I have to make this quick, my head is killing me again.
I finally got my Tom's shoes in! I'm so happy with them. At first I was afraid they were a bit too snug, but they seemed fit just right now.
I am kind of known for having one style of cooking. It's basically "let's throw it all in a pot and see how it comes out". That's how this soup came about.
I know that caffeine is evil. I know it coffee isn't the best thing for you... but sometimes it is the only thing that hits the spot.
Whether you dig the super strong hearty stuff (like me), or go for decaf as an end to a lovely day... well, coffee can mean a lot.
I do my best to only buy fair trade/organic coffee but do find myself just picking up whatever is on sale at my local Earth Fare. I look forward to having coffee every morning, though I do skip a morning now and then. After my failed attempt at composting (until I can get a proper set up for a compost bin, of course) I have begun to realize how many coffee filters I am using and throwing away....
And then...
The other day I was bored and checking out one of my fave online stores, http://veganessentials.com/, and noticed their "Reusable Cone-Style Hemp Coffee Filters by Cusp". These things seem to be just what I need. You can rinse them out and reuse them over and over again. Not only are you saving the planet by not creating more waste, but also saving money by not having to keep buying filters.
I just placed my order today, but when they arrive and I have a change to try them out I will let you guys know how it goes.
While I love Vegan Essentials, I do not care for the fact that they have a $10, before tax, order minimum. I did go ahead and order a couple of other things, but it took a lot of searching to find something I actually need at this time. Remember, there is a reason the saying is "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" with reduce listed first (because reducing the amount of stuff you get is the first step).
I had this wonderful plan for this months eco-resolution to share with you all. It was based around spring cleaning, and how to do so properly, efficiently, and - of course - planet friendly. Each week was to be dedicated to another area of this cleaning, maybe room by room, or something like that. Cleaning and organizing combined as they always should be. Unfortunately this month became very busy for me. The last of it was getting over this no so wonderful stomach bug that is going around. Let's just hope this is the last day of work I have to miss.
I wanted to have something to post for this month... at least one blog this month... something for you to read and think about. So here it is.
If you haven't visited www.allnaturalme.com, you are greatly missing out. It is a planet friendly, though not necesarrily vegan, blog that surpasses anything I have posted when It comes to saving the planet. It's where I get my recipes for cleaning supplies, tips on where to buy shoes (yes, I must now have some Tom's of my own!), and eco-friendly smiles from their comic. They even have an etsy shop that I am known to purchase things from (right now I am waiting for my Recyclope kit, and do love my reusable toilet whipes with suns and moons on them). One thing you must get are the Karma Cards. They are free, but it never hurts to donate a bit to a good cause, right? Right!
One thing that blows my mind is that these awesome people are able to do this with 3 kids. Yes, 3 kids. For those of you who do not know, my household is just me and Kalifornia (check out some new pics of us I will be adding in a few minutes). It always blows my mind how people can do so much and have loads of rugrats running around. I get exhausted with just the two of us! Jeez! Much respect to all of you guys with littles runs running around and working hard to save the planet! You rock!
So, that is your resolution to follow for this month. Check out allnaturalme.com, and try not to have too much fun (just kidding, have as much as possible).
And keep your eyes open for another blog from me... need to get some vegan recipes on here for you guys. Maybe a blog about how eating at least one meal a week that is vegan can affect the planet... we will see.
I have been wondering what to make this month's resolution blog about... and finally came up with something today. I just finished reading an article on yahoo about how, with the economy being what it is, cheapskates getting even cheaper. And while some things may seem to take more than just a few extra pennies, many aspects of loving our planet can help save even more.
There are many angles I could take on this (clearing out your kitchen cubbard before grocery shopping, never paying full price, etc) but for March let's focus on not buying things that we do not need. By need I do not mean "Oh, those shoes are so cute, I need them to go with my new outfit". I mean "Crap, I just used the last of my white vinegar for household spray cleaner, and I am almost out of my homemade fabric softener... so I need to buy some more".
We are a culture of buy it now, want it now, get it now and worry about the consequences later mindsets and we need to change it. Like too old children who tire of their gifts shortly after x-mas morning we tire of our new toys way too soon. It's fine if these are things we could use and pass on (whether we donate it or sell it or just give it away) but sometimes they just aren't.
Here is a great example: the little nonsense items at the cash register, in between the magazines and gum. No, you do not need that little booklight that can hook onto your finger (really, who reads like that anyway... with a finger pointed at the words... well, some of you, maybe) or that batter powered handheld fan that will work for a few months and then go caput. This can go even farther. Yes, that t-shirt is the cutest thing ever... but don't you already have a million t-shirts at home? With items like these, take a minute to think about it... and WAIT. You might find it online cheaper, or wait untill it goes on super sale (can anyone say 75% off, thank you) at the store. Have a separate budget for things like this, and get your exsisting clothes mended (or do it yourself) when possible.
