Simple Living

loan on a dream

2007-03-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

The scene is set up: a woman looks harried and tired as she struggles through a crowded street. She is dressed in drab colors of black and grays. She looks to her side and sees something odd - herself in her own dream or future. The woman in the dream is dressed in brightly flowered dress and looks ecstatic. She is purchasing a house.

Another person walks by and sees herself on an exotic vacation - ready to scuba drive. Person after person walks by and sees their own dream in this reflection. Some see education or business futures. The future dream is unique to each person. Only in the dream are they happy.

The Bank of America will provide the dreams to these people through their "Windows of Opportunity."

Here lies the problem. Our dreams are on loan. We can now get a loan to purchase our dreams rapidly. What happened to hard work and saving for our dreams? Yes, there are times for loans (homes, education, emergency), but it seems that almost every dream is open for a loan opportunity. It seems as if everything is for sale - we can purchase almost anything our hearts desire, and with very little time or effort invested.

Again we see this sale of hope and an idea. It is similar to the ad that tells you that if you purchase this new brand of x, you will be happier and sexier. The dream of happiness is being sold, but is it real? Is it achievable and will it make you truly happier?

Once upon a time our grandparents worked and toiled to achieve their comfort and happiness. It was not something that could be bought and sold. There is nothing wrong with waiting and working for that achievement. It is sad that we are being sold a loan to purchase our dreams.

the answer is?

2007-03-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

The UN is asking that the United States becomes a leader in promoting cleaner energies and tackling the problem of global warming. The UN is encouraged by the response to An Inconvenient Truth in that there is now growing awareness of the problem of global warming. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17401890/

Our local governor is supporting the exploration of biofuels as an alternative fuel source. Many people seem to think that alternative energies are the answer to all of our problems. Are alternative energies a solution?

Energy sources can be divided into renewable and nonrenewable.

Alternative Energy Sources
http://www.hubbertpeak.com/youngquist/altenergy.htm

Nonrenewable Renewable

Oil sands, heavy oil Wood/other biomass

Natural gas Hydro-electric power²

Coal Solar energy

Shale oil Wind energy

Gas hydrates Wave energy

Nuclear fission Tidal power

Geothermal¹ Fusion

Ocean thermal energy conversion

1. Renewable for space heating 2. Not renewable with reservoirs

Alternative Energy Sources http://www.hubbertpeak.com/youngquist/altenergy.htm

Nonrenewable	Renewable
Oil sands, heavy oil	Wood/other biomass
Natural gas	Hydro-electric power²
Coal	Solar energy
Shale oil	Wind energy
Gas hydrates	Wave energy
Nuclear fission	Tidal power
Geothermal¹	Fusion
	Ocean thermal energy conversion

1. Renewable for space heating	2. Not renewable with reservoirs

There are many options for alternative energy, however most of them are not as cheap as oil. There are pluses and minuses for each possible energy source. Some do not store well, some cost more to gather and store than it would to use oil. Some, such a biofuels may cause other problems such as the increased cost of food.

CORN: FUEL OR FOOD ???

By Mike Meyers Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune
February 8, 2007
http://www.startribune.com/535/story/977495.html

"The number of hungry people worldwide could grow by more than 50% by 2020, as corn, sugar and other food staples are increasingly devoted to making fuel here and abroad, according to the projections by C. Ford Runge and Benjamin Senauer.

The same trend would bring much higher food prices to the United States and the rest of the developed world, the economists predict. The sharp increase in world hunger isn't inevitable, however. The economists say increased conservation could do more to wean the United States from foreign oil than all the corn-based ethanol plants now online."

Scientists urge sweeping measures to save world

"The scientists called for dramatic actions ranging from carbon taxes and a ban on conventional coal-fired power plants to an end to all beachfront construction worldwide. The researchers were funded by the non-profit UN Foundation and the research society Sigma Xi.
To meet the scientists' goal, global carbon dioxide emissions must level off by 2015 and then drop by two-thirds by 2100."

So, what is the answer? Perhaps combining technologies will help us. Perhaps using solar, wind, wave, and biomass in combination will help. I do not know. What I do believe, however, is that we need to change how we think about the energy we use. We need to realize that it will not "always be cheap and available." We need to think about how we can make personal changes in our lives to reduce the amount of energy we use. Does this mean trading in a gas guzzler for a more efficient vehicle? Does this mean that we should combine trips and use less gasoline? Should we unplug unused appliances? Should we replace our lightbulbs? The answer is ....

It is up to us. We should find ways to use less energy. Whatever that method is.

I am trying to look around my house and life and think about ways that I can personally reduce our gasoline and electric use - whether it is offset with wind or by buying carbon emissions, using less is better in the long run. I may not be able to trade my vehicle in for a smaller one, but I can choose to walk, bike, or combine trips. I can unplug the toaster when it is no longer in use and shut doors to bedrooms that are not used (why heat an unused room? ). Small actions can make a big change in our energy usage. Of course, any action can also reduce our carbon emissions....

It is up to us. What changes can you make to reduce your reliance on oil, natural gas, and electricity?

Conference on global warming

2007-02-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended a conference on global warming. Actually, I had also been invited to have an informational table at the conference. So, I set up a table with my posters, some handouts (a version of the brochures), some flyers, and a sign-up sheet for local people to be notified about classes and get involved in our local community. People signed up!

Wow. It was excited to hear the reaction from people. Most people agreed that this was something that could be done. Reducing our food miles and thus cutting our food emissions is something that most of us can do - by planting our own food, or choosing to shop at the farmer's market or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). I told people how I have eating within a 100-mile radius, preserved food throughout the summer and am sill eating locally. So many didn't know that it was possible to do this in Minnesota (in the winter). People were enthusiastic about this.

Some of the visitors to my table took materials to share with local groups. I was also invited to present at another conference in April, to get the Victory Gardens involved with the Land Stewardship Project, and to speak with some other groups. Look - one idea can have an impact. One action can make changes. We can all do something to make a healthy change for our environment.

One of the speakers at the conference was a local member of congress. He told us that we are making a difference. When we write to our legislators it does make a difference - they become aware that citizens are demanding change. He told us that global warming is a hot topic in Washington and that as we become active in cutting our emissions and demanding changes be made, that our voices are heard. We need to keep demanding legislation!

It is becoming clear that we can make a difference. We need to use our voices and write letters to the editor, write to legislators, make changes in our own lives. Some of the changes may be uncomfortable, but if we can think about our children and grandchildren and the benefits for them, then the changes can be less painful. I would personally prefer difficult changes now than a world that is difficult to live in in the future.

The problem with the topic of global warming is it is a topic that is "over there." We hear about it and think that it is something that the government has to do something about, or that is something bigger than us. It is big, however we are the individuals who can make a change that will make a difference. Every little change that we make adds up. The climate changes will affect us. Check to see how your local environment could be affected. Let's make a difference.

my population impact

2007-02-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

This is a long overdue post. Until now I have rarely spoken about my decision to have children or the fact that I have 5 children. I have received email questions about my decision, comments on posts, and even some angry emails!

As you could guess from what I mentioned before, I was previously married and had children. I am remarried and have had two children with my spouse. My "greening" started less than a year ago. I joined the compact in April 2006 and was later "awakened" to the impact that we have on the earth's resources. I was, however, already pregnant with my 5th child. My decision to have children came after my learning about human impact on the earth.

A friend has one child. This child is the little prince. He gets anything and everything that he wants. This little emperor syndrome may have a greater negative impact on our earth than families with more children. I agree that in many cases having fewer children is better. One child who strives to own everything can be a greater detriment than a few who know how to share and reuse. Of course, this behavior is not the fault of the child, but of those who give children everything they want and desire. The Western lifestyle is extremely damaging in itself.

Due to the fact that I have added to the population of the earth, I have made the conscious decision to modify our lifestyle to lessen our family impact. I attempt to teach and show my children a responsible way to live, to use less, leave less behind, and share more. I also try to share what I have learned with others. Sometimes people may not agree with what I try to do or how I do it, but I hope to be positive for those of us who are trying to change. I think it would be more hypocritical of me to not attempt to lessen our family impact. If I drove an SUV, I could exchange it for a vehicle that uses less gas. However, I can't exchange my 5 children for 1 or exchange a child for another who uses less water, but I can work to lessen the material goods that they consume.

Personally, I have become more passionate about human impact on the planet because of my children. I view how each of my personal decisions will impact my children (and their children). I don't know if I would have done so previously.

A Sense of Entitlement

2007-02-18T05:15:00.000-08:00

We would need four earths if everyone lived the western lifestyle.
A child born in North America or England will consume, waste and pollute more in a lifetime than as many as 50 children in a developing country.
The industrialized world uses close to 70% of all oil consumed in transport even though they make up only 20% of worlds' population.

My generation (early-mid 30s) is the first to be advertised to from the moment of our birth. We are the first to experience massive credit card debt. We were offered credit cards at the first moment we stepped onto a college campus. We are sold on consumption. We are requested to do our patriotic duty by shopping. This idea that we are meant (and entitled) to consume is dangerous to our moral fiber - we place more importance on our entitlement to consume than the consequences of these actions. Materialism, consumerism, and advertising have joined together to create very high expectations for the good life and a belief that we are all entitled to these expectations.

How many people do we know that have a large SUV and/or truck and refuse to trade down because they feel entitled to this vehicle. The problem is that we don't see the direct ramifications of driving this vehicle. It guzzles a lot of gas? "So what - I can afford it, " is the response. The consequences; carbon emissions and oil depletion - are not even a consideration. If it is something that we can afford, then it is something that we are entitled to.

A while ago, I posted something about the high costs of cashmere. The demand for cheap cashmere sweaters at big box stores has had huge impacts on the environment - the goats which are used to create cashmere are now creating desertification. When we demand so much stuff at a cheap price there are multiple larger costs. So many in our society either don't realize or care about the actions of purchasing a sweater - as the ramifications don't affect us directly. We can afford the sweater and that is what matters to us. The all-pervasive sense of entitlement has entered our western psyche - and is simply reiterated with every commercial and every trip to the store. We are entitled to anything and everything that is affordable. Those items that are not affordable now will be made affordable soon. We can all purchase all that we want.

We are taught to believe that we have a right to anything and everything that we want - if only we apply ourselves to it (and sometimes applying ourselves is not even necessary). It is a priority. In a consumer society, people have very high expectations for personal gratification. People feel that they are entitled to have all their expectations met. Life should be easy. The good life should be available to all - and easily attainable. People should get out of their way - it is a right. This narcissist behavior is frightening. We have all seen video of people pushing and jumping over each other for certain toys. You would think that these people were starving and pushing for the last grains of rice.

When oil depletes and becomes expensive, what is going to happen to those people who feel entitled to the "good life"? What will happen to those people who feel entitled to drive a gas guzzler? To those who feel entitled to eat strawberries in January? What is going to happen to the fabric of our society? Anger. Anger at the loss of ability to get anything that we want at any time we want it.

We need to change our sense of entitlement to one of appreciation. We need to learn to appreciate what we have rather than increasing desire. We need to understand the ramifications of consuming. We need to understand that our world cannot continue to sustain this mad rush of overabundance and instead enjoy what we have. We need to change the definition of the "good life." We need to make changes in our own lives (which can help change supply and demand). This takes a personal change - we cannot change the mindset of others. As we change ourselves we can show others that the good life may appear different than advertisements lead us to believe.

peers

2007-02-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

I need to vent. I really need to vent. This evening, however, I realized that outside of my husband, I have few friends in this city - and no close friendships. We have lived here for just over a year. The town is basically a professional college town. Over 300 medical residents and fellows move in and out of town every spring. I look around and it seems that every other house has a "for sale" sign in front of it. Of course, there are people here who are not in medicine, but I don't have many peers.

Most of the spouses of my husband stay at home. I am one of the few working resident spouses. I teach college students, thus I am with students all day, and not with peers. There are a few students whom I would love to have as friends. But, they are students. I had friends up north, but I am suddenly feeling lonely. I am realizing why friendship and community is so vital to our well-being. I could (and do) turn to my husband and vent, but there are a number of things that he just doesn't "get." I think that is why female friendship is very important.

When I worked up north (I love that term - up north), every day 3-4 of us would get together at noon and speed walk 2 miles. It was a a wonderful opportunity. We would talk about families, work, relationships, anything. It was a highlight of my day. I always knew that I could turn to these women and learn things from them, gain insight from their experiences, and share my experiences. No judging - just listening and sharing. Tracey and Kim, where are you?

I hope that in my current efforts to build a local sustainable community I can gain some close friendships. People working together for a common goal, sharing experiences and learning from one another.... However, at the moment I still need to vent. Tomorrow will bring another day - and I will look for that silver lining and things will look better.

(this is my venting without telling you what I need to vent about)

The Fall of Rome

2007-02-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

I am currently teaching th History of Graphic Design. In the history of design we follow the spread of ideas - primarily in the form of written communication.

There is a big time lapse between the study Roman design and the Illuminated manuscripts. When Rome fell, it seems that a lot more than Rome fell. The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization looks like an incredible book which explains the fall and the repercussions of the fall. The fall was important to the entire "known world". The Roman empire was large - spread throughout Europe and into Asia. Parts of Europe were dependent upon the Roman empire for trade, commerce, and technologies. When Rome fell, these items were no longer available. The roads, which had been protected by Rome, were no longer safe. Commerce ceased, the exchange of ideas slowed, and literacy nearly ended. Survival skills which had been necessary were not needed during the occupation of Rome. Pottery was shipped in from Rome, rather than made in England....

The Fall of Rome caused many problems and it took hundreds of years for skills to be redeveloped.

This has made me look at the skills the tools that we have become reliant on. Our houses are a good example. Houses have become larger and larger and more dependent upon natural gas. These houses are harder to heat and dependent upon a non-renewable resource. At one time, homes were smaller and used wood masonry fireplaces (which are extremely efficient). What would we do now without heat? What would we do if Rome fell today?

What skills do we rely on? We gather our food from stores (often prepackaged - so all we have to do is "zap" it in the microwave), we use cars and trucks to move goods (including food) throughout our country, we rely on machinery somewhere else to make our fibers and then to sew our clothing. We use plastic (petroleum based) items to store our food instead of the traditional pottery, baskets, etc.... Do we even have friend or neighbors who have skills? Most of us do not.

We rely on a much larger community than even was relied on during the Roman Empire. Almost everything is machine made and transported long distances. We are also further from self-sufficiency than during the Roman period.

I have decided to build a set of skills. I am looking at everything I own and determining if it is necessary and how I can either do without or make it myself. Can many of us spin, weave, knit, sew, make soap (from ashes), use medicinal herbs, make paper, candles, save seeds, garden, preserve food, cook? Can you share skills with a neighbor?

Any civilization can fall. Some may fall further than others. What will happen if that happens to us? How far will we fall? I don't think of myself as a doom and gloom person, but I want to have skills - even if that means I have to cut out my cuppa joe (yes, I am weaning myself).

There is a spinning class here in April. I plan on going. What skill are you going to develop first?

The weather outside is frightful...

2007-02-08T18:24:00.000-08:00

The past two weeks have brought frightfully cold weather to Minnesota. The past 14 days have been colder than normal. This morning was well below 0 degrees.

Last week brought about the UN climate change findings. With the cold weather here and amounts of snow elsewhere can be confusing. Global warming? where is it? With this weather it can't be happening! .... Some people have even commented that they would welcome a little global warming.

Well, there is a difference. What we are experiencing now is weather related. Weather is what happens on a day-to-day basis. While climate is long term. We should not confuse weather with climate!

What Weather Means

"Weather is basically the way the atmosphere is behaving, mainly with respect to its effects upon life and human activities. The difference between weather and climate is that weather consists of the short-term (minutes to months) changes in the atmosphere. Most people think of weather in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure, as in high and low pressure.

In most places, weather can change from minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate, however, is the average of weather over time and space. An easy way to remember the difference is that climate is what you expect, like a very hot summer, and weather is what you get, like a hot day with pop-up thunderstorms. "

I found this image on arborday.org. It shows the changing climate between 1990-2006. I was surprised to learn that my zone has changed from zone 4 to zone 5! Click to see an animation which shows the drastic changes in climate.

How has your climate changed? This is happening. This is currently happening - not sometime in the future. It is happening now. How much will you do to cut your personal emissions?

In a few weeks I will be attending a local global warming conference and will have a Revive the Victory Garden table to share information about how people can change the impact of their food choices. On another note. I also created the posters for the conference. :)

Homemade Valentines

2007-02-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I received notice from my children's elementary school regarding the number of of Valentine cards we need to send with our children. Ugh - I hate feeding into the commercialization of this holiday.

At the same time, I was preparing a lecture for my History of Graphic Design students about the invention of paper and writing, and was teaching Madison at home about ancient history and the Stele of Hammurabi.

The Stele of Hammurabi was a very important historical piece of work, as it was the first written record of laws for a civilization.

Madison and I spoke about the importance of this invention, but also about the difficulty of having something so large and heavy. Paper had not been invented yet, so all written pieces of history, law, literature, myth, etc had to be written on clay or stone tablets. One piece of literature could take 13 acres.

While all of this was happening, the Urban Sustainable yahoo group was discussing ways to reduce waste. Paper seems to be a problem in my household. Suddenly I had a eureka moment. Why not tackle a few things at once:

reduce paper waste
teach Madison (history and science)
create valentine cards for the school

What did we do? We made paper!

The kids gathered up a bunch of scrap paper from sketches, old school work. drawings and the like. We tore everything up into small pieces.

We then put the scraps of paper into a freecycled blender and added water. Of course, I explained that blenders did not exist in early China. Instead a mortar and pestle would have been used to break down the fibers of wood into pulp.

We added a little color for fun. It wasn't until later that we realized that the blue marker was also coloring the water. Oops - purple instead of pink.

We put the pulp mix into a container and added water

I made a frame and mold out of items for cross-stitching- otherwise an old frame and screen will work.

Place the contraption into the pulp mix and cover it with the pulp. At this point the kids also added some hand made hearts.

Lift it out and use a soft white material (felt/flannel) onto the pulp side. Gently press to release water.

Turn it over (the pulp is face down). and continue sopping up the water (a sponge works well).

Once it can gently be removed from the frame it can be hung or placed out to dry.

Victory Garden update

2007-01-28T13:59:00.000-08:00

After the tremendous response to the idea for a victory garden to fight global warming, I created a poster, flyer, and tri-fold brochure. I am currently working on a website as well.
http://www.urbansustainableliving.net/VictoryGarden/

The poster is an 11x17 full color poster. The flyer is 8.5x11 black and white (can be photocopied). The brochure is a full-color trifold. These are all available on the website mentioned above.

This was fun to create. Yes, I enjoy using my graphic design powers for good. (I tease my students about having superpowers in design - and the need to choose to use the powers of persuasion for good rather than evil). Please feel free to use these.

Planting a Victory Garden can be such a simple step towards sustainability and easing our dependence upon pollution creating systems.

***** Edit
After contemplation, I changed the tag line to read "for victory over global warming." I had not realized how pervasive the term "fight the war on..." had become. It had become ingrained into my subconscious. I think it shows how hearing a phrase repeatedly seems to become part of the "norm" of our vocabulary.

I think "Victory over.." sounds more hopeful, yet is active enough to engage people who would otherwise not be interested.... And it still could be construed as a fight over something :)

Revive the Victory Garden

2007-01-23T17:56:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed with food. Of all of things that we can purchase, food is the one thing that nourishes us. Yes, items can nourish our soul, but food is what nourishes our bodies - -so that we can live. I think this is why so many of my posts are about food. We cannot go without.

