All four books I ordered have all finally arrived! I cannot wait to share my thoughts, but first I must read up. I have had a few recommendations towards other books as well, but I am putting any more on hold until I get through these four. I have been very eager to dive into these books, but I seem to find a distraction at every turn. From dealing with the DMV from out of state and trying to get our smog waved, to trying to file our taxes for the first time on our own. What a pain being an adult is! On a good note I did get an appointment set finally for my vision. I am nearsighted and in moving I lost my glasses. The DMV also never sent me my new license, so between having no proof of a DL and my vision impaired I am nervous to drive even the shortest of distances! So I rely on my husband, which means I only get errands done when he is off work (these errands are the bulk of my distraction from reading). Its a vicious cycle for sure, but soon it will all be resolved I hope and then I can get cozy with some good reading and forget all my woes!
Until then, stay safe and warm! And remember to appreciate the little things and let everyone know you love and care about them!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Books and Better Living!
I ordered four books a couple days ago from a few different Amazon.com vendors. I received two already, and I'm so excited to start reading them! One is The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. I have heard so many great things about this book, especially in regards to the horrid factoring farming conditions in this country. My other book is Food Rules by Michael Pollan. Its a simple guide, but very useful. I have already flipped through a lot of it. Most eating tips are common sense, but are quite often overlooked, so it will be useful to have around as a reminder!
Part of my set of resolutions for the new year is to commit more to my going green. I have made a lot of strides in the last year, and have done a lot of research, but there is so much more I could be doing. One really important thing I could be doing is eating healthier! I intend to start my own garden once the weather warms, and I am working towards buying local and organic from a co-op not too far away. These ideas, along with Food Rules, should help my family a lot. I have also been looking up a lot of recipes online as well as making healthier versions of my passed-down family recipes. One recipe I found online is a healthier version/knockoff of McDonalds Chicken Nuggets, as well as some homemade fries. Still not the healthiest choice, but much better than actually eating out! Besides, I always throw some veggies on my plate too.
I should be receiving my other two books soon. One is The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith, the other is Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride. I have had many recommendations for both, and am eager to get them. I am still looking through books, but Id eventually like to buy some on herbs and gardening. I have also stumbled upon a website that sells herbs, oils, butters, etc. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com sells only organic or sustainable wild-harvested goods, and all I hear is rave reviews about them, so you can imagine my excitement! Anyway, Ill update as I get more into my books or make an order. I love sharing my finds with everyone!
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Remember to live every day to the fullest. And don't forget to send your thoughts or prayers to those (both human and animal) in Haiti dealing with the aftermath of a tragic earthquake. If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross, you can visit their site or text "Haiti" to 90999 and it will charge $10 to your phone bill. You can also donate via Yele, or the ASPCA. Millions have already been raised! If you can afford it, please help. Karma will always come back in full!
Part of my set of resolutions for the new year is to commit more to my going green. I have made a lot of strides in the last year, and have done a lot of research, but there is so much more I could be doing. One really important thing I could be doing is eating healthier! I intend to start my own garden once the weather warms, and I am working towards buying local and organic from a co-op not too far away. These ideas, along with Food Rules, should help my family a lot. I have also been looking up a lot of recipes online as well as making healthier versions of my passed-down family recipes. One recipe I found online is a healthier version/knockoff of McDonalds Chicken Nuggets, as well as some homemade fries. Still not the healthiest choice, but much better than actually eating out! Besides, I always throw some veggies on my plate too.
I should be receiving my other two books soon. One is The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith, the other is Frugal Luxuries by Tracey McBride. I have had many recommendations for both, and am eager to get them. I am still looking through books, but Id eventually like to buy some on herbs and gardening. I have also stumbled upon a website that sells herbs, oils, butters, etc. http://www.mountainroseherbs.com sells only organic or sustainable wild-harvested goods, and all I hear is rave reviews about them, so you can imagine my excitement! Anyway, Ill update as I get more into my books or make an order. I love sharing my finds with everyone!
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Remember to live every day to the fullest. And don't forget to send your thoughts or prayers to those (both human and animal) in Haiti dealing with the aftermath of a tragic earthquake. If you would like to make a donation to the Red Cross, you can visit their site or text "Haiti" to 90999 and it will charge $10 to your phone bill. You can also donate via Yele, or the ASPCA. Millions have already been raised! If you can afford it, please help. Karma will always come back in full!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Just a quick hello!