That all will help keep down the production of more stuff, as well as keep more stuff out of the landfills and whatnot. Avoiding those impulse buys can be easier and easier. Make a list, and stick to it (yeah, even I can't do that). Also, try to think of 3 reasons you need the item. This is super easy with clothing (three places or situations to wear it .... like, if I pair this top with slacks I can wear it to work, jeans a night on the town, or a conservative skirt would make it funeral appropriate).
One time use items, like food, can be a bit different. Have a list (or basic idea) of your kitchen staples, and do not be afraid to throw in some different items now and then. Check expiration dates, and if you can't think of anything you would use it in or with just don't buy it. I don't know about you guys, but I have a can of sweet potatoes in my cabinet that I have yet to do anything with. And if I do not use them and they get close to their "use by date" I will see if anyone I know can use them... if not, I will find a way to use them. This all is where a list comes in very handy.
So, when you shop, try to remember:
-Making lists isn't just for groceries (yes, I make a clothing list, thank you)
-If you can't come up with 3 ways you can use it (just for one party you are having, I don't think so) do not buy it.
-Think before you buy ANYTHING. And yes, I mean anything.
Oh, almost forgot!!! Buy in bulk! Not only do you avoid more packaging (good for planet), it can save you lots and lots of money (since you aren't paying more for the packaging and such).
These tips, combined with doing your best to not pay full price for anything (I consider food the only thing that is excusable to pay full price for if you must), will make your wallet and the planet smile just a little bit more.
...paper towels.
That's right.
This one is actually pretty easy, at least it was for me. All you have to do is stop buying paper towels, and make sure anyone else that might do shopping in your home also knows that they are not to be bought.
But what do you use instead? Well... duh. Rags.
Have any old t-shirts, towels, misc. pieces of material, etc etc etc? Cut those up into whatever size you might want (some people stick with the paper towel size, some just depends on what the rag is used for) and use those instead. Know anyone with some old stained shirts that just should NOT be worn in public? Or is that you, yourself... Ask your friends and family, once again look for your local freecycle or earthcycle, and check out second hand shops for stuffs you can make your own cleaning rags out of.
Now, keep in mind some people are still old fashioned and do not like calling them rags (what strips of cloth women used to use before commercial pads were invinted) so we could just call them cleaning clothes, ok.
So, no more paper towels. Use up what you have, sparingly, and start on your search for the perfect materials for your cleaning clothes.
Still feel the need to use paper towels for some things (like the presents your pup or kitten leaves behind)? Jeez.. ok ok picky persons... buy recycled ones and please use sparingly.
Want to take it another step further? How about reusable toilet clothes? Yup, that's right. I am totally for real. If it's just a little tinkle, why waste a tree (as allnaturalme.com states in their etsy shop, a must check out for all, and a kick ass blog)? You can find patterns for such things all over the internet, or just buy some that have been made by some craftier than thow peoples online.
As for January... sigh.. I must say that there were a few times I was caught without my reusable bags and ended up with plastic. See, not even the great me is perfect... but I can promise you that i am reusing those bags as much as I can and will strive to carry those bags with me more and more, as well as constatly say "I don't need a bag" for things small enough.
I think the most difficult time is when at department stores and/or clothes shopping. At the grocery store it just makes so much sense... but at Macy's? JC Penny's? Gotta remember that. And since I got a great big tote from VegNews Magazine, I have few excuses. Though some of those bags (like at the Limited and Sephoria -sp) are pretty darn reusable themselves. Those do rock, and make for great lunch totes or for that take-out veggie sushi. Yes, that's right, bring your own bag for takeout... if not your own containers...
Comment on how your no bag month went, how you will continue to do it, and any thoughts on the no paper towel thing!!!
I work Monday through Friday, 3 pm to midnight. So I try to stay up as late as I can handle on Sunday nights... but.. but..
So tired.
Yesterday, Saturday, a friend and I went to go pick up my washer and dryer and some other things from the old house. We stopped for a nice dinner (my treat, of course) and came back to my new place. We got all the stuff in and then the machines.. and.. and...
Well, I measured the room but not the door. Thing is, the doorway isn't the problem. The water heater's pipe and valves are the problem. So I am waiting until I can get about 4 friends over here that have amazing upper body strength.
What should have taken just a few hours ended up taking 6... actually, until today since we had to return the U-Haul and still go pick up Kalifornia from my mom's.
Otherwise, I feel much better. I have my small dining room table set up, and let myself hang up almost all of my posters and pictures. I have my livingroom walls finished. Next I will finish up my bedroom, then the kitchen when I get my washer and dryer to fit in the laundry room. The bathroom, when I get around to it. My spare bedroom will pretty much be last. Right now it is holding the boxes of stuff I am keeping packed up until I think I might need those things. If I don't have a need for them, I will give them away. I already gave a coworker of mine several things, and have a few more packed up for her.
I am sick of the boxes on my front porch and am waiting for someone to come pick them up. I had placed an add for free boxes on craigslist.com, and have had 2 responses. I responded to the first one with my address and instructions to just take them off of my porch. That was yesterday morning. So...I replied to a second one with about the same thing. If they are still there when I get off of work tomorrow night I will reply to another. I want to be able to situate my front porch, and the weather is too wet to leave the boxes outside. I do have a back porch, but the boxes would fill it up and I'd rather leave them on the front one so someone could just pick them up there.