60 years ago we were at war. We were fighting an enemy at faraway lands. Our government encouraged us to plant gardens at home. People came together to fight this enemy by planting gardens in their backyards. These gardens could help us fight the enemy from home and gave our citizens a sense of national purpose. Magazines told people how to plant and tend to a garden. Co-ops were developed. This community effort brought together families and neighbors to provide their own food so that more was available for the war effort.

Today we are again at war. This enemy does not have a face. It is not an enemy that we can see. However, this enemy can threaten the nature of our lives and planet. This enemy is global warming. Let's fight is by planting a garden. A victory garden over global warming.

Why would planting a garden have an impact on global warming? Our current food system is created so that the salad that you are eating today (in January) has traveled over 1500 miles to get to your table. The lettuce and tomatoes have been sprayed with petroleum based pesticides, heavily packaged, and transported in air polluting airplanes and trucks. This salad has contributed to global warming.

Start making plans for the future. Dig up your lawn and plant a garden. If you don't have a lawn, put plants in pots on your patio or balcony. Use your rooftop. Or, if needed, visit your farmer's market. Eat with the seasons. Talk to a neighbor. Let's become a community fighting this enemy. Let's no longer make the 1500 mile salad a standard. Let's fight global warming with a victory garden.

btw, need more incentive? one 2 cent seed will provide many more veggies than you can purchase for that at the store. planting a garden will save money!

choosing to homeschool

2007-01-20T09:16:00.000-08:00

In a week I will be a homeschooling mother. The decision to do this was natural, yet it was not easy. I am not anti-school but I am very pro-education. My eldest daughter attends middle school. Her experience at the school has been less than ideal; failing assignments for using the wrong color pen, being physically and verbally attacked at school by another student without teacher repercussions, lack of guidance in areas she needed help, getting into trouble for dropping a pencil.... It seems as if her school was more focused on managing students than teaching them.

Earlier in the year I made the offer to home school. In typical 13 year old fashion, our daughter told me that in no terms would she ever consider homeschooling. She wanted to hang out with friends. Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago. She came to me and told me that she wanted to be home schooled. Huh?

Her arguments:

she felt that she was not learning
too many kids in her classes - and not enough teacher interaction
much of the curriculum was not challenging enough
she felt that she was being held back in the areas that she excelled and not getting help where she needed it.
she decided that she could visit with friends on the weekends and in the evening.
she didn't want to put up with the pressure of looking a certain way any longer

Wow. I did not expect that! I agreed with her that homeschooling would be better than where she is now. So, in a week we will begin this journey. I have already found all of the state laws regarding homeschooling and have filled out paperwork. Fortunately, my husband and I each have post-baccalaureate degrees, which means that we do not have to send quarterly report cards to the school district.

I have found great curriculum - and plan to tailor it to fit her needs. Yes, I teach during the day, however, homeschooling does not mean that school has to take place from 8-3. I am structuring it to fit around a schedule. I never imagined myself doing this. This is going to be another great adventure!

perfection and loss of community

2007-01-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

Over a week ago I was sifting through the massive number of Compact emails. I read an email that someone wrote about not wanting to pound clothes on a rock in order to wash them. I did not read all of the associated emails, thus I don't know what was entailed.

What is does make me think about is how we seem to have a need to do everything ourselves. As a mother and working woman I know this powerful feeling of the need to be "supermom." We seem to have to have perfect children, the perfect house, make all homemade dinners, bake our bread, all while working full time. June Cleaver on hyperdrive. I admit that I often feel that I have to do it all. And I try to.

The other day, however, I realized that it may not be a good thing. Yes, it is good to make choices in order to live in a healthier way. However, why am I baking my own bread and trying to sew my own diapers (for the babies - not for me). I love baking bread - why don't I bake bread for myself and a neighbor while the neighbor sews diapers for me? Why not heat my own oven - instead of my own and a neighbor heat theirs? Why not share some meals with a neighbor - instead of all of us using our ovens?

As I am planning my edible landscape, I noticed that I am trying to grow ALL of my own food. Why not grow a larger portion of something and then trading produce with a neighbor? Why not share tools with neighbors - instead of everyone owning their own lawnmower? Why not heat one kitchen instead of all? I understand the need of privacy, but there is something very nice about being able to ask a neighbor for butter or eggs or a hammer. It is nice to not need to do and be it all.

These are just questions that I have been thinking about as I try to do everything.

One of the first steps in creating a sustainable community is the development of community. What once was the front porch community is now the backyard community - everyone is hidden from their neighbors. I walk through my neighborhood and rarely see neighbors. I know they are on their back deck away from prying eyes. I wouldn't even recognize half of my neighbors if I saw them on the street.

As I develop my sustainable home I hope to develop community.

Generation of Shoppers

2007-01-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

Tonight I saw a commercial. Okay - I know, I shouldn't be watching TV. Actually, I want to get rid of it, but then I decided that I need to be able to respond to my students. I need to be able to keep up with the visual literacy of my students. So, I keep the TV and watch periodically and discuss commercials.

Anyway, I saw a commercial. This commercial showed a young boy at the checkout of Walmart. The boy had some technological gadget. He whips out a wallet and states "this should cover it, my man." He hands the clerk a gift card. The boy smiles smugly and walks out with his product. The line of adults behind him look at the child in awe and admiration. The tag line says "Be A Little Shopper." (Thank you, Sara for providing me with the correct statement!)

Walmart understands the "nag factor." They understand that advertising to children encourages children to nag parents to purchase things. Now these advertisements are no longer aimed at children in order to get them to ask their parents for things. Now these advertisements are aimed to get the children to shop for themselves. It is easy to use the gift card - as easy as if it was a credit card. They are shown that shopping makes them cool, gets them what they want, and gains the admiration of adults.

It seems reminiscent of the smoking campaigns which were aimed at teenagers. Hook them when they are young and they are hooked for life. To me is seems to be stepping over a line - manipulating children to become shoppers almost seems criminal! Let's give children credit cards. Ha.

Another commercial that recently got my attention was a "Life Takes Visa" commercial. The cogs of the shopping wheel are running smoothly as people swipe their cards. One person uses cash and stops the whole machine of consumerism. Obviously, the only way to make things work smoothly is to use a credit card. Hmmm. With advertisements like these it is no wonder that are consumer debt is so high!

Ugly Reality

2007-01-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

I just read an email which forwarded Sharon's post from her blog: http://casaubonsbook.blogspot.com/ called "Time to Face Ugly Reality." I recommend reading it!

Her post was very sobering. It directed me to a review of George Monbiot's new book called "Heat" which picks up where Al Gore left off on global warming. Heat offers real solutions without sugar-coating the large personal sacrifices they will require.

Gore and Monbiot both believe that the window of opportunity to make changes is very small -- less than 30 years. Gore made some small and easy recommendations at the end of his movie -- turning down the thermostat, driving less, changing light bulbs. Is it enough? Monibot doesn't think so.

Monbiot reluctantly concludes, "(T)here is simply no way of tackling this issue other than reducing the number, length and speed of the journeys we make." Knowing the audience for whom the book is intended, he acerbically adds, this will mean the end of "shopping trips to New York, political meetings in Porto Alegre, long distance vacations."
Monbiot sums up his findings, "I have sought to demonstrate that the necessary reduction in carbon emissions is -- if difficult -- technically and economically possible. I have not demonstrated that it is politically possible."
Is it politically possible? The last paragraph of Heat is not hopeful. "(T)he campaign against climate change is an odd one. Unlike almost all the public protests which have preceded it, it is a campaign not for abundance but for austerity. It is a campaign not for more freedom but for less. Strangest of all, it is a campaign not just against other people, but also against ourselves."

He shows us that most of the rhetoric we hear about greenhouse gas reduction is way off the mark. Two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is the temperature level beyond which major ecosystems begin to collapse, and in order to prevent this from happening, rich nations must cut their greenhouse gasses by 90 percent or more by the year 2030.

I think that Monibot has made some very sobering but important conclusions. Gore did a great job of getting us to recognize the frightening facts of global warming and has given us very easy first steps. However, these are not solutions - they are very small steps to take. What they do well is introduce the topic of global warming in an accessible fashion. Everyone can change a lightbulb. It provides baby steps to help change the American mindset. What Monibot suggests is much more difficult -- we have to be willing to give up a lot. We have to be willing to travel less, consolidate trips, car pool, consume fewer products, eat locally, and eat less meat. We need to make drastic changes in how we choose to live.

According to a new report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector generates more greenhouse gas emissions as measured in CO2 equivalent – 18 percent – than transport. It is also a major source of land and water degradation."

That release is at http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000448/index.html

What you eat -- meat vs. veggies -- could have more impact on global warming (at least in the short term) than how much you drive.

It made me realize what other changes I need to make. I am not doing enough. As a teacher, I realize how important education is. I want to educate others and provide methods for people to share and learn from one another. This last week I started a new email group (Sustainable Urban Living: UrbanSustainable@yahoogroups.com), as I realize how many of us want to learn to live sustain ably in our urban environment. I have contacted the campus about starting an educational movie series "Movies that Matter" in the hope to educate the community and follow with conversation. There are so many other things that could be done. I need to think about it.

Today I cut off my hair. It was weighing me down - literally and figuratively. I have/had very thick long curly hair. It is nearly impossible to wash. Simply getting fingers through the mass was difficult. It also took such huge amounts of conditioner and energy (warm water) to care for. I cut off over a foot. I also decided to no longer color my hair. Yes, I may have some premature gray hairs, but I will accept those rather than add the cost to the environment. I also told my stylist to watch An Inconvenient Truth. She had never heard of it.

As Sharon stated in her posting "Time to Face Ugly Reality," we truly need to make an 80% reduction in what we do and consume so that our children have a habitable planet. We do not own the earth we borrow the land from our children.

Slowing Down

2007-01-08T09:05:00.001-08:00

Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.
Mahatma Gandhi

As a society we always seem to be in such a mad rush. We rush from one place to another to get the best sales. We rush in order to make enough money so that we can live in a large house or buy the stuff we think we need. We eat quickly, we cook quickly (if at all), we purchase clothing which was quickly manufactured, we purchase furniture and cabinets that we only need a screwdriver to put together (if even that). The commercials we see are fast paced and the music we listen to is fast. All of our senses seem to be inundated with this pace. No wonder so many of us are miserable.

This last week, Liz at Groovy Green posted an article about The Hidden Cost of Cashmere. The explosion of cheap cashmere sweaters at big box stores has had huge impacts on the environment. The goats which are used to create cashmere are now creating desertification. When we demand so much stuff at a cheap price there are multiple larger costs.

The new year always bring moments of reflection and new resolutions.

I hate to make a resolution this year. This last year brought so many changes and new awareness to my life. I don't know what the next year will bring. I hope to continue on my journey toward a sustainable lifestyle. I hope to continue writing about my journey and sharing ideas and inspiration.

One of the major things I want to do this year is slow down. I am currently knitting my first sweater. I realized that as I knit I am likely to take better care of this sweater. I will not be able to quickly or easily replace it. As I think about this, I realize how many other things I can do to slow down which make me appreciate what I have even more. Creating the edible garden is one of those journeys that are slow. The process in creating is important and can be appreciated. Slowing down will also help me reduce my environmental impact.

Is there any way that you can slow down?

Let me amend to state that I am not exclaiming that we should all make all of our clothes or that we shouldn't work and just stay at home and knit. Just that I think we appreciate them more when they are handmade (by us or others). I also am aware that many of us need to work and don't make much money. However, we can choose what to purchase and to make more prudent choices in our purchases. I would rather buy or make one handmade sweater and wear that every week than purchase 10 of lesser quality and know that my excess is creating damage. Just my own thoughts ... :)

Oh, I just started a yahoo group (Sustainable Urban Living - see hte link on the right). You are free to join. :)

Light bulbs and more

2007-01-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

I created this pretty cool logo before the holidays (at least I think it is cool). The logo was ironed onto canvas bags.

Within the canvas bags I had items for reduce, reuse, and recycle.

I included a compact florescent light bulb with the tag attached.

The tag says "If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road."

The canvas bag had this attached:
"Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year."

I had some local food:
"The average fresh food item on our dinner table travels 1,500 miles. Buying locally produced food eliminates the need for all that fuel-guzzling transportation."

And finally one that talked about recycling:
"Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags, and newspapers. When you recycle, you send less trash to the landfill and you help save natural resources, like trees, oil, and elements such as aluminum."

I didn't get much response from the gifts - other than "oh, I didn't know that." Maybe it planted a seed.

What I am gong to do is start printing out the light bulb statement and purchase some light bulbs and start giving them to random people (with this message attached). A light bulb is such an easy start - and a cheap way to give a message to others. Does anyone want to join me in doing this? If you do, please let me know - I can make some of these larger or in a PDF form so that you can print out and pass on the messages.

Just a small idea that could have a difference. :)

*** Edited addition as of 2:00 PM ***

for those of you who want to join in, I have created a PDF that you can print out and cut to attach to light bulbs. http://www.d.umn.edu/~medel/Beyond/

The file is called: reduce-lightbulbs.pdf

I may also put some other items in that directory. :) Emme

Budding Magnolias

2007-01-05T13:08:00.000-08:00

The trip to Chicago was very good. However it was also very depressing. Before we left for our trip I was full of hope. I was thinking about all of the wonderful things I could do to aid our world. What I could do personally to help create a livable world for my children. I had been thinking about all of the things that I could personally do which would be good for our world. It is very easy to think about and do environmental things when I am in my small town in Minnesota.

Then I entered Chicago. First of all, I am not used to big cities. Secondly the traffic, the people, the stores.... There is just so much of everything - except for snow. People complain about the warm winter. The Magnolia trees are budding. People are concerned about global warming and what is happening. However, people aren't willing to do anything. It seems hopeless.

While in Chicago we visited with relatives. Most of whom would say that they like global warming - as it is easier on their aging bodies. What? What about the future? Other relatives didn't care about the warming as it made it easier for them to shop. I left Chicago in such a serious state of depression.

I drove home looking over the green pastures and discussing the state of the the world. I was sad. I realized that although I have all of these hopeful ideals and am doing a lot to reduce my footprint, most other people are not. Most people feel entitled to buy and waste to their heart's content. The last 4 weeks have been about 20 degrees above normal, yet people don't see the problem in it. They don't seem to care about what tomorrow may bring - only what they can purchase with that dollar bill. I was so sad that I could not bring myself to write until today. I was even thinking about giving up blogging entirely. What is the point?

Since that time I found Garden Girl (see the previous post) and feel slightly invigorated. I am helping her build a website (I put a mock-up online for review). I have a hope that if we can mainstream this way of thinking then there might be a ray of hope for the future generations. I am also starting to think that we really need to localize efforts. So, I have decided to start a local group for urban sustainability. I will let you all know how that goes.

Until my next post, Take one step to reduce your footprint.

Garden Girl Promo

2007-01-03T07:26:00.001-08:00


I was sent a link to this promo and thought you all might like it! If you cannot see the embedded video, check it out here: http://video.google.com/videoplay? docid=-882082844236943883&pr=goog-sl

Tagged!

2007-01-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was tagged by Monica. Of course, I was out of town and away from any computers at the time. So, I hope it isn't too late to join the game. :) I'll play!

The Rules: Each player of this game starts with "6 weird things about you". Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as clearly state this rule. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "your tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means.

I like cold winters
During high school I rode my bike from Duluth along the north shore of lake superior to Canada
I have a tattoo (actually two)
I played the electric violin in 3 different rock bands while in college
my hair is naturally curly
I hiked in Alaska for 5 days with a baby on my back

I hate to put others on the spot. If you decide to play, please do so - either in the comments or let me know where you posted... Have fun!

Decompressing

2007-01-01T10:05:00.000-08:00

We spent the last week in Chicago. It was a nice visit. We drove home in the midst of rain, ice, and snow. I am recovering from that!

I will be posting more later (when I can decompress). :)

Planting a seed

2006-12-22T06:47:00.000-08:00

SimplyTim asked me to post the link to the projected migrating climate.

Migrating Climates is an animation which shows the migrating temperatures for the great lakes region. http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes/glimpactmigrating.html
Precipitation is expected to change and the temperature is expected to increase. Some areas may be wetter than "normal" and other areas will be drier. There are expected to be bigger and more massive storms and even flooding (and then increased evaporation).

This site: http://www.climatechoices.org/ne/ has similar information for the northeastern U.S. and this http://www.climatechoices.org/ca/index.html is for California.

These are the projected changes in the next 30-100 years. Some of these changes will affect my life, but they certainly will affect the lives of my children and their children. Think about the scenes of starvation we have seen in other countries. That may be us in 50 years. We have been a country of overabundance. What happens when even basic food necessities cannot be met because of climate?

Obviously, there are a lot of changes that are happening and/or projected to happen. I have read in numerous places that we really only have 10-15 years left to make a change. After that, it may be too late. I look outside the window in my Minnesota house and instead of a pile of snow I see bright green grass. It appears to be spring instead of the middle of winter. Changes are happening.

My last post was about what each of us could do - how we could move past compact florescent light bulbs. Now, how can we teach others to do the same?

We have to realize that our government is slow to act and that many people will not make changes until it is mandated. Many other people are unaware of the problem. We can teach by example, we can do as Carolyn is doing and giving random gifts. Carolyn is randomly giving out compact florescent light bulbs in an effort to help people become aware of the problem and some solutions. I hear of others who are giving gifts of an Inconvenient Truth book or DVD. I have been having my students do research and then create posters. My friend Tracey stopped by the other day and we spoke about planting the seed. Sometimes we need to state something and then say it again and again.

How are you going to plant the seed?

Making a change

2006-12-20T06:40:00.000-08:00

Last week I showed an Inconvenient Truth to my graphic design students. It was a great fit into the curriculum - as one of the classes I taught focused on a public service announcement (series) which included global warming. Another class was motion graphics (film making). An Inconvenient Truth suited perfectly. I opened up the class to others in the University system. Unfortunately, only a few others arrived.

We had a great discussion about what we could each personally do about global warming. We had talked about this quite a bit throughout the class, thus it was not a new topic. However, I think it affected the students even more than they had anticipated. Most of the students had done readings and research. It is much different to read about global warming than to see the evidence.

I also found climate change map. Minnesota will be like Missouri, Wisconsin like Kansas, Illinois like Texas. These are northern midwest states. What will Texas be like? What will the grain belt be like? Will they even be inhabitable? What about water? The great lakes are already being depleted.

It is evident that not only is this happening, but that something needs to be done about it. We need to do something now. Let's stop waiting for the government to tell us to do something. Instead, let's take this upon ourselves.

We all know that changing our light bulbs is a great first step to stop global warming. We have heard about things to do - such as turning down our thermostat, recycling, driving less, etc. What else can we do? How can we move beyond light bulbs?

Here are just a few of things that I am doing:
Reduce Packaging
I purchase most things in bulk. No - not 10 jars of something. Instead, I purchase a 25 lb bag of rice. I then store it in a PETA safe bucket or repackage it in another way.

Reusing
Instead of tossing the glass jar into the recycling, I am trying to find additional uses. Recycling is great - but it does use additional energy.

I have given a glass jar to each child to use a piggy bank.
I will take the rice (mentioned above) and premake mixes (check out Hill Billy Housewife - the rice mixes are great). I premake these so that my kids (or husband) can easily start a meal.
My milk comes in glass jars - which are reused
cloth diapers can be reused
thrift stores for clothing

Reduce

I freecycle almost everything that I do not need. When I gave up cleaning supplies and opted to use homemade, I freecycled all of the remaining supplies. Thus, someone else was not purchasing.
I reduce food waste by either composting or
reusing my vegetable scraps (by making and canning vegetable broth) - then I don't need to purchase it!
choosing not to purchase unnecessary items.
turn off things (TV) when not in use
line dry clothing

Relocalizing
Instead of shopping at mega centers like WalMart, I am choosing to shop locally. Food comes from the farmers market, my garden, or local farms
I am also choosing to visit locally owned stores.

