Pandemic Purchasers
This is gonna be a tough read, but its in my heart and i need to get it out.
March - June 2020 most protein producers experienced the biggest increase in customers probably in their businesses lifetime. Butchers were booked Out years in advance. People saw the fragility of our food system and went local which was amazing. Local economies and producers got much needed cash flow.
However when the pandemic slowed and things went back to a “new normal”. Most of the pandemic buyers dried up. As producers we expanded raised more direct to consumer proteins, we are left with the bag . those customers that panic bough 10 chickens in march 2020, haven’t bought diddily since. Which is fine , we can take the risk and lose sometimes. But its not like the ranch direct prices aren’t comparable to the big box store right now. Prices are high right now. The grocery store product and the ranch raised direct meat aren’t the same.
Do you know who makes the money on grocery store meat? the packer conglomerates. Not the rancher, or producer or feed yard. They are barely squeaking by on what the packers are offering them for their live beeves.
Is the current administration throwing money at trying to bust the packers, yeah a little bit will it make some change maybe. But the bottle necks of 2020 might happen again. Butchering is a skilled trade as much as an art form, its hard freaking work and i. But dang if it ain’t rewarding to honor an animal by nourishing your local community and family.
I am a NOT agricultural reporter or expert. I am a millennial 1st generation regenerative rancher that’s trying my darnedest to make the planet a better place for my kids. I raise a dozen hogs, a handful of cattle , and a mess of chickens every year. My impact it small, but i believe in what I am doing for my family and my community.
Even pivoting to make our product available to be shipped hasn’t seen much movement. As far as our product you’d be hard pressed to find pastured organic fed pork in a box store, or anything close to the quality of our product. YOU can choose were your money goes, you can send you money at Wallyworld and line the conglomerate packers pockets.
You can support a local farmer and help them pay their mortage, feed bills or make Christmas happen for some awfully deserving farm kids. If you don’t support local businesses when it feast, they won’t be there when your in famine. I’ve had people reach out on social media to connect wit me in case SHTF they have a farmer to buy food from directly. Welp, we have ride or die customers that support us when times are lean and when times are fat.
Something I stand by I know our price point isn’t in everyone’s budget nbut I WANT YOU TO EAT LOCAL! I will help you find a 4H kid or an FFA kid that has an animal to be purchased for harvest. I will reach out to my next work of farmers and ranchers, and find food local to you, in your budget.
-Julia
Easy meal planner
Hey friend. I frequently struggle with meal planning. I also hate overbuying, and making new recipes that no one likes. I love the ideas of pantry challenges but they over whelm me a bit. So I created this tool! It makes sense for the way my brain works.
It even comes with suggestions on how to use it. take inventory of what you have already and go from there.
I hope it helps you make the most of what you already have and make more family favorite meals. SO i made the mix and match meal planner!
Shopping for the Crunchy Mom in your life
This is the ultimate list of things for the crunchy, hippie, granola, eco friendly, lady in your life.
Here are a few to start with.
Body products
Camamu Soap
https://camamusoap.com
I have fine thin hair, this shampoo bar is amazing, I can co wash (conditioner then shampoo) or regular wash my hair it always looks so soft clean and shiny!
I have also been using the heck out of their mother of all healing salves. It’s great for bug bites, cuts, dry spots. I have bought several to keep in my purse and give them to my friends!
Dulce de Donke
Saundra is a friend but her products are amazing. I used her products way before I meet her we both live in the same small town we were bound to meet! When she is not educating about health. She’s making these amazing products.
The deodorant it the only natural deodorant I’ve ever used it amazing on sensitive skin. Better than Botox skin cream, is amazing life changing. It’s made to order monthly.
The soaps are all great, she makes super fun lump o coal and lump o gold soaps. They ALWAYS sell out, because they are that good. The packaging is impeccable.
Plants! Clean that air out. I have got some great succulents from Etsy.
let me know in the comments what’s a crunchy must have for you.
Making a Holiday House a Holiday Home
Making Holiday Home
In our house the holiday season is all about small traditions. The movies we watch, the treats we make, and the things we do.
For the home:
Warm toasty fires and lots of blankets
Warm scents
I purchase and Ostheimer nativity piece each year, I started with Mary on the donkey, baby Jesus and then Joseph and we move Mary each day around the spiral closer to baby Jesus and light advent candles. I got from Bella Luna Toys, here’s a link to get $10 off.
For our family:
Each member of the family gets a new felt ornament and a new blown glass ornament. Each one is labeled and dated. The glass ones get stowed away for when the kids are older and in their own home.
We follow the rule of four- want, need, wear, and read for our gift giving
Focus on quality time
For others :
We have a kindness calendar the children and I draw inspiration from
We adopt a family or a child in fostercare care for Christmas and bless them with food and gifts.
Invite single friends, or friends that live away from family to our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
What are your traditions?
I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Notes from the arctic tundra
We’ve made it out the other side. After a week plus of below freezing weather, inches of snow, cold north winds. We are thawing. Finally the animals all got extra treats, and hay.
Its been 10 plus days of hauling water to cows, and chickens. A downed buggie, a very cold tractor, frozen faucets, frozen hoses, no hot water, and a single car accident on black ice.
But we me it out the other side stronger than before. Heres to spring and warmer weather! please.
Oakie is the only animal that is just relishing in this weather.
-Julia
