GOING GREENER-Thurday's recipe

"Right now over 70 percent of the world population is convinced that something serious has to be done about the dangers facing the planet. ...Most of humanity wants to know how to make the change. It's one of those tipping-point times where things can change unbelievably fast... "

~Paul H. Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson, The Cultural Creatives

We are living in tumultuous times. Senseless war, global warming, failing economy,genocide,overpopulation, corporate greed, desensitized and plugged in children...... Overwhelming, depressing, almost all-encompassing. But I shant get out the noose yet! I've always aspired to live a peaceful green lifestyle but I've gone on and off the wagon in years past. The intention is always there but getting locked in an ADDers routine, stress, apathy, hectic times have sometimes gotten in the way. I'm so thankful for my sweathearted Huz who has always been very eco-minded. His passion and peaceful resovle has been an inspiration and helped keep me on track. But I will admit for the first time in my life, I'm striving for a greener lifestyle out of fear. Fear for my family and our finances, fear for the earth and the future of mankind. It's lighting the fire under my ass, so to speak. So I'm making a pledge to remain viligent on the road to living a more sustainable, peaceful, eco-revering, tree-huggin' lifestyle. And I'm taking my kids with me, ha! There are many things we can be incorporating into our lives that cost nothing or just chump change to implement and that's where we'll start. Then as our financial picture continues to improve, there are ideas that will require an initial output of $cashola$-purchasing or making our own wind turbine, designing our new addition to best utilize passive solar energy, and more.

He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality.

~Anwar Sadat

So here is a look at what we have done, and plan to do, for ourselves, our children and the future. I'll probably be coming back to this post and adding new things.

WHAT WE HAVE DONE OR ARE CURRENTLY DOING TO LIVE SUSTAINABLY AND PROMOTE PEACE:

attachment parenting
bake bread
breastfeed

cloth diapers
cloth bags
cloth napkins
craigslist
computer recycle
cultivate mindfulness
dye yarn/wool

figure out our Carbon Footprint
free cycle
free entertainment
garden organically
give thanks
grow herbs
handmade gifts
handmade toys
hang laundry
herbalism
hiking
home health care
make good use of our library
make medicines
pre-cycle

ink cartridge recycle

promote midwifery and natural childbirth

Low flow toilets
Hand wash dishes

Promote exercise and good nutrition in children
practice mindfulness
recycle

repurposed crafting

recycled pets! Humane Society adoptions
TV-free
volunteer
walk
wash laundry on cold
wilderness conservation
wilderness fieldtrips
woodstove


WHAT WE PLEDGE TO START DOING NOW AND IN THE FUTURE:

bike to work one day a week-ambitous Huz!!! 7 miles and 2000+ft down a mountainous road and 20 more into town!!!

compost
donate more to charities
better educated purchasing
join food co-op
give MORE thanks!
Buy locally grown produce
make medicines
make natural homecare supplies
meditation
passive solar heating/cooling
practice MORE mindfulness
scavenge for toymaking supplies
slow down
use bio-fuels
use public transport
buy whole foods
wild crafting

And now, Thursday's Recipe- In honor of Going Greener and switching to hand made all natural home care products. For all you Waldorfy Mamas and kids who love natural wood toys and much as we do:

Delicious lavender bergamot WOOD POLISH

* 4 ounces oil (2 1/2 ounces olive oil or jojoba, 1 1/2 ounces coconut oil)

* 1 ounce beeswax

* 1 ounce carnauba wax

* 4 ounces distilled water

* 1 teaspoon each: lavender, orange, lemon, and bergamot essential oils

Melt the oils and waxes in a double boiler over medium heat. Remove from the heat, pour in the water, and mix with a hand mixer until thick and creamy. Dab some cream onto a soft cotton rag and rub into the furniture. Leave on for 10-20 min then buff and polish until the oils are well worked into the wood.

You'll have a room full of toys that smell heavenly!