My slow turn to "green"

bumgenius diaper, the coolest ever

So one of the goals this year is to become a little more environmentally conscience.  So for I've accomplished the following: cloth diapering (thanks to Cotton Babies, who make a fantastic cloth diaper!), and recycling. Starting this weekend my garden gets up and running with a fall crop going in, and I hope to start composting.  At first my reasons for doing the above was all about money; either money saved (i.e. cloth diapering vs. disposable; eating fresh, organic CHEAP veggies) or money earned (turning in my glass and aluminum for cash back).  But now, I'm starting to see everything I do as a way to give back, or to avoid "trash".  I started thrifting, and using freecycle.org to find cool things (on a stay-at-home mom budget), and I dig the idea of using something used instead of buying new, which cuts down on the amount of waste I create!  Plus, using freecycle.org and other venues (i.e. craigslist or ebay) I can get rid of some of my used stuff too, giving it a good, new home!  I've even started looking at ebay.com as a way to find pre-owned, usually expensive items that will last me longer than the Target knockoff version.  I can't wait to score the Steve Madden boots I have my eye on!  

Also, I've been converting cool, vintage clothes that I find at the thrift store into things I can actually wear: the awesome shirt I found that is 4 sizes too large which I'm cutting down to fit, the amazing printed jacket that is way '80's ugly which I'm turning into an apron (not my idea, but a great one!) Oh, and eventually this idea of giving clothes a Second Chance will turn into my next business project...but that's another blog post altogether.   So as I told a dear friend once, I'm not green for the sake of "saving the earth" but for the kinder effect on my pocket (which I dubbed "teal")...but somewhere along the way, a shift has happened.  I'm started to turn green, or maybe just a cool verdigris.

 (Cottonbabies.com is running a contest, and this is an entry; pray I win the free pack of diapers!)

Recycling, composting, and compassion

So I've decided that I want to recycle.  I'm not sure that it's because I want to save the earth or anything, but I do know that when recycled properly (and I don't think the blue cans count) then it really does help out.  I figure that if I recycle everything that can be recycled (cardboard, glass, metal, plastic) that I should be able to cut down on what goes in the trash significantly.  Add in composting, and that cuts down the food trash even more.  I once read an article by some green guru who didn't throw anything away; he put on Craig's list anything that couldn't be recycled or composted and it proved the saying that one man's trash is another man's treasure.  I'd like to do that.  I find it fascinating that one can live "off the grid" like that. I know, I'm still getting water, electricity, etc, but one day, I'd like to really be off the grid.  I want to have a micro-farm (not just a garden) and be able to save $$ by raising my own fruits and veggies, and even chickens (we'll see how that goes!).  I think I'm turning more and more into a granola (or hippie, depends on who you ask).  That lifestyle fascinates me, and I have lots of friends that embrace various facets of that lifestyle and I'm inspired by each and everyone of them.  My first goal in recycling is to sort stuff out and put the valuables by the trash can each Wed.  I heard at least three different people going through the trash yesterday looking for things they could get money for. My heart was so turned by this; I wish I could help out. So next week, my plan is to have the glass and plastic out so that those who are on hard times can pick it up easily.  Saves me a trip to the recycling place too!

My house

So we have to paint our house in the near future; well, not the entire house, but at least the trim.  Plus, we have some serious landscaping issues to tackle.  I went searching for pictures of what I want, and I'm still trying to figure it out.  Here's a picture of my house (3 years ago when we first bought the house) and pictures of various other cottages that have aspects that I like.

My house 3 years ago; white house, grey trim, blue door

I love this type of fence...

I want a window box; and I like this color green trim

I just love the English gardens and the cottage look and I want a porch swing. My porch isn't that wide, so I don't know if I'll be able to work that out, but I want nothing more than a nice quiet place to sit and enjoy my morning. I have an amazing view from my front porch; we have two really cute houses across the street. I sometimes forget that I live in Bakersfield when I look outside.  I'm truly blessed and whenever I pull into my driveway, I still think to myself, "I love my house!"

Urban Homesteading?

So I was going to blog about something completely different today until I ran across this website (thanks to Monica Blas!) and I have to say, its right up my alley.  Go check it out and let me know what you think!
http://urbanhomestead.org/

Also, this is how I want my house to look like too....but I'll go more into that another time!

 

Culinary conflict

I adore food.  I get excited watching the Food Network (so does my son, much to my delight!) and when the newest copy of the Williams-Sonoma catalog arrives, I start drooling.  My conflict comes from the way I've decided to eat; it's called Primal, and it's AMAZING!  Primal consists of lots of elements, but the food element boils down to this: No grains (including rice and corn), lots of fruits and veggies, meat, good fats (oils, nuts, avocados, etc) and NO processed foods (which includes cheese for the most part).  Now, pair that with a love of all things gourmet, and you see my conflict.  No bread and no pasta is probably the hardest part to adjust to.  I've come up with great ways to get the illusion of pasta, but sometimes its just not good enough.  My goal this year is to find a satisfying middle ground; create gourmet primal dishes and be excited about them.  I'll keep you posted.

Chicken with fresh tomato, basil and garlic atop a cauliflower "risotto"

For more info on the primal lifestyle; check out this link www.marksdailyapple.com

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog; this is where I will be chronicling the newest phase of my journey...

I am now officially a stay-at-home mom and also have determined to let my creativity out of the bottle!

Join me on my journey as I discover new ways to enjoy being "green" and all the things that I love; my family, God, food, travel, and cool clothes!!