Oh So Organic

Well Steven and I finally bit the bullet (what a strange saying...).  After a year of debating about whether we wanted to buy organic food, discussing the pros (our nutrition, health, the environment) and the cons (the COST), we finally went to Whole Foods on Saturday night and bought all of our groceries organic.

Our bank is saying "ouch" but just after 2 whole days my body is already screaming "Thank You!!"

I can hear it now..."really Katie?  After only 2 days?"  and friends I must be honest, I'm not even joking.  Now granted I think a lot of it has to do with the recipes I chose for this week, all from Wholefoods.com.  They are very bean and veggie heavy and only one has meat in it (that was by complete accident, I didn't even realize it until I got home).  So far we have tried two of the recipes Layered Vegetable Enchiladas and Three-Bean Salad with Quinoa.  Both were delicious, very satisfying, and unlike so many of my dinners didn't leave me feeling "weighed down" and bloated.

The cost was definitely the thing keeping us from going organic in the past.  I mean who wants to spend more money on food?  Definitely not a young married couple with one still in school for another year and one who just started a new job...(oh and plenty of grad school loans to pay off...).  But we realized there will probably never be a time we want to spend more money on groceries.  Once we pay off the debt we will probably have kids and they are certainly expensive etc. etc. etc.  So we decided if we were ever going to do this we just needed to do it asap.

To be honest we went a bit over our grocery budget for the week.  It seems like we will really have to cut back on how many "involved" meals we have every week (involved = meals with lots of ingredients).  I'm on the lookout for simple dinner options which will help us save some moo-lah, and lets be honest, probably make me want to cook more often since when I come home from internship the last thing I want to do is cook an involved meal.  (so basically it's a win - win)

Let me know your thoughts on Organic food.  If you buy organic fill me in on some simple recipe ideas!  If you are debating like Steven and I were until just a few days ago let me know that too!

I'll leave you with two pics (from Whole Foods) of our last two dinners.  Both were delicious and I would definitely recommend the recipes!

The sacrifices of Justice

I have been following the work of Julie Clawson ever since I heard her speak at a Women's Conference this past fall.  She is a brilliant writer and someone who isn't afraid to say what she thinks in order to further the causes of social justice.  She's written a book that I can't wait to get my hands on entitled Everyday Justice: The Global Impact of our Daily Choices.  (Click on the title to go to her website and see a summary).


She also writes for two blogs that I know of: her own entitled One Hand Clapping, (a very self-reflective title given that she was born missing one of her arms from the elbow down), and God's Politics Blog (a blog by Soujourners, a Christian organization that looks at Biblical responses to faith, politics and culture).


During her session at the conference I attended she was discussing her book and the practical ways we can begin to make more Just choices with our purchasing.  Being in social work and being lucky enough to learn from my awesome colleagues I had heard a lot about the injustices behind coffee and chocolate production and had made the choice with Steven to start buying Fair Trade coffee.  I knew that so many of our clothes are produced by child labor overseas...but to be honest I hadn't (and still haven't) done anything about my purchasing in that area.  But then she discussed another form of injustice in our consumerist culture that I was unaware of...our technology.


Many of the minerals used to make our cell phones, computers etc. work come from the mines in the Congo, where terrorist groups run rampant in order to take control of these mines and in turn control of the money countries like America and others "technologically driven" give them in return.  These groups are a true terror: mass killings, raping men women and children (one as young as 1 month was found), and many more horrific things all throughout the region of the Congo.  Unfortunately the technological companies aren't being held accountable for where they are buying these minerals, and when asked about the terrorist groups they are purchasing from many say that buying from this region reduces the cost of technology for Americans (and other "stable" countries).  But as Julie says in a post on the subject, "Putting out a product as cheaply as possible should never be an excuse for supporting terrorist groups that maintain control through mass gang rape."


As of now there are no "conflict free" cell phones (meaning cell phones, or other technology, that does not use minerals from this part of the world), but in her post Julie writes a thought provoking reflection on the subject.  If you are interested you can find the post here.


My purpose of writing this post was not to guilt you into action.  In fact the main reason I'm writing this is so that I won't forget about how many of the things I enjoy (chocolate, coffee, clothing, and my cell phone) can create such terror for my neighbors.  I'm using the word neighbor very purposefully here.  As Christians we are called to care for our neighbors, and thanks to Globalization even the people in the Congo are our neighbors.  How can we allow these things to happen to them?  How can we support buying products that bring them such terror?  To put it more bluntly, how can I buy a product that I know was used with minerals a terrorist group profited off of by raping a one month old?  How will we care for them?  


I don't know all the answers to these questions, and I'm certainly not a model for what we can do.  I enjoy the comforts of my own home even though I know so many of them come at a cost to my neighbors.  One thing I am certain of though is that taking a stance on these issues will not be popular.  Nobody wants to give up their luxuries, and certainly nobody wants to hear that they are supporting terrorist groups, I mean hello, we are America, we fight the terrorists


(...apparently only when the terrorists are going against our own self interests...)


Certainly we will have to go against our American culture in order to take a stance on these issues and care for our neighbors...but then again, isn't that what we are called as Christians to do?  

