Being environmentally conscious.. How I gave up on some things.

My confessions on going green.

I've been trying to be "green" for about 8 years now (I'm a late bloomer okay?) and it's been quite the ride.  Full of ups and downs, thrills, and spills (yes, I'm talking about YOU cloth diapers), and mistakes.

What works for me:

1. Recycling..it's easy.  If you can't recycle a can, you're an idiot.

2. Keeping a compost container in the kitchen, it's also easy.  It gets taken out every day to the compost container.

3. Using the compost container that the city requires us to pay for anyway.

4. Using mason jars for EVERYTHING..  drinking glasses, food storage, spices, tea making, soup..you name it.

5. I also have a thing for cute jars (jam jars, honey jars, peanut butter jars..) I keep some of them and reuse them around the house (q-tips, toothbrush cups, cotton balls, nails, screws, hair ties, homemade lotions, pens and pencils..).

6. I buy a lot of our food in bulk.  Dry beans, grains, rice, nuts, seeds, mixes, etc.  I store them in large jars.  It saves money and there's no wasted cardboard.

7.  Using cloth napkins.  We use them 75% of the time.  It's easy, and they last.

8. Hand-me-downs for our kids.  We've got 3 girls, so it's a no brainer to me that we'd keep the good stuff and pass it down to the next child.  It only works for me because I keep the things that I actually still like.  The other things get taken to the children's resale shop or donated.

9. I make a lot of my own moisturizers using coconut oil and other essential oils.  My main thing is that I don't want all those chemicals on our bodies.

10. I use organic shampoos and conditioners.  They're cheaper than the fancy shampoos and work better because they don't strip your hair.

11. We try to buy as much organic and natural products and groceries as we can.  Organic veggies are cheaper than that bag of chips you normally buy.

12. I grow a vegetable garden every year.  Along with many potted herbs and things like strawberries.

13. I buy most of my produce and all of our honey from the local produce market.

14. I use paper bags for our recycling and compost in the kitchen.  Also for arts and crafts, we always end up using them up.

15. Canning.  It's time consuming, so I only can things we use a LOT.  Like chicken stock, chili sauce, BBQ sauce, jam, and pickles.  I like that I can control how much sugar goes into my sauces and jam!

16. Natural cleaning products.  Mrs. Meyer's rocks my socks, so does Method hand soap, white vinegar (even though Eric hates when the house smells like vinegar ha ha!), and baking soda.

17. Natural "pesticides" for the garden, meaning it's all natural..you can eat it.  Also, natural fertilizer/plant food for the garden/plants.. compost, ground egg shells, coffee grounds, etc.

18. Reusable water bottles.  This is a no brainer and tap water tastes better anyway.

19. Use scrap paper for kids to draw on, to-do lists, and so on.

20. Line drying about 1/3 of our laundry.  I live in Portland where it rains 3/4 of the year, so I rely on my big accordion style drying rack in the laundry room.  It still holds an entire load!

21. We bought an HE washer and dryer, and let me tell you..those suckers save SO much water and electricity!  With 5 people in this house I do at least a load a day, so it was very noticeable when we switched.

22. Eric takes a big Stanley thermos of coffee to work.

23. Reusable containers, ice pack, and water bottle in Eric and Veda's lunches.

24. There's a lot of little things like energy efficient bulbs, turning off the water when we brush our teeth, etc..that we do because it's an easy habit that makes a difference.

25. Rags.  I cut up all the old towels, shirts, cloth diapers, and use them as rags.  Cheaper to wash some rags than it is to buy more paper towels, they work better anyway and it's better for the environment.

What does NOT work for me:

1. The bike riding.  Not.My.Thing.

2. Taking the bus/max for day to day things.  I've got 3 kids, I know some people can handle it, but I'm not one of them.

3. Having our own compost bin.  I don't want rats, I don't want another chore.

4. Reusable bags for grocery shopping..I have them, yet I forget them EVERY time.  I'm too busy remembering my grocery list, my coupons, and making sure I remembered all my kids ha ha!  I do however, use reusable bags all the time for our day to day outings.  And like I said before, I use those paper bags wisely!

5. Mushroom picking.  Nope nope nope.

6. Kombucha making, grain sprouting, or fermenting.  Ew.

7. Cloth diapers.  Been there, done that for about 6 months.  No thank you.

8. Don't even get me started on the reusable baby wipes or panty liners..you've gone TOO FAR people!

9. Not flushing when it's just pee.  I don't like cleaning the toilet every 3 days, and it makes the whole bathroom stink.  Not to mention, who wants to see your pee? Nope nope nope.

10. Chickens.  I know, I'm not very "Portland" if I don't have chickens ha ha.  I just don't need the extra chore.  But I do buy organic eggs.

