Infusing Love...

Killing bugs...without killing anyone else

2011-04-29T08:41:00.000-04:00

I'd love to say that i trap each and every little critter who wanders into my home and gently take it back outside, but if i did that, i wouldn't have time for much else.

For those pesky little ants, sprinkle corn meal where you see them congregating. They'll pick it up, take it back to their friends where they'll all die from a lack of being able to digest it. Resist the urge to kill them with your bare hands--you need them to carry the corn meal back to their home! For both the little and the big ones, it's a good idea to find where they're coming in and block it up with tape or caulk.

Diatomaceous Earth is a fabulous way to kill bugs. It's simply ground up diatom shells. It's harmless when eaten, but for bugs, it's like eating razor blades, or so i've read. We get bulk flour and mix some in to avoid flour bugs. You can also sprinkle some on your pets, in your pets' food and anywhere else you're having an infestation. It rids the body of internal parasites, as well. Please read up on measurements, as too much isn't a good thing for anyone. It can be found most readily on-line. Look for "food grade diatomaceous earth".

We have a stupid stink bug infestation in our area. We've flushed them, dropped them in a cup of water and dish soap and even set them free. But we've found the only way to truly avoid an in-house party of stink bugs is to make sure the windows are sealed tight--no holes in the screens. We found them squatting in the shed, so we're going to put some diatomaceous earth out there and see what happens...tune in next time....

What do you do to take care of bugs?

Homemade--EASY!--Home Care

2011-04-24T19:52:00.000-04:00

Did ya hear? You don't need a bunch of different products to take care of your home! You can do it all with a few ingredients (don't worry, i'll make a list). Some of these things will require just a few minutes to mix up, but that's opposed to driving out to the store when you need more. Some require a little more work, but remember: Do what you can, and don't feel guilty about what you can't. As i've said, time and time again, you pay for convenience, financially and, sometimes, ecologically.

Baking soda is a staple in eco-friendly households. You can buy a giant box--usually in the laundry isle--for $3-4. And it goes soooo far! It's a gentle, effective abrasive, so you can use it to make your tub, counters, sinks and toilets shine. Not only that, it helps deodorize stinky laundry, litter boxes, etc. Put it in an old cheese shaker and let the kids sprinkle it on the carpet before you go somewhere and wait at least a half-hour before vacuuming it up to deodorize carpets. You can even use it to wash your hair (see post below).

Vinegar is a degreaser. Use it mixed half-and-half with water to clean windows, counters and the stove. Use it more diluted to mop the floor. For tough cleaning stains, sprinkle baking soda, spray with your vinegar mix and let sit for 30 seconds, then scrub (great for showers!). You can even use your vinegar mix as an all-purpose spray. And don't worry--the smell fades as it dries.

Homemade laundry detergent is becoming very popular, due to the savings, and we all use roughly the same recipe. Get a hold of any cheap bar soap and grate (or run through a food processor). Mix in equal parts with washing soda and borax (or, as i use, 1/2 soap, 1/4 each of the other two). Use one to two tablespoons per load. Many people make a liquid version, but i've had great results (for 2 years) with the dry one. Besides, it's easier to make.

Dish soap and detergent are also easy to make, while you're having fun grating up soap. For both, simply heat three cups of water, mix in two cups of grated soap and cook until it's all melted. If it congeals over time, cook again with more water. It won't create a foamy mass of bubbles when you're doing dishes, but it does the job, and the dish washer doesn't like bubbles anyway. You can even use this soap on yourself as a homemade liquid soap or to clean (try it in the carpet shampooer). Note: You'll find lots of dishwasher detergent recipes online, but i'll tell you, i've had little luck with them. Also my dishwasher won't clean dishes with food on them no matter what detergent i'm using, so we hand wash them and run them through a light cycle. If your dishwasher doesn't suck, you may want to use a store-bought detergent.

Hydrogen Peroxide is a great way to sanitize toys and surfaces. Do a spot test, first, though.

So what else is there? Seriously, let me know if i forgot something.

Here's your grocery list:
Baking soda
Vinegar (apple cider or white)
Soap bars
Washing soda
Borax

And you can clean your whole house! Now get to it! Just kidding. :)

Homemade--EASY!--Body Care

2011-04-23T08:44:00.004-04:00

I love natural body care, whether it's those awesome-smelling products (Dr. Bronner's!!!) or the scrumptious stuff you can make out of strawberries and honey and whatnot. But i'm a busy mom with bills out the yin-yang, so i need to keep it simple and cheap. You don't need to go out and buy all the latest natural products to take good care of yourself. As much fun as they can be--God, they smell good!--you can get the same results with a few cheap ingredients. I'll start with the top and work my way down.

Hair: 1T. baking soda mixed with water. Pour over your head (or use a color applicator bottle), rub in like shampoo and rinse. Have a bottle ready with 1 part apple cider vinegar to 8 parts water and squirt some on the hair below your nape.

How it works: I'm not sure. I suppose this method (called "no-poo") is so new, no one's figured it out. But my theory is that the baking soda loosens the oils, and rinsing washes them down the hair strands, thus putting your natural oils to work in a more socially-acceptable way. As for the vinegar...well, i'm out of theories, but i have heard that it can reduce product build-up, leaving your hair shiny, as it should be. In any case, as much as i love foaming up my head with something that smells like heaven, i use this method because my hair looks so much better than after using shampoo.

Alternatives: Instead of baking soda, you can also use borax, though i never have. For a slightly more expensive rinse, i've heard great things about beer. Also, listen to your hair: if it's not oily at all, would a water-only wash do just as well? Is your hair parched? Then use conditioner as you would shampoo.

Note: Do not do this baking soda wash every day, as it'll dry out your scalp--only do it as needed. You'll find that you have to do it less and less over time. The reason for this is that shampoos and soaps dissolve the oil, letting the scalp know it needs to produce more. Baking soda, on the other hand, spreads it around (or so i think), so the scalp isn't getting the message that it's too dry. When i use shampoo, i have to wash my hair at least every other day. With baking soda, it's every 4 days. Also, my hair is very long, so after rinsing out the vinegar, i apply conditioner (for the extra protection), wrap it up in a bun, finish washing myself, then rinse.

Face: Listen to your skin! Don't combat skin conditions with a million different products. For example, you buy a cleanser, which dries out your skin, so you buy a moisturizer, which give you acne, so you buy an acne treatment, and on, and on, and on.

Dry skin: Try water and washcloth only as needed. OCM (see below) as needed. Moisturize with aloe or a plant-based oil like coconut or olive, which are available at the grocery store.

Combination skin: Try water and washcloth only. OCM if needed or desired. Moisturize with aloe or a plant-based oil, if necessary. Combat oil/acne by using either 50/50 vinegar water or witch hazel as a toner. Tea tree oil dabbed on zits is awesome. But don't overdo it! I have this skin type, and i only use a wet washcloth to wash and aloe to moisturize. Keep it simple!

Oily skin: If your skin can handle it, use a natural soap. Witch hazel or 50/50 vinegar water as a toner. Tea tree oil dabbed on zits. Keep it simple!

OCM: Oil Cleansing Method. I have other posts which detail this process, but basically it's combining castor oil (available in the medicine department of the grocery store) and sunflower, safflower or olive oil, rubbing it into the skin, draping a hot, wet cloth over your face till it cools (then repeating several times), then wiping off. It's great for all skin types, but i find it's not necessary, and is too much for the skin to take on a daily basis. It feels awesome, though, so it's worth it as a way to pamper myself when i have some time. I also tend to do this to remove make-up--particularly if i've been wearing a lot of it all day.

Teeth: Baking soda is an abrasive and can fight stains, so dab some on your brush and brush gently. Use hydrogen peroxide as a rinse, and you're well on your way to white, healthy teeth. I find my gums aren't fond of using baking soda any more than once a day or so (i probably brush too hard), so i use a natural toothpaste in between. Don't forget to floss, and do some research on fluoride, or, rather, over-fluoridation.

Body: Dry brushing is a wonderful way to wake up the skin. It loosens dirt and dead skin cells and helps your skin do it's job--to eliminate toxins. Using a bath brush (which can be found anywhere), simply brush your skin in small circles before you get in the shower, always working in toward your heart. Then wash as normal. Use natural soaps (check the internet for good deals on natural soaps, which i define as vegetable oils+lye+water, or get some at a natural food store). As an exfoliant, try salt or sugar. Use a natural lotion or a plant-based oil to moisturize, but don't overdo it! These things can clog the pores, so the skin can't release toxins. Use only on your driest parts or don't use every time.

Remember to always keep it simple. Your body knows how to take care of itself. Don't mess it up by exposing it to products that won't really help you, and may just make your conditions worse. Try different things and stick with what's right for you.

Pet Care on a Dime

2011-03-19T12:57:00.001-04:00

We look like animal hoarders. Come to my house and you'll be accosted by several different animals over your stay. We love animals! And while there are times when it's just not feasible to get animals for financial reasons, if you already have them, and you're on a tight budget, here are some tips.

First is the Rottweiler puppy, Storm:

At a local pet/lawn/feed-type store, i was on the hunt for a cheaper dog food--cheaper but not cheap. Natural is the better way to go for animals, too. Raw is probably even better, though i haven't done the research, because i know it's not in our budget. We're so broke, i can't even joke about it anymore, but you don't want to wonder if your dog's food was just running in the Kentucky Derby. So there i was, scanning the isles, doing the math, watching the kids--you know, typical Supermom behavior. I found the brand i was leaning towards before i came...then...wait...that natural brand is the same price...wait! The natural brand has 4 more pounds in the bag. That brand is Canidae, which contains things i can pronounce and are GOOD for my dog. Score! 44-pound bag of All Life Stages Canidae in my neck of the woods: $39.99. I still plan to mix it (2:1) with a cheaper brand i find at the discount store.

We don't train with treats. We've had a professional help us with some issues, and have found that treats aren't necessary on a daily basis. Our last dog's daily pig ear addiction can't happen with this one. That's a dollar a day treat. Eek.

