Within the last 6 months or so, my family has switched from eating locally raised beef, to organic beef, to grassfed beef.  So, what’s the difference?

The local beef we were purchasing was from my brother or from his friends who also farm.  We knew that they were raised and killed ethically and were in the pasture at least part of the time.  They did eat grain and the grain was not organic.  This was just our case – your local farmers may do something different.  Ask them!

Organic beef means that the fields they graze from are not treated with pesticides, they aren’t given antibiotics, and the grain they eat is organic too.

Grassfed beef means the cattle is raised like it was meant to be.  Not on grain, but on grass.  Roaming in a pasture.

So why would a family choose to pay a little more to have grassfed beef?  What are the benefits?  From our research we have learned grassfed meat is better because:

1. CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) which fights cancer and prevents clogged arteries among other things
2. It has a better ratio of Omega 3′s and Omega 6′s.  An imbalance, found in grain-fed beef, leads to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, depression…
3. I just learned today is has a high level of vitamin B12, which can help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.
4. It tastes better!
5. The cows are eating the way they were meant to so that we can have healthier food too.

Tonight’s dinner was organic grassfed beef burgers from Rocky Mountain Organic Meats with diced and roasted sweet potatoes, and it was all so yummy.  It was even better because the burgers were FREE!  I had won them – a whole 8 pounds of burgers.

These burgers are BIG!  I can polish one off, but I am a nursing mom and I’m always hungry.  I think one burger with all the fixin’s and a side of fries would satisfy any appetite.  They take awhile to cook because of their thickness, but it so worth the wait in taste.  A little grease but not too much (remember it’s the good fat)!

Check out Rocky Mountain Organic Meats on the web, on YouTube, or on Twitter.  Let them know I sent you.

In our attempt to lighten our load, we have downsized our books.  First, we purchased a Kindle.  I had wanted one for a long time, so this was a well thought out venture.  It turned out to be even more awesome than I ever imagined.  I don’t miss turning the pages of a real book like I thought I would.  The Kindle isn’t backlit, so it’s not hard on the eyes.  I can hold it with one hand while nursing and turn the pages without making noise and waking V while she’s snoozing.  And James even loves it – he has been reading more on it than I have!

Secondly, I donated a whole bunch of our books.  I didn’t weigh them, but I should have.  It would have won over on the 42 pounds of clothing donated.  Before donating them though, I entered all the ISBNs onto Cash4Books.  I made $25 for books I was just going to give away anyway, and they paid for shipping!  You should check it out yourself if your bookshelf is exploding at the seams.

Please use my Affiliate Link if you’d like to check it out, and I’d really appreciate it!

I went unplugged from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.  I did use the phone a couple of times to text and to check email since I had a Craiglist sale pending, but otherwise the computer was closed and the phone was not being used.  So many times a day, I refresh a page to see if someone may have updated a status or responded to me when it’s just not important.  It’s important to pay attention to my needs and the needs of my family, and I got to do that so much more when I unplugged from it all.

I felt more focused on things – I could read chapters without the computer open next to me to check Facebook or Twitter.  I could enjoy a ride in the car at night by watching the stars rather than turning on my phone.  I wrote in a journal, I read in my book that has been sitting for days while drinking tea in the sunshine, I took a long shower, I spent time with my family,  and I participated in a teleclass through the Natural Parenting Center.

It was so refreshing to unplug, and recharge myself for once.  This may become a weekly occurrence.  If you try it, let me know! =)

Picture courtesy of http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jTt3KM5VWfA/Sh1twUz8gHI/AAAAAAAAAcY/vw3wUyHBGzI/s400/unplugged.gif

Somewhere along the way in BlogLand, I began following Sara’s blog.  I read about her rvs, houses, babies, simplifying, dreads, photography, and traveling around.  She became an inspiration to me to live simpler, travel to see the world, see the beauty all around us, and her dreads were just AWESOME.

I tried dreads once before as some of you may remember.  They didn’t turn out as I wanted them to because, frankly, I didn’t have enough information to take care of them correctly.  They all stuck together and they got greasy.  Since I wasn’t happy after 7 months, I took them out.

I still longed for dreads though.  I cut my hair thinking it would be less maintenance, but I ended up unhappy with that too.   Then Sara and her family were in the AZ area, and traveling near by on their way to TX.  Imagine my excitement when they came to visit for Sara to put in my dreads.

I’m lovin’ them!  I wake up and my hair is done.  No fretting, no styling, no products – the hair is in charge.  I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet Sara and her family, to get dreads, and to get another dose of inspiration to keep me asking what’s next in my journey?

