Eating Out with a Conscience

Since I've joined the crusade for getting back to our roots and living naturally, I've been impressed with how "green" Nashville is/is becoming. The organic, natural, local, free-range, grass-fed, recycle-able, compost-able, sustainable stuff is really catching on here in Music City.

Granted, "going green" can sometimes just be the trendy thing to do.

But I've seriously been amazed at the number of restaurants in particular that base their entire business model on these concepts.

So my goal is to find and try each restaurant that fits the bill in Nashville and review them here for you! If you've eaten at a particular restaurant before (or your sister's uncle's mother-in-law has and she talked to you about it), let me know.

Produce All Summer Long: The CSA Debate

I've been thinking about joining a CSA for a while now. CSA being Community Supported Agriculture. I love the concept of supporting local, organic farming and at the same time saving money on groceries (the bargain hunter in me will never die).

The idea is that farmers deliver fresh produce all summer long to the people who supported them financially up front--meaning they don't have to take out loans to run their farm (Dave Ramsey would be proud....)

I've found quite a few great options with pick-up locations in the Nashville area. Based on all the pros and cons, I think I may have made my decision, but I thought I would get your opinion, my dear readers.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of all CSAs in Nashville, but just includes the ones I have considered for myself.

Tractors are Sexy

Oh Blog, how I've neglected you!

There is so much to catch up on, I'm simply feeling overwhelmed. Where to start?

To begin with, I finally bit the bullet and bought a VitaMix! But I don't regret a single penny I paid (rather like my MacBook Pro!) I don't even have to chop an apple into more than 4 pieces in order to blend it into my smoothies. Or my pancake batter. I make hot soup that is still considered raw and full of nutrients and enzymes. Homemade hummus is super easy and cheap. Yes, I will post pictures and recipes. Soon. (Someone had better hold me accountable to that!)

In other news, I'm now on the lookout for a large piece of earth (to borrow a phrase from the Secret Garden). And by large, I mean at least 25 acres or more. In a second-best case scenario (the best being what God already has planned--which we can't even imagine yet), a retiring farmer (or anyone, really) would donate said land to us and our compadres to support our cause and mission of communal farm living.