It’s the Little Things March 24, 2009

Image from Nikki McClure

A lot of things have changed in my life over the last couple of years. But, one thing I really feel like has become a theme in my life is being mindful.  Which basically would just be the opposite of mindlessness, I suppose, or perhaps ignorance is more accurate.  The more I learn, the more change I see in the way I think and operate and make decisions.  So many decisions in our everyday lives are made mindlessly, without knowledge or awareness of how they will affect the world around us, our (global) neighbor, and even ourselves.  Happily, in my life, it’s been changing.  It’s a response to the things I’m learning.  Questions pop into my mind like,

“Do I need to that?”

“Is there a better way that I could do this?”

“How is this affecting the…. planet, my health, my family, etc.”  

As I’m throwing something in the trash I’ll wonder if there’s a way to avoid that bit of waste the next time.  And it’s not taxing like you might think.  I’ve been making one change or so at a time and I don’t beat myself up over anything, so that when I do find a new, more mindful way to do something, it’s actually just a really nice feeling.  I like knowing that simple, mundane actions can be doing something good in the world.  So, in that spirit, here are some little changes I’ve been thinking of.  They are all small things.  Some I’ve already made and some just next up on the list.    

• Use bar soap for washing dishes.  I’ve actually been doing this for months and months, maybe a year…  Dr. Bronner’s soap comes wrapped in paper, so there’s no plastic waste, it’s vegan, and fair trade and there are a bunch of scents to choose from, all of which are quite nice.  It’s the perfect little change toward using less plastic and buying fair trade.  thanks to life less plastic, who thought of it first.  (we have started using Dr. Bronner’s bar soap in the shower and at the bathroom sink as well.  There are other natural soaps out there, but most are not fair trade or even organic and most are packaged in plastic.)
• Monitoring my use of water in the kitchen – not letting the tap run when I don’t need to.  This has proven to be a difficult habit to break…   
• Use a cup while brushing my teeth instead of letting the water run. (like No Impact Man)
• Draw more.  I tend to go through spurts.  I need to break out the sketchbook again.  It would be good for my soul to be more creative and turn off the electronics more often.
• Utilize the local library.  Oh my, I love the library.  I wish there were a library set-up for everything.  There are so many things that I could use, but don’t need to own.  And I love how relaxing it is to read a book, rather than doing reading and research in front of the computer screen.  Plus, it’s free and who doesn’t love that?!    
• Find a new place for my retractable clothesline and start using it again.  I haven’t put it up since we moved in September because I can’t decide where I should put it.  It’s quite small in here and our washer and dryer are outside.  I would really like to find a solution, though.  Hopefully it will get put up this week, as soon as I get over this cold! 
• Put a new rule into effect for myself: If I am going to leave a room for more than 60 seconds, I will turn off/unplug any and all electronics – lights, TV, laptop, music, whatever.  It’s so easy to leave things running, thinking “Oh I’ll be back in a minute anyway”.
• Paint on the canvases I got for Christmas last year. I can’t believe it’s been so long!  I really REALLY want to try my hand at painting something pretty for my walls and it goes along with one of my general goals to make more things by hand.
• Make more food-things myself… Start making my own baked tortilla chips.  It would be much healthier, cheaper and cut back on the plastic.  I’ve started making my own “plant” milk.  So far I’ve made hazelnut and almond and they were both really out-of this-world delicious (I already really like  packaged almond milk, but this was way better) and then I save the left over pulp and it’s great for getting extra protein and fat into Elena.  I pretty much went with these guidelines and I’m loving the blog where I found them.  I would also like to make lara type bars for Elena, which is something I occasionally buy and stick in my purse just in case she gets hungry/cranky.  I’m looking here and here for tips. One thing I have succeeded at is making desserts at home.  If I don’t do this, Brian and I will end up picking up a box of this or that at the store and it is less healthy and creates more waste.   (When I bake at home I use whole grain flours, unrefined sweeteners and sub out most or all of the butter/oil)
• Drink more water and less coffee.  I always need to drink more water.  (though not during mealtime as it interferes with digestion, did you know that?  Robyn’s Blog has taught me lots of things.)
• I’ve made a few little dish scrubbers from mesh produce bags.  they are the perfect little thing to use on cast-iron cookware.
• Find a good recipe for making my own whole grain bread (all whole grain, no all purpose flour).  Sprouted would be especially good, as I am always buying Ezekiel.  Any suggestions?
• I just bought a new stainless steel pan and I’m working on phasing out all non-stick (teflon) cookware as well as plastics from our kitchen…  no more off-gassing and leaching of chemicals, please!
• Get more sleep.  I’m a crazy night-owl and I always have been.  My husband goes to bed earlier than I do rather frequently, but then I end up staying up too late.  Getting more sleep would be better for my health, and allow me to turn the heater and lights and whatnot off at an earlier time.  
• I am considering ordering weekly deliveries from Dandelion Organic, a company that delivers fresh fruit and veg that is as local as possible – to your door.  What a wonderful thing!  I just need to be sure it’s not too expensive for us.

