tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62011817406097796692012-01-26T22:38:50.326-08:00Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.comBlogger1551100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-31211993929013299172009-06-30T22:22:00.000-07:002009-06-30T22:27:27.376-07:00

[Insert trumpet fanfare here] Introducing Organic and Thrifty DOT COM! Yes, we've packed up everything and moved over to the new site! I hope all of you dear readers will find your way over to the new site and re-set your "bookmarks" to: www.OrganicThrifty.com.In a few weeks, I'll go ahead and point this site directly to the new URL, but for now I'll just hope every one just follows the links

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-1790704568764233052009-06-21T22:44:00.000-07:002009-06-21T23:13:17.913-07:00

This week my goal for menu planning was to use what I have on hand and make things as simple as possible. We have a lot going on this week in the way of evening activities, and I don't have time for complex prep. The weather promises to warm up this week as well, so I want to avoid using the oven as much as possible. We are still observing the Apostle's Fast, so we'll be frequenting the wild

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-34456077133635444642009-06-19T23:34:00.000-07:002009-06-20T00:42:53.041-07:00

Summer is finally here, and the bounty of fresh berries has only just begun. Every week there's a new delicious fruit to savor, and what better way to enjoy the harvest than with a grain-free, honey-sweetened dessert?Like many of my recipes, this started with a google search. When nothing showed up, I set out to create my own. Our family's dietary restrictions call for using honey and no grains.

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-18908739191039180852009-06-17T10:46:00.000-07:002009-06-17T14:35:29.658-07:00

A reader recently wrote me to ask for tips on Postpartum weight loss. As I was replying to her, I realized the response had promise as a blog post, knowing that there are probably others out there with the same question! After the birth of my first child more than four years ago, I really struggled to lose the weight. I gained an enormous amount of weight (nearly 70 pounds, and my daughter was

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-49002869235296944872009-06-15T23:14:00.000-07:002009-06-16T00:28:50.234-07:00

In my first "baby steps" post, I talked about the importance of finding and establishing a support system for transitioning to a traditional foods diet. This was a very important step for me. After establishing support, the next step is to make peace with the fact that you will need to be in your kitchen more than ever before. Don't worry, this baby step doesn't plunge you into the kitchen and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-91434179087181537642009-06-14T21:00:00.001-07:002009-06-14T21:24:55.285-07:00

This evening I had the pleasure of harvesting a bowlful of fat, sweet sugar snap peas along with a delicious bowl of hand-gathered lettuce, nasturtium leaves, arugula, parsley, and beet leaves. It's so nice to finally enjoy the early fruits of months of labor in the garden! Last night we enjoyed four delicious heads of home-grown, organic broccoli mixed into a frittata (wish I could claim that

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-33359926797549044322009-06-10T22:01:00.000-07:002009-06-10T22:14:25.836-07:00

The alternate title to this post would be "what s/he said". There are several times when I just get "blogger block" because I think there's nothing left to write about; there's just too much better info out there to link to! So here are some awesome links that I really enjoyed reading today.The first includes "99 ways to Save Money on Food" from Mark's Daily Apple (an awesome blog, check it out).

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-60417520472334691352009-06-04T20:55:00.000-07:002009-06-14T13:59:54.017-07:00

Admittedly, in my not-so-organic-and-thrifty days past, there were times when I could be found sucking down an ice-cold Slurpee or Starbuck's Frappucino on a hot, summer day. The Slurpee is more of a relic of the 90's; it was a favorite after-basketball snack in high school (no wonder I had acne so bad) and it was a frequent refreshment during all-nighters in college. YUCK!As I grew older, (and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-10657902276660647212009-06-02T21:48:00.000-07:002009-06-02T22:58:12.428-07:00

Ok, I don't know how the formatting of this post is going to work but I wanted to post the beginnings of my Square Food Garden for this Real Food Wednesday. This year I started about 90% of my plants from seed, which I now realize is a big part of the work of gardening.I started at the end of February and through much trial and error, managed to cultivate some successful starts! I have much to

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-29100583933113509932009-06-01T15:03:00.000-07:002009-06-01T15:45:31.190-07:00

Now that we are experiencing true "summer" weather here in Portland, I've transitioned my recipes to being as summer-friendly as possible; meaning minimizing oven usage whenever possible and "picnicable" lunches. The past several days we've been eating our lunches outside and it's been so nice to enjoy lots of low-carb, nourishing "finger foods" that require very little energy to prepare and are

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-89564194507528572652009-05-29T23:50:00.000-07:002009-05-29T00:54:06.095-07:00

Sometimes the prospect of making our diets healthier can be so overwhelming at the beginning. Sometimes we have the luxury of taking our time in the transition. But when there are dire health concerns in your family, you sometimes have to transition faster than you'd like. Here are ten easy, sneaky ways to make your meals more nourishing and nutrient-dense that your family most likely won't

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78820902152172590582009-05-25T22:01:00.000-07:002009-05-25T22:01:01.015-07:00

A few weeks ago I was blessed to share some thoughts on "Nourishing our Families the Traditional Way" at a homeschooling conference in Seattle. My main talk involved 10 baby steps for making the transition. I thought I would, over the course of the next several weeks, share and expound a little on these baby steps. The first baby step is to Arm Yourself with Support. Before you go dumping out all

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-87353076653890935622009-05-23T21:48:00.000-07:002009-05-23T21:56:38.348-07:00

It is time to announce the winner of the giveaway with Chef Rachel! One lucky winner was chosen by the random number generator here. Read on to find out the lucky winner! The random number generator chose the number 9. The 9th commenter left the following:I really want to get her [Chef Rachel's] books (our library doesn't have them), so I will have to save my money. My son just started a GFCF

