I'm loving The Daily Plate to track my intake/exercise pretty damn easily. It does help me to stay on top of things, but some days has the undesired effect of making me think about food all day.

The weather has taken a turn for the cold and I've come to realize that I am unprepared. I need to find a scarf, gloves, knit cap ensemb quickly! I've armored myself with fleece sheets at home and I've got to say that it was a brilliant move on my part. There is a set available from Costco (item #9701114 - I can't seem to find it at Costco.com, but they were at my local store) that is so soft, warm and pretty. I got a queen set in white for $28.69 and they are WONDERFUL!

I'm looking for a knitting group to join in the Portland area. Hopefully I can find a group that doesn't cost anything (or very much to join) and can learn to knit properly! I'm definitely going to need some cold weather gear and I'd love to knit it myself! This might be a great thing to do for Christmas gifts as well!

Settlers

So, now I'm somewhat settled into my new digs. I'm still plagued with some skin condition that the doctors can't quite figure out. But, otherwise my health has been improving. I've lost 20+ pounds, have been eating lots more fruit and veggies and have been moving towards a diet that is organic and obstaining from beef. I don't know if I'll ever been flesh free...bacon is just something I'm not ready to part with! But, I did try some Morning Star fake sausage and it wasn't that bad at all!

Now that I don't have roommates or family members living with us, we have decided to downsize and are planning to move from our two bedroom apt. to a one bedroom. I'm looking forward to not sharing space. I loved my roommates and brothers/nephew living with us, but after some soul searching, I've come to realize that I have been putting my life on hold for the sake of others. I'm 35 - I can't put me off any longer. And, damn, does it feel good!

The last few years of my life have been difficult, but wonderful. I've found myself again and I'm feeling like I'm improving every year. Therapy, a little Prozac and time have made me feel like me again. I'm getting to the point where I feel like I can take the reins again. I'm going to wean myself off of meds and take care of myself more naturally. I really believe the body has an innate ability to heal itself. It is time to take the next steps.

Hard start

It's not that I forgot I had a blog...

It's that I've had my ass handed to me and then put back where it belonged a few times in the last few months.

We arrived in Portland on the hottest day of the year. We moved into our new place - third floor, no air conditioning - and were very uncomfortable the first night. The second day was just as hot, so we decided to bail and head to the coast where the temperatures were in the 70s. We camped near the ocean in Tilamook and had a lovely time. But, the desire to get settled was too great and we headed back to the city.

It was still hot. The entire state was sold out of fans and air conditioning units. Sometime during that first week I managed to get a staph infection on my arm. It was incised and drained, packed and I was on antibiotics. It was first thought it was MRSA, but turned out not to be. Then, a few weeks later, my husband got a staph infection that required two surgeries. He was off work for a month while recovering.

Looking for jobs became more important than ever, and I took the first job I could find as a caregiver for minimum wage. I was just happy to have a job, but I continued looking for a better job. A long story short...I finally found a great job and my husband made it back to work. Things are somewhat back to normal.

In the beginning of our stay in Oregon I was afraid that I had made a terrible mistake. I knew it was a bit of a gamble to leave school and move to a new state without a job, but it all worked out in the end. And, during that time I learned first hand how poor the economy has become, and how thankful I am to have a good job. These were lessons that I needed reminding of and I'm very happy it has all turned out okay.

It was a rough start, but I still love you, Portland.

We're Here!

We arrived in Portland, OR on Monday and to record temperatures! It was 105-107 the first few days and we were miserable. We decided to camp on the coast where temps were in the 70s. It was a gorgeous drive and fun to camp so early in our arrival. We've been unpacking, looking for employment, taking in the beautiful city and surrounding trees and rivers...I'm kind of in love with Portland.

There are places to recycle everywhere. Our apartment complex has recycle bins for the residents (why can't California do this?!), the option to purchase renewable energy (FLIPPIN' SWEET!), and a food coop close by!

Yes, I'm definitely falling for you, Portland. <3

Healthy Home Tip 2: Go organic and eat fresh foods | Environmental Working Group

Healthy Home Tip 2: Go organic and eat fresh foods | Environmental Working Group

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It's Official

We're moving! The end of July to Portland, OR and I couldn't be more excited!

