City Slicker

I spent most of my life planning to live in a big, bustling city throughout my 20s.  Now I'm in my mid-20s, living in the 3rd largest city in the U.S. and I have decided I'd actually like to live on a farm.  And grow my own things.  And have chickens and goats.  Seriously.

The change came when these happened:

These are some tiny red-leaf lettuces that I'm growing from seed on my window sill.  In about a month I should be eating my epiphany salad.  Something happened while doing research at work for a episode we're doing on the Relocalization movement.  After watching the video for PathToFreedom.org, a homestead located in Pasadena, CA where the family grows 6,000 lbs of food a year on their 1/5th of an acre in the 'burbs, a change came over me that has left a permanent impact.  I checked out a high pile of books from the library on how to grow vegetables and I'm actively reading blogs like yougrowgirl.com and small-mart.org.

It's too long to fully explain here, but basically I'm yearning to become a more sustainable person and to learn how to focus in on what's around me locally and make the most of it.  Luckily there is space for me to grow a vegetable garden behind our apartment and we also have a big back deck where I can have a container garden, but things like the chickens and goats are going to have to wait.  

After talking with our friends Emily and Josh the other night, I'm also starting to get this itch to visit Portland.  They're thinking about moving out that way and the way they describe it sounds wonderful.  My friends Haley and Jason are also having Portland conversations, and I have one friend in particular who I bet would be quite thrilled to have myself and one of her best buds living in the same city as her.  There's so much there that appeals to me, I think (won't know until I visit.)

I know I just arrived in Chicago three months ago, and I know we'll probably be here for a few years to come...and it's not that I don't like Chicago, it's just that the odds of me getting a big yard to grow and moderate temperatures throughout the year are, well, extremely not likely.

For now, I'll eat me lettuces, hope Miro lays an egg, and continue to try to figure myself out.  Ah, 20s.

The second I have a yard, I'm getting one, seriously.

Ten Reasons to Keep a Chicken
(from mypetchicken.com)

Great-Tasting, Nutritious Eggs
We all love our dogs, cats and fish, but do they actually produce something edible? Or pay their own way? Chickens do, and once you've dined on their eggs you'll never reach for a dozen in the supermarket again. They're so much more flavorful, in no small part because you'll eat them when they're only minutes or hours old, not weeks or months. You'll even see the difference in the yolks, which are a healthy orange - not the pale yellow you're used to.
Plus, you can feel good about the organic eggs you'll be feeding your friends and family. All it takes to get organic eggs is organic chicken feed! Research shows that chickens allowed to roam freely and eat grass lay eggs that are higher in Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E and at the same time lower in cholesterol than store-bought, too. (Think of your hair and skin...)

Chickens Have Personality Galore -- Seriously!
Each chicken has their own completely unique quirky, kooky and endearing personality. They're stunningly beautiful too, parading around in a variety of colors, patterns, shapes and sizes. You'll name them, spoil them with treats, and pick them up and hug them any chance you get.

Get One Step Closer to Sustainable Living
Do you find it disconcerting how far removed we all are from the animals and plants we need to survive? How our fast-paced lives and ever-increasing demands are trashing the planet that sustains us? Believe it or not, keeping a few chickens in your backyard equates to taking a stand against all this. Read more about sustainable living with chickens

A Healthy Lawn without the Chemicals
Chickens LOVE to range freely, and allowing them to do so kills the proverbial two birds with one stone: they'll eat any garden pest they can get their beaks on (earwigs, grubs, beetles, even moles) and they'll turn it all into treasure in the form of fertilizer. Say goodbye to toxic, costly pest control solutions and wasteful bags and bottles of store-bought fertilizer. Chickens will even cut down on the amount of mowing you do because they love to eat grass. That's right -- you sit in a lounge chair with your mint julep while they do the hard work for you.

One Man's Unappealing Leftovers are another Chicken's Feast
Chickens can eat almost anything people can, and they adore "people food" -- so you can throw those unwanted leftovers into the chicken run. No more feeling guilty about letting them rot in the fridge or throwing them out! Watch out for the garlic and onion, though, unless you want your eggs tasting funny.

A Balanced Compost Pile
Composting is a wonderful way to reduce your ecological footprint, and a nitrogen-rich compost pile is a healthy compost pile. What better to provide the nitrogen than chicken poo? Eggshells are a great addition, too, especially in areas where there's lots of clay in the soil. At the end of the composting process you'll have "black gold" soil, so called because it's so rich and fertile.

Handy Leaf, Weed, and Grass Clipping Removal
Leaves, weeds and grass clippings are a treat for Gallus gallus domesticus. They'll happily dig through whatever you give them, eat what they can, and pulverize the rest. Give a small flock a heap of yard and garden debris and a week later it'll be gone without a trace. No need to bag it and pile it by the curb!

