🎉 SPRING BUTTER is back in stock! BUY SPRING BUTTER.

You’re not perfect, and neither are we. Have some grace in 2023.

written by

Marie Reedell

posted on

December 30, 2022

You’re not perfect, and neither are we. 

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has a different way of being. What’s important is that we continue to learn and grow. And, even more important is how we choose to learn and grow.

As we set intentions for the New Year, the farm team is thinking about having grace, which ultimately means giving grace. To each other, to our customers, to the farmers and businesses we partner with, to our pastures and the biodiversity upon it. We are always striving for something better. 

An important tenet of Amish culture is having grace. 

With justice, man gets what he deserves. With mercy, man does not get what he deserves. But, with grace, man gets what he does not deserve. It’s about showing kindness, even when someone may not deserve it.

Jesus [on the cross] said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34

The Amish culture follows the teachings of Jesus, who taught his followers to forgive one another and to place the needs of others before themselves. The Amish believe that God is in control and can bring good out of any situation. They strive to live with love and compassion. Vengeance and revenge is left to God.

This theme is not strictly Amish. It holds true in many religions and philosophies.

Interested in joining our grace-giving 2023 initiative? Here are 8 ways to extend grace to others:

1. Forgive and Don’t Hold Grudges.

Holding grudges does not punish the other person. It actually only hurts yourself via the physical and emotional stress you’re placing upon yourself. The opposite of holding a grudge is to forgive, graciously and without correction.

2. Ask for Forgiveness.

If you do something wrong, own up. Be quick to apologize when you make a mistake or have wronged someone else. In my opinion, a good apology includes 3 things: (1) Say what you did to hurt the other person; (2) Acknowledge how you made them feel; and (3) Tell them how you will try to do it differently next time.

3. Offer Hospitality. 

It doesn’t need to be complicated and entail having a theme and preparing a 7-course dinner and planning games and all that hoopla. It simply means sharing your home with neighbors. It can be as simple as inviting a friend or family member over for a cup of tea or neighbors over to enjoy an outdoor fire. 

It’s ok if they decline, but if they say yes, it’s an amazing opportunity to get to know someone better and find more ways of being gracious with them.

(PS: No one really cares how clean your house is. They don’t inspect the baseboards for dust or check to make sure the garbage can is clean. Their presence in your home is what matters most.)

4. Use Graceful Words. 

Be kind and gentle in what you say and how you say it. Depending on the situation, this is easier said than done. A good way to start is to take a breath in the moment. This helps you think before you speak.

5. Take an Interest in Others. 

Showing someone that they’re loved sometimes means just being there. Be happy with the person who’s happy, and be sad with the person who’s sad. 

Listening can sometimes be a challenge, as people often like to give their own opinions. Gracious listening means to accept the info coming your way. It’s about learning how to draw people out and getting to know them better.

6. Help Prior to Being Asked. 

This can be done in simple everyday kindnesses and actions like opening a door for someone or letting someone have that perfect parking spot. Or, it can be more complex, especially when you know someone well. For example, my neighbors down the street are elderly. So, when it snows, we always offer to help them shovel.

7. Show Gratitude. 

Say thank you often and let people know how much you appreciate them. A quick thank you card or note goes a long way!

8. Let it Go. 

Listen, sometimes people are going to be rude. No matter what. Instead of responding harshly, keep a calm spirit. Respond with grace.

The customer service team practices this often. We understand that people might be stressed (for reasons other than our food or service), and we want to lighten the load (and maybe even uplift their spirits) as much as we can.

Thinking about giving grace brings back a personal farm memory for me. It was the time when my 4yo wanted a heap of cheese. 

One of the first times I visited the farm, my family had dinner with the farmer’s family. As we sat at the table, my 4yo had an embarrassing and loud meltdown over cheese. He had one slice on his plate but wanted more. I told him that he could have as much as he’d like, but he needs to eat one slice at a time so we don’t waste it. Well, that wasn’t good enough, the meltdown persisted.

The farmer’s wife Rebecca responded with such grace. She went to him and sliced another piece of cheese and asked if it was enough. Then another. Then another and another. He calmed down around the tenth slice (and the rest of us, too). 

