Mama’s heart is broken
This morning, I planted some cilantro seeds and beet seeds. I played fetch with my dogs and listened to the birds sing. Little did I know, my blissful moments would soon be engulfed by sadness.
My dogs ran to the front yard and barked furiously. I followed them to see what they were barking at. I half expected to see a dog-walker strolling by or a squirrel taunting them. Squirrels are ‘a plenty’ in this part of town.
My dogs were barking at my neighbor’s dogs, a beautiful 2-year old Akita and a fearful, yet spunky 7-year old terrier mix. The neighbor’s dogs had once again escaped and were looking for new adventures. As I walked across the street to rescue the dogs for the 100th time, the terrier ran into the street and was hit by a car. I was able to save the akita and placed him out of harm’s way. The wounded terrier hobbled next to us and laid down. The terrier was in extreme pain, crying and howling as blood seeped out if her belly.
As I held the Akita and she licked my face, I talked as calmly as I could to the dying terrier. I lied and told her everything was going to be OK. I soothed her as much as I could while I watched her die.
My heart is broken. I feel so sad.
- Mama
Good eats on a thin budget
Mama is also feeling the financial crunch. I have gone back to using coupons, buying in bulk, growing my own food, swapping with neighbors, and cooking more meals at home. The video below has a lot of useful tips on how to eat well on a budget.
Coupon queen shares tips: Bargain shopping at its best
As a self-proclaimed Coupon Queen, I love this video. Just yesterday, I went to the grocery store and bought organic lemon, Silk Almond milk, and vegetable oil and after I gave the cashier my club card and coupons, she gave me $1.42. Thats right folks. The cashier paid me to walk out with a bag of groceries.
A fellow Coupon Queen shares her secrets.
- Mama
Sex in the Golden Years: How to get your fair share
Mama plants 851 trees for her Facebook Fans
At the end of each month, Mama plants 1 tree for each Facebook Fan. At the end of February, we had 851 Facebook Fans so we planted 851 trees through our partner Trees for the Future
Become a fan now and help us stop soil erosion, improve air quality, and preserve traditional livelihoods. Every little tree helps.
Want us to give you a tree? On April 17th, we are giving away free fruit trees at the Pasadena Farmer’s Market. Come by and say hello!
- Mama
Mama helps Vegas find a new home
A few months ago, I sponsored “Vegas”, the little beagle and promised to help him find a new home. He hasn’t found his new home yet. Vegas was left by his previous owner when they moved. This pooch has typical Beagle behavior and walks with his nose firmly planted to the ground. Vegas would do well in a family with older children and probably would enjoy a canine companion. Come take a chance on Vegas! Vegas is eighteen months old and weighs thirty pounds.
If you are looking to add some puppy love to your family, please consider adopting a dog or a puppy from an animal shelter. Many animal shelters have purebred and ‘designer dogs’ who have been left by their owners (mostly because moving to an apartment that doesn’t allow dogs)
- Mama
Mama’s Monday Favorite: Eel River Organic and Grass fed Beef
I love meat, especially when it is organic and grass fed.
After a long week working, I love to indulge in a nice juicy steak. But after watching Food, Inc. several months ago, I was faced with a decision, either switch to organic, grass fed beef or stop eating meat. Since not eating meat is what I consider a miserable option, I did the next best thing. Switch to organic, grass fed beef.
After recovering from sticker shock of the price (remember my $80 Thanksgiving turkey?), I decided to give it a go. I noticed that the color of Eel River Organic Beef is much more red and the ‘redness’ is not caused by spraying the meat with a red dye. (Spraying meat with a red dye is a common used practice that most butchers engage in). Organic and grass fed beef has less fat than their feed lot counterparts. This is an added bonus because it will decrease the time I need to spend worrying about the size of my waistline.
I really liked the taste of the meat. Organic beef tastes more fresh and was more tender. I can definitely tell the difference between organic and non-organic beef.
Nutritionally speaking, organic and Grass fed Beef has two to four times more omega-3 fatty acids than meat from grain-fed animals. Organic and grass fed beef also contains from three to five times more CLA than products from animals fed conventional diets.
Still not convinced that you should try organic and grass fed beef? Maybe the ‘fat’ statistics will seal the deal.
- Meat from grass-fed cattle is lower in total fat than feedlot-raised animals.
- Research shows that lean beef actually lowers your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.
- Typical annual consumption of beef per person is 66.5 pounds.
- Switching to lean grass-fed beef will save you 17,733 calories a year. If all Americans switched to grass-fed meat, our national epidemic of obesity might diminish.
- Mama
**Mama’s Monday Favorite is the sole opinion of Mama. No monetary compensation was received for the feature. If you have a product that Mama might absolutely love, send Mama one of your products. If she likes it, she might list it as a Mama’s Monday Favorite.
Matchmaking in middle school? Indiana school pairs 6th grade girls with 10th grade boys
Has dating and matchmaking gone too far? Indiana school survey matches girls and boys. Some 6th grade girls are matched with 10th grade boys.
Has matchmaking gone too far? Let me know what you think.
- Mama
