No Impact Man!

I rented the documentary film No Impact Man from the library recently, and last night I watched it.  If you haven't heard of it, it's about a man and his family living in New York City that decided to waste less and go without their regular luxuries for an entire year - not only to see the impact that it made on the planet, but how it would effect others - and to see if it was even possible to live that green!  

Here is the trailer: 




Honestly, I thought the film was very inspiring.  I think a lot of people are intimidated by making green choices in their lives, and they think that they need to go to the extreme like he did.  But really, it doesn't take much.  And after watching this film, I realized I could be doing more. 

I have been doing things little-by-little to make my life more green, and to tread lightly on the earth.  

Here are a few things that I've taken on over the past 5-years or so (that you could do too if you feel inspired!): 

- I went vegetarian (Meat production is one of the biggest pollutants on the planet)

- I stopped driving my car so much (I try to bike / walk as much as possible, and if I need to go farther ride my scooter)

- I bring a to-go cup with me to coffee shops and have them fill it (instead of wasting a paper cup)

- I always carry a re-useable water bottle

- I bring my own bags to the grocery store at all times (even if I have to walk back to the car because I forgot them), and if I don't have a bag with me I still ask for no plastic bag (and try to shove everything in my purse instead)

- I try to turn off lights and unplug appliances as much as I can (I'm always following John around the house and switching off lights as I go)

- I've started buying beans, rice, and other foods in bulk to save on packaging 

- I go to the Farmer's Market during summer & fall for all of my fruits & veggies, and buy local

- Most of the time I follow the toilet-flushing rule of "yellow, let it mellow - brown, flush it down" to cut back on water waste

- John and I have started composting our food scraps

- I have made the move to washable cloth handkerchiefs (instead of tissues, even though John still thinks it's gross)  

- I try to shop at thrift stores or do clothing exchanges instead of buying new clothing and accessories 

- We use cloth napkins, cloth dish towels, and sponges as much as possible (instead of paper towels)

- I buy natural cleaning products (although after watching this film I realized it's frustrating that we can't re-fill  them, and I'm still using a lot of packaging)

- I make my own vegetable broth now instead of buying the packaged kind with our leftover veggie scraps.  I keep them in the freezer in a container until I have enough to boil, then after using them I put them in re-used glass jars, and compost the scraps!

Just to name a few things! 

But after watching this movie, I realized there's still more that I could be doing.  I mean, I know that I work hard at being green and not being wasteful.  As the film pointed out, we're a consumer culture - and right now we have all been taught since childhood to throw things away because it's unsanitary not to.  We're a disposable culture, and it's killing our planet.  

No Impact Man (Colin Beavan), and his adorable little girl!

I guess it made me think of the other things that I could be working on more.  I need to stop using the damn plastic bags that are provided for bulk products, and for produce.  Ugh - plastic everywhere!!  For something that we make so disposable, why do we make it out of PLASTIC - that NEVER decomposes!!  It doesn't make any sense.  I'm going to get mesh / cheesecloth bags to bring with me from now on instead, and just keep them with my grocery bags.  


Also, even though it takes a while for us to use them, I hate that we still get paper towels.  We could easily get some more dish towels and re-use them over & over - just wash them in between!  I'm going to work on that too. 


I want to ride my bike / walk more.  I already do it a lot, but I'm going to make less excuses about it.  I want my scooter to be last resort, and I want my car to be VERY last resort (I mean, hailing or a freakin' snowstorm. Or if I'm being chased by bears).  I want to take the train instead of driving, and carpool more as well. 


I also would like to work on buying less packaged goods.  I feel like I've made a big step over the past few years with making the move to non-canned beans (and cooking them myself from bulk), but I'd like to move towards also making my own spaghetti sauce (which is pretty darn easy), and my own soups more often too.  It's not hard to do these things, it just takes a little planning!  And I'm pretty good at planning (most of the time). ;)


And last (but not least), I would like to work harder at eating seasonally, and buying locally as much as possible.  I am pretty good about this with fruit as I usually don't even like how fruit tastes when it's out of season.  But I could be better about my veggies, and learn how to love my root veggies in the winter time, and wait for the peaches when they come in season!  


