Food Truths

It all started about 10 years ago when I read Real Food by Nina Planck.  I began to question what I ate and where it came from. It has spurred me on to read more and eventually return to school to study health and wellness.  With all of the knowledge swimming inside my head, I'm still confused about what I should eat.  Minimally processed, organic, grass-fed, and pastured is best, but how do you feed a family well on a budget.  Making your own baked goods is an excellent way to bypass all of the "junk" in a loaf of white bread or bagel, but it's not practical for most families who are busy juggling jobs and kids' activities.  Over the next few weeks, I'll look at ways to feed your family a more nutritious diet that won't break the bank or make you crazy.

To get us started, I'll briefly touch on fruits and veggies.  With our glorious warmer temperatures it is the perfect time to hit the farmers markets.  Produce prices are very reasonable here and you're getting food picked at the peak of ripeness for extra nutrition.  You also get a chance to talk to your local farmers.  The ones I have talked to grow their fruits and veggies organically, but don't have the certification because it is a tedious expensive process.  Stock up on some of your favorites and freeze them for use over the winter.  Corn, for instance, freezes beautifully.  Just shuck the ears, place them in gallon freezer bags, and your ready to go.  Happy eating!!

Week #1 in the Books!!

Woohoo!!  I have survived week one of half marathon training complete with a grueling 9-mile run!  When you're training ground is the Rocky Mountains you never quite know where your long runs will take you.  I just put on my Runkeeper app and run until I hit my mileage goal, complete with "My Conscious" giving me positive encouragement along the way.  

The road I live on is an incredibly long stretch.  You can actually access it from two points, the bottom of the mountain or the top.  To get to my house I hook into it up top.  It ends up being a shorter trip.  Last Friday, I choose to run the long way to get my 9 miles in.  Let me tell you,  that is no easy feat and there was a point I was pretty sure I was going to die.  To make the trip a little more challenging I was trying out my new hydration belt (more on that in another post.)  I hadn't gotten the placement of water bottles, the belt, etc. in the right place so my walking intervals were spent adjusting and readjusting.  I should have tested it on my short run earlier in the week so my grueling 9 miles of hills would have been a bit more fun. Who am I kidding I HATE hills!!  

I have been smart enough on long runs to use the run, walk, run interval method of training as I add miles.  This definitely saved me.  I haven't found a free running app that will allow me to set my own intervals yet (if you know of one PLEASE let me know) so I ended up using the timer on my phone with a simple 3-minute timer.  This amounted to 3 minutes of running, 3 minutes of walking.  That helped on the way back up the really long hill.  To help you get a better picture the bottom of the hill is at roughly 8411 feet and the top is 8731 feet, plus I'm running at altitude so the air is a little thinner.  Talk about a challenge!!  I did it and rounded out the week logging 26 miles of running fun.   Ok, there was a little walking involved, but I've gotta ease into the longer runs somehow!

Half Marathon Training: Day #1

“What Makes Someone a Runner? A ‘Real Runner’?” A Foodie Stays Fit, 26 July 2016, www.afoodiestaysfit.com/2016/07/my-thoughts-on-being-labeled-a-runner-or-not/.

Today is day #1 of my half marathon training.  I'm excited and a wee bit nervous.  I was that kid that hated running the mile in gym class.  It's so far!!  I usually walked most of it, and then had to run it again because I didn't get the time I needed for the Presidential Physical Fitness Test.  Who remembers that?  My mild asthma would kick in, my mouth tasted like metal, and I generally thought I would die.  I swore I would never run again!  Then again there are countless things I swore I would never do again as an adult, yet have come to enjoy.  Remember the Rangerette sewing project, mom?  Fast forward to now and I love to run.  Although I always thought of myself as only a 5k runner.  3.1 miles, that's doable.  

Last summer I was gifted the opportunity to run a 10k.  Ok, 6.2 miles I think I can handle that.  I had been running since the beginning of the summer and with the help of a good team and training plan, was up to the challenge.  On Labor Day 2017, I ran the FORTitude 10k with the Channel 2 News Team.  It was an amazing experience and once again, I didn't die.  Now I knew I could run 6 miles, so being a glutton for punishment and slightly jealous of other athletic friends doing the same thing, decided I too could run a half marathon.  

