I am learning everyday with my young daughters how to a better parent, homemaker and person. I believe in respectful, gentle parenting, being good to the earth, good to yourself, others and family and instilling good values in my child.
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Around the Garden
Since become a SAHM and/or "radical" homemaker I have added some hobbies or other homemaking skills to my repertoire, knitting, crocheting, baking, canning and my most recent obsession, gardening.
I used to garden with my parents as a child, my father owns a nursery and my mother always had a fondness for Jersey fresh produce. But this is my first garden on my own.
My 2 almost 3 year old daughter helps a lot, which is why carrots are sprouting up every where.
She helps me water and loves to help me harvest.
She is not so big on tasting them, but I hope she will eventually cave.
We so far have been enjoying cucumbers, zucchini and a few cherry tomatoes. We also have blueberry bushes that we eat as they ripen. We just can't seem to wait for a bunch, they are just too fresh and good.
What I love most about this hobby is how it brings people together, people talking and bonding over food and gardening.
When I knit, cook, bake or can I am limited to who I can talk with this about. Only 1 of my friends crochets, none knit, no one cans and a few bake, but not like I do. They like the back of the box or fancy food dye sugar filled cakes while I enjoy fresh breads, muffins and the occasional cake from scratch.
But with my garden I feel there is something for everyone.
I greatly enjoy talking with my father about the types of plants, which grow best, which taste the best and what plants are best for which part of the season.
He enjoys some of the odd plants I found, my cooking them and my organic methods which he isn't too familiar with.
I also enjoy asking my mom for old favorite recipes that she would use with all the fresh produce.
I think she also enjoys my new skill of canning and I know she loves trying them.
My children also love trying, especially the baby. Liv is a little more picky but I get her to eat those veggies in many ways she doesn't even know.
My husband also has fond memories of his mother's garden and actually enjoys helping me take care of mine.
It is the only hobby that we really enjoy together other then hiking and just being out in nature.
The season is just starting up by me and I am enjoying read every cook book and preserve book I can find.
I went way overboard and need to preserve as much as a can to not waste it.
I also love talking gardening with people, people of all ages enjoy gardening so I find young friends, old neighbors and more are more then willing to talk you up and give some great advice.
Most of all I just enjoy sharing my produce or cooked and baked good with my friends and family.
I feel this garden has brought me a little closer to natures, closer to creating my own homestead, close to my past and homemakers of the past and closer to being a healthier, greener and self-sufficient family.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Newborn Necessities
Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and your neighbor and mom friends will often tell you of all the items you need to buy your newborn. I always had a hard time submitting to this idea that newborns need so much junk. The practical, green being just hates spending money and wasting resources on stuff that will be used for such a short time and after being used maybe once or twice more by another kid will end up in a landfill.
The one thing everyone told me I need is a swing. I registered for one and didn't get it. After buying a nice crib set we didn't have much left so I didn't get a swing. We did end up getting one from a friend and I'm so glad we got it used.
Both Ev and Liv are not fans. I was hoping that Ev might like it, but right now its collecting dust in our living room.
I also registered for a fancy expensive playmate. I don't know why. I just put Ev on the ground with a blanket and some toys and a child's mirror. Same effect and purpose for an 1/8 of the cost.
A bassinet, this could be good if you child sleeps well alone. Liv didn't and Ev doesn't right now so we co-sleep. I was very stress about this with Liv, thinking she would never sleep alone (I support co-sleeping completely, but long term its not for me) and at 3/4 months she slept in her crib.
Cribs, I spent the extra money on a great quality convertible crib. One that goes to a toddler bed then to a full bed. Now she will have it for life, or at least as long as she is living in my house. Now that is green.
The only items I really found as a necessity for the first months are the following; tub with a sling, boppy or a nursing pillow, baby carrier (moby, bijorn) and a bouncer for sleep and its great for kids with reflux, which my first had. A glider is also a huge buy for me. I spent so many nights rocking Liv and nursing her in the glider. We now read together on it, she still loves sitting on my lap and reading together then singing some songs before bed.
I never had a exersaucer, a walker, fancy swings or other gizmos and I did find.
Save the money and put it in a college fund for you kids.
Most of the stuff is a gimick just to sell money. Few of the stuff they claim that makes life easier actually does.
The one thing everyone told me I need is a swing. I registered for one and didn't get it. After buying a nice crib set we didn't have much left so I didn't get a swing. We did end up getting one from a friend and I'm so glad we got it used.
Both Ev and Liv are not fans. I was hoping that Ev might like it, but right now its collecting dust in our living room.
I also registered for a fancy expensive playmate. I don't know why. I just put Ev on the ground with a blanket and some toys and a child's mirror. Same effect and purpose for an 1/8 of the cost.
