Sustainable Living

Yay Portland! As much as with any city there are things that you love about it and things that you wish could be different, Portland has several things that make it really great.

I am always looking for cleaner sources of food and ways to get things locally. I love the idea of being able to take Maya to get groceries (or better yet grow our own!) and today I found out about a Chicken Co-op!

It works like a CSA except you pay a$5-$10 a month and work once a week or so. I am pretty excited about the concept and can't wait to show Maya where eggs come from!! (Not from the cold food section at the grocery store!)

While I was looking around online, I found a great website called www.treehugger.com that has tons of up-to-date information on sustainable living and new stuff out there. It is possible to live sustainably and not break the bank. You just have to get creative and get off your butt!

Our Family

This is my first girl. I remember bringing her home. She wimpered the whole way while I held her on my lap. I felt so bad that she was so sad and scared. She adjusted very quickly and soon ran the house. Then came her brother- Tank (see right). What a shock for her. He is the epitomy of the little punk brother. Tank is our "problem child" and has taught me more about patience than being married has. Then came Maya. Wow, another blow. Now she is learning that tolerating the newest member of our family gets her lots of praise and treats so she is slowly adjusting. She will now let Maya hug her face (more like lay on it!) and even tolerates Maya's "butt hugs". Maya comes up behind them and tries to give them a big hug, or lay on them. Tank wants nothing to do with it, Kala is tolerating.

The dogs are actually making out pretty good from the addition of the baby. We are much better at making sure that they get runs and lots of love. It took me a while, but I finally got the stroller, the dogs and me out for a run. I was so worried about them and the stroller, especially Tank because he is so skittish, but they do so great!! I think it was because we had run together so much before Maya, that they just fell into line.

My goal is to be able to feed them a raw food diet. Kala is headed towards arthritis and Tank is pretty skittish and hyper. I have read it can help for both things. Does anyone have any input?

One more way to reduce waste

I hate wasting things. I think that is why I hate to throw stuff away. Because it makes me feel wasteful (and you never know if you are going to need something some day!!). Both of my parents are big "use everything" people. When I was growing up and we would go out to a restaurant -a rare occasion- you would always eat everything, it was wasteful if you didn't. I still have a hard time not making sure that I eat everything, I always take the leftovers, even if I know I won't eat them. Don't worry, I am in therapy for it.

Even so, when we started with cloth diapers, I didn't plan on making my own wipes. But then we kept throwing them away, and having to buy more, and I couldn't take it. So I looked up a recipe for wipes and went for it. Wow, how great is that!! It is so easy, and all but one of the ingredients I had at home.

Here is the recipe that I use:
2 cups water
2 Tbsp olive oil, apricot oil, jojoba oil, almond oil or any oil of your choice for that matter
2 Tbsp white vinegar
6 drops tea tree oil
6 drops lavander oil
4 drops grapefruit seed extract (optional)

mix that all up, soak and squeeze wipes and you are ready to go!

A Little Bit of Politics....

I don't really consider myself a political person, but I can have strong opinions. One thing I try to do is really listen to people even if I don't agree with what they are saying, not because I want them to convince me but because I am really interested in people's thought processes. Just because someone who thinks differently than I do, doesn't necessarily mean that they are wrong.

That being said, I am not sure who I would vote for between Hilary and Obama but I do know this. I am very impressed with Obama and how he is handling all of Hilary's mudslinging and whining about him. And I find this speech very inspirational. So, hopefully this link works and those who didn't get to see/hear this speech will be able to.

http://pol.moveon.org/obamaspeech/index.html

Enjoy the sound of a politician talking about something real.