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.