CUPPOW

yesterday.... I had a "why didnt I think of that" moment.

this is brilliant.

genius.

novel.

okay, here it is..... I love mason jars!  love them!
In the summer I love to fill them with cool drinks and cap them to travel with.....so, yesterday, my girlie friend gave me a belated birthday gift.
and it is called a CUPPOW

see what I mean..... Genius!

so simple.... and perfect.

I am so excited to try my cuppow out!

CUPPOW! from Paper Fortress on Vimeo.

you should get one too!

CUPPOW.com

::side note::
if you are a knitter.... and you have some scrap yarn.... you can make a cozy for your cuppow mason jar.  just cast on 44-50 stitches using size 8 or 9 double point needles~ and knit/purl your favorite pattern in the round until it is about 3-4 inches.  This is also a great way to practice a stitch that you are not familiar with.

while away on a holiday of sorts..... I found this sign- and wished our school would get a clue...

and see that it is only just "this easy" to make a difference.

this easy.....

I sometimes wonder~I should move to Canada.....

Earth Hour

tonight.

8:30pm.

lights off.

that's it.

make a difference.

for more information visit www.earthhour.org

One Small Change... removing unused items

Our monthly small change is to declutter and remove.....

during the winter seasons we tend to not see what things may crowd out the simple things in life.....

we just leave them alone or push them aside to deal with later.

This month the sun is beginning to shine in the windows,

the days are getting longer and my One Small Change for the month of March is about removing those crowding things, bring in the sunshine, and make space in our home for more community, more time, and more moments together.

this opening up the closets, taking things that do not need to be in there, allowing fresh air to filter through..... this task is not only about "renewing" a space, but about refreshing my soul. Allowing myself to feel the way I need to feel towards a life of simplicity.

How is this a green choice....

well, it is not only about contentment with what I have already, but is allowing my "space" to not be filled with "things" and filling it with unseen values.... love, memories, friendships, peace, calm and family. Things that money cant buy- but are much more valuable.

Its not about what I am going to do- but what awareness it brings to the surface.... opening my eyes, and my being, to what I already have, what is already to much, and seeking a consciousness in those unseen values.

One Small Change... Meatless X's 2

We already consume small amounts of meat here.

We eat one day meatless.

One whole chicken can last 2- 3 days.

One pound of ground beef can last 2 days....

giving a day for leftovers.

so really- One Chicken and One pound of beef for a whole week- is not to bad....

but- my challenge for the One Small Change in February is to have two days of Meatless consumption a week.... making our leftovers last longer, our meat last longer....

and our carbon footprint smaller.

Today-in the fridge are

3 Free Range Organic Local Whole Chickens

2 lbs of ground grass-fed Free Range Organic Beef

and

One Alaskan Salmon.

Our family will eat this in meat for the month.....

and that will be all.

Cutting one chicken and 2 lbs of beef out of the monthly consumption....

I believe we can do it!

One Small Change.... Ring in the Green year!

this month....we ring in the 2011.

It is also time for the one small change challenge to begin (or to continue) again.

last year I made some huge changes....that impacted not only my life, but the lives around me. And I am still holding on to those changes and not turning back.

so, what can I do????

well,

I thought... lets ring in the green... and bring it into the house.

so my change this month is to bring in cleaner air by bringing in some house plants.

growing up I remember my mom having a ficus tree in our house- she even had a fancy little sun lamp on it for the winter........

why not!

I already have my herbs from the garden that I hope to replant this spring....

my mom bought me a Meyer lemon tree for my birthday this month ( and it is now in the house)

what about other clean air plants.

say like a Peace Lily

or

a Boston Fern.

House plants are known to clean the toxins found in the home air quality, bring a great deal of O2 indoors, and lower allergens.

so,

lets get the green on.... and bring in the plants!

here is a web site that has some ideas.

http://myindoorhouseplants.com/improve-air-quality/

to join the One Small Change Challenge visit the web site and see what you can do to change your world.... one small step at a time.

http://1smallchangeblog.blogspot.com

after school education- week 5. Consumption

right before Christmas....

we are going to share the story of stuff.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

LOOPS SCOOPS happiness video...

