Quote for the Day

Non-violence can truly flourish when the world is free of poverty, hunger, discrimination, exclusion, intolerance and hatred - when women and men can realize their highest potential and live a secure and fulfilling life. Until then, each and every one of us would have to contribute - collectively and individually - to build peace through non-violence.

~Anwarul Chowdhury

Food Waste

The graphic below is a great visual to show one of the things I'm trying to avoid by living sustainably:

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Many people think that my quest to reduce my impact on the earth is meaningless, yet this illustrates how, over time, individuals and families generate an incredible amount of waste.  122 pounds a month for a family of four, to be exact.  And this is just edible waste.  Think about all of our waste.  Think about over a lifetime.  Think about a neighborhood.   Think about a city.  Think about a country.  Small changes can make a big impact.

A Little Civil Disobedience

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Earlier this year I received a package in the mail from the U.S. Census Bureau.  It contained a survey that was called something like "American Household Survey" (I can't remember the exact name.)  I was instructed that I had to complete and return the survey as soon as I was able and that my response was required by law.  Since I was quite busy at the time, and because there was no deadline, I put off reading and completing the survey.  I received a second survey in the mail.  And then the phone calls started.  So, feeling that I needed to do my civic duty, I pulled out the package and began filling it out.

At the beginning of the survey, I was asked basic questions such as my age, sex, how many people lived in my home.  Then I was asked to answer questions such as how many bedrooms I had in my home and, if I were to sell my house today, how much I would list it for.  Some of these questions I skipped and told myself I'd go back to the later.  However, as the questions became more and more personal, I stopped completing the form.

The questions that gave me the most concern were:  What time do you leave for work?  How long does your commute take?  My understanding was that the survey was to help the federal and local governments improve services such as schools, emergency services, and roads, and to better allocate resources.  I began to wonder what these questions had to do with providing me with better services.  

Ultimately, the Census Bureau ended up receiving a partially completed form.  Essentially, I only answered questions that I felt would help the government determine if our area needed more schools or hospitals.  (By the way, what we really need is high speed internet.)  Of course, not long after returning the survey, I received a call.  The caller wanted to go over the form with me because I hadn't answered some of the questions.  I informed her that I knew I hadn't answered those questions and that I elected not to answer them.  (After all, the form said I was required by law to respond but it didn't say I had to respond to all the questions.)  The Bureau worker then asked if she could put me on record as saying that and I agreed.  Well, the Bureau is now leaving voice mail messages for me, again.  I'm now wondering when they're going to come for me...

Wellness Wednesday

February is American Heart Month.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high blood pressure is often the culprit in cardiovascular diseases.  A high sodium intake increases the likelihood of high blood pressure.  On average, people should consume no more than 2,300 mg of salt a day, but Americans routinely consume 3,300 mg.  Those with health problems might even need to limit their intake to 1,500 mg.

The CDC identified the 10 foods that tend to make up 40% of our salt consumption.  They are:

1. breads and rolls
2. cold cuts and cured meats
3. fresh and processed poultry
4. soups
5. sandwiches
6. cheese
7. pasta dishes
8. meat mixed dishes (such as meatloaf with tomato sauce)
9. snacks (chips, pretzels, popcorn)

Sustainable Living 15

After having read and posted the information about making vegetable stock, I decided to try it out myself.  After all, if successful it would not only save money but would also be more sustainable than buying canned vegetable stock, bouillon cubes, or the "better than bouillon" paste that I've been getting at the health food store.

Just as the article promised, making vegetable stock was a snap.  I saved various vegetable scraps and peelings in a gallon-sized bag in the freezer and, when it was full, I made my stock.  I brought the water to a boil, added the scraps, put in a little salt and a few herbs, returned it to boiling, and boiled it for 30 minutes.  I strained it and allowed it to cool before freezing in 2-3 cup containers for use in future soups.  How easy is that?

Sustainable Living 14

One sustainable thing that I've been doing for years now is making my own brown sugar.  It's so simple to do and saves the extra packaging that comes with buying those little cardboard boxes that contain brown sugar encased in plastic.  Sugar can be purchased in the grocery store in large paper bags - that are a renewable resource and can be recycled - or, better yet, purchased from bulk bins at health food stores.  The only other ingredient is molasses.  Unfortunately, the molasses I have came in a plastic bottle; next time I purchase some, I will be looking for a glass bottle.  However, since a little goes a long way, it's going to be some time before I need to buy more.  

Brown Sugar

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons molasses 

Thoroughly mix molasses into sugar.  Store in an airtight container.  

The amount of molasses can be adjusted to make the brown sugar lighter or darker, depending on your needs.

Quote for the Day

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“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

~Cicero