Transportation

My spouse drives a veggie car. This is a car which runs on waste vegetable oil. The WVO (waste vegetable oil) creates less pollution.This is not practical is you do not commute - it take s awhile for the oil to heat up, etc. However, my spouse works at hopsitals that are 2- 4 hours away.
We also have a scooter for in town driving
I often choose to walk or bike most places.
ride with someone
Combine trips

So, these are just a few of the things that we try to do. Can we provide each other with ideas of ways to move beyond light bulbs? What are you doing? What will you do next?

Reviewing 2006

2006-12-19T05:09:00.000-08:00

As I opened the mailbox yesterday I noticed the heft of the envelopes. These were the first of what I assume will be many holiday cards. Each one contained a holiday letter. I read through the letters and was saddened by the fact that I had so many friends and relatives with whom there was little or no communication. I read the letters and felt like a virtual stranger. When did we stop sharing things with one another? It seems as if we are so busy that we have stopped communicating with loved ones. We have summarized an entire year of events into a 1 page letter which we exchange for news from loved ones. Wow.

Well, in spite of what I just wrote about. I am going to give a year in review. This has been the most significant year of my life - in terms of personal growth. Yes, I have had events in the past which had an affect on my life, however, this year has been much more personal and yet much larger than any other year.

Early 2006 had a few family changes. Our 2006 started with excellent news from Duluth. We learned of my pregnancy in February. I was offered a term position for the University (I had been adjunct prior to this). Mid-march brought my birthday and early April was J's.

April brought the most significant changes. It was this month that introduced me to the compact. I took a vow not to buy new for a year. I learned about my personal impact on the environment and the importance to choose not to make purchases.

The rest of the year was a period of growth. I learned about eating locally, choosing to use less -- less electricity, less consumer goods, less gas.... I learned to preserve the bounty of the seasons and to eat what was in season. I learned to enjoy walking to the store. It gave me time to have an inner dialog and think about my life's impacts and what I wanted to do next. I learned to slow down. I learned that life is more than image. I learned to live life.

In October we were blessed with our youngest and final baby. The finality of my reproductive years saddened me, but I knew that it was the wisest choice for our family and the environment. I gave away all of my maternity clothing and am sending on Sam's newborn clothes. I hope to open our home and adopt or foster a child in the future.

Where do I want to go next? I want to continue to grow and reduce my impact. I want to reduce the items in my house. I want to live much more simply. I will continue the compact - and not buy new. I want to live and teach by example. I do not want to return to my previous consumer lifestyle.

I have found a few others in my community who have similar goals and have joined with them. One group is a local energy group. Another is a group that is trying to make our city more walkable - "livable. " As important as my personal changes have been, I realize that we cannot do this alone.

picture of the kids

2006-12-18T21:29:00.000-08:00

Working on that perfect picture of all five.... Not as easy as it would seem!

Food Not Lawns #2 - Research

2006-12-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

I have been doing a lot of planning and thinking since I originally posted my "Food Not Lawns" idea. I have read numerous books and have done a lot of sketching. Right now I am still at the planning stages. I know that I want to create a beautiful landscape, yet have it functional (edible).

Part of the decision to do this comes from my desire to know where my food comes from. I know that I have not sprayed the food with various chemicals. I want my food to be close and not travel 1500 miles to get to me. I can't get much closer than walking out my front door. I also want to know that my food is not contributing to climate change. How? Well, food that is grown and sprayed with chemicals adds to the problem -- as the creation of the chemicals is bad for the environment. Then the truck, plows, and tractors which plant, harvest, and transport our food emit CO2. If the food is processed, that emits Co2. I believe I read somewhere that our foods use 10 calories of energy to create 1 calorie of energy. It seems out of proportion. I'd rather walk out my door.

So, in the research of this I have read Gaia's Garden (thanks for the recommendations). Wow. It opened my eyes. There is so much that I thought impossible, that now is possible.

In this book I learned about water catchment systems, using grey water, and forest gardens. Forest Gardens? Yes. It turns out that I can use the shady area in the back. The shady area is dominated with a canopy of tall trees. I can plant fruit trees under those trees. I can plant fruit bushes under those and herbs and shade vegetables with the bushes. It is very exciting to me!

I drew a map of our property (not to scale). I also found some pictures from our sidewalk designing phases. I have included notes regarding the light and shade during periosd of the day.

So, thus we start. I am now going to use the sketch and the photos to plan the garden.

Next will be a decision of what the beds will look like, how paths will weave through, and what plants I will start with. I have also been reading about plants which are beneficial to one another.

I have seed catalogs and have been taking notes on the light/shade issues, companion plants, and germination periods. I need to think about when to plant various plants and when to start some of these indoors.

There is still a lot of research and planning to do, but I feel that I am off to a good start.

I look forward to sharing more of this journey soon!

The yellow mercedes in the driveway is our veggie car!

Class Project images

2006-12-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

These posters were created by one of my students. A series of three which state the problem. A series of three solutions.

These posters will be posted on campus. I will be posting other examples from my students.

Global Dimming

2006-12-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

Worth watching. From the BBC about Global Dimming. It is 49 minutes in length. Be sure to watch the entire thing (or at least the last 15 minutes)!

"This is a documentary that deals with a climatic phenomenon that has been seriously underestimated and how this should force us to recognize that global warming is a far greater threat than has previously been assumed. It's from the BBC so it's very good, clear and to the point. A must see for anyone wondering about the state of the Earth. "

More reason to take action against global warming. It is time to make practical real world changes. Now. We each contribute to warming, thus we each need to take action. If we want to have a planet to live on then we need to do something: for our future, our children's future, and their children's future.

What will you do?

13 Groovy Days of Joy! - Gifts for Kids

2006-12-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

My first Groovy green article. :) I wrote some ideas for gifts for kids..

http://groovygreen.com/index.php?option=com_content
&task=view&id=308&Itemid=58

[edited as I was told the above link does not work correctly. Try http://www.groovygreen.com Day 2 article is the first article seen now. Check out the link for mine at the bottom of day 2]

A preview:
A few months ago we started to become inundated with advertisements. I would open the mailbox and find yet another pile of toy catalogs. My children would sit with the catalogs and drool over items that they thought provided necessities to fulfill their lives. Each child would circle items and make lists. Often I would find a new list of “needed” toys on my pillow or taped to the refrigerator. Fortunately, my children seem to understand the difference between want and need. Phew!

So, how do we compete with the plethora of toy catalogs and advertisements? How do we make decisions that are healthier for our children, our home, and our planet? Personally, we try to give gifts that suit our children’s interests. We try to stay away from the accumulation of “stuff” and prefer to give gifts of experience. Some of the experiences may be piano, or guitar lessons combined with a music book. They might be karate classes or swim lessons combined with the appropriate clothing.

read the rest at http://www.groovygreen.com

Holiday craze

2006-12-11T17:32:00.000-08:00

Every year it seems to get worse. The holiday advertisements come earlier and earlier, the number of catalogs piling our mailbox grow, and the number of sales and advertisements increase. Average American households carry about $8000 in credit card debt. Yet Americans plan to spend an average of $1,096 on holiday gifts this season. Most people go over budget. They will go further into debt.

Our holiday season no longer seems to be about the holiday. It is now about accumulating presents. People fight in lines over the last x-item, they stress about giving and getting the perfect presents. A local radio station recently offered an x-box 360 for anyone who would be willing to part with their child for 24 hours. It was shocking to hear of how many people responded with offers for this radio personality to take their child. One mother even called offering up her 1 week old infant. Why do we care more about these things -- this stuff than we do about our own lives and families?

The crazed stress of the holiday starts with the first drop of autumn leaves. I saw a commercial the other day (K Mart - I think) where two women were singing faster and faster about all of the things they needed to get done and in the end stated that they would sleep next year (as they collapsed into the snow). Is this how this season is supposed to make us feel?

The desire for accumulation grows every year. After the months of crazy consumer spending, presents are opened in about five minutes of unwrapping frenzy. Five minutes and it is over. No wonder there is so much post holiday depression.

This year we have decided to participate in a Buy Nothing Christmas. I can imagine people reading that and responding "Oh no! What about those poor children? You are depriving your children of the toys and merriment of Christmas."

I think that instead of feeding into the consumer frenzy we are teaching them the meaning of the holiday season. We want to focus on the joys of giving. That toys and gifts are not what is important in the holidays. This season can be about more than purchasing and accumulating items. What do I really love about this season? The hope for goodwill and peace. The songs, the community activities, snowmen, and of course cookies. :)

The children will not be going without, however we will focus more on experiences than gifts of things (which usually break within a month anyway).

For example, Elyse (age 8) is a swimmer. She swims almost everyday with J. J swims 2 miles a day and Elyse will swim over 1/2 a mile. We will give her a gift of swim lessons (I will design a page and put it into a box.) I am also sewing her a small bag to keep her swim gear in. This is a gift that she will use every day. A gift that will continue to give. We are hoping to refocus our gifts rather than spend oodles of dollars on needless things.

Check out Buy Nothing Christmas
and Adbusters Buy Nothing Christmas

Beyond corn -- food for thought

2006-12-07T18:22:00.000-08:00

Suddenly it seems as if everything I read or see has to do with food. It is more than recipes or how to grow veggies, but it has to do with the nature of what we eat.

I recently saw "The Future of Food." The Future of Food is an in-depth documentary about the engineered and genetically modified foods that have entered our food shelves. It was frightening to realize how big corporations (such as Monsanto) have genetically modified seeds so much that we are now unable to save seeds. We don't know the impact of these foods on the rest of our seeds.

See, once upon a time we would grow our food and collect the seeds to be grown the following year. Without those seeds we would only be able to grow food one time. We would have to purchase seeds every year. Well, now seeds are engineered so that we are unable to save the seeds. They are made to grow only once. This makes us dependent upon the corporations which developed the seeds. We would have to purchase the seeds every year to planted again.

This documentary covers other issues about the food infrastructure. The laws that cover corporations rather than the farmers. Those who have patents on genetically engineered seeds have more rights than those people whose land accidentally gets planted with those seeds (via wind or the like). It is shocking and disturbing.

With recommendations by Burdockboy and Tracey, I have started to read the Omnivore's Dilemma.

I am only a few pages into the book. It has already shocked me. I live near corn country. I live in corn country. I always wondered why this area grew so much corn. The pages that I have read answered my question. Corn is in everything. Everything. Corn is in the wax that covers our peppers. Corn is fed to the beef and chicken that we consume. Corn is in soda in the form of corn syrup. Corn is what we consume.

At the same time that I was reading these pages there was an article in the local paper about corn. The demand for corn has sky rocketed. This is because now corn will fuel more than our bodies--it will fuel our cars. Farmers are now deciding whether to sell their corn for ethanol production or food/livestock production. Corn sold for ethanol pays much better than the latter. What does this mean?

Farmers are deciding to sell their corn for ethanol (to fuel our cars). This means that there is less corn available for the food market as mentioned in the Omnivore's Dilemma. There is less corn available to feed livestock/soda/food mixes/boxed foods. Corn prices go up and everything else will have to go up.

I think that it is time for us to take control of our food. I am trying to eat food in closest to the form that it originally came from. I know I am doing well when my husband tells me that we have nothing in the house to eat and then I create a scrumptious meal (ingredients rather than a box). I am now buying heirloom seeds instead of GE seeds. I want to know where my food comes from and have as much control over it as possible. I want to eat food that does not travel 1500+ miles.

This time of year may be difficult to start thinking about eating locally (especially for those of us in the cold north). However, I challenge you to start thinking about it. I think we should wean ourselves from boxes of food and return to ingredients. That will make it easier to eat locally when the farmer's markets reopen in the spring.

new skills - cheese

2006-12-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

This is a quick post. It has been insane - J has been working a lot....

So, I learned a new skill this weekend. I learned how to make cheese! Okay, it wasn't hard cheese (like cheddar). It was fresh mozzarella. I could not believe how easy it was to do. It tasted great as well! This is something I have been wanting to do, but afraid to do. I took the leap and it wasn't too bad.

The cheese was used on homemade pizza. Madison commented that the pizza was entirely homemade (crust, sauce, and cheese). I suppose if I could grow wheat and had a cow it would be truly home grown, but I was pretty impressed with this new skill.

Cheese making below. I forgot to take a picture of the ball of cheese.

The ingredients (whole milk, citric acid, rennet)

Citirc acid was added to the milk. Rennet added once the temp reached 90.

Let the milk sit for about 3 minutes (see the curd separated from the whey)

Cutting the cheese into blocks - to take out of pot. Taking this picture while cutting was also a new skill.

After the mozzarella was separated from the whey and drained, it was cheese! :)

What's for dinner? 1

2006-12-03T14:32:00.000-08:00

I think that developing a weekly menu is a great way to save money and to ease the pain of nightly dinners. "What's for dinner?"

It also helps if you are trying to develop food storage. If you track what you eat every month, then it is easier to determine how much of individual items you should have stored.

Monday - black bean enchiladas
Tuesday - pasta (with brussel sprouts, white beans, sun dried tomatoes) with homemade sour dough bread
Wednesday - beef stew + panini sandwiches (beet, sauteed spinach, mozzarella cheese) homemade sour dough bread
Thursday - vegetarian stir fry
Friday - pizza
Saturday - vegetarian pot pie
Sunday - Root vegetable gratin

lunches - homemade wheat bread, hummus, cheese, pickles...
breakfast - oatmeal or cold cereal

the pebble that changes the world

2006-11-30T09:19:00.000-08:00

I teach a class called "Senior Seminar." In this class we talk about issues affecting us as artists and designers, including our role in the world around us. At the end of the semester, each student is to give a presentation on a topic of choice. This morning one student gave a presentation. The topic of her presentation was "Can Art Serve as a Vehicle to Change the World?" She spoke about the power of art to capture the minds and imaginations of people. Art can be used to educate people about topics of importance. She showed one photograph -- which sparked incredible debate throughout the world. Mostly condemning the photographer for 1) taking the picture and 2) not taking action in the situation he photographed. I will not go into details about the photograph itself, but it did create a lot of dialogue within the class (which was one of the intentions of this assignment).

Another student responded to this presentation by talking about what she witnessed in this country during the Vietnam war. She kept saying "over there." It became very interesting to me that most of these issues that we talk about are "over there." We are so uninvolved in things that are not directly affecting us, that everything else becomes "over there." When does over there become right here? Do we have to wait until it is in our face? I think we need to realize that each of our actions, positive or negative, has an effect on someone or something else.

Yesterday another class was discussing the Cradle to Cradle chapter on Eco-effectiveness. I asked them how they could take the principles into their own lives, work, or designs. All of the students told me that this class has changed their lives. Can you believe that? A graphic design class has changed their lives. One student has told me that she is trying to get her workplace to create less waste. Another told me that she is now eating organic local foods and is using eco-friendly products. One told me that he is telling others about what can be done to change their impact on the environment. Each one has been effected.

I think this is a good example of the power of the pebble. A year ago I would not have had any interest in my personal impact on the world. Once I decided to go without purchasing (by Compacting), I learned how much I personally contributed to waste. I learned the small changes I could make. I became interested in doing whatever I could to make a healthier world. J told me that one person could not make a difference. I disagree.

I did not tell my students that they had to make changes. I told them they had to do research on "Living Responsibly in the 21st Century" and create designs to change the behaviors of others. I did not expect them to come away from the class as changed people - only to see the power of design and create good designs (the designs are incredible and I have permission to post them when they are complete). Perhaps Art can serve as a vehicle to change the world.

The pebble is creating waves.

Food not Lawns #1

2006-11-27T22:29:00.000-08:00

So, I have decided to start Edible Landscaping aka "Food not lawns" (thanks Burdockboy). Okay, it may not be a movement, however I have decided to do this for my family. Perhaps my community may become interested. I also told some of my students about this idea. These students are working on a public service announcement campaign about living responsibly (climate change/peak oil/water issues/consumerism). I do know that a few of them are interested in the idea -- they asked me about it after class. :)

A clerk at a local grocery store is a horticulture student at the local college. I have asked her if she had heard of edible landscaping. She had not. I told her about what I want to do. She is going to make a list of great plants to grow along with the fruits and veggies. She does know a lot of medicinal herbs. So, this will help a lot!

Thus far I have looked through a catalog of heirloom seeds. Seed savers is an organization that focuses on saving heirloom seeds. http://www.seedsavers.org/ I am very interested in heirloom veggies (not genetically modified). Seed savers is located near Des Moines, Iowa. This means that their sucessful seeds (in that area) would be fairly similar to mine. I am going to look closely at seeds which fulfill our needs (cold weather, long storage, etc).

I have also been reading Seed To Seed by Suzanne Ashworth. It is an excellent resource for not only the how-tos of saving seeds but also the growing of and additional information.

I think it will be important to grow a mixture of veggies, fruits, herbs, and flowers. I need to determine what will keep away the bunnies. OR - do I plant extras just for the bunnies?

This is the time of year to start the planning of the garden. I have some grid paper and am planning the layout of our garden. I have to keep in mind that this will be a multi-year effort.

The next step will be the plans. I will post those as soon as I come up with something! I will also talk to one of the local organic farmers about doing this. I am one of her "regulars" at the Farmer's Market. Perhaps she will even allow me to "shadow" her or help on her farm.

organic milk

2006-11-27T17:34:00.000-08:00

This morning I was doing the daily task of pumping before work. I don't drink milk, but my children drink organic milk (free of hormones). What is the milk that Sam drinks? It made me think about what we put into our bodies. I eat almost entirely of organic foods. I try to use products on my body or in my home that I would put into my body (i.e. vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, etc). What is the toxicity in my own body? No matter how much I try to eat healthy foods, I am certain that there are toxins in my own environment --whether at work or fertilizer on the park lawns. I can't control everything around me, but I hope to influence it.

I did find this link - Mothers can limit chemicals in their milk. You can reduce the potential hazards from pollution in breast milk. http://www.nrdc.org/breastmilk/whattodo.asp

So, I only hope that the milk Sam drinks is free of toxins. Is it organic?

100-mile Thanksgiving Recap

2006-11-26T12:46:00.000-08:00

We had quite a nice Thanksgiving. Well, the kids and I did anyway! J was somewhere in Iowa dealing with meth overdoses and turkey burns. We will celebrate thanksgiving with him sometime this week. To me, Thanksgiving isn't about the national holiday. It is to take a day to think about what you are thankful for. This can occur on any day of the year -- as a matter of fact, I think it should! :)

Well, my in laws came from Chicago. They brought a few items for the 100-mile thanksgiving. They brought items that were made in or grown within the 100-mile of Chicago area. It was really cool to get my MIL (mother in law) into this notion. She told many people what we were doing. Most had never heard of this, but were intrigued and want to try next year.

The meal was wonderful! Apples seemed to be a theme this year. I found a turkey from a local farm and stuffed it with some of the apples that the children and I picked in September. After a few hours of roasting, I coated it in maple syrup (from a local Amish farmer).

We also had brussel sprouts from the CSA which were roasted with bacon and apples, acorn squash stuffed with cranberries, apples, and maple syrup. Mashed potatoes with roasted garlic. Stuffing from homemade bread.... I also made pumpkin and apple pies. Of course, I made hte crusts, but I also roasted and pureed the pumpkin for the pie. Oh, and we had homemade whipped cream!

It was a great success. I think with the exception of a few ingredients such as salt and vinegar, it was all local! I am not certain where my wheat berries came from, but they were home ground....

We played charades. It was fun to do something that the whole family got a kick out of. Children and grandparents alike enjoyed playing.

