Conserve, Give, Love

attemping to incorporate these things into the everyday…

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

Filed under: environmentalism, food, green living, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 2:38 pm

3289542808_723dce55f71photo 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.

Black-eyed peas: 1 hour

Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): 1 1/2 hours

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

Kidney beans: 1 hour

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.)

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

Filed under: environmentalism, food, green living, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 12:15 am

2204644756_90a24814a0_m1image 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

Filed under: Links, activism, becoming an ordinary radical, consciously consuming, food, green living, health, social responsibility — Lauren Rowerdink @ 9:40 am

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…

More web stuff:

Resources for Research and Making the Transition:

Now, go give it a try why don’t you!

 

Resolute. January 5, 2009

Filed under: activism, becoming an ordinary radical, changing, consciously consuming, environmentalism, food, green living, health, peace, reflecting, social responsibility — Lauren Rowerdink @ 10:16 pm

calendar5_item1

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!

 

Kitchen Successes and NieNie Love October 31, 2008

Filed under: Links, food, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 12:35 am

Some things I made in my kitchen this last week that turned out lovely:

 

Homemade Pizza.  I made my own dough for the first time.  Who knew it was so easy?  and tasty? topped with my own sauce (roughly: 1/2 can tomato sauce, 1/2 can tomato paste, fresh garlic, basil, fresh cracked pepper, salt), chopped zucchini, heirloom tomatoes, arugula, broccoli and a little bit of mozzarella on top.  oooh so good.  you really must try it.

 

Lemon Fusilli with Arugula:  I made some changes to this recipe.

  • I cut all of the amounts in half, since I’m cooking for two and a half people.
  • brown rice fusilli pasta instead of the less healthy semolina version
  • rice milk/soy creamer instead of the heavy cream
  • scale back the lemon or leave it out entirely.  delicious!

 

Eggplant Parmesan:  After going to Olive Garden a long time ago, I made up this recipe trying to imitate their eggplant parm.  it’s delicious if I do say so myself

  • Cut one medium sized eggplant into 1/2″ rounds, 
  • grill on george foreman or grill pan until softened and nice grill marks appear (about 4 mins. per side) let cool slightly, 
  • dip in soy yogurt and breadcrumbs (I usually make my own from sprouted bread and italian seasonings). 
  • top with a little cheeze if you desire or vegan parm (i like to use the “Almesan” recipe from Veganomicon.)
  • bake for 15 mins or so, until crispy (I used the toaster oven since I was making such a small portion – it uses less energy and is easier to keep an eye on).  
  • Serve alongside sauteed greens or the traditional, spaghetti (homemade marinara, whole wheat/brown rice/quinoa spaghetti) .  mmm…

 

These muffins and these cupcakes. I used less sugar than called for both of these and they were still delicious.

 
Banana Chocolate Chip Bread.  oh. my. goodness. I made some alterations to this recipe:

  • applesauce instead of the (whole stick!) of butter, no joke.
  • organic turbinado sugar and cut the amount in half (the applesauce adds a lot of sweetness)
  • organic plain yogurt instead of sour cream.
  • dark chocolate chunks instead of chocolate chips and cut the amount in half.

This was sooo good.  My husband asked me not to spoil the experience by telling him all of the healthy alterations I made :)

 

These past food-related posts have really pointed out my love for NieNie and her food blog: CuisineNie.  I’ve read her blog, Nie Nie Dialogues, for well over a year.  It has been a favorite ever since Carla sent me the link.  I liked it so much, I even went back and read all of her archives!  She is an amazing woman, with impeccable taste and a wonderful ability to capture and convey the beauty of every day life.  If you haven’t read her blog or heard the story of what has happened to her and her family these last couple of months, you really must read this article.  Please join me in praying for Christian and Stephanie and their family.  
Oh, and you are going to want to check out her sister’s blog, C Jane Enjoy It, as it is also fabulous.

 

Yummy Yummy in my Tummy September 28, 2008

Filed under: food, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 2:32 pm

Images courtesy of CuisineNie: off-spring to NieNie Dialogues

I always like to see examples of how other people are eating and feeding their families.  I am always looking for new ideas and recipes to try and I love to find them in blogs.  It’s like getting a personal recommendation :)  So, here’s just a small sample of yummy whole foods that we enjoy in my house. BREAKFAST:

  • Oatmeal:
  • steel cut oats (purchased in bulk).  boil four cups water and add one cup oats.  boil 5 minutes until oatmeal begins to thicken.  Simmer on low until thoroughly cooked (takes roughly 20 minutes)  Add your favorite toppings: fresh or frozen berries, bananas or raisins for sweetness, grated apple, nuts, flaxseed, cinnamon.
  • Raw Oatmeal: Purchase raw oat groats at your local healthfood store.  Soak desired quantity overnight.  Drain and rinse in the morning and blend in food processor or blender, adding water as needed until you reach desired consistency.  add cinnamon, almond milk, blueberries and/or any of your favorite toppings for cooked oatmeal.
  • Sprouted whole grain toast with raw almond butter (and maybe a little agave nectar and sliced banana… mmm)
  • Green smoothie
  • For Elena – Organic free range scrambled eggs with LOTS chopped spinach.
  • Fresh fruit (currently we’re keeping a stash of green grapes, strawberries and peaches as regular favorites)  Slice up whatever you have on hand and top with cinnamon and real maple syrup for extra yumminess.
LUNCH:
  • Salad, favorite combinations:
  • Simple vinaigrette of balsamic, olive oil, lemon juice and agave with strawberries and walnuts and chunks of avocado (any type of fruit and walnuts is great, especially strawberries or peaches)
  • Thai style with a dressing similar to the sauce for pad thai listed below
  • Walnut “Meat” Tacos/Taco Salad
  • Fresh fruit
  • Green smoothie
  • Fuzzy Navel Smoothie - This one is my favorite.  I add a handful or two of spinach and usually omit the nuts.
  • Raw Pad Thai – I use a veggie peeler to make carrot “noodles” and add whatever I have on hand (broccoli, cilantro, mint, basil, snow peas, some type of raw nut, raisins, green onion, sprouts, radish slices – anything goes!) and i make a sauce from a dash here and there of the following: nama shoyu (soy sauce) almond butter, agave nectar, lime juice, orange juice, cayenne pepper. 
DINNER:
See this post for links to several of our favorite recipes.  Here’s a few more:
  • Tomato Bean & Corn Soup w/Homemade Salsa & Guacamole - this one is super easy and inexpensive.  I combine 1 large can diced tomatoes and put them in a large stock pot, mash them with a potato masher (i don’t like large chunks, but if you don’t mind them, you can skip the mashing), add 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed) and frozen corn.  add about 3/4 cup green salsa and water until you reach desired consistency.  Season with whatever sounds good… a little hot sauce, garlic powder, oregano, cilantro… Enjoy!
  • Grilled Sandwiches with Pasta Salad - grill or roast some veggies and pile on sprouted grain bread with your favorite sandwich spread and grill on the george foreman or in a pan on the stove.  toss cooked spiral pasta with artichoke hearts, chopped roasted peppers, olives and a basic vinegarette – quick and yummy.
  • Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread – check out recipes here and here or take a shortcut and buy canned veg chili (trader joe’s is yummy) and cornbread mix
  • Snobby Joes - a healthy, vegan version of sloppy joes using lentils instead of ground meat.  these are tasty!
SNACKS:
  • Homemade Salsa and Guacamole 
  • For the salsa, I toss in whatever I have on hand.  I love a simple pico-style salsa with diced red onion, fresh cilantro and diced Tomatoes or I bust out the blender and start tossing things in – tomato, cilantro, lime juice, fresh jalapeno, garlic/garlic scape, green onion and/or shallot, whatever sounds good :)
  • For guacamole, I like it simple, just fresh avocado, cilantro (if i have it), lime or lemon juice, cumin and a little hot sauce 
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Tea
  • Dried Black Mission Figs… perfect for when you want a little something sweet. goes wonderfully with rooibos (chai) tea.
  • Raw trail mix… (any or all of the following: slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, raisins, hazelnuts, walnuts, and any dried fruit mix)
  • Apples & Dates = Caramel Apples!
DESSERT:  All of these are vegan, thoroughly mouthwatering and quite healthy.  Did i just say HEALTHY DESSERT?! ooohh yes… you must try these.  The chocolate pudding is my favorite.
 

Lemony Goodness July 11, 2008

Filed under: environmentalism, food, green cleaning, green living, health, recycling — Lauren Rowerdink @ 8:03 pm

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!
  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.
 

Linky Do July 3, 2008

Filed under: Links, food, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 9:58 pm

Here are some of my favorite things I’ve seen whilst meandering online lately, I thought I’d share:

  • The Truth About Sunscreens – Your skin is an organ that absorbs what you put on it, so do your research and think twice before slathering chemicals on your body!
  • I’ve been loving to browse photos on flickr.  Some of my favorites: the Home as Art Pool, and photos from two of my favorite blogs – poppytalk and SouleMama.

Some other really tasty recipes we’ve enjoyed lately:

All of these recipes are thoroughly delicious and are quickly becoming favorites around here.  They are all quite healthy too.  You must try them!  
 