PBS has some great videos that really make in impact... the happiness video is really cute!

http://pbskids.org/loopscoops/happiness.html

hopefully this will open ideas and discussions about what the difference between wants and needs are... and how we can make changes in a simple and small way.

as a gift from us to our new GREEN kids they will get this book

YOU CAN SAVE THE PLANET

This session has been a lot of fun for me to teach.... I hope the kids have enjoyed it too... I know it it not basket weaving, or lego building~ but maybe just one kid has decided to make a difference.

afterschool education- reuse

this week... sharing with the kids on reuse.

here is a fantastic video that we are using to get the point across.

its very similar to the Story of Stuff- easy to understand and gets you thinking.

perfect!

http://vimeo.com/14017086

Reuse It--Hi Res from BRING Recycling on Vimeo.

afterschool education

if you remember last spring....

and my endeavor (One Small Change) to work with the community/school on green living....

you will remember my commitment to doing after school programs with my son's school.

The Spring session was awesome, as we sprang into action about green eating, local eating and gardening. It was a wealth of information shared with kids....

and the talk about it still floods the halls of school.

Today marks the beginning of the Fall sessions....

and I am moving forwards with the "Eco Kids Club" as I have 5 lesson plans on the 3R's.

The information today is about our Landfills, the Great North Pacific Gyre (the ocean's plastic mess!) and how our choices have created a "mess" of plastics. We will go over the 3 R's- reduce, reuse and recycle....

but the focus will mainly be in reduce. What does that mean- how can "we", as kids, make an impact towards change in our homes, in our school, and in our community.

I am so excited to take this information..... and share it.... in hopes that someone... someone young.... will begin to ask questions. to think. and to want to make an difference.

Here are two of the videos that I will be showing them...... to get their little heads "a-thinkin"

a Good Morning America clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLrVCI4N67M&feature=related

and a youtube video featuring the John Mayer song "Make a Change"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K-lGDRZOqc&feature=fvw

today will begin the 5 weeks of kids becoming aware of a world that needs a change. wish me luck!

try to get your hands on these....

I have an obsession right now.....

I love documentary films.

I dont know if you know this....

but there are some great documentary films out there....

many are not easy to get your hands on...

but,

showings are spread throughout the country....

often.

Some of my favorites are:

MAD CITY CHICKENS

FRESH the movie

HOMEGROWN

THE COVE

THE UNFORSEEN

FUEL

ADDICTED TO PLASTIC

you can watch this one online here

each of these films spur a deep feeling that YOU CANT help it, but to think that we humans have been doing something wrong.... something that is destroying the very planet and creatures that we were created to care for.....

some films share homesteading ideas, or the back to basics of life, whereas the other films have to do with the consumption of society that has gone over the top~ and is now hurting animals, hurting our children's futures and hurting ourselves.

I say, if you get a chance, click on the links I have provided..... find out how you can see these films ( a couple you can netflix)... and enjoy them, learn from them, and research them.... come up with your own conclusions, your own solutions, your own changes that you can start at home, in your community, and with your children.

uuhhhmmm( clearing the throat).... I will now step down from my soap box.

Guest writer

I was asked in March to be a guest writer for the One Small Change Challenge and was honored to be asked to write for them....

here is my first story, of many, I hope.....

enjoy!

http://1smallchangeblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/community-of-change-welcomes-tiffany.html

ONE SMALL CHANGE- ONE BIG HEART

UPDATE

January Challenge~ NOTHING NEW

this month has gone very well. I stayed at a $75-80 food budget weekly.... including Easter dinner and a birthday party this month. The only thing I bought new was a mylar balloon and a birthday cake ( yes, I know, I bought the cake- but after making 15 guitar pillows and a guitar shirt.... the cake was a justified purchase.... my sanity was on the line!)....

We still are having things break (Murphy's law at large) but we are just not replenishing, and are doing without. My crock pot (the staple in my slow cooking kitchen) cracked and cant be used~ but my mother in law has a brand new one in her garage she won at a drawing.... so when she visits next week~ she is bringing it with her (Yea for amazing blessings!)

February Update~ UNPLUGGING

We are still keeping a technology sabbatical once (sometimes twice) a week. Everything remains unplugged/ or off unless it is being used at that moment. The biggest thing has been the computer..... I am on it much less, and am actually crafting and gardening more (thank goodness the sun is starting to peek out more!) This change has actually been pretty easy and has become more of a habit!

March Update~ GET INVOLVED

This month has been the one that changed my life! Getting involved with the school and community about "greener" living has been amazing. Yes, we have hit some glitches (welcome to the school district business), but I have really felt that simple changes have begun to be pursued. I start teaching a gardening class this week to 15 kids.... and another parent has stepped along side me and is now Co-teaching it with me. We have decided to make this after school teaching class an on going ECO CLUB for the kids. There is now a NO WASTE campaign started at the school. There is a the building of a parent ECO team meeting tomorrow.... with 15 parents so far...... Our school is really beginning to start thinking more sustainable and about the carbon footprint it is leaving.... and I was able to be at the root of it..... that is (for me) something that makes me smile.

