WASH your fruits & veggies

I do not claim to be a whiz in the kitchen or a master of the agricultural process that takes place to grow our food. But I do have a little observation and a love for documentaries about the food industry. Whatever your views, this is the most practical thing I've learned in a while. We don't buy 100% organic, would love to, but financially it's just a non-opt. right now. I make sure to check the tags on our produce to make sure they are non GMO. This is a great article about what the infamous "GMO" means, and how to read the label to know if your food is or isn't. Whatever you're buying I HIGHLY recommend using this cleaning method. Lots of companies have various "produce cleansers" - I'm not going to lie - I'm a little skeptical about rinsing the chemicals off my fruits and veggies with ... another chemical ... seems self-defeating. Anyways - here's the easiest, cheapest, and, in my opinion, BEST method to clean your produce.

 

1. fill large pot or sink about 3/4 full with cool water

2. add about 1/2 cup of white distilled vinegar

3. let your produce soak for 5-10 minutes

4. dump vinegar water, rinse with clean water

5. eat or store your freshly cleaned veggies

 

What you will see by doing this ...

-a disgusting chemical film on the surface of the water before you dump it

-your produce will last longer without going bad

-your produce even tastes better

 

*don't worry - this doesn't leave your produce tasting vinegary

 

Enjoy <3 - baci baci



Motherhood

They read this at church today, and I thought it was so encouraging and sobering. I'm not sure where they got it, but I hope it blesses all of you <3 baci baci

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you."

GRADUATED!

My little brother graduated from college today! I'm sure part of it is the pregnancy hormones but I have been super emotional about it. I could not be more proud of him! I realize I use this phrase a lot, "I could not be more ..." But seriously, I am so encouraged by his hard work. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him and his life; I know God has incredible things in store for him! Congratulations brother! Love you!