Cultivate Simple 10: Real Food for Your Pets
This week we discuss feeding your pets a raw/real food diet. Over the years when we have mentioned this people have always had questions. We discuss our reasoning and methods as well as good ways to start out. Leave any comments or questions below and we will cover them on the next episode.
Featuring the lovely Angel Chimes.
Real/Raw Food for Your Pets
Raw Feeding FAQ’s:
Cooking with Mr Chiots
Mr Chiots recommends these cookbooks:
His apple crumble was pretty good, we discussed a few changes that might make it better, like the addition of some crystallized ginger and more spice in the crumble.
Hugh’s Apple, Raisin, Walnut Crumble
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:54 — 69.3MB)
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Quote of the Day: Gandalf
“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay… small acts of kindness and love.”
Gandalf the Gray in The Hobbit
When Mr Chiots and I were at this movie on Friday, this line immediately struck me and I knew it would be my quote for today. I have certainly found this to be the case in my life. Small deeds of ordinary people really help make the world a much better place. There have been countless small experiences that make my day almost every day. This is one of the benefits of working for a small non-profit.
It can be something simple as having coffee with your neighbor, turning in a lost item, paying for someone’s lunch, spending time with someone, listening, planting a seed, buying from a local farmer, or just smiling at someone on the street. I think, far too often in our drama focuses society, we think it has to be big boisterous visible acts that make a difference, but in reality it’s all the little things that get noticed and remembered.
What small acts of kindness or love have made the most difference to you?
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A Night on the Town
Mr Chiots and I don’t make it out often, we’re just not out on the town kind of people. We rarely go to movies or out to eat. About the only places we go are the bank, Post Office, local farms, and the farmers market. Yesterday however, was an exception.
We left home early to hit the farmers market, then we were off to get our passport photos and run a few other errands. Our main goal was to watch The Hobbit at the old restored Colonial Theatre in downtown Belfast. Since we were out and about for so long, we grabbed some dinner at a local restaurant.
I certainly enjoyed a grilled bacon cheese sandwich, a cup of clam chowder and some sweet potato fries. Mr Chiots went all out with fish and chips. Of course I had my trusty Real Salt in my purse as I always do!
We also spent some time walking around the downtown area, picked up a holiday puzzle at the game shop, looked at tons of yarn in the yarn shop and dreamed about future sewing projects at the fabric store.
Then we were off to the movies. No popcorn and soda for me, I stowed a bar of good chocolate in my purse which we enjoyed during the show. We had a great time. That’s one of the good things about not getting out much, when you do it’s really a treat.
What’s your idea of a nice “night out”?
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Friday Favorite: A Simple Christmas
Yesterday, a bunch of you were asking to see our little Christmas tree in all it’s glory all decked for the holiday. Here is is:
I’ve noticed that each year the holiday decor around here is simplified. I used to spend lots of time decorating the tree and making sure everything was just right and fit with a theme. This year, the tree was wrapped with one strand of 25 C7 light bulbs and then added my favorite etched glass balls. A small grapevine star topped it all off and it was finished, in about 15 minutes.
I think I might have to stock up on some incandescent Christmas lights, especially the C7’s I love so much. Those LED lights that are so popular now give me eye strain and headaches with their piercing pulsing light.
I have yet to dig out my favorite nativity set, if you remember I’m a collector of these lovely holiday displays. I don’t know if they’ll all be unboxed this year, I may just dig out my Willow Tree Nativity.
There are gifts all wrapped and ready under the tree, these are all for Mr Chiots. When it comes to wrapping, I’m a big fan of simple brown kraft paper and newsprint. I have a box of ribbons of all colors and sizes that get reused each year. I’m thinking of making a few burlap bags to add to my box for quick wrapping.
There’s something wonderful about simplifying the holiday season. It allows for a more laid back and enjoyable time. For us, this year will be particularly relaxing because we’ll be celebrating here in Maine by ourselves (unless my mom and dad make it up). That means we have no family functions and no work parties. It’s just us, just here, enjoying a holiday like we’ve never had before and we’re really looking forward to it.
Do you have a theme when it comes to holiday decor?
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O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree
We finally have a nice Christmas tree set up in the living room. I prepared for it on Sunday by cleaning the floors and moving all the houseplants upstairs. The plan was to head out on Monday but it was raining. On Tuesday we spent all the daylight hours at appointments and meetings, but ended up with just enough daylight hours to get our tree.
We loaded up in our trusty “wagon”, grabbed our “axe”, and headed out into the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree. Back to the wetlands we went and the search was on. The beavers didn’t much like our presence, they were slapping their tails on the water to get us to leave. They’re quite amazing creatures, we saw evidence of of some fresh cutting as they’re building a new dam. Nature is truly amazing!
We debated on getting a tall slender one, or a shorter fatter one. After searching high and low, we found the perfect little tree. The short plump one eventually won and Mr Chiots cut it down.
We also harvested a couple smaller trees that will decorate a few other rooms of the house. One will grace the kitchen, one in the dining room and we’ll even put one in the office since we spend so much time in there. Perhaps the chickens would like one in their coop as well!
There’s something wonderful about putting up a Christmas tree. There’s nothing I enjoy more than sitting by the tree with a cup of hot tea reading. Something about the glow of those lights is so cozy and warm.
What kind of tree graces your home: real, artificial, or none?
