So I called our CPA who told me about EDIE the Estimator.  EDIE is a calculator on www.FDIC.com where you list all your account information – type of account and balances – and it tells you how much, if any, of your money is not covered by FDIC deposit insurance.

If you do have money “uninsured,” you can open a new account at another financial institution where you can move your non-insured funds, where, as long as they comply with FDIC deposit insurance criteria, they will be insured.

Contact your CPA for more information.

The first, and this is definitely the most common, is that an uncircumcised penis looks ‘weird.’  Well, that’s because in America, most grown US born men were circumcised so that is what we are all accustomed to seeing.  It’s entirely cultural.

In other parts of the world, female circumcision aka female genital mutilation aka female genital cutting [FGM] is common.  These terms collectively refer to the “partial or total removal of the clitoris (clitoridectomy),and/or the prepuce removal clitoral hood” and/or “partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora (excision)” and/or “narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora” and/or “pricking the clitoris with needles, burning or scarring the genitals as well as ripping or tearing of the vagina.”

Yet, read the reasons behind FGC as listed by Wikipedia:

… range from health-related to social benefits:^[38]

• maintenance of cleanliness
• maintenance of good health
• preservation of virginity
• enhancement of fertility
• prevention of promiscuity
• increase of matrimonial opportunities
• pursuance of aesthetics
• improvement of male sexual performance and pleasure
• promotion of social and political cohesion

Two comments.  First, health-related and social benefits.  Sound like the reasons for male circumcision we hear in the States?  And the second comment, yeah, aesthetics.  They think it looks better to have your labia shaved off and your vagina sown smaller.  It’s entirely cultural.  It is what we, as Americans, are accustomed to seeing that defines what we think is ‘weird’ versus ‘normal.’  And since only 50% of boys are currently circumcised, that norm will soon change.  Thus, not a good enough reason. 

The second reason, “we want our sons to look like our circumcised husbands.”  I asked myself, “If I was the victim of FGC, would I want that done to my daughter just so she would look like me?”  And the answer was, “No.”  Someday, our son will notice that he looks different than his dad and we will explain it to him.  I didn’t find this to be a compelling reason.

The third reason, “we don’t want our son to be made fun of in the locker room.”  First, we are homeschooling, but even if he went to school, he would not be a freak because 70% of boys in the Western states are intact.  He will be the norm, not the exception. 

The fourth reason is that it decreases the chance of penile cancer.  Well shoot, let me remove my breasts so I don’t get breast cancer.  Or take my ovaries out so I don’t get ovarian cancer.  Yes, when you remove a body part that eliminates the risk of cancer.  But is it worth removing a piece of your child’s body, that serves a function, for that small chance?

The fifth reason is that it’s cleaner.  We’ve already seen that cleanliness is a reason for FGM, which sounds so odd to Americans, yet we use the same rationale for male circumcision.  This is clearly a cultural perspective/rationale.  I also have to wonder: How did the human race survive if the presence of a foreskin was dirty in a time where cleanliness, as we define it today, was almost impossible?  And then I wonder: If it was cleaner to be circumcised, and uncircumcised penises are threatened with constant infection, why did the penis evolve to have a foreskin? 

Which brings us to the sixth reason: the foreskin, or prepuce, has no function.  It’s just worthless skin, so it’s not a big deal to cut it off.  The video below, by Doctors Opposing Circumcision, rebuts that quite well.

And I just have to say one more thing.  When my son was admitted to the hospital at 13 days of life for jaundice, he had an IV put in.  The nurses came into our room to take him to the Procedure Room and I wanted to stay with him.  They looked at me questionably and when I insisted they ‘allowed’ me to come.  (I say ‘allowed’ because there was no way in hell I was going to ‘allow’ my son to get an IV, and the pain that entailed, without me being with him.)  My son, my little baby boy, was screaming and crying, with tears going down his face, as multiple nurses tried to place the IV in one wrist and then the other.  It was horrible to watch, but I stayed with my son and spoke to him.  I didn’t want him to go through that physical pain and fear without hearing my familiar voice and feeling my touch.  Over the course of his 4 night stay, his IV “blew” a few times and back to the procedure room we went.  It was horrible, but I’m glad he didn’t have to experience that alone.  I can’t imagine a child being circumcised in a room full of strangers.  That pain (some doctors use local anesthetic) and fear and not a familiar face.