April Update~ ONE TANK

this challenge was the more taxing on me..... I am usually able to go 14 days on one tank, and I have made it to 24~ But I REALLY do need to refuel this weekend.....

so I didn't make it a whole month... but I did go 10 days longer on one tank (which isn't to bad!). I have walked more. I have carpooled a few times. I even cut out trips all together..... It also has helped that some of Bjorn's appointments have been cancelled. I have found out that it takes much more planning than just putting on shoes, and venturing out on a walking trip. With kids, you have to think... water jugs, a much slower pace, stopping to not only smell flowers but to pick them and throw rocks in running gutters. You also have to think~ "less!" . Walking to the market to pick up a few things... means "only a few things" because bags get pretty heavy after a while.

the One Small Change Challenge is over.....

its ended.....

but what have I learned?

in all honesty I have learned more about myself in these past 3 1/2 months, than I had expected.

::One thing I learned::

is that once I made the change, I didnt want to go back to the way I was doing things before..... so each month's challenge remains practiced today.

:: One thing I learned::

is that it may be small in retrospect, but is sure is huge in making a difference.

::One thing I learned::

is that there is always room to learn more.

::One thing I learned::

is that others feel the same way, they just need someone to help support them to get started.

::One thing I learned::

is that doing without~ in not being without.

::One thing I learned::

is once change is made, it's much easier to accept more change.

The One Small Change Challenge may have ended.... but in our house, it will still continue! ALWAYS.

EARTH DAY

I will post more about Earth day tomorrow....

today we will...

not drive,

not use computers (except for this quick post...)

not throw anything away (anything!)

plant a tree

and give thanks for the planet that we have been given to live on....

may our footprints get smaller, so that our future feet can live on it as well!

hmmmm.....

since my new involvement in the school's eco-interests... I have become the "go to" girl for many questions.

My phone now rings.....

sometimes 4 times a day ( that is a lot~ when it never rings!)

parents and teachers from the school are all calling for advice, ideas, and input for a more greener environment/ school/home.

Our Science Fair is this Friday and they have decided to bring in the natural sciences and the environment of the Rain Forest.... The wanted to focus on a recycling effort towards that theme. So I got a phone call. A phone call that let me voice what I thought ( and yes, I have thoughts about it! if you know me, you know I have an opinion). I shared with them if we are going with the idea of the rain forest, how is our recycling changing that environment. I mentioned that the triangle of "greenness" is about Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling.... I believe that recycling has been drilled into everyone. We already know about recycling (or what I can down cycling). What we should be thinking about is reducing or reusing.... but in a culture set on purchasing, consumption and materials~ the values in reducing and reusing is not thought about.

Everyone recycles to some extent~ but not many reduce or reuse.

and it is in reducing and reusing that the rain forests can be saved.......

(as I step down from my soapbox....)

what does that mean to our kids? What does that mean to Americans?

With Earth Day this Thursday, and the Science Fair Friday~ these two are being joined in a "green effort" to encourage the students to think beyond themselves and think about their impact.... environmentally.

Late last night I got another call..... and was asked to pull together a "think" display about the children's lunches and the waste that goes into individual packaging and plastic zip locks (I gag just typing that word..... sssppllltltt!)..... so now O and I are working together, making a display based on one child's waste, per meal, by pound and comparing that to the class, the school and in a weeks time. It will be compared to a reusable lunch, with cloth napkins, silverware, mason jars, wax paper bags (compostable!) and meal creativity. I am even thinking of adding "snack recipes" for fruit leathers, trail mix, graham crackers, rice balls, apple sauce, pudding, and dried sweet potato/potato chips.... homemade things that I put in O's lunch.

wish us luck! because I have three days to pull this all together....

lets see what happens?????

ONE SMALL CHANGE- One tank

APRIL's CHALLENGE

So here is what I have thought about for April.....

FUEL.

I have always lumped my trips together and kept driving to a minimum.... but could I do more??? As of right now I fill up my gas tank twice (defiantly 2 times) a month.... which, is not bad at all.... considering weekly therapys, schools and Dr. appt.s for little B.

But I wonder~ CAN I GET BY WITH ONE TANK A MONTH?

::the challenge this month::

I am filling up my tank today, and it will last me until the end of the month! That is the goal.....

let's see if I can do this.....

if I can, I will get my gold star!