Next, we have three cats: Cringer, Boden and Trixie:

Boden is diabetic and, therefore, costs us $61-72/month for his diabetic care. That's $25 for special food, $25 for insulin and $11-22 in vet bills (blood sugar checks as we're still getting a handle on how much insulin he needs). We won't talk about his recent dental surgery. Thank God for tax returns. Sheesh!

Cringer and Trixie are healthy little piggies. I give them Purina, which i find at the discount store. Maybe i'll look into Canidae for them, too...

The cats get some treats (Pounce only, as per them), some catnip (cheap), and some wet food as a treat (discount store). I'm not determined to stay stocked in these things, however. We pick them up when it's convenient, and we have the money.

Cat litter. Oh, boy, ya ready? Duane once called me a "Cat Litter Chemist"... Boden won't use anything but clay. So, i fill up a 5-gallon bucket at the discount store for $2.50, and this lasts about 2 months. I will do the same for Trixie's garage litter box, but until then, she's happily using the rest of the woodstove pellets, which i suggest to everyone who's getting a cat: they're easy to manage, natural, healthy, a bi-product and CHEAP.

One last thing to mention: Vet care should NEVER be optional. Your pets NEED appropriate vet care, and you must have available funds to provide this care. If you don't, talk to your vet about your options.

How do you manage your animals on a dime?

Saving on Electricity

2010-03-04T13:14:00.000-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but here in PA, there've been some major changes in our electric bills. They removed the cap...or whatever. In any case, my winter electric bill went from about $200/month to the $360 bill i have staring me in the face as we speak.

I've read about how to conserve energy and regard these suggestions with the same disdain as the suggestions on how to save money. I'll show you:
*Turn lights off when you leave the room (=start making mocha lattes at home)
*Turn off the TV when you're not watching it (=take your lunch to work)

You get the idea. What i needed were hardcore ways to save--not this piddly-shit my mom's been drilling into my head since birth! So here goes:

Winterizing
*weather-strip everything
*cover windows in plastic
*use bean or rice-filled "worms" in drafty areas
*check insulation
*if there's a heater under a window with blinds, turn the blinds up, so the heat doesn't seep between the slats
*close off unused rooms or hang a blanket from a tension shower rod to keep the heat in certain areas

Energy-vampires
*wrap your water heater in a blanket (my brother told me that water heaters were the worse offending appliance in a home)
*unplug EVERYTHING when not in use (40% of the energy will leak out, even with things turned off)
*turn off your computer monitor when not in use (heard this is the major energy-vampire of your computer)
*install a low-flow shower head (OK, this one may be kind of obvious, but i found in my research that showers are a key culprit in raising your energy bill)

Those are just a few things i'm trying to do to stay on top of our energy bill. In PA, we also have the option of switching energy companies, so i'm looking into that, considering ALL of the other companies are cheaper than my present one.

If you have any other suggestions--even if you think they're annoyingly obvious--please share. In this day and age, we need all the help we can get.

Alternative Medicine Part 1

2010-02-20T20:44:00.004-05:00

Neti Pots
This Indian creation is becoming more and more popular here in the good ol' USofA. I originally bought one to combat the wicked seasonal allergies i get on my yearly trip to the mountains. Basically you add a bit of Neti salt and some warm water, pour it in one nostril, let it run out the other, then switch. Some people use a whole pot in each nostril, but i use about half a pot in each. You then blow your nose until you feel it's all out. It's said to relieve allergy symptoms, help unclog sinuses and prevent you from getting sick(er) by washing away the germs you inhale so you don't swallow them. Indians have been using Neti Pots for god knows how long to clear their nasal passages for yoga breathing. I like using mine before bed to help me breathe more easily. I've also found that using it at the first sign of a cold will either stave off the cold or prevent me from getting sicker. Safe, natural, easy--once you get the hang of it.

Apple Cider Vinegar
For a complete list of the health benefits of ACV, you can go here. Drinking 2t. in 8-16oz. per day is supposed to give you super-human health apparently. ;) You can increase the vinegar if you're sick or suffering from anything else on that list. I've been using it to combat my acne, and saw results in about two days. You can even buy it in capsule form if you find it hard to take (and who doesn't, really?), but, of course, that's more expensive. It's also good to use a raw, organic kind, though my initial results were from a cheapo bulk bottle. This is one habit i can see myself continuing for the rest of my life.

Oil Pulling
This is a little harder to get used to...you put a tablespoon of oil (sesame or sunflower work best) in your mouth first thing in the morning, swish for 20 minutes, spit it out in the toilet, brush your teeth and drink a big glass of water. It's hard to do...i mean, 20 minutes? And (gulp) oil? Yuck. BUT, i've found it's not too bad if you're half asleep. If you're doing something--like bumming around the computer--that 20 minutes goes pretty fast. So why would a person DO this? Well, here's the earthclinic page. It says it cures everything from staining of the teeth to cancer, constipation to AIDS. Now, of course, i'm still skeptical, but...if something could be SOOOO beneficial to your health, isn't it worth your time? Hmmm... Anyway, there are several theories as to how it works, two of which are that your body absorbs nutrients from the oil and that it thoroughly cleanses your mouth of nasties that you would otherwise swallow. So i'm doing it, though not religiously, just in case.

If you have a minute, check out Earthclinic.com and see what you can do to ease any suffering you may be experiencing. Naturally.

How to get rid of acne

2009-12-12T10:49:00.006-05:00

I got my first tiny zit at age nine, and from then on, it was oily, acne-prone skin for me. During my two pregnancies, my skin cleared up and dried out, due to hormones. But for the most part, i've been struggling with moderate to severe acne for most of my life. For the last six months, though, my skin has been especially atrocious.

These were my theories for my sudden horrible skin:

Summer
Sunblock
No-pooing
My apparent cease of lactation
Oil Cleansing Method
Other cleansing methods
Switching up cleansing methods
Detoxing
A combination of some or all of the above

But it turns out, it may have more to do with diet.

Dairy can cause acne for many people. If you are an acne-sufferer, chances are that if you discontinue your dairy intake, your skin will clear up. When my skin started getting bad, i'd stopped using "non-dairy creamer" (due to the fact that it's just a bunch of chemicals) and started using milk--about eight ounces every morning. Other than the occasional ice cream cone and cheese sub, this was about the extent of my dairy intake. And that's the thing--a bagel with cream cheese, a bowl of ice cream won't give you horrendous skin, but ingesting these things on a daily basis could. COULD. I'd hazard a guess, though, that it's plain old milk that's the true culprit.

Other things that can contribute to acne are any food that causes insulin levels to spike--namely, sugar. This also includes processed wheat, and basically, anything white--sugar, flour, pasta, rice. Choose whole grain options; they're the only healthy choice.

Another key is to boost your antioxidant intake. Green tea, of course, is a great option. Just be sure to brew your own--that bottled stuff is crap. Better yet, get matcha green tea. Also high on the list are blueberries, purple carrots/cauliflower, cocoa, kale, broccoli....Here, how 'bout we save time, and i just tell you to fill up on your fruits and veggies?

Also look for items containing omega-3's--flax (oil, seeds, ground), walnuts and walnut oil, eggs.

Basically, eat healthy--fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains--and avoid milk. Yogurt is fine, though! (Thank god!)

I've also found that taking 2t. of apple cider vinegar (raw, organic, if you can get it) in water once or twice a day has made a drastic improvement in my skin.

Washing twice a day is optimal. Any more or less could be bad for your skin. Make sure your skin is well-moisturized. I use organic aloe vera gelly if my skin's feeling dry and tight. I also don't use soap--either honey or hot water and a wash cloth.

If acne is a problem for you, i'd love to know what you've done to combat it, and if the above has helped you, as it's helping me.

*Most of my info is from The Clear Skin Diet by Alan Logan, ND, FRSH and Valori Treloar, MD, CNS, FAAD. Awesome book that covers the how and the why of acne backed by loads of research. I've found earthclinic.com is a wonderful resource, as well.

Raw Food and The Blender

2009-11-07T08:17:00.006-05:00

I've been a vegetarian for 10 years now. The shock has long since died down, as has my indignation to the shock. I am what i am, and i don't care what you think, and life's been good with that attitude. I'm about to throw that all into a blender--a $550 blender, to be exact.

I've been researching raw food, and am seeing the raw light. Here's a great website to check out, and this page, in particular, lists the reasons for going raw. For months, i've been touting the glories of raw milk--"pasteurization kills off all the good stuff"--and the same goes for food, in general. Not only does cooking destroy many of the benefits food has, it converts those benefits to carcinogens and other nasties.

Now let me tell you about a little thing that's standing in my way: the blender. Yeah, did you see that? $550. My skin is crawling at even the idea. My mind says, "How can you possibly even THINK of spending that kind of money when your kids need...um...oh, yeah, Christmas presents, and your fridge has one door in the grave, and...um...money is tight! Have you seen the economy?" My reasons for not doing it are valid, though a bit flimsy because my reason for doing it is this: "Think how much healthier we all could be if we converted to this lifestyle." Seriously.

[Just in case you're wondering why this blender: a regular blender can't adequately process food to make it as digestible as it needs to be, i can grind beans and rice and whatnot to make gluten-free flour, i can make bread and ice cream, i break every other blender i come into contact with (really, i have parts to two in my garage), it does everything except walk the dog--though i plan to suggest that they manufacture an attachment that does that. Hell, for that money, it should turn into a self-propelled robot for my Transformer-obsessed son to play with!]

I've asked Santa to help--Mrs. Santa, that is, and i think it'll be a go, at least partially. I just have to get past that voice in my head that keeps saying, "Seriously? You can't get by with a normal, expensive blender?!"

Yeah, i think it needs to be done. I need to get this thing. And after i do, i'll be on the phone, adding it to my will.

UPDATE: I bought a used, older model off ebay for $250, $200 of which is covered in gift money. It really does do everything. I've made ice cream, ground flax seeds and raw cocoa beans, pureed soups and have made green smoothies nearly every morning. It's loud as hell, but definitely a wise investment--and nice addition to my hippie kitchen! :)

CSA

2009-10-21T08:13:00.002-04:00

It mean "Community-Supported Agriculture". Different farms/companies offer weekly and bi-weekly food shares for--usually--half the year. It costs several hundred dollars, but considering it's organic food, the price makes sense. We get only vegetables along with a small fruit share, but some shares include dairy and baked goods. As a member, you also may have access to meats, flowers and soaps.