The thing that made this possible was that I have been trying to eat locally since June. It really made a difference in my own mindset. I know that it is easy to get overwhelmed with the notion of Thanksgiving and with the idea of cooking locally, but making it a practice during the entire year makes it something that is highly possible to do.

I plan to continue to eat locally for the rest of the year.

The Notion of Beauty

2006-11-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today in Senior Seminar we discussed the notion of beauty. Who determines what is considered beautiful? Why is something considered beautiful at one time and not at another?

The idea of Beauty is dependant on the culture and time in which we live. For instance, at one time overweight was considered beautiful. Why? Because someone who was overweight was well fed and thus could produce offspring. Youth was beautiful. Fertility was beautiful. Look at all of the paintings of Rubenesque women from the Renaissance. These women were full figured -- the ideal of health.

It was also during this time that women with fair skin were considered beautiful. Those who worked in the fields were tanned. So those who were fair skinned could have a leisure lifestyle and be well-fed. Marie-Antoinette's mole was not beautiful -- until it ended up on her face. Does this indicate that those who were wealthy were considered beautiful?

Peter Paul Rubens. Venus und Adonis. Um 1615
Sammlung der Kunstakademie Düsseldorf NRW

I don't know the answer to that, but it does make me consider what has been considered beautiful in more recent years. At one time, tan was considered beautiful (didn't need to work indoors at a typewriter). Now, due to skin cancer, tan is no longer considered beautiful. Now athletic is beautiful - as these people could afford a personal trainer. So, is it related to wealth? Maybe.

Think about what else is determined by wealth - size of houses (McMansions), large cars, spreading lawns.....

The lawn is a rather new idea. Once again, the lawn was an indicator of wealth. Those who were not wealthy grew food. Those who were wealthy could afford formal gardens and lawns. Gardens would be hidden the rear of the house. Now we grow lawns instead of food. We put fertilizers on our lawns and carefully tend them. We water for what? Appearance. The notion of beauty. A notion of beauty that was determined by the wealthy.

Can we (instead of celebrities or the wealthy) decide what is beautiful? Let's take back beauty. Let's determine for ourselves. I have decided to dig up my useless lawn and am planning an urban edible landscape. Food. Food is beautiful.

Buy Nothing Day

2006-11-20T18:13:00.000-08:00

NOVEMBER 24 IS BUY NOTHING DAY - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

THE ULTIMATE REFUND: On November 24th and 25th -- the busiest days in the American retail calendar and the unofficial start of the international Christmas-shopping season -- thousands of activists and concerned citizens in 65 countries will take a 24-hour consumer detox as part of the 14th annual Buy Nothing Day, a global phenomenon that originated in Vancouver, Canada.

From joining zombie marches through malls to organizing credit card cut-ups and shopoholic clinics, Buy Nothing Day activists aim to challenge themselves, their families and their friends to switch off from shopping and tune back into life for one day. Featured in recent years by the likes of CNN, Wired, the BBC, and the CBC, the global event is celebrated as a relaxed family holiday, as a non-commercial street party, or even as a politically charged public protest. Anyone can take part provided they spend a day without spending.

Reasons for participating in Buy Nothing Day are as varied as the people who choose to participate. Some see it as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumer binge that has come to characterize the holiday season, and our culture in general. Others use it to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of overconsumption.

Two recent, high-profile disaster warnings outline the sudden urgency of our dilemma. First, in October, a global warming report by economist Sir Nicholas Stern predicted that climate change will lead to the most massive and widest-ranging market failure the world has ever seen. Soon after, a major study published in the journal Science forecast the near-total collapse of global fisheries within 40 years.

Kalle Lasn, co-founder of the Adbusters Media Foundation, which was responsible for turning Buy Nothing Day into an international annual event, said, "Our headlong plunge into ecological collapse requires a profound shift in the way we see things. Driving hybrid cars and limiting industrial emissions is great, but they are band-aid solutions if we don't address the core problem: we have to consume less. This is the message of Buy Nothing Day."

As Lasn suggests, Buy Nothing Day isn't just about changing your habits for one day. It's about starting a lasting lifestyle commitment to consuming less and producing less waste. With six billion people on the planet, the onus is on the most affluent - the upper 20% that consumes 80% of the world's resources - to begin setting the example.

-Culture Jammers Press Release

For more information and media interviews contact

MEDIA LIASON: Laura Fauth
TELEPHONE NUMBER: 604-736-9401
EMAIL: media-pr@adbusters.org

busy busy busy

2006-11-19T16:48:00.000-08:00

This weekend has been very busy. The other day I was approached by the department head at the community college. I was requested to take over the Typography I course - as the current instructor would be unable to complete the course. I have accepted the course, mostly due to the fact that the majority of these students would be transferring to the University and taking Typography 2 from me next semester. I would either have to teach them a semester's worth of type now (in the next 4 weeks) or have to teach them the same information during Typography 2. So, I will taking up this additional course starting tomorrow.

So, tonight I am attempting to prepare three different lecture topics for tomorrow (almost done). I have developed a 4 week syllabus. There are a few more decisions to make about the class - such as projects, homework, quizzes, etc.

Today is Elyse's birthday. While I would usually make a cake and make a great dinner I realized that I simply don't have time for it today. I purchased boca burgers and a cake. Nothing from scratch - no time and even less energy. It is difficult, but I realized that it is okay get help - either from others or in the form of packaged food. There are times when it is important to know that you can't do it all.

Slowing down can mean many things - but it means different things to different people. One day it may mean cooking everything from scratch and another day it may mean that you need to cook from a box or pick up a cake from the store. It is still okay. I know that tomorrow will be different.

100-mile Thanksgiving

2006-11-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

One of the things that I love about going to the farmer's market and belonging to a CSA is the introduction of new foods. My father was born and raised in Montana - almost everything we ate when growing up was either beef or fish based and standard veggies: broccoli, beans, potatoes, iceberg lettuce, etc.

When I went to college I became a little more adventurous in my food choices: artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese all became part of standard fair. However, I was still pretty naive about many of the foods available. So, before this summer, I had never seen a red beet, used kale, or cooked with parsnips. This week I received each of those items and have cooked with them.

Romanesco - an italian brocolli. We love it!

Celeriac - excellent in soup!

Kale - great sauteed. High in iron!

100-mile Thanksgiving
So, I have some ideas for our Thanksgiving meal. All local.

Turkey
(summer hill family farm in Lanesboro has organic + free-range. )
Stuff with local apples (http://www.appleridgeorchard.com/).
maple butter and thyme (all local) on and under skin.

maple syrup from the Amish family at the farmer's market
butter from Pastureland ( http://www.pastureland.coop/Butter.htm )
thyme from my herb garden (now hanging and drying)

Celeriac and Potato Puree
(potatoes, celeriac, rosemary, butter, milk, stock)
potatoes, celeriac, and rosemary from our CSA Rock Spring Farm ( http://www.rsfarm.com/)
milk from Kappers' Big Red Barn (http://www.the-land.com/story.php?storyid=2340)

Sauteed Kale
kale, garlic (again from CSA)
olive oil and balsamic vinegar (on hand)

Stuffing
Apples, homemade bread, thyme, sausage (Shady Hills Farm)

Acorn squash
flavored with maple syrup

Pumpkin pie + Apple pie
all from local ingredients. The crust will be made with home ground wheat.

I have yet to find cranberries - I do know that there are some grown within this radius. I have yet to find them. I am not going to go out of my way.

I may try to find a local wine. My MIL is bringing Apple Cider (local from Chicago area).

I may add or remove items. However, I think we have almost everything covered. With the exception of salt, olive oil, vinegar, wheat berries, and a few spices, we are 100% local!

Thanksgiving Plans

2006-11-17T17:16:00.000-08:00

I have been putitng off deciding on my Thanksgiving menu until I knew what I would pick up from our CSA today. I am also going to the winter farmer's market tomorrow morning. I will then know what I will be making.

I rather enjoy this adventure. I feel fortunate that in spite of the fact that we live in the cold Minnesota climate, we have the option for fresh farmer's market food. I do have food stored in the freezer if needed, as well.

Tomorrow I will post my Thanksgiving menu! :)

Control the wheel

2006-11-15T14:54:00.000-08:00

Everytime I talk to people about peak oil and the need for sustainability people look at me as if I have a started to grow a horn out of the center of my head. If there is any verbal response, I am told not to worry about it because the government will handle any problems. I am told that the government will ration gas and/or food and will take care of us. I have heard that if there really is a problem, the government would have told us. I have also been told that if things become bad, people will come to me for help.

What happened to us? Why do we sit back and allow someone else to control our lives? Why do we feel that we should count on the government to "save us" rather than looking at our selves. We do have the capability to make changes that can make our lives easier in the long run. The changes may be difficult initially, but the long term pay-offs are great.

I think about these changes as something like childbirth. Yes, labor is long, difficult, and painful -- yet we know that the payoff at the end is tremendous. We go through the pain knowing that we will be rewarded at the end. Our life changes to sustainability can be the same way. It is difficult to change (I still have internal conflicts at times). However, the changes are very rewarding and have positive outcomes. I am confident in my abilities. I believe it is important to know how to do things now rather than wait until they are needed.

Take control of the wheel and drive to your future. What changes could you make that would make your life more sustainable?

Artist dilemma

2006-11-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

As you know, I am an assistant professor of graphic design. This means that I have to do research, have exhibitions, and publish. Art has always been a very important part of my life. The act of creating and the messages the creations produce has been a focus of all of my work. Some of of my work has included life size portraits of my self as other characters --telling a story. Other work included a Step 1 board review game -- for students wishing to review for Step 1 of the USMLE board exam.

The past few years have been difficult for me to work as an artist, as I have felt a general lack of purpose in the act of creation. I have not wanted to use darkroom chemicals - due to the negative impact on our environment (and our bodies). I have not wanted to create logos to sell products. It has been a dilemma. I want to have a purpose and a positive impact in my artistic work. Without that intense internal desire, I have no longing to do any artistic work or research. I don't want to create waste. I don't want to contribute to what I see as being a negative influence on our society and our earth.

I have been contemplating exploring the designer's role in teaching change. I have been thinking about using what I write about here. Designers have some latitude in research and artistic creation. We have helped form our society as we inform it. We have created new artistic movements in response to our culture. Everything in our world has been influenced by something else. There is a lot for me to think about.

Peak Oil and Medicine

2006-11-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

I have been sick for about a week. Nagging cough, headache, fever, malaise.... I think I have been over doing it and not getting enough sleep. I have been trying to take it easy - drinking a lot of water. The only way I have been able to get my fever down is to take ibuprofen.

This makes me think about how fortunate that we live in a time when we have medications that can reduce fever. Historically, it was not long ago that people would die from simple things like fever, a small wound, etc.

While I have been focused on the food problems related to peak oil, Jonathan has been concerned about medical issues related to peak oil. Currently, he works in rural Iowa / Minnesota emergency rooms. He tells me how many cases that he sees that he could do nothing about without petroleum products. Almost all products he uses are petroleum based (syringes, IV bags, tubes, etc). Almost everything is manufactured overseas. Many medications have to travel long distances.... Jonathan and I are starting to look at some naturopathic remedies. Will post peak oil produce such bleak outcomes? Will all products be unavailable? Will we have a limited selected supply? No one knows exactly what will happen, but we do realize that things will be different.

For now, I keep hydrated and keep nursing Samuel.

disposables

2006-11-06T12:09:00.000-08:00

Samuel - 1 month today

I am not very good at sewing. When I was a child my mother sewed almost all of my clothes and most of hers. She started to quilt after she was diagnosed with cancer. I think it was cathartic for her. Anyway, when she passed away I received one of her sewing machines. Someone borrowed it before I received it and did some damage. So, even if I could sew, I wouldn't be able to.... One of my goals is to start to sew!

My children have been in cloth diapers (AIO - All In One). However, Gavin (age 2) is keen on the idea of underwear. I thought I would venture out and find some thicker training pants. The type that are like underwear, yet thick like a diaper. I searched and searched and searched. No one carries these any longer. I guess we are supposed to be using disposables.

I know that many people prefer to use disposables because they are easier and the like, but I can't stand thinking about the waste that is created by using disposables. If I don't have options, then what am I supposed to do? Couldn't stores carry just a few for people who want to reuse? We really are a disposable society! Diapers, pull-ups, bottles, bibs, sippy cups are all disposable! Of course, I think about the corporations who know that if we use their disposable items, then we will keep purchasing them from those companies. If we have few choices, then we will have to choose the disposables over the reusables (which are unavailable).

It also makes me thikn about how much is used to create something disposable. The energy for the materials, production, distribution, disposal.... At least with cloth it is being reused (and does not have to be recreated for each use)!

BTW, I found some training pants online. I have ordered those (a justifiable purchase). I also located a place to fix my mother's sewing machine. I will NOT go through this again.

End of Suburbia

2006-11-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

This is a 52 minute portion of the movie. I highly recommend sitting down and watching this!

Branding

2006-11-02T18:22:00.000-08:00

Branding is the term used for the process of creating a series of images, symbols, name, slogans, and design schemes for the identity of a corporation. Branding became popular during periods of illiteracy. Think about it - you didn't know how to read, but you heard that the butcher with a picture of an steer had the best cuts of meat. Thus you knew who your friends preferred. It was simply a sign.

In this country branding has become more than a sign for an item or corporation. In this country, branding touches our hearts and emotions. Branding tells us that a Coke will provide us with excitement and fulfill a "need" within us. Coke is no longer simply a drink - it is much much more. In reality, the brands that we buy into do not fulfill a need (although commercials imply they do). They leave us wishing for that emotional fulfillment. We purchase more in an effort to get what the ads tell us we will receive. Remember, graphic designers are paid to pull us in and convince us of a need to purchase.

Everything that we purchase identifies us with a brand. If we purchase a Coke, we are telling others that this is our preferred brand. The shirts that we wear have a logo - whether it is a polo logo or large lettering. These shirts are virtually free advertisements for corporations. If anything, we pay the companies to be able to advertise for them! How is that thought for you?

Think about what you use and purchase. Do you want to advertise for XYZ company? Do they have the standards you want to support? You really do have a choice!

I have decided that I do not like the overt manipulation of Target's commercials - especially the "want it, need it, got it" commercial. I will not shop there any longer.

Groovy!

2006-11-01T16:58:00.000-08:00

I feel so incredibly honored every day that I learn how many people check out this blog. There are regular readers from all parts of the world. This blog started as a personal log of my journey towards attaining a simple life. I never really thought that this experience would change me so much or that it would touch so many other people. Thank you very much for reading and sharing your own experiences. Knowing that there are so many others who are on this same journey is inspirational and helps me realize that I really am on the right track.

Well, the other day I received an email inviting me to be a contributing writer to Groovy Green. I am looking forward to sharing with an even larger audience. I hope that you all check out this new online magazine! Don't worry - I will still be blogging here, as well!

Holidays

2006-10-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Halloween. Even if I did not have a calendar I would realize the time of year. Of course, there are the beautiful leaves on the ground, the smell of the autumnal air, the crisp air which necessitates the need for a sweater. I truly love this time of year. Then again, I can't think of a time of year I really dislike.

I would also know that it was halloween simply by the plethora of pumpkins, halloween decorations, and commercials. It sometimes astonishes me that holidays have become so commercialized. I remember being a child and dressing up in costumes which were either sewn by my mother or created with clothing or items which we had in the house. Decorations were never the plastic mass produced items. We had "cobwebs" created out of lengthened cotton balls, etc. Now stores are filled with plastic doo-dads which we "need" for the holiday. Halloween is not the only holiday -- every holiday is focused on stuff. Thanksgiving is more than turkey and family, Christmas decorations and ads start in October or September, Valentines day is a huge purchasing event. Every holiday has a focus on consumerism rather than the focus on sharing an experience with friends and family.

Can we take back our holidays? Take them back from corporations by not particiapting in the consumer culture. This holiday season I plan on:

100-mile thanksgiving
http://100milediet.org/thanksgiving/
a buy nothing christmas
http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/

I want to focus on the experiences rather than the purchasing. We will see how it goes!
Once I find out how many I am cooking for I will post menus. I will also post our gift ideas as we make decisions.

Anyone else want to take our holidays back from coporations/consumerism?

How much is enough?

2006-10-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I read something called The Little Brown Dress http://www.littlebrowndress.com/. The Little Brown Dress was an experiment by an artist (performance art?) who decided to only wear a little brown dress for 1 year. Yes, that is the smae dress for 365 days. She dressed it up and down, but the little brown dress was the foundation for the rest of her attire.

It made me think about how much we have and how much we truly need. I grew up in a household where money wasn't much of an issue. If you couldn't find something, you bought another. You did not wear the same thing within a two week period (if even within the month). My mother had at least 10 polar fleece vests. I know that she wore them to cover her chest (she had a bilateral modified radical mastecomy due to IBC - inflammatory breast cancer). My mother grew up with depression era parents and was extremely poor (no running water until the 1960s ). Everytime she went anywhere she felt as if she needed to buy somehting. She needed to feel as if she was not deprived.

Anyway, this weekend my mother in law (who should be a professional organizer) came to visit. She helped me clean Elyse's room. Elyse (almost 8) has sooo much stuff. She gets a lot of hand me downs from her sister and all of the older neighborhood girls. This means that she had more than could fit into her dresser. We purged and donated about 80% of what she had. Now she has only what can fit into her dresser. I have a feeling that I will be doing a lot less laundry of clean clothes.

How much does a young child need? Does my 3 weeks old really need a few dozen outfits? Is it a fashion statement? No - he needs to be clean and dry. Gavin needs a few more pants than I - as he may wet through. None of us are celebrities - we don't need to appear in something new each time we leave the house. No one would remember if we wore something before or not. We are all so self-conscious that we don't notice what others have or have worn before. We only think about how we think others will see us.

So, how many clothes do we really need? Yes, in our climate we need two sets - summer and winter, but how much in that? Unless we have work where we get very dirty or soil ourselves often (3 of my children do so) then we really don't need a lot.

My husband has 2 pair of jeans, a few t-shirts, 3 sweaters, a number of suits and scrubs. What does he work in? Scrubs. When he works around the house he wears jeans. He does not need much more than that.

Do my students really care what I wear? No. They attend class to learn about what I can teach them - not to see what I am wearing. If they only cared about what I looked like or what I was wearing, then we would have major problems! So, I am going to see how little I need.

I have decided to pare down what I have to the basics. Well, I am keeping the smaller sizes until I can get back into them - which may take a year, however, I really do need less than I have. Remember a year ago I was an accumulating shopaholic....

Simplifying my attire will simplify the amount of laundry I do, the less energy I use in laundry, less water, less space, less headache....

I think that anything more than what will fit into a dresser and a closet is too much. Just take a moment to think about all of the people who don't even have one change of clothing. Americans really do have too much stuff.

Compacting

2006-10-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

For days I have wanted to say, "forget the compact." I really wanted to go out and shop. I wanted to get new clothes. I had this overwhelming desire/need to change - and I "knew" that a shopping spree would fulfill this.

Well, I am now glad that I did not act upon these intense "needs." Instead of jumping in the car and going shopping at the local mall, I sat down and thought about why I felt like this. It took me a little while, but I recalled that after one child was born I had an intense need to cut my hair. So, I drastically cut my hair from almost waist length to chin length. It did not make me happier - actually I was upset with the choice. I realized that my "need" to shop was realated to post partum issues (no longer pregant, but also not back to prepregnant state), lack of sleep, inability to keep up with the household chores.... It was not about getting more stuff - it was about having too much stuff. Once I realized that my shopping "needs" were tied to other issues, I could let go of the desire to shop.

