One of the things Kendall and I love doing is reading out loud to each other. Most nights we crawl into bed and read our book. Actually, Kendall reads and I listen and each of us enjoys every minute of it, until, the moment comes when we can resist the deep pull of sleep no more and go to rest in the world of dreams.

We talk about the characters, discuss what we think is going to happen, get sad when our book is coming to an end, knowing we have to say good-bye, and figure out what book will be just right to read next. If things go well we have a new book lined up so we don’t have to suffer withdrawal from our beloved story time. Perfectly enough, this time around, with a great recommendation from a friend, we were able to have a seamless transition.

After deciding on a book, we start leisurely stopping into used bookstores to see if they have it in stock. This is how we found The Golden Compass at Twice Sold Tales. It is a great story about a strong, little girl named Lyra, her friend Roger, the alluring and evil Mrs. Coulter, the mysterious explorer Lord Asriel, and Iorek Byrnison the intensely loyal, armored Polar Bear and their great adventure in the Wild North.

Now I tell you all this because this morning I saw this on No Impact Man’s blog and it touched what has become an increasingly special spot.

Photographer Norbert Rosing planned to take some sunset photos of a group of sled dogs near Churchill, Manitoba, in northern Canada on the Hudson Bay, when from stage left comes a 1200 pound polar bear.

Images from Tuco

**We are almost done with The Golden Compass and currently have our eye out for a used copy of The Subtle Knife, the second book in the series.

I don’t have any pets, but I came across this natural flea fighter on Care2 and wanted to share it. Usually I test any recipes or remedies that I post, but since I don’t have dogs, cats, or fleas I cannot tell you how well it works or ways that I may alter it. However, if any of you do try this I would love to hear your thoughts through some comment feedback.

Citrus peel extract is an excellent choice against fleas for dogs, because its components—d-limonene and linalool—kill all stages of the flea’s life cycle. I have completely eradicated our home and dogs of fleas using citrus peel extract—I don’t think anything else works as well. Still, you must use caution: while it is a natural material, and much safer for health and the environment than toxic synthetic pesticides, it is not without problems, especially for asthmatics (see “Caution,” below). Citrus shouldn’t be used around cats.

SIMPLE SOLUTION: For Fleas from and on Dogs
Assuming you don’t own a cat, and you keep your windows open when using citrus peel extract products, get rid of fleas in your house by washing floors twice a week with a solution of 1/4 cup citrus peel extract (available in health food stores–citra solve is one brand) in 1 to 2 gallons of water. Spray bedding with a mixture of 2 teaspoons citrus peel extract and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.To make a fur rub for the dog, cut up 4 lemons, and simmer for one hour in 1 quart of water, adding more water as it evaporates. Cool the mixture, strain, and massage into the dog’s coat. Note that there are a number of pure citrus-peel-based pet products on the market (see Shop for Supplies, below).For Cats *and* Dogs
Herbal repellents work well to repel fleas. Make an herbal infusion by adding a handful of dried herbs (available in most health food stores) to a tea pot and fill with boiling water. Let the “tea” set overnight, and then strain it into a spray bottle. Recommended herbs include southernwood, rue, rosemary, sage, catmint, eucalyptus, and leaves from the black walnut tree. Start with just a small amount to make sure the pet can tolerate the herb.

Boric acid and borax are also widely used against fleas. Sprinkle a thin powder or boric acid or borax on carpets, leave on for a few days, and then vacuum up.

Other Flea Controls

• Feed your dogs (but not cats) garlic and yeast.
• Wash your pets frequently.
• Use a flea comb.
• Make your own flea shampoo.
• Use a natural flea collar.

HELPFUL HINTS: Caution

• One controversial study found that when fed extremely high doses of d-limonene, male rats developed cancer. There was no evidence that it did so in female rats or in mice of either sex.
• Citrus-peel extract is a strong volatile organic chemical (VOC). Make sure you use adequate ventilation when using. Asthmatics should not use this approach.
• Don’t use pennyroyal around pets, especially pregnant pets or people.
• Avoid pet’s eyes when using any of the above recommended ingredients.

The air is cool. The leaves are beginning to transform from the greens of summer to the earthy, bright colors of fire.

