Last night I did a load of laundry.
In the bathtub.
With my feet.
I had remembered watching a documentary called "No Impact Man" about a family in New York City who went off the grid for a year. They showed how they did their laundry in the bathtub, stomping out the dirt like stomping grapes for wine.
As my feet stomped and swished the clothes around in the soapy water, I thought about how there are millions of people in the world who don't have washing machines. Or dryers. And I remembered seeing on television people in India doing their laundry in the river. I felt a bit humbled reflecting on the contrast between that and my own life that is full of machines doing work for me. I noticed that my legs were getting a good workout from agitating the clothes and that the water started to run clear after a couple of rinsings.
My clothes got clean. They are still hanging to dry - I am resisting the urge to throw them in the dryer. Heh.
This probably isn't something I will do on a regular basis, to be perfectly honest. But I will not hesitate to do a small load by hand now and then rather than wasting a wash cycle on a few items.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Totally handmade!
I want to share a small personal victory - I made a scarf from my own handspun yarn!
And it is such a cool feeling to have done this. :D
First, I spun up a variegated single yarn from several sources: alpaca, merino wool and of all things - yak fiber! The dark brown fibers are a blend of yak and alpaca. The teal is alpaca. The rest is merino wool.
Then I took some undyed, white merino wool and dyed it a "chartreuse" color.
Dyeing in a crock pot:
Dried, freshly dyed wool, ready to spin:
I spun the newly dyed wool....
....then plied it together with the first batch of spun single yarn:
And I used the finished yarn to knit the scarf!
This was a very satisfying and fun project. I can't wait to try knitting something from my own handspun yarn again.
And it is such a cool feeling to have done this. :D
First, I spun up a variegated single yarn from several sources: alpaca, merino wool and of all things - yak fiber! The dark brown fibers are a blend of yak and alpaca. The teal is alpaca. The rest is merino wool.
Then I took some undyed, white merino wool and dyed it a "chartreuse" color.
Dyeing in a crock pot:
Dried, freshly dyed wool, ready to spin:
I spun the newly dyed wool....
....then plied it together with the first batch of spun single yarn:
And I used the finished yarn to knit the scarf!
This was a very satisfying and fun project. I can't wait to try knitting something from my own handspun yarn again.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Mindset
Some random internet stranger was jumping up my butt a while ago on another website about whether or not I live an ideal sustainable lifestyle....calling me elitist and holier than thou and other ignorant B.S. While the argument she was trying to pick with me was pointless, it did get me thinking. The thought occurred to me that in the past few months I have actually changed the way I think about living.
Because I decided to commit myself to being more environmentally and socially responsible, I have had to change how I think about making choices. This happened very subtly, really......and I am just now realizing that how I live and shop are not the same as they used to be. They are more simple! :D Yay!
I can explain this new mindset very easily. It sounds odd at first, but when you get used to it, it makes total sense to think this way in order to live sustainably and responsibly. Basically, when I am making a purchasing decision, I ask myself what I would choose if I were living 200 years ago, and was a pioneer shopping for supplies on the frontier. LOL! I can even substitute online shopping for old-time catalog mail order shopping.
I don't actually imagine myself as a pioneer. What I do is limit my options to those items that would most likely have been available to me then. And then I decide what is the best quality for my money. Simple as that.
For example: Let's say I need a shirt. First, I go to the thrift store. Sometimes I find what I need, and sometimes not. If not, I try and shop at a local store instead of a chain store (not always easy- not many local clothing stores anymore). Next, I limit my choices to natural fabrics - cotton, wool, rayon, etc. Nothing synthetic - all synthetic fabric is made from petroleum, therefore not an option for me anymore!
From there, correct fit, quality and, of course, price factor into the final decision. I suppose the next step might be making my clothes, although I would rather buy good quality pre-owned than make new. Making things from scratch is not always the most sustainable way to do something, anyway. It really depends on the item and the situation.
As for food, I try and get what is local and organic. Again, not always possible depending on the season and availability. I do the best I can, plus this year's garden will give me canned food and lots of fresh stuff for a while.
