candy coated rose petals

Today is the first day of my 30-day no car challenge. I have to say, I have mixed emotions. I’m excited by the challenge: reacquainting myself with my bike, getting more exercise through walking, discovering the possibilities (and likely frustrations of the Chicago public transit system), reducing my impact on the environment, and hopefully my wallet. But of course I have reservations: It’s going to take a lot longer to get where I want to go … or maybe I just think that’s the case. Because time passes a lot faster when you think you’re in control. Or better put, I feel more in control of my destiny behind the wheel rather than having someone else direct my travels.   [ Read more ]

For 30 days at least. In the month of August, I will be giving up car for public transit, biking, walking, running and all other modes of transportation that don’t include a car.

This effort has a lot of benefits. Not only do I look forward to a cost-savings benefit, eliminating the need for gas, and wear and tear on my car, but also a sustainable benefit with less caustic emissions being released into the environment. On top of that, I will have the pleasure of learning the ins and outs of alternative transportation means. This includes the city of Chicago’s public transit system and safe cycling routes for me and Hot Pinkness. Oh, and there’s always walking.   [ Read more ]

I received my Envirosax Botanica pouch today! It contains five environmentally conscious designs in a neat little pouch that’s about the size of a small novel. Each bag rolls up into a compact, palm-sized shape that can easily be thrown into your purse or even your pocket. I have always lusted after the Envirosax, but at $10 a piece, I could never justify the price.   [ Read more ]

My mom was jealous of the wreath I made in 2007 out of pine cones from the tree in the front yard, and requested that I make her one too. So she collected all the cones before the snow hit and as a Christmas bonding activity, we put it together. I say we, but my mom was really there for moral support. We laid out the pine cones and I really like the look of the layered cones. I then had to attach each cone to the metal ring frame. This took forever and resulted in sap covered hands. We then added these berries to give it a punch of color. I really like how it came out. Oh, and just a tip: If you have sap covered hands, use canola oil. It will break through the sap right away. Don’t try to scrub your hands to death because it just won’t work.

The Dill Pickle Food Co-op, of which I am a member, opened this weekend at 3039 W. Fullerton. I headed over there today and enjoyed looking through the store. The prices aren’t necessarily comparable to big-box chains, but the organic selection is really nice.

Stocked with some artisan breads, a small sample of produce, dairy products, food stuffs and cleaning products, there are quite a few things at the store you won’t find anywhere else. You just have to watch the prices on products found at other stores.   [ Read more ]

I finished The Green Book last night. It was a pretty quick read, although I was a little disappointed. I wanted a little more practical information on types of products, hows and where tos, but instead it threw random facts like how much energy could be saved if all of America did something. Although that is compelling, since I’m already committed to a greener life, I’d rather know how to do something rather than what will happen if me and my dearest friends did something.   [ Read more ]

I made the most delicious meal tonight! Sauteed tamari kale and grilled sesame ginger shrimp, with leftover risotto on the side. It was so delicious! For the kale, I heated a saucepan with a little olive oil, lightly tossed in the kale cut in strips and let cook. At the end, I added a bit of tamari sauce, chilis powder and sesame seeds.

For the shrimp, I coated the shrimp in Lawry’s Sesame Ginger marinade and some chilis powder and grilled on the Foreman until ready.   [ Read more ]

Happy Earth Day everyone! Remember, that every day is a day for the earth. As Grist says, “Screw Earth day,” because we should do something every day.

Today was Earth Hour. I participated in this last year with La Petite Tricoteuse and the Captain but I can’t seem to find an old post about it. Maybe I didn’t post anything … Last year we sat around my apartment and played guitar and sang in the candlelight. A fitting activity for the evening.   [ Read more ]

My mom sent me this card and I like the quote so much that I wanted to frame the card. Here it is all framed and proudly hanging on the wall. I got this awesome frame from Michaels. I love the red outline around the frame; it adds a splash of color. The card reads:

Dance as though no one is watching you,
Love as though you have never been hurt before,
Sing as though no one can hear you,
Live as though heaven is on earth.
~ souza