Now, if only I could figure out how to get John to cut back on eating so many bananas! ;)  

What are YOU doing to help the planet, and make things better for the next generation? 



Here is a link to the No Impact Man blog for more information!

Blog MAKEOVER!

Hey gang!  

Just a quick update - as you can see, I gave my blog a bit of a facelift!  :)  I updated my header with some new photos, and I now have some new links along the right side - including a place where you can sign up for email updates, and share my blog on Facebook! 

Pretty rad, huh?  I'm so behind the times... 

Anyhoodle, if you haven't checked it out yet, please be sure to check out Chickpeas & Hulahoops - my new funny-stuff blog my friend Megan and I started.  I just put a new post up there today that I think is pretty funny.  It has to do with me, John, and zombies.  Classic. 

Hope you're having a great Wednesday! 

XO Beth

Chickpeas & Hulahoops! Like us! Please?

I mentioned a little while ago about how my friend Megan & I created a new funny blog called Chickpeas & Hulahoops.  It's been ridiculously fun so far, and guess what!  WE NOW HAVE A FACEBOOK FAN PAGE!! 

I know, crazy right?  We're 2 legit 2 quit!  (hey heyyyyy!)

So if you're on Facebook and you want to see our updates, please click here and become a fan.  We'd do it for you! :) 

Just for doing so, here's a picture of a kitten getting a bath in the sink.  I don't do this kind of thing for everyone, people! 

** WHEW the site is back up & running again.  That was a close one. ;)

Another, Blog? Girl, you CRAZY!!

Why yes, yes I am. 

My derby wife (I may have mentioned her before), and I have started a new blog, called Chickpeas & Hulahoops.

The name was kind of a fluke, but we'll post about how we came up with that. :) 

The whole idea is something we've been working on for a while, and it has finally come to fruition!  We're just going to post silly stuff, and be ourselves.  So it'll be a lot like this blog, but with even more FUNNY. 


Please check it out and show some love! 
http://www.chickpeasandhulahoops.com/blog/

Thanks - I needed that!

Every now & then I get totally surprised by blogging.  

When a blogger that I adore who has a gajillion followers comments on one of my posts - it totally makes my day!

Even better, when someone from Sweden (or some other land far-far away) starts following my blog & commenting on things.  I absolutely love hearing from people an ocean away that can relate to what I'm writing! 

The best, when you make a friend out of a fellow blogger.  That's just plain rad. 

Today though, I got a little piece of advice from someone who came across my blog - that made a big difference.  Not this blog, mind you, but this blog (that I started when I attempted a Total Body Transformation).  And I gotta say, it was just one of those things where you think... "Wow.  Why the heck didn't I think of that?"

Here's her note: 

"Hi there!!
I stumbled upon your blog... and just want to say this:

Don't let food run your life. Whether you're eating it or restricting yourself from it... Don't let it be on your mind all the time.
Don't feed the disease of disordered eating. Don't let diets be your only option.

Exercise because you want to, not because you need to. Eat until you're full. Don't cut out everything that you like.

I'm no expert, but I have lived a life of disordered eating and eating disorders... and I'd hate to see someone so beautiful (a stranger!) beating themselves up over a few pounds and some ice cream.

Get comfortable in your own skin... it's the only one you're ever going to get."

I hope she doesn't mind that I posted this (please tell me if you do and I'll take it down)!  I just felt like this was something worth sharing.  If you go and read my post that she's referring to, you'll see that I went on a helluva rant.  I beat myself up, and criticized myself, and really didn't get anywhere because of it. 

I gotta say, this note made me feel a lot better about everything, and better about me.  I don't know why I beat myself up about being a little overweight - it's the small changes that make the difference, not never eating ice cream again, or feeling depressed if I eat a slice of pizza. 