Sky is swallowed by gray and the days of rain guide me into a slow and deep rhythm. When the sun appears and reminds me that it is not far away, I run outside to catch its warm and joyful gift.

Increasingly swift,

The temperature rests low and we cozy in under a pile of blankets.

My attention turns to things of comfort. Mugs of thick hot chocolate. Yarn. Fabric. Creativity. Books. Sleep.

This season brings to me an unexpected challenge,

a struggle to care about the consequences of my actions.

Convenience and warmth sit so easily next to my water soaked, clean clothes. I want to put my clothes in the dryer.

I don’t care.

I sigh.

No matter how much I want to I just can’t shake that I do care. I will hang my clothes to dry. The fan that allows me to borrow its gentle breeze for these cold and wet months treads much lighter than the dryer for which I yearn.

Autumn moves about with a gentleness. I will try to do the same.

Los Angeles-based design company Stolen, Inc. was researching a project they were working on and came across some staggering information.

came across “Life Expectancy at Birth.” Andorra was the highest with 83.51 years, and all the way at the bottom was Mozambique with 31.1 years

They decided to do something about it. They’ve created a line of tshirts to educate and raise funds. It’s called StatAttak. Stolen will be setting aside 20% of the money from the sale of the shirts to build an orphanage in Mozambique.

Since Mozambique was the country that inspired all of this, the Sons of Stolen are putting 20% of the money from the sale of the shirts towards building an orphanage in Mozambique. Instead of giving the money to a charity, we will go to Mozambique with a group of volunteers from the design industry and build an orphanage from the ground up. We hope that this will help us better understand Africa and that a personal interaction with the local population will inspire everyone involved to keep working towards solutions to the many problems facing that continent.

Not only is this a great opportunity to make a change in the world, the shirts are also beautiful. Mollie and I will both be sporting StatAttak tshirts.

So, today, I have been trying to decide between two recipes both of which I want to share with you. Each of them allow you to stroll through the farmer’s market looking for the perfect piece of fruit which you will then purchase and bake into this delicious breakfast item.

I think this is an enjoy the sunshine, a cup coffee, and muffin all while in your pj’s kind of weekend. Muffin it is.

When I made these muffins about a month ago cherries were all I could think about. So, in order to satisfy my cherry cravings they found their way into much of my baking. The recipe below (which is an adapted recipe from the fabulous SouleMama blog) uses cherries, but basically you can substitute whatever fruit is in season and suits your fancy.

1.5 cups unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp salt
1.5 tsp baking soda

1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup honey
1 stick melted butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp grated orange rind (optional, but oh-so-good)

2 cups pitted cherries (if, like me, you don’t have a cherry-pitter this takes fooooreeeevverrr.)

Mix dry in a large bowl. Mix wet separately. Add wet to dry. Stir in fruit. Spoon into greased muffin pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Make a cup of coffee and dive in.

Ideas for fruit substitutions (depending on the season these may or may not be available to you): Apples, peaches, strawberries, rhubarb, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries or even a combination of them.

Sorry there are no pictures.  We ate them up before I had a chance to take a picture for you.  Yes.  They were that good.
Have a great weekend!

Co-op America posted a list of 21 things you didn’t know you could recycle and I am sharing it with you.

1. Appliances: Goodwill accepts working appliances, www.goodwill.org, or you can contact the Steel Recycling Institute to recycle them. 800/YES-1-CAN, www.recycle-steel.org.

2. Batteries: Rechargeables and single-use: Battery Solutions, 734/467-9110, www.batteryrecycling.com.

3. Cardboard boxes: Contact local nonprofits and women’s shelters to see if they can use them. Or, offer up used cardboard boxes at your local Freecycle.org listserv or on Craigslist.org for others who may need them for moving or storage. If your workplace collects at least 100 boxes or more each month, UsedCardboardBoxes.com accepts them for resale.

4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks: Send scratched music or computer CDs, DVDs, and PlayStation or Nintendo video game disks to AuralTech for refinishing, and they’ll work like new: 888/454-3223, www.auraltech.com.

5. Clothes: Wearable clothes can go to your local Goodwill outlet or shelter. Donate wearable women’s business clothing to Dress for Success, which gives them to low-income women as they search for jobs, 212/532-1922, www.dressforsuccess.org. Offer unwearable clothes and towels to local animal boarding and shelter facilities, which often use them as pet bedding. Consider holding a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center. Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.

