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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

out with the old

zinnias from our garden.  my absolute favorite flower.


We are in the midst of the worst drought Texas has seen in 100 years.  In our rural town there hasn't been much talk about water conservation, however I cannot help but be moved in that direction.  In that light, we decided that our small garden was not producing enough to warrant the amount of water being used on it.  So yesterday morning, before we hit 107 degrees, I harvested the last little handful of tomatoes and tore out the garden.  Today I hope to spread some rabbit droppings and let things sleep for a while.  In the mean time, we will get seedlings going for the fall, and pray that the season shift will usher in the rain we so desperately need.

When it comes to raised beds and tilling up a big spot in the yard, there are definite pros and cons to both.  The biggest con to raised beds in my experience has been the amount of water they require to keep things hydrated.  I look at what our CSA farm is accomplishing, how they are still cranking out food like nobody's business while only watering a couple of times per week.  I am so proud of the work they have put into their farm. Our farm!  They are a living example to me on the importance of working the soil consistently.  And how organic really is the best way to go.

Today I end our summer garden chapter.  It is always so exciting to look ahead and dream for fall.

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Grain/ sugar fast- day 2

By the end of the day yesterday I felt exhausted.  My head felt cloudy and my body felt achey.  I was in bed by 7 pm!  Not for good, but really useless after that.  I woke up this morning feeling like I wasn't ready to get out of bed, a bit congested, but clear headed.

What we ate:

B- blueberry, cherry and raw milk smoothie

L- lentils cooked in chicken stock, ginger carrots, spinach salad with cucumber and tomato
     shot of green juice (kale, cucumber, green apple)

D- leftover chicken spiced up for tacos, sauteed bell peppers and onion, avocado, tomato, sour yogurt, wrapped in lettuce leaf.  Black beans on the side.

I want to note that the kids felt the effects yesterday.  They complained all day of not feeling well, and were pretty crabby.  I heard things like "why can't I just have ONE sucker???  They're ORGANIC!!!".  Mmm-hmm.  They are wanting some sugar pretty bad!  There is a lot of fruit being consumed around here by those two!

5 comments:

Rosie_Kate said...

My Amish neighbor told me this morning that the weather and heat should improve after the "dog days" are over, and that'll be August 11. So... one more week...

Do you find that you need to have snacks with this way of eating, or are you okay from meal to meal?

TxFarmhouse said...

Mandi, on Monday I've limited my diet to nothing that I've not made myself..no more processed foods. I don't feel as bloated for sure and have lost no weight. I think our bodies have to adjust to the change. If I'm needing a snack, I eat a piece of fruit. It helps the sugar craving.
I really think this heat is getting the best of us. We sit a lot indoors in the dark. I hope everyone else is conserving energy.
Stay cool,
Berte

mandi said...

Rosie Kate-
I for sure need snacks! I've always used breads as a way to feel more full. Without them I find that I'm needing to snack on nuts or a banana frequently. The kids are eating non-stop.

Shalini said...

Oh man. I wish we could give you some of our Seattle rain and cool (and swap it for a little bit of heat ourselves!). I hear you on the no-sugar thing. Argh. Bothers me every. single. day.

KnitterMama said...

A grain and sugar fast for our family might be in order too and very very hard! Good for you for pulling out your garden. I am from Texas and my family is still there--the water problems are so worrying and the heat this summer has been immense, right? We were there in June and it felt like August!