Cutting Food Costs on a Grain-Free Diet (such as GAPS, Primal, or Paleo)

Grains are relatively cheap, and removing them from your diet can really hurt your wallet. When my family started the GAPS Diet nearly a year ago, our grocery costs skyrocketed! Over time, I've learned some ways to save money while still following a grain-free diet, and now our grocery bill is back to where it was pre-GAPS.
 
Buy meat in bulk
Buying meat in bulk can help enormously in reducing food costs.  Last winter, we bought 40% of a grassfed steer and the price per pound (across all cuts) was less than $2.50! This price is absolutely amazing considering that ground beef from grassfed cows will run $8/pound at our natural foods co-op, and steak prices are downright exorbitant.

If you do purchase meat in bulk, make sure to ask for more than just the typical cuts. We requested  bones, fat, cheek meat, tongue, and all of the organs (including the typical liver and the not so typical kidneys, oxtail, and sweetbreads).  We got large bags of bones for making broth and large bags of fat for making tallow, all for free!
 
Shop less frequently
One of the most effective ways to save money on groceries is to shop less frequently.  I'm not sure why it works so well, but by shopping once every two weeks instead of once every week, you can really cut your grocery bill.  Shopping this way does take plenty of advance planning to make sure you buy enough and don't forget anything (I use a spreadsheet to keep track of the items I buy most frequently so I won't forget any of the essentials).

If you do try shopping less frequently, make sure you buy plenty of produce that keeps well for use during the second week.  Lettuce, cucumbers, mushrooms,  zucchini, and tomatoes will only stay fresh for about a week; root vegetables will easily keep for several weeks.  In our house, we eat lots of green salads the first week, and then rely more on avocados, onions, carrots, and beets the following week.

Shop at the farmer's market
Consumption of fruits and especially vegetables increased dramatically in our household once we stopped eating grains. Buying directly from farmers really makes a difference in price. We can buy produce at our local farmers' market for considerably less than at the grocery store.  An added bonus is that the produce is wonderfully fresh and locally produced.
 
Buy produce in season 
Even if you skip the farmers' market, you can save money on produce by preferentially buying what is in season throughout the year.  For instance, when organic lemons are in season they cost less than $1/pound at our natural foods co-op.  When out of season, they can easily run over $3/pound.  Check produce prices carefully each time you shop to see which items are the best deal.  My general rule of thumb is to only buy produce that costs under $2/pound.

Don't eat many nuts
Because they are great for snacking and as a base for grain-free baked goods, it is easy to rely very heavily on nuts while eating a grain-free diet.  However, nuts are quite expensive and can also be a stumbling block to healing when they are consumed in excess.  It may seem overwhelming, but keeping nut consumption to a minimum can really save you money in the long run.  During our time on the GAPS Diet, my family has slowly reduced our nut consumption and it has made a big difference on our grocery costs. 

Take advantage of the cheap foods allowed on your diet
Depending on which grain-free diet you are following, there are some inexpensive foods that can help reduce your food costs.  Lentils and white navy beans are allowed on the GAPS Diet; potatoes and sweet potatoes are allowed in moderation on the Primal Blueprint Diet.  Using these foods as the base for one meal each week can save you money, and they can also help add variety to your diet.

Make your own drinks
Taking the time to make your own drinks at home can also help your grocery spending.  Water kefir soda, kombucha, and milk kefir are probiotic-filled drinks that can be made at home for a fraction of their storebought cost. If you know anyone who is making these drinks at home, check to see if they have any extra kefir grains or kombucha SCOBYs before buying your own.  The Healthy Home Economist has great tutorials for making all of these drinks.     

Do you have any tips for saving money on groceries?

This post is part of Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist!

Chewy Cinnamon Almond Cookies (gluten- and grain-free)

Mmmm, chewy and moist with a hint of cinnamon.  These cookies are a great treat!  They are delicious by themselves, and they also make a great base for a homemade ice cream sandwich. 

Chewy Cinnamon Almond Cookies
Makes 18 large cookies

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 5 Tb honey
• 1 Tb vanilla extract, preferably organic
• 2&1/2 cups almond flour, preferably from crispy almonds*
• 1/2 tsp celtic sea salt 
• 1/4 tsp baking soda**
• 1 tsp cinnamon

1. Melt the butter in a small saucepan.  Turn off heat, and stir in the honey and vanilla extract.
2. In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.  
3. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well.
4. Use a 1 to 2 Tb scoop or spoon to drop cookies onto a stoneware or greased sheet pan.  Don't flatten them as they will spread well on their own during baking. 
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
6. Allow the cookies to cool before moving them.

*Crispy almonds are almonds that have been soaked in water with a little salt for 12-24 hours and then dried in the dehydrator until crispy (which usually takes about 24 hours at 155 degrees F in my Nesco dehydrator). Soaking the nuts neutralizes phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors. Phytic acid blocks mineral absorption of calcium and magnesium; enzyme inhibitors make nuts hard to digest. You could just make a large batch of crispy nuts to have on hand, and they are also much tastier for snacking that way, too. If the weather is nice, you can put the dehydrator on the back porch during the day to cut down on the heat and noise in the house.
**These cookies are are not technically GAPS-legal because the recipe includes baking soda, but they are SCD-legal.  Baking soda is not allowed on GAPS because it has a very strong alkalizing effect on the body (and most GAPS people already have low stomach acid, so strong alkalizers could be detrimental). We haven't had any problem with a little baking soda now and then, though.