You might also want to view a circumcision to really understand the procedure.

Click here -> The Prepuce: A D.O.C Video

Click here -> Circumcision video

After you watch the videos, check out:

• The Case Against Circumcision by Paul M. Fless, MD Mothering Magazine
• Circumcision: A Closer Look by Dean Edell, MD

Getting Started

Why buy grass-fed beef? 

Chart of typical beef distribution in pounds.

How to cook it.

Map of grass-fed farms in CA.

American Grassfed Association – Features a list of farms producing grass-fed beef, poultry, dairy, goats, and lamb

EatWild – The #1 Site for Grass-Fed Food & Facts

A funny post on “pastured hippy meat vs agri-industrial meat”

Farm vs Local Stores

If I lived within driving distance of a farm, I would buy grass-fed beef, no question.  However, since I don’t, the shipping costs do make it extra pricey.

Some stores do carry grass-fed beef.  The only local store in my area, to my knowledge, is Henry’s and while I love shopping there, sometimes their markup is huge.  (For example, I recently purchased peppermint extract there and it was $4.99 only to discover that Trader Joe’s sells it for $0.99.  That’s right, one fifth the price.)

Another option, is to start requesting grass fed beef at CostCo whose maximum markup is 15%.  They pay a living wage, they are good for communities, and have even been dubbed “the anti-Wal-Mart.”  I’ve noticed that my local CostCo has been carrying more and more organic food and products: ground beef, bread, milk, whole frozen chickens, body wash, peanut butter, frozen mixed vegetables, frozen blueberries, fresh mixed greens, diced canned tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, shampoo, and organic clothes all at your reasonable, everyday CostCo prices.

Based on their current organic inventory, which is growing by the month, I think they would carry grass-fed beef if enough people requested it and bought it.  You can request items via their suggestion “section” (usually by the return area), which is what I intend to do.  I wonder if they did carry grass-fed beef if they would sell it for less than $8.75 per pound (more on this later.)   And if you do notice grass-fed beef there, tell your friends, so it sells and CostCo knows to restock it!  If you don’t live close to a CostCo, search their website for organic products.  I recently saw organic baby/crib mattresses for $120.

Grass-Fed Farms in California

As I started collecting information from farms, I just started organizing it here so I could quickly refer back.  As you can see, this information is by no means comprehensive, but it’s a start and I thought I would share.  As I research more farms, I’ll add that information below.

Beer River Valley, Ferdale

Split Half – $6.30 per pound – (approx 125 lbs)
This is a quarter of beef that contains equal proportions of the cuts from the front to the back.

Half – $6.15 per pound – (approx 250 lbs)
This contains all of the beef cuts from either the left or right side.

Whole – $6.00 per pound – (approx 500 lbs)
This contains all of the beef cuts.

All packages include an assortment of steaks, roasts, ground beef and stew meat. Weights are not exact. Weights depend on the carcass size. Prices include cut, wrap and freezing. Final price is based on packaged weight of delivered beef. Prices do not include delivery or shipping.

All of our beef is USDA inspected.

In addition you can choose to order Organ Meats (depending on availability – sold on a first come first served basis)

I emailed them asking for a quote on shipping a whole cow and they quickly replied (within a couple hours) and quoted $1200.  (Note that shipping prices vary depending on where in the country you are.)  Assuming that the total cost of $4200 was split amongst 8 families, that would be $525 for approximately 60 pounds of meat at $8.75 per pound requiring 2.3 cubic feet of freezer space to store.

Ennes Ranch, Brentwood (only available for pick-up)

What packages are available?

