One step closer to my dream of being a 1 car family
Showing posts with label Other. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Other. Show all posts
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Depression and Anxiety are not a Choice.
There has been a lot of talk going around the internet surrounding the recent death of Robin Williams. While I am greatly saddened, I hope we can use his tragedy to spread light on the fact that many people are quick to deny-
Mental illness is real.
Depression is real.
Anxiety is real.
And it can kill.
Mental illness is devastating to those who suffer from it and those around them. I know this because I am a sufferer of depression and anxiety. In my short 30 years of life, I have suffered from depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. For lack of better words, it sucks.
It sucks because a lot of people think you should just choose not to be depressed anymore. People don't judge diabetics for taking insulin, but they will judge people with mental illness for taking medication.
(Image source: http://imgur.com/gallery/CWFTYoV)
If you are one of those people who thinks that enough healthy eating, sleeping, exercise, and prayer will pull you out of the pit of depression, I am happy for you. I am glad that worked for you. But, it doesn't work for everyone.
Depression is more than feeling blue. It is feeling like this: Anne Voskamp.
It is the feeling of no feelings. I liken it to ring in one of those rooms Star Wars style where the walls are closing in on you and crushing you.
OCD is more than wanting a neat room or being clean. It is vomiting after you eat because you are sure your food has been poisoned. It driving back to make sure you didn't run anyone over every time you hit a bump. It is checking your baby's pulse every 10 minutes because you are sure he died of SIDS. It is removing all the knives from your house so no one gets hurt. I can say that because I've lived it.
What people need suffering from mental illness is not to be torn down, to be ridiculed. We need God. We need your compassion, caring and prayers. Sometimes we need medication too.
My name is Katie, and I have suffered from anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, depression and most recently post partum depression. I take medication and I am not ashamed.
Because at the end of the day, it is NOT a choice. NO ONE would ever choose to feel like this.
If you ever need someone to talk to, you can comment and I will email you. I will listen, and pray for you. Whatever you need. You are not alone!
Katie
Mental illness is real.
Depression is real.
Anxiety is real.
And it can kill.
Mental illness is devastating to those who suffer from it and those around them. I know this because I am a sufferer of depression and anxiety. In my short 30 years of life, I have suffered from depression, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and panic disorder. For lack of better words, it sucks.
It sucks because a lot of people think you should just choose not to be depressed anymore. People don't judge diabetics for taking insulin, but they will judge people with mental illness for taking medication.
(Image source: http://imgur.com/gallery/CWFTYoV)
If you are one of those people who thinks that enough healthy eating, sleeping, exercise, and prayer will pull you out of the pit of depression, I am happy for you. I am glad that worked for you. But, it doesn't work for everyone.
Depression is more than feeling blue. It is feeling like this: Anne Voskamp.
It is the feeling of no feelings. I liken it to ring in one of those rooms Star Wars style where the walls are closing in on you and crushing you.
OCD is more than wanting a neat room or being clean. It is vomiting after you eat because you are sure your food has been poisoned. It driving back to make sure you didn't run anyone over every time you hit a bump. It is checking your baby's pulse every 10 minutes because you are sure he died of SIDS. It is removing all the knives from your house so no one gets hurt. I can say that because I've lived it.
What people need suffering from mental illness is not to be torn down, to be ridiculed. We need God. We need your compassion, caring and prayers. Sometimes we need medication too.
My name is Katie, and I have suffered from anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, depression and most recently post partum depression. I take medication and I am not ashamed.
Because at the end of the day, it is NOT a choice. NO ONE would ever choose to feel like this.
If you ever need someone to talk to, you can comment and I will email you. I will listen, and pray for you. Whatever you need. You are not alone!
Katie
Friday, July 11, 2014
Help! Food Allergies and My Out of Control Grocery Budget
So, I was going along nicely with my grocery budget, keeping things within reason despite having to shop for my husband with celiac disease, when I was thrown another curve ball.
The baby started having bloody diarrhea, which was quite alarming but apparently is a sign of a dairy allergy. Since I am still breastfeeding, I was advised to cut dairy out of my diet (and discontinue the baby yogurt I was giving him.)
His symptoms have since cleared up, but being dairy free and gluten free presents challenges in our house, particularly with the grocery budget. Almond milk is more expensive than dairy milk (and soy milk gives me ahem bad flatulence.)
I am caught between the dance of wanting to buy sustainable/organic foods and keeping the price down. It is hard to decide which is the most important.