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-84845925217460349202009-05-14T22:00:00.000-07:002011-05-15T00:56:53.983-07:00

Update, May 2011:Since posting my son's story and this recipe several years ago, the response has been overwhelming. I have been able to connect personally to so many of you amazing moms who are taking this step towards providing the 2nd-best nutrition for your baby (obviously, we all wish we could breastfeed).I get tons of questions every week about the goat milk, and if you don't hear back from

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-39283295480455824022009-05-11T21:50:00.000-07:002009-05-11T22:17:57.288-07:00

Well, even though it's a little late in coming, here's the menu plan for the week. Just for the record, I *did* have it written up Saturday night! Unfortunately my two-year-old attacked my computer keyboard so some key letters are missing, making it a bit difficult to type. I'm hoping this won't affect my posting this week! Monday:B: eggs, salsa verde, avocadoL: zucchini-onion-shittake mushroom

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-27804698100550312442009-05-09T23:59:00.000-07:002009-05-23T21:44:48.129-07:00

May is an exciting time for the Organic & Thrifty Oregonian, because so begins the season of Farmer's Markets!!! I know I'm not alone in this joy, for hundreds of like-minded folks come out every week for the most healthy, grassroots "carnival" there ever was! But with prices so high at the market (comparably) how can we support local farmers without breaking the bank?First of all, I believe that

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-70604577641087272332009-05-07T01:17:00.000-07:002009-06-14T14:13:24.418-07:00

It's time for the awesome giveaway I've been so excited to tell you about! How would you like to talk with one of the smartest health gals around about how to transition to a healthy, real food diet? The Healthy Cooking Coach, Rachel Albert-Matesz, author of The Garden of Eating Diet and The Ice Dream Cookbook will help you with transition tips, recipe makeovers, and menu planning/shopping

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-17478685973657335522009-05-05T20:22:00.000-07:002009-05-06T01:11:39.712-07:00

As we head into the summer months, the question on every good mother's mind is how to naturally protect our loved ones from sunburn and skin cancer. As a mother to two very fair children and a husband who burns in the shade, this is a big concern of mine.Now we've all been told for as long as we can remember to "protect yourself from the sun". After decades of slathering on the sunscreen, are we

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-324741877792086902009-05-04T10:48:00.000-07:002009-05-04T11:30:50.431-07:00

It's hard to believe that the first of May is already here. My "baby" niece turns one today, and that's unbelievable because I can vividly remember going to see her at the hospital just a few months ago it feels. Happy Birthday, dear Susannah! What a blessed, happy, chunky baby she is! Nourished by her mama with real food and real milk, it's so amazing to see that radiant health is possible, by

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-82282415576545461722009-04-26T21:51:00.000-07:002009-04-26T22:09:02.991-07:00

After a few weeks off of posting my menus (mostly due to an incredibly busy couple of weeks with Holy Week and Bright Week) it's finally time to plan some meat-laden menus!! My challenge for the next few weeks is to use the meet I have in my freezer (and there's a bunch of it) so we'll be slowly working our way through it for the next year and a half I'm sure!Here's the plan:Monday:B: eggs, fruit

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-55654812294234123752009-04-23T20:25:00.000-07:002009-04-23T21:09:09.397-07:00

Saving money is all the rage these days. This was very apparent to me today as I took my kids to a newly-built park in an upscale new development. The development included a Whole Foods, FIVE (count them) Starbucks (???), several trendy eateries, including Chipotle, an Aveda Day Spa, a resort-like retirement "community", and a Jewelry Store. Not to mention a whole mall just a block away. And the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-74329992881085744512009-04-16T09:28:00.000-07:002009-04-16T09:54:33.020-07:00

I wasn't going to post this week, but after admiring the amazingly perfect grain-free pancakes I had adapted, I felt that I had to share. My quest: To make a thick, fluffy, comfort-foodie pancake without using grain. My inspiration? Perhaps it was the Lenten Pancake breakfast I had to, with Lenten self-sacrifice, abstain from last Saturday. I sign up to help with this breakfast every year, in

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-36042130340438093022009-04-07T20:52:00.000-07:002009-04-09T22:34:33.539-07:00

Are you looking for a no-nonsense, simple way of eating that will make you lose weight and feel amazing? Do you want to eat the way pre-agricultural people, free of modern degenerative diseases ate? Look no further! This is the last cookbook/diet book that you'll ever need. When I first heard about this cookbook, I was sure that nothing would knock my beloved Nourishing Traditions off of its seat

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-74518114201370443752009-04-05T19:01:00.000-07:002009-04-05T19:43:04.983-07:00

This week's menu is going to be a bit of a crap shoot since we just got back into town late last night (read: early this Morning) from Santa Rosa, CA. Thankfully we managed to eat well while on the road (thanks to a cooler full of homemade stuff and a local Trader Joe's) but it means that we're back home to an empty (clean!) fridge (thanks, honey!!!!) So here's what I'm thinking: One of the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-44650755530386900112009-04-01T08:13:00.000-07:002009-04-01T08:15:07.021-07:00

Sometimes buying organic isn't all that it's cracked up to be. There are some really great organic products out there....but do you know who owns them? Are they really locally-owned and produced? Or are they basically the same as every other product out there? The image above shows who owns some of the popular organic products you'll find in your local health food store. For a larger image, click

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-24487774640518919022009-03-23T23:25:00.000-07:002009-06-14T14:11:53.712-07:00