This recipe is part of Handmade Christmas Gift Carnival, Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Grain-Free Carnival, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday at Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist and Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade!

Basil Salmon Salad (GAPS-legal, grain- and gluten-free)

 

This basil salmon salad is a great, light meal for these hot summer days.  The lemon juice and basil lend a fresh flavor to the meal, and no cooking is required.  This was a real hit with my whole family.

Basil Salmon Salad
Serves 2 adults

• One 7.5-oz can wild-caught salmon
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1Tb minced green onions (green part only)
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade
• 2 Tb sour cream
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp fresh dill (depending on how well you like that dill-y flavor)
• 1/4 tsp celtic sea salt
• 1 Tb minced fresh basil leaves
• pinch of freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 Tb capers (or substitute additional 1 tsp lemon juice if you don't have any capers)
• Serve over lettuce dressed with fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir to combine.  Arrange lettuce on a plate, add a sprinkle of salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil.  Scoop a generous amount of basil salmon salad on top of the lettuce.  Garnish with lemon wedges, and enjoy! 

This recipe is part of Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist, Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, and Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop!

Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Soup

Back before our real food conversion, my husband and I used to eat plenty of canned soup. Of course we now know that homemade soup and stock yield far superior taste, but nonetheless we still have fond memories of eating canned soup.  When my husband tasted this soup recipe, he was really excited that it reminded him of beef and vegetable soup from a can, only much better!

This soup is nourishing and really tasty!  I make many different types of soup, but this is my new favorite.  Extra spices get added to the pot towards the end of cooking, and this really makes a difference in the flavor. 

Cheesy Beef and Vegetable Soup
Serves 6-8

• 2.5-3 pounds of beef roast, sirloin, and/or cheek meat
• Additional beef tallow or butter (if your meat is not very fatty)
• 2 bay leaves
• 7 oz tomato paste, preferably from a glass jar
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 1 Tb dried oregano, divided in half
• 6 cloves garlic, sliced and divided in half
• 4 Tb fresh basil, minced and divided in half
• 6 cups filtered water
• Celtic sea salt and freshly ground pepper
• 5 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 summer squash, such as zucchini or yellow crookneck, sliced
• 1 cup green beans (frozen or fresh)
• 1 cup frozen green peas
• Shredded cheddar cheese, to garnish 

1. Spread the onion over the bottom of a slow cooker (or use an oven-safe pot).  Place the beef on top of the onions.  If your meat is fairly lean, add a couple tablespoons of tallow or butter to the pot. 
2. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves, 1/2 Tb dried oregano, 3 cloves sliced garlic, 2 Tb minced fresh basil, and salt and pepper. Add about 6 cups of filtered water to the pot.  
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (or in an oven at 225 degrees) or cook on High for 3-4 hours.
4. Add carrots, squash, and green beans to the pot, and nestle them down into the sauce.
5. Cook on high for another 2-3 hours (or back in the 225 degree oven).
6. Pull beef out onto a cutting board.  Shred the meat with a fork, or slice it across the grain.
7. Return the meat to the pot. Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed. Add the green peas and remaining spices (1/2 Tb oregano, 2 Tb fresh basil, and 3 cloves sliced garlic). Turn the heat to "Warm" (or the oven to 150) and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes.  Don't skip this step as it allows the meat to soak up the juices and get super moist. 
8. Ladle into bowls and top with a generous handful of shredded cheddar cheese. 

*Adaptations for if you'll be away from home all-day: Cut the carrots and squash into large pieces (~2-inches) so they don't get cooked to death.  Go ahead and put all of the ingredients (except for the peas and half of the oregano/basil/garlic) into the slow cooker in the morning.  Leave it on low all day (7-10 hours).  As soon as you get home, pull the meat out onto a cutting board and either shred with a fork or slice thinly across the grain.  Return the meat to the pot, add the remaining half of the spices and garlic.  Add the frozen peas, and put a lid on it for about 20-30 minutes on "Warm" (if your slow cooker doesn't have this setting, just turn it off and let it sit 20-30 minutes with the lid on).

This post is part of Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist!

Make a Food Preservation Spreadsheet

Summer is in full swing now, and that means I'm doing lots of food preservation!  Since the preserved foods are starting to add up, I thought a spreadsheet was in order (really, I'm always looking for another excuse to make a spreadsheet).

This spreadsheet will help me keep track of how much food is preserved and how much gets used each month.  This way I can really stretch out the food over the seasons and not end up with 15 quarts of zucchini to use come next April.  This spreadsheet would also be great to use when we get our yearly portion of beef steer; that way I would know just how much to use each month to make it last all year.

Making your own spreadsheet is easy, but I'm also happy to share the excel file with anyone who wants it.  Let me know if you'd like a copy.  You can also print this spreadsheet on Google docs (thanks to one of my readers for showing me how easy this is to use!).