Did he eat all of the cheese? Nope. Was cheese wasted? Probably. But, I’d like to think that we all learned something about giving grace that day. From offering hospitality to using kind words to offering help without being asked to letting it go, it was an incredible display of grace.

How do you practice grace in your life? Do you have a stand-out memory of giving grace? Is adding more grace something you’d like to pursue in 2023?

I’d love to hear from you. Comment below (no account required - start typing for the guest option to appear) or contact us.

Opinion

More from the blog

See a volcano of pickles! The pluses and minuses of natural ferments.

A customer shared his farm food order with us on Instagram. Thanks for sharing, Nick! It included this amazing video of the volcano that can erupt from our fermented pickles: What's going on here? Why so many bubbles? Conventional pasteurized vinegar pickles (you know, the kind that are considered "normal") don't bubble at all. What you're seeing is the fermentation.  When fermented pickles are made, it's a very simple process. The following is mixed in a jar: Cucumbers, well water, celery seed, mustard seed, dill, garlic, Celtic sea salt, and whey. Then, the jar sits with a loose lid for 3-7 days, until it's done fermenting. The seeds and herbs are in there for flavor only. The cucumbers, water, salt, and whey are what make the magic happen. Note that there is no powdered culture added. Yes, whey is added and it has probiotics, but it simply helps jumpstart the ferment. Even without the whey, those pickles would ferment. It would just take a little longer. This is because raw veggies naturally have lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in them. When you mix them with water and salt, it creates the perfect environment for them to grow. Pretty cool, right? The living microbiology (the LAB) grow and multiply. They eat the naturally occurring sugars and starches in the cucumbers and produce CO2, a gas.  The fermentation carbonated the pickle brine! The fermentation made the volcano! It's also a sure sign that there's plenty of good probiotic stuff for your gut in that jar. The white stuff is yeast (most likely KAHM yeast).  Another thing to notice in the jar is how the liquid is whitish, not clear. There's nothing unsafe about it. Yes, you can eat it! It's a natural part of fermentation.  You see, KAHM yeast thrives in acidic environments. As that probiotic goodness ferments and creates CO2, it also creates lactic acid. The lactic acid not only gives pickles their distinct sour flavor but also makes the brine acidic.  KAHM yeast is naturally in the air. It will land on a ferment and think "Gee, this would be a great home." And then it grows. It typically makes a film on the top of a ferment, but it can also sink to the bottom. With volcanic pickles, it gets all mixed up in the brine and will eventually settle.  Fermented veggies are an acquired taste. Nick, who shared the volcanic pickles video, reported that: "The pickles are absolutely delicious. I love them!"  But... we sometimes get complaints about the flavor of the pickles and the white stuff. Is Nick's palate simply more accustomed to ferments? Were some jars of pickles actually off? It's really hard to say... especially when you're not there smelling and tasting it yourself. What I do know is that fermented veggies are an acquired taste. They're very different from the distinct pasteurized vinegar pickle flavor you likely grew up with.  Fermented pickles have umami to them (think about that "weird" flavor in miso or a very sharp aged cheese). They have a lot of tang. They can even taste metallic. Some may feel a burn on their tongue (that's the lactic acid by the way).  You may want to try making some at home (as I said before, it's pretty easy). That way, you can taste the flavor throughout the fermentation process and put it in the fridge when you think they're just right. Fermented veggies can last months in the fridge with proper maintenance. Here are a few tips to keep them in their best shape. Always store in the fridge. This will slow down the fermentation so they don't get overdone. If you leave them on the counter (especially pickles), they'll get quite sour and mushy pretty quickly. Never freeze ferments. They'll just get mushy. Make sure the veggies are always covered with brine. If the brine falls below the veggies, simply add more water and sea salt. So easy! If the veggies aren't covered, they can grow mold or dry out and become yucky.  If there's too much KAHM yeast, remove it. KAHM yeast is perfectly safe to eat. However, it can have an off-putting flavor, especially when there's too much. If it's on the top of the brine, simply scoop it off. If it's all mixed up in the brine, let the jar sit for a day or two so it settles. Once it sinks to the bottom of the jar, you can remove the pickles and clean brine (leaving the white stuff at the bottom), clean the jar, and then put the pickles and brine back in. Voila!  With this in mind, you might be wondering... Can ferments become unsafe? If a lacto-fermented veggie goes wrong, it will be pretty obvious. It may have a repulsive smell, flashy colors (like pink or black mold), or a foul flavor. While a normal ferment should have a sour, tangy smell, a bad ferment will smell putrid or rotten. This can be a little tricky, especially if you're new to ferments. The flavor can be wild! Often you simply need to trust your gut. Although getting used to ferments can take some time and know how, it's worth it. Why? They're just so darn good for your gut. They're packed with a range of lactic acid bacteria. Fermented veggies usually have bifidobacteria, too, which isn't prevalent in fermented dairy but is crucial for healthy digestion. When you have robust and healthy gut microbiology:  The bad stuff simply can't grow. You're less likely to get sick. Your digestion is better overall, meaning that you get max nutrition from the food you eat.Your gut can better produce essential nutrients like short-chain fatty acids and vitamins B1, B9, B12, and K.You can experience less inflammation.Your gut-brain connection is better. You may find yourself in a better mood, with less stress. There's probably so much more, but those are the top ones for me! Do you eat or make ferments? Why or why not? Have you tried the pickles? What's your experience? I'd love to hear from you! Comment below (no account required - start typing for the guest option to appear) or contact us. 