I just wanted to stop in and let you all know that my resolutions are going slow but well. For some things, it requires my ability to get out of the house and I only really do that on the days my husband is off work. He is off the next two days, so I plan to take advantage! Also, I was commenting the other day how much I love http://www.etsy.com and how useful the site is.
Etsy is a site dedicated to sellers who sell their home/handmade goods, or vintage items. Most think of clothing and jewelry. But I have seen soap (as well as purchased!), shampoo/conditioner, henna hair dye, candles, TOOTHPASTE, crotchet patterns, FOOD, makeup, seeds for gardening, paintings, corsets, etc. There is so much there! Youre also helping support small, family owned business as well as very earth friendly (most products are very natural do to the nature of making goods by hand) products. It is also a great way to find unique items for the holidays or gift giving. Prices are often very reasonable as well. I have hundreds of items saved to my list, so that when I eventually have money to spare I can buy them! Anyway, I just really wanted to share the link with all of you. Its definetly worth a look!
Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!
Etsy is a site dedicated to sellers who sell their home/handmade goods, or vintage items. Most think of clothing and jewelry. But I have seen soap (as well as purchased!), shampoo/conditioner, henna hair dye, candles, TOOTHPASTE, crotchet patterns, FOOD, makeup, seeds for gardening, paintings, corsets, etc. There is so much there! Youre also helping support small, family owned business as well as very earth friendly (most products are very natural do to the nature of making goods by hand) products. It is also a great way to find unique items for the holidays or gift giving. Prices are often very reasonable as well. I have hundreds of items saved to my list, so that when I eventually have money to spare I can buy them! Anyway, I just really wanted to share the link with all of you. Its definetly worth a look!
Hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
A New Year
It has been awhile since I last posted. I have definetly been neglecting my blog. I feel like I have been neglecting a lot lately, including myself. Given its a new year though, I decided that there is no better time than now to improve and set some resolutions! I know we are already a week into the new year, but I am still carefully laying out my plans on paper. It might seem a bit silly to some, but I am very detail oriented and if I dont write it all out, then it will never happen! I am starting off with listing out my main goals, and then writing out specific ways of accomplishing those goals. For example, one of my goals is to have more family time. Things I can do to make that happen is cutting down on internet and television, eating dinner at the dining table, game nights, going to the dog park more often, etc.
Another goal of mine is to return to college. I took time off from it because of my husband going into the Air Force and our subsequent move. Now that we are well established here though, I am eager to return! Only issue is paying for it. My mother is a disabled veteran and I recieved free tuition in California because of that, but I cannot get it in Washington. We are on a single income now, with no one to watch our son, so it puts me in a frustrating situation. However, I was used to being a full time student, but if I get my foot in the door with one class at a time then that is still better than nothing!
Anyway, that is just my little update! I still need to organize myself a bit more, and work on the most important resolutions first, then make some time for my blog. I am thinking though, that if I treat this blog somewhat like a public diary, then it will keep my honest and true to following through with my resolutions. We will see how it goes, but I have high hopes for 2010. I am hoping it will be 200% better than last year. Of course, hoping only goes so far. I need to work for it, and MAKE this year better than the last. For myself, my son, my family, and the world around me! Wish me luck, and I wish all you the best for this new year. I hope that it will be exactly what you want it to be!
Another goal of mine is to return to college. I took time off from it because of my husband going into the Air Force and our subsequent move. Now that we are well established here though, I am eager to return! Only issue is paying for it. My mother is a disabled veteran and I recieved free tuition in California because of that, but I cannot get it in Washington. We are on a single income now, with no one to watch our son, so it puts me in a frustrating situation. However, I was used to being a full time student, but if I get my foot in the door with one class at a time then that is still better than nothing!
Anyway, that is just my little update! I still need to organize myself a bit more, and work on the most important resolutions first, then make some time for my blog. I am thinking though, that if I treat this blog somewhat like a public diary, then it will keep my honest and true to following through with my resolutions. We will see how it goes, but I have high hopes for 2010. I am hoping it will be 200% better than last year. Of course, hoping only goes so far. I need to work for it, and MAKE this year better than the last. For myself, my son, my family, and the world around me! Wish me luck, and I wish all you the best for this new year. I hope that it will be exactly what you want it to be!
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