What things are on your mind to change?  Do tell!

(A Big Ole Pot of) The Magical Fruit March 24, 2009

photo credit:LDOMENICI/flickr.com

You know what that is, right?  BEANS!

Beans, beans, wonderful beans.  I never cooked with them too often in the past becuase I always found them to be so rough on the digestive system.  But, did you know that if you soak them and cook them yourself, the soaking helps dissolve the starches that cause that magical, musical, tummy-ache inducing quality?  Oh yes.  Also, cooking them yourself is a great way to reduce packaging in your life, spare you from that often BPA-ridden plastic lining, and added sodium AND save money!!  Cooked Dried Beans are the cheapest source of protein around, even when you buy organic.  Can’t go wrong with that, right?

Beans have become a much larger portion of my diet lately since I’ve started cooking them myself.  I waited far too long to start doing this just because I really wasn’t sure how exactly.  But since I read some simple instructions and finally just tried it, I’ve realized how easy and, dare I say, convenient it is.  A few great recipes helps too.  

So, here is the method:

Soak desired amount of dried beans overnight in a large bowl in the refridgerator. The water should come about three inches above the beans.  One cup of dried beans will make about 3 cups of cooked beans, so keep that in mind.  Rinse soaked beans and then place in a large pot and fill with water – roughly 3 cups water to 1 cup beans.  Bring to a boil, cover with lid, leaving it slightly ajar for steam to escape.  once the water has come to a boil, reduce to a simmer (if you leave them boiling, they will turn to mush).  length of cooking time will depend on what type of bean it is (see below for cooking times).  

It is somewhat of a time consuming process, but my dear, it is not a complicated thing, you just have to be home for a couple  hours.  So, pick a time, any time, when you know you will be home and let a pound or so of them cook away, then store in their cooking liquid in the refridgerator and use them that week.  Don’t think you could use a pound in a week? Well, you might be wrong about that.  Here are the types of beans, their respective cooking times and suggested ways to use them, or scarf them, up – with some recipe links while I’m at it:

Black beans (turtle beans): 1 1/2 hrs.

• Day 1 – Black Bean Burgers: try these (my fave) or these (scroll down a bit for the recipe)
• Day 2 – Chili, like this one
• Day 3 - Chipotle Veggie Bean Burritos with Creamy Avocado Cashew Cream Sauce
• Day 4 –  Mexican Stuffed Peppers
• Day 5 - Black Bean, Corn and Quinoa Salad
• Day 6 – Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Black-eyed peas: 1 hour

• Day 1 – Black Eyed Pea and Quinoa Croquettes
• Day 2 – Cowboy Caviar
• Day 3 – Black Eyed Pea Collard Rolls
• Day 4 – Gumbo
• Day 5 – as a side dish – served with sauteed greens

Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): 1 1/2 hours

• Day 1 - Hummus – sandwiches, as an appetizer, whatever.  Who doesn’t love hummus?  well, my husband, that’s who.  but my daughter and i loove it.  
• Day 2 - Chickpea Noodle Soup
• Day 3 – Falafel – I am absolutely in love with the falafel from Vegan with a Vengeance, along with the accompanying tahini dressing.
• Day 4 - Chickpea Cutlets – we looove these
• Day 5 - Chickpea Salad Sandwiches 
• Day 6 – Chickpea Tacos

White beans (great northern beans): 1 1/2 hours

• Day 1 – Pasta Fagioli
• Day 2 - Tuscan Vegetable Ragout
• Day 3 – Roasted Garlic and White Bean Soup
• Day 4 – White Bean and Tempeh Sausage Patties
• Day 5 – Vegetable Soup with White Beans (Minestrone)
• Day 6 – Moroccan Phyllo Rolls w/Balsamic Maple Sauce

Kidney beans: 1 hour

• Day 1 – Chili, why of course. 
• Day 2 – Chipotle Lime 2 Bean Hummus
• Day 3 – Beanballs – beanball sub or spaghetti w/beanballs
• Day 4 – Chili Mac

Pinto beans: 1 1/2 hours (ok, so it’s harder to get a variety of types of dishes out of pinto beans, as they tend to be paired with the same mexican type flavors, but refried beans always make a good snack, I think, kind of like hummus.)