Anyway, i just found out two ways to get free shares:

1. Work for the company, as my husband does. It's about the only business that's growing out there--seriously, my husband's company is adding 30-40 new farmers every year. It's booming!
2. Offer to be a food share pick-up site. If they need one in your area, you may get a free share out of it. Sure, it's some work, but it's only one day per week.

Naturalizing while keeping it simple

2009-09-22T08:19:00.009-04:00

I'm becoming overwhelmed with all my options when it comes to using cheaper, more natural products for our bodies and our home. Everyone has their opinions as to what's cheapest, what's best for you, etc. So i'm going to first tell about options and weigh them, then i'll come to my own conclusions.

BODY CARE, from the top down:

HAIR: I really do prefer using baking soda and apple cider vinegar. Not only is it the cheapest option, it works the best on my hair--my hair is gorgeous, truth be told. :) My only other option is Dr. Bronner's (DB) because--call me crazy--i don't want to be buying 11 different soaps for the house! If i can get away with one, then i will. My kids will continue to use good old DB, as will my husband, who insists on using soap on his hair (rather than bs/acv) but isn't picky what kind it is "as long as it doesn't smell like ass". By "ass" he's referring to the tea tree-scented DB at his work.
CONCLUSION: BS/ACV FOR ME, DB FOR THE REST OF MY FAMILY

FACE: I could use Dr. Bronner's or i could use homemade holy-super-fatted soap. Both would work just fine, DB would be more expensive BUT...it's organic. Yes, the O word. I love that word, and i'll follow it wherever it goes. BUT...I've found that i need to use either honey or hot water and a wash cloth. Anything else dries out my skin. I use the oil cleansing method to wash off make-up and organic aloe vera gelly when my skin's feeling dry.
CONCLUSION: Honey/water-only, aloe

TEETH: Seems there are all kinds of nasties in even the natural toothpastes--things that keep your teeth from repairing themselves, as they're apparently meant to do. I could use DB--preferably peppermint-scented--which foams up like crazy if you use a bit too much, but will certainly work. I can also make my own using recipe #1 below. While my teeth are feeling sensitive (pregnancy #2 butchered my once-perfect teeth, and i've developped a voracious appetite for mint-flavored gum), i'll use DB every morning. Then i'll do the homemade stuff at night, as DB doesn't do a fantastic scouring job.
CONCLUSION: DB & HOMEMADE

BODY: I could easily use DB here. Hell, it's already in the shower, right? Or i could make my own holy-super--oh, wait, already said that. Yeah, and the O word... Many people also never use soap; they feel your natural oils are there for a reason. Some use salt or sugar to exfoliate, some just rinse and perhaps use a wash cloth. I totally agree with them, so i use DB (because i LOVE soap) sparingly.
CONCLUSION: DB

DEODORANT: Tom's of Maine is really just underarm perfume, nothing more. So i use it to add a little scent (not into a lot of scent at all). Crystal deodorant seems to work, so i'll finish that up. Then make my own. See recipe #2.
CONCLUSION: CRYSTAL, THEN HOMEMADE

LOTION: I really can't be bothered to research and learn to make lotion. I know that i have all the ingredients in my basement, but...yeah, no. None of it's organic, some of it may be toxic, so it's not happening. I'm not a fan of rubbing unrefined coconut oil on my body, as many of us natural girls do. I'm a fan of regular, old lotion. Dr. Bronner's has lotion. There ya go. I've started doing what Dr. Bronner suggests (no, he doesn't talk to me from beyond the grave--it's on the bottle!) and wash almost daily with a sink full of hot water, a wash cloth and a couple drops of soap. I shower only when it's hair-washing time (about every 4 days), and use lotion only then.
CONCLUSION: DB LOTION

HOME CARE:

SPRAY-BOTTLE CLEANING (counters, bathroom, etc.): A solution of 50/50 vinegar/water works just fine. I also have a spray bottle of peroxide as well. Spray with one, then the other and voila! Non-toxic disinfectant. Can't do better than that.
CONCLUSION: VIGANA WATER (THAT'S WHAT MY SON CALLS IT)

ABRASIVE: Baking soda. That's it. That's my conclusion.

DISH SOAP: If you look at the previous entry, i explain how to make liquid soap out of bar soap, so that's what i'll use here. I'll use either homemade, coconut oil soap or soap people give me (ex. my dad will only use half a bar of Irish Spring--no idea why. My mom collects them and gives them to me. This is the family from which i come).
CONCLUSION: HOMEMADE LIQUID SOAP

DISHWASHER DETERGENT: I use recipe #3 below with a dash of homemade liquid soap in the prewash cup. There are also natural versions--as there are with every kind of cleaner--but they're more expensive.
CONCLUSION: HOMEMADE

CARPET SHAMPOOER: My homemade liquid soap works GREAT, as does DB, so whatever's on hand. The end.

LAUNDRY SOAP: I've been using recipe #4 for over a year, and it works just fine. That's my conclusion.

RECIPE #1
Toothpaste
6T. baking soda
1/3t. salt
4t. glycerin
5-15 drops peppermint essential oil
I believe you mix the dry, then add the wet. Now, i have concerns about glycerin, so i'm omitting that. I also may not need the peppermint. We'll see.

RECIPE #2
Deodorant
1c. cornstarch
1T. baking soda
Just rub some on your hands and rub in your pits--like baby powder.

RECIPE #3
Dishwasher Powder
1 cup Borax
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid
30 drops citrus essential oil
Mix thoroughly and store in an airtight plastic container. Use 1 tablespoon at a time.
(I've used this or something like it before and only stopped because it clumped up on me. Apparently i was too lazy to hack at it now and then to break it up. Now, i'm not. In fact, i could use some hacking-at-something. Also, i skip the essential oils; i reserve them for US, not cleaners.)

RECIPE #4
Laundry Detergent
1c. grated bar soap
1/2c. washing soda
1/2c. borax
Mix together. Use 2T. per load.

It's important to remember that there are three different kinds of people in this society, when it comes to this stuff:
1. Those who buy whatever they want without any regard to their own personal health, nor the health of the environment. Don't be too harsh on them, though, most just don't know any better.
2. Those who have replaced all their products with store-bought, environmentally-friendly products.
3. Those who make their own products, and have, perhaps, omitted some products altogether.

Which kind are you?

Soap and Soup

2009-08-13T13:34:00.004-04:00

I wanted to share with you (whoever you are...is ANYBODY listening?!) two things i've been making--two things that are easy as sin to make and could save you lots of money.

First is soup stock. I collect everything i can eat but don't want to eat in a container which can be kept in the fridge or the freezer. These things include carrot tops, beet tops, wilted greens, any part of a vegetable you don't normally eat but could--the spot you cut off tomatoes, for example. When the container is full, i dump it in the crock pot with some water and let it cook all day. Then i remove the crock from the outer shell (you know what i mean, right?), set it on the stove and let it cool. Then i put a colander in a big bowl and ladle, then pour the contents of the crock put into the colander. I smoosh the veggies to get all the goodness out. I then compost the veggies and freeze the liquid in quart-size containers. Done.

Stock can be used as a soup base, to make rice and pasta. Pretty much any recipe that calls for water (and is savory, not sweet), you can use stock to add nutrients and extra flavor.

There, now wasn't that easy?

Next is liquid soap. And you don't even have to be a soap-maker! Just grate up some bars of soap (hotel soaps are great for this). Mix two cups grated soap with 1-2 cups HOT--not boiling, but close to it--water. Mix until the soap has completely dissolved. Let sit for a day. It's done! Now, you can add glycerin to soften skin and/or lemon juice or vinegar to cut grease or nothing at all. This soap is low-foam, so it can be used in washing machines and carpet-shampoo-ers. You can use this for all your liquid soap needs--dish soap, shampoo, hand soap, etc. Though, like i said, it's low-foam, so you won't get a sink full of suds, but it does the job. You can add some store-bought liquid soap to increase the suds, so it serves as simply a way to stretch dish soap. It's nice knowing you don't absolutely have to buy liquid soap again. Unless you worship at the Dr. Bronner's altar, like i do.

Have a great day! Kiss the person to your left. :D

The low-down on milk

2009-08-10T16:06:00.006-04:00

Over the years, i've been all over the place with regards to milk--i'm sure i've spent way too much time analyzing the information i've come across.

First off, i'm not crazy about milk, never really have been. I am, however, a dairy junkie--something that makes it awfully hard for me to be vegan. Since we're told to load our kids up with milk starting at 12 months, i did the research and came to the conclusion that soy milk was the best option, considering all the hormones and antibiotics and other nasties found in commercial pasteurized cow's milk. So for the first few years of Xander's life, he drank Great Value Brand Organic Vanilla Soy Milk. Then i heard that soy milk isn't healthy--something about the over-processing of soy creating yucky stuff and whatnot. So i switched to organic pasteurized milk from Duane's work (Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op). Then one day, he came home with six half gallons of raw milk that he was given due to a mistake on a customer's part. "Well, what the hell are we gonna do with that?!" I asked. I knew there were laws against stores selling it in PA. I knew you couldn't transport it over state lines to be sold. If there were so many regulations...wouldn't you think there was something evil about it? I asked the ladies on mothering.com and came away feeling like this raw milk may actually be BETTER for my kids. Besides, they loved it! But i assumed that being regulated and all, it must be CRAZY expensive. So when the raw was gone, we went back to organic. Then i picked up a pamphlet at a local co-op that told me everything i ever needed to know about raw milk. Duane looked into and found that it's actually CHEAPER than organic milk. Can you believe that?! So we're converts. Tastes better in my coffee, too.

If you're still shoveling commercial pasteurized cow's milk down your children's throats, i'd like you to read the following. My mom sent it to me, i have no idea who originally wrote it (and i'd love to give them credit, if you happen to know). P.S. If you're an extended breast-feeder like me, you don't actually have to start milk until they're weaned, FYI.