For other items, I really do try and shop locally (to save gas and time) or order handmade and fair trade good online (the mail delivery person is coming here anyway- no extra trips- although I will buy local when I can). In person, I read labels and don't buy from companies that I know pollute the environment. I buy fair trade and recycled products whenever I can. I try and buy products made by small, local businesses or artisans.
I limit my driving and combine trips whenever possible. I settle for things that will work just fine rather than driving to Timbuktu for a special item or brand I don't really need. For example, this week I realized I needed a soap dish. There are no local handmade places where I can get one. Buying a plastic piece of crap at a chain store is not an option for me (pioneer, remember?) so I found a very affordable hand-thrown pottery soap dish on Etsy. Natural materials. Independent artist. Win-win.
So if I need a can opener......I think about what I might find in Ye Olde General Store. I am more likely to try and find an old-fashioned metal one at a second hand store than buy a fancy new plastic one at a chain store. So? That's my choice. Big deal. Does it make me better than anyone else? Nope.
Am I perfect? No way. But I make the effort. I do what I can. I know when to just grab a taco at the drive-through instead of making a 30-mile trip to the organic farmer's market. I'm realistic about things. And I'm a lot better off now than I was a few months ago. :)
Also: I've been cleaning the alpaca fleece (pic below). Such a pretty color! :)
Because I decided to commit myself to being more environmentally and socially responsible, I have had to change how I think about making choices. This happened very subtly, really......and I am just now realizing that how I live and shop are not the same as they used to be. They are more simple! :D Yay!
I can explain this new mindset very easily. It sounds odd at first, but when you get used to it, it makes total sense to think this way in order to live sustainably and responsibly. Basically, when I am making a purchasing decision, I ask myself what I would choose if I were living 200 years ago, and was a pioneer shopping for supplies on the frontier. LOL! I can even substitute online shopping for old-time catalog mail order shopping.
I don't actually imagine myself as a pioneer. What I do is limit my options to those items that would most likely have been available to me then. And then I decide what is the best quality for my money. Simple as that.
For example: Let's say I need a shirt. First, I go to the thrift store. Sometimes I find what I need, and sometimes not. If not, I try and shop at a local store instead of a chain store (not always easy- not many local clothing stores anymore). Next, I limit my choices to natural fabrics - cotton, wool, rayon, etc. Nothing synthetic - all synthetic fabric is made from petroleum, therefore not an option for me anymore!
From there, correct fit, quality and, of course, price factor into the final decision. I suppose the next step might be making my clothes, although I would rather buy good quality pre-owned than make new. Making things from scratch is not always the most sustainable way to do something, anyway. It really depends on the item and the situation.
As for food, I try and get what is local and organic. Again, not always possible depending on the season and availability. I do the best I can, plus this year's garden will give me canned food and lots of fresh stuff for a while.
For other items, I really do try and shop locally (to save gas and time) or order handmade and fair trade good online (the mail delivery person is coming here anyway- no extra trips- although I will buy local when I can). In person, I read labels and don't buy from companies that I know pollute the environment. I buy fair trade and recycled products whenever I can. I try and buy products made by small, local businesses or artisans.
I limit my driving and combine trips whenever possible. I settle for things that will work just fine rather than driving to Timbuktu for a special item or brand I don't really need. For example, this week I realized I needed a soap dish. There are no local handmade places where I can get one. Buying a plastic piece of crap at a chain store is not an option for me (pioneer, remember?) so I found a very affordable hand-thrown pottery soap dish on Etsy. Natural materials. Independent artist. Win-win.
So if I need a can opener......I think about what I might find in Ye Olde General Store. I am more likely to try and find an old-fashioned metal one at a second hand store than buy a fancy new plastic one at a chain store. So? That's my choice. Big deal. Does it make me better than anyone else? Nope.