• Day 1 – Tempeh Chili con Frijoles or Chili sin Carne al Mole
• Day 2 – Refried Beans, as a side for these or some other mexican style dish or just a nice dip with chips.
• Day 3 – Mexican-Style “Lasagna” Dish, like this one.
• Day 4 – Tamale Pie

Of course you can always just sit yourself down to a nice plate of rice and beans, or a bean burrito, it’s just nice to know that you don’t have to.  oh and don’t be afraid to swap out the beans in a recipe for another kind.  usually it’s do-able. 

So, now you have no excuse.  you know how, you know it will save you money and be good for you (much better than any animal protein and better than canned beans), and so much better for the environment, too.  Give it a try, cook up a big ol pot of beans and enjoy some good eats!  

 

Use it Up! February 10, 2009

image courtesy of onpaperwings on flickr

A few ideas for using things you might normally throw out:

Old bread…

when you have left the last few pieces of bread in the bag and moved on to a new, fresh loaf, cube them up, throw them in the toaster with herbs and olive oil and make croutons for salad or soup, or throw them in the food processor and make a big batch of bread crumbs.  (Bonus: this is much healthier than store bought alternatives, particularly when using sprouted whole grain bread) Favorite uses for bread crumbs: veggie burgers, the famous chickpea cutlets from Veganomicon, falafel, and eggplant parmesan.

Stale bread also makes for great french toast or bread pudding or stuffing if you feel so inclined.

Veggies…

Save the ends of your veggies that you chop off, throw them in the freezer and when the container is full, make some broth.

If you know you have vegetables that are about to go bad and you know you can’t use them all, chop them up and freeze them, use them in just about anything, or cook them, add some stock, puree and fresh herbs and you’ve got soup!

Save your broccoli stalks.  save them for a “cream” of broccoli soup.  or just peel and chop them up and add whenever you’re using broccoli florets.

Oh, and you eat beet greens, right?  please tell me you don’t chop them off and throw them away!  add to smoothies or sautee as you would any other green – with garlic!

Fruit…

Same as veggies, if you have some you know you won’t be able to use up before it goes bad, wash/peel/chop it and throw it into the freezer for later use in smoothies or baking or to top your breakfast of choice – oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, french toast, cereal, whatever…  

If you will only be using the juice of your lemons/limes/oranges, you can zest them first and save the zest in the freezer for later use.  Use the lemon rinds for cleaning (as I mentioned in a previous post).  You could also make candied orange peels.

Old Clothes

 Turn a pair of socks into baby leg warmers.  My sister did this for Elena.  I’m thinking it would be a great thing to do with my socks that have lost their little mates somewhere along the line.  She could either look crazy and mis matched or more likely, they would be the ones i put on under her jeans when it’s extra cold out. 

Turn old undershirts into rags or baby wipes with just a pair of scissors.

Of course there’s all sorts of re-fashioning ideas you could go crazy with.  I hope to experiment someday when I have a sewing machine. 

Save all that plastic…

I’ve learned that I don’t need ziploc bags.  I save plastic bags from bread or those re-sealable bags some things come in and use them instead of buying ziploc bags.  I just squeeze the air out and twist them closed or re-use a twist tie.  I save gift bags that are too crumpled to re-use and pack my husband’s lunch in them.  I’m currently saving mesh produce bags to make a dish scrubber…. obviously it is better to not buy things that come in these bags at all, but I think most of us have them creep into our houses despite our efforts, but if not, good for you, you can ignore me.

Containers…

I probably don’t need to mention saving glass and plastic containers – obvious, right?  But seriously, I save almost all of them.  Glass jars are used for storing bulk goods, leftovers and homemade sauces and dressings.  They keep things so much more organized than tupperware or ziploc bags.  I save large glass jugs and re-use for home-made iced tea, smoothies, lemonade or almond milk, etc.  plastic tubs are perfect for sending leftovers home with friends or family and for keeping things organized all over the house.  I want to reuse some aluminum cans for something like this or this.