In January I signed up for the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon scheduled for August.  I've been told by those adorable athletic friends that it's a good beginner race since it's mostly downhill.  It's harder on your knees, but I could run downhill for days!!  I've spent countless hours creating a training plan that I can stick to and mold to my busy family schedule.  I've got exactly 10 weeks until the big race.  Mondays will be easy days with long runs scheduled for Fridays or Saturdays.  Last weekend I ran 8 miles, so I'm well on my way to 13.1.  

So, today marks the beginning of a new adventure for this kid who swore she would never run a mile again.  Nope, I'll never run just a mile again, I'll run 13.1 miles and keep on going! 

Let's Just Be Real

One of my biggest struggles is fear.  I know, shocker! I think most of us deal with it. I've dealt with it since I was a child.  I was then and still am a people pleaser.  I'll do whatever it takes to make people like me.  Whether it's overextending myself saying yes to whatever they need or doing things that make me uncomfortable, I'm so afraid people won't like me for who I really am, that I mold myself into the person I think they want me to be.  

Fear also grips my daily activities.  I like the mundane, it's comfortable and safe.  I can make up a hundred excuses and find just as many ways to keep myself busy so I don't have to do the uncomfortable things.  I can plan for the new adventure or goal for months, never taking the first step in actually doing or achieving it.  I can't fail if I don't try, right?!

Last Monday, I joined 50,000 people who like to get up early and run 6.1 miles for fun for the 40th Annual Bolder Boulder.  Running has become an achievable goal for me, that I do for me.  Not trying to sound selfish or self-centered, but self-care is oh so important.  The weather was perfect for most of the race, cloudy (no chance of meatballs), and cool.  Then as I hit mile 5 the sun came out, granted it may have only been about 60 degrees outside it felt like 102.  At this point, the calf strain I had suffered in my left calf a week earlier was reminding me that we hadn't rehabbed it enough.  I was getting tired!  Luckily, I had strategically set up my playlist for such a moment.  As DJ Khalid gave me the motivation to "Don't Quit" I surged ahead, that is until the home stretch.  The "scorching" heat from the sun and the now cloudless sky began to take its toll during mile six.  Then came the final hill in the final push into Folsom Field on the CU Boulder campus.  I have a love-hate relationship with hills, I love to hate them.  They surround my home and make any kind of pace training nearly impossible.  (On a side note this is where the name of the blog came from.)  There is a gradual, on a normal day, not so bad hill in the last tenth of a mile heading into Folsom Field.  I hit this hill overheated, a little woozy, and darn tired!  Why in the world did anyone think adding a hill at this point was crazy!  They could have easily designed a flat path into the stadium.  My foot faltered and in a moment, I was on the verge of walking in the last tenth mile with six ran miles behind me.  In that brief moment of exhaustion and weakness, a thought popped into my head, "You CAN do this!"  I mustered what little bit of energy I had left and pushed through, crossing the finish line in an hour and ten minutes.  Beauty is that was the exact same time I got when I ran my first 10k last fall!

Of course in a constant effort of second-guessing and belittling myself I began to remind myself that if I hadn't had that moment of weakness at the end of the race, I would have done better.  I knew I could do better.  So, I made up my mind to do better, train better, and PR at the Bolder Boulder's sister race, FORTitude Labor Day weekend.  I can do this!!

My coffee table is now littered with books on running.  I have a tendency to check out half the library on a specific topic when I want to learn more.  Normally I look at one or two of the hundreds of books I check out while the rest sit.  Not this time!  Each book I checked out has nuggets of important information that will help me on my journey this summer.  I'm working on a training plan for FORTitude in Septemeber and my first half marathon in August.  I prefer to create my own training plans based on existing plans.  It's a bit of overkill, but I can tailor a plan to fit my schedule so I'll stick to it.  That is a key to my success.  Having a plan that I know will work with my busy schedule make training easier and dare I say it, fun.  I will not let fear of failure cloud my judgment and keep me from this goal!  

A Few of My Favorite Things!

I LOVE my Complete Protein Powder!!  It's low glycemic and packed with phytonutrients, prebiotics, and all of my essential amino acids.  But I do get tired of mixing it with various nut milks or making smoothies.  I have found a new breakfast idea I absolutely love to use it in!!  I've created a simple breakfast pudding that's a little decadent and very delicious.