What are your favorite foods to preserve?   

This post is part of Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist, Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet and Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop!

Cheese and Veggie Cakes (GAPS-legal, grain- and gluten-free)

This is a great recipe to use up some of the copious summer squash available at this time of year.  These cheese and veggie cakes are great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Leftovers are delicious even when served cold from the fridge.

Cheese and Veggie Cakes
Serves 4
3-4 summer squash (such as yellow crookneck or zucchini)
2 carrots
1.5 tsp celtic sea salt
8 oz cooked bacon or ham, minced
5 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
3 eggs, preferably from pastured hens
1/4 cup almond flour, preferably from crispy almonds
1/4 tsp celtic sea salt
pinch of freshly ground pepper
Butter (or other cooking fat, such as bacon grease or tallow)
Sour cream, to garnish

1. Shred the veggies and remove the water: Using a food processor or grater, shred the squash and carrots.  Combine the shredded veggies with 1.5 tsp salt, stir well, and place in a colander or strainer.  Place the colander or strainer over a bowl and let sit for several hours.  This is a very important step to pull the water out of the veggies.   
2. Rinse and drain the veggies: While still in the colander, rinse the shredded veggies with plenty of water and then drain well.  Press down on the veggies to really squeeze the water out.  
3. Combine veggies and other ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine veggies, bacon or ham, cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, eggs, almond flour, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of pepper.  Stir well. 
4. Heat griddle or skillet: Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat.  You'll know it is ready when a drop of water sizzles immediately. 
5. Cook cakes in butter: Melt some butter (or other cooking fat) on the griddle or skillet.  Use a 3 Tb scoop or large spoon to scoop the veggie/cheese mixture onto the griddle.  Cook the cakes over medium-low heat, flipping them after about 7-10 minutes.  Allow them to become nicely browned, and then place them on a napkin or paper towel to cool. Melt some more butter and continue cooking the cakes, a few at a time.
6. Garnish and enjoy: Top the cheese and veggie cakes with a smear of sour cream, and enjoy!  

This post is part of Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist!

Maintaining Spirituality In the Midst of Everyday Parenting, Marriage, and Life

Welcome to the July Carnival of Natural Parenting: Parenting Philosophy
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama. This month our participants have shared their parenting practices and how they fit in with their parenting purpose. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
***

This post is a departure from my usual, and I don't plan to make a habit of it.  So if this isn't up your alley, stay tuned.
 

Life with children is very challenging.  Before having children, it was easy to think I was in control of my emotions and responses, and to remain calm in all that happened.  Kids are so unpredictable. I never could have guessed the daily challenges of being a parent, and the constant need for compassion, forgiveness, and love.

It is so easy to fall into negativity, to feel angry or sad or disappointed at things that happen every day.  It is so easy to lose the spiritual connection in what is happening day-to-day, and to feel pulled down into thinking "this is too hard," "I am disappointed," "why is this happening," or even "just obey me!"

The reality is that every single thing that happens is an opportunity for spirituality, an opportunity to practice the higher good.  Instead of wondering why, I try to remember that God will never give me anything I cannot handle.  All of the resources needed to handle any problem are available at any time, because I am always connected to God and God can handle anything and everything. 

When I feel the need to nitpick my husband or my daughter, God is there in the highest thought.  I don't need to voice my selfish thoughts. I don't need to be heard. I do need to tap into the highest thought.  It was never between me and my daughter or me and my husband anyway.  It was always between me and God. I've nothing to prove by being self-serving or needing my husband to do something different, or act differently, or love differently. It is between me and God to behave as I should regardless of what is happening or what I'm feeling.

And if I remember that I'm always connected to God, then I know that the right thing to do, the right answer, is always available to me.  Everything that happens is an opportunity to learn patience, compassion, love, the strength that is God.

I can choose to be right or I can choose to be kind, and being kind is never the wrong thing to do.  I can choose to be compassionate, loving, patient, understanding.  This is my choice in every interaction, and everything that happens.  And when it seems to hard, I know that God is always there, always on tap, and that means I always have the ability and power to choose the right way, which is the kind and compassionate way.

We are each responsible for making our own miracles happen every day, by remembering our connection to God.  All things are possible when we listen to the highest voice, the highest thought, which is always available to us.

We can make our own small miracles at any time.  It is a small miracle when I can remember that I am connected to God, even when faced with an obstinate preschooler or a stressed husband or any disappointment, or even when I have failed miserably and lost my temper, my patience, and my self-respect.  Forgiveness is always the right path, whether it is my children, my husband, or even my self that needs to be forgiven.  Guilt has no place in a compassionate heart.

***
Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
(This list will be live and updated by afternoon July 12 with all the carnival links.)