Paper…

Scraps of paper that are about to go into the recycling are thrown into my purse so that Elena has something to color on when we’re out (I also take the crayons from restaurants that give a fresh plastic wrapped package to each child, because I know they will just throw them away)  Or, you can save paper that has one unprinted side and cut it up, staple together and use as a message pad before recycling.  I also save paper grocery bags, which tend to trickle in when my husband goes shopping or extended family comes to visit, and I turn them inside out and use as gift wrapping. Oh, and I use newspaper (and vinegar) to clean glass surfaces before recycling it. 

Other random things…

When pillows go flat, fold them over and stitch one edge and then stuff inside a cute cover.

Use the heat from your oven by leaving the door open for a bit after you’ve turned it off.

Reuse coffee that you don’t drink by putting it in the fridge and save for an iced coffee later.  Throw the used coffee grounds into your outdoor garden/plant bed.

Rinse and reuse aluminum foil until totally unsalvageable. 

Use empty toilet paper rolls to keep electronic cords neatly coiled or use them to make puppets or other crafts with your kids.  Find more creative ideas here.

 

Any more things  you can think of?  let me know!

p.s. If you eat cheese or meat – I saw a chef on martha stewart today make two types of broth – one from parmesan rinds and one from prosciutto ends and trimmings.  I thought the parmesan one sounded like a particularly useful and tasty idea, for someone else of course.

Resolute. January 5, 2009

I believe the credit for the above photo goes to Herbivore Clothing Company, but I can’t seem to find where I got it from now…

 

As New Years was approaching, I began to think about the past year, as we all do, and of course, the year to come.  It seems a convenient time to me to make a resolution in my life to make a permanent change.  Something has been weighing on my heart and my mind a lot lately.  

I bought a sweater a few months ago and saw that the tag said “angora” and I bought it anyway because I loved the fit and styling so much, but the decision has weighed on me.  My dad took me shopping after Christmas and wanted to buy me warm socks at REI.  He loves the SmartWool brand and really wanted to get some for me.  I didn’t have the heart to have the “please no animal product” conversation with him.  He bought me four pair, two of which I’ll be taking back and two of which I’ve been wearing.  And it’s been weighing on me.  I’ve somewhat been in the market for a new pair of boots and can’t bring myself to buy leather ones, even though I love these, because it’s been weighing on me.  Every time I crack the eggs for some cornbread or put the cheese on top of my pizza, something just doesn’t feel right in my spirit.  

So, I’m making the change… toward the vegan way of life.  When I went vegetarian a year and a half ago, I cut out most dairy and eggs as well.  The only reason I’ve not gone vegan yet is because I haven’t wanted to deal with what others will say and I don’t want to inconvenience anyone (admittedly myself on occasion), but this is hardly a good reason to continue to make choices that don’t line up with my values.  Factory farming practices are shockingly horrifying.  Really.  I don’t want to be a part of it in any way, shape or form.  It is not good for anyone involved – not the animals, not the environment, surely, not the people perpetuating the violence and not for the health of those who consume those products.  It would be wrong for me to continue to support these practices, particularly against my own conscience.  At this point I plan to keep the things I already own that are not vegan, because I don’t think it would benefit anyone for me to just throw them out, but from here on out all purchases shall be cruelty free.  

While it may seem like an extreme choice to some, for me I think for the most part it will just be woven into the fabric of my life, as so many other changes have been.  I’ve learned that nothing is so difficult as it seems it will be, especially when motivated by something more important than any minor inconvenience.  This is not meant as a judgment upon anyone else, though sadly, I know some will perceive it that way.  It’s just another step toward becoming who I am.  Wish me luck!  I think it’s going to feel really good.  Happy New Year!

Silver Lining October 17, 2008

photo credit: mattyp/flickr.com

We are all feeling it.  I know it.  We all are.  Food prices have gone up.  Gas prices overall have gone up and as we enter into fall and winter weather, we are reminded that the cost of heating our homes has gone up as well.  Whether the effects have been big or small, I imagine some have come your way.  My prayer for this season of economic struggle in our nation is that we face it.  Let’s face it, we can’t afford our old ways of living.  We can’t afford to keep on with the same old habits of consumption.  We can’t afford to keep seeking out happiness and convenience in the same old ways.  I hope that in this time as we face the financial crisis, we will all admit that it’s not working.  We need to change.  