Also, not having the accountability of posting my expenses here has made me lazy, and I have become lax in keeping the costs down.
For July I am going to go back to posting my expenses, and gluten-free dairy-free meal and snack ideas.
Suggestions are welcome!
The baby started having bloody diarrhea, which was quite alarming but apparently is a sign of a dairy allergy. Since I am still breastfeeding, I was advised to cut dairy out of my diet (and discontinue the baby yogurt I was giving him.)
His symptoms have since cleared up, but being dairy free and gluten free presents challenges in our house, particularly with the grocery budget. Almond milk is more expensive than dairy milk (and soy milk gives me ahem bad flatulence.)
I am caught between the dance of wanting to buy sustainable/organic foods and keeping the price down. It is hard to decide which is the most important.
Also, not having the accountability of posting my expenses here has made me lazy, and I have become lax in keeping the costs down.
For July I am going to go back to posting my expenses, and gluten-free dairy-free meal and snack ideas.
Suggestions are welcome!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Would You Accept Government Help if you Qualified?
I have mentioned before we do not make a lot of money. My husband is self employed and currently I am unemployed outside the home (I am a homemaker!)
Earlier in the year we received a letter telling us we qualified for free and reduced price lunch. I had mixed feelings on this, but we did not have to do anything to accept it so I accepted it. Most of the time my son was a packer. When he did buy lunch, the food seemed to give him very bad gas (it isn't the healthiest of fare, but I am all for everything in moderation).
Because we do not make a lot of money, it has come to our attention we qualify for a few government services, such as WIC, LIHEAP, and health care tax credit.
I was interested in the health care tax credit, but once again my husband and I have mixed feelings about insurance. We have a friend who traveled to another country and broke her leg, and at that country's hospital, each procedure was listed with the expense. We both think it makes a lot more sense to pay for services rendered.
Then we heard about the concept of Christian health care bill sharing programs. Essentially you pay a monthly gift that helps everyone pay their medical bills. At this point in time, this is the route we are taking for health care.
If you are interested, here are 3 links to Christian health care programs:
Christian Healthcare Ministries
Christian Medi-Share
Samaritan Ministries
We have also qualified for the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program. I think this is a great program, helping provide breastfeeding support and nutritious foods for mothers and their babies. But, even though we qualify, I do not feel we should accept it unless we are really desperate for food. And we are not. We are incredibly blessed.
I do worry about the future- what if my husband income diminishes, etc. But it this a reason to accept help?
What would you do?
Earlier in the year we received a letter telling us we qualified for free and reduced price lunch. I had mixed feelings on this, but we did not have to do anything to accept it so I accepted it. Most of the time my son was a packer. When he did buy lunch, the food seemed to give him very bad gas (it isn't the healthiest of fare, but I am all for everything in moderation).
Because we do not make a lot of money, it has come to our attention we qualify for a few government services, such as WIC, LIHEAP, and health care tax credit.
I was interested in the health care tax credit, but once again my husband and I have mixed feelings about insurance. We have a friend who traveled to another country and broke her leg, and at that country's hospital, each procedure was listed with the expense. We both think it makes a lot more sense to pay for services rendered.
Then we heard about the concept of Christian health care bill sharing programs. Essentially you pay a monthly gift that helps everyone pay their medical bills. At this point in time, this is the route we are taking for health care.
If you are interested, here are 3 links to Christian health care programs:
Christian Healthcare Ministries
Christian Medi-Share
Samaritan Ministries
We have also qualified for the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Food Program. I think this is a great program, helping provide breastfeeding support and nutritious foods for mothers and their babies. But, even though we qualify, I do not feel we should accept it unless we are really desperate for food. And we are not. We are incredibly blessed.
I do worry about the future- what if my husband income diminishes, etc. But it this a reason to accept help?
What would you do?
Monday, June 9, 2014
Blog Update
It has been a while since I posted. I have just been enjoying life home with my boys. The summer weather has arrived here in Pennsylvania, and our community pool has opened and it is where we spend our weekends.
I am excited to be hanging the laundry out again, my husband also hung a hammock in our yard. I spread the quilt on the ground for the baby to play while I hang my laundry. It feels quite idyllic.
I am now only going to do monthly budget updates- I think you get the point that my weekly spending isn't much. My grocery/gas/takeout budget has remained pretty constant.
My next goal is to lower the utility bills (electric/water). We are trying to see how far we can push the envelope on air conditioning.
When I am not spending time being mom, I have been trying to strengthening my faith and working on my relationship with God, clean and declutter the house, and reading. I look forward to sharing with you books I have been reading soon.