1. Organic milk has fewer pesticide residues. The USDA Pesticide Data Program (PDP) regularly checks food for pesticide residues. For many years the milk studies showed the same level of pesticide residues in both regular and organic milk (some residues of banned pesticides are so persistent they are still found in water and soil, thus the entire food chain). In 2004, the PDP used more sensitive testing equipment and found synthetic pyrethroids in 24 percent of conventional samples, and in no organic sample. They also discovered a breakdown product of the insecticide carbofuran in 8.8 percent of the conventional milk samples, but in no organic sample.
2. Organic milk has more vitamins. Organically reared cows, which eat high levels of fresh grass, clover pasture and grass clover silage, produce milk which is on average 50% higher in Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol) and 75% higher in beta carotene (which our bodies convert to Vitamin A).
3. Organic milk has more antioxidants. Studies show organic milk has two to three times more of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthine than non-organic milk. These antioxidants are extremely important for eye health and are effective in preventing numerous eye diseases.
4. Organic milk has more omega-3s. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid required for healthy growth. Regular intake of Omega-3 helps reduce incidences of heart disease, inflammations (in skin diseases such as eczema), cancer, arthritis, etc. One particular type of omega-3 that is higher in organic milk is DHA, which is important for brain development.
5. Organic milk has more CLA. Cows that are grazed on pastures have 500% more CLA in their milk. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increases metabolism, immunity, and muscle growth. It also reduces abdominal fat, cholesterol, and allergic reactions. Recent animal studies have also shown that CLA may be beneficial in cancer treatment. Since the human body cannot produce CLA, we get most of it through the milk and dairy products that we consume.
6. Drinking organic milk helps improve the quality of breast milk. European scientists have found that mothers who consumed mostly organic meat and milk had around 50 percent higher levels of rumenic acid in their breast milk. This acid protects against cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and asthma.
7. Drinking organic milk protects young children against asthma and eczema. Researchers found that children of breastfeeding mothers who ate organic dairy products and who were weaned on organic milk, cheese and yogurts were a third less likely to suffer from allergies. Dr. Machteld Huber, one of the authors of the study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, said: "The difference was significant, but only for children exclusively eating organic dairy products. We didn't find a relationship if they had organic and conventional dairy products." Almost all the children eating organic dairy also reportedly ate organic meat, fruit, bread and vegetables. However, it was only milk that appeared to have any impact on allergies.

So that's great and all, but multiply all of this by, like a million, and you have the benefits of raw milk. Here's a great website to start off with: Dr. Mercola's. At that link, you'll find his list of raw milk articles. Also, be sure to check out rawmilk.org and realmilk.com. One thing i particularly like about raw milk is that it's packaged in glass bottles. You pay a deposit ($2.50/bottle in my case) which you get back when you're done ordering. This creates little waste (only the cap) and no plastic chemicals leeching into my milk. Score!

Since we pump so much of this stuff into our kids in the first place, shouldn't it be as healthy as possible? I think so. Besides, natural is the best way to go--i try to keep things as natural as possible (in case you hadn't noticed), and raw milk goes along with this idea. Moo.

Chemical-free update

2009-08-06T15:03:00.003-04:00

I found an incredible website here. You can enter any bath, body or beauty product and see, in detail, how harmful it is. Each product is given a score from zero to ten--zero being not hazardous and ten being very hazardous. Note: You will probably be disappointed (i just bought two bottles of Nature's Gate lotion, which rate as a 6--ugh), but you may be surprised as well (Duane's addiction to Dove soap--a 3). Don't forget to read their tips and FAQ.

I've decided that Dr. Bronner's is deserving of yet another honorable mention. Wow, this stuff rocks! So many uses, it's crazy--shampoo, body wash, hand soap, laundry soap, cleaning soap, tooth paste, dish soap, etc. One bottle will wash anything that needs washing--and will last! A close friend-in-chemical-free-living told me that she mixed ONE TEASPOON with one gallon of water to clean. That's nuts! She also likes how she can take a bottle on vacation, and it covers all her cleaning needs--hair, body, etc. I believe i'm a Dr. Bronner's fan for life. Go Dr. Bronner's!

Take care, all!

A Day of Shopping--an unusual occurrance for me.

2009-07-24T07:05:00.008-04:00

We're leaving for a week-long beach trip tomorrow, so yesterday was shopping day. All week, i'd been working on a shopping list, adding and removing items as needed. We don't have much money, so i was pretty picky about what made it onto that list. At the same time, i ended up buying a few things that weren't on the list. Oops.

We started out at the mall, where i had to get my engagement ring looked at, as i dutifully do, twice a year, so as to keep the warranty going. My kids walked the mall looking like aliens on a new planet, which made me realize how seldom we come to the mall. That's a good thing. :) I had that thought in mind when my son started begging for a cinnabon--not that i have an easy time resisting them anyway. Then i ended up buying him his own minibon because it was "just a dollar more". Ugh. Their marketing ploy worked on me! $5-something

Next, we went to Petsmart. This was our second trip there this week. Lately i've been thinking a lot about cat litter (perhaps i need a little more excitement in my life?). We're running out of grocery bags, which causes a logistical problem in my little box cleaning. Upon researching how to change my ways, i found out--though it wasn't much of a shocker--that clay cat litter is horrible for cats. It gets on their paws--this is the part i didn't realize--they lick it off, and it causes digestive problems. Huh. So i checked out what Petsmart had and at what prices and took this knowledge home to mull it over. I returned yesterday to buy a small-ish bag of SWheat Scoop and a humongous bag of generic newspaper pellets. Here are the pros and cons (move on if this is too boring for you--I'd understand):

SWheat Scoop: Pros--flushable, made completely from wheat, clumps, similar texture to clay litter. Cons--made from FOOD (perhaps the grain grown for my cat litter should be grown to be eaten by some of the starving people in the world--just a thought), expensive ($10 to fill the litter box).

Newspaper pellets: Pros--CHEAP ($10 for a bag i almost needed help with), made from recycled materials (hence isn't virgin). Cons--King Boden hates pellets. I once found Feline Pine, which is also pellets, at the discount market, and he began peeing outside of the litter box. Damn cat.

What i decided to do: My goal is to use the newspaper pellets only. So i put a thin layer on top of the clay litter already in the box and covered this layer with the wheat. I know his majesty, Boden the Great, will have no problem with the wheat. He shouldn't have any problem with some pellets mixed in, either, considering that was how i got rid of the Feline Pine--a little at a time. We'll see how this goes. Here's to healthier cats! Let's give them plenty more years of attacking us at midnight and being our puking alarm clocks! $21.50

Then off to Walmart. I know, i know, Walmart sucks in every sense of the word except that it's cheap. Thing is, i'm easily swayed by that word. There, i bought some things for the beach: an umbrella, a tiny blow-up baby pool, and sunglasses for both kids. Some things we just needed, in general: new sneakers for Sabra, a birthday card, and stickers for "the sticker club". Then there were a few things we didn't need, like a new purse. I'm on a constant quest for the perfect purse and believe that i won't die until i find it. This one, while not perfect, is better than what i have. I think. In any case, it was $10, and i rarely buy myself anything i can't eat. Then i bought some things we needed, environmentally: aluminum water bottles for the three older people in my family, two BPA-free sippies for our little one (Nuby), and i looked for seventh generation diapers, but they didn't have them (i've realized i need 'sposies for this trip). $99

Our next stop was Sarah's Discount Grocery Outlet. I love this little store--they have all kinds of surprises. They even have an organic/health food room, which was the reason we stopped there. We bought all kinds of snacks and cereal for the beach that if not organic was healthy. Yay. Then we took a spin around the rest of the store where i found Classico Bruschetta for $1/jar, a pack of seventh generation paper towels for $2.99 and Crest Whitestrips for $1.99 (probably way expired, and i know, horrible for everyone involved, but i...i...have no excuses. I like white teeth). $35

So there, for a non-shopper, i think i did pretty damn good! And i'm not done yet! Along with more laundry and all the packing, today i have to get some stuff at Sharp Shopper and pick up those 'sposies at Rhubarb's. When you read this, i'll be relaxing on the beach, listening to my kids fight over shovels, missing my husband and, as always, trying to enjoy it all anyway. :)

UPDATE (8/5/09): First and foremost, we had a fabulous time! That aside, Duane returned home after one night at the beach to find that King Boden had expressed his disdain for my cat litter plan all over the house. I told Duane that Boden can just die prematurely then from clay cat litter. Even after the switch back to blessed normalcy, he continued to pee on Sabra's glider (i hear cats can get confused once they start peeing elsewhere). I put the glider outside, and we haven't had a problem since. Now what to do with the glider and all that natural cat litter....Oh, and i've found a drawback to bringing healthy, organic food for your kids on vacation. They will, without a doubt, sniff out the poptarts and fruit roll-ups your friends brought and bug them to no end for them. Save your money and your friendships and buy your kids what they'll actually WANT to eat. UPDATE: A year later, Boden was diagnosed with diabetes. It's common for undiagnosed diabetic cats to pee anywhere because they drink soooo much and the need hits them suddenly. That said, the booger still won't use anything but clay.

Chemicals, Nasty Chemicals

2009-07-14T15:57:00.014-04:00

Since i've gone no-poo, i wash my face with oil, my body with homemade soap and have junked nearly every chemical in the house, i've been wondering all along how to incorporate these practices into how i take care of my kids. What do i use on them?

Xander is 4 and has a massive, adult-sized mop of thick, curly hair (my hair [takes bow]). I've decided to junk his precious chemical-laden fruity-smelling shampoos and wash his hair the way the hippies describe as "WO"--water only. When he's particularly smelly/sweaty/poured mud over his head, i'll use Dr. Bronner's.

Sabra is 2 and still has baby-fine hair, though it's long and gets into just about every meal. She also has some wicked cradle cap. I WO her now and then and only use Dr. Bronner's (tea tree, since it's good for the scalp) after her monthly oil treatments.