My prayer is that this season of economic struggle, a struggle that is being compared to the great depression, inspires us all to look to the generations before us and glean from their wisdom.  I pray this economy helps to teach us to slow down and make things ourselves.  I pray this season encourages mothers to stay committed to breast-feeding.  I pray people are inspired to take the time to enjoy walking or riding their bike to the store instead of driving.  Let it be a time where families enjoy more home cooked meals around the table and turn off the TV and various electronics and find ways to spend quality time together.  Let this be a time where we get to know our neighbors.  A time when we borrow from and share with each other instead of buying.  Let this holiday season be a time where we buy hand made or buy used as a way to support one another.  I hope it is a time when people slow down from this fast paced life and enjoy the meditative nature of things like hanging clothes on the line rather than throwing them in the dryer.  I pray it is a time where people enjoy better health as they eat more whole foods and less take-out and processed snacks, even if it is because they can’t afford it.  I pray that we will find joy in cuddling up in warm sweaters and heavy blankets as we turn down our heaters.  I pray that our hearts begin to swell with gratitude for things we used to take for granted.  I pray that we find our joy in simple everyday things. I pray that we will remember that our treasure is in heaven and in the things that are eternal: each other.  I pray that we will embrace the inspiration to change and let this become a time where we find ourselves happier and enriched by the sacrifices demanded by our shrinking pocket books.  Oh, I do pray that we can see the silver lining and make some lemonade in these sour times.  And let’s do it together, shall we.

Lemony Goodness July 11, 2008

photo credit: “M” Pearl/flickr.com

Fresh lemon juice is a must have in my kitchen.  I add it to salsa and guacamole, sauces, smoothies (especially with berries or apples – yummy), and virtually every salad I eat. It’s brings such a lovely bright flavor, making everything taste that much more fresh and lively.  It brings out the flavor of other foods so well.  

Here are some of the health benefits of fresh lemon:

• Lemons contain Phytonutrients with Antioxidant and Antibiotic Effects – Lemons contain unique flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.  These flavonoids have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cell lines, and have been shown to have antibiotic effects, particularly in cases of cholera.
• Lemons and limes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants in nature. Vitamin C is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body. Vitamin C has been shown to be helpful for reducing some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Research has shown that consumption of vegetables and fruits high in this nutrient is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease, stroke and cancer.
• Limonins Support Optimal Health - In animal studies and laboratory tests with human cells, compounds in citrus fruits, including lemons and limes, called limonoids have been shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon. 
• For the most antioxidants, choose fully ripened lemons and limes.  Research conducted at the University of Innsbruck in Austria suggests that as fruits fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels actually increase.
• Read more about lemons and their benefits here.

A Few Quick Serving Ideas:

• Combine lemon juice with olive or flax oil, freshly crushed garlic and pepper to make a light and refreshing salad dressing.
• Serve lemon wedges with meals as their tartness makes a great salt substitute.
• Squeeze some lemon or lime juice onto diced avocado or mango and eat as is.

So, Why am I so inspired by lemons as to write this post about them?  Because, I heard this great tip recently while watching a video of chef Ani Phyo making one of her delicious recipes for salad dressing (with lemon, of course).  She says that after squeezing the juice from them, she saves the rind and uses it for cleaning.  It is great for degreasing.  She even uses hers to clean the bathtub.  Just put a dozen or so rinds into your tub, fill it with water, let it soak overnight and wipe clean in the morning…

I haven’t tried the bathtub idea because we don’t have one (we only have a shower), but I have been saving my lemon rinds and I have been so amazed at how well they work for degreasing the stove and countertops.  The rind serves as a great little natural scrubber, which means dirtying fewer rags.  It’s such a great substitute for conventional lemon cleaners with all their nasty chemicals and artificial additives – and the package is compostable  Try it!