I leave you on this Monday with a favorite poem my wonderful Pastor shared with us.
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
— Teresa of Ávila (attributed)
I am excited to be hanging the laundry out again, my husband also hung a hammock in our yard. I spread the quilt on the ground for the baby to play while I hang my laundry. It feels quite idyllic.
I am now only going to do monthly budget updates- I think you get the point that my weekly spending isn't much. My grocery/gas/takeout budget has remained pretty constant.
My next goal is to lower the utility bills (electric/water). We are trying to see how far we can push the envelope on air conditioning.
When I am not spending time being mom, I have been trying to strengthening my faith and working on my relationship with God, clean and declutter the house, and reading. I look forward to sharing with you books I have been reading soon.
I leave you on this Monday with a favorite poem my wonderful Pastor shared with us.
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
— Teresa of Ávila (attributed)
Thursday, May 8, 2014
It's Screen Free Week- How we Limit Screen Time
It is "Screen Free" Week. We are not screen free, but I figured it was the time to address mine and my family's feelings on screen time.
I am not anti-technology, I love the internet and I think used in the right way and as a tool screens are great. I do think that too much of a good thing is pretty much always not good.
The baby is a baby so obviously he has no screen time yet, but here is how we deal with our older son.
I think the number 1 way to reduce your child's screen time is to have less screens. The other thing is obvious too- monkey see monkey do. If you are always on a screen, your kid will want to be too.
I try to limit my screen time in front of my kids.
I see a lot of people on their smart phones all the time, and consequently that is what their kids want to do too.
Mike and I do not have smart phones so this is a non-issue for us.
My 7 year old has not once asked for a cell phone (yet).
In our house we have a desktop computer in the living room, a kindle, an ipad, a laptop, and a tv with a Wii hooked up to it (no channels).
The kindle is solely mine for reading, and the laptop is my husband's for work. The desktop is in a communal area with a password, so my son needs to ask us to log him on, same for the ipad. That is big, because he can't access them without us He is allowed a maximum of 2 hours on any of the screens per day, and he has to earn this through good behavior. We use a stick system much like this one: how to negotiate screen time.
My husband and I made the decision that we will not permit any hand held devices, and the ipad does not leave the house. That means when we go to a store, restaurant, etc.- my son does not watch anything or play with anything electronic. He is expected to sit at a table and eat with us. In the car we do audio books or we listen to music, i.e. no screens.
Does this always make us popular with our kid? No! But at the end of the day, if you want to limit screen time, you have to learn to say "no" and deal with being the "meanest" mom. :)
I am not anti-technology, I love the internet and I think used in the right way and as a tool screens are great. I do think that too much of a good thing is pretty much always not good.
The baby is a baby so obviously he has no screen time yet, but here is how we deal with our older son.
I think the number 1 way to reduce your child's screen time is to have less screens. The other thing is obvious too- monkey see monkey do. If you are always on a screen, your kid will want to be too.
I try to limit my screen time in front of my kids.
I see a lot of people on their smart phones all the time, and consequently that is what their kids want to do too.
Mike and I do not have smart phones so this is a non-issue for us.
My 7 year old has not once asked for a cell phone (yet).
In our house we have a desktop computer in the living room, a kindle, an ipad, a laptop, and a tv with a Wii hooked up to it (no channels).
The kindle is solely mine for reading, and the laptop is my husband's for work. The desktop is in a communal area with a password, so my son needs to ask us to log him on, same for the ipad. That is big, because he can't access them without us He is allowed a maximum of 2 hours on any of the screens per day, and he has to earn this through good behavior. We use a stick system much like this one: how to negotiate screen time.
My husband and I made the decision that we will not permit any hand held devices, and the ipad does not leave the house. That means when we go to a store, restaurant, etc.- my son does not watch anything or play with anything electronic. He is expected to sit at a table and eat with us. In the car we do audio books or we listen to music, i.e. no screens.
Does this always make us popular with our kid? No! But at the end of the day, if you want to limit screen time, you have to learn to say "no" and deal with being the "meanest" mom. :)
Friday, February 21, 2014
Weekly Spending Report 2.21.14 and How do I keep my Grocery bill down?
It's that time again in which I report my weekly expenditures.
Groceries: $78.28
Gas for me: $52.66 (darn car!)