Updates~ Nothing New and One Small Change

Nothing New

:: I tighten my lips a bit as I write this......

we did "okay" in not buying anything new, as well as Murphy's Law still applies in all ways. Murphy this month had another broken lamp and a destroyed wool rug (thanks to a dog who was sick~ yes, gack!). But.... and it is a small "but" ...I did buy two things.... I bought some really cute re-purposed mittens from a local artisan (originally priced at $40~ for only $6.50) made from old sweater sleeves (how can one pass that up!) ...and if you think about (here comes the justification) they are not really new.

and I bought a new basket for our shoes.... the other shoe basket was having thick dangerous wires hang out of it ( and basket are super cheap this week~ for $9)

~ So if I wanted to I could put this under the health and safety exception (but I wonder if that is a justification!~ I mean, I could easily justify chocolate as a health and safety measure.... every woman needs chocolate, right?!?)

so, three months in to our Nothing New and even with these two purchases~ I feel that we have really done our best to stick to the plan.... now lets see what April will bring!

One Small Change

The Electricity and computer commitment has gone well (from February) we still have a technology sabbatical once a week and the computer is only on twice and then shut down. TV is rarely on~ although Netflix sent me my Glee this week (and I love My Glee!)..... but a movie here and there is still within the limits (smile!).

This March's change was one that has really impacted me.... and has already created a huge change in our local school. After meeting with the staff at school we have many plans underway and progress is being created each day. A garden is planned (and I am starting afterschool "green kids" program where the kids will help in making the garden and compost); a silverware donations program is started~ to replace plastic forks in the cafeteria; a "No Idle Zone" is being considered in front of the school; an Earth day Assembly is planned (they are collecting milk cartons and plastic waste that the school puts out... and setting up on a stage for all to see what we could be recycling... and are not); Parents have been asked to join in an ECO TEAM- where we will educate and give other options to what is done in school and at home...

it is all so exciting~ this could really take off!

One Small Change- Get involved

My One Small Step for the month of March- is to Get Involved. We are a very community driven family, and when we see a need we do our best to step up and meet it....

but when it comes to green living, and helping others in this way, it stops at our front door.

When I walk into Odin's school I am overwhelmed at the lack of green responsibilities... and since they "recycle" they feel that that is all they need to do. I have thought of many many ways that this school could make a simple green impact, but have kept my mouth shut.... because I am just a parent.

and then I though, as a Parent, maybe I could make my voice heard, maybe someone will listen, and maybe a simple step will happen...... whether that step is small or large, doesn't matter- it is progress towards a change that needs to happen.

So, I did it. I met with my son's teacher ( who also happens to be the "green team" leader on the campus) on Friday... and mentioned to her some simple ideas- that would be great teaching tools and great "eco-changes" for the school. One, a community garden- that could feed the homeless. Two- incorporate silverware instead of plasticware. Canvas bags, instead of paper bags. A "no idle zone" in front of the school. Educational teaching classes for parents on plastics- and other options present to them. Composting. and just a general awareness for what our choices make in the community and the world around us.

I leaped- and have gotten a great response.....

I meet with other team members next week, and will begin looking for ways to have donations brought in for wood- to build raised beds.....

my One small change this month is to get involved in making changes outside our home.... and in our community....

always remember, If you step up and say something, there is always another 50 plus people who feel the same way, but just haven't said anything. Your one small voice is heard, and can be the big change needed.

time has come.... updates

yes, I have been out.... out of computer world... and into the quilting.

my two project Linus Blankets are off to be donated today and I am so proud of all the work and love that went into making these~ it will be hard to part from them.

But they will go to a sweet little child who needs warmth, not just physical but the warmth of love that comes from a blanket like this....

they will go to a great child, a fighter, a survivor. It is the least I could do.

the pink one is "cupcakes" and the blue one is "baseball"

both are 42"x 60"

also it is the end of February. I have updates.

Nothing New~ it is amazing what I have learned with this life change two months in. Mail order books get instantly put into recycling, even coupon books and all that stuff you get sent to you. I have had the opportunity to really free up a great deal of time and stress~ not thinking about where to go, what to get, and how it will be paid for..... the freedom as well as the creativity that comes from thinking outside of the consumer box is quite fun! Another thing that we have seen happen is sort of a Murphy's Law type of scenario..... of course. Once you decide to not buy anything- everything begins to break, blow up, and disappear. Two of my stone dishes (my loaf pan for breads, and my daily use large measure cup) were both dropped and broken. A floor lamp, and only light in the living room literally blew up at the socket and melted the cord. And I have searched high and low for a bra of mine ( one of only two) that is what I wear with light colors~ and it is MIA. The greatest thing is that I have laughed it off, said "oh well" and moved forward.... knowing that one day the perfect lamp will visit Goodwill while I am there, stoneware is not the only options, and a bra is over rated. So, in the Nothing New Camp- we are still on board and moving forward.