Other Uses for Lemon:

1. Sanitize a chopping block. Run a slice of lemon over the surface to disinfect.
2. Eliminate the browning that occurs when food sits out too long. Sprinkle apple or pear slices with lemon juice before serving, or squeeze a bit into guacamole and give it a stir.
3. Remove tough food stains from plastic and light-colored wooden cutting boards. Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juice onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with water.
4. Fade tea stains on cloth. Dilute lemon juice with an equal amount of water. Use an eyedropper or a Q-tip to make sure the juice targets the stain. Thoroughly flush with cool water.
5. Decorate on the cheap. Fill a glass bowl with lemons for a sunny centerpiece. Or display a row of them along a windowsill.
6. Relieve a sore throat. Cut a lemon in half. Skewer one half over a medium flame on a gas stove or an electric burner set on high and roast until the peel turns golden brown. Let cool slightly, then mix the juice with 1 teaspoon of honey. Swallow the mixture.
7. Whiten fingernails. Rub a wedge on the surface of your nails.
8. Shine the interior of copper cookware. Sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub.
9. Brighten laundry whites. Add 1/2 cup lemon juice to the wash cycle of a normal-size load.
10. Remove soft cheese or other sticky foods from a grater. Rub both sides of the grater with the pulp side of a cut lemon.

One Year, One Step at a Time May 29, 2008

It’s been about a year now since I first started making changes in my life toward a “greener”, healthier and more mindful life.  While I often focus on how much more I could be doing differently, as this little milestone approaches, I’ve been thinking about how different things really are for me now.  It’s pretty crazy.  So, I figured I’d list out some of the changes I’ve made.  And who knows, maybe help someone else who’s looking to make changes as well. 

 

  At Home:        

• No more paper towels.  I think this was my first change, any easy one. I use old cotton dish towels for cleaning and cloth napkins for snacks.  It’s just as convenient and I feel much better about not being so wasteful and saving some money while I’m at it.
• Switched to natural “shampoo” and bar soap (wrapped in paper).  I really like it.  I think I’m getting really comfortable with the whole “unshampoo” thing.
• Switched to baking soda as a deoderant. 
• Switched to natural household cleaners and dish soap.  Here’s a recent post with recipes.
• I try to recycle everything I can.  (Look here for tips if you live in Whatcom County.)
• I’m constantly looking for ways to reuse - anything from produce and ziploc bags to applesauce jars.
• Switched to cloth diapering.  Now that I think about it, I can’t imagine going back.  
• Switched to natural baby wash
• Unplug things like phone/computer chargers, the coffee maker, etc.
• Only run full loads of laundry, wash on cold and use natural laundry detergent. 
• I definitely use the dryer way less.   There are some things that I still feel like need to go in the dryer or they don’t fit right/are too wrinkled.  and things take forever to dry here in Bellingham, especially in the summer when the heater isn’t on to help out. 
• I have fairly successfully weaned myself from my addiction to long showers and hot baths. I would like to work on taking shorter, cooler showers, though.  I like my showers abnormally scorchingly hot, so there’s plenty of room for improvement.
• I turn off the water when I brush my teeth, try to be mindful at the kitchen sink, etc.
• I’m much more mindful of what lights are on and turn them off when not in use. We do have lots of natural light in our apartment, so this is pretty easy.
• I reuse clothes that aren’t dirty, rather than throwing them in the laundry after wearing. 
• Bring my own bags to the grocery store (and other stores) or just say no if I don’t need a bag.

   When I’m out and about:

• Bring my own bags to the grocery store (and other stores) or just say no if I don’t need a bag.
• I carry a little cloth napkin with me so that I don’t use paper towels in public restrooms or paper napkins to clean up messes or my baby’s face.  When I forget, I wipe my hands on my pants
• I bring my own mug to coffee shops and I love my Sigg for drinking water (I haven’t bought bottled water in a year!) I bring my own plates and forks to Mosaic and other potluck, BBQ situations.
• Generally try to stay away from disposables.

Diet/Health:

• I haven’t eaten meat since sometime in June 2007 (except for that one time at Mosaic when I didn’t notice the bacon in my broccoli salad until it was in my mouth.  that was pretty funny
• I’ve cut way back on dairy (no cow milk, except in lattes, no yogurt, no creamy dressings and sauces and waay less cheese, if any, when I cook, etc.)
• I eat a salad for lunch every day and I love love LOVE it! I also incorporate more raw food in general.
• Stopped eating processed packaged cereals and cut way back on packaged foods of all sorts (I still have a way to go on this one)
• Stopped purchasing packaged drinks for myself and recently stopped drinking soda.
• Stopped chewing gum/mints.  Too much packaging and artificial sweeteners and I used to have it all the time.
• Switched to this bread.  

