March 2013 Chit Chat - Page 8 « Back to Group Discussions

[birdhappy85]

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

We totally just need to find some land and start our own village. I'd be there in a heartbeat.

No joke. Really. Please? Can we do this?

[LunaLady]

Originally Posted by birdhappy85 

No joke. Really. Please? Can we do this?

I would. If it was in the PNW! Or Northern Cali. ;) We are actually looking at putting our house up for sale this summer once we are done with the total remodel. Then we will be free as birds. 

[dashley111]

Originally Posted by seraf 

Minecraft. What levels do your kids play on? How much violence is there?

Minecraft is so super simple...like old school Nintendo in the early years graphics. Sometimes you have to kill things but its probably the least violent killing things ever. My son loves it. I just don't get it. It's the visual equivalent of Mario Brothers with the needed skills of Pong.

[seraf]

Ash, I have seen the graphics, I just don't like the bash bash bash, kill kill kill kind of games, so I guess I'm wondering how much killing is in it? I've made O stay on peaceful mode since Christmas, but he wants gunpowder, so he needs to kill something to get it (ok, hunting for a need rather than sport, but umm... And zombies?)

Homesteading is rewarding work like parenting is rewarding work? I just said it was exhausting.

Joanie, it is awkward meeting people from online. Maybe if you keep getting together they'll grow on you? I don't find the act of parenting to be enough to bond me to other people. I really prefer like minded (or at least interesting) people who also happen to be parenting. Maybe looking at parents of slightly older kids would widen your pool? It is really hard to make new friends as an adult, but possible.

My illness was short lived. Less than 12 hours and no GI stuff. Who knows what was going on there.

What's everyone having for lunch and dinner today? Or what did you have yesterday? I need ideas.

[Abraisme]

Joanie, we will be in WI soon and we can hang out. You can come out to the lake this summer and the kids can play while we drink GAPS cocktails.

Now I have double ear infections. I cant hear right and my ears are ringing really loudly. Uhg, no wonder kids are cranky when they get them.

We plan on starting a village in South America. Everyone is welcome to come! George has had to delay his exploraratory trip, but we already paid for the ticket, so he will be going soon.

[Autumnshades]

Totally!  We should start our own village, I too, will be there in a heartbeat!

Originally Posted by LunaLady 

We totally just need to find some land and start our own village. I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Originally Posted by birdhappy85 

SO insightful, Jaimee. I was thinking about this same thing earlier today and felt very sad... I know for certain that if I had the kind of supportive "village" of my dreams, then I would be able to parent the real way I want to. I've always felt like an old soul, and I rather dislike what our modern society has become. I mean, I'm pretty much the only person I know (besides my tech-illiterate mother) who doesn't get excited about new technology. I lean towards resistance. I like the way things used to be... Sure, many things are easier now, but at what cost? Maybe I'm just too nostalgiac and life has become really complicated. I like simple living. I'd give anything to have a homestead how you're talking about. Practically speaking, though, I don't know how I'd find the time or energy for it. My whole life, I thought my dream was to be a SAHM.... We figured out how to make it happen, and I was overjoyed! Then the dream turned sour with a lack of IRL social support... and I had to quickly give up the SAHM gig for my immediate sanity. I always knew the adage "it takes a village to raise a child," but it didn't mean anything to me until that very time last year when I was so lost, distraught, and alone in my motherhood journey... I don't know how I would've gotten through everything without our DDC. Several of my friends started having children recently, and I thought I'd finally find more playdates and social support in my future! Yay! *sigh* Nope, it doesn't appear to be the case (yet?)... They are too tired and don't seem to care to reach out for support themselves. They always cancel playdates. I know for certain that one of them is battling PPD and anxiety, and her husband is gone a lot for work, yet she just won't reach out (and I don't want to pressure her). I'm frustrated. I actually offer to bring other mother friends food and suggest get-togethers, but they could care less! I'm kind of rambling. I guess I'm just saying all of this because I worry that I'll be endlessly disappointed by a lack of mother friends IRL... All of the mothers I've truly connected with are the ones I've met online who end up living far away. It just sucks. The one time I met up with a few local moms from Mothering.com, we really didn't click at all and haven't talked since.

