What began as just sewing has now morphed into a Homesteading and self-sufficient blog outlet. Moving to a new state, starting our homestead and trying to do what we can to keep ourselves healthy and saving money. "Use it up, Wear it out or Do without." Is the motto here. I look forward to growing and learning. Come along with me!
I feel like I'm always late to the sewing party. I'm making some Sorbetto tops. The pattern is free from Colette, one of my favorite pattern companies. I love their classic style and lady like patterns. They actually help you learn so that you can sew more! What an awesome service to people who want to sew. If you get frustrated with it you might quit.
I'm making a regular Sorbetto in a pink flower print, but I'm adding sleeves to it.
I'm also working on a black linen version. I'm thinking of inverting the pleat or removing it all together so I can have a clean black tank as a layering piece. I might make one in white too without the pleat as I always need a nice comfy tank to wear. What better than a custom fitted one that you made yourself? It's not a show piece, but everything can't always be amazing. Also, I've found that people are just amazed if you wear anything that you didn't go to the store and make. When did that happen to our society? I Digress.
This is my first muslin. I didn't like the large opening that it gave for the armholes in the size I used. I ended up sizing down and doing a larger FBA than normal to get the sleeve opening comfortable. Every blog I read about the tops said that they thought they were too short so I added length to them (quite a lot actually!) There is a hack for making this into a dress as well, but I don't think it would look too great on my body shape. More updates and pictures to come as I straighten out the fit and whip a few of these up.
Download 'Sorbetto' here and make your own. I'd love to see your creations. There are so many people on the Sorbetto kick. Some have made changes to this basic pattern and made some amazingly beautiful things. Even if you make it as written it's a fun and easy pattern to make.
There is also a link to show you how to make your own bias tape!!
colettepatterns.com/go/continuous-bias-tape A zero waste sewing win!!
The day after Thanksgiving has become completely crazy.
CRAZINESS
People are trampling, beating, cutting, pepper spraying and killing one another-for stuff.
It's all just stuff!
As Americans our homes are full of stuff, over flowing with stuff, junk, trinkets, things, moments from everywhere. Our closets are jam packed and over flowing.
We have a show about people who have too much stuff, they even have a special name for them-Hoarders.
But, what about "normal people" who have too much stuff, but it's all put away and organized neatly?
Who are these people fighting over things at stores and hurting others?
I can't even believe that we as a society have gotten bad enough that we can't even stop to help someone who is clearly having a heart attack or trapped in a car in a lake.
It's IDIOCRARCY! (side note: amazing movie made in the early 2000's. I see it happening all around us.)
People have lost the sense that God gave them!
So what is the answer?
Realize that there is nothing that you can buy that will make you (or anyone else) happy.
Know when enough is enough.
Value people over things.
This video shows the real cost of Black Friday and our wasteful ways. At the end of this post I will post some alternatives you can start this year.
For this year on Black Friday Irefuse to be a part of the madness, craziness or traffic. I don't want to stand in line to get a 90" TV for $200 if there is a chance that I will die over it, or someone else will.
I do not need another TV. We have one that works just fine. (This is just an example. There is nothing that I need this badly, that I would even CONSIDER putting someone else at risk for it.)
As a Christian, why would I ever want to do this? Why would I trade who God has made me to be for a TV, or a 90% off discount? (again, example.)
God made me to love people, to lead them to Him. To the only freedom that we can ever know.
How can I do that if I am bashing them over the head one day and then greeting them in church a few days later? What does that say to the unbeliever? It says that I'm a hypocrite. That I only say that I care about people. That's not what I want people to think of me and it's definitely not what I want people to see when they look at Jesus.
Jesus said, 'put down your cross and follow me.'
Put it down. Put down the discounted TV, put down your sorrow and loneliness that you think can only be filled up by material goods.
Seek the one that made you. He waits for you.
"Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”
-Mark 8:34-38 (The Message Translation)
This year, lets spend the time with our family, friends and people. Make it a day to buy nothing. Focus on what is important to you. If you think that things are important you are going to go shopping no matter what. But, just ponder these words in your heart.
That thing that you just have to have, will it save you or make you free?
Buying things isn't wrong. We are all human and have needs. Even Jesus, when he was on Earth had needs. Just keep them in their proper place.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas!
Want to make a difference?
Sponser a child who has nothing. Give them food, education and the chance to grow up healthy. For $38 a month you can give a child a better life.
Invite someone to your Thanksgiving that you know can't go home to their family this year or will be alone. It is a hard time of year and no one should have to be alone.
Come up with a shopping-free tradition for your family this year.
I feel like I've maintained everything really well so this will be the last of these I do an update for ZW. Which is probably why I didn't think about doing it before now.
We are working through some bottles in the bathroom, but we are not bringing anything new that has trash in it or packaged in trash so I feel I can finish that up by the end of the year. I've also noticed that my hair has gotten healthier and I have no actual need for conditioner. It is available in bulk at the co-op I shop at, but I just use what I have as a monthly conditioning and it has lasted almost 2 years.