Am I perfect? No way. But I make the effort. I do what I can. I know when to just grab a taco at the drive-through instead of making a 30-mile trip to the organic farmer's market. I'm realistic about things. And I'm a lot better off now than I was a few months ago. :)
Also: I've been cleaning the alpaca fleece (pic below). Such a pretty color! :)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Updates
Yeah, I've been a slacker on blogging. I've been less of a slacker on other things, though, despite not feeling well the past few weeks.
The garden was tilled and I planted about half of it. I know I really need to go weed it, like, YESTERDAY - been pretty much hiding out at home and knitting lately though.
Speaking of knitting, I am becoming good at it. I've taught myself a lot, learning from various websites and books. I can now knit lace and next I want to learn cables and color knitting. What I love about knitting is that it is such an old craft. I feel like part of an ancient community when I knit, because knitting has been done for centuries upon centuries......it's a lovely, "connected" feeling to knit.
My first hand knit lace scarf.
I've been using only natural fibers. I started with cotton and now I use mostly merino wool and alpaca. It's wonderful to use natural fibers!! I even have a skein of camel yarn. :) Again, it's the feeling of being connected to ancient crafts that is so very appealing -- in addition to making something warm and useful, of course.
A friend gave me a whole alpaca fleece yesterday. I am really looking forward to preparing the fiber and spinning it into yarn. It's relaxing just to think about it. Such a beautiful fleece, too - mostly a honey rose color. There is some white in it and the color goes all the way to a deep gold. I think I'll leave the color as it is (without dying it) and knit it from light to dark, so the finished product has a lovely shaded effect. Perhaps a whole blanket! That sounds WONDERFUL. :D
Meanwhile, my quest for sustainability continues. I have made some permanent changes, such as only buying natural fiber items for both clothing, crafts and home use. In fact, I have converted all of my bedding to cotton and it is really nice. I had no idea that natural fiber was so much nicer to use. It breathes, it's warm and doesn't suffocate my pores. LOL. I love it.
I've been trying to use sunlight as much as possible, to save on energy costs and light bulb use. Haven't used candles for light yet, but that is something I may do as the days get shorter later in the year. I may also start to use the wood burning stove for heat, too. We'll see how the cost to do that works out.
I have also stopped buying bottled water entirely. I have two stainless steel refillable bottles which work great. I stopped consuming anything that contains aspartame or MSG. I am still working on eliminating corn syrup from my diet entirely. I need to do more home cooking! Cleaning out my kitchen is definitely on my to-do list so that I have more space for that. I plan to try canning later this year, too, so I will need lots of counter space (and I have very little to begin with)!
So, the journey continues. I can say that I have been lagging a bit due to my health.....however, things have been moving forward even though progress hasn't been drastic. Lasting change is what I am striving for, anyway. :)
Alpaca wrap I knitted recently.
The garden was tilled and I planted about half of it. I know I really need to go weed it, like, YESTERDAY - been pretty much hiding out at home and knitting lately though.
Speaking of knitting, I am becoming good at it. I've taught myself a lot, learning from various websites and books. I can now knit lace and next I want to learn cables and color knitting. What I love about knitting is that it is such an old craft. I feel like part of an ancient community when I knit, because knitting has been done for centuries upon centuries......it's a lovely, "connected" feeling to knit.
My first hand knit lace scarf.
I've been using only natural fibers. I started with cotton and now I use mostly merino wool and alpaca. It's wonderful to use natural fibers!! I even have a skein of camel yarn. :) Again, it's the feeling of being connected to ancient crafts that is so very appealing -- in addition to making something warm and useful, of course.
A friend gave me a whole alpaca fleece yesterday. I am really looking forward to preparing the fiber and spinning it into yarn. It's relaxing just to think about it. Such a beautiful fleece, too - mostly a honey rose color. There is some white in it and the color goes all the way to a deep gold. I think I'll leave the color as it is (without dying it) and knit it from light to dark, so the finished product has a lovely shaded effect. Perhaps a whole blanket! That sounds WONDERFUL. :D
Meanwhile, my quest for sustainability continues. I have made some permanent changes, such as only buying natural fiber items for both clothing, crafts and home use. In fact, I have converted all of my bedding to cotton and it is really nice. I had no idea that natural fiber was so much nicer to use. It breathes, it's warm and doesn't suffocate my pores. LOL. I love it.
