We have decided to try plant based milk for awhile. Several things have influenced this decision. First, animal (cow) milk is expensive! Second, raising cows (for milk or meat) distresses the environment (see reference to Food, Inc in earlier post). Third, having oats on hand is an easy way to make milk as needed.
As one may surmise from the last sentence above we are starting with oat milk. Other plant based milks include almond and soy. If oat does not work out we'll try almond. Soy is out because it wreaks havoc on the thyroid, and my thyroid is already quite touchy.
Thanks freecycle for the new (to us) blender!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Scratch is Back
For this long, labor day weekend we're going to get busy making our own from scratch products. We've been slowly accumulating the needed products (washing soda was the hardest to obtain - we got it in Great Falls on our way through last month). And now we have run out of the store laundry detergent.
We're going to try a powdered version. Because it has the best reviews. It looks pretty easy, grate some soap add a borax and washing soda, viola! Shampoo may also be on our weekend creation list. Its a bit more scary since its hair, but again the recipe is simple. We may need to add some olive oil though so that could be quite the experiment over the next few weeks. Dishwasher detergent will also be on our scratch list, but for now we have quite a bit left from our store trip in '06.
So where ever you are, whatever you are doing to celebrate the unionization of labor, remember your ancestors and think SCRATCH!
UPDATE: We made the laundry detergent - works great. We did a load of sheets and then shower curtains. Everything looks great!
We're going to try a powdered version. Because it has the best reviews. It looks pretty easy, grate some soap add a borax and washing soda, viola! Shampoo may also be on our weekend creation list. Its a bit more scary since its hair, but again the recipe is simple. We may need to add some olive oil though so that could be quite the experiment over the next few weeks. Dishwasher detergent will also be on our scratch list, but for now we have quite a bit left from our store trip in '06.
So where ever you are, whatever you are doing to celebrate the unionization of labor, remember your ancestors and think SCRATCH!
UPDATE: We made the laundry detergent - works great. We did a load of sheets and then shower curtains. Everything looks great!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Impacting the Bottom Line
I am excited to report that an annual review of our energy (electricity & gas) bill by the esteemed Northwestern Energy Budget Bill department has resulted in a $18/mo decline in our budget bill amount - a savings of over 20% (ok 21.4%). All that hard work of not plugging stuff in and hanging clothes to dry is finally paying off in our pocket book. Look up and notice the smaller hole in the ozone too. Ahh.
Years ago we switched to the green only electricity. Its $2/100kwh. Really a steal. We have now halved our electricity consumption but continue to pay the green fee for the original monthly consumption - perhaps we're making YOUR electricity a bit greener. So do your part, check with your utility and sign up for green only electricty. That way we're actually buying green energy for Mr. EverythingIsFine, but don't tell him!
Years ago we switched to the green only electricity. Its $2/100kwh. Really a steal. We have now halved our electricity consumption but continue to pay the green fee for the original monthly consumption - perhaps we're making YOUR electricity a bit greener. So do your part, check with your utility and sign up for green only electricty. That way we're actually buying green energy for Mr. EverythingIsFine, but don't tell him!
Friday, August 21, 2009
How about a little heat?
We've been contemplating an EPA efficient wood stove for awhile now. Our research pointed us the direction of the Jotul Nordic, small enough that we won't be heated out of our home, pretty enough that we want to look at it everyday. The stars aligned with tax credits, a stove sale, and a cold, wet August so we took the plunge.
Now we just need to get some wood...
Now we just need to get some wood...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Who says you can't always get what you want?
The dual flush toilet of my dreams now resides comfortably in my bathroom. Its amazing how much money can be scrounged together when one really wants something. Today we took that extra cash and bought a dual flush toilet at Costco. Who knew Costco would have such a device? Well we discovered it in a dark corner a few weeks ago and have been plotting the adoption ever since. Even the employees were surprised that the store carries toilets.
Jesse was a bit reluctant to get the project started this evening. I think this is because we don't have the best track record of having EVERYTHING we need for a project. Delaying a project until Home Depot opens isn't that big of a deal, unless its the sole toilet. But with a little persuasion we began. Sure enough, no plumbing tape, but luckily that's something that can be bought 24-hours a day, probably due to the number of people just like us (that's a scary thought).
Really though the process was quite simple, turn off water (we had to turn off water to the entire house since the toilet shut-off doesn't work), remove old toilet (we had to break the bolts due to rust), place new bolts, add wax ring and sealant to toilet, place (this took two people), seal using body weight, hook up water connections, turn on water, add toilet seat! Ta-da!
Its beautiful!