But why? Why not let them use their smelly shampoos with silly character names like "Whoberry" and "Kangaroo-Mangoroo"? What could possibly be the problem? Harmful substances can't make it past the FDA, you know. Oh, but i do know. Check this out.

I've just heard of a book i'm actually thinking of BUYING, it sounds so good--so right up my alley! It's Jennifer Taggart's "Smart Mama's Green Guide: Simple Steps to Reduce Your Child's Toxic Chemical Exposure". In it, she says this:

"If I am willing to die for my children, wouldn’t that mean that I would do anything to protect from toxic chemicals if a reasonable probability exists that might do harm? Why shouldn’t I choose to be safe rather than sorry? Some politicians, bureaucrats, and scientists want to wait to regulate until we have certainty that a particular chemical in a particular product in fact causes harm. But I don’t need to have certainty when a reasonable chance exists that something could hurt my child. I’ll choose and alternate while the rest of the world debates the issue."

AMEN.

So why not just switch to natural products? You could, and that's certainly better than the nasty Walmart alternatives. I, however, have chosen not to--for the most part--because shampoos strip you hair and scalp of natural, needed oils. It just doesn't make sense to take all of the oil away (shampoo) then put back an inferior moisturizer (conditioner). I say, gently cleanse and condition the no-poo way! And if your hair isn't greasy, don't use soaps/shampoos at all, or seldom. Water or conditioner-only washes (for dry hair) could be all you need.

I've bought natural sunblock for us all, as well. I chose JASON because it's recommended on naturemoms.com, and it's one of the cheaper ones. I've also heard of people very easily making their own, and i suppose if i lived in the Sahara, i'd do the same. As it is, we rarely use sunblock because our backyard is heavily shaded, and we're homebodies. It'll come in handy at the beach, though!

As far as baby care goes, you can use cornstarch as baby powder (a product i've found little use for in my nearly five years of motherhood) and shortening as diaper cream (another i haven't used much; i just change diapers more frequently or let them go naked if there's a rash). Many people who are concerned about chemicals in baby washes and shampoos wash their babies WO.

I use a natural lotion--JASON 70% Aloe Vera Lotion. I think i'll always have a need for lotion, though many rub olive or sweet almond oil into their skin. Coconut oil is great for the rougher parts. I also like to take shallow baths to conserve water and to avoid washing all my healthy, natural oils down the drain. As the water drains, i rinse myself off quickly.

It disconcerting to me that we're not only allowed but encouraged to use this crap on ourselves. It's crazy that we're told, repeatedly, to ruin the Earth and poison ourselves. I have theories as to what's behind it all, which i won't go into here--i love conspiracy theories! But knowing all of this, we need to ignore what the TV's telling us and make our own choices. Do the research, spread the word. We can change the course of things. We can make ourselves and our children healthier. We do have this power.

Happy bathing--and keep reading those labels! :D

Let me know how you do things. :)

Oil Cleansing

2009-07-08T08:43:00.004-04:00

I'd heard of this long ago, have you? Actually CLEANING your face with oil. Now, as a person with perpetually-oily skin, i ran for the hills when first faced with this method. I didn't see how oil could improve my skin. So let me explain it, now that i do understand.

Typically, you mix castor oil (no more than 30%) with a carrier oil, like olive or sunflower. You massage it into your skin, and what happens is that the castor oil gets into your pores and dissolves the oil and grime. Oil dissolves oil. Massage really well to work it around and stimulate blood flow--this should feel good! When you're done (like your fingers are getting sore), you get a wet washcloth as hot as you can stand it and drape it over your face, wait for it to cool and gently wipe your face. Repeat several times. It's very important to get all the oil off of your face. This process just cleaned out your pores, so it stands to reason that if you leave that gunk on your face, you'll have a nasty breakout. If you're concerned about this, you can use a little vinegar or witch hazel as a toner to remove it all. I don't, however. Four wipes with the washcloth, and i feel confident it's all gone. I do this process every night and use simply a wet washcloth in the morning.

Here's what i like about it: Since my second pregnancy, i've been experiencing dry skin for the first time in my life. So that's me: oily, flaky, with a zit here and there. After using the oil cleansing method, i've found my skin tone to be more even, i'm only moderately oily and the dryness is gone. I feel like i'm nourishing my skin and working WITH my sebaceous glands rather than against. And this method works with all skin types--castor oil can be drying, so use less if you have drier skin.

It's chemical-free, natural and cheap as hell. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Here's an awesome website that explains it much better than i ever could: The Oil Cleansing Method.

The No-Poo Plunge

2009-06-28T12:29:00.007-04:00

I'm gonna do it! I'm tellin' ya, I'm gonna do it!! Just watch me!

Check this out!

I'm just that crazy. I'll let you know how it goes. :)

UPDATE: 7/8/09--It's day 12 without shampoo, and it's going well. I mix 1 part baking soda with 6 parts water in a color applicator bottle, apply some to roots, massage in, leave in a few minutes then rinse. Then i take a bottle of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 8 parts water (along with a cinnamon stick, 1/2t. vanilla and some whole cloves) and pour over my hair, avoiding my scalp, and rinse. Just as easy as the old way, and WAY cheaper and better for my body and the Earth. I'm screaming it from the rooftops: GIVE IT A TRY!!! (And remember, this is coming from someone with a license in cosmetology and a spoiled nature when it comes to the good professional shampoos and conditioners.)

From what i can understand, the baking soda gets rid of the oil gently--obviously more gently than dollar store shampoo, but also more gently than my professional stuff as well. Over time--2 weeks to 2 months--your scalp learns not to overcompensate and produce too much oil, and eventually, you should only need do the above about once a week.

So if you're into the natural, chemical-free way of life, give it a try. You've nothing to lose!

FURTHER UPDATE: It's 7/24/09 and still no shampoo. It's going great. I've been no-pooing (that's what we'll call the baking soda/vinegar process) every three days, and believe me, my hair is gross by that point, but it's not gross enough at two days to do it then. It actually still looks good after two days. I'm a little disappointed that it's taking my scalp so long to adjust, truth be told, though everything i've read states that it could be up to two months. My hair looks great, and it seems the color has changed a bit (though i don't know how that's possible)--it's deeper, darker, richer. I'll keep updating as to how this is going. Have you tried it yet?

NOTE: If your hair isn't coming clean at all, it's probably because you have hard water. I found this out the hard way, so we put some salt into our softener, and all's well. I believe there are options for those with hard water...i'll go find them. :)

More on cleaning the way we should be...

2009-06-27T14:02:00.005-04:00

I found this website, which spells it all out--even taught me some things I didn't know! :) So take a look and be sure to watch the little videos for even more information.

Really--rich, greedy, ignorant individuals have been shoving such crap down our throats over the years, telling us what we should and shouldn't be using and doing, and it's all lies! Lies, I tell you!!! Ahem. I mean that you don't need the latest gadget, the best cleaners, the best conveniences. Repeat that. Make it your mantra.

And remember: WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU IS GOOD FOR THE EARTH AND IS ALSO GOOD FOR YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. (If it's expensive, then it probably either isn't good for you or the Earth...If it's bad for you, then it probably isn't good for the Earth and is expensive, etc. We can call this "The Environmental Triumverate"...how do i own that?)

Another thing i was thinking about...You know how Clorox and Palmolive and...well just about every major household product company out there is jumping on the green bandwagon and providing "green" alternatives? Yeah, no. If you buy these products, you're still paying those companies to continue to make caustic chemicals, to pollute the Earth and, in most cases, to continue their torture of animals. If you prefer to buy, rather than make, household products, stick with Earth-friendly companies like method, Seventh Generation and Charlie's Soap. Until Clorox makes their Green Works line their only line, i ain't buyin'! :)

Are you supporting animal cruelty?

2009-06-27T08:39:00.008-04:00

To be honest, you are unless you're 100% vegan--that means consuming no animal products, using no animal products (leather, for example) and giving no money to companies that engage in animal cruelty. It's damn difficult in our society to achieve this, but i find it incredibly admirable when people try. As with anything else in life, we can only do our best.

One simple way to avoid supporting animal cruelty is by boycotting those companies that test on animals. But first, let's talk about what these companies actually DO to animals, so you understand the idiocy and evil nature of these tests.

The following is graphic, but i was able to watch it with dry eyes, and i consider myself very sensitive to these things. If you're hesitant, then i ask you to press play, close your eyes, and listen to what they say. You'll still get the message that the big companies don't want you to hear.

So who's doing this? Surely not American companies! Surely we're too enlightened for this brutal behavior. It must be...those Russians over there. Or the Germans...or something. But not us!

Well, to see for sure, grab something close by--your shampoo bottle, perhaps, or that bottle of hand lotion. Look on the back. Do you see one of these companies listed:

L'Oreal, Proctor & Gamble, Clorox, Johnson & Johnson, S.C. Johnson, Playtex, Unilever, Lysol, Colgate-Palmolive, Arm & Hammer, Church & Dwight, Dial, Reckitt Benkiser, Bic.

No? Well, don't breathe easy yet. Take a look at the complete list; i simply copied down a few of the offenders.

You can get a list of the animal-friendly companies here.

So, just to clarify, in case you didn't feel like following those links, if you use Neutrogena, Axe, Oxyclean, Always, Pampers, Pantene, Secret or Swiffer (just to name a very few), you are giving money to companies so that they can continue to torture animals--FOR NO REASON. I think that's the most important detail here: There is no reason to test on animals, and the only reason these companies continue to do so is because that's simply what they're used to doing. Animal testing is acutally more expensive than human cell testing.

I really hope this blog entry has made you think twice about the products you use. There are so many cruelty-free options out there, and i find many of these products useless in the first place.

Remember: If you buy these products, you are approving of the cruel actions of these companies. You are saying it's fine and dandy that animals are tortured. There really is no other way to look at it. Let's stop the bullshit and be honest with ourselves, OK?

Let's talk paper products...

2009-06-13T15:44:00.005-04:00

"Pulp and paper is the third largest industrial polluter to air, water, and land in both Canada and the United States, and releases well over a hundred million kg of toxic pollution each year (National Pollutant Release Inventory, 1996)."

