Organic & Thrifty

Can you believe that  one-sixth of 2010 has already passed us by?

I can’t! But 1/6 of the way through the year is a great time to check in on your New Year’s Goals and set some new goals as well.

According to DH, we are doing better on the spending. My No-Spend January and my pulling in the reigns on the food spending have really helped, as has my foray into couponing!

I’m learning ever so much about couponing, and you can check out my Real Food Couponing for some tips in that regard.

The Missed Goals:
*The Hair: I couldn’t not cut my hair. I just couldn’t.  It was looking horrible and I had to get it trimmed.  I might still try to gradually grow it out, but it’s very short and layered right now (an a-line “wedge”) and needs to stay under control….but the good news is I’ve found a way to earn some extra cash on the side, so I should be able to justify the haircuts.

*Blogging: I feel like I’m really not blogging as often as I’d like, because I have so many topics I’d love to write about, so many recipes to share, so many projects brewing….but I don’t know how to manage it with my schooling, my kids’ homeschooling, and housekeeping/food preparation.  Right now those take priority, and hopefully soon more time will avail itself!

The Met Goals:

*Save more money: As I said above, DH gives me the “thumbs up” in this department, which is HUGE for me!  He’s the accountant in the family.  Your continued support of this blog (and support of my sponsors on the Resources page and purchases through the Amazon store) keep the pocket change rolling in and help this stay-at-home mom do more blogging!  Oh, and it helps me toward my yurt/5-acres/goats-and-chickens fund!

*Begin making and selling cultured veggies.  This was a secret goal I didn’t mention on the blog, but I’m excited to say that I have fairly successfully started selling jars of cultured veggies at a local co-op!  I call them “ApotheCultures“. I keep getting positive feedback and the inventory continues to sell, so I’ll take that as a positive sign! I wish I had a way to do mail-orders for my wonderful out-of-town blog readers….but alas, it’s not yet the time for that!

New Goals:

*Nutritional Therapy:  I’m halfway through my program now, and learning so much.  I have two big projects turned in and a good score on the mid-term behind me, so I can spend the next month working on studying, reading, and putting what I’m learning into practice with my practice clients.  This is such an amazing opportunity and I love the opportunity to work with my “guinnea pigs”!  Some very neat opportunities have already presented themselves for the future of my practice, and I’m very thankful and excited at the prospect! I will reveal more details in the months to come, but suffice to say, it looks to be a great opportunity.

*Creating an e-courses: Not that I have anything great to add to the myriad of amazing works out there, but my niche seems to be feeding families with special diets (such as GAPS) in a kid- and budget-friendly way. I am hoping to put together some practical e-courses to help people learn more about the ins and outs of transitioning to a nutrient-dense, paleo way of eating that is low in sugar and starch. I am also working on a practical guide to Saving Money on a Gluten-Free/Paleo diet.    So I ask you, dear reader, what kinds of e-courses would you be interested in seeing? Please leave your feedback in the comments!

*Start Seeds for My Garden- I have already started broccoli, kale, arugula, endive, and some lettuce in doors. I planted my peas (snow and sugar snap) outside in the garden. Last week the kids and I covered the entire plot of garden with some special stuff to break up the clay soil and threw lots of compost onto it. That was fun. I think my kids are going to be much more “in” to gardening this year.  I plan to start tomatoes and other stuff soon as well.

*No-Spend March- Last but no least, I am dedicating the entire month of March to a no-spend month.  That means NO going to Walgreen’s or Rite-Aid unless I can get something for FREE!  That also means cooking from the pantry and resisting the good deals (even if New Seasons does have amazing sales!)  Of course I will allow a little bit for some fresh perishables that we might need (on sale, of course!) but otherwise I really want to be frugal and in keeping with the spirit of Lent.  My freezer is stocked with shrimp, scallops, veggies, and lots of leftover meals. So we should be able to make it through!

*Lower my grocery budget: I’ve been inspired by Crystal’s “31 days to a lower food budget” and am going to start buying my groceries in cash in order to help control spending. We’ve been doing really well, but I want to try to do even better! I’m planning to make the transition starting next week, but to really go full-force with a refined budget for April.  I’ll keep you posted!

*Try a month of Freezer Cooking:  I have never done “Once a Month Cooking” but I’m intrigued by the notion of saving time, and taking advantage of the best prices on quality ingredients in order to create nourishing, affordable meals.  I will make April my “Freezer Cooking Month” and am going to begin planning now for that adventure.  As always, I’ll keep you posted!  I’m most excited at the idea of have breakfasts made ahead of time, such as grain-free muffins, granola, and crustless quiches.

How are you doing with your 2010 goals? What has gone well, and what are you hoping to improve upon?