For more Gratituesdays, visit Heavenly Homemakers!

If you are looking for free information on health, relationships, money and so much more be sure to sign up for the W.I.S.H Summit.  It’s THREE full weeks of speakers that include David Wolfe, Jules Dervaes, and Victoria Boutenko.

This will be something I schedule into my day, not only as a treat for me to lift my spirits but as an inspiration to keep learning about health, parenting, and relationships so I can become a better wife, mother, and fellow keeper of this planet.

For more Frugal Friday, visit Life as Mom.

 In case you haven’t heard, we are attempting the act of downsizing.  Long story short, we have put our house up for sale by owner, and hit the road.  We are living out of our RV in AZ while DH spends time with his business partners doing projects for the winter months.

Our goal is to be able to sell our house to buy a nice plot of land in Michigan, build a house or a yurt, and have a small hobby farm and garden for food.  Also, use the RV to travel around the country to see the sites, teach Val as we go, and James can work on the way.

My travel blog is up and more updated than this.  Check it out at West of the Mississippi!

Picture courtesy of ~ http://www.mexico-with-heart.com/mex-images/beachumbrellaatop.jpg

This past week, I have realized that I have been called to my home.  I have been working on taking time to make a nice dinner, keeping up with my chores, and taking the time for me.  I have been listening to the Raw Mom Summit interviews, and I am currently working on the Q&A.

The 4th of July weekend can be consuming, filled with lots of activities, and you lose track of your home and the needs of your family.  I will be spending time with extended family – spending time with family from NC, spending time with my mom so she can play with V while she is mourning the loss of a friend, and celebrating my nephew’s EIGHTH birthday!!

How are you going to have a simple 4th of July weekend?

Picture courtesy of – http://schulen.eduhi.at/hsgunskirchen/hot_pot/English/More1/family_clipart.jpg

Our chicks are here!

We were expecting 5-6lb hens, but we got chicks instead.  I’m embracing the task of raising these babies so thaat this fall they will be laying eggs for my family.  It’s exciting to know we won’t have to rely on a grocery store for eggs, especially with the cost of organic and cage free eggs.

Until they can go in their coop, they are in a 50g aquarium with pine shavings on the bottom.  There is a heat lamp to keep them warm, chick feed, and water.  I am going to buy a nice waterer today because they are spilling all over their shavings when I water them.  With the cost of the waterer, I have put in about $20 so far for them in the chick stage.

When they can go outside, they will be in a coop at my parent’s house.  We spent about $60 on hinges, fencing, and stakes.  We used an old building already on their property for the coop and changed it to fit our needs like adding a small door for them to get outside.  We also used scrap wood and the skills of family to build nesting boxes.

This is just one step in our goal to live more simply and more independently.  Be sure to check back to read about how our garden is growing!

These past 7 weeks have flown by so fast.  I can’t believe my baby is growing before my eyes and my life has changed so much in a very short amount of time.  Of course, it’s been for the best.  I have realized that the small and simple things in life can be the most beautiful.

Things I have enjoyed during my hiatus from blogging:

cuddling my new baby
watching her grow from *my* milk – my body still amazes me
seeing her change and learn new things – like cooing loudly to wake me up
staying in my pjs for far too long
DH cooking me meals and taking care of me
feeling loved
learning something new about being a mommy everyday
gaining patience (even if it wasn’t always easy)
an open calendar
feeling good enough to do the dishes, laundry, and cook again for my family
sunshine coming through my windows
listening to my body to get back into an exercise routine
listening to my heart about work

Next Stepping Lightly, I’ll be talking about raising chickens and having a garden!  Don’t miss it!

The further I get along in my pregnancy, the more I see my body asking for rest and relaxation.  My to-do lists are checked off – the bags are packed, her room is ready, clothes and cloth diapers are washed, and our house has been rearranged and cleaned.  Now it’s just a time in our lives to be patient.  To breathe.  To enjoy the final days of just husband and wife.  To put our feet up.

 I am indulging in this season (trying to remain calm and not too anxious about her arrival ).  I have been reading books that I have wanted to tackle, including Twilight.  We’ve watched a lot of movies from Netflix cuddled on the couch and we even went to see a 3D movie in the theater wearing funny looking glasses.

 Most nights, I have opted to stay in rather than going out to do something.  It’s my time to remain in my home, taking care of myself and Sprout, and enjoying my last few days of just being me.  I know the next season of motherhood will be just as glorious, but the present moment is just as much as a gift.

For others who are living simply, visit Keeper of the Home.