small change, big results

{a nifty way to store hard-boiled eggs in your fridge}

Paul and I are trying to live more intentionally.  Sticking to a budget, tracking what we spend and cutting back in a big way on frivolous spending.  I want our way of living to direct where our money goes, no longer having our money direct our way of life.  Does that make any sense?  

That was kinda heavy - so on a lighter note - here is a SIMPLE change I made that has made a BIG impact.

Cooking ahead.  Paul and I were spending an absurd amount of money on food every day.  He would buy his shakes, breakfast and lunch and I would buy my coffee and lunch out every day as well.  It added up big time.  I now pack my lunch, brew my own coffee and use a reusable coffee travel mug.  Paul makes his shakes at home, and brings his breakfast to work.  Leaving one meal (his lunch) to be purchased - we are working towards eliminating that as well. 

Not only has it helped our monthly budget, it has completely changed the way I think about the food I eat. 
I have been hearing about local grown food and knowing exactly where your food comes from for about two years now.  Once Paul and I began the Paleo diet, we began eating a lot more meat than we used to which started to make me more nervous than I used to be. 

Everyone has their reason of changing their diet, mine is chemicals, and more specifically antibiotics.  I rarely take medicine.  The closest thing to medicine I take is a daily vitamin.  But it didn't matter - I was intaking unnecessary antibiotics every day in the meat I was consuming.  It made my stomach turn - literally - barf.  I have no clue where the cafe at my work gets their grilled chicken and hard boiled eggs that I was eating every day.  

sooooo I made a change.  I now shop at Trader Joes and buy antibiotic FREE (some say none added - avoiding those) and cage free meat and eggs.  I started cooking up large batches at the beginning of the week and I couldn't be happier.  Another benefit is we are no longer contributing soooo much trash.  Switching to reusable shake and coffee mugs and glass tupperware makes us both feel better.  

The next step will be buying a farm share and getting our meat from a local farmer.  We are looking into it now and have friends that do this.  I also want a garden...bad.  I'm really excited where this is headed! 


{baked chicken with evoo, salt&pepper, and seasoning}




{my healthier home-made salad!}