I've been taking a lot of things to the thrift store that we don't use or need anymore. It's freeing up space in the house and in my mind. It's really strange how peaceful you can be when you actually give yourself space in your own home.
If you have any questions about this process let me know I'd be happy to answer them for you. Goal #1-Switch every family member over to using reusable bags
Goal Obtained.
Goal #2- Stop using the plastic bags in the produce section. Goal Obtained.
Goal #3 Stop junk from coming into the house Will this ever happen? Junk mail is still coming, but less of it and I am not buying as much. DH hardly brings anything in-he never was the problem... Goal #4 Compost all paper that does come into the house. Goal Obtained.
Goal #5 Shop at the Co-op in town for bulk items
Goal Obtained.
Goal #6 Switch to "ReUsies" instead of plastic storage bags. Goal Obtained.
Goal #7 Stop using disposable head razors.
No Change.
Goal #8 Get more serious about composting.
Goal Obtained.
Goal #9 Switch to using handkerchiefs instead of tissue.
No Change.
I am composting the tissues I am using.
Trying to finish up the boxes that are left in the house. Seriously, we don't even use them that often. We are still on the same box in November that were were on in April.
Goal #10 Stop my trash service.
In July, we got a smaller trash can. We are saving $5 a month. In November, we switched trash companies (same service, less cost) Still not feasible yet.
This may never be feasible for use because I cannot find a drop off recycle place in our area.
But, we are sending less and less to the landfill. :) Goal #11 Make our own bread from scratch. DH's bread!! I'm doing sourdough. Goal #12 Replace freezer bags with jars. No change I am using less bags and I'm considering giving what I have left to a friend. Goal #13 Compost cat poop in a separate area Goal Obtained. Total we sent out 1 bag for recycling and 1 bag for the landfill. We are getting better at this ZW stuff.
I've been working on a lot of areas in our lives and sharing them with you. Today I want to talk about our food. Do you know where the food you eat comes from? Are you eating something in a plastic bag that is filled with yucky chemicals? I really hope that you aren't.
We started on this crazy journey by eliminating High Fructose Corn Syrup from our diets, then I eliminated palm oil (We only had one slip up there, DH bought PB with palm oil in it. I talked to him about it and he understands.) I'm not going to go into why these are bad for your body and there is conflicting thoughts here, but I think that the less processed food we eat, as a whole, we are better off.
Then I starting doing a whole foods diet. Where everything was whole before I processed it in my kitchen. For example, if we want potato fries I use a potato, chop it up and bake it in the oven in some oil. Sometimes I make them spicy or add a flavoring to them to change it up. Sort of at the same time we began making the switch from boxed foods that were being marketed as healthy, to foods that I make from scratch. They are always fresher and taste much better, in our opinion anyways.
I realize that not everyone has the time to do all of these things, but if you could just do a little bit to make your diet better you would feel better, sleep better, even have better sex because your body will be getting energy and oxygen to the blood that you can use. (Trust me...)
Now the next thing that I want to tackle in our kitchen is seasonal eating.
Here is a link to a site that explains a little bit about why you should eat seasonally.
Below, this is taken from the site mentioned above and I did NOT create this list, but it is a good starting point to think about. Just because something isn't on this list doesn't mean you can't eat it. But you will figure out what is in season in your area and what isn't as you go along. I've been trying to do this a little bit, but DH doesn't want to give up certain things. I'm working on alternatives for things right now. Since we are no longer by the ocean, sea food is old and really expensive by the time it gets to us. That's not acceptable in my book. So, I'm purchasing lake fish that are native to the area, like crappie, bass, catfish, perch, sunfish, walleye and trout.For replacing something like oysters I'm growing salsify, which tastes like oysters but doesn't have the texture or consistency so it's good in soups and stews.
On to the list!
In spring, focus on tender, leafy vegetables that represent the fresh new growth of this season. The greening that occurs in springtime should be represented by greens on your plate, including Swiss chard, spinach, Romaine lettuce, fresh parsley, and basil.
In winter, turn even more exclusively toward warming foods. Remember the principle that foods taking longer to grow are generally more warming than foods that grow quickly. All of the animal foods fall into the warming category including fish, chicken, beef, and lamb. So do most of the root vegetables, including carrot, potato, onions and garlic. Eggs also fit in here, as do corn and nuts.
This is a helpful list, but not all inclusive as I stated. But if you start growing your own garden you will soon learn when the seasons are around you. There are different regions and zones within the United States. So whats in season in the South isn't in season in the upper midwest. So, I've learned to adjust my eating. Certain things are never going to be in season in your location though. For example, rice isn't grown in my area. Wild rice is and I try to eat that in the fall, winter and early spring as it is gathered in the fall. But, I buy a large bag of rice from the store in town when I need it. I'm still looking for someone local who collects it. For me I love being able to walk out to my garden and pick my salad greens in early May before most people have even started planting yet. It's a journey, but one I would love for you to join me on.
Starting off Here are my little poopers. To the left is Grayson and to the right is Calypso (We call her Caly for short.)