So, for the past few days I packed away my maternity clothing (and will be passing them onto a pregnant friend) and pulled out my pre-pregnancy clothing. There are many items I cannot yet wear, however, there are a few I can. I have too much anyway. So, once I can start running again (marathons), I know that I will be back into my little clothing and can rid of the rest. It is hard for me to give my body time - I tend toward being a workaholic/overachiever. But I promised myself that I would not start long runs until after Samuel is 6 weeks old.

I am going through, reorganizing and decluttering. It may take babysteps, but I know that once I purge of what I don't love and need I will feel more at ease.

I am certainly happy that I took a little time to look at the root of this desire and came to the realization that I don't need more to make me happy. I just need to make other changes for fulfillment. Of course, 2 weeks postpartum is never a good time to make choices and/or drastic changes! I am compact minded again!

with hope

2006-10-22T21:30:00.000-07:00

I have been dismayed at the state of our world. I feel that we will soon be seeing a new world - much different than what we are accustomed to living in. Climate change and peak oil being some of the causes. Our clean water supply is dwindling, our food sources are 2000 miles away, and our temperature is getting hotter and/or more extreme, and an economic depression is predicted. So many of us are simply oblivious to the events of the world around us. It truly frightens me.

We have a neighbor who was very interested in converting a car to run on vegetable oil (as we have). Well, now that oil prices are "going down" he does not see the point in doing so. Wow. There are so many people who don't "see the point" in making changes. Is it too difficult?

What brings me hope is that there are a growing number of people like me - who have woken up to the dangers around us and are choosing to make changes that we can. I read blogs written by people who are not satisfied with living the status quo and are choosing simpler lives. These people are choosing to eat locally, organically, grow their own, go without, not drive, compost, etc. I hope that an ever increasing number of people realize that we cannot continue living like we have been.

My spouse and I have been making changes and saving money in order to change our lives.

Just a few of our goals:

pay off house (no debt and always have a place to live). All of the income J brings home goes toward this.
in 2-3 years, buy a house or land up north (with enough land to grow our own).
learn skills that will be useful in any situation (food growing, preservation, seed saving, water collecting, soap making, spinning, chickens, cheese making)
significantly reduce our footprint in as many other ways as possible (solar, wind, rain barrels, etc)

Sometimes I feel odd that we are making changes specifically due to global changes, however, when I think about it further, I realize that the changes we are making are sustainable changes. These are changes which are better for our environment and are better for our family.

Are you concerned about our global future? Are you making changes in your own life in response to possible changes?

Relocalizing food

2006-10-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Earlier this summer I wanted to try to eat 100% local. I started to try it and then felt overwhelmed with the idea of eating 100% local and seasonal. I couldn't understand how to do it. I felt that I was biting off waaaay more than I should. So, I decided not to worry about it.

Well, this summer I started to do my shopping at hte local famer's market. It started slowly - I went every week, however, during the week I would also go to the co-op. Gradually I stopped going to the co-op. I may shop at the co-op once a month. Everything else is local. I realized the other day that my food shopping is almost entirely local. Yes, I do purchase some bulk items (wheat berries, dried beans, etc). However, all veggies, cheese, eggs, milk, and the occasional chicken comes from someplace within a 100 mile radius. Wow - I didn't realize that I could do this. I thought that I would feel deprived. Instead, I feel healthy and energized. I love it!

So, when I originally thought about cooking a 100% local Thanksgiving dinner, I was overwhelmed. Now I know that it is very possible. I don't see any problem doing this. Of course, J will be working and I may only be cooking for my children (I don't know if we will have nay family visit), but it will be a festive local Minnesota thanksgiving dinner.

I have yet to decide what I will be cooking. We did just join a local CSA for their winter harvest. I am also looking at purchasing some bulk items for food storage (onions, squash, carrots, etc) for the winter season. I can't wait to see what is avialable. I will plan our meal around this. I am excited to try this!

It really suprises me how easily this happened - only after I let go of the "rules" that everything had to be local. It helped to want to go to local orchards and the local famers market. Shopping and picking fruit became a family event. The kids are as well known at the market as I am. It is fun to be one of the "regulars." So many vendors at the market asked me about the baby. I had missed one weekend of shopping during this season. The one weekend was when Samuel was born. When I went to the market last weekend vendors were asking about him. Wow - when did I become a regular?

So, now my food is approximately 95% organic and 80-90% local!

My next goal is to learn how to make cheese. hmmmm.....

Real Beauty?

2006-10-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

I think this is a good example of how much we are manipulated into believing what ads want us to believe. Isn't it sad that a very beautiful woman has to be made-up (with make-up) and then her features manipulated within the computer? if a model is not beautiful enough, then how can us "mere" mortals ever be beautiful? I think this really demonstrates how we can never be "enough." So many people believe that this final woman is the real woman that they are not happy with themselves as they are or with their partners.

Take a look at this video and then think about the other ads that you see and how they can be manipulated to seem larger (food/restaurant portions), more beautiful, or even more fulfilling.

Notice that these ads are all around us. Now think about how they affect your perception of beauty or "enoughness." Now look at what is around you. Look at the physical real things around you. This is what reality is. How can you attain something that is not attainable? The beauty of this model (after manipulated) is not real, is not attainable. That is not happiness.

making a change

2006-10-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

We must become the change we want to see. -Mahatma Gandhi

While I was away from classes for a week my students watched a few films. One of the classes watched "The Corporation." I have written about this film previously. The film talks about the corporate culture and the influence on us. We spoke about the film and our reaction as designers.

We talked about our culture and the demand for items. What do we truly need outside of the basic needs? There is not much. The demand for "needs" has been created by advertisers. The profits from these "needs" line the pockets of corporations.

One of the students commented that there are so many things that she wanted to do, but felt helpless. What could she do - as just one person? One person can make a difference. One person can be that pebble which creates waves.

We have been subscribers to Real Simple since it first came out about 5-6 years ago. This week our renewal came. We decided not to renew. I think that the magazine is not simple. I think it shows what to purchase to feel that you are simplifying. It seems to me that the magazine is marketed to those upper middle class people who want to simplify the easy way - by making purchases. Look at the ads within the magazine - watches, make-up, clothing..... I do think that there are some good tips within the magazine from time to time, but overall, I did not feel that it was adding to my life. Thus, it goes.

My parents and grandmother visited this past weekend. My step-mother traveled a lot before she and my father married. She told me that most of the world does not live the way that Americans do. There is little waste in other areas of the world. There may not be as many conveniences, yet life is simpler. There is not a rush to accumulate. Why do we (as a culture) feel entitled to any and everything we want?

I believe that there are many people who want to simplify but don't know how to. We can live simply. To each of us simplicity may mean something else, but we can make changes that are healthy for ourselves and each other. I found that my life is much more content now than ever before. The changes we have made have been good for my family. We can do what Gandhi said and become the change we want to see.

work for health

2006-10-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

I love teaching. I truly do. I have also read reviews of my teaching - that I am tough, have high expectations, yet help students reach them. Most students actually appreciate my style and finish the classes with better critical thinking skills and stronger design skills. I guess this is all good.

So, why do I say "work for health?" It is because on Monday I go back to the classroom. In spite of my love of teaching I would rather be at home with my children. I would rather take a few months after giving birth. Alas, we need health care insurance. I am only working for our health. Well, because we need income as well. Fortunately, I only teach 3-4 hours a day, 4 days a week.

Jonathan is no longer in a residency program. He is currently moonlighting. We decided that general surgery was not a fair career for him or for our family. If he had loved it, then we would have sacrificed, however, he did not. Knowing that he would be working 16-18 hour days for the rest of his life was also not worth it. So, we decided that he would apply for a program in emergency medicine. It is much more him. In the meantime, he is without steady work. He is moonlighting - which means that he will cover the ER in rural hospitals overnight or for a weekend, or whenever needed. He does make money - as much in a weekend as I do in two weeks. However, his work is not steady (he may work 1-2 weekends a month) and he does not have health insurance. So, I work.

It is very sad that the only reason I am working at this time is that we need health insurance. Oh, I could take a leave, and pay for it out of pocket, but that would eat away all of his income (I would be without income). I often dream of other countries where parents can take 12 months off and where there is unviersal health insurance.

One week after giving birth and I am returning to work. How sad is that.

Overshoot day: consumption

2006-10-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches 3 hours and 46 minutes of TV each day (more than 52 days of nonstop TV-watching per year). By age 65 the average American will have spent nearly 9 years glued to the tube!

Number of TV commercials seen in a year by an average child: 30,000
Number of TV commercials seen by the average American by age 65: 2 million
Percentage of Americans who believe that "most of us buy and consume far more than we need": 82%

All of this television consumption cannot be good for us! Think about the endless commercials which tell us how to live and what to consume. I watched TV the other day (egads) and saw a Target commercial where items and people were piled on top of one another. The jingle was catchy - until you listened to the words. The words were "want want need need." I can't recall what else was in the jingle, but the message was clear; see all of this? You need it and you want it. Target has everything you want and need.

No wonder we are a country of over consumers. We have so much stuff and are encouraged to purchase even more. We feel that we need more money to support our lives, yet we keep spending more and more. More money is not the answer. Spending less is the answer. We need to prioritize what is actually needed rather than try to purchase to fulfill our needs. I know that I am much happier now that I don't have this endless desire to accumulate stuff. It is forcing me to examine my self and what makes me happy.

What I have found makes me happy is having less stuff. Choosing to live a much more sustainable lifestyle. Not giving in to advertisements. I know that I can free up resources for those who are in need by my choice to consume less. I think too many people don't think about their community and are only out for themselves. We need to start thinking about ourselves as one member in this world.

Read about World Overshoot day here: http://www.energybulletin.net/21231.html

birth story

2006-10-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know that a lot of people like to hear about labor and birth. So, I thought I would share...

As I have mentioned before, I had been having fairly consistant contractions for about 2 weeks. They were slowly working. At 38 weeks I was 1 cm, and 39 I was 2.5 and 50% effaced. 2 days before the due date I was still as I had been the prior week.

I was very nervous about the timing of birth. The day before the due date Jonathan was out of town 'moonlighting' at an E.R. in a different part of the state. I spent that evening and night cooking. I made two lasagnas and put them into hte freezer. I also made four pizza crusts, a few loaves of bread, some soup, and I peeled and froze apples. Everything was put into the freezer for anytime either after birth or while I was in the hospital.

On the morning of the due date (Friday Oct 6) I was feeling good, but having a few contractions. They weren't very strong and had enough time between them that I was feeling a little disappointed. I received a phone call from Jonathan at 9:00 that he had had a very quiet evening in the ER and that he was on his way home. It was after he called that the contractions became a little closer together and more consistant (20 minutes apart or so).

I was walking around with light contractions and was trying to decide what to do. So, at about 12:30 I decided to take Gavin for a walk in his stroller. We walked for about 30 minutes. When I came home I was still having contractions - although still slow. Jonathan got home at 1:00.

We each had some things to do, so I picked up the kids from school at 2:45 and took them to an appointment. While one was in the appointment (an hour) I was waiting and starting to notice that the contractions were about 6-7 minutes apart and increasingly uncomfortable. After an hour they came closer together. I called Jonathan and asked him to come and wait with E+Z while I go home.

We traded places. I decided to get the pizza going for dinner (I made dough earlier in the day). So I made 4 homemade pizzas while J was with E+Z. I noticed that the contractions were now about 3-4 minutes apart. I called the hospital because although I was having contractions, I wasn't sure if it was "real". I had always waited for "bloody show" before going in.

J, E, and Z came home and the pizzas were done. I sat down to eat and noticed that the contractions were stronger than I realized. After everyone was fed and I cleaned up the kitchen, I told J that we should get going. I called a friend to come over and sit with the other kids. I did not expect to really need to go.

J and I went to the hospital and I was admitted at 7:15 pm. They checked me and I was only at 4 cm and 50% effaced. Ugh! I was dissapointed. However, they kept me.

About 1 1/2 hours later I was checked again and I was now 4 cm and 100% effaced. The nurse was great. She did not leave my side the entire time. She helped me remember to relax through the contractions. Everytime that I started to fight the contraction she would remind me to relax my jaw to my toes. It was wonderful!

Just after 10pm I was checked and was 8 cm and 100% effaced. We were joking about the possibility of the baby being born at 10:06 on 10-06-06.
I had one contraction and suddenly I was 10 cm.
I pushed twice and Samuel was born.

Samuel was pretty beat up - due to his very fast birth (about an hour of hard labor and 2 pushes). His face was very bruised!

He is doing well - nurses often and easily. Sleeps well and no longer looks quite as bruised. I am still recovering. I have to remind myself to take it easy. I wanted to do some work around hte house today, but keep reminding myself that I gave birth 2.5 days ago. I need to give myself some time!

Gavin is adjusting to being a big brother. There are some territorial issues at times (he wants my lap more now than he had in the past few months). He loves to look at Samuel and plant kisses on his head. So, I think things will go well after a little time.

Well, I am going to try to nap since J is home and Samuel is sleeping.....

new addition

2006-10-08T10:24:00.000-07:00

Samuel Keith
born October 6, 2006 (due date)
10:30 pm
9 lbs 0 oz
21 inches

Labor????

2006-10-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Started at about 9 am - 15 minutes apart
As of 5 pm - 3-4 minutes apart.

even after having done this 4 times before I question!

updates later

Apples

2006-10-01T18:16:00.001-07:00

Madison picking an apple

Zach testing an apple

Elyse striking a pose while picking an apple

Gavin was enthralled with a baby pigmy goat

Today we found a great apple orchard where we could pick our own apples. It was a wonderful day. It was about 80 degrees outside today (unusually warm). I think the kids really enjoyed choosing apples to pick!

Gavin seemed to love the freedom of being able to run and locate apples. It was such a pleasure to see the fun that the kids were having!

After apple picking, we made 14 pints of applesauce and 7 quarts of apple pie filling. We are also freezing cut apples and will of course have a bunch on hand simply for eating. The applesauce was incredible. There really isn't anything quite as good as harvesting food and preserving it immediately.

We had our own little apple assemply line. Gavin carried apples and threw them into the sink, Elyse and Zach washed apples and peeled, Madison cored, and I sliced and canned. Very cool! I think it is very good for the kids to see where food comes from. They interact with the food by picking the apples, peeling the fruit, cooking it down, and canning it. In the end they have apple sauce. The children seem to really appreciate food more now that they understand the harvesting and cooking of food (applesauce does not naturally occur in a jar).

This is one of the final days of a family of four children. Soon there will be five....

6 months

2006-09-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

It was pointed out to me that it has been 6 months since I started this journey. I can't believe that it has been that long and that it has only been that long. It feels as if this journey has been overnight, yet it also feels that I have been moving toward this transition for my entire life. I may have not been ready to make changes when the impacts of my consumersitic lifestyle was pointed out to me in the past, however, I did hear it and pack it away for later.

It amazes me that this entire lifelong journey really become a reality when I made a choice to make one change. It wasn't even really a "choice" it was more a less a joking challenge that I couldn't "not shop" for a year. I really have to thank my husband for that wake-up call. I know that he didn't think that I would ever follow-up or that this "challenge" would have such a profound effect on me or on our fmaily.

There have been numerous changes and accomplishments due to the choice (most are listed on the side of this blog). As I develop more skills I will post them. I think the most important skill I have learned thus far is that of sustainability. I know that I can grow and store my own foods. In the event of any major life event, I will not have to venture to a store or look for foods. I have enough on hand! I have also learned that I can always learn new skills. The phrase "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" simply is not true. Okay, I am not *old*, but I think you know what I mean.

An email group that I belong to just emailed a list of good things to do to prepare for Peak Oil (I also say preparations for ANYTHING: climate change, pandemic, war, life changes, job loss, illness, or just to be a member of society).

Grow a garden
Weatherize your house
Join or start a re-localization group (local shopping, etc)
Preserve and store food
Make and eat meals with your neighbors regularly
Get healthy
Learn wild edible plants
Volunteer in your community
Learn self-reliant skills
Learn about permaculture
Promote and use renewable energy
Support local farmers
Get rid of your fossil fuel addiction
Pay back your debts and get rid of your credit cards
Think independently
Start a skill library
Take a firefighting, EMT, or first aid course

So, I also encourage you to make an effort. Start small. This is not an overnight change. This is not even a 6-month change. This is a lifelong journey. If you look at it that way, you are more apt to live life fully (instead of begrudgingly). You may try something, not succeed and come back to it later (with success). You may find your life more fulfilled - as you are on your own journey - not the one that advertisers and corporations tell you that you are on!

I also want to take a moment to thank each person who visits and reads my ramblings. It amazes me that there are so many people who visit and read. It is encouraging to know that my thoughts and actions have had an impact. Thanks!

oh, and no baby yet.... ;)
Technorati Profile

State of the globe

2006-09-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

I am very upset. I read a few websites this morning and was disheartened about the state of our world. Not the nation - the entire world.

First I read:
Global warming nears ‘dangerous’ level
Researchers say average temperatures are close to a million-year high
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15003895/

..."If global temperatures go up another 1.8 degrees F (1 degree C), it would be equal to the maximum temperature of the past million years.

"This evidence implies that we are getting close to dangerous levels of human-made (anthropogenic) pollution," said study leader James Hansen of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies."

Then I read:
Global warming
The inconvenient truth about what we eat
http://www.veg.ca/issues/e-climate-change.html

"We can also play a key role for positive change by adjusting what we eat – at least 8% of global climate change is directly related to agriculture.

By eating low on the food chain, locally-grown and organic, you can make a significant difference."

We are at a dangerous point of the state of our earth. However, most of us are unaware. Our leaders are not making many efforts to encourage or enforce changes. We don't know what steps we can take to reduce our emissions. And if we do know, they seem so overwhelming or unattainable that we don't even want to try. What type of world are we going to be living in in 20 years? In 50 years? What type of world are we leaving to our children or grandchildren? I don't care if my children will be able to purchase things. I want them to be able to eat fresh foods and drink fresh clean water.

A year ago, I doubt that I would have made any changes becuase I didn't think it mattered. I thought "It is too difficult, I would have to make a change.... Would anything that I do really make a difference? How could I make any difference?"

Well, as an individual, I may not make a huge difference. However, I have to believe that by teaching my children, by sharing my knowledge and attempts with friends and family, by conversing with my neighbors that I have to be making a difference. We have neighbors who are now walking to work, eating locally, recycling and reusing, and changing their consumer habits. Alone I may not be much, but as a growing group, there has to be a difference. Think of throwing a pebble into a pond and the ripples of the waves.

Food
try these things and then add another step!

Buy foods closest to their freshest state (i.e. less packaging). The more packaging, the more energy used.
Cook from scratch (again - less packaging)
buy local (Foods that are transported 3000 miles use a lot of energy)
and/or organic foods. (Pesticides and herbicides use a lot of energy. )
grow foods (anything - even in a pot on a porch. Any step can help).
Eat lower on the food chain (a vegetarian diet can be a very powerful change to reduce climate change. A meat-based diet uses much more energy. Also, the more land that is used to grow plants, the more Co2 can be absorbed by plants - and not released into the air).

I know that there are people who cannot do these things for one reason or another (poverty, education, time, etc). However, any step that can reduce energy consumption can have an impact. Food is just one step along the path toward sustainability and a healthier earth.

New Best Friend

2006-09-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

I have a new best friend. It is my pressure canner. I was given one by my mother before she passed away, but never used it. I guess I thought "what is the use? I can just go to the store." Well, now I use it!

Yesterday was a busy day for me: I canned 7 pints of beets (some red and some candy), I also canned 7 pints of carrots. I made 2 loaves of pumpkin bread and 2 loaves of wheat bread. I also flash froze a bunch of veggies.

It feels great to know that I have all of this food available now and that I will be able to feed my family throughout the year with foods that are locally grown.