Gas for husband: $29.91
Internet: $48.43
Electric: $159.51
Basal Body Thermometer: $8.95
(for future Natural family planning- did not want a used thermometer)
Milkshakes with son @ Pennsylvania Dutch Farm Market : $9.01
Take out: $13.77 (this was husband's but I ate some of it)
Birthday Gift (cash) : $50.00
Total: $450.52
We had some extra money so I paid up my electric bill and internet for the next month!
I have had people ask me how I keep my grocery bill down low. Well, we usually get take out once a week- I won't lie. I have a 3 month old baby and I still have one foot in that "newborn survival" mode. Which also brings up the point that even though we are a family of 4, one of those members exclusively breastfeeds, so I am not actually buying any food for him.
My husband is celiac (gluten free) and my son eats about 5 different things (literally). I was a vegetarian for a long time but now do have the occasional fish and fowl (the gluten free/meat free thing can get hard- I can only handle so many beans.)
I would say the most savings come from not going to the store unless I absolutely have too. I will eat out of the pantry/fridge/freezer until things are bare (I am Old Mother Hubbard here). Not going to the store automatically means you will not spend money. This sometimes means husband and son have to suck it up and eat boring stuff, and the same stuff over and over.
I usually go to the store once a week. Before I go, I check the pantry and the sale flyer for whatever store I am going to (I do not go to more than one store. I have no interest in driving to more than once place with a baby and/or kid). I then plan 4 meals with a day for leftovers. I tend to improvise with recipes and substitute things i already have on hand.
I also do not use coupons unless someone gives me one. I do not get a newspaper and right now do not have time to look for deals. I buy store brands or whatever is cheapest.
I do not buy much packaged food, and a lot of times I do not buy organic. I prioritize organic by what we can afford in this order:
1.) Meat (if we cannot afford it I skip the meat)
2.) Milk
3.) Produce
I do not buy beverages other than milk and coffee. My son takes a water bottle to school. At home he likes to have "vanilla milk", which I make by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of sugar to his milk.
What are some things I buy? -
-dried beans/peas
-brown rice
-canned tuna/salmon
-milk
-cheese
-GF pasta
-popcorn kernels that we pop on the stove
-nuts
-frozen fruit/vegetables
-fresh produce that is on sale
For one of our first Christmas's together my husband gave me a bunch of herbs and spices. I loved that, and since then I just buy them as they run out.
I get some weird thrill in spending as little as possible and making do a long as we can. I also do not enjoy going to the store (especially in this wintery weather).
Anyway, that's all I've got for today.
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Groceries: $78.28
Gas for me: $52.66 (darn car!)
Gas for husband: $29.91
Internet: $48.43
Electric: $159.51
Basal Body Thermometer: $8.95
(for future Natural family planning- did not want a used thermometer)
Milkshakes with son @ Pennsylvania Dutch Farm Market : $9.01
Take out: $13.77 (this was husband's but I ate some of it)
Birthday Gift (cash) : $50.00
Total: $450.52
We had some extra money so I paid up my electric bill and internet for the next month!
I have had people ask me how I keep my grocery bill down low. Well, we usually get take out once a week- I won't lie. I have a 3 month old baby and I still have one foot in that "newborn survival" mode. Which also brings up the point that even though we are a family of 4, one of those members exclusively breastfeeds, so I am not actually buying any food for him.
My husband is celiac (gluten free) and my son eats about 5 different things (literally). I was a vegetarian for a long time but now do have the occasional fish and fowl (the gluten free/meat free thing can get hard- I can only handle so many beans.)
I would say the most savings come from not going to the store unless I absolutely have too. I will eat out of the pantry/fridge/freezer until things are bare (I am Old Mother Hubbard here). Not going to the store automatically means you will not spend money. This sometimes means husband and son have to suck it up and eat boring stuff, and the same stuff over and over.
I usually go to the store once a week. Before I go, I check the pantry and the sale flyer for whatever store I am going to (I do not go to more than one store. I have no interest in driving to more than once place with a baby and/or kid). I then plan 4 meals with a day for leftovers. I tend to improvise with recipes and substitute things i already have on hand.
I also do not use coupons unless someone gives me one. I do not get a newspaper and right now do not have time to look for deals. I buy store brands or whatever is cheapest.
I do not buy much packaged food, and a lot of times I do not buy organic. I prioritize organic by what we can afford in this order:
1.) Meat (if we cannot afford it I skip the meat)
2.) Milk
3.) Produce
I do not buy beverages other than milk and coffee. My son takes a water bottle to school. At home he likes to have "vanilla milk", which I make by adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of sugar to his milk.