   Goals:        

• Compost!  I need to figure out a way to do this while living in an apartment and not having extra money…
• De-clutter and donate on a continual basis.
• Shop at thrift stores (more).
• Buy more in bulk to reduce packaging. (Note to self: buy loose-leaf tea and dry beans)
• Replace all Teflon and similar cookware with cast iron and stainless steel.
• Buy locally grown foods when possible.
• Walk more, drive less.
• Make progress in the living with less plastic category.
• Cut back/cut out refined sugar.  But, this is difficult.  it’s more addictive than cocaine.  

Overall, I think I’ve realized that the biggest change is not in all of my actions, it is the change in how I think about things.  I’m so much more aware of being wasteful and the implications of my actions. It changes the way I approach just about everything.  So, even though there’s so much more I could be doing, I know that I’ll get there eventually because the biggest change is the one IN me.  

photo credit: sabine butterblume/flickr

Things I Hadn’t Thought Of… April 27, 2008

Here are some random tips for helping the planet that I read today that I hadn’t really thought about before:

FLY WITH AN E-TICKET
The cost of processing a paper ticket is approximately $10, while processing an e-ticket costs only $1. In the near future, e-tickets will be the only option, saving the airline industry $3 billion a year. In addition to financial savings, the sheer amount of paper eliminated by this process is commendable.

STOP YOUR ANSWERING MACHINE
Answering machines use energy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And when they break, they’re just one more thing that goes into the landfill. If all answering machines in U.S. homes were eventually replaced by voice mail services, the annual energy savings would total nearly two billion kilowatt-hours.

USE COTTON SWABS WITH A PAPERBOARD SPINDLE
Some brands of cotton swabs have a paperboard spindle while others are made of plastic. If 10% of U.S. households switched to a paperboard spindle, the petroleum energy saved per year would be equivalent to over 150,000 gallons of gasoline.

LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE WALKING—ONLINE
Consider if you really need a paper phone book. If not, call to stop phone book delivery and use an online directory instead. Some estimate that telephone books make up almost ten percent of waste at dump sites. And if you still receive the book, don’t forget to recycle your old volumes.

CHOOSE GLASS BOTTLES OVER ALUMINUM CANS
The energy required to produce a single 12 oz. aluminum can from virgin ore is enough to produce nearly two new 12 oz. glass bottles. So the next time you buy a six-pack of beer, opt for glass bottles over aluminum cans. The manufacturing energy conserved could power your television through two Sunday NFL games.

USE YOUR CRUISE CONTROL
You paid for those extra buttons in your car, so put them to work! When using cruise control your vehicle could get up to 15% better mileage. Considering today’s gasoline prices, this is a boon not only for the environment but your budget as well.

CHOOSE MATCHES OVER LIGHTERS
Most lighters are made out of plastic and filled with butane fuel, both petroleum products. Since most lighters are considered “disposable,” over 1.5 billion end up in landfills each year. When choosing matches, pick cardboard over wood. Wood matches come from trees, whereas most cardboard matches are made from recycled paper.

USE A COTTON SHOWER CURTAIN RATHER THAN A PLASTIC (PVC) ONE
Avoiding plastic is always better for the planet. And PVC is used in the manufacturing process of plastic shower curtains, which is a known carcinogen that’s been linked to increased risks of brain tumors, cancer in the spinal cord and, most traumatic of all, erectile dysfunction. The Cotton Curtain may drip a little, but it won’t be prone to mildew like the plastic one. A waffle fabric will be more absorbent.

Pinch Pennies and Spare the Planet April 17, 2008

Sometimes, thinking about all the things I need to change makes me nervous about it costing money.  Most of the time, though, you can save money and spare the environment at the same time.  Recent marketing of “green products” may make that not seem true, but it is.  In light of that, I would like to list some ways that you can make changes that will save you money.