I've been trying to use sunlight as much as possible, to save on energy costs and light bulb use. Haven't used candles for light yet, but that is something I may do as the days get shorter later in the year. I may also start to use the wood burning stove for heat, too. We'll see how the cost to do that works out.
I have also stopped buying bottled water entirely. I have two stainless steel refillable bottles which work great. I stopped consuming anything that contains aspartame or MSG. I am still working on eliminating corn syrup from my diet entirely. I need to do more home cooking! Cleaning out my kitchen is definitely on my to-do list so that I have more space for that. I plan to try canning later this year, too, so I will need lots of counter space (and I have very little to begin with)!
So, the journey continues. I can say that I have been lagging a bit due to my health.....however, things have been moving forward even though progress hasn't been drastic. Lasting change is what I am striving for, anyway. :)
Alpaca wrap I knitted recently.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Garden Space
We'll call this the "before" photo.
I was able to secure a spot at the County's Community Garden this year. I went to check it out a couple of days ago -- it's going to be a lot of work! But worth it, I think. I have a lot of seeds to plant and I can't wait to start. Right now, it's been raining like crazy for days, so I have to hold off for a while or I'll only end up with moldy seeds! But I am really looking forward to harvesting and using my organic produce!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Developing Sustainable Skills
(Photo: new knitting needles & yarn sitting on a blanket I crocheted a few weeks ago.)
I am now the owner of a pair of size 6 knitting needles and a skein of 100% organic cotton yarn (which, by the way, is GORGEOUS and so soft!). Using my 40% off coupon made the yarn affordable. And tonight I will search for video tutorials online and learn to knit. First project: a nice, rectangular hand towel. LOL. Yep!
Last week I bought a spindle and some wool fiber on Etsy and learned to spin yarn, using YouTube tutorials. I'm not going to be spinning award-winning artisan yarn anytime soon, but it's a good start just to know some basics.
And the week before that, I was ordering organic, heirloom seeds online and got a couple of packets of cotton seeds. You just never know how handy that might be someday! Now I can grow fiber and make my own thread to repair clothes if I need to. Simple skills, inexpensive purchases - but they will make a whole world of difference in a post-peak oil world if I can't get basic supplies. And it reduces my potential "stockpile" of STUFF if I am able to make my own things. I like that!
I registered to have a spot in the County-sponsored community garden this year. I will be able to learn to grow an organic garden hands-on. I don't know how to garden. I thought I did, actually, because when I was a kid my Mom always grew a summer veggie garden. I helped plant seeds, weed, water the garden and harvest. A couple of years ago I mentored a child and we grew a garden. Sort of. I learned that just planting and watering does not guarantee garden success. We got a couple of small cucumbers and a bunch of radishes, mostly. Nothing else grew very well, but we did have a fun time trying. This year will be a more serious gardening effort, however. I will keep a notebook, read, watch videos and take any cheap/free classes I can find, to learn to grow a healthy and productive garden. I intend to use my harvest to learn to can and preserve food, and see how long it will last me throughout the year.
So, you may have already gleaned that the point of this post is that learning sustainable skills is important! I don't think I need to hoard a bunch of stuff to "survive." If I develop some basic,old-fashioned homesteading skills I will be way ahead of the curve!
This is where I suggest starting to plan for the future: make a list of skills you have and of those skills you would like to learn. Then add skills you think you probably need to learn (even if they don't sound fun). Then go online and start searching for local groups, craftspeople and artisan collectives who can teach you these skills. Reach out to them or simply sign up for a class or lecture. Go to YouTube and look for DIY (do it yourself) videos and bookmark them- and actually practice the skills. Buy inexpensive tools, locally made, if possible.
I can't tell you what skills you'll need - that will depend on your lifestyle and what is important to you. Brainstorm. Make lists. Prioritize.
