In coordination with the whole rant about the lack of social connections these days, I am walking to the camp my friend Ana is working at and having lunch with her. The lunch? Vegan french bread and hummus I made last night (while not watching TV). I'm also involved in a play, and work, and dance, not to mention that my cousin is up and we went to a reggae fest yesterday at a local park. Everything is just beautiful, and my emissions are lowering. As of yet, though, I still have to find a convenient way to stop buying tempeh, as it seems no store around here carries it in bulk. I've found organic fairtrade bulk tofu and TVP, but no tempeh.
Is making and storing tempeh hard? It didn't appear to be so in the New Farm Vegetarian Cookbook. Does anyone have any tips on making tempeh, what kind of equipment or packaging I'm going to need, and is it possible to get a price range on tempeh starter? I haven't found that in stores, either, and I may have to special order it.
Right now, I'm buying Lightlife's tempeh, I think. I may update this post to make sure this is the actual brand. I haven't done any research into this company, but I know that when I was just a vegetarian, I used to buy a lot of their products. They weren't insanely great tasting, but they were alright. However, I'd like to know if their products are: organic, GMO free, fairtrade, or sustainably produced. Any help on that would be great.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Today- Community Counts!
Sure, corny though that title is, how many of us can honestly say we love our neighbor? Oh, forget that- how many of us can say we even know them? Sometime over the course of history, we've lost our world of wholesome community to the blaring of ipods and cell phones. And laptops, and TVs, and blackberries, and electronicarealityvisionquestfloatingairimagesallsystemsgo. And whatever the hell else it is that they've shoved down our throats.
I'm not yearning for some Beaver Cleaver nostalgia rebound; for christ's sake, I haven't any idea what that would be like! I'm still some spring chicken. That doesn't mean that I don't want some sense of realness in my life. It's hard sometimes, because nearly everything I see in my culture and among kids my own age is so... false. Our hair, our nails, our waistlines, our eyelashes, our skin color, our packages, our minds, our smiles. I know that everyone, deep down somewhere, is their own person and I shouldn't judge them, no matter what my personal opinion is. But-c'mon- get off the damn phone and help me out!
This past weekend, I spent time with my family. I went to a bbq at the young couple's house up the street. They just moved in, and they have a child who turned two. Our new neighbors from Scotland and their little daughter showed up, too, along with plenty of families and couples who are just starting to leave their marks. The family from Scotland has a daughter who is allergic to dairy, and she was delighted that she could eat my cookies (they were vegan, made while I was ignoring the television).
And Sunday, also while I was on technology restriction, I showed up to work and we had to waitress short hand. I found out that the girl that I was working with, who looked incredibly exhausted, had been working for 8 days in a row at the local supermarket. Later, our friends stopped by on a motorcycle and had some drinks with my parents and I.
Today, I baked raspberry-cornmeal vegan muffins and took them to our neighbors with the lactose intolerant daughter. I picked the raspberries with my mother. While they baked, my dad taught me a new song on the guitar. It's funny, but before that bbq, I never even knew our old neighbors had moved out, which is sad, and I realize this.
So when I finally got my techno-whore self to shut up, I guess I learned a lot.
I'm not yearning for some Beaver Cleaver nostalgia rebound; for christ's sake, I haven't any idea what that would be like! I'm still some spring chicken. That doesn't mean that I don't want some sense of realness in my life. It's hard sometimes, because nearly everything I see in my culture and among kids my own age is so... false. Our hair, our nails, our waistlines, our eyelashes, our skin color, our packages, our minds, our smiles. I know that everyone, deep down somewhere, is their own person and I shouldn't judge them, no matter what my personal opinion is. But-c'mon- get off the damn phone and help me out!
This past weekend, I spent time with my family. I went to a bbq at the young couple's house up the street. They just moved in, and they have a child who turned two. Our new neighbors from Scotland and their little daughter showed up, too, along with plenty of families and couples who are just starting to leave their marks. The family from Scotland has a daughter who is allergic to dairy, and she was delighted that she could eat my cookies (they were vegan, made while I was ignoring the television).
