http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/business/05smart.html
Don’t be fooled by a stupid label. The foods that are best for you, generally don’t have any packaging or labels!! Fruits & Veggies!!! DUH.
Archive for Environment
Peeing standing up and other things
Pee standing up ladies! Sweeeet! —> pStyle by Jade & Pearl
I used to use Jade & Pearl’s sea sponge tampons until I realized that sea sponges are animals (single celled, but nonetheless)! Too bad, bc those things were really handy & comfy .. but not at the expense of another being’s consciousness. Sorry! Next step is the DivaCup I guess …
Other thing I’m excited about is that I finally signed up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) … and I did it online through Door To Door Organics, a Michigan-based company. Purists might say this is against the main idea of a CSA – to know your farmer - but for me it’s the convenience of the internet helping me to live my ideal and have access to consistently good quality organic food! Don’t get me wrong, I love going to the farmer’s market, but i haven’t made it there once this year! I travel a lot [lately] and am pretty busy with a lot of things, so sometimes getting to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s is a big trip for me [plus, they're a chain] … Since I eat a lot of fruits & veggies this is economical for me, and the box will be delivered to my door!
My first shipment in Wednesday. Here’s to being a lazy environmentalist. I’ll let you know how it is.
Veil uplifted
The dark veil of yesterday lifted while still daylight. My car then proceeded to break down. Oh well.
Here’s a bold concept for a zoo, not sure if I like it, but it will definitely make people think:
“Unnatural Habitats: Rethinking the Modern Zoo” slideshow on FastCompany.com
Been listening to a lot of Bat for Lashes, Utada Hikaru, Cyndi Lauper & other female vocalists lately. I can feel like I am in the company of some strong, creative women even when all alone in my cubicle …
the simple, adorable house
super adobe adorable house
As long as I am allowed to indulge in fantasy to some extent …
i’ve wanted to build my own little house for as long as I can remember. as a kid I drew tons of floor plans, some general and some meticulous. so I am reaching back to my childhood to that comfortable place i abandoned … what stimulated this is that i’ve found [or he found me] someone special who brings out that side of me more and more. He draws me away from my over-serious adult pretendings back to dreams from youth and idealistic, idyllic fantasies that are the foundation of a created reality that I can actually see myself enjoying living in…
this house plan – reminiscent of childhood doodles – is an example of the manifestation of love I feel for him: simple & unabashed, sweet & deeply fulfilling
Greening Healthcare …
And … the blog has been silent. Apologies!
Something I’ve started working on a bit – greening the hospital I work at in Michigan. The hospital is 100 years old, though the building is newer. Right now it’s a far cry from LEED-certified. For now, I’m going to post a few links here for anyone who’s interested in what it takes to green healthcare, or business [see below].
Also, I’m interested in any grants – federal or state – to aid in making hospitals more environmentally friendly, or grants for urban gardening, green roofs, LEED etc. We are not a non-profit however, as most hospitals are, so it may take some extra looking. Should be contacting the DEQ this week …
Also, please check out Motherhouse. Not sure the best was to put this, but it’s a retirement home for nuns, in Monroe Michigan. They’ve done an absolutely amazing job turning it into a sustainable, healthy, peace-based community.
Other Web Sites:
Live Roof (HorTech) – http://www.liveroof.com/
Michigan Green – http://www.michigangreen.org/index.html
Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources – http://www.michigan.gov/dnr
Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality, Recycling Info – http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130—,00.html
Metro Health Hospital, Grand Rapids. The only LEED-certified full service hospital in Michigan – http://www.metrohealth.net/locations/hospital/green-thinking/leed-certification
SE Michigan Directory of Waste Recycling Companies (20 page PDF) – http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-recycling-cwr-semichigan_214702_7.pdf
Green Earth Technologies – http://www.getg.com/index.php
One vegetarian at a time …
That’s how change happens.
I’m delighted to report that my beau of six months told me last night that he is committing, taking the first step and going to be a pesco-ovo-vegetarian (he’d already scrapped dairy after hearing a lecture by a vegan nutritionist)! According to him, it’s a very logical decision and he’s approaching it from ‘mind over matter’ perspective. Next on his ‘to-read’ list: Animal Liberation by Peter Singer.
Slowly, one step at a time …
A few weeks ago my supervisor at work [who's also a yoga teacher], committed to being vegetarian. We went grocery shopping together.
One step at a time.
My housemate/cousin told me yesterday that given the option for a chicken or vegetable dish, she opted for the vegetable dish. She says how she feels better eating less meat and doesn’t crave it hardly anymore.