Ideally Healthy June 10, 2008

Filed under: changing, food, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 7:01 pm

So, this photo doesn’t totally relate to what I’m about to say… I just saw it and thought it was funny, anyway…

I’ve been on this journey toward a healthier lifestyle for a while now.  It’s something that’s been on my thoughts a lot.  I was raised with some awareness of nutrition, but it definitely wasn’t a huge focus.  We ate wheat bread and always had vegetables of some sort with dinner, but we also ate a lot of “low fat”, “lite”, and “diet” type processed foods.  We ate our fair share of sugar coated cereals, “fruit” snacks, chips and soda. When I was a teenager, my dad was diagnosed with type II diabetes. He decided to treat it with diet and exercise rather than medication.  I’m really proud of him for that.  He read a lot about nutrition and got into the Zone diet.  From there came a little more knowledge for me (like refined carbohydrates being a bad thing).  I’ve always considered myself to be a relatively healthy eater, but I’ve done quite a bit of reading over the past year and I’ve learned a lot.  I’ve realized that my previous habits really weren’t healthy at all.  

I’m so glad that this knowledge has come my way now, so that I can raise my daughter with the same knowledge and teach her from this young age to nourish her body well and avoid things that will make her sick.  I’m also glad that I’m changing these habits now because I want to be at my best for her.  I want to have energy and be well so that I am better able to give of myself.  

At this point I’m far from my ideal and that’s what this post is about.  The ideal.  I still eat dessert.  I still eat cheese.  I still don’t exercise like I ought to (ok, really, at all).  I probably drink too much coffee and not enough water.  But I’ve made some significant improvements over the last year and I don’t see myself going back, not at all.  I feel so much better!!  I can tell the difference in how I feel when I eat crappy food.  It makes me feel crappy.  I know that it was making me feel this way all along, I just never noticed before.  I have more energy than ever before and quite frankly I’m the thinnest I’ve been since early high school, which is a super nice added bonus :)  I’m looking forward to even more progress.  I hope that you’ll do your own research and take your own steps toward better health… join me, won’t you?  I could use some company!

 

Progress (I posted this recently, but I’m repeating it):

  • 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 and some green smoothie 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.
  • 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.  
  • Switched to natural cleaners, soaps, detergents, “shampoo” and deoderant
  • Cut out bleached, refined grains (white bread, white rice, etc.)
  • Avoid artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives, additives.

 

Ideally Healthy:

  • Green Smoothies
  • (Sprouted) Whole Grains
  • Almond (or other nut)/Rice Milk
  • Healthy oils from raw: seeds, avocados, extra virgin coconut oil, nuts, flax seed, olive oil
  • Vegetables (as much raw as possible)
  • Raw, fresh fruits 
  • Drink lots of water
  • Get 6-9 hours of sleep daily
  • Buy locally grown, organic goods, preferably in season, as often as you can. (CSA)
  • Frequent exposure to natural sunlight often with no sunscreen (essential for mental health, bone density, vitamin D production, etc. – difficult for those of us in the Northwest!!)
  • Don’t take prescription drugs or pharmaceuticals, I’m learning so much about the power of food/exercise/emotional health
  • No following the USDA’s crazy Food Guide Pyramid
  • No pills or supplements.  Get the nutrition you need from whole foods.
  • No fad dieting.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Meditate, Journal, Pray (deal with emotions and stress)

 

Avoid List

  • Sodium nitrite (causes cancer)
  • MSG / monosodium glutamate (causes obesity and nerve damage)
  • Hydrogenated oils (causes heart disease)
  • High-fructose corn syrup / sugar / sucrose (causes diabetes and obesity)
  • Artificial colors (causes behavioral disorders)
  • Artificial Sweeteners (causes brain damage, optic nerve damage)
  • Homogenized milk fats (cause heart disease and cardiovascular disorders)
  • Red meat (causes heart disease and cancer)
  • Processed meats like hot dogs, salami, pepperoni, etc. (contain sodium nitrate=cancer causing)
  • Animal Protein (excess protein, especially animal protein, is bad for your health and ability to absorb things like calcium)
  • Cows’ milk, cheese and dairy products
  • Soft drinks, junk foods, snack foods or fast foods
  • Processed foods such as cookies, crackers, frozen dinners, etc.
  • Fried foods
  • White flour and enriched flours.
  • Refined carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, pastries, etc.
  • Fruit juice drinks
  • Brand-name laundry detergents/dryer sheets (loaded with toxic fragrance chemicals)
  • Popular deodorants (contain aluminum)
  • Popular shampoos / soaps / conditioners (all contain harmful fragrance chemicals)
Recommended Reading:
Online Resources:
photo courtesy of dadadreams on flickr
 

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

Filed under: activism, becoming an ordinary radical, changing, consciously consuming, environmentalism, green living, health — Lauren Rowerdink @ 7:08 pm

sabine butterblume/flickr

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