I know I'm forgetting about a dozen things that we do or don't do, but you get the point.

Call me lazy, but I think you just have to do what works for YOU.

Hopefully I have inspired you or at least made you laugh ;)

The smells of childhood

Smells from my childhood.

We've all got the smells.

Those scents that bring back memories from our childhood and make us stop in our steps.

Maybe it's the warm summer air, the aroma of fresh cut grass wafting through your open windows, or the candy cane chapstick that your mom always put in your Christmas stocking.

I'd have to say my earliest childhood smells was the smell of the wood toy box I had in my room until I was about 7.  That toy box had a very distinct smell of plastic, crayons, old wood, and noodle necklaces.  I hadn't remembered this smell until last summer.  I had refinished an old hope chest I bought at a garage sale.  One day while helping the girls sort through old toys I was digging through the toy chest when it hit me.  

It hit me so hard I almost cried.  The smell of my earliest memories.  Immediately I started remembering the toys.. the old dolls, the stuffed animals that I'd loved so much they went flat, the barbie dolls with all their hair cut off, the my little pony's, the kid sister doll, the cabbage patch dolls, teddy ruxpin, and my toy record player.

All those memories wrapped up in that one weird smell.

Some of my other childhood smells are:

Iris - They grew in our yard when I was little

Trident - The smell of my grandmas purse

Juniper - I grew up in Bend Oregon, enough said

Potpourri - I grew up in the 80's/90's, enough said

Scented markers - especially the black one

Elmer's glue - Sunday school

Sunscreen with the fake coconut scent - I'm pale and my mom was thrifty

LA Looks hair gel - Hello 90's!

Aqua net hair spray - Again, the 90's

There's plenty more, but I just can't think of them all right now.  Some are so weird and random.  Thank God for the smells!

They say it's liquid sunshine. Liars.

Have you ever been submerged in something for so long that when you finally notice it you're like: what the hell am I doing here?  

It happened to me recently, regarding the effing RAIN.  I have lived in Portland for 22 years, and until recently I hadn't noticed or cared about the rain all that much.  But over the last year or so I have been paying close attention to how much it bothers me.  Maybe it's because we have three kids and two dogs, so we notice when we're all stuck INSIDE.  

I think Starbucks is starting to notice it too..

We daydream of moving to a drier climate like California or southern Oregon (okay, no one really day dreams about moving to southern Oregon..haha!) at least some where without all the drizzle and overcast.  Yet we know leaving the area is something that takes time and consideration (and $) to make happen, but we can dream!

Luckily we are on the cusp of summer, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel for now (2.5 months of light to be exact).  So I will soak up every second of that sun, and the beauty that comes along with it.  Portland is gorgeous in the summer..

Now it's time to plan out the garden and try not to over do it like I did last year.  This year I'm keeping my word of the year "simplify" at the front of my mind as much as possible.

Along with getting ready for the growing season, it's time (well it's always time) to focus on being healthier.  Gluten free is still something I am working on and most days I do well with it.  Other days I just don't give a damn haha!  I refuse to beat myself up over a sandwich.  This is my journey, I am not in competition with anyone but my past.

So, with all that being said, my goals this month are:

1. To plant the garden

2. To take some dance classes

3. To be kind to everyone, even people that can't park

4. To thank God for the small things too

5. To sew something new

6. To not cut my hair off even if tempted

7. To have more grace and mercy (to be more like Jesus)

These might seem small, but a goal is a goal and you gotta have at least a few tangible ones to make you feel like you're getting shit done.

Gluten free lunches for the kiddo

I said that I would write a post about Veda's gluten free school lunches, so here it is!  There are some days that weren't pictured because taking a picture of my daughters lunch wasn't always easy for my groggy eyes at 7am haha!

So here we go..

First gluten free school lunch:

2 boiled eggs

sliced cuc's

carrot sticks

mozzarella cheese

rolled gf ham slices

1 tablespoon gf organic ranch dressing

*not pictured is her water bottle*

Luckily Veda loves a variety of food and loves being the girl with the strange lunch.

Day 2:

Veda said she was still hungry after the last lunch so today I added more (growing kid!).

1 Lara bar

celery sticks

carrot sticks

1 tablespoon gf organic ranch dressing

rolled gf turkey and ham slices

mozzarella cheese

popcorn

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 3: 

2 boiled eggs

carrot sticks

sliced apples 

(submerge the slices in cold lightly salted water, it keeps them from browning)

side of peanut butter

gf pretzels

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 4:

ham sandwich on Udi's gf bread

gf pretzels (usually eaten as a snack in class)

sliced apples

celery sticks

peanut butter

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 5:

I know what you're thinking..more boiled eggs?  Well, my kid LOVES them, so it's all good.

