Better Living By Choice Podcast

In this episode we talk about Jodie’s love of chick days. This year we got ten chicks. Six are meat birds that we will be processing from start to finish for the first time…alone and unsupervised (dun dun duuuuun!!!). Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we talk about speaking out against cafos (confined animal feed operations) at our local county board of supervisors meeting. What Perdue cafos look like Land and Table Subscribe to our Podcast

This episode is all about what we’ve planted in our gardens this year. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we share what we’ve learned after one full year of raising chickens. Subscribe to our Podcast

How many of our goals did we achieve in 2013? Check out this episode to see how the year turned out for our family. Happy New Year and best wishes for 2014!

In this episode we share our experience processing our rooster Elvis. Elvis before… and after… Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode Jodie shares what she’s tried to keep deer from helping themselves to her tomatoes. If you have any suggestions, she’d love to her from you. Email Jodie Subscribe to our Podcast

Something got in the coop and had one of our hens for dinner. In this episode we talk about what animal we think it was, how they got in and the steps we took to try to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We also share how we cared for two birds that were injured […]

In this episode we talk about what we’re accomplished during the first six months of living in our house. We also share our goals for the next six months. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode Jodie and Boomer talk about how we can recruit more people to join us in buying and supporting local food producers. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we share our experience buying our house with a USDA Loan. We were able to purchase a home on just under two acres that was zoned for agriculture without having to come up with a down payment. Learn more about USDA Loans Subscribe to our Podcast

The coop is finished and the chickens are in their new home! In this episode Jodie and Boomer talk about building the coop and offer advice for anyone who is considering buying one online. Our coop is based 25% off of this coop plan from Tractor Supply Company. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we talk about the arrival of our new baby chicks and continue negotiations on whether to have a permanent coop or a chicken tractor. I think we need to call this one grumpy. You see how this little ones wings aren’t as long as the others. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode Jodie talks about an unconventional gardening method we’re trying in our backyard. We discuss no till gardening and why we think it’s perfect for us. Back to Eden Documentary Starving Off The Land Hugelkultur Raised Beds Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we discuss what’s on our To Do List for 2013 and I remind Jodie that this is a family podcast. Here are the pictures Jodie took showing our trashy podcast setup: Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we discuss how when you eat with the seasons, sometimes you have to improvise. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode Jodie shares some tips for stocking up on local chickens for the winter. We also share some lame excuses for why we haven’t posted a new podcast episode in awhile. Also check out our episode on the differences between locally raised chicken and that poultry-like stuff at the grocery store. Subscribe to […]

In this episode, Jodie takes a stand on frozen vegetables and offers a just as convenient alternative. Subscribe to our Podcast

This time of year most people have water, sand and sunscreen on their mind. Not Jodie. She’s busy preparing food for winter. Also in this episode, Boomer shares a little nugget of wisdom from Joel Salatin’s last book, Folks, This Ain’t Normal. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode, Jodie reluctantly admits she is a boycotter. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we share what the word “fresh” means to each of us. We also share the results of our experiment with a package of ground beef. We left it on the counter for a week. You can see from the pictures below how much it puffed up, but the meat never changed color. […]

Jodie got a pressure canner last Christmas. In this episode she shares her experience using it for the first time to can some corn. Subscribe to our Podcast

Our area was one of several that were recently hit with severe weather. Power was knocked out for days and temperatures were in the triple digits. Our farmer friends were hit hard by the storm and it got us thinking about how important it is for us to support farmers regardless of the weather. We […]

This episode is all about the wonderful benefits of getting to know your local farmers. Find your local farmer, CSA, etc. Find local grass-feed food Subscribe to our Podcast

We have a new addition to our little family. Jodie got a used Champion Juicer! In this episode we share the strange story of going to get the juicer and what our initial thoughts are about the juicer. Links for this episode: Champion Juicer Food Matter Documentary Andrew Saul David Wolfe Fat Sick and Nearly […]

In this episode, Jodie shares her eight favorite kitchen items while Madigan has some fun with puns! We also talk about our love of watching In The Kitchen with David on QVC. Perpetual Broth Subscribe to our Podcast

Extreme couponing is saving lots of people money and making entertaining tv shows. In this episode, we explain why it just isn’t for us. We discuss a few things that are more important than saving money. Jodie also shares the most non-specific salad dressing recipe ever. Have a pen ready to jot it down! Subscribe […]

In this episode, Jodie and Boomer discuss food priorities. What’s most important? Is it buying local? Is it buying organic? Is it making sure everything is non-GMO? What about no spray? And the list goes on and on. Jodie talks about why eating with the seasons is most important to her. Find out what’s in […]