• Between Love and Fear: On Raising our Children Sensibly — Mamma Earthly at Give an Earthly discusses the fear factor in parenting and how she overcame it, despite societal pressures.
• really, when do i get my cape? — Sarah at small bird on fire is a working city mama trying to learn how to set aside her expectations of perfection and embrace the reality of modern parenting.
• Baby, Infant, and Toddler Wearing — Child wearing is part of Sarah at Nourished and Nurtured's parenting philosophy. In this post, Sarah describes benefits of child-wearing and gives tips for wearing babies, infants, and toddlers (even while pregnant).
• First Year Reflections — As her daughter's first birthday approaches, Holly at First Year Reflections reflects on how she and her husband settled into attachment parenting after initially doing what they thought everyone else did.
• Making an allowance — Lauren at Hobo Mama welcomes a guest post from Sam about the unexpected lessons giving a four-year-old an allowance teaches the child — and the parent.
• How to be a Lazy Parent and Still Raise Great Kids — Lisa at Granola Catholic talks about how being a Lazy Parent has helped her to raise Great Kids.
• Philosophy in Practice — Laura at A Pug in the Kitchen shares how her heart shaped the parenting philosophy in her home.
• What is Attachment Parenting Anyway? — Gaby at Tmuffin describes the challenges of putting a label on her parenting philosophy.
• Of Parenting Styles — Jenny at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom talks about how she and her husband tailored various parenting styles to fit their own preferred parenting philosophy.
• Moment by Moment Parenting — Amy at Peace 4 Parents encourages those who care for children (including herself) to explore and appreciate parenting moment-by-moment with clarity, intention, trust, and action.
• Maintaining Spirituality in the Midst of Everyday Parenting, Marriage, and Life — Sarah at Nourished and Nurtured shares her perspective on finding opportunities for spiritual growth in every day life.
• Parenting Philosophy — Lily, aka Witch Mom's parenting philosophy is to raise child(ren) to be compassionate, loving, inquisitive, and questioning adults who can be trusted to make decisions for themselves in a way that avoids harming others.
• Long Term — Rosemary at Rosmarinus Officinalis thinks about who she would like to see her daughter become — and what she can do now to lay a strong foundation for those hopes.
• Connection, Communication, Compassion — She's come a long way, baby! After dropping her career in favour of motherhood, Patti at Jazzy Mama discovered that building solid relationships was going to be her only parenting priority.
• My Parenting Inspirations - Part 4 — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama looks at her biggest parenting inspiration and how that translates into her long-term parenting philosophy.
• A Parenting Philosophy in One Word: Respect — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction summarizes her parenting and relationship philosophy in one word: respect.
• Knowledge and Instinct — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment believes that knowledge and instinct are super important … as are love, encouragement and respect. It's the ideal combo needed to raise happy and healthy children and in turn create meaningful relationships with them.
• THRIVE! — The Sparkle Mama wants to set a tone of confidence, abundance, and happiness in her home that will be the foundation for the rest of her daughter's life.
• On Children — "Your children are not your children," say Kahlil Gibran and Hannah at Wild Parenting.
• This One Life Together — Ariadne aka Mudpiemama shares her philosophy of parenting: living fully in the here and now and building the foundation for a happy and healthy life.
• Enjoying life and planning for a bright future — Olivia at Write About Birth shares her most important parenting dilemmas and pours out her heart about past trauma and how healing made her a better parent.
• My Parenting Philosophy: Unconditional and Natural Love — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares what she has learned about her parenting philosophy from a year of following her instincts as a mama.
• An open letter to my children — Isil at Smiling Like Sunshine writes an open letter to her children.
• My Starter Kit for Unconditional Parenting — Sylvia at MaMammalia discusses her wish to raise a good person and summarizes some of the nontraditional practices she's using with her toddler son in order to fulfill that wish.
• Responsiveness — Sheila at A Gift Universe has many philosophies and goals, but what it all boils down to is responsiveness: listening to what her son wants and providing what he needs.
• Tools for Creating Your Parenting Philosophy — Have you ever really thought about your parenting purpose? Knowing your long-term goals can help you parent with more intent in your daily interactions. Dionna at Code Name: Mama offers exercises and ideas to help you create your own parenting philosophy.
• Be a Daisy — Becky at Old New Legacy philosophizes about individuality and how she thinks it's important for her daughter's growth.
• What's a Mama to Do? — Amyables at Toddler in Tow hopes that her dedication to compassionate parenting will keep her children from becoming too self-critical as adults.
• grown-up anxieties. — Laura at Our Messy Messy Life explains her lone worry concerning her babies growing up.
• Why I Used Montessori Principles in My Parenting Philosophy — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now tells why she chose Montessori principles to help her now-adult children develop qualities she wanted to see in them as children and adults.
• Parenting Philosophies & Planning for the Future — Momma Jorje considers that the future is maybe just a fringe benefit of doing what feels right now.
• Not Just Getting Through — Rachael at The Variegated Life asks what truths she hopes to express even in the most commonplace interactions with her son.
• Parenting Philosophy? Eh... — Ana at Pandamoly shares the philosophy (or lack thereof) being employed to (hopefully) raise a respectful, loving, and responsible child.
• Parenting Philosophy: Being Present — Shannon at The Artful Mama discusses the changes her family has made to accommodate their parenting philosophy and to reflect their ideals as working parents.
• Who They Will Be — Amanda at Let's Take the Metro shares a short list of some qualities she hopes she is instilling in her children at this very moment.
• Short Term vs. Long Term — Sheryl at Little Snowflakes recounts how long term parenting goals often get lost in the details of everyday life with two kids.
• Parenting Philosophy: Practicing and Nurturing Peace — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle sets personal goals for developing greater peace.
• Yama Niyama & the Red Pajama Mama — Part 1: The Yamas — In part 1 of a set of posts by Zoie at TouchstoneZ, Zoie guest posts at Natural Parents Network about how the Yoga Sutras provide a framework for her parenting philosophy.
• Yama Niyama & the Red Pajama Mama — Part 2: The Niyamas — In part 2 of a set of posts by Zoie at TouchstoneZ, Zoie explores how the Niyamas (one of the eight limbs in traditional Yoga) help her maintain her parenting and life focus.
• Our Sample Parenting Plan — Chante at My Natural Motherhood Journey shares hopes of who her children will become and parenting strategies she employs to get them there.
• Philosophical Parenting: Letting Go — Jona at Life, Intertwined ponders the notion that there's no right answer when it comes to parenting.
• Unphilosophizing? — jessica at instead of institutions wonders about the usefulness of navel gazing.
• Parenting Sensitively — Amy at Anktangle uses her sensitivity to mother her child in ways that both nurture and affirm.
• how to nurture your relationships — Mrs Green at Little Green Blog believes that sometimes all kids need is a jolly good listening to …
• Philosophy Of An Unnatural Parent — Dr. Sarah at Good Enough Mum sees parenting as a process of guiding her children to develop the skills they'll need.
• Life with a Challenging Kid: Hidden Blessings — Wendy at High Needs Attachment shares the challenges and joys of raising a high needs child.
• Flying by the Seat of My Pants — Heather at Very Nearly Hippy has realized that she has no idea what she's doing.