2 boiled eggs lightly salted

organic apple sauce

sliced cuc's

mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon gf organic ranch dressing

gf pretzels for her class snack

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 6:

popcorn

rolled gf ham slices

cheddar cheese sticks

red bell pepper slices

cantaloupe

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 7:

Today Veda asked for crunchy snacks to snack on while they take their state tests.  Thus, the extra food.

organic applesauce

gf crackers

ham sandwich on Udi's gf bread

blueberries

green olives (we call them frog eyes)

carrot sticks

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Day 8:

Again, extra food because she had state testing and wanted extra snacks.

yogurt

carrot sticks

hummus

grapes

cheddar cheese sticks

rolled gf ham slices

gf crackers

*bottle of ice water not pictured*

Veda's cute little lunch all packed up.

To be honest, making gf lunches isn't a lot different than it was before we went gf.

The only difference is less sandwiches.  Otherwise the sides and extras are pretty much the same.  I always make sure to keep it mostly veggies, fruits, and healthy items.  Veda has an awesome teacher this year who has a "no junk food" policy.  She doesn't allow the kids to eat it in the classroom and discourages it being brought to school.  Much better than some teachers we've had in the past that pass out cookies for snacks..seriously?

I hope this was a little bit of inspiration, that gf lunches can be fun!  Veda feels like she has her own custom "lunchable" every day.

Week three gluten free

Hi!
I am happy to report that after three weeks of being gluten free I am feeling amazing!  
I started this experiment to see if it would help clear up my daughters eczema on her legs, and the mild irritation I have on my hands.  Well, my hands are totally clear and feel so much better!  Veda's legs however, are seeing only a little change..first it was very noticeable, but she keeps itching!  She's a kid.. telling a kid not to itch an itch is easier said than done.  I can see that her legs are only irritated from all the itching at this point.  I wanted to avoid using a cortisone cream, but I just might have her use some in order to get her to quit itching.  After that, I think it will definitely clear up with the gluten free diet. 

Other than that, we are doing great without the gluten!  Within the first week I noticed we were both feeling better all around.  I felt less moody and wasn't craving things that I used to.  I have more energy and I am sleeping better.  The best part?  I've lost 10 pounds!  I had already been working out 5 days a week, but as soon as I cut out the gluten I lost more weight and am much less "puffy".  Ladies, you know how some days you just feel more puffy than other days?  Yeah, that was the story of my life.  I had a feeling I was gluten intolerant because on the rare occasion I drank beer (I'm a cider gal), I would get horrible stomach pains and felt bloated for days.  I am now free from those 'feeling puffy' days!  If you're wondering about what a gf diet could do for you, just try it..you've got nothing to lose.

Veda is also doing great without the gluten.  For her it is a little harder because she can't have the same pizza her sisters get on family night, and she isn't the biggest fan of gf bread.  However, she is a great eater and is always up for trying new things.  So together we have been trying new recipes and ideas.  I have noticed a huge difference in Veda's moods, being a nine year old girl she can get a 'bit' moody at times.  However, now I am seeing less arguing between her and her sisters, less whining, and less mood swings.  She is more emotionally "level" and has more energy.  So even though I am not seeing the dramatic difference I was hoping to see with her eczema, we are going to stick with it and see what other benefits being gf has for us.

Gluten, what a bitch.

Hey all, I know I said I'd post those recipes from my last entry, and I will...soon!

Today, I am here to talk about rashes.  Yes, rashes.  For the last six years or so I have suffered from eczema on my hands that comes and goes in severity.  I wasn't so much set on finding the cause, as I was on finding relief.  I know, it sounds backwards right?  Well that's because it is.  

Then recently (in the last 2 years) my oldest daughter has developed eczema on her legs.  Like mine, it comes and goes in severity.  Once we noticed she had it, I became a lot more focused on finding the actual cause and not just temporary relief.  

To relieve the rash and the awful itching I try to keep steroids like cortisone out of the picture as much as possible.  We use coconut and olive oil, even aloe in the warmer months.  

Over the last six months, the eczema on my daughters legs has become something that I cannot ignore or simply "treat with oil".  Mine has become an issue also, it isn't getting better like it usually does.  It's one thing for me to deal with it, but it really sucks watching your child suffer.  

I started out by eliminating diary, because I know that I have a mild issue with it anyway.  After a few weeks I saw little to no improvement in my skin, and absolutely no change in my daughters.  So I did some more research.  After reading about the more "mild" affects that a gluten intolerance can cause, I strongly believe that this could likely be a gluten issue.  If cutting out gluten will give my daughter relief, I am more than happy to do it.  Especially because it will mean no medications.  