Jesse was a bit reluctant to get the project started this evening. I think this is because we don't have the best track record of having EVERYTHING we need for a project. Delaying a project until Home Depot opens isn't that big of a deal, unless its the sole toilet. But with a little persuasion we began. Sure enough, no plumbing tape, but luckily that's something that can be bought 24-hours a day, probably due to the number of people just like us (that's a scary thought).
Really though the process was quite simple, turn off water (we had to turn off water to the entire house since the toilet shut-off doesn't work), remove old toilet (we had to break the bolts due to rust), place new bolts, add wax ring and sealant to toilet, place (this took two people), seal using body weight, hook up water connections, turn on water, add toilet seat! Ta-da!
Its beautiful!
Would you like some water?
We are now the proud owners of a Harvest Maid food dehydrator! Tucked in the back corner of Good Sam's for the last two months, this treasure is exactly what Jesse has been dreaming about. Yesterday Jesse harvested apples from our neighbors tree and was contemplating using the oven for days to make yummy apple chips. Today we were rummaging through the thrift store looking for a clock, and then poof, the dehydrator drew me in. We brought it home and cleaned it up with good ole vinegar and water - she shines now. Tomorrow we'll conduct the maiden experiment! Don't worry we'll use the kill-o-watt to see how much energy goes into our food production.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
chickens have feelings too
Have you seen Food, Inc? All I can say is wow! I had always heard of the evil of the large components of the food supply, but wow. I must leave it at that due to the laws mentioned in the movie that will rip your soul out if you say bad things about the beef industry in particular. Ok, so maybe not your soul, but definitely would prevent the solar panels from ever becoming a reality. We're definitely looking into more local foods and perhaps less meat (which hasn't been part of our daily lives in awhile).
Ok, here's a taste of information... Did you know the deadly e-coli (remember the Jack in the Box deaths in the 90's and the more recent vegetable scares?) was actually created by feeding cows corn? Apparently it a product of a naturally accruing bacteria and the chemistry of corn being churned by a cow.
In college my friend Dax had a theory that cancer is caused by the bad karma built up in animals. We as humans raise animals for slaughter in the most horrible conditions if you're the animal but the best conditions if you are the bottom line. As the animals lead their horrible life they store the negativity. We then slaughter the animal with no regard to his soul which produces the negative karma. Then the consumer eats the negativity and bad karma and eventually gets cancer. I don't know that Dax's theory can be explained using science, but did you know that meat goes through an ammonia bath before reaching your mouth?
Ok, here's a taste of information... Did you know the deadly e-coli (remember the Jack in the Box deaths in the 90's and the more recent vegetable scares?) was actually created by feeding cows corn? Apparently it a product of a naturally accruing bacteria and the chemistry of corn being churned by a cow.
In college my friend Dax had a theory that cancer is caused by the bad karma built up in animals. We as humans raise animals for slaughter in the most horrible conditions if you're the animal but the best conditions if you are the bottom line. As the animals lead their horrible life they store the negativity. We then slaughter the animal with no regard to his soul which produces the negative karma. Then the consumer eats the negativity and bad karma and eventually gets cancer. I don't know that Dax's theory can be explained using science, but did you know that meat goes through an ammonia bath before reaching your mouth?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon the greatest garden ever. Ok, so maybe its not the best idea for everyone, but its exactly what we need for our small lot with a long south facing wall. Who would have thought to grow vegetables in a rain gutter? Well, apparently Susan Forsling. Jesse and I decided this is a great idea for next year. So that means I am left toiling with the idea for a year. About a week after I found the greatest garden ever, while walking the dog I noticed a pot of flowers. Except the really cool thing is that it wasn't a pot of flowers, it was a Type 1 plastic lettuce container. And the flowers were flourishing.
We have a ton of Type 1 plastic lettuce containers since we missed the last 2 plastic recycling events. I think I'm going to go to the Restore, buy some 1x1 and make a simple rail system, attaching several rows to my previously mentioned south facing wall. Sort through the recycling and save the lettuce containers and grow my garden!
Yes, I know only plants with shallow roots, like greens, radishes and herbs (not that kind) will be able to grow here. But I also plan on having a plot at the community garden for those plants with more extensive roots.
This idea kept me up for several nights. So finally Jesse and I went on a seed quest to plant a couple of pots of lettuce and radish just for fun and to ease my Christmas in July excitement. Unfortunately there is no where in our small town to buy seeds at 9:00pm on a Thursday in July. The good news is we did eventually find seeds and the little guys are doing great. Now I have to wait 2 more weeks for radishes in August (rather than the usual and customary May)!
We have a ton of Type 1 plastic lettuce containers since we missed the last 2 plastic recycling events. I think I'm going to go to the Restore, buy some 1x1 and make a simple rail system, attaching several rows to my previously mentioned south facing wall. Sort through the recycling and save the lettuce containers and grow my garden!
