One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is where our food really comes from. For us, chicken meat has a special story — not just a package from the store.
Jānis’s parents bought 30 chickens, broilers raised specifically for meat. It feels like such a luxury to have a few of those chickens in our freezer now. It’s not something we take for granted.
There’s just no comparison between chicken raised by family, cared for on a small scale, and the usual store-bought meat. The flavor is deeper, the texture better, and somehow it just feels more real — like you’re eating a connection to the land and the people who raise the animals.
Still, I have to say, our store-bought chicken here in Latvia isn’t bad at all. It’s far better quality than what I’ve tried in other countries. But even then, having that homegrown chicken, knowing it’s come from our own family’s care, makes a difference.
It reminds me how lucky we are to have that close link to where our food begins.
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
The chickens are a blessing to you for sure, Ilze. I love summertime when I can buy my fruits and produce at the farm market, from local farmers. So much better than grocery store produce shipped in from who knows where!
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Thank you 💛 Yes, they really are a blessing. And I feel the same about local produce — there’s something so grounding about buying food from the people who actually grow it. It tastes like sunshine and care, doesn’t it? 🌞🍓
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Yes, it does 🙂
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Those birds are doomed! And delicious… 🤭
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Haha! 😄 You’re not wrong. We do our best to give them a good life while they’re here… and yes, they end up very delicious. A full-circle kind of gratitude. 🍽️🐔
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I like that – full-cycle gratitude!
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I agree, they also don’t have the anti-botics and growth hormones given to them, they are healthier :).
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Absolutely! That’s one of the things I appreciate the most — knowing they’ve been raised naturally, with care, and without any of those unnecessary extras. It really does make them healthier, and it just feels better overall. 🌿
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Now, that I’m alone, I can afford to pay more for chicken I buy from a family. The chicken tastes clean and flavorful.
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That’s such a meaningful shift — and I completely agree. There’s a “clean” taste to truly natural, family-raised chicken that store-bought just can’t match. It’s lovely that you’re able to make that choice for yourself. ❤️ I’m happy Jānis’ parents grow these!
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I’ve plucked a few chickens in my life.
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Haha, sounds like you’ve got some hands-on experience! 🐔 Did you find it surprisingly satisfying or more of a messy adventure? I’m still figuring out the best way to handle it…. Jānis mom does that…
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Not a great way to spend an afternoon.
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We are getting further and further away from real food.. and the process of how it’s “made”. I couldn’t do it… my husband as well. My mom and Jānis’ mom can… they grew up like this. My kids… never!
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