What are some things I buy? -
-dried beans/peas
-brown rice
-canned tuna/salmon
-milk
-cheese
-GF pasta
-popcorn kernels that we pop on the stove
-nuts
-frozen fruit/vegetables
-fresh produce that is on sale
For one of our first Christmas's together my husband gave me a bunch of herbs and spices. I loved that, and since then I just buy them as they run out.
I get some weird thrill in spending as little as possible and making do a long as we can. I also do not enjoy going to the store (especially in this wintery weather).
Anyway, that's all I've got for today.
Have a great weekend!
Katie
Friday, January 3, 2014
What's Going on with the Blog?
Since I have got some of my blogging mojo back, I decided for 2014 I will start blogging with a sort of schedule, to keep myself motivated. It is very easy with a new baby to let the days go by.
Mondays will be posts of what I am reading. I love reading and want to make that a part of the blog. It will be books, other blogs, articles, etc.
Wednesday will be whatever is on my mind- low waste endeavors, random musings, etc.
Friday will be a weekly spending update and report of how I am doing with the compact. I am so excited about this! I also want to keep it as a sort of log of how much you really need to spend- how little can a family of 4 live on and still be happy and comfortable?
I hope you will follow me on my journey! Happy New Year!
Katie
Mondays will be posts of what I am reading. I love reading and want to make that a part of the blog. It will be books, other blogs, articles, etc.
Wednesday will be whatever is on my mind- low waste endeavors, random musings, etc.
Friday will be a weekly spending update and report of how I am doing with the compact. I am so excited about this! I also want to keep it as a sort of log of how much you really need to spend- how little can a family of 4 live on and still be happy and comfortable?
I hope you will follow me on my journey! Happy New Year!
Katie
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
New Years Plans and a New Direction
It's that time again- the New Year is coming up and most people around this time start to take stock and decide what they want to change in their life.
I usually set some goals, but in the past have failed because I tried to do too much at once, got discouraged, and reverted back to my former ways (which happens often to me as I suspect it does to other people). Having a new baby has forced me to slow down a bit. (For me, adjusting to having 2 kids from 7 years with 1 has been very difficult).
So, I am only going to attempt a few things, and I am giving myself the whole year.
The first is to read the Bible in a year. I am Christian and love religious stuff (all religions, really. I would be a religion scholar if money were not a thang). Religion tends to make people feel uncomfortable (see here :)
The biggest one is that I have decided I am going to do the "compact".
If you do not know what the compact is, it is a group that buys nothing new (except food, toiletries, etc.) I have been interested in this for a while, but have yet to "take the leap". I will add that only I am doing it, I will not force my husband or children too (although I would like them too!). We already buy most of our stuff used anyway, but I really wanted to kick it up a notch.
The perfect motivation is that I am on unpaid leave from my job for 10 months to take care of my babe. So even though I wasn't exactly raking in the dough before, our income has been cut and I need to find ways to make ends meet. Buying nothing new will definitely cut down on spending, especially impulse purchases (which even I succumb to, even if it is to things like nursing pillows.)
My husband is self employed- he is a musician and music teacher, so income is already sparse and unpredictable. I would not have it any other way. My husband does something he loves and is passionate about (there is no way I could stop him from creating music), he is also a very active father and husband. My kids get to have their life full of music and quality time with us. What is better than that?
My dream has always been to be a stay at home mom, I love the art of homemaking, I just did not think we would ever be able to afford for me to do so - and we might not. I do enjoy my job in the early childhood education field as well.
So, along with the compact I am going to keep a monthly tally of our expenses to see how little we can live on and still lead a happy life. I think it will be an interesting experiment. I love the challenge of spending as little as possible. How low can we go? :)
I am taking inspiration from many other bloggers, such as:
The Non-Consumer Advocate
Early Retirement Extreme
Living Simply Free
http://moneysavingmom.com/
I will be keeping a weekly tally of my purchases/expenses starting in January with a monthly wrap up.
Hope to see you and hear your thoughts along my journey!
Katie
I usually set some goals, but in the past have failed because I tried to do too much at once, got discouraged, and reverted back to my former ways (which happens often to me as I suspect it does to other people). Having a new baby has forced me to slow down a bit. (For me, adjusting to having 2 kids from 7 years with 1 has been very difficult).
So, I am only going to attempt a few things, and I am giving myself the whole year.
The first is to read the Bible in a year. I am Christian and love religious stuff (all religions, really. I would be a religion scholar if money were not a thang). Religion tends to make people feel uncomfortable (see here :)
The biggest one is that I have decided I am going to do the "compact".