I want to feel good about myself, but in the long run.  Not just for a couple of months.  In order to do that I just need to make small changes (ex: not go for seconds, stop snacking late at night, choose fruit instead of ice cream, but if I really really want ice cream just have a small amount, etc).  

I always thought that I loved myself just the way I am.  But the truth is, I struggle with my body image just like every other girl does!  Sure, I can strut my stuff and love my curves, but there will always be a tiny part of me that wants to be thin.  But I love food way too much to get there.  And you know what?  That's totally okay.  I'm healthy, I workout regularly, and I'm working hard to make the right choices.  That's what matters. 

Thank you so much for helping me to remember that.  You know who you are! :) 

Hyperbole = Hilarious Blog

I just discovered this blog a few days ago from a friend that posted about it on Facebook. I have been laughing my butt off ever since!

She basically tells real (somewhat exaggerated for the sake of humor) stories about her life, with funny little crappy illustrations to go along with it. If you like dark / witty / ridiculous / well-written / sarcastic humor, this is the place for you. I have literally been "LOL-ing" (sorry, but it's true) ALL day!

Here are a couple of snip-its from the page (and her "Expectations VS Reality" post):


Here's one of her videos too - oh my gosh - so funny!!




Keep in mind, her descriptions make up half the hilarity. I hope I'm not blowing it completely out of proportion, but whatever!

All images from Hyperbole and a Half blog - all rights are hers, they ain't mine!

OH, and just for some more fun (and more laughs), do yourself a favor and watch some Nick Swardson stand-up comedy on YouTube. Click HERE to watch the first section of his Comedy Central Special ("Seriously, Who Farted"). If you like the first, watch the rest. Trust me, you'll be giggling at work enough to make your boss take notice (uhm, as I did), so you may want to watch 'em at home! :)

Bikes & the City!

Yahhooooo! What a wonderful 4th of July present to me! Yes, I know gifts aren't traditionally given on Independence Day (except, you know, the gift of being an independent nation... um... nevermind) - but I have been featured on one of my FAVORITE bloggies - Bikes and the City!

I randomly sent in a coupla panda shots (you know, self portraits while ridin' my bike around town), and Mel was sweet enough to include them in her post here.

So thanks SO much to Bikes and the City for the schweet props!! My face hurts I'm smiling so much right now....

...pics of my awesome 4th of July weekend coming soon!

The Kind Diet

I still haven't had time to upload my pics from this weekend, mostly because I spent last night flipping through Alicia Silverstone's relatively new book, "The Kind Diet". It's a really well written and lovely book - she did a wonderful job with it!

Many things I already knew, and I'm already a firm believer that with all of the processing, hormones & other crap that's put into our meat/dairy products today, that adopting a vegan diet is the healthiest way to go. I personally was vegan for 9 months before I turned Pescatarian (a veggie that eats fish every now & then).

She really does a great job of outlining the health benefits, the truth behind what we consider "healthy", and "food" - and creates a simple breakdown about how to change your life and the way you perceive your diet. It's all accompanied by super cute photos of her and her hubby (I totally love that stuff), and ridiculously yummy-looking recipes.

I may have to get a copy of my own, as I just rented it from the library. Some of the recipes sound WAY too good to avoid.... even though some ingredients are a little crazy-sounding (a lot of the Asian veggies that I've never heard of), I'm certainly willing to give them a try!

Here's a link to Alicia's blog for more info & fun stuff. I love her perspectives on food, animals, and the environment. She's quite a gal!

Rush Hour in the Netherlands

I had to re-post this video - I found it via the A Cup of Jo blog!

This is what an average Wednesday morning commute looks like in the Netherlands. Over 33% of the population commutes by bicycle. Pretty awesome, eh? Do you think the U.S.A. will ever be able to give up our love affair with oil, build more bike lanes, and join the rest of the world? I really truly hope so.... I would love it if our rush hour looked like this!