Why spring grass milk is the most healthy, creamy, yellow, and delicious.

Ahhhh, spring grass fed milk. It’s just the best milk of the entire year. You can see that it’s yellower and creamier. You can taste its full flavor and earthiness. In your gut, you just know that this milk is good for you. It’s simply the best. With modern testing, we can quantify that we’re not crazy for believing this or feeling this within our bodies. It’s scientifically true. Spring grass fed milk is the healthiest milk. Let’s explore.

Sugar. What's the big deal anyways? Does refined vs natural matter?

I’m pretty new to this “health conscious” world, and honestly… it can be so overwhelming! Do you ever feel like that? There’s SO much information, so many rabbit holes to fall into, and it can feel like you need a degree just to grocery shop. For me, it started with sugar. I know, I know, we ALL know that sugar is bad. But when you grow up in an environment where health isn’t really talked about (like me), no one actually explains why it’s bad. They just say “Don’t eat too much sugar.” But what does too much even mean? And why is it bad? What happens if I eat too much?  So there I was, just trying to make some churros (because, priorities — yum!), when I thought: “I don’t want to use bad sugar..but how do I know which sugars are good and which are bad?” And down the rabbit hole I went. Now, I’m here to save you some time and break it down the easy way - as simply as I can.  What’s wrong with refined sugars? Why should we stay away? Alright, let’s get into it. What’s the big deal with sugar? Why do people tell us to stay away from it? Turns out, there's quite a few reasons… and I was today years old when I learned some of them.  Contributes to weight gain and obesity: (Duh! I knew this one at least!) Excess sugar gets stored as fat. Simple as that. Increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions: Messes with insulin, spikes blood sugar, and leads to long term issues. No nutritional value: Empty calories, zero benefits. Just makes things sweet. Highly processed:  Highly processed sugars like high fructose corn syrup typically contain a higher % of fructose. If consumed in large amounts can lead to higher triglycerides, diabetes, fatty liver disease, heart disease, etc.  Addictive: Your brain craves more, leading to overconsumption.  Steals nutrients from your body: Especially B vitamins, which are crucial for brain and nervous health system.  Blood sugar roller coaster: The spike and crash cycle leaves you tired, cranky, and reaching for more sugar.  Knowing this doesn’t make that chocolate glazed donut any less tempting, but once you really understand what sugar does to your body, it’s easier to make better choices.  Why is it important to be mindful of how much sugar you are consuming? The average American consumes 17 teaspoons (71 grams or 0.16 pounds) of added sugar per day (honestly, I believe it’s likely more than this) Here is a quick chart of the recommended sugar intake:  Here’s a chart of common foods and the grams of sugar:  So yeah, we’re eating waaaaay more than we should. And it’s not just about weight, sugar affects your brain, mood, energy, and overall health.  Too much sugar can lead to: Brain fog, forgetfulness, mental dullnessIncreased anxiety, panic attacks, and mood swingsChronic fatigue, muscle weakness, and even heart palpitations I’ll be honest. I’ve felt some of these symptoms myself. I never really watched my sugar intake…until now. I didn’t think it was THAT big of a deal. But the more I learned, the more I realized how much sugar was affecting me.  Is natural sugar any better?  