Newborn, Infant, and Toddler Wearing

In traditional cultures, baby wearing was a common practice.  For modern-day parents, having the ability to wear your baby (or toddler) has numerous benefits, including:

• Promoting closeness between child and parent
• Freeing up the parent's hands to accomplish tasks such as cooking and cleaning
• Allowing children to feel secure in new situations
• Promoting calm and well-being in the child
• Giving parents the freedom to take part in activities such as hiking, dancing, and gardening

For me, babywearing has been a necessity.  Both of my children initially had an aversion to car seats and strollers, especially my firstborn. And as is common, both of my babies have been happiest while being held. Being able to wear my children has allowed me to meet their needs while still being able to do everyday things like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and gardening.  Baby wearing has also been invaluable during air travel, hiking, and sightseeing.

With the exception of the last few months of my second pregnancy, I have been wearing children several times every week (and often daily) for over four years. I use a variety of baby carriers, depending on the age of the child and what activity I will be doing.  I thought it might be helpful to share some tips for wearing children at different ages (newborns, infants, and toddlers), wearing a child while pregnant, and choosing a type of baby carrier.

Tips for Wearing a Newborn
Newborns crave closeness with their parents.  It must be quite a shock moving from the womb into the relatively quiet and still world. My favorite way to wear a newborn is in a tummy-to-tummy hold.  This hold supports the newborn very well, allowing you to easily see the baby's face and make sure their airway is not restricted (this is especially important until the baby develops proper head control). My favorite carriers for newborns are the Moby wrap and the Beco carrier. 

My daughter really loved the Moby wrap (and indeed this is hands-down the most comfortable carrier for carrying children on the front of your body because it distributes the weight very well across your whole back).  I used the Moby wrap to take my daughter for lots of walks, to go grocery shopping, and to help her settle down and fall asleep (she was colicky for the first few months).  The Moby wrap also works great if you want to try kangaroo care (skin-on-skin contact) with your baby (the Moby wrap has good coverage so you could even leave the house and no one would know you weren't wearing a top).

I'm not sure why, but my son did not particularly like being worn in the Moby wrap.  He preferred the Beco carrier, which is a structured tummy-to-tummy carrier that can also be used to carry babies on your back as they get older.  My son was especially difficult to settle down to sleep, so I used the Beco carrier with him several times every day to help him go to sleep (and I still use it occasionally if he is having a hard time going to sleep).  It also worked great for taking him on walks while pushing his sister in the stroller. The Beco carrier is definitely great for babywearing novices, because it is foolproof to use (whereas the Moby wrap takes a bit of practice to be used comfortably). 

Wearing an Infant
Once babies develop good head control, there are more options for wearing them.  Tummy-to-tummy carrying is still a great way to calm and settle infants. In addition to tummy-to-tummy carrying, infants can be worn on your hip or facing outwards on your front.  My favorite carriers for infants are the Moby wrap, ring sling, and Beco carrier (for tummy-to-tummy carrying).

Both the Moby wrap and ring sling can be used for babies who like to face outwards.  My daughter loved being able to face outwards in the Moby wrap as we went for walks, to the zoo, or on airplane trips.  It is very comfortable for long durations of baby wearing.  With the Moby wrap, I was able to wear my daughter all the way through airport security and onto airplanes (although I think the flight attendants could technically ask you to take the baby out of the carrier, I had no problems using the Moby on multiple plane trips, whereas with the Beco carrier I was always asked to remove it). 