If you do not know what the compact is, it is a group that buys nothing new (except food, toiletries, etc.) I have been interested in this for a while, but have yet to "take the leap". I will add that only I am doing it, I will not force my husband or children too (although I would like them too!). We already buy most of our stuff used anyway, but I really wanted to kick it up a notch.
The perfect motivation is that I am on unpaid leave from my job for 10 months to take care of my babe. So even though I wasn't exactly raking in the dough before, our income has been cut and I need to find ways to make ends meet. Buying nothing new will definitely cut down on spending, especially impulse purchases (which even I succumb to, even if it is to things like nursing pillows.)
My husband is self employed- he is a musician and music teacher, so income is already sparse and unpredictable. I would not have it any other way. My husband does something he loves and is passionate about (there is no way I could stop him from creating music), he is also a very active father and husband. My kids get to have their life full of music and quality time with us. What is better than that?
My dream has always been to be a stay at home mom, I love the art of homemaking, I just did not think we would ever be able to afford for me to do so - and we might not. I do enjoy my job in the early childhood education field as well.
So, along with the compact I am going to keep a monthly tally of our expenses to see how little we can live on and still lead a happy life. I think it will be an interesting experiment. I love the challenge of spending as little as possible. How low can we go? :)
I am taking inspiration from many other bloggers, such as:
The Non-Consumer Advocate
Early Retirement Extreme
Living Simply Free
http://moneysavingmom.com/
I will be keeping a weekly tally of my purchases/expenses starting in January with a monthly wrap up.
Hope to see you and hear your thoughts along my journey!
Katie
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Becoming Habit
I was having a conversation the other day when the subject turned to laundry detergent (I know, don't be jealous, I lead a very exciting life.)
It got to how we mentioned we can't use the smelly stuff, because it gives us headaches, and I mentioned I make my own laundry detergent. "Oh," my friend said "I could never do that. To much work and time. I just buy free and clear."
I thought about it, and to be honest, I really don't think it takes much time to make laundry detergent. I have been doing it for so long it's just part of my routine. Then, I got to thinking of other "low waste" activities in my life, and how to someone totally unaccustomed to this type of "lifestyle" (if you want to call it that), it may seem time consuming.
But, once it becomes habit, it doesn't.
I haven't bought paper towels in over a year. At first, it was a pain in the butt to get use to the "rag" system, but now I don't even blink. It's not something I even think about. I just do it
I try to remind myself every time I begin a new low-waste endeavor, that while it may seem like a lot of work now, eventually it will become part of my routine (I am hoping this is the case with cloth diapers!)
Although, I have to emphasize, that the point of a low waste (or zero waste) lifestyle is not that it's easier, or convenient (although I find not having to buy lots of beauty products is a lot easier for me, personally), but I do it because I feel passionate about being the best steward I can of the (abundant) resources I have been given.
What's the most tedious housework/low waste/environmental change you've made? Mine would be cleaning the tub/shower. I don't just spray bleach on it anymore. I make homemade soft scrub, and I actually have to scrub.
It got to how we mentioned we can't use the smelly stuff, because it gives us headaches, and I mentioned I make my own laundry detergent. "Oh," my friend said "I could never do that. To much work and time. I just buy free and clear."
I thought about it, and to be honest, I really don't think it takes much time to make laundry detergent. I have been doing it for so long it's just part of my routine. Then, I got to thinking of other "low waste" activities in my life, and how to someone totally unaccustomed to this type of "lifestyle" (if you want to call it that), it may seem time consuming.
But, once it becomes habit, it doesn't.
I haven't bought paper towels in over a year. At first, it was a pain in the butt to get use to the "rag" system, but now I don't even blink. It's not something I even think about. I just do it
I try to remind myself every time I begin a new low-waste endeavor, that while it may seem like a lot of work now, eventually it will become part of my routine (I am hoping this is the case with cloth diapers!)
Although, I have to emphasize, that the point of a low waste (or zero waste) lifestyle is not that it's easier, or convenient (although I find not having to buy lots of beauty products is a lot easier for me, personally), but I do it because I feel passionate about being the best steward I can of the (abundant) resources I have been given.
What's the most tedious housework/low waste/environmental change you've made? Mine would be cleaning the tub/shower. I don't just spray bleach on it anymore. I make homemade soft scrub, and I actually have to scrub.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
True Confessions: Low Waste Fails, and Giving Myself Grace
Hello all. I am in week 36 of my pregnancy, and I am large, tired, and cranky. Not much longer to go.