The other day I walked to the store (yes, another effort to start labor). We had some people over who were helping us with some projects. These are picky eaters, so J and I decided that brats were a safe choice. Well, as I was in the store I realized that it was the first time I had been in a grocery store in about a month! I have become so accustomed to purchasing foods from the farmer's market or getting items out of my own food storage or garden, that it felt odd to purchase food at the store! Actually, I loved the fact that I have not been in a grocery store. Between bulk beans and wheat and fresh or home canned foods, I have it made!

The other day I received an email from the 100 mile food group. The email asked about plans for Thanksgiving. Actually, it was a challenge to come up with a menu based on local foods. At first I thought "I can't do that." Then I thought a little more. Of course I can! I have a freezer full of only local foods, I have started to can foods, there are local farmers from whom I can get a free range turkey. Wow! I CAN do this! It may mean planning in advance (which is fine). There are sooo many local foods to choose from. I will be canning some squash and pumpkins soon. I do already have some frozen. I am looking forward to this challenge.

Want to join me? Make your Thanksgiving meal using only (or mostly) local foods. Menu ideas?

On another note, no baby yet.

update

2006-09-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

The update is that there are no updates. :(

I suppose it is okay. My shorter labors have been about 20 hours.... At least I know it and am prepared. My problem is that I like to have an organized schedule; i.e. on this date at this time I will start labor.... Doesn't work when you want a natural birth! :)

At one time I seriously considered a homebirth. Actually, I would love to have a homebirth even now. Elyse's birth was a wonderful experience and very easy (not without pain). I had a great experience where the nurses and residents basically left me alone. My mother was with me (and ex). The resident almost didn't make it into the room for the birth! The next pregnany I searched high and low for a midwife for a homebirth. I was not able to find anyone. Plus my insurance would not cover it (but will cover a very invasive hospital birth???). Well, it turns out to be good - Z was so large that he was stuck and we both almost died. He was 11 lbs and had shoulder dystocia (sp?).

I remember reading "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck while in highschool (I should reread it). A few pieces in the novel really stood out to me - the fact that she was working in the field, had labor pains, gave birth, and continued to work. Of course, this also makes me think of the image of a woman in africa who gave birth in a tree (during a massive flood). We are able to give birth. We do have strong bodies and minds....

I think that it is easy to forget that we are capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for - whether it is motivating ourselves to change, learning a new skill, or having confidence. We need to have patience with ourselves and be able to "roll with the punches."

Enough rambling from me today. I will just continue on!

pregnancy

2006-09-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Ugh. I have gone through this 5 times now and each time is vastly different.

Madison was born on her due date (after bedrest for 2-3 weeks) 8 lbs 2 oz.
Elyse was born a week early (bedrest, mag sulfate, and tributaline starting at 28 weeks pregnancy) and was 8lbs 7 oz.
Zach was born a week late and was 11 lbs (no bed rest).
Gavin was induced 2 weeks early (due to Z's size and his own measurements) a few weeks of Dr prescribed "you do too much - take it easy" rest. He was 8.5 lbs (2 weeks early!)

Now I am venturing on the 38 week mark. Some of the doctors that I have seen have indicated that they may possibly induce me a week or two early (if I am measuring big).

It is so true that every pregnany is different. This pregnancy has found me cooking, canning, veggie gardening, stacking firewood....

Today I noticed that I have a leak. I think it is a leak. I have no idea. Although I have gone through this a number of times now, I have not experienced a leaking sensation before now. Sometimes when water breaks it is not a huge "gush" of fluid. Sometimes it can be a slow trickle. It also depends upon baby's location and presentation. A high break can be a slow trickle. Of course, baby can also sit on the bladder in a way that also creates a "leak" of urine, however. Every pregnancy is truly different. I am waiting to see if I have contractions start. If the leaking continues and I have contractions, then I will go in and have it checked out. I know I need to lay down for 30 minutes to see if I leak when I get up. I really don't like not knowing.

I also don't like all of the medical interventions that they find necessary. I would rather stay at home and get contractions started on my own (walking, etc). Ugh.

So, I have beans soaking for soup tonight, have done a few loads of laundry, have cleaned our room, am setting up the crib, washed baby blankets and clothes, am about to start bread.....

Will keep all updated.

class update

2006-09-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

The class continued talking about the politics of advertising. We talked about our roles as designers and the ability to choose our clients. Yes, it may be a little naive to think that we can always choose, but it is important to think about your own beliefs and honor those when possible.

I try to encourage communication and critical thinking in my course. I remind my students that I have no answers. There are no "right" or "wrong" answers. We can only question what we see every day. We need to think about our personal reponses to our culture.

We talk about change. How can we encourage change? How can we educate people that they do have a role in our world and can affect others? These are questions that the students are still trying to discover in their own research. How do we counter a culture that encourage accumulation? How do we educate people that by making some changes we can do some good? Change is tough....

We talked about the fact that we are recipients of images every day. We don't interact with the images we see. There is not a feedback system (we can't speak to the images and have a response). We only receive the message. We don't take time to think about what we see. Instead we are bombarded with images. Images and stories of how we should look, how we should be and how we should live.

The power of celebrities: As of late, my 12 year old is obsessed with her appearance. I know that part of this is due to her age. I remember being in 7th grade and worrying about my appearance. So, I think some of it has to do with the usual 7th grade concerns and insecurities. Some of it, however, I have to believe is related to what we see in advertising.

I read an article in the local paper the other day about celebrities. Many celebrities are airbrushed in every reel of film, in every photograph. They are also enhanced in body features and thinned. This is sad. It is sad that we are measuring ourselves against these beautiful flawless people. These beautiful flawless people who are not real. What is real?

Too many of us want to be like these celebrities in many ways. We want to look like them, we want to have their lives (real lives or movies/soap opera) lives. None of this is real. We think that if we have what they have that we would be happier. Of course, this does not happen. We buy what they have and it does not make us happier.

One student pointed out the reality of our american lives. She stated that we want the easiest and fastest solution to our problems. If buying something will make us happier, even temporarily, then we will do it. If we think that looking like someone else will make us happier, then we will do that. So many of us are receiving messages from the outside that we have to look, act, or be a certain way that if we are different then we are "bad" in some way.

This made me think about myself. Am I happy with my self? I know that in my 20s I was obsessed with my appearance. I wanted to be like those celebrities.

Now? Well, besides my gait becoming a waddle, I am happy.

health

2006-09-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

So many people are curious about the fact that our medical expense are so low. It dawned on me recently why we rarely need to go to non-preventative medical visits. Our children do have preventative medical visits, I have yearly visits, Jonathan has preventative visits, and I have prenatal visits. for us preventative care is extremely important. I think this expands into our daily lives and explains why our medical expenses are low. How?

My health insurance is great - preventative visits are covered at 100%. Much better than J's insurance!
We exercise daily.
we maintain a healthy weight
We eat whole grains
we eat very little meats, sugars, and unhealthy fats
Lots and lots of fruits and veggies
We drink water - a lot of it.

We exercise daily. Jonathan swims 1-2 miles everyday. I run 1-2 half marathons (or full) every year. This means running at least 3-5 miles a day (10 or more when closer to races). Right now I walk as much as I can (to the store and/or for enjoyment).

I cook everything from scratch using the freshest ingredients possible - freshly ground grains, a lot of grains, a ton of fresh fruits and veggies. We rarely eat anything from a box or any fast food. I say rarely because I think it is okay - just very infrequently. We don't drink soda often.

In spite of all of this, we do not obsess over our weight or appearance. We try to stress having healthy and strong bodies. Jonathan knows his family health history (heart disease on his father's side) and I know my parents (my mother died from breast cancer). Thus, we do take certain precautions in our food and fitness choices. I avoid soy products and alcohol as there may be a relationship with breast cancer. Jonathan does what he needs to in order to keep a healthy heart. We each have great heart rates, low blood pressure, great cholesterol.... We do not obsess, however. We try to stay healthy and active! In this I hope that we give our children the same attitute toward health and foods. I was overweight at one point (depression, abusive marriage, etc). Well, I chose to make a change and started to exercise and eat well. Exercise and healthy foods helped with depression and weight. Of course, escaping the dangerous marriage (and keeping my three oldest kids safe) was also a good solution to my health. Now I maintain a very healthy weight, attitude, and relationship.

Jonathan has seen first hand (as an MD) the reprecussions of years of an unhealthy lifestyle. The best way to avoid many diseases (heart, cancer, diabetes, etc) is to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.

Well, I suppose it also helps to have someone in the house who can check for ear infections... ;)

The other day I was walking through the campus and was amazed at what I saw. When I was in school I remember being of skinny to average size. yes, I was on the cross country and track teams (through college), yet I didn't feel unusually athletic. It seemed as if most people were of similar health. Now, however, as I walked through the campus I felt thin. Thin! At 37 weeks of pregnancy I felt thin! What a sad statement. These were late teen/early 20s girls. They should be at the peak of health - yet most are overweight to obese. We are certainly at a sad state of our culture.

Can you do anything to increase your health?

Start with walking 10 minutes a day, replacing one soda with water, or use whole wheat bread instead of white. Make one small change to start. Maintain that change and add another!

Brainwashing

2006-09-14T13:52:00.000-07:00

The other day I gave my students an assignment to watch tv, read a magazine, listen to the radio, walk around campus, or commute to school and count the number of advertisements that they see in a 30 minute period. The students came up with very interesting numbers. We are literally bombarded with ads on a daily basis. Ads are so prevalent that they are even inside public restrooms!

I likened this to some of the brainwashing experiements of the 1950s. The experiments had to do with repeating sounds and or images and attempting to make people change. Well, isn't that what ads are doing to us?

So, do we have a choice? Well, it depends. We can ignore the ads - if we are aware of what is happening to us. However, so many of us grew up watching tv. Ads have become to prevalent that we hardly notice them. We hardly notice how we suddenly "need" items.

The other night we saw an ad on TV for somehting like a swiffer. You know - one of those use and toss items. Madison (age 12) turned to me and asked if we couldn't do the same thing with a mop or cloth. She is lucky to be able to see through ads. She is lucky that she is raised in a home where we dicuss the issues of advertising. Where we question our own purchases and look at the issues of wants and needs. How many of us do this?

So, I challenge you - count the ads that you see in a 1/2 hour period. What are they telling you that you need?
Try to take a week without purchasing unnecessary items. How do you feel?

I can tell you that it has freed me from the need to have and consume. I love what I have and have little want for more (unless, of course, it is an environmentally friendly choice). :)

local foods

2006-09-11T07:32:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend came to visit. The friend, her husband, and child were some of the pickiest eaters I have ever met. So many items that were cooked were "unusual" or not packaged (they were all fresh foods from the local market).

See, I try to only cook with items that can be grown locally. I am doing this in the event of any changes that may affect our family. Well, I want to be certain that our family can and will eat foods that I can either grow or find from local growers. What would happen if my children would only eat packaged foods? What if they only knew how to eat white bread? This would not do well in a sustainable lifestyle. Wheat is grown locally - I can grind wheat berries (and they are not bleached). I can grow spinach, kale, beets, potatoes, apples, tomatoes, and more ... Not oranges. My children will know how to eat whatever is prepared.

We know how to eat local foods. If we move, I will learn how to make foods from that region!

Ask yourself and then learn to fill the gaps:

What types of foods are grown in your region?
Do you know how to cook with them?
Do you know how to preserve them?
Can you learn how to grow these foods?
What can you do so that you are not dependent upon foods shipped to you?

preparing for baby

2006-09-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up and realized that we will have a new member of our family in about a month (or less). It has been amazing me how laid back I am about this pregnancy. I know that the baby will be joining us soon, however, I am not anxious about it.

In past pregnancies I was always worried about having this or that. Following the list of items that the books claimed that I "needed." By this time I would have a nursery set up, a years worth of clothing cleaned, folded, and in drawers. I realized after Gavin was born (he is now 2), how little of these items were truly needed. He spent much of his time in a sling, being held, or laying on a blanket. We did not use this or that or much else that was given or recommended.

I think people get too stressed about having a baby. I found that you have to go with the flow. It is the same thing with labor. I don't have a bag packed and am not concerned - I have not used half of the things that I have packed in the past. The added stress of "preparing" and purchasing "needed" items is not worth it! I would rather be doing the preparing which is worth it - mental preparation. Reminding my body how to relax.

Overall, I think Americans stress over too many things. A baby only being one of these life events that we stress over. We feel a need to have full control over the planning and preparations. We need to learn to prepare mentally or physically, yet be able to go with what life events come our way. Something new and wonderful may come out of it!

Guilt

2006-09-07T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about guilt a lot lately. Guilt over not being able to do all that I think I *should* be doing. Babysteps, right? I recently joined an email group. In this group there are daily suggestions to reduce your impact on the earth. Overall, I do very well. We compost, we don't purchase new, we use environmentally friendly products, we are mostly vegetarian....

The other day the the message was to bike/walk/or use mass transit. I was driving to work. I felt such tremendous guilt that I was not using another mode of transportation. I have to remind myself that I really do very well in so many other areas. In fact, until about 8 months ago, I was biking to work (4 miles) daily. Now, of course, my OB won't allow it. There is not good mass transit to the school, and the school is very close to my hospital.

I think we need to think about what we *do* do. Not everything is possible at all times. I remember that I will indeed be biking to work again soon. We do drive a car that runs veggie oil and Jonathan rides his 115 MPG scooter most places. So, although I have been driving lately, we have been doing very well in most other areas.

Just because one thing does not work how and when you would like it to, it doesn't mean that you should give up on it all. Simply do it when it is more feasible to do so!

School started

2006-09-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

School started for everyone today. I can't believe that the summer has disappeared so quickly!
I even started back today. Wow. Fortunately, it looks like a have a really good group of students. They are all juniors and seniors - and seeking their BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). They look like a fairly serious bunch. It was good to see my colleagues again, as well. It is strange, however, this summer ahs been such a transformation for me that it almost felt surreal to even be at the school. I am looking at everything so differently now, that I will have to be careful not to let it cloud my teaching. I still *do* teach graphic design, however, now I hope to get them to think about their actions a little more.

I am looking forward to hearing about the kids' first day of school. It is hard to believe that Madison is now in 7th grade, Elyse is in 2nd, and Zach is in 1st. Wow. I made them a good lunch of peanut butter and jelly (all homemade), diced cheese, pretzels, and pear slices. I hope to make some cookies tonight for lunches.

Jonathan stayed at home with Gavin today. It was a little rough - Gavin is very headstrong, and Jonathan is not used to being hte primary caretaker of G. They both survived. I am glad that I am only on campus 4 days a week and only for 3-4 hours each day. I think it makes it easier!

I suddenly realized that I am due in about 4 weeks. Egads! I have a lot left to do. I don't know if J will be around for this birth - he may be moonlighting somewhere. I do have a friend who is a doula who will come with me and J's aunt is a nurse midwife and offered to drive down if J is unavailable. We have friends who are willing to watch the children. It looks like everything is coming together!

Gotta run!

The Red Pill

2006-09-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about the subject of Peak Oil lately. If you have seen the Matrix, then you will understand what I mean by the title of "The Red Pill." I feel as if I recently swallowed the red pill and have woken up to a world entirely different than the world which I thought I knew.

I have always taken for granted that I would live in a world of cheap energy. I grew up in this world. Yes, the 1970s oil embargo happened, yet that was before I was aware of anything.

Why am I so concerned about this subject? Well, I realized how much of our food is not local. Although I shop almost primarily at the local farmer's market, a great deal of food that I eat during hte winter months are shipped to the local grocery store. This is what frightens me. I may be one person or fmaily who is trying to attain sustainability by growing my own veggies, preserving foods for the cold winter months, and shopping locally, but how many others are doing hte same thing? I grew up in a family where we shopped at the grocery store almost daily. I still shop at least once a week. I have to have wheat, rice, beans, oil etc that I can't grow - and have to purchase at a warehouse/grocery store/truck. Guess what? These items are shipped to me!

What does this mean? All of our food is dependent upon oil.

it takes about 10 calories of fossil fuels to produce 1 calorie of food eaten in the US;
pesticides are oil-based;
fertilizers are made from ammonia, i.e., natural gas;
Oil refined for gasoline and diesel is critical to run the tractors, combines and other farm vehicles and equipment that plant, spray the herbicides and pesticides, and harvest/transport food and seed
Food processors rely on the just-in-time (gasoline-based) delivery of fresh or refrigerated food
Food processors rely on the production and delivery of food additives, including vitamins and minerals, emulsifiers, preservatives, colouring agents, etc. Many are oil-based. Delivery is oil-based
Food processors rely on the production and delivery of boxes, metal cans, printed paper labels, plastic trays, cellophane for microwave/convenience foods, glass jars, plastic and metal lids with sealing compounds. Many of these are essentially oil-based
Delivery of finished food products to distribution centres in refrigerated trucks. Oil-based, daily, just-in-time shipment of food to grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, schools, etc., all oil-based; customer drives to grocery store to shop for supplies, often several times a week

Everything we touch nowadays is made using fossil fuels: the plastics all around us, computers, telecom devices, extraction of resources (copper, silver, etc).

What happens when this cheap form of energy (oil) is depleted? I am not talking about totally gone - I am talking about when it is very expensive. How is our food going to be grown, delivered, processed? How will we get to our local stores?

I know that there are other possible sources of fuel. However, all other fuel takes a lot more energy to create. Oil is the cheapest, easiest form.

When considering the role of oil in the production of modern technology, remember that most alternative systems of energy — including solar panels/solar-nanotechnology, windmills, hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel production facilities, nuclear power plants, etc. — rely on sophisticated technology. All of which require oil to produce energy to make these things work.

Most of the feedstock (soybeans, corn) for biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol are grown using the high-tech, oil-powered industrial methods of agriculture.

The "alternatives" to oil are actually "derivatives" of oil. Without an abundant and reliable supply of oil, we have no way of scaling these alternatives to the degree necessary to power the modern world.
-Matt Savinar

Right now, we have no economic scalable alternatives to oil!

I think we should encourage our friends and neighbors to learn how to garden (think Victory Gardens from WWII), we should learn how to safely preserve our foods. We should get to know our neighbors and share skills. Do we go on living the way we have been - or do we make personal changes in our lifestyles?

I grew up in a time of plentitude... what will the future be? I swallowed the red pill.

been busy!

2006-08-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

This has been a very busy week! The kids are in Chicago visiting grandparents (except for Gavin). So, you would expect things to be quieter!

I have been working on finalizing my syllabi and curriculum for the 4 courses I am teaching this semester. Of course, only one of which I have taught before. So, I do feel as if there is a fairly high learning curve. One of the courses is an advanced graphic design course. I will be having them work on a Public Service Announcement based around the idea of "Living Responsibly in the 21st Century." I am leaving the topics associated with this theme open to interpretation, however I want them to think about issues that we are now facing. Some ideas would be climate change, peak oil, clean water, energy conservation, etc. I know that I will be showing the "The Corporation", "End of Surburbia", and once it is available, "An Inconvenient Truth." I look forward to what comes out of this group. They will have print, web, and film components to this project. I also want them to come up with an object which will help our local society. I want them to think about the Cradle to Cradle model.

Also, this week has been busy as Jonathan has decided to moonlight this year. He spent an entire day filling out his Iowa State Medical License and another day to fill our an application to work within a particular medical group. He decided that he wants to work with the underserved rural hospitals..... Some day we would love for him to moonlight and for us to live sustainably in a rural area. Jonathan was also out of town from early July until now (with the exception of a few weekends). There has been a lot to catch up on!

On top of everything, one neighbor stopped by with almost a bushel of cucumbers. So, I had to stop and make pickles (I think we now have 15 quarts of pickles). Another neighbor stopped by with eggplant, tomatoes, peppers..... I love it and really appreciate it. However, it is something that you have to deal with immediately. You can't put off preserving them until you have time. So, I have blanched and frozen the eggplant (we used two immediately for eggplant parmesean). I will be flash freezing the peppers this afternoon. I may make some more spaghetti sauce today (or I will simply can the tomatoes). Busy!