A. Split quarter (15 pounds steak, 40 pounds ground beef, 25 pounds roasts & stew). Weights vary depending on the animal and the size of the cuts.

B. Split quarter (15 pounds steak, 30 pounds ground beef, 35 pounds roasts & stew).

C. Half (weight can vary from 200 to 300 pounds)(custom cuts & package size options).

D. Other – please ask.

How much will it cost?

Meat sold in large orders is $5.50 per pound, regardless of cut

We ask you to give us a deposit, $150.00 with your order.

Balance is due after the meat is processed, frozen, and ready for pick-up.

How is the beef is prepared for customers?

Animals are processed from May until August.
Slaughtered at a USDA inspected facility.
Hung for a minimum of two weeks.
Cut and packaged professionally

How to Order:

Choose package A, B, or C.
Contact Ennes Ranch for availability.
Send deposit with your name, address, phone number, and email address
We will notify you two weeks before the meat is ready to be picked up at Austin Meats in Ripon, California

Fair Oaks Ranch, Paso Robles

Flat rate of $7.50/pound.

Here is a link to their brochure.

All meat is vacuumed packed for long freezer life.
Customer pays for shipping.
Approximate yield on a 1200 lb steer is 40% yield of meat
or 480 lbs packaged weight.

USDA CUT AND WRAP
NO ADDED HORMONES OR ANTIBOITCS USED

Call for current prices and availability. Deposits required with each order.

Hearst Ranch, San Simeon (doesn’t sell whole cows, only cuts and rather pricey at that)

Paicines Ranch, Paicines

You have to email or call them for cuts and prices, but they are a CSA partner (aka Eating with the Seaons, which is really cool if you live in Central California.

Lindner Bison, Valencia

I love how they have so many ways to buy!  You can get a steak or a whole bison!

4 easy ways to buy
- per package
- per 40 lb. or 20 lb. assortment
- per quarter, half or whole
- per 10 lb. burger
Call our toll-free number! 866-247-8753
STEAKS
1 Tenderloin
2 NY Strip Loin
3 Ribeye
4 Top Sirloin
5 Chuck
6 Cube steak
ROASTS
7 Chuck
8 Rump
9 Hump
10 Top round
OTHER
11 Fajita strips
12 Kabob mest
13 Stew meat
14 Burger, bulk
15 Burger, patties
MIX & MATCH
16 Meaty soup bones
17 Tongue
18 Heart
19 Liver & kidney
20 Oxtail & neckbones
21 RM Oysters
22 Jerky – Low sodium/No preservatives!
23 Short ribs
24 Marrow & Dog Bones

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So, my cupboard is full of those cheap, plastic sippy cups, all of which leak to some degree.  Here is a great piece on why plastics, other than plastic #5, is not good for our kids and an interesting news article about the controversy.

Here is my criteria

• BPA free, non-leaching
• Stainless steel or Polypropylene (#5 plastic, view it’s MSDA)
• Dishwasher safe
• Minimal/no leakage
• Recyclable
• Lightweight
• Can fit ice cubes
• Bonus – Not Made in China (which I think will be a tall order because it seems virtually everything available for purchase in the US is made in China)
• Bonus – Keeps hot things hot and cold things cold

I started with the Born Free brand, but after reading less than impressive reviews on Amazon, I decided to investigate other options.

So, I did a search on Amazon for “stainless steel sippy cup.”  (When shopping for anything, Amazon is one of the first websites I go to simply because they typically have wonderful reviews and I can quickly get the pros and cons of almost any item available for purchase.)

First, Klean Kanteen.  I was actually looking at this brand to buy a new water bottle for me.  Right now, I have about 4 Rubbermaid plastic bottles that have several years of use on them.  I want a stainless steel replacement and purchased a Thermos TherMax from my local Target, but it only holds 16 oz and as a nursing mother, I have to refill it often during the day, plus it is pretty heavy.  But, it does keep coffee hot or ice water cold all day.  This is a huge plus because it’s not unusual for me to fill bottle with hot coffee in the morning and not being able to drink it until several hours later when I finally have a moment.