Yes, I know only plants with shallow roots, like greens, radishes and herbs (not that kind) will be able to grow here. But I also plan on having a plot at the community garden for those plants with more extensive roots.
This idea kept me up for several nights. So finally Jesse and I went on a seed quest to plant a couple of pots of lettuce and radish just for fun and to ease my Christmas in July excitement. Unfortunately there is no where in our small town to buy seeds at 9:00pm on a Thursday in July. The good news is we did eventually find seeds and the little guys are doing great. Now I have to wait 2 more weeks for radishes in August (rather than the usual and customary May)!
the porcelin goddess
Right now the hottest burner for me is a dual flush toilet. A few years ago we added a 1/2 gallon jug to the toilet tank, lowered the water level and set back with a smug look on our faces. Not until this week had I thought to measure the inside of my toilet tank and estimate the amount of water that we literally flush down the drain each time we, well, flush. 4.5 gallons!!! my oh my, this is bad. Really, I knew the toilet was ancient but had no idea!
So Jesse (my husband, honey say "hi" to everyone) and I have been on a quest to replace the water hog with a slimmer, more modern 3rd cousin (cheaply). WaterSense is the label to look for when purchasing toilets (its the equivalent of EnergyStar, I think). So now we are seriously considering a dual flush toilet (which can be bought at Costco of all places for $122!).
The only thing stopping us from caving into our consumer desires and propping up the economy is a toilet sink. They're amazing, try googling "toilet sink." Basically, its a device that takes the water that normally would go from the main water line (clean water) directly into the toilet bowl and reroutes it through the toilet lid into a faucet so you can rinse your hands creating grey water. At this point the grey water drains into the toilet bowl and thus you flush with partial grey water and don't have to turn on the sink.
The problem - will this work on the dual flush? I guess it doesn't really matter, we're pro-choice, and that includes flushing. But if it will work, that would be amazing! Of course we won't be buying one of the prefabricated toilet sinks, rather we will be utilizing parts and pieces and a drill bit to create our own. Therein lies the problem. We want to experiment on the beast, not the beauty.
So Jesse (my husband, honey say "hi" to everyone) and I have been on a quest to replace the water hog with a slimmer, more modern 3rd cousin (cheaply). WaterSense is the label to look for when purchasing toilets (its the equivalent of EnergyStar, I think). So now we are seriously considering a dual flush toilet (which can be bought at Costco of all places for $122!).
The only thing stopping us from caving into our consumer desires and propping up the economy is a toilet sink. They're amazing, try googling "toilet sink." Basically, its a device that takes the water that normally would go from the main water line (clean water) directly into the toilet bowl and reroutes it through the toilet lid into a faucet so you can rinse your hands creating grey water. At this point the grey water drains into the toilet bowl and thus you flush with partial grey water and don't have to turn on the sink.
The problem - will this work on the dual flush? I guess it doesn't really matter, we're pro-choice, and that includes flushing. But if it will work, that would be amazing! Of course we won't be buying one of the prefabricated toilet sinks, rather we will be utilizing parts and pieces and a drill bit to create our own. Therein lies the problem. We want to experiment on the beast, not the beauty.
You may begin now
I created this blog in order to keep track of all my ideas and research related to "GreeningUpMyLife." As such there will be random projects, occasionally pictures and maybe an interesting idea. That's how I work best.
A little background: I'm not an expert, I'm still learning and want to learn. My husband, dog and I have managed to reduce our electric consumption to less than 100kwh/month through awareness and a few choices. At this point I'm ready to purchase solar panels, but my savings account has other ideas. Our natural gas consumption has remained steady over the last few years, next step is a wood stove (EPA approved), but again, the savings account. In the next month or so we look forward to replacing the toilet and implementing a very simple grey water idea. I actually told my husband I'd rather have a dual flush toilet than go to the Patagonia Outlet sale!
My husband and I are both part time students and full time educators. Which explains the savings accounts complaints from above. We are fortunate enough to have three months each year to enjoy Mother Nature like kids and would like to take some steps to preserve our life and those creatures that depend on us.
A little background: I'm not an expert, I'm still learning and want to learn. My husband, dog and I have managed to reduce our electric consumption to less than 100kwh/month through awareness and a few choices. At this point I'm ready to purchase solar panels, but my savings account has other ideas. Our natural gas consumption has remained steady over the last few years, next step is a wood stove (EPA approved), but again, the savings account. In the next month or so we look forward to replacing the toilet and implementing a very simple grey water idea. I actually told my husband I'd rather have a dual flush toilet than go to the Patagonia Outlet sale!
My husband and I are both part time students and full time educators. Which explains the savings accounts complaints from above. We are fortunate enough to have three months each year to enjoy Mother Nature like kids and would like to take some steps to preserve our life and those creatures that depend on us.
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