Chickens!

Jun 13, 2010 | Green Living, Uncategorized

Meet the newest additions to our family!

The kids each got to name one… so here is

(Yet to be named)

Dinner

and
 
 Pillow

Trying to decide whether to save these first beauties until they ripen 
or make fried green tomatoes tonight…
 
We found the chickies (whom I’m naming the Fates right now in honor of our Percy Jackson kick) in Beebe at the Flea Market there.    They are young and won’t start laying eggs for another two to three months.   The market is amazing.  I had never been and it was like going into another country.  They had about a mile of things- a sale barn for big animals (horses, cows, sheep, goats.)  Then rows and rows of people selling whatever you wanted- movies, handmade toys, tools, saddles, cages for animals,  food, vegetables, camping gear, junk, clothes… Then another row or two of just animals.  We saw chickens of all kinds, guinea hens, geese, ducks, the biggest turkey in the world, baby goats, bunnies, a tiny baby deer that could barely stand, a little bitty racoon, puppies (all for free) and kittens (free too.)    The boys had a blast begging me for another puppy (“But he’s FREE, mommy!”)  and stuffing themselves with yummy Mexican horchata and popsicles.   
If you are interested in keeping pet chickens for eggs etc. check out this site! 
 

On Earth Day

Apr 21, 2010 | Green Living, Uncategorized

Some early Earth Day 2010 resolutions (because the kids are outside playing and I have to take advantage of it!):

I will really try to:

  • Remember the bags in the back of my trunk EVERY time I go into a store.  (I forget 1/2 the time.)
  • Don’t buy the kids junk for lunchboxes that are individually wrapped anymore (even if they are organic.)  This includes juices and milk.  Check out these cute lunchboxes!
  • Frequent close local businesses and restaurants, not chains.
  • Try and eat out only twice a month.  (This means planning my meals better.)
  • Buy things that are only necessary, and first shop thrift stores or farmer’s market– then make sure I’m buying things that are local first, and have the least packaging possible.

I think I can manage that.

Some other easy steps to make every day Earth Day:

  •  Recycle!  (There isn’t much you can’t anymore!)
  • Compost if you don’t already.  It’s easier than you think!  We even have a separate worm farm that my hubby made out of some small plastic shoe boxes and scraps of wood!  They love coffee grounds and junk mail! 
  • Think about your schedule and make trips that combine errands so you don’t waste gas.  Carpool or share trips if you can!  
  • Make your own cleaners.  They work better, are cheaper, and won’t hurt your health or the earth!
  • When giving gifts, use reusable packaging (a pretty scarf, nice tote, etc.) Also, think about what you’re giving and why.
  • Don’t buy new things unless you have to.  Think “Do I REALLY need this?”  Trade things with friends!  Use Freecycle to give and get goodies.  (We use this often- have even had an old garage taken down to be reused with it!  No labor or cost to us!)  

Mainly, just BE AWARE.
Aware of how what you are doing will impact the earth, (What garbage will this make? What is it made from?  Is it toxic?)
Aware of what you really need, (Do I need this?)
Aware of how what you do effects others.  (Who made this?)

We might try and check out our local Earth Day celebrations this year.  Hope you have a great day!

Allergies – Smallergies!

Apr 16, 2010 | Uncategorized

I am so snick of sickiling sick of sniffling!
Our family is divided into two definite allergy camps:

The Spring Snifflers
 and
The Autumn Achoo-ers

I myself, fall into the Spring Sniffler category along with my oldest son.  We have been miserable for a month now.  I am hoping for rain to wash away this oak pollen, but imagine it will be at least another week.  The pollen has been record breaking here this year (honestly.)  My black van is covered in yellow pollen no matter what I do.  I wash the window and it’s yellow in less than an hour!

 Pollen on my porch (The floor is normally red!)

My problem is that I love the beautiful sunshine and can’t stand to be cleaning house inside.  I’ve been really trying to get the garden going strong and the yard cleaned up (which is really hard with 3 kids and a 100+ lb dog who likes to tear things up.)  I’m really paying for it!

No, not a swamp but my lovely pool (We filled it up two weeks ago- why?)  
Not going to clean it until this is over! 

My theory is that the earth is getting back at us.
They say if global warming continues the pollen counts will be insane.  (Aren’t they already?)  Look at all the earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions in the last few years.
Isn’t that a clue?

On a sort of related side-note:

We recently watched No Impact Man.  I admit, I’d heard of this guy, Colin Beavan, and the controversy over what he was doing, etc. but had never read his blog.  But, after watching the movie, I really admire what his family did.  I don’t get the anger some people felt over what he was doing.  I mean -honestly? people!  Who would be upset with a family who was trying to get out of the shopping/credit frenzy, trying to live a greener life for their daughter?  Maybe they had no clue when they started, but doesn’t that make them even more admirable?  And so what if they made a living off of doing it?  Just shows they are smart folks.  What a HUGE step for people who only ate take-out before the project?  Kudos to the Beavans. 

My family lives a pretty green life and I don’t know if I could do everything they did.  (No toilet paper or electricity?  YIKES!)  I think everyone should try something similar (if not on this scale) for a week or two just to see the garbage we generate as humans.