I wanted to add some visual aids to the zero waste cats. The hardest part about having zero waste cats is dealing with the litter, poo and the packaging it all comes in to you.
We can't do anything about the poo, that's a natural process. The liter and the packaging we can change!
This is a picture of the litter I used to use. I bought it in these big buckets because at least I could use the buckets for something, until they broke. Now I put the spent liter and the poo in this empty bucket. When it gets full(or close enough) I take it outside, dig a hole and cover it back up so it can compost.
This is the liter we are using now. It's in a compostable cardboard container. I've already put one in my compost pile. I rip off the stickers and add them to the landfill waste, because it's plastic based and I try to keep that out of my gardens.
This is a picture of the compost inside. Its made from cedar and corn. It actually smells pretty good, but not like the chemical laden stuff. This is also widely available at Petsmart. (which is where I've been buying it.) It comes in 2 sizes. I buy the bigger size so I don't have to go as often. But, if I only had 1 cat I might just get the smaller one.
That's about all there is to it. It's simple, and not too much different than what I was doing.
We're working on going to a different food that I can recycle the bags for as well. I'm still on the search. Right now we're using Blue, because it doesn't have corn and soy products in it.
Are you zero wasting your pets? I'd love to hear any tips that you might have for us.
Goal #1-Switch every family member over to using reusable bags
Goal Obtained.
Goal #2- Stop using the plastic bags in the produce section. Goal Obtained. I thought this would be easy, and for me it is easy. DH goes to the grocery store so infrequently. But seems to keep bringing these bags home. I take them to the recycling container when I go shopping the next time and I don't say anything about it. But, he brought 3 home this month. Although he's using his reusable bag! :) Goal #3 Stop junk from coming into the house Will this ever happen? Goal #4 Compost all paper that does come into the house. Goal Obtained.
Goal #5 Shop at the Co-op in town for bulk items
Goal Obtained.
Goal #6 Switch to "ReUsies" instead of plastic storage bags. Goal Obtained. What do I do with these zipper plastic bags I have now is the issue?? Goal #7 Stop using disposable head razors.
No Change.
Goal #8 Get more serious about composting.
Goal Obtained.
Goal #9 Switch to using handkerchiefs instead of tissue.
No Change.
I am composting the tissues I am using.
Trying to finish up the boxes that are left in the house. I still need to buy DH a hankie to use.
Goal #10 Stop my trash service. Still not feasible yet.
This may never be feasible for use because I cannot find a drop off recycle place in our area.
But, we are sending less and less to the landfill. :) Goal #11 Make our own bread from scratch. DH's bread!! I'm doing sourdough. Goal #12 Replace freezer bags with jars. Trying to get all my jars in one place is difficult. I have some upstairs to use, but more things that I want to freeze are cooked meat (ham that I cooked and diced for something else. It's hard to break up in the jar.) and soup. The soup does well in the ice cream containers. ButI can't seem to get anymore of those. I really want to make sorbets in the summer with the extra fruits. I'm not freezing as much as I thought I would be though. Maybe I just don't need this as much and the jars I have will work just fine with this? Although, I do occasionally cut up bits of ham and freeze them. I'll probably need to freeze them on a sheet pan and then put them in the jar so I can get them out. Goal #13 Compost cat poop in a separate area Goal Obtained. Total we sent out 2 bags for recycling and 1 bag for the landfill.
Goal #1-Switch every family member over to using reusable bags
Goal Obtained.
(I have stopped using the plastic bags in small garbage cans around the house. I've taken most of the cans away as well. DH still wants the one in the bathroom. I need to address this soon. He is also addicted to cotton swabs and I don't know what to do with them. Are they compostable? Should they be? I rarely use these at all and since I buy them in the 500 count package and he uses 2 each time he showers that's 30X2=60 a month X 12 months= 240 a year. So a box should last him almost 2 years. Should I worry about this at all? The packaging is recyclable in my area and the paper insert is compostable. Yet, I feel bad for sending all those little swabs to the landfill.)
I'm composting all the tissue paper. I was putting it down the toilet, but after a talk with DH on how they might be ruining our septic tank, I stopped.
Goal #2- Stop using the plastic bags in the produce section. Goal Obtained. *Side Note* I'm REALLY annoyed when I see people putting their bananas in a plastic bag. Do they not realize that it comes in a carrying case? Goal #3 Stop junk from coming into the house I started using the paper karma app. But, it only let me do so many requests before I had to sign up for something to keep requesting. So, I uninstalled that. I am now calling each company (as Be a Johnson suggests in her book-Zero Waste Home.) and it's going pretty well so far. I was bummed that I got a paper copy of the town yellow pages this month though. Not sure what to do with it yet... This is a tough one because I can't seem to get OTHER people to stop sending me things. Goal #4 Compost all paper that does come into the house. Goal Obtained. All paper (mostly junk mail) that came into the house has been shredded and added to the compost pile. (include a picture of the compost pile here)
Goal #5 Shop at the Co-op in town for bulk items
Goal Obtained. I also found that my local grocery store has a small bulk area for nuts, oats and some candies. I've used this a few times, although I'm staying away from the wrapped candies.
