Meet CSA Member Liz
Member since 2021
Say hello to Liz! She is a dedicated chiropractor at the wonderful Pure Light Chiropractic office in Bend. She is relatively new to Bend and the CSA.
Having lived in various parts of the US in large cities, small city living has grown on her. She loves how it fosters a strong sense of community and connection.
Liz loves being in the mountains, spending time at the river, and mountain biking. Liz is truly grateful she has found the Double F Ranch Meat CSA community.
CSA Pick Up Location
Bend
Type Of Membership
10# share
Life Changing Pivot
Liz’s decision to see a chiropractor in her early 20s had a profound impact on her life. At the time, she thought the way she was living was healthy and holistic.
“Chiropractic [care] really changed my life and the trajectory of how I lived. I do credit a lot of the way I think with getting adjusted. Because when you connect your mind to your body, it really allows you to look at the world differently. ”
This profound change in Liz’s thinking and body transformed her life. She left accounting behind and decided to go back to school to become a chiropractor herself. She made her way out to Oregon to join Pure Light.
Food For Nourishment
Liz expressed that her personal philosophies about food have changed out of her experiences as she has grown as a person. She shares:
Right now I'm going to start working with a nutritionist and I really love her philosophy. She talks a lot about making choices that nourish. Choices that nourish your cells and nourish your hormones.
Growing up, I didn't always think about eating food for nourishment. It was just a thing that I did. Whenever I try to approach eating, I think about trying to be thoughtful about whatever I'm eating. Saying to myself, OK, my body needs this nourishment, my body needs these proteins. My body needs these fats.
My food philosophy is about approaching food and meals with gratitude, with community and with thoughtfulness as the most important.
It is especially important as a woman in our society considering we are told what to eat or maybe what not to eat. It's super important for me. Your brain is so powerful and so what you think about can really come to fruition.
I never get mad at myself for eating something. No matter what it is, whether it is a piece of dark chocolate or a piece of celery. I want to approach both with gratitude and in knowing that it's necessary.
Connecting With The CSA
Some of the first people that Liz met when she moved to Bend were Nathan and Katia. At the Bend CSA pick up outside Pure Light Chiropractic, they gifted her a pound of ground beef and it was the best beef she ever had.
She quickly signed up and has felt it has been a lot of fun belonging to a meat CSA.
“Prior to joining I would buy the same things at the grocery store. Now I get all sorts of different cuts that I’ve never made recipes with. It’s just so fun month to month thinking about how I am going to plan to cook this.
I actually really love the recipes they share because it helps me if I’m not super familiar with a specific cut.”
Sharing Her Meat CSA
Liz shares her meat CSA with her roommates and close friends. She has found that she doesn’t eat the full 10# of meat each month. It has been really helpful to share it with her roommate and then they order extras as needed from the online store.
She also shares with a friend who doesn’t live with her. The tricky part has been deciding on what meat cuts go to who each month, especially when it is a steak! One of Liz’s favorites. She finds the best solution is to plan a meal together once a month. Then they can cook together, share a great cut, and enjoy each other’s company.
The Top Benefits Of Being In A Meat CSA
Liz has found there are many benefits to being in the CSA. Two of those include knowing where her meat comes from and also having the ability to then share it with others.
A friend of hers had come over for dinner and was a vegetarian. He mentioned he didn’t eat meat unless he knew where it came from. He was in luck as Liz had plenty of Double F Ranch meat to share!
“That’s probably the biggest benefit, that no matter what you believe, you know you’re serving your friends and your family the best quality, and everyone’s pumped about it.
You never say I don’t know where this meat came from. I’m part of a community. Nobody’s mad about that, no matter what their philosophy is.”
Favorite CSA Cuts And Meals
Liz really loves the CSA all-time favorite cut- pork chops! Other favorites include:
Extra lamb bought in the online store
Maple breakfast links
She is also a big fan of the lamb meatball recipe first shared with us by CSA members, David and Sarah. They are now a staple in her house.
Liz’s roommate is a master griller, and she loves any cut of meat that they can throw on the grill.
Some other quick and easy favorites include:
Burgers
Yum bowls with steak or ground beef
Liz is looking forward to trying a new cut, the lamb shanks.
Finding Time To Care For Yourself
As a chiropractor, Liz understands the importance of managing your health. As a busy professional, taking time for yourself can be a challenge. Liz has found ways to weave exercise into her time off. She jokes, “I’m not a runner, but my dog wants me to be. So now I am a runner.” She focuses her time on the weekend to getting outside and finds it benefits her life overall.
“It is tough to find the rhythm and carve out time, but I feel like anytime you do exercise and spend time outside, you’re able to give a little bit more in your work and in your relationships. ”
Advice To New Members
Liz’s advice to new members is a good reminder to use our CSA share to foster connection with others.
“Once a month invite someone over and just share the meat with them. I think it just makes it so much more special when you can tell them about where you source your food.”
Final Thoughts On Staying In The CSA
When I asked Liz about why she stays in the CSA, she remarked:
“I don’t know if I could buy meat from the grocery store as often. I don’t think I can do it without knowing.
Even when I go the store if I run out of meat, I don’t know the face behind this packaging. I don’t know the story behind it. It never really tastes as high quality. ”
Thank you so much Liz for sharing your CSA experience with us! -Rachel