Why today pretty much rocks

I've had two major accomplishments today.  No, nothing like solving world peace or curing hunger.  But nonetheless today has been great for two reasons.

#1  I successfully made it to my car this morning while walking on ice, wearing dress boots, and carrying a box with both hands without falling.  Sure it took me about 5X as long as normal and I looked like a fool...but I didn't fall so it's pretty much an amazing accomplishment.

#2 I have officially found the creepiest picture EVER.  No really...don't believe me?  Just scroll my friends...

Would you like to reconsider?  I'll gladly take your apologies for doubting me in the comment section below.  

Pic found on Cote De Texas

What being snowed in has taught me

Apparently I have no self control when it comes to snack-junk food (yes Mom...I'm finally admitting it :)

I was CRAVING Chex Muddy Buddies Mix yesterday (Also known as snow man poop, monkey munch etc.)  I am completely going to blame the Winter wonderland craziness that landed in Dallas this week thus leaving me shut in my apartment alone since Tuesday while Steven goes off to work every morning (apparently the stock markets don't close when Dallas has an ice storm...).  I was about to go insane yesterday until I realized I should make this snack which was obviously created by The Almighty.

A picture of Muddy Buddies from Betty Crocker

Only thing keeping me from making this delicious treat...I had no Chex cereal, and there was no way I was going to venture outside to go buy some from the grocery store...so I just used Honey Nut Cheerios.

I must say the substitution was perfectly acceptable in my book.  Then again you could add butter, chocolate, peanut butter and powdered sugar to a piece of cardboard and it would taste heavenly...

So what is the problem you ask?  I can't stop eating the stuff!  I swear it must be laced with crack or something.  I begged Steven to take the tub to work this morning, but he forgot...and I've had it all. day. long.  As in it is the only thing I have eaten today.  I mean I usually have Cheerios for breakfast so instead I just had some Cheerio Muddy Buddies.  And then for lunch I usually have a PB&J...so of course I just had some more Muddy Buddies since they already have peanut butter in them.  And then they are the perfect snack so I'll probably just have some more in about an hour...

I blame Steven...I really really do.

So while I don't buy junky snack food I apparently should not buy semi-sweet chocolate chips (for baking), peanut butter, cereal, or powdered sugar since I'm perfectly capable of creating my own junk...

...remember though, it really is Steven's fault...and the weather

Oops

Thanks to the always faithful Morgan C. for pointing out that my pictures have not been showing up on my posts.  It is all fixed so enjoy :)

Thank goodness for sisters

For Christmas every year our family gets desk calendars...exciting I know.  And this year my two sisters were in charge of finding calendars for everyone.  Imagine my surprise when I opened up mine and found this

According to my sisters I am WAY too nice and need to learn my fair share of comebacks in order to be successful in this world.  So I've taken their advice and am storing up as many self-centered "bitchy" sayings as possible until I'm ready to unload them on some un-expecting but very much deserving person.

I decided the best place for the calendar would be the kitchen since I do my fair share of complaining in that room already and might as well learn how to be a bit bitchy while I'm at it.  You never know, maybe one day I'll get the nerve to throw the sauce-pan across the room in a fit of rage...or maybe just slam the refrigerator door really hard.  You have to take these things one step at a time  

Is anyone out there?

Well apparently some of you read this thing because I have gotten several threats friendly reminders to update my blog.  It's funny how when I'm bored I can find an endless amount of nonsense to blog about, but when I'm busy I can't bring myself to take the time to update the world on my awesome adventures!

So this is my formal apology for being such a crappy blogger this past month...phew...I hate admitting I messed up...just ask Steven...he knows better than anyone

So I technically have 15 minutes to spare before I go down to Wednesday night church and meet even more new people at the amazing Wilshire Baptist Church where I am currently interning...i LOVE it here, but there is simply not time to explain that all right now...

Basically I thought I would let you all know how ECSTATIC I am about the two new books I just ordered on Amazon

Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: Exploring the Hermeneutics of Cultural Analysis

Saving Women from the Church: How Jesus Mends a Divide

Oh don't worry friends, I am completely aware that the first book title is perhaps the most loaded in all of literature...which is the main reason I ordered it.  And I do realize that depending on your theological perspectives the second book might seem a little off...in which case the first book probably seems REALLY off.  For me these titles made me drool profusely all over my computer as I hit the "add to cart" button.  But what I think is great is the fact that not all of my friends (including some of you) will agree with me on these issues, which I think it pretty fantastic actually.  If I've learned anything from seminary and social work it is that you must maintain a balance of perspectives around you so that you never stray too far off the path.  This is the same approach we must take with the Scriptures.  The Bible is an amazing book, but read alone (both without the Spirit and without counsel of fellow believers) can lead to dangerous interpretations.

So this is a shout-out to you my fellow readers.  First of all for caring enough to threaten...remind me to update my blog.  Secondly (and most importantly) for accepting me regardless of if we share the same theological, political, etc. views.  You enrich my lives with your perspectives!  I hope to share a review of these two books once I finish them and hear your thoughts!

Much love!