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.