Deeeeelicious - Breakfast Pizza

As mentioned numerous times before, I absolutely adore the Smitten Kitchen blog! Her recipes, stories, and photographs are absolutely wonderful - and quite entertaining for anyone who loves food as much as I do.

This morning I attempted a quick version of her "Breakfast Pizza" recipe, and although mine looked NOTHING like this picture, it was still really really delicious and unique.

(photo curtosey of SmittenKitchen.com)

Here is a link to her actual recipe if you want to give it a shot: http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/03/breakfast-pizza/ And here is my adapted "quickie" personal-sized vegetarian version of her yummy breakfast pizza:

Beth's Vegetarian Breakfast Pizza
(adapted from Smittenkitchen.com recipe)

Ingredients:

- Large Tortilla (I used a 13" spinach tortilla from Whole Foods)
- fake bacon, or fake bacon bits
- 2 eggs
- goat cheese
- tomato sauce (salt-free)
- chopped chives (I just snagged some of these from our garden)
- garlic powder / salt / pepper

Directions:

Heat oven to about 350 degrees. Place tortilla on cookie sheet (be sure it's nice & flat, and has edges. My eggs ran off the sides a bit!), and evenly spread about 3 tbsp of tomato sauce on top. Carefully crack the two eggs on top, and season with garlic powder, salt & pepper (not too much salt though, as the "bacon" will be salty!). Pop the pizza into the oven.

After about 5-8 minutes the eggs will be partly cooked. Remove from oven & sprinkle with goat cheese, then return to the oven until fully cooked (about another 5-8 minutes).

Remove pizza from oven, and sprinkle with the chopped fake bacon or fake bacon bits, as well as the chives.

I folded mine in half, then cut it in half with a knife short ways so that it was easier to eat - almost more like a breakfast quesadilla really!

It wasn't too salty, but also a little bit sweet - and I loved the texture of the eggs cooked that way. It seriously took me only about 15 minutes total to make - super easy, and really really yummy. Thanks to Smitten Kitchen for the awesome recipe idea - I might just make it again tomorrow morning!

Another Beautiful Blog Discovery!

Sigh - I love finding new amazing bloggers! My favorite ones tend to lean towards biking, fashion, and food (big surprise there)....

I just randomly came across The Freelancer's Fashionblog today, and totally fell in love with her pin-up girl style, and her AMAZING photos! She's cute, stylish and fun, and I just adore the posts that I've read so far.

Here is a photo of her that I would absolutely love to recreate someday: So go check her out - here is the link: http://freelancersfashion.blogspot.com/

(photo courtesy of the Freelancer's Fashionblog)

Smitten Kitchen - YUM!

You must, absolutely MUST check out this wonderful blog:
http://smittenkitchen.com/

Not only are the recipes creative, but the step-by-step photographs are absolutely beautiful, and I just love the little stories that go along with each.

As most people know, I simply adore food. Especially recipes made from pure & simple ingredients & a whole lotta love. That basically wraps up how I feel about the food in this blog!

Be sure to click the "Surprise Me" tab to the left side too. You get surprised with a random recipe, and it's my favorite way to discover all of the wonderful mouthwatering ideas!
Photo from smittenkitchen.com

Hairspirations

That's a combination of hair and inspirations. I like it - it's my new word.

I just came across this girl's blog today called Delightfully Tacky through the What I Wore blog which I absolutely adore. Fashion is fun, and these chicks make it look so easy! Anyhoodle, the girl on this Delightfully Tacky page officially has inspired where I want my hair to be someday. I have always loved the blunt bangs, but was worried that my naturally curly & thick noggin' o' hair would look best long without them...

.... but she has SO proven me wrong! Mental calculation of how long it'll take me to grow my hair this long.... um... maybe 3 years? Crap. Oh, well - a girl can dream!

Be sure to check out both the Delightfully Tacky and What I Wore blogs in my "My Favorite Bloggies" section. You won't regret it.

Photo credit to www.delightfully-tacky.com.