Despite what you may think, sickness is good for the immune system. The occasional cold or flu must run its course fully so that the body can properly fight and become immune to it, whether viral or bacterial. Did you know that most, if not all, over-the-counter "medicines" for cold and flu are merely symptom suppressors and actually work against your immune system? The solution? Nourish your

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-60082753744370002402009-03-22T18:18:00.002-07:002009-03-22T18:32:14.992-07:00

Wow; I feel so strange coming back after over a week of not posting! Our computer has been infected by spyware and it's not letting me log on so I've been unable to post, and currently my computer is in the hands of a faithful relative who's a computer whiz, but there's no telling when or if the issue will be resolved! Although I enjoy blogging immensely, I have to say the forced vacation has

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-64263483223584815702009-03-12T21:59:00.000-07:002009-03-12T23:05:43.425-07:00

This week's thrifty menu from New Seasons is packed with such flavor that you'll never believe it's vegan! Full of veggies and GAPS-friendly ingredients but light on the budget, you can enjoy this simple meal on a Friday or Saturday night!For this recipe, you'll save lots of money by making your beans from "scratch", meaning that you purchase them dry (at $0.10 per ounce, it's a true bargain!)

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-40313897356009778022009-03-09T21:29:00.000-07:002009-03-11T01:43:37.096-07:00

Perhaps you've heard how beneficial lacto-fermented foods are for you and your kids. Lacto-fermentation is a practical, low-cost, whole-foods way to provide high amounts of vitamins, enzymes, and beneficial probiotics to your diet. However, the challenge that remains is getting these wonderful foods into your kids! Obviously a lot could be said here about lacto-fermentation. The how's and the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-33931569590640696102009-03-08T22:06:00.000-07:002009-03-09T10:07:10.425-07:00

Another Lenten menu this week, with some ambitious creations, like "lentil sloppy joes". You can imagine my elation when I realized last week that lentils are allowed on the GAPS diet! In the spirit of "eating to live and not living to eat", I'm keeping my Lenten meal plans simple. For myself, I find that a simple breakfast of coconut kefir with lime and a little fresh fruit has been sufficient

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-49149569575526632332009-03-07T08:50:00.000-08:002009-03-11T00:23:21.360-07:00

I have a confession to make: I was scared of Grocery Outlet. In my mind, Grocery Outlet was full of non-foods laden with GMOs, HFCS, MSG, and lots of other naughty acronyms. Recently, however, I was proved wrong in my prejudice. I couldn' t believe how much food (all wholesome!) I purchased for $38!!Here's what I purchased:3 packages of smoked wild-caught Pacific Northwest Salmon (additive free!)

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-8536066908727062852009-03-05T14:21:00.000-08:002009-03-08T23:00:09.673-07:00

The notion of "Frugal Meals" often conjures up images of Top Ramen and cheap hot dogs. Granted, it's easy to to default to rice and beans or pasta for a low-cost meal. What about those of us, who for health reasons, can't tolerate such foods? Is it possible to create a delicious, nourishing, grain-free and low carb frugal meal? Kimi over at The Nourishing Gourmet is hosting Frugal Nourishing

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-72086457059939454382009-03-04T12:43:00.000-08:002009-03-04T12:43:00.156-08:00

If you love good, nourishing food but don't have lots of excess money to spend, you've come to the right place here at Organic and Thrifty (formerly The Thrifty Oreganic). Where do you go for more frugal foodie inspiration?. Look no further than the Top 100 Frugal Food Blog list! I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of this amazing list, and am proud of my fellow amazing bloggers, Frugal

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-60523902994215967592009-03-03T20:00:00.000-08:002009-03-03T20:46:42.125-08:00

Soon after my full conversion to traditional food, I decided to get rid of my microwave for health reasons. There are conclusive studies showing the microwaves effect on food, but if nothing else I was eager to make some more space in my tiny kitchen for all of the real food cooking I was about to begin doing!. Living without a microwave is not as complicated as one might imagine. Our

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-25251449436356835052009-03-02T17:17:00.000-08:002009-03-02T21:38:21.407-08:00

Since we are in Lent, for the next 6 weeks I'm going to devote Tuesday's 5 Dollar Dinners posts to thrifty, low-carb meals that are also Lenten. This exotic, yet simple salad was so delicious that it was hard to believe it was really fast-friendly! Last week's specials at Fred Meyer were the inspiration for this meal:Shrimp & Avocado Salad:4 cups organic salad greens ($.75, I buy Earth Bound

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-59835670825473245222009-03-01T20:00:00.000-08:002009-03-02T13:27:34.763-08:00

This week is considered "clean week" for Orthodox Christians. Strictly speaking, the Orthodox abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, and fish for the next 40 days in observance of Lent. Seafood with no backbone is allowed throughout, such as mussels, shrimp, oysters, calamari. Since these are very nutrient dense, this is good news for fasting. Unfortunately, for those of us who don't live in the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-31093992880934670362009-02-28T11:26:00.000-08:002009-02-28T11:26:00.759-08:00

Just a reminder that I'm starting to host a Fridge & Pantry Cleanout Challenge every Monday, as I plan my menus! Whether you're a fellow blogger, a commenter, or just a lurker, I encourage you to carve out some peaceful time this weekend (with relaxing music and hot tea) and join me as I do my best to make a menu out of what I have on hand. The goal is to spend as little as possible on my

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-84165915109969113462009-02-28T01:08:00.001-08:002009-02-28T01:20:38.114-08:00

I wanted to mention about my new header and logo, in case anyone was confused! I was just so excited to get these up on my site because they look so great! A big thank you to my father-in-law for his amazing artistry and design! You may have noticed the obvious "www.organicthrifty.com". Yes, that's my "new" blog residence, but I have not yet moved in. The land is purchased, I just need to hook up

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-56179376452806278682009-02-25T20:39:00.000-08:002009-02-25T21:46:39.812-08:00

This week's Thrifty Meal is one I've gotten many, many requests for. It's a winner at potlucks, and it's the perfect one-pot meal for a busy day when you need to have a nourishing dinner prepared! Best of all, the recipe is composed of ingredients that are simple and inexpensive! This recipe is modified from Mabel Hoffman's book, Healthy Crockery Cookery, my all time favorite slow cooker book!