Well, time to get back to work!

Population

2006-08-27T21:28:00.000-07:00

Less than a year ago I had little thought about population growth. Actually, I had little thought of anything outside of my own little existence and what I could purchase.

In April, after I joined the compact, I learned a lot about my role in this world. It was at that time that I really started to think about my role and the number of children I had chosen to have. At times I have tremendous guilt over my choice to have 5 children. I remind myself that this was something I chose to do before I even thought about the choice and the impact on the world. Now that I have a greater understanding, I realize that although I cannot change hte number of children I currently have (or soon will have), I can have a role in determining how we live.

I think choosing what to purchase and what to consume has as large of an impact on the environment as having the number of children that we have. For instance, we are primarily vegetarian - choosing to eat this way uses fewer of the earth's resources than if we were a smaller family and were meat eaters.

" On average, 18,500 litres of water are used to produce 1Kg of meat, the equivalent amount of water used by a typical Canadian family during a one-month period. To feed the typical meat-eater for 1 day requires more than 14,800 litres of water."

"less that half the farmland in North America is used to grow food for humans; the largest part is used to raise cattle. For each 16Kg. of grain consumed by an animal, meat-eaters receive only 1Kg. of meat. What's more, to satisfy the annual consumption habits of a meat-eater, 3.25 acres of farmland will be needed;"

Also, choosing to use fewer new items (clothing for instance) lessens our impact than if we purchased all new. Yes, we drink a lot of water, however, we drink almost no soda (special occasions) or juices. Again, this is cutting down the impact of our larger family.

Choosing to have a large family means making very prudent choices on how we live and what we use. I think I am more careful now than I would have been if we were a family of 3.

Central WA Crisis: Underground Aquifer Going Dry

2006-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Frightening! More reasons to conserve water. The Aquifer in the midwest is also running dry.
---------

Posted: Tuesday, August 22, 2006

ODESSA, WA - Drive through parts of Central Washington State and you'll
see plenty of farm fields. What you won't see are irrigation canals.
That's because the water comes from deep underground. But there's a
problem. The aquifer is running out of water ... and wells are drying
up. (The same thing is happening in parts of Idaho). Correspondent
Austin Jenkins reports on this Northwest water crisis and a
controversial plan to fix the problem.

It's a twice-a-day chore for farmer Clark Kagele. He climbs on the back
of a dirt bike - or on this day in his pick-up - and makes a 12-mile
loop through his farm near Odessa, Washington. Along the way he checks a
system of pumps that draw water from deep below the earth's surface to
water his crops.

Kagele: Well we've got about 1400 acres here that are being irrigated
under three deep wells and they're all pumping out of the Odessa
Aquifer.

The Odessa Aquifer is an underground water source. Think of it not as a
lake, but ponds trapped within layers of basalt rock. Over the decades,
some of the shallower ponds have been sucked nearly dry. Now farmers are
drilling wells that are more than two-thousand feet deep - where the
water is much different. Kagele stops at a pumping station to show me.

Kagele: This water - I'll turn the spigot on for you - it's probably
running at about a hundred four degrees. If you can get a little handful
there and put it up to your nose - what do you smell?

Reporter: Sulfur.

Kagele: Lots of sulfur. It smells like rotten eggs so we know that's
ancient water.

This water may be old and hot and smelly but it still grows crops. The
Odessa Aquifer is the lifeblood for a vast swath - some 160-thousand
acres - of Washington's farm economy. The problem is the aquifer is
being depleted and farmer's wells are drying up.

Kagele: This little guy right here is the one that went dry overnight.
Was pumping great one day and came out next day and was spinning

In recent years Kagele has had to drill two new wells - hundreds of feet
deeper than the ones they replaced - at a cost of nearly a million
dollars. Kagele's third well is dropping a foot of water a year. There's
broad agreement this is a crisis and the economic stakes are high.

Smith: Not only are we going to lose agricultural operations and family
farms but we're going to lose food processors and a large number of
family wage jobs.

Craig Smith is a Vice President at the Northwest Food Processors
Association. His members process potatoes and vegetables from the Odessa
Aquifer area.

Smith: The bottom line here is that this area is a huge production area
not only for potatoes but sweet corn and many other crops that are
essential to the economy of the State of Washington.

A study paid for by the Washington State Potato Commission estimates up
to 36-hundred jobs could be lost if the Odessa runs dry.

So what's the solution? The federal government is dusting off a plan
from the 1940s. It calls for continuing construction of the Columbia
Basin Project. The CBP - as it's known - brought Columbia River water to
sagebrush country through a series of canals. Now the idea is to extend
the system to the Odessa Aquifer area - something that was always part
of the plan. This would allow farmers to switch from well water to river
water. Ellen Berggren with the federal Bureau of Reclamation is heading
a five-year feasibility study.

Berggren: The Columbia Basin Project was authorized by Congress to
irrigate one-million-twenty-nine-thousand acres and it's currently
irrigating about six-hundred-and-seventy-one-thousand acres.

The question is whether it makes economic and environmental sense to
bring river water to another one-hundred-thousand plus acres of
farmland.

Berggren: One of the very important considerations in our study is
looking at ways of getting water - which would ultimately have to come
from the Columbia River - in a manner that will not affect Columbia
River flow targets for fish.

That's a key concern for Rob Masonis with the environmental group
American Rivers. After all the Columbia Basin Project was crafted more
than sixty years ago. Long before water had to be set aside for
endangered salmon.

Masonis: It may be that you could move water around within the Columbia
Basin project to serve those farms in question without further depleting
the Columbia River. Where it will get more difficult from the
perspective of the environmental community is where we're talking about
further degrading resources that are already seriously degraded.

Masonis says it's too early to know if this has the potential of turning
into a protracted legal battle.

[Wind noise]

In the meantime, scientists continue to monitor the aquifer. Guy Gregory
is a geologist with the state Department of Ecology. We're at a test
well near the town of Odessa. He unreels an electronic tape down the
well. It measures water depth. The tape is 500 feet long. It keeps going
and going and going.

Gregory: We're thinking about getting a thousand foot tape but we don't
have anyone who wants to try and reel it up. It gets kind of heavy
(laughs).

Finally, at 480 feet the tape hits water and an alarm sounds. Since 1971
the water in this well has dropped two hundred feet. Past efforts to
bring Columbia River water to this part of Washington have stalled. But
now with so many wells failing farmers say something has to be done.

Copyright 2006 KPLU

Storage eating

2006-08-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

Last night I was exhausted and did not feel like cooking. Usually I am very good at planning menus for hte week, but this week has been "off." I had NO idea what to make.

So, I walked into my food storage area in the basement and grabbed a handful of whole wheat spaghetti, a bottle of olive oil, and a can of great northern beans. I looked outside and grabbed some cherry tomatoes and basil. A little goat cheese from the fridge. I also had some garlic left over from the week.

I sauteed the beans, tomatoes, and garlic in a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a tad of sea salt. I put it over the pasta and mixed in the goat cheese. The kids loved it! Madison and Zach each had 2 helpings.

Almost all came from my food storage (bought in bulk this summer). It was very exciting not to go to the store.

Here is a great calculator to help build your own food storage. I recommend building a base and then adding to it. You can select 3 months or more and based upon the number and ages of family members.

Fulfillment

2006-08-24T05:55:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about why people feel a need to consume. I get a feeling that a lot of people are living unfulfilled lives. I know that I did. We work in the same dead end job - which has little meaning. We have nothing htat we are truly excited about. We are isolated from meaningful social interactions. Thus, we try to find something that fills the void. Some people find alternate ways to do this; partying, working out, shopping...

We go to the store and see people, we get a new item and havve a warm sensation that we have added something to our lives.

In actuality, we are isolated. We wander the shopping malls alone, we are cut off from the natural world (windows or no natural light), no birds chirping, no scent of freshly cut grass. We are shopping in oder to fill a void.

I think that some of this is due to the fact that we have no passion. Besides things to consume, we really have nothing that has meaning.

I left a job where I sat in front of a computer and designed websites and designed interactive materials for faculty in order to become a teacher. I left hte job that was not fulfilling because I felt that something was missing. Well, yes, we did transfer for my husband's job, however I had opportunitites for the same type of job here. I chose to teach. I love to design, yet I felt that I was losing my self in my work. I was not happy and would often shop to find something to make me happier. I would shop for items for my office to make it into a space that I enjoyed. It didn't work. Now I am passionate about what I am doing. Teaching is my calling. What is yours?

I was shopping in order to fill a void. I was lonely. Now that I realize the impact of my consumerism, I have another passion. I feel very passionate about making wise choices in my purchases. I don't want to be a part of a downward spiral. I want to live life fully with people rather than being empty while in a sea of other shoppers.

So, I have found others who feel the same way as I do. Yes, many of these people are online (the Compact, Simpleliving.net, Sally), however, the more I learn the more aware I have become of my environment and enjoying my life.

I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
- Henry David Thoreau

compost

2006-08-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we built a compost tumbler! The tumbler sits on a stand and has wheels on the bottom to help it roll. The tumbler itself is composed of a used drum. We drilled holes in the bottom and ends to help with air flow. There are handles on the sides as well, so that we can easily turn the drum. At this point, it is easy enough for even Gavin to turn it!

We put a door with a latch on the end. It is easy to open and put in kitchen scraps, grass, leaves, newsprint.... I cna't wait to see how this works.

The tumbler is based on directions that Jonathan found from a March/April 1979 article in Mother Earth News.

Compost is a great way to turn waste into something functional. Think about it, we are turning kitchen scraps and combining and heating it so that we can use it for our gardens. Wow. Functional waste - and it does not get into a land fill!

Speaking of waste (still not using paper towel), I just purchased biodegradeble garbage bags. I had no idea htat our garbage bags would not degrade and would sit for 100 years in a landfill. Wow. I do not want to have that.

So, our waste is being reduced through a number of means:

compost
fewer disposable items (I will cut more out every week)
recycle and reuse
buying in bulk and storing foods

My goal is to have very little waste. Reducing consumption is helping with this. One thing leads to the next!

New look

2006-08-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did change the "look" of this blog. I needed some color! So, this is the same blog - just a little greener. LOL!

Life changes

2006-08-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

We have spoken a lot about peak oil lately. I guess I never really realized how much is dependent on oil. All that most of us think about it our cars. What about everything else that is transported with oil - food, medical supplies, building supplies....

What else is derived from oil? Most of our energy comes from oil. Our waste is removed via oil (garbage pick-up), water is cleaned with oil (energy to clean it), our plastic products are made from oil. Our I.V. bags and medical supplies are created with oil. Our dishwashing detergents are often petroleum based. Almost everything in our lives is oil based!

So, we have made many changes in our lives in attempt to reduce our ecological footprint and as an attempt to simplify our lives. We are also trying to use little oil. It is not possible to do without, but we try to minimize....

Heat with wood
Garden
Can/preserve foods
buy foods in bulk (and adequate food storage)
eat locally and/or organic
dry clothes on a line
reuse water (captured through dehumidifier and reused to water plants or wash floors)
natural cleaning products
no new purchases
making environmentally friendly choices
no new purchases (used/borrowed/go without)
veggie oil car
walk or bike most places
non gas based lawn mower (push mower)
compost

Yes, we started small, but we built from that to include these other changes.

Recently, I stopped using paper towel! I still think it is a good choice to choose one item and then add to it. When I look at everything that we have incorporated into our lives, it can be overwhelming. However, I realize that these changes were added to within a time epriod. For instance, we have been heating/supplementing with wood for about 4 years. I am not the best gardener, however, I am learning.

This is not perfect, it is a journey of learning. I am truly enjoying this journey and learning a lot along the way. I also find that I spend more time playing with the kids - as they are enjoying the preocess as well. For instance, the other day Elyse and I canned pickles! Madison made eggplant parmesean from homemade (canned) spaghetti sauce, Zach uses the push mower, and we all help each other. We all help put up the wash to dry. We aren't sitting in front of the television or computer and wasting time. There is much more family interaction now than ever before.

Natural Household Cleaning Recipes

2006-08-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been trying to sleep for the past hour or two, but between the hiccups in my stomach (the baby) and my brain going one hundred miles per minute, I can't sleep! I keep thinking about all of the things that I want to get done tomorrow.

This afternoon a neighbor brought over a few cucumbers, so I may try pickling. Just after he left, another neighbor brought over a TON of tomatoes. I will have to cook them down tomorrow and can them. He left me with a lot of roma tomatoes. These make great thick paste and thick sauces. I think pizza sauce is the way to go for these. I know we will use all of it. I will make some fresh bread and bring that over to each neighbor (with homemade jam).

I also have some eggplant to use. I dont know if I should make eggplant parmsean and freeze it or if I should make something else. I need to do that tomorrow.

Oh, I am attempting to get enough food storage for the winter. Wow - I have all of the basics for a family of 6 for 6 months(wheat, oats, dried beans, salt, etc). However, I am also attempting to get fruits and veggies canned. Am I nesting?

On top of that, I really got behind on laundry and know that I need to get cleaned and then hung outside to dry. I will also move and stack the last of the kindling. I would really like to have that done before J comes home on Friday. I know, I know, I am 8+ months pregnant. I should really take it easy, but I hae sucha hard time doing so. I should make a list. That usually helps!

Yes, I think I am nesting!
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I was asked for some good cleaning recipes. You can find some great recipes at http://www.care2.com/healthyliving/.

What I like to use are a combination of vinegar, castille soap, borax, baking soda, and essential oils. These 5 items make up the majority of my cleaning supplies. I relaly like to use essential oils - as they hide the vinegar smell, they smell great, they also have some antibacterial/antimicrobial properties. I like to switch scents for seasons. Right now lemon and orange and favorites. I know that once the season changes a little more, I will want to use more cypress, cedar, pine, rosemary, etc.

I have found that vinegar and a few drops of oil of choice is great in the laundry rinse. It works as a softener!

Bathroom disinfectent (need a lot of it with 4 kids): 2 cups water, 2 tsp borax, 8 drops pine essential oil, 4 drops cedar essential oil. Mix into a spray bottle, shake before use!

Sink cleansers: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup vinegar, oil of choice. Scrub with cloth and rinse.

Toilet Bowl: This is my favorite - an overnight bomb! 1 cup borax, 1 cup vinegar, 10 drops pine, 5 drops lemon. Let sit overnight and flush in the morning.

Another: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup vinegar, tea tree oil - place all into toilet bowl, swish and done!

Current Events

2006-08-16T13:31:00.000-07:00

Today Jonathan and I had a long discussion about the state of current events.

There are a few things that we have recently read about:

Peak Oil - World Wide Depression

"I had the chance to attend a forum last week which had Alan Greenspan as a guest speaker. In his speech Greenspan said, and I am paraphrasing, "when (not if) the global demand for oil exceeds the supply we will fall into a world wide depression". That shook me as well as most of the others in the room. We have all thought about shortages, sky high prices, etc. But I had never thought in terms of a true depression. Has anyone else and, if so, are you preparing in any way for such an event? FYI, Mr. Greenspan did not offer a prediction as to when this event might occur."

Read this while you are at it: http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

Here is an interesting article on a blog: http://sustainable-life.co.uk/peakoil

Clean Water Shortage

The BBC had a news item regarding Water shortage as 'a global problem'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4796909.stm

Rich countries face increasing water shortages, a report by conservation organisation WWF warns.

A combination of climate change and poor resource management is leading to water shortages in even the most developed countries, it says. It urges water conservation on a global scale and asks rich states to set an example by repairing ageing water infrastructure and tackling pollution.

The report was released in Geneva just ahead of World Water Week. The WWF says economic wealth does not automatically mean plenty of water. Its report reveals that some of the world's wealthiest cities - such as Houston or Sydney - are using more water than can be replenished....

Ethanol Production = Food Shortages

http://www.energybulletin.net/18496.html
http://healthandenergy.com/ethanol.htm

Jonathan read something about ethanol production, however, I do not know where the article is. I think on of those linked above may be the one he was talking about. He said that what he read is that ethanol is one of the most expensive and unsustainable fuels to produce. If we grew enough grains to make fuel, then we would use all of our grains and not have it available for food. Also ethanol uses more energy to produce than it saves.

After Jonathan and I spoke about this, his reaction as that we should move to a farm and be as independent from the current culture as possible. My reaction is that yes, this is all very bad, however, I think that we can do something. I am not an alarmist or survivalist. I think that we should teach what we know. My thought is that he and I have skills. We have proven that we can create a sustainable environment in an urban environment. Okay, we are not 100% sustainable, however, we have made some major changes in our lives to reduce our footprint.

A lot of people recognize that global warming is happening, that peak oil is happening, that people don't want to be dependent on the system. We think that a lot of people want to make a change, but don't know where or how to start. I think that it is possible to take small steps and build on to those. I think that if we can show people how to make small changes and make a start. Enough small changes can create a ripple effect. Look at me; in January I was clueless. Now I have made a lot of changes: wash is hung to dry, rainbarrels, compost, canning food, growing food, walking to the store, non toxic + biodegradeable household cleansers, careful/non consumerism, veggie car, all organic + local foods.... In January, I had not even a thought about this - not a thought about my role or ecofootprint. Small changes spiraled into larger changes.

I think that if we each start small, then we can add to it. Not consuming (as much) or choosing only organic, hanging our wash to dry x-times a week.... Start small and then build onto that. I do think that it is possible as individuals to have an impact and then we can impact our friends and neighbors.

A challenge: this week make a vow to make 1 change. Make it a change that you can sustain.

ideas:

1. Hang clothes to dry
2. Choose to walk/carpool/mass transit/bike this week
3. learn to compost
4. put up a rain barrel
5. don't purchase anything unnecessary
6. visit the local farmers market and buy local food
7. choose organic
8. refill bottles with bulk foods
9. cook at home
10. unplug unused appliances
11. replace lightbulbs with compact
12. other ideas?

One change for a week. Let me know what you decide to do!

firewood

2006-08-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. This past weekend was a weekend of hard work! We had a driveway full of edgewood/slabwood to take care of. The wood came from a local sawmill. The sawmill was simply going to burn the wood, so we determined that purchasing it for 25/bundle was a great price and that if it was going to be burned anyway, then we might as well use it for heat!

First, Jonathan built this crib to safely cut the long slabs of wood . We would put the individual slabs into this crib and then he would take his chainsaw to it. We would also then have the wood in the appropriate size for our fireplace. I believe the wood was cut into approximately 16 inch lengths.

You can see Jonathan cutting through the wood (and a top piece falling). Each "crib full" equals about 3-4 wheelbarrows of stackable wood.

We put all of the pieces into wheelbarrows and moved them to the back yard and stacked them neatly into racks that Jonathan and some friends had built. These racks are about 2 feet wide, 6 feet tall, and 12 feet long. Each rack hold approximately 25 wheelbarrows of wood. There are 4 racks full of wood for the winter!

I am still very sore. We worked for about 12-14 hours on each Saturday and Sunday. There were times that it seemed too daunting. I remember stepping outside and thinking that we would never get it done. However, we succeeded! It was a lot of work. The kids helped watch Gavin and stack wood (alternating). There were also a few time out soccer games between all 4 kids. I think that Gavin even got a goal or two!

Jonathan cut the wood, and I carefully stacked it into the wheelbarrow and moved the wheelbarrows into the back where then we stacked the wood. I was very careful to use my legs. I have not been this sore since the last marathon I ran! Then again, I wasn't nearly 9 months pregnant when I ran a marathon! It certainly feels great to have all of this wood taken care of, and to know that we have enough to heat our house for hte long winter ahead.