A bassinet, this could be good if you child sleeps well alone. Liv didn't and Ev doesn't right now so we co-sleep. I was very stress about this with Liv, thinking she would never sleep alone (I support co-sleeping completely, but long term its not for me) and at 3/4 months she slept in her crib.
Cribs, I spent the extra money on a great quality convertible crib. One that goes to a toddler bed then to a full bed. Now she will have it for life, or at least as long as she is living in my house. Now that is green.
The only items I really found as a necessity for the first months are the following; tub with a sling, boppy or a nursing pillow, baby carrier (moby, bijorn) and a bouncer for sleep and its great for kids with reflux, which my first had. A glider is also a huge buy for me. I spent so many nights rocking Liv and nursing her in the glider. We now read together on it, she still loves sitting on my lap and reading together then singing some songs before bed.
I never had a exersaucer, a walker, fancy swings or other gizmos and I did find.
Save the money and put it in a college fund for you kids.
Most of the stuff is a gimick just to sell money. Few of the stuff they claim that makes life easier actually does.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hurricane Irene and being Prepared, The Green Way
All I keep hearing about is having bottled water, bottled water and lots of it in case you lose power during this hurricane. I can't understand why? Does the bottled water industry have a bad weather contract with the government?
When I went to the store to buy some canned goods just in case power goes out I couldn't believe it when I noticed I was the only one not buying bottled water.
Did everyone forget how we got water before it came in bottles? From the tap.
I have a filter in our basement and a Brita in the fridge. Today and yesterday I have been just filling up the brita, then when it is done I put the water in a pitcher. I have 2 large glass pitchers full of water. I have also started to fill all the stainless steel bottles that we use instead of bottled water and put them in the fridge. With the brita full too this amount will last us days.
No need to spend our money on bottles that are very wasteful and bad for the environment.
It really surprises me that our family is the only one I know who is doing this and not running out for bottled water.
I just hope for Mother Earth people start to realize how wasteful and unnecessary bottled water is. Even during a hurricane.
When I went to the store to buy some canned goods just in case power goes out I couldn't believe it when I noticed I was the only one not buying bottled water.
Did everyone forget how we got water before it came in bottles? From the tap.
I have a filter in our basement and a Brita in the fridge. Today and yesterday I have been just filling up the brita, then when it is done I put the water in a pitcher. I have 2 large glass pitchers full of water. I have also started to fill all the stainless steel bottles that we use instead of bottled water and put them in the fridge. With the brita full too this amount will last us days.
No need to spend our money on bottles that are very wasteful and bad for the environment.
It really surprises me that our family is the only one I know who is doing this and not running out for bottled water.
I just hope for Mother Earth people start to realize how wasteful and unnecessary bottled water is. Even during a hurricane.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Yard Sale Finds
The whole point of the sewing machine is to help save us money so I didn't want to spend a lot on a work space. I also wanted something small enough that wouldn't take up too much space in our home that is getting more crowded everyday.
I decided that I can find something used and if I need to fix it up. There is so much good quality used furniture out there that just needs some TLC.
It is much more economically sound, and environmentally sound. Cheaper wood furniture is often made of particle board which can emit formaldehyde, a known carcinogenic. It also does not last as long as solid wood. The fact alone of buying new means more trees cut down.
It is not very hard to refinish a good quality piece of wood, the problem is to find one. Well it really isn't too much of problem if you know where to look. People are often too lazy to refinish something, or they just don't know how. So when their table or chairs are starting to look out of date or don't match their new style they often just want to get rid of their old stuff. People put great stuff on craigslist, or in yardsales, sometimes they don't even need any TLC. My mom got a beautiful dining room set off craigslist very cheap and it needed no work at all.
If you are really lucky you can even find stuff on freecycle.
Yard sales are great, especially if you can find town wide ones. That is where I found an old desk, according to the owner it was bought at a garage sale by his parents when he was a child. Its a perfect size for a sewing machine, with great nautical details, dovetail joints and a very solid quality wood. As they say they just don't make them the way they used too.
Another great place to find pieces are during some towns "sparkle days" or week. Many towns will do bulk pick up once a year and you would be surprised what some people are just going to throw out.
There are tons of online resources on how to refinish furniture and with being able to borrow a sander from a friend the cost to us to make my desk beautiful will be minimal.
I am hoping to get started next week so keep an eye out for future posts of the progress of my desk/sewing machine table.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Hummingbirds and Dangers of the Dye in Feeders
I am very grateful to live where I do. My state bird is the Eastern Goldfinch, a bird I did not see till I was an adult and visited my husbands parents in New Hampshire. Now living in a more rural part I see them, along with other wildlife I thought only existed in other states, daily.