And Sunday, also while I was on technology restriction, I showed up to work and we had to waitress short hand. I found out that the girl that I was working with, who looked incredibly exhausted, had been working for 8 days in a row at the local supermarket. Later, our friends stopped by on a motorcycle and had some drinks with my parents and I.
Today, I baked raspberry-cornmeal vegan muffins and took them to our neighbors with the lactose intolerant daughter. I picked the raspberries with my mother. While they baked, my dad taught me a new song on the guitar. It's funny, but before that bbq, I never even knew our old neighbors had moved out, which is sad, and I realize this.
So when I finally got my techno-whore self to shut up, I guess I learned a lot.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Today- Update on the rideshare! And a compost!
I'm doing all I can to eliminate the waste I create, including doing some superuse- like making these nifty soymilk wallets instead of trashing the carton (http://soywallets.com/diy/)! But as of yet, I haven't composted. Now that our family garden is beginning to yield delicious food and beautiful flowers, I'm sure it would appreciate the extra nutrients that composting could give it. The new No Impact Man entry is about composting with worms in your kitchen, but I was thinking of keeping our compost outdoors. We live in a rural community, and there's no need to keep it indoors. Besides, I would think it would begin to stink up the house, and I'm not sure the parents would be pleased.
Them: Kindra! What the fuck is a box of worms doing in our kitchen!
Me: It's a compost, you guys! NO! STOP! Don't toss it! It's important- the environment needs me to compost!
Them: The cats took a dump in it this morning! Out it goes!
So I might as well deliberately start it outside instead of waiting for everyone to realize there's a giant box of decomposing matter sitting by the table.
The rideshare yesterday went well. My dance teacher and I picked up a younger student as well, so that's an even higher number of participants! When we got to the studio, I was pleased to see multiple dancer coming out of all the vehicles. Turns out we're all carpooling to and from classes! It's nice to know I've got a network if I need it.
Keep the peace!
Them: Kindra! What the fuck is a box of worms doing in our kitchen!
Me: It's a compost, you guys! NO! STOP! Don't toss it! It's important- the environment needs me to compost!
Them: The cats took a dump in it this morning! Out it goes!
So I might as well deliberately start it outside instead of waiting for everyone to realize there's a giant box of decomposing matter sitting by the table.
The rideshare yesterday went well. My dance teacher and I picked up a younger student as well, so that's an even higher number of participants! When we got to the studio, I was pleased to see multiple dancer coming out of all the vehicles. Turns out we're all carpooling to and from classes! It's nice to know I've got a network if I need it.
Keep the peace!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Today- An obvious choice
I live a 45 minute walk from the nearest store. At that store, chain-smoking Maine natives grunt hello and then throw my oatmeal, the only vegan thing in the renovated trailer/cig shop, at me and expect me to walk peacefully back home. It's just not worth it. In order to get places where I live, the reality is that I need a car.
So what can be done for people who live in remote places that lack public transportation, or even the convenience of a convenience store? Rideshare, obviously. I've carpooled for years to and from dance classes with local girls. It's stressful, also, because I don't have my license, and I'm not sure if a car is a good investment. I've always assumed that buying an extra car just for the 2 years I'll need it at home would be a waste of money, because I'm ditching the gas-guzzler as soon as I move out to wherever I roam.
I guess that part of the reason why my ecological footprint number was so large was because I do have to commute in order to get where I'm going. So, in an effort to offset that number, I'm upping the number of commuters in the vehicle. I'm putting this into practice as soon as I can, which means I'm riding with my dance teacher partway to the studio tomorrow morning when I go to class. It not only saves the environment, my mother won't have to wake up and make the 50 minute drive after she's work all night (she's a nurse). Needless to say, my parents are all for it.