Once both of my children had enough head control, I transitioned to using the ring sling for trips to the store and running errands. Wearing babies on your hip instead of your front gives you much more freedom to perform tasks such as grocery shopping and cooking. The ring sling is wonderful because it can be put on and taken off very quickly.  The downside of using a ring sling is that it does not evenly distribute the weight across your whole back, so it can be a little tiresome to wear for an extended period of time.     

Wearing a Toddler
Carrying children on your front gets less comfortable as they get heavier and longer.  My favorite ways to carry toddlers are on my hip (in the ring sling) and on my back (in the Beco carrier). Once babies get old enough to ride on your back, the possibilities are endless! Wearing toddlers on your back is very comfortable and completely frees up your hands to perform other tasks.  I've worn toddlers on my back for digging holes, hiking, cherry picking, and even shoveling/moving buckets of manure to the garden. 

Wearing a Child During Pregnancy 
While pregnant with my son, I was able to comfortably carry my 2-year-old daughter until I was about 6 months pregnant.  Almost as soon as I got pregnant, I noticed that the ring sling and Beco carrier were no longer comfortable to wear.  For me, the best carrier to wear while pregnant was a mei tai carrier (which is similar to a structured carrier but has long pieces of fabric to tie instead of using buckles).  I carried my daughter on my back, and I could tie the straps either below or above the baby belly for comfort.
 
What Type of Carrier Should You Buy?
With the right carrier, there is no need to buy a stroller, and I found my children to be happier in a carrier than a stroller anyway.  Deciding what type of carrier to buy will depend on what activities you are likely to do while wearing your child.  For long walks, hiking, and sightseeing, carriers that distribute the weight over both shoulders are ideal (like the Moby wrap or the Beco carrier).  The ring sling is my favorite carrier for running errands, grocery shopping, or anytime I needed to be able to quickly take the baby in-and-out of the carrier.  

Each child and parent has different preferences.  If possible, check to see if anyone you know is willing to lend you a carrier for a week or two to get a feel for which ones work best for you.  Baby carriers make great baby shower gifts, too! 
 
Do you wear your baby or toddler? What are your favorite carriers?

This post is part of Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways, Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist, Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet and Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop!
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Visit Code Name: Mama and Hobo Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
(This list will be live and updated by afternoon July 12 with all the carnival links.)

