They say parenting changes you. And they aren’t kidding. I remember looking down at our firstborn when she was a tiny little bundle. Such a cute nose. And big, innocent eyes. And adorable smile. And… Oh no! I’m now responsible for this little human! Cue the parental panic. Around the time that our first was born, the whole foods/slow foods movement was just beginning to blossom on the national scene. By the time my bubbly baby was ready to eat solids, documentaries like Food, Inc. … [Read more...]
Stewarding Sticks and Stones: The Science Behind Our Words
It’s funny how the rhymes and chants of childhood can stick with us over the years. Some chants were used for very serious decision making on the playground: Eenie meenie miney moe, Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers let him go. Eenie meenie miney moe! Some were nonsensical and a nuisance. Remember this one? Step on a crack! And break your mother’s back! Um, what?! Seriously now. Why. And yet other childhood chants are valiant efforts of brushing off verbal wounds: Sticks and … [Read more...]
Is Adrenal Fatigue A Fad? Get the Low Down on Adrenal Health {Video}
If you’ve been reading blogs for awhile, you’ll occasionally see “Adrenal Fatigue” pop up as a hot topic. Which begs the question… what’s up with Adrenal Fatigue? Is there substance behind the fad? (And the real question you want to ask – is adrenal fatigue just an excuse for super tired or lazy people?) The Kitchen Stewardship® Team dishes out on what your adrenals are, the truth behind the fad status of adrenal fatigue, and ways to support your adrenal health. Catch it all on … [Read more...]
Do You Body Brush? Four Reasons Why You Should
I remember the first time someone asked me if I body brushed. Huh? Naturally, I brush my teeth. And I know lots of people brush their hair -- though I haven’t combed my hair in 3 years thanks to Curly Girl’s method of caring for curly hair. But body brushing? I did a little surfing on the internet to figure out what the deal was… but at the time I was barely hanging onto life with a newborn and toddler and probably in adrenal fatigue already. It was a good day if I remembered to get … [Read more...]
Are You Exercising Too Much? (My Struggle To Find Balance Between Inactivity and Exhaustion)
There’s still a small part of me that considers myself an athlete. I played soccer for 15 years (and a few seasons of softball as well). I dabbled with intramural sports in college. I was well acquainted with exercise, stretching techniques, exercising thresholds, and metering my stamina for two-a-day practices. And I bought into the philosophy: If I wasn’t giving it my all, I wasn’t doing it right. No pain, no gain … right? My relationship with exercise drastically changed as I entered the … [Read more...]
How To Cook Eggs Without Using Nonstick (And Answers to FAQ About Enameled Cast Iron)
As I sat down to write this post on how to cook eggs without using a teflon-like nonstick pan, I kept having a twisted version of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham running through my head… “Do you cook them here or there? Do you cook them anywhere? How do you cook them Sam I Am? How do you cook green eggs and ham?” When it comes to all the options of cookware these days, I feel like the abundance of choice sends me into a Seuss-inspired swirly vortex. I mean, here’s just a short … [Read more...]
Cookware, Controversy, and Cancer: Our Family’s Journey With Nonstick
I’ve been reading foodie blogs for close to seven years now. I’ve seen the medium change, grow, entertain certain fads, and inspire. These blogs have really helped me to analyze what our family eats and learn valuable skills, like making yogurt, making bread, using a whole chicken, and menu planning. I’ve also learned more about the food industry than I ever cared to know. But as I sat down to write this post, there is one feeling I can’t help shake. I feel tired. Tired of … [Read more...]
11 Practical Tips to Buy, Store, and Serve Your Salt {And Save Money!}
Did you know there is corn and sugar in your salt? I know, I know. Some of you just rolled your eyes and thought I was nuts. But it’s true. If you use your typical find-on-every-grocery-store-type-of-table-salt, the ingredients include: salt, potassium iodide, dextrose (to stabilize the iodide), and calcium silicate (to prevent the salt from sticking together). Dextrose is a sugar that comes from corn. Yes, corn. According to one salt manufacturer’s website, the dextrose is … [Read more...]