One thing I do not see in my yard is hummingbirds. I have been working to bring back the gardens and other greenery that the previous homeowners neglected so there are not too many plants that attract them.
While I was leaving the library I spotted this book and went right back to check it out.
Its a great resource on how to attract hummingbirds to your yard. I wanted to get us a hummingbird feeder and am so glad I read this book before I did.
I always thought that the nectar needed to be red to attract them. Which is not true. Most feeders have enough red parts to attract hummingbirds. I never thought that most of these nectars are made with Red 40, which numerous studies show that this dye is harmful in large and possible small quantities. Imagine how harmful it could be to a small hummingbird who is drinking a lot of it?
Instead you can just make your own nectar with 1 part sugar to 4 parts boiling water and let cool. Its cheaper then buying the store kind, and kinder to the birds.
It always makes me think how many things we do that can be so harmful to nature with out even realizing it.
"Leave only footprints" when it comes to nature.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Composting the Easy and Cheap Way
I have been reading a ton on gardening. Right now I checked out Martha Stewart's Gardening Month by Month. Since my home is in the same zone that Martha lives in I am finding this book to be very helpful.
My first step to preparing my garden is to start composting. It can take 4-6 weeks for compost to be usable so today we decided to make a simple garbage can compose bin.
It was so easy to do. I have seen on t.v. shows people use garbage can composters. I decided to do this method since I do not have the money to buy a nice expensive one and have read many places that they are not necessary.
I searched garbage can compost bin and came across a great video that showed my what to do.
I also found another video on youtube.
Using these 2 video my compost bin in now outside my home and being put to use. Can't wait to see the wonder compost that will be natural and safe for our home garden.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
My Fall Promise
I love the smell of apples and spice, pumpkin and hot tea, but this year I will not fill my home with the scents from candles. I will not allow the air in my home to be polluted with the toxins many candles give off.
I will bake, cook and bring fresh flowers into my home.
I will help my home feel like the fall season and make beautiful memories for my child, that envoke all of her senses.
Monday, September 13, 2010
how bad are antibacterial soaps?
It really makes you think what does the FDA do to protect us when they allow things like this that they admit the long term effects are not even know.
Personally I avoid it in my home and use triclosan free hand washes and dish soaps. Usually I use method soaps. In my home.
What the article does not mention are the negative effects that antibacterial soaps have on the environment too. They kill good bacteria that fish and other water life need to live. It messes with the ecosystem and the delicate balance of nature.
Just another product to avoid, but it can be done very easily, which is what makes me angry. Why can't companies make soap with out it since many companies out there are not using it?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Official Start of Breastfeeding week
No bottles, no bottles in the middle of the night, no bottles to wash, no bottles or formula to buy. Which leaves me with extra time to relax or to play with Liv.
Breastfeeding is a wonderful bond. There is a special bond when you nurse your baby. Just several days ago when I was nursing Liv she reached up and stroked my face. It was amazing. Its just so great when you have a new baby that everyone wants to hold and only you can feed her. Its a wonderful time to relax with your LO.
Its green. No plastic bottles, no nipples, no cans or bottles of formula (which are usually lined with plastic with BPA in it) No running hot water to steralize bottles. BF is very green, while formula feeding wastes a lot of natural resources.
I can just leave the house, no packing bottles, no running to warm bottles. I can just leave with some diapers and wipes and not have to worry about what Liv will eat. Now that she's eating solids I pack some snacks, but I still don't have to worry about milk or formula.
Its comforts my baby. Nursing helps Liv relax, so she can sleep, it helps her when she is sick to feel better, it helps her when she is upset to calm down.
I enjoy knowing that I am doing what is best for my baby and me. There are so many health benefits to BF for the baby and for you.
Tomor I will go over health benefits of breastfeeding for your baby.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
What I'm cleaning with
White vinegar-I mixed with water in a spray bottle and use it for everything, to clean windows, countertops, even spray on produce before I rinse it. This is my go to cleaner.
baking soda-this is my go to scrubber.
borax-I use borax for a variety of things. To clean with, a laudry booster to kill ants and other bugs too.
hydrogen peroxide- used sprayed before using vinegar to steralize and disenfect. This too is in a blend with water and can be used first with a produce wash too. Peroxide and vinegar used together is very effective at killing germs, many research show that its more effect then most commercial cleaners
All of these are great cleaners and very inexpensive. There are so many uses for these cleaners. I will not get into all of them here, just know that they are much healthier for you to use and will save you time and money. Check out some of the link for more uses and ways to use these natural cleaners.
I use these methods in my flyday missions daily.
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