Today I also finally washed all those dishes I was putting off, and yesterday I hand washed a lot of things. I took my clothes that are just too difficult to hand wash (and stuff I normally just dry anyway) to my mom's when I dropped Kali off yesterday for her to wash for me. I can't wait to be able to get my washer and dryer going again. And for the weather to warm up so I can have a clothesline. And a garden, too.
One thing I am not happy about is that I am working while Lost is on. That really sucks. Nip/Tuck I can find OnDemand... but not Lost. What do I do.. sigh...
And I finally made some sweet tea today. I haven't done that since I was still with Jeff. I am out of juice and almost out of water (not sure about trusting what comes out of my fauce), very little soy milk left too... so I will need something to drink. Instead of sugar I use a liquid stevia to sweeten it. It works pretty good, though I have recently heard and read some not so good stuff about it. I might start looking into another sweetening alternative to sugar that is all natural soon...
I am procrastinating going to the store.
And I have broken my monthly resolution already... a couple of times already. But I reuse those bags... so maybe it won't count...?
How are you guys doing with it? I did make myself (ok, didn't make, just really liked and had forgotten my bags so) buy a new reusable bag, and I have found some more with unpacking. Now if I could only keep them all on me at all times...
That's why I love the ones that fold up into their own lil pocket and have a clip on them. They hang very interestingly off of my purse, and do cause a few questions. It gives me the chance to educate even more people about them without having to initiate the converstation. And those always go better when someone ends up asking you, ya know.
Oh! You guys know what me moving again means??? It means that I have a whole new organization plan for my clothes! Once I get it perfected, I will post on it... as well as other things I have organized (think cabinets and linen closets).
Well, I'm off to find something to watch on my digital cable. I am paying for it after all...
Hopefully soon I will be able to save up for a flat screen HD tv... maybe even a Wii...
Good night to you all.
A couple of cool things have happened since the last time I posted a blog. The main one is that I found a house and have moved in. Renting isn't so bad. It's nice to be able to just call my landlord to fix something. And I have a pretty great landlord.
Ok, I can't recall any other cool things right now.
But yeah.
I haven't been online in sometime since I had to wait for what seemed like ever to get it set up.
Oh, I am getting the awesome chance to organize and decorate my new place! I love that stuff.
I will post some pics when I have them. Just wanted to post a quick update, and remind you guys about your reusable bags!!!
I try not to designate positive or negative happenings on certain times of year. This includes saying that because it is a new year means that it will be better. I am always working to improve myself, so it just carries over... ya know.
But I do get that a lot of people are really into the new years resolutions. That's cool. What every it takes for anyone to make a positive step in life is always a good thing.
I say lets take it one step further.
Let's set monthly resolutions.
What? Like the new years ones aren't hard enough?!?!
Well, let's take it easy. Make it simple. Here's an example: This month I will begin only using reusable shopping bags and saying no to plastic/paper.
*I do get that some people (me included) use plastic bags for things such at portable garbage bags for icky stuffs like used diapers or even small trashcan liners. Here's a solution for that; work on using the ones you have, and maybe ask your friends and family members for their bags. Most people are more than happy to give them up as they seem to collect super easy. If not, try your local freecycle, earthcycle, or any other local community group (such at yahoo!groups, etc).
So I designate January of 2009 the month of reusable shopping bags! If you are like me, you already have plenty but often find yourself ending up with one or maybe even two after a bit of shopping (yes, you can bring reusable shopping bags into the mall, it's not so bad).
Worried about carrying all those bags with you? Don't. Recently at Earth Fare (how I lub me sum earth fare) I was able to find some nifty squared bags that fold up into squares that are just a few inches by a few inches. Nice. Not to forget about the other ones I have that smush up into their own little pocket that is on the inside of the bag when open (and has clips on them so they can be clipped on the outside of your purse, not taking up room inside).
Not able to spend the fundage on some nifty reusable bags? Work with what you have for now and try to save up, even if all you have is those ebil plastic ones (that's right, I typed "ebil"). Other options are any kind of tote, or bag that is convenient for you. You can fold several bags into one and carry them that way.
Side note: I always ask for my produce to be put in it's own bag. I'm kinda picky about how my stuff is bagged, and usually LOVE to bag them myself. Seriously, back in the day they actually trained baggers. Now, not so much. So sad. Mush my bread, and we gonna have some words.
Another option is to share reusable bags with friends or family. This can be handy if you live near each other and do not shop on the same days.
And don't forget that those big items, like toilet paper or that giant jug of juice do not need their own bag. Also, if you have some stuff that sweats/leaves moisture in the bag, leave that bag out to dry before storing to help prevent molding. No one wants that.
As for those old plastic/paper ones, see if anyone you know might need them (same as if you do need them, above). Or use them until they fall apart, and look for places to recycle them in your area.
So, who's with me on this? How about post some comments on how you are going plastic/paper bag free?