• Halve it.  You’d be surprised how many things we can “halve” in our daily lives.  Just about everything from the dishsoap you use to the salad dressing on your lunch can be cut in half (either by diluting or just using less.)  examples: laundry detergent, shampoo, the amount of coffee you drink, the amount of time you spend in the shower, the amount of trips you take in the car.  A great post about doing so can be found here.
• Think Natural=Think Cheap.  Vinegar and baking soda, baby.  there is no toilet cleaner cheaper than baking soda.  No Window cleaner cheaper than half vinegar/half water.  (don’t forget about baking soda as deodorant.  If you think I’m crazy, just try it.  I swear it works.)
• Share, Contemplate Purchases and Practice Delayed Gratification.  If you don’t need something immediately, try waiting before you buy it.  You may find in the process that you didn’t really need/want it as much as you thought.  Maybe you’ll find that you have something else that works or be able to borrow from someone.  Also, garage sale season is about to start, so grab a friend and see if you find what you need there or at a thrift store.
• Choose Cloth and Think Reusable. Cloth rags, cloth diapers, cloth napkins – can be washed and reused and save you from spending money on disposables.  Most stores will give you at least a 5 cent discount for bringing your own bags (i know, but i said pinch pennies).  Most coffee shops will give you 10-15 cents off of your drink for bringing your own mug.  Use a french press or metal coffee filter and save from buying paper coffee filters.  Use a microfiber mop or broom instead of a swiffer.
• Drink Water. That is, tap water in a reusable bottle and save on packaged sodas, juices and the like.
• Alter your eating and shopping a bit- think bulk bins, cooking with whole foods, eating what’s in season in your area, eating your leftovers and paying attention so that things don’t go bad in the fridge and go to waste.
• Conserve.  Unplug things, turn them off, turn the thermostat down (or up, depending on the season) use your legs or public transportation.  
• Make your own.

See, sparing the environment should SAVE you money, not cost you money. Beware of all the hype.

eating healthy isn’t just about you. April 7, 2008

     Eating Healthy is better for the environment, which means it’s better for other people. Well, I suppose that depends on your definition of eating healthy. I’m not talking about switching to a diet of frozen “healthy dinners” and overly packaged, chemical laden food bars and other not-so-good-for-you diet foods. I’m talking about the classic healthy whole foods diet. A diet composed primarily of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. We all know that a vegetarian diet is better for the environment and a vegan diet perhaps even better still. Eating all things as locally produced as possible is very important for a healthy planet as well as purchasing organically grown foods. 

     Why does all of this matter? Well, there’s about a million reasons, really, but just think about it for a minute… fresh fruits and vegetables are not processed, therefore you skip all that extra waste that would be produced during the processing and extra transport (and hopefully you skip plastic packaging this way, unless you’re addicted to Trader Joe’s, like me… sigh). Eating foods as close to their natural state as possible is better for you and means using less heat. we all know that cooking uses energy, right? when you eat a whole foods diet, that means that when you do cook, you cook from scratch.  Cooking this way ensures that you skip all of those chemical additives and preservatives and extra packaging, which is so much better for you and the environment. These are just a few of the obvious reasons why our food choices matter.  

     Some of these issues are debatable, I suppose.  Some would say that the only important thing is to eat locally, sustainably produced organic food, while some would say eating raw food is most important to maintain personal health. I won’t get into those debates.  Overall, I’m just trying to say that any change we make that is a step toward a diet of whole foods that are minimally processed and cooked is a step toward healthier people and a healthier planet.  So, if you’re currently eating meat at every meal, consider trying to cut it back to just dinner, or just try a vegetarian meal once this week, or just cut back on red meat.  If you’ve never gone to the farmer’s market, go as soon as it opens this year (which was this last weekend if you live in Bellingham!) and check it out and/or consider joining a local CSA.  I’m not suggesting we all change everything about our diets and shopping habits overnight.  I’m just suggesting that we remain mindful in our eating and remember that what we choose to purchase and put in our bodies doesn’t just affect our own health, but also the health of the planet and all of us who live here.  So, take a baby step or two along with me because I’m on this journey to better, more mindful eating and shopping habits as well.  I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be.  Currently, I’m hoping that buying in bulk will help me shrink the grocery tabs and the contents of my garbage can!  Now I just need to re-train myself to buy dried beans instead of canned (apparently most cans contain BPA, ick. Why is plastic everywhere?) 

Here’s some further reading:

• A great, thought-provoking post on reconsidering your diet here.
• 100-Mile Diet
• Top 10 Reasons to Support Organic in the 21st Century
• Working conditions in American Slaughter Houses
  
• An article on the effects of cooking meat here: cooking meat dirties the air more than most people realize 
  
• Evidence Shows that Our Meat-Based Diet is Bad for the Environment, Aggravates Global Hunger, Brutalizes Animals and Compromises our Health

photo courtesy of ismon on flickr