Thursday, July 23, 2009
Giving Gifts and Helping a Cause
For several years now, our family has been moving away from mass merchandise showers and towards more meaningful gifts (and more economical celebrating.) "Grammie" started by designating a certain dollar amount for each family and letting us choose our cause, then she sent that amount to the chosen recipient. One year we pooled our gifts and sent it to Heifer International, which not only gives farm animals to needy families around the world but teaches them to care for the animals and use them long term for income (breeding, selling, eating, milking, wool, etc.). Another year we pooled and sent our gifts to the Presbyterian Children's Home here in Alabama.
A couple of years ago, my household gave each other family a battery charger and a set of rechargeable batteries. Last Christmas I did my holiday shopping on www.therainforestsite.com and its sister sites. Those sites are focused on fair trade and donating to nonprofits. The sites have a huge range of gifts, which are affordable and so unique!
Last year, too, the children drew names to trade gifts. We are reducing our spending and cutting down on gift wrap. Grammie always has games for the whole crowd to play, and the children help her decorate her tree. This early December gathering is a highlight of the year, and Christmas is more special each year!
Now I have to come up with a Green Freak gift theme for 2009...
A couple of years ago, my household gave each other family a battery charger and a set of rechargeable batteries. Last Christmas I did my holiday shopping on www.therainforestsite.com and its sister sites. Those sites are focused on fair trade and donating to nonprofits. The sites have a huge range of gifts, which are affordable and so unique!
Last year, too, the children drew names to trade gifts. We are reducing our spending and cutting down on gift wrap. Grammie always has games for the whole crowd to play, and the children help her decorate her tree. This early December gathering is a highlight of the year, and Christmas is more special each year!
Now I have to come up with a Green Freak gift theme for 2009...
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
I love this place!
I was worried that there was no nearby Whole Foods store, but as of today, I think I'll be OK. Check out Fairhope Health foods in Fairhope, AL. They have everything I need and want in natural products: housekeeping supplies, produce, bulk foods and herbs, healthcare/cosmetics, essential oils, teas, canned foods, vegetarian alternatives, and...oh, I scored on free booklets and magazines! I will be doing LOTS of shopping there!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Herbs, man!
I need someone to lead me to information, books, training, etc. on uses of regional plants that can go out in the yard or woods and find! I believe that civilization will not go dark and sci-fi urban but will revert to a less-tech state: what happens if the power goes out, you know? (S.M. Stirling "Dies the Fire")
My ultimate goal is to spend time at the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina, but until then I can learn a lot on my own.
Freecycle: Keep your "junk" out of the dump!
Remember: one person's trash is another person's treasure! If you have something to get rid of, post it on Freecycle and someone may want it and come get it. You may also list items you want to see if someone out there has them to give away. We HAVE to cut down the amount of "trash" going into dumps!
Go to this website to find your local freecycle. http://www.freecycle.org/
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Solar Power in the Home
There are considerations on the downside of installing solar power on your roof. http://www.prlog.org/10286339-solar-power-should-you-install-home-solar-power-system.html
Now I want to know ways to use solar power without a major installation. My husband has a panel the size of a sheet of paper that maintains a battery like a car battery. He can then power small appliances (the TV at his hunting camp, a boxfan, a lamp, etc.) off that battery. I want to find ways to use that solar panel around the house. That small panel was $45-ish and the battery was around $60 (real good deep-cycle battery--you can go less.) The solar panel keeps a "trickle-charge" going during the day so it's always ready. Cool.
Now I want to know ways to use solar power without a major installation. My husband has a panel the size of a sheet of paper that maintains a battery like a car battery. He can then power small appliances (the TV at his hunting camp, a boxfan, a lamp, etc.) off that battery. I want to find ways to use that solar panel around the house. That small panel was $45-ish and the battery was around $60 (real good deep-cycle battery--you can go less.) The solar panel keeps a "trickle-charge" going during the day so it's always ready. Cool.
Homemade: Bath Salts
3 c. epsom salts
1 Tbsp. glycerin (I paid $4-5 for 4 oz.)
food coloring (a couple of drops)--or not
perfume (or essential oil)
Pour epsom salt in bowl. In separate bowl, mix glycerin, food coloring, and fragrance. Slowly add to salt. Blend thoroughly.
I intend to use lavendar for evening baths.
1 Tbsp. glycerin (I paid $4-5 for 4 oz.)
food coloring (a couple of drops)--or not
perfume (or essential oil)
Pour epsom salt in bowl. In separate bowl, mix glycerin, food coloring, and fragrance. Slowly add to salt. Blend thoroughly.
I intend to use lavendar for evening baths.