Klean Kanteen has 57 reviews on Amazon and 4 out of 5 stars overall.  Not bad. 

Amazon is selling them at $25.99 for a 12 oz bottle with a sippy spout and adapter.  (That is more than the 40oz version I was looking at for myself.) Or $30 for an 18 ounce bottle?  Wow, that is a pricey option.

Then I look directly on Klean Kanteen’s website.  They show the 12 oz with sippy adapter and two spouts at $17.95.  Ok, that is still a lot of money, but it’s better than $26. 

Maybe this is something I can find used off of eBay.  I look at completed sales for 12oz Klean Kanteen and the prices are not that much less.   I also check out my other favorite website, Overstock.com, but they don’t have any.

Using Google’s shopping comparison, I find that the prices are pretty consistent among vendors – $16 – $18. 

However, Klean Kanteen is made in China… from their FAQ:

Why is the Kanteen made in China?
The Klean Kanteen is made “responsibly” in China because one of our founding principles was to produce an economically priced high quality stainless steel bottle as an alternative to plastic and lined metal containers therefore promoting healthy living with respect for the environment.

Our preference from the outset has been to produce our bottles closer to home but extensive research in the manufacturing sector left us resolute that our bottles can not be made closer to home at a reasonable price without sacrificing quality and safety, something we are steadfast against.

Is the Klean Kanteen factory safe?
Yes. We visit our manufacturing facilities 4-5 times per year and perform audits every six months to ensure all of our products are produced with respect for the environment and fair labor standards, including: the ethical treatment of factory workers, child labor, wages/benefits, health and safety, etc. Additionally, we do regular lab testing on random shipments through a local lab in the U.S. to ensure our products are made per our specifications, are free of hazardous substances such as lead, and do not leach chromium, manganese, etc.

We believe that the Klean Kanteen is and will continue to be one of the safest and environmentally conscious beverage containers on the market today while upholding stringent design and manufacturing standards.

I read this and can’t help but think of the movie Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price.  They had a heartbreaking section where the people who worked in the Chinese factories were coerced to lie to the inspectors about working conditions, overtime, etc.  So, I am not convinced that because they inspect their factories, that the working conditions are good.  You decide for yourself.

Second, Safe Sippy Cup for $15 for an 11oz stainless steel body and a#5 plastic mouthpiece.  Here is some great information on this cup from Satara:

• There is a no leak valve in the spout of The Safe Sippy™, which is made of clean, non-toxic silicone. When children suck on The Safe Sippy™ liquid flows and when they don’t, it doesn’t.
• The spout of The Safe Sippy™ is straw shaped. Some research has found that a traditional wide drinking spout may cause physical and speech development problems in some children.
• The lid of The Safe Sippy™ is designed to be slightly wider than the cup. If your child drops The Safe Sippy™, that lip will help protect the stainless steel bottle from denting.
• The stainless steel body of The Safe Sippy™ is the most important element of the cup. Made of durable and lightweight medical grade stainless steel, the 11 oz bottle is non-leaching and toxin free.
• Unlike plastic sippies, it’s ok to put The Safe Sippy™ in the dishwasher.
• The handles were designed to help little hands hang onto the cup. Once your child is big enough to grip the bottle at the tapered waist, the handles are removable.
• The tapered waist and the ribbing on the sleeve both help little hands hold onto the cup once they insist that they are too big for the handles.
• The rubbery sleeve surrounding the bottle is made of thermo plasticized rubber, or TPR. The TPR materials provides insulation for cold beverages on hot days, and it also acts as a cushion to protect the stainless steel.

Third, the Foogo Stainless Steel Sippy Cup by Thermos.

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It’s at this point in my research does my daughter ask what I’m doing.  I tell her I’m shopping for sippy cups for her and she asks why and I say because I want to find a better sippy cup.  At this point, I bother to flip over the cup she was drinking from to see that it is in fact made from #5 plastic.  My cheap Take & Toss cups are just fine!