Living off the Land

Coming from a long line of farmers, I suppose it's in my blood to want to live off the land. Cotton has sustained generations of my family for 150 years; now I'm happy to get a few fresh vegetables to call my own. Maybe that's what drives my new friend and fellow Knoxville blogger Mamabelle to raise her own chickens for eggs. I'd have to check our neighborhood by-laws, but I'm pretty sure "no livestock" is in there somewhere. So for now, I'll stick with reaping the bounty of our small garden.

Take tonight's dinner: To celebrate the incredibly fresh taste of snow peas right off the vine, we ate a few raw as snacks and then steamed the rest slightly for a vegetable and pasta medley. I started by cooking a pound of pasta I got for $1. I then sauteed green onions from the farmers' market; mushrooms, red peppers, and garlic on sale at Kroger this past week; and a few organic carrots. I then added the rest of the chicken breast from the whole chicken I bought for $1.04/lb on manager's special at Kroger and those amazing snow peas I previously mentioned. I added 1/2 cup of parsley growing in our herb garden and a few tablespoons of Classico alfredo sauce I got for a great price when those Classiso coupons were going around in May. When the food is fresh, it's best not to lose it in too many spices or sauces. The result was fresh, healthy, and delicious.

This is far from "living off the land" but I stress that even one ingredient that's fresh can make an entire dish phenomenal. If you're intimidated by growing your own, though you shouldn't be with such guidance from Gabe at Couponing in Critical Times, then consider visiting a farmers' market this week. You'll be glad you did.

Pulling Weeds is Therapeutic

I'm no gardener but I love to garden: planting, harvesting, eating earth's bounty. Today's weather calls for "abundant sunshine" and a high of 66. Our entire family will be outside today planting our first round of vegetables. Our pea seedlings are already 8 inches high and wrestling each other; outside they go. We'll also be planting more seeds to thrive in our "guest room green house." My husband has it all planned out with staggered crops to maximize the small amount of space we have: four 4x4 beds. All I know is part of my job today will definitely consist of pulling weeds and that suits me just fine.

Do you know that feeling when you pull a weed and it emerges from the soft ground roots intact? It's just as good as popping air bubbles in packing plastic but way better for the environment. Yesterday I started pulling weeds that had been growing since the snow melted. They were competing with the bulbs we planted last fall, and I can't have weeds crowding and taking away from their beauty! One after another, I felt better and better. Since we've have rain lately, the ground is soft but not muddy--the perfect time to spruce up outside. And while you're at it, let the kids give it a try--what a great chore for them. Between the sunshine, an improved yard, and the endorphins from pulling weeds, it's like free therapy.

So if it's even for just 10 minutes, go pull some weeds today.

P.S. Mom, this is not your cue to pull out the Round-up. Give the organic way a shot! ;-)