One Small Step Challenge~ UnPlugging~

This February challenge has opened my eyes to how we communicate, or to how little we communicate.... with everyone.

I have done well unplugging lights from sockets... that was actually pretty easy.

Having the computer on once a day was interesting. I did it the first week, but then started getting into a bit of communication trouble with some parents at the Co-op preschool... all communication was done by email- and instant replies were desired... well for one who does not check email but once a day.... it wasn't quick enough for some. Tempers were flared and feathers were ruffled.... whatever happened to using the phone? I am just as guilty .... but it was eye opening.

So the computer was turned one once in the AM and once in the PM- a small adjustment to the original plan. As to a sabbatical for one day without technology- some days were on Sunday, and some were on Saturday... but a full day was achieved once a week. Which in turn felt good.

and Finally- the negative.

The TV. totally forgot about the Olympics..... and our family (especially me!) loves Winter Olympics. This was a horrible month to have the TV off.... really it was. I learned to record the shows, watch things in fast forward, and shrug off not knowing some events..... The TV was on. Not as much as it would have been..... but it WAS on. Next month- the TV has no idea how little it will be used. Tomorrow's post.... March Challenge.

ONE SMALL CHANGE- Unplugging

painting by Frederic Terrel

If you are visiting just this once or even often... you will see the one small change icon on the sidebars... it all started with a fellow green blogger, Hip Mountain Mama and her little challenge that I felt was right up my alley... at the beginnings of each month the idea of doing one small change that will make a difference... in bringing your home to a more sustainable more positive environment focused on family, on harmony and on the world we live in.

In January our first small change was huge! We started our NOTHING NEW- in not purchasing anything that is new (with a small few exceptions... food and underwear) for a year.

February's small change is going to be in unplugging. Unplugging all lights/toaster oven/appliances etc. from the sockets, when not in use. Unplugging by not watching TV during the week (which goes fine for the kids, since they dont watch TV during the week anyways- but this will be hard for me- I do like my NCIS). Unplugging by shutting down my computer after its use... and only using it once a day (gack! that will be a challenge) and SUNDAYS will be a sabbatical all together- no technology use at all (NONE. ZILCH. NADA.)

February's change is about unplugging and limiting outside influences that filter in- and plugging into the love, togetherness and care that is in this family. Consuming less electricity all together as well as the technology that is being used to distract in this house.

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

so here we are.

we are off!

after discussing THE COMPACT ideas together, and figuring out what that looks like in our family... we are ready and going.

2010- this house is going with a simple form of "nothing new" for a year.

These exceptions are subject to change- we reserve that right....

What are the exceptions?

~anything that is necessary for health or safety reasons (Therapies, ingredients for homemade cleaners, hygiene or safety) As a rule there must be a few attempts at freecycle, craigslist or thrifting first.

ie. carseats, helmets, athletic shoes. (things that you CAN buy new- undergarments.)

~foods! (that is obvious.... but we will keep our food purchases to under $70 a week (including our Noris Dairy, CSA and the basics/ this also includes seeds for our garden) I will keep making breads, butters, condiments, cheeses, etc. to keep the waste and cost at minimum. This is cutting our weekly costs another $25-30 from what we are currently spending.

~house repairs or improvements ( we are in the middle of some replacements, and our deck is rotted out.... plans to be replaced this spring)

~Bryan's hockey dues/ and replacement of overly warn sticks, wheels, and gear. (Bryan has played hockey for years- and he needs this athletic outlet.

~Family activities- limited to no more than two a month, and must be active! (ie. bowling, ice skating, golfing range, camping) These activities are fairly cheep and the boys need that outlet- especially in winter.

~California vacation- one theme park, no souvenirs.... no hotels.

~one date night expense a month (this is important to our relational status as a married couple, trust me on this.)

~my crafting. the only exception is for specialized gift (and I must have a coupon). ie. a themed quilt, or a special request. other than that- I have plenty of yarns, fabrics, papers, pastels etc. to keep me going for a while.

After talking for hours last night, this is all we came up with..... I cant think of anything other areas to cover? Did I miss anything?