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-70078771082103544282009-02-24T23:31:00.001-08:002009-02-25T01:10:33.063-08:00

The picture above was taken September 17, 2007 when my son, Jonathan, was 3 months old. It's hard to believe that the face above is the same face as that of my smiling, chubby, 20 month old. Many people don't believe me when I show them his early baby pictures. How did this sallow-faced, acid-reflux, colicky baby of three months old who was dropping percentiles every month become the thriving,

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-44451505875856945462009-02-24T23:23:00.000-08:002009-06-14T14:01:45.228-07:00

Who says you can't have pizza when you're grain free? Whether you're avoiding grains for health reasons or weight-loss purposes, this thrifty meal is an indulgence for the taste buds and not the waistline or the budget! Just make sure you budget your time, as this simple crust takes a few hours to bake.This recipe was a spur-of-the moment attempt at fulfilling a desire for pizza on Valentine's

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-91357137033514233562009-02-22T22:47:00.000-08:002009-02-28T01:41:52.357-08:00

This week's menu planning took place in the passenger's seat of our car somewhere between Yakima, Washington and Hood River, Oregon. We had a lovely weekend visiting with family as we celebrated the baptism of my beautiful niece. Today also marks the end of meat eating for Orthodox Christians as we get closer to the beginning of Great Lent. Fasting is an ancient practice of cleansing and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-26388101059351316072009-02-20T12:21:00.000-08:002009-02-20T12:21:00.271-08:00

Breakfast, they say, is the most important meal of the day. This is totally true for me; I've always needed a full breakfast to get me going since I'm not a morning person. A complete breakfast, thanks to the cereal ads of our childhood, conjures up images of 2 margerined slices of white wonder bread, a tall glass of orange juice, a bowl of sugar-laden, extruded grain cereal, and perhaps eggs and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-37465631851682234292009-02-19T23:00:00.000-08:002009-02-19T23:00:00.839-08:00

When it comes right down to it, the economic situation we're facing as a nation has taught me that the best investments are relationships. What is social security other than strong family bonds? The commitment of marriage and the community of loving friends and neighbors to stick with us when times get hard?What "medicare" is better than good, nourishing food, just as God created it, prepared

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-25344065041109135682009-02-18T17:04:00.000-08:002009-02-18T21:22:48.971-08:00

This week's Thrifty Meal from New Seasons is simple, nourishing, and will provide at least three (if not more) additional meals for the freezer or nourishing lunches. Using a thrifty cut of meat that's on sale at New Seasons, along with a handful of cheap bulk spices (10% off all bulk items right now at New Seasons!) make this easy meal in the morning and forget the dinnertime hassle! Slow-Cooked

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-57789076545706601142009-02-17T22:05:00.000-08:002009-06-14T14:12:42.232-07:00

This week, Kelly the Kitchen Kop is gathering delicious recipes that highlight the many uses of coconut. Since I'm a big fan of coconut and have posted many recipes here, I'll go ahead and share (again) my favorites and add a few new ones as well!I'm going to share my recipe for homemade deodorant using coconut oil. Remember, we should never put anything on our bodies that we wouldn't put into

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-73293461265859600832009-02-16T21:20:00.000-08:002009-02-16T22:12:41.304-08:00

I know that the notion of eating tongue is probably totally unappealing to most of you; it was to me for sure. Recently, however, at an authentic Mexican restaurant, I ordered tongue tacos and they were delicious and inexpensive! When I found out that my grass-fed, organic beef farmer sold tongue for $2.50/lb, I had to figure out a way to use it in a delicious way. Here's what I did, with

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-28134104465522254102009-02-15T21:45:00.000-08:002009-02-28T01:42:31.637-08:00

Welcome to the first week of my fridge & pantry cleanout challenge! I am challenging my fellow bloggers and readers to not only plan their menus, but to use up those leftovers and pantry items as well! Please, leave a comment or e-mail me privately if you'd like your link added to this post. All I ask is that you refer a link back to this blog. You are also welcome to grab my button (above) and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-58119712834849379832009-02-15T09:11:00.000-08:002009-02-15T09:20:18.683-08:00

Every week, I make it my goal to not have to purchase anything for the week's menu. I've never met that goal, but each week I seem to be getting more and more efficient about paring my list down to the essentials. Since I have a freezer stash of so many things (including my milk, meat, and butter) and lots of bulk items (beans, legumes, sea veggies, etc.) from azure in my pantry, the only real

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78445596006821864332009-02-14T15:53:00.000-08:002009-02-14T16:08:18.238-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I had a busy day today hosting a baby shower and attending a baptism, so I'm just now getting back to post my favorite, last-minute treats! These are the easiest things to make, and you can do them any day for a healthy, sugar-free snack! Almond-Date Hearts1.5 cups of crispy almonds 1 cup pitted dates, soaked for 10 min. in warm water, then choppedcinnamon, cocoa, or

