Foodie Treats

I have decided to purchase more organic and sustainable products. Right now it is a challenge as we live with Nick's parents, but I will do what I can. Today started with craving some snacks. At the house all we have is chips, oreos, and ice cream--none which I really enjoy eating, surprising I know. Well while at Wal-mart, I decided to see what kinds of snacks I could get that fit into my new thinking. Well, I made two DELICIOUS discoveries!

Stretch Island Fruit Company boasts all-natural fruit strips (similar to fruit roll ups). I have tried other brands of "all natural" fruit whatever before and have been disappionted. However, these were fabulous. Tasted sweet like the actual fruit not high fructose corn syrup. Also, there is not much sugar in a serving--only 9 grams. Also, it is glucose free, 100% DV of postassium, and1/2 serving of fruit in each strip. The company also supports The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation which donates fruit trees to schools and communities to establish long-term orchards. For more on either of these companies check them out here http://www.stretchislandfruit.com/ and http://www.ftpf.org/.

The second company is Green and Black's Organic. They use all organic products to make some of the best chocolate I have had (and I have eaten alot of chocolate). The thing I like best is their actual name. On the inside of the wrapper, which is recyclable, is the company motto "Live in the &". It seems a little strange but the concept was to create a product that was environmentally friendly or "Green" and combine that with the richness of cocoa or "Black". Genius if you ask me. Also, the company pays fair wages to the farmers and visits farms to ensure guidelines are being met. One of their partnerships is with cocoa farmers in Belize, and G&B's has been doing some incredible work with them, check out more about it here: http://www.greenandblacks.com/us/from-bean-to-bar/Belize-project.html.

On another note but still an environmental one, I am using Seventh Generation dryer sheets and am having really good results with them. If you are looking for better alternative to traditional sheets (which can contain the beef fat tallow), these maybe a great option for you. I paid about $4.00 for 65. More expensive per sheet than say Bounce, but the sheets are actually perforated so I only use half a sheet per load--still no static cling and just as soft.

Green Update

I haven't really talked about anything green we have done lately. However, our compost is looking so rich and black. Nick's parent recently used some sompost soil to plant flowers. The flowers are looking fantastic despite the lack of rain we've had. Also we have a tomato plant growing out of the compost pile. No tomatoes yet but the plant is looking good.

In the garden, tomatoes are coming in. I haven't had any turn red yet, but I am expecting that any day now. The hot peppers are coming in like crazy!! I have used several peppers in recipes--spaghetti sauce, pico de gallo, and cilantro rice. We had a watermelon start growing but it shriveled up and turned black. I think the vine is still all immature to grow the melon to full size.

Also I think I have mentioned Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap before, but I just wanted to reiterate how awesoem this soap is. I use it for so much--shampooing, bathing, moping, washing clothes, and dishes. It is seriously some of the purest most versatile soap one can use. And it cost pennies compared to buying laundry detergent, dish detergent, shampoo, conditioner, bathroom cleaner, and bath soap/body wash. I wish everyone would just try this soap; I really believe you would be converted.

One Week

Last week Nick and I participated in National Turn Off Your TV week.  It was pretty easy at first, but as the week went on we kind of got really irritated with the whole notion.  We are not the type of people to be dominated by television, but there just was not anything going on last week so it made it harder to fill our time.  We played games with the family, read a lot, went to the library, and took a trip out to the art museum and mall.  It was nice to have the silence and we definitely talked alot more to each other.  Also my mother-in-law and I went to lunch and checked out some local shops.  It was really nice to spend some time with her and just "girl talk"--something I get to do often.  

Overall, nothing profound came out of this experience, but there was more awareness of how we spend our time.  Sometimes we just need to turn off the t.v. and relax. 

Hydroponics

Lat month Nick and I watched a special on hydroponically grown lettuce so I thought I would try some.  I used for a salad on Sunday and must say it was delicious!!  Very fresh tasting and easy to tear for the salad.  Also, because of the way it grows, it makes a great garish for a party dish--sandwiches, vegetable tray, mini chicken salads.   I would definitely recommend trying it.  For a picture see post Mmm...Mmm...Mmm. 

Composting

This are just some pictures of our compost heap.  Not much going on yet but the soil is looking a little bit richer.

