Light Green Living

I had the pleasure of listening to a talk given by Jen Boulden of JenBTV.com (http://www.jenbtv.com/ )last month.  It was like a town hall meeting type of discussion and there were many things that came up.  But the one that really hit home with me is something she calls "Light Green Living". 


It reminded me of the story of the two people walking down the beach.  One person picks up a starfish and throws it back into the ocean.  A little further down the beach, another starfish.  This goes on for a little while and the other person asks, "What are you doing?"  The first person says, "I am putting the starfish back into the water."  The second person comments "Look at all these starfish.  You cannot save them all.  It doesn't matter."  The first person replies, "It matters to this one" and tosses another starfish into the water. 


So to me and the way Jen Boulden explained is something like that.  Do what you can to the level you are comfortable with.  You don't need to live "off the grid", make your own soap and grow your own food to be green.  I recycle as much as I can.  I even lead a recycling program for the PTA at my son's elementary school.  And here's the kicker, I take them to the recycle center in my big 3/4 Ton diesel truck. 


My wife and I lived in a small town in Germany for 7 years.  Maybe it is from that experience that I find it so easy to recycle.  We had 4 trash cans: 1 for aluminum and plastic, 1 for cardboard and paper, and 1 for, get this, compostable materials. The last trash can was what was left over and it was probably smaller than most American kitchen trash cans.  Glass wine bottles were recycled at the local store and glass beer bottles are turned in for a refund.


Why can't we figure that out here in the states?  I attended an Earth Day event this year.  There were two trash barrels next to each other, one blue and one black.  Should be pretty easy to figure out, especially at an Earth Day event.  But both trash barrels had cans, bottles, paper and food waste in them.   And Kudos to Mayor Bloomberg (City of New York), for trying to get a compost program started in that city.  It is not that difficult. 


We have a "yard waste" can that the trash truck picks up.  I called the company asking why can't I put kitchen scraps into the yard waste bin if it is all being composted.  What is the difference if it is a pile of weeds or carrot tops or old lettuce?  Oh no!  I can't do that!  But they couldn't give a straight answer as to why. 


Anywho, you cannot save them all but you can make a difference if you just do what you can.  Recycle.  Use a refillable water bottle.  Use real plates and silverware.  And go visit Jen Boulden's website and blog for some really great tips on Light Green Living.  You can find her at:  http://www.jenbtv.com/  and her blog is at:  http://www.jenbtv.com/category/jens-blog/

Holy Homemaker Husband

Not even 10:30 am and we've already made Pop-tart type pastries and real 100% fruit popsicles. 


Neighborhood kids are running around with Pop-tarts and popsicles.  Of course, I get the "Dad, I want a..." from my son.  OK little man, challenge accepted. 


So he and I made our own version of Pop-tarts.  I hate to say that we used refrigerated pie crusts and a lot of brown sugar.  But hey, it worked!  Now to make my own pie crust and come up with some better fillings.  My mom already texted me, yes, texted me, her pie crust recipe and my wife makes her own strawberry jam (we live on the Central Coast of California where many of the strawberries are grown).  So game on!  Now to make a strawberry tester batch and see how they freeze for easier breakfasts when school starts again.


Now to conquer the popsicle.  Watermelon in the food processor and Tupperware popsicle molds and we are in business.  Now to change up the flavors and I want mango! 

Mom's pie crust:

3 C. Flour, 1 1/2 tsp. salt, 11/2C Crisco, 1 egg, 5T  water, 1 tsp vinegar. Mix flour & salt. Mix in Crisco. Combine Water,vinegar & egg.add to flour mixture. Mix lightly. Divide & roll out. Makes 2 pie crusts.