In the past, I've had experiences with alternative transportation, like buses, bikes, subways, and even hitchhiking. Because some of my modes have been a little dangerous, I'm going to have to get my license soon. I'd like to know of the "greenest" cars out there, whether they are specifically designed to be Green, or are just fuel-efficient, what your opinion is on the best transportation available, and just how much all this is going to cost me.
Thanks.
So what can be done for people who live in remote places that lack public transportation, or even the convenience of a convenience store? Rideshare, obviously. I've carpooled for years to and from dance classes with local girls. It's stressful, also, because I don't have my license, and I'm not sure if a car is a good investment. I've always assumed that buying an extra car just for the 2 years I'll need it at home would be a waste of money, because I'm ditching the gas-guzzler as soon as I move out to wherever I roam.
I guess that part of the reason why my ecological footprint number was so large was because I do have to commute in order to get where I'm going. So, in an effort to offset that number, I'm upping the number of commuters in the vehicle. I'm putting this into practice as soon as I can, which means I'm riding with my dance teacher partway to the studio tomorrow morning when I go to class. It not only saves the environment, my mother won't have to wake up and make the 50 minute drive after she's work all night (she's a nurse). Needless to say, my parents are all for it.
In the past, I've had experiences with alternative transportation, like buses, bikes, subways, and even hitchhiking. Because some of my modes have been a little dangerous, I'm going to have to get my license soon. I'd like to know of the "greenest" cars out there, whether they are specifically designed to be Green, or are just fuel-efficient, what your opinion is on the best transportation available, and just how much all this is going to cost me.
Thanks.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Today- It's hairstyling, not chemistry class
Vinyl Acetate. PEG-12 Dimethicone. Panthenyl ethyl Ether. ETHER??? That is what the hell I am putting in my hair? Sweet Jesus.
So, why do hairspray and other beauty products need everything to come out of a lab? I'm betting it's pretty simple. In essence, they re-create things that occur in nature, only they do it in a lab and try and control the fuck out of it. Then, they bottle it. We stick it on our heads, slather it onto our skins, and watch it foam out of our mouths.
You don't even need the liquified gas, in the form of dimethyl ether, usually, to style your hair or hold it in place. It is only used as a propellant to send the sticky stuff through the nozzle at your locks. The appearance of silky smooth hair, even, clear skin, and a bright, white smile can all be achieved naturally as well, making all this lab work hardly worth the effort.
Though there are many products on the market which use all natural ingredients and aren't all that different from things you can pick up at the grocery, you might just be better off heading to Stop n' Shop sometimes. There are many different treatments for all your beauty woes which can be performed easily at home. And it could save testing on animals, the ozone layer, landfill space, your money, and damage to your hair, skin, and nails.
So today, I did just that. I wanted to treat my new hair cut, and I remembered how much damage I had done to my hair before. So I searched online (see, this why technology can be a good thing) and found a chem-free home made hair mask. After I sat around looking like a housewife, with my green face and sticky hair, I showered and used a vinegar rinse. Tada! Natural beauty.
Go here to try the honey mask I used today, along with other home made hair masks: http://www.hairstylecity.com/HairCare/HomeMadeHairMasks.aspx
For some good general information on the science of hairspray products, go here: http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/hair_spray.html
So, why do hairspray and other beauty products need everything to come out of a lab? I'm betting it's pretty simple. In essence, they re-create things that occur in nature, only they do it in a lab and try and control the fuck out of it. Then, they bottle it. We stick it on our heads, slather it onto our skins, and watch it foam out of our mouths.
You don't even need the liquified gas, in the form of dimethyl ether, usually, to style your hair or hold it in place. It is only used as a propellant to send the sticky stuff through the nozzle at your locks. The appearance of silky smooth hair, even, clear skin, and a bright, white smile can all be achieved naturally as well, making all this lab work hardly worth the effort.
Though there are many products on the market which use all natural ingredients and aren't all that different from things you can pick up at the grocery, you might just be better off heading to Stop n' Shop sometimes. There are many different treatments for all your beauty woes which can be performed easily at home. And it could save testing on animals, the ozone layer, landfill space, your money, and damage to your hair, skin, and nails.