I have found a delicious yogurt alternative called Cashewgurt,  I'm sure you can guess by the name that it's made out of cashews.  I try to steer clear of dairy due to its inflammatory effects on the body.  I mix a half a cup of Cashewgurt, one scoop of chocolate Complete, and two tablespoons of Chia seeds.  It's best to mix it a little in advance to give the Chia seeds a little time to gel.  Once the mixture has thickened top with your favorite fruit and enjoy!  

The Comparison Monster

I'm reading the most amazing book right now, Why Her by Nicki Koziarz!  The book officially comes out on March 6.  So you all need to pick up then unless you want to take part in the amazing pre-order contest and freebies, check it out here!  http://nickikoziarz.com/why-her/  Why Her deals with comparison, which is definitely on my top 5 list of vices.  I compare my home, my career (or lack thereof), my husband, my kids, my parenting ability, my post-baby body...I could go on forever.  It's a major issue in my life!  I even listed it on the card I turned in at church on the first Sunday of the "Live Free" series.  As I read I got to thinking, comparison as a mother is a major issue in my life.  If I can be gut-wrenchingly honest, I have a hard time being happy for the accomplishments of other mamas and their kids.  It doesn't seem like I'm measuring up or my kids are measuring up.  I know, it's a crappy way to think!  Then as I sat in Bible Study one morning, this thought hit me...

Let's get one thing straight!  You are uniquely YOU!  God fearfully and wonderfully knit you together on purpose.  We all have a specific job in God's kingdom assigned just to us.  No one before or no one after will have this job.  God gave you your kids because you are the best AND only mom for the job.  Crazy right!!  I know God is All-powerful and All-knowing but there are days I've questioned His judgment on that one.  Can I get an Amen!!  Motherhood is one job I love more than anything and hate all at the same time.  I am blessed to the mom God chose for my kids, you are too.  I am doing the best job I can and instead of focusing on the comparison monster, I am going to focus on being the best mom I can be.

Holiday Hangover

Ask my family, I LOVE Christmas.  I am one of those people that pull out their Christmas decorations and blast Christmas music on November 1.  I love the lights, the warmth, the family time, the music, the movies, the giving, and the gifts.  Unfortunately, this special, joyous time of year comes and goes too quickly.  Here I sit, New Years has come and gone and I'm faced with the bleak winter days ahead.  2018 will bring joy and love, but I'm having a difficult time wrapping my head around the end of the Holidays.  It's hard going back to reality after weeks of fun.  I'm going to quiet myself for a bit and enjoy time with my family to keep the spirit of Christmas a bit longer.

Let's Talk Resolutions

New Year's is just hours away and I'm sure like me, many of you are thinking about your New Year's Resolutions.  Those wonderful goals we set for ourselves at the start of a fresh year only to break them in the first week.  Let's get real, we have good intentions, but changing habits takes a lot of hard work.

We all want to quit a bad habit, eat a little healthier, be a little thinner, and workout a little bit more.  These are all worthy goals, but let's break it down into more "bite-sized" pieces.  There are thousands of diet plans, books, articles, websites, you name it out there.  That's all well and good, there is a lot of good health advice out in cyberspace, but how can you make it work for you?  Start small.  Yes, losing 30 pounds in 2018 or working out 7 days a week are incredible goals, but they can become a little overwhelming.  Weight loss doesn't happen overnight and if it does there is a huge chance you'll gain it all back as quickly as you lost it.  Getting into a fitness routine is incredible, but what happens when you can't work out for various reasons.  Both instances may cause you to give up because you're having trouble sticking to your goal.  I can't let you how many diets I've started over the years that once I had a slip-up, I gave up.

Here are a few simple changes we can all make to help us achieve our 2018 resolutions.

Replace soda with water.  I know, duh! Especially, with the drier winter air, we need extra fluids.   I've switched my family from sugary soda to flavored sparkling water.  Zero calories, zero sugar, and many now have zero sodium it's kind of a no-brainer.  You can find a multitude of amazing flavors too.  Yes, they do lack the sugary sweetness of soda, but it's a great way to hydrate and cut calories.  Find an awesome water bottle (truly this helps) and add flavor to you water.  Check out the graphic below for some fun ways to spice things up.

Stop counting calories.  I hate keeping track of my food!  I can do it for a meal and then I forget all about it.  Instead, eat when you're hungry, but chose whole foods.  Keep your fridge stocked with fresh fruits and veggies.  Yes, eat fruit!  It may have sugar in it, but it's a natural sugar beneficial for our health.  Have you ever seen an overweight gorilla?  I know I haven't and they just eat fruit!  Need a carb snack try air-popped popcorn or roasted nuts.  You can easily pop popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag in the microwave.  Top it with olive, avocado, or coconut oil and your favorite spices.  Craving a sweet treat, EAT IT!  This will prevent you from overeating other junk food to try and curb your craving.