Goal #6 Switch to "ReUsies" instead of plastic storage bags. Goal Obtained.
I'm using the plastic reuses for the opened cheese (sadly in plastic...) and for taking things to work (for DH)
The freezer we are putting things in jars or glass containers. I have a couple ice cream freezer things I bought and I put soup in these sometimes also. (Overtime DH sees them he thinks they have chili in them since I did that the first time...Weird-o)
What are we going to use in the freezer now? New goal #12? Goal #7 Stop using disposable head razors.
No Change.
Still using my epilator though.
Goal #8 Get more serious about composting.
Goal Obtained.
I probably could have marked this one as obtained last month, but I wanted to keep tabs on my compost things for one more month to make sure that it had really stuck to compost those other things and get them out there. Things that most people don't think about that I'm composting are hair (mine and the pets), nail clippings (again, mine and the pets), paper from the butchers (I talked to them and there is no plastic on it-only paper. I make sure to rinse it out real good so there is no blood or meat scraps on it when I send it out to the compost pile though.), shredded paper, and paper seed packets. And the tissues I mentioned above.
I'm considering composting the cat poop as well in a separate space. new goal #13?
Goal #9 Switch to using handkerchiefs instead of tissue.
No Change.
I am composting the tissues I am using. Still have 5 4 boxes left.
Goal #10 Stop my trash service. Still not feasible yet.
This may never be feasible for use because I cannot find a drop off recycle place in our area.
Lots of boxes went to be recycled this month because I ordered bee hives. But I requested recyclable packaging and they actually put all paper in the box, no plastic at all. I'm considering saving it for wrapping paper to get one more use out of it before it gets recycled.
Our usual bag of recycling went out as well and one bag of trash, that wasn't even all the way full! I'm feeling excited about it. :)
The waste from the shop was a little disheartening though. A big trashcan full of random stuff to go. I tried to sort through it, but not much of it was recyclable. Although, this took 4 months to fill, so I should feel pretty good about that though.
The second recycle day was just one bag of stuff. After I got rid of the things that were hanging around it felt lighter and easier to deal with here.
I am thinking about going from the large trash can to a smaller one. It's taking us a month (or more) to fill up a big bag for the trash. Nothing in it stinks since all of that is being composted now, so it could sit there I suppose.
Goal #11 Make our own bread from scratch. DH's bread!! I'm trying to do sourdough as well. I only bought 2 bags of bread this month from the store. I started up a sourdough starter this month. Hopefully I can keep it going. I have to look for some more recipes for things. I have a good muffin recipe I got from a friend. Do you have any you would like to share? Goal #12 Replace freezer bags with jars. This is a small thing, but I just have to remember to do it. I do have a few freezer bags left in the house and I need to do something with them. But, now that I'm not using them I don't know what to do with them... Goal #13 Compost cat poop in a separate area Most of my trash is cat poop. I was putting the cat poop in plastic bags and taking it to the trashcan. When I started getting serious about zero waste I was doing pretty well with just 2 bags of trash a month and 4 grocery bags of cat poo. Now I'm down to 1 bag of trash a month and 4 bags of cat poo. If I could compost that I'd not have to worry about the trash can that often. I am working on switching my kitties to a compostable litter. I am keeping it in an old cat litter bucket, with a lid to contain the smell. The plan is to take that out into the big yard and dig a hole and let it compost in one area at a time. Maybe I can amend the soil with all the cat poo. I just can't put it around things that we are going to eat so it just go out into the front yard that is mostly sand. It doesn't grow too much out there anyways. It needs all the help it can get!
I have 2 cats. They are sweet and snuggly when they want to be. They warm my feet up on chilly winter nights and sometimes even try to eat my phone. They are silly and have their own personalities, just like people. But, man...are they a wasteful bunch.
They can't help it though. I made all of their choices in their lives. So, it's up to me to find something that works for all of us better. The Earth, me, our budget, oh and the kitties.
So, I'm conducting an experiment. I'm making the kitties go zero waste too.
They make a cat food bag every 2 months, 1 large pail of clay cat litter, the dirty cat litter all in a plastic grocery baggie (which have been outlawed from the house), plastic kitty caps, and little bits of carpet from their 2 (yes 2) cat towers. I'm sure that I missed something, but that's still a lot of waste for two little kitties to be producing.
So, I started with the easy stuff. I'm using the kitty caps only when I need to and mostly as a training device for one of my stubborn kitties. I've found that she is learning to only scratch her towers and less on my couch and carpet. When these are gone...oh well. No more caps and I hope we won't need them anymore. It's a little plastic cap that goes over the nail and is secured with glue, much like human women put on their nails by choice. They don't come off until the claws grow out enough to push them off. It lasts about 4 months on my girl. I think I have enough to last the rest of the year if I left them on her consistently.
The cat towers can probably be replaced. They love scratching on those. I think I could take off some of the carpet or just wrap it with some rope to make it last longer. I'd really hate to have to throw it away.