Handling the Whole Chicken Series: Meal Planning With a Whole Chicken (with over 16 Recipes!)
Welcome to the final post in our series on Handling the Whole Chicken! In case you missed the earlier posts, you can catch them here: Monday Mission: Buy a Whole Chicken. See the numbers on why buying a whole chicken from a local farmer is cheaper than buying boneless skinless chicken breast. If you’re still not convinced buying a whole chicken is for you, check out our list of 6 objections that we debunk. How To Cut Up A Whole Bird {Plus Photo Tutorial!}. If you’re not … [Read more...]
Help Handling the Whole Chicken Series: Two Fail-Proof Ways to Cook a Chicken
If you’ve been following along in our series on Help Handling the Whole Chicken, you know that our family has been buying whole chickens from a local farmer for a few years now – partly because it’s just cheaper than buying chicken breast at the grocery store! However, it wasn’t until this past year that I conquered my secret phobia of touching raw meat especially raw chicken (ew!!!! squishy!!!) and learned how to cut up a whole chicken. So how did we eat whole chickens … [Read more...]
Help Handling the Whole Chicken Series: How To Cut Up a Whole Chicken {Plus VIDEO TUTORIAL}
Welcome to the second post in our Help Handling the Whole Chicken series! In case you missed the first post on debunking 6 objections to buying a whole bird (including the myth that it’s more expensive than buying cheap boneless skinless chicken breast from the store), you can find it HERE. The goal of today’s post is to show you how to easily remove the chicken breast from a whole chicken. My Story (Also Known As: I Hate Touching Raw Meat) Now, you need to know something about me. I … [Read more...]
Monday Mission: Buy A Whole Chicken {Debunking 6 Objections to Buying A Whole Bird}
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to STOP buying boneless skinless chicken breast and buy a whole chicken instead. Welcome to a four-part series giving Help Handling the Whole Chicken! We're starting off with a Monday Mission. Now if you’ve been around Kitchen Stewardship® for very long, you may be scratching your head at how this is a new baby step. We’ve talked about buying whole chickens in the past, the benefits of getting them from a local farmer, and ways to … [Read more...]
Time & Budget Busters: 6 Snack Foods You Should Make At Home (And 6 You Should Buy)
It’s the Most Snackiest Time of the Year! This time of year always stretches my creativity when it comes to surviving the marathon of holiday events, family gatherings, Christmas potlucks, and crazy schedules. When it comes to navigating the holiday busyness with our little ones, I find that snacks can be the make-or-break difference – especially with late-night events and routines that aren’t even close to normal. (Snacks can also help us Big Ones survive, too!) But constant on-the-go … [Read more...]
Lazy Whipped Cream: A Recipe For {Healthy} Instant Whipped Topping
Healthy whipped cream is easy to make! Use my secret - whipped sour cream - no machines needed! Instant whipped topping is a cinch. Healthy Whipped Cream We made our transition to whole foods about six years ago. I really haven’t missed processed food too much … with the exception of Cool Whip. It’s pretty hard to beat the spontaneous beauty of opening up a tub of chilled whipped goodness where the fluffy contents are ready to float onto dessert like magic clouds. But no … [Read more...]
Fabulous Fail-Proof Fruit Custard Recipe
I’ve struggled with how to introduce this fantastic fruit custard dish. At first, I thought I would wax eloquent about how wonderfully flexible this recipe is, allowing you to butcher experiment with the ingredients, sub out virtually EVERYTHING based on dietary needs or what’s left in the fridge, and still have a delicious creation. Then I thought I would describe how EASY it is to make. How it only dirties one bowl, one measuring cup, one measuring spoon, one whisk, and one pan. How … [Read more...]
Sharing Food When You’re a Real Foodie
This is a guest post from a generous reader (now turned KS contributor!) who responded to my request for "reader driven" Monday Missions. I enjoyed reading her ideas on using food as a blessing, which inspired yesterday's actual Monday Mission, and I hope you are challenged and inspired, too. -Katie It all started as a conversation around the garbage can on trash day. My elderly widowed neighbor and I were partaking in our ritual Trash Day Small Talk. She looked at her watch, then up at … [Read more...]
