SOLE Food Frugally

Since deciding to incorporate more SOLE food (Sustainable, Organic, Local, Ethical) in our cooking, I have struggled with the knowledge that it can be more expensive. Eating healthy can be cheaper than conventionally, especially when it means you're cutting out processed/ packaged *food.* However, making the change to good meats, fresh raw dairy products, and the like, can quickly break the bank unless you're careful. Here are some of my tips on how we are transitioning, with links to some great sites who know so much more than me!

1. Consider a local CSA for your produce, or even meats, dairy products, etc. If your area doesn't have CSAs, you might still be able to buy these foods straight from local farms, or at farmer's markets. Buying from the farms is not only local (obviously!) and more sustainable, but often much more frugal than trying to find these foods at a regular grocery store. Buying meat in bulk can really save money, and some farms offer plans where you pay a bit every month during the spring and summer for meat butchered in the fall.
2. Smart shopping- decide what is most important for your family, and splurge on these items (often meat and dairy.) Try to save money on other items, paying as little as possible and stocking up when you find a good price on an item (such as buying whole grain flours and baking supplies around Christmas and other baking seasons.) Also, try to buy local produce in season- it's not only cheaper, but it tastes better too.
3. DIY- make as many foods as you can at home. Baked goods are easy, and not too time-consuming once you are accustomed to them. Again, this will not just save money, but will also result in healthier foods for your family. If you don't already, definitely start gardening- there is nothing more fulfilling than cooking with vegetables that you grew yourself. This is a great way to bring kids on board.

How do you save money and still provide healthy food for your family?

I am happy to post this at Pennywise Platter Thursday- check it out for more great posts on frugal and fantastic healthy food!

This post is also at Food Renegade's Fight Back Friday- chock full of great posts on real food!

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Buttermilk Muffin Recipe

I apologize for letting this one get away from me- this weekend was busy, and I waited until the last moment to finish my schoolwork this week. I talked about how things will always fall through the cracks: this week it was this post. I hope I didn't leave anyone hanging...

Buttermilk Oatmeal Muffin Recipe (adapted from Fannie Farmer Irish Oatmeal Muffins)

2 cups buttermilk
1 cup oats
2 eggs
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup molasses
1 Tablespoon oil or melted butter
1 2/3 cup whole grain flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Combine the buttermilk and the oats in a bowl, and refrigerate at least 12 hours, or overnight.
Preheat oven to 400 F. Prepare muffin pans. Beat the eggs in a bowl, add in the honey and molasses, mix together. Add in the oat mixture, and stir well. Add in flour, soda, salt and stir lightly until combined- do not overbeat.
Fill muffin tins 3/4 full with your batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until tops are lightly browned and the crumb inside is finished (toothpick check.) Cool on a rack, serve. (I eat mine hot, split open with more butter ;) but they do hold together better if you wait.)

This is a recipe adapted from Fannie Farmer, I think the idea of soaking the oats works well into my new cooking philosophy for grains. I'll have more on this coming up later today, or check out some of these great links:

Food Renegade How to Eat Grains
Natural News The Whole Grain Scam
Kelly The Kitchen Kop Grains & Nuts- Healthy Preparation
Nourishing Gourmet Soaking Grains

I am happy to post this at Homemaker Mondays- be sure to visit for more great ideas!
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Changes, Taking a New Path

Over the past few weeks, I've shared that MAHM will be going through various changes. This is mainly due to the fact that quite a bit in my personal life is changing, which will be reflected here.