So today was our first day being gluten free.  For me this change wont be all that hard, but for my daughter it will be a bit of an adjustment.  She's a good eater, she LOVES veggies and fruit and will eat what I serve, so I'm not worried about that.  I just don't want her to feel like she's missing out on the things that her sisters or her friends at school get to snack on.  At home most of the snacks are veggies or fruit anyway, but there are crackers in the mix as well.  So I will be trying out new ideas for her school lunches and our meals at home to help her feel satisfied and like she isn't "missing out".

My goal is to take pictures and keep track of what I make..including her school lunches.  I have found many ideas through Pinterest, but there's always something in each meal that I can't stand or would do differently.  Pretty much the things like veggie kebabs..really? In a school lunch?  Or the heart shape melon cut outs with grapes sliced in half.  Honestly, I've got three kids and a husband that I make lunches for..I do not have time to cut out hearts or to slice the freakin' grapes.  I will be making real food that looks like food.  :)

Stay tuned for updates on how the diet affects us and to see what foods I come up with.

The weekend food prep

Yesterday was an "around the house" day.  About one Sunday a month we decide to forgo the typical Sunday outings and instead to just stay home and work on things around the house.  I'm pretty into planning ahead, you wouldn't know it, because usually I seem to be a bit "last minute".  There are two reasons for this.. 1) I over obsess over every detail, and 2) I drive my family crazy when I get all "plan every little thing" on them.

But.. Every once in a while I let "the planner" in me sneak out, because it can be of some use when used right.

With three kiddos and a husband that has a funny schedule, it helps to have dinner and other meals planned out for the week.  If I don't have at least a half ass plan, we end up eating Subway at least twice that week.

In the past I have tried the whole "big prep day" thing, where you make all the meals and freeze them so you have all the weeks meals ready.  But here's the thing..I SUCK at thawing out food on time, and we don't like casseroles or pasta all that much.  So this week I developed my own personalized plan for our family.

We eat a LOT of fresh vegetables and fruits.  Yet I keep finding a head of celery that went bad in the fridge.  The problem wasn't that no one wanted to eat it, it was that we were too rushed to cut it up right then when we wanted it.  Then it clicked..I remember when I was a kid, my mom always had a container or two of fresh cut carrot sticks and celery sticks in the fridge.  We were the only kids on the block that didn't get chips or crackers as a snack, instead we got carrots, celery, and apples.  Don't get me wrong, we weren't the "health nut family" (we all know THAT family I'm talking about..), but my mom knew a thing or two about getting the vegetables in our bellies.

My plan today was to keep it simple...simplify is my word for the year after all.  So here's what I prepped today:  I cut two heads of celery into sticks and the rest I chopped.  I added water to each container to keep them crisp!  The sticks will be gobbled up in a few days, so I'll be making more mid week.  The chopped celery I'm going to use when I make my crock pot whole chicken this week.

I divided up three large portions of beans to be used in lunches and sides.  I admit I didn't cook the beans, they're canned beans.  But I still prepped them because having cooked/rinsed beans handy is super helpful.

I wanted to slice up a few bell peppers for snacks and salads, but 2/3 of my peppers had little bugs in them (the price you sometimes pay for organic produce).  So I only sliced one..womp womp womp!  It'll still be a super handy snack with the hummus I already have in the fridge.

I made a giant batch (6 cups cooked) of quinoa.  I used 1 cup in the batch of breakfast bars I made, and the rest was divided into canning jars and put in the fridge.  The quinoa will be used in sides, lunches, and salads. Mmmmmm!

These are quinoa breakfast bars.  Yep, that's right..quinoa for breakfast, and baking with it too!  I found the original recipe on Theleangreenbean.  I took the recipe and ran with it.  I tweaked it to my preference and it turned out awesome!  These will be nice for the morning's when Eric is running late, so he wont end up skipping breakfast.  I'll post the recipe in a separate post for those of you that want it :)

While the oven was already going I put in three chicken breasts.  Two I sliced up and divided for lunches / salads.  The third I shredded to use for misc stuff like tacos, salads, etc.

Lastly I made a giant batch of almond coconut granola.  I tweaked it a lot from it's original recipe so I will be posting my recipe soon, in a separate post.  Trust me..you're going to want this recipe.  It is so stinkin' goooood!

That's all of the prep I did yesterday, because prepping food with three kiddos running around takes twice as long.  I will be prepping more today (slicing more vegetables, finishing the meal plan for the week and getting things thawing for those meals).  Usually in the freezer I keep an assortment of vegetables, meats, breads, and so on.  Having a big deep freezer comes in really handy with our big family.  Even though I may not be the best at thawing out food "on time" it still saves a ton of money because I can buy the natural meats when they're on sale.  Here's to being less stressed at meal time and to eating healthy!