• Between Love and Fear: On Raising our Children Sensibly — Mamma Earthly at Give an Earthly discusses the fear factor in parenting and how she overcame it, despite societal pressures.
• really, when do i get my cape? — Sarah at small bird on fire is a working city mama trying to learn how to set aside her expectations of perfection and embrace the reality of modern parenting.
• Baby, Infant, and Toddler Wearing — Child wearing is part of Sarah at Nourished and Nurtured's parenting philosophy. In this post, Sarah describes benefits of child-wearing and gives tips for wearing babies, infants, and toddlers (even while pregnant).
• First Year Reflections — As her daughter's first birthday approaches, Holly at First Year Reflections reflects on how she and her husband settled into attachment parenting after initially doing what they thought everyone else did.
• Making an allowance — Lauren at Hobo Mama welcomes a guest post from Sam about the unexpected lessons giving a four-year-old an allowance teaches the child — and the parent.
• How to be a Lazy Parent and Still Raise Great Kids — Lisa at Granola Catholic talks about how being a Lazy Parent has helped her to raise Great Kids.
• Philosophy in Practice — Laura at A Pug in the Kitchen shares how her heart shaped the parenting philosophy in her home.
• What is Attachment Parenting Anyway? — Gaby at Tmuffin describes the challenges of putting a label on her parenting philosophy.
• Of Parenting Styles — Jenny at Chronicles of a Nursing Mom talks about how she and her husband tailored various parenting styles to fit their own preferred parenting philosophy.
• Moment by Moment Parenting — Amy at Peace 4 Parents encourages those who care for children (including herself) to explore and appreciate parenting moment-by-moment with clarity, intention, trust, and action.
• Maintaining Spirituality in the Midst of Everyday Parenting, Marriage, and Life — Sarah at Nourished and Nurtured shares her perspective on finding opportunities for spiritual growth in every day life.
• Parenting Philosophy — Lily, aka Witch Mom's parenting philosophy is to raise child(ren) to be compassionate, loving, inquisitive, and questioning adults who can be trusted to make decisions for themselves in a way that avoids harming others.
• Long Term — Rosemary at Rosmarinus Officinalis thinks about who she would like to see her daughter become — and what she can do now to lay a strong foundation for those hopes.
• Connection, Communication, Compassion — She's come a long way, baby! After dropping her career in favour of motherhood, Patti at Jazzy Mama discovered that building solid relationships was going to be her only parenting priority.
• My Parenting Inspirations - Part 4 — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama looks at her biggest parenting inspiration and how that translates into her long-term parenting philosophy.
• A Parenting Philosophy in One Word: Respect — Jenn at Monkey Butt Junction summarizes her parenting and relationship philosophy in one word: respect.
• Knowledge and Instinct — Kat at Loving {Almost} Every Moment believes that knowledge and instinct are super important … as are love, encouragement and respect. It's the ideal combo needed to raise happy and healthy children and in turn create meaningful relationships with them.
• THRIVE! — The Sparkle Mama wants to set a tone of confidence, abundance, and happiness in her home that will be the foundation for the rest of her daughter's life.
• On Children — "Your children are not your children," say Kahlil Gibran and Hannah at Wild Parenting.
• This One Life Together — Ariadne aka Mudpiemama shares her philosophy of parenting: living fully in the here and now and building the foundation for a happy and healthy life.
• Enjoying life and planning for a bright future — Olivia at Write About Birth shares her most important parenting dilemmas and pours out her heart about past trauma and how healing made her a better parent.
• My Parenting Philosophy: Unconditional and Natural Love — Charise at I Thought I Knew Mama shares what she has learned about her parenting philosophy from a year of following her instincts as a mama.
• An open letter to my children — Isil at Smiling Like Sunshine writes an open letter to her children.
• My Starter Kit for Unconditional Parenting — Sylvia at MaMammalia discusses her wish to raise a good person and summarizes some of the nontraditional practices she's using with her toddler son in order to fulfill that wish.
• Responsiveness — Sheila at A Gift Universe has many philosophies and goals, but what it all boils down to is responsiveness: listening to what her son wants and providing what he needs.
• Tools for Creating Your Parenting Philosophy — Have you ever really thought about your parenting purpose? Knowing your long-term goals can help you parent with more intent in your daily interactions. Dionna at Code Name: Mama offers exercises and ideas to help you create your own parenting philosophy.
• Be a Daisy — Becky at Old New Legacy philosophizes about individuality and how she thinks it's important for her daughter's growth.
• What's a Mama to Do? — Amyables at Toddler in Tow hopes that her dedication to compassionate parenting will keep her children from becoming too self-critical as adults.
• grown-up anxieties. — Laura at Our Messy Messy Life explains her lone worry concerning her babies growing up.
• Why I Used Montessori Principles in My Parenting Philosophy — Deb Chitwood at Living Montessori Now tells why she chose Montessori principles to help her now-adult children develop qualities she wanted to see in them as children and adults.
• Parenting Philosophies & Planning for the Future — Momma Jorje considers that the future is maybe just a fringe benefit of doing what feels right now.
• Not Just Getting Through — Rachael at The Variegated Life asks what truths she hopes to express even in the most commonplace interactions with her son.
• Parenting Philosophy? Eh... — Ana at Pandamoly shares the philosophy (or lack thereof) being employed to (hopefully) raise a respectful, loving, and responsible child.
• Parenting Philosophy: Being Present — Shannon at The Artful Mama discusses the changes her family has made to accommodate their parenting philosophy and to reflect their ideals as working parents.
• Who They Will Be — Amanda at Let's Take the Metro shares a short list of some qualities she hopes she is instilling in her children at this very moment.
• Short Term vs. Long Term — Sheryl at Little Snowflakes recounts how long term parenting goals often get lost in the details of everyday life with two kids.
• Parenting Philosophy: Practicing and Nurturing Peace — Terri at Child of the Nature Isle sets personal goals for developing greater peace.
• Yama Niyama & the Red Pajama Mama — Part 1: The Yamas — In part 1 of a set of posts by Zoie at TouchstoneZ, Zoie guest posts at Natural Parents Network about how the Yoga Sutras provide a framework for her parenting philosophy.
• Yama Niyama & the Red Pajama Mama — Part 2: The Niyamas — In part 2 of a set of posts by Zoie at TouchstoneZ, Zoie explores how the Niyamas (one of the eight limbs in traditional Yoga) help her maintain her parenting and life focus.
• Our Sample Parenting Plan — Chante at My Natural Motherhood Journey shares hopes of who her children will become and parenting strategies she employs to get them there.
• Philosophical Parenting: Letting Go — Jona at Life, Intertwined ponders the notion that there's no right answer when it comes to parenting.
• Unphilosophizing? — jessica at instead of institutions wonders about the usefulness of navel gazing.
• Parenting Sensitively — Amy at Anktangle uses her sensitivity to mother her child in ways that both nurture and affirm.
• how to nurture your relationships — Mrs Green at Little Green Blog believes that sometimes all kids need is a jolly good listening to …
• Philosophy Of An Unnatural Parent — Dr. Sarah at Good Enough Mum sees parenting as a process of guiding her children to develop the skills they'll need.
• Life with a Challenging Kid: Hidden Blessings — Wendy at High Needs Attachment shares the challenges and joys of raising a high needs child.
• Flying by the Seat of My Pants — Heather at Very Nearly Hippy has realized that she has no idea what she's doing.

How to Make the Most of a Roasted Chicken, Including a New Use for the Bones

One of my family's favorite meals is roasted chicken. Where I live, it is a real challenge to purchase chicken that has been raised humanely and healthily without spending loads of money.  Consequently, we don't eat chicken very often and when we do, I like to make the most of it.

Prep for Making Stock
When I prep the bird for cooking early in the day, I like to prep for making stock. I pull out the slow cooker and throw in the veggies (one onion, 2-3 carrots, and 1-2 celery stalks), filtered water, and splash of vinegar. This way all I have to do after dinner is throw in the remnants from picking the carcass (bones, juices, and chewy bits).