I've been completely consumed with the process of moving, along with planning and shooting a friend's wedding that I have spent next to no time doing my usual stuff like baking bread, knitting (or practicing, rather), voracious research on self-sufficiency, and all the other things that usually consume my brain. Now that the wedding is over and the pix are edited and made available to the lovely bride I feel like I can breathe a little easier.

Also, in this process I've done some things that I don't think are very green and I've been struggling to justify them. For instance, we traded in our 2000 Honda Accord for a 2005 Chevy Silverado truck. Gas hog. But, we will be moving 2-3 times in as many upcoming years and ultimately living on a farm where the truck will be necessary. Financially, it was a good move for us because we're saving money that would have gone towards a U-Haul ($1200! WTF). The flip side of the truck purchase is that we also sold our other car for a motorcycle that gets amazing gas mileage and will be used as primary transportation rather than the second car we sold. Is it a wash? I hope so.

I can't wait to get up to Portland and explore that amazing city, visit with all the family I have up in the Pacific Northwest and begin our search for the perfect parcel of land to begin our organic hobby farm!

Making a move

We are planning to move to Oregon or Washington to live closer to family, live less expensively (currently we're in So Cal and it is PRICEY), and eventually buy some land that will allow us to live more self-sufficiently and green! I am bummed that my choices are so limited where I live now. Public transportation is lacking, merchants that have the eco-conscious consumer in mind are limited (or very expensive) and the general concept of less is more seems non-existent here in the land of status symbols.

Recently, I've read some great books and articles on living sustainably: from building your own cob house to human waste composting. I'm not sure where I fall on the green spectrum, but I am open to lots of the stuff I've been reading. It surprises me. There was a time when I desired Coach purses, held convenience in the highest regard, and loved what I've come to know as the anything-but-authentic lifestyle of this area.

Growing older, attending college and coming to terms with my successes and failures has changed my priorities over the last 3-4 years. It was not that "going green" is on its way to becoming fashionable. I'm stoked that these topics are no longer considered liberal, hippie drivel AND that due to this mainstreaming, more resources and accountability have found their way into our lives. Moving North will no doubt enhance this availability and that is exactly what I'm hoping for.

Thank You For Buying Our Toxic Plastic

Thank You For Buying Our Toxic Plastic

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The Pacific Northwest

We are considering a move to Oregon/Washington sometime soon. My husband needs to be able to transfer his employment to another location (of which there are many in that area), but since the economy isn't so hot right now that might take more time than usual. We are dreaming of building our own home that is built with green living in mind, as well as the ability to be self-sustaining. We're talking solar panels, organic farming, a cow or goats, chickens, beekeeping and maybe a horse or two. I'm not sure if this falls under the category of hobby farm or not, but it would not be something we would try to do on a large scale. We want to be able to sustain ourselves and perhaps sell the extra stuff we'd make on Etsy and local farmer's markets.

The fact that I'm a clueless city girl has given me pause, but I am a believer in treading lightly on the earth, living healthy and above all, knowing how to live. I'm the first to admit that I have not been much of a homemaker up to this point in my life: most side dishes I've made in the past came out of a cardboard box. I do know how to cook and enjoy learning more about scratch cooking. But, I think it would be wise, healthy and fun to take it to the next step. Don't get me wrong, I love technology and my internets, but I want to find a way to coexist with the tried and tested healthy ways of the past and combine them with the smart, helpful technologies of today. I'm finding that smart isn't always healthy in today's world...while plastics, chemicals and other advents that were hailed as improvements to our lives aren't always worth the risk. What bums me out the most is that oftentimes these things are known to be unhealthy, but still marketed and used by companies that care only about their bottom line.

A good, green mix of the old and the new - that is what I'm looking for. It might take more effort in some ways, but everything I've learned thus far has shown me that everything I want can come from my own hands...and not in new, improved, convenient plastic packaging guaranteed to save me 5 minutes of time, but last forever in the landfill and soil. OK, I'm getting off the soapbox now (recycled and filled with my own handmade soap, ha!)

Kitty Roca

My dog has found a new delicacy to enjoy when no one is looking: Kitty Roca. She had been throwing up on occasion and the smell was FOUL (digested poop is no better than the original). We finally caught her in the act today. I gave her a stern talking to, but since the litter box is in the domain of my roommate's responsibility, I don't have full control. We're going to try and raise the box up six inches (our dog is a small breed) and that should keep her out while still giving the cats access.