So what to do to drastically reduce your environmental footprint with regards to paper? STOP USING IT! Duh. ;) Here's how:

Paper towels--please tell me you're using dish towels and cleaning cloths. Please.
Cleaning wipes--try it the way we did it back in the day (a whole FIVE years ago), use a cleaning cloth and some (50/50) vinegar water or soap.
Baby wipes--keep a basket of torn up t-shirts in the bathroom. Wet some on your way to the baby's room. And don't use warm water unless the water's already warm. The baby's used to cold wipes, so save your water.
Diapers--Cloth diapers
Tampons--the menstrual cup
Menstrual pads--cloth pads
Toilet paper--those same ripped up t-shirts you're using for the baby, you can use on yourself, too. Wet or dry. It's called "family cloth". Just don't expect your whole family to participate. :P You can also use these cloths to clean your ears. Or the drops your son leaves around the toilet. Or anything else kinda icky.
Tissues--hankies
Paper plates--you don't need me to offer an alternative, do you? Oh, and don't you love that Dixie commercial where they talk about if you use disposable plates, you can spend more time with your family? Then the woman goes outside to play ball with her kids who are beyond old enough to do chores. Chores like THE DISHES!!!

So now you're gonna google things like "cloth pads", "family cloth". You're gonna order these things--cute bits of cloth lovingly sewn and surged by an industrious little housewife. She'll bag 'em and box 'em (using paper and plastic) and ship 'em to you (requiring gas to get them there!), and you'll groan when you see your credit card bill. So let me offer an alternative: Make your own. Ma Ingalls didn't email that happy little housewife and ask her to make cloth shit paper, now did she? No, and neither should you! Use what you have! I went through my someday-i'll-have-a-yardsale stash and cut up the shirts I didn't want anymore. I made the pads with old cloth diapers and spare fabric (see below). I use the same hankies to blow my nose that I use to hold back my hair when I forget to wash it. I have a deep kitchen drawer with a pile of dishtowels (to dry things like dishes and hands), kitchen washcloths (to clean counter tops and the table top) and two piles of ancient washcloths to clean everything from the entertainment center to the toilet.

I'm attempting to become paper-free in other areas, too. I'm signing up to pay my bills online. I haven't done this yet because I was under the impression it was all automatic payment, which doesn't work for me considering my account doesn't always have enough money in it. But I was wrong! So far, every company has offered a payment option where they email you the bill and you pay it when you're ready--just like with paper...just without the paper.

So give it a try! Step outside of the consumer-driven, convenience-obsessed American box and try living a little more simply. The Earth will love you, as will your wallet. :)

More on cooking...

2009-01-11T10:01:00.003-05:00

So while I'm stuck here at work every other weekend with nothing much to do, I scan the Internet for more food recipes, cleanser recipes and just plain better ways of doing things. I've been copying them into my diary lately, for lack of a better place to put them (apparently I can spare the room now), so I decided that perhaps they may be of interest to you, too. So here they are:

I can only guess I was searching for rice and bean recipes:
*Soak bean all night, put in crock pot all day, add salt and pepper
*Cook with stewed tomatoes, garlic, and rosemary and put over pasta (I would suggest white beans--that's what usually paired with pasta)
*Black beans are good with heavier spices like oregano, garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper
*Pinto beans are good with onions and also make a great taco/tortilla filling
*Saute onions, garlic, veggies, add cumin, coriander, paprika and cayenne, add cooked beans and rice (gee, that's pretty vague...)
*Red beans with fresh cilantro, lemon juice, lots of garlic
*Black beans with yam cubes, molasses, bay leaf, salt, pepper, oregano, over brown rice with a splash of apple cider vinegar
*Black beans with onion, garlic, salsa. Add cumin and slat before serving. Serve with rice.
*1.5 lbs. beans in crock with can of Rotel (canned tomatoes), lots of garlic, coriander, cumin, hot sauce, salt, white pepper, cayenne. Serve with rice and cheese.
*Chili, hummus, tuna salad, hot rice (with cinnamon, sugar, milk), burgers (mash beans, add egg)

Chick Pea Burgers
1 t. vegetable oil
3 green onions (including tops), chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. each dried oregano and chili powder
1 c. diced sweet red or green pepper and/or 1/2 c. chopped pickled hot peppers
Half tomato, chopped
1 can (19oz.) chick peas drained and rinsed
1/3 c. dry bread crumbs
2 T. cilantro or parsley, chopped

1. In skillet saute onions, garlic, oregano and chili powder for 2 minutes. Add peppers and tomato, cook 3 min until liquid is evaporated and peppers are tender.
2. In food processor (a blender would work, I'm sure), mix pepper mixture and chick peas, transfer to bowl, mix with bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper
3. In skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat and cook burgers 4 minutes on each side until heated through.

I've been thinking more and more about how few of my generation were taught how to cook--whether it was our parents' fault outright or the explosion of convenience foods, I don't know, and it doesn't really matter, but we know that's it's better for everyone if we learn how to cook. And while I don't consider cooking a passion, I do consider it important enough to the health of my family to figure out a thing or two. So in my research, I've learned a few things that may interest you if you feel you know very little about cooking.
*Always saute onions and garlic in oil before adding to a dish; the taste of raw onions and garlic is not usually what you want.
*If a recipe calls for tomatoes of any kind, you can pretty much use tomatoes of any kind. I find cheap cans of all kinds of tomato products at the discount groceries, and just use what I have when the time comes.
*Onions of every color and shallots will all have different flavors, but I use them interchangeably depending on what I have.
*If you don't have a spice or two, don't worry about it. The last thing I'll ever do is make a special trip out to the store to accommodate a recipe. I try to just use what I have and see what happens.

Oh, here's my favorite comfort food:
PA Dutch Scalloped Potatoes
About 6 potatoes, sliced
Flour (whole wheat or all purpose)
Butter/margarine
salt, pepper
Milk

In a greased 9x9 casserole dish, put a layer of sliced potatoes. Sprinkle with flour, dot with butter, sprinkle a little salt and pepper. Keep layering like this until you get to the top of the dish. Then pour about 2 cups hot milk over top. Cook 1.25 hours at 350.

Options: Add chopped onions to the layers AND/OR sprinkle with cheese AND/OR sprinkle with seasoned bread crumbs (after you pour the milk on top).
Suggestion: Make a huge casserole (13x9) and freeze/refrigerate half for another meal (after cooking).

Good luck, and let me know if you have any great tips/recipes! I'm clearly still learning here. :)

A couple words about rice and beans

2008-12-15T14:25:00.004-05:00

I live in a one stoplight town in Amish country and somehow--SOMEHOW--there's an Indian grocery up on Main Street. What's more bizarre to me is that it's been there for years and I only just discovered it. Anyway, the nice little man who runs it was shocked that I buy dried beans. And he wasn't the first or the last to be shocked by this, so I thought it necessary to write a blog explaining how easy it is to work with dried beans and how to make perfect rice.

Beans and rice are good for you, we all know that. What we don't know, we of a generation of people who weren't properly taught how to cook, is that they're freakin' easy to prepare, once you know how to.

First, the beans. Dried beans are cheaper to buy, you can buy them in mass quantities and they're never packed with salt. Plus, for those of you who care about the Earth, they require less materials and resources to get them to your grocer's shelves. All you do is pour the beans into a large mixing bowl or container, add plenty of water and let them sit overnight. In the morning, drain the beans then take one of your handy-dandy bread bags you've been saving (you smart little environmentalist, you), use a measuring cup and measure out one cup of beans, twist and tie, another cup, twist and tie until you run out of bag. Grab another and continue until all the beans are packed, and pop the beans into the freezer. Freezing the beans cuts down on the cooking time. *Another idea is to go ahead and cook them, then freeze them, so they only need to be reheated to use* To cook them, add water, bring to a boil, turn the stove down to the lowest setting, cover and simmer. Test them before you serve them to make sure they're soft. It's that simple.

Rice. Brown rice is better for you, as white rice is simply converted to sugar in your body, but brown rice can take some getting used to. It's tougher and nuttier, and once you've accepted that, you're used to it. Basmati rice is fabulous, and I'll buy it now and then to authenticate the flavor of my Indian cooking, but I usually try to stick to its healthier cousin. In any case, this is how you do it: Put desired amount of rice in a pot, add twice that amount in water, a little butter and bring to a boil. Reduce to the lowest setting and cover. White rice is done in twenty minutes after covering, brown rice in about 45 minutes. Prepare the rice first and let it simmer while you're getting the rest of your meal done. It can sit on that lowest setting until you're finished with your dinner prep. Remember that if, for example, you put in one cup of rice and two cups of water, you'll end up with three cups of rice. I often have plenty leftover, so I add it to my freezer soup bag. Brown rice holds it's shape in a soup.

So what do you do with them then?

Most Indian recipes require you to saute an onion and a couple cloves of garlic in olive oil (or ghee--Indian clarified butter), add some spices, then add the mixture to the cooking beans. If you want specific recipes, look them up online--I'm still learning myself. But I'll pass on my favorite of the moment:

SPICY CHICK PEAS
Cook 2 cups of chick peas thoroughly, drain. Add to 1 can tomatoes (diced, whole, crushed--whatever you have). Add some water, if necessary. Add 1 heaping tablespoon curry powder and a shake of cayenne pepper. Let simmer about 10 minutes. Serve over rice.

Enjoy!

Guys, please skip this one. PLEASE.

2008-11-30T18:18:00.005-05:00

If you're a guy and still reading this, I GUARANTEE I'm gonna make you either sick or gay. So seriously, move on.

So girls (and brave, masochistic men), what is the greenest way to deal with your period? (SEE??!!! MOVE ON!!!) I think I've found it. Correct me if I'm wrong. ALWAYS correct me if I'm wrong.

You start with one of these: a menstrual cup. (http://www.keeper.com is a place to start) There are several brands with similar pricing. I paid $35, and this thing is supposed to last me for TEN YEARS! (If still using ob, I would be spending $960 on tampons alone in 10 years.) There's nothing to throw away, nothing else to buy, don't have to worry about reactions to bleach and whatever else (asbestos?) they put in tampons. There's no catch.