I mentioned the plastic bags are gone. So, I've been putting the clumped dirty litter back into an empty pail for now. It's not quite at the 1/4 mark, but I need to develop a plan for this soon.
I'm looking into burying it in the back part of my property. Basically where nothing is growing... I look at it as a science experiment. It's definitely going to be interesting.
I don't have much of the clay litter left, so while I'm interested to see how it composts in the ground, I don't have high hopes for this to work very well. I did find a clay clumping litter made by purina that comes in a compostable cardboard container instead of plastic. So that was a step in the right direction at least. But, I think with a little bit more effort I can create a cat waste composting area with different litter. I've seen some people doing this, but not too many. I think I should document my efforts.
I made my first reusable bag from an old dog food bag. It is made from duraflex and it's incredibly strong. I only carry one big bag and it gets the job done. I thought I would make more of these so I started saving them. Now I have about 20 bags hanging out waiting to be turned into more bags. I don't need that many bags. So, I'm trying to find better food for them while looking for a way to keep extra bags out of the landfill.
Most zero waster know about the website terracycle, but not many of them can get into the free shipping status. I joined for 'open farm' dog and cat food bags. I found a supplier a few towns over. I am heading that direction to go see a friend of mine next weekend so I think I will pick up a bag and see what the kitties (and the pups) think of it. I might even be able to talk to the store owner about putting in a bin in the store to send more peoples bags than just mine to be recycled.
The food is ethically sourced and transparent about where all the ingredients come from.
I'm not sure about the price yet though.
All of these things can be kept out of the landfills if we make just a little bit of effort. In finding zero waste products I've found that a lot of them are better quality or better for my pets (or me) and my budget.
Ive been doing zero waste for March and I wanted to let you know how its going.When I feel like I have successfully switched my mindset and our family habits to this and it has become second nature, I write goal obtained.
Goal #1-Switch every family member over to using reusable bags
Goal Obtained. I made reusable bags for DH and I already had one but I made myself another one too. I have also made a few reusable bags for some friends. I am trying to spread the zero waste lifestyle to others, without being preachy about it (as my DH says I can get sometimes.) I am trying to take this a step further now by eliminating all plastic bag use from the house. Plastic bags are still in the house but only for cleaning the cat litter. Once those are gone I need to think of a new plan. (I welcome suggestions)
I have stopped using the plastic bags in small garbage cans around the house. I've taken most of the cans away as well. DH still wants the one in the bathroom. I need to address this soon. He is also addicted to cotton swabs and I don't know what to do with them. Are they compostable? Should they be? I rarely use these at all and since I buy them in the 500 count package and he uses 2 each time he showers that's 30 days X2 used each time=60 a month X 12 months= 240 a year. So a box should last him almost 2 years. Should I worry about this at all? The packaging is recyclable in my area and the paper insert is compostable. Yet, I feel bad for sending all those little swabs to the landfill.
Goal #2- Stop using the plastic bags in the produce section. Goal Obtained. Every time I have been shopping I have remembered to bring my produce and my reusable bag(s) in with me. Leaving it in the truck or a place I can remember to grab it in the house has helped me a lot with this one.
DH went to the store once and brought one home and his response was "But its only one." Ugh, I still have to deal with it somehow. (I took it back to the store and recycled it.) We now have 4 bags in the house. (All brought in by DH...) He says he is reusing them and that's better than recycling them. I told him its better not to use them at all and I was trying to change our habits. He's grumbling about it, so this is obtained by me, but not yet by him. He doesn't shop often so I still call it obtained. Goal #3 Stop junk from coming into the house This one has been hard to fix. I already blogged about what I did to remove myself and DH from lists. It has lessened a bit, but it is hard to tell after only 2 months. Some times it takes awhile to see the difference when you unsubscribe from lists like this. I did hear about an app called paperkarma that is supposed to help with everything except "current resident" mailers. I have started using that and I will report back on how well that works. I also called the local insurance company to request that I be removed from their mailings. Unfortunately, junk mail is still coming into the house. This is an ongoing battle though. I fear I will be fighting it for a long time. I wonder what the mail man would do if I took up the mail box? Is it a law that we have to have one? I don't want that stuff!! Goal #4 Compost all paper that does come into the house.
I feel like Im half way there with this one.
I was hoping that this would be less than it was, but there is still a lot of paper coming into this house.(see above.) The shredder is backlogged right now, so I have a pile on top of the cat cabinet to shred as soon as I can take the full bin out to the compost. I need to go do that, but the snow that came down this month has hampered my efforts on this front a little bit. (Also, gearing up for spring...chicks I'm looking at you!) Getting DH to do this one is a bit cumbersome. He puts receipts in the trash still and I have to fish them out. (which since there is no food waste there isn't that big of a deal now.) I try to remind him about it and tell him to just set it on the cat cabinet since I can just shred when I have some extra time to sit there. I figured that since a compost pile needs a lot of 'brown' that the paper will fill that void for me really well. We will see next year if the compost is better for the garden. But, either way I'm saving this paper from the landfill.