I'm just so grossed out. She's never been a poop-eater before...but, I guess that is because we didn't live with cats until now. Ugh.

Yah, I'm getting a little more crunchy every day...

I have been going all kinds of green lately! Today my husband and I made (with all natural/organic ingredients):

• Laundry soap (lavender scented)
  
• Dish soap (peppermint scented)
  
• Dishwasher soap
• All-purpose cleaner (peppermint scented)
  

While there was a small cost associated with purchasing the things we needed to make the stuff, our overall costs will go WAY DOWN over time - not to mention being better for our health and the environment.

I'm swimming around in a gazillion websites, books and forums trying to educate myself on the best practices for the things I want to do, but yeah, it can be a little confusing. I'll be working on a way to make all this information make sense on a whole-house level soon. Making my own supplies and at the same time trying to live with less plastic consumption and minimizing BPA consumption may turn out to be a challenge, at least in the beginning.

I am loving that my husband is so on-board with going green and getting healthy. We had a great time making these things and then putting them to the test (yes, they work!). Tomorrow, I make my first foray (after an unfortunate attempt in my younger years) into baking bread. We're also going to research setting up a clothesline.

The Update

On the Green Front:

• I'm stopping water delivery from Arrowhead Water and going to this Pur Water Filtration/Dispenser that uses safer plastic (although, ugh...it seems so hard to get away from plastic entirely!)
• I've been reading a lot about scratch cooking and homemade cleaning products and I'm getting ready to dive in sometime this month
• I've joined the local Freecyclers in my area, which is how I acquired the Pur water system I'm going to be using. Free and recycled - very cool!
• I've been using and have fallen in love with Lush's Karma Komba shampoo bar. No plastic bottle, smells lovely (and not too hippie at all) and seems like it's going to last me at least 3-4 months. Eventually, I may go SLS free, but for now, this stuff is great!

I have read much recently about people who have gone what is called the no-poo method, but I have to say, I'm not quite there yet. In the process of educating myself I've come to realize that there is so much to learn and so many resources out there, but I haven't yet found The One Resource To Rule Them All. So, I'm slowly gathering up information and figuring out where I stand and what I believe will be the best way for me to live green.

On the photography front:

I've been spending so much time reading about eco-friendly living and doing homework for a QuickBooks class I'm taking online that I have let my photography reading fall to the wayside a bit. I feel pulled in a million different directions when it comes to what I want to read and study. I am determined to finish up my BA in the next two semesters which means I must resist the urge to take classes that will not help me do that (like photography, Spanish, QuickBooks, etc.)

On the health front:

Last week I was hit with a 3+ day stomach bug that was the worst I can remember having in a long, long time. Of course, I promptly infected my husband. We're both feeling better and looking forward to getting back to the gym once were all healthy and a little more chipper around here!

Needs

To be identified;
positively.

To be seen;
clearly.

To be invested;
fully.

To be taken;
wholly.

To be known;
understood.

Green Beer

Leave it to me to get to the most important stuff first.

How can I be a more eco-friendly beer drinker?

Thank goodness I'm not the first one to wonder. There is lots of interesting information to be found here.

PS - It is very possible that I get no traffic on this site as it is new and unpublicized for the most part. But, if you make your way here and you have found yourself The One Beer that I need to know about, please do tell!

Green on the inside

I'm sickly today, so I've spent a good deal of time browsing some of my favorite go-green-0r-go-home sites, diy sites and other places that have just the faintest hint of patchouli. I've never been a hippie or a hipster...but something more down the middle, with a touch of damn-it-all thrown in there for good measure. I care about people, the environment and my responsibility to the aforementioned. It can be exhausting thinking about all the things I should be doing. I know the appropriate approach is to do a little at a time, and I do. But, I've been slowly making my way down Granola Way and I'm very close to turning in my Ziploc bags and salon died tresses for hemp bags and henna.

In my efforts to be healthy inside and out, as well as be conscious of my footprint it seems like the timing is right. I don't know if I'm going to run out and make myself some shampoo...but maybe I'll start using a shampoo bar.