Pick the Carcass
After everyone has eaten their fill of roasted chicken, I bring the chicken carcass to the table and pick the meat off the bones.  The bones, juices, and chewy bits go straight into the slow cooker for making stock. The meat gets stored in a glass container in the fridge to be used for another meal such as pizza, soup, or lettuce wraps. If I have any on-hand, I also add some chicken feet to the stockpot.
 

Rewards From Picking the Carcass a 2nd Time

Cook Stock and Pick the Carcass Again
I simmer the chicken stock for 12-18 hours.  When that is done, I pick the carcass all over again.  By picking the carcass a second time, you can make the most of the chicken.  There is quite a large amount of meat, skin, and connective tissue that was too tough to eat before making stock, but these parts are wonderfully tender after being simmered in the stock.

Don't Toss Those Bones Just Yet!
After simmering for many hours, the chicken bones get soft.  The small rib bones can be sprinkled with salt and eaten (my daughter especially loves these; obviously you should make sure they are soft before giving these to your kids).  The larger bones are soft on the ends, so I crumble these directly into the bowl with the meat, skin, and connective tissues from the 2nd carcass-picking. 

Use Stock Veggies, Meat, and Bone Bits for a Bowl of Soup Right Away
Additionally, I reserve the carrots and onions from the stockpot. These veggies combine with the meat and bone bits (from the 2nd carcass picking), a splash of fresh broth, and some salt and pepper to make a large bowl of soup (enough for 2-3 people). This soup can either be eaten right away, or stored in the fridge as an easy meal for later.

Preserve the Stock
I strain the remainder of the broth and pour it into glass containers.  I do not skim the fat off the stock, as it makes the stock more nourishing. Depending on my stock needs in the following few days, I store the stock in the fridge or freezer. 

Do you have any tips for making the most of a chicken?

This post is part of Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist!

Crispy Almond Pancakes (GAPS-legal, grain- and gluten-free)

Mmmm, pancakes.  Hot off the griddle, these pancakes make a great breakfast.  Cold from the fridge, the leftover pancakes make a great snack.

Crispy Almond Pancakes
Serves 3-4
2 cups almond flour, preferably from crispy nuts
4 Tb (half stick) butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp celtic sea salt
2 Tb honey
1/2 cup milk kefir
4 eggs, preferably from pastured hens

1. Combine all ingredients using an immersion blender (or countertop blender). This pancake batter will be quite thin.  
2. Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat.  You'll know it is ready when a drop of water sizzles immediately.  
3. Because the batter is very thin, it won't work well for making large pancakes.  Use a 1/8 cup or medium scoop to measure out the pancake batter, and cook the pancakes in butter over medium heat.

Top these pancakes with butter and raw honey or jam.  Serve with a glass of raw milk or milk kefir plus a side of bacon. Tasty!

This post is part of Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist, Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, and Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop!

Magnesium-Rich Balanced Breakfast Shake with Fresh-Pressed Juices (GAPS-legal)

Fresh-pressed juice is wonderfully healthy because it contains all of the minerals and nutrients found in raw fruits and vegetables. Consuming fresh-pressed juice is part of the GAPS diet protocol, as fresh-pressed juice has a detoxifying effect on the body. For GAPS people, it is also beneficial that the fiber is not consumed as fiber can be especially irritating to the digestive system.

This recipe is our favorite morning breakfast shake.  It is not very sweet, and the beets give the shake a beautiful color.  The addition of sour cream and raw eggs give this shake plenty of fat and protein, so that it is a balanced way to start your day.

This shake is rich in magnesium and potassium, so this shake is a great remedy for constipation, especially when consumed on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. According to Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride, constipation is "due to a lack of beneficial microbes in the gut and an imbalance of the intestinal nervous system: the sympathetic nervous system is too active, while parasympathetic is suppressed." The magnesium and potassium in this shake stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm the sympathetic nervous system, which helps to relieve constipation.
 
Beet, Carrot, and Citrus Balanced Breakfast Shake
Serves 1-2
1 medium beet (you can include the greens too)
3 carrots
1/2 of an orange or grapefruit, peeled
pinch celtic sea salt
2 Tb sour cream
2 raw eggs*
Equipment needed: juice extractor and optional immersion blender

1. Break two raw eggs into a large glass.  Top with a large scoop of sour cream (about 2 tablespoons) and a pinch of celtic sea salt.
2. Use a juice extractor to juice the orange, beet, and carrots into the glass.  
3. Use an immersion blender to combine all of the ingredients in the glass.  (You could use a whisk instead, but I like that the immersion blender makes the egg white completely blend into the liquid of the shake.)
4. Either skim the foam from the top of the shake, or just drink with a straw (this will allow you to drink from the bottom of the glass and just stop when you get to the foam).
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

*When consuming raw eggs, be especially careful that you trust the source of your eggs.  Healthy chickens produce healthy eggs (which reduces the risk of salmonella).  You can omit the egg whites if your tummy is sensitive to them.  We have no problem digesting the raw egg whites, and they provide a great source of protein in the shake.

This post is part of Pennywise Platter at The Nourishing Gourmet, Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade, Real Food Wednesday with Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Monday Mania at The Healthy Home Economist!