City Girl Learns - Basics on How to Can and Preserve

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm a city girl.  I WANT to be a country/farm girl.  But the closest to camping I've ever been is staying in a cabin in the woods (no it wasn't the premise of a horror movie, but hey there was a giant carpenter ant nest above my bed, that counts for something, right?) and the closest to livestock I've been is a petting zoo (or eating livestock...I'm so sorry cows and chickens and pigs and turkeys and lambs and man let's not even get started on my oceanic offenses...).  If you'll please recall, I was a vegetarian for 9 years.  I'm very very aware of animal suffering and the cost on the environment and I try to make the best decisions possible with the money I have available.

Anyway, this year I am working to get more familiar with homemade things and being a little less "urban."  In that spirit, I took a canning class at my local co-op (and omg I've wanted to be one of those people who is part of a CSA/co-op forever and finally there is one near me!).  With that in mind, after work the other day I went to my local Urban Acres and got ready to get my hands dirty. 

Paleo Comfort Food - Kielbasa and Potatoes

I recently joined a food co-op and have been getting a half share of local, organic, seasonal produce every Saturday morning.  This amounts to approximately 15 pounds of all organic produce for $30.  That seems like a pretty good deal to me especially considering how much 15 pounds of organic produce costs at Whole Foods (hint: a lot).  It's also a lot of fun and I am learning about new foods and also about proper storage techniques.  Also, because I am getting new and different foods, I'm coming up with my own recipes to use what I've gotten.  I want to share with you my successes (and failures) and hopefully you'll try out some of these great foods or join a CSA/co-op and get fun things to try too!  I made this hearty kielbasa and potatoes meal last night for instance.

Paleo Kielbasa and Potatoes.  Yummm!

I tried to take a video of my latest share but it's awful quality because like a dummy I used the wrong setting on my phone.  Then I didn't check it til after I put everything away.  Boo!  But, here's a picture of the weekly email I get in advance of my weekly pickup day, letting me know what will be in my share:

Let's Talk Love. Or try to.

I am NOT a love expert AT ALL.  I have been heart broken a few times in my short life though and my dear girlfriends have been through their love and heartbreak too.  From these experiences I'd like to share some insights with you on love that I've come to learn over the course of years and relationships and a lot of eff ups.  About fighting and different personalities and why people want to be with people who don't always agree with them.

But let's back up a bit...

Slow Cooker Party Eats!

We didn't have a Super Bowl Party this year, but we did decide to pick a couple recipes to indulge in.  I made our menu really short AND addressed my desire to try at least one new recipe.  We also had miscellaneous desserts from Whole Foods.

Whole Foods had Super Bowl themed desserts!

Valentine's Day - Gift Guide with Deals!!!

I previously wrote about a great gift idea for your beau here.  However, there are a lot of deals popping up, recipes to try, and crafts to do, so I thought I'd provide a list of some of them over the next week.  And hey, if you don't have a significant other, you can still do something for yourself right?  Loving you is the most important.  And who wouldn't want an edible arrangement, amiright??  Yeah, I totally thought about getting myself one, not even going to lie (I might still do it, just sayin...).

Without further ado, here are some gift suggestions that just happen to be discounted right now to help you find the perfect gift for your love (even if that love happens to be of the four-legged variety).

21 Day Sugar Detox - Wrap Up & Book Review

Well, I didn't make it all 21 days (sadness).  The night of Day 19 (last Friday) we went out and I splurged at Max's Wine Dive.  It was a HUGE mistake.  Then on Day 20 I was ok but then we went out to celebrate a friend's birthday and I cheated again which was an even BIGGER mistake.  Due to those cheats, I was miserable all weekend.  By Sunday I was back to being good because seriously, EFF THAT!!!

21 Day Sugar Detox - Day 18 - Chicken Thigh Drama

I survived Day 18!  It is definitely getting harder to stick to it as I approach the finish line.  I'm getting that "isn't 18 days good enough??" feeling.  But then I remember...

I want to succeed most and lose some weight.  So my cravings and laziness need to shut up!  Day 18 was a little un-fun though, thanks to a surprise chicken issue when I went to make dinner.