One vegetarian meal at a time!
I also met a lovely vegan gal at the art center this weekend. There were only 11 people in this group and 2 of us were vegan! It’s so great to think what percentage of the population is now taking this easy step to alter their dietary & lifestyle choice for the benefit of their health, the planet, and of course, the non-human animals.
Slowly, it’s happening. Consciousness is being raised.
Everyday I talk to people who are reducing their intake of animals & animal products, realizing how unecessary, wasteful and cruel it is. I truly believe this is the way to a more peaceful, happy, healthful future.
I challenge you [readers] to take a 30-day pledge to go meat-free and see if you don’t feel better! March is national meat-out month. Just leave a comment and let me know if you’re taking this on …
No babies kitty
Helllllloooo wide world of blogging. I’ve been guilty of neglecting you for more than two months and now have come to repent!
No babies kitty refers to the fact that I have discovered that my 6 year old cat likes to be carried around inside a hoodie (like a pregnant belly) so that he can be close to my warmth. It really seems to be the only way that he is happy because then he gets a break from following me around everywhere meowing and rolling around the floor provocatively. But there are no babies in there, only kitty!
OK that’s enought sillyness.
Some quick updates on a varity of subjects …
1) Health: was pretty stable until a colon-scope last week, from whcih I am still recovering. I switched to a new pharmaceutical (Lialda) the same as the Asacol, just a higher dose so I only take it twice a day; plus my immuno suppressant was upped to head off any inflammatory reaction I might have from the colonoscopy. Haven’t been able to get a hold of the naturopathic dr and hesitant to see an acupunturist given all the meds I am on.
2) Crafting: I’ll be in my first two craft shows this month selling all kinds of yummy and inedible crochet treats! Cookies, softies, freeform, you can check them all out at my flickr page.
the first one is the and the second is part of a pottery & art show put on by my good friend Natalie.
3) Relationship: The main one being marriage. I’ve taken on being masterful in the art of marriage, and learning as much as I can about what makes this relationship not just work, but flourish. So that is a great inquiry to be in , and any advice you have is welcome on one condition -No cynicism please! That is a really tired conversation – no wonder the divorce rate is so high!
We are moving this month to an airstream on a farm on the edge of town – a dream come true for a couple of DIY vegetarians trying to ‘get off the grid.’ We’ll let you know how it goes!
Finally
Finally someone at the New York Times put out a piece that talks some sense about the seriousness of our culture’s meat-guzzling addiction and its implications for the planet!! This is good to see in such a major media outlet. Will people actually start talking about it?
Read it here: Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler by Mark Bittman
For more straight talk about the meat industry and health, I’ve been picking up pieces of Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnoui. It’s hilarious. And they pull no punches. I won’t quote it here b/c, quite frankly, the language is not kid-friendly and I don’t want to offend anyone.
The part I love about it is that this non-diet ‘diet’ book, which happens to a NYT Bestseller, doesn’t promise fab results with no effort (we all know that’s bullsh*t anyway) – guess what people – you need to work a little to transform yourself and your life! If you don’t face up to that fact, you are deluding yourself.
Seems like maybe some people in the mainstream media are waking up
OK One more good read, that again, I’ve only been getting bits and pieces of (this book lives in my bathroom), is The Exception to the Rulers by Amy Goodman and David Goodman of Democracy Now. Just go to their website.
Happy reading!!
Also, this post is open to discussion for the 90+ people I sent the article to. Please, feel free to comment! I want to hear what you think!
Pardon the Turkeys . . .
Here’s a great little post from Bill Maher giving a few good reasons to pass on the turkey this year.
“New Rule: The president can’t pardon just one or two turkeys this Thanksgiving. He’s got to let them all go.
It’s probably too much to expect from the man who wanted “no child left behind,” then vetoed health care for kids. But think of the upside. Freeing the turkeys might help the president’s credibility when he says things like, “We don’t torture.”‘ Read more.
N & I just spent a really relaxing nice Thank-you day in CT with my folks. We did a lot of the cooking, actually, whipping up a homemade pumpkin & sweet potato pie, some roasted acorn squash, along with a seitan loaf with mushroom & red wine gravy. Yummm. My dad made a great vegan stuffing with water chestnuts to go along. No deprivation for the vegetarians at this feast! 
I tried not to overdo it, but I definitely ate a lot more in one day yesterday than any other daysince coming out of the hospital. It was a little trying on the system but not too bad. I enjoyed some cheeses too for the first time in a long time, but not sure how much I’m going to keep that up . . .