Goal #5 Shop at the Co-op in town for bulk items
Goal Obtained. I have been shopping at the co-op. I made bulk bags to use there. I love it they have bulk bins for most everything they also sell bulk castile soap, laundry soap, honey, peanut butter and some oils I havent tried yet.
They have produce as well. Im looking for somewhere with an olive bar now. So many places have them in other cities, but I'm still looking here. Maybe I could find one further away that would be OK too, because I only need them every few months since I'm the only one who eats them.
This is a picture of what I got the first trip to the co-op. I had everything in my small bags, but when I got home I put it in these jars. I bought a bit more than would fit, but I think that is just going to take some time on my part. DH absolutely loved the granola that I bought us. I ate it with milk a few times. He liked it in the yogurt best. I tried that and it was really good. I'm going to try a different flavor next and see if he likes it too, or if we should just stick to this one.
I buy potatoes in a 50b sack. This is all of them. They last a good long while. I bought this so I can see them all better and they hopefully won't go bad as fast. The bag on the left of the potatoes is what they came in, and it is just a paper. So I could compost it or recycle it. I recycled it this time.
I also am doing a bit of shopping at the regular grocery store for produce in my mesh bags. The little stickers on the fruit irk me though. And there are still some things we use that come in bottles or glass jars. Yeast is a big one, but we buy the large glass jar instead of the little paper packets. There is always a way to lessen the waste if you bulk buy things you use a lot. I thought the yeast would go bad before we used it all up, but it doesn't. We had it for a year at least in the fridge.
Goal #6 Switch to "ReUsies" instead of plastic storage bags. Goal Obtained. I bought 2 small zippered and one large zippered reusable snack bags. In addition to the 2 small and one large velcro ones I already have I think I can say that I'm covered for those now. I have not yet them used too much yet, but DH needs them for grapes and snack type things. Although I'm not buying as much of those things anymore. Either way, I'm prepared. I have been zipping up the cheese block in it. Its staying fresher than it would just out. It's actually working pretty well. I might buy a few more of these when we have kids. I could see using a lot more of them then. Goal #7 Stop using disposable head razors.
This is still up in the air. All the things are there for DH to use, but he hasn't done it yet. He wants to know why it's such a big deal. I think that when everything else is running like a well oiled machine I might be able to get him to switch. Until then, he is using the 15 heads he has still. They last him 4-6 months each so it might be awhile. I'm OK with that. I don't want to rush him if he isn't ready. I haven't said anything else about it. He knows my thoughts and wishes on the subject.
I use my epilator for my hair. I thought if I was willing to use a diva cup and/or reusable pads that he could try this.
Goal #8 Get more serious about composting.
I bought a new and larger compost pail that I now keep under the sink in the kitchen. We are composting more than ever before. I mentioned in goal #4 about the paper composting. It does not go into the same pail, but it ends up in the same place. The compost pail lin stainless steel and has a carbon filter on top to minimize smells. I used to take the compost out to the chickens and pick up what they would not eat. Now I try to only give the chickens what I know they will eat and put the rest in the composter. It's hard some days to remember to separate it. But if I don't it all goes to the composter and I throw them some sunflower seeds and some meal worms which they love anyways.
I'm also composting the dog/cat hair that gets clipped or brushed out. The hair and dust from the vacuum gets tossed out the back door, or if I'm headed out after I vacuum then I take it with me.DH even asked me if nail clippings were allowed in the compost bin. I told him yes and he avoided a bit more going into the waste stream. He's catching on fast!
Now I just need to remember to turn it more often. *sigh*
Goal #9 Switch to using handkerchiefs instead of tissue. I must admit I still haven't started this one. I can't very well give DH a hard time about the razor blades if I can't even deal with my nose right? I am in much the same boat. We have 7 6 boxes of tissue to go through. So, as soon as that is finished I'm starting this one. I am even carrying my hankie in my purse now though. I did use it once while I was out and about. An older gentleman smiled at me and showed me his hankie. Goal #10 Stop my trash service. While I did talk to DH about this, we are nowhere near the point we can do this. We are still making about a 13 gallon bag of trash a month. It hopefully will lessen as we go through the things that we have already bought and are using up. I am hoping to get down to a half a bag of trash next month and then to a 1/4th and an 1/8th and so on until we are just putting a couple small things in a jar. The trash company took my recycling as trash and made me so mad. So, I called them and they had nothing to say about it. NOTHING!! They didn't even care. I really have a bee in my bonnet about the trash service and I am looking for a way to recycle another way. Since I did accomplish 3 out of 10 goals in the first month I was thinking about adding a new one to the list. We will just keep on with the numbers. Goal #11 Make our own bread from scratch. DH is a wonderful bread maker and we already make our own pizza dough. I'm wondering if we can make the bread dough and freeze it in batches so that I can thaw it out and bake it when we need it. Or I could just get him to make it and we could freeze the finished loaves while we eat one fresh one. When he makes the honey bread he makes 3 loaves at a time. It usually takes us a week to make it through a loaf of bread. Maybe I could stretch 3 loaves to cover a whole month. He did make some orange rolls for us and we took them over to a friend's house to have a gathering with 2 other families. We brought back about 4 out of 20. They did not last us long, and I have still not bought bread from the store. I haven't missed it. DH hasn't mentioned it so I guess he hasn't either.