And I have to confess. I have not been diligently living a low waste lifestyle.
I have been too tired to making yogurt, and resorted to buying it in a plastic tub.
My dryer is running. It is cold a damp and I took the easy route.
I have not made the 14 mile trek to the bulk foods store. We are eating cereal out of a box* and almonds in a plastic bag.
*(The box is cardboard, and the bag is wax paper. I reuse the wax bag for other things around the kitchen, and the cardboard gets recycled).
I feel like a failure. I am upset with myself. But, I am trying not to drag myself down with guilt and showing myself a little grace.
This stage of life isn't forever, and I am trying to do what I can at any given moment.
And I have to confess. I have not been diligently living a low waste lifestyle.
I have been too tired to making yogurt, and resorted to buying it in a plastic tub.
My dryer is running. It is cold a damp and I took the easy route.
I have not made the 14 mile trek to the bulk foods store. We are eating cereal out of a box* and almonds in a plastic bag.
*(The box is cardboard, and the bag is wax paper. I reuse the wax bag for other things around the kitchen, and the cardboard gets recycled).
I feel like a failure. I am upset with myself. But, I am trying not to drag myself down with guilt and showing myself a little grace.
This stage of life isn't forever, and I am trying to do what I can at any given moment.
Friday, September 20, 2013
The Liebster Award
The lovely blogger Joy of Joyfully Green has been nominated for a Liebster award, and has graciously acknowledged me in her blog nominees. I feel honored! Joy's blog is wonderful if you have not read it yet. She writes from my home state of New Jersey, where she will make you rethink every negative stereotype you ever had about the state. She blogs about green things, takes beautiful pictures, and she has great book recommendations, especially green books for children.
Part of the Liebster nomination is answering a set of questions asked by Joy. Without further ado, here they are.
1.) Knowing what you know, what advice would you give your 13 year old self?
It gets better! You will not be here forever. You won't always have braces and frizzy hair. You will not care what those girls think of you. And you will score yourself the cute (and kind) guy in 5 years. :)
2.) What is your idea of perfect bliss?
Hmm, I have a lot of ideas. Laying on the beach with my feet buried in the sand. Floating on my back in the lake. Getting in bed at night and knowing I don't have to get up for anything the next day. Drinking chardonnay and eating chocolate and curling up with a good book.
3.) What books have been the most influential/inspiring to you?
Alan Watts- The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
Howard Zinn- A People's History of the United States
Toni Weschler- Taking Charge of Your Fertility
Beth Terry- Plastic Free
4.) What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging?
Things always change!! Nothing stays the same. The world can be a beautiful place if you let yourself see it that way.
Blogging is probably not going to by my career. I can't make money advertising on a blog that is anti-consumerist. I blog simply for the need to write and ship my ideas into the world.
5.) What single quality do you appreciate most in people?
Forgiveness. We all make mistakes.
6.) What or who is underrated? What or who is overrated?
Underrated-
the Library, aka my favorite place. Come on, it's a place you go and take a whole bunch of books and leave without paying for them. And then bring them back for new ones. Did I mention it's free??
Nurses- in my experience nurses run the show. I think they are under appreciated. I have had so many excellent nurses take care of me.
Teachers- had to throw this one in there.
Overrated-
Facebook, Twitter, variations there of.
I'll throw smart phones in there too.
Sometimes I just want to be alone, and not have anyone be able to contact me. (Have I mentioned I'm an introvert?)
Reality TV. Dancing with the Stars and variations there of. I really don't understand the interest in celebrities lives. They are just people who pretend to be other people for a living.
7.) What do you avoid at all costs?
Places like Chuck E Cheese. Long Lines, screaming children...
8.) What's your guiltiest pleasure?
Long, hot baths. I know it's a waste of water, but boy does it ever feel good. When I am sick or have had a long stressful day I love to get into a nice hot bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book. (Not while pregnant, of course).
9.) What do people say about you after the leave the room?
"Hello, she needs a filter. I really didn't need to hear about her bowel disorder!"
Hopefully that I am a nice, interesting, intelligent person who contributes to society...
10.) What's your favorite post that you have written?
Probably something about babies Low Waste Baby
I've got a lot of posts in my head that I haven't had the guts to publish that I like better though.
To conclude this Liebster nomination, we are supposed to nominate lesser known bloggers and add our own set of questions for them. I think most of the blogs I read are written by bloggers more popular than me, so I will just give a couple links of my favorite blogs that you may (or may not) already be reading.
