Eating Clean for 30 Days

My husband and I have started a challenge for the month of September. We are "eating clean" for thirty days: no processed foods, no dairy, and no gluten. It's only day 6 and I feel like I've been doing this for a year! It's fun and challenging. And who knows, maybe we'll stick with the diet change even after September is over! :)

Container Gardening

I am so excited! I have tiny tomatoes growing! I am a successful container gardener!!

Flowers

I'm having a blast this spring and thought I'd share a couple pretty pictures.

This was taken at Zion National Park.

This one is from my parents' front yard.

I wish I had some pictures of the flowering trees I've seen around town. Just breath taking!

My Balcony Clothesline

I'm an apartment dweller and was recently aware of a huge con of this. No clothesline! And no where to put one. I'm stuck using the dryer (bad for the environment and my checking account) or hanging my wet duds from chairs. While I have done both methods, I was determined to have a clothesline. And when you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything, right? Or perhaps when you have a father who is a genius at building things.

I do have a private balcony that would be perfect for drying clothes - if only I could construct something to hang them on. Originally, I visualized a balcony clothesline contrived out of PVC, but was steered towards reusing old lumber provided by my dear old dad.

I (with a lot help of my dad) constructed it in just one day. It works by clamping the railing of my balcony. No holes or screws drilled into any rented property!!

Check out the pictures and let me know what you think! 

There is a board on the other side that acts as a clamp.

And it's just high enough so that the screen door can open!

And now my clothes dry blissfully (and cheaply) in the warm sun. Life is good.

I'm working on texting posts via phone. It works, except I can't seem to send pics. No pictures!?! Not good.

Going No 'Poo

I recently abandoned my Suave shampoo and conditioner for a more environmental and wallet friendly washing method. I used a baking soda and water paste to wash my hair and then sprayed apple cider vinegar diluted with water on my hair for conditioner.

I must say, it did take some time to adjust to using this concoction. A number of times I jumped into the shower and then realized I had forgotten my baking soda. All the preparation aside, it worked wonderfully. As long as I scrubbed my entire scalp with the baking soda, my hair felt very clean and not greasy.

The real kicker was the vinegar. Yes, it did smell when I applied it, but then I rinsed it out. Other blogs and articles promised that I would not smell like a salad all day long. And they were right. When my hair dried, you could not smell the apple cider vinegar. However, when my hair got wet - like while I was working out at the gym - the smell came back.

I could handle that, but my husband wasn't too keen on the vinegar smell. He did have to put up with working out next to me and using the vinegarized bathroom after I was done, so I see his point. I've switched to Nature's Gate shampoo and conditioner. It's an organic and vegan product line. I'm hoping it's a winner.

Jewelry Holder - Check it out!

I have finally uploaded a picture of my DIY jewelry holder that I was talking about before. Here it is!! I actually made two - one for my necklaces and one for my earrings. I love it!! It was so easy and fun and I'm so very, very happy with it.

Life Changes

I'm embracing voluntary simplicity and going green!!

First, living simply. It all started with the book Affluenza. I read it once in high school and had the urge to read it again. The authors bring to light how shackled to consumerism Americans really are. How we buy, buy, buy and are still never happy or satisfied. After that, the dam broke loose.

I read all sorts of books on decluttering and living simply. It was like an addiction. I decluttered my apartment and vowed to live simply. Reading those books let me to other topics such as sustainability and earth-friendly living. I was hooked. There are so many books, articles and blogs about these topics! I devoured all I could. Currently, I'm reading Walden.

So, what steps have I taken?

• I decluttered. Big time. I went through my closet and gave away bags of clothes, make up, hair stuff and other miscellaneous stuff that we all seem to accumulate. Then I moved on to the kitchen. I sold some items on Craigslist and gave away what was left. Then I went through my desk and my files - I recycled a lot of old papers!!
• I bought organic food.  Not much, just apples and carrots, but it's a start!
• I built a balcony clothesline. When it gets warmer, I'm going to dry my clothes outside. I'm so excited for this because I never thought I could have a clothesline since I'm living in an apartment. 
• I read and journal more.  And I Facebook a lot less. I actually use a timer when I'm surfing the web. Seriously.
• I doubled my recycling efforts. I even considered making a compost bucket to recycle my food waste. But unfortunately, it turned out to be more work than it is worth. When I have my own yard, I'll definitely start my compost pile. 
• I am making a huge effort to eat less fast food.  One idea I've discovered that helps is writing out our weekly menu, then going grocery shopping for just what we need that week. This is only the second week and it has been wonderful. We have everything we need and we know what we're going to eat each night. Genius!
• I've started biking to work. It's four miles to work, eight miles round trip. I've only biked four days in the past couple weeks because the weather has been cold and/or rainy. But I'm looking forward to the warmer temps!
• I clean my hair naturally.  I use baking soda and water to wash and apple cider vinegar to condition. It's too soon for me to say how well it's working, but I'm optimistic. 

Okay, so these are some of the big things I've been doing. But really, it's a mental change too. Especially living simply. You can declutter and not buy more stuff but then what? You need to know what you are all about! I'm on my way; I'll keep you posted. 

Spring Break

I have fallen way behind again! Oh dear. I really want to do better.