6. Compact fluorescent bulbs: Take them to your local IKEA store for recycling: www.ikea.com.

7. Compostable bio-plastics: You probably won’t be able to compost these in your home compost bin or pile. Find a municipal composter to take them to at www.findacomposter.com.

8. Computers and electronics: Find the most responsible recyclers, local and national, at www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html.

9. Exercise videos: Swap them with others at www.videofitness.com.

10. Eyeglasses: Your local Lion’s Club or eye care chain may collect these. Lenses are reground and given to people in need.

11. Foam packing: Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html

12. Ink/toner cartridges: Recycleplace.com pays $1/each.

13. Miscellaneous: Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. iReuse.com will also help you find a recycler, if possible, when your items have reached the end of their useful lifecycle.

14. Oil: Find Used Motor Oil Hotlines for each state: 202/682-8000, www.recycleoil.org.

15. Phones: Donate cell phones: Collective Good will refurbish your phone and sell it to someone in a developing country: 770/856-9021, www.collectivegood.com. Call to Protect reprograms cell phones to dial 911 and gives them to domestic violence victims: www.donateaphone.com. Recycle single-line phones: Reclamere, 814/386-2927, www.reclamere.com.

16. Sports equipment: Resell or trade it at your local Play It Again Sports outlet, 800/476-9249, www.playitagainsports.com.

17. “Technotrash”: Easily recycle all of your CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, cell phones, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges with GreenDisk’s Technotrash program. For $30, GreenDisk will send you a cardboard box in which you can ship them up to 70 pounds of any of the above. Your fee covers the box as well as shipping and recycling fees. 800/305-GREENDISK, www.greendisk.com.

18. Tennis shoes: Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program turns old shoes into playground and athletic flooring. www.nikereuseashoe.com. One World Running will send still-wearable shoes to athletes in need in Africa, Latin America, and Haiti. www.oneworldrunning.com.

19. Toothbrushes and razors: Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline, and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber. Recycline products are made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups. 888/354-7296, www.recycline.com.

20. Tyvek envelopes: Quantities less than 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.

21. Stuff you just can’t recycle: When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.

A lot of what I learn is done as I go. I read, I research, and I experiment. I tend to get enough information to get me started and then go after it. This is something that I love. I love diving into new projects and figuring it out as I go along. However, while there are SO many aspects about self-education that I love, there is a inherent tendency to make a lot of mistakes. Making mistakes is part of the learning process for us all and I like it so much because I tend to find a fuller understanding as I problem solve. My indoor, turned outdoor, compost bin is a classic example of how self-educating can go terribly wrong and in the end become a really positive experience.

This is a story of a series of innocent mistakes becoming one big disgusting mess, and how, with help, Kendall and I were able to save our compost from the trash and our trash from the freezer.

We started the compost bin for a lot of really good reasons, but I was squeamish of worms and this was the beginning of things going bad because it led to mistake number one, neglecting the bin. Mistake number two was adding too many food scraps into one bin. It is something that many of us try to do in too many parts of our life–try to pack something too big in a package that is too small. A few victims of this are the bikini, storage lockers, to-do lists, that super cute pair of shoes that is half off, and…my compost bin. I should have learned that when I was having to put my full body weight on the lid to get it to close that I needed to figure out a new plan. Instead I continued on and unfortunately so does the list of mistakes.

These are my mistakes listed out as best as I could list such a complicated mess:

1. Overall neglect of the bin–I got really excited about starting and not so excited or into maintaining it.
2. Adding too many food scraps to one bin.
3. Our CSA share was too large for us to eat and we were regularly adding whole pieces of uneaten, rotten produce.
4. Major fruit fly infestation from neglect.
5. Standing liquid from the decomposing produce and rain water (which we hadn’t accounted for when we put the bin outside to save our apartment from the fruit flies), and not adding any newspaper to keep the moisture level in balance.
6. We began turning it too often in a desperate attempt to do something to save it.
7. Not enough oxygen circulation.