Low light highlights

I've just ordered the new Nikon 35mm prime lens and I can't wait to get it. I need a lens for low light and portraits and this one will auto-focus with my D40. The lens in back ordered pretty much everywhere, but should be back in stock any day now. The reviews are mixed; some people are trading in their 50mm for good, others are sticking with it. Since the 50mm only works manually on my camera, I will no doubt keep it. I'll be using it at a friend's wedding reception on the 17th. I'm geeking out!

I'll shoot you

I've been interested in photography for a long time. I really enjoy beautiful photographs, and with the advent of digital cameras a whole new world has opened up...for a whole new population of people. I've been playing around with different dSLR cameras lately, and finally purchased the Nikon D40. I loved the more expensive and HD-video making Nikon D90, but it just wasn't in the budget. So the D40 and I are getting to know each other this week.

This is my first official step towards semi-professional photography. I will be second shooting a friend's wedding in five weeks and I'm devouring all the information I can get my hands on regarding technique and tips. I'm enrolled in an introductory class that starts in a few weeks as well.

When I hold that camera in my hand and capture a really great shot, it feels like art...and that has always been addicting to me.

Changeling

I'm making some changes in my life; some big, some small. One in particular feels like I have lifted a weight off my shoulders that I didn't know was heavy as it was. Another feels like it could be a step backwards, or maybe just a decision to take a break and sit down on the bench for a bit. I'm feeling brave, apprehensive, excited, and a little more peaceful. I'm a pretty hopeful person, but I'm no Timex - I'm hoping that these choices I'm making are the right ones and will put me on a path that requires less getting my ass handed to me and more contentment.

I got a root canal today and I'm a little loopy right now.

I hope the majority of the pain subsides quickly.

I hope I do/everything goes well tomorrow.

This is me being lazy honest

I am working towards not making sweeping, grandiose statements such as I will get up and work out every morning at 5am before eating steel cut oatmeal and meditating for 30 minutes. Yeah...that has yet to happen. Ever. Small goal setting is supposedly attainable, but never feels fast enough for my hurry-up and be brilliant idealism. Of course, I end up doing very little of my original ginormous planning, so I'm going nowhere fast.

I always say I dislike the gym very much. But, really, I think I just dislike the habit of getting up in the morning to go work out. No matter how much I romanticize the idea of being a morning person I think I should just face up to the fact that it is not going to happen. Working out needs to be an evening affair for me. It needs to be scheduled, preferably with other people to make me less culpable, and it needs to be full of fist-pumping, OMG-THIS-IS-MY-JAM play lists on the iPod. And, yeah, I'm not going 7 days a week. I'll shoot for going more days than I don't.

Me and Jennifer Aniston

Apart from being sickly the last two weeks, I have been approaching today: my 35th birthday. Birthdays are not usually a big deal for me. I enjoy them, hope there is not a big production made and like to get together with a few people and have a few laughs. However, there is something about this birthday that makes everyone (including myself) instantly reflect on how close I am to being 40. Not only am I 35 years old today, but guess what! I'm 5 years from 40! Whee!

I have been feeling this birthday slinking ominously towards me all year. I am acutely aware of everything I have not accomplished at this point in my life: no children, home ownership, college degree, satisfactory BMI, no world travel, no amazingness to me that I thought I would have accomplished by now.

Of course, I am working towards the things I want, but time is becoming a concern. Maybe it shouldn't be and I'm just overreacting. I've been in psychotherapy for a little over a year to deal with depression and issues stemming from childhood abuse that went on for a very long time. There are many hurdles; there always have been for me...but, I know that it could be harder/worse/more difficult.

All I know is that 40 is sitting up ahead of me with my womb, ambitions, and dreams and I'm wondering if I will have touched any of them by the time I get there.

It's been a while, Blogger...

Well, I was deeply invested in Blogger and personal publishing back in the early 2000s when Blogger was really the only weblog publishing tool and was still owned by Pyra Labs (and Twitter wasn't yet a glint in Evan's eye). I had many domains and very little success maintaining posting on a regular basis. I've stayed an avid blog-reader, but haven't felt the desire to return to my own journal-type posting until now. I thought I might go back to Typepad or Wordpress, but since Blogger and Gmail are intertwined and with the purchase of my much adored G1, I went ahead and started up again here.

Who knows where this is going...it is posting mostly for me and my love of silliness and all things internets. It could get heavy aroud here, it could be quite boring...but here I am.