Here it is after we added some yard leftovers.

Nick working hard.

Food waste...smells bad but great for the compost.

Here's our bin...yeah!!

Taking "Stock"

I made my own chicken stock tonight, and it is delicious!  There are tons of recipes out there for it but I always thought  it would be to hard.  However, I was clearly wrong.  It was so simple and I just threw whatever I had on hand into the pot.  Below is my recipe, but just use whatever lever chicken and veggies you have.

Chicken Stock:

1 leftover rostiserrie chicken (from hubby's Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls....delish!)

2 celery stalks, cut into large chunks

3 large onion pieces

3 cabbage leaves

few sprigs of fresh oregano, whole

few sprigs of fresh parsley, roughly chopped

s/p

two leftover packets of ramen chicken seasoning

Put everything into a large pot/dutch oven and fill with water just until all is covered.  Bring to a boil and cook about 10 mins.  Turn off and let set another 20 mins (or until cooled to pour).  Strain out bones, skin, veggies and herbs**.  Distribute evenly into containers* and cool to room temp.  Freeze.

* I used four jars and filled about 3/4 full as you need leave room for expanding when frozen.  Also you can put the veggies into the stock if desired.

**All except the bones can be composted.

Another tidbit is if you have to cut up alot of veggies for a meal (peeling potatoes, carrots, broccoli stalks, etc.) just put it all into a pot, add seasoning, and boil like above.  You make a great veggie stock.  You can use this just like chicken, beef or seafood stock.

Composting

Since moving in with the in-laws, we have started to compost.  It is a great way to reduce your trash and have great soil for gardening.  We could do more and are constantly working on changing our daily habits of throwing all in the trash (for the landfill).  Little by little we are making progress though.  I really want to get down to two bags of trash a week (that would about half).  We could also recycle alot more and that would help redue as well.  Anyways, check out more on composting.  It is pretty simple to do and it is great for the enviroment.  

Check out these 163 things that can be composted.  There are some really interesting items.

Eco-Guilt

Yesterday, I brushed my teeth while running the water.  Ran it to wet my toothbrush, ran it to rinse out my toothbrush and to rinse the sink.  It was alot of water.  More than the 1/2 cup I normally use.  I felt terrible for letting all the clean water just run down the drain.  

Nick and I have been changing some of our habits to be more environmetally conscious.  However, I haven't really thought about how it was affecting/effecting my view on how I live--until yesterday.  I really felt guiltyfor just letting the water run.  Whodathunkit?

Also, an update on electric shavers. DO NOT use a men's foil shaver to shave your underarms.  NOT GOOD!!  I sacrificed my body for this experiment and got burned--literally, terrible razor burn.  That was two days ago and it is just feeling better.  I can finally wear deoderant today.  Well, I learned my lesson.  For underarms, only use a disposable razor or a woman's shaver.

Lastly, I started reading some classics.  Right now I am reading Rappaccini's Daughter.  It is supposed to be a horror, but I am not really sure what's going on yet.  I don't read classics.  I just don't like the way they're written--too wordy, too much detail, sometimes language is a barrier.  However, I love to read and am trying to stretch my horizons.  We'll see how long it lasts.  

Websites to Check Out

Electric Shaver Recommendations: Best Rating--Panasonic Close Curves (around $40)

www.comsumersearch.com

www.amazon.com

www.consumerreports.com (need a subscritption to view)

**Also I said to myself "my husband already has an electric shaver so why not use that"? I tried it today, after about 4 days of not shaving, and got good results. Not super close, but then who is lloking that closely at my legs. Also I will probably get used to it by summer and should be fine for "bikini season". Lastly, the trimmer is good for my bikini line (don't worry he never uses the trimmer for his face).

