Our Apple Orchard {& PIE!}

Okay, so maybe it's not our apple orchard, but it's where we pick our own organic apples! This was the second year that we've gone, and we plan on making this a yearly tradition. I shared yesterday about Date Creek Ranch and their yummy beef. Today it's about the apples! We loved visiting the apple orchards while we were stationed in Nebraska, and when we moved home, I thought that was one thing we would be missing out on. Needless to say, we were very excited to see this:

I'm all for seeing where our food comes from, and it doesn't get much better than organic apples for $1/pound!

All of these pictures are from last year. 

Because of course we forgot the camera this time.

 Last year we went toward the end of the season. Our fifty pounds of apples made some yummy pie, applesauce and syrup, but were a little tart to eat fresh. This year we made it up there the first weekend, and that made ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

 Thirty-seven pounds of delicious apples! I made a small crockpot full of applesauce (peel and quarter the apples and turn on low for six hours or so) for the kids, the rest of the apples that we didn't eat were turned into Dutch Apple Pie! 

Not quite the same as what we bought in Julian, but excellent nonetheless.

Dutch Apple Pie

Crust: 

1 1/2 c. flour

1 T. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. oil (I prefer coconut, but whatever floats your boat)

2 T. milk

Mix together and press into pie pan.

Filling:

6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

1/2 c. sugar

1 T. flour

Dump sugar and flour over the apple slices and mix gently. Pour into pie pan.

Topping:

1 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter

Mix flour and sugar, then cut in butter until it's crumbly. Bake at 375 for about an hour or until a knife slides in easily. Best served with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream, preferably homemade.

Picking our own organic apples works for me!

Our {Grass-fed} Cow

Disclaimer: All opinions here are my own, and while they are my convictions, please do not assume that I judge those who have different convictions. I have come to this place over time, and have made many contrary choices in my life. 

Two years ago, Hubby and I made a conscious decision to strive to do things as God originally intended. This had included how many children we (will) have, how and where we birth our children, how we raise our children (such as breastfeeding, co-sleeping and homeschooling), and what we put into our bodies. Many of these changes were in the works even longer. We are asking ourselves, "How has it been done in the past?" and "How has modern society changed how we do things?" This is not to say that all modern conveniences are bad, but we want to question the wisdom behind more recent practices.

One example of this is our food. We try to eat food that has not been genetically modified or contaminated with pesticides, artificial coloring, or other chemicals. This is a process, and we definitely aren't perfect when it comes to this. Still, my goal is to take baby steps every month to get my family eating healthier. Last fall I began examining the protein we were consuming, namely chicken (and eggs) and beef. Most of the poultry and beef that one purchases in stores are fed corn and soy. Not only are these genetically modified, but these animals would not typically choose this diet if they were left on their own. I now purchase hormone-free chicken (not free-range, though I hope to get there!), free-range eggs, and last year we went in with my parents to purchase a quarter of a grass-fed cow.

Last September, our family visited Date Creek Ranch Orchard for the first time. We came to pick our own organic apples (more on that later!), but we fell in love with the beef! I love that we were able to see the cows in the pasture. But the kicker was the roast they had for us to sample! It had been cooking on low for 24 hours with no water, no seasonings, nothing, and it was the. best. beef. EVER.

I love knowing where my food came from, that it's made without hormones, herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals, and that he lived a happy life. It may not be the cheapest way to feed my family, but it is very healthy and delicious.

For more pictures, visit Date Creek Ranch's photo gallery, and while you're there, check out how you can score some of this great beef for yourself! (I am in no way being compensated for this post, I just love our beef that much! However, if you do decide to place an order, let them know that I referred you, and I'll get a few pounds for free next time!)