So today, I did just that. I wanted to treat my new hair cut, and I remembered how much damage I had done to my hair before. So I searched online (see, this why technology can be a good thing) and found a chem-free home made hair mask. After I sat around looking like a housewife, with my green face and sticky hair, I showered and used a vinegar rinse. Tada! Natural beauty.
Go here to try the honey mask I used today, along with other home made hair masks: http://www.hairstylecity.com/HairCare/HomeMadeHairMasks.aspx
For some good general information on the science of hairspray products, go here: http://sci-toys.com/ingredients/hair_spray.html
Monday, July 16, 2007
Today- new rule/ results of freezing meals
It took me 4 months to get rid of everything I didn't need or want anymore. I started way back in March in preparation for painting my room. It took me a month just to de-clutter enough so I could move things out, and start to paint. Finally, three months and several Good Will runs later, I'm satisfied with the amount of things I've decided to keep- which is very little, thank the bloody lord. I didn't realize how much crap I had been keeping for years! I've been frantically posting on Freecycle, shelling out unused, still wrapped things as gifts to friends, and begging my parents for yet another ride to the closest clothing donation box (environmentally friendly though it is, it sucks that I still can't drive).
And clothing was a big thing.
I had so much of, there was enough to wear an entirely knew outfit every day for 4 months, no joke, and truth of the matter is, I didn't wear even half of it on a regular basis. I adore vintage clothing, and even though I can't sew worth a lick, I still "re-did" a lot of clothing that was given to me by friends of the family. Since I'm a very small size, none of it fit anyway. Did that stop me from hording it like a bag lady? No. Of course not. It was clothes! Why shouldn't someone want more clothes? So, I kept it.
What for? So it could sit around? It was useless, keeping all those things I'd never use, that someone else could. Same goes for the ridiculous amount of things I kept because I thought I'd miss them otherwise, things with only a small fraction of even sentimental memories. It was selfish and materialistic. I don't want my life to have base in material things; I really don't. I'm completely glad I gave those things away.
So if you read this, think about everything you're holding onto unnecessarily, and get rid of it. Maybe you already know how good it feels to just have it out of your life, as well as the nice feeling you get knowing that you didn't just junk it or let it sit around. As always, put your unwanteds to good use- reuse.
With that said, I've now decided that I with my new wardrobe comes responsibilities. I definitely still have enough clothes to go about two weeks without washing, which is my ultimate goal. But until I receive my shipment of, ahem, personals, I'm going to cut back to one washing every week. Hopefully, I may even achieve my Two-week goal now, depending on what kind of load the rest of my family is doing at the moment.
And the results of freezing meals- excellent, and delicious, if I do say so myself. I made and froze a meal featuring the Shepard's Pie from How It All Vegan, which is one of my favorite dishes, and just had some today. Well worth the mere 40 minutes or so it took me on Saturday. (By the way, this shepard's pie meal was made to replace my favorite frozen meal, Amy's Vegetarian Meatloaf.)
If anyone has word on Microwaves vs. Oven, electricity or health-wise, I'd like to hear it. Keep in mind, though, that I'm freezing these meals with tupperware, nothing oven-safe. So, if you also have information on oven safe reusable containers, I'd love to hear about them also.
And clothing was a big thing.
I had so much of, there was enough to wear an entirely knew outfit every day for 4 months, no joke, and truth of the matter is, I didn't wear even half of it on a regular basis. I adore vintage clothing, and even though I can't sew worth a lick, I still "re-did" a lot of clothing that was given to me by friends of the family. Since I'm a very small size, none of it fit anyway. Did that stop me from hording it like a bag lady? No. Of course not. It was clothes! Why shouldn't someone want more clothes? So, I kept it.