Clothing Sites:

www.thehungersite.com

www.simpleshoes.com (having a winter sale right now)

www.fairindigo.com (somethings are a little pricey)

www.pristineplanet.com

wwwgaiam.com

Organic Sheets and Towels:

www.pristineplanet.com

www.thecompanystore.com (great variety and made in the USA)

www.kushtush.com (great selesction of baby products)

Food:

local farmer's markets

shop local grocers or grocery chains that supply local meat, produce and other products

go online and find area farms that are part of a CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) or google farms shares in you area

"Green" Office Space

Recently, I came across a company, Greenline, that offers compostable, chemical free, biodegradable office products.  Right now I am using them to supply plates, cups and silverware for my sister's wedding reception.  Each of these products are sturdy, lightweight and could be used for any event where disposable can't be avioded.  They provide a wide variety--paper, envelopes, whiteout, kitchen products, sticky notes, etc. If you company would like to do more to support the environment and help suppliers produce les waste then check out Greenline Paper Company.

Also I've been thinking more about why we as Christ Followers need to take care of our evironment.  One, God puts Adam in the garden to tend and keep it not destroy it.  Two, we want to provide a cleaner world for those to come.  If we just keep choosing cheap, chemically processed products with harsh dyes then we will continue to pollute to soil and underground water supply thus costing more to process water that is drinkable, to clean soil so that it is sowable, and to find products that are "pure" (without unnatural pesticides, dyes, or chemicals).  And lastly, Jesus taught us to lead by example.  So how does this relate?   If the Bible tells us we are the keepers of the Earth then why would we not want to show others how to do the same and cause a chain reaction.

Lastly, I have been trying to be conscientious about my purchases.  I am looking at where stuff is made and researching companies.  For instance I have not purchased any new clothes since December (that's a long time for me).  However, I am looking at companies that are passionate about Fair Trade and work with women/villages to provide fair wages, proper working enviroments, and quality products.  One in particular is the Hunger site.  Not only do they offer Fair Trade clothing and accessories but also purchases provides 25-100 cups of food for hungry children around the world.  Another thing I have been researching is organic sheets and towels.  These are way more expensive but they are softer, use low-impact dyes (like vegetable) or no dyes, and usually made in the USA so you know people are at least making a decent wage and work in a good environment.  

Well, I hope this helps you make a better choice.  Maybe later I'll post some websites to check. 

Water Waste

Recently, Nick and I changed the way we begin and end our day.  One thing we do now is fill a cup with a little water and use that to wet and rinse our toothbrush.  Then that water get used to clean the spit out of the sink.  It beats letting 3 or 4 cups of water go down the drain while you wet your brush and while rinising out your spit and the toothbrush.  

Also at Nick's parents we have alot of water pressure so we switched to a "lower" flow showerhead (uses about 2.5 gals. rather than the 4-5 gals. the old one used).  My favorite thing though is just cutting back on shower times.  I used to shampoo, soap, rinse, condition, maybe shave and then rinse again.  Now I changed to Dr. Bronner's castille soap and use about half-dollar size handful to shampoo, soap up and shave (when needed).  I cut my showering time from about 10mins to about 5 mins.  One thing I need to do better is shaving out side the shower--that would save a little more time and water.  Actually I should just get a rechargable shaver and then I wouldn't need to use any water.  I'll look around for a few good ones and give some reviews later.

Lastly, just not flushing when you pee is a good idea.  I try to do this (it is a hard habit to break though).  Also you can dampen your hands, turn off the water, soap them for 10 seconds and then turn the water back on to rinse.  You don't need to have the water on full blast either.  Just a enough to get a good quick rinse.

I am sure there are lots of other things you can do, but when you want to make changes to help the environment sometimes small steps are better to start with.  If you start to big you will either get overwhelmed or just think it costs to much to do so many changes at once.  Anyways if you have any more helpful ideas, let me know.

The Simple Choice

I've started becoming more aware that I need to make decisions that have a positive effect/affect on the world around me.  One thing I've done is to switch purses.  Not a big deal, but when I think about the way my purses are made it doesn't make sense for to keep supporting what is essentially slave labor (or at least by American standards).  Also why should I support killing an animal just to have a fasionable purse?  or use of harmful chemicals to create a "beautiful" product?  I would rather support a company that has ethical standards, helps their workers have safe working environments, and use sutainable and/or recycled products.  Simple Shoes is a great company I have started purchasing shoes and bags from.  If you want a quality, environmentally conscious product, I think they are definitely worth checking out.

Just think about what you purchase and the lives affect just to get it to you.  Don't just settle for the cheapest, go a step beyond and choose to support life and the environment.  You'll be glad you did.