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-83083911273459702692009-02-11T21:54:00.000-08:002009-02-11T23:22:30.807-08:00

Those of you locals who read my blog know how eclectic I am in my grocery shopping. I like Trader Joe's for some things, I do Azure Standard for lots of things, and for meat I usually buy it off the bone. All of this renders my "weekly shopping" down to a minimum since I pretty much go for fresh produce and fresh seafood, poultry, or beef cuts that I don't have on hand. I do try to usually use

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-53393170517113206422009-02-10T22:30:00.000-08:002009-02-11T12:48:07.531-08:00

Chicken broth (or broth of any kind, for that matter) always used to intimidate me. I'm not sure why, but it just seemed like a lot of work. I realized, however, how much I liked the flavor it added to rice and soups, so I started buying it in the asceptic containers. Wow, did that start adding up! Then I actually read the label, and there wasn't actually any indication that it was really made

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-28812866055745097962009-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:36:05.653-08:00

Several months ago, Cheeseslave had a discussion on her blog about these amazingly delicious, three-ingredient macaroons. The photo below is hers, as well! Thanks, Ann Marie! For months and months I had many trials (and mostly errors) trying to replicate the deliciously sweet and chewy taste of Jennie's Macaroons using only egg white, honey, and coconut. Finally, just when I gave up trying, I

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-42422549388755770362009-02-08T22:00:00.000-08:002009-02-08T22:22:42.500-08:00

This week I did online shopping at New Seasons (which, if you haven't done before and want to try, you can do for free. Mention that I referred you and we'll both get a free delivery! Very cool). I chose the "store pick-up" option which allows me simply to pull up and wait in the car for my bags to arrive. I was able to shop from the comfort of my laptop,cruise the good deals (in peace and quiet!

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-63404751841557075682009-02-07T02:04:00.000-08:002009-02-08T02:01:09.319-08:00

SourceIn case you don't know, CLO stands for Cod Liver Oil, a nutritional supplement our grandmas grew up on and swore by for preventing illness. My family has been taking Cod Liver Oil for some time now (4 plus years for me!) and have enjoyed great benefits. In fact, it's probably the one supplement I would take with me if I was stranded on a desert island. Recently, however, CLO has gotten some

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-6591684157512314152009-02-05T23:22:00.000-08:002009-02-06T09:54:16.188-08:00

photo creditIn a recent post of mine, a commenter, Laura Jo, asks about simple steps to nutritional healing from acne. Like Laura, I was taking daily doses of antibiotics daily as well as applying a topical Vitamin A cream. Here's what I would have loved to have known back then, as a poor college student with limited access to good quality foods:First off, I want to basically share my

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-71794264789503007332009-02-04T00:41:00.000-08:002009-02-04T01:30:23.809-08:00

This week, Kelly is rounding up tips from those of us who've made the transition to a Real Foods diet. What is real food? Basically, it's food that has a source, a face, a name. You know who made it, grew it, milked it, collected it, etc. Besides trying to locate sources for all of this real food, it can be very tricky to actually process it and make it into something appealing that your family

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-73425195740366306732009-02-03T22:36:00.001-08:002009-02-06T09:56:03.620-08:00

For a long time I've wanted to write about my journey to "Real Food" or Traditional Nutrition. I've hesitated because it seems like a rather long story, and a journey that quite frankly I'm still on. It's been a pretty amazing journey, spiritually speaking, in that it has empowered me as a woman to realize my potential at bringing healing and nourishment to my loved ones. Food preparation has

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-7535526458243613272009-02-01T16:01:00.000-08:002009-02-01T23:10:44.817-08:00

After another week of grain-free I can honestly say I feel really great! My pants are even feeling looser around the waist! We are doing the GAPS diet for the sake of my daughter, but it's such a healthy way of eating (and my dear husband could use GAPS too!) that we do it for the whole family. In the spirit of thriftiness, I am putting together menus that are low-cost, and nourishing! Here are

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-720832823474625002009-02-01T00:32:00.000-08:002009-02-01T17:35:26.883-08:00

The cornerstone of frugality, according to many thrifty folks, is to eat a diet that maximizes grains and produce, since both are relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, a diet that majors on grains is not an option for an increasing number of people. How can those of us who chose to be grain-free (for weight loss reasons or health reasons) do so without spending a boat load of money? There is no

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-39778339866339663122009-01-31T23:49:00.000-08:002009-02-01T00:06:24.776-08:00

You know how sometimes you google a recipe you want to find and it's a bust? Well, that happened tonight; I wanted grain-free Indian Naan (a tall order, I know...but surely someone in the great blogosphere had done it?) Alas, no luck. So, in the absence of a recipe, I modified a grain-free "skillet bread" recipe and came up with a delicous, grain-free, savory Indian flatbread to accompany a

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-33141830105510771532009-01-26T23:01:00.001-08:002009-01-26T23:37:56.177-08:00

A blur of activity and fun, that was my daughter's 4th birthday party. It came together surprisingly simply; and for that I am very thankful, in spite of my lofty aspirations for it being totally GAPS-friendly and healthy (we are following a modified GAPS diet; my daughter tolerates raw dairy and starchy veggies fine, so some are included here). I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on how to

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-46199185184340601392009-01-26T21:47:00.000-08:002009-01-26T23:00:45.808-08:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, we are going back to the GAPS diet for my daughter. Since GAPS is a healthy way of eating anyway, we're all going to eat GAPS. Thankfully, I've had no difficulty finding delicious meals to cook. I've been using Rachel Albert-Matesz's The Garden of Eating recipe book as a guide this past few weeks and every single dish I've made is absolutely delicious and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-28973726573799263692009-01-24T01:32:00.000-08:002009-01-26T21:46:56.768-08:00

