I have never considered myself a hippie. I hate the smell of Patchouli and I think Birkenstocks are lesbian shoes. However, I love animals and I love eating food that’s not going to give me cancer. Therefore, I one hundred percent am trying my best to buy in a way that honors my body and the lives of animals. 

I’ve been reading a lot (fine, and watching Frasier) this past week. I finished Joel Salatin’s “Folks, This Ain’t Normal” and also his lovely book on treating the land and animals in a way that honors God and his creation: “The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs.” When we deny and circumvent the natural (example: industrial factory farms where a chicken will spend her whole life in a space smaller than a sheet of notebook paper), what we end up with is not only unnatural, it’s wrong. I don’t want any part of it.

Sunday I went to the Carytown Farmer’s Market after church and bought some eggs. The friendly farmer told me that I could expect every egg to be perfect because his four year old daughter handpicked them herself and she was a stickler for quality. He also encouraged me to be bold next time and try his duck eggs because they added a creme-brulee richness to baked goods. I might have to test that theory. 

I love the simplicity and personal, face to face exchange of buying directly from the farmer. I know where my money is going, and I know I’m getting real food. I’m grateful to live in a city that has dozens of places to buy local, organic, ethical foods. 

Last night I started a new book (score for my Overdrive Library App for having it!) : Almost Amish.

Author Nancy Sleeth talks about the big and small changes her family made in an effort to get back to basics, eschew excess, and live a life pleasing to God. Using the simplistic Amish lifestyle as a guide ( but not a rulebook) , they made adjustments. Getting rid of clutter, buying only what they need, planting gardens, and conserving resources help them live responsibly. Spending time in nature and strictly limiting time spent using techno- gadgets have given them better peace of mind and loads of time to focus on God and each other.

Here are some Amish Proverbs Nancy quoted that I thought were awesome:

We live simply so others may simply live. 

Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without. 

Take all you want, eat all you take. 

He who has no money is poor; he who has nothing but money is even poorer. 

There are no degrees of honesty.

A man is rich in proportion to the things he can afford to leave alone. 

If you are true to your faith, there are things you give up for your faith. 

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs at your door forever. 

Generosity leaves a much better taste than stinginess.

 Before we can pray “Thy Kingdom come,” we must first pray “My Kingdom go.”
God created us, and the land, and the animals. I think it’s vital for us to ask if the current system is even remotely in step with His design, and if not, how do we get back?

 If any of this interests you, there are a myriad of resources available. I recommend watching “Food, Inc” as a kick start to understand what it is the USDA is actually allowing into our supermarkets. After that, could you plant a garden or find a local farm or farmers market where you can get fresh produce, eggs, and meat?

I’m gonna go make some eggs now..

Love, 

Ang