I just want to share a couple of pictures from my recent trip out West. I went with my husband and my brother road tripping to the Great Sand Dune National Park in Colorado, the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and finally Zion National Park in Utah. It was a wonderful, memorable, amazing trip that I'm going to remember forever. I love road trips!!

Great Sand Dune National Park

Sand Dunes

Three awesome people at the Dunes!

The Grand Canyon

Zion National Park

Zion

A beautiful array of cairns at Zion

Beautiful, just beautiful. I loved it. I'm looking forward to my next road trip!!

Homemade Bread

I'm so excited for this!! I'm making my own homemade bread this weekend!!! :D

Here's the recipe I'm going to follow:

1/4 cup milk
5 teaspoons sugar (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoons salt
5 teaspoons butter (or 1 1/2 tablespoons)
1 package active dry yeast (you can get yeast near the flour at your local grocery store)
2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups flour (get unbleached white for your first attempt)
Corn starch or nonstick cooking spray (just to prevent the bread from sticking to the bowl or pan)


It's from The Silver Dollar. 


I'll let you know how it goes!

DIY Jewelry Holder

I've been doing some spring cleaning and I've realized I need a better way to store my necklaces and earrings. So I did some google searching....and I found some beautiful ideas!! Here is one and here is the other. I just need to find a frame and some netting and then bam, I have an inexpensive yet lovely way of hanging my jewelry!

Book Across the Bay

This past weekend I participated in Book Across the Bay in Ashland, WI. Originally, the plan was to hike the 6 miles of frozen water wearing snowshoes. But with the warm weather, there was no snow covering the ice and thus no reason to wear snowshoes. It was sad, really, because I love my snowshoes. So, my husband Chad and I bought some YakTrax, which are similar to ice cleats, and we walked our way across the bay. 

It was delightful! Along the six mile route, there were ten rest points. Each one had a big fire going and volunteers were handing out water. I'm so thankful for volunteers! They make the world go round. Some stops offered cookies and music and pretty lights. 

Pretty lights at the rest stop

At the finish line!

We're hoping to compete again next year as well.

Beargrease Sled Dog Race

The Beargrease trip was a bunch of fun. We went snowshoeing at Hartley Nature Center, voted in the cutest puppy contest at the mall, and watched the racers take off. 

 

Neglect

I've been away. And I've been neglecting my blog. But I have an excuse!! It was my birthday week and I went to see the start of the Beargrease sled dog race in Duluth, MN!! I'll post some pictures soon!! :)

Death to the journal!

Yes, this blog is killing my journal. My beautifully tended journal. Or at least it was. It haven't journaled since January 4th. And I'm blaming it on this blog. Bah!

This past weekend was great. Family came to visit!! It was my first time hosting a big get together. Cooking and serving eight is challenging and fun. :) It was a blast. We watched the Packer game and played horse race games throughout the afternoon. And then I opened birthday presents!! What a wonderful day! I love family.

Texting!!

I have a new phone! And I have unlimited texting. Oh my. I'm so excited! :D

Pizza

I made pizza tonight. Not that ordinary frozen pizza. No, sir. Homemade pizza!! And, though I risk sounding quite full of myself, I must say it was the best homemade pizza I have ever had. No, it still doesn't compare to Domino's, but what could?

So, I'm going to be a doll and share this wonderiferous recipe with you, my dear readers!

You need:
1 package pizza crust mix, I used the Walmart brand
7 oz pizza sauce
2 cups mozzarella cheese
pepperoni (or any toppings!)
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon parsley
3/4 cup hot water
flour

This is what you do:
Mix the herbs (oregano, basil, garlic, parsley) with the crust mix and then add the hot water. Mix and then cover for 5 minutes. Then stir again and add about 1/2 cup of flour. Add more if the dough is too sticky to work with. Then, put that dough on the pan! Flatten it out and cover the pan - no need to get picky. Dump your sauce on and spread it out. Put on your layer of cheese and then slap on whatever toppings you'd like. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. It's going to smell and taste delicious!!


Everyone, enjoy! Chad, feel free to correct me where I am wrong. Amber, yes, I did steal wonderiferous from you. Ha!

Quilting

I started my quilt today!!! I cut the blues and the greens...and then I ran out of my yellows. I sewed together what little I could until I acquire more yellow fabric.

But let me tell you, a rotary cutter and a cutting mat are a quilter's dream come true. I love mine!!! No more measuring with a ruler and attempting to draw a straight line on the fabric and then trying to cut the straight line!! Hallelujah for efficient tools!!

Terrarium

I was browsing some other blogs the other day and I came across a blog called That's Happy and I found the cutest little terrariums!! I instantly fell in love.

So, now I want my own terrarium!! I found a glass globe with a cork stopper at the free table at work. It's about as big as a kid's size basketball, but I think it'll work out great for this project. I just bought the soil tonight...now I need to determine which plants I want and/or need. And then I'll put it all together and watch my little terrarium come to life!!

Karaoke Revolution is the BOMB!

There is something therapeutic about singing. Even if you sound like a box of nails. Tonight I played karaoke revolution for about two hours. I sounded quite awful, but I feel great! It was so much fun to laugh at the silliness of trying to sing the right notes. Ah, I love karaoke revolution!








Also, Spot It may be my new favorite game to play.
It is SO much fun!!! And easy to play. :)