Some other things that I did this month that were not on the goal list, but I thought needed to be addressed. And a few things I've been thinking about for my March zero waste.
I bought a bamboo utensil set for DH to take to work and one for me to have in the truck. I also got a that compost bucket for inside that I mentioned, so I can recycle these plastic yogurt containers Ive been using. I used the utensil set for the first time at one of my quilt meetings. Some ladies looked at me a bit funny, but they know I'm odd so they didn't say anything about it. I asked DH how his was going and he said it was a bit harder since he has to go clean it right after he eats and apparently the sink is down a few flights of stairs. He's still doing it, so maybe he's thinking about the extra exercise he's getting.
I also ordered some foaming soap dispensers for the bathroom. I put castile soap in them and fill the rest up with water. The bottle for the castile soap is also recyclable in my area and it takes so long to go through it. I also have found that my co-op sells castile soap, in many different smells, in the bulk section. I need to get a bottle for that. Should I use glass or plastic for that?
We've been using the castile soap in the peppermint flavor and DH commented on how much he liked it so I think I will stick to that for us. I might play with the smells in the kitchen one later.
I also wonder if I put a shampoo dispenser in the shower if I could fill it with castile soap and have my DH use it. He is still using the head and shoulders shampoo. He doesn't have nor has he ever had dandruff, but he thinks he needs to use it. I did buy some organic shampoo made with tee tree oil for him (I thought maybe he just likes that tingle.) and he hasn't complained about it yet, but he hasn't told me that he likes it either.
So this is where I am so far on my zero waste journey. I hope that you will join me in my endeavors. It takes a bit of effort at first just to change your habits. I've read that it takes 21 days to change a habit. I'm taking baby steps for the health of our bodies, our family, our home, and our planet.
For the while month of Feburary and up to March 13th we filled one bag of trash. And 2 grocery bags full of cat poop. (I feel like this is pretty good. But I want to see if we can do better.)
After March 13th, we filled another 1/2 a trash bag. I have been trying to use up the things that come in bottles that I've found a zero waste alternative for so I'm thinking that this will go down in April. It's probably going to go out this weekend because I had to put some chicken bones in there and I don't want it to stink up my house.
And yes, before you ask I made stock with the bones and leftover meat and let the dogs eat some of the bones after they were used to make stock. Some things just have to go sometimes. All in all I am feeling pretty pleased with my progress. :)
There have been several times that I have had the opportunity to talk to others about living a life with less consumerism and making life better. I am always happy to tell someone why I do what I do. Some people ask, and sometimes when people give me strange looks I volunteer the information. Here are some examples. Maybe you can talk to people you know easier than you think. Heck, I'm ever talking to strangers. But, I think a stranger is just a friend I haven't made yet. :)
While on the cruise, I saw a lady reading "the life changing magic of tidying up" by Marie Kondo. We talked about how decluttering has changed my life I asked her how she was liking the book and told her that it would become addictive. She laughed but then she had some questions about how my life changed. I explained to her abut the capsule wardrobe that I do. She said she needs that in her life, but didn't ever know how to start it before. She was excited about starting when she got home. We talked about the book and she asked me if anything else in it was helpful. I told her that I can clean faster, because I got of all the unnecessary things hanging around and that life is more peaceful. And that alone is worth it to me. She was really encouraged to start but she didn't want to start with clothing.I urged her to start with clothing. I told her that I know it seems hard, but you don't have to give it away if you aren't ready to. I told her to just pack it up for awhile and go through it later. I told her about project 333 and she was interested in that. She might be a believer when she gets home. I really hope that she sticks to it. We talked a bit longer about her personal situation (which I won't go into here) and I offered her some advise and websites to look at if she did happen to get stuck. She was all smiles as I left to get into the hot tub. Hey, this was a cruise after all!!
Almost every single time that I go to buy groceries, whether I am at the farmer's market or the grocery store, people ask about my bag I'm carrying. I made a reusable bag from a dog food bag. I tell them how I made it if they want to know. Or I show them the material,Duraflex is woven plastic, and how strong it is. I fill it up and it holds up to the weight of it without being too much of a strain for me to carry. If I were making one for someone else I might make it smaller though. Occasionally, someone will ask if I will make one for them. I'm thinking about making extras and taking them with me and leaving them in my truck so I can do this or even sell them. It might be a nice extra source of income. Since most people aren't into or don't know how to sew.
I am a part of a ladies bunco group(It's a dice game.) and after the game we have a yankee swap. I've been slowly switching over to eco friendly wrapping paper. Most ladies use the paper bags, so I've been thinking of making a few fabric bags to give out as well. I think they might hold up better. I made a furoshiki, for February's spring theme, and added instructions a few seed packets and an African Violet. I'm really hoping to increase awareness in my circle of friends. I just don't want to be pushy about it.