If you need a starting point, this is a good article:
http://www.activistpost.com/2010/11/10-skills-needed-to-thrive-in-post.html
Monday, February 14, 2011
Essential media for every person
I've figured out what I want to use this blog for: to keep track of my quest to live more sustainably.
To that end, I will begin by posting links to the various resources that I think contain essential information for anyone interested in why a sustainable lifestyle is important. This is super easy - just take a nice long afternoon and watch movies. That's all. For me, this time came recently as I've been sick at home with nothing to do....so I started to follow a discussion board conversation about "Peak Oil," and found all of these videos after searching online from keywords I found in those readings.
To start your education, watch these videos (I am listing them in the order I think they are important to watch, YMMV). I am listing titles and in some cases, links. It is up to you to find the video on NetFlix, YouTube or whatever other source you have for media. (All videos are available either on NetFlix or on the websites I link.)
1)Collapse: http://www.collapsenet.com/free-resources/collapse-dvd-reviews
You can find the documentary Collapse on YouTube or via streaming media on Netflix.
IMO, this is the foundational primer video that explains, in the most concise way I've seen so far, what is going on in the world. Everything else I will post builds on this topic, fleshes it out and adds more detail so that you will get a comprehensive view of what is going on.
2)The Future of Food - This documentary explains why genetically modified foods are dangerous to our way of life and our economy. Essential viewing, IMHO!!
3)Tapped - the importance of our fresh water resources, how they are being exploited and some really thought-provoking information. If you can watch this documentary and ever buy bottled water again, then I can't help ya.
4) Crash Course - http://www.chrismartenson.com/
This is a rather long presentation (though you can find a shorter version of it on the website also) that goes into deeper detail about everything mentioned in Collapse.
This website also has a TON of useful information about what to do and lots of resources for you to pursue, once you have watched these videos and are now shitting your pants, freaking out about the future we have created for ourselves.
5) Radically Simple - this film gives you a good view into what sustainable living may actually look like.
In future posts, I will begin to outline the steps I am personally taking to "change the course of the Titanic" (e.g. my life) and hopefully steer myself clear of any future icebergs!
To that end, I will begin by posting links to the various resources that I think contain essential information for anyone interested in why a sustainable lifestyle is important. This is super easy - just take a nice long afternoon and watch movies. That's all. For me, this time came recently as I've been sick at home with nothing to do....so I started to follow a discussion board conversation about "Peak Oil," and found all of these videos after searching online from keywords I found in those readings.
To start your education, watch these videos (I am listing them in the order I think they are important to watch, YMMV). I am listing titles and in some cases, links. It is up to you to find the video on NetFlix, YouTube or whatever other source you have for media. (All videos are available either on NetFlix or on the websites I link.)
1)Collapse: http://www.collapsenet.com/free-resources/collapse-dvd-reviews
You can find the documentary Collapse on YouTube or via streaming media on Netflix.
IMO, this is the foundational primer video that explains, in the most concise way I've seen so far, what is going on in the world. Everything else I will post builds on this topic, fleshes it out and adds more detail so that you will get a comprehensive view of what is going on.
2)The Future of Food - This documentary explains why genetically modified foods are dangerous to our way of life and our economy. Essential viewing, IMHO!!
3)Tapped - the importance of our fresh water resources, how they are being exploited and some really thought-provoking information. If you can watch this documentary and ever buy bottled water again, then I can't help ya.
4) Crash Course - http://www.chrismartenson.com/
This is a rather long presentation (though you can find a shorter version of it on the website also) that goes into deeper detail about everything mentioned in Collapse.
This website also has a TON of useful information about what to do and lots of resources for you to pursue, once you have watched these videos and are now shitting your pants, freaking out about the future we have created for ourselves.
5) Radically Simple - this film gives you a good view into what sustainable living may actually look like.
In future posts, I will begin to outline the steps I am personally taking to "change the course of the Titanic" (e.g. my life) and hopefully steer myself clear of any future icebergs!
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