. I'll be the first to admit that. I just can't help but feel like in a lot of the relationships Matt and I have, we have to be the ones to extend ourselves first. We honestly don't mind, usually. Lately though, we have been struggling. We're always so busy "fixing" everyone else, that our relationship with each other suffers. We get so frustrated because while we're doing things for everyone else, our own responsibilities end up going on the back burner. We both crave good friendship. Sadly most of our really good friends live out of town, or are insanely busy themselves, which makes it hard to find the time to hang out, or have good fellowship, or even just to have some relaxing time to recharge together.

I know personally, I've always struggled with "burn-out". I have the classic "can't say no" personality. The complicating factor is that I really enjoy helping people. I never ever want people in my life to not ask me for help because they are afraid that I'll feel taken advantage of. At the same time, Matt and I have people in our lives that depend on us too much, and drain the life out of us. Sometimes I wish that other friends or family members in our lives would see a need and step in themselves. Usually with those people though, the word "no" is just not an option. Even when Matt and I have made mention that we need relief from certain situations, no one else is willing to do anything. That's when the discouragement comes in. Sometimes I just don't know how you can so often carry the burdens of others without losing yourself.

Maybe if we were really close to our families emotionally it would be easier. Not that they don't love us, and we don't love them, but it's just not typical family life. Neither of us are super close to our siblings. My sister and I haven't spoken in years, Matt's half-brother lives across the country, his sister lives here, but has the same kind of family pressures we have, and Matt's other brother lives here, but we don't have much of a relationship with him, not by our choice really, just the nature of things. So I think we struggle with family unity. Like, I don't mind taking the bad with the good, but it seems like really good family time is hard to come by. Often it's a huge ordeal to get everyone together for the sole purpose of spending good quality time together. Usually we only all hear from each other when there is a need. I wish that wasn't the way things were... We've tried to develop better relationships with them, but it's been really really tough.

Forgive me here while I sort out my thoughts. It's been a major struggle recently. I just feel like no one really understands. That's why the only option I see is to get away from here. I don't want to run away, but at the same time, Matt and I can't fix all of this and it's so draining that some days I dread getting out of bed. That is the most frustrating part. It seems like everyone wants help with the symptoms of their problems, but not with the ACTUAL issues. It's hard to think of living here forever, but not having solid relationships. What's the point? We want to start a family in the next couple of years, but the thought of bringing them into this whole mess is so scary. I mean, I want my children to have a warm, loving, family! the family that I never had. How do you teach that in the middle of chaos?

All I know is that something has got to give. What? I don't know. All I really know is that life is too darn short to spend all of your time being crazy. Oh how I wish I could tell those people in my life that. Alas though, better to be quiet, then to disturb the crazies. I've learned my lesson well....

Now I must research a good place for Matt and I to have Easter brunch. I'm actually really looking forward to spending the day with my husband, but it would've been nice to spend it with family. No strings attached.

You just can't change people...

I give people too many chances. In in effort to learn true forgiveness, I end up letting people walk all over me. I just can't find balance between forgiveness and a backbone. I thought that time would heal the issues, and I bet sometimes it does. But I'm always going to think about the situation, and think things will never be the same. They won't be. I hate that I can't even be honest about my feelings because my "enemies" read my blog, and will go and "tattle' as soon as I speak a hint of truth. That bothers me the most. I'm not even allowed to speak the truth because no one wants to hear it. They are so worried about defending things blindly, that they have no idea what the truth really is. I could sit around and point fingers too, but I don't have to. I know what the truth is.

Last night was awful, and if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have been there. I don't enjoy stirring the pot. I'm not a trouble maker, but it hurts me to the core to know that there are a few people (who of course have never spent time trying to get to know me) that think I am. I stay far away from conflict, but my soul will not allow me to stand there and say nothing in a matter of injustice. If that makes me unpopular, then so be it. Sadly for me, I love to be liked, and it bugs me like crazy when someone thinks poorly of me. However, I cannot change people. They are going to think whatever they want of me until they get to know me, and that's fine. I just can't keep letting it get to me. I know I'm doing the right thing. I know my sins, which makes it sorta funny when I hear a new thing that a member of that "group" has made up about me. I mean, really. Point out something that is actually wrong with me. Trust me when I say there is enough there, you really don't have to make the effort to make things up!

So please, if you have an issue with me, then take it up with me. I hear everything you say anyway, and if you're not a total coward, you'll do the right thing and give me a chance to make things right. Otherwise, keep talking, and assuming that you know me. But let's face it, you don't know me. If you did, you what know that I love people more then anything, and am usually more then willing to work stuff out and move on. I just wish you would give me that chance. I gave you chance after chance as you were lying right to my face and I knew it, and I was still faithful to what I felt I was called to do despite you lying to me. That's what Christians are suppose to do. To do the right thing no matter what. So do the right thing by me, and give me the benefit of the doubt.

The Prayer of St. Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me,

Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ

beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, and in danger, Christ in hearts

of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Heart-Seeker

If you asked me to dig down into the pits of my heart, and tell you what my deepest desires are, you would know that I desperately want people to like me. In fact, the mere thought of rejection is enough to make me want to cry into my pillow. It's sad, and more then that, it's pathetic. I realize that. I understand that while I'm vying for the affections of people, that I end up neglecting my relationship with God, which aside from knowing how pathetic I am, is heart-breaking to me.

How I long to be that person "whose heart beats to His heart". Not that it is out of reach, but I know it will take much more intentional growth on my part. I say intentional, because it's so easy to go through the motions as Christians. It's so easy to have all the right answers, and to pretend to be "super Christian". I think "intention growth" can be challenging. Actually spending time praying, not only for myself, and not out of an obligation to pray, or a feeling of guilt, but because I genuinely want to develop a relationship with him. Or serving for no other reason then to be obedient to God, and to please Him.

I hope that one day, I can honestly say that I am a woman after the very heart of God. I have a long way to go, but I know that God has always been perusing my heart--all I have to do is reciprocate.

April showers in March...

When it rains (literally, or figuratively) I always think of the song. It's gotten me through my hardest of days.



April Showers- Cademon's Call

Like April Showers on the slick cement
When I consider how our light is spent
Keeping the candles inside the cathedral
Hold on tight, Don't go into the night
So full of evil

Rain rain don't go away
We need you this dry and dusty day
Rain rain don't go away
Though some may say please go away

Like the April Showers on the slick cement
And the roads once straight have now become so bent
Weaving through the trees of vain security
Rounding round the hard rocks of hard morality

And the sacred cows
Feed on the green
While the least of these
Are dying on the streets
And they're crying...