Save a Chicken from a Factory-Farm Life
If you're aware of conditions in factory farms, even in some of the so-called "free range" farms, we needn't say more. If you're not, please research it. Factory farming is terrifyingly cruel. The good news is that by keeping a few pet chickens of your own, you're reducing the demand for store-bought eggs and sending a message to those factory farms that you don't want what they're selling.

The Very Definition of Low-Maintenance
Chickens don't need to be walked, brushed, or fed twice a day. Essentially all you have to do is gather eggs daily, fill their food and water containers a couple of times a week and change their bedding once a month! (For more on chicken care, take a peek at our free chicken care guide.)

Be the Coolest Kid on the Block
Despite their many merits, backyard chickens are still relatively uncommon. Wow neighbors, friends and family by being the first person they know to have chickens. Amaze them with the green eggs from your Ameraucana hens. Confound them by scooping up your pet chicken and cuddling it. Astound them when your chicken falls asleep in your arms after you've lovingly stroked its comb and wattles. Make them green with envy at the lawn your flock has made effortlessly fabulous.

Chickens are, after all, the most "chic" pet you could possibly have. And we think it's time everyone knew.

Bryan Schutmaat's Photography

A few weeks ago, Dave and I had the distinct honor of being photographed by pal Bryan Schutmaat.  Currently residing in Houston, TX, he's definitely an up-and-comer in the photography world and recently has work being displayed in Venice, Italy.  A trip to his website or Flickr is sure to bring many moments of clicking and viewing pleasure.

Below are a few of my other favorites of his.  Enjoy!

(we will have a copy of this one in our home soon!)

ADDICTED

FRANKMUSIK

Go here, listen to "Done Done" then watch the video for the song "In Step."

You can thank me later.

I never knew how to either

This post was originally a response to my good friend Haley's new blog, in which she stated randomly that she does not know how to grocery shop.  In fact, my sister has called me several times in our "adult" lives frustrated with her inability to complete this feat successfully as well.  I was once in their shoes.  But I have finally figured out this enigmatic activity with a little practice and help from my living partner.  If you find yourself feeling your soul being destroyed amongst stacks of canned tomatoes and asian sauces, please, read on.

How to go grocery shopping

by Me (taught under the guidance of D. S. Gunn, real live grown-up):

1. Pick a weekly time that you will always do your grocery shopping. Some like to shop on Sundays, but this usually means crowded aisles. Saturday afternoons are not bad. Always try to go on whichever day you pick every week.

2. Pick out about 4 recipes*. Go through cookbooks. Search online. Bonus if you find recipes that share ingredients.

3. MAKE A LIST. Compile your list of only the things that are needed to make your recipes. Then add in the weekly essentials such as milk, bread, eggs, etc. Always write down "fruit."

4. Go to the closest store with the best prices. Buy everything that's on your list. Don't buy anything that's not on your list.

5. Grocery shopping complete! Money saved! Time saved!

*I say 4 recipes because that's the usual lifetime of some of the fresher things you might need to buy from the store. You also have to account for get-togethers during the week where you won't need to cook dinner, and thus don't need a recipe.

It's impossible!!

A totally ridiculous find in Andersonville that should not have been purchased and/or eaten.  I need help.

So after hitting an all-time low of eating 3 cupcakes from 2 different bakeries in one day (one before breakfast and two after dinner), I stepped atop the scale last night and discovered that I have, in fact, gained 7 pounds since moving to Chicago.

This town is EAT CITY, USA!  There are so many places to eat it's ridiculous/amazing.  I don't know if it's because I live in such an environment, or because it's my first few months post-graduation and I have the money, or a combination of the two but I eat out waaay too much and I always get whatever the hell I want without thinking about it.  And this especially applies to sweets.

So after yesterday's cupcake meltdown, I decided to tone it down with the sugar.  I'm just trying to go ONE DAY without eating any sugar at all in any form.  It's impossible!!  Everything has sugar in it...cereal, bread, crackers, soup, fruit, and on.  Here's what I've managed to find in the house to eat today:

Breakfast: Shredded wheat, walnuts, flaxseed, and milk (this was actually pretty good and gave me hope this morning)

Lunch:  Goat cheese by itself (because everything I wanted to spread it on top of had sugar in it), a can of sardines in hot sauce, some (most likely expired) yogurt.

I'm frustrated, chubby, and headed towards a life of diabeetus.

The Housewarming Party That Will Eventually Happen

A few days from now will mark my 2nd full month living in Chicago, and thus Dave and I's 2nd full month living in our apartment and we stiiiillllllllll haven't had our housewarming party yet.  Why?