In this episode Jodie and Boomer talk about a study that found most people consider meat to be more masculine than vegetables. While Jodie felt better after eating a mostly vegan diet, find out why they ultimately will always include meat in their diet. Subscribe to our Podcast

After a recent trip to Colonial Williamsburg, Boomer wonders if Jodie is a food snob. Subscribe to our Podcast

To say Jodie is happy her favorite farmers market is back would be a huge understatement. Find your local farmers market Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode Jodie and Boomer talk about how they believe they are making a small impact on those around them about the benefits of eating local food. Why We Don’t Shop At Walmart Find your local farmers’ market Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode, Jodie and Boomer share their concern about requiring labels for genetically modified foods. Just Label It Campaign Open Secrets Revolving Door Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode, Jodie and Boomer talk about how the food industry has convinced us that vegetables are a punishment that we need to hide in our meals. We offer some suggestions that might help even the pickiest eater enjoy more vegetables. Subscribe to our Podcast

In an effort to drop some weight, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, we’ve decided to try a mostly vegan diet for 28 days. Forks Over Knives Documentary Engine 2 Diet Subscribe to our Podcast

There are some challenges to eating real food versus those highly-processed, prepackaged, industrialized edible widgets. We discuss some of them in this episode. We also offer a great tip on helping kids transition to eating healthier food. Video of girl’s potato experiment They may look like little ladybugs, but they’re actually baby stink bugs! Subscribe […]

In this episode Jodie and Boomer talk about how eating real food makes you feel more satisfied than consuming a bunch of heavily processed foods. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode Jodie shares how weekly meal planning helps keep us on the path to eating local. Meal Plan Websites: Deliciously Organic CSA Meal Planning Cookbooks: Cooking from the Farmers’ Market (Williams-Sonoma) Eating Local: The Cookbook Inspired by America’s Farmers Subscribe to our Podcast

A lot of people only consider price and convenience when deciding what to eat. In this episode, Jodie and Boomer talk about why price and convenience are the last things that they think about when getting their food. Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode, Jodie finds inspiration after seeing turkeys in the tree at Bramble Hallow Farm. Thanks to Anna for taking some pictures for me. And yes, turkeys fly I found out the turkey breed — Narragansett turkey My Life as a Turkey documentary on PBS Subscribe to our Podcast

The title of the episode says it all so I decided to use this space to make a point I forgot to mention in the podcast. And that is, why can’t Walmart use the same buying power they have with products to provide affordable health insurance for their workers? If you’re interested in watching a […]

In this week’s podcast, Boomer and Jodie talk about what led them to their decision to not eat tomatoes from the grocery store and how all farm workers deserve to be treated humanely. Mentioned in this episode: Coalition of Immokalee Workers Tomatoland: How Modern Industrial Agriculture Destroyed Our Most Alluring Fruit Comedian Jimmy Tingle on […]

Buying into a meat CSA isn’t just for the consumer. We talk about a CSA from the farmer’s point of view. Documentaries mentioned in this episode: Fresh the movie Food Inc. Our Daily Bread Food Matters Subscribe our Podcast

As the Super Bow…er…Big Game approaches, we’re talking about commercials in this episode. Specifically a recent commercial from McDonald’s that tries to make it seems like they’re a part of the farm to table movement. Photos of what fast food commercials say you get vs what you actually get Subscribe to our Podcast

Jodie talks about going through seed catalogs and planning her container garden for 2012. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Safe Seed List Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we discuss our needs and wants for our own house. We also talk about the recent obstacles in our path to home ownership. Jodie mentions a study about an increased risk of pancreatic cancer from eating processed meats. Subscribe to our Podcast

Check out these tips for choosing the right CSA for you. Find out what to consider before joining a CSA. Find a local CSA Seven Springs Farm Bramble Hollow Farm Broadview Ranch Subscribe to our podcast Here’s that swiss chard picture Jodie talks about in this episode…

As we begin 2012, we share our resolutions for the New Year. Subscribe to our podcast

In our final episode of the year, we look back on 2011. Find a local CSA Seven Springs Farm Broadview Ranch Bramble Hollow Farm Sandy River Pork Starving Off The Land Subscribe to our Podcast

In this episode we discuss a handful of suggestions for holiday gift ideas for the locavores on your list. Books mentioned in this episode: (affiliate links) Michael Pollan – Food Rules Joel Salatin – Folks This Ain’t Normal Cooking From The Farmers’ Market Eating Local Also mentioned: Southern Exposure Seed Exchange Safe Seed List Subscribe […]

Jodie talks about what she dislikes about the local food movement and how local food should be accessible to everybody. Broadview Ranch Local Roots Subscribe to our podcast