This past week, I've been busy planning and cooking for my daughter's fourth birthday party. I'm so excited about this delicious, simple, nourishing plan! I'll share the plan, and give the "follow-up report" (with recipes!) later this week. The party is Sunday...wish me luck as I check off my list all the items to do! Read on to see the menu and what I've got left to do. This year, I'm doing more

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-75232012716956750752009-01-24T00:28:00.001-08:002009-01-24T01:05:42.412-08:00

This is a very long story, which I will explain in an upcoming post, but suffice to say, we are going back to the GAPS diet. Why? Well, I recently switched naturopaths. I found one who is awesome; he is totally on the same page as far as native nutrition/Weston Price and has a very comprehensive approach to healing.Anyway, it was a really great experience to see him and to have him work with my

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-11808594295992892382009-01-21T00:04:00.000-08:002009-02-16T23:42:10.643-08:00

It's wintertime, which means soup is a mainstay at our house. I find soups to be the gold star winner for fast, frugal, and freezer-friendly. Sceptics may doubt that a soup can truly be a filling meal, but as my friend Jude said recently after eating a bowl of my homemade, from-scratch soup: "I feel like my insides are alive!" I often serve soup alone or with basically sauerkraut and creme

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78763575136708531302009-01-20T23:47:00.000-08:002009-01-21T00:01:36.218-08:00

"The 1985 Farm Bill paid farmers not to farm 61 million acres, which is an area equal to Ohio, Indiana, and half of Illinois. The amount we've spent on farm subsidies from 1980-1990 is enough to buy all the farms in 33 states" --paraphrase by P.J. O'Rourke of Dick Armey's Moscow on the Mississippi: America's Soviet-Style Farm Policy Disturbing? How about this one:P.J. O'Rourke also quotes, back

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-26534647074126740222009-01-13T22:50:00.000-08:002009-01-13T22:58:08.976-08:00

One of the initial frustrations some people experience when they give up gluten is the seemingly complicated amount of work and ingredients required to make simple favorites, such as bread, muffins, waffles, or pancakes. Thankfully, there are ways to almost effortlessly create gluten-free alternatives with just about a dollar's worth of ingredients.Time and money are the two things we usually

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-48183870539080635872009-01-11T23:32:00.000-08:002009-01-12T00:01:01.457-08:00

This week I'm further challenging myself (down over 50% from last week's spending!). It turns out that my $40 last week got me more than enough to spread through this week. This week I also thought I'd do something kind of fun with my menu. I'm going to show you exactly what I have in the fridge (excluding milk and condiments), and then you can see exactly how I use it!T-Bone Steak, defrosted1

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-70050636381544889272009-01-11T00:08:00.000-08:002009-01-11T01:44:53.306-08:00

Back in April, and throughout last summer, I talked all about my lovely CSA through Sun Gold Farm. A CSA is Community-Supported Agriculture and it is an ultra-local way of getting quality food directly from the farm. This is just a friendly reminder to begin thinking about possibly joining a CSA, because chances are, sign-ups are already beginning and when spring comes around chances are it will

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-75749119394625881172009-01-10T23:06:00.000-08:002009-01-11T00:08:09.248-08:00

I really want one of these bikes! A Bakfiet is a Dutch bike that is designed so that you can carry cargo (or children, in my case!) Why do I want one so badly?I have very crunchy dreams of owning a goat or two, some chickens, and growing a pretty-much self-sufficient garden on my little plot of urban land. Basically, I want continually transition to a more ultralocal existence. By gradually

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78230921649670922152009-01-10T22:16:00.000-08:002009-01-10T23:06:05.900-08:00

I have great aspirations of someday compiling enough original thoughts to be published into book form. Perhaps I'll call it "The Thrifty Oreganic: How to Live Cheaply While Eating Rich" or some such thing. Two of my previous ideas for cookbooks have already been written, and I've got to say I wish I had thought of the idea first! Thankfully, I can benefit from the hard work that others have put

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-55304096475499960392009-01-06T06:36:00.000-08:002009-01-06T08:39:43.716-08:00

It was hasty. It was messy. It all happened so fast. Precipitated by an inspirational phone call from my full-blooded, Italian father: "Carrie, this year, we're going to make a batch of raviolis gluten-free for you.....can you see what you can come up with?" That was 4:30pm. By 6:00,I'm proud to say that the family was chowing down my beta batch of pumpkin-sage gluten-free raviolis. It was easier

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78205165587571211552009-01-04T21:18:00.000-08:002009-01-04T22:10:39.617-08:00

As I alluded to in my New Year's Resolutions Post , I am striving more than ever to pinch pennies and be as thrifty as possible, while staying true to the dietary principles to which I adhere. My main motto has always been "Use what you have, have what you'll use" when it comes to menu planning. This week I gave myself an "Under $40 challenge". Basically, I get to use what I have plus $40 to

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-14070342523606638912008-12-31T09:40:00.000-08:002008-12-31T11:05:13.598-08:00

"But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."--Luke 10:42Every year, it seems like the mad rush that takes place from November 26 to December 31 makes me overlook the fact that a year is ending. This year, thankfully, has been different. Our two weeks of snow coupled with a change in my assenting to the "mad rush syndrome" has offered me

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-58059551068654836012008-12-24T00:44:00.000-08:002008-12-24T00:57:44.778-08:00