Think outside the box when it comes to fitness.  I have a lofty goal of working out 6 days a week. Some weeks I do, some weeks it doesn't happen.  Instead of getting down about my lack of motivation I've started finding creative ways to stay in shape.  Complete your to-do list while burning calories.  I like to add a lunge as I vacuum for an added boost.  If you're able to, take the stairs at work.  Climbing stairs builds leg muscles, improves cardiovascular health, and burns calories.  Get outside and walk your dog, play with your kids, have a dance party in your living room.  Anything to move your body can improve your health!

  

We've got a fresh year right around the corner.  Small changes can lead to a lifetime of good health.  Are you ready?

Gut Health-Simplified

The more I learn about health and nutrition, the more I read about the importance of keeping your gut healthy.  I hadn't realized that a multitude of health issues develop in our guts.  In many circles, it's known as our second brain.  Fun fact; 90% of our serotonin is produced in our intestines.  If you didn't already know serotonin is a hormone that affects our moods.  That alone for me is a huge reason to keep my intestines happy!

I'm not sure if it's Holiday stress or indulging a bit at Holiday parties, but my gut has NOT been happy lately.  TMI alert, but I've been very gassy and bloated.  Trying to return to my usual clean gluten/dairy free diet filled with fruits and veggies didn't help. I added my favorite probiotic to my diet, with no results.  Nothing seemed to help and I was miserable.

Recently, a friend told me about a book called Medical Medium by Anthony William.  It's an interesting look at the cause of many common health problems and how to overcome them.  I finally got to the chapter on gut health, when a light bulb went on.  It made so much sense!  The stress in my life had lowered the production of hydrochloric acid in my stomach hindering digestion.  That was causing all of the intestinal discomfort, my food wasn't digesting properly causing it to basically rot in my intestines.  Interestingly enough you can improve the hydrochloric acid in your stomach with something many of us have in our cupboards; apple cider vinegar (ACV).  My favorite ACV is Bragg's, I've been using it for years for various things, but was amazed to learn it could improve my gut health.  For a week now I've been drinking 2 teaspoons of ACV in 2-3 ounces of water during mealtime.  If I was heading out to a party, I'd drink it before I left.  My gas is gone, my bloating is gone, I don't have to eat white rice for every meal.  I feel amazing!!  I'm not saying this little concoction is the cure-all for your intestinal issues, but it's worth adding to your repertoire to keep your gut a little happier.

Just Be Still

Today I sat still!  For those of you who know me, sitting still is torture.   I need to be doing,  ALL THE TIME!  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity and my body is telling me it's time to rest and regroup.  So this morning, I decided to sit down for my quiet Bible, devotion time after the family left for work and school.  I poured myself some coffee with yummy almond nog, put on the Christmas tunes, and cozied up on the couch.  An hour later I had emptied my coffee cup but filled my soul cup.  I felt more rested, energized and ready to face my day.  This busy Holiday season, take that time for you; rest, regroup.  You aren't being selfish, your people will survive.  Fill your cup, so you can fill theirs.

10 Days Changed My Life!

You are starving us are the words my teenage daughter used as we worked through our first Shred10. I really wasn't starving her, she was just being forced to eat fruits and vegetables instead of fruit snacks and candy. And yes I have to admit that the first few days were very difficult. Trying to figure out snacks getting used and no caffeine, but after that, things began to perk up.  

Fast forward three months, I'm gearing up for my fourth Shred10!  My first Shred was a game changer.  After years of diets and detoxes, I've finally found a plan that works.  Despite its restrictive nature, Shred10 is far from that.  Some things like caffeine and alcohol need to be eliminated in order to completely detoxify our bodies, others like gluten and dairy we cut out because they cause inflammation throughout our bodies.  That's the hard part!  