1. New food/cooking path: from a health-conscious path to a just-plain conscious path-- join me as I rediscover truly healthy, natural cooking and stray from the processed and conventional "food" that I've turned to in an attempt to save money. I will give tips for eating real, really frugally
2. More sharing of housekeeping tips and tricks- I've been so busy getting back to my own path of organization and cleaning that actually giving advice has seemed hypocritical- I have a house that is probably worse off than anyone reading. I will be sharing the tips I've learned in my DOC series, but will also add before and after pictures of the *hotspots* in my own house to show how these tips can improve your own home.
3. A new carnival at MAHM: DIY Friday, starting next week on September 11th. Details coming later this week, along with a listing of the carnivals I will be participating in on other sites.
4. Lastly, I hope to keep up with my posting, but ask for all my readers to be patient with me. I promised a pancake recipe, but when Saturday came, I ended up busy all day between shopping, cooking, and a bridal shower. Sunday is my off-line day, which I try hard to keep aside for family time. (I will post this recipe by tomorrow.) I just started taking classes again, now that the baby is older, and this is another line on the to-do list. I will do my best to keep posting here, but there might be less posts each week for awhile, especially as I continue to renovate the site.

I look forward to the new direction that MAHM will be taking. This will still be a place where you can learn (a little) and share (a lot) about making a home. I hope that everyone can travel with me as I share a bit of what I've found, and inspire you to make your own home a haven, a heart where your family and friends feel comfortable and loved.

Please subscribe, or follow MAHM to stay on top of the new path we'll be taking. Also, coming up, our first ever giveaway! Leave a comment if there is anything you want to see on the site, or for more details on DIY Friday.

Meal Planning- Week Menu

highlights: all-natural beef loin on sale 4.99 lb, a little splurge this week, features in 4 days meals

Sat B: omelets
L: BLT's
D: strip steaks, * cut from loin* roasted brussel sprouts and potatoes (my fam actually likes the sprouts)
(Sat. is a reward day for DH- hard week for him- we don't usually eat like this!)
Sun B: french toast w/ peaches (grilled last night & leftover from dessert)
L: grilled veggie panzanella (recipe coming tomorrow!)
D:stir-fry with veggies and chicken
Mon: crockpot "pot roast" stew (easy as 1,2,3 recipe- visit on Monday) *loin again*
Tues: leftover steaks *from loin* in quesadillas w/ homemade tortillas and salsa
Wed: citrus tomato steamed white fish with peppers and squash
Thurs: (switch from Friday's usual no meat day) hummus w/ veg and pita chips, broccoli quinoa
Fri: friends over for steak shish-kabobs *last of the loin*

Some repeat offenders for this week in addition to the beef: green squash (Sun lunch, Wed) and red bell peppers (Sun lunch & dinner, Tues, Wed, Fri- whew!). Do you use one ingredient in multiple meals for the week? Do you think it saves money and time? Leave me a note and let me know- and don't forget to come by to see the recipes on Saturday and Monday!

Kids and Snacks - Fun Food Friday

Snacks are a great opportunity to sneak some nutrition into your kids' diets. Toddlers, especially, tend to eat better when snacking (probably since they can't sit still for a real meal!) How can you make snacks that are both enjoyable and healthy? Here are some pointers:

1. Sometimes, easy is best: try cubes of cheese, cherry tomatoes, celery and carrot sticks, and bananas. These require little or no preparation, and travel well.
2. Another to-go treat is the ever-faithful smoothie. Start with milk, and yogurt, and add any fruit you have on hand. You can sneak in other foods for even more goodness- try silken tofu for a protein boost.
3. For picky eaters, try serving slices of fruit with a yogurt dip, or peanut butter (for older kids.) The combination of sweet fruit and dipping fun can please, especially for toddlers.
4. Whole grains are nutritious and filling- try finger food cereal, such as cheerios or kix (younger children) and a frosted shredded wheat (older children.) Also, there are many whole grain crackers now on the market, and granola bars are always a good standby.
5. For homemade treats the kids can help make (involving children in cooking can encourage them to try the finished product) try cookies. Made with whole grain flour, oatmeal, nuts, and dried fruit, these treats are always popular- and your kids will never know they're getting something healthy.

Do you use snacktimes to get healthy foods into your family's diet? Please comment and share any tips you have for family-friendly foods. Or take a look at my other Fun Food Friday posts:

Fun Food- sneaking in nutrition- lasagna

Fun Food- green vegetables

Please visit Homemaker Barbi for more great Family Friday ideas!