What for? So it could sit around? It was useless, keeping all those things I'd never use, that someone else could. Same goes for the ridiculous amount of things I kept because I thought I'd miss them otherwise, things with only a small fraction of even sentimental memories. It was selfish and materialistic. I don't want my life to have base in material things; I really don't. I'm completely glad I gave those things away.
So if you read this, think about everything you're holding onto unnecessarily, and get rid of it. Maybe you already know how good it feels to just have it out of your life, as well as the nice feeling you get knowing that you didn't just junk it or let it sit around. As always, put your unwanteds to good use- reuse.
With that said, I've now decided that I with my new wardrobe comes responsibilities. I definitely still have enough clothes to go about two weeks without washing, which is my ultimate goal. But until I receive my shipment of, ahem, personals, I'm going to cut back to one washing every week. Hopefully, I may even achieve my Two-week goal now, depending on what kind of load the rest of my family is doing at the moment.
And the results of freezing meals- excellent, and delicious, if I do say so myself. I made and froze a meal featuring the Shepard's Pie from How It All Vegan, which is one of my favorite dishes, and just had some today. Well worth the mere 40 minutes or so it took me on Saturday. (By the way, this shepard's pie meal was made to replace my favorite frozen meal, Amy's Vegetarian Meatloaf.)
If anyone has word on Microwaves vs. Oven, electricity or health-wise, I'd like to hear it. Keep in mind, though, that I'm freezing these meals with tupperware, nothing oven-safe. So, if you also have information on oven safe reusable containers, I'd love to hear about them also.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Today- As a citizen of the world, I pledge...
Today, I'm officially starting my pledge not to purchase any more "chain" food. Not that I was ever a big fan or fast food or convenience store cuisine, but, at times, I've stopped in for a bite, especially if I was on the road. It was easy. It was there. I grabbed a bottled water, and Odwalla bar, and left.
Not anymore. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, I will not even buy coffee at a gas station while I'm on vacation. I will try as hard as I can to use up the materials at my house, or those that will soon be made available to me (i.e.- in a motel room). So, not only am I abstaining from buying prepackaged goods while I'm grocery shopping, I'm also carrying that through when I'm away from the house. When in coffee shops or other eateries, I won't get the "togo" option unless I must. Things like that.
This actually used to confuse me sometimes, because I realized one day that technically, I'm just making people wash something again, and some restaurants use multiple plates for a dish for a prettier presentation, even though I'd only need one bowl to eat my linguine. However, by not using the ToGo-ware, which hardly ever would be recycled, I'm not contributing to landfills. Though it wasn't a big question to begin with, I still feel better, now that I know more, about my decision. Besides, I would have to do about the same number of dishes, anyway, it just doesn't become a pain the ass for me.
Also, if anyone has information on how harmful dishwashers are to the environment, I'd love to hear it. Right now, we use a dishwasher, but how are the comparisons, both electrical and water conserving wise, between hand washing and using a dishwasher.
Thanks
-Kindra FM
Not anymore. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, I will not even buy coffee at a gas station while I'm on vacation. I will try as hard as I can to use up the materials at my house, or those that will soon be made available to me (i.e.- in a motel room). So, not only am I abstaining from buying prepackaged goods while I'm grocery shopping, I'm also carrying that through when I'm away from the house. When in coffee shops or other eateries, I won't get the "togo" option unless I must. Things like that.
This actually used to confuse me sometimes, because I realized one day that technically, I'm just making people wash something again, and some restaurants use multiple plates for a dish for a prettier presentation, even though I'd only need one bowl to eat my linguine. However, by not using the ToGo-ware, which hardly ever would be recycled, I'm not contributing to landfills. Though it wasn't a big question to begin with, I still feel better, now that I know more, about my decision. Besides, I would have to do about the same number of dishes, anyway, it just doesn't become a pain the ass for me.
Also, if anyone has information on how harmful dishwashers are to the environment, I'd love to hear it. Right now, we use a dishwasher, but how are the comparisons, both electrical and water conserving wise, between hand washing and using a dishwasher.
Thanks
-Kindra FM
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