Well, OK, there are a few little ones, but once again, I'm willing to deal with it, as I'm willing to deal with cloth diapers. 1) It can take several months to learn to get it in right so it doesn't leak (don't try to put it in high--that worked for me). 2) It's messy. And it's best to empty it at home. The upside is that it holds more than a tampon, so that isn't so much an issue. And this isn't an issue at all for many.

I also got creative and made some cloth pads. I took an old prefold diaper and cut strips from the thick center padding which I then covered in little fabric pillow cases. I pin these to my underwear. Now, officially, I never have to buy another feminine necessity again. I like that. That's $100 I can spend on something else this year. And once again, I feel smart, I feel capable, I feel progressive, I feel like I care. I can take a little blood to feel that way.

Seriously, do your research and figure it out for yourself. There are many families where this is the norm--mothers teach their daughters about cups rather than tampons and disposable pads. As will I. :)

Cleaning the hippy way

2008-11-18T10:39:00.006-05:00

Did you know that you probably already have everything you need to clean your house in your kitchen?

There are millions of concoctions to use to clean your house, but here are some I use:

I keep a big bottle of a 50/50 vinegar/water solution to clean just about everything. The tub, the counters, the toilet. Some use it to clean windows and mirrors, too. Many mop with simply vinegar and hot water. Vinegar can be added to carpet shampoo-ers, which I plan to try when my Charlie's runs out. Vinegar is safe for us and the environment, and the smell goes away once it dries, though i'd take the smell of vinegar over the throat-searing smell of chemicals anyday!

Baking soda is wonderful for scrubbing the shower and sink. Sprinkle some on the carpet before you leave the house and vacuum it up when you return. (Put it in a shaker for the kids to do.) When I clean up dog pee from the carpet, I suck it up with the shampoo-er, clean the carpet with the shampoo-er, sprinkle on baking soda and vacuum once it's dry.

So vinegar cleans and baking soda deodorizes and is an abrasive.

What happens if you mix them together? Au natural Drano! Pour 1/2c. baking soda in a clogged drain, pour at least 1/2c. vinegar into the drain. Wait 15 minutes and pour in several gallons of hot water. You may have to repeat the whole process, but I've had to repeat with Drano, too.

Soap--Charlie's Soap, dish soap, homemade soap, hand soap--anything. I use a couple of squirts of hand soap to scrub out my toilet. I use a little dish soap to mop the floors. You can even use bar soap to do the dishes or scrub the sink. (Just don't use foamy soap in the washer, the dishwasher or the carpet steamer--that's where Charlie's comes in.)

*Remember: It's the cleanser manufacturers who make you believe you NEED certain cleaners for certain jobs--that's how they make their money!!!

There are lots of other helpful substances to use around the house: hydrogen peroxide for disinfecting (baby toys, especially), olive oil as furniture polish, etc. I prefer to keep it all as simple as possible with the three things listed above. They're cheap, convenient and won't kill my kids if they decide to dump them over their heads. There was a time when women used what they had--and they didn't usually have a cleaning closet full of cleaning supplies.

So you've made the decision to switch to more gentle cleaners (right?), what, then, do you do with the cleaners you already have? You have several choices: give them away (freecycle, perhaps), use them up, trash them. All of these choices involve the chemicals going into the environment, so let's take that concern off the table. Giving them away is a very nice thing to do. In my opinion, though, using them up is the best choice, financially. I paid for them, I'm going to use them. And I did. Update: Some recycling centers offer a day to hand in your hazardous materials for them to dispose of safely. Check with your local center.

BUT nobody's perfect. I plan to always have a place on my cleaning shelf for Magic Erasers--TELL ME what else takes Sharpie marks off wood??!!

Happy cleaning!

So ya wanna wash some dishes?

2008-11-18T10:27:00.003-05:00

No, neither do I. :) According to the Bible--I mean, "The Complete Tightwad Gazette", in the mid-90's, hand-washing dishes was more efficient economically. Who knows if that's true now; I don't want to do the research 'cause I REALLY don't want to feel guilty for using my dishwasher.

When it comes to dishwashers, remember "scratch and dent". There are people and companies out there who will sell you a slightly-less-than-perfect appliance for SOOOO much cheaper than a perfect one. We got our dishwasher new for $100, and hell if I can find any scratches or dents. And don't be afraid of used. NEVER be afraid of used--it's another form of recycling. Re-using is using less of the Earth's resources--whether it's clothes, a mixer or a car.

There are ways of using your dishwasher that can help the environment (and, therefore, your bank account). Wash on the normal cycle for everything, don't use super heat for anything. Air dry or towel dry--no heat dry. I hit all the little off buttons on my dishwasher and the dishes still come out steaming, so they ARE still washed with hot water.

Dishwasher detergent is harmful to you and to the environment. So, I made a concoction with equal parts washing soda and borax. The dishes came out with a powdery film all over them. So I added vinegar to the rinse receptacle. And guess what? My dishwasher conked out. So, I'm back to regular dishwasher detergent. Though there are environmentally-friendly detergents, I've yet to use them, but I've heard they're great.

If you do want to hand-wash, the best way to do so, environmentally, is to fill one sink with hot, soapy water and the other with clean water. Have fun. :)

Let me know if you have any bright ideas when it comes to dishes. I'm all ears. :)

Cloth diapers? You CAN do it.

2008-11-16T11:26:00.006-05:00

I've read all the scary stuff about cloth diapers, too:

"Wash new diapers three times before using."

"Soak soiled diapers in water and 1/2c. baking soda for at least 4 hours before wahsing."

"Never use diaper cream--or anything of the sort--or the diapers will need to be stripped. Stripping involves washing with Dawn soap 114 times, washing 54 times as normal and....."

"Don't use bleach."

"Use bleach."

"Used diapers! Only $25 each!...and you'll need at least 100."

AAAHHHHH!!!!! And the people who write this BS are the same ones who criticize people for using 'sposies! Now I exaggerated in the above, but reading about all this cloth diaper care is overwhelming! It's no wonder moms look at this stuff and think, "I'll stick with my Pampers, thank you." But I have news: It really doesn't have to be that hard!

I must ask myself a thousand times a day: What did the pioneering women do? These were women with little resources, no stores, little food and plenty of time to keep getting knocked up. How'd they do it? Well, before the decadent present day, people didn't throw out nearly what we do. A torn sheet became a towel, which then became a hand towel which then became a washcloth until Mom was left with a tattered bit of fabric that she could toss. I try to live by that idea. SO. We don't need 'sposies. Cloth diapers are just fine. There are some disadvantages, to be sure, but the disadvantages to 'sposies bother me a hell of a lot more.

Types of cloth diapers:
Fancy-shmancy-crazy-expensive ones--these work much like disposables except you wash them. And they're great, if you have the money. Though I can't help wondering: why would you spend $15/diaper for something that virtually no one's going to see and is only going to get crapped on?
Prefolds--You can get these for about $12/dozen. You can get flatfolds, too, but you'll have to fold them yourself; they're just big pieces of gauzy fabric. I believe that they're cheaper. Either way, you'll need pins or snappis. A lot of people are afraid of pins, but from what I've heard the people who've started using them prefer them to all other ways to fasten a diaper (and I do, too). Snappis are great, too. Some people use diaper wraps to cover the diapers, in which case, the diaper doesn't need fastening at all. I use vinyl pants. Prefolds, pin and vinyl pants--same as my mom used.
Make your own!!-- Use old fabric for the diapers and make covers out of old wool sweaters. Do a little digging on the internet, and you can find all kinds of resources.

Washing:
I have a cat litter bucket (holds in odors the best) in the baby's room for peed-on diapers and one by the toilet for pooped-on ones. The latter I swish around in the toilet to get most of the solid stuff off. When diaper day comes around, I pour everything into the washer and wash with hot water, a little bleach, some of my homemade detergent and a downy ball of vinegar. The vinyl pants get hung up, the diapers get dried in the dryer (so they're softer).

The key is to keep it as simple as possible and add things as need be. Sabra's bum doesn't like when I use warm water rather than hot, nor does she like it if I don't use bleach. So I altered those two things. You can also try Bac-Out instead of bleach.

If you want more info, go to: http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/

On a personal note, it really makes me feel good that I use cloth. I feel like it's best for Sabra's little body, it's best for the environment I brought her into, and it leaves money to do more important things. I love it. :)

Happy diapering!!!

A couple words about plastic bags...

2008-11-16T11:00:00.002-05:00

What to do with those plastic bags you already have?

OR

The 11th Hour

2008-08-24T11:29:00.001-04:00

The 11th Hour

"We live in a disposable society."

2008-08-24T10:55:00.004-04:00

So says my mother with more than a little disdain. She was raised by Depression-era people, I was raised by her, so, here I am.

We do live in a disposable society. When our faucet sprung a leak due to rust, my hubby watched me try to fix it with Big Red gum, shook his head and said, "Why don't we just buy a new one?" I ignored him. "Where's the crazy glue?"

He shakes his head at me a lot these days...as he watches me wash out sandwich bags...when I fold dirty foil in half to reuse it...as he lifts the lid on the crockpot and wrinkles his nose from the smell of my homemade stock...when I tell him about what I use for periods these days...ANYWAY!

The third rule of thumb: Don't do disposables!

And not just diapers, here, folks. Disposable anything. Landfills are a problem--assuming our trash actually MAKES it to a landfill! We're running out of places to put all our garbage, and recycling, while better than trashing, still uses up valuable resources. Here are some alternatives to disposable stuff:

Paper towels--dish towels, wash clothes, old cloth diapers. We only use paper towels to clean up the nasty stuff that comes out of our animals, so we go through about a roll every six months. Update: We've been out of paper towels for about a month, and we're all still alive.

Sandwich bags--You can find containers that are actually meant for sandwiches. I find this a wise investment because sandwiches will get stale if packed in a container with too much air. If you do use, bags, try to get a couple of uses out of them (and remember never to reuse bags that contained meat, no matter how well you're able to wash them). Little containers, like yogurt cups, are great for kids' snacks.