I just feel lonely. A lot. I want to be bonding with friends over our having babies! I waited for this my whole life! I love my alone time when I can get it, but when I'm parenting, it's like I have this instinctual urge to be around other people as much as I can. My body is like, "Where is your village?!" I have to remind myself constantly not to take it personally when friends and/or mothering acquaintances aren't initiating contact with me. Maybe I know too many self-involved people. It sure feels like that a lot.

This is so true.  I am just as lonely.  I am often at the park with Eli because we live in an apartment, and I know he needs time to run around outside and play.  But I am there ALONE.  It sucks.  I always thought I would have some mommy friends by now.  We have lived here in Victoria for 4 years now, and I don't really have any friends.  My one good friend moved up the island after her husband left her.  My aunt who is very sweet, is very busy because she homeschools her 4 kids, they are always off somewhere and I get it ...  I love hanging out with her because she is so wise when it comes to 'alternative' ways to raise your kids - I leaned on her a lot during my pregnancy and since having Eli.  But it is hard to get together with her because of all she has going on, which I totally understand. But I too am looking for a village... it is a lonely place to be ... 

[Autumnshades]

Aaaahhhh... I finally had a haircut yesterday :)  I cut it two days before Eli was born, and haven't cut it since.   I needed some change and it was a good thing to do.  Eli was super sweet the entire time, he has some snacks and a drink while I had my hair cut.  I feel so much lighter, ready for spring ... :)

I don't know much about minecraft, but what I have seen (my aunt lets her boys play) it isn't very violent. I found it rather interesting watching my cousins play (the boys are 12 and 10).

I too need some lunch/dinner ideas - I am stuck in a rut with cooking and Eli is getting bored with it ... 

[dashley111]

Sara- yes there is "bash bash kill kill" but it's not graphic or violent, IMO. Just a sound and a life bar. No like blood spatter or guts or anything.

[CDsMom1031]

Count me in for this village. I'm so down for South America!!!

[MrsKatie]

Mama friends are ESSENTIAL.  You don't need a ton of them, either!  I have two dear mama friends in town and that is all I need.  They both have kids very close to KJ's age, and one of them I see very, very frequently (our new house is just a mile from hers so we will be seeing MUCH more of her and her family!).  I'm with Sara - mama friends must be like-minded (to a degree, obviously I'm not looking for a bunch of clones) to provide that deeply fulfilling, nurturing relationship that is integral to our vitality.  I miss my family terribly, and struggle deeply with the fact that we moved away from them, but they aren't *terribly* far away (Bay Area) and we are in touch constantly.  But it also means it's that much more important for me to build my own community that feels like family - my BFF mama friend (who lives near our new house) feels like family, our kids love each-other and we love each-other's kids, and I can call on her at a moment's notice for any favor, big or small.  I don't know how my emotional health would fare if I felt isolated as a parent.

Sara - one of my staples is coconut curry, I simmer a bunch of lentils (I soak for 8-12 hours first but obviously you don't have to) and diced sweet potatoes, plus whatever else I have on hand (green beans, peas, any veggie in the world really) in coconut milk and water (I'm pretty heavy-handed w/the coconut milk, it's usually like 50% water and 50% coconut milk for me, haha) and I even add a can of coconut cream sometimes (did I mention I love coconut).  I add either indian curry powder and seasonings or, my favorite, thai curry paste (we have a brand called "Thai and True" that's made in Oregon - maybe you can find it online? It's the BEST).  Oh, and it really brings it up a notch to add a few diced tomatoes AFTER it's done so that the tomatoes get warm but don't cook.  I often top with diced avocado, too.  Trust me on this one.  KJ loves it, and if you're just using yellow curry paste or mild indian spices it's easy to control the heat.  You can serve with rice or just on it's own (I usually just devour bowl after bowl of it without any extras).  Also, big salads with miso or hemp dressing (hemp seeds or hemp seed butter, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cilantro, salt) are awesome, I top with sauerkraut (a big hit in this house) and lentils or baked veggies, etc.

Edited by MrsKatie - 3/9/13 at 12:44pm

[seraf]

Thanks Katie! I had already planned coconut curry for dinner, but I have never tried lentils with coconut, so I'm certainly up for new fun. I'm going with an Indian chicken curry tonight because I still lack 90% of my spices and 50% of my legumes.