So, what we ended up with was a bin with worms, standing vegetable/fruit/rain water, rotting food, fruit flies, maggots, and to top it off it smelled like feces. I don’t think it was possible for my compost to become a more nauseating bin of nastiness. We had just moved into a new apartment when the bin really started to go downhill. I was so embarrassed to be caught by my neighbors with the lid open, the foul fecal odor thick in the air, fruit flies swarming out all around me, and the swamp of rotting food; yet, out of pure determination I continued to open the lid and add my food scraps.

The situation got so bad that Kendall gently said to me that he thought our compost bin was a goner. We talked about throwing it out and starting over, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do that. There was a Seattle Tilth brochure that Kendall had picked up a couple of weeks ago about composting and it had a hotline number to call. Each time I called I talked to someone who was helpful, kind, and patient. They really want you to succeed in composting and for it to be something that over time just becomes a regular part of your life.

Here is the information that they shared with me that saved our compost:

1. Stop adding food scraps to our bin until we got the problem under control. We didn’t want to throw our food scraps away so we put them in a garbage bag in our freezer.
2. We needed to buy more worms and start a second bin. We were adding too many food scraps and the worms couldn’t eat through it all. Now, I rotate bins. I will have one bin function as my active bin for a couple of weeks while the other one rests.
3. We needed to drill holes in the bottom of both bins, buy 2 more bins to stack underneath the compost bins to catch the “compost tea” which would now begin to drain. All the food we were adding had a lot of moisture in it and so when the food started to break down the moisture left the food and was trapped in the bin. Putting the bin outside made the moisture problem worse because of how damp Seattle is. The worms stopped eating the food because they were drowning. Tip: When it is time to dump the bucket of nutrient-rich “tea” you can dilute it with water and use it to water your plants or your garden.
4. Stop turning the compost so often. While this does speed up the composting, this process creates a lot of heat and, therefore, creating a perfect environment for larva (maggots) and other critters. Compost bins are little ecosystems so there are going to be some critters especially if you have an outdoor bin, but it should not be overrun with them.
5. Start layering the compost bin with newspaper. The worms don’t like to live in the same place they eat. The newspaper layer gives them somewhere to go. This also helps with the fruit fly problem. Now I always make sure the food scraps are covered by a layer of newspaper. So, I either add it under an already existing layer of newspaper or add more if it is time.
6. Go on a fruit fly killing spree. It is important to get the fruit fly population under control because they multiply so quickly. I went outside with my spray bottle of cleaner and a rag and killed as many as I could. It is also important to keep the outside of the bins and the “tea” bin really clean in order to cut off their food supply. So, for a couple of days or weeks you will just really need to be on top of it pristine. We started slacking before we should have and the problem came back. Can you tell we have a problem with follow-through?
7. Crack open the lids a bit to let oxygen in. I open my lids in the evening for a couple of hours. This helps with the fruit flies, the smell, and the composting of the food. Oxygen is an important part of composting. Without oxygen decomposition will slow down as much as 90%.

I now have two very healthy compost bins and couldn’t be happier about it. This has been such a great learning process for me and the care I have put into restoring it has even managed to create an affection for my worms and the role they play in keeping my ecosystem balanced and healthy. The biggest thing that I learned is that composting isn’t difficult, but that it is important to keep the contents in balance–if it is too wet, then, make it drier with drainage holes and dry newspaper; if it is too dry, then, add wet newspaper; there needs to be a balance between the worms and the food scraps; and just like all of us it needs room to breathe.

Having a compost bin doesn’t take a lot of work. However, it does need to be maintained and whenever I have begun to slack on this I am revisited by old compost problems.

Oh, and after canceling our CSA and going to the Farmer’s Market instead I found a new farmer who is starting a compost pile and would love to take the trash in my freezer off my hands!

I hope none of you are in need of saving your compost bin, but if you do and are able to be patient and give it a little extra care for while it is possible to rescue even the most hopeless bins.

I am a bad test taker. I really am. I have test anxiety and don’t do well on tests as a result. This is the only reason I can come up with for doing so poorly on those stupid environmental impact, ecological footprint tests. Seriously, I can’t think of any other reason. It cannot be something I am doing or not doing that might actually give me a score of 2.6 planets or a carbon output of 5 tons/year. I kind of want to cheat on these tests. How stupid is that? These tests are designed to make us more aware of our impact and I want to cheat. Stupid, I know. But true.