The short answer — yes! Here’s why: Refined Sugars: Refined sugars/processed sugars (like white sugar and high fructose corn syrup) are stripped of everything beneficial. They are digested quickly by the body, causing spikes in blood sugar followed by crashes. This also leads to hunger, irritability, and cravings. Have you ever eaten a donut and still felt hungry?  Natural Sugars: Natural sugars (like those in fruit, honey, maple syrup) come with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that your body actually needs. So it’s digested slower. This keeps the blood sugar stable, reducing cravings. Plus they come with essential nutrients that refined sugar lacks. For example:  An apple has natural sugar, but also fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. A donut has added sugar, no nutrients, and leads to sugar crashes. So yes, natural sugars are the better option, but moderation is still key. Even natural sugar is overconsumed, it can contribute to weight gain and metabolic issues.  Refined Sugars to Avoid Okay, so we know refined sugar isn’t great. But what should we actually avoid? Here’s a quick list:  ❌ White sugar (refined sugar) - the most processed form w/ 0 nutrients  ❌ High Fructose Corn Syrup - common in sodas and processed foods  ❌ Sucrose, Dextrose, & Fructose (found in a lot of processed foods) - sneaky names for refined sugar in packaged foods  ❌ Artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, sucralose) - synthetic sugars, probably so much worse for than sugar   Better Alternatives: Natural Sweeteners You Can Use  Giving up sugar completely is tough (trust me, I’m working on it too!). But the good news is, there are better options that don’t come with the same downsides as refined sugars.  ✅ Pure Maple Syrup: rich in minerals, great for baking ✅ Raw, unfiltered honey: full of enzymes and antioxidants  ✅ Molasses: iron rich and nutrient dense  ✅ Maple sugar, sucanat, coconut, palm, or date sugar: less processed and better for you ✅ **Piloncillo or Mexican Brown Sugar: raw, unrefined cane sugar. Also known as Mexican brown sugar.  ✅ Applesauce & Mashed Bananas: great for baking swaps  ✅ Raisins & Dates: natural sweetness with fiber and nutrients  **Side Note: I grew up with this!! I didn’t know that this entire time my family has been using a better version of sugar all long!! It was really cool to learn this. Final Thoughts: Be Smart About Sugar  Look, I’m not saying you need to swear off sugar forever (I mean..churros exist). But being mindful of sugar intake and choosing better alternatives can make a huge difference in your health.  A few key takeaways:  Sugar is addictive and offers zero nutrients. Too much sugar affects your weight, brain, mood, and energy levels.Natural sugars are better, but should be consumed in moderation.Avoid refined sugars and opt for natural sweeteners when possible. And honestly, give yourself grace. Changing habits takes time. I’m still figuring it out myself, but the goal isn’t perfection. It’s making small, healthier choices every day.  So, what are your thoughts? Are you trying to cut back on sugar too? What are your favorite alternatives? Do you have any recommendations?  ----- References https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/family-health/children-and-sugar-how-bad-it https://www.westonaprice.org/... https://thinkvida.com/blog/why-you-should-avoid-refined-sugars/ https://kaynutrition.com/what-is-the-healthiest-sugar/ https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu/outreach/nutr-health-info-sheets/consumer-addedsugars https://www.hartfordhospital.org/about-hh/news-center/news-detail?articleId=27851&publicid=461 https://thegreatbritishporridgeco.co.uk/blogs/news/natural-sugars-vs-added-sugars... https://veggiesandvirtue.com/blog/how-much-sugar-can-kids-have https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/how-does-sugar-in-our-diet-affect-our-health/