It's time to get a little creative.  You CAN have snacks, you CAN eat a normal dinner.  Just choose wisely!  Raw cut veggies, whole fruits, and hard boiled eggs are the perfect answer to a rumbling belly.  Hummus and guacamole are great dips for your favorite veggies.  Mix dairy free yogurt with natural peanut butter for a delicious fruit dip.  Hit the bulk foods department at the local grocery store to create nutritious nut, seed, and dried fruit mixes for an on the go snack.  Become a label reader!  Some of our favorite "healthy" snacks aren't as healthy as you think once you familiarize yourself with what's actually on the ingredient list.

Three months have made some major positive changes to my health!  Yes, weight loss and more energy are awesome, but so is resetting my body to crave brussel sprouts over brownies.  Don't get me wrong, I still love a good gluten free chocolate chip cookie.  But my tastes have changed to crave whole foods over anything from a factory.  

Hopefully, my experiences will make you want to make a change too!

Wasting Time

I have spent the last hour plus sipping decaf, chatting with a friend via Facebook Messenger about her new litter of pups and cleaning out my email. This slow paced, stress-free time feels like a guilty pleasure with my massive to do list filled with in home work and running around outside of the house yet to do.  I should have gotten hubby's lunch ready for today, feed the outdoor critters, and gotten ready to head to the gym for today's round of FORTitude training.  But sitting down quietly reading emails I'd ignore and unsubscribing to the ones I'm tired of deleting has been a peaceful exercise in my fast passed day.  

I've been going 100 miles an hour lately and it's taking its toll.  I'm feeling irritable, exhausted and plain burnt out.  Unfortunately, when this happens my family takes the brunt of my mommy madness.  There are only a couple of weeks until school starts I'd like like to take advantage of this time.  Yes, life is busy and messy right now.  I need to enjoy these quiet times to give myself a mental break and fill my cup.  I'm not going to be any good to my loved ones around me unless I put on my oxygen mask first.  

Today, take time for yourself.  Even for 5 minutes!  Play that dumb game on your phone you love so much, rock out to your favorite song, shut your eyes, do something that brings you peace so you can hit the ground running with a renewed energy.  Happy Tuesday!

Peace I Leave with You

I have a love, hate relationship with the internet.  I love the massive amounts of knowledge tucked into the zillions of websites available to me, I hate how it sucks me in to look at pallet ideas for hours on end on Pinterest.  Today, I'm loving it for the Biblical wisdom that is available to me.  I'm struggling with finding peace in my life.  So far, it's been a hectic summer with three teenage girls, me starting a new business and family life in general.  Peace right now is hard to come by when you put lots of unneeded stress and pressure on yourself.  

Peace or lack thereof was what propelled me out of bed a 0 dark thirty this morning.  I needed to let God breathe peace into my day.  Thank you, Jesus, thank you world wide web!!  Sitting with a steaming cup of decaf and my laptop, a few clicks later there it was, "30 Best Bible Verses About Peace."  Thank you, Bible Study Tools!  Word after word, verse after verse breathed life into my soul.  The frazzled feeling dissipated as Scripture filled me.   I am ready to tackle my day renewed, replenished, filled with peace.

Breathe peace into your day too:
  http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/peace-bible-verses/

Duh!!!!!

I love being outside enjoying the fresh air, puttering around my farm, wondering how I can actually make a living doing this.  I read books, search websites, listen to webinars.  I dream, I plan, I sell eggs which is enough income to feed the critters.  I wonder why my "business" is not successful.  I become horribly jealous of other local farmers who are actually making money from their farms.  Then it hit me yesterday while watching my, oh so fabulous LGD running down my driveway, having an I'm a farming failure pity party, that I am not successful because I'm not treating the farm as a business.  I'm not successful because I'm treating the farm like an expensive hobby.  I'm giving it 10% of my time and effort.  If it were truly my job I would treat at as such, give more energy to writing a business plan, more time to making farm improvements.  Instead, my days are spent doing what I think I should be doing to be a successful stay at home mom.  My farm is my job!  Mucking pens, improving fences, working on my goat breeding program, building pasture, adding more poultry, that should be my focus.  Duh!!!

Ever Evolving

Nature is ever changing, ever evolving, so is life.  My farming views have been changing as well.  Reading books about our food systems, farming, permaculture fill me with excitement.  There is nothing more enjoyable than cuddling a baby goat, burying my face into the fluff of a good LGD and seeing how excited the hens get when there is fresh bedding in their coop.  Heck, I even enjoy mucking pens and carrying hay bales.  

