Growing Pains

I haven't blogged recently, because there really wasn't anything new to tell. Mom is helping me gather containers to use for my container gardening. I've started my seedlings for two types of tomatoes, three types of peppers, and some herbs. I'm getting excited about the prospect of fresh ingredients to cook with. I have been searching my cookbooks and the Internet for exciting ways to cook my veggies, when they finally show up. My long term goal is to build a raised bed for next year's gardening and a raised mulching bed. I have a big problem with flooding in my backyard, so this is the easiest way I have found around it.

Really looking forward to this weekend! The Certified Arkansas Farmer's Market opens for the season, on April 17th. In case you are unfamiliar, this is a different market from the one in Little Rock. The CAFM, located on Mainstreet in North Little Rock, offers only products from Arkansas farms and such. A lot of the farmers are strictly organic, which is something I look for. I love this time of the year, because I can readily get farm eggs, fresh cheese, and the people are wonderful! I think the best thing I come away with is feeling of fellowship. If you are a regular, most of the farmers greet you like an old friend. Not only is it good for the body, it is good for the soul.

Another thing that I am beside myself with is the opening of Argenta Market. Opening day is April 15th. Their hours will be Mon-Sat 7am-7pm. I have budgeted some extra grocery money for my first trip, for I know I will be unable to come out of there without a mother load. I know they are still trying to get their feet under them, so I'll try to keep my expectations in check.

I have hit my first dilemma in my 'buy nothing new' resolution. I need new work shoes. Because I ride the bus and have to walk some distance, comfort is a big must. I also need them to be somewhat dressy. For the past few years I have bought Sketcher Mary Jane's. They look like cute dress shoes, but are really walking shoes! Greatness! Sadly, one of my latest pair is coming apart at one seam. I have searched for a decent used pair of comfortable dress shoes, but so far, no luck. I have very wide feet and this makes my search harder. I think I'm going to default to my sandals for now and keep looking. (That's okay, time to show off that cute nail polish I got for Christmas.) I have also toyed with the idea of having it repaired. They still look really good, except for that one corner piece, so on my list of things to consider, I'm going to call around to shoe repair shops and price a repair. Yes my friends, they do still exist. More on that as I get some facts to share.

I am currently trying to limit high fructose corn syrup in my diet. This has been fairly simple, no sodas, no mass produced sweets, but there is one area that continues to kick my butt, yogurt. I eat a lot of yogurt and I like variety. In case you haven't noticed, most name brand yogurts contain fructose corn syrup. If you look in the organic/natural foods section of Kroger on McCain, you can find two brands that don't have that ingredient, Stoneyfield and Fage. Unfortunately the selection of flavors is limited. If you guys are aware of where I can find more variety of yogurts like these, please share. I'm hoping Argenta Market will have better offerings.

Whew, for someone that really didn't have much to say, I sure have said a lot. Thanks to the positive responses. My friends , you are hysterical. The ideas of buying me a whittling knife for my upcoming birthday, so I can whittle my own shoes and one friend changing over from bottled Corona, to cans, so she can recycle better..........priceless. I love your good humor teasing, positive feedback, and great ideas. So far this has been a pretty fun project and I hope I can continue my positive mindset. Until next time, it isn't easy being green, but sometimes it can be fun!