This past two weeks, the Oreganics have been snowed in! Kelly laughs at the fact that Portland essentially becomes a state of emergency when we get 6 inches, while she lives life among 2 feet of snow regularly!The snow has really been a blessing, though. It's allowed us to stay creative at home and we've just marvelled at the beauty and serenity of creation when there is snow. It's been great for

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-34567014133974859742008-12-16T23:23:00.000-08:002008-12-17T01:19:33.194-08:00

The joy of welcoming a new life into the world can sometimes be overshadowed by the deluge of material goods that seem to be "required" in order to bring the baby home from the hospital. An expectant friend of mine recently e-mailed several mothers to ask this very question: "Um...what do I really need for a baby?" I began writing an e-mail and soon realized with all the links I was including

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-83953094332565877662008-12-16T00:34:00.000-08:002008-12-17T02:04:08.640-08:00

If you're an urban dweller, you are blessed with a myriad of grocery shopping options. Portland is no exception. We have all the typical "big names" (Safeway, Kroger/Fred Meyer, Albertson's) and a fair amount of small, locally-owned neighborhood co-ops. We are also blessed with a growing chain of Health Food stores called New Seasons Market. Read on to find out some surprising news about how

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-75582936057538271822008-12-14T23:18:00.000-08:002008-12-15T23:34:27.278-08:00

Update: For more nourishing holiday treats, visit The Nourishing Gourmet !The holiday season is full of culinary temptations, for sure. I've been pretty good about avoiding the cookies, fudge, and candy canes, but there are some treats that I really do miss, such as peppermint bark. Fortunately, I came up with a very satisfying sugar free alternative packed with good calories! Sugar Free

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-14117772905732357872008-12-14T21:10:00.000-08:002008-12-14T22:28:16.296-08:00

Since we here in the Northwest are currently experiencing what news anchors are calling the "Arctic Blast", I've been lead to believe that there's no way I'm getting out of my house to go to the store anytime in the near future. No worries for me, since I am a food pack-rat and I have plenty of frozen and dry goods....not to mention unidentifiable items in mason jars in my fridge! Oh well, since

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-19110380672879233812008-12-12T22:30:00.000-08:002008-12-17T01:34:07.810-08:00

Jonathan Gregory, my sweetest Christmas gift (along with his sister!)News of the economic crisis is getting worse every day. Unemployment numbers are skyrocketing. No doubt this is going to be a tight (if not totally difficult) Christmas for many folks around the country. Even those who are blessed with stable employment would be wise to scale back and simplify this Christmas.No matter what the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-79286077396399190232008-12-09T01:03:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:40:04.788-08:00

Another myth often believed by traditional foodies is that good food can't possibly be quick and easy to prepare. Doesn't everything have to soak for like 2 weeks before it can be consumed?Thankfully no! Now granted, many of my breakfasts in my menu plans require lots of advanced preparation, but recently I concocted a deliciously satisfying breakfast "cereal" of sorts that had all the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-39490619023669708122008-12-04T22:22:00.000-08:002008-12-04T22:55:50.034-08:00

In order to eat "traditional foods" you need to eat all cooked foods.Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats, says basically that we should strive to eat a diet that is 50% RAW. Raw doesn't just need to be veggies, either. Here's my top 10 list of nutrient-dense raw foods that can easily be added to any meal

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-84347166853146115622008-12-02T23:13:00.000-08:002008-12-02T23:40:01.725-08:00

Aaah, nachos. Besides reminding me of the movie Napoleon Dynamite (for some reason) , the taste of that "cheeze" and bland corn chip crunch hearkens back to cold nights wearing my Letterman's jacket watching high school football games. Bowling alleys and skating rinks come to mind as well. As nasty as commercial nachos always end up being, there has always been some appeal to me that always

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-42824038821892757272008-11-28T01:26:00.000-08:002008-12-09T01:30:37.596-08:00

This snack is a staple in our household. Here's how I make Crispy Nuts:1.Soak almonds or walnuts (this activates their enzymes) in water with 1 TBS salt for 12 hours.2. Drain and dehydrate (this preserves their enzymes) on a baking sheet in a warm oven*until crispy (about 12 hours).You can do this with virtually any nut; cashews, pecans, hazelnuts, and pine nuts are all particularly good!*To

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-2985797732293231302008-11-25T23:00:00.001-08:002008-11-25T23:29:14.361-08:00

I'm sorta pondering cutting way down on blogging during this holiday season. I may not completely shut down, but I just feel like right now there are more important things for me to be doing with my free time (mainly just being quiet and, well, just "being") than blogging about what I eat.The point of fasting is to not obsess about what we eat, so I'm trying not to fall into temptation by

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-34045688730128236402008-11-16T00:49:00.000-08:002008-11-17T23:29:24.998-08:00

Monday: B: Blended Vegetable Soup (Zukes, Broccoli, Chard, Parsley, Garlic)L: Smoked Salmon & Nori Roll-ups, Crispy Walnuts, GrapesD: blue corn chips topped with refried black beans, shredded carrots, sauerkraut, peppers, and avocadosTo do: Soak sunflower seeds, millet, and lentilsTuesday:B: mango lassi and sprouted buckwheat-banana pancakesL: scallops and sauteed veggiesD: high enzyme salad (

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-47860101766146384052008-11-13T22:41:00.000-08:002008-11-16T00:36:11.468-08:00

My college roommate and I once had a dream of opening a cafe and calling it "Viva Los Veggies". We thought we were very clever. I'm sure someone else has already thought of this catchy title, but I can't bear to "google it" to find out! I am writing this post primarily for my Orthodox audience because today marks the beginning of another season of fasting. Today is 40 days before the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-664411405501741322008-11-13T21:27:00.000-08:002008-11-13T22:33:36.488-08:00