Freezer bags--use bread bags and twisties or freezable containers. Bread bags can be reused for ANYTHING. I even use them as wet cloth diaper bags when away from home.

Toilet Paper--ever heard of "family cloth"? It's not right for us, but it may be right for you. As will all disposable stuff you "have" to use, use sparingly. Monitor kids to make sure they're not over-using and/or clogging your toilet. Update: I now love family cloth. Duane won't do it, but i was the major TP offender, so we've been on the same roll FOR A MONTH!!!

Clorox wipes--possibly the scourge of the new millenia. So convenient, so effective, so expensive, so damaging. Use a wet washcloth and a spray bottle of vinegar-water (50/50). And a word on sanitizing your house: it's useless. If you brought the germs home, you've already been exposed. Soap and water or vinegar and water work just fine to clean your home. Focus on a CLEAN home, not a sanitized one.

Single-servings--Try not to buy stuff in single servings. If you want the kids to take pudding to school, save money and the environment by whipping up a batch of instant and putting it into little plastic containers. Same goes for fruit salad, applesauce, yogurt, etc. All those little cups, which usually aren't recycleable, are just going to sit...and sit...and sit in the landfills until you're long gone!

Diapers--Cloth diapering doesn't have to be expensive--and no matter how it's done, i'm pretty sure it's always cheaper than disposables! Three packs of prefolds, one six-pack vinyl pants, one pack of pins--about $40. And that stock will last you YEARS. If you use disposables, you're taking up more space in a landfill, exposing your baby's most sensitive parts to those chemicals and the world to your child's polio vaccine.

Generally, buy in bulk whenever you can. Freeze what you can--what you won't eat before it spoils. Take stock of what's about to go bad and meal-plan accordingly. Start composting--it's not just for gardening; you can use it in your flower beds.

Have a tremendous day. Hug a cat. :)

A Quick Look at Vegetarianism

2008-08-24T07:32:00.010-04:00

Sorry for the graphic-ness of the end, there. I don't actually allow myself to watch graphic animal stuff. I'm veg--I don't need to be persuaded. But perhaps you do? No. I'm not trying to change your mind; I'm just trying to pass along some info that is purposely kept from you, the American masses. Take it and do with it what you will.

I haven't eaten meat in nearly a decade, and i'd like to eliminate all animal products from my diet. I don't know that I'll ever be 100% vegan, but I definitely don't need to be eating dairy as much as I once did (a common mistake of vegetarians).

Here are some FAQ and comments we veg*ns (vegetarians/vegans) get:

"But what do you eat?" Everything you eat, except for the meat (and dairy, in most cases). It helps if you know how to cook. And if you don't, then good news! You can learn.

"Aren't you worried about your kids getting enough protein?" No. The typical American diet consists of way more protein than is needed. Besides, did you ever take notice how much cheese a child can put away?

"I don't know how you do it." If you believe in it, it's not that hard--though it can be in the beginning. Just takes some getting used to.

So how does one take the plunge, so to speak?
*Well, you can go to PETA.org and order one of their FREE starter kits.
*You can throw out all the meat in your house (I'm sure hubby would love that!).
*You can invest in some vegetarian cookbooks. Look for ones with SIMPLE recipes. You want short ingredients lists. Here are some I love: "The New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook", "Fresh from the Vegetarian Slowcooker". You should also have some staples. I like "New Cook Book" by Better Homes and Gardens, "The Mennonite Community Cookbook" and "More with Less". If you like ethnic food (which is often heavily based in veg*nism), you can teach yourself to make some, as I'm teaching myself how to make the perfect Channa Masala. You can also turn almost any recipe vegetarian. We'll get to that later.
*Start reading labels. You'd be surprised what's veg*n and what's not. For example, Oreos are vegan and many spaghetti sauces have a meat base.
*Stay away from temptations. Ask your SO to avoid eating your favorite foods in front of you, stop going to McDonalds, etc. Keep yourself motivated with the gazillion gory youtube videos on the meat industry.

"OK, I'm all set...what now?"
*Shopping. Get some rice, some beans, some spices, fruits and vegetables. Breads, peanut butter, jelly, apple butter, hummus, pasta, veg*n spaghetti sauce. You can try the myriad of faux-meat products, but if you're trying to save money, skip 'em. Look for a recipe for lentil burgers ("More with Less") and make your own. Do some research and see what you can do with TVP, seitan, tofu and stuff like that. It doesn't have to be all salads, folks.
Cooking. Make some rice and beans, throw on some spices and see what happens. If it tastes like something the cat coughed up, add some more spices. (And if you really can't fix it, add it to the compost bin...what? Yeah, we'll touch on that another time.) Eat apples and carrot sticks as snacks, rather than cheese doodles and swiss rolls. Try different brands of plant-based milk--almond, soy, rice, hemp, etc. (if wary, try 8th Continent chocolate soy milk first--it's amazing!). Make your own soup. I collect left-over veggies, things that are about to go bad and my Channa Masala mistakes in a container in the freezer. When it's full--SOUP! (Remember that you have to blanch most veggies before freezing--drop in boiling water for anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the density of the vegetable, drop in cold water, let dry completely and freeze.)

"So what do I do about recipes that call for animal products?"
Go to: http://www.vegcooking.com/vegcooking-eggreplace.asp. Along the right hand side, you'll see a list of other things you may want to replace to make your dish more animal-friendly. To replace eggs, I use either a heaping tablespoon of soy flour + a tablespoon of water per egg OR 1/4 cup applesauce. I've yet to try the other options. I use my generic organic vanilla soy milk to replace milk. I use beans, lentil or veggie crumbles to replace meat.

I hope this gives you a good idea of how easy and how important it is to be conscious of what you're eating, though I don't think anything does that quite as well as one of those gory videos. Just know, please, that with every bite of animal flesh, you're consuming an innocent creature who suffered for you. That's not a bunch of wishy-washy bullshit--it's the truth. And that's what I say when I get the number one most asked question: "Why don't you eat meat?" Because I don't want an animal to suffer for my food.

The Laundry

2008-08-23T10:36:00.007-04:00

The first rule of thumb: What's best for the environment is usually best for your finances and healthiest overall.

So: What's convenient is usually more expensive, worse for the environment and least healthy.

That said, let's do some laundry. The following applies to regular laundry, not diapers. There's another post for cloth diapers.

1. Wash everything on cold. Your whites will be fine, I assure you, and you won't catch the HIV from lack of hot water "sterilizing" your clothes (which it won't do anyway). Even puked-on pillowcases and stained onesies get the cold water treatment.

2. Use detergent that won't harm the Earth! I love Charlie's Soap. It's fairly cheap, it's biodegradable, it cleans and only cleans, and it comes in a biodegradable paper bag (with free shipping!). But alas, i've run out, and we're broke, so i've made my own! I combine 1c. grated bar soap, 1/2c. borax, and 1/2c. washing soda. Mix it all together. I use a heaping tablespoon for each load, sometimes two. This recipe is similar to Charlie's Soap ingredients.

Some things you can count on, no matter what you're using (if it's not Charlie's Soap or the above recipe):
*you dousing your laundry in perfumes (to cover up the fact nothing's really coming clean)
*you're coating your laundry in residue and, therefore, sealing in dirt and bacteria
*you're introducing harmful chemicals into the environment
*you're using up yet another heavy plastic bottle. Hopefully, you recycle it, and while that's preferable to chucking it into a landfill, recycling, too, takes up valuable resources.

3. Only run full cycles to make full use of resources.

4. Don't wash on super-heavy-duty-my-husband's-a-mechanic cycles. I use "regular" for my laundry. See if you actually NEED all those extra rinses and whatnot before you go right ahead and waste the water and energy. I suppose I ought to give the light cycle a try....

5. Need a fabric softener? I don't, but... Before you go ahead and further coat your clothes in greasy, smelly crap, consider vinegar. Half a cup of vinegar in a Downy ball or your fabric softener receptacle will soften without the greasy-smelliness.

6. Don't forget Borax and baking soda if you want to boost your detergent. Like if you're doing a load of mechanic's rags or spitty-ed jammies.

7. Stains? The sun bleaches naturally. Wash heavily-soiled items a time or two, then hang up outside (for a few days, if need be. Rain storm--leave 'em out for that, too.).

8. To dry or not to dry? I love hanging my laundry. I don't know why. It's a calming, quiet outside activity, I suppose. I think there's some kind of past-life thing, there, too, but that's another story. If you don't have the time or space, consider drying your laundry in the dryer and hanging only the big stuff--sheets, blankets, etc. I make sure to adjust my dryer to a shorter drying time for smaller loads. (I do this with the dishwasher, too; hand wash big items.)

9. If you're using your dryer, try to stay on top of the laundry, so the dryer doesn't have to heat up with each load.

As with any household task, keep thinking of ways to make things easier on yourself. Is it viable for the family to live out of wash baskets? Yes? Then by all means, do it. I sort laundry on our bed so it HAS to get put away, but the kids often end up living out of wash baskets. Get the kids to put away their own laundry, even if they cram it in their drawers. Is it easier to do one load a day vs. all of it on laundry day?

Let me know if you have any other ideas to make laundry easier on us and the environment.

Happy laundering! :)

PLEASE READ FIRST!

2008-08-23T10:15:00.002-04:00

What does "infusing love" mean?

Infusing love into your life...into all you do. Live consciously. Be aware of your actions and their repercussions, then love yourself and your environment. Make your impact on the Earth small, and your impact on people's and animals' lives big.

This started out as a blog about the environment, but after some thought, I came to realize that my concern for the Earth was intertwined with my spiritual path and my devotion to fostering good relationships with people, as well as being the type of person I, myself, would want to be around.

Look at it this way: if you don't have the Earth, your beliefs, your people and yourself, what are you left with? Absolutely nothing. A nice pair of shoes and nowhere to go, right? :)

I hope you enjoy my insights as I hope to enjoy yours. Please leave comments to share your knowledge with everyone else.

Take care. :)