This is why:

No back porch.  Who wants to go to a party in the summertime with no back porch?   They tore it down in May (top right is our kitchen door) and said 1-2 weeks tops to rebuild the new one.  I doubt we'll even get to enjoy the new porch at all this summer...it wouldn't surprise me if they finished up this fall.  They only come to work on it once a week, if that.

Anyway, on a more positive note, I'm going through a hardcore 90s dance phase/Genesis phase and so when we DO have our housewarming party, I plan to end the night dancing with our friends to a set list mostly comprised of these songs.  In addition to purchasing Genesis's INVISIBLE TOUCH on vinyl, I went on an iTunes downloading spree yesterday.  Here's what I got so far:

"I Got a Man" by Positive K

"Show Me Love" by Robin S.

"I've Been Thinking About You" by Londonbeat

"Touch Me (All Night Long)" by Cathy Dennis

"Finally" by Ce Ce Peniston

"Regulate" by Warren G & Nate Dogg

"Tell It To My Heart" by Taylor Dayne

On my next spree, I plan on downloading this:

Trader Joe's: Thumbs Up

I know many people have been to Trader Joe's long before I've typed this post, but gimme a break, I'd never been before.  Until yesterday.

Trader Joe's is awesome!  There are so many delicious treats...like a whole aisle of chocolate covered anything and really pure fruit juices...and it's all so cheap (for the most part)!  

It's definitely not a one-stop shop to knock everything off your grocery list, but if you're having a get-together, I couldn't imagine a better place.  I like ya, Trader Joe's.

P.S.--I got these white chocolate pistachio cookies and they are like porn for tastebuds.  They're so good you'll eat enough to start feeling dirty and ashamed.

pic courtesy of eBay...yeah, they're selling these things on eBay!

Stimulate this.

I got my George Bush monies yesterday.  I'm going to put it towards a health insurance policy.  Who says there's no free healthcare in America?

Ugh.  

Thing is, I have really no idea how to attain the best healthcare coverage.  My employer is a one-man operation so no health insurance through work which is why I have to do it on my own.  And you know what is one of the least fun activities in the world?  Looking for individual health insurance policies.

At least my dad will stop lecturing me about it once I get covered.  Wish me luck.

Bike Weekend USA

Fridee:

Went bowling with Gabe, Chris Shively, some Dutch girls, and a bunch of ex-Lawrencians.  It was great to see Gabe, he'll be moving up here soon.  This town is perfect for him.  Shively is a gas...to this day I still can't stop thinking he looks like Cameron Frye.  Met a sweetheart ex-larry named Jenna who I remember from before but have never been introduced til this weekend.  She's going to be Gabe's new roomie down in Wicker Park so perhaps our paths will cross again.  

By the way, one of the coolest places to bowl is Lincoln Square Lanes.  Hasn't been redecorated since the 70s.  Sits on the second floor above a hardware store.  Totally awesome.

Ended the night with "dinner" (fried bar food) at a pub called the Leadway.  Luckily we rode our bikes, otherwise I probably would have experienced a coma from all the grease.

Saturdee:

Back on the bikes, the mister and I rode down to the Music Box to see Werner Herzog's new documentary Encounters at the End of the World.  There are some amazing shots...I've always been fascinated with the idea of Antarctica.  It's pretty much the closest thing on earth to being on the moon and the idea that, although very unlikely, I could technically visit there makes me very enamored with the place.

In other news, Werner Herzog is the biggest hipster on earth.  He's also a total asshole sometimes.  He makes fun of the people he interviews in the film constantly and pretty much acts too cool for Antarctica (pun intended).  But in the end, this is one of the things that makes the film interesting.

After the movie we sit down at the 'ol Julius Meinl for dinner, tea, dessert and a 3.5 hour conversation and decide we're going to India sometime in the near future.

Sundee:

Although many religions believe in rest on the sabbath day, we hit the roads on our bikes again, this time to see the new documentary about Hunter S. Thompson, Gonzo....  It was terrific.

My friend Adam (Bemis) was in town for a wedding.  He's a great guy and always really fun to talk to so we met up with him and some other folks for margaritas and Mexican food.  Adam and Gabe are really good friends and they both happened to be in Chicago at the same time but just barely missed each other.  

Anyway, we ate out way too much this weekend and this morning Dave woke up with a burrito hangover.  We've vowed to cool it with the eating out from now on.  I'm about to make a spinach artichoke pasta salad for dinner to teach us a lesson.

Next weekend:  Joe and Anastasia stay at the Two Noses Inn for Pitchfork and big city fun and French consulate-ing.  Dave and I are totally going to see Public Enemy and it is going to ROCKROCKROCK!