I feel like I am working to make changes to my life and that I am very conscious of living a life that reflects my values. Taking tests like these ones though can sometimes make me feel like I am failing at doing that.

Then I remember that I am a work in progress.

These tests are good to take because they give me a reality check. I am still using more resources than one person should use. Hence, the 2.6 planets. However, it is important to remember that they don’t look at the details of the whole picture. They aren’t meant to. They are meant to be short and easy (so people will actually be willing to take them) and to give you a general idea of the impact you are making. I think that they are good for serving this purpose. I do have a ways to go, but I have also come very far. When I first took one of those tests a couple of years ago I was at around 7 planets. So, when I remember that, I realize how far I have come. There are still many changes I can and need to make. And…there are also a lot that I have already made while walking this path that have indeed made a big difference.

I will continue to use these tests to mark my progress, point me in the right direction, AND I will remember that they don’t tell the whole story.

Off to continue my journey.

I love hearing about the changes that people are making in their life to live a more sustainable life. It is fun to hear about all the different ways it can be done and I am regularly encouraged and stretched when stories are shared. I feel like there are so many people and families that I have learned from while going through this process. Izzie and her family are one of those and I have so much respect for them. They are great people with wonderful hearts and who do a lot to bless the world everyday.

We are a family of three, Aaron, Izzie and 9-month old Ilon, living in Dallas trying to “go green” one/change at a time.

At the beginning of this year we both started making one change a month toward improving how we live. Some family changes we’ve made: If it’s yellow, let it mellow, consistent recycling, and shopping locally. I, Izzie, usually ere on the extreme side of things, going full speed with an idea and sooner or later crashing because I’ve taken on too much. My husband takes things a little slower. For example, Aaron’s one/change for February: Use less paper; March: Shower less; April: Take smaller bites. I laughed at first until he actually accomplished his goals: using less water (and therefore less energy due to decreased hygiene and therefore decreased, well, you know), and eating at a slower pace; which helped him realize he was full sooner and also to slow down and enjoy the meal. My changes so far have included taking the train or walking to most of my activities, cloth bags for shopping, and turning the water off when I’m washing my face (the last one inspired by my husband.). I, however, end up numerous places with too many bags and a long walk home, no umbrella and a long wait for the train in the rain, or standing in the grocery store having heart palpitations because I’ve again forgotten my cloth bags and am picturing thousands of plastic sacks floating down rivers… What we’re learning is to take things one-step at a time, plan well, and enjoy the accomplishment of each change.

The hardest part about “going green”, other than simple selfishness, has been doing it with a child. Ironically, having a child is also one of my main motivations for living better. One change we have made is to make all our own baby food using fresh, local ingredients as much as we can. This involves an incredible amount of careful planning. The veggies and fruit must be bought, steamed, and blended before consumed. These steps seem simple until you have a loud hungry baby with only cold, hard sweet potatoes to offer. Those delightful little pre-made cartons of pureed guava and pears become very appealing… But the fun trip to the farmer’s market, tasting the food before you buy it, talking to the people who grew it, makes you feel one step closer to home. Our sweet 9-month old has become a stroller baby, riding around town as we walk to the grocery store, library, post office, you name it she’s been there. She has a string of admirers that know her, and it has opened up many conversations with strangers. Somehow “going green” has made me feel more connected to people, to our neighborhood.

Changes we hope to make in the future include cloth diapers (ick), no car (in Dallas??), home-made bread, and possibly those worms under the sink. I can only imagine what it would look like if Ilon got into those…

I am excited to start these changes now. I want us to get in the habit of constantly looking at our life to see what is good and what needs to change. I want Ilon to see this and be a part of it. The cool thing is that there is always another change you can make. Life doesn’t stay the same, and neither do we!

Wednesday morning it was announced that the popular eco-site treehugger was acquired by Discovery Communications. This is really exciting for the folks over at treehugger. It will give them and their content a lot of exposure. According to the press release, Discovery plans on using the site in conjunction with it’s ‘Planet Green’ programming.
In related news, Jasmine over at Worsted Witch will be writing full time over there (starting in a couple of weeks). So congratulations to her.