There is a new passion for farming bubbling deep within me.  I've been told my eggs are delicious.  This encouragement gives me drive to improve and increase my flock.  In the past few weeks, I've had families up to the Ranch to learn about the goats and chickens.  There was nothing more amazing than watching the joy on kid's faces as they got to snuggle a baby goat for the first time in a peaceful mountain setting.  All of this fuels the fire within.  I've contemplated giving everything up and becoming "normal" again.  But I can't, the fresh air, cool soil, fluffy critters are in my blood.  I see bountiful veggie gardens, plentiful eggs, and lots of milk. 

Time to get serious about my ranch, do my research, come up with a business plan, and turn my little dream into a money making enterprise.

The Little Engine That Couldn't

I think I can't, I think I can't, I think I can't!  I am filled with passions, dreams, desires.  They spin in my head filling my mind with endless possibilities and that's where they stay.  I'm gripped by a fear of failure, that the journey will be too difficult and I am too inadequate.  It's as if my dreams are bigger than my capabilities.  

A heart and a mind change are stirring deep within me.  I don't have to be perfect at everything, learning is one of my favorite parts of life.  This dream does not have to be realized overnight, it will take time and hard work.  Instead of thinking that things need to be done this very now, I need to develop a detailed plan to accomplish things as time, financial resources, and weather permits.  

I walk my land now looking at it through new eyes.  Incredibly positive feedback from friends and farm customers is spurring me on.  If I truly want to realize my crazy farm dream I need to remember the wise words of the Little Engine That Could, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"

There is Beauty in Treachery

An icy fog descended on Colorado last night bringing with it freezing drizzle making the morning commute a dance with disaster.  The traffic map on the news is lighting up like a Christmas tree with delays and accidents.  I headed outside to a magical fairy wonderland.  Every blade of grass, pine needle, stick, fence is covered in a delicate glaze of ice. 

Tiny, delicate crystals cover everything.  Fragile, ethereal, exquisitely beautiful creations littering the winter scape.

Despite the cold, I lingered outside soaking in the magic.  The sun has started to peek through the clouds, slowly melting away the magic.

Winter Doldrums

As I sit here writing this, snowflakes gently fall outside my window, a warm fire is roaring in the fireplace, and the smell of chili simmering on the stove wafts through the house.  Though cold and gray outside the house is warm and cozy.  Winter can easily stretch into May and sometimes June when you live at 8500 feet, my mind is slowly wandering to the warmer days of spring.  I've become somewhat obsessed with permaculture a design process that is based on a whole systems approach to farming and gardening.  Instead of just digging up the earth to add a garden one looks at the patterns in nature and tries to replicate them.  Working with the land not against it to heal and improve it.  

I survey my meager four acres through new eyes.   I examine the areas of water runoff and wonder how to allow the water to slowly seep into the soil to improve the health of the plants and trees.  Walking through the forest I examine the untouched areas to see what plants are growing nearby and in what conditions.  How can I mirror the natural woods around my home to improve the woods within my property boundaries?  

Permaculture teaches me to observe every aspect of nature from the track the sun takes every year to harnessing the rain we get for extended use to what plants will work well together to produce food and shade to using livestock to enhance and support my little ecosystem.  As the sky darkens outside my window and cold sets in, I cuddle up with my collection of books planning and dreaming of warmer days.

Puppy Love

Jojo and Buster are best buddies!  Unfortunately, in this picture, I chopped Buster's head off.  Oops!  I was sitting on the couch this morning reading a book.  Buster came along and sat as close to me as he could without being on top of me.  I think Jojo wanted to get in on the action, she came across the couch and proceeded to sit on Buster's head and get comfy.  Buster wiggled out from under Jojo a bit but let her lay on top of him for a cuddle with me.  That my friends is love!! 

MOLT!!!

My chicken run currently looks like a pillow fight gone horribly wrong.  There are feathers EVERYWHERE!!  You'd think some critter got in there, nope not the case.  The weather is supposed to be getting cooler, the days are getting shorter, and my chickens have decided to get naked.  Molt, it happens every year.  The flock loses their feathers in preparation for the winter ahead.  This yearly phenomenon also leads to some pretty silly looking chickens with feathers missing and scraggly bodies.  The worst part is that egg production drops dramatically!  Hens need protein to lay eggs and grow feathers, unfortunately, they can't do both at the same time.  As the feathers fall the hens start using their extra energy to replace them.  Instead of a dozen plus eggs a day, I'm getting four.  Ugh!!