While we were cutting and moving the wood, Jonathan told me of a farm that he worked on in northern MN. This farm was very far north - where winter can set in starting in Sept. The family would have all of their wood and food saved for the winter by the start of September. There would be many days when they would have over 10 feet of snow and be unable to get out. It was amazing to me that people still do this, of course there it is a necessity, here it is becuase we want to be as independent from oil/gas as we can.

Okay - now to catch up on wash!

Storing Food

2006-08-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

Until World War II people prepared food for the winter. There was not the luxury of getting fresh produce in the middle of the winter. People would grow or purchase foods in the summer and preserve them for the long winter ahead. Most people do not do this any longer. The "convenience" of centrally located supermarkets has superceeded the need to do any food storage. As a result not only have people "forgotten" how to store food, but also have no meaningful food stroage. As a matter of fact, most people have only about 3 days worth of food available to them at any time (stores also only have about 3 days supply).

Last spring the governemnt warned us that we should have at least 3 weeks of food available to us in our homes - in the event of a pandemic. At the same time, a leading epidemilogist from the Univ of MN stated that we should really have 3-6 months of food available! Wow! How many of us have THAT?

It makes me think about our food system even more. Food travels about 1500 miles to our local stores. In the case of calamity, those food movements may decline. In the case of oil expenses or shortages (like now) we will find that our food costs rise dramatically.

Oil is part of the reason that I decided to start shopping locally and preserving. I purchase more than I need from the farmers market each week. I then preserve what we don't use. I do this so that I won't have to depend upon systems to deliver food to my local stores in the middle of the winter. I can also then preserve my own local food (and know what goes into them).

There are a few ways to preserve foods - canning, freezing, and dehydrating. I mostly can or freeze. I try to do this every Wednesday.

The other day I found fresh organic peaches at a local store. So, this morning I canned them into quart jars. Yes, it really is a labor of love!

First, remove the skins off of the peaches. This can be done by dipping them into a hot water bath of about 30-60 seconds and then into a cold water bath.

Cut them in half and then remove the pits and coarse inner part. Treat so that they don't brown.

Have hot canning jars available (I run them through the dishwasher) or put them into the hot water bath for 10 minutes. Place the peach halves into the jars.

You will want to have a light to medium syrup made to pour over the peaches. Measure the space between the top of the jar and the top of hte food. In this case, it should be 1/2 inch.

Use a non-metal object such as a wooden spoon or chopstick to release trapped air in the jars. Push the chopstick around the edges and through the jars.

Wipe the tops of the canning jars to remove any food particles

Place the lids on the tops (you will have had to have the lids in some simmering water).

Put the jars into the water bath canner for 30 minutes (quart) and 25 minutes (pint).

Remove from the water. You will need to check these after they cool (wait about 24 hours). Gently press down on the center to see if they have sealed.

Label and store!

Today I will be blanching and freezing some vegetables, as well as canning some more fruits (cherries) as well as can tomoatoes (either canning stewed or making sauce to can).

Choices

2006-08-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

This journey has been an awakening for me. I have never been a very conscientious consumer. Certainly, I could find a deal on items that I needed. Yes, I was very good at clipping coupons, looking through the papers for deals, and getting great sale prices. However, I never really thought about whether I needed something at all. The other day I saw a Target commercial where things were piled up on top of each other and the consumer "needed" all of these things.

I have realized in the past few months that the compact is not only about not purchasing, but about making choices. The choices run deeper than paper or plastic (I use reusable canvas and save 5 cents per bag used). I can choose whether I really need mountain fresh or spring floral toilet bowl cleaner - or if I am going to choose to make one that I can live with. Am I going to use paper bags for the kids lunches, purchase something that only lasts 6 months, purchase something that will last for years, or make bags.

There are choices. I grew up with a certain way - and thought that is how things always should be. I never really thought there were choices outside of those that are provided to us. Well, there are more choices than driving to the store. We can choose whether to drive to the store, car pool, take public transportation, bike, walk, or not go at all.

I have many more choices in how to live than what commercials tell me that I have. Now I am trying to live in a way that I can see all of my choices - which go beyond a blue or green shirt. It includes used, environmentally friendly, or going without. I can see beyond what advertisements tell me that I "need."

Believe it or not, but as members of this global economy we do have choices. If we use our choices well, then we also have a voice. Companies need us to spend our money - and they tell us how to do it. Going without or making wise choices gives us that voice.

Examples of environmentally friendly choices:
Lunch boxes http://www.laptoplunches.com/
Reusable Sandwich wrap http://www.wrap-n-mat.com/
Reusable Canvas Bags: http://www.reusablebags.com/
Three ring binders http://www.sustainablegroup.net/index.html

Cloth, Disposable, or Flushable?

2006-08-07T07:07:00.000-07:00

Yes, diapers. The long debate has been between cloth diapers and disposable diapers. Is it better to wash diapers or the thrown them into a landfill. I have felt guilty over both options for a long time. Neither seemed very viable - either you waste water or the diaper sits in a landfill for the next 500 years. What a choice - not a great one.

So, my happy suprise when I was looking through a bulk food catalog (for a buying club) and saw a new diaper product. Flushable diapers! I read about it and was impressed and decided to do a google search. There they were. Flushable diapers. The diapers were even certified as a "Cradle to Cradle" product.

Cradle to Cradle is a book by William McDonogh and Michasel Braungart which explains a principle of how products can be designed so that even after they are used for their original design, they can still provide nourishment for somehting new. They can be "biological nutrient" that wil lreneter the water or soil without toxins, etc. They can actually nourish rather than degrade!

So, I purchased the diapers. Yes, I purchased something. I don't feel that this purchase breaks the Compact. I feel that 1) I would be purchasing disposable diapers anyway, and 2) these diapers are environmentally friendly.

gDiapers: https://www.gdiapers.com/

Cradle to Cradle

So far, they have worked well. Gavin loves them. he actually took off his disposable and helped put these on! Will keep update to the convenience and "wetness" factor!

water supply

2006-08-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

Water is one of our essential resources. We can live without food (for a little while), but we are unable to live without fresh potable water. Most of us take our water supply for granted. We can simply walk into another room and turn on a faucet. Unfortunately, the entire world is not as lucky.

Everything that we flush down our drains or down the toilet gets back into our water supply. Sure, some of it is filtered out during the process, however, enough of it remains.

Another reason to clean with natural and/or biodegradable products!

Did you know that detectable amounts of Prozac are in our water supply?

The following site has some good information about what you can do to help maintain a fresh water supply: http://www.perc.ca/waste-line/rrr/home/water.html

Cleaning naturally

2006-08-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

One of the amazing things that I have learned from living by the compact is that I can make decisions about my own life and my own environment.

I had read that there were safer alternative to cleaning the home. I really did not think it was necessary - afterall, wouldn't all of the "supercleansers" be safe for the public? Well, it turns out that they are not. I just found a link on the epa.gov site that mentions a lot of toxic cleaners http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html Some examples are All-purpose cleaner, ammonia-based cleaners, bleach, brass or other metal polishes, dishwater detergent, disinfectant, drain cleaner, floor wax or polish, glass cleaner, dishwashing detergent, oven cleaner, and scouring powder. They all contain dangerous chemicals!

Until World War II, household cleaners were made out of natural ingredients such baking soda, vinegar, etc.

I have decided that starting in August my new challnege is to use all or mostly homemade household cleansers.

Thus far I have used a combination of baking soda and vinegar with a little essential oil to clean my kitchen sink. It is amazing how clean and shiny it is now! I have also "bombed" my toilet with vinegar, borax, and essential oils. Wow! The toilet was clean overnight! No scrubbing! This amazes me - with a family of 6 (and a little boy who often 'misses' or 'forgets' to flush).

I can tell you that it feels good to be living in an environment that does not smell like a chemical store. I like to know that I am walking on floors that are naturally clean.

We have a high efficiency washing and drying machine. I learned that we really don't need as much detergent as we tend to use. I have started to use cold water, a soak, and a lighter cycle (instead of heavy or normal which use more energy). A vinegar (and essential oil) in the rinse cycle instead of fabric softner. I am now also drying laundry outside (free energy).

The ingredients that I am using are MUCH less expensive then the store alternatives. I can make a soft scrub for pennies. I have decided that some store bought environmentally friendly products are really worth the investment (dishwasher detergent and dishsoap). I am saving enough money by making my own that it is worth the investment.

I also feel good to know that my cleaning products are not harming the environment. These are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. I am making choices for the future generations instead of my own. I am living for my children, their children, and their children.

Pollute less and cash in

2006-08-01T13:36:00.000-07:00

Interesting plan. What do you think? Could it work in the U.S?

What about a neighborhood challenge or a city challenge? I wonder if cities or states started small if an idea like this may actually work.

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London: A radical plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions by rationing the carbon use of individuals is being drawn up by British government officials. The scheme could force consumers to carry a swipe card that records their personal carbon allocation, with points knocked off each time they buy petrol or tickets for a flight.

Under the scheme, all U.K. citizens from the Queen down would be allocated an identical annual carbon allowance, stored as points on an electronic card similar to air miles schemes or supermarket loyalty cards. Points would be deducted at point of sale for every purchase of non-renewable energy.

People who did not use their full allocation, such as families who do not own a car, would be able to sell their surplus carbon points into a central bank.

High energy users could then buy them — motorists who had used their allocation would still be able to buy petrol, with the carbon points drawn from the bank and the cost added to their fuel bills. To reduce total U.K. emissions, the overall number of points would shrink each
year.

David Miliband, Environment Secretary, is keen to set up a pilot scheme to test the idea, and has asked officials from four government departments to report on how it could be done.

The move marks the first serious step towards state-enforced limits on the carbon use of individuals, which scientists say may be necessary in the fight against climate change.

It extends the principle of carbon trading — already in place between heavy polluters such as power companies and steel makers — to consumers, with heavy carbon users forced to buy unused allowances from people with greener lifestyles.

Colin Challen, Labour chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on climate change, which has called for carbon rationing, said: ``It will inevitably have to be introduced so that consumers, along with other sectors, take responsibility for what they do.''

But setting up a local pilot scheme could have problems — not least how to stop people driving elsewhere to fill up.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/20/stories/2006072003501300.htm

Climate: A Crisis Averted

2006-08-01T11:35:00.000-07:00


“Climate: A Crisis Averted” looks back from 2056 and recounts how ordinary citizens in 2006 – realizing that global warming was a scientific fact and not a climatic theory -- take action to demand clean energy and other planet-friendly options. The movie describes how a movement called RenewUS effected real change with an action plan, or ‘call-to-arms’ on global warming.

Blue Man Group on Global Warming

2006-08-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Your attention please. Thank you for choosing earth as your planetary vehicle. We hope you enjoy the many wonderful features of this planet, as you hurtle through the cosmos. Please note, that in the event of continued inaction in the face of global warming - your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device. Please take a moment to locate this planet's emergency exits. As you can see, there aren't any!

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My kids love this video!

Transformations

2006-07-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

I am very suprised at the extensive changes that have happened since I joined the Compact. I still can't believe that I have changed so much - and that it all started with a simple vow not to purchase new items.

Once I stepped outside of consumerism, I could look at myself and my environment and really take a look at my role in the global economy. Sure, I may be one simple person, however, I can make some differences. All I had cared about was either 1) saving my money or 2) what I could get for my "buck." What a way to live!

Now I realize that I can have an impact. I realize that every time I purchased something that was not locally made, I contributed to carbon emissions. Whatever I was purchasing had to be flown or trucked in from somewhere else! That was not something I had even thought about. I also took a step back and analyzed why I wanted something and if it was something that was really necessary. I realized that very few things that I owned were necessary in my life. What do I really need? 1) shelter 2) food + water and 3) clothing. Of course, I need my family and friends as well. There are things that help those main three items i.e transportation to get to the job so that I can have shelter, etc. When I think in those simplest terms, then I can truly analyze the benefits and costs to everything. Does this "thing" add to my life? Is it necessary? Does it help me maintain those crucial needs? Is it special? OR does it weigh me down?

From there I looked at how I ate and how my decisions were influencing the lifestyles of others. If I ate a lot of meat, then could others eat? If I had food flown in, then was I contibuting to climate change? I then found that eating locally grown and/or organic foods was a step in the right direction. These foods also were then in season and full of flavor. A bite of tomato could be heavenly! (My children even now love tomotoes!) I also started to preserve the leftovers vegetables (freezing or canning). Thus, when they are craved in January, I will have some available! I have also started to cook "by season." Because the foods are fresh, I find that I am not missing the foods that are not currently available.

Now I have been thinking about water and the impact of the cleansers I use. Okay, my use of cleansers may not independently contribute to poor water quality, however, if I use ecological products, then I can save the water and reuse it on my gardens. Two jobs for the price of one! This is especially important now during this hot dry weather. I have just started making my own household cleansers. The house is very clean and smells great (rather than smelling like cleaning chemicals). I have even started to look at permaculture! 4 years ago my husband talked about grey water systems and permaculture. I was waaaaay against it. Now, I can only see the benefits. I seem to be the one pushing for it!

So 6+ months ago, I was purchasing clothing, shoes, etc. I was not concerned about my individual role in this world. Now, I have come to realize that although I am but one individual, I am part of a global society. I can make an impact. I can choose to live consciously. I can be truly happy without "stuff." And perhaps, just perhaps, a few other people can see that they, too, can make a few simple changes that dramatically impact their own lives.

News Item

2006-07-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

Okay, we are learning that the news isn't always quite accurate. We didn't join the compact a few years ago - rather a few months ago....

The barrels were empty - they are intended to store/filter waste veggie oil. We found them used (and clean) for $5 a piece. 3 will be used for the filter system and the 4th will be used for a compost turner! Madison had very exciting things to do that 90+ degree day - swimming!

More than a hundred people have contacted us? Read this blog, yes, but contacted? Oh well.

The news station has a differnet version of it on their website. One version ran at 6pm and the other at 10pm.
http://www.kttc.com/News/index.php?ID=4943

Slowing Down

2006-07-28T06:56:00.000-07:00

"Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life...When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality. -- Thoreau from Walden"

Choosing to live in the compact has forced us to slow down. We have slowed down because we have the opportunity to stop and think about what we need (or want) and why we feel that we have this need. It has forced us to live rather than speed off to the next event.

Most of us are so plugged in that we often don't experience life. We tend to have overpacked, overscheduled days and rush from one event to another. Our kids are overscheduled. No wonder everyone seems to have no or little time for anyone else.

My children know how to slow down. They do not sit for hours plugged into the television. Instead, they find a pile of sticks and build a fort. They find rocks and and old lumber and make a "teeter totter". I encourage them to explore the environment and not come back until they are muddy. Let children learn how to feed their imagination and they will succeed in doing so. The children will stop and study a bug on the ground and follow it to its home.

I spoke to my mother in law last night. She told me that when she was in college she had a professor who told the class that the next time they were in the the car that they should turn off the radio and listen to the slice of life around them. Try it. Literally stop and smell the roses. I don't mean sniff them as you walk past - stop and breath deeply.

There is a wonderful "slow food" movement across the globe. It was started a number of years ago in Italy. It opposes fast food and promotes dining for pleasure. It opposes the standardization of food and prefers the use of local area foods. The movement has taken off. People want to slow down.

Until I joined the compact I did not know how to slow down. I was consumed with work, children, home, and all of my other responsibilities. I was worried about needs and purchasing items. I did not have time. Now that I have chosen to step away from the endless cycle of purchasing and consuming, I have time. I enjoy life. I am choosing to live and am living deliberately.

Anniversary

2006-07-27T04:39:00.000-07:00

Today is our anniversary. I recall our wedding day fondly. We married in Chicago in Jonathan's parents backyard. We invited 20-30 of our closest friends and family members. The entire event was a celebration and truly felt like it. We wanted a very simple celebration - as we both felt as if there were too many weddings that were about the single day rather than about the joining of two people for a lifetime. Our wedding was not a day - it was start of a new life together.

The morning of the wedding, Jonathan and I went to the local famers market and picked out our own flowers. I made a bouquet for myself, the girls, and a few pieces for tables.

The girls wore simple white dresses which were either what Madison wore for her first communion or one that was found off of ebay. I wore a dress that I purchased "off-the-rack". My mother took the dress and modified it to our liking (she used to sew all of her own clothing). Zach wore a simple hand-me-down outfit. Jonathan wore a blue shirt and tie.

After the ceremony we went to a lovely restaurant and had a great sit down meal. It was wonderful and simple. There was not a dance, nor a show. There was a sense of celebration - as the people who were with us were those who were closest in our lives.

The event was so much different than other weddings we have been to - which are months of planning, thousands of dollars spent, guests the couple don't know, a big fairy tale show. Todays average wedding costs $30,000 and almost 50% of marriages end in divorce. We wanted the day to be about a marriage - not a wedding.

We didn't want to start our marriage with a debt due to a wedding.

Our anniversary is a wonderful day for us. We do not spend it exchanging gifts. We do, however, sit down to a nice homemade meal. This year we have decided to make an investment for our anniversary. Starting today we will have a car the is fueled with Waste Vegetable Oil. I can't think of a better anniversary gift to ourselves!

Not buying "stuff"

2006-07-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my children. Yesterday we walked to the store to pick up a few items. We decided to check out the magazine rack to see if the August Money issue was on the stands. Not yet. When were standing there Madison noticed a magazine with images of Zac Efron or Orlando Bloom - some current hearthrob. She looked through and thought about purchasing them. She did, afterall, have her own money. She looked at me and asked, "can we print some pictures of them off the internet?" I told her that we could, and she decided not to make the purchase. I was very proud of her that she thought about what she wanted and alternative means to get the same thing, with little cost.

Today we needed to go to Target. Target is one of my difficult stores. I had coupons for medications. Well, the kids did not ask for anything! They pointed out things and said "we don't need that - it is junk." I think I struggle with it more than they do! Of course, it is recent for me - I am fighting a lifelong (30+ years) obsession with shopping. The kids, however, have had little exposure to this need to accumulate.

I will protect them from consumerism!

Americanizing

2006-07-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

I keep hearing from different sources that there are so many other countries, such as China and India, which are hoping to live the American way of life.

Americans constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.

Americans eat 815 billion calories of food each day - that's roughly 200 billion more than needed - enough to feed 80 million people.
Americans throw out 200,000 tons of edible food daily.
There are more shopping malls than high schools.

If these other countries, which have a larger population than the US, do succeed in attaining the US lifestyle, then what will happen to our world?

I think that many others do not understand how unhappy many Americans truly are. There is a pressure to own and accumulate. There is a pressure to look, act, and be a certain way.

Vanuatu Is World's Happiest Country

"People are generally happy here because they are very satisfied with very little," Marke Lowen of Vanuatu Online, the republic's online newspaper told The Guardian.

"This is not a consumer-driven society. Life here is about community and family and goodwill to other people. It's a place where you don't worry too much."

I think that this is what we are missing. We are not a society based around community, family, and goodwill. We seem to be a society based around work, accumulating things, and making our lives appear "perfect" to outsiders. It does not mean that our lives are perfect. On the outside, things may look good, but on the inside we are unhealthy.

Why do people not make changes? Change is hard. I know that if I had not made a few small (and large) changes a few years ago, I would have remained in that cycle of accumulating things and debts.

I remember thinking at one time that if I only had - X - I would be happy. X could have been money or this thing or that. Now that I have been able to sit back and analyze what makes me happy, I know that it has nothing to do with money or things. One of the wonderful things that joining the compact and choosing to live simply has done for me is it has forced me to step away from the cycle of earning and spending and really take a look at what has meaning in my life. It is experiences. It is family. I want to surround myself with family, friends, and community. I want to help others see that life is so much more than things.

Things never did provide me with the fulfillment that I now have.