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.

Vegan Livin’ is Easy January 12, 2009

Aside from getting egg at a local breakfast place when I ordered tofu and going to my husband’s company party where I had pre-ordered a vegetarian lasagna (not vegan) months ago, and then a resulting awful stomachache… my transition to veganism has been really great.  Those are the only non-vegan things I’ve eaten and the restaurant that brought me eggs instead of tofu paid for my meal and also gave me a coupon for another free meal!  Anyhow, I’m really loving the peace of mind it’s brought me, just knowing that my decisions in this area are all finally lining up with my values completely, is so so nice.  And the food? Delicious, oh yes, even when eating out.  Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t live without meat, eggs and dairy.  You will get all of the nutrients you need (ok, assuming you don’t live on vegan cupcakes and cereal or something) and most likely you will find yourself eating a healthier, wider, more delicious array of vegetables, grains, fruits and more!  If you’re looking into the vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, here are my favorite links to get you started:

Food:

• Happy Herbivore - Lindsay at Happy Herbivore creates wonderful fat-free, whole foods vegan recipes that are always sure to please. She rarely uses meat analogues, so I think her recipes are great for beginners who may be a little scared of seitan, tempeh and tofu.  Try her nacho “cheeze” and spinach and artichoke dip and you’ll find yourself all the more assured that it is easy peasy to give up dairy.  I’m drooling right now just thinking about those nachos.  They are Brian’s favorite, too.
• Post Punk Kitchen – If i’ve got a question about something, whether food related or not, I will often go onto the PPK website, click “forums” and then search whatever it is I’m thinking of and it never fails me.  Plus, the recipes are amazing.  Scrambled tofu will have you living egg-free in no time.  It’s the perfect recipe for the tofu virgin – especially wrapped up in a tortilla with some breakfast potatoes.  It’s my all-time favorite brunch.
• Happy Foody – Sara was the first person to introduce me, via her blog of course, to vegetarian living.  It’s not that I hadn’t heard of vegetarianism before, obviously, but she was the first to inspire me to learn more.  And the recipes from her food blog are some of the first I made and still some of my favorites.  Her favorite salad dressing is now the favorite for Brian and I too. 
• Dreena Burton’s Blog and Recipes – Dreena Burton has published several cookbooks.  Her recipes are healthy and delicious!
• I’ve posted some of my favorite recipes in the past here and here.

Books:

• Diet for a New America by John Robbins – a book I’ve mentioned again and again.  Well worth the read.
• Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman – In this book, the author advocates a (at least 95%) vegan diet. It is well-researched and documented and will give you all the reasons you need to go vegan from a health perspective.

Cookbooks:

• Veganomicon – It’s like the vegan version of the Joy of Cooking, meaning it’s a comprehensive type of book that will set you up for success if all you’ve ever cooked is something from a box.  Try some sample recipes and you’ll be hooked and buy the book the next time you have a spare twenty bucks.  Isa Chandra Moskowitz also wrote Vegan with a Vengeance, another favorite vegan cookbook.  Here’s a bunch of her recipes for you to try until you can come up with that twenty bucks.  I love her coffeecake and waffles.  That woman knows how to do brunch.  I can’t wait for her latest book to come out!
• The Joy of Vegan Baking – a comprehensive baking book.  If you are a afraid of losing your ability to bake familiar favorites without milk, eggs and butter, this book will put your fears to rest for sure.  This book also has a few unconventional and healthy recipes as well, like the raw strawberry pie that I love.

Wishlist…

• Get it Ripe by Jae Steele,
• Mediterranean Vegan Kitchen by Donna Klein
• The Voluptuous Vegan by Myra Kornfeld
• Eat, Drink & Be Vegan by Dreena Burton

More web stuff:

• Vegan&Vintage
• Vegan Beauty Review
• Vegan Etsy – go here and here for fabulous vegan handmade things

Resources for Research and Making the Transition:

• Vegan Outreach is my fave

Now, go give it a try why don’t you!

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!

Less is More October 18, 2008

I love our new home. It’s a lovely rental in an entirely different neighborhood than we were living in before, a neighborhood which I love.  We are so close to a really great park, really close to Trader Joe’s, which I frequent, and super close to El Gitano, best mexican food in town.  The streets around here are lined with trees and adorable, well kept little old homes.  We have a backyard now, which is so nice.  Now instead of looking out onto the traffic, Elena looks out into the backyard and watches for the neighbor’s kitty and says hello to all the squirrels that flock to the compost bin, which is adorable if you ask me.  

Favorite part about our new place?  Surprisingly, it is the smallness.  When we first started looking for a new place, smaller was a priority for me.  We have roughly half the square footage of our last place, which wasn’t necessarily excessive anyway.  But now, I spend my days in roughly 650 sq. ft.  and I love it.  Do dishes and watch elena play in the living room?  yes please.  Always know where she is just by peering over my shoulder?  yes, thankyouverymuch.  In our last place, I was constantly following her from one end of the house to the other.  Now, I only feel like I’m chasing her when she runs away and says “bye”, which is my cue to come get her and say “boo!”  It’s her favorite thing.  Guaranteed to lighten even the worst of moods.

I love that just having dinner cooking warms the whole house.  no joke!  I love that in my kitchen everything is conveniently located within my reach.  In our old kitchen I felt like I was always running in circles.  No more!  Not only is our place small, so is our oven and refrigerator, which has also turned out great. It’s more energy efficient, since I’m usually only cooking for two and a half people and there’s no more feeling like things get lost in the abyss of the fridge.  It forces you to keep things neat and organized, which is quite nice.  And speaking of keeping things neat and organized, this place is so much easier to keep neat and clean!  Since I can almost always see Elena, I am able to get so much more done and it doesn’t hurt that there’s less to clean, what with less space and all.  Less space equals less dirty counters, dirty floors, etc.  and the smallness makes it obvious when something is out of place.  I may not be the most organized person by nature, but an organized and clean space makes me really happy.