[birdhappy85]

Katie, what does soaking for 8-12 hours do to the lentils? I've been wondering a lot about soaking legumes but haven't had the time to look into what exactly the purpose is.

PS. I'm obsessed with coconut too. And lentils. I eat lentils all of the time these days. Can't get enough!

[TalkToMeNow]

I have a few good mama friends, but they have kids my 8 yo's age. No baby mama friends. Ha. Also, my mom friends aren't like super ap or anything. I mean it's hard to tell with big kids, anyway. But they don't take themselves too seriously, are saracastic, and they like wine. Works for me.

I don't have such a need for friends with babies this time. Probably since I am working. No time for play groups.

Sara, we are having plain manicotti and salad for dinner. Dd1 has a friend over, so I needed something edible. My vegetarian hippy food doesn't tend to appeal to most kids. Go figure.

[TalkToMeNow]

My phone loves to double post.

Also, tomorrow we are having vegetarian tortilla soup.

[MrsKatie]

Joanie - I soak all my grains and legumes in water and a little lemon juice or ACV because it makes them infinitely more digestible (and many say more nutritious... maybe just because they are more digestible? IDK) and they cook faster, too!  My favorite is soaked quinoa cause it sprouts those adorable little tails... I know you don't do grains, though!  The acid in the lemon juice/ACV helps break them down, which is why I add it.  They are soooo good aren't they!

[Jaimee]

Katie, that sounds like something my dh would love.  I'll have to suggest it to him!  Food here...  balsamic marinated portabella mushroom sandwiches with onions, and red peppers with swiss cheese and avocado; slow cooker chili where you just soak a bunch of beans then add diced tomatoes and tomato sauce with chili powder and let sit all day; marinated tofu with "big salad" which is basically a salad with a bunch of stuff in it like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, avocado, oranges, apples, seeds, etc.; vegetable pasta... steamed veggies like brussel sprouts, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, chard, etc. with marinated and browned tofu over pasta with a red wine/rice wine/garlic vinaigrette topped with parm cheese; bean burritos; hummus and tofu wraps; sweet potato and kale black bean enchiladas; vegetable lasagna; ricotta a pesto pasta with spinach and tomatoes....

[CDsMom1031]

I had a close baby mama friend, but I cut our relationship because she was at a bad time in her life and kept dragging me into bad things. For instance, she called me drunk one night asking for a ride. I showed up, she was arguing with her boyfriend. He came outside with a knife. I locked myself in my car and called the cops. That was the last time I saw her.
My other closest mom friend lives 90 minutes away, so we don't see each other often... Especially this part of the year because her husband is an accountant and works 100 hours a week.
... So about this village. Haha.

[birdhappy85]

I'm cooking chicken soup tonight. Just a simple recipe with half a chicken, carrots, celery, and onions. I love when my home is filled with the smell of homemade soup! Mmm!

I'll have to try soaking legumes and grains. I fell off the grain-free bandwagon when my detox ended in early January... I have barely been cooking lately... We've been eating way more processed foods than usual. Not good. This upcoming week is spring break, so that'll give me some more time to dedicate to food prep. The semester is over in 4 weeks thank goodness. I swear I barely even connect with DH these days between FT work, PT school, and parenting. I actually worked 5 hours on Thursday with Sora home with me.  Pretty sure I'll never see that kind of productivity again in the presence of my child.

I'll go on over to the GAPS thread and post an update.

Abra, I'd love to get together when you're back in Wisconsin!  Are you going to have any puppies still or selling them all off?

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by birdhappy85 

Katie, what does soaking for 8-12 hours do to the lentils? I've been wondering a lot about soaking legumes but haven't had the time to look into what exactly the purpose is.

We soak and sprout our beans.  Soaking activates the enzymes in the seed, which start the sprouting process and make the bean easier to digest/more nutritious.  We soak over night and then let sit in a sprouter for another day to actually sprout.

[TalkToMeNow]

Katie, rule of thumb for grains other than rice? I'm really into Bryant Terry's books right now. Major yum. I know he recommends soaking brown rice for 24 hrs, but I'm not sure on others. Like quinoa and millet. You soak lentils?? Wouldn't that reduce the cooking time to like nothing? I'm afraid I'd overcook them.