Live to List
My Journey to Ithaca
Living Simply Free
Here are my questions for them:
1.) What's your favorite thing to make for dinner?
2.) What was your childhood dream career?
3.)What are the top 3 places you would like to see/ travel too (if money were no object)?
4.) What is your favorite fiction book? Non-fiction book?
5.) What inspired you to start a blog?
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
What is your idea of perfect bliss?
What books have been the most influential or inspiring to you?
What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging? (A two-parter!)
What single quality do you most appreciate in people?
What or who is under-rated? What or who is over-rated? (Another two-parter!)
What do you avoid at all costs?
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
What do you want people to say about you after you leave the room?
What's your favorite post that you've written? (Link, please!)
- See more at: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2013/09/spreading-the-words.html#sthash.L70xMsj6.dpuf
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
What is your idea of perfect bliss?
What books have been the most influential or inspiring to you?
What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging? (A two-parter!)
What single quality do you most appreciate in people?
What or who is under-rated? What or who is over-rated? (Another two-parter!)
What do you avoid at all costs?
What's your guiltiest pleasure?
What do you want people to say about you after you leave the room?
What's your favorite post that you've written? (Link, please!)
- See more at: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/2013/09/spreading-the-words.html#sthash.L70xMsj6.dpuf
Part of the Liebster nomination is answering a set of questions asked by Joy. Without further ado, here they are.
1.) Knowing what you know, what advice would you give your 13 year old self?
It gets better! You will not be here forever. You won't always have braces and frizzy hair. You will not care what those girls think of you. And you will score yourself the cute (and kind) guy in 5 years. :)
2.) What is your idea of perfect bliss?
Hmm, I have a lot of ideas. Laying on the beach with my feet buried in the sand. Floating on my back in the lake. Getting in bed at night and knowing I don't have to get up for anything the next day. Drinking chardonnay and eating chocolate and curling up with a good book.
3.) What books have been the most influential/inspiring to you?
Alan Watts- The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
Howard Zinn- A People's History of the United States
Toni Weschler- Taking Charge of Your Fertility
Beth Terry- Plastic Free
4.) What's the biggest lesson you've learned about life? About blogging?
Things always change!! Nothing stays the same. The world can be a beautiful place if you let yourself see it that way.
Blogging is probably not going to by my career. I can't make money advertising on a blog that is anti-consumerist. I blog simply for the need to write and ship my ideas into the world.
5.) What single quality do you appreciate most in people?
Forgiveness. We all make mistakes.
6.) What or who is underrated? What or who is overrated?
Underrated-
the Library, aka my favorite place. Come on, it's a place you go and take a whole bunch of books and leave without paying for them. And then bring them back for new ones. Did I mention it's free??
Nurses- in my experience nurses run the show. I think they are under appreciated. I have had so many excellent nurses take care of me.
Teachers- had to throw this one in there.
Overrated-
Facebook, Twitter, variations there of.
I'll throw smart phones in there too.
Sometimes I just want to be alone, and not have anyone be able to contact me. (Have I mentioned I'm an introvert?)
Reality TV. Dancing with the Stars and variations there of. I really don't understand the interest in celebrities lives. They are just people who pretend to be other people for a living.
7.) What do you avoid at all costs?
Places like Chuck E Cheese. Long Lines, screaming children...
8.) What's your guiltiest pleasure?
Long, hot baths. I know it's a waste of water, but boy does it ever feel good. When I am sick or have had a long stressful day I love to get into a nice hot bubble bath with a glass of wine and a good book. (Not while pregnant, of course).
9.) What do people say about you after the leave the room?
"Hello, she needs a filter. I really didn't need to hear about her bowel disorder!"
Hopefully that I am a nice, interesting, intelligent person who contributes to society...
10.) What's your favorite post that you have written?
Probably something about babies Low Waste Baby
I've got a lot of posts in my head that I haven't had the guts to publish that I like better though.
To conclude this Liebster nomination, we are supposed to nominate lesser known bloggers and add our own set of questions for them. I think most of the blogs I read are written by bloggers more popular than me, so I will just give a couple links of my favorite blogs that you may (or may not) already be reading.
Live to List
My Journey to Ithaca
Living Simply Free
Here are my questions for them:
1.) What's your favorite thing to make for dinner?
2.) What was your childhood dream career?
3.)What are the top 3 places you would like to see/ travel too (if money were no object)?
4.) What is your favorite fiction book? Non-fiction book?
5.) What inspired you to start a blog?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)