Overall conclusion: less is more. 

It’s another case of happier people, happier planet.  Less space to heat, less space to clean, and more simple happy life. 

here are some photos of the space before we moved in, I’ll post some of it with our stuff all moved in as soon as I take some.

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.

Duplicate June 23, 2008

photo credit:homardbleu/flickr.com

I desire to live a simple life.  This, I realize, is a vague statement.  But, that’s exactly it… I’ve been trying to figure out what it means to live simply.  I believe that it’s about being content with what I have, taking only what I need and being generous with myself and what I have to give.

 I’ve been meditating on this conversation:

A man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

 ”Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

 ”Which ones?” the man inquired.

   Jesus replied, ” Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother and love your neighbor as yourself.”

 ”All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

-Matthew 19:16-22

and, also, these words from John the Baptist:

“The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” -Luke 3:11

I think, first of all, what God desires is our hearts. What’s important is our love for other people and our willingness and desire to give.  The young rich man he was talking to wasn’t willing and I think that was the biggest issue.  I don’t know that this passage means that we must go and sell all of our possessions.  I think it means we must be generous and willing to give all we have with a happy heart.  That said, I like the seemingly practical instruction from John the Baptist.  It’s been on my mind.  As I go through my house throughout the day, I’ve been asking myself questions like:

“Why do I have 5 spatulas in the kitchen when I only ever use 2 at a time?” (same with pot-holders, strainers, other utensils, etc)

“Do I need 6 pairs of jeans (when I only wear 3)?”

“Why am I keeping this (thing that someone gave me that I don’t really love)?”

“How many pairs of pajamas do I really wear or really need?”

“When was the last time I used this?”

I think it’s important to be intentional about giving.  In our culture, it’s SO EASY to HOARD.  We are bombarded by messages everywhere that tell us that we NEED more STUFF and that our current state of being is not good enough.  We need to have things to make us happy, to give us status, to make life easier, to save us time (oh, TIME, why is it that we think we never have enough of you?).  In our culture it is so very common to live with so much extra stuff and extra space and to live with a continual desire for more. But, I want to duplicate things in my life that are not material.  It takes some reflection to realize what we really need and what is just extra, just duplicates.  Just because I don’t have a whole lot of excess cash flow doesn’t mean I don’t have excess.  

Now, I’m not saying that we necessarily ought to strip down our possessions to the absolute bare minimum (one pair of pants, one shirt, one pot, one fork, etc.).  I do think it’s valuable to realize that I could live that way and still be content, or could I?  This whole subject demands a lot of soul searching.  Which is interesting because it’s just stuff.  But what we look like, what our homes look like and what we do or don’t buy and give away says a lot about who we are and what our priorities are, I think.  I say this not to judge others, but to judge myself (in a good way ). 

We as a people are drowning under our consumption.  We clutter up our houses and our souls with it.  The environment is suffering under its weight.  The people across the globe paid awfully low wages to work long hours in poor conditions are suffering under its weight.  I was listening to the following song the other day as I was thinking about these things:

“We’re living the American dream.  The people highest up have got the lowest self esteem.  The prettiest people do the ugliest things for the road to riches and diamond rings…  We buy a lot of clothes, but we don’t really need ‘em – things we buy to cover up what’s inside.  Because they made us hate ourselves and love their wealth.” – Kanye West

His words ring true to me on large and small scales. (I know, who would have thought I would have quoted Kanye West in the middle of this discussion?  But I liked it)  Am I willing to change my way of life and not follow this crazy way of living called the American dream?  How much of what I desire, hold onto and purchase is born out of a desire to heal my broken self-esteem?  And at what cost?  Stuff won’t ever fix my distorted self-image, but getting my vision off of myself and onto the needs of others might.

It’s difficult and yet so simple.  Go to goodwill next time you need something.  Check freecycle.  Give away that thing that has been sitting in your closet for a year.  Have two?  Give one.

Get rid of your duplicate possessions and duplicate generosity instead.

Thoughts on a Page June 9, 2008

I have an addiction to journaling.  Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the kind you did in seventh grade when you chronicled which boys were “fine”.  No, my journal is certainly neither that nor a place where I record the events of my day.  It is rather a place I go to pray.  It’s a place I go to record what I’m learning about life and myself.  It’s a place to record what I’m seeing, hearing and reading.  It’s a place I go to think “out loud” and clear my head.  Journaling for me is a way to focus my thoughts.  Otherwise, I try to process through things and pray and I am all over the place. 

Plus, I have always had a love for handwriting.  Journaling on the computer just wouldn’t do it for me.  There’s nothing better for my soul than sitting down with a book, a cup of coffee, a good pen and a beautiful journal, watching my thoughts manifest themselves on the page. It’s meditative.  God is always with me, but there’s something about meditating on Him that is different.  I always leave changed, with a fresh perspective and the feeling of peace that only comes from talking with God.  

I have years worth of journals.  Occasionally, I look back over them and I am reminded of the things that I’ve learned, the wisdom I’ve heard and how much I’ve changed.  I. love. journaling.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I got this new little beauty about a month ago for my birthday.  Isn’t she pretty? It has two hundred pages of recycled paper and soy-based ink deliciousness. Every page is printed with a beautiful design.  I admire it every time I sit down with it.  ooooh, the love.