There's nothing like a guilt-free, nutrient dense treat. And best of all, these are simple to make and pretty much impossible to ruin. In the photo above, the bar is in the center of the plate. Surrounding the bar are the ingredients:crispy nuts (I use almonds)raisins (any dried fruit will do)cinnamoncoconut oilcoconutsalt Process:1) Place about 2 cups of crispy almonds into the food

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78280785178727172692008-11-09T23:20:00.001-08:002008-11-09T23:55:42.723-08:00

Menu Tip of the Week: Keep a notebook of all of your previous menu plans so that if you need inspiration, you can look back and recall some meal ideas that work!Monday: B: Scrambed eggs w/ cortido, beet kvass, and leftover wafflesL: pan-fried scallops and Roasted Brussels SproutsD: chicken chunks, apples, cheeseTuesday:B: kefir smoothies and coconut muffinsL: Chicken caesar salad w/ homemade

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-3827263847240266212008-11-08T23:10:00.000-08:002008-11-09T00:25:08.226-08:00

This post is modified from an article I wrote for our church's school, of which I am a board member. I thought I would share these tips for healthy lunches for school, work, or simply being on the go with little ones!One of the biggest challenges we as parents face is feeding our children. Good, nourishing food is essential for their growth and development, as well as for their brains and

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-68810909282631552642008-11-05T23:50:00.000-08:002009-06-14T14:09:43.623-07:00

Finally the winter chill is on here in Oregon, and it seems like these are the days that people seem to get afflicted with head colds, sore throats, fevers, and the like.I wanted to share a few tips for avoiding the bugs in hopes that my readers can enjoy a healthy season.Through my reading and research, my eyes have been opened to the fact that there is actually an alternative to the "germ

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-61414421079208304822008-11-03T21:58:00.000-08:002009-06-14T14:08:55.536-07:00

Make these delicious, healthy, cookies as a snack or even as a breakfast on the go:2 cups almond flour (I get mine at Trader Joe's)4 T butter, melted (Coconut oil also works and makes them vegan)1/4 cup honey1 tsp cinnamon1/4 tsp cloves1/8 tsp salt1/4 tsp baking sodaOptional add-ins: 1/2 cup raisins, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1/4 cup chopped nuts350 degrees1. Cream together first three

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-31931288074080072982008-11-03T21:15:00.000-08:002008-11-03T21:57:50.527-08:00

Menu planning tip of the week: For simple and nourishing lunches, have on hand the ingredients for a "chef"s salad". Over a bed of greens, chop fresh veggies that you have on hand. Top with lacto-fermented sauerkraut (that' s the pink stuff in the picture above), shredded cheese of choice, and leftover meat (shredded roast beef, chicken, ham, or fish). This way, you can count on using up

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-59585120704455689032008-11-03T19:01:00.000-08:002008-11-03T21:12:55.125-08:00

One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong. Can you guess which egg was laid by a caged factory-farm hen?Guess before my rhyme is done.... The two eggs above are from a local organic farmer whose hens graze on grass in the lovely outdoors. The yolks measure roughly around 1 TBS. The bottom egg, whose yolk is approximately 1.5 tsp, is from one of the

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-60607546835512136462008-10-27T22:36:00.001-07:002008-10-28T00:50:20.726-07:00

Menu planning tip of the week: Make delicious, healhty whole-grain (even gluten-free!) waffles from scratch with a penny's worth of grains in your blender! Make up a double or triple batch Saturday morning (or whenever) and freeze the extras for busy weekday morning breakfasts! Who says convenience food can't be healthy and cheap? (For the blender waffle recipe, go here ) This weekend was

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-83794343043299620112008-10-19T20:15:00.000-07:002008-10-19T20:55:59.843-07:00

Menu tip of the week: Consider eating 2 vegetarian meals per week to give your body a chance to "rest" from meat digestion and to save a litte money! We regularly have Wednesdays and Fridays meat-free (in following our Orthodox Christian tradition). Challenge yourself by making a tasty "rice and bean" meal each week....these are very thrifty and nourishing when properly prepared!It's that

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-55808247034743469482008-10-19T19:48:00.000-07:002008-10-19T20:13:28.920-07:00

Kefir has always been a mainstay in my family; but up until now, the kids usually only had it in smoothies once or twice a week. Since I always have plenty of kefir on hand, I figured I needed to step it up and serve it more often. Again, reading _The Body Ecology Diet_ reminded me of the immense benefits of kefir for healing and restoring the microflora of the gut. For the past two weeks or so

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-78063970570038501292008-10-15T22:39:00.001-07:002008-10-15T23:50:57.853-07:00

Thanks to Donna Gates' Body Ecology Diet I have been inspired to use more seaweed in our family's diet. Without totally repeating Donna's Chapter on sea vegetables, I will share some quick snacks that have been a huge hit with my picky 3 year old.From Body Ecology:"Ocean vegetables are important to restoring your body ecology because they naturally control the growth of pathogenic bacteria,

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6201181740609779669.post-33212988331285304532008-10-12T23:36:00.000-07:002008-10-13T00:11:55.429-07:00

Menu Planning Tip of the Week: Once you've planned your menu, take inventory of what items need to be "chopped" (i.e., will you need 3 cups of onions to be chopped throughout the week?). Ergo, you chop all of the onions you'll need at once and place them in a storage device in your fridge until it comes time to use them. That will save you the time and the tears!This week's menus are built

Carrie @ OrganicThriftyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09732330490707899846noreply@blogger.com5