Playing: Trivia Game on Everywun
For each correct answer, I get a point. For 100 points, I can "plant a tree" thanks to North Face sponsorship. So I play and learn, and I get help with planting trees, which are crucial to our existence on this planet and which I ADORE! Check out the trees in folklore link below. Oh, and click on my Everywun badge. Thanks!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Reading:
Borrowed from library. Gotta buy these from Amazon:
1. World Changing: A User's Guide to the 21st Century, by Alex Steffen
2. Herbal Homekeeping: Simple Recipes for a Naturally Clean Abode, by Sandy Maine
3. Go Green, Live Rich, by David Bach
4. Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, Christie Matheson
1. World Changing: A User's Guide to the 21st Century, by Alex Steffen
2. Herbal Homekeeping: Simple Recipes for a Naturally Clean Abode, by Sandy Maine
3. Go Green, Live Rich, by David Bach
4. Green Chic: Saving the Earth in Style, Christie Matheson
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hmm...what can I do with breadbags?
I'm thinking about cutting them into strips and "crocheting" them into totebags. Anyone have any input there?
The REAL Beginning?
I was born in 1965. I grew up loving the outdoors! Living on the Gulf Coast, I enjoyed frequent trips to Dauphin Island and Gulf Shores. Back then (the 70s) we could drive in a Jeep down to the West End of Dauphin Island and collect sea shells and fish from the beach. I swam for oysters, baited my own hooks, breathed deeply in the warm salt air.
Later we spent a month in Missouri on a farm. I chased piglets, climbed cherry trees, bottle fed a calf, and slept on a screened-in porch in the total black of night with no electric light. I went to market to sell pigs, went to a rodeo, and ate homemade biscuits and sausage gravy.
In college I volunteered for Greenpeace, attended Earth Day celebrations, began recycling, visited the arboretum at Auburn University and botanical gardens elsewhere, and began identifying with "hippies." (LOL)
My courtship with my now-husband featured lots of plants: growing peppers in pots on the balcony. We love spicy food, but we also loved what happens in our souls when we connect with soil. We worked with his department to restore an old greenhouse at Delta State University (home of the Fighting Okra!), and we gathered wild coreopsis flowers that became "our flower."
Now, we live on a small farm. My husband maintains a garden at least two seasons of the year. We have chickens, guineas, turkeys, ducks, a couple good ol' mousers, and a herding dog. We have raised goats and sold them at market. We hosted a few sheep for a while, and although they were not wool sheep, I kept some of their hair to try to do something with. We have a great system here, involving eggs, composting, slopping the chickens, recycling, non-pesticide gardening, and (in the design phase) rain collection. Nothing goes in the garbage without serious consideration for composting, reuse, crafting, giving away, reviving/repairing, or responsible disposal.
The newest thing is organic living. We recently visited a Whole Foods store (aka Heaven on Earth) and loaded up on lifestyle magazines, food, healthcare products, and green household cleaning products. I am researching green skincare, and I am learning dozens of uses for white vinegar.
So it has been a process of greening since childhood. I'm OK with being a "Green Freak"!
Later we spent a month in Missouri on a farm. I chased piglets, climbed cherry trees, bottle fed a calf, and slept on a screened-in porch in the total black of night with no electric light. I went to market to sell pigs, went to a rodeo, and ate homemade biscuits and sausage gravy.
In college I volunteered for Greenpeace, attended Earth Day celebrations, began recycling, visited the arboretum at Auburn University and botanical gardens elsewhere, and began identifying with "hippies." (LOL)
My courtship with my now-husband featured lots of plants: growing peppers in pots on the balcony. We love spicy food, but we also loved what happens in our souls when we connect with soil. We worked with his department to restore an old greenhouse at Delta State University (home of the Fighting Okra!), and we gathered wild coreopsis flowers that became "our flower."
Now, we live on a small farm. My husband maintains a garden at least two seasons of the year. We have chickens, guineas, turkeys, ducks, a couple good ol' mousers, and a herding dog. We have raised goats and sold them at market. We hosted a few sheep for a while, and although they were not wool sheep, I kept some of their hair to try to do something with. We have a great system here, involving eggs, composting, slopping the chickens, recycling, non-pesticide gardening, and (in the design phase) rain collection. Nothing goes in the garbage without serious consideration for composting, reuse, crafting, giving away, reviving/repairing, or responsible disposal.
The newest thing is organic living. We recently visited a Whole Foods store (aka Heaven on Earth) and loaded up on lifestyle magazines, food, healthcare products, and green household cleaning products. I am researching green skincare, and I am learning dozens of uses for white vinegar.
So it has been a process of greening since childhood. I'm OK with being a "Green Freak"!
"Hotel for Dogs"
We have seen "Hotel for Dogs" 4 times now. My 9-yr old daughter wants to help out with an animal shelter. As soon as I get a job, we want to adopt a dog through a shelter. In the meantime, we are "studying" the animal shelter websites. Check out: www.hsus.org
A Green Freak is Born!
Visiting friends, I whispered to my daughter that all the lights on was making me nuts. She rolled her eyes and said, "You are a green freak." ........hmm....yes, I am. Don't plan to change.
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