So, three examples of how I am spreading the zero waste lifestyle.
I just don't want people to be stuck in their consumer driven lives and not realize that there are other (better, in my opinion) options. I hope that this encourages you to talk to other people.
I've always been a weirdly eco viking hippy. (I really meant to type vibe-ing, but strangely viking works...) I've always thought that just recycling my plastics, cardboards and a lot of composting would be fine. Enter the work of Bea Johnson's "Zero Waste Home." This book was surprisingly easy to read and I learned quite a bit from just the first chapter. I've been seeing 'zero waste' on a few of my minimalist boards that I read and contribute to, but I hadn't fully researched it. Now, I've read it and I'm a believer. My life is totally changed (for the better I think, and for the betterment of the planet)
My DH is not convinced about some of it. He doesn't understand why we can't just keep recycling everything. But, if I implement a new plan with enough information he goes with it. I do have to give him time to adjust to the new idea but I think that's understandable. Don't we all need time to adjust to a new habit or idea in life?
I want to waste less resources, time, money, and leave a healthy planet behind for the next generation. Plastic is just bad news all around. It doesn't bio-degrade into useable compost or soil like most things do. It photo-degrades, which means that it will break down into particles in the soil, water or air and make it more and more toxic as more particles are accumulated. Why did we make this stuff?? I do think that people are starting to see that using so many plastic things and throwing them away (Where is away?) is just not sustainable. So many companies are now charging for plastic bags or giving a discount if you bring your own reusable bag(s.) Some cities in the US are talking about banning plastic bags.
"...[Plastic bags] sit balled up and stuffed into the one that hangs from the pantry door. They line bathroom trash bins. They carry clothes to the gym. They clutter landfills. They flap from trees. They float in the breeze. They clog roadside drains. They drift on the high seas. They fill sea turtle bellies.
"The numbers are absolutely staggering," said Vincent Cobb, an entrepreneur in Chicago, Illinois, who recently launched the Web site http://Reusablebags.com to educate the public about what he terms the "true costs" associated with the spread of "free" bags. He sells reusable bags as a viable solution." (Source)
So plastic bags are banned from my house. This is just one of many reasons I'm changing our life.
Zero Waste Goals
Switch every family member over to using reusable bags. By keeping the bag/bags in the car we can just grab them when we go to the store. My DH doesn't go to the grocery store very often, but I want him to have a bag to use if he goes to the hardware store or picks something else up from town. I'm working on making a man appropriate bag for him. (More on that later)
Stop using the plastic bags in the produce section. I have actually already instituted this one, but sometimes I forget to bring them with me. They are now kept in the truck with my reusable bags.
Stop junk from coming into the house. I already blogged about how I stopped the junk mail through different sources. This is the next step of that. I'm going paperless with our bills and bank statements. I don't really even use the bank statements. When we do the budget I use the computer, so why have I been wasting these resources? I'm also refusing things I don't need or want.
Compost all paper that does come into the house. This is me being realistic here. I know that I am not going to be able to stop ALL the paper from coming into the house. Just tax documents and old paperwork alone could give me an aneurysm. So, I have instituted a plan with my DH for him to spread all paper that he wants to "throw away" it will take some time, but I know he will get it. All the shred paper gets taken to the compost heap to rot.
Shop at the Co-op in town for bulk items. I'm still making my cloth bags for this and I want to go buy some things that I need there, but I'm putting it off for now until I finish the bags. Since this store is 20-30 miles away it's not a quick run over and get what I need every day kind of thing. It just requires a bit more planning on my part.
Switch to "ReUsies" instead of plastic storage bags. (In case you don't know what it is.) I have a set of 2 and one extra that I use, but I am going to get a few more that are zippered for small things like grapes that fall out of the velcro bags.
Stop using disposable head razors. My Step-Father gave us his old safety razor. I bought new blades for it, a badger shave brush and some fancy soap for my DH to try it. He has a lot of disposable heads to go through so it may be awhile before he tries it. I'm also hoping that he likes the closer shave it gives. I use an epilator and a hand held electric razor.
Get more serious about composting. I know that there are more things in this house that I've been "throwing away" that could be composted. The hair that gets caught in the shower. (I have a lot of hair, says my DH), the vacuumed hair and dirt from the rugs, and the paper I mentioned.
Switch to using handkerchiefs instead of tissue. My DH is not so sure about this one. I seem to blow my nose a lot and how many do I need to carry and how do I carry it? This is the one that scares me the most and we have a few boxes of tissue to use up before it becomes an issue. I actually do have a vintage hankie that I bought at an antique store because I loved the embroidery on it. I need to get some for DH and a few extras for me, but it will be awhile. Since we have 6 boxes of tissue. (This is going to make more space under my bathroom sink too!)
Stop my trash service. This one step would save me $30 a month and it would force me to figure out other ways to recycle and be more proactive about our waste.
These are goals and I plan to implement small changes to work towards them. Nothing is going to happen overnight. But, I want to be the change that I desire in the world. So, here I go.
